It was a good skating lesson for John this evening. He was having fun with his brother. He didn't even know he was skating.

2017: Eye of the storm

We were so happy when we knew we had a little life coming, meanwhile we were so worried about losing him. Although knowing him coming and losing him happened on the same week, it was tough and emotional.

===========

Eye Of The Storm

When the solid ground is falling out
From underneath my feet
Between the black skies and my red eyes
I can barely see
When I realize I've been let down by my friends and my family
I can hear the rain reminding me

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds, me in the eye of the storm

When my hopes and dreams are far from me
And I'm running out of faith
I see the future I pictured slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache are pouring down my face
I find my peace in Jesus' name

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm

When they let me go and I just don't know
How I'm gonna make ends meet
I did my best
Now I'm scared to death
That we might lose everything

And when a sickness takes my child away
And there's nothing I can do
My only hope is to trust You
I trust You LORD

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

2016: The hockey Numbers for Novice Major winter season

14 Jacob's jersey number
7 Months from Aug 29 September to March 29
5 cm taller in height in 7 months
1 Team
2 Goalies
15 Players
134 Ice Times
    63 Practices
    71 Games
        5 Exhibition Games
        22 Tournament Games
        30 Regular Season Games
        14 Playoff Games

约翰福音第三章

一直知道Cobcob四岁时信主。昨晚与他一起看约翰福音第三章谈重生，很感恩知道他清楚知道他是born again。

2015: Jacob's game plan for the big game

We had a big game tonight. There were 2 teams went undefeated after many games in the past 2 months. They finally met tonight. Jacob was very excited about the game. He wrote down his game plan last night, and explained to me how he would execute his plan this morning.

It was so cute to see his plan. It was the leading-up events pairing with his Halloween treats. It made my day to see how an 8-year-old thinks before his big game. It also reminds me to relax and enjoy the game as a parent.
 
Jacob’s game plan: See photo (or text below)
Need to do
=========
After school: Coffee Crisp
Car(ride to the rink): Nerds
Waiting (before warm up): Snickers
Warm up: Fizz
(Coach) Talking: Aero

Maybe
======
three goals: 1 Rocket
dad happy: 1 gummy

It is cute to see “dad happy” has a reward of 1 gummy.

2015: Jacob book review

Ha. It was a good review. Good to read it. I think we have spelling errors to fix. :-) 

Grandma rat Rock got an ich at her back. She said she wanted to go to the long lost land of cheesy-la to be cured. So their family went to the ??? long lost land Cheesy-La. When they found the long lost land Cheesy-La, they were sad because it was just a bunch of water. When they were going out the path they saw a picture on the path wall. It was a picture of a lot of people in a water. So they went back to the land of cheesy-La and jump in the water and it actually was a pool.

2015: John 27 weeks

Hello John,

Daddy has this photo for almost a month. I am happy that I finally find time to write to you.

Our family just can't wait to meet you. When mommy went for the second ultra sound checkup, Jacob went with mommy while daddy stayed at home to take care of the daycare children. Jacob was so excited to see you on the monitor.  I am sure you will like your brother. He is so loving and I am sure you will learn so much from him.


Love,
Daddy.

2015: Cobcob's story: Mike travels to different planet [Gr2]

Mike travels to different planet

Mike was a 16 years old alien and was bored of his planet, Ally Places. So, he decided that when he was 18, he would go to an airport to get a spaceship lesson. Five years later, he went to a high tech space store to buy a high tech spaceship. His high tech spaceship was light green with orange star, the top of the high tech spaceship was a sunroof and at the bottom of the high tech spaceship has two pop up tires. So Mike set off the next day to space and open the sunroof and wave goodbye to his family. Mike's journey begins at Dancurcy. When Mike got off the high tech spaceship, he noticed it was very different from Ally Places. It was warm in the world of Dancurcy, and in Ally Places, it was cold, it was also warm and hot. Then he went to search for creatures to discover, suddenly! The whole world begin to shake. Mike freak out and fainted. When Mike woke up, Mike had a plan. His plan was to dig a hole to find out what was causing the Dancurcyquake. So, he went to a tree and broke a branch as a shovel. Then he started digging. When he dig as deep as a well, two long furry ears poke out of the deep tunnel. Finally ten million long furry ears pop out of the deep tunnel. Finally Mike knew what was causing the Dancurcyquake. After that amazing adventure, he headed back to Ally Places. When he got home, he told his family about the adventure. 

