Forza Azzurri - reward of determination

During the quarter finals, Italy defeated England in penalty shootouts (regular time ended 0-0). But clearly Italy was the team who put more effort into generating opportunities to score. They had at least 65% of the ball possession and probably more than double the amount of shots on goal that England had. It was due to the inaccuracy of their forwards that Italy could not score on the regular time.

England was limited to play defensively, and relied on some sort of long ball strategy for Rooney (who didn't play well) to get chances on scoring. I have to admit that England did a great job defending and holding until the penalty shootouts. But based on what the game showed, Italy was the team with much more determination to score and win the game, and they got the victory via the stressful penalty shootouts.

Special mention to Andrea Pirlo for his confidence in scoring the penalty kick with such remarkable technique.

In the similar way, I believe that the determination to work hard for the Lord and to glorify Him will yield fruits in His own timing.

The need of a leader

France has been a team that dominated the soccer world in the early 2000s by winning the World Cup 1998 and the Euro Cup 2000. It was led by one of the most elegant players I have seen, Zinedine Zidane. Many people (specially those who don't watch soccer) know him as the guy who headbutted an Italian defender during the finals of World Cup 2006. But this guy is incredibly skilled with refined techniques and ball control, accurate passes and shots.

I was watching some of the highlights of the French team in World Cup 2006, and I it was just so enjoyable to see Zidane's master skills defeating opponents of the caliber of Spain (the younger version of the current world champion), Brazil (Kaka, Robihno, Ronaldihno, Ronaldo), and Portugual (led by Luis Figo).

He was the leader of this great team, someone who the rest of the team can look up to, someone who carries the team on his shoulder, someone who enables the rest of the team to play better.

Nowadays, France does have players of great skills like Ribery, Benzema, Nasri, Menez... but as seen in their last game against Spain, there is a disconnect within the team. It feels like every player is doing their own thing. They are in a urgent need of the "number 10" that they can look up to in times of difficulties.

Similarly, a leader of a Christian community cares for the people and feels burdened for them, lives above approach for them to follow, and enables them to use their gifts so that they can reach their full potential.

Talents and unity

To the disappointment of many people (including myself), Netherlands was not able to pass the first stage of the Euro Cup 2012. Even more, they lost every single game!

Netherlands is historically a very competitive team since the late 70s carrying generations of great players. In the present, they actually have a big pool of talent in the offensive side which propelled them to get into the finals of the last World Cup. They have players of this caliber:

• Robin van Persie: top scorer of the English Premier League with 30 goals
• Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: top scorer of the German Bundesliga with 29 goals
• Wesley Snejder: one of the top 3 midfielders in 2010, and instrumental player for Internazionale success in previous years.
• Arjen Robben: instrumental player for Bayern Munich team

We can also add more with players like Rafael van der Vaart and Ibrahim Afellay who have exceptional skills. The rest of team is also above average.

Why did the dutch lose every single game? Even more, with such much gunpowder they only scored two goals.

I can think of two main reasons:

• Not investing their talents effectively: it seems that the forwards were carrying much pressure and not performing well at all. They were missing easy opportunities, and it is not very typical for them. If they are not able to focus, then despite how talented they are it is futile.
• Lack of unity within the team: even though the individual players have much talents, but if they are not working together as a team they will not be able to accomplish their goals. It was evident the lack of coherence in their play style.

Just as a Christian believer, even if we are given talents and gifts, if we are not focused on God we will not be able to be effective in our ministries. As well, we are to serve with other brothers and sisters but if there is a lack of unity, not much can be accomplished.

Top 5 of Hong Kong

It has been quiet lately, but I came back recently from a trip from Hong Kong which was great! Actually I lived in Hong Kong for two years when I was a kid so this city has a place in my heart. As I visited, I pondered about what are the things I like about Hong Kong, and whether I want to live there in the future. So I decided to post my 5 likes and dislikes about HK.

Five likes:

5. Transportation: MTR and 2-level buses
The MTR (subway) is an immensely convenient way to get around. An engineering piece of art. While I really like the 2-level buses because it is so comfortable to sit in the top level (since I am always walking), and you get to see the city as you travel.

4. Efficiency
I am always impressed at how fast and accurate people deliver in HK. Whether it is serving your food, giving you change, processing paperwork...

3. Shopping
You can get very decent quality clothing at very cheap price. Or you can get brand name stuff too without having to pay sale taxes like in Canada. As well there are electronics stuff. Also, there are random stuff you can get in the streets. Moreover, shops don't close like until 10-11pm.

2. Excellent Food
There are many great places to eat, and it is relatively cheap. There is also a great variety of places, not to say that there is a restaurant every 10 steps you take. I have to make a honorific mention to hot milk tea. It is just intense.

1. Family
Both my dad and grandma are there, so it is also very valuable to spend quality time with them, and maybe get spoiled by them for a bit.

Five dislikes:


5. Salespersons
In some shops, when I enter to look at things I feel like a vulnerable deer getting attacked by hungry hyenas. And in some cases, salespersons are like robots because they just repeat the same phrase whenever they see you "Welcome" or "Feel free to look around". It's like they have a sensor, and whenever they detect a living organism, they will just spill out these words even though you heard it a few times.

4. Stress
Since things are so efficient that people are always on the go, very fast paced. No slowing down, and this leads to a very high levels of stress. It seems very challenging to have a good work-leisure balance. There are no places to sit in malls! That's how stressful it is.

3. Emphasis on appearance
I notice that people (especially female homo sapiens) like to dress well and look good. I think it is fair to want to look nice, but I feel that it is way too much. I don't have enough facts, but I get the sense that there is way too much focus on outward appearance.


2. Lack of personal space
It's crazy how pricey living space is, and unfortunately this leads to very cramped places where people barely has personal space to spend quiet time. If the environment is so fast paced and stressful, I personally need some down time with my own space to recharge. I think part of the reason why people go out a lot is because there is not much space at home.

1. Too much shopping
Though shopping is good in HK, the amount of people I see shopping after school hours or during weekends is crazy. At peak hours, I feel like an electron trying to pass through an insulator because of the insane amount of people. And there is shopping every where, and at all times... so it tells me that people are very materialistic. Also heard that HK has one of the best second-hand market, since people buy stuff and don't want it after a short time since new models are released. Yeah, it's kind of sad I think.


I just wanted to point out my random thoughts, but as well I realized that there would always be pros and cons in whatever place I choose to make a living. There will always be things I like about it, and things I dislike about it. As I continue pondering, I can see the factors of finding a good job and establishing a family as big weights for this kind of decision.

But I would like to add another factor, which is the vision that God has given me. Do I have a burden to invest in this specific city? How can I impact this city in a positive manner? How can I utilize the gifts that God has given me for His service? We are the salt and light of world, and so wherever we go, we ought to shine Christ.