Tuesday, March 28, 2006

To My Friendly Tory:

Re: Alberta's Budget

Grace...

Alberta has been growing on a "hand-up, not a hand-out" basis for years.

NGO's can help, gov't job isn't to doll out money for people to live off of.

To be blunt... why should gov't hand out more cash? Beggars on the street when we are in dire need of pipe fitters, welders, construction workers, ... . People need to step up to the plate in this economy. Some need to get a job, others who have jobs will continue to make donations to NPO and NGO's.

Hand-up, not a hand-out.

c/o
Your friendly Tory :)

My response:

Sometimes I think there is too much bias on financial aid given to real "people" by the society. If we take a step back, blindfold ourselves for a while, try this: imagine businesses were people (Indeed, businesses are regarded as "persons" under the law). Businesses have been given a lot of "hand-out" if you will for as long as government existed. And yes, so it has been for Canada. Take a look at the WTO dispute by the Brazilian government against the Canadian government. Canada's Bombardier Corp. have been accused of being given export subsidies by the Government of Canada. Then there's the oil and gas industry that though flourishing, are still being given subsidies by the government - 1.4billion last year. These are just a few instances, but the reality is that many businesses and corporations are given tax breaks, subsidies, protectionist policies, loan guarantors by the government. And does the society states that these are unjust, undeserved hand outs (well, I believe some are, but that's another topic for next time!) and go rioting over it? No...it is because there are some truths about protecting your domestic industries when they are young and vulnerable...and to let them fly when they have wings at an older, matured age.

In the same manner, why can't we appreciate the fact that some people in the society needs to be protected, needs to be nurtured until they are able to fly? For instance, the UOA charges Canadian students approximately 30% of the educational costs. And this is because the government wants to educate the people in a bid for them to become skilled in the future and contribute towards the economy of the country. The fact is that there will be some costs expensed to help society move forward.

And as for some people in our society who will not be able to work due to some circumstances, there is a need for society to act as a community to support them. This statement may seemed flawed and unreasonable, but try listening. The natural or zero unemployment rate is not targeted at zero. Economists realized that there will always be factors that contribute towards unemployment. And there are many reasons for that - mismatched of skills, locations etc etc. However, there is also another factor which some of us seem not to pay attention to. There will always be people plague by diseases and illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, severe addiction, mental illness which unable them to work. And can we say that it is all their fault? No, we cannot...because any one of us can be in their shoes and in desperation. So, I can only say that the huge majority of us who can contribute should do, and government has an obligation to take care of their citizens this way. Afterall, we are a community of one race - the human race.



Sources:
1. http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_ aviation/print.main?id=1245257
2. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/cepmlp/car/assets/images/

Adriano.pdf#search='bombardier%20subsidised%20by%20Canada'
3. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2006/ national/2005/12/21/green-oil051221.html

Monday, March 27, 2006

Sunny day!!!

It's such a beautiful beautiful day today!
The sun was shining, the white puffy clouds hovered above your heads.
And most importantly it was only 0celcius and the thick 3 feet snow is melting!

Ahhhh, it's times like this that I love Alberta!
Grace is happy and contented.

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(Taken at Steven's Farm House. Ahhh, I wish the green will come soon too!)

To Dadeos'

Dadeos' is this extremely special 50's restaurant that my friend Geri and other International friends brought me to when I was in first year. It has the most unique interior design and the greatest Cajun and Louisana Food!

After trying there for like 5 times or something, I finally managed to catch snapshots of the place and food!

Ooohh, all of us tried different main dishes and all, so I'll name them numerically, try guessing which one I had!

Enjoy:

For appetizers, there's this green spicy jelly with bread, that tastes quite weird at the beginning, but as you bite more into it, you'll acquire the taste for it!

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They have the best sweet potato fries that you can die for!!!!

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Main Course:

One Posted by Picasa


Two Posted by Picasa


Three Posted by Picasa


Four Posted by Picasa


Five Posted by Picasa


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Sooo...I'm not getting paid for this, but I highly recommend Dadeos!! Try it and you'll enjoy it I'm sure.

