Reflection

2010 has been a memorable one for me. I was able to be in Vancouver where 2010 Winter Olympic was held. I was lucky to be able to enjoy ice-skating live among other proud Canadians. The spirit around the city was unbelievable!

2010, I also made a huge investment in my life which was purchasing a new "nest" for myself. It was the biggest decision I've made so far in life and talking about it now still gives me the chills. It will definitely be a new chapter for me. By next summer I'll be enjoying a nice glass of rich red on my balcony looking out to the beautiful cityview! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

This year has brought in some ups and downs for me but as someone said, I only want to remember the ups and forget the downs. We have to remind ourselves that our life is only so short so why should we sweat it. So my new year resolution is to go out and enjoy life, live everyday in happiness, work hard and play hard. Cheers!

vacation time

It's finally time for my 2 weeks vacation....yay! Even though I've been taking a day here and there throughout the year it's just not the same. Although this is definitely not my first time to HK I'm still excited. I wonder if this is due to a companion that will be joining me on this trip...:)

I already did some searching and checking for interesting places to go and things to eat. It's been over 15 years that J has been to HK and lots has changed. We'll even be going to Macau for 2 days and he can definitely see how Macau has outrun Vegas. One major thing I forgot to mention is that this will be the first time he meet my parents. Don't know how it's going to turn out but hope he will pass the toughest critic, who is my Mom.

We are both overdue for a holiday and this is a "real" vacation for us not just another mini getaway. Hopefully this will rejuvenate our relationship and push us into a different level.

Fall 2010

What happened to our 2010, didn't we just experienced an amazing winter Olympics not too long ago? In 2 1/2 months till we call it a year and hello 2011. As we grow older the years seems to fly by ever so quickly year after year and it is getting a bit intimidating.

Fall was never a season of my favorite, the only thing that keeps me going is my birthday and the rest of the time I have to rely on thinking Christmas is just around the corner to keep me going. I dreaded the weather that comes with fall. If you are in a bad relationship with someone try not to break up in the fall as it will totally drag you down to the lowest point. Well, due to the weather being gloomy, rainy which makes it worst. Although we are lucky this year that we've been having some gorgeous days throughout the fall so far. The weather has a strange effect on me, if it is sunny out I feel more energetic, happy but if it happened to be a rainy day I will feel lazy, moody.

Talk about this fall I do have something else to look forward to, which is my trip to HK at the end of November. Usually I'm not overly excited about it since that's where I normally go for my vacation due to my parents being there. I often wish I can be elsewhere if only my parents can come visit me in Van. instead. This time I will not be going alone as I will be bringing Jason and I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun since this is only the 2nd time he's been back and the last time was way back in the 90's. A lot has changed and it will be great to explore HK with him. Plus I will be there for the birth of my little precious niece. In just 42 days........

Summer 2010

Gees, can't believe I have not updated my blog for soooooo long. Been a case of laziness and busy schedule.

So far the summer has been going nicely, good weather, not too hot and of course plenty of sun. Of course everyone likes the sun but I must say I hate it as much as I like it due to my allergy to it. I will break out in hives if I even attempt to bathed in the sun so I just avoid it altogether and slap on tons of sunblock on my face.
A couple of highlights this summer is a little weekend getaway to the Sunshine Coast and staying at a lovely B&B with Jason, watching a Cirque production, Kooza and lastly seeing one of my favorite singer...Michael Buble towards the end of August. You can say it is a fairly good summer for me. Although I wouldn't mind going away on a long vacation. I guess going to HK in November will be that "vacation" but I consider that just a family gathering more than anything. Perhaps a side trip can be plan along. Hmmmmmm, where????

What crazy things should I do????

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

— Mark Twain(via rainier)

Victoria day long weekend

It seems like this long weekend is too long overdue and finally it came but it's almost gone now. Even though I was so looking forward to it but I did not plan anything special to do. The only thing I wanted to do was to spend time with J.

The premiere to the long weekend was a "supposedly" big VIP event our company hosted at our new project, River Green's story center on Friday. Everyone got all dolled up which was a nice change from our normal everyday un-glam work outfits. We were expecting approx. 200+ guests but as it turned out, possibly due to being the long weekend only 100+ guests showed up. Red carpet was rolled out, along with a bar and mini mingle tables for guest out by the front entry. A stage with podium was on the main floor and another bar up on the roof top level and hors-d'oeuvres were served. A cute but frankinstienish cocktail was served(a blue/green fluid with smoke and bubbles)and it was ever so popular at the party. The highlight of the party was we invited the long track relay speed skating team and they were the soul and pride flashing their big cute smiles and gold medals. Us girls managed to sneak some photos with them and we all looked like little fans.

The first day was more or less with J watching the playoffs as his "team" the Montreal Canadians was playing the quarter finals. We managed to watch "Letters to Juliet" which was a movie that we both looked forward to watching since the trailer seemed pretty good. As it turned out, it was a very romantic movie with lots of breathtaking scenery in Italy.

On Sunday, we got together with some friends and play Mahjong. I can't remember when was the last time I played but it was refreshing for the mind. Ended up both me and J won at the tables we played in. The night concluded with a late night sumptuous seafood dinner consisted of large prawns and lobsters. We all left with a pretty full belly.

