Attending the New York Summer Conference at TCNJ, the College of New Jersey

The NYSC held at the College of New Jersey

Beautiful buildings on the campus of TCNJ

My girl friend has been attending the NYSC for the past decade. Each time she came back from it, she is always full of enthusiasm, on fire for God and keeps encouraging us to register for the conference the following year.

The 2019 New York Summer Conference was held at TCNJ 

We had politely declined her invitation for years. But this year, we decided to go and personally experience what she has been talking about.

Brower Student Centre, TCNJ

We were not disappointed at all!

Eating area outside the dining hall, TCNJ

The venue of the NYSC was at The College of New Jersey – TCNJ.

















TCNY is a campus of over 200 acres with mature trees and beautiful buildings.














I liked the buildings with modern design as well as those with classical Greek columns.

Students are accommodated in these townhouses. 

We were assigned to stay in a 3 level town house and slept on the bottom floor.

The conference schedule was full with two keynote speakers back to back in the morning.

Conference organizers and TCNJ were considerate of the needs of the attendees. There were golf carts available taking less mobile people to the various locations on campus.

Dining Hall at TCNJ

  We enjoyed our hour long lunch break each day and met some friends from Canada and New York,

There was a vegetarian option from which to choose for lunch and dinner.

There was about an hour for break in the afternoon, followed by an afternoon workshop of our choice, then dinner and evening keynote speaker again.

There were over 1000 people attending this annual conference with meetings and venues arranged for various aged groups.

I was glad that my girl friend kept encouraging me to attend this conference which has been happening for the past 49 years. This was their 50th year!

One of our two inspiring keynote speakers

Everyone enjoyed our two keynote speakers who were humble, knowledgeable men of God, well prepared for their messages and delivered them with sensitivity and humor.  

I was touched by the speakers deeply from day 1. When one of the speaker said that we could always serve God no matter where we were and how old we were. He cited many examples and inspiring real life stories when Christians in their last stage of their lives,  were still dedicated and served God.





 My eyes were filled  with tears.  God once again reminded me that my  husband and I are retirees who are enjoying the fruits of hard work of many years. 


We are moving towards the last stage of our lives and we need to fill our lives with meaningful things to do.

We enjoyed the beautiful architecture at TCNJ

We thank God for this great Christian conference where  we experienced the joy of corporate singing and praise, worship and fellowship.














 It was uplifting and inspiring!  It also confirms the new ministry of what we will be starting in September!

R.T.
2019 New York Summer Conference
The College of New Jersey
New Jersey, USA

The Best Way to the College of New Jersey from Manhattan New York By Public Transit

We were going to attend a conference in New Jersey. Prior to our departure, I googled the instructions of how to get to our destination. However, I found the instructions given by Google search
complicated and lengthy.  It discouraged us as it said that it would take almost 3 hours to get there.

Port Authority, New York City

We persisted and kept looking, the instructions we found on the College of New Jersey's website was very helpful.

It advised people to take the  New Jersey train from PENN station, about 7-10 minutes walk from the Port Authority where our bus ride terminated and passengers alighted .

We enjoyed some delicious pastries at one of the Port Authority cafes

Port Authority offers a lot of places to eat and we enjoyed some fresh Italian Stromboli before walking to Penn Station.

Penn Station, New York City

Penn Station is a huge place with numerous trains going to all directions. There were many automatic ticket selling machines. But We didn’t find any info booths with staff working answering puzzled travellers’ questions in the main lobby .

A Penn Station staff member offering directions to confused passengers

However, we did find many police offices’ presence and they were helpful along with a couple of staff members standing around the transit maps assisting confused passengers.

There are many levels and numerous tracks leading to various trains going to all directions.

We followed the signs showing the JY transit helping us to navigate the mazes of pathways and tracks.

Finally, we located the New Jersey transit ticket booths with three live agents! We went to one of them who helped us with the ticket purchase and informing us that our train would leave in 4 minutes. On the website, it said $15.50 per person one way. We informed the agent that we were seniors and got a 50% discount, Amazing An extra word from me saved us 50% of our ticket price!

A comfortable ride from Manhattan, NY  to Trenton, NJ

Our train to Trenton, New Jersey departed from Track 8 and we made it in time for the 7:03 train which left right on time! The seats were comfortable, spacious and clean.

We took the New Jersey train to Trenton, NJ

Rather than following Google’s instructions directing us to transfer numerous times to get to the College of New Jersey,  we followed the instruction given by the college's website and enjoyed a comfortable and economic ride to Trenton Transit Centre..

