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noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:49:00 +0000

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Canada Golden in 2010 Vancouver Olympics

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:54:00 +0000

2010 Vancouver Olympics

He shoot, he scores! Team Canada beats USA in the overtime (final score 3-2), wish I could join the parade of celebration everywhere.

Olympic hockey final draws big audience north and south of border (80% of Canadians watched part of the game, average 16.6 million viewers)

I am so proud of our Canadian Olympics team in every way

Final medal count for Canada is 26 medals (medal winners)

14 Gold
7 Silver
5 Bronze

I am touched by all the Canadians connecting and cheering for our country, this is our Canada!!
National Post had this article "Vancouver Olympics: Was it worth the cost?" To me, YES!

Weekend Activity

Attended the Toronto Symphony Orchestra: La Pasion, thanks to the $8 ticket. Sitting in the 3rd row is way too front though
Dinner at Ivory Thailand. It was a good Thai food, except the $2 small bowl of rice :(

Tzu Chi 慈濟

Myself and Wendy attended the volunteer seminar on Sunday, and had fun :)
Tzu Chi Newsletter 慈濟美國電子報

海地即時報導‏ Journal from Haiti Tzu Chi Volunteer Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:07:00 +0000

This is something I want to share with the world, true words from the Canadian Tzu Chi volunteer workers who flew to Haiti to do what we can.

2010-02-12 海地即時報導

諸位菩薩，大家好：

我們已經安全抵達海地了，一切平安，我們今晚是打地鋪睡帳篷喔！很有露營的感覺，但是這裡蚊子超級給他多的轉個心念，這就是國際賑災嘍！所以嘍，奉勸各位想要出來國際賑災的年輕人們，趕快訓練自己睡在水泥地上都沒問題，而且耳邊還有轟轟作響的發電機聲還睡得著的人，那你就符合基本的資格啦！好啦，要來去睡了，明天五點就要起床了，剩不到三個小時睡了，大家晚安嘍！

2010-02-13

諸位菩薩:

這是來到海地的第二天了........... 今天又是非常炎熱的一天, 氣溫又是高達33度....... 太陽一出來.......又開始滿身汗了.....好久沒有這麼痛快地流汗了..... 雖然身上隨時都是"汗垢"的感覺...就是台語的"癬"啦..............哈哈哈........ 但是每天流汗的感覺似乎還不錯... 我被分配到的工作是"行政祕書"組...........哈哈哈...沒錯.......出來賑災, 還是繼續做行政祕書......... 這果然就是命運吧........ 但是呢, 也是因為如此跟許多聯合國的單位及約旦維和部隊都有機會接觸到..... 同時, 也能學習到許多國際賑災時迫切做出決定的判斷力.... 當然, 許多大大小小的事都要去處理.. 但是, 還滿快樂的...... 今天去約旦維和部隊的基地之前, 我們去了太子港的重災區......... 看到了什麼叫做"人間煉獄"........ 滿天的蚊蟲....... 四處坍方的水泥屋.........三層樓瞬間變成了一樓......... 整片的水泥牆倒塌..... 裸露在外的鋼筋................... 散亂一地的碎石, 真的很難想像當時的情況, 街道上聚集了眾多民眾..... 剛好昨天, 今天及明天都是海地的國殤日....... 海地人就聚集在一起祈禱......上教堂.......尋求心靈上的慰藉...... 心中一直在想.... 我們到底能如何幫助他們.......... 但是, 現在我們慈濟在海地面臨到最大的一個困難就是發放時維和部隊的申請.......... 維和部隊就是維持和平的國家級部隊... 我們在發放時都要向聯合國中的一個單位申請維和部隊的支援... 但是, 因為每個國家負責的災區都不同...... 所以, 我們有時候發放會遭遇到安全上很大的問題..... 為什麼呢........ 當一整國的人都餓昏的時候...... 還會有法治可言嘛?? 但是, 海地人本性還是很善良的..... 只是每個人的環境都真的非常艱困...... 詢問他們最需要什麼物資.......得到的答案是 "食物, 食物, 還是食物!!!" 最缺乏的就是食物... 第二就是塑膠布...... 因為之前下了一場大雨... 災民們都睡在沒有防水功能的"碎布"下......... 沒錯.........就是碎布..... 不是帆布........不是什麼能遮風避雨的布..... 就是一塊破布...還有幾片紙箱...這就是他們現在居住的環境.... 雨季一到, 大家都要睡在爛泥巴裡頭了.... 所以, 慈濟的塑膠布發揮了非常大的功用..... 因為塑膠布能遮風避雨.........還能當作是屋頂或是拿來鋪地....都是非常實用的..... 再再了都顯現慈濟國際賑災"務實"的原則....... 看到這個太子港的重災區之後, 就驅車前往約旦的軍隊基地去跟他們談論事情...... 沿路上........看到的是一區又一區的帳篷區........... 又是一家又一家破碎的家庭...... 讓人不禁升起一念悲憫之心..... 但是, 慈濟人已經踏上了這塊受傷的土地.... 相信在未來的幾個月內, 慈濟一定能嘉惠許許多多需要幫助的海地同胞............ 這就是今天的即時報導.......... 感恩各位的收看......

