17 Quotes

Here are 17 of my favourite quotes on Being, Living, and Doing.

Enjoy.

“Fall seven times; stand up eight.” – Japanese proverb

“You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you.” – Joseph Campbell

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean

“All is flux, nothing stays still.” – Heraclitus

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.” – James Joyce

“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.” – Plutarch

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus

“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

“The mind can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven” – John Milton

“Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” – Albert Einstein

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Oppenheim

China Cost of Living

These are some of the potential costs of living that I have found in Beijing. Looks like I'll be eating a lot of noodles.

Milk (1L) = RMB12
Milk Organic (0.5L) = RMB15
Cheese - Edam (1kg) = RMB30
Minced Beef (1kg) = RMB35
Minced Pork (1kg) = RMB30
Salmon (1kg) = RMB70
Salmon (1kg) from wholesale market = RMB50
Apples (1kg) = RMB5
Apples (1kg) from street vendor = RMB3
Tomatos (1kg) = RMB5
Tomatos (1kg) from street vendor = RMB3
Mineral Water - Chinese brand (1.5L) = RMB10
Mineral Water - Evian (1.5L) = RMB25
Coca Cola (500ml can) = RMB2
Carlsberg (500ml can) = RMB10
Tsingtao (500ml can) = RMB6

Steak at TGIF = RMB95
Steak at 5 star hotel = RMB200
Brunch buffet at 5 star hotel = RMB200
Dimsum buffet at 5 star hotel = RMB1206
Pizza 15" = RMB60
Big Mac = RMB20
Bowl of noodles at 5 star hotel = RMB100
Bowl of noodles in restaurant = RMB60
Bowl of noodles from street vendor = RMB8

It's happened

So, today I've been accepted to the TIP program in Beijing, China.

I'm scared. I found out that I could not sleep. Am I really ready to live for a year in a foreign country? Being away from everyone that I know and love for a whole year is kind of outrageous. I know that this is where God wants me to go and I wanted it too. Now I'm just really nervous. I know that this could, additionally, open up a world of opportunities for me in the ways of careers and things of that nature. Well, I speak NO Mandarin and have heard that the language is very nearly impossible to learn. I know that I tend to have a propensity for languages but I'm just not sure anymore. Should I have just waited and stayed here to find a real job? I have very real concerns none of them having to do with safety. I'll keep you posted about everything.

small revelation

So, I've decided today that I'm not listening to anyone else again. They said that I should chill out on the working out, give my muscles a break so they can recover. Okay, A) I know this already and I know how to work out. But, I decided to appease these people and chill out on the workout for a couple of days. Well, now I'm pissed because I went back into the gym today and tried to run my mileage. I could not. I have made it a principle that I never go backwards. If one day during a week I run 3 miles straight in 30 min or under, there is no turning around from that. The problem is that I could not do it. I'm finding that I run every day for my lungs, not for my legs or anything like that. Since I have asthma, running everyday helps to improve my lung function and skipping days negates that and makes it much harder for me to move forward. Lesson learned.

Also, I've found another annoying thing that I love to do, in addition to my addictive use of Q-tips. I find now, that I love to floss. Not the actual feeling of flossing, perse, but the sound that flossing makes. I know that it's kind of strange, but it's me.

A movie I've watched

Apologies, I have been terribly wrapped up in the goings on of the World Cup.

I have just watched, for the first time, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I have to say, I nearly cried. It was such a beautiful movie, never mind the oddity that is the actual premise of the movie. The movie's story, for those of you who have not heard of it, is that of a man who lives his life in reverse. He is born in the body of an old man and as time goes on, he grows younger until his death as a baby. He not only experiences things in reverse, but also in a completely different manner than everyone else. His first drink is as a man in his 80's along with his first time with a woman.

It really struck me that a man, even in his circumstances, could find love and make the best of the situations that he is in. Their love was intriguing in that, as one grew old, the other got younger. Two worlds and two lives criss-cross through time. I really enjoyed this movie, though I don't think I could watch it again.

World Cup!!

The most exciting event in the worl is happening this summer (June 11 - July 11). Since it is my favourite sport and I am kind of a freak about it, I thought I'd post the schedule for anyone who wanted to watch.

Group A:
France, Mexico, Russia, Uruguay

Group B:
Argentina, Greece, Korea, Nigeria

Group C:
Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States

Group D:
Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia

Group E:
Camaroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands

Group F:
Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G:
Brazil, Cote D'Ivoire, North Korea, Portugal

Group H:
China, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland


All times listed are Eastern standard time. Schedules are subject to change.

