A Brief History of Me

A tree and a beautiful French sunset from my patio in Southern France

Billions and billions of years ago- There was God, and there was a beginning. There was matter and there was energy. The matter became gases and the energy made swirling and spinning and heat. Suddenly shapes began to form. Aha! From the matter and energy comes shapes, and the first hints of intelligence, for how can something take shape without first having intelligence to perceive it? (or as the old riddle would go, 'if a chipmunk farts in a forest and there is no one around to smell it, does it still stink?')

And somehow, through matter, energy and intelligence came the conscious being that we call homo sapien-sapiens. And from these came, my parents - Ming Guat Lau, and Soong Hua Lau, born Chen.

19xx - Ming Guat Lau is born in Malacca, Malaysia. Grows up watching spiders fight, playing pranks on lovers on the beach, and tormenting the local dogs. Goes on to study Engineering.

19xx - Soong Hua Lau is born in Singapore. Grows up studying hard in school, playing pranks on the nuns there, and tormenting her sisters. Goes on to study Chemistry and Music.

19xx - Ming and Soong meet in England while Ming is completing his Ph.D., and Soong is working at an editorial firm.

1972 - Marriage

My dad in his office

1977 - Julian Hsien-Chang Lau is born in Singapore. Legend has it that he congratulated the gynecologist for being the first person, of many, to pat his back.

1978 - The Laus immigrate to Edmonton in search of health, wealth, and wisdom. They eventually settle for three rebellious children instead.

1980 - Christopher Hsien-Yung Lau is born, the second of the rebellious trio. Legend has it that he congratulated the gynecologist for being the first person, of many, to clean up after him.

1981 - Jennifer Hsien-Ther Lau is born in Calgary. Legend has it that she congratulated the gynecologist for being the first person, of many, to be screamed at by her.

My mom eating a salad

1982 - The Laus move to Nova Scotia.

1983 - Started violin lessons begin under Yvonne De Roller. Learned to play 'Mississippi Hot Dog'. Three years later, I was finally able to pronounce it.

1984 - Got into my first fight in school. Kicked another kid for bullying my sister. Punishment - giving the teacher a much-resented hug.

1985 - Started piano lessons under Alan Pulsifer. Played a solo with Symphony Nova Scotia (oh the opportunities for the young and the cute - now I'm only one of the two)

My older brother, Julian, strolls along

1986 - Got into my second fight in school. Even though I won (or at least I think I remember winning), I ended up peeing my pants in class later in the year for no apparent reason.

1987 - Visited the Pyramids in Egypt, and the Colosseum in Rome.

1987 - Started water-painting lessons with Nova Scotian artist, Jeannie Hancock.

1989 to 1990- The Laus move to Sydney Australia for a year. Performed in an orchestra in the Sydney Opera House. Learned to throw a boomerang. Visited the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand.

That's me, Chris, in an apple tree

1991- Joined the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra as the back row second violinist. I rocked there by myself. It was a party every rehearsal in the back row.

1992 - Did Science Fair project. Analyzed the effects of the shape of baseball bats on the sweetspot.

1993 - Won my first (and only) medal for skiing at an Atlantic Canada race. It was all "downhill" from there *grin*. Adopted our dog Giovanni, the fourth Lau kid, who was eventually kicked out of doggy school for peeing on the instructor. Skiied Sugarloaf and Killington.

1994 - Started high school at Horton District High School. Bulging glasses and eccentric hair were the least of my problems. During summer, attended the Michel Pratte Ski Racing Camp in Blackcombe. First time sneaking into bar. Started composing classical music. Skiied Sunday River. Visited Singapore and Malaysia.

That's my little sister, Jenn, during an intermission at her concert

1995 - Got rid of glasses, combed hair and became an all around sexy sexy boy. Attended ski training camp in Panorama, BC. Convinced classmate that I had a glass eye. Walked on the Great Wall of China.

1996 - U.S. Space Academy in Alabama sparked interest in theoretical Physics. Played Freddy Einsford-Hill in school musical, My Fair Lady. Guest conducted the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra for a medley of Wizard of Oz songs. Skiied the back bowls in Vail, Colorado.

1997 - Founded the High School Math Club. Toured Canada with National Youth Orchestra. Competed in the National Reach For the Top competition. Got a poem published into a Nova Scotian anthology. Skiied Tremblant.

1998 - Co-composed graduation song for class of 1998. Attended Shad Valley Science Camp in Waterloo, which sparked interest in engineering. Met future girlfriend, Melody Tan. Competed at National Music Festival. Entered McGill University to study Theoretical Physics. Oh Montreal was a good time. Convinced a friend that I had an arranged marriage. Skiied Ste.Anne. Visited Mexico.

That's my girlfriend, Melody, in the Public Market in Seattle

1999 - Transferred to the University of Waterloo to study Systems Design Engineering. Worked at Industry Canada in Ottawa doing economic analysis. Started playing backup violin with some rock bands. Skiied Whistler. Visited Orlando, Florida.

2000 - Started first entrepreneurial venture, menus.ca. Later worked at Syncrude in the Northern Alberta oil fields doing computer networking stuff. Started plunking away on my sister's guitar. Visited Israel.

2001 - Worked in Cypress Semiconductor in Silicon Valley doing chip test/design. Willingly leaped out of an airplane at 13,000 ft. Started becoming more interested in self-actualization and my church. Started two-term committment as President of Engineers Without Borders Waterloo (organization for development work). Visited Paris and Lisbon.

2002 - Returned to Silicon Valley. Started becoming interested in human thought, especially philosophy and religion. Co-designed an electronic glove that uses AI to interpret sign language. Joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra. Spent three months volunteering for people with disabilities in rural France.

2003 - Got a regular gig for violin/guitar at a local tea shop. Worked at Leitch Technology in Toronto designing hardware to process digital audio. Bought my first guitar and started songwriting for guitar. Went on a cruise to the Bahamas.

2004 - My sister's boyfriend, Vince Fazari, passed away of cancer in March. Graduated from Systems Design Engineering. Started Alternative Work Experience (AWE) International to allow students to share experiences of their work overseas. Worked as a Program Assistant at Shad Valley Waterloo (science/business camp). My brother Julian, marries Christina Lin in Jamaica. Deferred grad school admissions for a year to hatch plans for a food business in Vancouver. Hiked 720 km across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Visited London, Paris and Barcelona.

2005 - Launched new packaged food concept in North Vancouver. Partnered with industry veteran Kosta Zogaris and ventured into seafood production and distribution. Sang "Those Canaan Days" in community theatre production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" in front of over two thousand people. Joined the music ministry in church as the guitarist.

2006 - Business continues to grow at good pace. Proposed to Melody Tan and was given very enthusiastic "...*sob*...huh??". Co-founded musical group Phaedrus and Friends. Family got new dog - Poco! Finally saw my family after 2 years!

That's my ugly dog, Gio. He is a "pedigree" collie and lab mutt