A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

Today was my last work day this week. So, on the way home from BCIT, I stopped in uptown New Westminster to have passport photos taken.

Again it's time for that ritual! Canadian passports are only valid for five years. At this time, rather than just a renewal, the whole process must be completed over again. If I had the chance to wait another month, I would be eligible for the slightly relaxed procedures that are due to come into effect. But as there have been long delays, and as I want the new one by mid-September, I chose to initiate the process now. This means I still need to go through the process of having a guarantor from the professions sign the form, verify the photos, and vouch for me.

After getting the photos, I drove home, parked outside, and ran up to get my completed application form. In the morning, I had used Passport Canada's online method to fill in the data and print the forms myself. I had to run back uptown to my doctor's office to drop off the paper work, so he can act as guarantor.

Tomorrow, I hope to get it back from the doc and drop off the application at the Surrey passport office. It will mean turning in my current one. It seems a little silly to have to be without one in order to get a new one. I'm not quite sure how the country is safer because of the required procedures.

Labels: government, passport, Surrey

When we went over to this Surrey park this morning, it was still cloudy. This scene is looking back at downtown New Westminster across the Fraser River. Our building is the second tower from the right.



By the time we went to Richmond in the afternoon it had even become sunny. Thanks for Victoria Day dinner, folks. It does seem a little cold out for nearly the end of May, doesn't it?

Labels: Fraser River, New Westminster, Surrey, weather

Okay, it's not exactly Vegas.

Every so often, we do go to Hara's Buffet for lunch. It's located near the Silvercity Threatres and the Wal-mart in the Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey, BC. They offer Western, Chinese, and Indian foods. I will always celebrate all-you-can-eat dining. We grabbed lunch there yesterday.

The restaurant doesn't seem to have a web site. After mentioning Hara's in the past, I've seen visitors arrive at my eJournal and images because they were searching for details. Here are some:

Hara's Buffet
100-15155 101st Ave,
Surrey, BC V3R 7Z1 tel (604) 589-1929.

Labels: food, Surrey, Walmart

The photo below shows the near-permanent standstill of traffic on the major artery into Vancouver. This was taken on the TransCanadian Highway while heading down the hill in Surrey towards the Port Mann Bridge. The bridge should absolutely be'twinned' to allow increased traffic flow.



Vancouverites without cars try, quite successfully, to keep the area 'under-highwayed'. I can't believe in such an environmentally-conscious city, citizen's cannot fathom that we shouldn't keep cars lined up and idling on a major highway. When traffic isn't moving, every car is getting zero kilometers per liter. British Columbia is poised to be Canada's gateway to Asia; however, without proper highway infrastructure the economy is choked. We can't move items east when nothing's moving at all.

Labels: opinions, Surrey

I was considering writing about the wonderful feeling of having income taxes filed early. It's nice to know that unplanned money will soon be electronically transferred into one's account. I'm very thankful for tax software where one can play with scenarios before filing. Who would've known that total charitable contributions are best claimed by the higher return? Tax specialists surely know but with help of software anyone can be one, I guess.

Instead, I found something more important to include today. This month is an anniversary, of sorts. I risk sounding like an old person when mentioning that time flies. Yet, a half decade is a lot, considering the short number of years we walk the earth.

The photo that follows was the cause of much joy and celebration. Without a reminder, it might be possible to forget the excitement of the event.


Five years ago this month, Jay took the oath of Canadian citizenship.

Labels: camera, money, Surrey

I feel that it's probably time to write a rather, large blog entry. Nah, it's too hot out! The fan was running all day yesterday and last night and it's still probably 25C outside.

(Here I am bitchin' about the weather but plan to head to Sri Lanka during September and October where it is always 31 degrees. That's okay as when there are coconut trees, I find heat much more acceptable!)

I was going to say something about my birthday buffet of yesterday. Jay took me to Hara's, a place in Surrey because it was an occasion. You see, I am restricted in the number of times a year when I can be a pig. Hara's has three sections: normal, Chinese, and Indian food. Eating there were many people including Iranians and Filipinos. Welcome to the global village!

Labels: food, Surrey

I find something inspiring about two of the Fraser River crossings in New Westminster. I am not quite sure why I'm so fascinated with them. It might be a respect for engineering or civil design. I've taken a few pictures of the Patullo & SkyTrain Bridges. The Patullo, built in 1937, is presently undergoing some renovation. It carries cars and trucks whereas the SkyTrain bridge is a transit-only crossing completed in 1990. The SkyTrain bridge can be seen from my balcony, but this picture was taken from the Brownsville Bar Waterfront Park on the Surrey side of the river.


"It is not best to swap horses while crossing the river." --Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

Labels: Fraser River, Surrey, transit

Finally .... it does feel good to have them corrected and turned in. It was enough of an event to justify going out for lunch at Hara's Buffet in Surrey. They have Canadian, Chinese, and Indian food. I always eat too much, so going there is only permitted on special occasions.

Additionally, it was 13C (55F) degrees and sunny. The cherry and magnolia trees are near full bloom. Spring is always welcoming!

Labels: food, Surrey

Here's a wrap up to the present topic. This is the Skytrain Bridge which spans the Fraser River in New Westminster. The Expo Line runs to Surrey and crosses on this purpose-built bridge. You will note the train running beneath the closest arch.

Labels: Fraser River, Surrey, train, transit