Super Productive Saturday

Woke up early…Swiffer-ed (Wet AND Dry) the apartment, dusted all countertops, did two loads of laundry and cleaned the kitchen all before noon. Man, I need a maid.
Scored tickets from my boss for tomorrow’s game – it’s a good thing I forward emails from work to my personal account!
Also made myself a yummy lunch – Tuna Melt…without mayo. Felt pretty good about myself and was about the take a shower when I remembered how the sink was “slow”. Headed to London Drugs and bought Liquid Plumber to deal with the mess. Happy to report that it worked as it should and I am no longer suffering from a slow moving drain! Woo-Hoo!
Got ready to head to Cardero’s to watch the Canucks back in action on home ice against Ottawa.

Full Frontal Friday

Worked was productive, and I headed home afterwards to get ready for a dinner and a play. Traffic was AWFUL as this was also the Opening Day ceremonies for the Paralympics.
We went to Bin 942 for dinner and had an amazing duo of sides, and two awesome mains. I love truffles so we had to try the truffle popcorn, and they had these chickpea fries that I'm dying to learn how to make. Mains that were ordered included the tried and true Mushroom Risotto and their Lemongrass Mussels. All washed down with a bottle of Young and Wyze wine!
Headed over to the Stanley Theatre and watched Paradise Garden. A play with full frontal male nudity...what?? Not the type of play I was expecting, but the storyline was interesting.
Home for a night cap and just relaxed with some TV and my Rice Krispie square (on a stick). Indulgence.

Back to the Music...

Tiring Thursday

Stayed home and had a very healthy dinner of sprouts and fish balls. Wish I knew how to make the "curry" fish balls seen in the hawker stands. I don't really like them, but they get a little bland when just boiled into veggie broth.
Also made two Vietnamese salad rolls and by the time I was done, and had calculated the points for one, I decided not to eat it! Luckily, I had a friend who worked his ass off at the gym and needed food. But when he got to my place, giving him my fully wrapped salad rolls for dinner seemed silly. So I decided to make him a grilled cheese sammy instead.
And yes, I did force him to take the rolls out of my hands! Yay. Slept early and thankful that only one more day until the weekend!

Wicked Wednesday

Didn’t make it to the gym this morning. Dropped an earring down the drain, and had to rush out of the house today. Sigh…but still ended up going to work feeling very tired. Had a nice tea for breakfast, actually make that three teas by 11am. Had a nice long tea break with a friend, what a nice surprise and an unexpected break in the day…
Didn‘t actually have lunch, but came home after work with a plan to just crash. But ended up digging up my earring, folding laundry and then showered. Started watching TV and the next thing I knew, it was 7:30pm. Definitely time to eat…with a host of leftovers, a 5lb bag of bean sprouts, a box of strawberries…I had a whole host of choices! After dinner, watched a CSI:NY and a Criminal Minds (Shemar Moore|Whoa). Both were awesome…not something I can follow weekly, but good TV that wasn’t a rerun
Time to sleep early again…rest up for the gruelling Thursday and Friday that awaits me.

Too Much Tuesday

Worked out again this morning and made myself eat a breakfast of champions (1/2 a cup of Shreddies and 1/2 cup of Raisin Bran). It feels good to be healthy again. Headed to the bar after work and shared some wine, spinach dip and fish and chips with my cool co-workers. Watched an awesome Canucks game that was awfully disappointing during the first period…but we came from behind and crushed Colorado! Woohoo.
Should have called it a night then, but for some reason, we ended up at Charm and had another vino…thank goodness I didn’t have to drive home.

Marvelous Monday

Did the gym thing again this morning. Feeling good that I can make this a new habit…I think it’s a fantastic way to start off your day. It makes you realize how much you actually eat when you see how few calories you burn when you exercise. It’s time to bring out my insane-o excel spreadsheet, calories, fat, fibre, and points, oh my!
Came home after work and crashed by 9pm. Figured I’ll need to rest so that I can hit the gym again tomorrow. Besides, tomorrow will be a night of debauchery with work folks. Thank goodness RSP season is over!

