Osaka: capital of food

My group decided to start the trip at Osaka. So after I arrived to Tokyo, I took a low-cost carrier (plane) to Osaka.

Osaka is a pretty developed city, though there is not a lot of attractions in comparison to other cities, it does have a reputation of "food capital of Japan". And we decided to stay here for a few days, and do daily trips to the city of Kyoto (15 min train).

One of the first things we wanted to do is to watch live sumo, as there was a tournament during that time. Unfortunately, the reserved seats were sold out very quickly, so we gambled to show up early so that we can get in on the non-reserved seating (there are 100 of them). On our first day, we woke up early at 6am and try to get seats, but by the time we arrived, all 100 seats were taken. It was a bit disappointing, oh well.

Then we visited the iconic Osaka Castle:

As well walked around the city in the Dotonbori area:

As I mentioned before, the city itself does not have too many attractions, but the food is quite exquisite.

4 different "flavours" of takoyaki, this is really good.

Okonomiyaki (kind of a savory pancake), which is a very famous dish in Kansai region (where Osaka is). Many of my friends consider this as one of their favorite foods. I have to admit that I like it, but not "super" like it hehe.

Ramen, yes, I think I found my favorite ramen place, but I shall devote another post just for ramen.

They have matcha soft serve, which was very excellent, but I also tried the black sesame one, and it is equally good.

Other than the excellent food, one of the highlights about my stay in Osaka was to catch up with a good friend of mine. During my undergrad days, we were housemates for 1 or 2 terms.

For a while, he has been working in Japan as a teacher, and though I have seen him when he visits Toronto, we rarely do one-on-one catch up. So that was very neat, because we were able to easily "continue" our friendship from where we left, by sharing stories and struggles about our lives, on what God is teaching us. It is encouraging to hear that he is helping at a church by teaching bible study to a group of younger Christians. 

He also shared with me about the "differences" in community he has experienced in Japan. In Canada, it is very common hangout at someone's place for fellowship, and usually a lot of great conversations can potentially happen. But in Japan, houses are not big, so most people hangout outside (like in restaurants), so he feels that it is challenging to grow as a community. So this is an example on how culture, society, and city-lifestyle can affect how members of church community "implement" fellowship. It triggered me to think more about what the core values of fellowship are. But now that I think about it, as I was chatting with him, we were two people with same mind and goal to "catch up" (sharing with each other about our lives,  listening and spurring one another towards love, encouraging each other), so I hope that we were in the right track of doing fellowship.

This reminded me on how grateful I am to have meet great brothers and sisters, and that even if I don't keep up with them regularly, there is the assurance that God is actively working in their lives as they serve the Kingdom, and this is a deep connection that we all share.

quick tips about Japan

Since I spent much time planning on Japan trip, here are some high level tips:

• googlemaps is a great way to find directions as it is well integrated with the schedule of public transit (local trains, subways, bullet trains), 
• but if you want more options (more alternative routes, or avoid certain railways), Hyperdia is very helpful: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
• bring enough cash, as it is more common to pay in cash on restaurants, convenience stores, and train tickets.
•  Though credit cards are accepted in various restaurants, it is still a good idea to bring cash so that you can eat anywhere (especially Ramen, where you usually have to pay at a "order machine"). For shopping, credit cards are fine.
• get internet, either SIM card or pocket wifi. 
• There are many companies that offer affordable prepaid SIM cards for tourists (e.g. $20 for 8 days). 
• It is almost essential to have internet if you want to find directions or use google translate. Saves time, and it is convenient.
• Note that SIM cards provide only data, and no phone number (you have to be a Japanese resident), so you might want to have a skype account with money on it to make calls for any emergency.
• if you are travelling various cities, consider getting JR (Japan Railways) Pass. The basic pass allows you to travel in JR which owns the bullet trains unlimited within 7 days. I used it to travel Osaka-Hiroshima (with stops at Kobe and Himeji), Osaka-Kyoto various times, Osaka-Tokyo, so it was definitely worth it for me. Plus, you can use it for some local train lines.
• when you are not using the JR pass (e.g. taking a local non-JR train, subway), get an IC card (equivalent of "Octopus Card" in HK) so that you can enter and exit faster (not having to buy a ticket every single time)
• ask for English menu on restaurants. Probably one of the harder things is to order food since English is limited there, but most places have an English menu (eigo no menyu), so ask for one! 
• Tax free shopping, on some larger clothing, electronics, or department stores, you can avoid paying the 8% tax if you show your passport (foreigner). You will usually need to purchase more than 10,000 yen worth of goods, which can be easy for some people, but hard for others. So if you are travelling with others, combine them into one bill.
• Accommodations choice and location are important. Airbnb is usually a good choice in Japan as the places are clean and well maintained. In terms of location, it is good to be closer to a convenient train station, so that you can save time travelling and as well get back to the airport with ease.

