Being sick makes you do some cRaZy things!

Sickness does not agree with me...I hate being sick, then again, I rarely know anyone who likes to be sick. It is so time-consuming and energy-draining that I realized that I have watched so much tv in the last week that would equal all of the shows I've watched in the last six months! (thank goodness for satellite tv!) But I realize this madness has to stop. I am losing my mind. Doesn't help that when I started to feel better, round 2 came with vengeance and knocked me out for 3 more days...what bugs me more is that it doesn't let me rest for those 3 days but keeps me up coughing...if you were my neighbor, you'd hate me by now. :( yeah, i'd hate me too.

As it happens, my sis-in-law and her friend spent today doing their annual holiday bake-a-thon. Their prep work started last week with all the different cookie doughs. The baking started early this morning and at this time, they are still wrapping all their hard work. At last count, there were seven different kind of cookies and 955 cookies in total! That is, there are 955 "perfect" cookies, not counting one batch that didn't meet their standards and the "broken" ones that ended up in tummies. I couldn't help it, I know i would feel worse afterwards...lack of willpower....I blame it on being sick! heehee...oh well, yummy!


And the last thing I did today to motivate me to get better and to burn off those cookies, I finally did sign up for the Vancouver Marathon (HALF!!!)....138 days to go it says...let's see how many of those days I really train, then again, I can always end up walking it :)

I want some MEDS!

After "suffering" all night with this irritable cough that makes sleeping a non-event, I decided to book it to see my doctor asap. As usual, I get the replacement doc and was told that I have a cold (yes, I knew that) and that I could just purchase some over-the-counter cough syrup to suppress the pain....thank you and have a good day. Wait, I wanted some pain relief, something that will knock me out so I can rest medicine?! Nope, the prescription pad did not come out. However, she was nice enough to say that if all the symptoms get progressively worse, please do stop by again. Hmm..and you wonder why I'm grouchy...it's because I'm sick!! hehe

Pure breeds

Since I've read most of the tabloids for this week, I decided to pick up Time magazine (yeah, I know, it's quite a stretch. :P) It's not even the economical or political topics that caught my eye, but one about Puggles. Yes, a mix of beagles and pugs and not to be confused with the Harry Potter-related Muggles. Apparently it's quite the craze and are good house pets. Then I started reading about other names of cross-bred dogs: cockapoo, labradoodle, yorki-poo...then I saw this..jack shit. Yes, a cross of a jack russell terrier and a shih tzu...you think they would come up with a better name eh? Gotta love it. Then had a conversation the other day about kids, that many of our friends will not produce "pure breeds" (out of their current union at least ;))...in this circle of friends, it's an anomaly for sure. :)

For more information on Puggles, go to www.puggle.org.

We are born on the same day!?!

Have you ever met someone who share the same birthday as you? If so, have you ever thought how this person might be like...their gestures and personality, their likes and dislikes, their ambition or just simply "who are they?" And after all that, do you wonder if the two of you are similar in any respect? Does astronomy really predict your personality? And if I should still subscribe to checking my daily horoscopes? I've met many people who were born in the same month, but rarely one whose birthday falls on the exact same day. When I do, I'm curious. More so, than the regular cat.

I want CHOCOLATE!

I was going to write this post about how a piece of chocolate can solve all problems...but after ten pieces, it just doesn't work. After a system crash at work have already made me bitter and cranky (back it up people, BACK IT UP), I figured I would need some chocolate to sweeten the day. The 'chocolate high' didn't last very long as the second crash wiped out all the updating for the day. Who says work is stress-free? And it seems that the more cranky you are, it is highly likely you will be expecting the most demanding customers too. Could they not tell I have a pile of paperwork to get through? Yes, please, more chocolate.

I figure I would get a head start on finishing all the updating today but got stopped in traffic by a parade. How was I supposed to get into downtown if I cannot cross the street? Perhaps it was fortunate my colleage was stuck in traffic too. Who needs a parade on a foggy Sunday morning? Do people not sleep-in? Oh, to top things off, my car wouldn't start after work today. How's that for an ending? I had to drive it to the dealership so my friend can fix it on his spare time. This only means I need to get a lift into work tomorrow. The trade-off you may ask, I get to go to work two hours early! Woohoo, who needs chocolate...please pass me a drink now ;)

Yeah, how was your day?