The End
By Jacob GOH

Jacob's story: Ryan's science lab

 

  Ryan's science lab

Once upon a time, there was a eight years old robot named Ryan. He loves science at school. But one day he got bullied by grade 6s, and all his friends made fun of him. So Ryan asked his parents for their old science lab. His parents said ok. So at a weekend, he woke up early to go to his own science lab to do experiments. He got to work right away. His goal was to make a good friend robot. It didn't take long before he knew how to make a new good friend robot. When the new robot friend of Ryan was finished. He decided to have fun with his new friend.

The end

By Jacob GOH

2015: Cobcob Chirstmas Recital

Dear Jacob,

Daddy is proud of your willingness to learn piano. Both you and mommy have sense of music, which daddy always wish I would have too. But God made everyone special. You are special, and so does daddy.

I see you are having fun while playing piano. I share your accomplishment every time you learn a new song. Keep working hard and have fun.

I pray that you will keep on learning piano. Maybe one day, you will use it on a special way God wants to you to be.

Love,
Daddy
Feb 3, 2015

2015: Remembering my aunt 2 Gu (我的二姑)

Just a few hours ago, I lost my beloved aunt 二姑. When I heard the news, I was first in shock, then I sobbed and grieved. I really miss her. I was sad and so emotional. Doreen and Jacob were very understanding. Jacob knew that I like candle, he brought me a scented candle and asked me if I would like to light it up so that I could feel better. I think it is a good idea. I lighted it up to remember 2 Gu.

Then a lot of sweet memories of her flashed through my mind.

I spent a big chunk of my childhood in a fishing village (KK) growing up. As far as I could remember, 2 Gu was always there helping out the family business. She was my dad's first lieutenant working in the front line while my mom works in the back line. She was always strong and capable of lifting up 100 of pounds of fish to the scale all by herself. She was tough and fearless when it came to protect the business territory. She always stood solid on her ground on this man-dominated business.

2 Gu once told me in tears. My dad was the only son in the family. Before grandma died, her biggest regret was that my dad does not have brother(s). Grandma was worried about my dad being bullied. 2 Gu said she (along with all the sisters) promised grandma to stand beside my dad and fight if she needed to. And she did fulfilled her promise. In the past 39 years of my life, I witnessed 2 Gu's determination to stand firm on her promise.

Although she was tough as seen by many, she was a very lovely aunt to me. I don't recall her scolding me, not even once. She was an old fashioned aunt and never hug me. She loved me but I never knew that. Until when I was 13 years old, when I had a surgery and was recovering in the hospital ward, she suddenly came to the ward. As soon as she saw me, she held my hands and cried. She was so caring for me. From that moment on, I knew down in my heart, 2 Gu loved me.

In 1997 summer, after completing my 3rd year engineering program, I spent 2 months in the fishing village together with my parents and 2 Gu. It was my best summer ever. I had a great time with them while helping them selling fish. That summer, I came to know 2 Gu's birthday was on Aug 8. On that day, I secretly sneaked out and bought her a birthday cake. She was so happy like a little girl when we sang birthday song to her. Since then, I called her almost every year on her birthday.

One of the most silly thing I've ever done in my life was to bring Doreen to meet my parents, only a few hours after she agreed to be my girlfriend. It was right after we spent our romantic moment in the lighthouse, when my mom asked us to join them for the dinner. When we arrived, we unexpectedly to see all of our relatives from the village were on the big table. Of course, 2 Gu was one of them too. :-)

In the Chinese culture, wedding is considered a joining of two families. When Doreen and I decided to get married, both of our families need to get involved. On the day of the marriage proposal (提亲), it was 2 Gu and my mom represented the groom family to present the "grand gift" to the bride family. That symbolized the two families officially acknowledge the marriage and give their blessing.

