A quote to live by:

Be passionate about nothing, but LIFE itself.
- Nikki, 31 December 2009

It is what drives you, so let it be the spark that lights up every single day, the light that guides you in the darkest of nights.

Happy 2010 everyone!

He Broke Your Memory Last Night

Reba McEntire
He Broke Your Memory Last Night

Like a rare piece of crystal
Like a fine china cup
I kept your memory all safely locked up
Afraid I could never love somebody new
I was trying to save what I had left of you

Then he broke your memory last night
I felt it shatter inside
I guess he held me a little too right
He broke your memory last night

The moment he touched me with his gentle hands
Your memory crumbled like a house built on sand
He swept all the pieces of your love away
And then gave me his love to put in its place

Cause he broke your memory last night
I felt it shatter inside
I guess he held me a little too right
He broke your memory last night
He broke your memory last night

This year..

From my blog on 31 December 2008:

Resolutions? (I only mean them in a semi-joking way..)
1) Improve on my cooking.
2) Do well in school.
3) Eat healthier.
4) Watch more drama. *I say this every year and I end up watching less..*
5) Clean my room more.

Errrr. I officially declare that resolutions are LAME. Why did I even bother in the first place?

I think I did pretty well.. Drama trend is continuing.. Only watched one or two the whole year.. LOL.. In terms of cooking, eating, school, cleaning.. Not bad at all, I'll say!

♥ Vancouver ♥

Today is just another reason to LOVE♥ LOVE♥ LOVE♥ Vancouver..



Gorgeous sunny day, perfect weather. All bundled up nice and warm, walking along the stretch of Point Grey, alternating between looking out to the shores of West Vancouver, Stanley Park, Downtown, and looking at houses on the beach front...



Walked all the way from Macdonald Street, to Jericho Beach.. Very good walk, not even that cold. It was great to just have some fresh air, have some time alone, away from all the bustle.. Clear the mind, forget all thoughts, just taking in the cool winter air in the sunshine..



Love the clear blue skies, the clear waters, the panoramic view of the city.. The perfect reason to love this city more than I ever did..



The only thing missing? That someone special...

Nothing On But The Radio

Nothing On But The Radio
Gary Allen

I sure do hope this is a long night
Cause I have never felt one so right
Each look into your eyes, I'm falling
A little more and more

Looks like we started us a fire
Wrapped up in flames of desire
With every touch, they're burning higher
Two shadows dancing on the wall

With nothing on but the radio
Feel the music playing soft and slow
You and me and the lights down low
With nothing on but the radio

We'll fall asleep here in the moonlight
In tangled sheets, we'll be here all night
And when we wake up in the morning
We might stay like this all day
Two people meant to be together
Two lovers dreaming of forever
And it just keeps on getting better
With every tender little kiss

Nothing on but the radio
Feel the music playing soft and slow
You and me and the lights down low
With nothing on but the radio

Two people meant to be together
Two lovers dreaming of forever
And it just keeps on getting better

With nothing on but the radio
Feel the music playing soft and slow
You and me and the lights down low
With nothing on but the radio

You and me and the lights down low
With nothing on but the radio

Merry Christmas! May the sunshine be with you! :)

Just A Love Song

Christian Bautista
Just A Love Song

Here we are again
And words are hard to find
But I guess that never was my style
All I have to offer is my song
So I play it well
'Cause it's all for you

It's just a love song
And I will sing it all for you
Just a love song
A simple melody for two
But to me it sounds just like a symphony
And when the words have come and gone
My love will linger on for you

Hope you'll understand
How much you mean to me
All the ways you've brought me happiness
Just to say it isn't quite enough
So I'll play it well
And I hope you'll see

It's just a love song
And I will sing it all for you
Just a love song
A simple melody for two
But to me it sounds just like a symphony
Just a love song,
Just a love song for you

It's not easy for easy for me baby
I know it's hard to understand
I get that feeling every time
I try to say I love you

All the feelings I have locked inside my soul
All the magic you bring out in me
You're my inspiration, my every dream
So listen well and I think you'll know

It's just a love song
And I will sing it all for you
Just a love song
A simple melody for two
But to me it sounds just like a symphony
Just a love song
And when the words have come and gone
My love will linger on for you

Just a love song
Just a love song for you

Holidays are here! Time to start preparing Christmas cards, presents, party, cooking and baking!!!! So many things to do.. So many things I want to bake!!! But this cloudy weather is making me sleepy.. I am ironically bored at home..

Looks like there's no snow this year.. Forecast is SUNNY on Xmas day! How pretty would that be??

My shopping list is growing by the second.. Sigh.. Good thing I saved quite a lot last month..

Blabber

Freaking out about Old English exam now!!!!! I really have no motivation to study... Exam's in 4 hours~~~~

By the way Brad Paisley is really pleasant to the eyes:



Cowboy hats intrigue me.

I wanna watch Brokeback Mountain again!

Bo Bo Cha Cha 101

This is my healthier, homemade version of the traditional Southeast Asian dessert.. I know it's not 100% authentic, but it was the best I could do, plus it's easy!


Step 1: Dice up yams.


Step 2: Add boiling water to tapioca flour, stir till it becomes a dough-like consistency.


Step 3: Roll out using hands and cut into cubes.


Step 4: Boil the yams and the flour cubes until cooked, and then turn off the heat and add coconut milk.


Step 5: Add sugar, stir well.


Step 6: Enjoy!


Success!!!

LIFE IS LEARNING

Sometimes, you don't learn things in school. You learn them from LIFE.

I know I have learnt a lot, especially this term. Yes, I did learn about Old English and the Canadian tax system over the course of this term in school, but I have picked up even more lessons from life in these short 3 months.

I have learned different approaches to different things. That different cultures take matters differently.. There is no right or wrong way of doing it; it's just what you personally prefer.

I have learned that things happen so quickly before our eyes that when we realize it, it has already taken so many twists and turns that it's going to be impossible to turn back and retrace the steps. Life is irreversible; we just gotta keep moving ahead as much as we want to go back and re-do what went wrong.

I have learned that we must treasure whatever we have and not push it aside until when we need it, it's gone. No matter how significant or insignificant something may seem, even the tiniest paper cuts on your hands are there for a reason. Everything is there because it just happens that way. We should take everything in our stride, and face it. Everything is there because it's important. We must not overlook the small things when we are looking at bigger issues at hand.

I have learned that people in our lives are to be loved, to be cherished, to be kept close to our hearts. One little action is enough to push them over the edge and into the vast ocean where we may never find them again.

I have learned never to let emotions take over your mind. When the mind is frazzled, it tends to do irrational things which will lead to the departure of the other important things around us.. A calm mind will lead to rational actions..

Yet most of all, surprisingly in contradiction to what I have said above, I have learned that sometimes we should not hold back too much. Sometimes we just need to let things flow naturally and not build artificial barriers against what we think we are afraid of. Do not build up walls against emotions. Leave a doorway for them to pass, and nature will take its course.

And that will conclude my lessons from these last months of 2009. And yes, appropriately, the night before my metaphor class's final exam, I will end with a metaphor: LIFE IS A LEARNING PROCESS. You never stop learning. Just keep that in mind; there is so much out there that life has to teach us.

Apparently, have been so busy with exams, or rather, lack of exams.. That I nearly forgot about this space.. Until Shumz said, "Eh I commented on your post!" ROFL your comment is funny!!

Besides that, why do I say lack of exams? Cos I've only basically had one.. But the rest of the days were filled with... DRAMA. Not my own though.. So just basically providing moral support, trying to study, relaxing, pretending to study.. Slowly going through Old English vocabs..

I can't wait till Friday exam's over! Then I'll be done another term! Sigh, now I really can't bear to leave Vancouver anymore.. I dunno why.. My mind keeps fluctuating... How?!!?!

