Tuesday, August 16, 2005
FINAL ENTRY
The flight back from New Zealand was pleasant. I had a moment of anxiety at LAX as I just made my flight back to Canada (gotta love the many layers of security at US airports)! And what a pleasant surprise to see Tammy and Clinton waiting for me when I got back!
Well, this concludes a remarkable journey for me in 2005. To try to summarize this trip in a few words just does not do it justice. Plus, I would love to share about my experiences in person! Some strong impressions about my trip down under:
- COMMUNITY - I'm reminded about my amazing community, friends and family members who take more than just an interest in what I do, particularly when it comes to caring for the world
- BEAUTY IN NATURE - in a country that is a quarter the size of the province of Ontario, I was taken back by its overwhelming natural beauty. Rolling pastures, attention-seeking peaks and clear waters are bountiful and hard to ignore.
- ISLAND WEATHER - it's all about extremes! Sure, it could get up to 20 degrees (Celsius) during the day time, but it's gets down to freezing during the nights. As well, it could be sunny and clear one moment and then pouring heavy rain the next. The key is to dress for all conditions.
- PASSIONATE PEOPLE - what an incredible experience to meet 13 other like minded people, all of whom come from various professional backgrounds and life journeys, but all of whom share a desire to heal the world. Although we had diverse personalities and dynamics, everyone gave 100% It's rare to see a group with that much dedication.
To wrap up this trip, I am hosting a post-trip dinner on Saturday August 27, 2005. As someone who has tracked with me, I would be honoured if you could join me so that I can share more about this trip. Here are the details:
Where: 14 Gatehead Rd.,North York,ON, CANADA
When: Saturday, August 27, 5:00pm
Phone: 416-302-0080
Map to the location: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=14+gatehead+road,+toronto,+on&spn=0.023899,0.058464&hl=en
(just email me at: duffshot@gmail.com if you're interested in coming and haven't received the evite)
Finally, thank you for supporting me. The support that I have received during my preparation, the thoughts and prayers while I was away, and certainly your interest as I have returned are invaluable to me. This trip to New Zealand will always be remembered as a collective journey.
Tim Chan
2005
Well, this concludes a remarkable journey for me in 2005. To try to summarize this trip in a few words just does not do it justice. Plus, I would love to share about my experiences in person! Some strong impressions about my trip down under:
- COMMUNITY - I'm reminded about my amazing community, friends and family members who take more than just an interest in what I do, particularly when it comes to caring for the world
- BEAUTY IN NATURE - in a country that is a quarter the size of the province of Ontario, I was taken back by its overwhelming natural beauty. Rolling pastures, attention-seeking peaks and clear waters are bountiful and hard to ignore.
- ISLAND WEATHER - it's all about extremes! Sure, it could get up to 20 degrees (Celsius) during the day time, but it's gets down to freezing during the nights. As well, it could be sunny and clear one moment and then pouring heavy rain the next. The key is to dress for all conditions.
- PASSIONATE PEOPLE - what an incredible experience to meet 13 other like minded people, all of whom come from various professional backgrounds and life journeys, but all of whom share a desire to heal the world. Although we had diverse personalities and dynamics, everyone gave 100% It's rare to see a group with that much dedication.
To wrap up this trip, I am hosting a post-trip dinner on Saturday August 27, 2005. As someone who has tracked with me, I would be honoured if you could join me so that I can share more about this trip. Here are the details:
Where: 14 Gatehead Rd.,North York,ON, CANADA
When: Saturday, August 27, 5:00pm
Phone: 416-302-0080
Map to the location: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=14+gatehead+road,+toronto,+on&spn=0.023899,0.058464&hl=en
(just email me at: duffshot@gmail.com if you're interested in coming and haven't received the evite)
Finally, thank you for supporting me. The support that I have received during my preparation, the thoughts and prayers while I was away, and certainly your interest as I have returned are invaluable to me. This trip to New Zealand will always be remembered as a collective journey.
Tim Chan
2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
FINAL UPDATE FROM NEW ZEALAND
We have arrived in Auckland. After completing the final touches to the house yesterday, it was sentimental leaving the work site for the very last time. We shared a final team meal in Hamilton in a hip placed called The Iguana, which came highly recommended by the locals. We said our good-byes this morning to Wayne, our build supervisor. He wished us well and we hoped that the house will continue to stand after we leave!
Andrea is a member of a partner family who will be receiving her house in 2006. As part of her "sweat equity", she volunteered her time on the build site with us. She is a lovely lady, always a smile on her face, brining us water and lollipops! On the very last day of the build, she made this amazing dessert called Pavlova. Generally speaking, I don't take too many of the sweets during our break times (affectionately called "SMOKO" in New Zealand), but I couldn't resist! It was quite touching when Andrea came by and wished each of us safe travel at the end of the work day.
With the afternoon to ourselves, I decided to go on a "tramp", a hike in a local park. We were taken there by one of the local volunteers, Malcolm. He is quite the avid tramper and took us to Mount Hakarimata. In order to get to the summit, one has to scale 1,000 steps! Along the way (as we caught our breathes) we were introduced to some native trees. There was one tree that was so large in girth that it would take about 8 people to hold hands to encircle it! And the view from up top was just breath-taking. The great thing about this trip was that is was not a "tourist trap" - only locals really knew of this place. It really felt like a different world in the trees as there were many tropical-like ferns and palms. It was an amazing way to end of the trip!
Well, thanks for tracking along with me so far. This is my last update before I head back to Toronto. I have so many different stories and experiences look forward to sharing them with you, either electronically or in person. Check back with this blog as there will still be updates. I will be landing in TO around midnight on Monday night. Check the "Flight Information" section of the blog for more details.
At the start of our 1,000 step climb up to the summit of this amazing mount.
At the top of Mount Hakarimata - AMAZING!!
The Mill Lodge Motor Inn, what I called home for the past 2 weeks.
Tim Tams or Chit Chat - the jury is still out on which is the better of the two biscuits!
Andrea, a partner family member who brought us water, lollipops and Pavlova!
Andrea is a member of a partner family who will be receiving her house in 2006. As part of her "sweat equity", she volunteered her time on the build site with us. She is a lovely lady, always a smile on her face, brining us water and lollipops! On the very last day of the build, she made this amazing dessert called Pavlova. Generally speaking, I don't take too many of the sweets during our break times (affectionately called "SMOKO" in New Zealand), but I couldn't resist! It was quite touching when Andrea came by and wished each of us safe travel at the end of the work day.
With the afternoon to ourselves, I decided to go on a "tramp", a hike in a local park. We were taken there by one of the local volunteers, Malcolm. He is quite the avid tramper and took us to Mount Hakarimata. In order to get to the summit, one has to scale 1,000 steps! Along the way (as we caught our breathes) we were introduced to some native trees. There was one tree that was so large in girth that it would take about 8 people to hold hands to encircle it! And the view from up top was just breath-taking. The great thing about this trip was that is was not a "tourist trap" - only locals really knew of this place. It really felt like a different world in the trees as there were many tropical-like ferns and palms. It was an amazing way to end of the trip!
Well, thanks for tracking along with me so far. This is my last update before I head back to Toronto. I have so many different stories and experiences look forward to sharing them with you, either electronically or in person. Check back with this blog as there will still be updates. I will be landing in TO around midnight on Monday night. Check the "Flight Information" section of the blog for more details.
At the start of our 1,000 step climb up to the summit of this amazing mount.
At the top of Mount Hakarimata - AMAZING!!
The Mill Lodge Motor Inn, what I called home for the past 2 weeks.
Tim Tams or Chit Chat - the jury is still out on which is the better of the two biscuits!
Andrea, a partner family member who brought us water, lollipops and Pavlova!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
THE NEXT HOUSE
Well, it seems that our progress has been favourable. We have started working on the next house. This time, a few members of my team and I were transported to a site located nearby our first build site. This new site is actually in the backyard of an existing house which has been sectioned off as a separate lot. We started to put the fence in, as well as lay the footings for the new building.