When we announced the news to her that Doreen conceived with Jacob, she was so happy. When Jacob was born, she bought Jacob a gold baby ankle as a blessing. She was so delighted and I could feel her emotion when we told her we are expecting baby John last October.

Her passing definitely marked one of the lowest points of my life. However, as I started to recall all the great times I had with her, I am so grateful to have 2 Gu in my life. She was a true blessing to me.

2 Gu, I love you forever. I will miss you. You mean a lot to me. I will miss the moment when I said "I love you" to you in the phone, and you always responded "I love you" back to me. Thank you for loving me.

Jan 27, 2015
Kian Goh
From Ottawa, Canada

2015: You are a boy! You are beautiful in my eyes

Dear baby,

Daddy is so happy to see your ultrasound picture. You look so beautiful in the picture that I keep looking at it over and over again. I shared the picture with so many people this weekends, probably more than 30 people I shared the picture to. Imaging how excited daddy was about you?  :-)

From the ultrasound, we now know that you are a boy. Now, daddy can start an important task to name you.

Daddy loves the name "Abraham".  Abraham was a man of faith in the bible. He trusted God and lived up to God's standard. When the Lord said to Isaac , He said, "I will be with you and will bless you... because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." (Gen 26:2-5)  I wish you to trust your life in God and may God be in your entire life. Faith is the utmost blessing I could give you.

Another name daddy loves is "John". In the bible, John is called the "Apostle of Love". He was one of Jesus' beloved disciples and had experienced the unconditional love of Jesus firsthand. He preached that love in his gospel and letters. Daddy wish you to be a beloved child in our family, and be imitator of God as a loved child and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Eph 5:1)

To my sadness, both mommy and your brother Jacob do not agree with these 2 names. Mommy said Abraham sounds like "Ibrahim" and John sounds like "Uncle John". I don't really know what is wrong with the names. They just sound great to me. Your brother Jacob says Abraham's name is too long to write. "Jacob" has 5 characters and "Abraham" has 7 characters. I also do not understand why it is too long to write the name. However, Jacob said he is OK with "John". Anyway, you do not need to worry now. All you need to do is keep growing in mommy's tummy. Just let daddy handle this. Hopefully I could convince mommy and Jacob. If not, daddy will have to think of another name for you.

You are 20 weeks old in mommy's tummy this week. Mommy starts to feel you more and more nowadays. This morning, daddy was teaching children Sunday school while mommy was attending the service, mommy told me you were so excited and keep moving around during the service. Daddy loves to hear that.




Love,
Daddy
Jan 11, 2015

2014: You are so near and so precious to me

Dear baby,

This is the first time daddy hears your heart beats. I've played the audio many times, and I am not yet tired of hearing it over and over again.

You are joy in my life. I can feel that you are so near to me. You are so precious to me.

Mommy went to see doctor last Monday, the doctor said we have to wait 4 more weeks to know if you are a boy or a girl. Your brother Cobcob wishes that you are a boy so that he could teach you hockey. Daddy does not have a preference, but if daddy has to make a choice, daddy may choose "boy" as daddy grew up in a all-boys family. Mommy wishes a baby girl. Well, whether you are a "boy" or a "girl", it doesn't really matter. What matter the most is that you are my baby, and you will always be my precious baby.

