The Andre Agassi Saga

There may not be a lot of tennis fans out there, but as a long-time tennis fan (and a little bit of a player myself), the recent revelations that retired tennis star Andre Agassi were still big to me.

For those of you who have not followed tennis/sports news, the former tennis great revealed in a book that he had always hated tennis, and was only forced to play by a verbally demanding (or abusive) father. Agassi also told the world that the very famous hair that he had in his early days turned out to be fake. But the most shocking revelation he gave was that he had used crystal meth during his playing time, and lied to the ATP (the professional organization for men’s tennis) about a failed drug test…

Andre Agassi had always been a tennis player that I liked. When he first came out and was rocking that crazy mane, and when he was playing in torn-up jeans, I marveled at his rebellious image (I was young then too). When he showed up, for the first time, at Wimbledon in his all-white tennis attire, I was rooting for him. Later on in his career, he became a standard for determination on the court. Though he was never my favourite tennis player, he was always a player that I liked, and I liked him a lot.

Did these revelations change the way I look at Agassi? Not a whole lot. I have long come to the realization that we really do not know these people – athletes, movie stars, public figures… many of them have a dark side to them, and though I do not condone that dark side, it is no different than a friend who is struggling with substance abuse issues, or a person I work with who is fighting a losing battle against some personal demons. Yes, Agassi is an athlete, and a very famous one at that. He has, like it or not, become a role model for many. If you have been reading from me long enough, you would know that I have always given praise to individuals, but I have long stopped worshipping them or expecting them to be, holistically, a role model (many of them still have attributes we can learn from and model from).

This, however, does not mean Agassi is spared from my criticism. The drug use, the lies he told the ATP aside, I do question his motives behind this. Many have argued that he is not doing this for the money (he was paid five million dollars up front to write this book) but is instead using this in as an emotional therapy to his past demons. While I do not deny the therapeutic side to his actions, I would also question why these revelations were not given without a return, or why they were not revealed while he was still on tour, but instead came after he had retired, and after he has been fading from the limelight. So these revelations are helping himself emotionally… but while he’s at it, he may as well get paid really, really well to do that.

Just another star that has fallen. If anyone is still idol-worshipping after one of these celebrities, you are naïve behind belief…

Reconcile in Love

October 10, 2009 will be marked as a day that I’ll remember for a long, long time. And I have to thank a lovely couple, who stepped forward to share with us a story of reconciliation.

As a person of faith, and a follower of Jesus Christ, I was taught, like many other Christians, that God’s love brings about forgiveness, that it brings about healing, and that it brings about reconciliation. We listen to those who have taught us, and believe in what we are taught. In many ways, we even experience these lessons in our lives, to a certain extent: over the years, we have learned to lay down some grudges we’ve held against others. Over the years, we have learned to forget some of the sorrows we have experienced, and replaced them with the current joy. Over the years, as we grow, we have learned to understand that some of the rifts left behind are really not that important anymore. All in all, we understand the lessons, and believe in these lessons.

But you have taken these lessons to a whole new level when you took courage to stand in front of so many people, and share with them, in tears, the most concealed wounds that you have suffered. What we witnessed was your forgiveness to those who have hurt you; what we heard was an unconditional plea to reconcile and an open expression of unconditional love in spite of all old wounds and sorrows. Watching you two, I know that God’s love, through you, are shining a lot brighter than what I have ever been taught.

When I saw the hugs you have given out, I know they were not hugs that came from a moment’s of emotions – they were hugs that signalled the true beginning of reconciliation. Like what was said in your slide show, the road is still difficult, but I trust wholeheartedly that you can make it through.

Thank you, for the loveliest testimony of love. I know there is not a whole lot that I can do, but please believe: from this day on, every step that you two take, will come with our blessings, and will come with our prayers.

To a perfect couple, all the best to you!

Listening to your sharing, I cannot but remember this song, “in the seas of life, time flies right by; but through the changes, I have learned to feel the warmth of this family…” It’d be my prayer that your family will be blessed with love and warmth, for now, and for all the future days ahead.

MJ and ET

These last 10 days, we have been bombarded with news and rumours surround Michael Jackson’s passing. While there is absolutely no doubt that Michael Jackson is a transcendent figure in the world of entertainment, I cannot but remember his later days and all the controversies and allegations. Is Michael Jackson a legend? Absolutely. Is he worth the wailing and crying that we are seeing daily in the news? Unless you are actually related to him biologically or in relationship, I think not.

Just a couple days before MJ’s passing, a far less prominent person by the name of Ed Thomas suffered a tragic death. The news, however, did not receive much media attention. Here's one though, from ABC news.

Ed Thomas was a long-time high school football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg, a small town in Iowa, USA. He has coached for over 40 years, and from his small high school program, he has produced four professional football players, no small feat for a program so small. On the day Mr. Thomas died, he was putting in extra time for his players, gathering them for an extra training session. A former student from his high school stormed the changing room where Mr. Thomas was, and shot him in front of his players.