加拿大特派記者許智源在海地太子港報導~~~~ 哈哈哈........跟大愛台的同仁玩久了...被他們同化了...嘿嘿......

照片的部分, 就要對不起各位看官啦~~~~~我明日在上傳........因為現在已經2點了...........我又只有3小時能睡了.................感恩喔....... 大家晚安~~

這張照片就是搭乘聯合國飛機時的海地太子港空照圖.....

2010-02-14

諸位菩薩:

大家好..... 進入到了第三天...... 身體都已經慢慢適應這邊的環境了...... 今天有些東西能與各位分享..... 第一件事情就是....我今晚從通鋪裡頭又搬了出來.... 為什麼呢.......... 因為通鋪裡頭的冷氣太冷了........ 吹得我"差點"有點感冒的感覺.......... 但是我沒事喔... 不用擔心.....我又回到第一天睡水泥地的帳篷裡睡了.... 雖然溫度較熱, 但是睡起來感覺較不會感冒..... 很奇怪的理由吧..... 而且啊.... 今天晚上的沐浴也是第一遭............ 因為這個地方男眾有熱水的地方只有2個... 其他2個都是冷水而已的........ 剛好今天去的時候, 熱水的2間已經都有人在使用了............ 原本想說等一下好了......... 但是又很想睡覺......... 所以呢, 就硬著頭皮去洗冷水澡......... 現在想想.... 洗冷水澡又睡水泥地.... 真的非常給他野戰的感覺...... 但是呢.... 越是這樣, 越能親身去體會災民們的感受........ 出去勘災的時候... 滿山遍野的帳篷區...... 無不都是破破爛爛搭起的帳篷... 我睡的水泥地還是平面的...但是災民們睡的是坑坑疤疤的石頭地....... 身上蓋得是薄薄的幾塊布.... 越是想到這裡, 也覺得自己算是很幸福的了.....
我自己今天做了件讓我省思很多的事情.... 就是早上的時候, 因為在協調中心這邊收到一個孤兒院的個案.... 我就隨同師伯一同前往那個孤兒院的地方去勘查...... 走到半路.......... 突然有股刺鼻的味道沖到鼻子裡..... 仔細一看...... 原來是旁邊有條河, 而這條河呢........就如同我們印尼當初的紅溪河一般........骯髒, 惡臭....滿山滿谷的垃圾......相信大家看到簡報檔都是知道那條河的情況.... 味道非常不好聞............ 再加上腐爛的垃圾.............. 構成了一張不是讓人很舒服的畫面.......... 當然更是不好聞........ 而這還是震撼教育的開端而已.... 之後跟隨的報案人前往這個孤兒院的地方....... 經過的"小路" 真的小路.....小到只有一個人能行走而以, 如果兩個人要同時過... 一個一定要貼在牆壁上..... 另一個才能走..... 而這邊很多"住宅區"的路都是類似這樣的.... 沿路的過程印入眼簾的都是滿目瘡痍的危樓....... 半倒的房子已經算是不幸中的大幸了..... 全倒的房子..... 當然是不可計算的....... 沿路看到許許多多的小孩............. 每個人看到我都跟我比比他們的嘴巴.............是什麼意思呢??? 後來我才恍然大悟.... 原來, 這些孩子們希望我能給他們一些食物...... 那個當下... 我看著看著這些孩子...... 鼻頭突然酸了起來..... 同樣是小小年紀.... 在其他國家的小孩能夠無憂無慮地生活著............ 但是海地的這些小孩..... 卻要自己去"乞討"吃的食物......... 各位或許覺得我用"乞討"這個字眼很過份........ 但是, 各位..對不起...... 這些小孩就真的是在乞討...... 苦苦哀求的眼神望著你..... 說著他們僅懂的英文單字.... 向路人乞求....... 我因為身上沒有攜帶任何食物... 而且我們也不能私底下給予任何的食物..... 否則可能會造成暴亂........ 當下的我....只好忍著淚把頭撇到另一邊去........... 因為再看下去.. 我深怕我會潰堤了............. 而這個孩子也轉向跟我同行的慈濟人...... 點點我們的腳, 也是苦苦哀求著希望能達到一些食物....... 那個當下.... 我的心好糾結........... 我就深深體會到國際賑災真的是悲智雙運最好練習的場所..... 慈悲跟智慧....到底要如何拿捏, 這個當下..............我迷惘了........ 我真的不知道該把那一個放在前面.... 小孩的笑容是如此地天真...... 但是看到那小小的嘴動啊動著........ 就是希望能乞求到一些食物..........那種無力感....那種力不從心的感覺.......... 是我幾次賑災來從沒有過的心情...... 看到小孩..... 想說..他們的未來到底在哪裡??? 或許應該是說..... 他們的父母在那裏........很多很多孩子的父母都在此次的地震中往生了............. 一個家裡頭就只留了一個年僅3~4歲的小孩..... 之後看到了那個收容孤兒的地方....... 看到的是四根柱子............其他全倒了.............全沒了...... 小孩沒有地方居住.......就在那小小的巷子裡生活著..... 看到慈濟人的到來..... 師伯帶了些巧克力來發給這些小孩............. 每個都很想吃..... 那種期盼的眼神...... 我一生都忘不了.......... 但還是不敢亂搶..... 還是讓師伯一個個地發給他們.... 拿到巧克力後..... 撥開了包裝紙......... 第一件事情不是把巧克力放入嘴裡.........而是先用舌頭把包裝紙上剩餘的巧克力舔乾淨.................反覆幾次後....才甘心把這張包裝紙丟掉...... 看他吃著一口一口的巧克力....... 我的心也隨著一點一點甜了起來...... 看著這群孩子...... 我的心哽咽了.......... 為什麼哽咽......因為想哭, 但是不能哭........... 想到慈濟人離開後, 這些孩子怎麼辦............ 但是, 這就是緊急救難的最主要的用意.... 能夠短期內讓他們能溫飽............. 能過一天是一天........ 而往後慈濟中、長期的計畫或許才是真正能夠解決這些孩子問題的希望吧!! 上午看了這個個案...... 回來時用午齋的時候..... 腦海裡還是不斷閃過這些小孩的畫面.........久久不能釋懷....... 但是, 至少慈濟人是他們的一個希望...... 是能讓他們重新站起來的一道曙光..... 有了這道曙光..... 我看到了走出這個陰霾的指引...... 因為我知道慈濟人的大愛, 無私, 還有各位的關心... 一定能讓海地人民, 海地小孩早日站起來!!!! 海地加油!!!!