In Your Arms Again

George Canyon & Crystal Shawanda
In Your Arms Again

Its 2am and I cant sleep
Its been like this all week
We lost another good man yesterday
I close my eyes and say your name
Its the only thing that keeps me sane
Thinking of you half a world away

I fight the tears
Its hard to live like this
Lying here
So much that i wish

That every child would know the taste of freedom
There are dreams still worth believing
And that just might come true in the end
I want all these troubles far behind us
Better days to come and find us
And I just want to be in your arms again

Its 6am I need more sleep
Its been another long hard week
The kids are wearing me all but down
I close my eyes and say your name
Its the only thing that keeps me sane
Silence is such a lonely sound

Oh baby be safe
I know you've got a job to do
Keep the faith
And all the love I'm sending you

Let every child know the taste of freedom
There are dreams still worth believing
That just might come true in the end
I want all these troubles far behind us
Better days to come and find us
I just wanna be in your arms again

Ohh whatever I may have to do
Nothing's gonna stop me coming back to you
Every stolen moment washed away
I want all these troubles far behind us
Better days to come and find us
I just wanna be in your arms again,
I just wanna be in your arms again
Again...

Please Don't Ask Me

John Farnham
Please Don't Ask Me

Please don't ask me
What am I thinkin'
It's about you.
And please don't ask me,
I never can see you
What can I do?

My first impulse is to run to your side
My heart's not free and so I must hide
Please don't ask me
What I'm gonna say to you.

I toss and turn
can't sleep at night
It's worrying me
I go to bed,
Turn out the light
But your face I see...

It only hurts, the more I pretend
That we could ever be more than friends
Please don't ask me
Why I'm so in love with you.

You could easily make me happy
That I know...
But I'll try my best
to never tell you so.

I will sing to you my love songs
And pretend...
And I'll keep the secret
Right down to the end.

Please don't ask me
Why I'm not talkin'
I just can't explain
And please don't ask me
Why I go walkin'
Out in the rain.

I could not live the lie it would take
To have you near would be a mistake
Please don't ask me
Why I'm so in love with you...

No... Please don't ask me...

I know you have moved on. Pictures don't lie.

I felt somewhat relieved.

But one thing got me laughing. Why the resemblance?!

wants and needs :D

things i really want right now but have to postpone till after 490 paper is done and probably have to wait till after exams: (not necessarily feasible)

- SLEEP

- jacuzzi / hot tub

- massage for shoulders

- shopping (skinny jeans)

- wreck beach sunset (which i might do before friday)

- attempt to make bo bo cha cha

- big bear hug

- rice + furikake

- look at grad pictures (which hasn't come in the mail yet)

- RELAXING!

Let's Make Love

Usually I like the lyrics because they match my feelings so aptly..

But in this case, the lyrics are so simple, and yet they match the music so well to create a sensual feeling.. Sexual lyrics, yet the music puts you in a sensual mood... Not lust...

Faith Hill And Tim McGraw
Lets Make Love

Baby I've been drifting away
Dreaming all day
Of holdng you
Touching you

The only thing I want to do
Is be with you
As close to you
As I can be

Let's make love
All night long
Until all our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go
I want to feel you in my soul
Until the sun comes up
Let's make love
Oh, baby

Do you know what you do to me
Everything inside of me
Is wanting you
And needing you
I'm so in love with you
Look in my eyes
Let’s get lost tonight
In each other

Let's make love
All night long
Until all our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go
I want to feel you in my soul
Until the sun comes up
Let's make love

Let's make love
All night long
Until all our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go
I want to feel you in my soul
Until the sun comes up
Oh, until the sun comes up
Let's make love

Oh baby, let's make love
All night long
All night long
Let’s make love

Confused

Is it looking like 2 parallel lines now? 

//

Or is it 3?

///

It can be either one.

As in, this situation could be parallel to that situation.

Or three entities could all be on a parallel path.

How can one take a U-turn?

Fishin' in the dark

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Fishin' in the dark

Lazy yellow moon coming up tonight
Shining through the trees
Crickets are singing
And the lightning bugs are floating on the breeze
Baby get ready

Across the field where the creek turns back
By the old stump road
Im going to take you to a special place
That nobody knows
Baby get ready
Ooo ooo ooo

You and me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We’ll be falling in love in the middle of the night
Just moving slow
Staying the whole night through
Feels so good to be with you

Spring is almost over and the summers comin'
The days are getting long
Waited all winter for the time to be right
Just to take you along
Baby get ready

And it don’t matter if we sit forever
And the fish don’t bite
Jump in the river and cool ourselves
from the heat of the night
Baby get ready

Ooo ooo ooo

You and me going fishin in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We’ll be falling in love in the middle of the night
Just moving slow
Staying the whole night through
Feels so good to be with you

And me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We’ll be falling in love in the middle of the night
Just moving slow
You and me going fishin’ in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
You and me going fishin in the dark

Good Motivation!

My very hilarious professor (as depicted in my wonderful drawing)

Rie and I were doing research for the report, and we take turns sending him emails because we cannot find much information..

Here's his reply to me:

(SO FUNNY!)

Hi Nikki,
It seems that you guys are enjoying research. This is awesome. Really, I mean it.
I would definitely encourage you to collect data from other sources. If you can do that will be really great. I am very interested to see the results. Because, honestly, this is a learning process for me as well. I am looking forward to learn from all the reports from the students. So, I will really appreciate if you provide data from some other sources as well.

However, you may not get poverty data for Singapore at all. I remember something was mentioned about poverty data in Singapore in the miracle paper. As far as I remember it is not available for long enough time or something. Nevertheless, give it a shot. One big quality for a researcher is to use data in a way which is not very obvious. Using other social indicators' data if poverty data is missing, is a very good idea. You are thinking in a right track. I am impressed. Keep it up.
Best,

(name removed)

We have good motivation to keep doing this paper now! =)

Need You Now

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Picture perfect memories,
Scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone 'cause
I can’t fight it any more.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.

It’s a quarter after one
I’m all alone and I need you now.
Said I wouldn’t call but I lost all control
And I need you now.
And I don’t know how I can do without
I just need you now.

Another shot of whiskey
Can’t stop looking at the door.
Wishing you’d come sweeping in
The way you did before.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time.

It’s a quarter after one
I’m a little drunk,
And I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control
And I need you now. 
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now.

Yes I’d rather hurt
Than feel nothing at all

It’s a quarter after one,
I’m all alone and I need you now.
And I said I wouldn’t call
But I’m a little drunk
And I need you now.
And I don’t know how I can do without
I just need you now.
I just need you now.
Oh baby I need you now

My Heart Is Open

Keith Urban - My Heart is Open

I thought I was doing alright being alone
I swore I’d never let somebody get close again
I was never gonna let my guard down, not for anyone
But there’s a light in your eyes and it’s got me movin' in
And tonight these walls are all coming down

My heart is open
I’m letting you in
Cause you give me a reason
And the faith I’ve been needing to start again
And your love is healing
I’m finally breathing
I’ve been waiting so long hoping for this moment
My heart is open

These days it seems like
Everybody’s just walking away
Like there’s no forever
And love is just a game
But don’t you know you can believe me
When I say that I’m your man

My heart is open
I’m letting you in baby
Cause you give me a reason
And the faith I’ve been needing to start again
And your love is healing
I’m finally breathing
I’ve been waiting so long hoping for this moment
My heart is open

I can’t wait anymore, no no
Because I’ve got nothing left to prove
And I’ve got so much left to use
That’s why I’m tearing out the walls
And baby I’m kicking down the doors

And your love is healing
Baby, I’m finally breathing
I can hear you calling,
I’m ready to fall in love again
My heart is open
My heart is open
My heart is open

Salt 'n' Pepper

I don't wanna name my dogs Basil and Cilantro anymore..

I wanna name them Salt 'n' Pepper.

Salt and pepper go so well together.. Oh well, maybe it might be hard for me to keep 2 dogs..

Maybe a pair of black and white hamsters.. That might work better ;)

Ok settled! I am gonna have one white and one black hamster...

