Random Musings and Nicknacks

Chris went to Catholic Men’s Conference today and I got a chance to drive Tim and Alan to their soccer match this morning. It was a fun drive and boys seemed to be in a very cheery mode. First we listened to some Tim’s music, then mine and then Alan’s piano jazz.

We arrived 15 minutes early so we sit in the car talking and enjoying the music. When the warm-up started, I took a walk and went to the coffee shop to get this beautiful coffee mocha:

“Tell us about an experience, in school or out, that caused you to rethink or change your perspective. what impact has this had on you? (Maximum 100 words)”

In the wee hours of the morning, when I was young and had trouble sleeping, that was when the most deep thoughts came out. Often, they would be the acting out of scenarios in my head, generally with me being a superhero. But then I began into more philosophical thoughts, into the depths of the universe and the clutches of time. The feeling of insignificance dawned upon me, and how astronomically low my existence is. I began to wonder through the feelings of others, of other countries, of other lives, and realized even my own realm of living was small. I began to question whether death really was a terrible thing. And at the moment, at the realization that I was truly small, I was grateful.

And then, at that moment, I had become aware of my existence.

Describe your most significant leadership experience. Why do you consider this your most significant role?
Tim’s Response:

One of the greatest leadership roles I have ever undertaken was during my elementary school years. The opportunity arose when I was the age of twelve. During that time, I was participating in a daycare after school hours. This was the last summer that I would spend at the daycare, for I was moving to a different city for the next school year. The opportunity arose to improve my work experience when I applied to work at the daycare. The daycare gave me a position as part of the Junior Staff, where I managed kids aged 6-10. When I applied, I did not think about the important moments I would experience, but as I look back, that summer taught me a lot of lessons.

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I sat on the cold pavement of the sidewalk, staring up into the broad blue sky. The moon was dimly lit against the deep blue sky. Earlier that day, I had spontaneously decided to improve my skills in those skates, and ended up digging out a pair of rollerblades from the garage. Sitting down now, I realized how great an idea this was. The exercise, the atmosphere, the adrenaline. I was not the best when I started, but after a few weeks, I began watching videos. First it was learning how to stop. Then it was learning how to skate backwards. By the end of two weeks, I had already learned how to do crossovers and do lanes.

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James 3: 16 – 18

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.

18 And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 4: 1 – 3
1 What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?

2 You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask.

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

I had a new personal best for Grouse Grind today: 53 minutes 45 seconds. After seeing Rachel, Padraig and Chris’ performance at yesterday’s climb, I was dreading. My time was getting worse: 57:50 and it’s almost 1 minute slower than the previous climb.

This morning I did some serious thinking and determined to improve my time at my next climb. After some online reading, I discovered that I had made a few rookie mistakes at yesterday’s climb, for example, I wore a pair of very heavy hiking boots. According to the advice given by the most experienced climbers, carrying any unnecessary weight is not recommended , sometimes even a water bottle should be avoided when climbing the Grind. If you can well hydrate yourself before and after the climb, you should be fine without a water bottle with you while climbing.

I came up with some strategies for today’s climbing. If I can’t beat them with my fitness, I should try to beat them with my strategy .

Here are my strategies:
- hydrate myself during the day
I built the hydration chair (see previous post). While I was working, I drank the water over my shoulder throughout the day, very practical and efficient!

- wear light shoes
I dumped my heavy boots and put on very light trail shoes

- carry less weight
I left the camelback in the car and even left my cell phone behind

- look ahead of my path
I looked up 5-10 steps away and chose direct/short path every step even this means a steeper climb.

By following these strategies, I cut 3 minutes off my time. Not bad at all!

To keep myself hydrated through out the day, I hang my camelback on the back of my chair. It’s so easy to drink the water from it – much better than the cup I have in the office

I need to get ready for the grouse grind climb again tonight.

I had worried that Tim might not be good with his money when he grew up. As he was little, every time we were in a restaurant, he always went to the most expensive dish on the menu. Chris subtly guided him to other less expensive items, but he would insist on his choice. So I had to be the bad cop to say No. At the time, one of his favourite choices was the lobster meal. He pested us for the Chinese style lobster dish – that would be a whole lobster on the plate. In spite of our effort and determination, he always managed to forget what he was told, so in the next resturant visit, the conversation would repeat again. Once in a while, we would let him get away with it and he got what he wanted. When the dish came to the table, he always demonstrated stronger appreciation on the meal. I didn’t know if the extra pleading beforehand helped his appetite or simply he had determined that the most delicious meal = the most expensive meal.

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After reading Chris’s recent post on ST. Marks Summit, I did a search on ourlog hoping there is a post fo the hike we did at Joffre Lakes. Unfortunately the result was not found. I was surprised that we didn’t record this event. Anyways, thinking about tonight’s hiking, I am excited now and look forward to the hike.

This morning I got the following recommendations for future hiking ideas:

Buntzen Lake, Greater Vancouver, BC

Sasamat Lake, Port Moody, Greater Vancouver, BC

Jug Island, Belcarra, Greater Vancouver, BC

Cypress lake, Coquitlam, Greater Vancouver, BC

These are trails very close to our home, proximately within an hour’s drive. They all have breath-taking views. The more I think about how accessible these mountains are, the more I appreciate the place we live and the pristine ecosystem we have. We have the most amazing views in our backyard and we just need to remember to explore it.

Conversation between me and Chris on Aug 13:

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[Ling] This is Tim’s message to Mr TL today:

Hi Mr. TL I was wondering if there was any way I could remake any of the tests at all. I’m pretty sure that the only way is to retake the course, but my parents think otherwise. Anyways, get back to me whenever possible.

That is not explaining the situation

[Chris] okay I’ll talk to him

[Chris] Left him a voicemail, telling him how and what to say, and followed up with a text message telling him to check his voicemail: told him he needs to send Mr TL another message explaining that his bike was stolen on the day of the test, so he knows he didn’t do his best on that day, beacuse he was disctracted and upset, and wanted to know if there was anything else he could do – a makeup test or an extra assignment so he could get a chance to show his true knowledge of the subject matter

[Ling] Thanks

[Chris] No problem.  
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry – I mean that message he sent is 100% accurate, but at the same time misses a number of important details

[Ling] He still does not understand what problem he tries to solve by sending that message.
His goal is to improve the marks without re-take the course. If there is a policy, sometimes you still can get what you want with some exceptions, like what we did with our morgage application. He needs to understand there are lots of exceptions for written rules; if you are good at asking, you will likely to get it.

[Chris] I talked to him – he told me he did now send a message to Mr. Truelove through the RVS system, explaining the situation and asking if there was anything he could do to improve his mark

Tim’s message to his Chem12 teacher at 4:48pm that day:

04:48 pm: Also, on a side note, my parents insist that the last day of the test I think I might’ve been a little disoriented by the loss of my bike and all. I don’t really think that can warrant a retake any more, but all’s said and done

[Ling] WTF?!!!
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