"Son of a b**ch… stole my line."

- Sean (Robin Williams) in "Good Will Hunting" (1997)

I miss seeing Robin Williams but gosh, I cannot believe it's been FIVE years since his passing!

I need a vacay from vacay (minor detail...). Point is, this weekend has been incredibly busy. Perhaps the point being trying to fit everything in before the long weekend partying. This will be detailed after the craziness to ensue... call it a 'hunch' ;p.

Mind you, this weekend's busyness isn't a bad thing. It's all actually been just enjoying the weather and partying with family. After all, Friday involved going to the woodbine racetrack and casino!

I KNOW...how long has it been since I've last been to woodbine?!?!? DECADES, at least!!! Gosh, the last time I can remember must have been at LEAST two decades ago. Back then, we would have gone as a family (myself, Ames, mom & dad) with Uncle Stephen, Auntie Winnie, Grace and Jules...and we'd watch the horse racing in the bleachers, where it could become terribly hot! BUT, at the same time, we'd have such wonderful times in a sense, betting (in our heads) which horse would win. And cheering/booing the outcome!

NOW, it has become quite classy. We didn't watch the horses race at the bleachers at all. THIS TIME we watched INSIDE, in such a lovely atmosphere. In fact, we literally dined while watching three races. We went for a nice promotion of a lobster dinner. The deal was that we could either have a steak/salmon/chicken & a lobster dinner. So while the horses were doing their racing bit, we enjoyed the show indoors in the best environment ever. We could either watch out the window OR via a television screen that was at EACH table.

After our dinner and 'show', we went to the casino section and because it was our first time at the casino (it's a new edition since when we were there last), we each had one of those free $5 card plays, which went uneventfully until the last game, where it worked in our favor! THEN, we called it a night, haha!

Yesterday was a quiet day where the 'event' was in the evening...after going to visit Ames and Trudeau in the early afternoon, we (the family) walked over to the Fairmont Royal York, to dine at REIGN, the newly renovated restaurant, where I had a lovely lemon thyme gnocchi (that included roasted mushrooms, smoked ricotta and heirloom tomatoes) meal. Dad had the aged tenderloin, mom the butter-roasted BC sablefish and Ames, the brown butter scallops. This was all finished off (for me & Ames) with a lemon poppyseed financier of lemon curd, olive oil cream and thyme!

I had originally anticipated a nice relaxing day of chilling at home in front of the television. HOWEVER, mom got the idea that the three of us should visit Unionville Main Street, after all, such a beautiful day. How could I say no? Once we got to main street, we discovered that there's a farmer's market (where we OBVIOUSLY had to check out) that had so much beautiful vegetables, cakes, fish etc! After getting our fill of what we wanted, we had lunch at Next Door Restaurant. Here, I had the Okonomiyaki Cheeseburger, Japanese pancakes with a 6oz grilled beef patty, mozzarella, iceberg lettuce, sunny side up egg, double smoked bacon, kewpie mayo, Japanese BBQ sauce, bonito flakes & nori. YES, I was able to finish the WHOLE thing!!! It was SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! And SOOOOOOO FILLING....

Luckily, afterwards we walked it off checking out the entire main street (it's not too long), dad and I each had a scope of ice cream! His was chocolate something or another (mom wasn't all that pleased but whatevs), mine was a scope of black raspberry thunder, yum! (Did I not mention that I was full? Mind you, dessert always has an extra spot in my fullness...another minor detail that may/may not come back to bite me later on...we shall see.) As we were all full and tired afterwards, we've since gone home.

The most exciting discovery while we were on main street was that there will be a GILMORE GIRLS FESTIVAL taking place on Octover 4-6. Why? What kind of blows my mind is because the actual pilot was filmed on this main street! Apparently Scott Patterson (Luke Danes) will be in attendance!!! WHAT?!?!?!?

Ok, not just him. The town troubadour Grant Lee Philips, Miss Patty (Liz Torres), Caesar (Aris Alvarado), Brian (John Cabrera), Madeline (Shelly Cole), Olivia (Tana Shrick), Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda) and writers, producers and costume designers that will be also attending this event. This is all nice to know! :)

What's so incredibly crazy and thrilling is the fact that even though this show ran from October 5, 2000 to May 15, 2007, 12 years later, it's still so enduring! Honestly, THIS has made my day!

My last comment may be incorrect *wink wink* but this will be to be determined, hopefully in the near future! But until then, looking forward to the upcoming long weekend! :P

A tease...to myself...

I'm still binge watching Jerry Seinfeld's 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee' on Netflix.

Just finished the 20 episodes in 'First Cup' and even though I'm thoroughly enjoying each episode with car information and comedian interaction...I keep telling myself I'm mostly watching the show for the interaction...ALTHOUGH I am also at the same time telling myself that I should just ride out the whole premise of watching the pouring and drinking of coffee in EVERY SINGLE EPISODE...mind you, I find it so interesting that even though Jerry and the comedians are enjoying such exquisite food choices in each episode as well...it's the drinking of the coffee that puts me over the edge each time.

However...I will not stop watching these episodes for the time being.

M.Y. B.A.D.... shrugs

Leo celebration

This weekend included celebrating Ames' birthday!

We had gone to visit her Saturday afternoon and for dinner, celebrated at 'Spring Sushi' on the 5th floor of the N/E corner of Dundas and Yonge St. An interesting point that was noted...even though it's put as an 'all you can eat' sushi price, they sneak in other additional prices if you're not quick to notice the price difference in the menu. SNEAKY... Which leads me to this review...if not for the pretty skyline on a nice sunset, I've decided that even though the food is the normal type of sushi that you get at a sushi place, it's not some place to be recommended nor where I would gravitate toward again.

Sunday was my lazy (except for a hardcore gym workout) day where I had a late lunch with Louie at Fortune Stone Restaurant (NW corner of Warden and Steeles), having a Portuguese chicken meal, Louie a club sandwich, and then we split a French toast for dessert. Afterwards we had tofu drinks at zenQ (NW corner of Steelcase Rd W and Woodbine Ave). Totally my first time trying this out and I went for the sweet potato tofu drink while Louie went for a grass jelly tofu drink. I enjoy trying new things and so far, as long as I've known Louie, he's been introducing me to a lot different types of foods and drinks. I LIKE!

Tdot's brought one back!!!

After spending nearly 6 years in Seattle (I'm not going to lie, I only remember her location due to the fact that grey's anatomy was based there...;)), I've learnt earlier today that my good friend, Mich, will be coming back to the Tdot in another two months!!!!!

YAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! :) I've missed this friend interaction soooooooooo much!!!!!

Considering our history...we had first met in Tokyo, Japan back in the mid-2000's...I'm going to say 2004/5?...when I was visiting Liz, who was teaching English in Osaka, and she had come on this trip to Japan with her then new bf (and my friend), Christian.

After our great experience in Japan, we continued our friendship within the CS (comp sci) group, what both she and Christian were studying at U of T. We discovered that we both liked to listen to music and eat out with the group of CS friends (back then, I was the social butterfly back at SMCSU and we had shared friends from CSSU). This led to us sharing great times going to the TSO (Toronto Symphony Orchestra) on the cheap TSOUNDCHECK tickets, scoring symphony tickets for as low as $19, an exclusive program for people ages 15 to 35.

Either way, even though we haven't seen each other as much since she's been away, I cannot wait to reconnect and hear how the train ride in to the Tdot was when she's back in October!!!

Binge watching shows...

Is pretty much the only thing I can do at this moment.

Especially as I cannot be working (or maybe I could if I still was? Perhaps...), volunteering, just waiting for a phone call for this over extended appointment that I've been waiting for over half a year now.

Therefore, I've been binge watching many television shows that I've taped or catching on Netflix including (but not only): - Elementary (disclaimer: I just saw the last episode of the series, it was a good wrap up!; - Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee; - My Next Guest Needs No Introduction; - You; - Lee Daniels' Star; - When They See Us; - Oprah Winfrey Presents When They See Us Now; - many stand up comedy acts on Netflix;

As well as still wanting to start watching The Umbrella Academy and finishing watching Designated Survivor and Lucifer (now that the shows have been canceled and on Netflix)

You would think I'm thrilled to just be watching tv...but I find myself falling asleep (thus needing to re-watch once I've woken up) or needing something to keep me occupied on the show (I mostly miss when I used to do my work and watch shows at the same time...I call THIS multi-tasking at my best...details...)

That is all for now...

8, not for me...

For people of Asian descent, the number 8 is regarded as the luckiest number in Chinese culture. Apparently, with pronunciation of 'Ba' in Chinese, number 8 sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means to make a fortune. As it contains meanings of prosperity, success and high social status, Asians (like myself) favor this number.

Therefore, today hypothetically, was the perfect day for me, except that it was not meant to be...

Due to a previous situation, I was pushed back to another day yet to be determined.

