Daydreaming ForeverBlue...

2010 - A brand new decade...a brand new me?

2010-01-03T00:28:00.002-08:00

A start of a new decade and yet here I am, wondering who I am, what I should be doing with my life, why am I not being motivated in life...should I set some New Year's resolutions only for them to break time after time?

2009 was filled with emotions...a lot of laughing, crying, heartache, and fears. Someone special came into my life for a brief moment, touching upon my heart, and teaching me a lesson on leaving the past behind. Now in 2010 I must learn to say goodbye to that person. Instead, turn a new leaf, and move on with my life and feel happiness like I never felt before.

Resolution #1: Laugh more. Whether it be with friends, family or even at work, smile and laugh and enjoy every day of the year as if it would be my last. Perhaps then, life will feel a bit more complete.

2009 also taught me to treasure the people I have around me, whether it be friends or family. Life is too precious. Friendships are important, and family is even more.

Resolution #2: Learn to be more patient with others. My parents have also told me I have to work on my patience. This year, I work towards that more so by starting with resuming my hot yoga workouts and Wing Chun lessons with my friend. Perhaps I can work towards more patience in my life.

Bad events and memories in 2009 have made me realized how many problems I tend to bottle up inside of me. I do not want to see myself fall into a depressed state of mind and turn towards bad habits in order to cope with these problems.

Resolution #3: Drink less alcohol. I am not proud of the person I am when I drink. I do not have a problem and do not want to see it escalate into a problem. Drinking less alcohol will help prevent bad situations from arising and also increase my health.

I will work on these 3 resolutions and see how I can become a new me in 2010...

"Maybe the happy ending is...just...moving on..."

2009-08-06T22:51:00.002-07:00

But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope. - He's Just Not That Into You (the movie)

Although I watched the movie only once, this quote is quite meaninful, yet I question this quote at times too. If my happy ending doesn't include a guy, how do I move on without feeling like I need to be in a relationship? That in order for me to be completely happy, I need to find the other half of me, someone that's out there to complement me and share in my happiness? On my own, I'm picking up the pieces and starting over...but it's not easy. Maybe the happy ending is...just...moving on. But what if we can't move on right now? We are stuck in this neverending vicious cycle in which we'll be miserable...and what if I'm giving up hope....because the person out there for me I've already found and have had to say goodbye...

2009 - Update in Progress & Learning to Breathe...

2009-07-19T23:34:00.002-07:00

Beginning of 2009 brought me new memories with new friends. Whistler adventures, lots of laughing and drunken stupidity, and most importantly lessons on finding out who your true friends are who'll stick by you through thick and thin.

The second half of 2009 brought me some happiness and tears. With a new ride, I can finally go where I want to go, but at the same time, not having someone special to enjoy these new places with. In a time when I'm suppose to be building new memories with someone, I am learning lessons on who I am, what I want in life, and how to adjust to someone new in my life.

It hurts to be able to find a person who you have this wonderful connection with, who shares similar goals and interests, yet in the end, have to stop and say goodbye to, whether it be temporarily or permanent. So with this sadness, I am following Taylor Swift's song, "Breathe":

I see your face in my mind as I drive away,
Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way.
People are people,
And sometimes we change our minds.
But it's killing me to see you go after all this time.

Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Music starts playin' like the end of a sad movie,
Its the kinda ending you don't really wanna see.
Cause its tragedy and it'll only bring you down,
Now I dont know what to be without you around.

And we know its never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, no one here to save me.
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand,
And I can't,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

Never wanted this, never wanna see you hurt.
Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve.
But people are people,
And sometimes it doesnt work out,
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out.

And we know it's never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, no one here to save me.
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand,
And I can't,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

It's two a.m.
Feelin' like I just lost a friend.
Hope you know it's not easy,
Easy for me.
It's two a.m.
Feelin' like I just lost a friend.

Hope you know this ain't easy,
Easy for me.

And we know it's never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, no one here to save me.

Ohhh

I can't,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

Sorry

2009 - Fresh Start, Take 2?

2009-01-17T23:47:00.002-08:00

Welcome to 2009!

Another year has past to reflect on, and another year where we end up making new resolutions and having a clean slate to do whatever it may be for another year.

What happened in 2008? I got out of my rut and started to finally be social again. Made new friends, embarrassed myself greatly at times, yet laughed off any sadness I may have with the help of my friends and family. Thanks to all those who pulled me out of my tough time! I ended 2008 with a bunch of great friends in the heart of Times Square dancing the night away...

For 2009, is this another fresh start for me? To finally put all the memories that I don't want anymore aside? The other night I broke down again...not wanting to, but while chatting with a friend online, felt all the memories coming back. The sadness of letting go...wanting to move on but can't find the way to. Asking myself if I can find true happiness this year.

Tonight I was looking through all my old photos I had kept on my hard drive...from back in 2003 until now. Of that, consisted of memories of different relationships, different feelings.

2003 was definitely a highlight year, as questionable as one of the friendship/relationships must be. Thank you to that person who was there, and still is there, for me, as a friend even if it wasn't anything more.
2004 saw me through a short but sweet relationship. Thank you for the memories and for still being a friend to me.
2005-2007 gave me the happiest and saddest times within a relationship. Thank you for showing me what it is to love someone so much that it hurts to let them go. And thanks to the friends that stuck by me.
2008 was the start of new friendships. Thank you for making me laugh again.

Brings us to 2009...what will the year have in store for me?

Never Too Late...

2008-08-09T16:44:00.002-07:00

Recently Hedley's "Never Too Late" has been one of my favourite songs, and until last night, did I look up the lyrics.

Here's to all the broken hearts tonight
Here's to all the "fall-a-parts" tonight
Here's to every girl and boy who lost their joy
They let it get away

You know it's never too late
Get up and start all over again
You know it's never too late
There's got to be a better way
Don't settle for the cold and rain
It's not too late to start again
To find a way to smile and never let it get away!

This summer I have learned to start all over again...to find the way to smile and just enjoy the fact that not being a relationship doesn't mean it's the end of the world.

This summer has gone by quite fast...if only summers lasted longer and there were more hours in the day to enjoy the sunshine. To recap this summer of smiling and laughing, here's to the memories of this summer:

- rollerblading from Science World to English Bay and down to Stanley Park...not withstanding the falls, bruises and scrapes...
- staying out til the sun set at night, just sitting on patios for dinner and drinks or enjoying a bowl of ice cream
- watching the fireworks at English Bay and people watching...
- meeting new friends and hanging out with old friends...
- learning to kayak for the first time in Deep Cove, even if I don't know how to swim!
- hiking and doing the Grouse Grind...yes sweating can be quite fun...
- playing California Kickball as if we were back in elementary school again...even if our team did lose...
- and enjoying the California sun in San Francisco, visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, etc...topping it off with a visit to In N Out Burger and Ghiradelli's ice cream sundae!!

Summer's not over yet, but at least I can say that I can try to continue to smile...

Top 3 Favourite OneRepublic Songs...

2008-06-01T21:52:00.002-07:00

In anticipation of the OneRepublic concert at River Rock casino on June 27, here's my top three favourite OneRepublic songs and lyrics...

#3) Come Home (featured in Gossip Girl)

Hello world
Hope you're listening
Forgive me if I'm young
For speaking out of turn
There's someone I've been missing
I think that they could be
The better half of me
They're in their own place trying to make it right
But I'm tired of justifying
So I say you'll...

Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all I see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
So come home
Oooh

I get lost in the beauty
Of everything I see
The world ain't as half as bad
As they paint it to be
If all the sons
If all the daughters
Stopped to take it in
Well hopefully the hate subsides and the love can begin
It might start now..
Yeahh Well maybe I'm just dreaming out loud
Until then

Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all I see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
Ever known
So come home
Oooh

Everything I can't be
Is everything you should be
And that's why I need you here
Everything I can't be
Is everything you should be
And that's why I need you here
So hear this now

Come home
Come home
Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long
For so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all I see is you and me
The fight for you is all I've ever known
Ever known
So come home
Come home

#2) Apologize

I'm holdin' on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground.
And I'm hearin' what you say,
But I just can't make a sound.
You tell me that you need me,
Then you go and cut me down...
But wait... You tell me that you're sorry,
Didn't think I'd turn around... And say...

That it's too late to apologize.
It's too late... I said it's too late to apologize.
It's too late. Yeaaah...

I'd take another chance,
Take a fall, take a shot for you.
I need you like a heart needs a beat,
But it's nothin' new.
Yeah, yeah I loved you with a fire red,
Now it's turnin' blue... And you say...
Sorry, like an angel
Heaven let me think was you...
But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize.
It's too late.
I said it's too late to apologize.
It's too late. Whoaaa...

It's too late to apologize.
It's too late.
I said it's too late to apologize.
It's too late.
It's too late to apologize. Yeah!
I said it's too late to apologize. Yeah!

I'm holdin' on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground.

#1) All We Are

I tried to paint you a picture, the colors we're all wrong
Black and white didn't fit you, and all along
You we're shaded with patience, and strokes of everything
That I need just to make it, and I can see that...
Lord knows I've failed you, time and again
But you and me are all right

We won't say our goodbyes, you know it's better that way
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

I walked a minute in your shoes, they never would have fit
I figured there's nothin to lose, I need to get
Some perspective on these words, before I write them down
You're an island and my ship has run aground
Lord knows I'll fail you time and again
But you and me we're alright

We won't say our goodbyes, you know it's better that way
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

And every single day that I can breathe
You change my philosophy
I'm never gonna let you pass me by

So don't say our goodbyes, you know it's better that way
We won't break, we won't die, it's just a moment of change
All we are, all we are is everything that's right
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi
All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

Summer in BC...

2008-05-25T22:04:00.003-07:00

Although summer does not officially start until June 21, these past two nice sunny weekends really gave me the opportunity to bask in the sun and enjoy the summer in our beautiful city. What makes it amazing are the scenic points that can be found just in the city of Vancouver, and there's still so much more elsewhere in BC.

So far I've enjoyed the following:
- hiking in Squamish with an amazing view at the top of the First Peak at the Stawamus Chief
- hiking the Baden Powell trail in Deep Cove two weekends in a row and enjoying the Deep Cove views from the hike
- playing tennis and sweating only after 5 minutes of play!
- rollerblading around False Creek along the water and English Bay, enjoying the sunshine and people watching on the beach
- sitting on the patio of Red Robins and drinking ice cold raspberry limeades...yum :)
- evening sunset, with temperatures of 20 degrees, as well as sitting at 11pm at English Bay just enjoying the view and the non-freezing weather
- at 9pm still feel like it's only 6pm!

What else I would like to do to enjoy this beautiful weather we have here this summer:
- more rollerblading and hiking!
- Whistler weekend getaway...perhaps hike around there and spend some time in the village...
- Victoria - walk around the Inner Harbour watching the buskers and tourists - walking around Ocean Pointe - sitting at Ocean Pointe and looking over at the serene beauty of the Parliament Buildings and the Empress at night
- sitting on the patio and drinking a nice cool beverage on a hot sweltering day...
- BBQ!
- throwing the disc around on the beach...
- camping out at the beach for a day waiting to watch the fireworks at night at English Bay.
- making a trip to Tofino to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Pacific Ocean...

Alright, who doesn't love summer in BC??!

And the party continues...

2008-04-26T10:21:00.002-07:00

So I have nothing to fear from the doctor...everything is healthy! Yay for me! Time to party it up with some drinks.

I went out to my first Vancouver Fun Professionals meetup event last night, and I must admit that it was fun meeting new people in the social environment. So I suppose I'm not too old to go out and have a good time to meet new people.

Now I'm coming to terms that life can't be too bad afterall...making new friends is the first thing to bouncing back to my usual independent fun social butterfly I once was. And the party continues...

Iatrophobia...

2008-04-14T20:34:00.002-07:00

Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.

Although not a huge phobia, yet still one I've always dreaded. Doctors and dentists..maybe because I went on so many visits when I was younger, and that perhaps it's a sign of illness or something is wrong with me. Hence as I grew older, I would tolerate the pain or whatever it was that bugged me until it was unbearable or someone forced me to go did I go see a doctor.

After my run in with a big metal pole a couple weeks ago, I went to see the doctor last week. He sent me to do blood tests and now have results in, which I'm not sure if I really want to know about. Normally, whenever I have done blood tests there's no call back. That's when you know everything is normal. This time, I got the dreaded telephone call that the doctor wants to see me. What does this mean? Is something medically wrong with me?

Fear and panic now rush into me. Nothing positive comes to my head. Even if I want to think that he just wants to tell me that everything is ok, I fear the worse. Is it something hereditary or some serious illness I don't know about? Or am I just worrying for nothing...

Relapsing...

2008-03-29T21:47:00.002-07:00

So instead of all positive thoughts, tonight I had a relapse. It wasn't until I was sitting in the dark supporting Earth Day, that I had my relapse. It didn't help that I drank 2-3 martinis already and now polishing my 4th.

I came home to an empty house this early evening. I decided to bake and make myself a drink to relax while putting on some sappy Chinese music. By the time it rolled around to preserve as much electricity as possible for Earth Hour from 8-9, I was sitting mostly in the dark, while sitting in front of my computer and sipping on my drink, when the one feeling I didn't want to appear came. Loneliness. It was so quiet without my music playing, that I heard the rain coming down, the cars driving on the streets. The humming of my laptop, while I sipped away at my drink. All these thoughts rushed into my head, both negative and positive. I kept trying to tell myself to think positive, but that sudden feeling of loneliness is overpowering.

How can someone who once couldn't stop going out with her friends and family, or being with someone special, end up sitting at home on a Saturday night by herself drinking? What have I become? Especially since I told myself not to feel so negative. That it's time to move on and enjoy the rest of my life.

What happened to those happy times before everything became so serious in life? Why is it that I'm always so negative these days? As much as I'm trying, why do I have to force myself to be happy all the time instead of being naturally happy? How do I find peace and true happiness again?

Back to Zero, Restarting...

2008-03-24T21:10:00.002-07:00

After spending the long weekend laughing and being with friends and family that mean a lot to me, I realize that it's simple to be happy again, even if it's momentarily. So why am I still dwelling on the past? Why am I still haunted by someone who doesn't even care for me anymore? I do not deserve these negative feelings. I deserve better.

So I look at where I am now and what I need is to restart my life. I need to reset. Let's go back to zero. Zero is where simplicity starts. No more thinking about how I hurt, no more tears, no more moping around thinking there's no one in this world caring enough. Time to enjoy everything else in life, and perhaps at the right time, everything will fall into place.