Mr. Thomas is a big-name person in the state of Iowa not because of his coaching genius, but because of his character as a person. A couple years ago, a tornado basically destroyed this small town in Iowa. While many considered leaving the town, Mr. Thomas urged the people to stay, and used the re-building of the school’s football field as a rallying cry to help the town’s people to move on.

In many ways, I understand why Mr. Thomas is not getting the respect and tribute that Michael Jackson is getting – after all, Mr. Thomas was “just” a high school football coach that worked with these teenagers, and showed them how to live their lives the right way. But, isn’t that exactly the problem we have in this society, that we celebrate the stars, and don’t recognize those who are truly making the true difference, one life at a time?

Rest in peace, Mr. Thomas. You have my utmost respect.

One Year Later: The Truth Behind Sichuan’s Earthquake

On May 12, 2008, a large earthquake rocked the province of Sichuan, China. After the quake that killed tens and thousands of people, reporters and journalists arriving at the scene discovered something very unusual: in many towns where many people have died from collapsed buildings, the only buildings that had collapsed were schools. Looking at the ruins of these fallen buildings, people noticed that there were definitely problems associated with the buildings: big pebbles embedded in the cement, and steel bars that are way too narrow – hence the term “tofu constructions.” Seeing these, people cannot but ponder: is the large number of casualties due strictly to a natural disaster, or were there human factors that made a natural disaster much, much worse?

In the year that follows, families of the casualties were running from place to place, trying to seek justice for the deceased. What they did not know was that: for a request that was just, fair, and legal, they would face such oppression. People associated with the government would prevent them from protesting, would try to offer bribes for them to stop protesting, and threaten to use the legal system to punish the families of the victims if they do not stop their struggles.

In the anniversary of the Sichuan Earthquake, Hong Kong’s TVB has shot a short documentary detailing the oppressions these parents and other volunteers have faced. It is a chilling tale, and though this blog is written in English, I trust you would have Chinese-speaking friends who would get a lot from watching it:

The Truth Behind Tofu Constructions: Part 1


The Truth Behind Tofu Constructions: Part 2


The Truth Behind Tofu Constructions: Part 3


To those who are still denying, to this date, of any faults in building these “tofu constructions,” I have but two questions:

First: if the collapsed buildings have fallen strictly due to the earthquake, why in the world were the parents not allowed to openly visit their children’s grave? Why are the parents watched and sometimes taken away by authorities for just talking to the media about their children who died during a “natural disaster?”

Second: for you to be so shameless, so heartless in your treatment to the victims’ families, are you still worthy to be called a human being? Where is your soul, or are you just a ghoul?

I sincerely hope that: after watching these videos, you will share them with those around you, particularly those living in China who may be blocked from seeing these.
Justice for the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake!

Reverse the Curse

This following blog will probably be quite disturbing to some of you, but I think the message is important enough, that I must present it.

Do you know that there were 80 million of orphans in the world in 2000, and now, there are over 150 million?

Do you know that 10 million children in the world are used as sex slaves?

Do you know that 16000 kids die daily because of mal-nourishment, and 38% of the world’s population is mal-nourished?

Do you know that, in some African states, as much as 46% of the population is infected with HIV, and these people would all eventually die from AIDS?

Do you know it only takes about $5US to cure someone from malaria, yet 3 million die each year of this deadly disease carried by mosquitoes?

These are very haunting facts. One cannot look at these facts and not feel a sense of sadness or even outrage – it is as if the world we are living in is cursed.

The curse, however, can be reversed, and we have to be a part of this solution.

Recently, I attended a talk by Tom Davis, CEO of Children’s Hope Chest. Mr. Davis is a man who frequently visits the orphans in Africa, and has established a foundation to provide the much needed care and services to those who are in the deepest trouble. He has also started a campaign called “5 for 50” in hope to advocate for the orphans of the world, particularly those afflicted by HIV and AIDS directly or indirectly. The five things Mr. Davis suggests, in my opinion, are quite doable, and should be done:

1. Give 5 minutes a day to pray for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
2. Give 5 hours a week to fast for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
3. Give 5 dollars a month to the Five for 50 Fund and support worthy causes.
4. Give 5 days a year to travel overseas and help alleviate poverty and suffering.
5. Give 5 people an opportunity to join you on your journey.

We are all a part of this world, and those in the most need are not very far from us; in fact, they are living among us. Please, do your part to help reverse the curse. For more info, please feel free to browse the following websites:

Children’s Hope Chest
Five for 50

Death Is Not a Joking Matter

As someone whose “jokes” have gone too far in the past, I am still extremely appalled by the latest “joke” that has gone bad by the Fox late-night show Red Eye. For those who do not know, host Greg Gutfeld has this show where he and a panel of guests discusses and pokes fun at various current events. On the March 17 episode, Gutfeld and one of his guests mocked the Canadian Forces, noting Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie's recent comment that the military may need a year to recover after Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011.

Gutfeld (left) said, "Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants." His guest, comedian Doug Benson chimed in and said, "I didn't even know they were in the war… I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada."

All this while more Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. (Below, from left to right, Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, are seen in this combination photo.)

Gutfeld has since apologized for his gaffe, after strong criticism from Canadians, including Defense Ministry Peter MacKay.

