Day 11 – a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you

Alright,I’m back, again. Sorry for the delay. Life has gotten a little busier, and this topic was somewhat difficult to answer. I was thinking that I would have multiple pictures to illustrate each stage of my life and explain how each picture of something/someone impacted it. Instead I’m going to do two pictures of impactful things/people.

I mentioned this in previous posts, but when I was younger I loved comic books. And even now, I still enjoy reading them. My favourite superhero, then as it is now is Superman.

Superman’s personality/origin hasn’t changed much over the years; which according to most people is kinda boring. The character had a big impact on me, because of what he stands for. Where other’s have latched onto the idea of Arthurian chivalry, or Japanese samurai honor. Superman’s character is always portrayed as one that looks only for the best in people (no matter the social class, or even if they are enemies). He is all about truth, freedom, and human dignity. That’s how I aspired to be, and it was a nice reminder that Jesus lived that way too.

The picture I am going to put up is a person that has recently (the past couple of years) made a large impact on how I see Jesus, the world, and theology in general (which if you think about it, shapes how I see the world and Jesus…and vice versa).

Matt Chandler is the pastor of the Village Church. Now I have never actually personally met him…or been to the church he teaches at. However, God has/continues to use Matt’s messages to convict me in how I see the world, how I see other people, how I see myself and most importantly how I see Jesus. It hasn’t just been his messages he teaches on Sunday that have made an impact. It has also been the way he conducts his life. In the face of a brain tumour he can still say that “Jesus is more than enough”. His life is consistent with what he teaches to his people on Sunday. It’s something I’m rather thankful for, challenged by, and impacted by.

Hansen

Let’s pull a switch

Day 09 – If you could switch places with anyone for one week, who would it be and why

note: pictures of the people I want, or wanted to switch places with will be posted at the bottom of the entry.

This one took awhile to think of. At first, I was thinking maybe I would like to switch places with Georges “Rush” St.-Pierre, but then I decided against it. This is due to the fact that, though I do like watching the occasional MMA event and GSP is my favourite mixed martial artist. I don’t think I would want to switch places with him though.

Instead, I think I would want to switch places with either Masaharu Morimoto (Iron Chef) or Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-ins and dives) for two completely different reasons. I would want to switch with Masaharu Morimoto because of his incredible artistry in the kitchen. I’m not talking about the quality of food (which undoubtedly would be amazing) but how he makes food look like art.

Here is a video of a dish he made for Iron Chef: Battle Asparagus. It is a “stained-glass” sushi. The presentation is found 8:26 into the video. It is an absolutely beautiful piece of food, and from the sounds of the judges it tasted rather amazing as well.

Simply put, I would love to learn how to make sushi, and food in general, as beautiful and delicious as him.

I would enjoy switching places with Guy Fieri because he gets to travel around the USA eating at little restaurants that aren’t necessarily well-known but are popular. The restaurants that are shown on his show, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” maybe little independently owned restaurants but the food that they make look absolutely AMAZING. Switching places with Guy would be fun because I would get to travel and eat food. two of the things I enjoy. 🙂

So by order of the names mentioned, here are the pictures of the people.

1) GSP

UFC Welterweight champ Georges "Rush" St - Pierre

2) Masaharu Morimoto

Former Iron Chef Japanese and Current Iron Chef Morimoto. He makes food look like art.

3) Guy Fieri

If I switched places with him. I would do away with the hair. Just not a huge fan of bleach blonde. but he seems so cool!

Hansen

Things that made me smile:

– getting called into work (hooray for extra hours!)

– being able to joke and laugh genuinely with cheerful customers.

– little kids

It’s a bird! No, It’s a plane! It’s…….

Day 03 – My favourite superhero

As I created this list, one of the fun topics that I knew that I would have to put in would be this one. Now it’s no secret that I LOVE superheros and comic books. I grew up on them, heck when I was younger I wanted superpowers. Now I’m not going to go all fanboy on you (although, I’m not entirely too sure I’m knowledgeable enough to actually do that). However if you were to ask me which of the two giant comic book companies that I preferred (Marvel or DC) I would unequivocally say that I enjoy DC superheroes much more. Sure Marvel’s Spider-man and X-men characters are much more human and relate-able, but there’s just something about DC superheroes that are just enjoyable. There is just something about them that stirs up emotions of excitement that Marvel superheroes never could.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike Spiderman or other Marvel characters, it’s just that at the end of the day, if I were to choose a collection of comics to read I would choose DC characters.

