I find this song particularly relevant in 2010.....it's a beautiful song, with beautiful German lyrics.
Verwundet, schwach, ein Sünder,
verloren, wenn du stirbst.
O, heb den Kopf, weil Liebe um dich wirbt.
Komm zu Jesus,
komm zu Jesus,
komm zu Jesus und leb.
Jetzt ist die Last verschwunden,
ins tiefste Meer versenkt.
Sein Tod hat dir das Leben neu geschenkt.
Nun sing zu Jesus,
sing zu Jesus,
sing zu Jesus und leb.
Hab keine Angst zu krabbeln,
als neugebornes Kind.
Vergiss nicht, manchmal fallen wir auch hin.
Dann fall auf Jesus,
fall auf Jesus,
fall auf Jesus und leb.
Dein Weg ist manchmal einsam,
gepflastert auch mit Schmerz.
Dein Himmel schwarz und tränenvoll dein Herz.
Dann schrei zu Jesus,
schrei zu Jesus,
schrei zu Jesus und leb.
Wenn Liebe übersprudelt,
Musik die Nacht erfüllt,
die Freude deine Leidenschaft enthüllt.
Dann tanz für Jesus,
tanz für Jesus,
tanz für Jesus und leb.
Und mit dem letzten Herzschlag,
sage Lebewohl.
Geh in Frieden, denn er wartet schon.
Flieg heim zu Jesus,
heim zu Jesus,
heim zu Jesus und leb!
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Eulogy
This was the Eulogy delivered by Dad for Mr. Lee. I hope it does Mr. Lee justice, but I thought it was very touching....
Dear brothers and sisters,
As we are here in remembrance of Mr. Lee, I'm sure you all know that he was a selfless man who was always willing to sacrifice his own time and efforts for the sake of others. Mr. Lee was constantly working behind the scenes for our church, setting up tables and chairs for church gatherings, picking up garbage that was dropped and placing it into garbage bins, cleaning up church pews and tying up the hymn books and Bibles after the service concluded. He was often last one to leave the church in order to lock up the windows and doors, and he was always providing car rides, and giving a helping hand to others in need. I would like to share, in addition, some of my own personal memories.
A few months ago, I was not feeling well and needed to go to the hospital emergency room. When he heard that I needed to go to the emergency room, he came without delay to my house knocked on the door to take me there, even before I was able to pack my things for my hospital stay. As I was laying in the hospital bed, I was feeling a bit better and I asked Mr. Lee to go home because it was already 1 o’clock in the morning. But he insisted on staying with me until a doctor came to see what my condition was. I kept asking hem to go home but he insisted to keep me company. Finally, I said to him jokingly, that if he were not to leave, I would then ask the police outside to take him home. Only when he saw that I had the strength to even crack jokes with him, did he feel that he could go home. By his actions, you can tell, that Mr. Lee is selfless and caring, and constantly willing to sacrifice himself for others.
We hiked often together, Mr. Lee and I. I distinctly remember one time while we were hiking, he described to me his experiences with Canadian life and the immigration process. He mentioned the hardships and trials that he had to go through to adapt to living in Canada. He could have had an easier, more relaxing life in Taiwan if he had wanted to, but typical of himself, he wanted to ensure that his family members were able to choose their living environment in the future, even if it meant that he had to leave his comfortable life in Taiwan to settle in Canada and go through cold, harsh Canadian winters. Even if he had to entirely reorient and readjust to a different life and living conditions here. I think we can all see that Mr. Lee was a great family man, who loved his children, and was willing to give them endless opportunities, even if it meant leaving the life he knew in Taiwan.
One last point I will mention is that Mr. Lee one of the most generous people I have ever known. To himself he is stingy, but he is so willing to give to others. His monitory donations to the church are always significantly above what one would expect. He always wanted to offer more, stretching his available resources as much as he could, to support the church. Last year during a prayer meeting for the initiative of our church building fund, tears were coming out of his eyes because he wanted to offer more but couldn't. I remember once, I suggested to him that he could trade in his van for a normal sedan, but he said he needed to keep the van in case it was needed for church activities. Mr. Lee would forego the luxuries and pleasures in life that many like to enjoy, just so he contribute and help others. He was truly a great man, and these memories of him will remain with me forever.
