renjie's posterous

too long for a tweet, too short for a blog post...

Now writing to: Alternate Reality by @JRAquino

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Learning to let go... 10 years later and I still love you with all of me

January 21, 2012

Dear Loren,

It's been 10 years to the day since you were taken away from us and not a day goes by where I don't think of you.

It's been 10 years and what a ride it has been. And yet, this year feels different. 

This year, I know deep down in my heart that I have finally learned to let you go. Though I still miss you with each passing day, I know to the very core of my being that you're in a better place, watching over all of us from up above. 

I never thought that I'd get to where I am today, and yet, here I am standing strong with my head held high. 

This is the letter that I wish 16 year-old Renjie had read when he was going through unimaginable pain, confusion and anger at the world when his little sister was taken away from him. The little sister that he swore to protect ever since he became a 'kuya' soon after you were born. 

Kuya. Big brother. Always protective. 

And yet, somehow he thought he had failed you when you got hit by that car on that fateful day on January 8, 2002. 

He wasn't there to protect you when you fell into a coma and passed away 2 weeks later. 

When his whole world collapsed around him, it has taken him 10 years to pick up all the pieces and make it whole again. And yet, the pieces that make up you are still missing. For some reason, he has finally come to terms with this and is at peace, with both himself and the world around him.

I would tell 16 year-old Renjie that even though he may find himself in the throes of emotional despair every now and then, there is only one way to go when you hit rock bottom. And that is up. With the help of a strong network of friends, mentors, family and loved ones of course.

No matter how angry he got with God for taking you away – bypassing the entire debate on religion – he has to believe that God exists because if God exists then heaven must exist. 

In my heart, I have to believe that heaven is where you are my beautiful sister.  

I would tell 16 year-old Renjie that everything turns out just fine. 

That Mom and Dad continue to be blessed in everything that they do, and that Loubelle and Lorel turn out beautifully. As for 26 year-old Renjie, well, he is still awkward around women and has to clearly step his game. That will never change, haha... 

Loren, I still miss you. I still remember everything about you. The way you smiled and the sound of your voice. 

Years ago, I was afraid that I would lose these memories and that I would forget all of those details. 

But no, I still remember. I know now that you will always be a part of me and this is something that I can't easily forget. In many ways, you have helped to shape my character and my perspective on life, and I would like to thank you for that.  

See you in heaven dear sister, but certainly not too soon. There are still many, many things that I need to accomplish first and I know that I am just getting started. 

Watch me and I will make you proud.

Love you forever and always, 

Kuya

F1030115

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PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet

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Pitch Night Social at #uWaterloo presented by @UWI2E - January 24, 2012 #socent #kwawesome

Pitch_night_social_jan_2012
More information on Ideas2Entrepreneurship (@UWI2E) can be found at: www.tinyurl.com/i2epitchnightsocial

Pitch Night Social is an opportunity to pitch your game-changing idea for a potential $250 of start up cash and to receive critical feedback from an experienced panel of entrepreneurs. The Night is also for you to network with entrepreneurial students and a select number of local entrepreneurs and community change leaders.

Follow I2E on Facebook and Twitter.
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Larry Smith on why you will fail to have a great career #TEDxUW #TED

Larry Smith, one of the best professors the University of Waterloo has to offer. 
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Winter is finally here | Calgary to London #photo

Calgary_to_london

Calgary woke up to a blanket of snow this morning. It seems that winter is finally here. I'm flying WestJet from Calgary to London (Ontario and not UK) and because of the weather, my flight has been delayed for a minimum of 4 hours. It turns out the plane from Vancouver that was then supposed to take us to London had to turn around when landing conditions were deemed unsafe at Calgary airport. At least WestJet is giving all passengers a meal voucher for the inconvenience caused. Something tells me today is going to be a long day.

On another note, I'm looking forward to getting back to work in KW/Toronto. And by 'work', I mean the numerous projects I'm working on which includes a technology/mental health startup company (more on that soon enough), TEDxWaterloo, as well a couple of freelance contracts in communications and marketing, which I am hoping to ramp up even more so in the next few months. If you'd like to get in touch to discuss opportunities, feel free to drop me a line www.renjie.ca/contact

Certainly big things ahead for 2012.

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Now editing to... definitely feeling this track from Deeper Manila, 2011 (June Marieezy ft. RBTO - Sometimes)

Dope.
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Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss #BurningMan

Absolutely beautiful.

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If you can donate some baby items for a single teenage mother in need in London, ON, would appreciate it

My friend Jenna Goodhand has setup a ChipIn donation page for a single teenage mother in need, located in the London, Ontario area.

If you're located in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and are able to donate some of the baby items listed below, I'd be happy to take them off your hands and bring them with me the next time I am in London. 

If you're in Toronto, DM me and we'll figure something out. 

Many thanks,

- Renjie

A teenage mother in a very difficult situation is in need of baby items. Her mother is losing a battle with cancer and the teenager herself is in critical condition with a kidney condition and doctors expect she may not make it to the end of her pregnancy. A woman with an enormous heart has taken her in but has little resources to support this teenager and the baby that is on the way.

I am looking to help these women collect items for the baby in the form of used or new baby items or money to then purchase the items still in need.
Here is a list of items I am still looking to help collect. If you would like to donate money towards a specific item please email me (jennagoodhand@gmail.com) and let me know which item you would like your financial donation to go towards.

Changetable w/pad
Dresser
Baby Swing
High chair
Bassinette/Cradle
Stroller
Bouncy chair
Breast pump
Excersaucer
Breast feeding pillow
Crib bedding
Baby toys"
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Keeping life in perspective

Received the story below in my email inbox this morning. 

I've read it before but thought that I would share it with all of you as the story below does provide some great perspective on what matters most and what's important in life. Enjoy!

***

An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

"How long it took you to catch them?" The American asked.

"Only a little while." The Mexican replied.

"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" The American then asked.

"I have enough to support my family's immediate needs." The Mexican said.

"But," The American then asked, "What do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats."

"Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then, senor?"

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions, senor? Then what?"

The American said slowly, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos..."
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