There are many DC characters that I really enjoy. Some of my favourites include: The Flash (Wally West, but moreso Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner and Hal Jordan), Batman, Green Arrow and the Blue Beetle. However there is one character that stands head and shoulders above them all. If anything he’s the one that kick started the superhero craze. He’s died once, and come back to life. I would argue that he is probably one of the most iconic characters DC has. He is none other than Superman.

Alex Ross has some of the best comic book art I have ever seen

Many people find him boring, too one dimensional…too goody goody, righteous, invincible…etc. And I can see their points, but that’s what I like about him. That is what draws me to him. When I was younger, one of the biggest reason that Superman was (still is) my favourite superhero is because he inspired hope. He essentially personified truth, justice, hope and freedom. And in a way, many writers still write him as such (while trying to make him more human). It would be a lie to say that when I was younger I didn’t want to do the same. When I read comics, I would often imagine myself doing what Superman did. Inspiring hope…personifying truth, justice and freedom. As geeky as that sounds, I believe that all children and younger people have huge dreams of doing something similar.

So yes, Superman is my favourite superhero. Not because I can relate, but because of what he represents, inspires and fights for. And to me, that is what a superhero should be.

Things that made me smile today:

– listening to a brilliant message by Tim Keller (convicting but joy bringing) reminding me that true spiritual growth isn’t instantaneous, but rather it can/is a slow process that may not be noticeable but it still happens.

-starting an IBS (inductive bible study) on 1st Timothy

-shoveling the snow

– writing this blog post and remembering why I enjoy comics and Superman in particular

Hansen

Blog challenge pt II: Return of the 30 day blog challenge

Ah, it’s a new year.  yes I am four days late on that. Sorry. Anyway, I recently have finished one 30 day blog challenge (which admittedly I don’t think I actually finished in 30 days). However, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed much of the topics that were presented. There was quite the balance of fun ones that didn’t take much time, and reflective ones that took longer. So I decided to do another 30 day blog challenge. I did, unfortunately hit a snag. And that snag was that many of the 30 day challenges I came across were far too shallow for too much of the challenge (or ALL of it), or they were too serious. So i decided to make my own list with the questions that looked fun,interesting and reflective. I will begin doing it again shortly, and much like last time I’ll probably do 7 posts in a row and take a one to two day break. So here we go again! And here is the list of the upcoming topics (just so you know the questions with the names beside them are ones that my friends have suggested).

1)    A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

2)    What are you passionate about?

3)    Favorite super hero and why

4)    Would you rather someone tell you the truth up front but gently, or be lied to to spare your feelings?

5)     The meaning behind your WordPress name

6)    Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

7)    Pick a song that projects the same mood as your day or week and explain.

8)     What makes you different from everyone else

9)     If you could trade places with anyone for one week, who would it be and why?

10)  Most inspiring Asian – Andrew Tan Wei Aun

11) A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

12) Do you feel protective over someone?

13) What do you think it means to be in love?

14) Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

15) What is your favourite kind of food (to eat/make) and why? – Kristen Soo

16) Your Favourite Pirate – Alex Mcphie

17) Your opinions on Lady Gaga

18) Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

19) Is there anything you would you like to change about yourself?

20) Who are you? In comparison to who you used to be. What made you change?

21) Favoritest animal ever and why

22) in what ways is voice important to you? what would you ever do if you lost that voice? – Sarah Harris

23) How do you think people see you? Be a little negative and a little positive.

24)  Is there anything you would you like to change about yourself?

25) When you are stressed, what can you use as an outlet? Why do you think it helps you?

26) A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

27) Tell us about the last movie you saw in theatres

28) What I would find in your bag

29) What you wanted to be as a kid – Amanda Marvin

30) Look back. Why did you choose this challenge? Do you think it says anything about you?

