samedi 30 mai 2009
Canadian evangelicals
I heard about this documentary at work the day after it aired, so I'm hoping they'll rebroadcast it soon. Revealed: Hip 2B Holy takes a look at Canadian evangelicalism, so that should be interesting to see how the media portrays it. In one of the articles I came across on Tuesday, I found it funny to read that "there's nobody from western, rural Canada in this documentary", which probably means that there isn't anybody/anything from western, urban Canada either. While it'll be good to see how this movement is being reported on in Ontario, I'm wondering if there will be differences between evangelicalism in the East and in the West (primarily Alberta, since that's my context). I'm excited to finally see something like this hit the air, although it would have been great if I had it for my thesis last year :)
Libellés : Canada, church, media
mercredi 7 février 2007
Canadian learning and eating
When I saw the headline, "Students stage protests over high tuition fees, I naturally assumed that it was referring to Quebec students. The article is actually about all Canadian students, but I find it funny that I've seen student protests/marches/demonstrations in Quebec regarding the high tuition when it's much, much less than what the rest of the country pays. Tuition is too high - I know of friends who are going to be paying back student debts well into the next decade. It's too bad that learning has to come at such a steep price and if you're preparing for ministry, how much more of a burden is it going to be knowing that you won't be earning as much as is needed to pay back the government?
In more uplifting news, did you know that you can get a free copy of the new Canadian food guide or that you can create your own? This bit of news makes me happy; I've had the same food guide hanging on the refrigerator since 1992. It hasn't changed drastically since then but the idea of having a personalized version is great. I love that it provides examples of food alternatives and recommended servings and that you can pick what you normally eat for your own guide!
Libellés : Canada
lundi 29 janvier 2007
So not Asian
It all started last month when one of my friends from high school invited me to join Facebook. I had come across it before but couldn't join because my school wasn't listed, which I'm actually grateful for since it is quite addictive. Anyways, with the opening up of the service to everybody, I've been able to reconnect with friends that I haven't talked to since grade 12. Through reading their profiles and whatever else you can do on there, I've come to see just how "not Asian" I am as compared to them. I didn't realize this then but seeing as how I have had very limited contact with people of my ethnic group since graduating from high school, that would make me unaware of such things. I attribute this to attending a Christian college where I was one of two Chinese people in the whole school and to my church where I used to be one of the few Asians in the congregation (that's changed now!).
I've always been more of a "banana" - yellow on the outside, white on the inside - or in more technical terms, more of a Canadian than a Chinese person, so naturally I didn't gravitate towards those Chinese cliques that you find in schools. I was even surprised that I had Chinese friends in high school - growing up, I believed that I was incapable of being around Chinese people because I was constantly getting into fights with them! I'm glad God got me out of that flawed mindset :) But even so, I'm much more comfortable being in a multi-ethnic setting or even with an entire group of Caucasians, which has happened to me on numerous occasions, than I would be with a roomful of Chinese people. Admittedly, I've never been to a Chinese church and the last all-Asian gathering that I went to had me squirming in my seat the whole time. I've accepted the fact that I am Chinese and that my ethnicity is a major part of my life and my faith, but I've also come to terms with the fact that my culture is primarily Canadian.
When some of my friends came back after teaching in China, I was amazed at how much they seemed to adapt to the culture and made it their own. I even joked that they were more Chinese than I was and although I said this in sarcasm initially, I'm wondering if it's true. I don't do a lot of the things that Chinese people tend to do (you know, the stereotypes of hanging out in Chinatown, singing karaoke, fighting over the bill, studying to be a doctor/engineer, playing badminton/ping-pong, etc.) and some of the things that are important to them, I don't necessarily treat it as so (side note: if I could rid the world of one thing, it would be Chinese superstition). There are many times where I feel like such a foreigner when I'm around Asians, first or second-generation, unless they've been as assimilated to the "majority culture" as I have been.
On the other hand, I know that I'm not completely Canadian either - my childhood obviously differs from the typical Canadian childhood. But it's a world that breeds familiarity with me and one that I feel most connected to; it's the world that allows me to exclaim, "I am so not Asian!" half a dozen times, even though I am on all appearances. I never used to pay much attention to my bi-culturalism but after writing part of my thesis on this topic, it's something that doesn't escape my mind anymore. It's a constant struggle with my identity, an understanding of the person that God has created me to be, but it's nice to know that it's an issue I'm learning more about all the time. When all is said and done at the end of the day, I'm not concerned with whether I'm as Asian as I should or shouldn't be, I'm concerned with how much I am living as a child of God.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
samedi 1 juillet 2006
139 years young
Happy Canada Day! And happy 6% GST day :)
* Young as compared to Québec turning 400 years old soon. And other countries around the world of course.
