I am not very good with keeping up with this blog these days. But oh well, every now and then I will update. So let me tell you what I've done since May 27th, my last post.

Chicago Trip

I went to Chicago for about 4 days. A bunch of the TCBC graduates decided to take a trip together, and we ventured down to the Windy City by car. We started on a late Sunday night and got back home on Thursday evening. Of the highlights of our trip, we did way too much shopping. It felt like almost non-stop shopping I think. But we did manage to go do a boat tour, which was great. Not only did we get a lake-view of the city, we also got a historical lesson. I liked this tour because it gave us a brief introduction to how this city went through a lot, how buildings were not completed because of the Great Depression in the 30s. How they made a lock so that the lake water would not flow into the harbour because there were too much pollutants and garbage there, and it caused a massive influx in water and the environment.

Among those we also went to Willowcreek and attended their Wednesday Night Believer's service. Man, this was a great service. The speaker was Gene Appel, and he's changed a lot since his book. I saw his book a few days after and I looked at the picture, nothing like him anymore. Anyways, the amazing thing about the church is how their whole vision is carried out throughout the church. Simplicity in its structure and design. The walls are not covered with design, all white, rooms here and there. Sure just seeing inside is an amazement because of the in-house bookstore, the in-house catering, meaning like picture five fast food joints, except I am guessing the food is made in-house and sold at somewhat reasonable prices, I'd hardly call them cheap but it was alright. So all the workers I am guessing are volunteers. As are the bookstore workers. Man, I would work in the kitchen if our church had something along those lines. They had this huge foyer where people can meet and talk. And I stole a picture through the creaks of the wall into their new facility, a 7200 person sanctuary, amazing.

Unpacking

The week after that I started unpacking my things at home (Mississauga). Man, my room was a mess for a few days. And it still is. I still remember my chemistry teacher in high school teaching us that it's all entropy, that cleaning is a waste becuase of entropy. hahaha. Anyways, I put alomst 5 boxes in the basement and still my room seems the same. My bookshelf is still as cluttered as it was back then. Papers are still scattered all over my desk. Oh wells.

Anyways, as I was cleaning, I came across many items that really touched my heart. I save all the greeting cards people give me over the years, and so I started opening them up. Man, I am so lucky to have people in my life who are nice enough to give me greeting cards. I briefly looked at my first year of University yearbook and man, I looked so different in that picture. And so did all of my friends. We looked so young, and no we have all changed. How 5 years can change a whole life.

Convocation

I had my convocation yesterday. I am officially graduated. The ceremony was ok, was very short but seemed very long. What with President Birgeneau speaking latin and Chancellor Poy speaking latin, it seemed forever. I saw some of my friends I had not seen since last day of exams. It's too bad some of them I hardly got to talk to. Or even worse are those I did not get much time to talk to, and really don't know too well because I only really got to know them this year. It's too bad. So we'll see what happens in the upcoming years with that.

Although it was raining, it was still a nice day. There was free food afterward at Hart House, sandwiches, wraps, drinks. Man, it was a feast. But then later on in the day after the afternoon convocation, there was hardly any food. A couple plates of small pizzas and spring rolls and that was IT! man, they got jipped.

Here is some beef I have. So when you ask someone to comment on something, I expect truth and detail. So if you think there is something wrong, you better back it up and list out the specific problem. Don't just tell me "there is a problem", and leave it at that. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM!!! It's kind of like someone asks me, "what do you think of our school faculty" and I say "there is a problem with it", and that's it, what help is that. Man, if your gonna answer be specific, or don't answer at all.

Poker

What is the deal with this poker phenomenon? Lately there has been a great influx in poker players, Texas Hold'em to be specific. I know it has to do with the World Poker tour being on CityTV every Sunday at 4PM and Monday at 12AM. Because I know tons of people who play it now. I don't think playing is a bad thing really. Sure this is a gambling game, and it definately is more fun with you have chips to play with, because that is the whole point of the game, to bet the chips. Now someone was saying last week how they prefer not to play too often because they are not sure if it's morally or biblically good to always play. Personally, what is the difference with playing this and playing normal cards, like big 2 or something? It's still a game, part of Texas Hold'em is to bet money (chips). It makes not difference because your playing to win in any game. So anyways, I enjoy playing a lot, not the best at it yet, but I am improving each time we play.

Christian Pop Idol

I saw on Yahoo News today the headline "American Idol Christian Version to Debut". I was like WHAT!!! So get this, Trinity Broadcasting Network is creating a show called "Gifted" where they set out cross country to find the countries new Christian Idol. What is the deal with this? Then I read on about the network that "the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based conglomerate that features such well-known evangelists as Benny Hinn." And i was like, oh, Benny Hinn, alright, this is getting worse. They say "Contestants will perform gospel or contemporary spiritual songs." Man, is this isn't capitalization on something big, I don't know what it is. This idea has money-maker all over it, not that it's going to make money, just the idea seems like a scheme of someone who is in it to make money. I'd still like to watch it to see what the deal is, but I think this is a stupid idea.

However, what makes it stupid is because who cares who is the best "Christian singer". As Christians we sing to worship God. It does not matter whether we suck at it or not, it's not for us. So why don't they just get a Kelly Clarkson or Jessica Simpson to sing a "Christian song" and be done with the show. I am just not seeing how this is glorifying to God.

Til next time.