The New Whip

So first impressions of the new whip? An understated awesome.

The basics are that it is a brand new 2010 Toyota Corolla CE including goodies like full power package, satellite ready stereo, full information bank digital banks, and even some hidden extras like heated side view mirrors and auto running lights. Take a closer look and you'll see that Toyota still puts out a good product in spite of all the negative press it has received in the past year.



The first thing one will notice is that fit of the body panels is near perfect. Even on the high end Fords such as the Ford Fusion, (which comes laden with technology that I do love to play with) a close inspection will reveal that panels and trim don't often line up. Also there is a lot of extra rubber sealing (see hood of the Corolla) that does not exist on similar offerings like the Mazda 3 or shockingly the Honda Civic. All of this attention to small details aids in creating a solid feel to the car that is just as assuring as the full set of air bags that would engulf all inside should an collision occur. While not as wonderful as older sister Camry, the cabin is surprisingly quiet especially when compared to the likes of the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus.



Second. When experiencing high cross winds, (very common on the drive between Banff and Calgary) the car held the line. Pretty impressive since this ride rolls on 14s. (I am tempted to save up a little and shod it with 16 inch TRD alloys...) I'll have to research to see if Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) had anything to do with this. This set it apart from the Mazda 3 which I considered my first choice for a car. The Mazda felt like a lapse in focus would send it shooting off Highway 1 into some ravine.

Much has been said about the interior of the 2010 Corolla and how the quality has downgraded from past years. There certainly was a sense of longevity in the 1991 Camry I owned during the mid to late 90s that was on a whole different level than this Corolla. But the only thing that I found to be "cheap" was the interior door handles that feel like they could snap off in my hand if I jerked on them too hard. Everything else feels like it was of higher quality especially compared to Corolla's closest competition Honda's Civic.

In my current occupation, it is a joy to be able drive a full spectrum of offerings from different companies such as Ford, Mazda, and Honda. So the above mentioned comparisons are firsthand. Needless to say I am glad to be back in the Toyota fold!

I cannot help but feel a sense of deep gratitude to my family for being so supportive and generous in advising and assisting me with the acquisition of our new car. We needed it especially with the baby on the way. A number of prayers were answered with this one!

62 + 1

I am still working on getting a card reader that can hook up through USB into our computers so I can post pictures off our camera. Our direct USB cable kinda went kaput on us a while back so we haven't been able to load any pictures but they are all sitting on the camera. I will see if I can get one today from The Source...

It is a little late but I'd like to do a quick post on my Mom celebrating her 63rd birthday this past friday. Usually post of these nature wax on in cliche like manner on how great one's Mom is. A whole lot of blah blah blah which can be really sweet, but ultimately like a sample taken from one of those candy bins at the local grocery store... you can take one 'cause, no one will miss it... hardly a blip on the radar...

See the one thing I truly appreciate about my mom is that even at 63 she is continually growing and educating herself. I am not sure if she was always like this. Part of me thinks that she was your traditional asian mom for much of her earlier motherhood years (you asian offpsrings known exactly what I am talking about ) but this all change when she started working for a Christian bookstore and started reading during the lulls between customers. She digested what she read and it slowly changed her life.

I was already away from home and spending most of my time in the States but on my visits I could see sutle differences. The best change takes time because your character is best modified at the core. But it was there. She was more open, she was more spiritual, she was more patient, and she was more loving.

Some may say I too had changed. I was now a grownup.

Maybe it was the two us.

I am now married to a pinay. A true home grow filipina. In many ways she is the same place that my mom was when she first arrived in North America. As I get to know the nuances that make my wife who she is, new insight and undestanding are gained into what it was like to try to bring up kids in a totally new culture. The fight to maintain your foundation and identity (maybe even to realize that you had one) were immense.

After a Sabbath together I watched my parents get into their rental as my pregnat wife and I sat in the front seats of our brand new car (Yay! Wedding video style). We were on the edge of Calgary at the Husky gas station that sits just outside of Calgary Internation Airport (give it up for the YYC! yeeeahhh). It was steadily snowing and even though that new car smell that I love was around me, I couldn't help but feel truly sad to see them go.

Happy birthday Mom. You taught me that change is a big part of life. You taught me that trials and tribulations are to be embraced because some life's best lessons are learned in times of adversity. You taught me the importance of rest. You taught the power of prayer. You taught me to build my faith.

There is still much you teach...

Journey out of Darkness

A week or so ago a bit of an uproar began as a reaction to section of a sermon delivered by Dr. Dwight Nelson, Senior Pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the Campus of Andrews University, in which he presents the idea that Allah of Islam is the same as the God of Christianity. This is a not a new concept. Many have come before Pastor Nelson and brought this idea to the table. But as before it once again generated passionate discussion.

I responded myself to the discussion but not as a statement of my stance on the issue, but rather, a response of disgust with how some who claimed to be Christians had laced their thoughts with prejudice, bigotry, and outright hatred of those who chose to walk another spiritual path. My heart was saddened when I saw what was said about those who sought the path of Islam and other religions. There was a lack of respect, diplomacy, and basic humanity in the comments that were expressed.

How far from the example of Christ himself who sought to establish relationships with anyone no matter their station in life or the set of beliefs one chose to govern their life by. How far from Christ who, when presented with the woman caught in the very act of sinning, acted with discretion for even those who accused and then... when all had left quietly... asked the woman "where are those who have condemned you?" (John 8:10). When she responded with, "no one." Jesus says the words...

"Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."

Jesus sought to build on the smallest seed of hope that lives in all our souls. That seed that is hidden in the deepest recesses of hearts that have been hardened by the often purposeful yet naive journeys into darkness.

There are many stories. Stories of Jesus not condemning. Instead... He consoles. He heals. He restores. And He offers hope...

After 40 years of living a quiet existence in the desert Moses sees a wondrous sight. A bush on fire and yet not burning. (Exodus 3) What follows is one of the most powerful and intimate moments recorded in the Bible. God comes close to a man who appears to have lost everything and squandered what most men would have considered to be the one opportunity for greatness.

Moses is human and the frailty of humanity is on display as he interacts with the divine. He asks the Creator, "when they ask me what your name is. What shall say?" The answer is simple...

"I am."

One can spend eons discussing the enormity of what those two simple words mean. One can focus on the fact that this answer carries the weight of existence at the fundamental. This is the bit it and end all of it all.

In this answer though is also the key to who God is. For it is not in the name whether it be Allah or Yahweh. It is in characteristics of Mercy and Justice so well balanced and governed by wisdom that is timeless. And it is also in you and me. Should this God bring change to your life. Should Him living in your life cause you to rise above and be a light among lights to guide a searching soul home with patience, understanding, meekness and love. Should your stagnant existence be renewed and your single desire be to grow in His grace...

Then this is the true God.
This is the Truth.
and all others are shadows
that we gently need to steer others away from
that they may come to the true source
of light and hope...