Treatment completed

3 more physiotherapy visits and I'm done... I'll miss the massage therapies, but I'll regain 5 hours every week.

I don't want a slip-disc

During physiotherapy yesterday, the assigned me a new massage therapist. I cannot remember his name, but we did have a good conversation during my therapy. Through our conversation, I told him I was a M.Div student. To that in reply he said he has been to church in the early 90's. But sensing the awkwardness of his tone of voice, I decided to ask some non-intrusive questions (ie "what brought you to church?" and "what did you think?") He told me that he is into recording and he was looking for a few gospel singers for a project. At that, we clicked. Chatting about recording and studio work, in attempt to put him at ease.

I pray that next week I'll have the chance to continue our conversation.

He also explained to me to complications of my tight hamstring and calf muscles. He tool me that the tightness of my muscles will put stress on my pelvis, tilting back and in turn pulling on my lumbar. The result of this will be the straightening of my lumbar arch, thus applying pressure to my intervertebral discs and increasing the risk of slip-discs. I don't want slip-discs... so time to do my stretches.

As the dust settles...

God's stamp of presence was there every step of the way.

I had been a month less a day since the car accident. It seem as though my world was flipped up-side-down by something as small as a little car wrack. I'm picking up the new vehicle tonight - a shiny new 2007 Subaru Impreza, gray colour. Last Friday, I was at the collusion centre cleaning out my wracked Protege, I learn that Alan at the collusion was a Tyndale alumni - class of 2006, M.Div in Pastoral Ministry. That's amazing. What a small world. We got into a cool little conversation because he noticed my Saddleback Church license plate cover. He said he was from Willowcreek Church. Wow. Afterwards, I proceeded to the insurance company to turn in my keys and ownership and to receive the cheque for my car. At TD Meloche Monnex I had my Tyndale clipboard with me to take notes, and at the sight of that the insurance agent informed me that he has a buddy attending seminary at Tyndale. And as if that's not enough, afterward during lunch time I was at my physiotherapy appointment. While I was getting hooked up to the electro-treatment machine, I had a chat with the young lady helping me out and she asked me where I go to for school. I told her Tyndale but she did know where that is. So I proceed to tell her it is behind Sister of St. Joseph and how Tyndale has purchased that property. She exclaimed that was her high school. 3 stamps of God's presence with a span of 3 hours, at 3 difference places. Wow!

Thinking back, the car accident has truly been a blessing. Through this accident, I am almost out of debt because of the cheque from the write-off of the Protege. Also, my back is a million times better because of the weekly treatments. And now I have a safe vehicle to carpool the kids from church. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings in unexpected places. I love you, Lord.

"...you are the one who won't relax!"

When I was at my physio appointment yesterday, my treatment included chiropractic adjustment of my back, and massage therapy. Massage therapies are usually done by Robert, but on Tuesday during lunch it is done by another lady. During the appointment, she said that she didn't recognize me, but I reassure her that I had her treat my back last week.

As soon as she begins her treatment, she exclaimed: "Oh, I don't remember your face, but I remember your back. You are the one who won't relax!"

At that, she told me to relax. But no matter how I tried to follow her instructions she said I'm not relaxed. And she would lift my hips and start shaking it from side to side to get me to loosen my back...

Maybe that's part of my problem - I have not learn to relax. Even during my "down time" I'll find things to do. I must learn how to relax.

Call me Petter Solberg...

Call me Petter Solberg...
Or call me Richard Burns...
Or Colin McRae...
Or even call me Bunta Fujiwara... lol...
If you know any of these names, you know where I'm going at. I have made my decision on what car to get.

No, I'm not getting a STI nor a WRX, though I wish. And the STI is the fastest car I've ever driven. The Subaru Impreza 2.5i is the closet thing to my dream car since university.... only without the "whiiiiirrrrll..... ssspppzzzzzz" sound of the turbo.173HP, all-wheel drive, and the best part is 3.8% lease and connections with the dealer manager. Thank God. So, I can say God is my Nicky Grist.

PS. Wondering what happened to the Nissan Versa? Well, I test drove it today and it made this very annoying clicking sound every time I shift in to gear... plus the sale rep didn't know know anything, I had to back the car back into the parking spot for him. Also since it was a six speed, the first question I asked the sale rep in the car (since it was dark outside) was whether the "reverse" gear is on the extreme right and down. I assumed that because my only experience with a six speed was in the STI and it was extreme right and down. The sale rep promptly replied "Yes". So with that said, off we go. Then what do you know... at a red light, right turn, from a complete stop, I slapped the stick left and up to put it into 1st gear... and surprise surprise, I was in reverse. Thank to the sales rep. That gave an excuse for dad to make fun of me. Therefore, no Nissan Versa.

Car Shopping

With much discussion with my parents, I have narrow the field of car choices to 5 cars. Here are some of my comments and in order of preference.

