Blame It On The DLu

a series of non-sequiturs

2007-04-11T21:28:00.000+08:00

i'm handing the thesis in today! 7 months, 76 pages, and countless hours later, i finally finished it on tuesday. i would like to thank everyone who helped me through the process. so yea ...

anyway, suffice it to say, it feels good.

i don't really feel like writing coherent sentences and i suppose this entry will be mostly for me, so here come the randoms ...

- one more take home exam and then i will be finished my bpapm degree forever.
- i've enjoyed studying development despite the many inherent flaws within this field of study
- downloaded an incredible piece by Andre Anichanov from the Red Poppy: Act Two: Adagio. There are some incredible finds on iTunes.
- great breakfast with jordi this morning
- Loblaw's meal deals (roast chicken, potato wedges, 2 salads) may appear to be a good idea when you're hungry but hindsight is 20/20
- i like hymns so much better than "choruses"
- jonathan's soul was "knit" to david's.

that last point is something that i've been thinking about for a while.
coming to the end of university has caused me to reflect a lot and consider what i would do the same and what i would do differently.
being in this spot has made me wonder what difference i've made and had in people's lives and if that's even important.
i've been taking stock of my relationships and wondering how deep they really are.
are friendships meant to last a lifetime, or are they only for a season in your life?
if they're only meant for a season, then what is the point of investing so much time and energy into your friendships?

does 'being remembered' matter?
is that desire from a root of pride, or a need to be valued?
do you ever get pensive and ask yourself: "if i weren't here, would people notice?"

it has been a strange couple of weeks. will i look back at my life and believe i invested it well?

off to vancity on saturday, and then HK on sunday. back in vancity on the 27th and then MET starting on May 2nd.

life goes by quick.

dlung.

hmmmm ...???

2007-03-20T00:08:00.000+08:00

hey do you ever feel something (like an emotion) but you're not exactly sure what it is you feel?
i think i'm experiencing that now.

or ... it might just be the sumatra pumping through my veins.

My "Anti-Blog"

2007-03-06T04:31:00.000+08:00

so people complained about my last blog update which went a little something like this: "i love my life."

i didn't feel like i needed to elaborate, however because i felt strongly that that's all that needs to be said. "i love my life." but some people asked for elaboration so in this entry i will give 5 reasons why i love my life.

but before i do, i just want you all to know why i originally kept that blog to just those 4 simpe words. the reason is simple: because rarely do people in our culture express gratitude or appreciation for their lives. we as a culture do way too much complaining! man, are we ever an ungrateful generation! i mean, people REVEL in complaining!!

i'm guilty of it too i'm sure, but it's something that i've become acutely more aware of since last year. we complain about everything: how busy we are, how bored we are, how annoying people are, how cold it is, how hot it is, etc. i'd just like to point out that having a spirit of complaining is sinful. remember when the Israelites were complaining to Moses about having no meat, God gave them so much meat that it came out their noses. it's a pretty gory picture.

anyway, i consider this my "anti-blog" since so many people merely use their blogs as a forum to complain. this isn't just an exercise in "positive thinking" (whatever), but i truly do LOVE my life (tara and i often revel in how much we love our respective lives, haha). it's not just "there's nothing to complain about," but i really enjoy living and i want people to know that and celebrate with me!!

5 reasons Why I Love My Life:
1. Knowing God Personally: indescribable. how can you capture with our finite words the deep spring of satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing the almighty creator of the universe? i pray that my roots would continue to grow down deep in the bible, so that i could drink more daily from his Word.

2. Mom and Pops: i have been more than blessed with a family that has been a model of what a household should more or less look like. not perfect to be sure, but my parents gave me a firm spiritual foundation, communicated the importance of character, integrity, and dedication, and loved me through all my years of rebelliousness. they never once disowned me, even though i gave them many reasons to, haha.

3. My Men: God has placed in my life MEN of integrity and character. i'm so thankful for them. they're wise, honest and inspire me to keep on going inward and upwards. i have the utmost respect for them. they're committed, courageous and display servant leadership. they reflect Christ to me. PLUS, they're fun and we have lots of laughs together. we've started going our separate ways already but i consider the men who are here, and even those who are gone, like my brothers.

4. Opportunities: God has given me so many opportunities in life -- to see the world, to meet new people, and to experience things that make me sit back in wonderment and think: "wow." i remember thinking last year: "i can't believe i'm only 22 and i've experienced so much already." and it's not just experiences for the sake of experiences. i know and can trace how with each challenge that comes my way, it is another building block to help me reach the next step in my growth as a man, in leadership and as a Christ-centred labourer. i'm thankful.

