To fix or not to fix ....

Seems to be the story of BMW owners, getting hit every 25000km with expensive repairs

I don't blame BMW as my car is 2000 BMW 323i and it's just showing its ages, but the expensive labour & parts still get me every time. Especially the charge-per-diagnostic fee!!!! They should be allowed to only charge it ONCE, and not per issue/section

• No heat because Thermostat/leaking coolant - $415+tax
• Noise when turning because front lower control arm bushings separated - $766+tax
• Drive belt has bad crack - $199+tax
• Intake Boot torn - $134+tax
• Total of all repairs = $1710.82!!!!

That's on top of the charges I already paid up front (labour $287.50 + parts $73.10 = $407.48)

• Oil change & maintenance - $220
• Diagnostics for heating - $120 (this is 1/4 of the thermostat repair already, gee)
• Diagnostics for driving noise - $60

Anyone know a good BMW mechanic? or recommendation to fix or not fix?
I am seriously considering getting a new car, let it be used or leased, anything's better

Haiti Earthquake Relief 海地賑災

I have donated $200 to the 慈濟/Tzui Chi relief and hope the readers will want to send their love as well
You can make donations by cheque, wire transfer, or online. As a bonus, Canadian government will match our donations, so your $1 becomes $2

Thank you, from me, from everyone in Tzu-Chi organization, and from the Haiti people

2010年1月12日海地發生7.0級強震後，慈濟花蓮本會隨即成立工作小組，了解災情並評估接下來的賑災重點。慈濟基金會在救援物資的整備上，已備妥毛毯逾五萬條、四十萬份香積飯等食品，生活包及相關醫療用品均整備，並密切注意災區訊息、評估安全、交通後立即展開援助。
慈濟已啟動全球救災網，加拿大分會和華僑之聲即日起為海地啟動募款賑災。

http://ch.tzuchi.ca/canada/home.nsf/reportC/k14183

When the news of Haiti earthquake broke out, Tzu Chi Foundation Headquarter in Hualien, Taiwan, had already established a special task team to assess the extend of relief effort needed to aid the Haitians in the aftermath of the quake. The Foundation, always in readiness for disaster response, already had 50,000 blankets, 400,000 packs of instant rice/noodles, daily personal packs and medical supplies all assembled and ready to be shipped, pending the assessment of safety and transportation logistics by the task team.

Tzu Chi global headquarters had initiated a global fundraising campaign to deliver the love from people around the globe to the affected people in Haiti. Answering the call of love, Tzu Chi Foundation Canada and CHMB AM1320 will be accepting donations starting January 14th.

http://ch.tzuchi.ca/canada/home.nsf/reportC/k14185

In addition, we hope the public will join us in prayers, in whichever way they prefer, for the disaster victims in Haiti.

2009 Recap, 2010 Resolutions

I am still slowly accepting the fact I am back in Canada and returning to normal life

I have organized most of the photos, but choosing what to upload (or blog about) are the difficult parts

Before 2009 has disappeared from me, I want to recap a truly unexpected 2009, and plan great things for 2010

What I Did in 2009

• Celebrated my first Chinese New Year in Taiwan since 1996, with extended big families
• Bought a "new" used car
• Travelled to: Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, Bruce Peninsula, Montreal, Quebec, Mont Tremblant, Hong Kong, Taiwan
• Volunteered more at Tzu-Chi/慈濟, and attended community events and Pearson Runway Run
• Recovered in equities and more, and able to donate more
• Watched more Blue Jays, and last season of Roy Halladay as a Jay
• Obtained Microsoft database certification, to improve myself
• 結婚了 Found a girl, made her my fiancee, and married her
• 開學了 只是要唸三年

Funny, I actually met most my 2009 new year resolutions, except losing weight

What I Want To Do in 2010

• Lose weight (will try anyway)
• Do even better financially
• Finish the basement in the house (not doing it myself)
• Travel to: London, Greece, New York, Washington DC
• Honeymoon, aiming for Greece
• Perhaps become a Dad-in-progress ;-)
• Spend my life with Wendy in Canada, and forever!!

Funny, now I'm talking about becoming a dad....

Memorable 2009-2010 Vacation and X'mas Wedding

I have a detailed version of the vacation, down to each day, but that's not what's memorable. These are

2009.12.25 - My beautiful wedding reception
No words can describe that day, or the days of work leading to it, so I'll let the photos speak for me
Wedding Reception Photos
Flickr
Flickr Slideshow

For references, here are the Engagement photos (there are differences!!)

2009.12.31 - Celebrating 2010 with my wife, and our families
Vacation is good, but able to spend it with families (now bigger) is much much better

2010.01.02~01.04 - Enjoying Hong Kong together with my wife, creating new memories
Travelling alone is never fun, so I found my soul mate to travel with me. It has ups and downs, but all I remember are the ups, the food, the view, and most importantly my love

This is one X'mas I will always remember