The Red Onion

Gondolas and opportunity

herb — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:14:26 +0000

I went with some of my fellow classmates to Whistler for the weekend. Originally, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to network and get to know more of my classmates better. It was and that objective was accomplished. But in the end, it was an unexpected opportunity to for me to have some time alone and learn more things about myself.

On Saturday, after going up the Whistler gondola, I took the Peak Express: a very high, very long gondola that went to the top of Whistler mountain. It was here where I realized that I didn’t particularly enjoy going over huge precipices, or gliding over craggy cliffs. It was an uncovered gondola – and that increased the effect. I realized then and there that perhaps going on a zip line at this point wouldn’t be appropriate for me! I hiked around the back of the mountain and back down to the main area. Along the way, I saw a huge marmot along with some of the most beautiful, unspoiled views I have ever seen. Felt like Captain Von Trappe for a few minutes hiking up there in such beautiful vistas.

I went on the Peak-to-peak gondola, the highest gondola in the world at over 1400 feet above the ground and 4.5 km long. It was much more bearable considering that it was covered. After a nice rest, I went alone and ate at Araxi and had a most delicious and satisfying meal – I’ll write specifically about that on a separate post.

Yes, lots of bucket list things, but It was nice to get away for a little bit and do things that I wouldn’t normally do. Reflecting on the weekend I spent, I realize that seeing new places, doing new things and pushing myself to do things that I’m not normally comfortable with – it’s a lifestyle that I truly crave and hope to make part of my life. I hope that my wife and children will have that opportunity to push themselves to new, positive experiences – things that most people won’t normally have the opportunity to do.

I need to do well in school and get a better job opportunity so they can have that.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-24

herb — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Hello: Kindly help out a group of business students by filling out a short survey: http://bit.ly/aWCS51 . Thank you so much! #
Wow! Thank you. After 40 minutes, 10 of you have filled out the survey for my project. Thank you. Link: http://bit.ly/aWCS51 #help #ubc #
Bored? Help a student out. Fill out a short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ubcpreschool . Thanks for your help. #ubcmba #karma #

Career options

herb — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:24:21 +0000

Normally I don’t blog about work here on theredonion.ca. But I think it’s important to note that my employer announced on Monday that they have agreed to be purchased by another company.

Naturally, the company would say that it’s a great fit and that our businesses complement one another. But it there is potential for layoffs. I can only hope that they keep me for at least two more years so I can get finish my education.

I’m not afraid of being let go, but I need to start looking around… Just in case. You’ll never know.

Weekend with the family

herb — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:27:44 +0000

It has been awhile since I have given myself the chance to spend the entire weekend with my family. I dropped all of the assignments, put away the mobile devices (for the most part), turned off the TV, packed a picnic basket and just drove.

We ended up at Cultas lake for the day to celebrate my wife’s 35th birthday. For a brief moment I experienced a small part of what heaven is like. Yes, perhaps an exaggeration, as I am prone to do, but having no frame of experiential reference to that, I can comfortably say that this was one of the best days I have had in a long time.

I didn’t worry about money, school, employment, challenges and shortcomings and lack of travel prospects. All I had done was cook kalbi and watched my wife and children laugh, swim and play, enjoy the surroundings and feel the special Spirit that comes with spending time with the people that you love.

I love it and I am truly grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this time. It was, indeed, an answer to a prayer… for time.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-10

herb — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Just finished reading a non-school related book. Took me two weeks to get through it. Any recommendations for the next one? Food+travel pls #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-03

herb — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

This lady w a backpack on the skytrain won't even move to allow an old lady onto a seat. No manners. #

Up

herb — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 06:10:42 +0000

This was a depressingly wonderful movie.

I can’t get that first few minutes out of my head. I feel like the same thing is happening to me. So many things are getting in the way of my life’s dreams. Am I waiting too long ? Am I postponing my dreams too long? Will it be too late by the time I get to experiencing those dreams in real life?

Tonight, I conceded that perhaps, “Departures” would have to be the extent of those many travels I desperately want to go on. Then, I said words that I never, ever thought I would say, “Just being realistic.”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-26

herb — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

"Some geek in the basement calculates the Probability of the default of risky bonds. We use it to determine the expected cash inflow". LOL #
"You can create more beautiful graphs on excel than I can. My graphs are more useful, but yours are prettier. " #ptmba2010 #
"You can create more beautiful graphs on excel than I can. My graphs are more useful, but yours are prettier. " – Prof #ptmba2010 #
Sometimes the cheapest and most effective way to travel abroad is through the photons of an e-book. Other times it's the only alternative. #
Translink expense receipt: One large T-bone steak: $15.00. Lol #dogontrack #skytrain #
Free Frank's Red hot sauce, Robson @ Thurlow #

Can’t figure it out.

herb — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:14:35 +0000

It’s 1:15 in the morning an d everyone is fast asleep. I just can’t get to sleep. Tonight, I just can’t shake this feeling that there’s something more to life than this.

Perhaps with school on hiatus for the summer I can figure it out. I haven’t been at home much, had to miss church a few times due to class. Maybe I’m just burnt out and I need a vacation. Or, at the very least some regular sleep.

I’m tired. But I am glad that we were able to make it so far. I say “we” because it’s not just me that’s going through the struggle. It certainly not easy to be the wife of a student and the ,other of four small children. I think, no, I know she has the tougher job. And she has been so patient and kind to me in spite of all my absences. Sometimes it feels like I spend more time at the bat cave on Robson Square campus than at home. And yet she still smiles when I get home.

I cannot afford to fail her. She has sacrificed so much for me.

At the same time , I need to figure things out. What is my passion? What do I enjoy doing the most? How can I parlay that into my career? My life? How can I make it enough to support a family of six?

Tough questions, certainly. But essential for a satisfying and fun career.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-19

herb — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

First time logging on to cbc to watch the world cup Ugh!!! Sound interference. It sounds like a swarm of flies. Unwatchable. #CBCFIFA #
Thank goodness. It wasn't a heart attack. It was acid reflux. #
Political opportunism. Power grab. Truth muzzled. RT @matwilcox: Q: why is the HST a huge deal in BC and not in Ontario? #
First time having Tom yum soup! Wow! Amazing! Why haven't I had this before? #