5. FUN: ok, so i feel a little convicted after listening to a John Piper sermon in which he said people are too preoccupied with fun, but i think this is one of the reasons i love my life. i think there are fun people around me and things are just fun. man, every day i get to have so many laughs with people i love, and no matter what we're doing it seems like we're having fun. even when we're in the library writing an essay, things are fun. is that weird?? i dunno, but it just seems like my life is good times.

anyways, all that to say that i LOVE my life. i like reflecting on these things because i'm thankful for all of these things (and more), that seem to converge together and make life great. yea, sometimes things aren't "perfect" but that's not the point. the point is that i'm genuinely thankful for the life that God has given me and am joyful whenever i think and reflect upon all the gifts he has given me. and those gifts aren't a reflection of my greatness, but is a reflection of HIS goodness.

in conclusion:
i love my life.

i just gotta say ...

2007-02-14T09:43:00.000+08:00

i love my life.

dlu.

I feel like ...

2006-12-07T13:14:00.000+08:00

... watching a chick flick.

a really tragic one.

maybe it's the exams talking.

or maybe not.

dlu.

This Just In ...

2006-11-29T04:12:00.000+08:00

"Darren,

I am happy to inform you that you are accepted as a commissioned staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ! We’re glad you are taking this step of faith to join staff and will uphold you in prayer.

Blessings,

Marilyn"

so i guess it's official! i am now a Campus Crusade for Christ staff!!

dlu.

Exciting!

2006-11-14T02:35:00.000+08:00

sent in my staff apps today!

in the words of kijers: "woot."

today i gave up to God where i want to go and prayed that he would send me wherever i could know him the most and where i could have the greatest impact in bringing people into the kingdom and sending students to the world.

but i also hope that where i go will be fun.
lots and lots of fun.

yeehaw! let the good times roll.

dlu.

spiritual warfare

2006-11-08T14:21:00.000+08:00

since i've been involved in ministry with c4c (that is, since first year ... meaning only 4 years of experience really), i don't think i've felt as much of a tangible sense of spiritual warfare as i do now.

all around me, it seems like the enemy is picking our leaders off, one by one. whether it be a sin issue, or relational conflict (which, for some reason seems unusually high this year), or "busyness", i realize once again that we are not fighting against human flesh, but against the powers and principalities of this dark world.

oh God, have mercy on us and save us from this impending sense of darkness!

i don't know how to articulate clearly what is going on here @ cton, but more than ever, i feel a sense that things are getting out of control ... but not in a way that feels like "God is in control". personally, i feel like things are heading towards meltdown, but knowing that only God can save us at a time like this.

adam reminded me the other day that there is satanic opposition to what we are doing on campus. i look at human explanations and human methods so often, but we must remember that this is a spiritual battle we are facing.

and only spiritual methods will win spiritual wars.

God, mobilize your people from across this nation to pray and fast and seek your face Lord. let us be radical -- not only in our "faith goals" -- but in each and every moment that you gift us with. God help us. God save us!

"no retreat. no regret. no reserve." -- william carey

dlu.

i've cheated on blogspot...

2006-11-02T01:43:00.000+08:00

facebook is the new blogspot.

easier. faster. more convenient. more pictures. easier formatting (ie: none). this is good but it is also evil to an extent.

sorry to my blogspot readers for this infidelity.

dlu.

interview with a ...

2006-10-19T23:12:00.000+08:00

true christian?

thought i was going to say "vampire" didn't you? heh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZHbg7_y3vk&eurl

watch this to the very end. convicting.

dlu.

ps: will update soon about life.

Barbarian Soundtracks

2006-09-26T04:06:00.000+08:00

do you ever listen to music that makes you want to go out and just conquer something? and not just something puny, like a bear ... but i mean conquer something really big?

listening to the gladiator soundtrack right now (second album purchased off iTunes!) amazing soundtrack. inspiring. magnificent.

it stirs my soul.

Being the Old Guard Ain't Bad ...

2006-09-06T10:46:00.000+08:00

so a few months ago, i was fretting about being the old guard.

but it ain't bad. in fact, it's great.

in fact i'm really relishing this role and i covet the remaining time i have left. the year is gonna go by fast. only 4 years as a university student. 3 years have already gone by in a blink. one more year to come. oh that i would be a good steward of this remaining time!

i feel so privileged to be able to serve with the people i get to work with this year. not only are they men and women in pursuit of the highest calling, but they are visionary, hardworking, fun and good looking people.

this past weekend was our ST retreat -- and i'm gonna throw the guantlet down and say: it was the best servant team retreat ever.

ever.

we were gonna camp it up, but because the weather didn't permit it, we stayed @ Jordi's place instead (on a beautiful lake in Smith Falls); we made awesome food (props to the cheesecake and roast), chilled, groaned as Max shot torpedo farts (J's dog), laughed uncontrollably (me???), played "would you rather..." and taboo a (resulting in exultation as adam, heidi and i taboo'd to victory).

