Welcome Wednesday

Yesterday, while talking to my sister, she invited herself over for a visit and then dinner afterwards. The kids seemed quite happy with the place, so I'm glad. The only thing is that I wished my screen was in already. As it is now, lots of dust gets blown in when I open the screen door to let the breeze in (and to air out the smoke). Both her and my mother gave me my housewarming gift, so I was quite touched.
We then headed over to Cactus Club for dinner to further celebrate. Since my stepdad didn't join us today, we had to order our alcohols a bit differently. My sister got a bellini and I got a spiked frapp. Mom downed two beers, and I washed down dinner with a glass of white.
Headed home to chill and realized I was very low on smokes. Luckily, one friend was in my part of town and heading out, and another was out, but heading back to my part of town. WHEW - disaster averted!

Tuesday

Was planning on driving to work, but had an invitation out for drinks. Huge dilemma, I really want to drive to work, and I DO want to have drinks, I cannot do both. In the end, I drove and went straight home with a slight detour at the liquor store. Horrified of driving in rush hour - will die if I did it after a drink. It was a nice thing to be able to stop off somewhere on the way home and run an errand. It was a bottle of red this time, but could be groceries the next time. I think the reality of skytrain has made up my mind. I really thought I could do it, go green. However, the pros outweigh the cons.
This is a work in progress...please suggest additions - you will be credited!
Driving

PRO

1. No delay once you’re ready (ie. Not having to wait for train) 2. Can bring whatever you need with you (books, magazines,drycleaning) 3. No fear that someone with an illness is near 4. Know that you are the only one that can spill coffee, melting ice cream, loaded hot dog on you 5. Can order things to ship to the office, and bring them home 6. Can run errands or meet friends without heading home first to get car

CON

1. Insurance premiums go up, but less than $10/th 2. Parking lot costs more than bus pass 3. Fluctuating costs based on gas prices 4. Carbon footprint

Skytraining

PRO	1. Moderate exercise on the walk to/from station 2. Cheaper than monthly parking 3. Better for the environment 4. Fixed cost
CON	1. A short walk to the train in the rain = wet umbrellas on the train 2. People forced into close quarters lose their sense of humanity 3. Waiting for the next train, only to see it’s still full 4. Can’t bring anything bulky/heavy home, even if it’s free!

Mal Monday

Had an awful night last night, I think the sushi was reacting very negatively towards me. Stayed up all last night and just made friends with my "latrine". Decided to skip work today and just get better.
Have you ever tried making fresh pasta? You should...and even if you don't think it's going to work out...stick it out and you will prevail!
Went over to my mom's house after dinner to visit the kids. Thought I was going after they finished dinner, but lo and behold, they were just sitting down to eat. I skipped dinner, but enjoyed some good wine and good conversation with the family. I am lucky.

Sushi on Sunday

Had a great lunch of sushi and sashimi at California Sushi in Coquitlam. It's weird how as hungry as you are, sometimes you just can't put the effort into chewing. So strange. Needed a nap to recover from that feeling. Headed to Cactus Club to have some vino and teriyaki wings for dinner. Then moved some boxes back to my place, and then chilled for a bit. TV just keeps you hooked. Watched hours of HGTV and W tv. There are so many shows on reno-ing that you really can't help but wonder what can be done to improve your own space. Had a leisurely dinner...leftover pizza, corn and tenderloin, over the course of 5 hours. Wow, that's grazing for you!

Status Quo Saturday

Had a lunch of a very yummy stew to recover from an eventful yet relaxing day. After that, hung out at a pool for a bit to get some sun. Decided to make pizza at home for dinner, so good! Makes you realiza that the simpler things in life (good wine, good food and good friends) are all you need.

Friendless Friday

Ever had one of those days...where you can be productive at work (even getting a thank-you card from your boss), but still feel like a complete failure? I think that is my problem today.
Ended up leaving work to head to Shore Club for drinks with a friend...someone I've know since 2002...Good times.
Left downtown and had the weirdest "after drinks" feeling...
I think I'm just destined to be alone...and seriously, you don't set out to have a bad day...but somehow, it happens.

Thoughtful Thursday

Had a great day at work, and ended up with Mercury Rising @ Loden. Wow, the sun was nice and hot, I think I was sweating just sitting there. The corn on the cob was great, and the chorizo sammies were amazing. This is a great party...
Ended the evening with a serious conversation with a friend...long story short...it's all for the best...or so they say. thth

Wicked Wednesday

Had a hell of a day at work - busy and productive. Cranked out my Employee Newsletter...Had a pretty boring evening.
Had steak for dinner...yum! And then an early night.