Libellés : Canada
mardi 27 juin 2006
Head tax redress
I wasn't aware of it at the time but June 22, 2006 was an important date in Canadian history. It was the day when Prime Minister Stephen Harper made official apology to the Chinese-Canadian community for the Head Tax and the Exclusion Act. I was able to watch the ceremony marking the Canadian government's Chinese Head Tax redress on CPAC last night and it was incredibly moving. To be honest, I didn't think I would see such an event take place this soon, least of all this year (even with the news conference in January). It was especially meaningful to me because I wrote about this topic in my thesis paper in addition to viewing two documentaries in Montreal dealing with the same subject (the documentaries were Under the Willow Tree: Pioneer Chinese Women in Canada [1997] and In the Shadow of Gold Mountain [2004]). I'm not a descendant of the Chinese railroad workers but my heart breaks for them.
This is probably something that most Canadians are just learning about, myself included. The treatment of the Chinese immigrants in Canada was not something we ever touched upon in Social Studies, which is most unfortunate. Imagine my shock when I was conducting research for my paper and I found out that Chinese people were the only people ever blatantly discriminated against in Canada. To be singled out for their ethnicity, to be forced to pay the head tax, and to ultimately be prohibited from entering the country who required their labour but barred them from the official ceremonies for the Canadian Pacific Railway - no wonder July 1 became Humiliation Day to the Chinese.
The fact that these shameful acts in Canadian history are coming to light and are being recognized for their wrong must be a relief to the Chinese who had to suffer all those years ago. I can't believe that it has taken until now for the government to quit refusing to apologize - I think it says a lot about the current government that they acted quickly on this matter with consultation at the grassroots level to ensure that the people most affected from this could voice their opinions directly to the political leaders. I almost broke out in applause after hearing that Prime Minister Harper, Parliamentary Secretary Jason Kenney and Heritage Minister Bev Oda travelled across Canada to meet with the surviving head tax payers and their families (not to mention, attempt to speak Chinese on television and in parliament)!
I am so grateful that for once, we have a government in power that is willing to admit their mistakes and to apologize to the people they have hurt. It's rare but I pray that the Conservative government continues to lead and act in this spirit of humility. Considering that they have done everything they could to hold this ceremony before Canada Day this year speaks volumes - I am proud of our Prime Minister and his policies. I know a lot of people were wondering if the descendants of the head tax payers would receive redress, but the government took a wise approach with this. They are compensating those who had to pay but not the descendants; instead, they are going to be investing in social and cultural programs so that future Chinese-Canadians and Canadians can learn from the past. It's not often that I can speak admiringly of our political leaders (sponsorship scandal anyone?) but I can't help but truly feel like a Chinese-Canadian now after watching that ceremony.
On a lighter note, I remember passing PM Harper's campaign office every time I took the bus to church in high school. It was located just above Chinatown - who knew that one day he would be the one to make the overdue apology to all Chinese-Canadians? Praise God that it has finally taken place and thank you Lord that I was able to see it!
mardi 10 janvier 2006
Repeat comment
You know you're from Alberta when everyone is worried that you'll vote Liberal when you tell them you're moving out east. Haha, gotta love that :) I've also had a few people concerned that I'd be voting for the Bloc (impossible if I'm voting in an Alberta riding). Good old Canadian politics - I'm anxious to go and vote!
Libellés : Canada
mercredi 30 novembre 2005
Every which direction
- I am so behind this year in that I have not even started Christmas shopping or writing Christmas cards (much less buying them in the first place). I may even have to forego cards this year, gasp!
- With the news that a federal election is underway, I think I get to participate in advanced voting or some other form of non-ordinary voting this year :) But it still leads me to ask, what is a snowbird according to the government of Canada?
- If you have a chance, please go to Light to Unite in support of World AIDS Day where every "candle" that is lit will help with proceeds to AIDS medication for those who need it most.
- Travis and Alexis are engaged! Such happy news!
- Upon finding out that extensions can be purchased for distance education, I realize that this knowledge could be very dangerous to my academic career.