Sumptious Sutton Sunday

Had a fabulous brunch today with my parents at Fleuri in Sutton Place Hotel. A nice buffet with egg white omelettes, yummy smoked salmon, dimsum, crispy bacon, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, watermelon, pineapple and honeydew…oh my! Went to Oakridge afterwards to see if I could find a new duvet. It has been a little cold at night and I thought I would treat myself to a new fluffy blanket. But alas, it was not meant to be. Will have to keep searching for now.
Stayed home to watch the Oscars with a friend. We didn’t even finish a bottle of vino…but two cans of Coke Zero though. Did an awesome cold cut plate…elk and wild boar sausage, prosciutto, camembert, medium aged gouda and a fresh warm baguette…alongside a fantastic seafood antipasto…that’s how you cope with the long Oscar speeches. Very happy that Sandra Bullock won…her victory speech…legendary.

Sniffly Saturday

Got totally sidelined by allergies today. It is as if my nose decided to stop working altogether. Talked to my mom on the phone and even she was shocked at how nasty I sounded.
Stayed home and got treated to takeout sushi and Dristan delivery. Staying home has its benefits! Made it an early night and just watched tv and vegged

Fit Friday

Woke up this morning and headed straight for the gym..not the same way as yesterday where I just got “to” the gym, but didn’t actually making it “into” the gym. Did my 30 mins of cardio and felt really good about myself. Had a quick appointment after work at the dentist and found out that my chipped tooth is a result of my nightly grinding. Wow, I really should make sure I start using that mouthguard he made me.
Headed back to Yaletown to meet a friend for a few drinks at the Keg. Shared a nice bottle of BC wine and then turned him onto a glass of my favourite, J Lohr. Decided that we’d head to the Cactus Club and have another round. Dinner plans were made early on, and I had to make myself scarce. But it was a nice relaxing night.

TV Thursday

Cooking afterwork! Started my 7.30-3.30 shift today! Handing out after work with a friend to make Loh Bak Goh. Shredding daikon and mixing in rice flour, it was pretty easy!
I like making stuff from scratch but I really do hate cleaning up…sometimes, it's just easier to go and buy it. But there is a sense of accomplishment that comes with doing it. And since I was making it on my own, I could make it meatless (without the chinese sausage), and I can actually indulge in this treat before Easter!
Watched my very first full episode of Survivor (not of this season, I mean first ever) and I was a little hooked. Must remind myself to stay away!

Wing-less Wednesday

Was supposed to go and catch a movie to fulfill my new year's resolution of two movies per month. I failed miserably last month, but I did attend loads of Olympic events, so I think it's fair to call it a wash. However, by the evening…I wasn't really in a movie mood afterall. Headed to Costco and then decided to check out Wing Wednesday at Earls. Since I wasn't eating meat, my friend decided to abstain as well! We ended up having the Spinach and Feta Dip, as well as the West Coast Shrimp Salad...so good. Meatlessness leading to a whole new way of life. Watched the Canucks win...it's legendary...:)

Tasty Tuesday

Okay - so back to my 8-4 regular shift and I don't like it one bit! I miss my 6-2 where I get to leave at 2! Saw the clock ticking past 3 and really wondered why the heck I was still at the office. So, proposed and got approval for 7.30-3.30 shift…this I can live with! Dinner tonight at the Poor Italian...new place on Rupert and 1st, have totally been looking forward to it! Dying try either their risotto or other pasta...funghi...yum. Also got their antipasto platter, along with beef carpaccio. The platter had anchovies and smoked salmon...so good! Must go back and have their rack of lamb, which was amazing according to my stepdad.

Monday Blues

It's over…it's really over. Olympic hangover has begun to set in. And my allergies are here too. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. My nose feels like it's going to run away on me…I feel like I need to get a new nose, a new cuter nose. Stayed home and napped most of the day. Had made plans for dinner tonight that I didn't want to cancel though. Hit the neighbourhood White Spot up for a yummy garden burger. I wish I could have a pirate pak instead...I miss those gold coins.

Sidelined by Allergies

Woke up uber early and headed down to the Black Frog to line up for a legendary hockey game. But alas, it was not meant to be...they closed the door on us when we were 10 people away. They had reached capacity...and we couldn't even buy our way in...believe me, we tried.
The alternative was Tunnel and it was rumoured that they would only be serving hot dogs and beer...which would NEVER have sustained me for the epic hockey game we were going to watch.
I made an executive decision and went back to the Earl's by my place and score primo seats. It was the only thing that kept me together during those long OT minutes. I was literally and physically shaking while watching! And I also decided that cheating on lent was ok, two days in a row because I didn't cheat last Sunday. Wings and Ribs are Hockey...
Thank goodness Team Canada played their best game of hockey this Olympics because the US played well. Not AS well as Team Canada, but it was a nail biter right down to the wire.
Stayed home for the closing ceremonies and as soon as got ready to go to bed, my allergies decided to rear its very violent head. I couldn't even lie down, let alone breathe through my nose. I was (and still am) a guppy or a "mouth breather". So ashamed.
Emailed my boss to regale her of my health issues and decided to take a sick day and/or work from home tomorrow. I need a reactin! Wah wah wah

Saturday at the House!

