Day Three of Hell

Actually, it's not so bad. Instead of having coffee for breakfast, I had soup, at 9:30am! People thought I was nuts, or worse, hung. Anyways, headed over to London Drugs during lunch and again left with more than I bargained for. Luckily, it was all cleaning supplies, so it will not go to waste, well, maybe not. Got back to the office and was greeted by my friend at the elevator...turns out he dropped off a treat for me since I did him a favour this morning. Something so nice about being appreciated...mmm.
Headed to Superstore after work to stock up on future diet fixings: bananas, roast beef and steak! Even though I can't have it until Friday, just the sight of it does me good.
I talked to RS yesterday and explained that I hadn't got to the gym because I didn't want to access it via the parking lot...and even as I said it, I realized how ridiculous I sounded. I was getting fatter by the minute simply because I didn't want to walk amongst cars? Well, that really put the spunk back in my step! As soon as I got the groceries put away, I put on my workout gear and headed to the gym...through the parking lot! Did my elliptical for 25 mins, tis a good start! Felt so good to sweat again!

Why We Lie So Much

Why We Lie So Much

I don't know why this article drew my attention...but it did. Could it be that I think I lie a lot, or could it be that I think I'm being lied TO alot?
The two most interesting things I found in this article is that:
1. ...when you confront people with their lies they very rarely display remorse.
2. ...we lie less to people that we are close to. But when we do, they tend to be the bigger types of lies.
Both very true in my books.

Day Two of CSD

So made it through the first night with just the soup and a mango...plus a few sips of wine.
Second day was better because I brought the soup to my work and had some there. I also brought a pint of grape tomatoes and devoured them, instead of devouring the terimayo that the two girls from work had from Japadog.
Damn...it was hot today...hot enough that you would sit INSIDE when you're at Joey's so that you don't bake on the patio...right?
Fairly early night after a bowl of soup (when it and I cooled down), some snow peas and potato wedges.
Will aim for an even earlier night tomorrow.

Monday, and it's CSD Day One

Finally decided that I have to do something about this endless creeping UP of the scale, the solution? My dreaded CSD. Since I didn’t make the soup ahead of time, it meant that I had nothing to eat today…and with no fruit at work, I was totally out of luck.
Went to Walmart after work and got all the fixings for the soup, as well as the iron and ironing board that I’ve been meaning to get for the past two months. Came home and started cutting up the veggies for the soup…also have a very ripe mango that I can have with my soup. And with amazing forethought, I bought leakproof containers that will allow me to carry this soup safely to work!

Sleepy Sunday

Went for dimsum in Metrotown early on and had a friend come over to help me build my long-ago purchased bathroom. Once the job was completed (beautifully), chilling was in order. Just kick back and watch some (well, a lot of) mindless TV. Even fell asleep watching some, the bad sleep I got last night must be to blame.
Went home and decided to fill out the bathroom cabinet…almost as if daring it to fall down! Thankfully, it‘s still anchored nicely…

Spicy Saturday

Spent the day catching up on Y&R, watching tv and generally relaxing. Headed to a dinner party at a friend’s place where we ate an awesome Chinese dinner. There was some weird steamed pork dish (didn‘t try that), but there was also a spicy beef brisket, a whole chicken with the ginger onion sauce I like, some steamed clams with a spicy black bean sauce as well as spicy green beans. The food was very good, and again, I overate…thus the weight gain…blah.

Fun with work Friday

Woke up late this morning...very late…should have been at work already and I was just getting out of bed! I got to work and indulged in a BELT from Tim’s…and I wonder why I’m gaining weight, haha. However, I have to say that it was good, and the cool thing is, both the Sausage and Egg Muffin from McD’s and the BELT are identical in calories. The only difference is the hash brown, the Tim’s is lower calories (and less tasty) than the McD’s one. Grease is good in its own way.
There was a work barbecue for a small group of us, and I somehow became a designated driver…driving two guys from work there and them and another girl back. Surprisingly enough, none of them feared my driving nor were they backseat drivers. The party was fun, and it was nice to see everyone outside of the workplace. There was one guy there that I actually didn’t recognize…that remained a secret for all of 5 minutes after I asked someone who he was. Hey, if you usually see someone in a suit, and they show up in a baseball cap, you just don’t make that connection!

The last Thursday to see my sister...

SO, since my sister did a good job of packing during the day, the family was able to go out for dinner, instead of the pizza delivery we had originally planned. So where did we end up going? Marcello’s for calzones and pizza…It’s understandable though, since she can get all the Chinese food she wants and we did just have it yesterday!