Tuesday and too long of a week...

Went to work again today (yes, it's a pattern) and then came home to prepare for a dinner out with an old friend. Showed him my place and also enlisted his help to find my gym. Mission accomplished! Walked over to Milestones and had a bottle of wine and some food. It's nice to have friends...

Mondays, I hate Mondays

Went to work. Came home. And my stepdad came over to help me put up a screen for my patio. Alas, it was not meant to be...ended up having dinner at Cactus Club and just chilling, without being able to open my patio door...

So Not Sunny Sunday

Despite the grandest of plans to prepare for a suntanning sunday, the weather did not cooperate. Ended up at Burnaby Lake restaurant for lunch, where they played weird jazzs music the entire time. Also checked out an open house at Laurel...very weird layout. Even though it's listed as a 3-bedroom, co you really have to jam a bed in every room...no study, no den...weird setup. Met up with my BFF and got my housewarming gift...boy, Did she EVER spoil me...I love my new ballbuster...hehe...

Saturday at Some Malls...

Went to Crystal Mall to get some duck and roast pork for lunch. ALso grabbed an OLD SCHOOL rice cooker...only $19!

There was also a sale at Nood, where I picked up a magnetic board, some bathroom accessories, and a new duvet cover...all at 50% off! Love it! Oh, and scored free Bruno shirts too, since 94.5 (The Beat) was there. Mozied over to T&T and picked up some food for a bbq at a friend's place. His first time hosting, and it's supposed to be for UFC 100. Hmm... I'm not a fan, so I must just be there for the food. Once I got there, there was a girl that looked strangely familiar. Turns out she was a froshie back in the day when I was in a club at UBC...what a small world...

Fixing Up Friday

So today, had a long day at work and headed home to continute to unpack. I cannot believe it had taken me over a month to unpack my stuff. However, I made good progress. Around 10, decided to head to Yaletown for a bevvie or two, and ended up at Charm, Modern Thai.

Finally Friday!

TGIF!! Work was/is super quiet today.
Perhaps some people took advantage of the “Friday off for 20% off” deal…but not me. I’d rather do five days of work in five days, not four!
Going to Tiffany’s later to see if they can repair my necklace…the clasp is wonky.
Have no plans tonight…think I’ll just chill with some chicken gizzards and a glass of vino.

Terrific Thursday!

What a super nice day! After the rain of the last few days, it was nice to see the sun shine! After work, headed over to Voya where the Mercury was Rising. Had drinks at the rooftop patio and some barbecue ribs and shishkabobs. What a fun place. Only thing…it’s cash only, weird!
Headed to Silky Touch afterwards to get my brows threaded…taking the Tylenol while I was at work was a great idea!
My sister and two kids have landed – so headed over to Takara Bune to meet them for dinner.
Much needed sushi fix later…headed home for some much-needed slumber!

Wacky Wednesday @ Ikea!

So, it’s Wacky Wednesday at Ikea…and being a new homeowner with not enough lighting, I decided to trek over there to see what the fuss is all about. Besides with my new shelves all done, I need some of those funky paper boxes to put on them.
The light I had my eye on was less than half price, only $40 but originally $90! I just hope it’s bright enough for my place. Considering I don’t have any overhead lights in the living area, anything would be an improvement. Also grabbed some candles and candle holders…haha, like I need more stuff! On my way home, headed to Safeway to grab TP and ended up with mini-drumsticks and pork ribs…pub night!

Tipsy Tuesday

Instead of building more furniture right away, I decided that today, I would finally head over to the Winners by my house to check it out. Good thing I did, I browsed for several hours, and then ended up with a few items – things I probably don’t need, haha. Who really needs a paper towel holder, right?
Came home and decided that enough was enough, the drawers have to be built tonight! So with a few sips of wine and a few hours of mindless comedy, I was done!
There was an issue with one drawer, where the bottom become the top, but shhhh…our little secret!