- As I was on the road today, I saw a large truck run out of gas and get stuck on a highway ramp. Then I saw cars driving around it on the grass to at least get onto the main road. I later heard that a semi tried to do the same thing but got stuck in the process. That ramp and road were completely shut down after that! Oh winter driving.
vendredi 8 juillet 2005
Subway explosions
I heard about the London bombings this morning on the news for a quick bit and on the radio as I was driving to work. It took a few minutes to register what had actually happened and to grasp the severity of the situation. I've always had problems keeping up with the news, so I barely manage to get all the details. Even today, I have yet to see what happened on September 11th four years ago. I also didn't know about the bombings in Madrid last year until today. It's scary to know that I'm living through these times, and that it could affect major Canadian cities and transit systems.
The only thing I can do is pray for the families that are going through a grievous time right now, and for the protection of innocent people from these acts of malice and harm.
Libellés : Canada
vendredi 1 juillet 2005
Formerly Dominion Day
Happy Canada Day!
Since I'm up, I thought I'd link to these probably-memorized lists, but still funny nonetheless: You Know You're Canadian When... and for some provincial fun, You Know You're Albertan When.... Well, it is only exactly two months away from my province's 100th birthday :)
"He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth." - Psalm 72:8
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations." - Psalm 22:27-28
Libellés : Canada
lundi 14 mars 2005
Spare a Terry?
Someone told me this story today and I thought it was an urban legend, or at the very least, one of those gullibility tests (I seem to fall for those). I guess I was wrong. It wasn't so much that I didn't think Terry Fox would be commemorated on a Canadian coin, but this part:
"Usually the coin is called the loonie, but Fox suggests perhaps Canadians should call this coin the 'Terry.'"
I suppose it makes sense; you wouldn't want to call somebody a loonie. But Queen Elizabeth is on the coin too... along with the loon on the other side.
jeudi 2 septembre 2004
Mixed media
The last couple of days have been incredibly busy! I'm alternating between work and school and it's been a blur trying to finish one thing and getting ready for another all this week. My friend came back from Vancouver so we're going to go for lunch tomorrow at one of our favourite restaurants. I start school again next week, meaning everything should be back to normal soon :) Well, we'll see....
Tonight's the first chance I've had to watch any TV so I saw a bit of the World Cup of Hockey game between US and Russia earlier and right now, I'm watching Canadian Idol. Pretty funny thing - Canadians tend to vote mostly for whoever's from their province or the ones closest to it. Meaning Maritimers will usually vote for a Maritimer singer, and Albertans will, in this case, vote for Kalan Porter. Makes sense, but I wonder if in American Idol, people vote according to geographical location. But I stopped following that show in the first season when I knew Kelly would win after the first episode.
Go Canada Go!
Libellés : Canada
lundi 26 juillet 2004
Fill in the blank
Out of curiosity...
Canadians are most known for __________.
Libellés : Canada
mardi 15 juin 2004
National election
I've been a bit busy lately with work and my non-existential attempts at completing my schoolwork from months prior so I haven't been posting very much. Right now, I'm watching the English debate between the leaders of the Canadian political parties (I'm sad that I missed the French debate last night). I would safely assume that for most Canadians, the choice lies between the Liberals and the Conservatives and at this point, they are both in a tight race for the government. I don't think a lot of people outside Québec will be voting for the Bloc Québécois nor will the NDP gain a majority in this country.
I remember talking about politics and faith in sociology class, particularly how Canada is not as theocratic as the United States is. Faith does not play a major role when it comes to politics here (unless you're Stockwell Day...) so it's interesting trying to reconcile personal convictions with the party's platforms. There's always the balance between social action and religious beliefs. The Liberals are a lot stronger on social welfare programs and public health while the Conservatives want to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and protect the fetus from abortion. On the other hand, on Martin's (Liberal) side, there's the sponsorship scandal that's keeping Canadians from trusting him. On Harper's (Conservative) side, there's his support of the war in Iraq that pacifists have to deal with. Anyways, to keep this short, let's just say Christians have a lot to think about before June 28, 2004.
It's interesting to note that the focus of this election seems to be on accountability.
Libellés : Canada
lundi 24 mai 2004
Metricization
Amen. May this come quickly. Then American kids can learn that "King Harry Danced Backwards Down Calgary Mainstreet". Or maybe not ;)
Libellés : Canada
Happy Victoria Day!
Okay, I guess it's the Lightning that the Flames will be facing. I don't get why the media is saying that everyone is jumping the bandwagon right now. Sure, if you've always been an Oilers fan and you're now supporting the Flames, maybe, but for most people I know, they've been supporting the Flames throughout the season already and now there's something for them to celebrate. Perhaps I'm speaking as a native Calgarian (right Lissa?) :) I'm referring to local news who keep saying Calgarians are jumping on the bandwagon. It's our home team! It makes no sense.