Just something new for hopefully every post onward:

I think, for me at least, that too often I forget to remember the little things, or seemingly insignificant things that give me joy, or make me smile. I have a couple of blogs that I go to, where the author lists things that make them smile, or bring them joy. So in an effort to remember, and cherish the little moments of joy and happiness that each day brings, I will begin listing them here on my blog at the end of everyone of my posts.

Things that made me smile today:

– my co-workers, I seriously enjoy working at Bath and Body Works. It’s not so much the fact that I like retail/customer service jobs. It’s moreso the fact that most of the co-workers that I’ve gotten to know and work with are such a joy to be around.

– customers that are genuinely grateful for help in finding discontinued products during a time of crazy sales.

– little kids. They are just so precious.

– Working out. Even though some days I feel lazy and don’t want to do my full work out (like today) I still love it. It’s quite refreshing.

Hansen

It’s the final day!

WOW! I finally hit day 30 of this first 30 day blog challenge! I’m finished! That’s so crazy. For those that have kept up with all (or a majority) of the posts. Thank you. To those that knew me before I began writing this thing, well, you now know me just a little bit better. or something like that. I think that the topic for the final day is rather fitting. It is another list…no not a silly one. Rather the topic is my highs and lows for this month. Now I know that I didn’t actually finish this in a month. If you take into account the days that I took a break, more likely I finished this in a month and a half or a bit. So I will go with that. And without further delay here is the final topic:

Day 30 – your highs and lows of the month (and a half…or a bit)

Highs

-becoming an uncle a few days before Christmas 😀

-getting a new Canon DSLR camera + pretty sweet looking single shoulder bag carrying case

-getting a signed copy of J.I packers “knowing God”

-going to see the Terracotta exhibit and other exhibits at the ROM and eating fantastic food afterwards.

Lows

– essentially being frozen on the application process for teaching ESL in Korea. (one out of two reference letters….even though I contacted four (FOUR!) people about it, and the RCMP is really behind in the whole police check thing)

Wow, I honestly thought that there would be more lows. but that is the only thing that comes to my mind. It was the only event that was/is incredibly frustrating. However, it is something that is quite out of my control. I trust that Jesus put the everything back into motion, in His time, and not mine.

As for the highs, I’m in awe at how incredibly blessed I am. I am thankful for a wonderful family and incredible friends. I’m thankful that Jesus has used them to grow me, love me, encourage me, challenge me (to step up, to grow up), call me out on things, to laugh with and at me.

So there you have it. The final post of the first 30 day list. I’m probably going to take a break and begin a new one in the new year. Prior to starting it, I’ll post the list of all the topics so that you, dear readers, know what you are getting into.

Hansen

Day 21- One of your favourite shows.

I have a few shows that I really enjoy. One of them is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (classic 80’s – ’96 version), another is the Justice League cartoon show, and then of course there is the Animaniacs and the classic Batman the animated series (looooove it).

But for this entry I would have to say that my favourite show would have to be the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I really enjoy the show because it shows such a wide range of emotions, and storylines. There’s comedy and drama. There are shows about ridiculous things, and serious things like racism, and father abandonment. In fact, one of my favourite episodes was when Will’s father came back to visit him. I think that’s one of the first times I actually straight up bawled over a tv show.

Here’s the clip of the ending of the episode. The episode is called Papa’s got a brand new excuse. and this is from the end of the episode where Will’s father visits him, and abandons him again after planning a summer trip. I watched the clip again…and cried.

Hansen

Day 15 – Your favourite blogs.

Yay! It’s another list. Expect to see another one today at some point. At least that is my intention, but i will make no promises. Because sometimes life happens. Still though, Thank you all for reading this blog. Though I do not know who most of you are. Thank you for taking the time out of your life just to get a small glimpse into mine. Hope your day is swell! 🙂

So day 15 – Your favourite blogs

Ok, I have a lot of blogs that I have bookmarked. Most of them are my friends blogs. But there are some that aren’t. As a rule, I try to go on all of them at least once every couple of days to see if it has been updated. (some of you do a bad job of updating by the way….but we can still be friends 🙂 ) haha. Here is the list of blogs I go visit on an almost daily basis. because of I love reading them so much. Due to a mix of thoughtful insights, reflections, humour and whatnot. I am thankful that Jesus gave them the talent and openness to put what they put over the internet, it is quite the encouragement and challenge at times.