Too bad, so sad...C'est pas pour moi, quel dommage.

Getting ready for it...

Highlights after spending the long weekend in Buffalo and Niagara Falls include dining at Cora's and Canyon Creek (yum to ravioli!) and seeing Toy Story 4 (after missing 2 & 3, it wasn't difficult to fall back in with 4...especially with Duke Caboom, Keanu Reeves!).

Back in the Tdot, I've had an exception dinner with Louie at Petit Potato (you've got to love the French name that's run by Asians!) and gotten a haircut at Pac mall before my D-day occurring tomorrow morning...I've been asked how I'm feeling about it but honestly, I'm very nonchalant about the entire process. It definitely helps that I'll be out the entire time as well as the fact that this is sadly, nothing new for me.

C'est la vie...

The art of disclosure

In a sense, this blog is a type of disclosure, the action of making new or secret information known as even though I am pretty much an open book in person...I find that sometimes when I write things down, I can organize my thoughts more into a coherent sense. Also, in normal conversation with people, it's a natural ebb and flow conversing on topics but here, I direct the reader in where my mind is going!

One of my favourite subjects to disclose about is food!!! I went to Tuesday dinner with Louie although the vegetarian restaurant we wanted to try out, Blossom Vegetarian didn't open at the time it was listed as opening at. PLUS, after hanging around for about 10 mins, we decided that even if it HAD as we were the only two customers, it didn't feel worth it. We ended up going to Turtle Jacks, where I had a delicious French onion burger & fries combo while Louie had Honey garlic roasters (wings) that he studiously ate so well that I had finished my combo wayyyy before he finished (I was hungry).

As we had such an interesting dinner conversation that didn't feel like we had enough time to finish, we continued the conversation by having bubble waffles (Asian dessert). He had a strawberry Nutella waffle with a whisky cranberry orange green tea while I had a banana Nutella waffle with a handmade taro milk tea. It was all so delicious!!! HOWEVER, only after the fact, I realized that I had over eaten as after we had left and he'd driven me home, I made sure to stay up a little later (it was late but hey, I had no reason to worry about the time) to make sure the food was properly digested before going to sleep.

Yesterday, I had an out of the blue dinner date with Henry, Laurianna and one of their family members at sushiOne due to the fact that Henry and Laura wanted to catch up with me before my big 'date', to be disclosed by the end of this post. They had originally suggested meeting up for $1 oysters but in the end they had to abort due to the long wait time (surprised? not really). They went for the all you can eat dinner while I decided to go with the salmon sushi pizza. Normally, they don't allow one person from the party to not have the all you can eat dinner but luckily, due to the fact that it was a weekday evening with not too many people in the restaurant, it went off without a hitch! The restaurant was so nice that I actually got a free green tea ice cream for dessert out of it!

This morning, I went out with my rents to a Dim sum lunch at the relatively new Yanyu Chinese dining off of consumers rd. I'm not going to lie though, I find dim sum pretty similar at most places we go to so regardless of the fact that it was new, I didn't find the reso good enough to stand out and make me want to go back in the future.

Enough with the food disclosure for now, as I will continue with the backlash over The Bachelorette Finale 2019 (full disclosure, I normally don't watch any of the Bachelor shows as I have no interest in following a show where people are trying to find their mates...as I am in the exact same situation...I focus on myself first, why root for someone else? *minor detail*)...however, I'd been hearing about the fact that the guy that the most recent bachelorette had chosen had NOT DISCLOSED being in a relationship before going on the show. I applaud the fact that she broke off the engagement and it seems like she and the runner up may try again...off camera. But this is an example how not disclosing information can work negatively.

There ARE situations where disclosing can work positively but speaking out of experience, this is a very tricky subject. EVERY situation is different, there's absolutely no map book to help with this situation. Which brings me to the fact that I have been disclosing about my own health battle to people who I feel comfortable about sharing this information to (this is where Henry and Laura come in). Only my family, closest friends and people from my work know about this battle I have been fighting since after Faye's wedding last year. 15 months later, I'm now able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After next Thursday (note for Asians that this is August 8), this will hopefully be the end to another chapter in my book of life.

I'm most excited about having coffee again!!!

Hakuna matata!

Enjoyed a wonderful summer weekend spending Saturday visiting Ames, catching the newest rendition of 'The Lion King' at the theatre closest to her place. This was a really nice theatre where the seats could recline back so we watched the movie with much comfort! :) My review of the movie? I enjoyed the realness of the animals in the movie so much more than the Disney version! Plus it really helps knowing that Beyoncé is voicing 'Nala'!

Thanks to Wikipedia, "Hakuna matata" (pronounced [hɑˈkunɑ mɑˈtɑtɑ]) is a Swahili language phrase from East Africa, meaning "no trouble" or "no problems". (The word "hakuna" means "there is no/there are no", while "matata" means "troubles" or "problems".) This phrase is translated as "no worries".

After catching the movie, we tried to go to the 'Spaghetti Factory' but due to long wait times, we decided to go over to 'The Keg' where I had the delicious Keg burger with fries.

Sunday was spent going for a late catch up lunch at Ten Ren's Tea with Purple and Rebecca where we shared three different combo meals of pork cutlet, crispy chicken and beef ribs. The combos included sides, drinks and dessert.

It's always nice to catch up with past convexE2 coworkers, as I had such great times there when the company was still around. Even though the three of us had a great time eating, drinking tea and catching up, I hope that we can try to meet up again with more coworkers in the near future!

Being a flâneur

What a good way to learn about exploring Toronto through listening to a podcast. It's another way to learn about areas of our wonderful city!

Considering I was born and raised in Toronto, I find that too many people are stuck in their habits of simply going to work or school and then back home. We don't normally take the time to leave our routine and explore the many faceted areas of our very integrated city. There are actually so MANY different and wonderful parts of our city to explore on foot, literally right in our backyard! The best part of walking is that you don't need to rush around and can go at your own leisurely pace. (MY style ;p)

Toronto has some really nice areas to walk around in, I particularly like walking in the distillery district, st. Lawrence market and Kensington market areas to name a few. They're really good areas to get coffee and shop around in for little niks and naks.

You can listen to the Toronto Library Podcast called Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto here Focusing on being a flâneur and their love for walking around in the city of Toronto, this is a interesting talk between Toronto Star columnist Shawn Micallef and my SMCSU friend, wongie.

"The more I have walked, the more I have discovered that there's more to walk and understand." -Shawn Micallef, Toronto Star columnist and noted flâneur To listen to other different types of podcasts, you can check it out here.

This is one of the past-times that I love to do...walk! It's a really good stress reliever and type of exercise, just by being out and active.

Unsuccessful at multi-tasking

Note: please refer to my note on watching the Oscars from two posts back...I HAD finally finished re-watching the 2019 Oscars.

Kind of...I'm currently watching the Oscar after party while trying to blog at the same time. I say kind of because I know that I am the most horrible example of someone trying to do two things at the same time. Main point is that I CANNOT. The long and short of this point is that it takes an exceeding long time to finish this blog while I'm watching the after award-Governor's ball interviews with the happy actors.

Actually, what I've finally smartened up to doing is blogging during the commercial section (that I had been fast-forwarding) so that I can pay attention to this task...ish...

Considering I am taking advantage of the summer, weather and all, I've been pretty actively out and about this week. I started off the week with obtaining a new bank card (as I had seemed to have misplaced my debit card) after determining that it was me and not having had it stolen.

The rest of the week's events centered around eating out...a dinner with Louie, Tuesday evening at Donburi Japanese Restaurant...finishing off the lovely meal with a first time Toraro (rice milk tea - Louie's recommendation) at OneZo Tapioca. Dinner at Touhenboku Ramen Wednesday evening with Winnie, before attending her Eglinton-Yonge Toastmasters again because I enjoy the relatively smooth/flawless way the meeting commences (due to the fact this club has been in existence MUCH longer then my (MSIT) club. *minor detail that I actually have not attended my own club since the beginning of the year, even though I've paid for the year...*. Finished this week off with having Moto sushi lunch updates with Grace and Alice today.

This week also happened to be the same week that Jennifer Lopez celebrated her 50th birthday with Alex Rodriguez. Gosh, she does NOT look even close to this age. Just someone to look up to as a model for myself. hrm…

In closing, I've realized the biggest mistake I've made, ESPECIALLY as I'm multi-tasking...I shouldn't have made the decision to blog so late in the evening...when I'm at my most vulnerable time in terms of thinking...oops! Anyway, signing out for now. :)

The green-eyed monster...

is trying to claw out of me and I'm trying desperately not to let my imagination go wild.

I had recently been receiving alerts that a close university friend (whom I've since lost touch with) from mostly my first and second year has started a wedding and event consulting business.