Time to go out and make new friends and reach out for those friends who I haven't seen in a long time. Time to go out and have fun, enjoy the great outdoors now that the weather is not all gloomy and rainy. Time to say goodbye to the sad memories and move on 'cause if I don't, I think I will keep falling into a deep dark hole that I can manage to come out of. By then, I would have ignored a lot of important people and wasted a lot of precious time...

So let's move on with life!

Song from "My Lucky Star"

2008-03-18T20:55:00.002-07:00

Listening to the soundtrack for a Taiwanese show called "My Lucky Star 放羊的星星", I came across the following song, that really is something that I'm thinking I need to be right now = BRAVE...breaking up and being brave about it, even though it's what I face, walking alone down this road. In the end, the decision is mine, and I choose to be brave and face the loneliness for now. Until someone else comes along...

Title: 堅強分手
Singer: 何俊明 (He Jun Ming)

我知道你躲著我沒跟我說理由
在電話那頭靜靜的沈默
我知道你不愛我離去沒有回頭
在天黑以後我學會冷漠

我會堅強分手自已遠走
不用你擔心我天黑了以後我
會選擇一個人過
我會堅強分手自已遠走
不用你安慰我孤單的時候
我會一個人到處去走走

我知道你躲著我沒跟我說理由
在電話那頭靜靜的沈默
我知道你不愛我離去沒有回頭
在天黑以後我學會冷漠

我會堅強分手自已遠走
不用你擔心我天黑了以後
我會選擇一個人過
我會堅強分手自已遠走
不用你安慰我孤單的時候
我會一個人到處去走走...

我會堅強分手自已遠走
不用你擔心我天黑了以後
我會選擇一個人過...

孤單的時候我會一個人到處去走走

Escaping and Forgeting

2008-03-09T22:07:00.003-07:00

I was watching more of "Prince's First Love" today and after some incidents to the show, the girl decides to leave Korea and go far away so she can forget about the two guys (brothers nevertheless) that are fighting for her love. She tries to convince herself to forget about the one she loves and avoid the other to not hurt him. In the end the more she wants to forget, the more she really can't.

The show gets sad at certain points and you really feel sorry for the girl. She shouldn't have to escape to a far away place to try to forget everything in the past. But then again, how else will she be able to go on with life? Hiding in Tahiti, one night on a water full of stars, she wishes to see the guy that she loves, the manager, just once more. Perhaps this wish would come true, but when she sees him in what she thinks is her final time, even though she's supposed to be happy, she is sad because of the pain of not wanting to say goodbye to him.

You pine away at past memories, longing to hold onto those wonderful moments. In reality, the longer this happens, the more painful it gets. As the girl says in the show, I feel like I'm Alice (Alice in Wonderland). I've followed a rabbit to this Wonderland place and everything feels like a dream. Now I've waken up and now that I know the truth, I should break free from this dream. I've woken up for a long time, yet I am not sure how I can break free. What am I to do to save myself? To make myself happy again? Do I have to escape somewhere to forget? Or is it possible to stay and forget?

Reflections of "Prince's First Love"

2008-03-06T22:05:00.002-08:00

Tonight I watched a korean drama called "Prince's First Love" (2004). It's about this girl who isn't really all that smart, but has a heart of gold. She falls in love with the manager of a large cellphone manufacturing company. Her and the manager are setup on a blind date and after a few differences, they finally end up working as boss and secretary. As secretary, what she lacked in administrative skills, she made up for with her caring personality, down to cleaning his office and making him coffee late into the hours when he stays behind in the office. She accompanies him to a ball, where at first you would think he's amazed by how beautiful she looks and how graceful she presents herself, but in the end, he tells her that she doesn't have what it takes to be his secretary and lets her go at the ball. When she asks him if she's qualified even as a woman, he doesn't answer. Heartbroken, she leaves the ball and leaves him.

What's amazing is her strength to continue. She receives a job offer in Bali as a resort guide, but before she leaves, she emails him and wishes him best of luck and lets him know she is moving on as a tour guide. She prepares his favourite sandwiches in lunch boxes for him and delivers it to his office. Then she leaves him.

I haven't finished watching this series, but if this guy doesn't end up falling in love with her, he should be shot!

What kind of guy can't see or appreciate what he has in front of him? Someone who is caring, loving, willing to go out of her way to make him happy. What she lacks in one thing, she makes up double in something else. Her 200% in effort isn't good enough?

I admire how strong the female character is. Can I be like her? To be able to wish him happiness and good health and move on with life?

Goodbye Destiny...

2008-03-04T22:16:00.002-08:00

It's time to say goodbye to the one song that I really believed in, the one song that tied everything together. With this goodbye I will wish him,

All the happiness in the world, even though I know that I cannot be the one that gives it to him.
Time to meet someone perfect, which I know I am not the one.
To care and love enough so he doesn't hurt anyone else like he has hurt me.
To be able to love and commit himself to someone, even though I wasn't the one.
To be able to share with her this song, which I no longer can listen to without feeling the pain.

Destiny no longer belongs to me for it does not mean anything to me anymore. So I say goodbye to this song, and hope someone else can use it to signify their love.

Destiny
By Jim Brickman & Michelle Wright

What if I never knew
What if I never found you
I never had this feeling in my heart

How did this come to be
I don't know how you found me
But from the moment I saw you
Deep inside my heart I knew

Baby you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'll give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
You were always meant to be
My destiny

I wanted someone like you
Someone that I could hold on to
And give my love until the end of time

But forever was just a word (just a word)
Something I'd only heard about
But now youre always there for me
When you say forever I believe

Baby you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'll give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
You were always meant to be
My destiny

Baby all we need
Is just a little faith
Cause baby I believe
That love will find a way

Baby your my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'll give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
From now until eternity
You were always meant to be
My destiny

The Little Prince on Love

2008-02-28T20:10:00.003-08:00

"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." ~ The Little Prince

Does that mean that one only views life through the heart? If so, what if your heart has been broken into pieces, hurt by people around you? Blindness leads you into the afterlife...

This famous quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, trying to teach children and grown-ups what is love and what is happiness. I contemplate on whether this quote is true.

Take a couple in love, in what is considered a honeymoon phase. This quote would be true. Everything around there isn't important when there are two people in love with each other. Only being together is what's important. Only being loved is what's important.

But what happens when this couple argue and fight, or drastically break up? Confused, bewildered, lost and moving blindly through life trying to figure out everything in life. Trying to figure out what went wrong, searching for the answers. In the end, the eyes see what is really essential, that it's not just the magic words "I Love You" that makes a relationship work. Problems with different goals in life, misunderstandings, differences in interests and personalities...these are all things that when in love you don't see.

A friend told me awhile ago, you don't get over your last relationship until you move onto another relationship. Does that mean that I'm going to move around lost and blind until I can find someone else to guide me? That with love again, I'll see clearly...and when will that be?

Fragile...

2008-02-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

Came across music on YouTube by Delta Goodrem. An amazing singer, she sings her songs full of emotion. The song that I really love right now is Fragile...