Meanwhile, back at the original house, the final touches are being applied. Both the interior and the exterior is being painted. Work on this house should be completed by tomorrow. The plan is then to 'transport' this house to the destination community. The local Habitat office will continue to work through the application process, and hopefully find a family to live in this house.
I am keeping well. Health wise I am doing fine and I am so grateful for the other hard core athletes that are on this team who have been keeping me motivated to continue staying active. They have been feeding us well and we have had many opportunities to mingle with the local community. I am starting to get used to the Kiwi accent as well as which way to look when crossing the street!
Meanwhile, back at the original house, the final touches are being applied. Both the interior and the exterior is being painted. Work on this house should be completed by tomorrow. The plan is then to 'transport' this house to the destination community. The local Habitat office will continue to work through the application process, and hopefully find a family to live in this house.
I am keeping well. Health wise I am doing fine and I am so grateful for the other hard core athletes that are on this team who have been keeping me motivated to continue staying active. They have been feeding us well and we have had many opportunities to mingle with the local community. I am starting to get used to the Kiwi accent as well as which way to look when crossing the street!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
DAYS OFF
After 5 days of continuous building, we were able to take the weekend off for some well deserved rest. This gave our team an opportunity to see some other parts of New Zealand and to get immersed in some of its cultural aspects. Thanks to Shirley Bennett from the local Habitat affiliate who arranged all our activities!
MAORI VILLAGE AND GEOTHERMAL OCCURENCES
The Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, also known as New Zealand. They are a people rich of history and relics. Our visit to one of the Maori villages gave us a glimpse of this culture, as we were given a small presentation of Maori song and dance. This particular village is located on an active geothermal occurences and all around us, sulphur smelling mists were rising out of holes in the ground. The villagers use this natural heat source for their cooking, cleaning and bathing. Although I was thrilled to have been given some exposure to this significant people group, I was saddened that they had to "perform" for us.
CHURCH AT EASTSIDE'S
No, it wasn't a church set in a popular American Italian restaurant! Eastside Apostolic Church is located about 10 minutes from where our motel is. Not really knowing what to expect, I was absolutely thrilled to have sat in on a fairly contemporary service, where there was lots of worship, various media presentations and a brief sermon about "Trusting In God". The people were quite friendly and it is a regular practice for the church to recognize those in the congregation who were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries!
CLIMBING THE UNKNOWN MOUNTAIN
Today we had the chance to scale a mountain for which I forgot to note the name of. It is located on the north east side of New Zealand, where one side of the inlet borders a bay, and the other side borders the Pacific Ocean. It was amazing! It was about 45 minutes of steep climbing before we got to the summit and we were met with hurricane like winds and rains. But it was well worth it as the view was just stunning!
SWIMMING IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN!
I wish! With temperatures here hovering around 5 degrees, one can imagine how cold the waters would be. Plus, they were quite choppy. So, I had to settle for an outdoor hot pool! Very refreshing on the sore muscles from a week's worth of construction.
This sign is meant for the visiting tourists. But I wonder if it could also be meant for keeping the Maori out of their rightful land...
All the water in this village is heated by the natural geothermal pockets. On a cold day like the one when we visited, mist is perpetually rising.
Michael, our Maori guide during the tour of his village. He is explaining to us the gysers that we are looking at.
MAORI VILLAGE AND GEOTHERMAL OCCURENCES
The Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, also known as New Zealand. They are a people rich of history and relics. Our visit to one of the Maori villages gave us a glimpse of this culture, as we were given a small presentation of Maori song and dance. This particular village is located on an active geothermal occurences and all around us, sulphur smelling mists were rising out of holes in the ground. The villagers use this natural heat source for their cooking, cleaning and bathing. Although I was thrilled to have been given some exposure to this significant people group, I was saddened that they had to "perform" for us.
CHURCH AT EASTSIDE'S
No, it wasn't a church set in a popular American Italian restaurant! Eastside Apostolic Church is located about 10 minutes from where our motel is. Not really knowing what to expect, I was absolutely thrilled to have sat in on a fairly contemporary service, where there was lots of worship, various media presentations and a brief sermon about "Trusting In God". The people were quite friendly and it is a regular practice for the church to recognize those in the congregation who were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries!
CLIMBING THE UNKNOWN MOUNTAIN
Today we had the chance to scale a mountain for which I forgot to note the name of. It is located on the north east side of New Zealand, where one side of the inlet borders a bay, and the other side borders the Pacific Ocean. It was amazing! It was about 45 minutes of steep climbing before we got to the summit and we were met with hurricane like winds and rains. But it was well worth it as the view was just stunning!
SWIMMING IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN!
I wish! With temperatures here hovering around 5 degrees, one can imagine how cold the waters would be. Plus, they were quite choppy. So, I had to settle for an outdoor hot pool! Very refreshing on the sore muscles from a week's worth of construction.
This sign is meant for the visiting tourists. But I wonder if it could also be meant for keeping the Maori out of their rightful land...
All the water in this village is heated by the natural geothermal pockets. On a cold day like the one when we visited, mist is perpetually rising.
Michael, our Maori guide during the tour of his village. He is explaining to us the gysers that we are looking at.
Friday, August 05, 2005
THE FIRST WORK WEEK DONE!
All is fine and I'm just amazed by the progress that our team has collectively made! It's hard to believe that just five days ago, there was only a platform sitting where now sits a nearly completed house. Most of the work that still needs to be done is on the inside, including painting and trimming. Because the house will be "transported" to the final location, we don't have to worry about things like a deck or landscaping.
I have worked on many things in the past couple of days. The siding of the house proved to be a big task because this one-story bungalow is pretty long. Instead of using vinyl siding, we are installing "Hardyplanks", which is a ceramic like siding board. It was so satisfying when they installed the front door today! Most of my team (including me) is exhausted, but we are feeling a sense of accomplishment, knowing that our hard work will one day represent someone's home.
Cec (short for Cecil) has been driving us every morning from our motel to the work site. He is retired and has been involved with Habitat for many years now. In fact, had it not been for so many volunteers this time around, he would have been intimately involved with this build. He is a sweet elderly gentleman who has a lot of great New Zealand stories. We had dinner with him and his wife Julia. I found out from Julia that her involvement with Habitat is somewhat limited because of her heart ailment (only 14% of her heart is functioning right now). Yet, she is still actively serving in her church as part of the library and welcome ministries. They are a very inspiring couple!
Tommorow is our first day off and our team has been invited to Rotorua, a city about 2 hours away from Hamilton. More updates to come!
Picture of the house after day 3...
A view from the finished roof. Moo!
Another view form the finished roof.
Cec, our bus driver drives this manual transmission bus. All drivers here drive on the left side.
I have worked on many things in the past couple of days. The siding of the house proved to be a big task because this one-story bungalow is pretty long. Instead of using vinyl siding, we are installing "Hardyplanks", which is a ceramic like siding board. It was so satisfying when they installed the front door today! Most of my team (including me) is exhausted, but we are feeling a sense of accomplishment, knowing that our hard work will one day represent someone's home.
Cec (short for Cecil) has been driving us every morning from our motel to the work site. He is retired and has been involved with Habitat for many years now. In fact, had it not been for so many volunteers this time around, he would have been intimately involved with this build. He is a sweet elderly gentleman who has a lot of great New Zealand stories. We had dinner with him and his wife Julia. I found out from Julia that her involvement with Habitat is somewhat limited because of her heart ailment (only 14% of her heart is functioning right now). Yet, she is still actively serving in her church as part of the library and welcome ministries. They are a very inspiring couple!
Tommorow is our first day off and our team has been invited to Rotorua, a city about 2 hours away from Hamilton. More updates to come!
Picture of the house after day 3...
A view from the finished roof. Moo!
Another view form the finished roof.
Cec, our bus driver drives this manual transmission bus. All drivers here drive on the left side.
Me getting on the bus at the start of our day!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
FAST PROGRESS!
Well, it's been 3 days and we have seen some amazing progress on the house that we're working on! Finally, we experienced our first clear day today - not a cloud in sight. Aside from the rain, we have had to contend with "winter-like" conditions; having come from a heat wave in Toronto, the current 10 degree weather is somewhat crisp.