What stings is the fact that in our past days on SMCSU (st. Michael's college student union), our roles were as the communications commissioner (her role) and officer (my role) and after we had graduated our under grad, one of my first steps was to study wedding planning. I ACTUALLY am a certified wedding planner....but this came to no use as I never did anything with this certificate. Although, this was a stepping stone...as it eventually led me into studying communications where I would have succeeded in my goal had life had not intervened with different plans. *minor detail*

So due to curiosity, I looked into her website and then looked into where she was in life...she's married to the guy she was dating back in university and has a child! ***disclaimer, THIS is where my green-eyed monster started to try to crawl out of me...it's sickening...

The long and short of this post is that even though I am so jealous that my girlfriend seems to have fulfilled a lot of what I may have secretly been trying to fulfil in life, I'm actually pretty proud of knowing that we had (mine have now veered onto a different path but this is besides the point) such similar goals in life. GREAT minds DO think alike!!! That we spent some fabulous times of our lives together and mainly that I can remember that time!

Even better is that I know that there's still more life in the future for me!

So THERE green-eyed monster!!! I HAVE overcome YOU.

THE END

Now moving on...

What an exhausting weekend....but it was a GOOD kind of exhaustion, the type where you have a really restful sleep thus waking up to a new day!

I spent both mornings with a really nice & long aerobic walk in the little stretch of park walkway through the neighborhood as the sun was rising. This is the best time in the morning because the sun hasn't fully come up so the air is still slightly cool enough to walk with a rain breaker (in case it is cool or has drops of rain) as the heat has yet to gain it's full strength (and it DID both days). I love waking up with the birds chirping and the squirrels fighting over food! My favorite routine is after my morning walk, I cool down with breakfast before showering and getting ready for the day.

Saturday was spent visiting my really good university friend, Alicia and family. I'd brought some really cute types of colorful pasta as a gift for their having me over. It was really nothing considering they had me over with a wide selection of food, including blueberry pancakes made from scratch! Sunday involved no less food as I had afternoon tea (it's been some time since I'd last had afternoon tea!) with two abbeyite friends, Fayewood and Romz at T-buds off of Yonge, between Wilson and Lawrence. This is why I maintain my exercise schedule...not to lose weight but really to MAINTAIN my weight!

Normally this is where I chime in that come tomorrow morning, I'd go to work to gain back a 'normal' schedule...I'm not worried though. I have plans for this upcoming week. We'll see how this goes...

Now I'm off to catch up on Oscars (yes, this was back in February...don't judge!) before I catch some zz's!

Ambitions

As I've been unemployed again for 3 weeks now, I've been taking the time to catch up on tv (note, it will never happen) and on the side I'd been re-reading my old posts. I've realized that my blog used to be a very good calendar-eske indication of what was happening in my life from back in the day.

Considering I like to write how I think (which to some may be considered garbage...lol), I appreciate my own writings as like a diary of some sort, keeping account of what was happening in life back in the day. As I've been reading my old blogs, I have been mentally patting myself on the back because I'd been in a sense helping myself keep track of life for over a decade.

Therefore, I've decided that I'm going to try to blog more regularly again, keeping account of what's been happening (well, other than my planner, which I've got like nearly a decade of those) and try to be more in depth and descriptive again. Who knows, I could be re-honing my writing skills again but in this sense, this is more like an online thought process into my mind/imagination. Again, it can be scary but I will try to keep it at bay (as duh, I recognize this IS online and ANYONE can come across this....especially if they know me...plus plenty of people used to know this existed. Just may or may not know it will be revived).

Besides, I LIKE reading my writings and remembering what's happened. Who knows, this could help in my memory in the future. But of course, this means I will need to go out of my way to post more regularly. We shall see how this goes...for now, I will get ready for the weekend!

We the North...

has become We the Champions!!!! Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors who have won their very first-ever NBA championship title as of June 13, 2019! They, the rogue team winning in the oracle arena, wow...good times to the Raptors!

When They See Us

I just finished watching the 4 part Netflix series 'When They See Us', directed by Ava DuVernay. Considering I never followed the story when it occurred (I was too young to have known about it); even though I know very little about Central Park Five case, I feel it's given me a better understanding of what happened back in 1989.

The acting was phenomenal and made me feel so bad about whatever sort of trauma that the kids went through. So many emotions went through me as I was watching it. Bravo to such a well told story of such a brutal event! It definitely puts a different perspective on how I view life, considering what others have gone through.

I plan on watching the special Oprah Winfrey Presents When They Se Us Now that's going to come out tomorrow.

A very well titled series: I (we) see you...

And the aftermath continues...

This one's from back in April 2013
We come into this world unknown But know that we are not alone They try and knock us down But change is coming, it's our time now
Hey… everybody loses it, Everybody wants to throw it all away sometimes And hey… yeah I know what you're going through Don't let it get the best of you, you'll make it out alive
We are all misfits living in a world on fire Sing it for the people like us, the people like us
Hey, this is not a funeral It's a revolution, after all your tears have turned to rage Just wait, everything will be okay Even when you're feeling like it's going down in flames
They can't do nothing to you, they can't do nothing to me This is the life that we choose, this is the life that we bleed So throw your fists in the air, come out, come out if you dare Tonight we're gonna change forever
People like us we've gotta stick together Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever Here's to the damned, to the lost and forgotten It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom
Kelly Clarkson - "People Like Us"

Another new year of 2013

so another year has begun... had a wonderful new year's in niagara falls...the best because I was able to watch all the festivities that was happening outside (in the cold) from the nice, warm and comfy environment of the television at the hotel I was staying in! Classes started this week and although it's nice to be back in the school environment (that our program just happened to start early), another part of me would have liked the break to be just a tad bit longer ...

It's nearly the end of the first week of classes at George Brown & strangely enough, I still don't have an idea of what the program I'm in is about. *sigh* Maybe I'll have a better idea by the end of next week... I'm just hoping I'll be able to make it in tomorrow because I had to change my ride last min...and the system doesn't like last min changes. Oh well, the profs will be more prepared with the destination of field trips for the future!

It's been quite eventful recently, celebrating some friend's birthdays (Tony and Christian)... with the biggest event of the year that occurred last saturday on aug 18 (which also happens to be Ames' birthday!), 2012. 

My bestie, Shelley is now a MRS!

To be completely honest though, even before this day (it was the WHOLE day, with TWO ceremonies...on the west side in the morning, and then richmond hill in the afternoon/evening) occuring...she's technically been married in my mind.  lol, the engagement has taken a very long time!  Well, at least now it's all done and she's happily married!

Of course she and hubby had to come home from windy city for a week or so (not even...), do the deed, and now they're back to work.  Fast and clean (as opposed to dirty), lol!

Now the family and I are heading off for just over a week vacay to Montreal and the falls.  In this time I shall be celebrating another great even in my life with the fam...my dirty thirties....:O oy!! 

Here's wishing another big event that will have excellent outcomes!

 

You know what I find most irritating and annoying?

The fact that I had emailed my job developer back on monday asking for help with job preparation for an interview I'm going IN for on tuesday...and he FINALLY answers me TODAY (thursday) saying that they have the actual program that'll be tested on ....and to come in asap (seriously, only tomorrow because this upcoming weekend is a LONG WEEKEND). 

What bugs me most is that it's taken them how long to give me an answer, and then I literally have a day to go in and toy around with the test, before I hope that I pass the two tests I'll be going in for next week.  Also distressing is that I'll be spending the long weekend *thinking* about all this...instead of relaxing.

I suppose there shouldn't be any complaints...for now.  Alright, now to put my mind to it...

It feels quite odd to be posting on my blog once again...especially since it's been so long since I've really written or have been part of the blog world now.

At the same time, it's nice to have an outlet once again for anyone (random or I know) to find out what I'm thinking or feeling.

So much has changed in the past five years.  I've overcome alot in this time...yet at the same time, still have so much to achieve.  Especially because at times I look around and see all that my friends, family and peers are doing...and I feel so stuck or left behind.

I'm not intimidated or sad about anything in my situation...I just feel like I can do so much more, or that I have the ability to do more...yet have not been given the opportunity to do this.

For example, I've enrolled in a half year (four days a week, therefore it's suggested people in this program not be working) Redirection Through Education - For You Program at George Brown College that begins in September.  Personally, I am excited about going out and learning how to deal with the new challenges that I am facing in life and work, as well as possibly meeting so many new people in this program.

However, I've found that there is another side to this...I've noticed that there's another way people see this program...that I may meet the 'wrong' kind of people/crowd.

The thing is, there's no way I can come to any conclusion yet because I have not even attended a day...so I have no idea what to expect in terms of class dynamics.  The way I see it...no assumptions until September.

At the same time, I'm getting ready for my best friend's wedding (in approximately three weeks)!  She's currently still in Chicago with her fiance, and won't be back for another ten days.  Until then, I'm sure there is still much to do...for example, getting fitted for clothing?!?!?

Also, because they don't have time for any bridal registry, I don't know what (if any) the situation is for wedding gifts! 