reasons for Japan

I just came back from relatively long vacation of about a month to Asia, which included visiting Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. It was a very rewarding vacations, with both good times and challenging times. The trip to Hong Kong was mainly to visit family, while Taiwan was a short trip (mainly because I found cheap tickets) in which I actually visited two cousins who are studying at a college, and Japan was the main "meat". 

One interesting point is that the "service" I received from restaurants got better during the trip... in Hong Kong I felt that I had to rush eating so that I don't get kicked out, Taiwan was a lot more chilled, and Japan I was treated nicer that I deserved (something I blogged about a year ago).

Actually I have been planning the Japan trip for like 10 months, since I got very excited after I visited Tokyo for 5 days last year, and wanted to travel again and get to know the country more. Even when I I arrived Japan, I still felt very surreal that the trip was actually happening.

Why would I be excited about Japan? Here are some reasons:

• food is excellent (this is good enough reason for me to go back again)
• interest in culture
• this is mainly due to my interest in reading manga and watching anime, as it's kind of neat to see in real life the cultural aspects portrayed from manga in real life (both old and modern culture)
• also, I think the extreme politeness from Japanese people is something that interests me,
• cherry blossoms 
• it's actually cooler and prettier than I thought
• "technology and efficiency"
• it is the country that builds very reliable cars and also builds a huge array of consumer electronics
• public transportation (really enjoyed taking many forms of trains)
• toilet with bidet 
• final fantasy games

Moreover, I have many friends who share in these common interests, so I am grateful to travel with these friends (in total, there are 9 other people who traveled with me, in different stages of the trip).

I am very grateful to God, who has blessed me with opportunity to travel, including finances and flexibility from workplace, as well for the smoothness during the trip. It is a real blessing to be able to travel, and though most of the focus is on enjoying the vacation, I also think travelling is an opportunity to learn. I really appreciate observing how people from other countries behave and work, how their society works, and learn from the good and bad things. Sometimes it can be a mind-opening experience, and sometimes it can be a source of inspiration.

On a more personal level, I decided to go on such trip as a "small sabbatical". In a way, it is a break from work, that has driven me to some mental exhaustion. But also, a break to reflect. I think that the busyness and routine of work has made me too comfortable and detracted me to think more about my "vocation".  So really, the main goal was to get away, and spend time to reflect about my life and my future pursuits. By talking to family, spending leisure time, and learning about new culture, have given me some thoughts, and I hope to refine and consolidate them in the next few weeks. 

It is always challenging to discern what God has next for me, I feel that a clear answer might not be given, but might be a journey of searching and having faith in midst of uncertainty.

the force

so yeah, many people have been in crazy joyful mode since "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" came out. Many fans were crazy about it, and I even got to enjoy a 85% day off because of a Star Wars event at work.

The three original movies were a classic, achieving a legendary status, and revolutionary on the time that were released. Then there were some fake movies that came out later, but that was catastrophic, and the only redeemable thing that came out of it was this: http://winterson.com/2005/06/episode-iii-backstroke-of-west.html

The new movie got very positive reviews. I will abstain on taking too much about it, but I have to admit, it is very entertaining and fun, but the more I analyze it, the more I dislike it.

I want to expand on the concept of the "force", which plays a very major role on the Star Wars story. The force is this impersonal power that seems to be everywhere, and certain individuals can use or control part of it to do cool stuff (psychokinesis, mind control, reading minds, fighting abilities, etc). It seems that individuals must concentrate, focus, and train to use the force. But the force can be used for either good or evil purposes, depending on the user. There is a light side, and there is a dark side. A great deal of the story from the movies is to show the battler between both sides, and how an user from the light side can be tempted to to the dark side.