- Appropriately written while eating salt-and-pepper potato chips

Heavy rain

I like it when it rains heavily... More atmosphere... When the rain falls lightly, it feels like it's trying so hard to rain but it's not scucceeding.. Almost raining like a wuss, I'll say.

When it pours, the sound of the rain drowns out your thoughts, giving your mind a break momentarily... The sound of the water hitting your umbrella calms you down, just like the ocean..

Being under an umbrella in the heavy rain also makes me feel very fortunate.. Fortunate enough to have shelter over my head... That I have an umbrella to keep me dry.. Also makes me feel that my umbrella is very useful, when the heavy rain soaks it till it drips.. The light rain doesn't give the umbrella this sense of satisfaction...

Even without an umbrella, light drizzles make you wet and cold but you are unlikely to do anything but let your clothes dry by themselves. With a good downpour, it soaks into your clothes right down to your insides and you will HAVE to take a shower, which you then change into warm clean clothes which always makes one feel warm and fuzzy.

If you are staying inside.. You see the rain hitting the window while you are safe and dry inside.. It makes you want to snuggle up with someone.. Sit by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate...

Rain is annoying, but a good heavy downpour can do wonders for your body and soul every once in a while. Especially with all this rain we get in Vancouver, it's about time we start thinking more positively about what nature is giving us...

The Closest Thing To Crazy

Katie Melua - The Closest Thing To Crazy

How can I think I'm standing strong?
Yet feel the air beneath my feet.
How can happiness feel so wrong?
How can misery feel so sweet?

How can you let me watch you sleep?
Then break my dreams the way you do.
How can I have got in so deep?
Why did I fall in love with you?

[Chorus]
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been.
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen.
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known.
But I was never crazy on my own.
And now I know
That there's a link between the two,
Being close to craziness, and being close to you

How can you let me fall apart?
Then break my fall with loving lies.
It's so easy to break a heart,
It's so easy to close your eyes.

How can you treat me like a child?
Yet like a child I yearn for you.
How can anyone feel so wild?
How ca anyone feel so blue?

[Chorus]
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been.
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen.
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known.
I was never crazy on my own.
And now I know
That there's a link between the two,
Being close to craziness, and being close to you

And being close to you

And being close to you

A Day of Many Birthdays

20 November (Vancouver time)
21 November (Hong Kong time)

- Anna
- Joty (last year's roommate)
- Camille (this year's roommate)
- Aunt Peggy
- Meaghan's dad and stepmom

A Day of Many Firsts:

- First time baking a cake for someone (frosting, decorating with fruit, piping words)

- First time getting bangs (in more than 10 years) -- Haven't had bangs since primary school I think..

- First time getting a haircut in Vancouver (after being here for 5 years)

- First time trying to change the notes when I am playing piano (apparently I suck at this)..

Observation over the last couple months:

Steps of Romance

In Asia:

Falling in Love --> Relationship --> Sex

In North America:

Sex --> Relationship --> Falling in Love

I'm not sure which one is better...

With the money I make from working at Vanier, it practically offsets my eating expenses.. I've only spent a net total of $20+ on food this whole year! LOL.

I like. Must. Work. More!

Great horoscope advice from the paper today:

"Why would you want your life to look like others? Avoid jealousy today."

Hehe.

Country

Oh my gosh. I am falling in love with a new genre of music.. Country music!! To be specific, NEW country music..

Randomly discovered JRFM and I was surprised at how most of the songs it plays suits my taste.. Slow-ish, romantic, most of all, it makes me feel comfortable..

Big names like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw.. Making their way into my books.. =)) But I never knew Taylor Swift was also considered country music..

There's just something so soothing about it.. Nothing else to say..

再见亦是朋友???

I don't think so.

I always hope I have moved on, but sometimes the bottom of my heart pushes me reminders every now and then.

It's been three years.

Maybe you have moved on.

I always think you haven't, which is why friends is not an option in our case.

I always wonder whether if it could work out in the long-run. My answers waver between yes and no, but always land on the latter.

Have always dreamed about our future together. But that has gone up in the flames, along with the happiness we had.

All I have now are memories to be cherished.

Goodbye, again.

Happy three years anniversary. What if this never happened three years ago? Would things have changed for the better?

Questions that will never be answered.

Many waters cannot quench love,
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned...

-- Song of Solomon 8:7

$$$

Oh my god!! Another UBC award offer!! I love these emails!!

DEAN of Arts Scholarship
Scholarships totalling $6,600 have been endowed by alumni and friends of the Faculty of Arts for undergraduate students in the Faculty. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Arts.

I am one of the lucky 10 people, cos I got 1/10 of that total amount!!! :)))

ECON

My development economics prof cracks me up..

"oh no should I drop this class because I did so bad on the assignment??"

"please come up with a more substantial reason if you want to take the make-up midterm.. No time to study is not a very valid reason.."

I like it when he tells stories in class.. And when everyone laughs at him when he is so hilarious...

I refuse to succumb to peer pressure.

I have made a firm decision.

I don't want to be a fool. Or rather, I don't want to feel like a fool.

falling in love with jim brickman all over again ♥♥♥~

Jim Brickman - Love of My Life

I am amazed
When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
It's like all my dreams come true

I am afraid
If i lost you girl
I'd fall through the cracks
And lose me track in this crazy lonely world

Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When the nights can be so long
And faith gave me the strength
And kept me holding on

Chorus
You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life

Now here you are
With midnight closing in
You take my hand as our shadows dance
With moonlight on you skin

I look in your eyes
I'm lost inside your kiss
I think if I'd never met you
About all the things I'd missed

Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When a love can be so strong
And faith gave me the strength
And kept me holding on

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life

苏永康 - 拥抱

苏永康 - 拥抱

如果感动来不及证明
今天为爱颤抖的意义
也许所剩的坚定
能够看懂真心

如果幸福来得及证明
那些想要给你的安定
就让我变成你的唯一
哭或笑都有我陪你

我会记得你的好 和你的笑
陪我度过每一分一秒
还会记得你的拥抱
承诺的事我做得到

我会记得你的好 和你的笑
和你说过要一起变老
永远在我的怀抱
再苦再累都有我依靠

When You Tell Me That You Love Me

When You Tell Me That You Love Me
- by Westlife (featuring Diana Ross)

I wanna call the stars down from the sky
I wanna live a day that never dies
I wanna change the world only for you
All the impossible I wanna do

I wanna hold you close under the rain
I wanna kiss your smile and feel the pain
I know what's beautiful looking at you
In a world of lies you are the truth

And baby, everytime you touch me I become a hero
I ll make you safe no matter where you are
And bring you everything you ask for
Nothing is above me
I m shining like a candle in the dark
When you tell me that you love me

I wanna make you see just what I was
Show you the loneliness and what it does
You walked into my life to stop my tears
Everything's easy now I have you here

And baby, everytime you touch me I become a hero
I ll make you safe no matter where you are
And bring you everything you ask for
Nothing is above me
I m shining like a candle in the dark
When you tell me that you love me


In a world without you I would always hunger
All I need is your love to make me stronger

And baby, everytime you touch me I become a hero
I ll make you safe no matter where you are
And bring you everything you ask for
Nothing is above me
I m shining like a candle in the dark
When you tell me that you love me

When you tell me that you love me

I'm Youtubing

I spend my off day Youtubing. Yes, I consider a sport, alongside with windsurfing, wakeboarding.. Yea.. Youtubing! =)

Falling in love with Westlife all over again, especially after watching their rendition of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" with Diana Ross..

I have a nice dinner waiting for me. Twisties curry flavour, dragonfruit, grapefruit, and I have to get my passionfruit green tea with bubbles later on.. Perfect? I just have to find a good movie to settle down with :)

Ciao!

Press the light!

Some people really damn asking for a beating.

Yesterday I was waiting at the traffic light and for those who know me well, I like to wait for the green man no matter what, even if there are no cars.. Even if it's just a small road, like the one I was crossing yesterday near my house.