Witty Wednesday

Mary was having a tough day and had stretched herself out on the couch to do a bit of what she thought to be well-deserved complaining and self- pitying.
She moaned to her mom and brother, "Nobody loves me ... the whole world hates me!"
Her brother, busily occupied playing a game, hardly looked up at her and passed on this encouraging word: "That's not true, Mary. Some people don't even know you."

Since my beloved sister is leaving this Friday to return to Vancouver, our family decided to have another last big bash in her honour. We went to Red Star for a yummy banquet, which left me way to full for way to long! I was dreading going, but decided that I moved back to Vancouver for my family, and for better or worse, here they are, all of them!! Found myself enjoying dinner as well as the company of my cousins, but definitely also feel very “on”.

If

Once, someone asked me to read to him...I felt weird reading out loud, seems like something you only did in school. But I was touched that he liked the sound of my voice, so I did it.
This was the poem:

If - by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

—Rudyard Kipling

The poem's end is the only thing I don't like. I don't want to be a man, I want to be a person!

The word If is so loaded...
I'll love you only if you do this for me, or
if only you could change, I would love you.
Made myself my usual comfort food dinner...chicken wings with hearts and giblets.I know it probably turns most people’s stomach, but I can’t help but crave and love it! Had to make rice too, because, really, how else are you going to soak up the sauce?
Had a fairly early night and a nice uneventful one. Turned off the TV and just chilled with some Café Del Mar and a very old “in Touch” magazine.

Majority Agrees with ME Monday

Shocked to find very active FB-ers agreed with me! Took this little screenshot for proof - click it to enlarge! Aha, so there is a time and place...and judging from the comments below, uh-no, it's not all the time and everywhere. Hooray for independent thinking.


Funny how Pat mentioned twitter, because he was practically psychic...

After this vindication, I had a victory dinner planned...nono, it was a family dinner, already planned. We all went to Pinky's.
We were squeezed into a booth. The service was fair, the food was good, the prices (at 50% off) were great. I guess our server only spent half her energy serving us, knowing she'd only get half the tip the(from the food portion at least ) anyways. Dinner was ruined by someone's smoking and twittering and facebooking, twice in a two hour meal...man, those things must be addictive as nicotine!

Silent Sundays

Stayed in all day and watched HGTV until it repeated.
Think I got bed sores from sitting so long.
Spent all day stewing about something that was bothering me - alot.
Had soup for lunch...and thought about it.
Ate some ribeye...and thought about it.
Played DS...and thought about it.
Ate some wings...and thought about it.
Had some wine...and thought about it.
Went to get more wine...and got away from it for a bit.
Had some more wine...and thought about it.

Decided that I couldn't be alone in my thinking...so I updated my FB status with my anti-FB-updating view. Turned off the computer and readied myself for my judgment tomorrow.

Shocking Saturday

Actually watched and paid attention to a UFC fight. God, the sky IS falling. Perhaps what made the fight bearable was the yummy French Onion Soup, Rib Eye Roast, with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Corn and Broccoli that I had while watching it!

Long day at work today. And had smokes but no lighter...so what does one do? Well, bum a light usually. But it's only the start of the weekend, so I figured I should buy one, since I had change on me. And would you believe...they ID'ed me - even though I was only getting a lighter...not ciggies? How old do you have to be to buy a lighter??
Anyways, after that I treated myself to a manicure/pedicure after work. Walked to a salon on Robson, just past Bute. I really like those massage chairs with the feet soakers...wonder how much they cost?
After that, a friend's birthday party brought me to Yaletown. Clearly I didn't think this through or else I would have just gone to one in Y-town, or one of the many I walked past on my way to Yaletown. Oh well, I could use the exercise!
Had a quick (but filling) dinner at Earl's and then off to Goldfish for the party. Several martinis and a bottle of vino later, I found myself having some truly weird conversations. Gee, I think it's time to head home.

So it's finally here...

Happy Birthday, Valerie!!

May all your wishes and dreams come true!

My little niece celebrated in style tonight!
She got all her favourites:
* chicken wings
* mashed potatoes
* bacon wrapped bananas
then for the rest of us:
* grilled prawns
* rack of lamb
* roast corn
And of course, the requisite
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake from Dairy Queen!