Love,
Daddy

2014: Learning Full Stride

"There is a significant difference between being a fast skater and being a quick skater. Speed is measured by how fast a player in full stride can skate from point a to point b. A players ability to stride efficiently with good technique creates speed. Quickness, however is the players ability to go from one speed to another in a small amount of time and space, which may also include changing direction. Quick starts have a completely different technique then skating at full stride.  Quickness in a game is considered to be more of an effective tool then speed itself. Hockey is a game of transition and reaction where burst of speed and quickness are valuable assets to possess."

source: http://www.semihockey.ca/skating_progression_with_ihd_part_2

2013: Hardworking Award from his coach - 6yo

Coach Todd awarded Jacob the Hardworking Hat for his effort during 3 practices over the weekends. Coach also praised him for being able to do the full stride skating, which is essential skill for power skating.

He can bring the hat home for a week and write his name on the hat. He is pretty excited about it. Well done, Jacob!

2013: Cobcob with the Music For Young Children - 6yo

Jacob did well in most of his areas of development in his school report, except in the area of music and art where he got "start to develop". I wish he could play piano but he is already playing hockey, we don't want to create a another stress environment for him. After consulting with some parents, Music for Young Children seems to be a fun way for Cobcob to learn music.

We had been asking him a few times in the past 2 years if he wanted to learn music, he said no. This year, he said yes. Here he is... Singing fingers song with his mom.

2013: Jacob's coach in his IP K9 team - 6yo

Hockey season starts again. After 2 busy sort-out weekends, Cobcob will be playing in IP K9 in our Kanata Minor Hockey League. We will have to wake up at 5am for his first 6am practice this coming Saturday. His coach is Coach Todd. We just know that Coach Todd used to play in NHL. He retired in 2011.

Lucky Cob to have great coach this season!

2013 Camping Trip: Watching movie at drive-in theater at Picton

Yes. It is a drive-in theater. It was so popular in 50-60s, but it is not easy to find near home nowadays. We managed to watch the Smurf 2 at Picton. The gate opens at 8pm, and the movie starts at 9pm after sunset. We've got a fairly good spot: 1st row and nearly center. Wu Fei family and Kevin family joined us at the spot too. The temperature was just right, around 18 degree, with almost no mosquitoes. The weather was perfect with clear sky. We spotted a couple meteors flashed across the sky not far from our screen.

2013: I love my neighbors

不在渥太华的这3.5周，多亏有我们邻居们的帮忙：

• 当我们去马来西亚时，我们邻居也是好友Yaqian送我们到火车站。并且帮我们看家。
• 当我们在马来西亚时，我们左边邻居Misa帮我们剪我们家前院的草、并且每周帮我们收拾搁在家门前的广告纸，
• 当我们在马来西亚时，我们右边邻居Paul帮我们剪我们家后院一大片的草及浇水。
• 当我们回渥太华时，我们邻居也是好友Jinkai到火车站来接我们。
• 当我们回渥太华时已是吃晚饭时间了，Yaqian 给我们准备了晚餐（意大利面条、Salad、水果）并且送到我们家。非常感动。
• 回渥太华第二天，我们隔几家的邻居老太太Laura送一张卡片到我们家欢迎我们回来。

我爱我们的邻居！

2013: We've finished the Old Testament Bible - 6 yo

Yeah, we have completed the Old Testament (about 200 pages) in about one year.

2013: 2 Goals during the 4-on-4 game - 6yo

Jacob doesn't know how to play game. He had been running around chasing the puck, and seldom touch the puck. All in a sudden, he got it.

2013: Jacob's first Biking Adventure - 6yo

On the long weekend Monday, we hit the road for Jacob's first adventure biking trip. He was pretty excited about it. He prepared his own backpack, his own snack, his camera, etc. Jacob made a lot of discoveries, took a lot of photos on the way.

It was a pleasant and quiet ride in our neighborhood. We passed through quite a bit of bike lanes and part of Trans Canada Trail. We stopped a restaurant for our dinner before heading home.

Now, we kind of know what to expect with Jacob. It is time to plan for the longer trip.

2013: Soccer Team - 6yo

His best friend William is right behind him.