The idea of the force is very influenced by the worldview of "Pantheism". It is not my intent to describe this worldview in details, but I just want to point out a couple of key points on it:

• Pantheism describes"god" as an impersonal "force"
• The goal of man is to become one with the "force", and that is usually accomplished by denying one's individuality (via meditation, mantras, chants, etc)
• the concepts of good and evil does not really have a standard, other than favoring the process of becoming one with the force, as a "good" think (e.g. karma is considered good, as it helps me to be closer as one with the "force")

There are issues with this worldview, the major one been the classic issue of ethics, where there is no absolute standards that defines what is good and what is evil. Plus the concept of an impersonal god (consistent with the lack of standards of good and evil) is not very hopeful for a purposeful life, and the assurance that a "god" is watching over us.

In Christianity, we have a personal God, who is almighty, all powerful, and is loving and just. The fact that He is personal, and that He has created us in His image is very encouraging, because our lives are made with a purpose, and we are most satisfied when we reflect His image in our lives. This is a much more hopeful and worth "worldview" to live for. Due to God's character, there is a clear standards on what is good and what is bad, and there are instructions on how to walk in holiness.

We praise God for what he has done, by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our transgressions, so that we can find forgiveness and be reconciled to Him, so that we can live in eternity with Him.

Merry Christmas!

maximus decimus meridius

"What we do in life echoes in eternity." - Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator

Gladiator is one of the my favorite films of all times, and I really believe every man should watch it. It shows a character with so many commendable characteristics:  a man who is honorable, who is respected, who keeps his word, who overcomes great adversity to triumph, who fights for justice. I don't get bored at all re-watching this movie. It's also worth mentioning that a lot of the good deeds Maximums end up doing in the movie produce fruits that he did not get to enjoy.

I remembered when I was in university, an upper year brother challenged me to think about the legacy I want to leave behind in my years in school. This is a question that most people will not naturally think about, since school is usually treated as a stepping stone to get a job that pays well. Indeed, this is a question that I still think about today. How do I want to be remembered when I leave the "current place" I am in? If I am able to answer the previous question, what steps can I take to achieve it?

Often, we are placed in locations where we are just there temporary (5 years in school, a job placement, a full-time job, etc) and it is very tempted to do the minimum to get by or to work hard only on the aspects that will benefit us (e.g. work extra hours at a job to please my manager). But how about helping those around us (which is outside of our "job description")? How about making a positive impact on the people that I see everyday at work?

This is often challenging especially when the responsibilities of the "job description" is already stressful enough.

I have been swimming through a bit of disappointments at my current job for some time now, and it got significantly worst when changes occurred on my job management (people moving to different teams, people leaving, people getting fired). So it is easy to be demotivated and wanting to just do the minimum.

But God has called us to do our best in the work we do, as if we are working for Him (Col. 3:23) and we are also called to be the salt and light of this world (Matthew 5). And even if life is tough, we are called to do our best in all situations, walk that extra mile, and be a good witness in all. Even if the my work employers does not appreciate the work that I do, I can only find assurance and peace when I know that my efforts are pleasing our ultimate Boss, the our great Father, our great King.

so much to learn...

helm's deep

In movie trilogies, I tend to like the second installment as my favorite of the series. For example, Star Wars (which there is a great excitement of the new film coming out). The first film (The New Hope) provides a solid introduction and fun, and the third film (The Return of the Jedi) gives a proper ending showing the maturity of the characters and the resolution of the all the problems, it is the second film (The Empire Strikes Back) raises the excitement to new heights with great action and unexpected drama (regarding the character's background and the danger of mis-using the force).

On the most recent Batman series, many agrees that the "Dark Knight" was quite spectacular and the best of the three films, thanks to its psychological depths, and the dilemma of the main characters as hero or anti-hero.

I really like "Lord of the Rings", and I have marathoned the series twice (once w/ extended version, once without it). In addition, I have seen the individual films a couple of times. Definitely, I like the second film the most, "Two Towers". I feel that it has a better pace than the other films (not as slow as the first film, and more organized than the third one). 