Speaking of "Bubbles"

My good intentions of breeding (ok, mass producing in an effort to create "live" Xmas presents) the colorful betta or fighting fishes have been temporarily interrupted. Why you may ask? Well, I just wished I remembered to take a picture of "Bubbles" and his mistress floating in the "porcelain god" before I flushed them away. His mistress has no name because I gave up naming them since all he tried to do was kill them all. Poopers. Yes, my licence has been provoked.
Note: When they were alive, I fed them well!!!

Shopgirl

You would think I would be writing about all my friends (ok, plus myself) and their shopping habits, but I just wanted to comment on the novella and movie by Steve Martin. If you like him, you'll find his quirky yet charming qualities run throughout all the characters. It can feel sweet and heartbreaking all at the same time. It feels like life (when I live outside my bubble world).

Romance is alive!

Yes, after a gloomy start to fall, I figure the arrival of the red and white at Starbucks just meant a typical march to Xmas (yah, I love the holidays and the endless supply and smells of baked goodies also help) with the normal conundrums of daily life. Today I got word that my dancing buddy Alisa got engaged! She's definitely dancing to a different beat these days, but there was a time when we started the night off listening to the same electronic beats...not knowing who the artists were (hey, I still don't, and I'm proud of it too! haha). I'm happy for her because I recall Todd saying during a poker game not long ago that he felt the only lucky thing that has happened to him is Alisa. That's a good thing. Congrats you two! (Move back home! :P)

Shop Cocoon!

"You are cordially invited to the official launch of Shop Cocoon, a fresh concept in retail. Born with the vision of providing designers with retail independence, Shop Cocoon houses a collection of up-and-coming labels. What makes it unique? Shop Cocoon allows you to experience something new on your shopping forays. This is not a traditional retail space, it is a joint effort in promoting exceptional independent brands/labels. You get to meet the designer and buy directly from them."

shop shop shop

www.shopcocoon.com

ps. it's from my friend's sister.

Still shocked

Who can remember a time when they did not own a cell phone? It is part of the way we communicate with each other and becomes an extension of oneself. I was privy (honored is yet to be decided) to witness how a guy even tries to work his magic without owning one of these every day gadgets.

Story three

Boy asks Girl for her number while everyone decides to part ways after a fun-filled evening. Boy has difficulty "programming" Girl's number as he has no cell phone to take her number down and asks if she has a business card as he does not have a pen nor paper on hand. (Very eyebrow-raising expressions and laughter from the bystanders.) Girl has to take his number down on her cell phone. A wing girl comes in to save Boy by providing a pen and paper to complete the transaction.

Ripley's it aint...

Gatherings with friends can trigger the best memories and therefore, one is apt to bring back those stories with such force and realism, that you may not always want to relive them but am prone to share with those whom are present and keep the stories alive...

Story one

Back in the day when fake 'n bakes were still hot-to-trot, one fella decides to lie down commando on the tanning bed because he did not want any tan lines. He fell asleep and by the time he woke up, he was definitely turned a darker shade of pale. He quickly realized that there was one part of him that missed those warm UV rays...HIS BUTT CHEEKS...apparently, his bum resembled a 'target' sign...how his cheeks folded over while he was lying there...well, that is up to your own imagination...yeah..believe it.

Story two

While driving towards T & T Supermarket, girl was frustrated with the traffic and the hordes of Chinese people surrounding the area...

Boy: Did you know T&T stands for Tran and Trung Supermarket?
Girl: Say what?..no way?!
Boy: Yeah, they're Vietnamese
Girl: er...
Boy: They shortened their names to T&T because no Chinese people will go there if they knew it was owned by Vietnamese!

Yeah..can pinnochio's nose get any bigger? Boy's been a teller of tall tales...

Halloween costumes

For Halloween, do you think one picks a costume that truly represents who they really are or someone they are totally not?

BSB - a tribute...I think?

This is why y'all can't wait to go to karaoke!

