Catching the Snakehead

The big news yesterday was the catching of the ferocious top predator, the Snakehead fish. Since putting the video more than three weeks ago, on Youtube about this invasive "Frankenfish," many in the lower mainland have expressed fears of how this fish can potentially decimate the entire fish population in Burnaby lake. If this fish breeds and swims to rivers and other parts of the water channels, it will wreak havoc on the entire ecosystem, not just the precious salmon population. For nearly 27 days, park officials, researchers, and volunteers, comb the entire lake (or some say lagoon), using nets, partially draining the lake, to catch this elusive fish. At one point, many have said the video was a hoax. Yesterday proved that it is an authentic video. There is really a snakehead on the loose. It has been captured. Here's the proof.

Captured 8 June 2012, (Photo Credit: ctv.ca)

Deemed a top predator in North America, this foreign fish from Asia and Africa, eats up literally anything smaller than itself. When in their natural habitats, the alligators, crocodiles, sharks, and bigger fishes, can easily gobble them up. Unfortunately, in North America, snakeheads reign supreme, which is why park officials and environmentalists are especially concerned. The only way this fish ever existed in the lake is due to irresponsible individuals releasing them illegally. Popular among some Asians, the snakehead fish is a delicacy, often sold in local Asian supermarkets. For some reason, someone has decided to buy it alive as a pet, and then release it in a public park.

I believe this incident has taught us how fragile our ecosystem is. Mess with it and we are in for big trouble. It is time to call for a ban on any live imports of such fish. The only good snakehead fish in North America is a dead one.  I love my salmon.

Three lessons from this Snakehead saga

Firstly, I marvel at the power of social media. Put on Youtube, the social media spreads the news far and wide. This is an excellent example of how social media can be used for good. Thankfully, the response from the authorities is quick.

Secondly, catching the fish needs teamwork. This also means leadership. I believe the BC authorities have learned a lesson from their counterparts in Maryland down South. They have had a devastating experience with the Snakehead on the loose. It was so bad that they had to kill everything in the waters just to rid the snakehead. Even then, there is no guarantee they have eradicated the problem completely. Leadership comes from being humble to learn from others, be open to consider appropriately the facts brought to attention, and then to do something about it. Thankfully, this fish was caught even after adopting a host of methods and patience to catch it. Sometimes I wonder, if the fish is smart enough to evade capture for another month, perhaps, it can slip away unnoticed?

Finally, things brought to attention normally get the most attention. Left untouched, unreported, it will simply be left alone to do the damage while we are all sleeping. This snakehead is a dangerous fish and rightfully it needs to be captured urgently. What about sin in us? Do we need to bring it to attention? Or are we content to let it fester, uninterrupted, simply because it is hiding under the covers of normalcy?



 


One snakehead launches a torrent of visitors and officials to the lake. Thanks to the quick action by the authorities, this invasive fish is caught before further damage is done. Bye snakehead. Outgunned, outmanuevered, outplayed, the snakehead has no chance. Lest it has laid eggs.

conrade

Like Leaves in Spring

Springtime continues to blossom throughout the Western hemisphere. I look at the lush greens and the posh colours of the blooming flowers and I marvel. I marvel at the creativity behind the creation. I marvel at the beauty. I marvel at the simplest things of nature that evokes a sense of awe and profound gratitude. Such a feeling is far better than watching a movie on Youtube or to finger my ways through a computing device linked to a social media platform. It is often nature that accelerates the creation, not the device that stimulates the creative juices. Looking at the flowers with the sky as a backdrop, it helps me to meditate. It is a time of joyful celebration of God's creation. Hear what Solomon has to say.

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (SS 2:12)"

I look at this budding flower. Geez, I am no florist or horticulturist. If you know what flowers they are, send me a note, or use the comment section below this article. [update: These are lilacs! Thanks Debbie.]

Beautiful lilacs with the blue sky background

Life is more than simply solving problems or making money. The trouble with many people is that they have missed out the beauty of the earth in their rush to gather up material wealth. Time admiring God's creation is certainly not wasted but time well spent. We are not created to be machines that work all the time. We are created to be loved by God, and our being loved motivates us to work well.

conrade

Tulips by the Wayside

Tulips. A Spring Delight.

Spring is a beautiful time. Whether we are in the park, driving on the roads, or walking along the streets, we can easily glimpse a beautiful part of nature. Even flowers in the wild, long considered weeds are deemed pretty to look at. I enjoy the spectrum of colours. I marvel at the creativity behind the beauty. I ponder at the sights of nature that beg a question: "Can we ever explain beauty?"

No. Beauty is not to be analyzed or studied. It is to be admired and appreciated. Sometimes, the only way we can capture the scene is to snap a picture of it. Yet, as far as the camera is concerned, a photographic image is only in terms of pixels, resolutions, and a closely captured digital frame of bits and bytes. A picture may speak a thousand words, but that alone can never replicate the feelings and the awe of seeing the actual flower. I think about how the digital wave has transformed the world. We are communicating on Facebook more and more, as face to face chatting becomes less and less. We are rushing ahead on technological efficiency and scientific efficacy while missing out on personal interactions and relational touch. We are substituting the historical collections of printed books with digital scans or book reproductions on our electronic readers.
As I look at flowers, I think of how beauty is appreciated in the Songs of Solomon.

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (SS 2:13)

What if our Christian testimony is like the flowers that bloom when the season comes? Three things come to mind.

A) Blooming like Flowers

As Christians, we are called to be the salt and the light of the earth. We are to be living testimonies for Jesus. We are to let the love of Christ shines through in our daily behaviour, actions, and thoughts. Our transformed inner lives are to be catalysts of change in society. As flowers flourish their best in their best seasons, Christians can shine their best versions of Christ in their unique ways. The media may tell us otherwise, that Churches are full of hypocrites, and Christians are but morality police more interested in the heavenly realms more than earthly realities. Not necessarily. Christians can still bloom like flowers. Like the tulips, they show their presence to anyone who walks past. Like the flowers, they bring about a sense of peace and serenity to help people marvel at nature and creation. Being able to be at one's best is a mark of grace and beauty. It is witnessing at its best.