2010-02-16 海地即時報導

諸位菩薩:

大家好... 昨天沒有跟各位報導即時新聞, 真的很抱歉........... 因為昨天真的有點累....... 而且每天早上都要5點起床....所以, 在睡眠時間上有點不足..... 昨天就偷個小懶...... 不好意思啦..... 我們明天要做另一場發放..... 明天4點起床.... 5點就要出門囉....... 所以, 我要趕快把握時間跟各位分享這幾天的所見所聞..... 或許有人已經看到大愛新聞上有關美軍空降部隊82師的中尉指揮官來到慈濟協調中心拜訪一事...... 今天就是要跟各位分享這個故事..... 這個故事跟"慈青"有點關係喔.... 為什麼呢...... 故事就是開始的..... 上個星期天, 我和三位慈青學長學姐前往美軍空降部隊82師的基地開例行會議...... 也就照常開會...... 原本沒什麼特別的.... 後來美軍就詢問每個NGO(非政府組織)最近都做了那些事情..... 輪到慈濟報告的時候, 我們就把我們最近的發放及以工供糧等事..... 因為海地這邊已經開始接近雨季了.. 當地政府及聯合國都很擔心, 如果真的下大雨.... 帳篷區的衛生將會是最大的問題..... 所以急需塑膠布發給災民們.... 在我們的報告中. 我們提到了慈濟現在有13000多張的塑膠布在我們的倉庫裡... 每個團體聽到了都瞪大了眼睛....... 因為大家都非常需要塑膠布...... 當然, 美軍聽到我們有這麼大量的現成塑膠布, 他們當然也很感興趣..... 在會後, 我們四位慈青學長學姐也跟幾位與會人士交談了一會兒..... 其中談會的一位是美軍士兵..... 後來, 我們談及慈濟目前面臨到的一些問題....... 突然這個時候.... 從這位士兵的背後出現另外一位美軍..... 他了解了我們慈濟現在所面臨到的這些問題, 然後他就主動邀請我們去他的帳篷做更進一步的了解..... 剛開始, 還不知道這位是什麼身分.... (因為沒有當過兵.... 不知道軍人的階級如何分配)... 後來, 跟他走去他的帳篷的時候... 我發現許多人走過都要跟他敬禮........ 慢慢地, 我開始發覺這位的來頭應該不小............後來, 已經到一進到他的帳篷.... 感覺果然不一樣......... 我在這邊已經熱習慣了....... 每天起床就是開始流汗........... 睡覺也在流汗..........我現在也還在流汗............ 但是呢, 當然我們室內的部分是有冷氣的... 但是呢, 冷氣的溫度都還好.....那天, 一進到美軍的帳篷... 那種溫度馬上降了5度......... 在往裡頭走去...... 感覺更舒服..............後來發現.. 原來美軍的帳篷裡頭是有冷氣空調的.........而且是那種讓你吹到會冷的那種......... 而且裡頭的陣仗就跟要發射火箭一樣....... 一排排的電腦以及前面的大螢幕..... 好多軍人都在執勤.... 後來這位軍官請我們坐下... 然後開始跟我們討論有關慈濟是屬於怎麼樣的一個團體, 後來我們四個就輪番上陣...... 拿出各自最佳的本領來介紹慈濟...... 而我們跟這位軍官也相談甚歡........ 後來我們提及慈濟香積飯及發放物資的部分, 這位軍官就對香積飯非常有興趣.... 為什麼呢............ 因為他已經吃MRE (軍用戰鬥糧食)吃了30天了............連續30 天都吃一樣的食物............... 他已經非常厭煩了.......... 後來聽到有這麼神奇的飯..... 他就非常有興趣..... 當下, 我們就邀請他來我們慈濟在海地的協調中心來參訪並品嘗慈濟的香積飯.... 我就問他什麼時候可以來跟我們一起共進一頓飯.... 這個軍官非常直接了當...... 就說今天晚上要來拜訪我們.... 我們聽到"今天" 就要來........ 真的假的!!!! 我又問他一次, 你打算幾點來... 他就說.. 我一個小後就去你的協調中心..... 我又一聽......一個小時.............. 搭車回到協調中心就要20分鐘了...... 更何況是一個小時後........... 我們就趕快回去準備... 回到協調中心後, 我還擔心這位軍官不知道到底會不會出現..... 所以, 我們就還是照原定的計畫進行.......過了一個小時又十分鐘後.... 手機響了......... 沒錯.... 就是那位美國軍官.......之後, 我們趕快準備一些報告的內容及要與他結緣的物品........... 然後就看到美國軍用的車子開進了協調中心..... 心中的大石終於放下了......... 原本擔心他不會出席...... 後來就跟這位軍官做了慈濟的簡報以及我們這次做了那些事情.... 跟這位軍官相談甚歡.......... 後來拿來他的名片.......才知道他是美軍在海地路上的指揮官................. 看到這個頭銜........ 我自己都嚇了一跳...... 原來我們請到是美軍最大"咖"的............ 既然這樣..很多事情就很好辦了..... 我們後來就把香積飯介紹給他..然後邀請他一桶共進晚餐....... 他看到新鮮的米飯及菜餚........... 眼鏡都發亮了.......... 可見他們吃那個戰鬥口糧真的吃怕了............. 後來也讓他品嘗了慈濟的香積飯..... 他超愛的........... 他就提到回去的時候要跟軍隊建議這樣的米糧非常方便好用......... 在他飽餐一頓之後, 我們也談到了慈濟在發放時候的安全維護.... 他一口答應一定幫忙.......... 只要24小時前通知他, 他就會請負責當地的軍官跟我們聯繫...... 這個消息對慈濟來說, 真是太棒了.......... 最近因為安全維和的關係, 所以, 發放一直是個難題............ 直到,這位指揮官親口答應...........我們所有人都非常感恩....能有這個機會碰到美軍的指揮官.... 真的很難得....... 之後, 我們又讓這位指揮官帶了些香積飯回基地......... 而我們這難忘的與美軍奇遇記就幫今天畫下一個最棒的句點.....

