Closing Down.

Coming back from university, I had to stop by one of the places we chill a lot at when we were still kids. However, I was in for quite a surprise!

It is with great sadness for me to announce the closing of the North York City Centre Food Court on May 1st. To all the food  establishments, thank you for being an integral part of my last 13 years in Willowdale.

I remember when I first moved to Willowdale, the food court was one of the first places that I went to. Back then, it was in 1999, and the place that we so fondly call "Civics" was a bustling little uptown food court, with all the places operating, and full of students and businesspeople grabbing a quick (and cheap) bite...

Fast forwarding to middle school, in 2002, I came to know a little place called Sakura Japan. It served the best chicken katsu and breaded shrimp combo and chicken udon in all of North York. It also turns out that the place is owned by one of my close friend's uncle. I frequented the place quite many times with my friends during our rare "off campus" lunches.

In grade 8, one of the fondest places that I had enjoyed eating at was the Greek Shishkabob. At a cost of $4.99, they offered a box twice the size of a regular takeout box, with greek rice, greek potatoes, chicken shiskabob, and a greek salad, all very satisfying and delicious indeed! It probably commenced my love for greek food! <3

In grade 10-11, the food court would be the place to chill after DECA training with my peeps, where we would enjoy a nice meal of the "Special", at the Lebanese Gourmet, where for $4.25, it would've gotten you a  scrumptious box of grilled chicken with Mediterranean rice and hummus!!! The owner, a very nice chubby old man, would often give us extra potatoes, or the carrot stew with no extra charge! And sure enough, we were loyal customers...

A final shoutout to Noodles and Golden Wok, chinese establishments that had decent food offered at $4.30 for a one meat item with noodles or rice....The chinese ladies were often nice and allowed us to have half of one meat mixed with a second one, along with half noodles and half rice. They were also my source of Arizonas after school.

Also worth mentioning is the beloved Chubby's, which offered great subs, made with care and love. I was not a frequent customer, but I heard the Chubby ladies were really awesome!

After 13 years, the patronage at the food court declined sharply, due to rising rents in North York area on Yonge, the recession, businesses moving their offices to Markham, quiet summer months without students....All these factors took its tow on "Treats", Crepe de Paris, Panzerotto Pizza and Sakura Japan (for different reasons *ahem) in recent memories....

Now, with the closing of the food court, it marks the closing of a great place for high school students to chills. Thanks for all the memories, whether it's chilling with friends, eating lunch, working on projects until 9pm, or studying, it was a great place to hangout. Remember the times when we would rush here to eat before music performances at Cringan Hall and the Toronto Centre for the Arts?? The times we chill and meet up in huge groups? The times my DECA PBAs and I would come after meetings and drill role plays... This place will be greatly missed!!!

Coming back to Toronto, I was craving Greek, but was sad to discover that it closed early, and a sign greeted me, thanking me for my patronage, and it asked me to visit its other fine dining experiences, such as Starbucks.

With the closing of the food court, this is the end of a chapter. All the good times and memories will live on. It is hard to say good bye, but it doesn't seem like I have a choice...

THE END. 

Edit: Last I heard from a friend, the entire food court is poised to be converted into one single giant McDonald's....I hope not!

Joel Osteen: "The new face of Christianity" ?!

^ That was the headline I saw in a newspaper article the other day. It got me to think how outrageous this statement is. Yes, Joel Osteen is the pastor of the biggest church in America, with 43000+ followers in Houston, Texas. Yes, his sermons are broadcasted to 100 nations, and over 3 million copies of his books have been sold. But to say that he is the new face of Christianity? Really now? Jesus Christ is the only face that represents Christianity,IMO!!!

Indeed, Osteen is the most popular preacher in America, but I am a bit skeptical of some of his teachings. He has never attended bible college with no training or background, and does not refer to the Scripture in his sermons.

Alarm bell number one: no teachings from the bible?!

Ya you can paraphrase the word of God, but what's more powerful than the truth itself? Why not actually study His word?