I stand beside the button with my arms folded and I knew it was already pressed because the red light at the button was on.. A woman comes up behind me with a little boy and went, "Tsktsk, did anyone press the light?"

I ignored because I know for a fact it was already pressed.. When the green man came on I walked and she also walked, at the same time telling her son, "You know hor, you must press the light then the green man will turn green and you can cross the road."

She said it so loud that she must have been hinting at me, as if I was an ignorant twit who doesn't know how to press the light for the green man. I wouldn't be standing there so stupidly without pressing the light, would I?

Fucking rude behaviour to be telling me off indirectly like that, I'll say.

Speaking of that, THOSE specific ignorant twits also annoy me. They can stand there waiting for so long and still don't know how to press the light.. Especially when you are walking from a distance away and you see them already standing there, and when you reach the traffic light you see the light not pressed 0_0~!!!

So there.

Spices and Herbs

I want to name my *future* 2 hamsters Cayenne (as in cayenne pepper) and Paprika. Both of them will be so hot haha pun intended. And I will name my *future* dog Cilantro. And if I get more than one dog, the other(s) can be called Basil, Parsley, Tarragon, possibily Sage.. Because I don't like the sound of Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano.. Haha I'm looking at Wikipedia's list of spices and herbs.. I will have a family of hamster spices and doggy herbs! :D

Random Email

Wah, haven't been here in a month!

Just wanted to note that I was very pleasantly shocked by my ENGL329 professor, whom I thought always disliked me and picked on me..

She sent an email offering me a part time job for something to do with linguistics, which I'm guessing is her project or something..

Sadly I'm not in Vancouver now.. Or else I would gladly take the job =D Except I don't quite know what it is about anyway..

But still, she sent me an email on her own accord! How strange and surprising is that! She still remembers me and possibly has a GOOD impression of me! HAHAHA.

I will be taking her discourse class next year, so I shall harbour better thoughts and less negative thinking.. =)

Stuck-up Snobs

I don't geddit.

If I have a job that pays less than $5/hour, it's better than no job at all, right?

Some people have the cheek to sit at home every day and shake leg and ask me why don't I look for a better job that pays $5/hr or more...

So what if most of your friends have jobs that pay $6/hr? And who are you to speak when you are sitting at home and doing nothing? Good for you that you have so much money to spend without having to worry about anything.

At times like this, I think having a job is good enough already. Moreover, it's not like a permanent thing, so why think so much?

As long as there is SOME money coming in, and I have something to do with my time, I think it's good enough for now. Wait till I graduate then find a better job la!

Act-smart rich people.

EDIT: Why do you have to be an even more wet blanket?

Update on the past week

Ah, have been neglecting this spot for awhile.

I am in Singapore!

So in the past week, I have been jobhunting.

I found a job which involved taking photos for guests visiting tourist spots such as the zoo, Sentosa, etc etc, and it seemed really appealing since I was interested in picking up a DSLR..

Interview went fine, and even went for an orientation session which got us more acquainted with the camera.. And so we told her when we could start work, and meanwhile got the shoes, shorts, etc needed to start work..

And we waited and waited and waited. We told her we could start work on Sunday. So we assumed we would start on Sunday. And then end up, Saturday still never tell us. Wait till Sunday, still no call. Monday continue to wait. Until like at night finally this James person calls and asks me to come down to Sentosa tomorrow.

But it's like we waited so long and still no news (other than an offer for Jurong BP which is so far away).. No vacancy to work means we sit around shake leg?? I don't operate on a standby mode leh. So I ignored and decided to move on and find another job.

Went to apply and interview today.

Wah, this manager ar, can go become university lecturer liao lor. So long-winded and he was mumbling under his breath I had to strain my ears to try to make out what he was saying.. Rambling on and on and on about SOOOOOOOOOOO many not so relevant things..

Now I wait for phone call. Better not go around exclaiming that I have a job, just like the photo one and I jinxed it. BLEH!

Other than that, life is cramped and boring and boring.

SHOW OFF

Wah, I don't like showoffs.

Try to act smart just because you think you know it all?

I hate these kind of people.

Random dream

Finally, it's time to reveal one of my goals that I have set out to attain this year.

I never really gave it much thought before since I always thought I would never be that good.

But after Term 1, it gave me a glimmer of hope, and in Term 2, I made a target point for myself and I worked as hard as I could. Sometimes I did slack off, but other times, especially around midterms, I spend so much time on studying I even I amaze myself and people around me.

Most of the results were released a few days after April 28, the last day of exams.. But only MV's course marks were not out. He is notorious for being slow.. After an agonizing wait of seven days, I finally received an offline message from Farooq telling me the marks were out.

And a few days after that, the title is official!

I made the Dean's List! Requirement was a sessional average of 85% and mine was 87%! To be precise, 87.8%! 0.2% more and I would get a nice number of 88%!!! Arrrrgh.

But nevertheless, my GOAL of making it to the Dean's List is ACHIEVED!!!!!! =))) Super happy.

GOAL~~~!!!

Finally, it's time to reveal one of my goals that I have set out to attain this year.

I never really gave it much thought before since I always thought I would never be that good.

But after Term 1, it gave me a glimmer of hope, and in Term 2, I made a target point for myself and I worked as hard as I could. Sometimes I did slack off, but other times, especially around midterms, I spend so much time on studying I even I amaze myself and people around me.

Most of the results were released a few days after April 28, the last day of exams.. But only MV's course marks were not out. He is notorious for being slow.. After an agonizing wait of seven days, I finally received an offline message from Farooq telling me the marks were out.

And a few days after that, the title is official!

I made the Dean's List! Requirement was a sessional average of 85% and mine was 87%! To be precise, 87.8%! 0.2% more and I would get a nice number of 88%!!! Arrrrgh.

But nevertheless, my GOAL of making it to the Dean's List is ACHIEVED!!!!!! =))) Super happy.

FYI: Dean's List is something like Honour Roll..

In Hong Kong!

Hello PEOPLES!

I am in Hong Kong!

Best flight ever. I meet a nice girl from UBC while lining up to check in. Flight was NOT full at all. I had a window aisle seat, and the window seat was EMPTY!!!!! Damn shiok stretch leg like nobody's business. I met this guy from my ENGL320 class and he was sitting 2 seats in front of me. Another girl from ENGL320 was also on my flight but I don't think she knows me. Smoothest takeoff ever. Didn't even feel the plane get off the ground.

More later! At aunt's house using wifi.. I got up at 7am HK time. -_- Okay la we went to sleep at 11pm+..

Packing is STRESSFUL!

Sorry about lack of updates after exams, I had to start packing right away. Pack luggage, pack my boxes to stay here..

It is actually more work than you think! There is so much garbage to throw out, so many useless things that I want to hang on to but should throw out, things to bring back to Singapore, things that stay here..

Trying to organize it by categories was even harder, so my kitchen stuff went in with other miscellaneous stuff.

Thank goodness I had Victor and Sandra, and later on Michael, to help me move my stuff into storage!!! THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU ALL!

Can you believe I've spent 2.5 full days packing and am still not done?!?!?! It's just the bits and pieces left, and it's the bits and pieces that are hard to consolidate together.. And I have more clothes than I expected =/

And I have to do laundry. And dig out the stupid phone charger which (I think) I stuffed into the printer box with all the other cables. And I have to return a library book. And so many things dunno throw or keep or bring back. I need a game plan.

I leave tomorrow. Too fast! I want a few more days! =D Can you believe I've been sleeping less now than during exams? This is physically AND mentally tiring! Have been sleeping at 2-3am and getting up at 8am+~~

How did exams go? I'll tell you when the grades are fully out. 2 of them are out already.

daydreaming list =D

*this has been published for 25 April, the day of my last exam =)) to be continually updated*

list of stuff to do after exams
(in no particular order)

- reformat computer
- upgrade RAM
- watch movies
- pack pack pack move move move house!
- write my cookbook
- get my hair trimmed
- take lots of photos!
- plan next year's timetable
- SLEEEEP! (my current priority anyway)
- learn korean (i know i say this every time but never make much progress)
- rewatch 'you are the one' (mediacorp drama)
- import blogs from my old Google to new Google account

(notice how i don't have cooking in the list? wahahaha. will be eating mama's food hopefully, and i dont know why i don't seem to have the feeling to cook in singapore.. maybe? we'll see. not my kitchen afterall, not as fun.)