Wicked Wednesday

Worked at reception again this morning...ugh...it's tiring putting on a happy face when you're less than happy. Oh well, it's my cross to bear. Headed out for lunch at Urban Sushi unexpectedly since my BFFQP was in the neighbourhood. A guilt free lunch with yummy sushi for me and her, and mashed carrots for her little guy.
Had plans to meet up with another friend for dinner, and we did the tried and true Cactus Club...with a bottle of Blasted Church - yum!
Also had a long chat with a friend from eons ago...turns out he has two kids - that was kind of a shocker...live and learn, my friends, live and learn...
Ran out of smokes at the end of the night and had to call in reinforcements...mmm...I feel special!

no Transit Tuesday

So, it's back to work today, but with a twist! Instead of having to suffer on the train with overflowing hot dogs, spilling coffees, quirky and/or smelly men, I was able to go to work in the comfort of my own vehicle. The parking garage is gated and looks safe. The walk is just a few minutes away from the office and actually quite pleasant. Even the drive itself wasn't bad.
Working up at reception this morning, so that was kind of a turn-off...but as I tell the people around me...it's more action than I would get in 3 days sitting at my usual spot - a bank of 4 cubicles occupied by only me!
With my newfound mobility, I decided to head to London Drugs to see if my Krups kettle was still around...and sure enough, it had multiplied! There were now 2 of them, so I decided to buy it, but did think maybe there was something wrong with it and it was returned. Oh well, I have fourteen days to make up my mind with it. As I turned to leave the fated aisle, my eye caught the glimmer of shimmer from the Cuisinart Stainless Steel carafe of their mini-coffee maker...had to have that too! No point in fighting the power of London Drugs...resistance IS futile.
After 72+ hours of kid-friendly family time, I decided that this evening was decidedly NOT going to be kid-friendly. Instead, there was red wine, white wine, lemon shots, and cheese plates! That's a grown-up night for ya...

Monday Blues

Sad to say goodbye to the Pacific Sands Resort...the place was amazing. Glad I got to make my first live seafood dish here. Headed off to the New Wickaninnish Inn for lunch. The view totally took my breath away. And the food was good, albeit a little slow in coming...is this standard with Tofino-area restaurants? Then drove towards the Old Wickaninnish Inn for a little stroll. There is a sealife museum there and they were playing a Sea Otter movie - they eat 25% of their own body weight a day, and use tools to feed themselves. Very cool!
Stopped off at Coombs too and visited the Old Country Market where they had goats on the roof! Very cool. Decided to buy some bread, cheese and cold cuts to have as dinner on the ferry ride home. And here is where the brilliance of my abstaining from the red wine on Sunday paid off...wine and cheese for dinner on the ferry!
Home after an exhausting weekend...now I know why people say they need a vacation to recover from their vacation...they must have been travelling with kids!

Sunny-ish Sunday

Woke up and found my family breakfasting...there was no way we were heading out for lunch into town. Decided to sway everyone to my way of thinking...we'll go into town, do some shopping, and then make lunch at home. Found a place that sold live crabs, and bought 2 for the 4 adults. The kids had a mix of bacon and eggs and tomato sauce and pasta. The crab was fun to make - first time ever and the garlic butter we found at the local Co-Op was an amazing complement.
Sunned at the beach for a few hours when the sun actually came out. Kids went exploring for anomones, starfish, jellyfish and sand dollars. I don't really care what they were doing...as long as it wasn't within hearing range for me! Back to the hotel and relaxed with a beer...yes, I said beer! Felt wrong to open the red when no one (except me) wanted to drink it.
Dinner was my treat at Shelter but the service was pathetic...dinner too about 2.5 hours...and with two tired and hungry kids, it felt more like twice as long. No offer of free dessert or a discount on the bill, even though we complained. Good thing they are in Tofino, because they wouldn't last a month in Vancouver. Thank god we got that second bottle of wine...would have slit my own throat with the steak knife otherwise.
Off to home and off to bed...sad to say, the whole group was tired after that long and boring dinner.

Saturday in Tofino

Went over to my parent's place super early...9:30 am...only to arrive and see the kids watching tv. Ferry isn't until 12:30! Argh, the sleep that was robbed of me! Had a small ham and swiss sandwich to recover from the lack of sleep. Strangely satiated. Guess if you feed one hunger, the filling effects spread to your other senses too!
Boraded ferry and noticed a couple sipping on wine and nibbling on cheese - that's the way to travel, reminded me of my train ride into Paris from London...
Arrived in Nanaimo and settled in for a 3 hour drive to Tofino. We had rented a car so that the kids would have a tv in the car. I figured it was my mom's way of keeping her sanity. Stopped off in Cathedral Grove to see the huge Douglas fir trees that are still around. The largest tree in Cathedral Grove is a Douglas-fir 76m high, 9-feet diameter and 9m in circumference! The whole ride consisted of the kids asking to watch tv, and then the kids getting to watch tv at full volume, since they were nowhere near the speakers...but I was lucky, mine was ear-height...cruel joke.
Finally landed in Tofino and it was COLD! For someone who just brought bikinis, tank tops and shorts, this was a huge disappointment. Promptly bought myself a Long Beach sweatshirt to avoid getting a cold. Went to the Sea Shanty for dinner...but had to wait 45 minutes for a table...torture!
Home to bed early...slept with my niece and prayed for warmer weather tomorrow.