On April 16, about 2:30 a.m. Michael called me and said that the heart beat of his father was getting weaker, so I rushed to the hospital right away. By the time I arrived, Mr. Lee was gone. I saw him lying peacefully in bed , all the struggles, all the worries, and all the pain he had suffered were suddenly gone, and the tears from his eyes had dried away. I knew he was in God's glory. Early that morning, I opened my computer and saw an e-mail from Cecil Chen, informing people that Mr. Lee had passed away. The e-mail subject he used is “A good man”. When I opened the e-mail, I looked at the subject and paused for a few seconds. Mr. Lee is absolutely, definitely, and without a doubt the epitome of a “good man”. He is a good son to his surviving mother, a good husband to his wife, a good father to his sons and a good friend to all of us. Mr. Lee always felt that he could do more for Christ, and for others. Matthew 5:2 says, ”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I know then, that his is the kingdom of heaven under the comfort of our Lord Christ Jesus. I look forward to meeting him again, and where we can talk like the old times, and he can show me the most beautiful hike towards a glorious mountain top in the presence of God in heaven.
Some years ago, I read a book with the title of “In search of a Legacy”. A sentence in the book by the author really stuck with me. I cannot remember the exact wording of the sentence, but the meaning was that “a man’s legacy can be found by searching his footsteps”. Now that Mr. Lee is no longer in our midst physically, I look back and search for his footsteps. Indeed, I see his footprints side-by-side with those of Jesus, undertaking the task of “serving the Lord with wholeheartedly and loving his neighbours”. The legacy of Mr. Lee is clear. It is one of self-sacrifice and perseverence. It is one of determination, hope, and most of all, love. May he rest in peace in God's glory, for he has earned his rest. Goodbye Mr. Lee, we will all miss you, but we will look forward to our joyful reunion in heaven.
Dear brothers and sisters,
As we are here in remembrance of Mr. Lee, I'm sure you all know that he was a selfless man who was always willing to sacrifice his own time and efforts for the sake of others. Mr. Lee was constantly working behind the scenes for our church, setting up tables and chairs for church gatherings, picking up garbage that was dropped and placing it into garbage bins, cleaning up church pews and tying up the hymn books and Bibles after the service concluded. He was often last one to leave the church in order to lock up the windows and doors, and he was always providing car rides, and giving a helping hand to others in need. I would like to share, in addition, some of my own personal memories.
A few months ago, I was not feeling well and needed to go to the hospital emergency room. When he heard that I needed to go to the emergency room, he came without delay to my house knocked on the door to take me there, even before I was able to pack my things for my hospital stay. As I was laying in the hospital bed, I was feeling a bit better and I asked Mr. Lee to go home because it was already 1 o’clock in the morning. But he insisted on staying with me until a doctor came to see what my condition was. I kept asking hem to go home but he insisted to keep me company. Finally, I said to him jokingly, that if he were not to leave, I would then ask the police outside to take him home. Only when he saw that I had the strength to even crack jokes with him, did he feel that he could go home. By his actions, you can tell, that Mr. Lee is selfless and caring, and constantly willing to sacrifice himself for others.
We hiked often together, Mr. Lee and I. I distinctly remember one time while we were hiking, he described to me his experiences with Canadian life and the immigration process. He mentioned the hardships and trials that he had to go through to adapt to living in Canada. He could have had an easier, more relaxing life in Taiwan if he had wanted to, but typical of himself, he wanted to ensure that his family members were able to choose their living environment in the future, even if it meant that he had to leave his comfortable life in Taiwan to settle in Canada and go through cold, harsh Canadian winters. Even if he had to entirely reorient and readjust to a different life and living conditions here. I think we can all see that Mr. Lee was a great family man, who loved his children, and was willing to give them endless opportunities, even if it meant leaving the life he knew in Taiwan.
One last point I will mention is that Mr. Lee one of the most generous people I have ever known. To himself he is stingy, but he is so willing to give to others. His monitory donations to the church are always significantly above what one would expect. He always wanted to offer more, stretching his available resources as much as he could, to support the church. Last year during a prayer meeting for the initiative of our church building fund, tears were coming out of his eyes because he wanted to offer more but couldn't. I remember once, I suggested to him that he could trade in his van for a normal sedan, but he said he needed to keep the van in case it was needed for church activities. Mr. Lee would forego the luxuries and pleasures in life that many like to enjoy, just so he contribute and help others. He was truly a great man, and these memories of him will remain with me forever.