So it's exciting, yet also stressful...c'est la vie, non?

Seventeen years by her side
Broke the same bread
Wore the same clothes and we said
We're sisters with nothing between
If one of us fall
The other will soon be following

Both of you fell the same day
You don't know why
One of you never woke up
And you laid your body down on the floor
You're desperate to hear her footsteps again
But this house is on fire, we need to go

Oh, you don't have to go it alone, go it alone

Run for your life, my love
Run and you don't give up
It's all that you are
All that you want
I will be close behind
Run for your life

She had a fire inside
And that terrified you
You swore that you'd never lose your control
Baby, let yourself go
'cause part of you hides
And I know the hunger inside of you's strong
You can only hold back the river so long

Oh, you don't have to go it alone
Oh, you don't have to go it alone, go it alone

Run for your life, my love
Run and you don't give up
All that you are
All that you want
Run for your life right now
And if you don't know how
I’ll come back with you and take all that’s true
And leave all that's burned behind
Run for your life

Oh, you don't have to go it alone
Go it alone, go it alone,

Run for your life, my love
Run and you don't give up
All that you are
All that you want
Run for your life right now
And if you don't know how
I’ll come back with you and take all that’s true
Leave all that's burned behind

So run for your life
Run for your life

 

- the fray, run for your life

Revival...

It has been nearly five years and ONLY NOW have I figured out a way to update my password on blogger AND post again. 

It's been long enough...seriously!

Regardless, I am just sending out a little hello to everyone out there, that I'm back.  lol!

I'll post an update in the near future....until then...sit tight!  :)

If I were to live in Australia, I would live in Noosa Head. The most gorgeous little town on the Sunshine Coast. It's like Yorkville, but in the tropics.

I survived Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. Interestingly enough, I only camped one night out of two. The night I camped out was ridiculously painful. I didn't even take out my contacts for fear of sand getting into them. The second night we were lucky enough to meet these older men partying in a large 30 room cabin at Indian head (where you see sharks, dolphins and turtles) and they invited the whole group of 22 people to stay and party with them. How could we refuse? So we got a shower and a bed out of that...now THAT'S my kind of camping. The most beautiful freshwater lake on the island was Lake Mackenzie. Best time ever...especially with all the people we met. Swedes, Norwegians, Germans, Americans. It's exciting to see how everyone is going to the same places, up and down the coast.

Whitsundays was nice, but it wasn't as good because the weather was on and off rainy. Besides, put on a boat with bad weather doesn't make for a fun time either.

Cannot wait for New Zealand!!

"I'm holding on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground
I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it's nothin new
I loved you with a fire red-
Now it's turning blue, and you say...
"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late"

- one republic, apologize

it's raining, thundering, POURING outside.

and i love it.

i love that i'm sitting inside, in the dark, but with the balcony sliding door open, which is letting the bright white cloudy light and cool breeze in. what a refreshing feeling this is. weird, i was sleeping in late today, and now i feel i'm able to do some assignments that need to get done.

the last post was kind of crazy and i realize that. it was a result of a lot of pent up anxiety and emotions relating to life, love, friends and family...but mostly the future that is to come.

but this rain is totally welcome and relaxing. the sound of pouring rain, and the lightening and thunder that comes with it...is great! and the smell of clean and fresh air....actually, it's been raining on and off the past couple of days. but for some reason, this is the one that's done it.

Considering I'm in the city of Sydney, with a population of almost 4.5 million people, you wouldn't think I'd feel so lonely.

It's a Friday night, and there's a pool party that going to start in about half an hour. Yet, I have no desire to go. I feel wholly out of shape and unmotivated. With just about two weeks left of Uni, I seem to have run out of steam. I've decided that I detest the whole idea of attending Uni and travelling at the same time. It sucks. A LOT.

Everything fun that is happening is hampered by course assignments. And to top it off, because I'm not working, it's just money flying out the window. It's really REALLY depressing.

Travelling is supposed to be fun, and when I am, it IS fun. So the answer is NO to UNI.

Unfortunately, I have no answer for this pressing desire to be anti-social. I'd much rather stay at home, sit on my balcony and stare into the beautiful skyline of a city that DOES go to sleep after 11pm.

I wonder about ever working in Sydney. It's a possiblity, but never living with people I don't know. I like my roomies, but I've noticed that I can be very particular about certain things, things that I've always just assumed were my mother's peculiarities....until I've lived on my own. I also wonder about working in general. This unknown about going back home to no job and living at home...well, it's depressing. But I have no other choice but to do so because guess what? Running out of money isn't much help either.

So yes, this is a pretty bad post considering it's been awhile since I've last posted. But at the same time, I don't seem to have anyone else to talk about this to at the moment, so cybercity, this one's for you.

I don't know what i've done
Or if i like what i've begun
But something told me to run
And honey you know me it's all or none
There were sounds in my head
Little voices whispering
That i should go and this should end
Oh and i found my self listening

See i thought love was black and white
That it was wrong or it was right
But you aren't leaving without a fight
And i think i am just as torn inside

And I wont be far from where you are if ever you should call
You meant more to me then any one i've ever loved at all
But you taught me how to trust myself
And so i say to you, this is what i have to do.

Cause i don't know who i am, who i am without you
All i know is that i should
And i don't know if i could stand another hand upon you
All i know is that i should
Cause she will love you more then i could
She who dares to stand where i stood

Missy Higgins - Where I Stood

Sometimes I find it difficult to post a blog when so much time has passed by. There's always a ton of stuff that happens inbetween that time period. And then I don't know where to start from. For example, yesterday I went to the Sydney fishmarket with my flatmates (asti and vivian.) We were so excited to go because we were going to get relatively inexpensive and fresh fish to eat on our new dinner table! That's right, you read it properly: We got our couches and dinner table at midnight the night before.

We came home with some white fish (hahaha) and salmon. yummy! Vivian and Asti cooked the white fish later in the evening. I would have helped but I maintain my philosophy that "too many cooks spoil the broth." I made myself useful as the photographer!

After gorging ourselves with food (according to my auntie, i'm starving) I took a NAP and then later on went out to "pontoon", a sydney restaurant and nightclub by cockle bay wharf. After returning home at an indecent hour, I am now up because I need to go for a run.

Why? Because I've signed up for the City 2 Surf run that is happening on August 12, 2007. My cousin thinks I am going to kill myself as it is a 14km run that involves many hills. I disagree. Jay and I signed up and it will be a fun run for us. Taking it easy, enjoying the scenery, and once I get to Bondi beach, hit up Amy's new digs! It's so great that I know someone who lives out by the beaches! whoo hoo!

Let's not forget to mention that I was in Canberra last weekend. I went to celebrate Bronwyn's birthday. She picked me up from the Jolimont station and then we went to a computer party (deja vu from the computer science student association times from u of t, hahaha) where they were serving free drinks. Then, I was invited out to dinner with the Sheppard family where I became a surrogate child. hahaha. I tagged along for a round at the casino, and then we went out dancing at the Uni pub.

Before I continue, I would like to take this moment to discuss some words I have learned.
It's your shout = It's your turn to buy this round
hire = rent (Eg. hire a movie)

I'll continue to update the list because it IS 7:30am and I can't think of the other words I've learned at this moment in time.

Johanna, a girl I met while I was in Fiji, is in from Melbourne this weekend. So I'm going up to the blue mountains with her today. And judging by the sunshine outside, it looks like a good day to do it too! Once I get back, I'll publish a post on school...because I started this week!

FIJI TIME & SETTLING IN SYDNEY

The Yasawa Islands adventure was the best adventure of my life. Mesj, Kris and I went with Awesome Adventures Fiji, and went with the package, A Great Pair. We stopped off at two islands, Kuata and Korovou. Both were beautiful and different in their own ways. On Kuata, we had much more traditional Fijian foods and went snorkling and hiking up to the summit of the island. This is also the same island that they shot the portion where Tom Hanks tried to hang himself in "Castaway" after he lost his ball, Wilson.

Where Kuata was more traditional and intimate, Korovou was a resort aimed at tourists. The food was more international, they had singing and dancing by the "bula boys", and they had a lot more of the comforts that we would be used to at home, such as the internet. Here, I did more hiking, including a sunrise hike that was quite challenging as before the sun came up, we had to hike up by flashlight. The guy I went with, Bjoern, was really scared of spiders, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he would hike infront and point out all the spider webs so I wouldn't walk into them. I did alot more activity on this island including swimming in the dark, sleeping on the beach in order to enjoy the beauty of solar system in the southern hemisphere, and going to visit the village on the island. At the village, the primary school children sang songs, recited poetry and performed dances for us tourists. It was really interesting to see that even though the Fijians have their own language, they are still taught English in their schools. Their school rooms looked very similar to classrooms that you'd see in North America.