B) Growing Beautifully

Like the tulips, beauty enables the beholder to enjoy creation. There is no law against wanting to be beautiful and perfect as far as good living is concerned. Like the tulips, there are many beautiful shades of colour and floral combinations. If a Christian does a good work, there is no need to explain it. Likewise, as Christians grow to be like Christ, it not only encourages the Church, it motivates others to start wondering why Christians are doing what they are doing. Growing beautifully as Christians in Christlike ways is one of the most powerful witnessing Christians can ever do.

C) Making Beautiful Memories

As the saying goes, a face can launch a thousand ships. Likewise, a pretty flower can stimulate a lingering memory. Christians who do a good work can witness far beyond that one time sharing experience. The tulips do not have legs. Neither do they fly all over the world to talk or to manifest their presence. Even though they are largely stationary, by blooming and being beautiful where they are can instill a long memory in observers and passers by. Beautiful memories are generally cherished. They bring back a glimpse of a wonderful world. They point us to the hope of humanity. They lead us back to God. All conversions contain pockets of memories of how Christians have been used to touch one's lives. In fact, my own conversion is not one act of evangelism or witness, but a compilation of beautiful memories in my earlier years. Learn from the tulips. Let each season of our witnessing help store a spiritual thought, a lingering memory of what Christ has done for us.

Like the tulips, may Christians appear gracefully wherever they are. Live gratefully wherever they are. Show graciousness whenever they can.

"'Deep beauty' is the kind of beauty that shines from the inside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn't wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness. Deep beauty springs from virtue. It is the beauty of being chaste and morally clean. It is the kind of beauty that you see in the eyes of virtuous women like your mother and grandmother. It is a beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring covenants" (Elaine S. Dalton, "Remember Who You Are!").

conrade

Wildflowers in Spring (Spiritual Lessons)

Weeds thrive where there are empty patches.

Spiritual Lessons from wildflowers in Spring.

Weeding is a major part of any gardening hobby. While pedestrians and onlookers enjoy the pretty flowers blooming in Spring, there are much work done on the background that do not appear obvious to the public eye. Weeds!

In British Columbia, the dandelions are commonly found throughout the province. While it is generally considered a weed by many, the petite yellow flowers make it a beautiful landscape in public parks or private gardens. Introduced from Europe, it is said that these flowers open brightly during the day and close during the evening.  I have heard that the flowers even have a medicinal use. As far as the gardener is concerned, these are weeds to be eradicated. The dandelions not only become an eyesore, they consume nutrients meant for the cultivation of other plants.

I wonder if there is something that we can learn from the pervasiveness of the dandelions. I think of at least two lessons: Deep Roots and Vacant Land.

A) Deep Roots

There is a passage in which Jesus teaches us about weeds and the kingdom of God. He says: "Jesus told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared." (Matthew 13:24-26)

Indeed, the weeds appear to just come up on their own. No one in their right mind will be planting weeds. Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is likened to the man planting "good seed." This good seed is like the good work that we do, the gardening that we do. When no one is watching, and when we are sleeping, this is where the weeds start their growth. It is the enemy that plants the bad seeds. Thus, while man works by day, the devil works by night. Both appear at about the same time. The trouble with weeds is that since weeds have deep roots, they are not easily destroyed.

When we try to dig out the weeds, it is not enough simply to remove the flows and the top of the weed. Much digging is required in order to remove the entire weed. Lots of soil needs to be removed in order to reach these deep roots. Another reason why these weeds survive so well is because most people never bother to remove the roots. When this happens, the weeds simply grow back even after the flowers and the leaves are removed.

Remarkably, when asked about the weeds, Jesus prefers not to look at the temporal nature of weeds, but the final judgment instead. The point of the parable is that the weeds will always be around to haunt us. The evil will try to frustrate us in all of our works. Any attempt to get rid of evil is at best temporary. The evil will return. With deep roots, they will come up seasonally. 

B) Vacant Land

Yellow dandelions grow deep roots.

Another reason why weeds thrive is the presence of empty space. Friends have told me about the need to seed the lawn regularly so that there will be minimal vacant space for any unwanted weeds to exist. Grass seeds will fill up whatever available space so that the lawn will be clear of any kinds of weed. Overseeding is recommended. Not only will the lawn be thicker with good grass, it will prevent weeds from coming. If there is no room or nutrients for weeds, they will be crowd out.  Timing is key. Overseeding is recommended for early Spring and late Fall. The latter is best done in late September before the Winter steps in.

This reminds me of Jesus exorcising an evil spirit from a man.

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”(Matthew 12:43-45)

It is not enough to simply be cleansed once and for all. One needs to remain pure throughout. Likewise, a cleared land from weeds is not enough. The land needs to be planted with good seed, otherwise the weeds will return. The good seed is the Word of God.

Are we filling our lives with the Word of God? It is not enough to be cleansed once, and then do nothing. Once we are cleansed, we need to remain vigilant against the evil one, from sowing seeds of evil again.

My friends. Learn from the weeds. Grow deep roots so that our faith continues to grow through all seasons of life, while surviving the hard falls of life. Fill up all vacant parts of our lives with good deeds and good seeds, namely the remembering, the storing, and the practicing of God's Word. For the time will come, that when the Lord appears, may our lives be flowers that bloom when the season has arrived.

conrade

Thanks Vancouver Canucks!

It has been another exciting year. For the second consecutive year, the Vancouver Canucks ice hockey team has won the President's Trophy as the best team in the regular 82 game series. For the second year, it has failed to win the more coveted Stanley Cup. On Sunday, the entire city was silenced by the overtime goal that clinched the First Round series for the Los Angeles Kings, and knocked out the President's Trophy winners. For many, it was a shock at how an 8th seed team can beat a #1 ranked team in just 5 games. For the more skeptical, it was only a matter of time before the Canucks lose. Again! I have much hope this year, which was one reason why I advocated: "Believe again!" at the beginning of the playoffs. Alas. That was not to be.