I have had an amazing time getting to know my team members. Everyone seems to have their own story and have journeyed from different experiences. The one thing that impresses me the most is that everyone is so willing to chip in! I have often found myself with nothing to do because other team members have volunteered themselves much faster. This is the main reason that I'm attributing to for the progress of our build.
We are also getting accustomed to the Kiwi accent. This comes from interaction with the locals that are also building on this house. In fact, our foreman is a New Zealander, so one really has to pay attention to his orders, both because of the accent and the construction-speak. I've only had to redo work a couple times so far!
Some pictures...
The house after day 2: all the walls are up along with the ceilings. We have just added the tie back to get the walls ready for insulation and siding. The gables have been added and the skeletal form of the roof has been put in place.
So far, this has been a safe build. The only "casualty" that I have is this blood blister from hitting my thumb hard with my own hammer! I'm such a clutz!!
Me and a pneumatic hammer gun! Maybe not such a great idea!
I have had an amazing time getting to know my team members. Everyone seems to have their own story and have journeyed from different experiences. The one thing that impresses me the most is that everyone is so willing to chip in! I have often found myself with nothing to do because other team members have volunteered themselves much faster. This is the main reason that I'm attributing to for the progress of our build.
We are also getting accustomed to the Kiwi accent. This comes from interaction with the locals that are also building on this house. In fact, our foreman is a New Zealander, so one really has to pay attention to his orders, both because of the accent and the construction-speak. I've only had to redo work a couple times so far!
Some pictures...
The house after day 2: all the walls are up along with the ceilings. We have just added the tie back to get the walls ready for insulation and siding. The gables have been added and the skeletal form of the roof has been put in place.
So far, this has been a safe build. The only "casualty" that I have is this blood blister from hitting my thumb hard with my own hammer! I'm such a clutz!!
Me and a pneumatic hammer gun! Maybe not such a great idea!
Monday, August 01, 2005
MONDAY AUGUST 1 UPDATE
We completed our first build day today. I guess that winter in New Zealand produces some really strange weather. It will be pouring rain one minute and then all of a sudden the clouds clear and it's steaming hot! Well, the whole day was like this even before our work started at 8:30 a.m. What was really neat was seeing a full arc rainbow as the backdrop for the devotion provided before we started.
Well, we learned today that there hasn't been a family chosen yet for the house that we are building. HFH has been trying to gather enough interest for houses, particularly one that are being built on Maori land. There is a lot of distrust and no support which poses a problem for the application process. In fact, we drove by the site where our house will be "transported" to after it has been built. We were warned not to get off the bus because that area is controlled by drug-dealing gangs! Yikes!
So, we are building our house on the parking lot of a local college. All components have been pre-cut and basically we are assembling the pieces into a large puzzle. We are following a "tri-panel" model which means that we are not using wood frames. Today, we managed to put up all the outside walls, the inside walls and the ceilings. It's raining really hard right now so I hope that the ceiling is holding up okay under the water.
I have been getting to know my team quite well. We are an interesting collection of individuals from different experiences. But it seems that we are all connected by a common desire to do good. Most people here are teachers, so it's been great hearing about the different stories that they all have to share. I thought that these next 2 weeks will be a hiatus from my physical training. It turns out that there is another triathlete here and a few of us have been running each day that we've been here!
Until the next update!
Well, we learned today that there hasn't been a family chosen yet for the house that we are building. HFH has been trying to gather enough interest for houses, particularly one that are being built on Maori land. There is a lot of distrust and no support which poses a problem for the application process. In fact, we drove by the site where our house will be "transported" to after it has been built. We were warned not to get off the bus because that area is controlled by drug-dealing gangs! Yikes!
So, we are building our house on the parking lot of a local college. All components have been pre-cut and basically we are assembling the pieces into a large puzzle. We are following a "tri-panel" model which means that we are not using wood frames. Today, we managed to put up all the outside walls, the inside walls and the ceilings. It's raining really hard right now so I hope that the ceiling is holding up okay under the water.
I have been getting to know my team quite well. We are an interesting collection of individuals from different experiences. But it seems that we are all connected by a common desire to do good. Most people here are teachers, so it's been great hearing about the different stories that they all have to share. I thought that these next 2 weeks will be a hiatus from my physical training. It turns out that there is another triathlete here and a few of us have been running each day that we've been here!
Until the next update!
Friday, July 29, 2005
HELLO FROM DOWN UNDER!
I have arrived safely in New Zealand. The trip was pretty smooth and, thanks to a good night's rest on the plane (go figure), I'm actually feeling pretty good right now (it's just past 7 a.m.). I will be meeting up with my team mates soon. It's winter here, so they warned us to be careful of the snow and ice, but so far I haven't seen any. I did see a couple of passengers sporting snowboard bags (sniff)!!
Thanks for your thoughts, send offs and prayers. Must remember to look on the other side of the road when crossing... I will update as much as I can!
Thanks for your thoughts, send offs and prayers. Must remember to look on the other side of the road when crossing... I will update as much as I can!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
PLAN OF ATTACK TO OVERCOME JET LAG!
Toronto Time (LA Time: New Zealand Time: Event)
6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m.: 10:00 a.m.: plane departs from Toronto)
11:15 p.m. (8:15 p.m.: 3:15 p.m.: plane arrives in LA)
1:30 a.m. (10:30 p.m.: 5:30 p.m.: plane departs from LA)
2:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m.: 6:15 a.m.: plane arrives in New Zealand)
-New Zealand time is 16 hours ahead of Toronto time
-goal is to have 6 hours of sleep before landing in Auckland
-take 2 Gravol's at 7:45 a.m. Toronto time
-therefore, aim to sleep at 8:00 a.m. Toronto time
-therefore, aim to wake up at 2:00 p.m. Toronto time
-therefore must stay up for 6.5 hours after leaving LA
6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m.: 10:00 a.m.: plane departs from Toronto)
11:15 p.m. (8:15 p.m.: 3:15 p.m.: plane arrives in LA)
1:30 a.m. (10:30 p.m.: 5:30 p.m.: plane departs from LA)
2:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m.: 6:15 a.m.: plane arrives in New Zealand)
-New Zealand time is 16 hours ahead of Toronto time
-goal is to have 6 hours of sleep before landing in Auckland
-take 2 Gravol's at 7:45 a.m. Toronto time
-therefore, aim to sleep at 8:00 a.m. Toronto time
-therefore, aim to wake up at 2:00 p.m. Toronto time
-therefore must stay up for 6.5 hours after leaving LA
Monday, July 25, 2005
AIR NZ STRIKE OVER!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
VARIOUS UPDATES
Choosing a site to build a Habitat project is no small task. One has to consider the various stakeholders and their unique requirements. Not only do the needs of Habitat have to be addressed, but also the needs of the various government bodies. Building codes, environmental legislations, parkland considerations, railways and airports are just a few things that have be considered when choosing a site. I sat in on the most recent Habitat For Humanity Toronto Site Selection Process meeting where an overview of this process was presented. It gave me an appreciation of some of the critial beind-the-scene things that have to happen even before a house can be considered for building.
I was given the opportunity to give a short devotional to start off a build at the Habitat For Humanity Toronto's McLevin build (in the Scarborough Malvern area). It was a chance to focus the volunteers before their day of efforts. Part of the volunteer corp included members of the "Care-a-vanners", a group of retired individuals who travel the entire continent in their RV's, visiting and helping out on various Habitat build sites. I met a few of them last year in St. John's during the blitz build there. What an amazing group of individuals who have chosen to continue giving during their time of "rest". Click here for the devotion that I gave.
Thank you to the supporters in my community who continue to pour out material blessings on me! I have been given the following items that will definitely help on this trip: a portable MP3 recorder, a travel alarm clock, New Zealand currency, and send off prayer by my Thursday night small group. Thanks!