BSB-I want it that way

Two Chinese Students 3 min 35 sec - Jul 27, 2005

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6739710473912337648

Quando quando quando

You know how it is when you have something and then you lose it, and then you go mad looking for it. Well, that's what happened to me last night...my favorite earrings. Not because they were expensive or anything, but more because of the memories involved, yeah, call me a sentimental gal...(has nothing to do with a boy or anything, i got them myself!) Then I popped in the Michael Buble CD while I was still cleaning my desk hoping to find those earrings, and then this song came on...don't get me wrong, i'm royally bummed about losing my earrings (they were from hawaii..sniff)..but this song...it proves i'm born in the wrong era...here's the lyrics but it does no justice to how the song is performed.

Michael Buble - Quando, Quando, Quando

Tell me when will you be mine
Tell me quando quando quando
We can share a love devine
Please don't make me wait again

When will you say yes to me
Tell me quando quando quando
You mean happiness to me
Oh my lover tell me when

Every moments a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when

Every moments a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when

Whoa lover tell me when
Oh darling tell me when
Oh come on tell me when
Yea tell me when

Self-service check-outs

While at Superstore today, I noticed a self-service check-out lane...so with the few items in my hand, I decided to give it a go than stand behind the person with a buggy loaded with a year's grocery supply (seriously, I don't think I ever had to buy that much grocery IN ONE SHOT). It's pretty easy to use as you just have to find the bar code of the item you are purchasing and pass it through the scanner...it even asks you beforehand how many bags you are going to use as they charge you four cents per bag...it's quite the honor system...I'm sure there are a zillion cameras directed at me just like in the casino...just to see if I used one bag or two...

Memoirs of a Geisha

Ever since I first read this book, there were rumors of it becoming a major motion picture. Now that it is coming out in December, I have decided to reread it to refresh my memory. It's still a great book and the characters are so vivid. The preview for the movie is quite intense too. I've always been a bit wary of actually watching books made into movies; only in that it only gets as good as your imagination...and your own expectations far exceeds that of others...so far, so good, I'm crossing my fingers on this one..besides, look at the cast! I guess the only odd part is that they have three Chinese stars in the three geisha roles...check out the preview here -->Memoirs of a Geisha

For adults only

...the kid in you will never be the same ;)

E S P...where's E.T.?

Seriously, my ESP triggers lately has given me goosebumps! I'm not sure what kind of vibes I'm giving off, but after that dude and his LV comment, I kinda figured it was a one-off thing. However, after tonight's incident, I might hafta start dreaming big! In the past few days, I was thinking of picking up a new perfume, just searching for something new. And with perfumes, it is always a bit personal and you can try a million scents, and not one will perfectly fit. Tonight, I was lucky to meet up with one of my best girls who's living out part of her dream in New York and she gave me a goody bag (yah, Christmas has come early for me!), and inside, PERFUME! I'm like..wow, who knew? Who's reading my mind? Is Big Brother really watching me??? On top of that, it's exactly the scent I'm searching for! I'm so spoiled! Coolios, now if only my other girlfriends are working on that gift, that gift that has the adjectives of 'tall, dark and handsome'...

Saving Face Movie - DVD release

In support of my friend (Go Brian!) who's in the cast and for those who missed it in the theatres, the movie came out on DVD today :) To learn more, go to SAVING FACE.

Synopsis: A Chinese-American surgeon, living in Manhattan, is shocked when her single mother shows up on her doorstep pregnant. To help her mom save face and avoid the taboo in the Chinese community of an unmarried woman pregnant, the doctor helps her mom find Mr. Right. Cultures clash in this film that explores culture shock.

Umeboshi - New Shoe Store!

As if I needed any new temptations...but what the heck! :)

When: Thursday,October 20th

Time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.

What: Umeboshi Grand Opening Night
Bubbly & Door Prizes!
Shoes...Shoes...Shoes...

Where: 3638 Main Street

FW: I Will Survive...a revised a la Samantha (Sex in the City) version

Ladies, just couldn't resist passing this little goodie along...Sing along to the tune of "I Will Survive"

At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
When you said you had 10 inches,
Lord, I almost died!
But I'd spent so many years waiting for a man that long,
That I grew strong,
and I knew that I could take you on....

But there you are, another lie,
I was ready for a big Mac and you've bought me a French fry!
I should have known that it was bulls**t,
just a sad pathetic dream,
Should have known there was no anaconda lurking in those jeans!

Go on now go, walk out the door,
Don't you promise me 10 inches,
then turn up with only 4!
Weren't you a brat to think I wouldn't catch you out!?
Don't you know we're only joking when we say size doesn't count???!