Alarm bell number two: focuses on the goodness of God, rather than his wrath. focuses on the good rather than sin.

Now, it is our sins that seperated us from God anyways. Accepting only the goodness of God ignores the fact that God hates sin, and the concept of repentance and faith in the One that has conquered sin. Focusing only on the goodness kinda justifies that God is so good, he loves us so much that it doesn't matter if we continue sinning.
WRONG.

Alarm bell number three: The Prosperity Gospel

If focuses on prosperity. His preaching says that God wants us to give Him money, and He'll bless us with more money. If prosperity and wealth brings us happiness, then why would we need to long for eternity?

Here's what Rick Warren has to say:

This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy?", Rick Warren snorts. "There is a word for that: baloney. It's creating a false idol. You don't measure your self-worth by your net worth. I can show you millions of faithful followers of Christ who live in poverty. Why isn't everyone in the church a millionaire?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is shocking to me that so many people listen and accept his sermons as the truth. Sure, some of it is right, but I think many people like his sermons because it makes you feel good. It's all good and positive.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Tim 4:3

That what God will give you on earth is happiness and wealth. A sermon about a God that sits up there, all good, that this God is not capable of wrath, and that there is no need to fear Him.

Let me close off with a word of warning:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matt 7:15

 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matt 24:11

Guard your heart and mind against false prophets, for Satan will try any means to bring you to his side.

You know you are in Uni too long when...

* You consider McDonald's "real food"
* You actually like doing laundry
* 4:00 AM is still early on the weekends
* It starts getting late on the weeknights
* Two miles is not too far to walk for a party
* You wear dirty socks three times in a row and think nothing of it
* You'd rather clean than study
* "Oh wow, how did it get so late!" comes out of your mouth at least once a night
* Half the time you don't wake up in your own bed and it seems normal
* You schedule your classes around sleep habits
* You know the pizza boy by name
* You go to sleep when it's light and get up when it's dark
* You live for getting mail
* Looking out your window is a form of entertainment
* Prank phone calls become funny again
* It feels weird to take a shower without shoes on
* You start thinking and sounding like your roommate
* Blacklights and highlighters are the coolest things on earth
* Rearranging your room is your favorite pastime
* You find out milk crates have so many uses
* The weekend lasts from Thursday to Sunday, (or Wednesday morning to Tuesday night)
* You have rediscovered afternoon naps.
* There have ever been more than nine people in your car at once.
* You have ever paid $100 for a single book without batting an eye.
* You have ever sold that same $100 book eight months later, unread, for seven bucks.

TOP 10 REASONS THAT UNIVERSITY IS LIKE PRESCHOOL

10. You cry for your mother.
9. You cross the street without looking for cars.
8. Snack time is a necessity. (especially ice cream!)
7. You bundle up for the outdoors without caring what you look like because everyone else looks as stupid as you do).
6. You stay at home and play games with your friends
5. You wear your backpack on both shoulders.
4. You wear big mittens.
3. Playing in the snow is a legitimate activity.
2. You take naps
1. You look forward to grilled cheese sandwiches. :)

Still.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10

 -------------------

When the oceans rise and thunders roar.
I will soar with You, above the storm
Father You are king over the flood,
I will be still and know You are God.

Find rest my soul in Christ alone,
Know his power, in quietness and trust.

----------------------

God, hide me under your wings, and cover me with your mighty hand. I will take refuge in You, for You will lift me out of this storm.

You are the Prince of Peace. My joy and hope. My strength when I am weak.

I will be still and know You are God.

Sola Gratia.

The V Word: Vote.

Politics is what keeps our nation running. To some  it's what makes our country strong and great. To others, politics is a game.  To most...they're indifferent. Stephen who?!? Dalton what?!? What's a MP..melting point?!