The matches are listed in this format:

Date:
Time and Channel:
Competing Teams:
Group
Field Location
Match #


Friday June 11
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
South Africa vs. Mexico
A
Johannesburg
1

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Uruguay vs. France
A
Cape Town
2


Saturday June 12
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Korea Republic vs. Greece
B
Port Elizabeth
3

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Argentina vs. Nigeria
B
Johannesburg
4

2 PM - ABC
England vs. USA
C
Rustenburg
5

Sunday June 13
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Algeria vs. Slovenia
C
Polokwane
6


9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Serbia vs. Ghana
D
Pretoria
7


2 PM - ABC
Germany vs. Australia
D
Durban
8

Monday June 14
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Netherlands vs. Denmark
E
Johannesburg
9

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Japan vs. Cameroon
E
Bloemfontein
10

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Italy vs. Paraguay
F
Cape Town
11

Tuesday June 15
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
New Zealand vs. Slovakia
F
Rustenburg
12


9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
G
Port Elizabeth
13


2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Brazil vs. Korea DPR
G
Johannesburg
14

Wednesday June 16
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Honduras vs. Chile
H
Nelspruit
15

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Spain vs. Switzerland
H
Durban
16

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
South Africa vs. Uruguay
A
Pretoria
17


Thursday June 17
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Argentina vs. Korea Rep.
B
Johannesburg
18

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Greece vs. Nigeria
B
Bloemfontein
19

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
France vs. Mexico
A
Polokwane
20

Friday June 18
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Germany vs. Serbia
D
Port Elizabeth
21

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovenia vs. USA
C
Johannesburg
22

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
England vs. Algeria
C
Cape Town
23

Saturday June 19
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Netherlands vs. Japan
E
Durban
24

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ghana vs. Australia
D
Rustenburg
25

2 PM - ABC
Cameroon vs. Denmark
E
Pretoria
26

Sunday June 20
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovakia vs. Paraguay
F
Bloemfontein
27

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Italy vs. New Zealand
F
Nelspruit
28

2 PM - ABC
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
G
Johannesburg
29

Monday June 21
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Portugal vs. Korea DPR
G
Cape Town
30

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Chile vs. Switzerland
H
Port Elizabeth
31

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Spain vs. Honduras
H
Johannesburg
32

Tuesday June 22
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Mexico vs. Uruguay
A
Rustenburg
33

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
France vs. South AFridayca
A
Bloemfontein
34

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Nigeria vs. Korea Republic
B
Durban
35

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Greece vs. Argentina
B
Polokwane
36

Wednesday June 23
9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Slovenia vs. England
C
Port Elizabeth
37

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
USA vs. Algeria
C
Pretoria
38

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ghana vs. Germany
D
Johannesburg
39

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Australia vs. Serbia
D
Nelspruit
40

Thu June 24
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovakia vs. Italy
E
Johannesburg
41

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Paraguay vs. New Zealand
E
Polokwane
42

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Denmark vs. Japan
F
Rustenburg
43

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Cameroon vs. Netherlands
F
Cape Town
44

Friday June 25
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Portugal vs. Brazil
G
Durban
45

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Ivory Coast vs. Korea DPR
G
Nelspruit
46

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Chile vs. Spain
H
Pretoria
47

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Switzerland vs. Honduras
H
Bloemfontein
48
2nd Stage – Round of 16

Saturday June 26
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st A vs. 2nd B
Port Elizabeth
49

2 PM - ABC
1st C vs. 2nd D
Rustenburg
50

Sunday June 27
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st D vs. 2nd C
Bloemfontein
51

2 PM - ABC
1st B vs. 2nd A
Johannesburg
52

Monday June 28
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st E vs. 2nd F
Durban
53

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st G vs. 2nd H
Johannesburg
54

Tuesday June 29
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st F vs. 2nd E
Pretoria
55

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st H vs. 2nd G
Cape Town
56

2nd Stage -- Quarterfinals
Friday July 2
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners 53 vs. 54
A
Port Elizabeth
57

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners 49 vs. 50
B
Johannesburg
58

Saturday July 3
9:30 AM
ABC - Winners 52 vs. 51
C
Cape Town
59

2 PM
ABC - Winners 55 vs. 56
D
Johannesburg
60

2nd Stage -- Semifinals
Tuesday July 6
2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners A vs. C
Cape Town
61