Now, I have been in Sydney for almost a week. I spent the first four days and three nights at the Maze Backpackers Hostel near Chinatown. Together with the other three girls, we attended orientation at the Paramatta Campus on the second day. It turned out to be quite useless as all the information that we were given, we had already known from before.

The next couple of days spent looking for accommodations in the city. Let me tell you how different it is looking for places then in Toronto. Before I got here, I had visions in my head about finding a nice little flat for the four of us, and we would each get our own bedroom. RIIIIIGHT. The horrible reality is that most of the apartments in Sydney are crowded with people. I was really lucky to find a place in Ultimo that I am now sharing with two other girls. The other three have found a place very nearby that they share with three other boys. So they have six people in their two bedroom apartment versus my three people n a two bedroom apartment. Also, because people are packed into small spaces, the living quarters are disgusting. Alot of the places that I went to look at were very cluttered and messy. So, I really count myself lucky to finding a place where I have my own space.

I also have free wireless internet, and the place comes with a gym and pool. It's also a 10 min walk to the central train station where I will need to go when I have to go to school. AND, I am a two minute walk from the Broadway shopping centre where they cater to just about ALL my needs. There's several grocery stores there, a pharmacy (which they call chemist in oz), phone place, travel place, tons of clothing stores, food court....EVERYTHING.

Because of all this settling in, I haven't really taken in any of Sydney's sights yet. Also, I have spent a night at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Hornsby. They are a really sweet couple and have offered to help me with anything that I need. I met my cousin, Lanthia, her husband, Tom, and their three children, Crystal, Aaron, and Kara, for the first time. They made us dumplings! yummy!

Tomorrow, I plan to visit the Chinese garden and the Sydney Aquarium. This weekend will also be really fun as I am going to visit my friend Bronwyn in Canberra. It is her birthday on friday so I'm catching the bus and staying two nights with her and PARTYING IT UP!!!!

FIJIAN ADVENTURE: DAY 1 & 2

I'm currently sitting at an internet cafe at the Nadi Bay Hotel, a gorgeous place with two pools and good food!

The flight was very long. Jo, Kristen and I flew out of Pearson airport and stopped over in Minneapolis and LA before flying to Nadi airport, Fiji. The first flight was on a tiny plane and even though it was a two hour flight, it felt MUCH LONGER. The next two were consecutively larger and after taking a gravol on the last 11hr leg from LA to Nadi, I was feeling really sprightly. We almost missed our last flight there because they had our flight under two airlines. We arrived at 5:30am at the airport and immediately encountered a very LARGE problem...our luggage did not arrive with us from LA!!! :0

Yup, that's right. You can imagine our horror when we found out that there was no more luggage from that flight. We talked to the luggage people at the desk and they told us that they would be put on the next flight the very next day. But after arriving at the hotel, we got very worried because we were hearing all these horror stories from other backpackers staying at the hotel. They were saying things like not receiving their luggage for days, and one girl staying here STILL hasn't received her luggage in the past FOUR days!!! Plus Fijians like to rip us off with money. They put us in a taxi and charged us $10 when really it's like a $4 ride.

Anyway, we were definitely NOT happy campers. We went into Nadi downtown area and tried to look for swim suits but they were either incredibly expensive or they were so cheap and gross, and frankly, didn't cover much. Either way we ended up going to the airport really early this morning, and THANK GOODNESS, our luggage were all there. I think they just got confused at the LA airport. It's very disorganized there.

So now we've just spent the day lounging by the pool in our OWN bikinis and drinking strawberry milkshakes and Fijian beer. There are a lot of English people here. We seem to be the only Canadians so far. We head out to the Yasawa Islands in the morning and will be there for 4 days.

I finally went to Shoppers yesterday and spoke with the pharmacist about an over the counter cough medicine for my chronic cough. He said it sounded like I had a mild lung infection... :0 Well, no use but to drink up now. I dislike cough syrup because it leaves such a bitter aftertaste. One more week left of touring, and then I will be able to really relax and get better.

Last week's five day tour to Quebec City was awesome. There was so much free time for shopping that my addiction has once again flared. I bought all these new tops and hoodies from Simons, and shoes from Aldo, AND a new bikini from Garage!!! I keep justifying these purchases by telling myself that I'm buying them for Australia. hahahaha.

A bunch of tour managers went out thursday night and we partied it up at the Dag until 3am!!!! The first floor had performances by these guys who looked like they were part of KISS, and they rocked out 80s tunes. We stayed downstairs for a good couple of hours, and then went upstairs where they played normal club beats. I have to say that it was one of the best times in terms of clubbing in a looong time. There were people there but not so many that it was crowded. The music was fantastic, and there was a nice mix of guys and girls in our group.

I have to say touring is one of the best things I did for myself. Ryan and Christine showed me the back way of the Dufferin terrace on tuesday. It's the largest terrace in North America! Such gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence river. Every week I see new things, discover new places, meet new people. The children are a blast to work with. Sure, there are random annoyances, but it's all part of the job.

This weekend was the first weekend off in forever. Cat took me to the Holt Renfrew spa on bloor street where she treated me to a hot stone massage!!! I had my massage first, then we went to Pusateri's and had cafe au laits while sitting on the patio in the nice hot sun. Then I went shopping (see a pattern here?) while she went for her massage. After a nice looooong afternoon nap, I went out in the evening with Shelley.

For Father's day, Ames and I bought him a watch because it broke after/during Ames' LSAT test. I have discovered that I do not like looking at watches. They bore me. hahaha. Ames has even sold me her laptop, so now I have one more thing ready for Oz!

Three weeks before I leave! But it doesn't feel like it. I will probably feel it once work is done...if it is EVER done!

I love visiting the National Gallery. Every single time I walk into that building, the guide shows the group something different, something new. This week, my favorite painting was A.Y. Jackson's "The Red Maple."



Another favorite place to visit is Byward Market. I suggested the french bakery to the kids, and then spent a lunch hour with some of the boys. We even tried out some teas at the tea shop across St. George st. The shop staff were so nice. I told them about my constant cough that doesn't seem to want go away, and they put together a nice concoction of herbs for me to try.

We even went to an Ottawa Lynx vs. Durham Bulls game at the Jetform Park. We had a picnic dinner of burgers and hot dogs and then 3 hrs of sitting in a very windy stadium. I didn't hold out for very long, and after about half an hour, retreated into the stadium restaurant and watched the rest of the game from the box area.

Before I forget, I wanted to write a little paragraph on this amazing sandwich restaurant that Manny took me to on monday for lunch. It's call "Sandwich Box". They make all their bread fresh daily, and is healthy and pricey (about $6.85.) hahaha. Each sandwich comes with a side salad, and you can pick any three options to put in the sandwich, including the type of bread and spread.

Tuesday evening, met up with some of the CCMers at the Beer Bistro for a quick bite and greet before meeting up with Michelle to see "Brand against the Brain" showing at the Elgin Theatre. Part of the Luminato festival, it is a cute black and white movie by director, Guy Maddin. It used a live TSO orchestra, narrator, singer, and other people to make the sounds that a normal movie would have. Without those distractions, I probably would have gotten pretty motion sick as it was what I would call "contemporary."

With the gorgeous weather from today, I will be rollerblading at harborfront this evening.

These prints speak for themselves. Drawn by Canadian Native Artists, Cecil Youngfox, Benjamin Chee Chee and Doris Cyrette. I bought a packet of 7 cards by Doris at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and I plan on framing them in my room. :)


- "Returning" by Cecil Youngfox


- "Snow Singers" by Cecil Youngfox


- "Good Morning" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Spring Flight" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Swallows" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Learning" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Autumn Flight" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Friends" by Benjamin Chee Chee


- "Night Spirits" by Doris Cyrette


- "First Born" by Doris Cyrette

- "Interlude" by Doris Cyrette

Alright, how do I start this thing?

I am currently sitting at work, staring out of one of their huge "floor to ceiling" windows and struggling not to fall asleep. I just came back from an Ottawa tour this week, and it was by far the most tiring trip. My cough has been off and on about getting better, but by trying to project my voice out to a crowd of teens just takes its toll on my throat. It's now so completely hoarse that I don't even know how anyone can understand what I'm saying.

The Ottawa trip itself was a lot of fun. We visited the usual attractions, but new things to see included attending the "Question period" at the House of Commons as well as visiting the Diefenbunker. Question period was super cool because I was able to see all the MP's together, and it was almost a full house. Jack Layton, Stephen Harper, Giles Duceppe, Stephane Dion, Olivia Chow, Ken Dryden....they were ALL there. And they all sounded like little children bickering over a toy. So much fun!

But the children were exhausting. Sometimes I look at them and realize how TV dramas come up with so much fodder for their shows. It's THEM. I am sooooo glad that I wasn't like that when I was little...or wasn't given the opportunity to be like that. hahaha.