not only that, but we went on Jordi's yacht, shared feelings (awwww!), went swimming, went island hiking (sort of), and tried to translate Avril songs into Chinese ("hen duo hen duo de weeeenti" ... "weishenme ni yao qu zuo hen mah faaaaaaan?!")

oh yea. and we did work. heh.

some pics ...

this is where we did our team building session. we saw loons while we were praying. beautiful creatures. i have a new respect for our dollar.

i couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys to work alongside. (l-r): nate, jordi, me, adam and danny (or "shermy wermy" haha)

nor could i ask for better sisters (in the Christian sense). andrea and heidi -- props for looking like you're posing for an ad for camping wear or something. (missing: Marilee or "M-slice")

swimming was cold times. and good times. danny's lips and hands turned blue at one point. i thought he was going to die. but he didn't. yay.

this guy enjoys long walks on the beach, underworld and k.b. he's quality and looks like a superhero when he hangs off the side of a moving yacht.

i'm looking forward to a great year guys! what an honour it is to work with nimen!

dlu.

ps: and how the heck are you all so fun and good looking?!

Wedding + Old Friends = Great Weekend

2006-08-28T23:29:00.000+08:00

CONGRATULATIONS to my new favourite marriend couple: sangi and christina im.

great wedding (as measured by lots and lots of tears). fun reception.

you know you're getting older when it takes a wedding to have a reunion (people get married, move away, get jobs, etc). i loved seeing old friends again.

brink, shanny, laura, etc = nostalgia.

first year (when we were all single, but still just as fun) seems like a distant memory. now talk of houses, mortgages, kids, jobs and the like are central pieces of conversation. many more sentences beginning with "remember when ..."

sigh.

but i'm thankful for all the memories. i'm thankful that we pick up where we left off. i'm thankful that it's not awkward, that we still laugh just as hard and that we still poke fun at each other just like old times.

sometimes i wish that i could freeze frame where i'm at and just enjoy it a little longer.

nevertheless, great weekend. great friends. great looking people (hah). thanks guys.

and congratulations and heaps of blessings on the new married fogies: sangi and xina!

fun pics from the night ...

emcees with the groom and bride -- notice how tbaz and i match? ;)

moi, tara, maria and jevy at the recepts

shanny and monica eating wedding cake from a big knife. weird.

some fine looking pengyous. adam, maria, nay. props to the fun table.

do you like adam's tie? heh.

laura -- next wedding, bring the big A.

after the reception, the gangsta came out. you can take us outta da hood. you can't take da hood outta us.

ok, so i know, lots of pics with me in them. didn't have access to the cams during the wedding. hopefuly, i can get my hands on them and then i'll post them.

poll: who thinks they'll cry during their own wedding?

dlu.

Pics Galores!

2006-08-23T09:10:00.000+08:00

so i'm moving back up to otown tomorrow. i hate packing. i hate it more than almost anything in the world.

so ... instead i'm updating."woot."

i recently went out east with some hao pengyous. good times. i never knew it was so beautiful out there. the landscape i mean.

i even like the ppl's accents, even though brad (or "brod," ahaha) may object.

let me give all a little demos (of how cool the 'scapes are ... i wouldn't know how to write out the accents) ...

a view from peggy's cove.

view from the swiss air memorial. see the light house?

good times with the pengs. dunno why i'm doing such a weird face. weh.

anyone know what kind of plant this is?

thanks for being a great hostess kmyles!

a storm's a brewin'! on the way home.

apparently alexander keith was a great family man. and the greatest thing to ever happen to nova scotia.

i think someone farted in there. not me! called it.

i think this is a bit of a cop out post. weh! at least ppl can stop asking me now if i'm going to update again.

i'd just like to say to all the naysayers: while this blog may have suffered a bit of a coma, it certainly did not die.

so there.

i'm looking forward to more roadies with some more hao pengs in the futs. i feel so much closer to them now!

so i'm on the phone with tara now. can't multitask. sentences getting shorter. i have no idea what she's saying to me because i'm typing.

the end.

dlu.

ps: did u know that nova scotia means "new scotland" (i think it's new scotland ... i remember nova means new ... heh).

A Short One

2006-07-23T12:53:00.000+08:00

contrary to popular opinion, i have not fallen off the face of the earth.

nor have i let this blog "die."

i've just been on vacation.

yes. since April 25th i've been on vacation.

...

anyways, i've been reading a great book recently called "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. it is brilliant. i am loving it. i have to keep myself from highlighting every line. clearly and concisely written, Collins presents great principles that can be implented practically as well. i can't help but think about Cru this year as i'm reading through and reflecting on my past experiences as a leader and working with other leaders.

u know how some ppl's heart rates pump faster when they read a great fictional novel? apparently a business book does it for me. ew. i'm such a nerd. i think that's pretty unappealing. i may have just dashed any chances of finding a girlfriend amongst the female population that reads this blog.

other great (fictional) books i would recommend that i've recently read/am reading:
- The Kite Runner
- The Known World (also currently in the process of reading).

maybe i'll give a little bit of a summary later on.

i feel like i'm blogging just for the sake of blogging right now.

i'd also like to dedicate this particular posting to Lyds, who was excited that i was blogging again even though i told her this post may be 'weh.'

um, ok.

that is all.