On April 16, about 2:30 a.m. Michael called me and said that the heart beat of his father was getting weaker, so I rushed to the hospital right away. By the time I arrived, Mr. Lee was gone. I saw him lying peacefully in bed , all the struggles, all the worries, and all the pain he had suffered were suddenly gone, and the tears from his eyes had dried away. I knew he was in God's glory. Early that morning, I opened my computer and saw an e-mail from Cecil Chen, informing people that Mr. Lee had passed away. The e-mail subject he used is “A good man”. When I opened the e-mail, I looked at the subject and paused for a few seconds. Mr. Lee is absolutely, definitely, and without a doubt the epitome of a “good man”. He is a good son to his surviving mother, a good husband to his wife, a good father to his sons and a good friend to all of us. Mr. Lee always felt that he could do more for Christ, and for others. Matthew 5:2 says, ”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I know then, that his is the kingdom of heaven under the comfort of our Lord Christ Jesus. I look forward to meeting him again, and where we can talk like the old times, and he can show me the most beautiful hike towards a glorious mountain top in the presence of God in heaven.
Some years ago, I read a book with the title of “In search of a Legacy”. A sentence in the book by the author really stuck with me. I cannot remember the exact wording of the sentence, but the meaning was that “a man’s legacy can be found by searching his footsteps”. Now that Mr. Lee is no longer in our midst physically, I look back and search for his footsteps. Indeed, I see his footprints side-by-side with those of Jesus, undertaking the task of “serving the Lord with wholeheartedly and loving his neighbours”. The legacy of Mr. Lee is clear. It is one of self-sacrifice and perseverence. It is one of determination, hope, and most of all, love. May he rest in peace in God's glory, for he has earned his rest. Goodbye Mr. Lee, we will all miss you, but we will look forward to our joyful reunion in heaven.
Friday, April 16, 2010
臺灣之子 - Son of Taiwan
To the true 臺灣之子 (Son of Taiwan),
Rest in peace my friend. You will be sorely missed. We will meet again in God's glory. For now, take care.....
阿挺 & Betty
Rest in peace my friend. You will be sorely missed. We will meet again in God's glory. For now, take care.....
阿挺 & Betty
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Hardworking taxpayer money at work for you!
This comic strip is hilarious, and also contains many truths!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mmmm, Double Down goodness
Mmmmm, mmmm, good.....look at this new sandwich that KFC is now selling.....
Now that's what I call a sandwich!
Now that's what I call a sandwich!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Washrooms in Europe
Why is it that restaurant owners in Europe are so stingy when it comes to things like their washrooms? Many put someone there who is "cleaning" the washroom, but really doesn't do anything but sit there, expecting 50 cents for washroom use. Some restaurants put a code lock on their washroom for keeping the public out....only paying customers have the right to use their facilities.....
That's one thing that's annoying about Europe - come on, just loosen up and be generous with your facilities!
That's one thing that's annoying about Europe - come on, just loosen up and be generous with your facilities!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
So many truths on so many levels....
I think PhD students or people who have gone through the PhD process will attest to the truths of this brilliant comic strip....
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
This non-Taiwanese person speaks awesome Taiwanese!
I think those Taiwanese that can't speak Taiwanese should be ashamed of themselves after watching this:
Bravo, white guy! Bravo!
Bravo, white guy! Bravo!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ugh....new parents
I'm at the age where many of my friends the same age are now parents. Sometimes they are insufferable. The whole world revolves around their stupid kids. All they want to talk about are their stupid kids. They have no life for themselves left. They have no personality left. All there is left over, is their kids.
Some people say that you never know the meaning of sacrifice and selflessness until you have kids. This may indeed be true. I can believe that when you become a parent, and hold a child that is totally vulnerable and dependent, that you finally realize what sacrifice and selflessness is.
But I will also say that parents are among the most selfish people in the world. They are selfless to their kids, but they are also the most selfish for their kids. Their whole mentality shifts to getting what they feel is necessary for their kids, no matter what the cost. And damned be you, if you get in the way of their ambitions for their own kids.