2013: Teaching interrelationships to Jacob

The Full-Day Early Learning–Kindergarten program is based on the understanding that children develop within a complex set of interrelated systems that includes the family, the school, the broader community, and the world. Although early learning programs have traditionally acknowledged the importance of these systems, they have tended to address each one separately, in terms of its individual impact on the child. By contrast, the Full-Day Early Learning–Kindergarten program recognizes the importance for the child’s development of the interrelationships between and among these systems, and builds on those interrelationships. Holding this interconnectedness at the centre of its vision, the program sets children on a more positive trajectory for learning. 

It is important for Jacob to understand the interrelated systems that includes the family, the school, the broader community, and the world.

We sometimes just need to push our topics a bit beyond "family" and "school". He will start to develop and build on those interrelationships.

Jacob is aware of people who don't have home to stay. We sent money to the homeless shelter together during Christmas. We gave a homeless man money everytime we see him standing outside supermarket one winter. We knew his name was Danny, and we prayed for him.

Jacob is aware of children who are not so lucky and they don't have money to buy toys. Every year, we prepare 6 Chrismas shoe boxes for the children in other country.

Jacob is aware of children in some part of Afica don't have enough food to eat. We googled and saw some images of skinny children begging for food. We had a long father and son chat. That day on, he stopped throw out his food in school.

Jacob is aware of Boston bombing, people got hurt and the Ottawa Vs Boston hockey game was cancelled. He sometimes comes and sit besides me when I am reading news. Then he will start to ask what is each news about by pointing at my tablet. He usually will get a kid's version summary of the news, then being sent aways with "Don't Disturb" reminder. :-)

2013: The Kanata Stormtroopers @ Smith Falls Game

2013: Kanata Stormtroopers - IP K6 (2012-2013)

The boys and girls enjoyed their hockey this session. They had their last practice last weekends. This is the group photo taken at the Stanley Restaurant after the Saturday practice.

2013: Teaching Jacob "4 seasons" in a fun way

In order to teach Jacob "4 seasons" in a fun way, I bought 4 colored light bulbs for our garage: Blue for Winter, Green for Spring, Red for Summer and Yellow for Fall. I just took down the blue and replaced it with green last weekends. Hmm... as we prepare to enter our 4th week of spring, today's weather forecast had Ottawa to expect "as much as 15 centimetres of snow on Friday". I guess we will have to celebrate our spring the winter way. LOL.

2013: kk Jury Selection

Jury system has been around for 1000 years. As part of my civil duty, I am honored to be part of the jury selection on 3 criminal cases today. Had mixed feelings. If got selected, it is a bit of hassle to me as I will have to attend the trial from 9 to 5pm everyday for the next 3 weeks starting tomorrow. On the other side, I think it will be a good way to understand our justice system.

Never won a lucky draw before, but today I've won all the "rotary draw" to stand for jury selection on all three cases. When a juror was called to come to the stand, the court clerk asked the accused to look at the juror and the juror to look at the accused. The lawyers from both sides will take turns choosing: each lawyer will say “content” or “challenge”.  All the crown lawyers wanted me, but all the defense lawyers didn't want me. I guess I put "Tester" as my job title may have caused the defense lawyers to think I am no good to their case. Well, my job is to catch bugs and to make sure the bugs are fixed. :-)

Anyway, my dear wife said I am "样衰" that I wasn't selected today.
(Note: "样衰" 就是广东人喜欢说的话:  意思就是你长相太难看了！)

2013: Jacob's 6th birthday party!!

 

虽然去年妈妈告诉Jacob今年不会再有birthday party了，但妈妈在网上看到一套恐龙party的东西，又看到Jacob很想和他学校、教会的小朋友庆祝。。最后我们还是决定给他办一个小小的party。请了八位小朋友，有两个不能来（Micheal & Moses），来的小朋友有Jacob学校的好朋友（William，Ryan，Jack， Finn）还有教会的好朋友（Isaac & Andrew）