真的很特別的感覺喔!!!!! 感恩大家看我這麼長的分享.........我要趕快來睡了............. 不然, 明天4點要起床..............好啦.. 大家晚安...............

好熱喔............滿身汗.................

感恩大家喔!!!!!

2010-02-18 海地即時報導

諸位菩薩:

今天是第六梯次到來的前一天...... 十位加拿大的團員都已經平安抵達多明尼加了...明天一大早8點將會搭乘BUS進入海地.... 接下來, 將會是另一個梯次的交接..... 那即將會是另一個新的開始, 今天去看了一個教堂.... 裡頭有將近200位的災民..... 生活的環境還是一樣糟糕........... 據前幾梯的分享... 他們到的時候是這個樣... 一個月過後, 還是這個樣... 沒有什麼太大的差別........... 因為這次的災難真的面積太廣大了................ 大到真的很無力...... 而且災民的人數之多..... 不管到哪裡....看到的都是倒塌的房子...... 今天去了一個屬海地太子港最繁華的地方...... 地震前, 還有許多精品店在那邊...... 但是我不知道有那些...... 整個市中心90%全倒..... 就算房子沒倒...... 也都不敢住在房子裡, 全部都住在帳篷裡, 不時會聞到燒焦味..... 海地這個地方滿地的垃圾....... 沒有所謂垃圾處理的制度..... 到處都是垃圾..... 那垃圾到底怎麼辦呢?? 一堆垃圾放把火就把它燒了..... 什麼都燒... 什麼都可以燒.... 什麼味道都有...... 到處都是燒焦味....... 當然, 衛浴設備也是非常缺乏的.... 很多人都在街上有水的地方直接洗了起來.... 沒有所謂隱私可言..... 到海地已經一個星期了..... 看到倒塌的房子似乎也漸漸習慣了........ 但是, 每次看到好幾層樓坍方成一堆土石... 心裡還是會問....... 裡頭還有生還者嗎??? 還有人在等著搶救嗎?? 這個答案我不願意去思考...... 畢竟不知道的情況下似乎還有些希望...... 災民們的生活..... 跟地震前的生活有很大的不同嗎?? 這個問題我最近也在思考...... 我也在尋求這個答案.... 海地人似乎窮慣了....... 習慣過著今天過了再說的態度過生活...... 這也許就是海地人的民族性吧....... 今天的分享沒什麼主題..... 只是隨手把自己這一個星期來的感覺寫下而已..... 與各位分享.....

感恩...