New parents - they can be really annoying sometimes.....
Some people say that you never know the meaning of sacrifice and selflessness until you have kids. This may indeed be true. I can believe that when you become a parent, and hold a child that is totally vulnerable and dependent, that you finally realize what sacrifice and selflessness is.
But I will also say that parents are among the most selfish people in the world. They are selfless to their kids, but they are also the most selfish for their kids. Their whole mentality shifts to getting what they feel is necessary for their kids, no matter what the cost. And damned be you, if you get in the way of their ambitions for their own kids.
New parents - they can be really annoying sometimes.....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Freiburg and Geneva
I think it's definitely confirmed that Freiburg is infinitely a better city than Geneva.....
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Toronto remembers the victims of the February 28, 1947 Massacre
Good job Mom......I hope that we will never forget the bloodshed and sacrifice of Taiwanese to bring about a democratic and free Taiwan. I hope that future generations never take for granted the freedom that they enjoy....
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Island Nation
The island nation lies silent, quietly it mourns,
Formosans with bowed heads, and hearts that are torn,
They weep for the memory of those that fell,
And for those who witnessed that dreadful hell.
Though many years past, the hurt does not fade,
The bloodshed and sufferings cannot be unmade.
So many killed, so many families destroyed,
The cries of the victims, they could not avoid
The death that came to them and their friends,
From a stubborn regime that just wouldn't bend.
From the streets of Taipei, to the farms in Chia-Yi,
The gunshots rang steadily, as loud as can be.
The slaughter continued on its merciless path,
Murdering political dissidents with its angry wrath.
The death of so many will not be in vain.
Neither will be their families' anguish and pain,
We remember these victims with saddened sorrow,
But we still retain hope for a better tomorrow.
For freedom has its price, it does not come cheap,
The victims have sacrificed, they have earned their keep,
But we must go on, our mission is not done,
Until the fight for freedom has truly been won.
We will not let them down, the ghosts of the past,
Their cause of yesteryear is our greatest task,
We strive for the freedom of Formosans today,
To our compatriots, have faith, rest in peace you may.
In memory of the victims of the February 28 1947 Massacre
阿挺
Formosans with bowed heads, and hearts that are torn,
They weep for the memory of those that fell,
And for those who witnessed that dreadful hell.
Though many years past, the hurt does not fade,
The bloodshed and sufferings cannot be unmade.
So many killed, so many families destroyed,
The cries of the victims, they could not avoid
The death that came to them and their friends,
From a stubborn regime that just wouldn't bend.
From the streets of Taipei, to the farms in Chia-Yi,
The gunshots rang steadily, as loud as can be.
The slaughter continued on its merciless path,
Murdering political dissidents with its angry wrath.
The death of so many will not be in vain.
Neither will be their families' anguish and pain,
We remember these victims with saddened sorrow,
But we still retain hope for a better tomorrow.
For freedom has its price, it does not come cheap,
The victims have sacrificed, they have earned their keep,
But we must go on, our mission is not done,
Until the fight for freedom has truly been won.
We will not let them down, the ghosts of the past,
Their cause of yesteryear is our greatest task,
We strive for the freedom of Formosans today,
To our compatriots, have faith, rest in peace you may.
In memory of the victims of the February 28 1947 Massacre
阿挺
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Lunar New Year - the Year of the Tiger
Happy Lunar New Year - it's the year of the Tiger this year.....
In Taiwan this is usually celebrated with Hot Pot, and the giving of Red Envelopes to family members. It's the biggest holiday in Tawian......
So to my fellow Taiwanese: 臺灣新年恭喜! 向望今年逐家健康!
In Taiwan this is usually celebrated with Hot Pot, and the giving of Red Envelopes to family members. It's the biggest holiday in Tawian......
So to my fellow Taiwanese: 臺灣新年恭喜! 向望今年逐家健康!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Schwäbische Fleischküchle
Without an oven, some dishes are hard to make, but one thing I've been successful at making are Swabian Meatballs (Schwäbische Fleischküchle)....delicious! They are tender and juicy, and make a great meal....