DLu.

I'm Not a Nerd, But Does that Mean ...

2006-04-25T12:26:00.000+08:00

... i'm stupid??? i had no idea what most of those answers were.

donc!!

a little relieved, but a little upset at the same time,
DLu.

PS: does Mn stand for gold? i, uh, didn't take highschool biology or chemistry and now i kind of regret it.

All Things Canto

2006-04-14T10:31:00.000+08:00

so during our most recent "christmas" vacation, i went with the rents to my first home and
rediscovered a wonderful thing: 80's canto pop.

for those of you who've never heard it, there's nothing like it. admittedly, it's nothing like country, but without a doubt, it surpasses my love of alan. although, arguably, it is 100X more hokey, i still can't help myself from wanting to fill my life with the sound of electronic keyboard sound effects, saxaphone backgrounds and cheesy electric guitar solos.

if i could go back in time, i would seriously consider going back to 80's era HK. that's when andy lau, lau me guan and mui yeen fong were at their peak! man, what a great time to be alive. not only could u look ugly and get away with it (fashion being your excuse), but you could rock out all day to these HK megastars. oh, to bask in the light of their overly-orchestrated glory!!

to the left is lau mei guan. i'm listening to her even as we speak! ok, so the cover is a little risque (woah, easy on the shoulder showage! pull that shirt up!!) but really ... haha! you can't get much more 80's HK than this.

discovering a real copy of her "greatest hits" cd was one of the best purchases i've ever made in my entire cd-shopping history. i fully remember her songs from when i lived in HK. ok people, be honest: "how could you not want thiiiiiiisssssssss" (hah, MiLK).

and who could forget mr. andy-the-legend-lau? he's one cool cat. look at him raise that fist. you go andy. power to the people.

but really, when one contributes so significantly to the quality of life for so many millions of people around the world, you deserve to be considered a legend. i dunno what it is about this guy. he's not a particularly good musician, or a good actor, but you just know you should like him.

he hawks a clothing brand over here. i don't particularly like the clothes, but everytime i pass by, i walk in to take a look around. i suspect it's the power of the lauzer himself, drawing me in. it's awful. i know.

reflecting on this post and my recent 'country music' post, maybe i'm having some sort of subconcious identity wrestling match. white vs. yellow, west vs. east, country vs. 80's canto pop. maybe this is what "third culture" really means. although, really, does it have to be one or the other? there's enough room for the shanias and the andys of this world to get along, isn't there?

Preach it Preacherman!

2006-04-10T12:17:00.000+08:00

I thought this was a really interesting read from a blog i "stalked" out.

to keep it short: u know how on the front page of "blogspot.com" there's the constant scrolling list of blogs being updated? have you ever clicked on it before? well, i did, and this is the blog it took me to.

the following is a shocking/insightful/wise entry that this guy made on march 31st. i think many of us could take it to heart.

Already Tired
I used to wonder why so many pastors burned out and quit. It is not so difficult to see these days. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that ministry today is different than it used to be. I don't mean to minimize the difficulties of yesterday. I know they were real. Ministry today is simply different, and not necessarily in a good way.

I read today that 1,200 to 1,300 pastors are leaving the ministry (voluntarily and otherwise) every month. Of course that's 1,300 pastors across the board, but no matter how you slice it, that's a lot of pastors. A few years ago I read that pastors are being fired at a rate of one every six hours.

I don't know how accurate the numbers above really are, but I suspect there is much truth to them. In my own schedule, I wrestle with how to juggle an active family with young children and my duties as a pastor. Sunday School teachers complain about having to "get a lesson up," then complain because the pastor didn't deliver a Charles Swindoll or Joel Osteen message last Sunday. Never mind that he taught Sunday School, preached that morning, preached again that evening, taught on Wednesday night in an already crunched schedule.

For any pastors reading this, don't get all self-righteous on me and say you've never felt anger or even rage about the situation. Working 60 and 70 hour weeks is murder. Not that I'd trade it, my calling that is. I'd trade the work load in a minute. I don't think Jesus ever intended for His churches to set up such unrealistic ideas about church.

Whenever I read about Elijah falling so low after his great victory against the prophets of Baal, I think to myself that this man was so selfish. I know better now. The last three weeks have been some of the most difficult for me, not because the work is so hard, but because I finally see that Satan has been drowning me in busyness.