Now you may think I am exaggerating, but the sad reality is, I am not. In the last federal election, a mere 15% of the country's 18-24 year old citizens voted while 52% of the entire country balloted. This is truly unfortunate as the electoral process is what drives democracy. Governed for the people, by the people. And you know what? In Ethiopia, since democratic elections came along in 1994, voter turnout has consistently been 90% +. Same goes for many other countries. You know why? Because it is democracy that allows us to have the freedom and equality. A democracy is where all citizens get direct and equal participation in the development, proposal in what gets into legislation. By voting, we have a voice in the direction of where the country is headed. In fact, it is for democracy that hundreds are dying in the middle east right now; in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, all for the sake of the freedoms and rights we enjoy in Canada. People are dying...for democracy.

Now you may say what does the government have to do with me? But let me tell you this: everything. From our taxes, to our education system, to our infrastructure, health care, and laws. For example, tuitions are regulated by the Ontario government, yet this year, a 4% tuition increase will be applied to Waterloo and similar elsewhere. The HST you pay on your iPod or bowl of ramen. The crazy wait time in hospital ERs when I took my friend to the hospital. The bathroom law that allows people who feels they are a girl in a guy's body to use a female's washroom freely.

The TTC.

Politics is more involved in your life than you think.

So, if people are dying for this thing called democracy, why do only 15% of us go out to vote on election day? Are we being complacent? ignorant?

Now, your voice in the elected representatives in the government shapes this country. Canada is a nation that its citizens stand proudly for its leadership and actions for pro-human rights and freedoms and democratic rights. Having been founded upon a solid bedrock as a democracy one hundred forty-four years ago, at a time when major countries were controlled by emperors and monarchy, this country continued to be revolutionize with world-leading accomplishments such as the Human Bill of Rights by the Diefenbaker government, the peacekeeping missions by Lester B Pearson and the renowned Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a guarantee for basic rights and freedom that allows us to maintain equality, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of belief, freedom of expression,  freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association, and the right to participate in political activities and the right to a democratic form of government.

 I had an opportunity to listen to General Romeo Dallaire (in charge of the 1994 UN missions in the Rwandan genocide) last week. He mentioned that if young people ever decide to consolidate, their influence could affect generations to come.

"You hold the balance of power in this democracy - and you're not exercising it."

As an election becomes imminent, I want to challenge y'all to pay close attention to the party platforms, and decide on where you want to see in our nation's future.

When that they comes, I hope you'll know what to do. Hopefully you will know the V word.

On a bit of a tangent here, but this is the historical fourth stanza of O Canada:

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,

Hold our Dominion in thy loving care;

Help us to find, O God, in thee

A lasting, rich reward,

As waiting for the better Day,

We ever stand on guard.

May God keep this country glorious and free!

Jesus Week Music & Prayer Night

God, thank you so much for the time tonight, to be able to praise and worship together campus wide. Jesus Week. Thank you for your unconditional love, the sacrifice of your only Son, of which we don't deserve. But, through your grace and mercy, we have hope and new life.

God, this night was just amazing. To be able to sing and shout, I wish it went on for longer!  This week's just been pretty busy. (2 chem labs, midterm, phys assignment, biol assignment, biol test, calc assignment, calc midterm to come). I've been relying on your strength, you've taught me not to worry, yet I haven't really chilled with you alone lately.  With that, the quality of time with you have suffered.

Tonight, seeing people come together across the campus, across the fellowship come together and worship and praise as one voice, one unity in the body of Christ- it was so encouraging.

To be able to focus on You, and You along, God, was refreshing and well needed, and a wakeup call to me that you are everything I long for, not my academics, not my reputation, not my achievements. Nothing else can satisfy my desire and passion.

I ask that the Holy Spirit will dwell in us so that we may live pure and godly lives so that others may see your love and goodness reflected in us.

Prayer is so powerful. All night, I know the Spirit worked throughout the night. Pray. Pray. Pray. I felt a peace that I haven't had in a while, and all my worries and life was left outside the door. It was so good to slow things down, time didn't matter anymore. I only wanted to focus on God. It's 2:30am, I've had a long day and I'm still not exhausted. Hmm...Weird.

"..rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Romans  5:2b

May Your glory fall on the campus, and Your name be lifted high all across Waterloo this week!

Sola Gratia.