You need ground beef, an egg, a soaked bread roll, a touch of parsley, finely chopped onions, a pinch of salt and pepper to make them....
Enjoy with some potatoes and red wine!
You need ground beef, an egg, a soaked bread roll, a touch of parsley, finely chopped onions, a pinch of salt and pepper to make them....
Enjoy with some potatoes and red wine!
Canadian Pancakes
Mmm, what's better in the morning than some good ol' Canadian pancakes with Canadian Maple Syrup? Yummy, yummy!
And they're easy to make!
190 g of flour
10 g of baking powder
A teaspoon of salt
A tablespoon of sugar
300 mL of milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons of butter
The ingredients can be mixed smoothly together in a bowl to make the pancake mix. Then pour the mix about 250 mL at a time into an oiled pan at medium high heat. Fry until both sides are slightly browned.
Serve hot and make sure to add Maple Syrup!
And they're easy to make!
190 g of flour
10 g of baking powder
A teaspoon of salt
A tablespoon of sugar
300 mL of milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons of butter
The ingredients can be mixed smoothly together in a bowl to make the pancake mix. Then pour the mix about 250 mL at a time into an oiled pan at medium high heat. Fry until both sides are slightly browned.
Serve hot and make sure to add Maple Syrup!
Friday, February 05, 2010
Superbowl Pick
So it's gonna come down to the Colts and Saints in Superbowl XLIV....
and my official prediction is:
Saints 38, Colts 28
Why? No reason, everything on paper points to the Colts winning, but something about my gut seems to think that the Saints will pull this one off....of course, my gut has been wrong before!
Who dat?!?!?! Who dat gonna beat the Saints?!?!?!
(well, maybe the Colts, but I think Brees & Co. will come out on top)
and my official prediction is:
Saints 38, Colts 28
Why? No reason, everything on paper points to the Colts winning, but something about my gut seems to think that the Saints will pull this one off....of course, my gut has been wrong before!
Who dat?!?!?! Who dat gonna beat the Saints?!?!?!
(well, maybe the Colts, but I think Brees & Co. will come out on top)
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Overtime beats Shootouts Anyday...
NHL Playoff Overtimes are the most exciting parts of sports - any sport!
Don't listen to those Shootout advocates - that's not real hockey. For proof of great overtimes, who can forget the 1993 Norris Division Semi-Final Game 7 between the Leafs and Wings? Nicolai Borschevsky from Bob Rouse and Doug Gilmour in OT!
Don't listen to those Shootout advocates - that's not real hockey. For proof of great overtimes, who can forget the 1993 Norris Division Semi-Final Game 7 between the Leafs and Wings? Nicolai Borschevsky from Bob Rouse and Doug Gilmour in OT!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
A Perfect Score!
So last December, I wrote a German Proficiency Test, called the Zertifikat Deutsch. It's not particularly hard, in fact I should have written it a long time ago...I have, after all, been here over three years already!
The Zertifikat Deutsch corresponds to the B1 Level in the European Framework for Languages, so it's not really difficult, but the minimum necessary for possible future immigration to Germany.
I got the results today, and because it wasn't difficult at all, I was expecting to do well, but in the end, I got a perfect score!
I wasn't expecting to do that well!
Here's my certificate:
and here's the evaluation report showing that I got 300 points out of 300!
The Zertifikat Deutsch corresponds to the B1 Level in the European Framework for Languages, so it's not really difficult, but the minimum necessary for possible future immigration to Germany.
I got the results today, and because it wasn't difficult at all, I was expecting to do well, but in the end, I got a perfect score!
I wasn't expecting to do that well!
Here's my certificate:
and here's the evaluation report showing that I got 300 points out of 300!
Monday, February 01, 2010
Phaneuf a Leaf!
Wow....Dion Phaneuf a Leaf. The trade yesterday sent Phaneuf together with Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie from the Calgary Flames to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs give up meanwhile, Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White. It's hard to tell (as the trade only happened yesterday) who will end up getting the upper hand in the deal - but I'm betting on the Leafs being very satisfied with this.....who knows, maybe it's the Doug Gilmour trade redux!
Here's to Phaneuf, and lot's of success in a Leafs uniform!
Here's to Phaneuf, and lot's of success in a Leafs uniform!
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