Six thoughts at once I can't focus on one
Seven days a week but my life has just begun
So caught in emotion and I'm overcome
As I'm falling down I come undone

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone
Sometimes I feel like I'm not that strong
Sometimes I feel so frail so small
Sometimes I feel vulnerable
Sometimes I feel a little fragile
A little fragile

In six thousand years what will this mean
Words from the heart or a melody
So caught in emotion and I'm overcome
As I'm falling down I come undone

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone
Sometimes I feel like I'm not that strong
Sometimes I feel nothing at all
Sometimes I feel vulnerable
Sometimes I feel a little fragile
A little fragile

If people can see right through my eyes
Like an open door that I can't disguise
I won't be afraid from the tears I cry
I'll not run I'll not hide this is how I feel inside
A little fragile
A little fragile

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone
Sometimes I feel like I'm not that strong
Sometimes I feel so frail so small
Sometimes I feel vulnerable
Sometimes I feel a little fragile

Happy New Year 2008!

2008-01-01T02:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I last posted, but I'd like to wish everybody a Happy New Year 2008!

It's a new year, which means making new years resolutions, some to keep, some to break. I made some tonight, hoping to keep most of them for at least half the year or more...it'll definitely take lots of willpower to try to keep to achieving those goals.

For one, I resolve to go to the gym at least 3 times a week, especially since I just purchased an annual gym membership at the community centre. How long can I keep this up? I read in the newspapers before that gyms tend to have the best luck in selling memberships during New Year's because of everybody who buys memberships yet don't end up using it when they break their resolution. I refuse to be part of that statistic!

Secondly, I resolve to complete my BCIT certificate within a year. I've been stretching the time to finish my certificate but realize I should really just finish. I have 3 courses left, so starting to take courses again in January. This one, I think I should be able to finish before 2009. Hopefully!

For a third resolution, hoping to be more simple...simplicity = less stress = more happy times in life. I think others might feel the same here...after a difficult and stressful year, happiness is something that can only be achieved with simplicity. Simplicity at work, in relationships, with family and friends. Time to make myself more low-key and laid back...this is probably the hardest resolution to keep! I think it comes with being born a Virgo...

So with 2008 now in full gear...what's your new year's resolutions?

About a good cause...

2006-10-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Phantom of the Opera soundtrack...
Thinking about: how stressful work is and if it is worth it?

I admire those who work for a good cause, even if it means they don't make much money. They love what they do because they believe what they do will help others. That is probably the reason why I volunteer with the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre productions.

Yesterday, I was at a VACT meeting and we were contemplating putting on a production that is costly, but raises awareness to the head-tax issue that has been highly talked about these days. This past week, 5 citizens were paid back from the government to make up for the highly racially discriminating head tax that made Chinese immigrants pay $500 to come to Canada in the early days. The production would bring more awareness to the Vancouver and BC community.

The dilemma lies in where the money will come from. If it is for a good cause, helping Asian-Canadian actors/actresses break out into the theatrical / arts scene, and raising awareness of the head tax issue, it shouldn't be too hard to find sponsors right? But in this day and age where it seems everything is for a good cause and rich, more affluent people are being bombarded with solicitations to donate, how can we differentiate?

I wish I had a lot of time to devote to VACT and the cause to get this production into theatre by July 2007, but will be quite a challenge for someone who already works full time. I wish I was in a different work environment, more flexible, and with a car, so I could be more active. I really do believe VACT can be known to the Vancouver arts community as a fun, serious theatre group. I have met a lot of dedicated actors/actresses, production staff, and volunteers who feel VACT is a foundation for Asian-Canadians trying to pursue a future career in the arts. If only other people can see the same objectives of VACT...

About culture shock and adapting...

2006-08-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Listening to: conversations in my aunt and uncle's house...talking with my cousin.
Thinking about: all the different experiences China has opened me up to...

Culture shock was the first thing that I came across when landing in China. The culture, mannerism, and general atmosphere of China is very different from Canada. Sometimes I'm at awe by the pace of how China is expanding, but at the same time disappointed in service, quality, mannerism of the general local public, and the bathrooms >_<

I think its all about adapting...unlike my sister. Its hard for younger children to really adapt to such a huge gap compared to North America. The toilets cause many children to gasp for air. Also the heat can be untolerable. The key is to adjust to your surroundings. If its hot, carry a fan, drink lots of water. If its smelly and dirty, don't breathe and keep an open mind that this is not North America. Everything is a new experience, good or bad.

I've been to Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi and now Guangzhou. Each city is different in many ways: the scenery, city atmosphere, food, development of agriculture and buildings, people, etc. I think my favorite of the tour cities I've been to (which excludes Guangzhou) is Shanghai as it is the most modern of the cities. Beijing is really old in terms of the buildings and the atmosphere is really polluted.

So far I've seen: Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, TianTan Temple, West Lake, a silk factory, many different temples and private homes which are now ancient tourist locations, the busy streets of Shanghai, clothing warehouse outlets in Shanghai, jade factory, Tai Lake, Shanghai Pudong waterview, Shanghai Bund, and many other experiences. In Guangzhou I got to try very tasty Cantonese food that I really like and seafood that would be unable to find in Canada. In Guangzhou I felt more localized: taking the subway, eating with the locals, shopping and bargaining.

Next stop Macao and Hong Kong...and shopping before going home! This has definitely been quite an experience and when I'm back in Canada, I'll have a chance to really describe all my travel experiences in China.

About arriving in Beijing...

2006-08-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Listening to: the humming of the air conditioner...
Thinking about: the continental breakfast...starving! Also about all the wonderful places we're going today!

Arrived in Beijing last night at 3:30PM at the airport, which is really really nice and modern. Then got to the hotel at around 5:00PM. The hotel is really nice. It's called the Beijing JinQiao International Garden Hotel. There's a computer and internet in the room as well! Regret not bringing a mic so we can use Skype to phone home...

Last night we ate at this Tian Jin Jiaozi palace, which was really nice and filling. Inside the restaurant they have a viewing glass that lets you see a group of "chefs" making dumplings. Mmmmm dumplings...didn't eat much 'cause I was still on CDN time and that was like 5am!

Already feel better, not jetlagged since I slept pretty well last night. Today we're heading down for breakfast and then out to Tiantan, Gu Gong, Summer Palace, and Forbidden City. Later tonight we're going to watch an acrobat show and eat Peking Duck. Very exciting!

Sounds like we're heading out for breakfast...

About Tony Bennett & China...

2006-06-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Listening to: my coworker typing away at her computer...
Thinking about: TGIF! OMG my final exam for my media relations course is due...must work harder!

Went to see Tony Bennett last night. Can you believe he's turning 80 years old?? He's singing and stage presence is amazing! What I was amazed at was his respect for the audience. He'll thank the audience repeatedly as well as his own band members. I love how he ties in his songs with stories of his life. Worth every penny for the 2nd row seat tickets. My favorite was when he told the AV to shut off his mike and he sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Fly Me To the Moon". I can understand why he's such a legend, singing with Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, etc. As he stated it best last night, he was one of the first American Idols.

Heading to China on vacation in August for two weeks with mom and sister. It's going to be hella hot, but I'm hoping it'll be a wonderful experience since this will be my first trip to Asia. It's exciting but mortifying. Maybe the heat will help me lose weight...Had to go get shots at the travel clinic, which warned me on Dengue Fever, Avian Flu, and all those other diseases I could get in Asia... *fun*. Went and shopped for luggage and visa photos. Still gotta go get my Chinese visa done up and book hotel for Hong Kong. Will be taking a tour from Vancouver to Beijing, Beijing for 3 days, then Wuxi, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, back to Shanghai and the tour ends, where we will fly to Guangzhou and go to Hong Kong as well. Guess what I'll be doing? Shopping!!