PowerPoint slides of Haiti
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/790550/Blog/2010-02-14.ppt
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/790550/Blog/2010-02-16.ppt

Project Management

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Interesting readings on Project Management

IT Projects Lessons

31% cancelled
53% cost 189% of budget
16% completed on‑time, on‑budget
Large organizations: only 9% successful
Avg time overrun is 229%

Laws of Project Management

No major project is ever installed on time, within budget, with the same staff that started it. Yours will not be the first.
Projects progress quickly until they become 90% complete; they remain at 90% complete forever
One advantage of fuzzy project objectives is they let you avoid the embarrassment of estimating corresponding costs
When things are going well, something will go wrong

When things just can't get any worse, they will
When things appear to be going better you have overlooked something

If project content is allowed to change freely, rate of change >> rate of progress
No system is ever completely debugged: attempts to debug system inevitably introduce new bugs that are even harder to find
A carelessly planned project will take 3x longer to complete than expected; a carefully planned project will take only 2x
Project teams detest progress reporting because it vividly manifests their lack of progress

不孤單的農曆年 Chinese New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:32:00 +0000

這是我親愛的老婆大人陪我過的第一個新年與情人節
去年的此時我們依然只有email的緣份而已 ... 今年的此時 I couldn't ask for anything more

2.12 五小年夜
我半夜還要上班...Work Work Work 一點都不像過年

2.13 六除夕
和叔叔家人朋友一起吃年夜飯很感動
沒有真正的在加拿大過年很喜歡許多人團聚在一起的感覺

2.14 日初一情人節
帶老婆參觀Pacific Mall和看Avatar 3D
Mall有點無聊不過喝了很多珍珠奶茶吃了很多魚蛋和牛肉丸
下午太無聊就決定看Avatar了 $14.50的電影票看三個小時電影還不錯看
晚上到T&T買菜大概是老婆一天最高興的時刻了努力的採買

2.15 一初二 Family Day放假
在家看新年綜藝節目休息吃飯睡覺

你打開我的眼睛

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:00:00 +0000

This is a song I liked a lot, courtesy of Tzu Chi

製作人：曹俊鴻作曲：季海山作詞：姚若龍
編曲：戴維雄演唱：林俊逸

起初我以為妳很像太陽

溫暖但靠太近會灼傷
後來才了解妳也像月亮
溫柔肯傾聽我的迷惘
我看見妳做的和說的一樣
才懂誠實是勇敢更是力量
妳教會我人要去追求夢想
我的志願不該只寫在紙上

你打開我的眼睛
讓我發現自己的潛力
相信努力總會帶來驚喜
我可以讓每天更有意義

你打開我的眼睛
讓我眺望更遠的風景
希望有天我能變成星星
給人被鼓勵那種指引就像你

MP3下載

2010 January Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:02:00 +0000

There goes the first month of the year 2010

What's done

Finally, no more talk about this HRTC because it's just crazy out at the stores this weekend

In my ~10 hours of shopping experience, RONA is way better than Home Depot - in terms of selections on display, numbers of staff and customer service. I am a RONA/Canadian fan now

Fixed my car

Lazy us chose the easier way of fixing our car. Total cost was about $200 for the regular scheduled maintenance, $200 for diagnostics, $715 for control arms replacement at the dealer; $560 for Thermostat/belt at the private mechanic

What's coming

Wendy's coming!!!!!! for Chinese New Year, for Valentine's Day, for me ^___^
Celebration for Chinese New Year and some volunteering
Let the cleaning, moving, and renovation begin

To fix or not to fix ....

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:19:00 +0000

Seems to be the story of BMW owners, getting hit every 25000km with expensive repairs

I don't blame BMW as my car is 2000 BMW 323i and it's just showing its ages, but the expensive labour & parts still get me every time. Especially the charge-per-diagnostic fee!!!! They should be allowed to only charge it ONCE, and not per issue/section

No heat because Thermostat/leaking coolant - $415+tax
Noise when turning because front lower control arm bushings separated - $766+tax
Drive belt has bad crack - $199+tax
Intake Boot torn - $134+tax
Total of all repairs = $1710.82!!!!

That's on top of the charges I already paid up front (labour $287.50 + parts $73.10 = $407.48)

Oil change & maintenance - $220
Diagnostics for heating - $120 (this is 1/4 of the thermostat repair already, gee)
Diagnostics for driving noise - $60

Anyone know a good BMW mechanic? or recommendation to fix or not fix?
I am seriously considering getting a new car, let it be used or leased, anything's better

Haiti Earthquake Relief 海地賑災

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:07:00 +0000

I have donated $200 to the 慈濟/Tzui Chi relief and hope the readers will want to send their love as well
You can make donations by cheque, wire transfer, or online. As a bonus, Canadian government will match our donations, so your $1 becomes $2

Thank you, from me, from everyone in Tzu-Chi organization, and from the Haiti people

2010年1月12日海地發生7.0級強震後，慈濟花蓮本會隨即成立工作小組，了解災情並評估接下來的賑災重點。慈濟基金會在救援物資的整備上，已備妥毛毯逾五萬條、四十萬份香積飯等食品，生活包及相關醫療用品均整備，並密切注意災區訊息、評估安全、交通後立即展開援助。
慈濟已啟動全球救災網，加拿大分會和華僑之聲即日起為海地啟動募款賑災。

http://ch.tzuchi.ca/canada/home.nsf/reportC/k14183

When the news of Haiti earthquake broke out, Tzu Chi Foundation Headquarter in Hualien, Taiwan, had already established a special task team to assess the extend of relief effort needed to aid the Haitians in the aftermath of the quake. The Foundation, always in readiness for disaster response, already had 50,000 blankets, 400,000 packs of instant rice/noodles, daily personal packs and medical supplies all assembled and ready to be shipped, pending the assessment of safety and transportation logistics by the task team.

