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...

Hope is Gently Born...

Dawn is breaking here in Banff and as I look out from our picture window onto Banff Ave and beyond to Cascade Mountain, I indulge in the moment. The town is finally covered in a proper blanket of snow and the street lamps reveal that it is still gently falling. This is what we have been waiting for, this is what this town thrives on.

I am preparing to teach Sabbath School today and must comment on the appropriate nature of the lessons of late. Last week we looked at dealing with Fear and Anxiety while this week we will be looking at how to deal with Stress. How wonderful are the words of Christ, "Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." My mom also says, "Aren't you glad for the opportunity that trials offer you. The opportunity to grow".

Yeah it is easy to be overwhelmed by these things and yes we must take them seriously. But there are certainly a few things to look forward to in 2011. Yours may be different but here are mine...

The death of the Nissan is an opportunity to shop around for a new car. This is not necessarily just a "want" because with a growing family, I do need a ride to carry them around in. What is great about work is that I get to have a firsthand experience with brand new vehicles and see how they fair with 6 months of use. I have to say the one I am most interested is the plucky Mazda 3. Even the base model is more than adequate for my family's needs.

The annoucement of Team Leopard Trek the new super cycling team lead by the Schleck brothers for the 2011 season really got me excited. Then it was confirmed that Fabian Cancellara would be joining along with Jen's Voigt. Man, thats pure joy right thar! But the cherry on top of the already delicious pie was the fact that Trek would be supplying the bikes for the upcoming season. Super team indeed.

And what could be more exciting than the prospect of becoming a Dad this coming summer! I am the kind of person who needs lynch pins to ground my efforts in life and this is definitly top shelf stuff. I can see it changing the way I approach my everyday routine. I can see it affect how I plan for the future. I can see it as motivation to draw on and to dig beyond what I am capable of...

My Giant Defy is next to me this morning. A guest is staying in the room where I usually store it. No I won't be riding it till the weather starts to warm. But we are 90% ready to go. Patience is key now and shrewd planning for the months ahead paired with the knowledge that God has a far better plan. I only pray He clears my vision so that I can move when He deems it right to move.

But like new mornings, hope is gently born...

Bless Us All...

[I wrote the following Thursday afternoon but didn't get time to post till now.]

As of last night we have received news that Tess’s Dad is not doing well health wise back in the Philippines. He had to be brought in the hospital recently and as a precaution several tests and exploritory procedures were conducted. The result: cancer. While the doctors have offered us the hope of early detection his age and overall health are also serious factors that could affect his chances. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

2011 is off to a challenging start beginning with the passing of our beloved Nissan. If one was to believe in omens and their foreboding nature, this passing definitely makes a case for them. It has been one thing right after the other since and there has been little time to breathe and decently react in-between.

But if it was the intent of the forces that are to pull us away from our faith in God, the exact opposite is true. If anything, my wife and I clinging more to Him because these events have shown us that self-reliance is of little value when dealing with life’s challenges. One honestly cannot predict what will happen next. One cannot predict how one’s own actions will create an impact no matter how wisely we attempt to make our next move.

I am humbled as I look inward because I can see that my sinful nature still struggles to dominate even when surrounded by God’s daily grace. When tiredness and fatigue set it, how much harder it is to follow God’s will. And yet God still provides the moments of peace both Tess and I need to pull through. I can only be grateful.

I am further humbled with the way friends have stopped to offer support to my pregnant wife. Visits, favors, and kind words have all been given. Stories have been shared and the realization is that everyone is struggling this year. There are mountains to climb and big decisions that need to be made. I pray you all seek God’s guidance fervently to serve as your North Star as you navigate through the fog.

In the Bible Jabez dared to pray for a blessing from God. He prayed for great blessings to come into his life. In fact this is all this man is known for in scripture. But the Bible goes on to say that God granted him this request and he was blessed...

I am daring to do the same...
God bless me...
God bless us all...
God bless Tatay Pelayo...

So that in the end all will know that you are a great God and you care for your children...

Rebuilding the Base and New Year...

I am very happy that I could finally take a break from it all and play around with CS5 and some ideas for a blog re-design for 2011. I am far from having anything nice enough so everything on here is sort of a place-holder till true inspiration hits...

Well this entry is a belated New Years shout out that I hope you will take the time read through. Yeah I know it is running a bit late but it is just as heart-felt as when I originally "penned" it.

My wife has not had an easy time of it with this pregnancy. I suspect that most of it is that it is her first so this is all uncharted territory for her bit we have also had some legitimate scares so far. Because of this I would like to express gratefulness to all her friends who have show their love and support during this time. I think this journey would be a lot harder if none of you were willing to take the time to spend time with her in our home. So thank you so much all!

Our home was also blessed with the visit of Marvin, his wife Ana, the family her sister Marta, and all their kids on Christmas day. Our home was filled with the laughter of children and music! Thank you also Marvin for your very generous gift. When I opened a certain piece of software on it, it brought tears to my eyes because it has been a while since I’ve been truly up to date with something that was a big part of my life for many years. Hopefully in 2011 we will see a bit of revival in that arena. Gracias my friend!

I am also grateful that my parents were with me on Christmas Eve and a bit of Christmas day. I know I am lucky for there are many who do not have this privilege for one reason or another. Whenever I am around them, even though it is for brief moments these days, I feel secure and happy. Thank you for being there.

There are too many people to thank and you know who you are. I can only hope that 2011, in spite of whatever challenges will come your way, will also be filled with joy, laughter, love, and hope. Know that you are appreciated and cherished by Tess and I. God bless us all in 2011!

Status Update Reflections

I'm usually too tired to update my blog unless there is a subject worth writing about. Such is the case this time...

I love Facebook. It is way for me to keep touch with my friends and family especially during an era when we are spread out to the four corners of the earth. I love it when my sisters post pictures and comments online because it is as if I get to see into their lives often in near real-time and even though we are miles apart, I still feel a part of their lives. (Love you siblings!)

But what Facebook is NOT for is a place to air out your grievances against specific individuals. Facebook is NOT a place to write slanderous things about others. People others are watching! Not just your 500 + friends but anyone who is connected to them (which could potentially be the whole online planet!)

In this day and age your digital persona carries a lot of weight. Potential employers Google you to see what your digital footprint says about you (well what YOU "says" about YOU bcause it is You who probably posted it). Try doing it with your name and you'll be surprised by what the search engine pulls up.

There is far better expert commentary out there on the subject so I won't continue. Lets just sum it up with the following:

Better be comfortable with EVERYONE reading what you write on here because once you put it out there in cyberspace its out there FOREVER!