(Chorus)
I will survive! I will survive!
'Cos as long as I have batteries, My sex life is gonna thrive!
I will always have good sex with a handful of latex!
I will survive! I will survive!. . .

Hey! Hey!
It took all my self control not to laugh out loud,
When I saw your little weiner standing tall and proud!
But to hell with all your egos and to hell with all your needs
Now I'm saving all my lovin' for a cordless multispeed!

(Chorus)

My fave place

With the weather so crummy lately, I've found myself crawling back under the covers with some good books to read (good = entertaining, moving, can't-put-down-the-book-even-though-my-eyes-are-about-close-shut-good). I've also found myself foraging for "comfort" foods; it's like the body knows it's time to hibernate for the winter or something, so better gain some fat! hehe. To keep me from going completely nuts, I think of my favorite place...a beach not frequented by all the tourists in Hawaii, but only by the locals who know better.

Shoes I say!

Here's a quote a friend shared tonight:

"...there are some things that you just can't find when you want it the most....like boyfriends and shoes."

What's in Turkeys?

What is in turkeys that makes us all so lethargic after eating them??? My dad decides to turn on the oven at 8pm last night...which meant that the turkey and the meal wasn't done til midnight...knowing better, my mom made me alternative arrangements for dinner :) I was able to enjoy my turkey lunch after I got up today and then I went straight back to bed (well, lying on the couch watching bad movies). I'm thankful for a day off and parents who still feed me :)

Predictable

I put a twoonie in the parking meter for 48 mins thinking that my bang trim would not take more than 15 mins and that the rainy weather will prevent me from shopping on Robson. I almost put in another twoonie just in case...but looked around the gloomy street and hesitated. I picked up the new maple machiatto from starbucks and went to the salon to enjoy my coffee for the day. My stylist was running behind so I flipped through the magazines waiting for her(thank goodness for my coffee!). Then by coincidence, my cousin showed up for her appointment. I got my "free" bang trim and decided to chat a little with my cousin. I'm sure you realize what this story is about. Yup, my bang trim cost me $25 in a parking violation. GEEZ. I should have known better!

Separated at Birth?

As I was reading all the newspaper highlights on the Canucks as they start their new season, it suddenly dawned on me why I think Adam Levine of Maroon 5 is so hot! He is a replica of Trevor Linden! My crush on Trevor Linden (and consequently hockey) started one day when I was waiting for my brother to give me a lift. He was watching the All-Stars skills game and there was this fella in the competition (a rookie - I asked my patient bro a zillion questions after that)...hmmm..this is hockey?...I guess I will sit down and watch the game too. :) Guess it doesn't matter why I started liking hockey, but that I did and I hope that the Canucks will give me something to cheer about this year.

What do you think?

National Dress Down Day - October 7, 2005

In support of Breast Cancer Research, National Dress Down Day is this coming Friday. It's all for a good cause and we get to dress in casual attire (wear pink!) = win-win!

For more info: National Dress Down Day or Breast Cancer Society of Canada

I can't forget...

my main guy though...Takeshi Kaneshiro. My friend G has even gone to take random pictures of Takeshi in various ads in Taiwan while on business trips. It's a hoot and I have a great laugh!

Look at him! He's gorgeous! :)

Michael Buble

I think I jumped on the bandwagon...a local boy, a dreamy voice....that's all I need.

MICHAEL BUBLE

Not an urban legend

Sometimes, I really wonder why things happen to me and since I've stopped asking the question "Why Me?!", I learned to laugh at all the somewhat awkward situations. On the first day of Chinese New Year this year, I booked my annual check-up without knowing what day it was. If you are superstitious and feel that the first day of the year is an indication of how the coming year will unfold...well...what can I say but be prepared for the unexpected!