Twitterrrr

OMG! I love Twitter!

I started following Anthony Sedlak on Twitter and I asked him a question and he replied me! TWICE!

FYI: Anthony is a celebrity chef from Vancouver. He's one of my FAVOURITE chefs on Food Network!

I'm practically on Cloud 9 now!! Haven't felt this giddy with happiness in a long time..

*_*

*waves to Anthony*

"Fake" test results

LOL WTF?

My prof posts a link on his website, and it says "Test Results". I click into it excitedly and got to Youtube playing a video: Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up..

I got confused and went back and clicked again. Again it was the same thing, then I realized WTF?!

HAHAHA. That woke me right up. I was still feeling the sleepiness from waking up at 7:30am for my 9am exam. BLEH.

Okay, can you imagine if it was something inappropriate? Sure kena fired one. EH I want him fired la, wanna throw stones at him =D

EDITED: So I sent him an email that evening:

Hi Professor,

I would like to know if the test results out? Why does the link under "Test Results" link us to a Youtube video? Thanks.

His reply a couple hours later?

Sorry,

It is a joke. It is called Rick Rolling.

I won't be placing the test results online although by tomorrow night I should have all assignments graded and I could send you your grades.

Sorry for the confusion,

(Name removed)

BORED!

The irony of life. I'm so bored now. Amidst exams.

WHY?

Because I just finished 3 exams in 3 days and it has been absolutely mind and brain draining. So tonight (actually all day today cos I didn't concentrate on studying) I gave myself a break, and did absolutely nothing.

Okay, was online listening to music and chatting and surfing but that's about it.

I ask people on MSN to entertain me, no one cares. BLEH!

I COULD start studying tonight, but I just wanted a little break away from it all for awhile. Then it's back on full speed tomorrow!

I'm so bored now I think I can go sleep soon. It's only 11pm. I had been sleeping at 2-3am every day recently. LOL!

I WANT TO EAT

I suddenly want to eat Singapore food. Not suddenly miss it, but this is like adding to my daydreaming list.

I want to eat lots of good hawker centre food. Classic Singapore food. I want to take lots of pictures of them. I want to try more famous dishes which I've heard so much of but haven't really tried them.

I want to go to those hidden spots everywhere, and also the more famous BIG hawker centres. In short, EVERYTHING! *maybe except foodcourts cos they are all the freaking same, and they are more pricey.*

I have 4 months. Who will be my eating buddy?

"I'm Flattered."

OMG the most hilarious thing happened today.

After our ENGL320 exam, Sandra and I went to Safeway cos I had to get food. *FYI our exam was actually just another test, and it was only 1.5 hours as opposed to most exams which are 2.5 hours, and it was still damn long and very difficult and I just wrote a crapload of nonsense on it..*

So we walk past a promoter giving out sample for chicken nuggets. I went and proceeded to ask for a sample, since she didn't have any out on the platter. Another lady was also asking for it and the promoter was giving her first and the lady gestured and said to give to me first.

The promoter glanced at me and said, "Oh I'm sorry you have to be 16 or over.." I got stunned for a moment and when I was still trying to figure out what that meant, Sandra jumped in and said, "Oh, I'm flattered!"

The promoter then said to Sandra, "Oh, I don't mean you!" and looked back at me. I finally got it and proclaimed, "I'm over 16! Gosh, I'm 21!" The promoter glanced at me with slight disbelief and offered me and Sandra the nuggets.

Ouch for Sandra.

But why do you have to be over 16 to try a chicken nuggets sample? That's one point I don't get.

(Okay, maybe if you're a child and you don't know what you are allergic to then you should be accompanied by an adult. But 16? Isn't that a bit much? )

I'm certainly flattered. I bet I look 14.

But again, people look so old here in Canada even when they are in high school. Or maybe it's just me.

So, how old do I look?

Enrique Iglesias - Somebody's Me

You, do you remember me?
Like I remember you?
Do you spend your life
Going back in your mind to that time?
'Cause I, I walk the streets alone
I hate being on my own
And everyone can see that I really fell
And I'm going through hell
Thinking about you with somebody else

[CHORUS]
Somebody wants you
Somebody needs you
Somebody dreams about you every single night
Somebody can't breath
Without you, it's lonely
Somebody hopes someday you will see
That Somebody's Me [2x]

How, how could we go wrong
It was so good and now it's gone
And I pray at night that our paths will soon cross
And what we had isn't lost
Cause you're always right here in my thoughts

[Chorus]

You'll always be in my life
Even if I'm not in your life
Because you're in my memory
You, will you remember me
And before you set me free
Oh listen please

[Chorus]
Somebody wants you
Somebody needs you
Somebody dreams about you every single night
Somebody can't breath without you, it's lonely
Somebody hopes someday you will see
That Somebody's Me [5x]

Mental Breakdown

Stressed! In exactly 6 hours I will be writing my first exam, first of the 3 in a row! X_X

I thought I had price discrimination all figured out but when I actually see the question I get all lost and frazzled!

I have a tiny headache now which might explode into a big one soon.

I am very angsty and irritated by the world and the tiniest things..

Just now I was making brunch - scrambled eggs with ham bacon chicken and cheese in a tortilla wraps.. I was very annoyed by RM#4, who has fries in the oven and she keeps opening the door to check them WHEN I AM COOKING AT THE STOVE! At first she doesn't say excuse me cos I am at the counter but am moving back and forth, so it was kinda rude. More of what is rude was when I was actually COOKING at the stove she says excuse me and opens the door even before I have a chance to move away... HELLO! YOU ARE DAMN RUDE!

And RM#2's medicated oil smell is driving me up the wall. Needless to say her 2 room encounters last night at 1am and this morning at 10am was clearly heard from the sounds coming via the heater. No, this time I knew better and DID NOT knock on the door. And this time it was a different dude! I am extremely perturbed at this ongoing while I am trying to study. And it doesn help that her friend with a very loud voice is over as well. Thank god for earplugs.

Now, after my power brunch of protein and carbohydrates and no veggies, I am feeling extremely sleepy. I slept at 3am on purpose last night so that I will wake up late today and have enough energy the rest of the day to last till my exam at 7pm. Of all the days they have to cut grass downstairs they choose today, waking me up at 10am. #$*&)*&$@)(#*

Stressed. And VERY BRAINDEAD. Go away or I'll bite your head off!

Sexy Lefty

LOL more randomness popping up from too much studying.

Left-handed men have some sort of sexiness to them. I dunno why.

Take Gordon Ramsay for example. I hate to call him sexy, but it's so "cool" and attractive in some sort of way. Especially when you see him chopping stuff up at lightning speed with his left hand and you know most people can only do it with their right hand.

Also, Kevin Brauch on The Thirsty Traveller.. I saw him eat with his fork in his left hand, and it just struck a deep chord in me.

Okay, this applies to women too. Anna Olson, for one. When she does everything with her left hand it just looks so special!!

LOL my analysis seems to only extend to people on the Food Network. But again, it's the only thing I watch!

Also today a roommate was watching TV while I was studying in the living room, and she turned it to a show called "A Shot At Love"... Dating show starring Tila Tequila..

Heard of her name before but didn't know a thing about her.. A Google search shows me she's BORN in Singapore, LOL! Okay, the show was quite funny and interesting la.. And she's bisexual, so she has to decide if she wants to pick a man or a woman in the end! Dating shows are always so ridiculous to watch...

Sigh, back to studying!

