The Grouse Grind

After a few weeks of warm, sunny weather, today was uncharacteristically cool and cloudy. In the morning it rained a little too.

My main accomplishment today was to hike the Grouse Grind. It opened last week, after seasonal winter-closure. My hike to the top took 55 minutes. My goal for this summer is to cut my time down to under 50 minutes.

After the hike I came home and made myself the simplest dinner I know of: pasta (penne), with ricotta cheese, and pesto and basil sause. It takes all of 8 minutes to prepare.

Uno, Dos, Tres, Catorce

That is how the song Vertigo begins.

It has been fun posting the lyrics of some of my favourite U2 songs this week. Last night was the concert, and it was simply amazing. It was the 5th time I've seen them, and they have yet to disappoint me. Bono has a charisma that is unrivalled. He captivated and mesmerized the crowd for 2+ hours. Of course, the rest of the band members - the Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, and Adam Clayton - are no pushovers either. It is no surprise they are called the biggest rock band on earth.

During Vertigo


My favourite songs of the night were Bad, All Because Of You, and New Year's Day. The music set was brilliant, ranging from the old raw (Gloria, Sunday Bloody Sunday) passion-driven (Pride, New Year's Day) sounds of the 80's and the 90's techno sounds (Zoo Station, The Fly), to the latest back-to-the-roots fervour (Vertigo, All Because of You). Interspersed in this mix were ballads (Bad, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own), and of course, the spiritual laments (40).

Cub during Where The Streets Have No Name

By the end of the concert, we'd pondered themes relating to birth, death, peace, war, joy, and sorrow. The depth of the lyrics is astonishing: there is not an ounce of shallowness to be found. In fact, it is virtually impossible to pin this band down theologically. The most obvious example of this happened during Sunday Bloody Sunday: "Jesus was a Jew, Muham*ad, it's true." What is one to make of this? How to interpret this?

There is no doubt Bono believes in a loving creator God. Themes of love, forgiveness, and grace permeate many songs. He is not shy to inject Jesus in his songs either, and he challenges our comfort zones. Yet, he does not come out and declare himself a "follower of Jesus" or a "Christian". Maybe this is a good thing: it makes him and his band more compelling, and it drives us to study the lyrics in his songs. Yet, vague, blanket statements such as the one above are confusing, if not downright misleading.

During New Year's Day


Politically too, the band is without rival. Bono kept his promise to be a pain in the arse of Paul Martin, should he not come through on his pledge to dedicate .7% of the national GDP towards the eradication of poverty in Africa: "I thought it might be a good idea if we made a call to Paul Martin" suggested Bono, as the band played behind him and the Prime Minister's phone number was flashed on the giant screens. "Take your phones out, I think I've got Paul Martin's number. These are dangerous little devices, these cell phones."

After listening to 23 songs, including two encores, in a stadium packed with 18,000+ screaming, sweating, dancing, adoring and delerious fans, there were only three minor disappointments to the evening: They didn't play Yahweh, With Or Without You, or Even Better Than The Real Thing. But given the plethora of songs they had to choose from, one cannot complain. It was a night to remember.

Before the show: Cub and DL.


Below is the Set List of the concert:

City of Blinding Lights
Beautiful Day
Vertigo
Elevation
Gloria
The Ocean / New Year’s Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running to Stand Still
Human Rights
Bad
Pride
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Zoo Station
The Fly
Mysterious Ways

All Because Of You
Original Of The Species
40

During All Because of You

40 (U2 - War, 1983)

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song?

You set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm.
Many will see, many will see and hear.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?

How long to sing this song?

Yahweh (U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, 2004)

Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit
Take this shirt
Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt
And make it clean, clean
Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don’t make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahewh, Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart

And make it break

Gloria (U2 - October, 1981)

I try to sing this song
I, I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet.
I, I try to speak up
But only in you I'm complete.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria
Exultate
Gloria
Gloria

Oh, Lord, loosen my lips.
I try to sing this song
I, I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there, you let me in.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria
Exultate
Oh, Lord, if I had anything, anything at all
I'd give it to you.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria

Gloria

U2!!!