I personally enjoy the battle at the Helm's Deep the most of all the battles in the series. The good guys were at a numerical disadvantage, trying to defend the last fortress of Rohan with an army that consisted of a majority of untrained soldiers. Whereas, the opposite army consisted of violent and ruthless beasts that want nothing other than the annihilation of men. Thanks to the aid from the Elf army, and the prowess of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, they managed to stand firm until the most reinforcements arrive; which is when Gandalf and exiled Rohan legion comes on the sunrise, and finishes the enemy's army, which is a great scene to repeatedly watch.

This set of scenes made me think about the recurring evil that occurs on our world today, and that we are to stand firm with perseverance against it, until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back to exercise His justice to all.

The recent events of terrorism in Paris has made me think about how should I stand in terms of military intervention against terrorist groups. Tragedies like occur so often nowadays, which is quite sad, and also in a way desensitize people about these issues. Paris was a big deal (and got lots of media coverage) because it was a strike against a Western state, though I don't think we should forget about the more frequent tragedies that occur in African and Middle Easter countries.

After this, of course there is a big push for countries to retaliate against the terrorist group, and to actually have a coalition (i.e. more countries participating other than the US) that can effectively dismantle this threat.

As Christians, we understand that the some of the major tenants about our faith is about grace, and how we should offer grace to others that have harm us. Bible passages like Romans 12:21 or 1 Peter 3 tell us that we should not repay evil with evil, but instead we should repay with goodness. Matthew 5, on Jesus' sermon, He speaks about how if we are slapped on the right cheek, we should turn the other side to them. Looking at these in a brief manner, it seems that we are to not retaliate, and that the Lord will be in charge of exercising justice or repayment (vengeance is of the Lord as in Romans 12:19). 

Of course the thought of just sitting and waiting is hard to accept when there are many people suffering because of this evil organization. So I had to consult some theologians on their views A helpful article explains about John Stott's view on the "Just War": http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/trevinwax/2013/09/12/why-john-stott-changed-his-mind-on-pacifism/

He basically explains that as individuals, we ought to not repay evil with evil. But on the matter of state (government), we are to submit to our authorities (Romans 13), and if our government decides to retaliate, then this is ok because God can use governments as instruments to exercise His punishment. In a way he separates the "person" with the "state".  He lays out a few key components that made this retaliation "just":

• its cause must be righteous
• its means must be controlled
• its outcome must be predicable 

The heart of this is that the intention has to be good (or righteous). Of course we can argue about the "intentions" of many countries performing military intervention on countries in conflict are not always pure (secret agenda, a double standard). This is a true reality of our fallen world.

Another helpful article is from John Piper, regarding whether Pacifism is the way to go or not: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/did-jesus-teach-pacifism

Part of me think that defending the innocent and the path of the "lesser evil" might be other argument for military intervention. 

Certainly, this is a very relevant issue today, and I really want to acquire a biblical stance on this.

Still, I can rest assure knowing that our God is sovereign over this situation, and that we have hope that He will deliver us, and that He will exercise justice on the due time (similar to the scene of reinforcements during Lord of the Ring).

It is my prayer that God of compassion will help the needy on the affected areas. I have faith that our God will work and not withdraw even when evil is so apparent on our times, because He is great.

end of an era

Yep, I have moved out from the place known as "OPP", and it was a pretty hectic week dealing with packing and moving lots of stuff. In the future I should consider taking at least a day off when moving.

I have been blessed with being part of a house where all members are fellow believers. We share common goals, and we naturally share the things we have, and we do our chores, and we encourage one other. Also, we usually open up our place for other people to come over for many type of activities such as fellowship, small group, worship practice, inviting good friends for dinner, movie nights, etc.

Definitely, choosing who to live with is a very important decision.

God has taught me a lot in terms of serving others through my years in undergrad (when I used to live at westcourt) and afterwards at OPP. 

One aspect of community that I like is to be able to have people gather outside of the weekly meetings (church, small group) so that we can get to know people more on smaller group settings, and be able to serve and encourage them better. Many times, great discussions and encouragements come from unplanned gatherings.

There are many good memories at OPP, even though I was happy to leave, part of me does miss being there. I was slightly panicking on last Saturday that this would be my last Saturday I get to sleep in at my old room. Yeah, I was the last one to leave, and got to spend a few solemn minutes one-on-one with the empty apartment. 

It is indeed the end of an "era" that corresponded with my life stage of transitioning from school to work. Now I do look forward on what God has prepared on my future place, and there will certainly be no end for more fellowship to occur.