Funny thing is is that I hadn't thought much about it until recently, when the Lord slowed me down enough to see that in the midst of my activity and duty I had lost my heart. Now I long for those moments of solitude, like Jesus in a deserted place, so I might step out of the busyness and breathe again. Tonight is the first night my family has been together since we returned from vacation three weeks ago. Is that what the Lord had in mind? I think not.

I long to see the glory of God beating in the hearts of the people in my life. That's no easy battle - but in the end it will be worthwhile. In the midst of that battle the trick is to find balance in this high speed, intense world in which we live, learning what battles are really worth fighting, and remembering at the end of the day that it is not my church member's kids or wife that missed me. It will not be the PTO who wants a bedtime story or a game of Round-the-World after dinner. My biggest fans are right here under my roof.

http://higgypreacherman.blogspot.com/

makes you think, doesn't it?

DLu.

A Salute to a Real BPAPM Hero

2006-04-08T11:52:00.000+08:00

as you all know, i'm going to be coming back next year. before returning, however, there are still a few things i need to sort out with my department (getting a thesis advisor, for example) before i can begin my final year.

a few weeks ago, i emailed one of the ppl in charge at the art. kruegs. office and have been anxiously waiting a reply. "what if i actually couldn't take a year off?" "what if i can't get a thesis advisor now?" "what if i've been striken off the records as ever being a bpapmer?!" were all thoughts that've been running through my mind the last few weeks.

anyway, a fellow bpapmer offered to go to talk to mrs-secretary-general of bpapm for me. now, you have to understand that this woman is in-tim-i-da-ting. we both agree that, um, minimal interactions with her are, uh, preferred, because she's, to put it nicely, exteremly aggressive. or highstrung. or has a lazer glare.

the following is the conversation that ensued between mrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm and little mons (as recorded by mons. names have been changed):

-----------
hey dlu So I just spoke to mrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm like 10 minutes ago. I'm sitting in the PAPM lab writing this now. This was the exact dialogue: Mons: (knocks on door and smiles): Himrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm? Did you receive an email from a student named DLu? He asked me to ask you if you received it, and I told him I would ask you to ask if you would return it?mrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm: (looks up with blank stare for 5 seconds and lets out an outburst of laughter): Hah! look at my desk! (She points to the desk evidently covered with piles of papers). Yes, I received DLu's email. I will return it to him shortly; tell him he's on my list. Mons: Ohhh... sorry to see you're so busy. He's been crying in front of his computer waiting for your response though... don't worry I'll let him know.mrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm: I've got an awards dinner to plan, deadlines to meet.... (her eyes are clearly bloodshot) Yes; if you are in touch with DLu I'll try to send him a message as soon as next wednesday. Mons: Ok thanks a lotmrs-secretary-general-of-bpapm. I'll let him know. Fruit popsicles are really good for stress by the way. - In short; she'll be in touch with you soon:) Gotta get back to this essay! ----------i just wanted to give props to a very brave woman. thanks for helpin a brother out.

DLu.

PS: i realize this post probably makes no sense to the 99% of those of you who aren't enrolled in bpapm. hah, oh well. i just wanted to give props to you mons! you're a freaking hero!

Being the Old Guard

2006-04-07T14:47:00.000+08:00

have you... excuse me while we take a quick visit to the back of my mind ...

what's back there you ask? a slight and maybe growing sense of dread for next year (ie: september).

i'm going to be the old guard.

woah. what have i done? it may have been easier to come, than it'll be to go back.

only a few more months and the last year of my university career will start. and then onto the "real world." i know i'm building it up to be more than it really is.

but still, it seems almost unfathomable to me.

DLu.

Oh For the Love of Country!!

2006-04-05T15:08:00.000+08:00

... something bewildering has happened while i've been away. over the course of the past few months, i've realized that i'm not who i thought it was. i don't know if i was in denial before, lying to myself and to my friends and family. all i know is that huge burden of weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

i'll just cut to the chase ...

... *deep breath* ... this is a hard admission to make.

...

i've recently ... come out of the country-music-lovin'-closet. apparently 1 in 10 people are country-music-closeters, but i am proud to say that i've busted out with a vengence!

... wow, i now feel so much better.

it's like my eyes are still getting adjusted to the world as i thought i knew it now that i'm out, but let me tell you -- i haven't experienced such freedom in a while. it's like i'm now living in a world of technicolour, where as before, it was just a world of plain ol' colour (inhabited by the michael w. smiths, the 50 cents, the britneys of this world). i don't think you'd understand if you yourself have not yet come out.

it's a difficult thing to admit. i know that this was partially a choice, but maybe i was just born loving country music. i don't know. but don't hate me! i'm still the same person, except now i will probably try to make you join my ranks by forcing us to listen to the shanias, the john denvers, and the garths of country-land. i'm looking forward to roadtrips again, haha.

i'm here and just cause i like country doesn't mean i'm some redneck drinking beer! but i do love me some mr. alan jackson. i bought his cd a few days ago, and that's actually the moment when it dawned on me: i am a country lover.