这是恐龙主题的生日会，我给Jacob弄了一个恐龙蛋糕，还准备了mini pizza，chicken popcorn，水果，Jello及恐龙cookies。 装饰及餐具还有loot bag 都是那一套的。省了我们好多时间。。小朋友特别喜欢那只长得比他们还要高大的大恐龙。。

我还准备了三个游戏。1） 寻找恐龙蛋  2） 恐龙保龄球 3）挖掘恐龙骨头

生日会从11点开始到1点半，最后半个小时让小朋友一起到外面打hockey。 

Jacob很喜欢他的birthday party。

2013: A letter from daddy - For Jacob's 6 yrs old birthday

Dear Jacob,

I started to love you from the moment I knew I had you. You are a gift from God and you are so precious to me and your mommy. You and your mommy are the best in my life. I enjoy you being in our family.

You have grown up a lot since I first met you face to face in hospital. Daddy loves you. I enjoy seeing you grow spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. You are six years old today. Happy birthday!

I started to pray for you since you were still in mommy's tummy. I gave my blessings to you for 9 months before we met. I am glad that I am still delivering my blessings to you almost every night. I enjoy the moments when I read bible stories to you, especially you beg for more stories and yet you complained your eyes were heavy. This is the time I could tell you about God and show you our family values. This is the time we could review and even discuss about the good and bad things of your day, and guide you everyday. I thank God for your salvation, and that you continue to trust in Jesus.

When I first see you, you were so tiny, length 66cm, and weighed 9lbs. Today, you height 116cm and weigh 46lbs. You are a big boy now. You are fit and strong that you swim, you bike, you ski, you skate, you play hockey and your play soccer. I see you enjoy all the fun as you are growing up, and I want you to stay that way. I really enjoyed the end-to-end canal skate run we had together last month.  I spent 2 years taking skating lessons so that I could "teach" you basic skate during public skating on the weekends. Your skating is getting better each. Sooner or later, you will out skate me. Daddy is happy to see you continue on your hockey fun.

When you did wrong, it is my responsibility to show you the right way. I know sometimes you don't like it, but daddy got to do my job here. In most cases, I think I am reasonable. However, in a few occasions, I got into a little pushy and unreasonable. I made you really upset or felt hurt sometimes. Daddy makes mistake too. Daddy is not perfect, and sometimes got into too emotional. When I apologized, you always give me all your forgiveness. I am thankful for that. I will continue to correct my mistaken and improve my parental skill as you grow.

Starting this SK school year, you came home with the Pokemon talks. You started to talk about Pokemon all day long. It was a big challenge to daddy as I have no idea what Pokemon is. I was forced to ask around, Google about it and to buy the Pokemon cards for you. You proudly showed me your newly Pokemon cards everyday. Then, you started to trade the Pokemon cards with your classmates and told me all the great things about the Pokemon. You slept with your cards. You got into school bus with your cards. You even cried telling me your friend told away your cards, when I picked you up from school bus. Then, I figured out I could borrow Pokemon DVD from our public library. I really enjoy watching every Pokemon DVD with you. Daddy was having fun learning new Pokemon characters with you.

You were a shy boy when you were little. I pray that you will continue to grow socially in a positive way. I am so happy that you now having your own best friends from your school: William, Ryan, Jack and Michael. I am happy that you finally had your first play date with William last November. You've learnt a lot of good stuff from your peers. Recently, you started to talk about Sky Landers that you learnt from William. Again, daddy has no idea what that is, and silly kept saying "Hi-Landers". I am looking forward to learning more from you.

Jacob, I enjoy having you and you enjoy having me today. You will meet more and more new friends, make more and more discoveries. As you grow up, daddy will start to fade away, and one day I will leave you and return to our Heavenly Father.  That day will come. Today, I want to let you know how much daddy loves you. I want you to know that God loves you. When daddy is not around, go to your Heavenly Father. He loves you with His everlasting love. He will never leave you or forsake you. Faith is the best I have for you.

As usual, I am reading a chapter of Psalms with you on your birthday.

Psalms chapter 6
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?
4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Love,
Daddy