My favourite band, the world's biggest band, U2, is coming to town this Thursday 28th, and Friday 29th. I've been sad over the past few weeks, as both shows - 40,000 tickets - were sold out in the span of 15 minutes, and I was unable to get any tickets.

Yesterday I was complaining pretty much all day to my friends, how badly I wanted to go to the concert. On the way home from Abbotsford we listened to their new cd, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", and again, I was reminded how great it would be to see them again.

When we arrived at church, we ran into a buddy of mine, who shared that he was going to the concert. Then he said he had an extra ticket and offered it to me. WOW!!!! Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity, and said "Yessssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!"

So there it is: I'm going to see the worlds finest band .. again .. for the 5th time!

Spring's Definitely Here!

Today was a marvellously sunny day. I was in Abbotsford for the afternoon, and there it hit 29C. We went to C&AJ's place to have a (very) late brunch, and afterwards watch the F1 race.

What a race it was too! Alonso beat out Schumacher by .2 of a second, after Schumacher had an amazing race, starting all the way at P13. Alonso's a confident, fast, and mentally strong driver. He has the lead in the championship right now, but it's still early in the season, and Ferrari seems to be getting their act together so we'll see how things progress. Villeneuve also had a fine drive, finishing in P6.

The evening was interesting. Went to church with AEK, and as usual, was very blessed by it. NM spoke on Philippians 2:12-18, and talked about what it means to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Essentially, we work out our salvation by living it out, always seeking to further the Kingdom, and doing so without grumbling.

Afterwards AEK and I had a craving for pizza, so we went to Zacchary's on Oak Street. Yummy!

Caught

I have a confession to make. Yesterday (actually, early this morning) after an evening of dinner and film we got caught making out in front of her place. We were sitting in my car at the time, when her roommate and two of her friends pulled up out of seemingly nowhere in another car.

It didn't matter much to me. Actually, I didn't care at all. I thought it was rather funny, but she was quite embarrassed.

Healthy Lifestyle

Ever since the fútbol season ended in early March, I've been struggling to find a way to stay fit. Playing on a team this past year was good for so many reasons, like social interaction or tension release, for example. But one of the main benefits was that it was a committed way of staying relatively fit.

I was able to play a full game, without needing oxygen masks at the end of the game .. and that's a good thing!

In the past 1.5 months, however, I've noticed that I'm "putting on the pounds", as they say. I feel heavier, my cheeks seem massively round, almost swollen, and my stomach, well, that's a whole 'nother story. I've had to "loosen" my belt a notch, otherwise I feel like I'm gonna fart every step I take!

So .. over the summer months I'm going to do the following to "regain" my form. I'm going to do some form of exercise at least three days per week, including a combinatoin of the following:

* exercise in the gym
* play fútbol (summer team);
* hike the Grouse Grind and/or other miscellaneous hikes.

Note: Ideal workout each week consists of one fútbol game and two hikes (at least one must be the Grind), totalling at least 3 hours.

In addition, here is my new eating "regiment"; a system that worked well over the past 3 years, but which has over the past 2 months mysteriously fallen by the wayside. Generally speaking, I'll still follow the "all things in moderation" motto. I refuse to give up the "good" things in life, such as chocolate, coffee, pastries, bread, and the odd beer and pizza. They just need to be enjoyed in moderation. So, here goes:

* Breakfast, everyday. It needs to include a bowl of fruits at least every other day. One tablespoon of yogurt mixed in with fruits is acceptable.
* Eat home cooked meals at least 4 days a week. Take leftovers to work for lunch, to avoid grease pit at work.
* A bowl of salad at least every other day.
* Less sweets, including dulce de leche, honey, jam, and nutella.
* No more than two cups of coffee per day. Only on very special occasions are three cups allowed, and never after 9pm.
* Six cups of water per day. This means, less mango juice.
* No more than three mates per week. NOTE: watch honey intake!
* No meal after 9pm, and no snack after 10pm.

Spring Cleaning

I have an amazing mother. She came over today, and helped me clean up my place. Since the last semester began in January, I've done very little cleaning. School and work just take up way too much time!

But finally .. now that the semester is done, I can devote some serious time to giving my place an overhaul. It needs it badly.