In an effort to become familiar with the New Zealand culture, I have been keeping up with The New Zealand Herald, the national newspaper. It is interesting to read about the various stories and situations that resemble news found here in Toronto. One thing of particular concern to me is an ongoing strike by Air New Zealand. As a result of their bursts of strike actions, numerous internationl flights have been cancelled. This is the airline that I'm flying with (Click Here to see my flight information) and so I will continue checking to see if there are any updates.
I was given the opportunity to give a short devotional to start off a build at the Habitat For Humanity Toronto's McLevin build (in the Scarborough Malvern area). It was a chance to focus the volunteers before their day of efforts. Part of the volunteer corp included members of the "Care-a-vanners", a group of retired individuals who travel the entire continent in their RV's, visiting and helping out on various Habitat build sites. I met a few of them last year in St. John's during the blitz build there. What an amazing group of individuals who have chosen to continue giving during their time of "rest". Click here for the devotion that I gave.
Thank you to the supporters in my community who continue to pour out material blessings on me! I have been given the following items that will definitely help on this trip: a portable MP3 recorder, a travel alarm clock, New Zealand currency, and send off prayer by my Thursday night small group. Thanks!
In an effort to become familiar with the New Zealand culture, I have been keeping up with The New Zealand Herald, the national newspaper. It is interesting to read about the various stories and situations that resemble news found here in Toronto. One thing of particular concern to me is an ongoing strike by Air New Zealand. As a result of their bursts of strike actions, numerous internationl flights have been cancelled. This is the airline that I'm flying with (Click Here to see my flight information) and so I will continue checking to see if there are any updates.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
MY TRIATHLON EXPERIENCE
Well, it hasn't rained in Toronto for quite some time, as the heat wave that we've been experiencing has left the city hot, humid and scorched. I guess the rain decided to come all at once and it just poured the night before. When the volunteers arrived this morning at the course, EVERYTHING was flooded! The transition areas where the bike racks were located, many parts of the course; even the finish line was submerged in a foot of water! So, the race organizers had to scramble to re-do the course, modifying it to ensure race safety. This meant a delay in the start time, pushing it back by about an hour. This was fine because those who were heading down to watch the race were able to park (far away) and still make it for the start of the race.
What an amazing atmosphere it was when I arrived. You could sense the excitement as people milled about registering, getting their bodies marked with their race number and setting up their transition area. It was great seeing so many people of different ages and experiences. But we were all united by one thing: our common passion for doing something extreme!
I was placed in the second wave of swimmers. The water was quite warm and there were about 25 of us. We watched the first wave go and we were set to start 4 minutes later. My plan was to wait for most of the rush to pass before I started my swim. So, as the start sounded, I walked for another 25 metres before plunging in. My strokes were smooth and I was feeling good. I knew that incidental contact is common in these things and my first one occurred shortly, as a fellow swimmer literally swam beneath me. Not too phased by it, I looked up, and realized that I was swimming quite wide to the right. For some reason, the water was quite "clear" today: it was still the murky green colour but I could see to the bottom. The bottom wasn't too deep and I could see long stalks of seaweed reaching up to the surface. There was one point where I felt as if I was swimming right into a whole jungle of seaweed and braced myself for getting entanged. I looked up again and saw that my course correction wasn't good enough and I had started swimming right again. At this point, I was at the very back of the pack and I had barely reached the first buoy. I'm not sure if it was my encounter with the ever-so-close seaweed or the feeling of being all alone in open water, but I started panicking. Despite my best efforts to calm myself down, my breathing became very agitated. I immediately switched from front crawl to breast stroke, as this was my "safety" stroke. The waters were pretty choppy today, so even using the breast stroke was quite challenging. It really felt like I was being pushed backwards. Faced with the frustration of no progress, breathing really hard, and fighting the waves of water trying to get into my mouth, I found myself in a very dangerous position. I made the decision to signal to the lifeguard kayak and he paddled to where I was. He immediately called for the police rescue boat and I was pulled in. After making sure that I was okay, he dropped me off at the patrol station and headed off for the next "rescue" (there was another man that was treading water but having difficulties). And so, my race ended there, not more than 10 minutes into it.
Discouraged, I made my way back to the transition area, where I was greeted by my supporters (my "boosters"). They were all very encouraging and shared in my pain and disappointment. I was given the option to finish the other 2 events and my supporters absolutely spurred me on. That was such a great mental boost to help overcome this shortfall. I quickly ran into the transition area, got into my bike gear and rode off. The rest of the race was actually good and I felt like I finished strong. Despite the heat and the persistent monsoon-like rains throughout the race, I did not feel any fatigue, cramps or spasms. My supporters were also cheering me on at the finish line and that was the extra boost that I needed to sprint the last 50 metres.
I've come to realize that today was not about the race, whether I finished or not. This event was more about community. It was a demonstration of sacrifice (people giving up their Sunday morning at church or sleeping in), perseverance (it rained for more than half of the race and my boosters had to endure that) and whole-hearted support (I can still hear so clearly in my head all the cheers and shouts of encouragement each time I passed my boosters). Yes, it would have been nice to have completed all 3 legs of the race. But, right now, I feel like a champion by being part of such a supporting community. I'm also reminded that I am vulnerable. Training for an elite sport starts making you think like an elitist, which leads to arrogance which leads to unwise decisions. Sometimes it's good to have a reality check, bringing yourself back to a place where you need to rely on community and those around you to prop you up, keep you accountable and build partnerships. Thus, I need to remember that I'm not going to New Zealand to give someone a hand out, as if I was better than the families that I will be in contact with. Instead, I'm extending a hand up to achieve partnership through a dedication of my time and efforts.
With less than 2 weeks before I leave for New Zealand, I feel like today was a great thrust forward, and is really just the beginning of what will be an amazing experience! Thank you for all your support!!
The transition area...
Just before the start of the race...
Off on my bike...
Off to do my run...
At the finish line!
What an amazing atmosphere it was when I arrived. You could sense the excitement as people milled about registering, getting their bodies marked with their race number and setting up their transition area. It was great seeing so many people of different ages and experiences. But we were all united by one thing: our common passion for doing something extreme!
I was placed in the second wave of swimmers. The water was quite warm and there were about 25 of us. We watched the first wave go and we were set to start 4 minutes later. My plan was to wait for most of the rush to pass before I started my swim. So, as the start sounded, I walked for another 25 metres before plunging in. My strokes were smooth and I was feeling good. I knew that incidental contact is common in these things and my first one occurred shortly, as a fellow swimmer literally swam beneath me. Not too phased by it, I looked up, and realized that I was swimming quite wide to the right. For some reason, the water was quite "clear" today: it was still the murky green colour but I could see to the bottom. The bottom wasn't too deep and I could see long stalks of seaweed reaching up to the surface. There was one point where I felt as if I was swimming right into a whole jungle of seaweed and braced myself for getting entanged. I looked up again and saw that my course correction wasn't good enough and I had started swimming right again. At this point, I was at the very back of the pack and I had barely reached the first buoy. I'm not sure if it was my encounter with the ever-so-close seaweed or the feeling of being all alone in open water, but I started panicking. Despite my best efforts to calm myself down, my breathing became very agitated. I immediately switched from front crawl to breast stroke, as this was my "safety" stroke. The waters were pretty choppy today, so even using the breast stroke was quite challenging. It really felt like I was being pushed backwards. Faced with the frustration of no progress, breathing really hard, and fighting the waves of water trying to get into my mouth, I found myself in a very dangerous position. I made the decision to signal to the lifeguard kayak and he paddled to where I was. He immediately called for the police rescue boat and I was pulled in. After making sure that I was okay, he dropped me off at the patrol station and headed off for the next "rescue" (there was another man that was treading water but having difficulties). And so, my race ended there, not more than 10 minutes into it.
Discouraged, I made my way back to the transition area, where I was greeted by my supporters (my "boosters"). They were all very encouraging and shared in my pain and disappointment. I was given the option to finish the other 2 events and my supporters absolutely spurred me on. That was such a great mental boost to help overcome this shortfall. I quickly ran into the transition area, got into my bike gear and rode off. The rest of the race was actually good and I felt like I finished strong. Despite the heat and the persistent monsoon-like rains throughout the race, I did not feel any fatigue, cramps or spasms. My supporters were also cheering me on at the finish line and that was the extra boost that I needed to sprint the last 50 metres.