CBC Report:

Canadian Press Report:

Like I have said, I am a person whose jokes have gone too far in the past. And, I am the last person to say that there is no place for humour in our lives, that we should all day just be taking about serious things and have a stern face on. But something is just out of bounds. A life-threatening disease is not funny, a person’s disability is not funny, a person’s religious and/or cultural rituals are not funny, and death is NOT funny. I know this episode of “Red Eye” was done BEFORE the latest weekend where four Canadians were killed in Afghanistan, but this has been an ongoing mission, and people have been dying in the mission for a very long time. It is as dispicible as those losers who clapped their hands when the Twin Towers fell in 9-11.

The line between humour and flippancy is sometimes not all that clear, but as a public figure, Gutfeld and many, many others need to check themselves ever-more-closely: I always think you can be classy without being boring, and funny without being offensive. Sadly, many public figures cannot do that.

It Only Takes One...

When you tune in to the local news station these days, two major themes are being reported: the gang violence in Metro Vancouver, and the inquiry of the taser-led death of the polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski.

For those who don't remember, Mr. Dziekanski arrived at the Vancouver International Airport from Poland on one October night in 2007. After clearing immigration, he was seen wandering in the waiting area for HOURS, and grew increasingly distressed. The surveillance camera showed that Mr. Dziekanski began to set up a barricade using his luggage, and was talking to himself. 4 RCMP officers eventually arrived, and, as some of you may have seen in a graphic and disturbing video, tasered him repeatedly. He eventually died.

The hearing/inquiry aims to investigate whether the RCMP officers did the right thing in handling Mr. Dziekanski’s situation, and whether any foul play was involved in preventing him from receiving first aid treatment after he was tasered. I will not pretend to be a legal expert and predict what the outcome is, nor am I going to say whether the officers were in any way at fault (I do have my doubts as to why they looked at a man holding a stapler in a “combat stance” as dangerous that warrants repeated taser blasts…). I just want to think of what we are doing to our neighbours.

Mr. Dziekanski was on a flight from a foreign country. It is safe to assume that, on that flight, there were others who could speak Polish. It is also safe to assume that during the six or more hours that he was wandering at YVR, there would have been people who saw this really distressed man not finding his way, not finding his family. Had a fellow passenger from the plane took a little time to ask the man if there was something he/she could do, or had there been a staff at YVR who came to his assistance shortly after he was noticed to be wandering, the RCMP officers never would have been dispatched in the first place.

We never think that being kind to those around us could make a world of a difference, could make a difference between life and death. I was at this suicide-assistance training course earlier, and the speaker told us that many people who tried to kill themselves actually just need that ONE person to show them that they are still being cared for. In Mr. Dziekanski’s case, had someone shown care, he might have been led to safety to meet his mother. In the case of those around you who are struggling in life, a word of comfort and support may be all it takes to encourage that person to hold on through the tough times. Why are we still too stingy to express that we care?

It only takes one...

Two Weeks Too Late

For the last few years, I have frequented a senior home in Richmond. It is not because I have a relative living there, but because our church pays a monthly visit to these seniors to sing and play some games with them.

A few weeks ago, we went in with a special mission. As we were approaching Chinese New Year, we went in to take pictures of these seniors. The intent was to take these pictures, develop them, and then put the pictures in a hand-made card to give back to them. It was a fun afternoon watching the seniors pay special attention to their hair and their clothes, even though many of them were so frail they could not even walk. Some seniors were very mindful of their appearance, and we had to reassure them over and over that their smiles are by far the most important thing. And they were – the nicest pictures were the ones where an old man or an old lady was beaming with joy while posing for us.

This past Saturday, we came back to the seniors’ home to deliver our finished products. We have developed our pictures, decorated the hand-made cards, and put them nicely together with our good wishes and what not. When we arrived and saw some of the seniors, they were laughing so joyously when looking at our hand-made cards and the pictures. Pictures were a luxury back in the day, and though technology has advanced to a point where you can take thousands of pictures in a matter of minutes at basically no cost, many of the seniors still kept that old-school feeling of a picture being so precious.

There were a few cards that could not be delivered because we could not find the men and women in the pictures. When we showed the cards to the staff working at the seniors home, she browsed through each card, and told us if the person in picture had gone out with his/her family, or was currently resting in his/her room.

Then came a card where the staff had a long pause. “She passed away last week,” she said calmly. To a person working in a seniors’ home, I guess that was quite a normal event. To me, though, it was a very strong phrase. Here we were, two weeks ago, taking a picture with this old lady. I still remember how careful she was in the way she sat and dressed. I remember her not feeling satisfied with the initial pictures taken, and we had to re-take several more for her until she felt the pictures were done well. Two weeks ago, she was still talking to us rather happily; two weeks later, she is gone, almost forgotten (certainly forgotten by her family, who, according to the worker at the seniors’ home, would not even fly over for her funeral service).

This message was probably preached to you many times in the past, but when it actually happened to someone you know, it hits you hard. Cherish those around you, for they may not be around. Never forget to say “I love you” to those around you who you love – you may never get that chance again…

Rest in peace, Mrs. Au.