I WANT TO MURDER THE WORLD!

I am a grumpy and cranky person today.

Nearly got ran over by a campus mail van today! It wasn't even on the road! I was minding my own business in the area where it's not a road but cars can come in anyway and if I hadn't looked up to my right I would have been squashed under that van right now. The I____n lady driver even had the nerve to glare at me. HELLO YOUR GRANDFATHER ROAD AH! Please la it's not even a road you TWIT. _|_

Went to pick up assignments.. Stupid asshole 360 prof had taken marks off for 4 questions again.. I dunno what's wrong with 2 of them, but there was one question where I followed the textbook and he took marks off. The graph question I also got wrong. At first I followed the textbook but it was different from his notes, so I decided to follow him and match his notes instead, and he marks it wrong and what he corrected was following the textbook.. MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND YOU SILLY TWIT. _|_

And if taking marks off was not bad enough, my poor assignment (which was perfectly stapled and fine when I handed it in) was NOT stapled when I picked it up. Okay, if someone else ripped it then I don't know. But if you SILLY PROF marks my homework and tears it apart from the staple then GO AND DIE! Don't like my homework also no need to be so cruel to it! I'm ANAL about stuff like that. Don't mind me.

On the bright side, my last class in 3rd year was half a party. ENGL329 prof brought in 2 huge plastic boxes on a trolley thing, and she pulled out 6-7 bags of chips, 6-7 bottles of drinks (BIG BOTTLES) and 2 mega boxes of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She said she made 100. Our class is like 30 people, and only around 20 showed up.. Okay, I'm convinced she's nice but I still don't really like her personality LOL!

Okay. Pardon my anger. I'm just stressed about exams. RAWRRRRR.

I Need A New Wallet

Why are all these flat wallets so popular these days? How do they actually work? When I first saw them come out last year or something, I thought they were absolutely ridiculous.

But now that I think about it, it's quite a good idea.

I mean, look at my poor bulging wallet:



It's so full that even the seam has broken.



This wallet was unwanted by Stephanie, so I took it and have been using it since Grade 12, which is 3 years ago. It has accompanied most of my university life for the past 3 years, even though it has been most active this year, since I never needed my wallet anywhere in the first 2 years of university..

Now I'm quite sick of carrying such a bulging wallet around when I go grocery shopping, never really knowing when it's going to fully break and die on me.. I think the poor thing has suffered cos I stuff so many cards, receipts and random stuff inside. Don't think it's meant to hold so much..

Anyway, back to the flat wallets. I think it seems like what I want, since I am looking towards the flat direction. I am just not exactly sure how the clasp/zip works, and how user-friendly it is. But I really like the flat idea, and a nice design would make it perfect.

These tend to be a bit pricey, from what I am observing from the net. Let's see if it is worth investing in a cheaper version of it.. Will look into changing wallet soon! =D

But how do the flat wallets stay so flat? Where's the magic? I need to do more research and hands-on experience.

I don't like act blur people.

Rice crackers addiction

So addicted to these rice crackers right now. Cheap, accessible, crunchy and healthy!

Long Emo Rambling

A phone conversation with Michael yesterday has brought up some very interesting but true points to ponder about..

He was saying that there are the people we used to see every day because we lived at Vanier, and would bump into each other or just meet up to eat together... Haha reminded me of the one term (can't even remember when, I think 2nd year first term?) where I keep having lunch with Michael cos we got off class at the same time and we would always eat together without ever planning for it.. It felt kind of comfortable (not in the romantic way) knowing you will always have someone to eat with at the caf..

And then now we have all moved OUT of Vanier and into our own little cooking worlds.. So we don't meet up to have cooking parties or to go out to dinner once in awhile or anything like that..

Because all of us are so busy with our own lives, school and everything else, that we just cannot be bothered to meet up.. And even when we bump into each other on campus it's just a hi-bye thing.. We don't seem to know what to say to each other anymore..

This is especially true for me, since I used to see Deb and Bern every single day last year, and this year have only seen them 3 times or less.. The last time I saw both of them was on my birthday, all the way back in January! And I don't talk to them online anymore..

And then Michael also says it's like "I don't feel like 'dealing with you' right now.." when you bump into them.. I was teasing him for being so emo hahaha.. Haiya, university life is cruel.. Studying sucks up all your time and don't even have time for friends.. (Well, for people who are studious like me and my friends anyway..)

Also realized what a loner I have become.. Other than going to class (where I don't interact with that many people, and I don't talk to them outside of class anyway) and going to work (where I talk to people at work but not outside work), I basically stay at home. Staying at home means only talking to my roommates. Which means I don't talk to anyone OUTSIDE my surroundings. SO SAD OKAY.

And the only other way I talk to people OUTSIDE my surroundings is via MSN or Facebook. In fact we don't even TALK on Facebook. I just see their updates and that's how I keep up with what's going on in THEIR lives.. MSN I only talk to some people, and others only talk to me when they need help or favours...

What kind of life is this? Is this Canadian life? I wonder, in Singapore, would it be more accessible to keep in touch with friends? I mean in university. You can always go out for a meal, you can always go shopping together etc.. But again, maybe not. Very hard to say. Ask me again in a few years, when I have decided where I want to settle down..

Also about settling down, we were also talking about how we hate moving. I just feel like these past 5 years I've been living out of boxes. Which is literally what I'm doing, albeit the fact that I have my own room everywhere. But when I go back to Singapore, I won't even have my own room. And I will still be living out of boxes.

The number of boxes I own is forced to dwindle over the years. At least this year I hope to significantly reduce the number of boxes. Alas, every year I say that but don't think it has ever happened. Because I have so much sentimental junk which I will never throw away. And that's the problem, because if I do eventually move back to Singapore, I have to find a way to get all those boxes back.

Which is why I hate not having someplace permanent to store all my stuff, knowing they will be safe and waiting for my return. I hate this life of lugging everything with me everywhere I go. I want a HOME. Don't tell me I have a home with my parents, I don't. I envy people who have a room at their parents' home, where no matter where they are around the world, their room will always be there, always THEIRS. They keep all their belongings there, they will never get moved around or lost.

Ahhhhhh who's the emo one now? Never knew one can emo so much over other stuff than relationships. Luckily, no relationship problems for now. Stay that way!

On track, finally?

The end is near. One month left! Okay, less than a month since I finish exams on 25th rather than 29th...

The weekend has been ridiculous. I surprised myself by reading and understanding ALL (actually except one) the chapters of ECON326.. I totally went through the lectures in the past 2 months in a daze and had totally no idea what was going on...

And I have finally caught up! YAY! And I don't feel like dying yet, which is a terribly good sign.

DON'T GIVE UP!

Lemon Sugar Cookies!

Lemon Sugar Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 eggs
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Additional granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease baking sheets. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In large mixer bowl, beat sugar and shortening until fluffy, beat in eggs. Stir in dry ingredients, then lemon juice. Mix well. Drop onto prepared baking sheets, 2" apart. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Changes I made:

1. I replaced the all-purpose flour and baking powder with SELF-RAISING FLOUR.

2. I skipped the salt.

3. I replaced the shortening with canola oil. I think it works with butter as well, and it will just be richer.

4. Don't see the need to sprinkle additional sugar as it is already sweet enough.

5. I halved the recipe.

Result: Rather sweet, but still cookie-like. SUCCESS!


The sugar and oil mixture, looks like sorbet.


At first the sight of the dough scared me cos it looked so dry, but it was also very greasy when I moulded it with my hands..


I baked off 2 large ones for about 10 minutes and it turned out cake-y, maybe not long enough.. And then I proceeded to bake off 12 small ones, and they turned out great!!


Froze the rest of the dough for another time..

Ta-da!! Enjoy!

Deprived Children

A thought occured to me.

If my future husband is also an only child, and if we have children, those poor children will have NO cousins, NO aunts and uncles..

Like that how can?!?!?