I've come to realize that today was not about the race, whether I finished or not. This event was more about community. It was a demonstration of sacrifice (people giving up their Sunday morning at church or sleeping in), perseverance (it rained for more than half of the race and my boosters had to endure that) and whole-hearted support (I can still hear so clearly in my head all the cheers and shouts of encouragement each time I passed my boosters). Yes, it would have been nice to have completed all 3 legs of the race. But, right now, I feel like a champion by being part of such a supporting community. I'm also reminded that I am vulnerable. Training for an elite sport starts making you think like an elitist, which leads to arrogance which leads to unwise decisions. Sometimes it's good to have a reality check, bringing yourself back to a place where you need to rely on community and those around you to prop you up, keep you accountable and build partnerships. Thus, I need to remember that I'm not going to New Zealand to give someone a hand out, as if I was better than the families that I will be in contact with. Instead, I'm extending a hand up to achieve partnership through a dedication of my time and efforts.
With less than 2 weeks before I leave for New Zealand, I feel like today was a great thrust forward, and is really just the beginning of what will be an amazing experience! Thank you for all your support!!
The transition area...
Just before the start of the race...
Off on my bike...
Off to do my run...
At the finish line!
Saturday, July 16, 2005
FINAL PRE-RACE PREP
Well, after months of physical training, adjusting nutrition and learning the basics of "triathlon-ing", the big day has finally come. Many times this week, I had wished that the race was here NOW, as the waiting was just exaggerating the excitement and anxiety I was feeling. I'm so grateful that so many members of my supporting community contacted me to wish me luck. I'm ready, and today I completed the final preparations:
- picked up my race kit, which included my bib - I'm racer # 1131
- carbo loaded my dinner: pasta, pasta, pasta!
- packed my bike
- packed all my gear and clothing (I'm always paranoid that I've forgotten something)
- set my alarm for 5 a.m.
I'm hoping to arrive at the race site by 6:45 a.m. so I can picked up my race chip (which is worn throughout the entire race around your ankle - it keeps track of your 'true' race time), get my body marked (they are going to write my race number and age category on my calves), get greased (so as not to chafe) and finally set up my transition area. Hopefully, I'll still have time to do some stretching and warming up. Boy, I'm getting a little nervous, so I hope that sleep comes soon!
Oh yeah, one more thing I did for pre-race prep:
Yup. Shaved these bad boys! (click on the picture only if you REALLY want to see an enlarged version!) Despite my best effort to use gobs and gobs of shaving cream AND purchasing lady's razors, I still managed to give myself a couple of nicks.
- picked up my race kit, which included my bib - I'm racer # 1131
- carbo loaded my dinner: pasta, pasta, pasta!
- packed my bike
- packed all my gear and clothing (I'm always paranoid that I've forgotten something)
- set my alarm for 5 a.m.
I'm hoping to arrive at the race site by 6:45 a.m. so I can picked up my race chip (which is worn throughout the entire race around your ankle - it keeps track of your 'true' race time), get my body marked (they are going to write my race number and age category on my calves), get greased (so as not to chafe) and finally set up my transition area. Hopefully, I'll still have time to do some stretching and warming up. Boy, I'm getting a little nervous, so I hope that sleep comes soon!
Oh yeah, one more thing I did for pre-race prep:
Yup. Shaved these bad boys! (click on the picture only if you REALLY want to see an enlarged version!) Despite my best effort to use gobs and gobs of shaving cream AND purchasing lady's razors, I still managed to give myself a couple of nicks.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
FIRST PICTURES POSTED
Blogger now allows you to post pictures right from the blogspot editor (no more having to install a third party program!). These pictures are from when I shared briefly at a Sunday service a few weeks back.
TRANSITIONS
The final triathlon clinic focused on the (often overlooked) fourth event of a triathlon: THE TRANSITION. This is the series of things that needs to be done in between events - what's so hard about that? Well, after this past clinic, I must humbly say that I have respect for this part of the race! Decked in my wetsuit (thanks to Enduro for allowing me to pick up my rental a day early), I ran into the lake for a quick swim (much better compared to the previous week), after which I ran to where my bike was "racked" (basically hooked by its saddle on this triangular stand, not dissimilar to the racks on ski slopes where one leans their snowboard before heading into the chalet). I struggled out of my wet wetsuit (which stuck to me like glue), quickly dried my feet on a towel, put on my socks and proceeded to do up the laces on my shoes. Such a simple task that I've known since a little kid is so hard to do when under the gun. I then put on my shirt (backwards, nonetheless), fidgeted a bit with my race belt (it holds your bib number), struggled with my biking gloves (because my hands were wet), put on my sunglasses, tried putting on my helmet (only to discover that the helmet didn't fit with the glasses on), took the helmet off, removed the glasses, put the helmet back on (backwards) and proceeded (finally!) to unrack my bike. As I started pedaling away, I realized that I hadn't done up the straps of my helmet properly, so instead of being secured around the ears as they normally are, the straps were bound to where my eyes were. Literally, I had could not see what was around me. Thank goodness I didn't run into any of the numerous runners or bladers that were out on the boardwalk! With the biking portion completed, I re-racked my bike, took off the helmet, took off the gloves (which was actually quite easy because of my inability to put them on properly at the first transition, they were barely hanging on to my hands at this point!), and galloped off for my run. Luckily, I will be wearing the same clothing for my run as I will be for my ride. The less I have to do during transition, the better off I will be! Unfortunately, I did such a poor job at tying my shoelaces during the first transition, they came undone halfway through the run. It's a wonder I didn't trip over myself!!
Driving home, I couldn't help but notice a strange aroma. It reminded me of growing up in Port Credit (a lake side community in south east Mississauga). As a child, I would smell this exact same smell, depending on how hot the day was and which way the wind was blowing. I was told that it was the smell of the lake and it wasn't the most pleasant of smells. I figured that once I drove out of the Beaches area, the smell of the lake would go away. I was wrong. The smell persisted and then I realized that the smell was emanating from me! Of course! I had just swam in the lake, and lake water had filled my ears, my nose and my mouth (no, I did not drink any of it). It dawned on me that Lake Ontario water was still "in me" and now I could not escape its smell! YUCK! As soon as I made it home, I quickly dashed into the shower for a good scrubbing.
Mental side note: when swimming in the lake, it's OK to see fish swimming in front of you and large algae covered rocks that looks like furry monsters that appear from out of nowhere!
Driving home, I couldn't help but notice a strange aroma. It reminded me of growing up in Port Credit (a lake side community in south east Mississauga). As a child, I would smell this exact same smell, depending on how hot the day was and which way the wind was blowing. I was told that it was the smell of the lake and it wasn't the most pleasant of smells. I figured that once I drove out of the Beaches area, the smell of the lake would go away. I was wrong. The smell persisted and then I realized that the smell was emanating from me! Of course! I had just swam in the lake, and lake water had filled my ears, my nose and my mouth (no, I did not drink any of it). It dawned on me that Lake Ontario water was still "in me" and now I could not escape its smell! YUCK! As soon as I made it home, I quickly dashed into the shower for a good scrubbing.
Mental side note: when swimming in the lake, it's OK to see fish swimming in front of you and large algae covered rocks that looks like furry monsters that appear from out of nowhere!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
FIRST OPEN WATER SWIM!
My first open water experience happened at the latest triathlon clinic. Donning a sleeveless wetsuit (which putting on was a workout in itself!), we sat through a 20 minute talk about technique on the beach. Then it was time to go in! It was pretty choppy, so I was a little tentative. As well, everyone had swim caps and seal masks as opposed to the flimsy, non-tinted Fisher-price goggles that I have. When I put my first foot in the lake, it was cold! Not prolonging the agony, I quickly dived in. Immediately, I could feel my body protesting, not being used to the sudden plunge in termperature! But, as I got my arms moving, it wasn't too bad. In fact, it was quite refreshing! How best to describe the experience?
- YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING!! Lake Ontario has sort of a greenish hue to it and everything is mirky. You can see your arms going into the water, but that's about it.
- OCCASIONALLY, YOU BRUSH AGAINST SOMETHING IN THE WATER!! I think it was either seaweed or the branch of a tree. At times, I felt like the seaweed had wrapped itself around my arm, making me a weird kind of sushi!
- WAVES ARE DECEIVING!! Sometimes, I felt like I was moving backwards, being carried back by the waves, despite putting my best effort into swimming forwards!
- YOU CANNOT SINK IN A WETSUIT!! The bouyancy of the neoprene is very good. It helps keep your body straight, so the swimming technique is much more effective. In fact, some triathletes don't even use their legs while they are swimming in a wetsuit! This is great when one needs to rest.
It ended up being more of an exercise of mental discipline than physical exertion. All during the 20 minutes or so that we were out there, I had to fight panic attacks. I think that I was so focused on not drinking the lake water (which I succeeded - zero gulps!) that it distracted me from staying calm. I had to work really hard staying focused on technique and proper breathing, which is disappointing because I feel like I've come a long way through pool training over the last few months. I'm glad that I had this experience because it better prepares me (in terms of expectation) for the actual race day (can't imagine having to go through all this for the first time during a competition). All in all, it left me with feelings of awe (that I actually survived swimming in Lake Ontario) and disbelief (that I actually swam in Lake Ontario)!
- YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING!! Lake Ontario has sort of a greenish hue to it and everything is mirky. You can see your arms going into the water, but that's about it.
- OCCASIONALLY, YOU BRUSH AGAINST SOMETHING IN THE WATER!! I think it was either seaweed or the branch of a tree. At times, I felt like the seaweed had wrapped itself around my arm, making me a weird kind of sushi!
- WAVES ARE DECEIVING!! Sometimes, I felt like I was moving backwards, being carried back by the waves, despite putting my best effort into swimming forwards!
- YOU CANNOT SINK IN A WETSUIT!! The bouyancy of the neoprene is very good. It helps keep your body straight, so the swimming technique is much more effective. In fact, some triathletes don't even use their legs while they are swimming in a wetsuit! This is great when one needs to rest.
It ended up being more of an exercise of mental discipline than physical exertion. All during the 20 minutes or so that we were out there, I had to fight panic attacks. I think that I was so focused on not drinking the lake water (which I succeeded - zero gulps!) that it distracted me from staying calm. I had to work really hard staying focused on technique and proper breathing, which is disappointing because I feel like I've come a long way through pool training over the last few months. I'm glad that I had this experience because it better prepares me (in terms of expectation) for the actual race day (can't imagine having to go through all this for the first time during a competition). All in all, it left me with feelings of awe (that I actually survived swimming in Lake Ontario) and disbelief (that I actually swam in Lake Ontario)!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
KIWI CASH
Thanks to my friend Cathy and Kevin for letting me know about the NZ "Departure" Tax that one has to pay before they can leave the country. They had some left over NZ currency and gave it to me for that purpose. They also suggested that I should order NZ currency now as most banks don't usually carry it. As well, it seems that the least expensive way of converting money is through credit card or ATM, as banks and currency conversion agencies (like Thomas Cook) are very expensive!
Friday, July 01, 2005
LET'S GO FLATTING!
I attended a "change your flat tire" workshop the other night. I was the only one there, so it ended up being a personal workshop with the bike mechanic! Here are the steps to resolve a race day situation that could potentially put you out of the entire competition:
- most flats usually occur on the rear tire (more weight on the back, so there are more chances for object penetration) - plus, the rear tire is the more difficult of the two to work with and Murphy is always your best friend!
- undo the break cable to release the calipers
- undo the quick release that holds your tire onto the fork
- pop the tire off
- release the rest of the air from the damaged tire (this makes it easier to take the tread off the rim)
- start with one side of the tread and pull it off the rim (best position is to rest the wheel on your lap and reach across the opposite side like as if you were waterskiing)
- flip the wheel over and finish off by pushing the second tread edge off the rim - remember which tread edge corresponds with which rim edge
- reach inside the tread and take the damaged tube off
- locate the protruding object - when under the gun, run your fingers along the inner side of the tread until you locate the nail, staple, piece of glass, etc. - remove the offending object
- insert partially inflated spare tube into tread
- assume same position as when removing tread and seat one edge of the tread with tube onto rim
- ensure tube is seated properly and seat the other tread edge onto the rim
- inflate tire
- reinstall wheel and ensure that quick lock and brake mechanism are done up
This whole process took the mechanic less than 30 seconds. When I tried it, it took 5 minutes! So, looks like I'm going to practice a few times to get used to it. Oh yeah, he showed me how to use a CO2 cartridge to fill up the tire. Inflates to 90 psi in less than 5 seconds! Wicked!! This process also assumes that you are carrying a spare tube (which takes up very little space when new)
** "flatting" is a common term used in NZ (as well as in Britain) which means "staying over at someone's place" (which is commonly referred to as someone's flat)
- most flats usually occur on the rear tire (more weight on the back, so there are more chances for object penetration) - plus, the rear tire is the more difficult of the two to work with and Murphy is always your best friend!
- undo the break cable to release the calipers
- undo the quick release that holds your tire onto the fork
- pop the tire off
- release the rest of the air from the damaged tire (this makes it easier to take the tread off the rim)
- start with one side of the tread and pull it off the rim (best position is to rest the wheel on your lap and reach across the opposite side like as if you were waterskiing)
- flip the wheel over and finish off by pushing the second tread edge off the rim - remember which tread edge corresponds with which rim edge
- reach inside the tread and take the damaged tube off
- locate the protruding object - when under the gun, run your fingers along the inner side of the tread until you locate the nail, staple, piece of glass, etc. - remove the offending object
- insert partially inflated spare tube into tread
- assume same position as when removing tread and seat one edge of the tread with tube onto rim
- ensure tube is seated properly and seat the other tread edge onto the rim
- inflate tire
- reinstall wheel and ensure that quick lock and brake mechanism are done up
This whole process took the mechanic less than 30 seconds. When I tried it, it took 5 minutes! So, looks like I'm going to practice a few times to get used to it. Oh yeah, he showed me how to use a CO2 cartridge to fill up the tire. Inflates to 90 psi in less than 5 seconds! Wicked!! This process also assumes that you are carrying a spare tube (which takes up very little space when new)
** "flatting" is a common term used in NZ (as well as in Britain) which means "staying over at someone's place" (which is commonly referred to as someone's flat)
Sunday, June 26, 2005
ONCE WERE WARRIORS
Based on the recommendation by one of my supporters, I watched the movie "Once Were Warriors", a movie made in 1994 set in urban Auckland, New Zealand. It's a "reality" story, dealing with issues of alcohol-induced family abuse, gangs, drugs and poverty housing. Though it was fiction, I believe that it captures the reality of many families that are caught in the poverty cycle, where the many mouths to feed are reliant on instable income streams. And not only for families in urban New Zealand, but anywhere. What was touching was the emancipation of this one family through the return to its Maori (the indigenous people group in New Zealand) roots. I highly recommend this movie (it has some familiar faces, like Jango Fett from Attack Of The Clones).
Friday, June 24, 2005
HELP!! INPUT REQUESTED - READ TO END OF ENTRY!!
This week's triathlon clinic focused on biking. It was great hearing from a seasoned triathlete/road cyclist about technique and tips for tackling the longest part of any triathlon race. We actually went out afterwards to the Leslie Street spit to practice some of the techniques that he presented. This proved to be devastating in 2 respects:
1. They let me try out a triathlon road bike. The bike that I've been training on is a hybrid commuter bike that I purchased back in 1991. Recently, I had it tuned up and was told that they weren't going to clean my drivetrain because it was basically held together by dirt and grime and not much else! Now I'm spoiled because I realize how much more comfortable (and faster) a triathlon road bike is! I was quick to adapt to the brake lever shifters and the aerobar. Hmmm. Maybe a self-gift for an upcoming birthday?