So while I changed into the nice blue gown...I heard a male voice in the hallway, thinking, i didn't see a guy in the waiting area...maybe he's visiting my female doctor b4 I got there 45 mins before. Anyways, so i'm changed and sitting on the "table"....the door opens...and a guy walks in.."Hi, I'm Dr. Man*, the residence for Dr. Woman*...she'll be in later"...shit, I'm doing an ANNUAL!. (*names changed for obvious reasons)

so...here's how the 5 mins lasted (yup..it was the fastest physical of all time...lol)

Dr: so is there anything you want me to check on?
me: (shit, not anymore)...well, there are a few moles i'm concerned about
Dr: oh, where are they?
me: (damn...the ones i'm worried about are near my boob..)..well, there's one here behind my ear..and on my back
Dr: is there any more..how about your foot and...your leg..?
me: no, no, not that I know.......well, there's one here (I pointed underneath my boob..haha)..
Dr: ok, well, i'll give you a sheet...
me: ok, how or what am I supposed to cover???
Dr: um...ah...
me: my lower half..or my boobs..but..i'm already wearing the gown so....?
(trust me, we were both struggling at this point not to be embarrassed! I put it on my lower half and used my hand to cover myself...ha)
Dr: ok...that's fine, no worries...ok, let's take your blood pressure...
me: ok......
Dr: you're fine there....ums...let's move onto the breast exam...did you want to wait for Dr. Woman?
me: (hesitating...)..um..no..it's ok..
Dr: ok, undo your tie and lie down...
(so you figure out this part)..
Dr: ok, you can put the gown back up and sit up...do you need any refills on anything...prescription etc?
me: no, just checkup
Dr: are you using contraceptives
me: no
Dr; er...are you in a relationship?
me: nope.
and then i think we were both uncomfortable after that...hahaha..we both just smiled a lot and just said, ok, i'm fine, i can go now right?

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Hey wintergirl, your pumpkins are pretty cute, but this girlie's in the competition too! With a face so adorable, I happily agreed to join my friends and their kids on a pumpkin patch venture. Once we got into the midst of farmland and parked our cars, the first thing that hit me was the whiff of 'fresh air'. It's not what you think...walking in the corn maze towards the pumpkin patch was by far an adventure I could not anticipate...decomposing hay mixed with mud and rain can clear your most clogged sinuses. Suffice it to say, once I got home, my shoes were wrapped in plastic and ready for the disposal bin. I pity the garbage collector who picked up the trash that week!

I'm still dreaming!

Have you ever awoke from a dream with a sense that it was not a dream at all? Or that you were an active participant in it? Here's a dream that I was able to recall so vividly when I woke up that I wanted to go straight back to bed!

...I can't believe he's in my dream. I only met him the night before. I ran towards the window and looked down. He jumped out of his car and started to run. He was wearing the most attractive blue shirt, like the waters from the Isle of Capri. His grin was from ear to ear. I know what he wanted to do. He started to climb up the ladder. I felt like Rapunzel looking down from her tower, that he was coming up to save me. I was drawn. His grin was radiant. It was infectious. I still smile just thinking of it...

A customer always knows

A customer called in with his credit card to pay for his merchandise and said that he hoped he did not see a Prada purchase on his bill statement or else he'd kick my ass (yes, those were his exact words). So it prompted me to say, "Why? You don't like Prada?" and he goes, "No, but you sound more like a Louis Vuitton girl"...how bizarre, I have nothing against Prada of course, but lately, I've been keeping my eye on this nifty accessory :)

My love affair with shoes....

Shoes...love them...who doesn't...I know all girls love shoes...and we know more than a few fellas who love shoes too, but there's just something thrilling about finding the right pair (ok, in my case, pairS of shoes...enough of a mess that my dad decided to build me a shoe closet..yah, i'm spoiled!). It's also exciting to see when someone else admires your shoes too...it's like a guilty pleasure. Clothes may not always fit just right...shoes...it's like Cinderella. What can I say, Imelda Marcos, I'm gaining on ya'!

I purchased these before an episode of Sex In the City titled "A Woman's Right to Shoes." I loved them so much I didn't even realize they were Manolo knockoffs until after watching them on the show ;)

One of my finer moments

While in Los Angeles, I was introduced to Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. Yup, stop right there you may be thinking or I must have had a typo, but you read correctly, that's what the menu listed. If you were like me who would be hesitant about such a combination...you can think again! One friend likened the combo to sausages and pancakes, and since I had my fair share of McD's breakfasts long ago...I was game to try it out as I'm sometimes willing to try everything at least once...


So there it is, my devoured chicken and remnants of the waffle...that was only one waffle mind you, we were warned to order the single serving...it's on my 'must-eat' list from now on!

easily persuaded...

thanks wintergirl for getting me started on this thing...you may regret it when i start to ask you a billion questions! muahahaha