Of Summer and Vacation...

2006-05-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

Listening to: commercials on TV...
Thinking about: if I should do something tonight more productive than just sitting in front of the TV eating munchies...

It's May, which means busy season for me at work. I've got a 3 days conference next week which requires me to be in Victoria from May 9 to 14. It's the same weekend as Mother's Day, so I'm hoping to take my parents and sister out to brunch at Hotel Grand Pacific, which is a really nice new hotel along the Inner Harbour. I'll be back in Vancouver to work a week and then I'm off to Montreal May 22 to 25 for a conference on Education for work. It should be interesting, especially the shopping afterwards ;)

Since I haven't officially used up any vacation dates yet, my boss has been asking me what I will be doing for vacation this summer. It really is not something I'm super looking forward to since the summer is always high/peak season for travelling, which means costing more for travelling. Plus the gas keeps getting higher (this weekend is at $1.20/litre) and it's supposed to be higher by the summer. I may just go to Tofino for a few days and maybe down to Portland for a few days. I'd like to spend some time with my family as well.

Next long vacation will be: Disneyworld, Epcot Centre, getting my Mickey Mouse ears, NASA, Miami...ahhhh I can feel the sand and the beach already...Florida! If only I can dream that I was there now...

About Las Vegas!

2006-01-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Listening to: the humming of my computer...no music is on right now...
Thinking about: Dine Out Vancouver...mm...cheap yummy food...

Well the holiday season is over once again. How was everybody's Christmas? Mine went by pretty fast. Christmas was quiet as I didn't go home to the many nights of Christmas dinners (saved myself from gaining extra pounds!). Loved my new presents I received, although I know deep down inside it's not the presents that really count, but the thought that went into them! Got a new iPod Nano and a digital camera for Christmas this year.

Best of all this holiday season was my Las Vegas trip! Super loads of fun, despite the painful nights of sore legs and feet. Vegas = miles of walking! To think, taking public transportation such as the trams and the monorails connecting the hotels would save us some pain? Nooo...we had to walk through the casinos/hotels to get to the stations. By the time we reached the station, we realized it would've been shorter to walk outside and walk directly to the hotels! Took tons of pictures, inhaled a lot of second hand smoke, ate lots of greasy fast food, gambled away $35, purchased lots of souvenirs, and still managed to find time to shop for some new clothes. Msg me on MSN or put a comment down below if you would like to see photos, and I'll send you the link!

Some memories of Las Vegas to share:
- Never request a room with a view, we learned it the hard way..it's far from an elevator! Doesn't help when your feet are sore!
- Tip a pissed off driver wtih $1 and he'll swear at you more...
- Wear good runners to Vegas 'cause you'll be doing tons of walking! Who said MGM Grand was central to the strip??
- Bellagio Fountains are beautiful to watch
- Wynn's bathrooms are really nice, and so's the Ferrari collection there!
- Venetian's Madame Tussaud's House of Horrors was funny according to JLo
- I got to touch sting rays at the Sharks Reef at Mandalay Bay!
- James played his first real poker tournament at the MGM Grand (top 20s!! Yay!)
- Bring oxygen or walk outside a lot! Casinos are too smokey!
- Not enough time to spend watching shows...but Penn & Teller were hilarious! The bullet trick is a must see!

For those who haven't gone to Vegas, go for the shows and the hotel sightseeing, but don't hang around the casinos...chances of winning really depend upon your luck and for sure you'll be smelling like smoke! Don't drive 'cause you'll get stuck in traffic jams! And if you can, wear a pair of rollerblades or Heelys, skateboard, or bike around...save your feet!

About Christmas...

2005-12-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings!

Hope this wonderful Christmas season brings you lots of laughter and joy with your loved ones!

Heading to Vegas after Christmas, but hopefully I'll get a chance to see some of you after I get back. If not, have a wonderful New Year! 2005 was great, 2006 should be better!

Lots of love,

Alice

Of a White Christmas??

2005-11-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

Listening to: 103.5QMFM advertisements on air...
Thinking about: what to buy for people for Christmas...

I want a White Christmas, but helloo....Christmas isn't here yet! So why are we having snow right now? It's creating havoc, and it's super cold out. Snow does crazy things to people. Traffic was horrible this morning. To think that Vancouver drivers don't know how to drive in the snow. To top things off, certain bus drivers are crazy. Last night's snow caused this morning to be super crazy in Vancouver. Here's my ordeal:
7:45am: Walked to the corner of my street. About to cross the street when a bus pulls up and splashes me with gross mud water. Soaked.
7:46am: Waiting for bus to arrive. Supposed to come at 7:50am
8:00am: One bus drives by, without stopping. Bus is full. No worrying yet. As long as an express bus comes in the next 5 minutes, I'll still make it for my bus transfer and work on time.
8:10am: Crap, still no bus. 20 people waiting at my bus stop.
8:15am: Express bus pulls up, lets lady off, tells the rest of us we can't come on. Key here is, THE BUS IS NOT FULL! The bus driver goes on telling us he is an express bus and can't pick up. Hello??? Every morning I get on that Express bus! Steamed...
8:17am: Get on another bus...start of a journey...
9:00am: Still not at the intersection that I have to stop at...5KM away
9:15am: Still not there...less than 5KM away
9:30am: Finally at my stop...normally the trip from my house to Granville takes 30-45 min, today it took close to 1 1/2 hrs!
9:45am: Catch bus into Richmond...
10:20am: Get to the office...wet, cold, and pissed off...

And how was your day? And to think I want snow...well my reasoning is, I want snow when I don't have to commute in it and traffic isn't insane. I want snow on the mountains for skiing/snowboarding. I want snow on Christmas, a light sprinkle so we can have that picturesque scenary. Not this yucky slushy weather. And there's prediction of more snow this weekend! Good thing ultimate ended...

Of Sex And The City Season 3...

2005-11-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Listening to: Instrumental version to the F4 song I Can't Lose To You, from Meteor Shower II (Taiwanese series)...
Thinking about: the busy weekend ahead...

So for those of you women out there who have ever watched Sex and the City, have you ever thought that all four female characters on the show represent a piece of the everyday woman? Carrie as the curious, misguided one; Charlotte longing to find Prince Charming, get married, and have the perfect family/relationship; Miranda, the career-minded, self-sufficient woman that all men fear; and Samantha, the shameless, sex kitten. What I like about the show is that every episode Carrie touches on topics that really question relationships. The final episode on Season 3 asked a good question. Are women the ones that are really at fault? Come break-up or even when still in a relationship, are women the ones that are obsessive over the men they have/still love compared to men? Men don't spend the time obsessing after a breakup, but women pine away, still "trying to get over" the relationship. What do you think?

This was the first time I sat through the whole season of Sex and the City...considering that I hate to have to keep missing episodes when it's on cable, but now that they're on DVD, I love it! Everytime I watch the show, there's something on there that makes you say "you know what, she's right". Like Charlotte's "perfect man" in Trey, which turns out to be a total disaster. Sometimes the more you expect someone to be perfect, the more disappointment you receive.