look at this guy! only a guy completely comfortable in his machoness could pull off the following looks:

admit it guys and gals. alan is the epitome of cool. anyone who can pull off a jean jacket with leather fringe knows they're awesome.

i think i'm on the verge of man crushing.

although i'm still pretty new to the country scene (i'm looking to get further exposed in the coming months and years), i've compiled a list of my my top five favourite country songs at the moment:
1. right on the money - alan jackson
2. country roads - john denver (an asian favourite, oddly enough)
3. remember when - alan jackson (described as 'the height of sappification' by one friend)
4. bless the broken road - rascal flatts (again, sap)
5. any man of mine - shania twain (back in the days when shania was still country. actually, i'm really embarassed about this one. really. embarassed.)

well, there you have it folks. i'm out.

i hope someday you'll join us. and the country world can live as one.

DLu.

PS: I'm not actually coming home yet. that was an april fool's joke gone horribly awry. i bet some of you wish this one were the april fool's joke eh? haha.

Happy Birthday!

2006-04-01T13:38:00.000+08:00

I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to tara! have a great birthday celebration (even though i won't be there, i'm sure you'll have a good time anyway, haha). This is my gift to you :) hahaha!

Your very bestest friend in EA,
DLu.

A Quick One

2006-03-30T00:24:00.000+08:00

... or as they'd say in french: "une quicke!!!!" (with an accent).

jokes.

just watched "a moment to remember" with some friends.

still the saddest movie ever. didn't cry this time, but definitely experienced a "surge of emotion."

...

"is this heaven?"

"yes."

... donc!

DLu

The Definition of Sorrow

2006-03-27T22:39:00.000+08:00

www.dictionary.com defines "sorrow" as:

"mental suffering or pain caused by injury, loss, or despair."
or
"an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement"

i define it as ...

"a moment to remember"

look at the movie poster! they're freaking crying on the poster!

a moment to remember is a korean movie which (apparently, for those of you who know), says it all. it is singularly, the most saddest movie i have ever seen. ever.

a random dlu fact: i have never, ever cried in a movie (excluding the passion of the christ, which i don't count). and i think i've watched a plethora of sad movies in my life time (dancer in the dark anyone?)

for goodness sakes, i even admit to liking a walk to remember. remember that movie? remember at the end, how mandy moore dies of cancer leaving her once-bad-boy-now-reformed husband to navigate the lonely roads of life all by himself?! that one was a tear-jerker. but not for me.

because i've never cried whilst watching a movie.

until now.

for goodness sakes, i've seen puppies being hawked on the street in boxes, children begging for money, _________________ (insert other very sad things) that would have any decent human feeling sorrowful and would even move you to tears.

but i've never cried at these things (granted, many of you have seen me cry, but, again, talking about ea/jeru is somewhat different ... somehow).

how the heck did some korean movie make a 22 year old man cry?

...

the simple answer to the aforementioned question: by being the single most tragic movie ever produced.

there should be a warning label on the movie:

by choosing to view this film, you shall experience "mental suffering ... caused by ... despair," as well as "emotion of great sadness associated with loss..."

of course, there very well could be said warning label. but since i don't read/speak korean, it'd help me nada.

a moment to remember, you are sorrow. sigh.

DLu.

PS: a certain miss kijers reminded me to give credit where credit is due. therefore, i would just like to tell you all that both kelley and kijers trained us boys on the use of the heel pat in an extrememly transferrable way.

step 1: you rest the heel of your palm on the crying girl's shoulder. (this is the step from which this act of comfort has derived its name).
step 2: gently, but firmly, bring front of hand (otherwise known as 'fingers') down in a swift manner, twice.
step 3: remove hand.

this allows for, in their words: adequate physical contact, while not crossing the threshold of awkwardness.

if you ask me, you could turn the heel pat into something very awkward, depending on what the rest of your body, as well as your face is doing.

next time i pull out the heel pat, i'll try to remember to take a picture.

PPS: ok, after this post, i'm going to leave comments as "unmoderated." i was just testing the waters of comment moderation. i don't like it so much.

Here's the Promised Nostalgia

2006-03-25T11:41:00.000+08:00

those of you who know me, know that i'm a photog guy.

here're some of my favourite pictures from the last few years. i don't have any pics from high school or before on my comps unfortunately.

1st year floormates: tim, asher, me
these guys crack me up. i can count few times in my life in which i've laughed so hard for extended periods of time, in which these guys weren't involved.
tidbit: asher's from india. (insert mean girls comment: "if he's from india, why's he white?") he taught me how to eat with my hands. it's not as easy as it looks. tim makes a great vomit face.

summer 2003: otown roadtrip
this is todder, me and parks. after going to Japan for the first six weeks of the summer we each took a trip up to town. it was one of my favourite trips.
tidbit: in 1st year, todd and i would always play street fighter II. i'd always try to beat him 10X in a row, but he'd always beat me on the 10th round. that was upsetting for me. sorry ladies, he's hitched!