Trenton Transition Centre, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

From there we could have taken the 601 bus to the College. The ticket was $1.50, very affordable indeed!

But it was July 4, the bus followed the Sunday reduced service schedule. We missed the last bus and took a taxi to the college instead.

We got to the college shortly after 9p.m. and were glad to hit our bed for a good night rest!


R.T.
Trenton
New Jersey
USA

Bussng to New York City Via Greyhound from Toronto, Canada

July 4 - the American Independence Day, a day of celebration in the US where all things come to a stand still. Streets are quiet, there was hardly any soul on the street. We were traveling to NY city by Greyhound bus. We booked our online bus tickets a few weeks ago, for the two of us, it cost less than $300.00 compared to almost $900.00 if we take the plane. We are retirees, not in a hurry in our travel therefore, decided to take the scenic route by bus this time to NY city.
We wentto NY numerous times, either driving or by plane when our son was working in the Big Apple. However, we rarely took the bus, so it was a new experience.

We boarded the 6am bus at the Toronto Bay Street bus terminal and in no time at all ( less than 2 hours), we arrived at the Buffalo border custom.

I thought with the Trump's hard-line anti-immigrant policy, we would probably take a long time at the US border. To my pleasant surprise, it took less than 20 minutes for all the passengers on the bus to pass through the custom inspection.

Nice scenery en route to New York City via a Greyhound bus

By 12:30pm, we were in Syracuse, the half way point between Toronto and New York City. The bus stopped allowing there allowing passengers to have a lunch.break We were happy to find a Tim Horton, Canadians' favourite  coffee shop, in the US,.

The scenery going to New York was beautiful. The bus passed by and stopped at bus terminals a few small towns.

Lovely buildings on Clinton Ave in Cortland, NY

Cortland, a place where we had fond memory as this was the place we always stopped whenever we drove to NY to visit our son.

Binghamton, NY State, USA

Binghamton, another scenic small town we remember well.
 

Binghamton train station, New York State

It was exactly a decade ago when we made the frequent visits to NY city to watch the shows on Broadway, shop and Macey's and stroll in Central Park.

We spent the July 4 long weekend in U.S.A.

It was shortly after 6pm when the bus pulled into New York City. It seemed no time at all.

Here we are again for the July 4 long weekend to recapture part of the happy memories of our younger days!

R.T.
New York City
USA

Toronto Raptors - One Win Away from the NBA Champion Title

 June 8, 2019

I am not a sports fan and do not normally follow any hockey or basketball games on TV.
But this time is different! Canadians are embracing the basketball game and are excited about the NBA playoffs. So are we!

The entire Canada  is watching the NBA finals cheering on our beloved Raptos basketball team. Raptors won Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors in the finals at Oracle stadium in Oakland tonight! In fact, the Raptors was ahead of the Warrior most of the night and it was a comfortable win. There was no nail biting hoping for the catch up scores moment.

Our son and his cousins are both working and living in the States. They have been cheering on the Raptors over skypes, social media, cell phone etc. I get in the action too. Every time when the Raptors games are on, I text our son and cheer the team on our cells. It is fun! The games are helping us to keep in touch and communicate more often. Thanks, Raptors! 

We are one win away from being the NBA champion, the first time ever!!!
We the North are very proud of the Raptors!

R.T.
Cheering for the Raptors in Toronto! 

Conducting a Dating Workshop at a Youth Retreat, Rice Lake, Ontario

A Sunday morning drive to Rice Lake, Ontario

I am privileged that I have many invitations throughput the year to speak at various gatherings and retreats.

I had a great day today giving a workshop at a youth retreat held in the Rice Lake area. Pastor Cheung came to my house and picked me up at 8 a.m. We were on our way.

Rice Lake is about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Toronto

It took us an hour and 15 minutes car ride to get to our destination, Hastings, a cottage area north east of Toronto.

Rice Lake, Ontario

There are fifteen cottages located on this property fronting Rice Lake, a beautiful lake! A couple of the LW church members bought this cottage property business recently.

This cottage property is owned by a Christian couple

The owners, Esther and her husband, a Christian couple, was generous enough to allow the youths to stay there for their retreat for free!

I met this group of youth and conducted a workshop dealing with dating and choosing the right person at the spacious communal kitchen dining room.












We did the following interactive activities and the participants seemed to enjoy them.

Rice Lake, Ontario - a beautiful location for a church retreat!