Ames came back from Europe yesterday too. We all met up at Yorkdale and had dinner at Moxies. Then we went home to unpack and unwind. Unfortunately, I had to force myself NOT to sleep because Shelley was having a little girl's out gathering for her birthday and I knew if I went to sleep, I wouldn't have been able to wake myself up.

Driving to Demetres was very difficult so I ended up going there, and then leaving as soon as she came. At least I made an appearance!

It has been suggested that I take some bedrest. And I will, but it will probably be Monday and Tuesday. It's always hard to not fill up my time with friends and family. But it's about time I just stay a day in bed!

It's been a long and crazy week. The long weekend was exactly that: LONG. haha.

I spent half of it working and then Sunday afternoon I went to Ottawa with my parents because mom wanted to see the end of the Tulip Festival. We stayed in the luxurious Chateau Laurier and spent some time at Byward market. In the evening, we had a super delicious fresh seafood basket at The Fishmarket Restaurant. The market also has the best french bakery called "Le Moulin de Provence." It sells classic french pastries and croissants with steaming bowls of cafe au laits. Hmmmm hmm, yum!

The tulips were almost done but we were lucky to still see some of them. I took my parents up to Parliament hill where there was much Victoria Day activities going. Then on our way back to check out of the hotel, we were lucky enough to catch a boat going through the eight locks on the rideau canal. Watching the little boat move from lock to lock was fascinating (but it took a very long time!)

My mom also has a thing for the Royal Canadian Mint, so we stopped off to look at some pretty, shiny, and EXPENSIVE coins.

The rest of the week was spent in my favorite city: Montreal. It was a little hectic because the Metro workers had just gone on a walk-out the day we arrived. So traffic was "fun." :S This particular trip was interesting because the students went to all these places I had never visited before: the biodome, insectarium, botanical gardens, iSci (Science Centre), Pointe-a-Calliere (Montreal Museum of Archeology), and the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre. My favorite was the biodome. It is a self-guided tour of four different types of ecosystems: the laurentian forest, tropical forest, saint-lawrence marine and arctic and antarctic ecosystem. Pointe-a-Calliere was also really cool too because I liked studying archeology in university and they showed the original wall of Montreal before it was torn down. The iSci museum is currently hosting "le monde du corps 2 (body world 2)" which I was disappointed about missing when it was in Toronto. Unfortunately, the students did not go to see that exhibit. Althought, the Technocite, Eureka, and Snowbirds exhibit were still fun.

The holocaust museum was a very interesting choice for the students as it had a really sombering effect. However, the head teacher was most interested in this memorial centre and overall it was so interesting and eye-opening. You only hear about the holocaust, but never really knew the nitty-gritty details. Still, not the funnest thing to do on the last day of the trip.

So this weekend is filled with various activities. But all I really want to do is veg out and relax. yeeeeah!

Thanks to Sammy Champs, who founded New France in 1608, we now have Quebec City. Even better, thanks to Lord Dufferin, who stopped the walls (enceinte) from being destroyed, Old Quebec City is a World Heritage Site because it is the only walled city left in Canada.

I love Old Quebec City. It rivals Paris as being the most romantic place in the world.

Back from my first tour to Ottawa! And it was a success! In the end, it felt like being on any tour, except, instead of being a visitor going to a place for the first time, I was the guide who had prior knowledge of the surrounding buildings and areas. I must admit that it was quite daunting at first. In training, we are given a plethora of information. Of course, alot of it is background information that we need to know in case students ask questions. From this, we have to judge what is interesting enough to the kids.

As we all know and remember, grade 8 grad trips weren't REALLY about learning...it was more the experience of being away from home for a couple of days in a different city. So the task at hand is to find a way to stuff information and facts without boring them to death.

It is a lot different once we are older. We understand things alot more, and are more willing to learn. Since it was my first time as a guide, I went to all the guided tours at the various places we visited.

We went to Rideau Hall to visit the Governor General's residence. Her excellency Michaëlle Jean, has implemented a website that allows Canadian citizens to voice their issues and concerns in forums.

We also visited the Supreme Court, where the students participated in a mock trial. There was a federal court in session, so there were a couple of cameras and reporters standing on the side. This excited the students as they thought there was a celebrity in the midst!

The Parliamentary building tour was a little disappointing as both the House of Commons and the Senate were sitting. We did stop by the newly re-decorated parliamentary library before going up to the Peace Tower.

However, my FAVORITE places that we visited were the National Gallery and Canadian War Museum. The tour for the gallery was quite an eye-opening experience as the guide explained some important paintings such as The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West and Barnett Newman's Voice of Fire. The war museum is a fascinating place with an abundance of Canadian military history. As we were on our tour, we had a war veteran come up and explain the difference between artillery and guns. I also recognized two large bronze plaques with all the names of Eaton employees who died in WWI and WWII that were donated by the Eaton family. When I was younger, it used to be displayed on the 5th floor of the Eatons department store downtown.

Let's not forget the children. This group of kids were incredible. I have a feeling that it can only go downhill from here! Sure, there were some sticky spots involving several episodes of vomiting (which I am thankful to say that I did not particpate in) from the aggressive driving of our crazy bus driver, but overall, they were a really good bunch. Chatting with them reminded me how naive I was when I was little. It was quite refreshing to see it from an "older" perspective.

Next week: Quebec City

I went to see the Japanese Design Today exhibit yesterday with Christian and Michelle. First of all, I haven't seen this pair since Michelle's birthday. Second of all, they have recently come back from a trip to HK and China, where Chris had the worst hospital experience in his life. Note to self, don't get sick when in foreign countries.

Although the exhibit itself was interesting and modern, I was hardly impressed with any of it. Why? Because they ran out of pamphlets explaining the recent trends and characteristics of Japanese design. It wouldn't have been so bad except that none of the exhibits had any place cards to explain any of the objects. All they had were numbers (for reference to a pamphlet.) I went back to the front desk to inquire what other options there were, but the customer representative got defensive and snarky. The result? I went to see an exhibit that probably was very good, but got none of that because they ran out of pamphlets. I wasn't trying to cause any problems, but the exhibit continues until the end of the weekend, and I'm pretty sure I won't be the only patron who would want an explanation for what they are seeing. The least they could do is give a disclaimer as people are purchasing their tickets.

Either way, at least I got to see my buddies. We had a great lunch at Richtree (Marche) and they went over the nitty gritty details of their asian experience. Michelle is also showing some new photography at the Eastern Gallery starting May 2nd, 2007. It is part of the CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival that is running from May 1 - 31, 2007.

Anyone who hasn't seen Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, should see it. It is a very powerful documentary on the realities of global warming and the devastating effects that has already begun in our lifetime. The sad truth of the matter is that not enough people know of this problem. The documentary highlights the fact that the governments seem to be trying to displace the truth of the problem.

Not long ago, I was researching global warming for a feature. I had to put it aside because there was just too much to go through in such a short amount of time (I was obviously doing this last minute.) It is a very interesting topic, but seems to be overshadowed by skeptics and critics who believe this is just a small blip, and that nature is playing tricks with us. Just watch this documentary. This is what our world is coming to. It's scary and eye-opening.

Anyone who knows me well enough, knows that I love going to the symphony. It is just another quirk of mine, and is easily fulfilled by the the fanatabulous TSO. Our Toronto concertmaster, Peter Oundjian, is incredible. Such a distinguished older looking man. Combined with his adorable accent, he is part of the reason why I enjoy the works the TSO puts together. With the help of cheap tickets and a fun concert calendar full of fun (such as the magic music of disney, mozart, beethovan, lemony snicket, other canadian symphonies), it has become more than just a night out on town. It has become part of MY definition of who I am. For just $12 (about the same as going out to a movie), I can go with another friend and enjoy any kind of music. Over the past three years, I have had the pleasure of going with other friends who enjoy this culture, as well as introduce friends to it.

This past week, the Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and Montreal symphonies did an exchange. They all went on tour together, and travelled to other cities to perform for different audiences. Thanks to all these concertmasters, I was able to get a taste of some other Canadian symphonies! Although they were all wonderful, I must admit that I fell in love with the Montreal symphony, and their concertmaster, Kent Nagano. What lustrious pantene pro-v hair the man has! And he interpreted the music so well. When he and the orchestra were playing Rossini's William Tell Overture, I found myself bopping along! And the symphony's version of Beethovan's Symphony No. 7, especially the 2nd movement, it sent shivers up my spine! This is just another reason why I should live in Montreal...beautiful music!

I plan on sampling the Australian symphony as well. Music will always stand the test of time!

After months of neglecting some homies, I have returned with a vengence!

Yesterday was an excellent display of my efforts. Met up with my cheery cousin for spring rolls at Salad King. When we walked in, the smell of the food made us sooooo hungry! Luckily we were smart, and just had the spring rolls which filled me up. I cannot wait to meet Cam for her birthday! :)

I digested by walking through Eaton center. I must say that the mall disappoints me. There is nothing that I've seen that made me really excited to buy anything. Maybe I should just save up to spend when I am in Oz. Carl called while I was wandering around and we met up for coffee at the BCE place. I haven't seen my brother since January! Always the same, but I love meeting up with him to chat about things in life. Always puts everything into perspective for me, and makes me happy!