2 of the greatest girls: dide & shanny
shanny was a fellow bpapmer until she moved onto bigger and better things (like marriage). dide (or xina) is the loudest girl i know, which means means she's obviously fun. you can hear her laugh through cinder block walls. haha.
tidbit: shanny used to hate being called shanny. we kept calling her that anyways, and it stuck. she once tried to rebuke me with a kind of out of context verse. good times. she likes it when you say "GIIIIIIIIIIT" in a super gutteral way ;)

the cutest girl in the whole wide world
... that's said in a brotherly way. everyone i know agrees that there is no one cuter than maria. for goodness sakes, she loves totaro!
tidbit: although she denies her cuteness, she'll say things like "i guess we took the super advanced hike" whilst tilting her head, shrugging her shoulders and giggling. for the record though, she's a spiritual giant. she started the tidal wave of cton students going to study in EA.

bottoms up!
while asher, ricer and nate may look sloshed, they're not. matt and nate lived in the house next door to me last year, until i moved. matt has a fondness for baseball, and nate a passion for tyrannical dictatorships.
tidbit: in 2003, nate went to EA. my favourite memory from that trip: him sitting hunched over with his head in his hands as a girl beside him -- pouring her heart out -- was sobbing up a storm. from that experience came the "heel pat" which has become legendary in the teaching of guys how to comfort crying girls. hahaha.

the funnest girls ever!
these two girls are fun. FUN. carolyn's funness comes in the form of her love for bbt, hindi movies, and ranting/raving. tara is a spaz who can't keep secrets. she is the most dramatic person i've ever met. last year she was like my personal francais tutor.
tidbit: this summer we're planning to take a trip out to PEI/NS. mistake? it could be disasterous, if another guy doesn't come along, haha. seriously though. any takers?

ok, i think that's enough for today. i'm glad i finally figured out this picture posting thing. ahhh, memories. although, i feel it's kind of weird to be posting my memories on the world wide web for everyone to see. it's like opening up my mind and allowing you to walk through the annals of my brain. i guess that is kind of what it's like.

"go ahead, take a gander. take as long as you'd like. enjoy yourself."

DLu.

The Ruminations of a 22 year old Fogey

2006-03-23T23:14:00.000+08:00

excuse me, dear readers, as this blog takes a turn down the nostalgic ruminations of a 22 year old fogey.

i'm only 22 and i feel old. not old in a "fine wine" kind of way, but in a "piece of leather that's been beaten, aged and weathered" kind of way. i feel like i've just blinked, and just like that, i've gone from being a punk 18 year old (not in the Sum41 kind of way, but the immature 18 year old male kind of way) and four years later, i'm a 22 year old with responsibilities and lots of things to think about (although, i'm probably still pretty immature -- i won't give myself too much credit!).

oac/first year seems so long ago.

for some of my more mature readers, you probably feel incredulous. you might even shake your head a little and chuckle, thinking "wait till he finds out." you have every right to feel that way. i'm being dramatic, right?

but it still seems to me that life just keeps truckin' on by, whether we're ready/prepared/expecting it to or not. sometimes i just wish life would just slow down a little and let me catch up.

or, at the very least, let me enjoy it just a little longer.

having said that, i can't even really look down the line and see myself as an 80 year old. or a 50 year old. or even a 40 year old. i can't go back, but i don't really want to move forward. it's like i'm stuck in between. like a wise woman once said: "i'm not a girl, not yet a woman" (replace girl/woman with teenager/grown-up)

...

...

ok, full out jokes there. i can't believe i just referenced Britney-oops!-i-did-it-again-Spears of all people as a bastion of wisdom. i've hit a new low.

anyway, to be honest, i'm kind of dreading the rest of my life. and for all the hooplah about life being an adventure, living the abundant life and going out to "change the world", there's always that nagging fear in the back of my mind. it's not a fear of big decisions, obstacles, hardships or even the unknown. it's more the sense that a big truckload of obligations, responsibilities, burdens and expectations is waiting to be dumped onto my shoulders the moment the diploma hits my palm and i'm hurried off that stage.

sometimes i just feel tired of having to be "this and that" for other people. the passionate one. the visionary one. the wise one. the funny one. the serious one. the goofy one. the _________ one. it's not like the way i act, or the decisions i make are dependent upon what other people expect me to do. indeed, i have the type of personality that wants to do just the opposite (which is also not a healthy attitude).

it's just that the expectations weary me.

and even as i write this, i know that i what i truly desire is not really escape that i write about; rather, what i desire is rest.

DLu.

PS: so i realize that there wasn't too much "nostalgia" in there per se, but there sure was a lot of nostalgicizing going on in my head.

plus, i tried to upload photos, but it mr. blogger appears to hate my pics.