Tzu Chi global headquarters had initiated a global fundraising campaign to deliver the love from people around the globe to the affected people in Haiti. Answering the call of love, Tzu Chi Foundation Canada and CHMB AM1320 will be accepting donations starting January 14th.

http://ch.tzuchi.ca/canada/home.nsf/reportC/k14185

In addition, we hope the public will join us in prayers, in whichever way they prefer, for the disaster victims in Haiti.

2009 Recap, 2010 Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:57:00 +0000

I am still slowly accepting the fact I am back in Canada and returning to normal life

I have organized most of the photos, but choosing what to upload (or blog about) are the difficult parts

Before 2009 has disappeared from me, I want to recap a truly unexpected 2009, and plan great things for 2010

What I Did in 2009

Celebrated my first Chinese New Year in Taiwan since 1996, with extended big families
Bought a "new" used car
Travelled to: Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, Bruce Peninsula, Montreal, Quebec, Mont Tremblant, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Volunteered more at Tzu-Chi/慈濟, and attended community events and Pearson Runway Run
Recovered in equities and more, and able to donate more
Watched more Blue Jays, and last season of Roy Halladay as a Jay
Obtained Microsoft database certification, to improve myself
結婚了 Found a girl, made her my fiancee, and married her
開學了只是要唸三年

Funny, I actually met most my 2009 new year resolutions, except losing weight

What I Want To Do in 2010

Lose weight (will try anyway)
Do even better financially
Finish the basement in the house (not doing it myself)
Travel to: London, Greece, New York, Washington DC
Honeymoon, aiming for Greece
Perhaps become a Dad-in-progress ;-)
Spend my life with Wendy in Canada, and forever!!

Funny, now I'm talking about becoming a dad....

Memorable 2009-2010 Vacation and X'mas Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:26:00 +0000

I have a detailed version of the vacation, down to each day, but that's not what's memorable. These are

2009.12.25 - My beautiful wedding reception
No words can describe that day, or the days of work leading to it, so I'll let the photos speak for me
Wedding Reception Photos
Flickr
Flickr Slideshow

For references, here are the Engagement photos (there are differences!!)

2009.12.31 - Celebrating 2010 with my wife, and our families
Vacation is good, but able to spend it with families (now bigger) is much much better

2010.01.02~01.04 - Enjoying Hong Kong together with my wife, creating new memories
Travelling alone is never fun, so I found my soul mate to travel with me. It has ups and downs, but all I remember are the ups, the food, the view, and most importantly my love

This is one X'mas I will always remember

This is it

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:37:00 +0000

This is it, I am outta here, for a few weeks anyway

Wendy honey, here I come to marry you, again (and I'd do it every year if you want)

One more week

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:50:00 +0000

I am happy to be free of accounting (for 3 weeks anyway), and year-end tax loss selling

I am not happy with the amount of snow (10 cm each day for last 3 days), I may need to actually get winter tires to replace my 1-year old All Season tires

I am happy to plan for travel and spending money
I am afraid of designing wedding videos or writing wedding speeches

Most of all, I am happy that in a week, I will leave the Canadian winter to find my wife ^____^
(but....I will be back and I am sure Winter awaits me)

Eye-opening Court experience. Spent 3 hours to not pay $30 parking ticket

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:31:00 +0000

What Happened
Today I visited the Provincial court for the first time in Canada, for a $30 by-law parking ticket in Jan 2009

I didn't pay because I assumed that the "area" between my garage and the road are my PRIVATE property, and not the city's jurisdiction. Turns out it is part of city property after today's adventure

10 am - arrived at court (77 Queen St South), one small court besides the Kitchener Public Library

10:15 am - finished preliminary discussion with City of Waterloo prosecutor, with an understanding I would plead guilty but the offense will be suspended ($0 fine)

...waiting...

Highway offenses like speeding, with OPP officers called upon as witnesses despite the defendants' absence.

...waiting...

People come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses to reduce fine. Most "sad" stories revolve around "I was laid off", "I have to support family", "my son/daughter/friend was driving". And the fines reduction ranged from $5000->$2500, $300->$150 (handicap parking)

...waiting...

11:30 pm - 15 minutes recess. I went to move my car in the 2 hour free parking spot (it'll be too ironic if I get a parking ticket when I was fighting a ticket)

11:45 pm - City of Kitchener with a long line of guilty pleas, ranging from "parking in handicap spot", "overnight parking", to "fail to stop in school zone". Most fines are reduced to $10 or $25 and people still complain they have to feed family seeking for further reduction. WOW

...waiting...

12 pm - I went to the stand, stated my name, said Yes Yes Yes many times to plead GUITY. And then the prosector asked the judge to suspend the offense as it's my first offense and the confusion was understandable. I was on the stand for 5 minutes

Lesson learned
Next time, do a cost-benefit-analysis before you do anything (i.e. don't go to court unless it's over $100)
Spending 2~3 hours to save $30 = my hourly pay is $10 :-(
That said, I would still do it again, just for the experience

Observations

You see various kinds of people in court, fighting for either $10, $100, or $1000 with all kind of "sad" stories
We use "Your Worship" in Canada instead of "Your Honor" in the movies/US
One extreme case (everyone else plead guilty) was a woman on the stand for her daughter's "parked in the handicap spot" $300 ticket. Despite city's request to reduce to $150 already, she requested the judge to suspend the charges ($0 fine) because there was snow, her daughter's volunteering (how is this related???), etc.... Good thing she didn't succeed, result was $100 fine
I have more respect for police officers now as they do their due diligence when issuing tickets, and have to put up with appearing in court to explain/recall the situation from their notes.