The great thing about the location was that he works in the building with Marche (since named, richtree) which was where I was meeting Fayewood for dinner. Highschool buddies rock! It was so good to catch-up on our lives. We have decided that we're going to the beach for the Canada long weekend. Yay to warm weather. That was the best part of the day, the sun came out! So walking outside in a skirt was much easier. hahaha. Walking to....the princess of wales for Phantom of the Opera!

I swear, I never get tired of musicals. I can watch them over and over and over again. And this production was no exception. Although the guy who played Raoul was an awful singer, the Phantom, and Christine were amazing. The pyrotechnics were nice, but I can't say I was a fan. Too many popping and heart-stopping moments. hahaha. Either way, Faye's a darling for taking me to the show. What a great early birthday present!

Speaking of birthdays, tomorrow is a special day for Jordan and Tanaka!!!! Happy birthday!

Eight months later, I have grown so much in such a short amount of time. I have met an incredible group of people who I will cherish for a very long time. It's a little scary to think about how much we have gone through and bonded. We know a lot about one another (in some instances, a little too much) but whether it is for the worst or the best, we were there.


This experience has been so much more self-satisfying than all of the four years of university that I went through. Don't get me wrong, I still love and stay in touch with my university friends, but back then, I was unsure of where I was going in life, and things were more chaotic and disorderly. I hadn't fully learnt the value of time management and was much too excited with an unfamiliar feeling of independence. The friends that I made were more valuable in teaching me who I was and what I wanted.


I would like to visit you for a while
Get away and out of this city
Maybe I shouldn't have called but someone had to be the first to break
We can go sit on your back porch
Relax
Talk about anything
It don't matterI'll be courageous if you can pretend that you've forgiven me

Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again

Springtime in the city
Always such relief from the winter freeze
The snow was more lonely than cold
If you know what I mean
Everyone's got an agenda, don't stop
Keep that chin up, you'll be all right
Can you believe what a year it's been
Are you still the same?
Has your opinion changed?

'Cause I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from these sentences
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again

I know I let you down
Again and again
I know I never really treated you right
I've paid the priceI'm still paying for it every day
So maybe I shouldn't have called
Was it too soon to tell?
Oh what the hell
It doesn't really matter
How do you redefine something that never really had a name?
Has your opinion changed?

Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again

I see your face
I see your face

- I don't know you anymore, Savage Garden

This program was different because these people share the same passion for what I want to do in life. The field is so small, and I know in my heart that I will see the people who I care for again in the future. I know a lot of people in this program are sad to see things change. Don't be sad, embrace change. It is very important in our own development through life. Without change, life would be mundane and boring. This song is one of my favorites because it is so pretty and sad. At the same time, it gives a feeling of hope for the future.

The most important thing to remember is: take destiny into your own hands. Don't sit around to wait for things to happen. Do it for yourself. This is life. It's short, so make the most of it.

So I was called to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Naturally, I accepted. However, this has taken a whole chunk of my weekend to do homework. The weekend that I really needed because my seminar is this thursday, and the trip to Kingston/Ottawa is this friday.

On the bright side, there was a flood at the new Roehampton building friday evening so the past two days have been quite slow. Which has lent me pleeenty of time to work on school work. So really, it has all worked out quite nicely. Still, I'm slightly nervous about the week to come. I cannot wait until it is over.

The weather is making me depressed. The motivation is dragging on the ground, and school has suddenly has suddenly become a huge weight to carry. There's literally ONE MORE MONTH left before it's allllllllll over...but I feel like everything has just gone into slow motion.

ARGH!!! It's already daylight savings time!!!! Of all days to go out to a club (with Matt and Shelley, no less), it had to be yesterday, when we were losing an hour of sleep!

Honestly, it gets tiresome going out all the time. And march has been ABSOLUTELY no exception. How many birthdays have I celebrated or gone to already? Alot of them I would never have even known about if not for facebook!

Yesterday was Mich's birthday dinner at Fred's Not Here. Matt, Tony, Sange and I arrived fashionably late, but luckily so did everyone else. I love Mich's dinners and friends. It's so laid back and fun. No one is really awkward, and as usual, I like to zoom in on the quietest people at the table. hahaha. So the joint present the four of us pitched in for b-day girl? Some wii game. I have no idea what it is. but hey, if she's excited about it, then I'm allllllllll for it! ;p

The club part was disappointing. My bestest friend in the whole wide world was invited to a b-day party (surprise surprise!!) So considering she rarely goes out, let alone goes to clubs anymore, Matty and I join in as sidekicks (but I know the b-day boy too.) We went to C-Lounge which apparently is the club to go. Beautiful decor but awful choice in music. All of it was dance remixes! We stayed until almost 2am in the vain hopes that the DJ would play something good. The characters at the club were not very attractive either. And then, 2am comes around and suddenly it's 3am.

AND, I still have so much homework to do. But that's not stopping me from going skiing today. Suffer the consequences tomorrow.

So the moral of this story? Go to good clubs to have a good dancing night. Otherwise, start up your own dance party in the car.

so second term is moving along quite nicely. It seems that a lot of the work this term is done independently, or if it is team work, it is one whole entire project instead of a lot of little ones. i don't generally think about this, but someone asked me the other day, if i wonder about who i will keep in touch with after the program is finished. well, i don't really need to wonder about this because i have a pretty good idea who those people are. What I don't understand is why everyone cares about that. If you want to stay in touch, then do it. If not, it's very easy to let go.
I suppose it is a little sad to know that within two months, these people that i have grown very close with will be on their separate ways. But thus is life, we move on and keep going.
I have plans, they change all the time, but at least i have a plan.

Eagle in the dark
Feathers in the pages
Monkeys in my heart
Rattling their cages
Found a way to pooooop
Another ghost to follow
Said its only up to you
It’s the hardest pill to swallow

You never get to choose
You live on what they send you
You know the kind of use
Things you love will get you
One foot in the grave
One foot in the shower
There’s never time to save
You’re paying by the hour

And that’s just the way it goes
Falling awake
And that’s just the way it goes

Slipping through the bars
Aware of the danger
Of riding in the cars
Taking candy from strangers
You’re never out of hand
Never out of pocket
Super sonic man
Do you want to buy a rocket

Well that’s just the way it goes
Falling awake
Falling awake
And that’s just the way it goes
Falling awake
Falling awake

Eagle in the dark
Feathers in the pages
Monkeys in my heart
Are rattling their cages
I could learn to play the game
Learn to run the hustle
If I only had the brains
The money or the muscle

- Gary Jules, Falling Awake

---

Cristina: There's a club. The "Dead Dads" club. And you can't be in it until you're in it. You can try to understand, you can sympathize.. but until you feel that loss- My dad died when I was nine. George, I'm really sorry you had to join the club.

George: I. [pause] I don't know how to exist in a world where my dad doesn't.

Cristina: Yeah, that never really changes.

This is for tee. I'm so sorry you had to join this club.

Even though this was one of the hardest grey's episodes to watch, I had to watch it again. I cannot concentrate on school, on anything really. I'm so distracted.

I'm not a part of this club, yet I'm constantly aware of how quickly a person you love can be taken away at a moment's notice. I'm not a part of this club, but I am part of another. It is almost six months later. The pain doesn't stop. It may dull, but the pain doesn't go away. On the outside I may look strong. Perhaps I forget for a moment, but there are always little subtle signs that remind me again. I don't mind, I like to remember the good times.