It's amazing how successful Sex and the City is, but as some of you loyal fans may know, it's not just a fictional soap opera. The topics touched on are somewhat realistic, except maybe Carrie's oversized apartment (which isn't realistic for a daily journalist in New York). Although I might not agree that we need the perfect man, as Charlotte would think of, I do believe that there's a Prince Charming out there who'll show up to sweep you off your feet, but in the meantime, you'll feel misguided, like Carrie. So which character do I relate most to? Probably a mix of Carrie and Charlotte...

About Lost Luggage...

2005-10-31T23:10:00.000-08:00

Listening to: the humming of my computer...
Thinking about: the idea of sleep, since I know I'm gonna be extra tired tomorrow if I don't sleep soon...

Have you ever wondered where your luggage has been if say, you take a trip somewhere and the airline "misplaces" your luggage? The correct term is "delayed luggage". They tell you they'll trace it and send it to you, but they never say where it is or make an effort to track it right away. On some online travel forums, I've read many people rant and rave about lost luggage, yet the funny thing was, most of the time they never knew where the luggage went. It just mysteriously ends up getting delivered to you either in ok condition or not so good condition. Some people have said the airlines have told them the luggage has ended up in another city airport or another continent! India was one popular one! India?? I hope not! My boyfriend had his luggage "delayed". It's been 24 hours and no word yet as to what happened. I hope it didn't end up in India...or crushed by other suitcases...

On a brighter note, tonight was Halloween..but as I get older, Halloween doesn't mean as much anymore. Plus the fact that lots of rowdy people are causing trouble...makes me want to hide in my house. Tonight also signifies that there'll only be 2 more months for 2005. Then another year would've passed by. Looking back, I'm wondering if I achieved any of my New Year's Resolutions. I only made one and I broke it a week after I made it. What was it? That's between me, myself, and I. Will I make another New Year's Resolution to break when New Year's Eve comes around? Um, probably...but who knows, maybe this time I'll attempt at keeping it!

In Memory of Terry Fox...

2005-09-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

As I was surfing the web, I came across an old article I wrote in the SFU paper, The Peak back in 2002 regarding Terry Fox. I remember having to read his biography. At times motivating and at times heart wrenching, I started drafting up what would be a published paper on Terry Fox. Reading it now, I guess I suppose I could've spent more time, more emotions in it, but I guess some of the things he's quoted says it all. "Somewhere the hurting must stop...and I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause..." "Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter."

If you want to read my old article, go here...

About Fall coming early...

2005-09-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Listening to: someone walking up and down the hallway at work
Thinking about: if I should cook up a steak for dinner or not (Safeway has Top Sirloin Steak on sale for $3.99/lb this week and I stocked up ^^)

I was playing pitch and putt yesterday at Kensington and it already seemed like Fall even though the sun was still shining brightly at me. There was already numerous trees shedding their golden leaves onto the grown. Plus, it's been a bit colder lately and the sun has been setting earlier...Summer is ending =( My favourite season is coming to an end for the year...what will I do now?? Say goodbye to beach weather, to the days of going to the waterslides (which I wasn't unable to do this year), to slushies on a nice hot summer day, and nice lunchtime walks along the Steveston Wharf. Let's welcome in Fall, where it'll be rainy and wet, cold, and congested traffic due to kids going back to school and adults going back to work. Fall does signify a few good things, monthly long weekends (Sept = Labour Day, Oct = Thanksgiving, Nov = Remembrance Day, Dec = Christmas), and mooncakes!

Mooncakes are selling everywhere now. The Mid-Autumn Festival is Sept.18. I may make a trip home for Mid-Autumn Festival, to at least spend the weekend with my family. I wonder if I can request Monday the 19th off so my weekend won't feel as rushed heading home. Mmm...the nice taste of mooncakes melting in my mouth, like those "bing pi" mooncakes with the yellow or red beans. Probably go pick some out next week if I do decide to head home for the weekend to share with my family.

About Warm deal? Hot deal?

2005-09-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Listening to: the humming of my computer...yes, it's loud...need new computer...
Thinking about: when to eat..I'm hungry!

So I'm looking into Las Vegas or New York as a little 3-4 day getaway, but New York doesn't seem feasible. Airfares are at least $100-200 more and hotel is even more costlier. But oh how I would love to skate on the Rockefellar ice rink and look at the giant Christmas tree. I guess LV will do. Las Vegas seems reasonable as of now, but cheaper to fly from Bellingham. I've estimated $460CDN per person based on 4 person occupation at hotel, which includes airfare, transportation to/from Bellingham, and hotel nights in LV. Hope people are able to book..I wouldn't mind going but gotta double check with my boss the dates I get off =p So that's my warm deal I guess...hotels are pretty cheap if you do price comparison and book directly from the hotel.

My hot deal of the day are the 3 previously viewed DVDs I purchased at Rogers Video. I bought The Aviator (a 2-disc collector's edition), In Good Company, and Beyond The Sea, $8 each!! (3 for $24 deal!). They also had Meet The Fockers, Assault on Precinct 13, Are We There Yet?, as soom of the other ones included on the deal (but has to be the $9.99 previously viewed ones). Hmm, maybe I should take a look at some other Rogers Videos to see what other cheap ones I can get...waiting for Crash to come on sale for previously viewed DVDs...I've been waiting to watch that.

Another Year Older...

2005-09-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

Listening to: QMFM - playing some song I thought I knew but forgot the title or singer =p
Thinking about: what to do this weekend...

So I'm another year older. It's been late a couple of days, but Happy Bday to me! As I hit 23, I look back on some of my earlier years (boy, do I sound old). At my birthday dinner (which was at Tropika this year), I was surrounded by my friends and my sister chatting about me (my partying days, what I got for presents, etc). It was great to see everyone out. The highlight would've been James hiding my present inside a box of Fruit Loops...he said my expression was priceless =p I didn't know if I was to cry, laugh, or what!

Went to Todai on Tuesday after a day of shopping in Burlington and Seattle Premium Outlet. Bought myself a pair of pants and a burgandy cardigan at BR. Ate myself to death at Todai...Next time I'm gonna try Eat Factory. Todai didn't have the lobster on weeknights, so be warned if you do go not to expect lobster on weekdays, but since me as the bday girl gets it for free, I didn't care if it was all just fish, shrimp, mussels, and crab. I don't think I'll want seafood anytime soon =p

I think next year I'll just stay here and enjoy a dayoff without the rush rush that we did for our daytrip. Although it was fun to shop at Tulalip..I want to go again and hope that Puma outlet has some other shoes! Want new Puma shoes!!

As me and UnckeyMonkle (she doesn't want her name released) were chatting about trips, I thought it would be nice to go to Las Vegas for Christmas, or even New York. But money is a factor and not everyone has the days off, so we'll see. I think Las Vegas would be fun, wouldn't you? Anybody who has hot travel deals, please let me know!

About End of Summer...

2005-08-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Listening to: nothing but the sound of the keyboard...
Thinking of...what to do with my Birthday BBQ if it rains this Saturday =S

So Summer is coming to an end. Kids going back to school, Labour Day weekend signaling massive traffic and congestion at ferry terminals, airports, bus terminals/stations. End of Summer now that school is over means little to me, except one major important event...MY BIRTHDAY =D

Yep, I'm turning another year older. Was planning a BBQ this year, but it might rain on the weekend I'm holding it. Hopefully there won't be rain on my birthday..there's rarely rain on my birthday =p James and I are going to Todai for my birthday =) YAY! Free birthday meal for me...here comes the all-you-can-eat lobster and dungenous crab and jumbo shrimps! YUMMY!