Rather than looking back with regret about failed strategies or lost opportunities, I think the better approach is gratitude. For two years, the whole city has been captivated by great winning performances by the Vancouver Canucks. Their powerplay for a long time has been rock solid, becoming the best powerplay team in the league for a fairly long period of time. They united the whole city together. They played good hockey. They have spurred on many organizations and businesses in terms of profits and economic activity. You can tell how passionate the players have been, the coaches, the organizational leaders, and so on. No one play to lose. Everyone tries their best to win. After all, many have even said that the Stanley Cup is the world's most difficult trophy to win. If that is the case, there is no reason to fret. Live to fight another year. If not this year, maybe the next, or sometime in the future.

Honestly, when after watching Game 3 of the Canucks-Kings series, halfway through I feel sick with all the fighting, the shoving, and the violence played out on the ice. It was not skills or player brilliance but bullying of all sorts happening. I wanted to just turn off the TV after that. I thought, if playoff hockey is about violence, fighting, bruising, and bullying, then it is not worth it. Skill is more elegant than size. Strategy is more beautiful than brute force. Playing is better than fighting.

I admit that my heart sank when the Kings scored the Overtime goal. So did many of my friends in Vancouver. Last year was perhaps the closest we can smell the Cup. While many other teams did not even win anything, Vancouver at least got another trophy: The President's Trophy. This too is not an easy feat, considering that it is awarded to the team with the overall best record, just like the top student in schools, or the top prize in any regular season competition. Why lament at the lost when we can cherish and celebrate the achievements?

This is the attitude we need to have. Give thanks for the best efforts. Learn from the mistakes. Have a restful Summer. After all, out of 30 teams, only one can win the Stanley Cup. Likewise, out of 30 teams, only one can win the President's Trophy. The Vancouver Canucks may not have won all the cups. They may have gotten only one, albeit a less prestigious one. Nevertheless, the fighting spirit and the good hockey that has been played out deserves our continued claps.



Two words describe how I feel: "Thank You."

conrade

Believe Again

I have not really been a hockey fan until I arrived in Canada. Even then, soccer is still my first choice of sports. During the Olympics, it will be enjoying the many graceful movements of synchronous swimming or the gymnastics display. It is also admiring the way the marathoners push the physical limits of the body or the record breaking sprints of the relays and the swimming speed races. During the World Cup Soccer, I eat, drink, sleep, and talk soccer. The Stanley Cup playoffs is the equivalent of the madness surrounding World Cup Soccer, especially when the home team is playing for the Cup.

Today marks Day 1 between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. After the terrible riots last year when the team lost Game 7, this year, the team is back with more experience, more determination, and I pray more grit.

The city and the authorities have put up a nicely made video to remind all to celebrate responsibly. I like it. As a resident in Vancouver, I am all for the home team. May I urge all in Vancouver and in BC to BELIEVE AGAIN.




Go Canucks Go! It's time to believe again. This time, it will be different.

conrade

Gay Pride Trampling Others Rights

No matter how we look at it, it cuts both ways. Whether it is a public outcry over morality issues, or a matter of freedom of choice, people are going to dispute all kinds of decisions. Regardless.

Last week, I was having a friendly chat with a friend. Somehow, we stumbled upon the topic of how society has perceived the homosexual issues. Recent events have demonstrated that those supporting 'gay rights' have become bolder. Pride has turned to proudness; proudness to boldness; and boldness to aggressiveness. Let me highlight three examples about such boldness that has led to aggressive stances.

1) Gay Pride Parade

Gay activists are no longer content with funding their own activities. They now want the authorities to support them. Currently, most of the costs for policing, garbage collection, and associated costs for such parades are self-funded. According to 'pride organizers,' they feel that such gay parades are bringing in 'millions of dollars for local businesses. In the article, pride organizers even compared the Gay Parades to the popularity of the Festival of Lights fireworks, which draw thousands of people each summer. If such a civic status is granted, it will more likely be due to the aggressive gay lobbying, rather than the actual 'millions of dollars' for local businesses.


2) Anti-Homophobic Policy in Schools

The gay agenda is also more boldly proclaimed in schools near my neighbourhood. Recently, the Burnaby school board has passed a controversial 'Anti-Homophobic' policy. Quoting the example of one Shahraz Kassam, the Board, passes a rule that applies to thousands of children, leaving parents fuming away why such rules need to be initiated in the first place. Why must gay people be given additional protection over the rest of the people? Why is it necessary to single out the homosexuals, and give them special preference in the first place? The Burnaby School Board chairman has this to say:

"We want to be proactive and make sure we address things like gay slurs and bullying against someone who may be of a different sexual orientation,"

I believe anti-bullying rules have already covered bullying of all natures, include what Hayes say about 'gay slurs' and so on. The problem I have is two fold. First, this sets up an unhealthy precedent to pass all kinds of other rules. Soon, we'll have laws against "Anti-Immigrant," "Anti-religious," "anti-secular," "Anti-Short-People," "Anti-Bald-People" and all kinds of laws that look ridiculous and deserve a whole new curriculum to educate puzzled children what they means. Come on. Children are already struggling with learning Maths and Science, French, English, and many others. Why start imposing 'adult agendas' on children's education?

Secondly, while one may trumpet their own gay rights, what if their actions trample upon the rights of other groups? Are the complaints legitimate, given that Canada already is in the fore-front of 'human rights?' It concerns me because the society appears to offer gay groups a BIGGER ear than other groups. Otherwise, they will not have passed the anti-homophobic laws in the first place!

What happens if one day, a gay boy pours out 'anti-gay' slurs on others? Will the Board then introduce another law?

3) California Introduces Gay Education for Kids

This third development happens in California. It is reported that the learning of gay history is now compulsory for school children. Isn't this move trampling upon the rights of other people to have the traditional form of education for their kids? What makes it more preposterous is how they flash out dissenting parents' rights to pull their children out of the classrooms! Talking about forcing a gay agenda into the books, and then forcing dissenting views out of the classroom. You call that fair rights?

