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.

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...