Anyways things that I've done as of the last blog:
1) Ultimate: We're the Thursday night Division 6 champions! Undefeated in our final trisemester AND in playoffs! Go Fingers!
2) Sex in Vancouver has come to an end. I helped 5 out of 10 nights, and was Asst Stage Manager for 2 of the 5 nights. =D It was a good learning experience! Plus I got paid! (not much, but still...)
3) I coordinated my first conference this past month with my boss. It was amazingly fun and I learned a lot, despite some errors, but I felt that my performance was really good for my first time. Plus everybody at the conference really enjoyed things, and even though I worked 14 hour days at times, it was worth it =)
4) Enrolled in a Conversational Business Mandarin class (starts Sept 19) at UBC Robson Square Continuing Ed. Should be interesting...

About Summer...

2005-07-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Breathe, Michelle Branch
Thinking about: when I can go home so I can rest up...

So I've been told by Joyce that I haven't blogged lately, and I think she's the only one that notices...but it's ok, since blogging for me is generally like a stress relief. I like to blog when I want to clear my mind of what's been happening, but I know if I've set up the blog, I should blog more often, for the entertainment of others.

This summer seems to be the dullest of most summers I've had. In particular, I think the reason is that summers used to mean vacation breaks, enjoying the nice summer weather, both of which I have yet to enjoy this year. Because I only started my job in the middle of May, there will be no special vacation this summer. No exotic trips or even side trips except maybe weekend trips back to Victoria or even up to Kelowna (I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping...). August is a busy month as Sex in Vancouver: Intimate Secrets runs from the 5 until the 20th, so there goes most of my month. Besides, the weather hasn't been the best for summer weather since we've experienced lots of rain this year as to date. Rain rain go away, come again another day.

Although, I do have a few highlights as to date of my summer:
1) Ultimate - we're winning and doing well in Div 6 on Thursday evenings
2) James and I got to go to Kits beach last weekend and do some throwing and watched the sunset (sort of, since we left while it was setting)
3) Bought a bike off of Vicky so been taking it out for a ride, but hope the weather gets better or else it'll be in the garage...plus I'm waiting to use my new helmet if the weather was nicer!
4) Canada Day got to enjoy some nice bands at Granville Island playing jazz...there was a band called the Soul Connection which were really cool! Same weekend, we went to Lonsdale Quay where we saw Luisa Marshall (a Tina Turner impersonator)...James was lucky enough to get to go up and "meet Tina"...

About My New Job...

2005-05-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Listening: to a song I can't remember the name to on Z95 @ work...
Thinking about: how long til I finish work today...

So I'm starting a new job next Monday. My endless efforts of sending in resumes and cover letters have finally paid off. I will be an event planner!! Well, technically I'll be an Event and Conference Coordinator for an event planning company that does the Education and Career Fairs each year in BC, as well as conferences. I'm so excited =) Only bummer is that it's out in Steveston...what's out in Steveston anyways??

I went to the States on Sunday to do some shopping and luckily my bf came with me or else I swear I would've bought too much stuff for my own good..overspending = evil... There's so many sales going on, and so many new styles of summer clothing (shoes, sandals, tank tops, skirts, etc), that I think I would've gone bankrupt if not for my bf...I heard there's a new outlet mall that opened in Tulalip called Seattle Premium...I saw the listing and it was a Banana Republic Outlet =D and some other really good ones, like Nike Outlet and stuff ... must avoid...

About Stars On Ice~May 1!

2005-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Jesse's Girl on Z...
Thinking about: "Should I go for a workout today or not?"

HSBC Stars on Ice is coming up this Sunday evening! Yay! Time to see the stars come out and shine! Can't wait to see David Pelletier and Jamie Sale skate since they retired after winning that controversial gold medal at the Olympic games...ohhh and Kurt Browning is always amazing to watch! Best of all, the tickets were a gift, so I am not needing to spend money to attend and watch them live :) Just hope I can see from the seats I have...since they're in the upper bowl of GM Place...

On Science World, Shiru-Bay, Guys & Dolls!

2005-04-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Listening to: the quiet humming of my computer at 9am on a Sunday morning (why can I not sleep in anymore???)
Thinking of: What shall I do today?

Yesterday was a really funfilled, exciting day for me. James and I went to Science World to see the Lego Exhibit. It wasn't as big as I had expected it to be, but it was still really cool to see Lego can build so many things, like a giant Dora the Explorer and her friends...as well as a castle at the entrance with a very large fiery dragon. There was also an amusement park built out of lego, with moving ferris wheel and roller coaster! What I really liked about Science World was the interactive activities, learning about physics and stuff based on those activities. Too bad we didn't get to try out the mind relaxation activity, where two people sit at the ends of a table and put on this head gear that reads the brain waves. Both people are trying to relax and see who can relax the most (which will then move a tiny little ball in the middle of them over to their end). There was always so many people there!

For dinner, we went to Shiru-Bay Chopsticks on Hamilton Street. YUM! That place is delicious! We had the Chili Ebi-Mayo (which is deep-fried prawns glazed with japanese mayo and chili sauce), Dragonball Roll (sushi that included prawn, avacado, tobiko, and salmon caviar), Traditional Cheese tofu (served with baguettes), Seared tuna mackeral (the one that is seared right in front of you, then they take it back to the chef and he prepares it into a salad and sashimi), and Asparagus & meat gyozas (they're like regular gyozas except there's a big long asparagus sticking out of it)...MMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........and we also shared a green tea cheesecake that was delicious..it melted in your mouth. My favorite dish was probably a tie between the Chili Ebi-Mayo and the Dragonball Roll. Must go there and try more dishes, but for sure those two top my list!

After dinner, because a friend was in the production, we went to the Metro Theatre on SW Marine Dr/Granville to watch Guys & Dolls. We had awesome seats, 4 rows from the stage and dead centre...plus, the show was amazing! As a musical production, there was a lot of exciting points in the play with the singing and the dancing. The Guys were amazing, and the Dolls were great! I especially loved the character of Adelaide. The actress who played her had to talk in a New Yorker accent, but she really pulled it off nicely! And the guy who played Sky Masterson was a pretty good singer. Even though the Metro is a smaller theatre than most in the city, I really loved the atmosphere, and since it was closing night, everybody was smiling, laughing, and raving about the show. What a night!

About "Guys and Dolls"...

2005-04-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Try by Nelly Furtado
Thinking about: what to do with my time before I leave work today...BLOG!

Going to catch Guys and Dolls next Saturday night at the Metro Theatre. Alfred Liu, a fellow cast member from the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, is in the play, so us cast/crew members from VACT are going out to support him on his final night. Should be quite exciting! Reminds me of the time I use to be part of musical theatres myself...back in junior high...of course I wasn't onstage...just doing props/backstage stuff...*sigh* the memories...

About Sin City...

2005-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Jewel on Z95 at work...
Thinking about: how I'll survive another 3 hours of work...