It's situated at:

10548A Whyte Avenue
Edmonton
Phone # 433-0930

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Bring Me Back

Lord I come before Your throne
Seek Your will and not my own
In the quietness of my heart
Take your place

Chorus:
Bring me back Lord
Into Your holy presence
To live by Your word
Tell of the cross
Bring me back Lord
Closer to Your heart
I want to be
I want to be where You are


Words&Music by Chan Chun Liang

I haven't sang/heard this song for years. It was written by my music mentor, Chun Liang who taught me how to play the keyboard in a band setting. All of sudden today, this song just played in my head over and over again, and so I decided to hunt for the CD which Raj produced and included Chun Liang's song as well. The lyrics of this song is of such simple words, but it speaks so much. It talks about wanting to be in God's presence. Wanting to be pure and holy before Him. Approaching the throne of grace with humility and quietness. And quietness of the heart is when we are in a state of realization that we need the Lord in our lives, we need the Lord's love, we need His grace.

Indeed Lord, I want to be where You are.
I want to be in Your presence, Lord.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Alberta's Budget

So, one thing that caught my eye was the reduction of corporate taxes by 1.5%. This will cost the Albertan Government a reduction of revenue by approximately 300 million/yr in the future.

Yep, so let's study the pro and cons of this ya:

Good Stuff

Reduction of corporate taxes are always a goodie thing for Companies. This means that Companies pay less taxes and will have more net revenue. And with that, they can either:

1) Declare dividends to shareholders
2) Chuck it in Retained Earnings and most probably use the extra $$ to invest

Now, investing is that which drives the economy to continue booming and flourishing. So, let's say the Company invests and expands their business. Easy example (they teach you this in Kamp's Econ 102 class): A company wana build another production plant, and so money is poured out to different industries like energy, steel, architecture, construction, infrastructure etc etc. Then these other companies also begin to flourish due to better businesses, and then they bless their other suppliers as well. See the chain of multiplier effect? Yah! It's good stuff. This also means that there will be more jobs created thus lowering the province's unemployment rate (which is currently already low at 3.something%).

Then looking at it from a financial perspective, investors are gona love it that the Companies are doing well, thus driving up stock prices.

See, everything works! And it's undeniable that it is good for the economy.

But, that is from the "For Profit Only Business" Point of View.

Not so good stuff

Looking at the entire budget as a whole, it seems that Kevin Taft is right, there isn't much of the province surplus going to essential social welfare programs to those who especially need it: the destitute, abused women, people suffering with health issues that unable them to be productive in the economy, those who lack opportunity and finances to improve themselves. Some may argue that a lot of $ does go into social programs in the province. Yes, that is right...but if one were involved in grassroots level of programs like that, you may see a different picture: many programs are lacking financial means to be able to run effectively. Would some percentage of that 300m we lost to corporate tax cuts help? Think about it.

Now, some may debate with me that "ooooh, these people should help themselves and we shouldn't throw 'free money' on them" etc...and yes, I agree with you as well...programs should be run effectively by IGOS (Intergovernmental Organizations) and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) by making good use of funds. But again, that is another topic for another time.

My point is, when I read the Budget, I'm wondering if Alberta is slowly stepping out from the Keynesian Welfare System Canada is so ingrained in. And perhaps we are...

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Beartracks Mania

So, today is the first day 3rd year students are allowed to register for courses the coming year (Fall 2006/Winter 2007). My friend Lin called me yesterday freaking out coz some of her accounting classes had something like 10 spaces left (must have been snapped off by 4th year students who were given earlier registration date) and that made me freak out too. My registration for next year started today at 6am, and I woke up at 6.30am to register in all my courses for next year. All is well, I got all the courses I wanted though I don't have very nice schedules for next year, but that is alright! Now...the computer lab is just filled with people on beartracks - UOA Online Registration for Courses. Hmmmm...quite a sight.

Went to see the Business Undergrad Advisor today too...to ensure that I have all the credits to graduate with my major/minor next year. Everything looks good, though she noted that I had an extra BLAW course than needed...so I'll consider if I want to drop that or not, but probably not.

Hmmm...I can't believe I'm graduating next year...seems soooooo fast, but yet, it would have been four years of Uni life. Can't wait to grad though I do enjoy Uni life! We'll see what the future brings!

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Grace got a Henna!

I got my name calligraphed in Arabic - Barakah. Some students were doing it as part of the Muslim Awareness Week on Campus.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Canadian Slang for Dummies

Nilos: So have you read the latest comment by a particular good looking guy?