Note to self: If I am getting married, better marry someone with SOME siblings rather than NO siblings. =)

*That is, if I am even planning on getting married in the first place.*

Short-term goals

Time flies. The final exam of the course will be just in a month. To help you prepare well for the final, I have posted two sets of sample questions for the final exam and their solutions. See the examination section on this page.

Wah, thanks ar ECON326 prof. Exactly a month. Great reminder. 25 April will be my last final exam! ECON326, no less. Then I will be free!

Thanks to an email from the English department and Ryan's updates on the latest technology, I have formed myself an achievable goal. Hopefully it can be done! I can only rely on myself to do it.

If it does, it will be a dream come true. Apart from the dream mentioned in a previous post, this has been a goal which I have set out to attain at the end of last year, or at the beginning of this year. But this goal is different from the goal mentioned in the above paragraph.

So if you are following me closely (or rather getting lost), there are 2 specific goals stated in this entry. Which means I now have 1 dream to fulfill and 2 goals to attain.

I never considered myself to be a goal-oriented person. NEVER. But now, I want to work hard and these 2 goals are my top priority now. I hope to come back in a few months and be able to say, "I DID IT!"

Wish me luck.

Oops!

Oops. Was my roommate tweaking her heater or was she having sex?

I started hearing these banging and tweaking noises from my heater and they seemed to be coming from her room.

I thought she was fiddling with it but it went on for a long time.

I knocked on her door to ask if her heater was giving her problems.

Nobody answered the door. Only heard her letting out a giggle.

There's a dude in there.

OOPS. SORRY!

Chocolate Tax 0_0

Scottish doctor urges "fat tax" on chocolate
Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:54am EDT

By David Brough

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Scottish doctors came within a whisker of passing a motion calling for a "fat tax" on chocolate last week, and the doctor behind the move said chocolate was a root cause of increasing obesity.

"Certainly the U.S. and the UK are affected by rising levels of obesity," David Walker, a family doctor in Airdrie, western Scotland, who proposed the motion, said.

"If the British government is serious, they should tax chocolate in the same way as they tax alcohol," he said in a telephone interview.

Walker said on Wednesday that Britain had witnessed almost a doubling of cases of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, in the past 15 years.

In Scotland, nearly one in four people are obese, he added.

He said British people's fondness for chocolate must explain in part the growing obesity problem, because chocolate is high in calories, fat and sugar.

Chocolate was one of a number of factors, including growing affluence and more sedentary lifestyles, that had contributed to Britain's fatter society, Walker said.

The Scottish doctors' conference in Glasgow on March 12 defeated the motion to tax chocolate by just two votes.

Walker's call attracted vigorous debate in the national media as healthy lifestyle becomes an increasingly hot topic.

The UK Food and Drink Federation, the voice of the companies in the sector, lambasted Dr Walker's message.

"Introducing regressive taxes on the foods that consumers love would result only in lighter wallets, not smaller waists -- particularly as we already have to pay VAT on all our chocolate purchases," said Julian Hunt, director of communication.

"While good for grabbing headlines, there is no evidence to suggest that such 'fat taxes' would actually work in reality."

Walker said the positive health benefits of chocolate, such as the antioxidants in dark chocolate, which cut risks of cardiovascular disease, are counterbalanced by chocolate's contribution to obesity due to its high calories.

"Chocolate should be treated with respect -- it should be treated as a luxury item, a special treat," Walker said.

"It should be eaten quite infrequently."

Walker said he admitted to feeling guilt over the impact a chocolate tax might have on impoverished West African cocoa farmers if demand for chocolate fell.

"That is certainly something that has pricked my conscience," Walker said.

"It would take a very brave government to tax chocolate," he added.

Wei, CANNOT! How am I gonna live?!?!?!?! Hahahaha. Sigh, okay la fine, should cut down on chocolate. I wonder how much weight I'll lose if I stop eating chocolate? :D

Culinary Complaint

I would certainly like to think that my culinary skills exceed those of my peers exponentially.

At least I can cook smooth velvety mashed potatoes. Not like lumpy goop looking ones.

At least I know how to marinate a steak. I do not know how we ended up with old tough non-crusty non-golden-brown steak. I don't know if I can actually cook it, since I haven't tried. But I've seen everyone else around me do it all the time. I would like to try.

Don't mind me, I'm feeling a tad bitter. Just bitter that I didn't get a ride home.

Which half?

Chunz: I WANT A BOYFRIEND!!!
Chunz: But I'm only half serious...
Shumz: Go find one la.. Or rather, find half...
Chunz: Hahaha! That's a good way to do it!
Shumz: Hahaha, say "Hi, would you be... HALF my boyfriend?" and he says, "Sure! Which half do you want? The right or the left?"
Chunz: The better half, of course!

*OMG I LOVE MY OWN PUNS*

Car Alarms

It's 2nd time the car alarm has been going off tonight.. Nonstop irritating beeping.

STOP STEALING CARS, for goodness sake.. What time is it? I want to sleep..

Edit: I swear the alarm stopped right after I pressed "Publish Post". Except the beeping is still ringing in my ears. I'm hearing things...

What is this?!?

OMG another dream.. Maybe you're bored by all my weird dreams now..

This one is most likely influenced by Momma's Boys which I was crazily watching yesterday..

I had a dream, where I had 3 potential guys to date or something.. The first one was dunno who, the second one was someone I know in West Vancouver and currently still talk to occasionally, and the third one is someone from a long time ago..

Ahaha I was actually gonna wake up at 7am and record this dream but wasn't sure if I'll survive on that much sleep.. So most of it is broken..

I only remember it's like my parents were both at the shop, quite busy and they were staying late or something.. Then forgot what happen about the first dude.. I think it was because he's at my house and my dad comes home and sees him and kicked him out 0_0

And then dunno why the 2nd guy was at my house, and he was boiling a pot of water over a very funky coil and I was complaining he's wasting my electricity.. And then he was wondering where's my parents and I said they won't come home so early. And then the next thing I knew we were kissing. EWWWWW I cannot imagine that happening in real life!!! Nothing happened after that so don't worry.

And then the 3rd dude.... NOTHING happened cos I woke up. But got potential leh LOLS. What a pity.

I Miss...

I had a dream where I was at my paternal grandma's house, and we were talking about talking over MSN.. Damn high-tech man, if grandparents have MSN too..

Then I was supposed to add myself to her contact list cos she didn't know how to do it.. And then the funny thing was that I couldn't find the computer in her house! Hahahaha.

While searching for where the computer might be, I remember flashbacks of her house, especially the TV cupboard.. And also the "bedroom".. That's about all I remember..

My fondest memories growing up have always been at my grandma's house, even at the tiny age of 2-4 or something like that, in Hong Kong.. I cling on to these memories which comes flooding back occasionally out of nowhere and I am so afraid that I will forget them one day..

I think the person I miss most at this point in time, and probably the last few years as well, would be my grandmother.. How I wish I can just see her and throw myself into her arms again, seeing her jolly smile...

This dream makes me miss her even more...

My professor knows me by name and remembers my request for office hours and sends me an email on his own apologizing that he can't make it! This is one prof that I wouldn't like to whack on the head; can't say for sure about the others! ;)

Dreams are made of these...

I had several strange dreams last night.

I dreamt that I lost my HK identity card.. *touchwood!!!* probably cos I lost my UBC card and have been going crazy applying for the HKSAR passport..

I dreamt that I was horseback riding, on a beautiful strip of sand with oceans on both sides, and it was a wonderful purple, orange, yellow sunset all around me, felt so calm and serene and I was surprised I could actually ride a horse properly, albeit it was a REAL live horse with weird wooden "controls" instead of reins..

This dream was probably because I had seen some sunsets recently, and saw someone's horseback riding pictures yesterday or something.. Also dreamt that we (dunno with who) went horseback riding and did not get lost and got back safely, another surprising thing.. LOL..