Mundane Monday

Back to work – this week is going to feel so long, after that quick two-day work week after the Canada Day holiday.
Good thing there is lots to do also, which makes the day go by faster.
Went home right after work and just started building furniture. Built my wire shelving and also the galvanized metal racks.
Dinner was a quick affair, just some bread with cheese and capicollo. Thank goodness the fan is up too…

Spas on Sunday

Woke up at noon, yes, NOON. Don’t remember the last time I slept in like that!
Had breakfast at White Spot (I got the beef dip) and then went to Spa Utopia for a Deep Tissue Relaxing Massage.
Yummy! Steamed for a bit before, and a cold shower afterwards.
Decided to skip dinner due to overwhelming presence of back fat.
Did a bit more work on the dresser, the back is nailed!

baby Shower(?) Saturday

After the very disappointing BBQ duck from Hon’s on Canada Day, I decided to head to LuLu Café, where the duck was pretty good last time. The only thing wrong about that place is the staff – they can’t speak Cantonese OR English. Instead, she just repeats Mandarin at you, as if you’d understand due to repetition. We even pointed to the menu to order, and she just didn’t get it. Idiot girl. Fortunately, the owner was there and he spoke Cantonese. So, with my duck craving satisfied, it was time to head out and be productive or at least tan!
Also had a baby shower dinner to go to tonight at Red Star, boring table…oh well.
Heading to Cascades for a drink afterwards totally made up for the dinner!

Falling For Fortes Friday

What an awful day…I fell on the way to work…just walking to the skytrain. Tripped over my flip flops and down I went. Both knees were a bit bloody, so it’s a good thing that I had tissues on me. I was trying to dab away at the wound without freaking out the other passengers on the train.
Other than the morning though, it turned out to be a great day! Had drinks with friends on the Joe Fortes patio, and then headed to Costco. I desperately need a fan! Also picked up some frozen shrimp and steaks…hehe.

Trout for Thursday

Went to the Save-On by my place and bought myself my trout! Been craving it since I saw it last month – before I got my mom’s wok! Tried to make rice without a rice cooker, but I failed pretty miserably. Oh well, I guess I need to invest in one, although I don’t really make that much rice, or at least, I don’t plan to…

Happy Birthday Canada!

Went to Hon's for lunch because I was craving BBQ Duck - what a total disappointment! Noodles were okay, but the duck was all bones! And yes, I normally do enjoy bones, but come on, throw me a bone...haha, and maybe SOME meat with the bone?!
Was kind of a lame day, didn't do much. Went over to a friend's house for a bit, and lounged around the pool for a bit. However, seriously disgusted with my "back fat" so didn't really enjoy myself.
Oh, and I did go to Shoppers to buy my July bus pass - ooh, the excitement!
After dinner, I decided to build my dresser! It should be a two-person job, as the hardest part is the lifting up of it...so I had to stop midway, since my feeble attempt to lift it almost ended up with me splintering it.
Off to bed early then - work tomorrow. Felt like Sunday today, so tomorrow's gonna feel like Monday, great...

Catching Up: June 28-30

30 - Was looking forward to dinner (hot-pot) with an old friend but she cancelled on me. Ended up staying home all evening building furniture - LOTS of it! The coffee tables (in the same pattern as my dining table) were a cinch to build! Now my big red box is off to the side, and can be used as a side table. I'm getting good - especially with the new drill I bought! Also put together a wire basket but felt really bad since I had to hammer the rods it. Took them outside to hammer, but the abundance of dead bugs was a bit too scary for me.

29 - After watching Friends on the weekend, the one where Monica makes tons of lasagne, I actually got an invitation to dinner from an old friend for lasagna. Her kids are off in Vegas with her ex, so she decided to clean the house and have people over! Also saw my first full episode of South Park, yes, for real.

28 - Recovery and Lobster go hand in hand! At only $11/pound, lobsters are pretty hard to resist!

Last bit of Catching Up - June 21-27

27 - Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday Rob!
Chris's birthday as well today - Circa and then Hapa - total debauchery. I actually enjoyed the food at Circa this time, got the chacoutrie plate, which was delish! Also dropped by Edge earlier for a drink – very cool cocktails. Tried their Seafood Ceviche, and that was pretty good, and very cold!

26 – I went home and raided mom's kitchen for all the things she doesn't really use. Got myself a wok…perfect for steaming fish! After that, we went out for dinner at the Keg - where Lobsterfest was on! After 10 minutes of indecision, I ended up ordering my usual peppercorn steak instead. However, I fully plan to have lobster on my own on Sunday.

25 - GOAL: to sleep early, but ended up unpacking clothes and was up way too late again. But it has to be done eventually. At least my wardrobe is not limited to the same five tired items!

24 - very tired today - just went home and crashed.

23 – Went back to return the bedding I purchased over the weekend from Home Sense. The queen duvet was more like a full/double size, and didn't even hang over the mattress! Somehow managed to buy new things though…haha.

22 - Picked up a Courtesy car from Morrey Nissan while my baby was getting fixed. I am a Hero with a Versa! Also went to Superstore to pick up some groceries. Feeling very independent!