Grace: Er, yes I have...but I didn't quite understand what the 'good looking guy' actually meant.

We're talking in regards to comment on "My Teddy Bear Prof." posting:

nilos said...
It's good to hear that you are stoned in class :)

7:30 PM

Grace: I mean, we're 'stoned'...he's just kinda boring.

Nilos: Grace, oh grace...nono, the Canadian slang for stoned means being high on drugs!

Grace: Uhuh? Since when? Never heard of that slang before...

Anywayz, I find that there are still a lot of slang that I am not familiar with yet, though I have lived here for the last two and a half years. Things that you wouldn't think would mean as such, always happens to...yeah.

So, I'm putting up a small list for my 'Canadian Slang for Dummies,' a compilation of words with very different context for people in Asia and Canada.

Btw, no charge for this list!

Tissue = Kleenex
(*sniff sniff* Can I have a tissue please? Uhuh, what's a tissue dude? Yeah...I mean a kleenex...)

Sneakers = Runners
(I mean, seriously...runners are like people who run right...not some sporting good!)

Plaster = Band Aid

Panadol = Tylenol

Fringe = Bangs

Fees = Tuition
(yeah, the word 'tuition' in Asia has a very different contextual meaning...it's where one pays a tutor to teach you for extra classes)

Bath = Shower
(no biggie....but it means a world difference. To take a 'bath' you gota be 95% immersed in the water otherwise it ain't bathing!)

Dinner = Supper
(in Asia, supper starts at 10pm or later, usually when one hangs out in 'mamak' open air stalls eating roti canai and drinking teh tarik or such!)

Spoilt = Broken
(yeah...they call it that, broken! Broken really means coming apart in this context...but people here mean it as in it ain't working anymore. eg. the car is broken, the t.v. is broken!)

Well, this is all I can think of so far. Will update my little 'Canadian Slang for Dummies' when I encounter more slang.

Feel free to add if you have any!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

My Teddy Bear Prof.

Just taking a break from doing my Finance readings. Finance class today was quite the usual. Entering the class, you're greeted by the Prof setting up in front. And his appearance always just amuse the class. My prof, he's a 60 over retiree from a brokerage firm and he looks like he's a little bit stuck in the 60s. He has white beard, half balding, wears huge brown square glasses...and he really does look a little like Mr. Santa Claus! And he's always in a suit, complimented by sneakers and carrying an ancient brown suit case. That is my Prof. Looks cute, but er, his lectures always causes a few students to doze off. The classes, to be extremely honest, is quite boring (not because of the materials)...and I don't even know why I go to class. But we do have a few laughs here and there. Occasionally, my Prof would bring in some finance comics, prop the transparency on the overhead and read it out aloud to us. After that he will pause in silence, then laugh *ngek ngek ngek* and all of us who were stoned before just burst out in laughter, really laughing because of his funny laughter! Anyway, that is my Prof. and I guess his cute characteristics compensate for the boring lectures.

Now, where's my Finance text...

Monday, March 13, 2006

Uh Oh...

I think I'm addicted...

You ask to what.

To Lay's potato chips!!!!!

I ate two bags in less than a week. Alone. That's quite a lot for a small framed girl like me to eat right!!

What is Grace to do????

The Secrecy is Over!

Prime Minister Harper went to Kandahar, Afghanistan for a lil four-day tour on Sunday. Him choosing to show support to his troops in Afghanistan on his very first foreign visit since ascension is pretty symbolic I think. I'm glad he has stepped up to international leadership in showing what community and humanity is about.

Way to go Harper!

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Bringing Voice to the Voiceless

Front page News for the last couple of days:

Canada needs to revisit its role in Afghanistan.


One of the main domestic headline news in the media this week is reconsidering Canada's role in Afghanistan in light of recently losing two soldiers and one in critical but stable condition after being axed on the head in Afghanistan. But Prime Minister Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Mackay has backed the 10 month commitment Canadian troops made in the reconstruction and peacekeeping role they are playing in Afghanistan. Sure, I feel saddened that two soldiers had passed away while on duty to fight for a more democractic Afghanistan for the people there. However, to put it in perspective, really, only 10 soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in action since Canada's peacekeeping role in Afghanistan since 2001. 11 people in approximately 5 years. No, I am not saying that their lives do not matter and those number though small are meaningless. Each and every life matters, and definitely their passing away is a loss to their family and Canada. However, what about the 3000-3400 Afghani who lost their lives between 2001 and 2002 when US dropped bombs in highly populated areas in Afghanistan? We certainly didn't hear much about their life story, the way they were killed, and tribute paid to them etc. Why is it that when a Westerner gets killed in a horrifying situation, it is highlighted in the news, and not when a large amount of people from underdeveloped countries' get killed?