I feel that gay lobbying has now moved to a new phase. Instead of being the victim, it is becoming more aggressive. By highlighting its own rights over the rest, they are trampling on other people's freedom of lifestyle choices. While I believe that people in society ought to be given their freedom to choose what kind of lifestyle they want, all should be open to respect one another. Such respect should not be restricted to any one people group. The very existence of an 'Anti-homophobic' laws have already divided people from the start. Even without such laws, people have already been prosecuted for any anti-homophobic behaviour. Giving the gay group an additional voice is already an unfair advantage.

Case in point. If I exercise my right NOT to agree to a gay agenda being forced into my children's textbooks, is my only choice then to pull my children out of public schools? Sadly, that looks increasingly possible on the nearing horizon.


conrade

7 Reasons to be Proud of Your Vancouver Canucks

So the Canucks lost Game 7, the final game of the Stanley Cup series. After a convincing journey to become the best team in the regular season, the team just did not have the resources to finish strong. Many people were upset. The city of Vancouver appears to be in a state of shock. On that fateful Wednesday night, almost immediately following the buzzer, some irresponsible thugs triggered a wave of violence and destruction in downtown Vancouver.  Sadness gives way to anger. Anger deteriorates into a few hours of anarchy.

The day after the senseless riots, I walk the streets of downtown Vancouver. I see touching scenes where people volunteer to clean up the streets, scrub the burnt walls, and offer words of encouragement to the 'real fans of Vancouver' as well as the Vancouver Canucks. It is in this spirit that I feel there are more reasons to celebrate, rather than to criticize. I offer 7 reasons why we in the city of Vancouver ought to be proud of this year's home team.

1) President's Cup Winners

For the first time in its 40 years franchise history, the Canucks won the title of being the best team in the NHL in the regular season. Just look at the table to see how the Canucks distinguished themselves this year. In fact, they are the first team to be guaranteed a place in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

2) The Way They Performed

Going into the playoffs, the Canucks had the best power play, scored the most goals, allowed the least goals, and have consistently performed better than any team in the league. They are no fluke. Looking at the classy way in which they have played the game, they made the game of hockey such a beautiful sport. I remember how the Sedins pass the puck so gracefully that it looks like figure skating with a hockey stick.

3) The Team Talent
The Canucks distinguish themselves as a cohesive team. Without laying blame on any one individual, they have consistently adopted a posture of rising and falling as a team. This is clear from many of the interviews individual players have given. All of them have an extremely high regard for one another. In fact, each player passes so well, sometimes too much, demonstrating that it does not matter who scores, as long as the team wins.

4) The Captain

The captain, Henrik Sedin is a class gentleman. He does not assign blame even after the team lost the final game. Instead, he takes responsibility and leadership. In one memorable game, he intentionally protects the puck that is heading toward the opposition goal. Instead of slamming it home to rack up credit for himself, he allows the puck to go in so that his teammate, Aaron Rome, gets his first goal in the league. Classy.

5) A Great Stanley Cup Run

The Canucks went all the way to the very last game. Together with the Bruins, they played the most number of games. They struggled with injuries. They played like true warriors in the sport. Many of the players battle with injuries. Come on. Hockey is a very punishing sport. After playing 82 games, to try to win another 16 high intensity games is already an exceptionally difficult task. That is why many has said that the Stanley Cup is the world's most difficult prize to win. With this long Stanley Cup run, the Canucks have given the city of Vancouver, and the entire BC province as well as Canada, a real hope. It does not matter about the final result. What matter is that they have provided for us great sportsmanship and entertainment. It was after all, a great Stanley Cup run.

6) Sportsmanship

Dr John Stackhouse of Regent College gives a very insightful reflection on the team. He writes the following which sums up the quality and sportsmanlike of the team.

"Sportswriters and TV analysts scratched their tiny heads at how the pride of the Canucks’ league-leading offense, the Swedish twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin, seemed to disappear for much of the playoffs and particularly the finals. (They actually were one-two in leading the Canucks in points, but given their usual prowess, they did seem to disappear for long stretches.) But there is no mystery here, even while the Sedins themselves were too sportsmanlike to state the obvious, blaming themselves instead. No, the brute fact is that their opponents were granted permission by the referees to vandalize their brilliant game of flashing skates, creative positioning, and pinpoint passing.Worse, their opponents were given permission to hack at the backs of their lower legs and punch them in the face, to attack the few places on the body unprotected by hockey pads, thus crippling and distracting two of the quickest players in the league." (blog)

Looking at it, I tend to agree. It makes me feel like, if one has to beat up the other team physically in order to win the Cup, then that Cup is not really worth winning at all. Most commentators have already said that if the Canucks were to battle with the Bruins in the trenches, the Bruins win hands down, by virtue of their huge sizes and brute intensity. If one wants to win, let it be done gracefully. I believe that the winner is not the one lifting the cup. The winner is anyone who has given their best, being graceful in every win, and being gracious in every loss.

7) Hope

So what the Canucks did not win. Why should anyone of us let one final game condemn a great team? Look at the team. They played the entire series all the way. They won the President's Trophy, the Western Conference, and is a Stanley Cup finalist. At each step, they have offered the entire city and supporters much hope. Look at how the people rejoice and party through the night this year. It is something not commonly seen. This final reason is perhaps the best I can think of. It is possible. There is no shame in losing the last game. Likewise, fans have every reason to be proud of their Canucks. Let there be no blame. Let there be no shame. Keep your chin up. Stand tall. There is hope. With the experience gained, there is more for the team to gain.

Do not let one final game, even though they lost, blind us from the fact that the team this year has done well. Exceptionally well. True fans will learn to win gracefully or lose graciously.

Go Canucks Go!

conrade

True Fans are Not Rioters

Saddened. Shocked. Shamed. As news media around the world parade the images of Vancouver like vultures looking for meaty news, the beautiful city of Vancouver is forever tarnished. As Vancouver Police Chief has said, these rioters are no Canucks fans. They are 'criminals, anarchists, and thugs.' The photos say it all.

