Temple View Lights

Temple daytime

For the past seven years I've seen the Temple View Lights at Hamilton, New Zealand.  It is a credit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or more popularly known as the Mormon Church that this event in this part of NZ has become a crowd-drawing attraction to visitors from all over Hamilton and as far as Auckland and other places far and near.  Through the years, I've seen how the people running this event has become more organised and professional in dealing with the great number of crowds arriving and viewing the lights.

Temple nighttime

It's amazing how the temple (in the photos) is transformed into a festival of lights at nighttime. And what is more amazing would be the planning and execution of this major event from December 13-31 from 7:30-10:30 pm.  It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and there is even live choir music for the listening pleasure of all ages.  Of course with the advent of new technology, selfies are made and encouraged all over the place.  There is something about the lights and the atmosphere of the place that makes coming to this place a fun and memorable way of celebrating Christmas with family, friends and loved ones.

Dinner with Heroes 2

This is part two of my fascination of history specially the people who made history.  Sometimes I feel like I was born to late, yearning for the times of yesteryear's.  In this light, I've decided to ask people this question: name three people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?  I hope for us to get a better glimpse of what makes them human.

Lito Banal

Lito Banal (NZ-Philippines Business Council)
A: My great grandfathers (paternal/maternal) - I would like to know how life was during their time.  Dr. Jose Rizal - I would like to know him more because he is the most famous Filipino for me.  U.S. President Barack Obama - why won't you dream of meeting the most powerful person in the world.

Maricel Weischde

Maricel Weischde (NZ Immigration Help Service Ltd.)
A: I want to have dinner with Bo Sanchez and just spend significant time listening and praying with me.  I listen to him almost every night and it would be an honour to have an exclusive dinner with him.  I also want to have dinner with my Grandma, who passed away when I was 9 years old.  I feel the urge to have an adult conversation with her and tell her how in my young age (before she died), she influenced me to do exceptionally good in whatever I desire.  Lastly and more importantly, I want to have the opportunity to have a meal with God casually and thank him for all that He has given me. I want to be able to embrace Him afterwards and tell Him how grateful I am for everything.

Cez Tan, Island Joe's BBQ

Cez Tan (Island Joe's BBQ)
A: Simon Gault - I'd like to get his input as to how to get people to try our food.  Kim Dotcom - he would be an interesting person to talk to and also I might be able to convince him to invest in the restaurant business, ha ha ha.  Richie McCaw - I would love for him to try our food and endorse it.

Mark Dizon

Mark Dizon (MDG Property Management Ltd.)
A: Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, and my late father.  I would like to ask Jesus a lot of questions about religion.  I would like to discuss with Pope Francis the problems of the world today.  With my late father, I would just want to spend time with him.

Q&A - Mark Dizon (MDG Property Management Ltd.)

Mark Dizon

He was featured in an older post in my other blog.  I'm re posting it here since he is an entrepreneur that could serve as an inspiration for others too.  There are so many challenges and hurdles in putting up, running and maintaining a business.

The aim of this blog is for new, budding, aspiring, prospective and existing entrepreneurs to know and be inspired by the failures and triumphs of our Kiwi entrepreneurs.  I've often heard this statement "punching above your weight."  I guess the people I've featured in my Q&A have done just that.  Here then is another one of a kind entrepreneur, Mark Dizon, Property Manager and Managing Director of MDG Property Management Ltd.

Q: What's the inspiration behind your business?
A: The inspiration behind our business which is a property management company is serving God while doing the best we can to help our clients, supply New Zealanders comfortable properties to rent, give business to our suppliers and in turn giving the directors and employees of our company sufficient satisfaction financial and otherwise.  Being engaged in business gives me more time for family and loved ones.

Q: What were the challenges you encountered while building your business and how did you manage it?
A: The biggest challenge was getting new clients.  Our existing clients actually helped us by referring friends who became our clients.

Q: Name three people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, and my late father.  I would like to ask Jesus a lot of questions about religion.  I would like to discuss with Pope Francis the problems of the world today.  With my late father, I would just want to spend time with him.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: I am a dog person.  In my younger years, we had a lot of dogs at home.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: The home is my sanctuary.  It is where I relax and get privacy.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: Not a lot of people know that I am an International Rowing Umpire, get to travel to different countries for free because of this so I can officiate at regattas around the world.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: I would like to travel back in time to watch the Pyramids being built or watch the method of construction of Stonehenge.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: In terms of business, my plan is to expand the company (MDG Property Management Ltd.) thus serving more clients and provide more comfortable housing for the people in New Zealand.

Q&A - Tim MacIndoe, MP (National)

Tim MacIndoe is the MP of Hamilton West.  We both share something in common, we're both from Hamilton and last year I moved over to the West side of the city.  That means I'm his constituent.  I've met him a couple of times in community gatherings and has always been impressed by his quiet ways.

I see him as a person with a solid foundation, good family background, a good husband to Anne and a good father to two girls, in fact whenever I see him in person or on TV, he's the poster boy for Mister Parenthood!  Hands down he will also win as Father of the Year!  Come to think of it, I'm beginning to equate with Steve Martin from one of my favourite movie, the 1991 classic Father of the Bride.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Personally: With my wife, raising two well-rounded, intelligent, lovely daughters.  I am very proud of them both (and I'm a besotted dad!).  Professionally: Helping some of my constituents to gain positive outcomes in issues that were causing them major challenges, grief or anxiety.  For confidentiality reasons, I can't name them, but gaining good results for them has been hugely rewarding.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: Mahatma Gandhi---his personal life, experiences and example have always moved me.  My paternal grandmother.  She died before I was born and I'd love to have known her and to ask about my father as a child, etc.  C.S. Lewis---a humble, intelligent and faithful man.  His books are always worth reading.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Dog---because I grew up with them and always enjoyed having them around.  (But we had a lovely cat a few years ago and I still miss her).

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: My home in Hamilton.  Especially when all my family are there and I have a moment to relax, or when I am able to spend some time in the garden with my wife.  I also love anywhere near the sea with great views, few people and plenty of wildlife.

Q: Something not many people know about you.
A: I used to teach night classes in Christchurch Women's Prison.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: Jerusalem when Jesus was alive and teaching.  I think that would be an amazing experience---and would help to answer lots of questions that arise in today's society!

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To retain my seat on 20 September 2014!  After that, to be a diligent and effective MP, to aim for further promotion and to try to get some balance in my professional and private life as my family will always be the most important part of my life---and I want to be able to enjoy them long after my political career is over.

I really don't know yet if I'll vote for him this coming elections.  But I'm beginning to see a clearer picture of him.  Good luck Tim!