2. At about the same time that I bought my hybrid bike over a decade ago, I had also purchased a helmet which I still use today. Seeing everyone else's helmet, I suddenly realized how ridiculous my helmet looks. This helmet is like a watermelon cut in half with straps on it! Usually, things of vain nature don't bother me, but for some reason, I felt very out of place with this Fisher-Price-isque helmet! Maybe a consolation self-gift for an upcoming birthday?
One of the tips that was given to us was the technique for riders (particularly male riders) to shave their legs. Aside from some aerodynamic advantages, the main reason for doing this is because of the potential for falling during any race. If you fall and you have hair on your legs, what would normally be a minor scrape could turn into a huge gash as skin is literally ripped right off, as the hairs would catch onto the pavement like velcro. I have never shaved my legs, so am clueless as to what 'technique' is the most effective (and hopefully pain free). IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE POST A COMMENT OR EMAIL ME (MORE DISCREET)! Your experiences/input is much appreciated!
1. They let me try out a triathlon road bike. The bike that I've been training on is a hybrid commuter bike that I purchased back in 1991. Recently, I had it tuned up and was told that they weren't going to clean my drivetrain because it was basically held together by dirt and grime and not much else! Now I'm spoiled because I realize how much more comfortable (and faster) a triathlon road bike is! I was quick to adapt to the brake lever shifters and the aerobar. Hmmm. Maybe a self-gift for an upcoming birthday?
2. At about the same time that I bought my hybrid bike over a decade ago, I had also purchased a helmet which I still use today. Seeing everyone else's helmet, I suddenly realized how ridiculous my helmet looks. This helmet is like a watermelon cut in half with straps on it! Usually, things of vain nature don't bother me, but for some reason, I felt very out of place with this Fisher-Price-isque helmet! Maybe a consolation self-gift for an upcoming birthday?
One of the tips that was given to us was the technique for riders (particularly male riders) to shave their legs. Aside from some aerodynamic advantages, the main reason for doing this is because of the potential for falling during any race. If you fall and you have hair on your legs, what would normally be a minor scrape could turn into a huge gash as skin is literally ripped right off, as the hairs would catch onto the pavement like velcro. I have never shaved my legs, so am clueless as to what 'technique' is the most effective (and hopefully pain free). IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE POST A COMMENT OR EMAIL ME (MORE DISCREET)! Your experiences/input is much appreciated!
GENUINE AIR OF GENEROSITY
I was at the end of a bike ride the other night when I noticed that my tires were a little flat. So, I decided to ride up to a nearby gas station to fill them up. There was already a car parked near the air machine when I pulled up. The driver saw me and walked over to me, hose in tow. He said that the air had already been paid for (it wasn't one of those free machines) and that I should fill up while the machine was still running. I proceeded to fill both tires up. I noticed that he was still standing there when it occurred to me that he may not have finished filling his tires, and he confirmed this when I asked him!
Imagine that, someone offering me air that they had paid for, even before he was done! What an encouraging show of generosity from a complete stranger.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
OYEH! SCARBOROUGH BLITZ BUILD ON!
With over 500,000 households in Toronto (that's a quarter of the city's population) living under the poverty line and over 71,000 families on the waiting list for city subsidized housing, Habitat's current objective of placing 40 families in a decent home that they can call their OWN in Scarborough is a good first step. It's a baby step, given the overwhelming numbers. Yet, arriving at the first day of the 2005 Blitz Build, the spirit was one of courage and hope. The day was kicked off by city councillor Raymond Cho and we were encouraged at midday by the Honourable Judy Sgro. A chorus of hammering nails and descanting circular saws set the backdrop for a day of framing. One by one, the walls were completed and erected to an exuberant shout of "OYEH!" by the volunteers. The weather was cooperative, providing a steady breeze to cool off our tired bodies, encouraging us to hammer some more. It was amazing to see people from all walks of life giving of their time and their love to people they had not yet met. This was just the first day! If you are interested in helping out, please visit the Toronto Habitat site to find out how you can join...
Thursday, June 16, 2005
TRIATHLON CLINIC STARTED
I went to my first "Beginner's Triathlon" clinic yesterday. It was very encouraging to meet with others who've had little or no triathlon experience. Most, like me, share a common fear of swimming in the open water. I'm so glad that they are dedicating one night to this topic where we will swim in the lake with a wetsuit. It felt more like a support group than anything else! We concluded the evening by going for a 30 minute run along the boardwalk. Running by the water is much more enjoyable (sight-wise and breathing-wise) than the car/smog filled streets of North York!
I've also discovered that there is a community swimming pool in Mississauga that has "lane wave swim" - an indoor pool that simulates open water waves!! You will find me at the Terry Fox Memorials Aquatics Centre on Fridays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
I've also discovered that there is a community swimming pool in Mississauga that has "lane wave swim" - an indoor pool that simulates open water waves!! You will find me at the Terry Fox Memorials Aquatics Centre on Fridays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, June 10, 2005
TARGET REACHED!! THANK YOU!!!
How lucky do I feel to be part of a community that cares and is willing to show their care through actions?! Not only has my community encouraged me through constant well wishes, electronically and in person, but people have also committed their own resources for this cause. I am please to announce that you, as much beloved community, has helped me reach my financial target of $1,800!! Amazing! Words cannot describe the joy I have knowing that so many of you are so willing to take part on this trip with me. THANK YOU.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
ALL BUGGED OUT
There are certain elements that you find in the country side that don't exist in the city. I went for a ride last night up to Georgetown, taking in the nice scenery and the fresh air. The sky was a little over cast and I started hearing pitter-patter against my helmet. I thought that it was the start of a rain shower, but I was wrong. It was swarms of bugs hitting my helmet as I rode through their congregations! That's when they started flying in my nose, my mouth, my ears and even my eyes! I gave up trying to spit them out after a while...
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
FROM CAISSONS TO GABLES
Wow! I feel like there is so much to learn about building a house. The workshop that Habitat hosted yesterday focused on building nomenclature. Now it's just a matter of remembering all this while at a build! CLICK HERE if you want to see the "lecture notes".
Monday, June 06, 2005
FINANCIAL SUPPORT - UPDATE
Through your generous donations, $1,631.56 has been raised so far!!! I AM SO ENCOURAGED BY YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SUPPORT ME! My goal is $1,800 so that's only 34 shares remaining. THANK YOU! There is only about a week left before I need to send in the $1,800 to Habitat.
What do I mean by "shares"? CLICK HERE
How much actual time left before the deadline? CLICK HERE
Boy, I guess a lot of people really want to see me go through the rigour of the triathlon! To see how my training is going so far, CLICK HERE
What do I mean by "shares"? CLICK HERE
How much actual time left before the deadline? CLICK HERE
Boy, I guess a lot of people really want to see me go through the rigour of the triathlon! To see how my training is going so far, CLICK HERE
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
PRESENTATIONS
I'm glad that I've been given some opportunities to formally share about my trip to New Zealand. For my small group, I was tasked with preparing a New Zealand dinner and giving a presentation. The dinner (Leek and Potato Soup with Oysters, Lamb Hotpot, and Cranberry Bread and Butter Pudding) was well enjoyed. Click here for the slides to my presentation (just "open" it and use your "Page Down" key to scroll through the slides).
I also had a chance to share about this trip at last weekend's service. Since the theme right now is about partnerships in ministry, it was fitting for people who are serving this summer to share about their ministries. Many people came up to me afterwards either to ask more about Habitat and my trip, or to share with me their experiences with Habitat.
I also had a chance to share about this trip at last weekend's service. Since the theme right now is about partnerships in ministry, it was fitting for people who are serving this summer to share about their ministries. Many people came up to me afterwards either to ask more about Habitat and my trip, or to share with me their experiences with Habitat.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I BEG YOUR PARDON?!