Today's cases involving police officers

124 km in a 85 km zone
Failed to wear seatbelt
Loud muffler, failed to surrender license/insurance/ownership, driving with suspended license"

All the defendants were absent. In my opinion, they should be convicted guilty without the need for the officers to testify.

Week Recap - 2009 is almost over

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Week Recap

Monk, the tv show I have watched for 8 years, is over. I will miss you Adrian, and your love for Trudy will be my aspiration

Work is slowing turning into a quite December once again (I spoke too soon...as this Monday proved to be a not-quiet day)

One and half week more, I will be leaving to wrap up the 2009 with a double-festive X'mas (with some extensive-then-simplified planning now). You will see the pictures soon enough

And I look forward to start the 2010 with new unforgetable memories, starting with Hong Kong

X'mas seems like tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Week recap

Had the company X'mas dinner last weekend, a full month before actual X'mas
For once, I was lucky and won a staff prize (everyone seems to get chosen, so my odds was 1 in 5 staff) - Belkin N+ Router and USB Adapter bundle. Except now I don't know if I should use it or gift it, or sell it ;-p

This week

Weather is slowly slowing changing from Warm to Shower and then it'll be Snow
Midterm is over! easier than expected
November is over! quicker than expected as well
2.5 more weeks until I pack up and fly to Taiwan, 3rd time this year

Thinking of visiting Hong Kong, to create new memories
Sadly I still cannot make Aeroplan Elite since I flew United in January, Eva in August and China Airlines in Dec

Flights $900 + $1350 + $1750 = $4000
Wedding-related expenses = countless
Finding the love of my life = priceless ^__________^

時間過得好快

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:41:00 +0000

轉眼之間兩個月已經過去

回首兩個月

學校轉眼之間已經要準備期末考了
移民文件也在處理中希望很快就有好消息
股票從負變正現在是有錢卻沒股票買

再一個月

聖誕節
學校結束
結婚 again 囉！

Strange Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Last Thursday was the first day of snow - little bit of wet snow. I guess Winter is really here

Last weekend temperature was 15~20C, very beautiful and warm. I guess Summer is here, late

As usual, weather gets warm AFTER I put my winter tires on ^_^

Even the Wal-mart clerk was surprised when I asked where I can find snow shovel, her response was "we have those out yet?". And yes they do

One more month, and I will see Wendy again, I cannot wait

Week Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Week Recap

Thanks to my friends for celebrating and hanging out. It was weird to see the same friends twice in two weeks though, for almost the exact same "announcement". Congrats to CBC nonetheless ^_____^
Got Dell to replace my laptop motherboard, and so far so good. Maybe my purchase isn't bad as I thought, and kudos to Dell's Next Business Day On Site Warranty, I have always received great Dell customer service when I needed them on hardware issues

And to my surprise, Dell customer service rep called me back in the evening to make sure everything is okay. I was impressed!!

What else?

Work work work, papers papers papers
Finding my gloves to wear for the cold weather
Time to put on winter tires soon

Power of Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:55:00 +0000

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Norman MacFinan

I am still frugal, still like money, but as I get older I seem to understand better about why people give

There are many things worth giving, and I am happy, because I was able to give

money - I happily sponsored my friends to help them achieve worth causes
labour and time - I volunteered my weekend hours at Tzu Chi and visits Retirement home monthly
a token of appreciation - I took care of the bill when my friend went out. It felt nice to appreciate them this way
love - this is hard to quantify, as I have to ask my wife and my family

In return, I think I got more than what I gave

money - knowing that my money goes to help people who needed it more than I do
labour and time - smiles from the seniors, and knowing that I did something nice
a token of appreciation - the memory of spending time with my friends
love - hopefully I get loved back ^_^

Be Careful with Used Products

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Not that I buy second-hand products on my credit card(s), but let's just say I have seen high amount on my bills recently

Flight tickets $1000+
Insurance (Car & Home) $1000+
Appliances (not directly me, but here to illustrate my cash flow) $1000+ for brand new Dishwasher/Washer/Dryer

This blog entry is more of a reminder to myself, to be even more careful on my future purchases, eBay or not
Here are my purchases of used items in the last few months

Canon SD1200 camera $150 <- great buy
Fuji S700 camera $100 <- great buy
Dell D630 laptop $400 <- not a great buy

Story of the Defective Dell D630 Laptop

The D630 laptop looked like a great bargain initially - Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 14.1 WXGA+, 80GB HDD, warranty until Sep 2010, plus a docking station - for $400 CAD via eBay

However, on the first day of the pick up from this Manh Le guy (eBay username: manhgeek) in Mississauga, the LCD started to freeze and constant restarts. Since then it has been on and off and getting to the point of annoying. I contacted him asking for a refund and he refused, citing he sold it AS IS, which is fair, if it were not for the fact that laptop was essentially Dead-on-Arrival on THE FIRST DAY.