Not only did mom help me clean it, but she also brought me a whole bunch of goodies & treats: choclolate biscuits, yerba mate (herbs), a chicken casserole, fruits, and salad. I basically have enough food for the next week! Oh and yes, I forgot, she also gave me a beach towel, why I'm not sure, because I have plenty of towels already, plus this towel is so big that if I ever take it to the beach I'll have to get a separate backpack just for the towel!! What is it with mothers?

Having said that, I think I have the best mother on earth. What strikes me most about her is that she is so selfless and caring towards her children. She always thinks of the wellbeing of her children before her own, it's really quite amazing.

Vanity

Oh dear .. I'm so vain. Over the past few years I've talked a lot about "getting rid of things" & "living a simpler life." I even made some feeble attempts to practise what I preach: I cut off cable vision, in fact, I got rid of my tv altogether (after all, there's nothing decent showing, except for biweekly F1 races, soccer saturdays, and the BBC News), the odd time I gave away old clothing items I haven't worn in years, and I stopped visiting IKEA to satisfy my desires for "cool furniture", but other than that .. I really haven't done much.

In fact, the opposite has been the case. I've been accumulating all kinds of toys: an iPod, a digital voice recorder, soccer boots, the odd cd, and (admittedly) new clothes and shoes continue to find their way into my closet. This, in addition to the plethora of books I buy!!

Today, for example, I went downtown. Goal: to buy one or maybe two cds. Expected expenditure: $35, maximum.

When I came home, I'd spent in the vicinity of $200. Breakdown: 2 polo shirts (Zara navy blue, CM red, $100), a button shirt (CM orange, $60), and one cd (JS Bach, 2 & 3 Part Inventions, $12). Justification (or rather .. rationalization)? "I need summer clothing."

I'm realizing just how much this culture of utilitarianism (do whatever brings pleasure) and materialism (acquisition of material things) is a part of me. I cannot separate myself from it.

It seems that the Christian life is a life lived in paradox. I cannot withdraw from society in order to avoid evil. After all, culture has many good things to offer. There is no place where God's grace and goodness is absent. All that is good is of God.

On the other hand, I cannot accept what the world offers cart-blanche, assuming that everything it offers is good and profitable for this life and the life to come.

Somehow, I have to engage, interact, embrace, and immerse myself in the world, while at the same time distance myself from it, reject it, and push it away. I have to love it and hate it concurrently: creative tension.

This is what God in Jesus did. He loved his creation, the world: the incarnation shows that. But he hated what had happened to it: he died in order to restore it.

It's his resurrection, ascension, and promise to come back in glory, to wash away all tears and sadness, to end all suffering, to rejoice with his people, that gives me the impetus to love this world, while resisting its attempt to determine my values.

Heavenly Father, Loving Son, Comforting Spirit .. give me the wisdom to recognize what's good and right in this world, and the strength to pursue it.

Working

Classes finished a few days ago, so this week's schedule's a little unusual for me. The last time I worked 4 days a week was last summer I think.

But it's been good working this week. Things are really busy. It's so strange .. it hasn't been that busy at all over the past few months while being in school, but all of the sudden over the past few weeks things just exploded.

It's really been such a blessing to have worked at PMC over the past few years. They've been so good, and so understanding and flexible. I thank God for that provision.

We'll see what happens in September, when I return to school full-time. I have a feeling that's when my time at PMC will end. I want to devote more time to studies and ministry, and they are keen on hiring someone full-time.

Pike's Place Market

Had a great day yesterday. Went to Seattle for the day, to drop off a friend who is returning to her home country to visit family for a few weeks, after spending 1.5 years here studying theology. Below is a picture of us, in front of Pike's Place Market.



We didn't leave Vancouver until noon, which meant that our stay there was quite short because we didn't stay there for the night, but still, we managed to take in a short stroll through the market, Pioneer Square, and the Waterfront. We ate dinner at Ivar's Seafood Restaurant, and afterwards went for some good Greek coffee and dessert in the university district.

The drive home was good, because there was not much traffic, and yes, I drove very fast. I think I shoulda been a racecar driver. I love to drive. I love to drive fast.