Today, being the last day of the long weekend, we took it easy. We decided to have lunch at Granville island and both tried the potpies at “A la Mode". J had the clam chowder potpie and I opted for the corn chowder potpie. It was a whopping $9 per pie, which was a bowl of soup with pouf pastry on top. I think it was a bit much for a pouf pastry soup but it was good. Afterwards, we wandered around the market and I couldn't resist but bought my favorite "rainier" cherries plus some bright red large strawberries. I don't know what it is with the fruits at Granville island but they always look so fresh and makes your mouth water that it's hard to resist buying some although they are a bit high priced.
We headed home soon after since J had to catch game 4 of the Stanley playoffs around 4pm. The game is 3-1 Philadelphia in the 2nd period but I have faith in the Habs and they will make us proud once again. Go Habs Go!!!!!

Long time no blog

It's been awhile since my last entry and it's almost May! Almost 1/2 year has gone by and what have I archieve so far except for having something called "Rotator's cuff syndrome". Here's my advice for all you fellow workers that work your 8 hours a day sitting behind a desk. STRETCHING exercise is a must!!!! Go ahead and get up to stretch every 1/2 hour or so and not let the other curious stares stop you. I wouldn't be here telling you this if I was smart enough to do so before.;( Right now my right arm cannot even extend right up and let me tell you it ain't fun when you can't even do up your own b.a.

But I'm not here to whine but just needed a breather and mostly to remind all what lack of exercise and bad postures can lead us to. Or maybe we just need to start suggesting to our boss that in order for us to be more productive we need to be able to take more breaks so that we can get away from our desk and do more stretching exercise........hmmmmm, I wonder if Starbucks will allow people to do that kind of exercise there.

The doctor said it will eventually go away after a few months to a year but what if I turn out to be one of those lucky ones and my new friend decides to stay longer!!!!! It's a total drag when one have to use their right arm everyday. Maybe tomorrow I will win the lotto max and my right arm and me can take a long break. Yeah baby!

What's in store tomorrow?

We hear alot of people say "Tomorrow is another day" but in what sense? Tomorrow is a brand new day? Tomorrow is like any old day? Tomorrow will be a better day? I have to say nobody knows what tomorrow will bring and can only hope for a better one or equally good as today.

For a couple of years I have been spending my every day as they come and have no care in what the next day will bring. Everyday just became a routine for me, I had nothing to look forward to. Day in day out I just lived my life and seem to have lost the purpose in life. Or should I say I was completely lost and don't know where my life should go.

Soon after I moved back into town that I found the purpose in life again. It was to have a decent career to support the life I want, to embrace my personal life that I've lost touch with the years I worked overseas and mainly just to be content with myself. I'm glad to say I am truly happy where my life is at right now. I have a good job, recently bought a place with someone special that we can call our own and living in a beautiful city. What more can I ask for. Thank you for bringing me back to this city, thank you for guiding me into the right path, thank you for sending him into my life. Thank you. I look forward to what the future has to hold for me....

Happiness is.........

Happiness is when you can walk hand in hand with your loved one.

Happiness is when you can eat whatever you like without having to worry about your cholestorol, weight and any other little things we all seem to have.

Happiness is when you can still see the bright blue sky, picture perfect mountain views and calm deep blue sea with your eyes.

Happiness is when you are content with your life and make each day a better day than the one before.

Happiness is when you can live, love and laugh.

Enjoy each day, love yourself, love your family, love your beloved and love others.

To own or not to own

I read the chinese newspaper yesterday about the latest on our housing market. The article talks about how first time home purchase will be tougher and tougher for buyers and possibly a chance of not even being able to afford one with the market raising so rapidly in BC.

Then today on MSN, a survey came out telling us which Canadian cities have cheaper housing market which ones have the highest. Guess what, our BC province made the top 2, Vancouver being the no.1most expensive city to live in. If you want cheap houses you'll have to think about residing in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Should we be thrill that our market is so hot that it top the chart? With the speed of our market growth, what's going to happen to the next group of first time home buyers? I don't see a hugh increase on our salary but the property prices are sky-rocketing.

I remember when I first came to Vancouver back in the mid 80's, an average brand new Vancouver special(people lived here long enough should know what type of houses I'm talking about) cost approximately $180,000.00 to possibly mid $200,000.00. Then 20+ years later you tell me I can only buy half a condo with that price?? Does that mean the potential first time home buyers can possibly turn to rentals only if there's nothing out there they can afford? Or can we only make such big purchase with the help of either your better half, your family members or perhaps a group of friends?? People, better get with it or else you'll always be stuck in that old smelly basement. Now, that's not a very happy thought....

Did you smile today?

How often do you see a person smiling while walking down the street? Would you think they're kookoo if they do? Perhaps there's something good for them to smile about. Maybe their bf/gf just texted them a little love msg, they just got a raise at work or many more other reasons. Could it be because they are content with their lives?
Does someone really need a reason to smile and be happy with their lives? Living each day is already a blessing and is definitely something that should put a smile to our face. Imagine all the natural disasters, sickness, wars happening around us but yet we are still living each day, why shouldn't that be a blessing.
Starting tomorrow, smile and enjoy each day! You will see what a great life you have in your hands.

This is where it begins....

Here I am, my very first post on here. I'm a bit lost for words. Don't know what this blogging will take me but I know it will be something good and positive.

My feelings after the first entry.......

I think I'll have more to write about next time so tune in. Good night and sweet dreams Vancouver.