But the pain always remains.

i just realized that it has been quite some time since my last post. It's crazy how fast time flies sometimes.

classes at seneca started two weeks ago. the first week was filled with alot of awkward and tense filled moments because we were choosing our new groups. the problem lay in the fact that since first term, everyone now has a clear idea of who they want to work with...but most of all, who they do NOT want to work with. this created a lot of tension because no one wanted to work with certain people. but how do you avoid this without creating any drama? or even worse, what do you do when you ARE stuck in a group with so called classmate?

i have to say that i'm pretty happy with my loot. haha. to top it off, our class has received three new belgium girls!!! at the risk of sounding like a complainer, i was hoping for some belgium GUYS. seriously, the last thing we needed was more chicks. hahaha.

also, last weekend i went to get a haircut. let me take this opportunity to explain how stressful getting a haircut can be. i have always had very long hair. when i was little, i was a ballerina. and ballerina's always had long hair which they wound into buns on the top of the heads. when i stopped taking ballet lessons, i went and chopped half my hair, up to the middle of my back. ever since then, the shortest haircut i have had was up to my shoulders. the ordeal i went through with THAT particular haircut involved a razer blade with a chinese hairdresser. now, i avoid chinese hair salons like the plague.

the last couple times i have gone to evoke hairsalon. they are amazing. but both those times, my father would ask me "you went to get a haircut so that your hair looks exactly the same?"

so this time i started asking around for recommendations. and this time, i have received one of the best cuts ever. i now have side bangs that ACTUALLY compliment my face. i feel like i have had them forever! i must admit that it feels weird to have short hair again, but at least this time i can put it in a pony tail and not have it look like a rat-tail!

i also went to the symphony twice this week for mozart's 251st birthday. i went with mich on wednesday and we shared a two for one meal at marcel's, a lovely french restaurant. then yesterday i went with kristen...a bbtea meal before, and then through jake's recommendation, jeremiah bullfrog's afterwards. good times!

the bulk of my time is focusing on school, work, family and occasionally...friends. haha. that's a big lie. friends are so important to me too. it's what makes the world go round...

what a small small world...

it never fails to surprise me how many people i know who know one another. just today, i found out that my co-worker, carissa, knows a lot of my smc friends. we called up manny and he was soooo surprised!

and this is all thanks to facebook. if it wasn't for this phenomenal tool, i would never have known! this website has connected me with so many people that i have not spoken to in years!

i have found friends from highschool, from middle school, ELEMENTARY school (oh soloman!)...and EVEN old math tutorial classes!!! (how embarrassing!)

it's nice to find out what everyone is doing, even though it is a little creepy with the whole big brother-esque "news feed." hahaha.

c'est la vie!

today's post is about marriage.

congrats to mary ellen and terence douglas!

how much do i despise boxing day shopping? after spending christmas at niagara falls, we stopped by the outlet mall before heading home. of course, no asian family can pass up shopping (at ANY time might i add), we HAD to peek into square one.

i would like to take this opportunity to point out that i have not gone shopping at square one since forever. so the worst way to reintroduce myself to a fabulous shopping mall is to go in during boxing day. the AMOUNT of people that congregates at malls is ridiculous. the food court was so jam packed full of people that there were literally people standing in the middle just eating. as soon as a table of people stand up to leave, there are people literally putting down trays to mark their territory (my mom is really good at doing that.)

i love shopping.

but shopping on boxing day scares me. especially since i bought these beautiful boots on christmas eve (yes you can laugh now, i DID go shopping on christmas eve too) and i was so paranoid that people would be stepping on them. people do that when they are on crazy rampaged filled kicks at the mall.

seriously, how can i enjoy shopping (which takes time if you do it properly) when there are people pushing and shoving each other all over the place?

nevertheless, i still managed to get a couple of goodies. although, my favorite purchase is the new boots. haha.

christmas in niagara is overrated. especially when there is no snow. but ames and i did get stuck in the women's washroom after a woman opened the door without washing her hands. ew.

something bit me on the arm and it's really super itchy right now. it can't be a mosquito can it? yikes!

so i am leaving for niagara falls for christmas in a couple of hours. i figure that i'd take this opportunity to wish everyone a MERRY XMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! at this time.

i've done so much this holiday: i've met alot of ames' friends via her little housegathering party; celebrated georges' birthday (last min no doubt) at the red room; made an appearance at jake and steve's condo party where i successfully avoided getting wasted; had brunch with the fisherville boys at 'bonjour brioche'; helped set up jake and orlando helman (sorry, ALICIA, hahaha) on facebook; SURVIVED 'the pursuit of happyness' with daner and meggers; met up with my pr girls and david for drinks at the city grill; had an abbey reunion at spring rolls; WORKED for minto (thereby earning some cash, yay!); attended cat's belly dancing recital; went to see the new york rockette's at the hummingbird center; went to a champagne tasting with larissa; had lunch at the irish embassy with my bro, carl; went to a pilates class with mich...THAT was killer!

on my trip, i hope to finish the longest scarf ever, as well as the book 'reading lolita in tehran.' with so much activity, i haven't had enough time to just sit and watch tv. oops. ;p

the holidays are here!

i have officially been off school for a week now. i was originally faced with a panic attack because i didn't know what to do with all this free time. but i have quickly and easily slipped into relax mode. ok, obviously 6:45am isn't "relax" per say, but i am a morning person so give me a break!

just a quick recap on the past couple of weeks:
- rita came in to town from vancouver about three weeks ago. we had a little soiree at insomnia where i also saw carlo, colin, jennie k, ana p, mike allemano....and the hart house towel boy! granted, he's probably not the towel boy anymore, but i remember when i used to go to the gym almost everyday, he'd be the guy i see in the morning (what a nice face to see in the morning!)

- carlo was a super sweetie because i had actually overslept and almost missed the evening, but he woke me up and drove me there and back too! i *heart* carlo! he's also gone in for laser eye surgery since then. i should find out how that went...

- went to smc's annual musical, this year being "little shop of horrors." it was the best show they have put on since "blood brothers." "chess" was good too, but this musical was phenomenal! the singers were all so incredible (of course, we had the three girlies, jill, thanya and shannon!) and the actors were just so talented. matt and i were throughly impressed! we even ran into kirsten and lisa! i have seen those two girls since we graduated!

- there was the minto christmas party which caused me so much anxiety. this party took place the weekend before a huge class project was due. i couldn't even really enjoy myself at the party because i was working the "silent auction." the auction was a huge success, there were so many leafs and raptors tickets. and alot of the companies had donated ipods and those were out like hotcakes! minto even supplied fully paid limos to take us home after the party. i wish i had taken advantage of that! but some of the younger kids wanted to hit a pub called the "foggy dew" so we went over there afterwards where i finally calmed down with a double shot of my usual.

- CCMaaers had several excursions over our crazy time. one night almost everyone signed up to take an etiquette class at the u of t faculty club, and most of learned that we have very bad etiquette. haha. i think the most important lesson i learned from that class is that the bread plate is on the left and the water glass is on the right. ;p that was also the memorable night where i inadvertantly saw ryan flashing us. i've since recovered (i think.) last weekend, we also had two parties: a potluck at esther's on thurdsay, and a beautiful dinner at "pur superclub" on saturday. photos from those events can be seen here thanks to audrey, ashleigh, sonia and kristen.

- i have since taken up knitting (i'm knitting carmi a scarf, as per request) and have started to watch more tv movies (yay movie network!) along with seeing a lot of people i haven't seen in awhile (such as mel and larissa), i plan on hitting up an indigo and having a geeky day out just reading books. ha! ;p

remember when i said hell week was done? it was all lies. lies.

it hasn't stopped. it's been continual, and even worse, there's still over a week and a half left to go. i'm not sure i'm going to make it.

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl "Will you marry me?" The girl said, "NO!" And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martinis, always had a clean house, never had to cook, had sex with whomever she pleased... did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, didn't get fat, travelled more, had many boyfriends, saved more money, had all the hot water to herself, and never had pubic hairs under the toilet seat lid. She watched chick flicks, never football, didnt have to wear lingerie that went up her ass, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants, burped, swore, and farted all the time. THE END

HELL WEEK is DONE!!!!!

sleeping beauty ballet tomorrow, ana francisco's birthday saturday and lots of homework catching up!

best of all? grey's anatomy is on tonight! yay!

happy happy happy!

i don't even really know how to begin this post. i have so many thoughts and ideas that i want to spew out so i'm just going to jump right in.

school is brutal.

ok, let's explain. first of all, i'm loving the program. it's a lot of hard work, sweat and blood. i already question the subjectiveness of some of the professor's grading schemes. it is very interesting to see how the marks are awarded, it seems like sometimes they are not really based a student's capability, but perhaps their personality. there is one student who really knows how to work. they go around to all the profs after class and while using different tactics to play up their weaknesses, are managing to get very good marks for doing nothing. incredible, just incredible.

second of all, this is a really intense and intimate program. with only 27 students in the class, we've all started to get to know each other very well. we're lucky in that we all get along really well. however, i'm starting to be able to read signs from people: when they are in a good mood, when they're in a bad mood. i can also recognize people's strengths and weaknesses. i suppose the key thing is to work with them especially since the program focuses on group work. everything is group work. i have group work coming out of my ears.

the only though, is that group work is only effective if everyone on the team contributes and works together. at ryerson i was lucky enough to get quite the power group. here, i have pretty much figured out what type of worker each person is. if the work mentality clashes, it can get pretty hairy.

thirdly, november is a bitch. a lot of presentations are coming up. in fact, i have 3 next week. yes, it's crazy, but i also knew it was coming up and had planned in advance how i was going to go abouts getting them done. but not everyone knows how to plan properly. some of my classmates are starting to get really stressed out and overwhelmed. i feel it too. the heat is on.

it doesn't help that the two jobs i had quit have asked me to come in randomly in november to help out. i have now ended up working 5 days a week for the next 3 weeks. this sucks soooo much.

so of course the only i can think of doing is to blog. but it helps. i can vent a little and then move on.

so i'm moving on...