A Note On The DLu

2006-03-22T22:51:00.000+08:00

... well, not literally on my DLu.

warning: if you are easily offended anatomy-centred discussions, this may be an entry to skip. i don't consider it risque, but some of you may be more sensitive/grossed out by such topics of discussion.

since starting this second blog, i've had many/several/one people/person ask me: "what is a DLu?"

well, dear reader, DLu can really mean one of two things, depending on context.

1) the most obvious reference is to your faithful blogger himself. For example, a sentence such as "hey DLu", or "where are you going DLu?", or "get your dirty feet out from under my clean covers DLu!!!", are examples of gramatically correct sentence structures incorporating the term. indeed "DLu" is a noun, in this case referring to your faithful blogger -- namely, myself. this is probably the most simple way in which to utilize "DLu" in your daily vernacular.

2) the second way in which one can use the term "DLu" is not as simplistic, and may require a bit more of an explanation.

for those of you who know me/have seen me, i have, what we call in the hood (ie:pdot/otown), a "booty" (or "bootay"). this is quite an unusual phenomenon as i am from a heritage that does not traditionally boast of large derriers on its men or women. there is an exception in every group. this time, that'd be me.

this is, of course, a gross generalization (as some of you may later argue --in more ways than one); however, i can confidently say that 8.72 times out of 10, a person identifying with my racial heritage would not have what one would refer to as a "bootay." a simple butt would suffice.

well, needless to say, my bootay has in the past few months become an entity in and of itself. "why?" you ask? hard to explain, butt in short: one of my other canadian friends here who has a pretty flat butt (in her own words: "bony") was one day amazed at the bubble which would traditionally occupy one's behind area and quipped that, like JLo, my protrusion should be branded. this observation was brought on by some inexplicable situation, i'm sure. i can't quite recall, but i'm sure it was awkward in its hilarity. (actually, there may be some/a lot of fiction weaved into this retelling, as i can't quite clearly recall how this all started).

...

actually, i'm not quite sure how to keep writing this without offending anyone.

...

aaaaah well.

so anyway, "DLu" can also refer to my butt. its seems as though my butt has developed it's own persona entirely independent of it's owner!

so how do you use it in such a context? well look at the title of this blog for a prime example: "blame it on the Dlu!" other examples: "the DLu got in the way!" (i use this one often), or "it's not my fault i have a DLu!" it's really quite convenient in situations when you're clumsy, but would rather blame it on something else (like a DLu!). it's really quite a versatile term and can be used in many social situations.

trust me. i know.

so, now that all your pertinent questions have been answered and your minds are at ease, i will bid you adieu. until next time!

DLu.

PS: if there were an award for most useless blog posting ever, i should win the grand prize. i would, of course, give partial credit to my DLu.

PPS: i'm sure that this will be an entry i will look back on in a couple days and think: "what the?!"

I Swear -- It Was The DLu

2006-03-21T22:50:00.000+08:00

so as you all know, i used to have a blog. another blog.

as you may (or may not) also know, i wrote three very exhaustive posts to introduce the blog. and then it ended.

well, here's my second go at it.

i know that i promised updates last time, and i didn't deliver (after my third brilliant post) but i'm a little wiser now when it comes to the world of blogging. last time, i quickly OD'd on the updatage. it was like i expected blogging to be as good as a big bowl of frosted flakes doused in 3.1% fat Asia milk. it wasn't. i got tired of the pressures of having to come up with a witty, entertaining blog every other day. the pressure was just too much.

but on my death bed/@ my funeral, i don't want to be remembered by y'all as the dude who started the blog but didn't update for 4 continuous months, leaving the blog to die a horrible, lonely, unread death. poor blogspot.

this time around, i'm older. i'm wiser. i'm more learn-ed in the ways of blogging. i swear. i've changed.

this time, i'm going to be faithful to my loyal readership. i care about you. you're who i blog for. i will never leave you as i once did.

...

i'll update.

and ... to be honest ... i forgot the password/username (i'm not sure which) to my other blog. it's true! i wasn't just lazy (i mean, partially it was that), but really ... why on earth would i make a password/username that i wouldn't after 4 months of blog-inactivity?!

i just blame it on the DLu. i guess ... i guess it just helps me reconcile my fears/suspicions/feelings of insecurity that none of you "out there" will actually come to read this after being so cruelly abandoned by a once-promising-faithful blogger who, drunken with the multiple glowing comments of loyal readers, stumbled into blogging-infidelity by way of negligence. i swear, i've seen the light. i've repented.

oh dear reader, i promise to be loyal and faithful to the end of my blogging days. to you, will i faithfully blog -- from the meniel, the nonsensical, insightful -- will i conscientously blog my little heart out. yes, dear reader, i will never abandon you in such a cold and cruel manner again.

DLu.