21 - Went to Brunch for Father's Day as it was my stepdad's wish. The food was really good and I was having a really hard time deciding what to order. Everything looked amazing! Dinner was at Prince - and finally got my duck! Ning Tu was sold out on Tuesday when I went.

First Monday in my New Place

Loving the peace, quiet and solitude.
Damn, I wish I had two slobbering dogs and a bunny too though.

Catch Up June 14-20

20 - Headed to Kirin for dim sum, because well, it's been a LONG time since I've had dimsum! Super busy due to Father's day tomorrow, but we all managed to get seated fairly quickly. After lunch, I built my bed, with the aid of my stepdad's cordless drill!

19 - work social event tonight - poker and pool. Very good turnout! Costco and BC Liquor stores to the rescue. Went over to Hapa afterwards, and made a mess of myself - ugh. I actually asked for Vodka to be added to my slurpee cup, which I brought in with me...and I didn't just ask for a shot, I actually gave my slurpee to Justin to add it for me. Sigh, he must HATE me...

18 - there was a Corona patio party at Moxie's, so I headed down for a few - martinis, not Coronas. Supposed to be free food - it SO wasn't enough food. But still made it home in bed by 10pm!

17 - back to work. Feels weird getting ready all on my own, no nagging, no knocking on the door, but sure needed about 3 alarms, all placed far away!

16 - got up super early and rented a budget van. Moved all my stuff from my mommy's and various storage areas into my place. Then went to Ikea and picked up the rest of the stuff I bought. Got rear-ended on the way, yes, that's right, a rear-ender on the way to Ikea. At least the guy owned up to it, thank goodness I had my stepdad with me in the car. This was just after lunch at Cactus Club. But we're all okay, so it's all good. Totally looking forward to dinner tonight - Ning Tu - duck wrap, here I come! Post dinner addition: there was NO duck, and despite my stepdad's claim that the rest of the menu looked appetizing, I wanted to CRY!

15 - day off today to settle in. Telus came over to install TV - he must have thought it was weird that I was drinking diet coke out of a wine glass, but hey, I don't have regular glasses, yet. Dinner was amazing - sushi, steak and shrimp. My favourite 3 "s"!!

14 - Went into Richmond and bought my stools! And a light for bedroom, as well as miscellaenous storage things that I don't really need from Daiso! Oh, and visited another new mommy...Had dinner at a place called New Shanghai near Willingdon and Canada Way- amazing food, crappy atmosphere.

Got my keys! June 7-13

13- Shopping the day away at Ikea - I love furniture! Even laundry baskets can be fun, as can welcome mats, bath mats!

12 - offsite for some InDesign training. Had White Spot for lunch - been so long since I've tried their food. Still the same - bland and exactly what you'd expect. One comforting thing about WS - no surprises.

11 - met with realtor and Got my keys! Grabbed some duck, some goose, not the edible kind, (the GREY kind) and vino, and settled into my new place. Sleeping on an air mattress isn't that bed, when the mattress is placed in YOUR OWN condo!

10 - visited the notary, get all the paperwork signed, in duplicates and triplicates...autographing all afternoon! It's amazing how much can get done nowadays, over the phone, email and fax. This is the first time she's met me, and she's done all this work on my behalf, hoping that I am who I say I am. I guess she had to meet me in order for me to pay her!

9 - steak and lobster dinner - fine dining at home.

8 - MAENAM, it's the new Gastropod...food was good, spicy, but no freebies. Had leftovers and forgot them.

7 - pretty chill...

Catching Up - June 2-6

6 - Chop to watch a hockey game and ended up with an impromptu BBQ!

5 - got the word that mortgage is firmly approved! Time to celebrate.

4 - jayden (the second one I know) is born! Celebrated with one drink, and then debauchery ensued.

3 - lunch with work at Victoria - weirdest dim sum ever - half a chicken, veggies, and just weird.

2 - snuck into my new place and took measurements for furniture - so exciting.

Modelling Monday

So, after the modelling shoot two week ago, I finally got the pictures! They look LIKE me, but definitely not the "real" me. I really rarely wear makeup, and even if I did, I don't think I'd be able to apply it like the pros do!

Want to see? I've uploaded them here.

But this one is my favourite, I think...

Back to my diet today too, but have added something to my usual romaine hearts and bean sprouts. My mom bought me some Yam Noodles, and they are super low-cal and super high-fibre! What an awesome food to mix with my soupy dinner. I love it!