Molson Hockey House - how early do you go to an AYCE/AYCD event? Well, in my case, it was about 2pm…for a 6pm hockey game. It was the Bronze Medal game but it was also the Curling Finals. Awesome games and good company. But if I wasn't in the VIP - would I really want to pay $10/wine & spirit? Insane! Felt very VIP-ish, until I noticed the VIP section within the VIP section - Very Interesting People indeed. Broke my Lent restrictions today and had pork tenderloin, lamb loin...yummz.

Finally Friday

Stayed home to celebrate another busy and productive workday. Cannot wait until RSP Season is over! Feel like getting a little tipsy...hope nobody minds. Had some yummy French Rabbit and then had a friend over after the Victory Ceremony. Watched some more TV til almost 2am and just crashed afterwards...so tired...felt like I curled all night! Thank goodness I don't have to work tomorrow!

Thoughtful Thursday

Scored last minute Women's Curling Semifinals Olympic tickets. Watching with my boss…get to see CAN vs SUI and CHN vs SWE…I really do like curling. 9am start so no booze during this game, but did have a black tea without milk. Strangely nauseous…not sure what to make of it. Headed back to the office after the curling match and worked until 5. Wow, that is a stretch for me...felt like leaving at 2. Weird what your body gets used to. Celebrating the second last night of sleeping early to wake up early! :)

Wicked Wednesday

Decided to watch another hockey game today with co-workers. Was planning on staying for just the first period so that we could head down to BC Place for the Victory Ceremony in plenty of time. Unfortunately, we ended up staying for the whole game, because you just can't leave when Canada is wiping the floor with Russia...am I right? After the game, we headed over to BC Place where we pretty much missed most of the medals being awarded, but we did have an awesome time rocking out to INXS...the only oompa loompa vibe were the two pregnant ladies in front of us...dancing...I was worried that their water would break...way too preggo to be at a concert.
Had dinner afterwards at Burgoo - totally want to try their French Onion Soup next time...but the seafood chowder and grilled cheese were excellent too.
And as for the "special" part of the day...didn't happen.

Tuesday at The Keg

After another exhausting day at work, met up with a friend and decided to hog a table at the Yaletown Keg. We were there around 3, but the game didn't start until 4:30. It didn't matter though, it was packed by 3:15. Good thing we hogged a table so my friends could take their sweet time coming down. I had a friend going to the victory ceremony, and she dropped by to share some wine. Two other co-workers came by too, and stayed until we celebrated Canada's win. Headed over to Charm for a drink but probably should have gone home. Oh well, Olympics are once in a lifetime, right?

Craving Curling

Back to my 6-2 shift and off to a curling event tonight. Decided to stop by Crave for a quick bite, since I've never been and it was close enough to the venue. The food was yummy, and again, I vow to return to have some of the meatier treats. Though the deep fried sushi was pretty good.
Curling is a really stimulating sport, especially when you totally get the strategies and plays. Came home and I have to admit, went to bed a little breathless. :)

Shocked Sunday

Canada vs USA. OMG - what happened? Watched the game with some co-workers and we were all seriously speechless by the end of it. The jinxes are: People who normally drink wine should stick to wine. Never go to a NEW bar to watch a legendary game. And for me...cheat on Sunday, dammit - eat some meat!!
Left St. Augustine’s and headed over to Cactus Club for a Veggie Burger…couldn’t finish, but it was good…

Saturday

Woke up tired, not a great thing on the weekend. However, had plans to make traditional Chinese New Year cake with a buddy, and did not want to disappoint.
Started off goint to Boss in Metrotown for a quick bite, and then to T&T to grab ingredients for Lo Bak Goh (yes, we were feeling ambitious). Unfortunately (or fortunately, as it turns out), their diakon left much to be desired and we left empty handed. Headed over and made the New Year cake with relatively little effort - just a lot of kneading and playing with dough.
Headed downtown to catch some Oly spirit and ended up at Charlie's Place. And just as an FYI: if you are a new restaurant opening during the Olympics in a location that is known to repeatedly fail, perhaps you shouldn't be charging an 18% auto-grat, when your "not nearly hot enough to be this dumb" waitresses interrupt the speed skating competitions with the "proper way" to lay down a pizza board.
Needless to say, will not be coming back even when I can eat meat.