Photo Credit: National Post

You can see more shocking images here. There are many Youtube videos that show the senseless destruction of a city, under he guise of being a Canucks fan. One of them below shows how sickening it can get.

As I watch the news and listen to the radio, I am convinced that the majority of the troublemakers planned these rioting beforehand. According to some eye-witnesses, the rioters came prepared with sledgehammers, bandanas, fire-starters and many kinds of home-made weaponry. Obviously, they had a plan regardless of the results of Game 7 hockey game. In other words, they were already prepared to riot whether the team wins or loses.  One bus driver even overheard that her passengers in the bus were conspiring about what targets to hit as they were traveling downtown. These people are not true hockey fans.

Unfortunately, these rioters don the Vancouver Canucks jerseys as they go around damaging public and private property. They have shown the world that they are thugs ready to cause trouble, hurt property and people. These are definitely not Vancouver Canucks fans.

I feel sad that a few bad eggs have damaged the reputation of a beautiful city. After all the wonderful reviews in last year's Olympics celebrations, this year has not only erased all the goodwill. It created more bad taste in all, both local and overseas. I am ashamed. Utterly ashamed. Yet, there is hope. Hope that the majority of the city dwellers are peace-loving, and good respectful hockey fans. They may be sad, but they know how to lose graciously. I believe that the media ought to highlight the news of Vancouver in proportion. For example, a few hundred people riot downtown yesterday. This morning, thousands more people volunteer to help in the cleaning up. You do the math.

Vancouver is still a beautiful place, and I am proud to be living in this world class city. Do not let these minority 'criminals, anarchists, and thugs' destroy the majority image. Here is a snippet of images of real Vancouver Canucks fans. These people volunteer at their own time and expense. They mop. They cleanup. They restore as much as they can. These are the true Canucks fans. These fans are true blue Canucks and they are not rioters.

Photo Credit: Maurice Li

Check it out here.

conrade

Looking for Hope

TITLE: Looking for Hope
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 9 June 2011

Vancouver’s home ice-hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks has accomplished a lot this year, much more than previous years. Winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the very first time, it is widely acknowledged as the best team in the National Hockey League for the year 2011. At the post-season playoffs, they have also demonstrated resilience in coming back to defeat their nemesis, the Chicago Blackhawks, overcoming the Nashville Predators, and steamrolling over the San Jose Sharks to win the top prize of the Western Conference. Fans throughout the province who have been captivated by the success of the Canucks, have made many restaurants and bars profitably happy. The mood in the streets is chirpy. People everywhere are understandably hopeful that this year will be the year the Canucks will bring back the coveted Stanley Cup.

After winning the first two games, city folks have helped to drive up ticket prices, increased police presence on the streets, and sparked a huge demand for Canucks jerseys and memorabilia. After losing the next two games, many were left in a state of shock. They don’t know what hit them.


Hanging on the balance
What do we do when our last hope is hanging on the balance? On the one hand, we do not want to ‘jinx’ the probability of winning. On the other hand, we are careful not to put all our hopes in one hockey team for the fear of being disappointed. Where then is hope?

Today, the city is much more subdued. The local team has lost miserably to the Boston Bruins. According to one report, ticket prices have fallen a whopping 40%! So much for fan loyalty. As quick as some people are to embrace the Canucks as their team, so quickly they lose their enthusiasm, and their hopes as well.

I know of some people who will pray for the Canucks during a tense game situation. Incredibly, losing is not an option. Losing to a hated team is anathema. How does hope look like when the results hang on the balance?

Expression of Hope in the Psalms
The Psalms of David are filled with all kinds of emotions. It expresses both joy as well as sorrow, gladness and sadness; hopefulness and hopelessness. That is why reading the Psalms is one way of enabling us to express our humanness in our world of ups and downs. One popular Psalm is Ps 42. Beginning with a reference to a deer panting for waters, so too are people who longs deeply for God. Being taunted by enemies, forsaken by loved ones, misunderstood by friends, it is a lonely journey to bear emotions of hurt. The Psalmist finds strength in taking refuge in God.

"Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence." (Ps 42:5)

This verse probes inside a person to ask what is troubling the heart. The Psalmist recognizes that the soul is going through a hard time. It is in despair. It is in turmoil. The Hebrew expresses this cry of the heart as ‘roaring’ its cries. It is intense. The whole being is shaken.

Meekly, there is a glimmer of hope. Gently, the psalmist pulls back from total self-destruction. Firmly, he gathers himself to recognize the reality of WHO is in control. It is not the emotional turmoil. It is not the enemy. Neither is it the circumstances that led to the troubled heart. He yearns for God. He lives on in hope. He embraces the LORD Almighty as the Giver of all hope. God’s presence is all he needs.

As we increase our awareness that the LORD is in control, we decrease our tendency to yield ourselves to things outside of our control. When we gaze upon the Face of God, we will not be easily moved or shaken by the events of the world. Instead of banking all of our hopes in mere results of a hockey game, an examination result, or an important contract, we ought to sit our hearts in our Creator God. Only God alone satisfies. Only God alone purifies. Only God alone supplies us all things. Including hope.

For fans of Vancouver Canucks, do not fret. Do not fear. May the best team win. More importantly, let us pray that the home team will play with winning hearts and in true sportsmanship. Do not lose sight of the meaning of a game. It is just a game. Allow it to bring out the best in us. Regardless of the results, may it bring out the best not only among the players, but among all supporters near and far. I will rather the home team lose graciously and with sportsmanlike behaviour, than to win at an ugly cost. Life is more than a hockey game. Let us put our hopes not on the results, but on the living God.

Game 5 is tomorrow. Bring on our hopes. It is not the winning or losing. It is the hoping that brings life.


conrade

"Are you Chinese?"

TITLE: "Are you Chinese?"

Written by: Conrade Yap

Date: 25 May 2011

I was asked the above question over the past week. The first was by an immigrant from England. As we talked, he asked in a suspicious way: "Are you Chinese?" I said 'No. I am not from China. I'm Malaysian." He then goes on to rattle about how miserly the Chinese people are, and how many promised something, but failed to deliver as promised. A few days later, I met a Polish speaking man in Vancouver. He asked me the same question.