Freaky Friday

So, something snapped today and I realized the truth - "Life is too short to be unhappy". I decided that I was the owner of my life and I cannot blame anyone for my lack of happiness. Taking control of my life has made me realize that I do overthink..letting go of baggage, mine and everyone else's, is very liberating. Life is what you make of it, for better or worse, but you do have to play the game or else, you'll have no chance of winning it.
Had a fabulous evening tonight at a family dinner, and then drinks afterwards...hapa is fun...but only if you're in the mood. And tonight, I was.
QOTD - as per my earlier twit...Stay silent because the talkative parrot is locked up in a cage. Other birds, without speech, fly freely about. Lesson to be learnt? AND
Dreams have no expiry dates. Be happy every day. No prize awarded for suffering. No award for martyrs...unfortunately.
Packing now for the long weekend, spending some family time in Tofino. Sorry blog...I'll have to stay away for a while. Be back on Tuesday.

Thursday

So, missed mercury rising today - it was just too hot to be 15 floors up on a balcony! Decided to meet up with ex-co-workers for a drink instead at the Shore Club. Very air-conditioned...lovely. They were suffering today...office's air conditioning broke down for the second time this week.
After drinks, skytrained it home, and there was a huge throng of people waiting...makes my decision to drive to work more appealing everyday. Something was wrong with one of the trains out in New Westminster, so all the trains were being held back. Sigh...
Tried the new Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade tonight...tis a good shooter...actually, it would make a good slurpee, wondering if that would happen if I kept it in the freezer.

Wandering Wednesday

Super busy again…I guess it’s because I’m my boss’s backup…but it’s a good thing. Got a Thank You card from my boss’s boss today…commenting on my willingness to pitch in, my eagerness to please as well as my sense of humor…what a treat and a fantastic way to start the day. I’m all warm and fuzzy!
Lunch today was fun – I wandered from work to my new parking spot as well as did some shopping. Alas, I didn’t buy anything, but it was fun to shop. Can’t wait til I have my car so I can buy the Krups water kettle that’s $30 off!
After work, I rushed like a madwoman to meet up with a friend visiting from London. Cactus Club, of course...it's close, it's cheap and it's close, haha. I miss London, so it was fun to hear about his experiences there.
Headed home after for another night alone. Better to have no company than bad company….

Thai Salad Tuesday

First day @ work without my boss (since May) and it’s been busy! Lots to do and not enough time to do it. Walked to Impark @ West Cordova to day to get my parking pass for my new lot. Finally gave up Skytrain…well, as of Tuesday, August 4. It’s finally time to get away from the madness and heat of the Skytrain. It was disgustingly hot today on the way home, felt like I was walking into an oven.
If I had bought some cheese and bread from Urban Fare today, I could have made a grilled cheese on the way home. Super disgusting. Even the walk home was hot…despite a short skirt and flip flops, I felt like I was wearing jeans and a turtleneck.
Made my Thai Salad for dinner tonight with some pan-grilled prawns. The dressing was awesome but cutting veggies is boring and super hot under the halogen track lighting.

Monitored Monday

Super busy at work today, so I’m sure glad I got the sleep I did. I even managed to head to Tiffany’s during work to get my necklace back. I really did miss it. Though I love that “bean” I was wearing, it just wasn’t the same, the chain was longer, and it just felt weird on!
Contemplated on what to do after work. I didn’t just want to go home and sit there, so I forced myself to head out right away. Didn’t even sit down, just got changed and headed out. Today would be a good day to work in a air conditioner showroom…
Drove to T&T in Metrotown, but I parked in the wrong place and ended up having to haul my loot through the mall a little. That thought in my head made me sure limit what I bought…though you wouldn’t know it, given my haul.
I came away with wings, ribs, quail, chicken hearts and gizzards, European sausages, yam noodles, bean curd sheets, beef balls, fried fish paste, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, and the lightest items, spring onion and bean sprouts! The walk back deterred me from getting BBQ Duck (well, my weight issues played a part too), sushi, and some really yummy looking dimsum.
Still have no idea what I’m going to eat, but I’ve got all the meats I love now at home! Sorted out everything and froze them in single serving portions…that way, I don’t have to make something and eat it for a week.
Okay, so marinated 3 little quails and ended up eating two of them. Tagging this with wings since quails DO have wings too! And am starting to monitor my intake of those little sips of wine I take here and there...it's a good thing.