Also dreamt something about modelling (damn random) but I wasn't one of the models, because someone was calling me about meeting up to do assignment and I had nearly forgotten about it.. This person was likely to be Robin since he called me to ask if I had completed the assignment on Sunday.. LOL..

See I can't differentiate between dreams and reality again.. Sigh stress time!!!

A Letter...

To Roommate #4:

Why can't you just simply clean up after yourself? I'm sick of seeing the counter littered with coffee powder, especially near your BIG space-wasting COFFEE MAKER which you only use like, once a week or less anyway.

And this morning I watch you prepare a sandwich and after that there are bread crumbs ALL OVER THE COUNTER... The dustbin is right there so can't you just at least SWEEP all the crumbs INTO the bin? Is it that hard??? Gosh..

Seeing the coffee powder on the floor was the worst.. You know you are the only one who makes coffee like this in this house, and obviously we all know YOU spilled it.. It's UNDER the bin somehow, and can't you just pick it up??? What's with leaving your coffee powder EVERYWHERE.. I haven't even counted the times it has spilled onto my pot lids..

And last week was YOUR turn to take out the garbage. True that you are not home much, but when you are actually home, you don't even do your duty to simply empty the garbage and I HAD TO TO IT FOR YOU when it was overflowing! Don't just pretend you are not here, just because you treat this place like a hotel and you only come home to SLEEP and SHOWER.

I HATE YOU.

Lots of HATE,
Roommate #2

A Lifetime Desire

One of my lifetime goals...

I don't want to reveal it. Until I finally achieve it.

I know the Internet has pictures, but I want to see and feel it for myself..

I can only imagine how magnificent it will be. How lovely it would be, to be surrounded by one of nature's most amazing miracles...

For now, I can only dream... And maybe save up to attain this goal...

I wait each and every day longingly, until the time comes when I can finally experience the magic.

Chocolate Brownies!!

Brownies are by far the most decadent chocolate dessert ever!

And surprisingly easy to make!

I just followed the recipe on the back of the bag of chocolate chips and halved the recipe but added 15 minutes of baking time because my dish was deeper.

And it rose up like a souffle and sank back down again, lookin more like a moon crater.

I tried portioning it into small sliced but it was gooey and moist inside and crunchy on the top so basically it fell apart and I have a tupperware full of brownie mini cubes and crumbs.

And I'm finishing the crumbs on a dish. With a spoon.

Sigh it's greasy. And super chocolaty. I have to make brownies again. Note to self: Must add nuts next time.

But it will be next (school) year. Because if I open a new pack of 1kg chocolate chips I will never be able to finish it by end of April.

Mmmmm. Chocolaty.

Love love love

I am falling in love all over again.

With Meteor Garden.

Not exactly, more like the KOREAN version of Meteor Garden.

The die-hard romantic flame in me has rekindled and I feel so touched just watching the sweet actions of JunPyo, where in Episode 5 he dresses her wounds and gives her a kiss while she's asleep..



Times like these make me wonder if true love is real... Or whether fairytales come true...

My Famous Pork Stew

I just cooked one of my signature dishes tonight! Well, at least what I would like to think to be my signature dish!! =))

Pork Stew, can be eaten alone or with rice. I prefer the latter.

Pork cubes, potatoes, carrots, onions, dark soya sauce and water.

With just one secret ingredient!

Super easy but yummilicious.

Pork was so tender and soft and flavourful, but the potatoes were a tad overcooked since my dad was talking to me and I could not escape to look after my simmering pot. Nevertheless, melted potatoes are good!

I have to make it again, DEFINITELY!

But I need to improve on presentation. When it's done, it's usually a big brown mass of goop. Need to find a way to make it look more presentable.

Sunset at Wreck Beach

In my career as a UBC student for 3 years so far, I can finally say I have been to Wreck Beach, as of yesterday. It was pretty, but not astounding.

And finally, today I have witnessed a Wreck Beach sunset, after seeing and hearing so much about it. Sadly there was no clouds, and it was only a plain orangy sunset, no exciting purples or reds or anything like that.

Nevertheless, I am motivated to keep going down there to watch more beautiful sunsets; I have to make up for what I missed the last 2 years.. I have to make the best of my time here, about 1 more year left...

Here's the beauty of the ocean and the sun..






(Picture credits to Aubrey, since my camera does not seem to like sunsets too much)

even though

even though
i may be just a passerby
in your life
just one of the many
who cross your path

even though
you never read
nor reply
to my emails

even though
you are far beyond my reach

even though
i don't know when
i'll see you again

even though
i know it is impossible
between us

even though
i may never
ever see you again
in future

even though
i mean nothing
absoulutely nothing
to you

even though
i occupy
not an inch
of your heart

even though
you may have
someone special

even though
you lead your life
and i lead mine

even though
our interests
greatly differ

even though
you don't know
how much
you mean to me

even though
you are not one
who shares much

even though
you don't know
all this while

even though
you will
never read this

let me tell you
i still do

Joey Gregorash - Together

Joey Gregorash - Together (The New Wedding Song)

On this day, we stand together
And pledge our love to one another
Oh my darlin', I will love you
From this moment
There will be no other

And on this road, that lies before us
Lives the love, the joy and sorrow
But we will always try to remember
The pain today, is the joy tomorrow

And now together, together
Love will be much better, yes it will
Together together, our love will share
And forever forever, love will keep us together
And together together, our lives will change

But until then, till then we will follow
Follow this road endlessly, we believe,
That we have found love, from this moment
From this moment until forever

And now together, together
Love will be much better, yes it will
Together together, our love will share
And forever forever, love will keep us together
Together, together our lives are gonna change

And together together
Love will be much better, yes it will
Together, together our lives are gonna change
And forever forever love will keep us together
And together, together our lives will change

Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You

Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You

I asked her to stay
But she wouldn't listen
She left before I had the chance to say (Oh-oh)
The words that would mend
The things that were broken
But now it's far too late, she's gone away

Every night you cried yourself to sleep
Thinking: "Why does this happen to me?
Why does every moment have to be so hard?"
Hard to believe it

It's not over tonight
Just give me one more chance to make it right
I may not make it through the night
I won't go home without you

The taste of her breath, I'll never get over
The noises that she made kept me awake (Oh)
The weight of the things that remained unspoken
Built up so much it crushed us everyday

Every night you cried yourself to sleep
Thinking: "Why does this happen to me?
Why does every moment have to be so hard?"
Hard to believe it

It's not over tonight
Just give me one more chance to make it right
I may not make it through the night
I won't go home without you (Oh-oh-oh-oh)

It's not over tonight
Just give me one more chance to make it right
I may not make it through the night
I won't go home without you (Oh-oh-oh-oh)

Of all the things I felt but never really showed
Perhaps the worst is that I ever let you go
I should not ever let you go (oh-oh-oh)

It's not over tonight
Just give me one more chance to make it right
I may not make it through the night
I won't go home without you (oh-oh-oh-oh)

It's not over tonight
Just give me one chance to make it right
I may not make it through the night
I won't go home without you
And I won't go home without you
And I won't go home without you
I won't go home without you

post-Nanaimo reflection

even though i don't travel a lot compared to others
this mini trip has changed me

we went to all these wonderful provincial parks, beaches, towns..
- cathedral grove (macmillan provincial park)
- coombs town (famous goats on roof but we saw no goats)
- englishman river falls provincial park
- rathtrevor beach provincial park (my favourite of all)
- downtown nananimo
- chemainus (aka mural town)



i have learned:
to count my blessings
to be grateful for what i have
to appreciate nature more
not take things for granted



now i know:
why british columbia is termed 'beautiful british columbia'
how peaceful and calming the ocean can be
just how vast and big canada is (and i have only seen a tiny fraction of it)
the world is such a beautiful place



things i appreciate:
clear blue skies
beautiful shorelines
panoramic beaches
urban city life



there is so much more of this world i want to see and explore and experience with my own eyes

there are some things you just have to experience with your own senses... the panoramic shoreline, the smell of the ocean, the ocean wind, the sounds of the waves...