"Are you Chinese? Chinese people come with bags of cash!" He said to me.

Again, I said no. I was born in Malaysia, lived in Singapore, and have only visited China on short business trips. I am definitely not some kind of 'chinese' people in Vancouver who goes around buying up expensive properties, or giving substandard quality kind of work. In fact, my family has been renting ever since we moved to Vancouver in 2004. From student housing, to community apartments, to rented townhouses, we are like any ordinary worker in Vancouver, with humble wages. For that, I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be able to work in my part time capacity as a pastor. 

The Negative Perceptions

Here are the common complaints that I have been hearing from time to time. It is because I look like a Chinese, that people suspect my ethnicity. When they hear me speak, they will know I am not from China for I do not speak Mandarin like the mainland Chinese, or Cantonese like the HK Chinese. I speak English. I think English. I write English. Alarmingly, I find an increasing number of people having a negative perceptions of Chinese people.

Firstly, the CASH perception. The Chinese are the ones with 'loads of cash,' like the words of my Polish acquaintance. I have also heard stories of Chinese from Hong Kong coming to Vancouver and making an immediate purchase of 5-6 pieces of real estate, in CASH! With stories like these, it is not surprising that the man in the street has the jealous perception about rich Chinese people.

Secondly, the CHEAP perception. Due to the difficulty among immigrants in getting jobs, the way to get contracts and jobs is to undercut the market price. There are many Chinese immigrants with great skills but lack the connections necessary for daily business. For many, their competitive advantage is a powerful use of price. In cost conscious Vancouver, people frequently go for the cheapest and the lowest price. For the lowest price, you can get any service. Like plumbing, moving, electrical work, landscaping, or any work that needs to be done in your residential address. Thus we have unlicensed electricians, plumbers, contractors galore, all  competing on the basis of lowest price. Often, such people over-promise but under-deliver. 

Thirdly, there is the COMMUNICATIONS perception. Some Chinese immigrants fail to speak English properly. This leads not only to communication problems, but unfortunate misunderstanding too. I remember a frustrated white man driving a SUV shouting at the top of his voice, to ask the Chinese to go back to their country, if they do not speak English at all. 

Fourthly, there is the CLIQUE perception. There are many Chinese immigrants who spend most of the time with people of their own ethnicity. Failure to mix with the race of Canada gives a bad negative perception, that they are not interested in integrating themselves with Canadian life at large. For example, anyone who visits Richmond, or walk into the Aberdeen shopping complex will almost certainly think that it is a mini-Hong Kong. 

Building a Bridge of Understanding

For all the negative perceptions above, I think it is even more important to build bridges of understanding. Though I am not from Hong Kong or China, I feel it is important to help English speaking Canadians, and Mandarin or Cantonese speaking Chinese to understand one another. For a start, I like to address the four negative perceptions above and suggest some ways to go about building bridges.

On CASH, try to understand that as new immigrants, many Chinese do not have Canadian work experience or qualifications. They need a roof over their heads, and a place to start their new life. For many, the cash that they have represent life savings and hard work over the years. For them to fly half way across the world into a foreign land is a huge risk in itself. While there are some Chinese who are 'filthy' rich, many are living off their life savings. 

Suggestion for New Immigrants: Don't flaunt your cash. Remember that your property purchases are not an end in itself. It jacks up property prices all over the city, and makes them out of reach for many locals. Just be sensitive.

On CHEAP, also understand that many new immigrants from China desperately need jobs. Locals need to accept them as they are, and also make it a point not to offer contracts based on the lowest price. In fact, by giving them contracts based on their low price, you are unwittingly encouraging them.

Suggestion for New Immigrants: Follow the local culture and licensing requirements. If you undercut and give an artificial low price, you will eventually be undercut by others. Better to work based on FAIR-PRICE rather than low price. Know the laws and the safety rules.

On COMMUNICATIONS, give new immigrants the time to learn English. Be more patient with them. For those who are struggling, encourage them. Maybe, local Canadians can help them along, and don the 'Canadian' quality that I find likable: Be Nice.

Suggestion for New Immigrants: Make an effort to speak. Make an effort to attend classes. Your effort helps.

On CLIQUE, it is understandable that new immigrants find comfort and encouragement among their own people. This is only natural. Why not have events that have both English and Chinese together? Have people from all ethnicities come together to have fun each year. I feel the current NHL Stanley Cup run is an excellent opportunity for everybody to come together. The marketing message: "We are All Canucks!" is a powerful opportunity to do just that.

Suggestion for New Immigrants: Remember that Vancouver, and Canada is larger than your small enclave.

It will take a while for bridges of understanding to be built. I hope this blog article can help contribute a small part toward it.

conrade

Only in Canada

Canada is now in the midst of an election campaign. It is the 4th in 7 years. It is also an election that most Canadian voters do NOT want. What's more? There is something else more important for Canadians. Hockey.

Only in Canada, medical personnel are warned not to chat about hockey during surgery. (new)

Only in Canada, a nationwide elections debate by the leaders of the leading political parties shift the date because of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (news)

Only in Canada, the Premier of the Province asks businesses to turn on the TV if meetings are to be held during a hockey game that involves a Canadian team.

Only in Canada, schools and employers are asked to encourage their students and employees to don hockey colours to school and to work. (news)


Only in Canada, all activities are adjusted so as to fit into a hockey playoff game.

Only in Canada, hockey is treated as the national obsession, even a religion. Between elections and a hockey game, the latter wins hands down.

Credit: The Province

Initially I cannot really understand why. To this day, it still baffles me. I have learned that in Canada, hockey cannot really be understood. It can only be experienced.

Today marks the start of the playoffs for the coveted Stanley Cup. Two Canadian teams are playing, Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks. Many will say it is more prestigious that the Olympics. It is the defacto world cup of hockey, at least in Canada.

This year, the Vancouver Canucks are ranked #1 going into the playoffs. They are Canada's best chance to bring back the Cup to the North.