Wednesday July 7
2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners B vs. D
Durban
62

Third Place Match
Saturday July 10
2 PM - ABC
Losers – 61 vs. 62
Port Elizabeth
63

2010 FIFA World Cup Title Match
Sunday July 11
1:30 PM
ABC
Winners – 61 vs. 62
Johannesburg
64The most exciting event on the world stage is happening this summer (June 11 - July 11) and I am SUPER excited about it. Football is the world's largest watched sport and happens to be my favourite. For that reason, I decided to put up the schedule for anyone who is curious and wants to watch. I'll be watching/recording all of them.

Group A:
France, Mexico, Russia, Uruguay

Group B:
Argentina, Greece, Korea, Nigeria

Group C:
Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States

Group D:
Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia

Group E:
Camaroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands

Group F:
Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G:
Brazil, Cote D'Ivoire, North Korea, Portugal

Group H:
China, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland


All times listed are Eastern standard time. Schedules are subject to change.

The matches are listed in this format:

Date:
Time and Channel:
Competing Teams:
Group
Field Location
Match #


Friday June 11
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
South Africa vs. Mexico
A
Johannesburg
1

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Uruguay vs. France
A
Cape Town
2


Saturday June 12
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Korea Republic vs. Greece
B
Port Elizabeth
3

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Argentina vs. Nigeria
B
Johannesburg
4

2 PM - ABC
England vs. USA
C
Rustenburg
5

Sunday June 13
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Algeria vs. Slovenia
C
Polokwane
6


9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Serbia vs. Ghana
D
Pretoria
7


2 PM - ABC
Germany vs. Australia
D
Durban
8

Monday June 14
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Netherlands vs. Denmark
E
Johannesburg
9

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Japan vs. Cameroon
E
Bloemfontein
10

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Italy vs. Paraguay
F
Cape Town
11

Tuesday June 15
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
New Zealand vs. Slovakia
F
Rustenburg
12


9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
G
Port Elizabeth
13


2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Brazil vs. Korea DPR
G
Johannesburg
14

Wednesday June 16
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Honduras vs. Chile
H
Nelspruit
15

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Spain vs. Switzerland
H
Durban
16

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
South Africa vs. Uruguay
A
Pretoria
17


Thursday June 17
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Argentina vs. Korea Rep.
B
Johannesburg
18

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Greece vs. Nigeria
B
Bloemfontein
19

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
France vs. Mexico
A
Polokwane
20

Friday June 18
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Germany vs. Serbia
D
Port Elizabeth
21

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovenia vs. USA
C
Johannesburg
22

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
England vs. Algeria
C
Cape Town
23

Saturday June 19
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Netherlands vs. Japan
E
Durban
24

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ghana vs. Australia
D
Rustenburg
25

2 PM - ABC
Cameroon vs. Denmark
E
Pretoria
26

Sunday June 20
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovakia vs. Paraguay
F
Bloemfontein
27

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Italy vs. New Zealand
F
Nelspruit
28

2 PM - ABC
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
G
Johannesburg
29

Monday June 21
7 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Portugal vs. Korea DPR
G
Cape Town
30

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Chile vs. Switzerland
H
Port Elizabeth
31

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Spain vs. Honduras
H
Johannesburg
32

Tuesday June 22
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Mexico vs. Uruguay
A
Rustenburg
33

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
France vs. South AFridayca
A
Bloemfontein
34

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Nigeria vs. Korea Republic
B
Durban
35

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Greece vs. Argentina
B
Polokwane
36

Wednesday June 23
9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Slovenia vs. England
C
Port Elizabeth
37

9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
USA vs. Algeria
C
Pretoria
38

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Ghana vs. Germany
D
Johannesburg
39

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Australia vs. Serbia
D
Nelspruit
40

Thu June 24
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Slovakia vs. Italy
E
Johannesburg
41

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Paraguay vs. New Zealand
E
Polokwane
42

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Denmark vs. Japan
F
Rustenburg
43

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Cameroon vs. Netherlands
F
Cape Town
44

Friday June 25
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Portugal vs. Brazil
G
Durban
45

9:30 AM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Ivory Coast vs. Korea DPR
G
Nelspruit
46

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Chile vs. Spain
H
Pretoria
47