It is my sincere hope that the young people will start thinking of the desired qualities they are looking for in their potential mate and able to make that commitment once when he/ she meets that person.


A 90 minute Dating Workshop Program

1. 5 -7 minutes - Introduction of me

2. 5-7 minutes - Survey questions
    Divide the room into 2 sections
    Yes side vs No side
    Youths go to the side for their answers

a. Would you like to get married eventually?
b. What do you need to do to find the right person before getting married?
     Yes – going out for dates       No – internet dating

c. Are you ready for dating?
d. Who have gone on dates?

The young people liked this activity a lot! They were honest in their responses and it was fun for them to see how other responding to each question.

 

The drive to and from Rice Lake was enjoyable as the landscape was gorgeous!

3. 15 minutes - Brainstorming Activity –  Divide the youths into 2 groups
    Give each group a chart paper, a marker and masking tape to tape paper on wall
    Each group write down their answers on chart paper and present at the end to the whole group

   What kind of person (qualities) are you looking for in your future mate?

4.  15 Minutes - Follow up group discussions on the qualities listed. Discuss the importance of setting standards for yourself – wait for the right person, avoid regrets, don’t jump into easy relationships
Look at all the qualities, keep a mental note

5. 15 Minutes Triangle activity – Find out which geometric shape is the strongest?

Divide youths into a group of 3
Give each group 50 straws
Each group will come up with the tallest and most stable structure

10 minutes for the task
5 minutes to share

Rice Lake, Ontario

6. 15 minutes - The Relationship Triangle
Give out the Triangle handout
Go over the model - A God centre relationship/ marriage with God at the top while she and he on the bottom, coming together in oneness in God.

Our body is the temple of God – avoid premarital sex.

Christians and non believers cannot bear the same yoke

7. 15 minutes - Questions and answers

R.T.
Rice Lake
Hastings, Ontario

Painting for the First Time in My Life at 105 Gibson Centre's Paint Night Program, Markham, Ontario

Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre, Markham

105 Gibson Centre offered a series of  Paint Night events on Friday evenings

I am not an artsy person. I love music, theatre and going to shows. However, painting was one area which did not appeal to me as I did not think I have a shred of talent in art nor had I ever any opportunities of trying my hands in this subject.

Fortunately, 105 Gibson Centre recently offered a series of Paint Nights on Friday evenings.

A sample painting by the Paint Night instructor - Lillian S.

Instead of committing to a whole term or a year of painting lessons every week, interested people could sign up for a particular Paint Night when the art instructor would show the class a simple painting to be completed within that lesson. These painting projects were for beginners.

“ It is only for one night. What would I have to lose? Even if I don’t like it, I would not have to pay for the whole term and I don’t even have to invest in buying any brushes and supplies. Why not?” I thought to myself and signed up for my first ever painting lesson last fall.

Everything was ready for us when we arrived for our painting lesson

I loved my first ever painting experience! Organizers of the Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre did a super job of organizing the class. Everything was set up by 7:30pm on the Friday evening of the class. Tables, chairs, easels, paints and brushes for all the participants were nicely set up when I arrived for the painting class. 

Soft classical music and nice songs playing in the background while we painted

What made this Paint Night special was the added touches.

A dessert and drink table was set up for Paint Night participants

At every Paint Night, soft melodious classical music and songs were softly playing in the background while a drink and dessert table was set up for participants.

The cheese cake and cookies were served at the Paint Nite

We could help themselves freely to some beverages, cheese cakes and other goodies.

I enjoyed my first painting experience tremendously at the 105 Gibson Centre's Paint Night event

Lillian S., the art instructor was kind, knowledgeable and considerate of each participant’s abilities.

The atmosphere was relaxing and the staff was helpful. Painting has always been a bit intimidating for me. My experience at the Paint Night was so positive that I am starting to develop confidence and an affinity for this subject.

The first painting piece I did was a sunset piece at 105 Gibson Centre

My first painting at the Paint Night was a sunset piece.

Cameron Lake, B.C. as captured by me in my latest painting

I enjoyed painting so much that I went back three more times after my first lesson and completed three more pieces.

My Paint Night masterpieces are proudly displayed in our Toronto home.

My paintings are  currently proudly adorning the walls in our home. Every time I look at my work, I feel proud and happy!

Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre

Thank you, 105 Gibson Centre for organizing and offering these affordable and meaningful classes to the community. I look forward to attending more art classes in the future at the community centre!

R.T.

Paint Nights

105 Gibson Centre

105 Gibson Drive, Markham

Ontario, Canada