I wished double standards didn't exist in the media
I wished that the voiceless would have more voice and tell their story


Yes, the contention between politicians whether to hold a debate to continue Canadian troops' service in Afghanistan in the next few months is still fueling. It is still on page ONE.

Then, I noticed something on page 14 on National Post yesterday: "Genocide without borders." Read it, and it brought me to tears...

"For more than two years, the world has pretty much ignored the genocide unfolding in the Darfur region of Sudan...and now, apparently encouraged by the world's acquiescience, Sudan is sending its proxy forces to invade neighbouring Chad and kill and rape members of the same African tribes that have already been ethinically cleansed in Darfur itself...militias backed by Sudan race on camels and pickup trucks into Chadian villages and use machine guns to mow down farming families, whose only offence is that they belong to the wrong tribes and have black skin" (Kristof).

Allow Kristof to tell you the life story of a family in Sudan:

"Eleven days earlier, Sudanese military aircraft and a force of several hundred janjaweed had suddenly attacked the village. Haroun and his wife had run for their lives, with his wife carrying their three-month-old baby, Ahmed. The janjaweed raiders overtook Haroun's wife and beat her so badly that she is still unconscious. They also grabbed Ahmed from her arms. They looked at the baby, Haroun added, and since he was a boy, they shot him" (Kristof).

Republished by Grace, page ONE on her blog.

Sources:
1. http://www.cursor.org/stories/civilian_deaths.htm
2. Kristof, Nicholas D. "Genocide Without Borders." New York Times. National Post: March 8, 2006.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Day Three

Guess what? I haven't had the urge to sigh for the entire day! "Yeah, Grace, great accomplishment" you smirk at me...but truly, it is a huge huge accomplishment for me!

Thanks guys for your unwavering support, hope I'll keep this up...

And I will try to keep on smiling!

Monday, March 06, 2006

Day One

How can not sighing for one day be so difficult? Never envisioned this to be a hard task at all. Anyway, I've kept to my resolution, I haven't sighed aloud all of today, though I have inwardly. It's so tough!!

I think I need a substitute word for sigh.

Any suggestions?

Something to give up

After a friend of mine put his MSN nick as "No more sighing please, thank you" for a week, I'm really contemplating of stopping this bad habit. I mean, it ain't a bad habit to me...it's just a form of expression, but everyone seems to think it's a bad habit. Then Min claims that she's getting the bad habit from me as she sighs more often now. Sigh (okay, one more last time of sighing okay...).

So, I think I shall make it as my new resolution in Year 2006: Attempt to stop sighing.

Whaddya think?

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

A ton of snow

My exercise for the day:

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Is it bad luck?

I had trouble falling asleep last night after learning about the unfortunate event with my family's arrangements to fly back to Malaysia. Looking at the amount of negative events that happened recently to my family, I guess one could generally say, "Man...it's just pure bad luck!" It would be an easy scape goat I guess...to blame it on bad luck. But again, what exactly is luck? Just superstition? It is quite baseless really, which no logical explanation can argue for. For me, bad luck is just a saying...the reality is that negative and unfortunate events do happen in life sometimes due to our own decisions and sometimes not at all.

Life spins, like the tea bag does if you hold it long enough to realize...but at the end of the day, the tea bag's movement slows down though it doesn't completely come to a halt. That is the reality in life, and we just have to try to cope with painful circumstances, though it certainly is hard to make sense of.

On another note, it's snowing sooooooooooo heavily here in the land of Alberta! I woke up, prettied myself to go to University and stepped out of house into a mass-land (though one can't see any land) filled with two feet snow! Yeah, I haven't shovelled the sidewalks and my pathway yet, so it was kind of like making my way in heaps and heaps of snow! I love snow, don't get me wrong, especially so it's so beautiful outside (shall get some pictures tomorrow maybe) but I walked out of my house with pretty hair...for once my hair was actually in excellent condition, which is a rarity. And then...the snowfall ruined it all! Sighs...