The Battle Cry – This blog is my dear friend, Dan Hsu’s blog. His blog (when he updates) tends to make me laugh, but more importantly, it often challenges me to make deeper, more honest, reflections on my life. I am very thankful to have him as a close brother, and am quite blessed to have served with him in East Asia (both as students, and then as interns). Miss you bro! I will make the Vancouver trip happen….or you can make an Ontario trip!

Of First Importance – This little blog is just daily excerpts and quotes from various sources just talking about the wonderful work of the Gospel and ALL it does for us. It’s wonderful because it reminds me that the Cross isn’t only for Salvation, but the Cross has SO many more beautiful sides to it.

DJ’s Wonder Blog – This is one of the blogs that isn’t updated too often, but when it is there is just SO much content. I find that I can’t get through an entry in one sitting. It’s just a wonderful reminder of God’s Grace and Mercy towards us.

There you have it, my favourite blogs. I honestly thought the list would have been bigger, considering there are many blogs that I do go to. I bet I am missing some. But as of this moment, those three are the ones that I enjoy reading the most. Because of the honesty, the challenges, and encouragements.

Hansen

Day 10 – Discuss your first love

Well, because this is such an open ended question, I will treat it as such. The word love, in different contexts means completely different things. I don’t love my friends the same way I love music. I don’t love music the same way that I love my purple sweater vest (which by the way is awesome!). And if I did love all of those the same way…..well that would be cause to have an intervention/beat down from all my friends.

When I saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, that was what got me hooked on the super hero genre.  What’s there not to love about these four mutated, talking turtles from the sewers of New York? I loved them when I was little, and I still get a kick out of the cheesy one liners . Plus that show had one of the best theme songs….of all time. Naturally my love for TMNT, transferred over to the Power Rangers, which I must say didn’t age as well as the Turtles but on occasion I still watch it. And yes, Power Rangers also had quite the awesome theme song as well….a full 3+ minutes of epic theme song…. 😀

I first fell in love with hip-hop music because of Mars ill (shout out to Jerry Bolton for that). There was just something about the intensity of manChild’s delivery that hooked me in, the creativity and imagery within the lyrics and the always chill beats from Dust that I just love. Since then I’ve discovered other artists that blow my mind just as much, but Mars ill is the one that hooked me into a genre I never thought I could love this much.

Hansen

Day 08 – A moment where you felt most satisfied with your life.

hm, this one is a hard one. If I were to be honest, the times where I feel most satisfied is when I spend time with my dear friends, or spend time with Jesus…and a combination of the two w/food. haha.

I don’t know, I enjoy doing many things, but I don’t think I can necessarily say that I am satisfied with what I do. But the times where I have the most joy is when I am with a small group of my friends, talking life, hanging out, travelling, laughing loud and/or eating food. That is when I feel the most satisfied, because the privilege to do five with incredible friends is truly a blessing indeed. I don’t think I ever dreamed about having friends as amazing as I have now. Friends from all over Canada (Miss you all by the way!), a dear friend in Vancouver, and several of them here in PTBO, Toronto, and Mississauga. I am truly truly blessed, and am amazed you all have stuck with me for this long.

So thank you, because I get great satisfaction hearing about your lives, laughing with you, eating with you, and just talking with you. And thank you Jesus, for putting so many stellar people in my life. I don’t know how I could get through it without them.

Hansen

Beautiful People

I have recently discovered a musician that brings joy to my heart. His name is Sam Ock. He’s got shades of Michael Buble in his voice, and I love the songs he usually sings. Which are a mix of him singing/rapping/having other rappers in there too. The message and the beat are fun, positive and with that combo, it brings a smile to my face.

Here are some of my favourite videos/songs by him, or he collab-ed on:

1) Beautiful People

2) Never Change

3) Little Light

4) Love

5) Hello Hummingbird

so there are some fun things for you.

Hansen