Sunning on a Sunday

Woke up happy. Watched HGTV and was still happy. Was a little conflicted as to whether I should head to the beach or head out with the family. The dilemma was solved when my niece said she wanted to play tennis instead, since she’s starting tennis camp this week. Headed down to Spanish Banks to get some run…boy was it hot!
Made a few pit stops on the way to check out tiles, I’m thinking I could do something funky below my island area – to make that wall a little more attractive. Also, it’s starting to scuff, so I need to take care of that. Was going to head to the Flea Market to see if I can get my R4I card, but just didn’t see the point of paying to get in. Well, maybe if the plan was to stay for a bit, and not just run in and out. I think I got a tan on the WAY there, never mind the hour and a half I was roasting myself.
Dinner was half a corn on the cob with two little quails…I do love food on a small scale. Should have bought some extra for the rest of the week! Despite all effort to sleep early, I didn’t actually fall asleep until 3 in the morning. Think I fell asleep because I just had to, or else it would mean another all-nighter and then going to work very tired.
Tagging this entry as "wings" because quails have wings! I don't discriminate...

Sunny Saturday

Slept in to recover from the ill effects of the night before. Headed to Chinatown for some lunch, was craving Phnom Penh but settled for The Boss. Afterall, I did have a family dinner at 6:30…and you can’t eat just-a-snack when you go to Phnom Penh. I mean, you have to get the wings, the noodle soup, the beef carpaccio, and sometimes, the hot and sour soup and the clay pot rice. Mmm…I’m craving it again just thinking about it! Maybe will talk my sister into going this week…hehehe.
The family dinner was pretty good – so much food, even though we were a table of 16! Red Star really came through. Granted, two were kids and two were weird vegetarians at the table, so it’s not really a big mystery. The food was awesome! Started off with a Roast Duck/Roast Pork/Jellyfish platter. Then we had the yummy Crab Claw that I’ve been craving. The Shark’s Fin soup was next, and since two of the 16 weren’t having any, there was plenty to go around! In order to occupy their time while we were enjoying the soup, there was a place of Pea Shoots with Dried Scallop Sauce for them. There was a plate of Scallops and Broccoli and that was following by two perfectly Steamed Fishes. Next to join the feast was a platter holding Two Large Lobsters. Of course no meal for me would be complete without chicken, so that was next, a Crispy Skin Chicken. Then there was weird addition of Sea Cucumber and Mushroom with Baby Bok Choy…the shrooms were crazy big! Of course that was followed by Noodles, the infamous (and sometimes bland) Yee Mein. The rice was awesome though…I think they brought ours to the wrong table, because we had to wait about 15 minutes for it, and usually, the noodles and rice come back to back. The good thing is that it was SO freshly fried…it was yummy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any since I ate my noodles. However, since I was in charge of taking the leftovers home, I decided to make myself a little “dinner bento”, and I made sure the rice was lining the whole bottom!
Was going to mellow out and just have a few drinks at a friend’s house, but the awesome fireworks show (no, not the Symphony of Fire, I’m talking about Mother Nature) knocked out the power of the nearby liquor stores. Sigh, it’s truly a sign then she strikes down power lines so I can’t get my drink on, isn’t it?

Fun then Not Friday

Went to work super tired due to the over-thinking that was done the night before. Brought a can of DC to work with me, and that really does cure what ails me. Decided to skip lunch, as usual, in favour of saving those calories for dinner with my family. Since I didn’t drive to work, I had to go home first, get car and then meet them at Seasons. It was perfect patio weather…sigh.
After dinner, I went home and chatted on phone with a friend to take my mind off the fact that I was alone on a Friday night. Maybe I should get a dog! They always put a smile on your face, never talk back and are just so happy to see you every time you come home.
Puttered around and watched some TV, and then got a call from a friend to head out for a drink. Went down to Charm for a quick drink and a shot…or was it two? Went over to George for another drink, but left because it was just too packed. Somehow, what started out as a nice evening somehow turns into a not-so-nice evening.

Is this True?

If you are only willing to do what is easy, life will be hard.
If you are willing to do what is hard, life will be easy.~ T. Harv Eker

Thoughtful Thursdays...

Talked to my sister about making dinner plans for my parent's anniversary, which is tomorrow. Luckily, we found a place where my stepdad liked, and it was available! Disaster averted.
Came home to a very healthy dinner of tuna salad (despite temptations to get proscuitto, brie and baguette). Settled in watched some boring tv. Should have called it a night right there...but noooooo...
Had to start Thinking on a Thursday...it should be banned - enough said.