How Nemo changed my life

Remember that time of your life when all you wanted to listen to was “Welcome to My Life” and “Perfect” by Simple Plan because you felt very connected to the lyrics? Remember when you hid in your room or closed your eyes in the shower and yelled at the top of your lungs the following line…

no you don’t know what its like, when nothing feels alright, you don’t know what its like, to be like me…

No? Okay, maybe it was just me, but boy oh boy was I an antsy teen. My friend Tyler would agree without hesitation. We definitely had this conversation merely two weeks ago while I updated him on my wonderful family life right now.

This past Saturday, I stayed in after dinner and decided to set up my movie system, plugged in my computer to the TV, my surround sound speakers, sit back and watch a movie as I fall asleep. After going through my movie list on my hard drive, I decided to go for a Pixar film.

20120709-142527.jpgFinding Nemo (2003) is one of those films where when friends and I talk about it, I’ll always end up saying “I haven’t seen that film in so long, it’s one of my favorites.”

That time finally came. Granted, I only watched about a quarter of the film but it was still very moving. Does anyone recognize that scene from the photo?

Marlin: You know what? I was right. We’ll start school in a year or two.
Nemo: No, Dad! Just because you’re scared of the ocean…
Marlin: Clearly, you’re not ready, and you’re not coming back until you are. You think you can do these things, but you just can’t, Nemo!
Nemo: [pause, mutters] I hate you. (IMDB)

This scene really speaks to me. It brings back so many memories. I was such an angry, frustrated, rebellious child who would lock myself in the room and shut down when my parents tried to speak to me. I ate dinner in 5 minutes and headed straight to my bedroom. I’d do whatever I want and as soon as I failed, I was very disappointed in myself but I’d never let it show… or at least I didn’t think I did.

I guess most of us go through the stage in some way or another. I do sincerely apologize for the way I acted that disappointed any family or friends during that stage of my life, but to be honest, if I could turn back time- I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I grew from those experiences, I struggled and put myself in situations which required maturity. If I had listened and followed all the dos & don’ts perfectly, I would not be as adventurous, courageous and most importantly, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with God.

As I look back at my journey the past 10 years plus years since my beginning of my teenage years, I can trace God’s hand in the various things that happened which lead to a change in my heart. I can even trace God’s hand in using my life to influence others around me. I’ll admit I still have days where I want to lock myself in and blast ‘Welcome to My Life’ again, days where I don’t feel God anywhere near, but it’s those days where I remind myself to look back at my past and remember God’s omnipresence and faithfulness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

[ Hebrews 12:11 ]

My favorite summer activity in HK: Junk boat trips

It doesn’t matter how bad of a week I’m having, there’s always one thing that can cheer my up and make my summer back in Hong Kong totally worth it (on top of my family that is). That’s going out at sea on a junk boat trip, away from the city, to deserted islands where all you can see is mountains, beaches and the ocean. There’s nothing more calming than floating out at sea being reminded of God’s creation of nature.

This past Sunday was July 1st, the 15th anniversary of the day Hong Kong got handed over from Britain to China. The weather the past few weeks have been crappy, topping it with a typhoon just this past Friday. I didn’t have high hopes for the weather on Sunday but it was absolutely incredible.. as you can tell from the photos below. (none of the photos were edited or filtered, the last photo taken with Photosynth… a great panorama-taking app)



The weather and the scenery was breath-taking. Thanks to my friend and his family for inviting me on this beautiful boat for a day with a birthday celebration, wakeboarding, meeting new friends, drinking, topped with amazing food. I’ve been back to Hong Kong for just under two months and already attended 4 junk trips. I have 4 more currently booked before I leave at the end of August. I can hardly hold my excitement.

If you’re having a tough time with whatever you’re going through, drop everything you have to do, take a break and find something that will make you forget everything and smile. No matter how hard things are, God will always be there with you- you just have to look around and you’ll find Him.

 God looked over everything he had made;
      it was so good, so very good!- Genesis 1:31

Who can say no to this skyline?

I wasn’t very keen on running this morning at all, but I looked out the window when I woke up and decided I had to because it was the first relatively nice day out in weeks. Unfortunately, it seems a typhoon is coming our way again this weekend. What is with the weather these days?

[youtube:http://youtu.be/Qhq3bKjwX44%5D

Anyway, I took this to put up on social cam as my first video. I probably don’t need another social media to keep me occupied but why not, it’s the summer and I’ve got plenty of time. I ran only two laps (1 lap around 1000 meters), compared to my usual 4-6 laps. I was tired but a little bit of running to start off my day was better than none.

My first run at night

Basically, now that I intern Monday to Friday from 9-6, the only time I get to run is early in the morning before breakfast or late at night after dinner. I always end up too tired or too full after dinner to run but yesterday I decided I had to- no matter how tired I was. I knew it was worth it as soon as I started running… and here is why:

20120622-151102.jpg

The weather has been pretty horrific the last few months, according to my parents, the last few months really. Frankly, the crappy weather has probably allowed most of us to enjoy the occasional blue skies even more than we normally do. The rain all day yesterday cleared up the skies at night just in time for me to take this shot of the Hong Kong skyline. This is taken from the Photosynth app on the iphone and edited with PS Express.

The run is getting easier and easier every time I do it. I’ve never been a fan of outdoor running but its growing on me. Somehow I think I’m burning more by running out in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong as well. It’s also quite entertaining running past investment bankers getting to work at 6:30 in the morning or off work at 10pm as well as all those well-dressed people going to Ozone on the 118th floor for drinks.

Anyhow, my plans got canceled tonight so maybe I’ll go for another run, or a weight-lift session. Maybe I’ll do both. After all, I will be on a junk boat trip tomorrow all day, drinking, eating and being lazy so I might as well work hard tonight.