2 PM - ESPN2/ESPN360.com
Switzerland vs. Honduras
H
Bloemfontein
48
2nd Stage – Round of 16

Saturday June 26
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st A vs. 2nd B
Port Elizabeth
49

2 PM - ABC
1st C vs. 2nd D
Rustenburg
50

Sunday June 27
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st D vs. 2nd C
Bloemfontein
51

2 PM - ABC
1st B vs. 2nd A
Johannesburg
52

Monday June 28
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st E vs. 2nd F
Durban
53

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st G vs. 2nd H
Johannesburg
54

Tuesday June 29
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st F vs. 2nd E
Pretoria
55

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
1st H vs. 2nd G
Cape Town
56

2nd Stage -- Quarterfinals
Friday July 2
9:30 AM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners 53 vs. 54
A
Port Elizabeth
57

2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners 49 vs. 50
B
Johannesburg
58

Saturday July 3
9:30 AM
ABC - Winners 52 vs. 51
C
Cape Town
59

2 PM
ABC - Winners 55 vs. 56
D
Johannesburg
60

2nd Stage -- Semifinals
Tuesday July 6
2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners A vs. C
Cape Town
61

Wednesday July 7
2 PM - ESPN/ESPN360.com
Winners B vs. D
Durban
62

Third Place Match
Saturday July 10
2 PM - ABC
Losers – 61 vs. 62
Port Elizabeth
63

2010 FIFA World Cup Title Match
Sunday July 11
1:30 PM
ABC
Winners – 61 vs. 62
Johannesburg
64

Running

Okay so here's the deal.

I'm tired. I'm tired of being called "big guy" as in, "Hey there big guy, how ya doing?" or things like it. I'm tired of everything that comes along with being 'larger' than average. I don't want to be a supermodel. I just want to be in shape. Not only for those reasons but I firmly believe that my body is a temple. I want to take care of my body. Eating right, exercising. 1 Corinthians says: "19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." And so I intend to.

What has happened now is that this blog is turning into a running/workout journal. I want to keep track of the progress that I've made. It's not about calories lost or weight lost. It's about distance run and the way that I feel.

So with that in mind, this past week, I have been running. I've been running til my heart felt like it would explode. Mostly about time run and at what pace than about the actual distance. Well, to be honest, it was about distance at first. But it turned into what it is now. At first I was just focused on losing weight and running miles. But that turned into training. Last week I worked my way up to a solid 10 - 13 minute run. at around 5.5 mph. That was admirable for then. I have since discovered that my body can do more if I just ask it to. So this week I have gone to two-a-days and decided to up my tempo. THIS is what has got me frustrated. at the slower tempo, I can run for 18-22 minutes. But coming to this higher tempo of 6.5-7, I cannot. It's terribly frustrating. I don't think that my body is ready for that kind of run just yet. But I will keep pushing because I know that I can do it. Well, the main problem is really my asthma and not my body. This damn disease has limited me in so many situations and I'm ready for it to be gone. I can't really take this anymore.

We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Rock Climbing and Renewed Friendships

Well, this past weekend I crossed off couple of big things off of my life list and I was terribly excited about it.

Numbers 29 and 33 were both crossed off this weekend when I got the opportunity to join one of my old friends. In case you missed it, 29 on my life list is going rock climbing for real and 33 is to go hiking and camping. So, now that we're all caught up. I got the change to go up to Summersville , West Virginia where Sarah and a bunch of her friends. It was, admittedly, a great time, although not quite what I expected.

When I say not what I expected, I mean it. Since I am new to climbing and have only been climbing in an enclosed gym wall, I was not aware of all of the big productions that go along with climbing outdoors. We would wake up at the crack of dawn and then get into the car and head off to a parking lot. Now, this parking lot was not really connected to anything. It was just a parking lot in the middle of nowhere. We then hiked, on average, 2 miles up and down hills to the base of the walls. When I say hills, I really mean mountains. We hiked up and down mountains for 2 miles. Out. Of. Control. All of that just to get to the climbing spot. By that point, my legs were wrecked but I was still eager to climb.

As it turns out, climbing outdoors is much different from climbing in a gym. Some people like it. Some people don't. The jury is still out on me. It's better because you can put your hands anywhere on the face instead of following a set route. But that also makes it harder for a new climber like myself. You can't always see the holds that you want. But all-in-all, it was tons of fun. I got to make new friends and reconnect with old ones.