VW Rabbit 2.5, 5-dr
Pro: Torquey at 170 lb.ft, European, fullyloaded
Con: Reliability (electronics), gas consumption




Subaru Impreza 2.5i wagon
Pro: 4 wheels drive, 3.8% lease, 172 hp :)
Con: Gas consumption, most expensive of the 5





Nissan Versa 1.8SL
Pro: 6 speed manual transmission :P
Con: 6.25% lease




Honda Fit LX
Pro: Honda reliability, versatile cargo configuration, good value
Con: Under powered at 109hp, almost like my old Toyota Echo




Toyota Matrix XR
Pro: Toyota reliability
Con: Price (2nd most expensive of the 5, while the Rabbit and Versa is fully loaded)

Here's mom & dad's order of perference:

1. Toyota Matrix XR
2. Honda Fit LX
3. Subaru Impreza 2.5i wagon
4. Nissan Versa 1.8SL
5. VW Rabbit 2.5, 5-dr

Hmmm... do you see the disconnect? All comments and suggestions are welcome.

PS. In case of you are wondering why I am worried about reliability if I'm leasing the car, because by the lease is up, my parent's Camry would be 12 yr old. They might want to back back my car if the car is good.

*****************
Update 13/11/2006

The Honda Fit and the VW Rabbit is off the list. Down to three choice... looks like will be a Japanese car again.

Test driving the Nissa Versa tomorrow. That the forerunner right now... unless the Impreza impresses dad so much to justify the cost ($6000 more) and the extra fuel consumption. Plus Nissans brings good memories back for dad and he is drooling over the 6 spd transmission.

Bye Bye Protege

I got the news today from the collision center. My car is deemed total lost. 4 years for memories... the camping trips, the countless nights spent in the car during the days I was on the road. But it all will eventually come to an end.

Still counting my blessings...

Uh oh, someone was not happy about my last post. :P Hey, 39 more days, I count that as a blessings.

******

A week since my accident, I'm still counting my blessings. The adjuster from the insurance company called me this morning, praise God, the insurance has settled. I am not at fault. I get to stay in my rental 2006 Civic, I get to continue my physio treatments, and they will begin work on my car.

The physiotherapy are going wonders for my back. I definitely cannot complain about the massage therapy, the chiropractor cracking my back, and the electro-shock treatments. By back is feeling better everyday, and it might even be better than before. :D Plus the stretching program should help my range of motion, and finally loosen up my hamstrings and back muscles. It's like I get the point when every therapist I meet comments about my tight hamstrings and back muscles.

I should find some time to take part in the gym's yoga classes again. I remember I used to really enjoy it when used to take part in the yoga classes at the gym before work.

One thing I am learning about myself is how much I suppress pain. When Dr. Vivian asked me how much my back hurts on a scale from 1 - 10, I replied "3". Even though at times it really bothers me. She looked at me with a funny look, and finally I said it is more like "5". I always though to suppress pains and hurts is a strength, but I'm beginning to see that I need learn to express these sorrows and pains so that it does not build up. I need to learn to use my escape valve, to let some stream out. In the past it has been sports... but I must admit, my body is not as durable as it used to be. The stains and pulls takes longer to heal. I need to learn to open my mouth. I think walking into Kaarina's office yesterday was a huge step for me. And I think writing on this blog has been helping me connect with myself.

Thanks for reading my random ramblings.

Struck down but not destoryed

I want to hide in a corner and cry... but I cannot. There's too much riding on my shoulders. I want to running into the arms of a warm embrace... but I cannot stay there. I have to stand up and press on.

NIV 2 Corinthians 4:8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I must admit the uncertainties of the pass few days are slowly chipping away at me. Yet, I still feel the gracious hand of God on my back reassuring me as I walk. And also as I continue to serve in His ministry. I need to be focused when my congregation calls me and messages me in the middle of the night in distress. I need to be in tune to the Spirit's prompting. So that the resurrected life of Jesus can be at work.

NIV 2 Corinthians 4:10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

I was reassuring to get into my car this morning are at the very moment a Delirious? song from playing on CD:

Every Little Thing

Everything must change
There’s a mirror showing me the ugly truth
These bones they ache with holy fire
But I’ve got nothing to give, just a life to live
If your world is without colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

Every little thing’s gonna be alright
Every little thing’s gonna be alright [x2]

There’s no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
I’ve built my house where the ocean meets the land
It’s time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand
Let your world be full of colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

When it’s all falling down on you
You’re crying out but you’re breaking in two
When it’s all crashing down on you
When there’s nothing you can do
There is someone who can carry you

Counting my blessing...

... in the mist of a car accident.

Tonight, while leaving youth group, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

[My poor car... :( ]

[The other car...]

Traveling southbound on Bayview, rainy conditions, a northbound Benz made a left turn in front of me and I had no time to react.

Blessings:

• All drivers and passengers in all three vehicles involved are okay.
• The airbags did not deploy, or else I would be in worst shape.
• God provided an eye witness to the incident.
  
• I was able to smile through the incident.
• Though my car might be total lost, I have peace in my heart. (could be bye bye to Protege) :(
  
• I was in no way angry at the teenage driver, pray that I was a good witness.
  
• The most important of all, I had a good time chatting with the tow truck driver.

Pray for Felix, the tow truck driver. I will have another opportunity to talk to him tomorrow morning. Pray that God will open doors and give me the opportunity to share the Gospel with him.