4:28pm

That's when I turned in my paper today. The deadline was 4:30pm. I beat it by 2 minutes. Very impressive!

Writing turned out to be a good exercise. It never ceases to amaze me how fulfilling the experience of doing research and putting my thoughts down on paper is.

Now I have a few weeks break, although I need to begin reading for a guided study I'm doing with CR on "Sabbath Keeping".

In the meantime, I will work 3-4 days per week, to fill up the emptiness in my bank account.

Zizioulas, Gunton, Moltmann

Ever heard of them? I hadn't either .. until this semester.



I'm using them as my main sources for my paper: "On the Trinity and Personhood." It's been so interesting reading them. Here's a bit of info about each of them:

Zizioulas - comes from the Greek Orthodox tradition: "The being of God is a relational being: without the concept of communion it would not be possible to speak of the being of God." Although it's a hard read, it's profound indeed. Definitely my favourite of the three.

Gunton - has great insight on the intertwining of theology and philosophy. He also has an amazing grasp of the history of philosophy and its influence - positive and negative - on the Christian faith. Unfortunately he passed away in 2002.

Moltmann - his books are dense .. what else can you expect from a Kraut (German). Stems from the Reform tradition and sympathizes with Liberation Theology. Focuses largely on the relational nature of God.



None of these reads are "weekenders." (If you're going on vacation to Cuba .. don't bring these books with you.) It's taken me about three weeks to get through each of them.

Rain

I was indoors all day today doing research for my paper, and periodically I looked outside to see what the weather was doing.

It rained most of the day, alternating between typical Vancouver drizzle and shower - but at one time it hailed for about 30 minutes.

I love the sound of rain .. it lulls me to sleep.
I love the smell of rain .. refreshing, providing nourishment to the earth.
I love the feel of rain .. drops of life rolling down my face.
I love the rain.

My Day

8:35am - woke up, and got totally pissed off at myself, because I'd planned to get up at 6am in order to do research for my paper. What's worse, I didn't have time for my morning mate (pronounced mah-teh), because I had to go to work. Damn...

10:35am - arrived at work. Had a solid workday; brought my own lunch for a change. Cafeteria food's so greasy! Also, the coffee machine at work broke down, so I had to make due with instant coffee. Result: heartburn.

5pm - took skytrain home with Armin. What a good man .. honest, caring, and good-humoured. He's leaving for the Dominican Republic on an 8-day vacation with his wife on Wednesday night, lucky bum..!

6:15pm - leave for Evening Service Committee (ESC) meeting. On my way there, I stop by grocery store to buy a dessert, cherry "strudel". Realized that the meeting doesn't start until 7:30pm, so I walked around the isles some more, basically "looking for stuff to buy." End up buying gnocchis and cous cous.

7pm - Quizno's for dinner: Roast turkey and swiss cheese sandwich. Good choice.

7:30pm - ESC meeting. Meeting was good, but coffee was bitter. There ought to be a law against bad coffee.

10:30pm - arrived back at home.

10:45pm - spoke with her on the phone. She told me she likes how I dress. She always compliments me .. is she for real? There's never a shortage of things for us to talk about. I like that. I feel accepted.

11pm - blog.

12am - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

One More Paper!

Just five more days until the end of the semester. Unlike many of my friends who are busy finishing several papers and/or exams throughout this week, all I have left to complete is one paper, for my History of Philosophy class.

I've been doing lots of research ove the past few days. I'm planning to explore the historical influence of western philosophy on either "Personhood", or "the Doctrine of the Trinity" (perhaps with special emphasis on differences between Western and Eastern approaches to the Trinity).

Should be a busy week .. but if I'm disciplined and focused I'll get through it without too much stress.

Community Group Night

Tonight was a super fun night. Had dinner with my community group from RC, at Prof. CR's place. So much fun!!

It was "Cross-cultural - cross-dressing" night, meaning, we had to mix and match clothing from at least two cultures. I went half-Filipino (Maguindanaon malong), half Canadian (short-sleeve button dresshirt).

Below are a few pics of me and my friends.