I'm having a blast creating my own radio station on Launchcast Radio (link via Kristen). All you have to do is rate music genres and Yahoo will determine what music's played on your customized station. My favourite feature is the "Never Play Again" rating, which helps narrow down what music will be played. It's hard to dislike a radio station when it's your own!
I'm going to try and finish all my spring course work today. Whenever I think of Victoria Day, I think of my friends in high school who had to write their IB examinations today because the people in Geneva had never heard of this Canadian holiday. I think they are still bitter about that.
Libellés : Canada
mardi 16 mars 2004
Was... one of the most respected documents in the world?
I have two exams tomorrow (a midterm and a test) and I've been attempting to study for both these last few hours (no luck there). And of all the times for the psychology site to go down, it is when I most need it. Aw crud.
This article makes me slightly more depressed about the state of Canadian passports. First, the elimination of emotion and now getting the cold shoulder. My passport will be expiring soon and I haven't even gone anywhere! It's too bad that being called a Canadian doesn't carry the same clout it used to.
Off to study for my midterm till the sun comes up now.
Libellés : Canada
lundi 5 janvier 2004
Igloo living
You know, the Monday Memory thingy is pretty tough to do now! My long-term memory should be getting better with age right? Err, maybe not. Here's a more recent one instead:
I got to go to Sea World a few years ago and it was a pretty fun day. My oddest memory from that day was when my family and I were sitting in the bleachers waiting for a dolphin show to start. I wasn't really paying attention but there were some loud women behind me talking. Well, they didn't exactly mince any words. They were talking to each other about an albino in the crowd. You know in those situations where it's impossible to not eavesdrop but you know you shouldn't anyways? I shouldn't have listened because they went on and on about this "albino" and it got pretty strange. It was only when the show began that I turned around and they stopped gabbering abruptly. Turned out that they were talking about me. I had every bit of intention of saying to them, "Well, I'm from Canada. What do you expect from a person who lives in an igloo?" I'm glad I didn't, but I was pretty ticked off at the time. Now I just look back and think it was a really funny situation that could only have happened to a tourist. I might as well have worn a sign that said, "I am a tourist."
*Update: I'm not an albino. It was what these women said I was as compared to all the extremely tanned Southern Californians. That was the funny part :)
Libellés : Canada
mercredi 31 décembre 2003
Random surfing
In the spirit of linking... here's some more:
- Michelle poses an eternal question (at least in my mind): What is up with Ryan Malcolm providing the closed captioning on practically everything on CTV? I hope you find the answer for us all!
- We made it to the big time! Well, at least on a comic strip, but someone from this grand city invoked some sort of a response.
- Apparently, "moving film production to Canada [is] 'obscene'".
- Be nice to smart people. And if you make them valedictorian of your class, be prepared for what may be said. (Source: DYL)
- You know all about the "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter" but have you seen the "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Son"?
- Got this from one of my youth. It may possibly be offensive, but it's a great site to check out if you want to see some of the stickers, posters, graffiti, stencils, and anti-war street art seen around the streets of New York.
- "Is Your Child Spoiled Rotten?" Unfortunately, I fall into this category :(
Libellés : Canada
lundi 29 décembre 2003
When did we shrink and move east?
Uh, FYI, Alberta is not a city in Saskatchewan. You would think that after blaming Canada, you would have your facts straight.
A picture is worth a thousand words so I will be updating this post once I get a picture of the map that CBS News showed of Alberta.
*update: Shoot, the news didn't air the story again. I should have grabbed a picture this morning when I had the chance. Anyways, it was a map that CBS News created where Alberta was identified as a dot in lower Saskatchewan. Oh it would have been a classic picture :(
Libellés : Canada
jeudi 25 décembre 2003
World Idol
I'm watching World Idol right now, and I must say, it's pretty neat to see international cooperation on a television show competition. For us here in Canada, it's hosted by Ben Mulroney, but the idea that there's an individual host for each country seems a bit tedious with eleven times the work. I mean, it makes sense, yet there would be a lot of editing and extra filming trying to put it all together for the participating countries. How would all the hosts introduce each contestant and talk to the judging panel all at once? Hmmm.
I remember the lively discussions on Darren's blog about the Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian. And now that I've heard him sing, I can see why Australians are so proud of him :) So far, I've only heard Alexander Klaws, Guy Sebastian and Diana Karazon sing and I'm looking forward to the rest! I'm also hoping that Ryan Malcolm will do a fine job representing Canada to the rest of the world. But so far, my vote would go to Guy. This is going to be a great show!