Sin City was the top movie at the box office this past weekend...not surprising compared to some of its competition. I went on Saturday night to watch Sin City, a movie from the original comic book series by Frank Miller. It was a dark movie, filmed in black and white, and like comic books, only has certain hints of color, such as blood, cars, eyes, some clothing, and the yellow monster...

My take on Sin City ** spoilers **:
- filming was cool - I liked how it was in classic black and white with some color...
- blockbuster cast of actors/actresses
- I liked how the bad guys died in the movie, but at the same time not all the good guys lived...
- cheesy lines made it funny
- a bit too much gore/violence...wasn't expecting such violent displays (Kevin being cut up and eaten by the wolf or when the Yellow monster got his "weapon" ripped out)...

Overall I thought it was a cool movie, something different from the usual comedies or war films and dramas out there. I was just a bit disturbed at some of the violent scenes, and at the end of the film, I saw lots of people still sitting in the audience, probably trying to figure out how to recover from watching some disturbing parts of the movie, or wondering why sweet innocent Rory from Gilmore Girls is now Becky, a prostitute sell-out in Sin City...=S

For a New Job...

2005-03-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

Listening to: Gilmore Girls playing on my TV...it's snowing in this episode!
Thinking of: how long it'll take me to finish this congee since I'm typing away on this blog...

I need a new job soon! Not that there's anything that bad with my current job, but I'd love a higher paying, more challenging job...I have about 4-5 jobs I want to apply for but feel lazy...I know I have to submit my applications soon...

Anybody know of anyone wanting to hire an event planner?? Hehe...would love something exciting in that industry..planning parties is FUN!

I think if I can't find a new job by the summer time, I'm hoping to use the time to volunteer and increase my event planning experience...parties galore!!

Speaking of partying and fun...to those who are interested: www.vact.ca

Sex in Vancouver ... Undressed (April 3, 10-12 @ The Roundhouse)
See Episodes 1 & 2 one last time!
A special return engagement of Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre’s popular continuing series of plays that has sold-out audiences laughing, crying, lusting and cheering for 4 hot Asian girlfriends ... and the hopeless men in their lives.
Why is Elizabeth crashing her ex-fiancé’s wedding?
Who’s in bed with Tess and her husband?
Who keeps calling Jenna’s boyfriend?
What’s Shari doing in the women’s washroom?

I'll be helping as a stage hand and ticket seller for the shows...the shows are hilarious! I watched them in the past two years and can't wait til the 3rd episode..for those who haven't seen it, come!!

About Easter Holiday...

2005-03-23T11:17:00.000-08:00

Listening to: Z95 music/commercials
Thinking about: this weekend...

Counting down until the Easter holiday in which most people get a 3 or 4 day long weekend. I get 4 1/2 days off of work (Thursday is a short day for me). But most people, I believe, has forgotten the origins of Easter. Instead we are bombarded with the idea of chocolates galore and the Easter bunny. Whatever happened to the belief of what was depicted by Mel Gibson in Passion of The Christ? Perhaps we should all take a moment to reflect and think back about that movie...that movie made me cry, to think anybody could endure such torture and pain. Or for those who aren't Christian, perhaps think about human nature? Is a holiday based on material goods or compassion for others?

This holiday I'll be going to visit family, and visiting those I've long forgotten to do so, even if they passed away many years ago. It's not about having a holiday to go on a vacation somewhere in the Bahamas, Disneyland, or something like that...It's not about going to lavish Easter Brunches at some high-end restaurant...It's not about any of that. I'd trade in that for a nice afternoon home with the ones I care about, making them brunch at home instead.

About a Holiday...

2005-03-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

I don't want to work...I just wanna bang on the drums all day...or at least go on vacation!

Can't wait til Easter...til I get a break from things! Hope it's a nice weekend. Will be heading to Victoria for the weekend. Want to: drive up to Long Beach (dependent on weather), visit my cousin's new baby daughter, eat out at some of the new restaurants that have opened up, visit friends, play pool at Peacock's, and just lazy around...hehe!

Anyone wanna come?

About Skating...

2005-03-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

Ever watch movies that were filmed in New York and they had the outdoor skating rink? Isn't it romantic seeing that in the film Serendipity or even Home Alone? Central Park and Rockefeller Centre both have them, considering that it's so cold in the winter time in New York. I did some research and Ottawa's Rideau Canal is supposed to be quite nice for outdoor skating too in the winter. Calgary/Edmonton, some northern interior BC places, they all have outdoor rinks. The only place here in Vancouver that has that is Grouse Mountain. Now considering that it costs $27 to ride up Grouse Mountain, it's not really worth it to skate up on the pond there, unless you're going up there to ski/snowboard or eat.

I went up to Grouse today for Sunday Brunch. What I thought was Sunday brunch wasn't what I expected. Usually when I'm paying $30 per person, I thought Sunday brunch is buffet style. Nope, not on Grouse at the Observatory. But I think the view made up for it, plus besides, what do you expect? The brunch INCLUDED the skyride up to the mountain, so if you subject $27 from the $30 brunch, it was a good deal after all. It was a really nice and sunny day, so actually, I thought it would be nice to go up for brunch and skate outdoors. Well after brunch, we were just about to lace up our skates when the attendant came and said he was shutting down the pond because it was too warm out!! >_< NooOoOoooo...How disappointing...so I'm left wanting to go outdoor ice skating...just dreaming of that...

@ Work disturbed...

2005-03-09T14:08:00.000-08:00

Listening to: Z95 commercials...
Thinking about: MSN reported this today:
MSN News: Tokyo, Japan
Now why would anybody live with a dead body?? Very disturbing... =S

Daydreaming about...my side trips...gonna try to head back to Victoria for Easter weekend, but it seems quite long to spend the whole long weekend in Victoria...hope the weather is nice. Will then go upisland. Chemainus/Parksville would be nice, or Long Beach (since I haven't been there). I want a nice sunny weekend to walk around Victoria and along the beach...I want summer to come!

@ Home...

2005-03-08T22:57:00.000-08:00

Listening to: the quiet stillness of the night, and the humming of my laptop...
Thinking about: darn Whistler accomodations, so expensive for an overnight trip...

Daydreaming about...the DaVinci Code! Reading the book and so immersed into the idea of a conspiracy of the Vatican and the secrets that lie wtihin the Holy Grail...even with the illustrated edition, my imagination is going wild! The vivid descriptions of the arts and the cryptography and symbols involved are so amazing. Plus, a lot of the art and history they discuss in the book are real, so it makes the story more believable. No wonder this book is such a bestseller! For those who have not read it and like conspiracy novels, this is the book! I think I've read too much John Grisham...makes this book so much more interesting since it's a new type of conspiracy....worth the hype I've been hearing...half way done, so gotta finish the other half this week or else I'll end up wondering about it for the rest of the month! ^^

@ Work...

2005-03-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Listening to: No Scrubs by TLC on Z95...
Thinking about: When lunch will be...

Daydreaming about...this blog! Previously, I owned other weblogs, but I thought I would start up a new one, change it to a different format. Even though this will probably end up being me ranting and raving as usual, I thought I'd invest some time into making a nicer looking and regular updating weblog = http://daydreamforeverblue.blogspot.com .

@ Work it's slow, so I'm daydreaming about a weekend trip to Whistler. Looking up accomodation prices, perhaps maybe a weekend trip is out of my budget...although it would be fun, but might have to settle for a day trip. Anyone wanna come join me?