The boys:


Community Group (minus a few people):


The evening went like this: we arrived at 6:30, and enjoyed some nice appetizers: wines, nuts, and juices. At 7:30 we had an amazing Indian curry dinner. It was probably the most amazing curry I've had. Mmmmmmmm ..... the lamb meat was so soft and tender!

It was also CM's birthday tonight, so we celebrated it with some lovely deserts afterwards: Blitz Torte (German / Norwegian [?]), chocolate brownies, and ice cream.

Happy Birthday CM!


More Community Group:


Then we all settled in for a nice evening of story-telling and life-sharing. Someone suggested that we do some singing, but no one brought a guitar .. too bad! Regardless, I'm so lucky. I have the privilege of being a part of some wonderful people's lives, evidenced by stories from many places: Netherlands, Australia, Haiti, Bolivia, and the Philippines, to name just a few.

There were funny dentist stories from Haiti (TS) and the Philippines (RR), serious crime stories from Australia (CR) and the Philippines (CR and Cub), but the story of the night was a true story from Bolivia (CM). It was both tragic and funny: a robber gets a heart attack and dies when he is confronted by the woman-houseowner who is wearing green skin-cleaner cream on her face. Who's scaring who now?!?!

The evening ended with goodbyes, handshakes, and hugs. There is one week left until the Winter semester is over. Looking forward to Springtime....

Could It Be?

I think I'm falling for her. But it's not happening the way I anticipated.

It's happening gradually .. bit by bit .. day by day.

I never thought it would work like that for me. I expected an explosion. Immediate. Resounding.

It's almost anti-climactic. Yet, I can't escape it.

Summer Reading List

Here are the books I want to read over the summer:

* Memory and Identity (JPII)
* Crossing the Threshold of Hope (JPII)
* A Pilgrim Pope. Messages for the World. (JPII)
* Ut Unum Sint - On Church Unity (JPII)
* Witness to Hope. Biography of Pope John Paul II - George Weigel
* The Idiot (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
* Demons (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
* War & Peace (Leo Tolstoy)
* Clowning in Rome (Henri Nouwen)
* Contemplative Prayer (Thomas Merton)
* Letters to Malcolm (C. S. Lewis)
* Gods that Fail (Vinoth Ramashandra)

Oh dear .. this is only a fraction of what I want to read! There are so many good books to read ....

I Don't Get It

Went to a family dinner tonight - great food, great conversation, great pics (family returned from South America), and great company.

Towards the end of the evening it happened .. twice. I had something (important) to say, and both times I said it in such a way that other people were like "What's your shtick?"

So what's the deal with family arguments? Why is it that in familial disputes opinions are held more strongly, and harsher words are said? Why does rage engulf us to an extent few other situations do?

I don't get it.

The Bells Have Rung

Thank you Father, for bringing home your Servant, Pope John Paul II.

Thank you that he followed your dear Son Jesus Christ's example, embracing suffering, dying at peace with you and himself.

Thank you for the resrurrection, so that as Christ resurrected and sits by your side, so also JPII now is in your presence. Thank you for the resurrection of the body which is to come.

Thank you for the Church, Christ's holy bride, and for the gospel she proclaims in the name of Christ. Particularly, I thank you for the Catholic Church, lead by your Holy Spirit.

In the coming days, I pray for healing, unity, and vision, and an ever-strong desire to serve you in humility, truth, and love.

Amen. Let it be so.

Bells Are Not Ringing .. Yet

I've been moved throughout the day by the devotion Catholics have to their beloved Pope. As an Evangelical Protestant, I have no ONE spiritual leader to look to for exemplary, godly living. I have no authority figure who inspires the flock.

Something is wrong with the EP view of authority. Something is wrong with our warped view of church unity. In a deep sense, I yearn to be catholic.

Yes, I know: Christ is that ONE I can look to. But there ought to be a spiritual leader on earth who rallies the faithful around the name of Christ. Someone who helps make the invisible unity Christians have in Christ visible to the world.

Lord, spare the suffering of your servant Pope John Paul II. Bring him home.

May the bells ring soon.

Airplanes

A noteworthy quote from our History of Philosphy class today:

"As much as I dislike modernism, I'd rather fly an airplane designed by a modernist than a post-modernist." True indeed .. paper airplanes can't carry passengers!