Finally Friday

CZE vs LAT - this is an awesome game, if only the girl behind me didn't freak out every time Jagr has the puck! And it's not a girly scream; it'd actually make him think a man wanted him. Seriously sounds like she sucked back a pack of Camels before coming into GM (Canada Hockey) Place.
After the game, we headed to Abigail's Party for a few tapas and a bit more vino. Since it was my first time, and I had to eat veggy-style, I vow to return to sample more yummy treats!

Victory!

Oh what a day! Started off with a very expensive lunch hour that left me starved! Arranged to have my tire fixed yesterday, and went around 10 (yes, that is my lunch time) to go have it put onto my car. $100 bucks later, I am back at the office, and wondering why I'm still hungry!
Left work around 2:30 and walked by the insane line-up for entry into the Bay. Only during the Olympics would there EVER be a line-up for the Bay. I don't remember the last time I was shopping in a department store (oh, wait, it might have been around the last Clinique Bonus). Thankfully, I already have all the O-gear I need, a jersey, THE mitts and a toque.
Walked down to meet a friend at the German Fan Fest (not to be confused with the German Savoy House). Despite hearing about the delish and must-try Thuringian sausages, I abstained and stuck to my guns with a beer instead. Headed over the BC Place and passed by the Power Smart pavilion again, but this time...Quatchi and Miga were there for a photo op! It was nice...I think I robbed Quatchi of his innocence...just a little.
After that, we wondered over to Bell Ice Cube...! They had a signed torch from Crosby... They were giving away some earbuds, which you could hook up to the various dangling wires from the roof to hear the CAN vs SUI game. It was very futuristic, but we were definitely there for the cowBELL. I've never wanted one before, but for some reason, I need one now!
Headed over to BC Place for the victory ceremony, but needed to grab some food first. Being lent and all, I was debating between the Teriyaki Salmon (never like the way teriyaki is done by Caucasian folks), or a Veggie dog...guess which one I succumbed to?
There ceremony was interesting...with PEI presenting the best of PEI...which is apparently a dressed down version of HSM and Anne of Green Gables. After a rather long presentation, the medals came out! Compared to the last one we went to, which "only" celebrated the First Canadian to Win a Gold Medal on Canadian Soil - Alex Bilodeau, this ceremony was so much longer! We heard anthems from USA (Shaun White), China (Wang Meng), Norway (E. Svendsen), Germany (Tatjana Huefner ) and of course, Canada (Christine Nesbitt) came onto the podium!
Hedley performed after that, and the four teenagers in front of us promptly moved down for a better view. After listening to all the songs (that we recognize), it was time to go.
It's only Day 7, but I think the Olympics parties and events (and my Olympic work hours) are catching up to me. And just when I think the weekend will be my salvation...I realize that I should spend some time with my family too! So likely a brunch on Sunday with the folks...long overdue!

Finally - the truth will set you free

That's What She Said from Megan Mullally

Day 1

Morning started off a little sluggish. Stayed up a little too late last night and woke up a little early today. Also had to contend with the problem of my leaking tire. Too much to process first thing in the morning.
Skipped my usual Americano, and got a tea misto instead. Long day at work, or so it seemed. I think the excitement of the CAN vs NOR game the night before, along with the martinis at Earls, sort of did me in.
Headed over to Irish House after work and just hung out there for a bit. Is it just me or do all these houses look like PNE Beer Gardens, except with nicer TVs? Got hungry and decided to head over to Earl's for a quick bite. Sad to say...despite it being Wing Wednesday, I was really happy with my tuna sliders! My new Lent favourite.
Caught a ride home, and had every intention of staying home. Alas, got a phone call from a friend and made my third visit to Earls in two days. Given 15 minutes to get ready, I think I did a pretty good job of drying my hair and getting dressed. But then I realized...my makeup bag is sitting pretty back at my office downtown. Ooops! Oh well, ended up going adn having a not-so-quick drink...Heartland...Got home around midnight and crashed (after an episode or two of Frasier).

Documenting...LENT

Adieu to anything edible with legs (except if from the ocean), aufedesein americanos, and goodbye facebook~til Easter...

Olympic Hockey

Awesome time at the Canada vs. Norway game tonight. It's nice to see Team Canada pull together and work as a team.

Woefully Behind

It's been ages since I've udpated, but this weekend should be a slow one, so I will endeavor to get caught up!