Go Canucks Go!

In Vancouver, We are all Canucks.

On Emergency Workers - Real Emergency or Abuse of Privilege?

The sirens scream. The loud hailer roar. The pressing of the horn signals the coming of an emergency team. The ambulance has it. The police patrol car has it. The gigantic fire engine has it. All it takes is the sounding of the emergency call, and the whole world has to literally stop. It is about saving lives. It is about public acknowledgment that these emergency workers have more important tasks to be done.

As a driver, I will obediently slow down, and stop my care at a safe spot. After all, the emergency vehicles can come in any direction, and travel in any open roads. For the sake of the ambulances, the general public and the people requesting for an emergency rescue, the emergency workers have the right of way. Literally always. The law demands it.

1) Blocking Road Arteries

This morning, I heard the sound of a fire-engine and an ambulance at my neighbourhood. This is not surprising as there is a fire station not too far away from where I live. I learned that a neighbour of mine has an emergency. Unfortunately, the only way in and out of my townhouse complex is a narrow one-and-half lane. The fire-engine occupies the left lane. The ambulance sits arrogantly on the right lane, completely blocking off all traffic in and out of the townhouse complex. After all, if there is an emergency, everyone needs to wait. Right? What I observe is even more worrying. 

• The emergency workers do not seem to care about others in the neighbourhood;
• They have their own sense of priority, without considering other people may have their legitimate priorities too.
• Of the 5-6 guys I saw, most of the time, only 2 were actively working while the rest are standing around.

2) Inconsiderate Behaviour?

A few of my neighbours also waited. One honked in frustration as she had a medical appointment. Another backed his car to his own parking lot, probably late for work. Yet, another utility company decided to park somewhere else. I waited in my car, firstly to see how my neighbour is doing, and secondly to see how fast the workers are responding. I watched my clock. 20 minutes. It took 20 minutes to get the sick person onto the stretcher. One of my frustrated elderly neighbours gave up driving, and decided to take the bus. Another neighbour also told me that it is much better to just walk. She seemed to know that there is no point talking with these workers. Emergency workers there behaved in a world of their own.

I thought to myself: "If the whole world is waiting for the emergency workers to do their job, shouldn't you at least be fast and responsive to the sick person? ok, You want to block the road. Consider if you are also blocking other legitimate emergencies?"

Isn't it too much to expect emergency workers to at least work at an emergency pace? If it was my grandmother who is in an emergency, 20 minutes is far too long. Way too long. I told that to one of the workers, and he simply shrugged off my comment about their slow pace. I admit that I am annoyed when they deliberately shut off all access roads. Yet, the bigger worry is not travel inconvenience, but the BEHAVIOUR of these emergency workers. 

3) Real Emergency or Abuse of Power?

There is a fine line between public service and abuse of power. I hope that all emergency workers will realize that. I am not impressed this morning. Even if I can wait 20 minutes in the car to wait for the ambulance, the paramedics, and the fire engines to move, I am not sure if all emergency patients can. What if by blocking everybody else with their vehicles on the basis of their own emergency case, they have unwittingly blocked another emergency in the neighbourhood?

Lest I be mistaken, I am all in support of emergency workers. I think they do society a great service. However, when it comes to inefficiency and a lack of urgency in their roles, that is troubling. Even more disturbing will be any abuse of power in the name of an emergency. I really hope the authorities will be on a constant check against such abuse. Otherwise, the general public in Vancouver, tax payors, and concerned citizens will be the ones who are being abused.

conrade

Snowing in November

It's beginning to look a lot like White Christmas.

Trees simply take them all in. No complaints from them.

Local Safeway. Nice place to be inside on a snowy day. Just don't overspend.

Key to safe driving: Slow and Steady.

One lady driver got stuck on a slope.

It's nice to just watch the snow fall. For drivers, it can be a nightmare. For all my American friends down South, Happy Thanksgiving!


conrade

Free Places To Visit over the Olympics

Here is a great site that shows where to go visit during the Olympics in Vancouver. If you are in town, do check it out. Many of the places are free. Check out the link here. (Credit: CityCaucus.com)

There are many helpful places which should give you an idea. These links are not mine. I put here for the convenience of my readers. If you know of other links, let me know.

• Google Maps List of Places (link)
• Vancouver Pavilions and Hospitality Houses (link)
• "You Gotta Be Here" campaign sites (link)

conrade

Early Autumn

I am always amazed at how clever trees are. Before they shed leaves, they prepare by reducing the chlorophyll content in the leaves. The result is a beautiful transition as the whole tree prepares for a rough upcoming seasonal cold. Trees seem to know how to prepare for a cold frosty Winter. Last night, the temperature in Vancouver is between 0-2 degrees Celsius.

If only humans are more conscious of the coming Kingdom of God. They'll start to do more good deeds and be more neighborly. Remember the parable of the shrewd servant? (Luke 16:1-13)

I love the red color.

This pine tree is a favorite with squirrels. Color mix is pretty spectacular.

British Columbia will be a great photo shoot in the next few weeks.

ks

Dalai Lama on Technology

(Photo Credit: Vancouver Sun)The Dalai Lama is in Vancouver this week. My children's school even provide tickets for some students to attend one of his talks. Well known as an exiled Tibetan leader, he was given celebrity status as he opens the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit on the 27 Sep 2009. Present was Canada’s Head of State representative, Governor-General Michaëlle Jean and several well known figures such as Mary Robinson, the Irish Prime Minister and Maria Shriver. His speech was widely covered by the media. He speaks the usual staff about the need for peace, the call for a social movement from “Me to We” and various nice stuff about living peacefully with messages that warm and cuddle the heart. However, the press decidedly picked up on an interesting comment from the religious leader. The free newspaper, METRO headlines it as

“Technology may block peace, says Dalai Lama”

Almost instantly, Vancouverites were up in arms over the spiritual leader meddling with one of the sacred cows of modern society. Comments such as:

• “ . . . but we can’t leave, look, we’re on twitter” (@morfinictrauma)
• “Technology’s a tool for connecting with others. The more connected you feel with others, the more invested you become in peace.” (starglazer_girl)
• “Technology helps people to communicate and therefore helps peace, not hinder it.” (ngislop)

The blogsphere is also buzzing with comments about this small portion of the spiritual leader's speech. Most of them are defensive about technology. Reading the comments made me laugh at the gulf of understanding of the contexts people are from. When people start to zoom in on the minor details of a major speech, we will know what are the things that bother the general public. What about the injustice and lack of compassion happening around the world? How many people will be up in arms over innocent children being massacred by a cruel dictator, compared with the loss of our TV connection over an NHL hockey game?