Well, one of the most basic skills that any volunteer can have while on site is being able to communicate. Imagine how long a build would take if volunteers spoke to each other like this: "hey you, pass me that long, skinny piece of wood; no, the other skinny piece of wood!" Thankfully, there is a much more efficient way of communicating and Habitat has organized a workshop for learning this "language". (CLICK HERE for more info)
If you're in the area of Danforth and Coxwell on the evening of June 7, why don't you join me?!
Sunday, May 22, 2005
UPDATE - YOUR INPUT WELCOMED!
I was sharing about my trip to New Zealand yesterday at my friends' wedding (congrats, Chun and Jennifer!) when I was asked if I was planning on proselytizing the people that I was building the house for. When I replied that my main objective is to help a family break free from the clutches of poverty substandard housing, I was short of being reprimanded for not carrying out the supposed obligations I have to convert others since I claim to bear the “Christian” label. How was I to distinguish between being a Christian and being "just a nice person"? Mmmm. This is an interesting question that deserves more discussion than the “pat” answer found in the “Answers” section of this website (CLICK HERE to read this, under "Are you going with a church group? Is this a missionary trip? "). I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Click on the “Comments” section at the end of this update to post a response. Or if you prefer to send me a private response that won’t be published, email me at: duffshot@gmail.com
Some interesting facts about New Zealand that I’ve discovered:
* The head of government is Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since December 1999) and the Prime Minister before her was Jenny Shipley (1997 to 1999)
* Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is the world’s most southerly capital city
* The most popular sports (by club membership) in New Zealand are: golf, netball (similar to basketball), soccer, rugby, cricket
* NZ has the worlds largest flightless parrot (kakapo), the oldest reptile (tuatara), the biggest earthworms, the smallest bats (the only native land mammals), the heaviest insect (a weta), some of the oldest trees, and many of the rarest birds, insects, and plants in the world.
Some interesting facts about New Zealand that I’ve discovered:
* The head of government is Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since December 1999) and the Prime Minister before her was Jenny Shipley (1997 to 1999)
* Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is the world’s most southerly capital city
* The most popular sports (by club membership) in New Zealand are: golf, netball (similar to basketball), soccer, rugby, cricket
* NZ has the worlds largest flightless parrot (kakapo), the oldest reptile (tuatara), the biggest earthworms, the smallest bats (the only native land mammals), the heaviest insect (a weta), some of the oldest trees, and many of the rarest birds, insects, and plants in the world.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
MAKE 2005 COUNT
I've come to the realization that what I'm doing the 2 weeks or so while I'm in New Zealand is really just scratching a minute part of a much more enormous problem. Click on the following link: http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/video1.html I should warn you that you may be disturbed by its message. But perhaps it is this disturbance that will help catalyze action, even it is just one nail at a time, one dollar at a time, one letter at a time.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
OTHER HAND UPS!
Part of your encouragement to me is hearing about how some of you are also spending part of your summer abroad involved in various worthy causes. My friends Doret and Vinh are organizing a trip to Nicaragua at roughly the same time that I'm heading off to New Zealand. They are also volunteering with Habitat For Humanity. It just goes to show that the problem of poverty housing exists everywhere! If you would like to find out more about this trip, shoot me an email. They are still looking for team members... To find out more about Habitat: CLICK HERE
I was reading an interesting article about nutrition (in my quest to improve my own eating habits to complement my training). The article emphasizes consuming food in its most natural state. The article suggests that you purchase items on the perimeter of the grocery store (the fresh produce, the meats) and stay away from the foods found in the middle (all the stuff found in boxes and cans). The article also suggests that more than 50% of our daily diet should be from fresh fruits and vegetables. To read this article, CLICK HERE
I was reading an interesting article about nutrition (in my quest to improve my own eating habits to complement my training). The article emphasizes consuming food in its most natural state. The article suggests that you purchase items on the perimeter of the grocery store (the fresh produce, the meats) and stay away from the foods found in the middle (all the stuff found in boxes and cans). The article also suggests that more than 50% of our daily diet should be from fresh fruits and vegetables. To read this article, CLICK HERE
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION
I saw first hand this morning how the body responds when it is depleted of energy - I barely made it! Every stroke in the pool seemed to be such a challenge. I've been feeling good, lately, about regulating my breathing while in the water, but today it was a struggle. As I continue to adopt a more disciplined nutrition program, I really need to fuel up before my morning swims...
An interesting article on performance nutrition: CLICK HERE to read
An interesting article on performance nutrition: CLICK HERE to read
Monday, May 09, 2005
MY FIRST "BRICK" WORKOUT
I completed my first "brick" workout, referring to how your legs feel like after a swim, bike and run. The weather was absolutely perfect (at least for the bike and run; I completed my swim in an indoor pool) and it was nice whizzing along on my just tuned-up bike. I was so tired at the end but that may have been due to improper nutrition during the workout. Next time, I will carry more water and carbohydrate gel packs. I only attempted half the distances in each activity, to get my body familiar with stringing the different activities together.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
THE UPHILL RIDE OF PREPARATION
Thanks for checking out this update! It's amazing that once you share a cause that others see as worthy, the burden of seeing the initiative through is all of a sudden much easier! I am touched by how many people have given me encouragement through their words and deeds. This is truly not MY trip, but a journey that is shared by many. I'm honoured to be your ambassador in New Zealand!
Many know about my weakness in the water and have been asking me how that part of the training is going. My confidence is building and, on more than one occasion, I've been able to finish 800 metres without stopping. I believe that my body is learning how to "breathe" while in the water. I'm no longer anxious when there are others around me and even the occasional gulp of water doesn't phase me (mind you, a gulp of Lake Ontario water might be lethal!)
I found out that 2 of my NZ team members have dropped out, due to family issues. Our team leader is contemplating whether or not to find another 2 or just go with our current roster. Regardless, we are going to have an AMAZING time volunteering with Habitat.
Many thanks to those who have a keen eye for detail!! Thanks for noticing the spelling/grammar errors and sending them to me. For a while, I indicated that my swim target was 750 km!! I think not. But do continue to scrutinize the different parts of this site and...
- see when my flight leaves from Toronto (and on which flight I'm on): CLICK HERE
- know how many people live in New Zealand right now: CLICK HERE
- check this out if you want to find out how to support me: CLICK HERE
Many know about my weakness in the water and have been asking me how that part of the training is going. My confidence is building and, on more than one occasion, I've been able to finish 800 metres without stopping. I believe that my body is learning how to "breathe" while in the water. I'm no longer anxious when there are others around me and even the occasional gulp of water doesn't phase me (mind you, a gulp of Lake Ontario water might be lethal!)
I found out that 2 of my NZ team members have dropped out, due to family issues. Our team leader is contemplating whether or not to find another 2 or just go with our current roster. Regardless, we are going to have an AMAZING time volunteering with Habitat.
Many thanks to those who have a keen eye for detail!! Thanks for noticing the spelling/grammar errors and sending them to me. For a while, I indicated that my swim target was 750 km!! I think not. But do continue to scrutinize the different parts of this site and...
- see when my flight leaves from Toronto (and on which flight I'm on): CLICK HERE
- know how many people live in New Zealand right now: CLICK HERE
- check this out if you want to find out how to support me: CLICK HERE
Sunday, May 01, 2005
WELCOME TO TIM'S NEW ZEALAND TRIP BLOG!!
Well, it's official! I'm taking what I'm doing this summer and going "public" with it! Glad that you could stop by!! Please feel free to look around and click on the different links which will give you more information about this exciting trip to New Zealand. Stop by frequently as I will update this site regularly. Be sure to...
- find out why I'm going to New Zealand this summer: CLICK HERE
- see how my triathlon training is going: CLICK HERE
- check to this out if you're interested in supporting me: CLICK HERE
- find out why I'm going to New Zealand this summer: CLICK HERE
- see how my triathlon training is going: CLICK HERE
- check to this out if you're interested in supporting me: CLICK HERE
Thursday, April 28, 2005
NEW BORN BLOG!
This is the first posting on this blog! It will officially launch on May 1, 2005. I hope you enjoy the material found here and look forward to sharing my journey with you!