Possible causes include overheated GPU from the nVidia Quadro NV135M onboard (his eBay auction listed the laptop having Intel graphic chipsets, so false information there), but Dell wanted to isolate between faulty LCD and motherboard.

Currently my only action left is to seek replacement via Dell warranty, and leave negative feedback for him

Hope you all learned from my lesson - test, test, and test the used products
I am glad that this is actually the only defective used item that I have purchased out of hundreds of them
Regardless, I remain a fan of picking up great bargains on used products, especially resale homes & used cars

Here is Manh Le's information, for the next buyer googling him before purchase

Manh Le, lives on Genovese PL Mississauga, ON L5V 3B1 Canada, phone # xxx-5174

Free Website/Domain Hosting - Dave's Network

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:49:00 +0000

If the few of you are seeing my website, that is very good news as I just switched my domain hosting provider last night (it was actuall real-time to my shock, as usually they claim 24~48 hours to propogate to the new name servers)

I want to thank Dave for providing me FREE web hosting so that I no longer have to hunt for cheap hosting "every year" (from Netfirms to Dreamhost, for years). I love CPanel too ^_^
Hopefully this will be my blog's home for many years to come

If you are interested, send me a word (use the Contact Jerry on the right) and Dave is willing to help out as well

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated nor receive any income from this post. However I do suggest once you have transferred your hosting and are happy with the service, make a donation to Dave (I will do so shortly)

http://www.davesnetwork.ca/site/web-services/web-hosting.html

Basic Web Hosting
1000 MB of Disk Space
20000 MB of Monthly Bandwidth
cPanel + Fantastico
3 FTP Accounts
3 Subdomains
3 Email Accounts
File Manager & Website Editor

Windows 7 is clean, fast, and actually good

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Last weekend I started to install Windows 7 Professional on the newly acquired "used" laptop (Dell D630) and remain impressed with Windows 7

In fact, I was so impressed that I decided to re-install my Desktop (currently Vista Business) with Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit also), and another laptop as well. In addition my friend installed Windows 7 on her desktop as well

The final tally is Windows 7 exists on 2 desktops and 2 laptops now, and will grow more in my household. To further promote it, it seems like my workplace has started implementing Windows 7 as well and colleagues are impressed

It is what Vista should have been - new, clean, and fast

By the way, thanks to RFD for the TechNet error, ACM discount, and UW MSDNAA for the license keys ^_^

September Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:13:00 +0000

I am still here, alive, a bit lonely nonetheless

There is not much to update, besides that I am single ^_^ (kidding, only for a few months anyway)

Work is busy on and usual, but it's better
Personal life is busy with academics, but I am starting to adjust and get more involved. It's nice to meet new people
Photo-wise I have only gone through half of the photos (posted some on Facebook as well)
TV-wise I am amazed at the amount of TV shows I caught up

Leverage 7 episodes
Monk 8 episodes
Entourage 5 episodes
Season premieres - House (2 hrs - VERY GOOD), Grey's Anatomy (2 hrs), Criminal Minds, NCIS, NCIS:LA, Numb3rs, Dollhouse, The Mentalist
Given up - Smallville

End of September, 3 more months until my wedding reception .....
I have written so many new chapters in the year 2009, and hope it will only get better with Wendy in my life

One last note, this is one cold year. Summer was barely here and Fall just skipped, now we are looking at 5~10C weather

Camping @ Bruce Peninsula

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry Hung) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Aug 28 Friday

Camping & bonfire in rain
Dinner: too much meat - sausage, burger, chicken drumstick

Aug 29 Saturday

Hike Hike Hike (9 km in a day, 5 km on very difficult trail from Halfway Log Dump)
The Grotto
Big brunch - oatmeal (canto style), and instant noodle (chinese herbal flavour)
Dinner - Hot Pot (in rain)

Aug 30 Sunday

Brunch - omelet
Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Centre
Tobermory
Dinner @ The Fish & Chip Place

Notes

We overpacked, again, as usual. Although overall it was a successful group effort
Again, it rained and better weather would've been nice
My tent is huge (6-person, fit 4 Single air beds with ease)
Wendy survived, and amazed me in her hiking ability :-) proud of her

cloudy sky

This blog has moved

Canada Golden in 2010 Vancouver Olympics

海地即時報導‏ Journal from Haiti Tzu Chi Volunteer Workers

Project Management

不孤單的農曆年 Chinese New Year

你打開我的眼睛

2010 January Recap

To fix or not to fix ....

Haiti Earthquake Relief 海地賑災

2009 Recap, 2010 Resolutions

Memorable 2009-2010 Vacation and X'mas Wedding

This is it

One more week

Eye-opening Court experience. Spent 3 hours to not pay $30 parking ticket

Week Recap - 2009 is almost over

X'mas seems like tomorrow

時間 過得好快

Strange Winter

Week Recap

Power of Giving

Be Careful with Used Products

Free Website/Domain Hosting - Dave's Network

Windows 7 is clean, fast, and actually good

September Update

Camping @ Bruce Peninsula

時間過得好快