Technology and Peace
Sometimes I wonder, if people absolutely has to vote, will peace win hands-down over technology? Despite the rave reviews from people all over Vancouver, I am not a fan of the Dalai Lama, but his comments about the technology being a barrier to peace need to be understood from the context of his speech. He says:

“I think technology may have some benefits for a smart brain, but no capacity to produce compassion.”

I feel that the press has again used this as a way to sensationalize Dalai Lama’s words on technology. He is not against technology. He was basically warning people that there are LIMITS to what technology can bring., specifically producing compassion. In other words, technology may connect people, but by itself cannot PRODUCE compassion. Unfortunately, the tech-generation people appear more worried about losing their technological toys than peace itself. Others remain baffled that the comparison of technology and peace is absurd, just like one cannot compare an apple with a toy squirrel. I think there is a similarity. Technology becomes a barrier to peace when it becomes MORE IMPORTANT than peace per se.

Another Spirituality of Positive Thinking
Apart from the critic of 'technology' usurping the mindshare of people over peace, there is another deficiency. Spiritually, the message that peace has to be from the inside-out needs further probing. While I do not doubt the powerful effects of good teaching, spirituality is not simply something that can be pumped into a person via "Me-to-We" Rah-Rah cheer. The Dalai Lama's teaching is another of those theories of the power of positive thinking to change the world. This contrasts sharply with the Christian teaching that before something good can take root, the heart needs to be touched first. The Dalai Lama's kind of teaching assumes that people are like programmable chips. Once the right program is downloaded into them, they will function correctly. Christians themselves sometimes do practice such a philosophy. I want to argue that we need something more. People may be likened to programmable chips in a sense. However we still need the following:
- Who programs it?
- How do we decide what programs to use?
- When do we use it?
- Is it not true that people are more than programmable chips?

Christian spiritual discernment is much more than such externally driven positive thinking. Christian spirituality recognizes that we all need help. We need the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us in the way that we ought to go. We pray for guidance and we act on the Word of God. Our feelings are kept in check via Experience, Reason, Scripture and Tradition.

This little episode is rather telling about our modern culture.
1) Technology is here to stay. You can talk all you want about peace but don’t touch this sacred cow.
2) Peace is important, but for many, holding on to their Internet connectivity or tech-gadgets is even more important;
3) 'Without technology, how am I going to connect with my friends?' argument is unconvincing.  [I wonder if this is the case, how on earth did our grandfathers and great-grandmothers connect with their peers during their years?]

In summary, the Peace Summit is good and creates a nice feeling for many people. My question will be:  "How far can the message go?" Let me end with the programmable chip analogy. Assuming we manage to download the program of peace into our memory banks for free. Assuming we install it into our computer. Will we ever use it? More crucially, with so many different programs inside our computer, how often we run the PEACE program over all other programs determines whether technology itself is a barrier to peace. Would it not be better if we do not see ourselves as technological machines that can be programed, but to recognize that we are human persons that can love and be loved?

ks

You Know You're From Vancouver . . .

The following is hilarious. If you have experienced Vancouver in any way, you'll be laughing your heads off. (Thanks Cheryl for the list.)

---

You Know You're From Vancouver (or a resident of Vancouver)......... IF

1. You can pronounce Coquihalla, Tsawwassen, Squamish, Osoyoos, Ucluelet, Esquimalt, Sooke, and Nanaimo.
2. You know what these abbreviations mean: PNE, GVRD, VPL, RAV, YVR.
   
3. You know that West Vancouver, the West End, and the West Side are different places.
   
4. If you hear someone is doing the Grind, you know they're not hitting the books.
   
5. You make over $250,000 a year and still can't afford a house.
   
6. You car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
   
7. You don't even listen when the forecast announces "chances of showers."
   
8. If there's a day of snowfall, you consider not going to school or work.
   
9. You can't imagine what a front yard would look like without green grass and green leaves.
   
10. You had a barbecue at the beach.
    
11. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
    
12. You can name 10 Starbucks locations in less than a minute.
    
13. You can tell the difference between Starbucks, Second Cup and Tim Horton's coffees.
    
14. At 8:30 AM, the guy at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and glasses who looks like George Clooney IS George Clooney.
    
15. You know the mountains are located north. In fact, you use them to get your bearing when lost.
    
16. Finding parking takes longer than it did to drive there.
    
17. You're sure that you're the only one on the road with a REAL driver's license.
    
18. The more expensive the car, the worse the driver.
    
19. The gym is packed at 3 PM--on a work day.
    
20. You pass an elementary school and the children are all busy - with their cell phones or pagers while waiting for their personal rides home.
    
21. You realize there are far more Rainbow flags in the city than Canadian flags
    
22. Your hairdresser is straight, your plumber is gay, and your next door neighbour grows weed.
    
23. You don't even blink at the same sex couple holding hands on the street, but it shocks you when you meet a couple married for 40 years!
    
24. Your co-worker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.
    
25. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Thai, and Chinese food.
    
26. You've had a California roll for lunch.
    
27. You take the bus and are shocked to hear two people carrying on a conversation in English.
    
28. You feel guilty when you throw paper or aluminum cans in the garbage.
    
29. The sound of the 9 o'clock gun doesn't startle you.
    
30. You can't remember: is pot still illegal?
    
31. You're not surprised to see geese throughout the whole year.
    
32. You know what an orca looks like.
    
33. You can read a decent size novel before being admitted into the hospital.