From what started as a quick Breakfast

A short one hour breakfast with Angela and her bf Tyler was planned for this morning at 8am. Managed to fit this into their overnight Toronto stopover from Singapore to New Brunswick.

The short visit turned into a 2 day trip when we found out after breakfast that their flight was cancelled. I later learned that the reason for the flight delay was due to pilots exceeding their flight hour limit!!! Ridiculous! Well, I'm not complaning since I got to spend some quality time with them. Angela use to live in Toronto, so we focused on what Tyler wanted. Of course, as a typical male Canadian, he's into Hockey, so to Hockey Hall of Fame we went. I have to say it's actually pretty interesting.. :P
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=81786005209&page=1&sort_order=0

It's the Caribana weekend here in Toronto and tomorrow is the parade. We took the opportunity to go take a look. I have to say I was rather disappointed, especially considering the amount of time and effort it took to there there. The floats moved too slowly so we didn't get to see much as we only had about 2hrs there before having to drop them off at the airport. Being stuck in Exhibition Place compound just made things worse. I know what to do next time, but will I want there to be a next time?
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=53354084209&page=1&sort_order=0

All in all, I had an awesome 2 days. It's funny how we didn't get to meet up when I was in Singapore for over a month the last time.. We both had to travel all the way to the other side of earth to meet up! See you again in Singapore Angela.

Gifts... thoughtful or thoughtless?

I have never realised that 3 of my friends have birthdays that are lined up 3 days consecutively! Not only is it a strain on the wallet, but the bigger evil is the strain on the efforts to find the perfect gift.

With the popularity of gift certificates rising, it has made people lazy, and gifts thoughtless. Although a gift certificate is much more welcomed than a gift that isn't liked, I strongly believe one would much rather receive a gift that can blow you away. Or seeing some thought being put into the purchase makes the receiver feel happy and special! At least that's the case for me.

A friend once told me she has been observing me and paying attention to things I say for some time, and came to a conclusion on what gift to get me. I was deeply touched!

Cherry Picking

I grew up only knowing cherries as those way too sweet, fake tasting cherries u find in drinks, with people trying to use the stem to tie a knot using their tongue. A skill I have yet to master. :P

Finally got to go cherry picking today. My friends did not call the farm ahead to check if their open today. Got to the gate after over an hour's drive. Gate closed... oh no... Called the farm, they're now closed for the season. Damn! Decided not to give up too easily. Drove around the area, and finally found a farm that was still open. Took a basket and started to wonder around the farm. Saw some lovely cherries on a tree, reached up to pick them, realised I was too short. Bad luck after bad luck. Looks like ladders were left all over the farm for a reason. Found a ladder, picked a tree, climbed up and started my job.


I've decided that I would much rather go to a grocery store and pick my cherries from there! Much easier! Especially since the price we pay at the farm isn't cheaper, PLUS we have to do the dirty work ourselves. Apply picking is much more enjoyable, but pity, coz I do not like apples that much.

My friends were eating as they picked. I didn't. They brought the baby with them, and had fed cherries to the baby. I tried to advise against it. A sign at the entrance said cherries needed to be washed before eating. For obvious reasons, coz u can see pesticide residue! They were saying that since the price is the same as in a groceries store, what u gain is the extra you eat while u're there. What can I say? I've done my part...

Boy was I glad when I was done filling my basket and was time to leave. I was tired, hot, sweaty and dirty(from maneuvering between branches to get to those hidden juicy cherries!).

Never again... not voluntarily anyways...

Tough Luck

Had to go for a friend's birthday celebrations. Dinner was to be at Milestones. Fell in love with that restaurant when I went there years ago. Since there it has yet to live up to my first experience. I had attributed it to the fact that I've been going to it's other branches.

Finally, I have the chance to go back to the original location. Apparently they do not take reservations for after 6pm, however they can put you on the waiting list. Birthday boy was the organizer had called a week in advance to be put on the waiting list. Called a couple times during the week to confirm date and time. Did the same thing on the day of.

We arrived slight after 7:30pm which was the time promised by restaurant. There was no seats for us, said they had us down for 8:30pm. We weren't happy, but didn't have a choice. 8:30pm came by and left... still no table. 9pm. Tick tock, tick tock... 10pm... restaurant offered a round of free drinks. Not a good idea for me to drink when I've no food in my stomach. Hungry... We started to inquire about availability at restaurant on opposite side of street.

Finally we got seated at 10pm. Party had to be separated into 2 tables. Free appetizers were brought to us. I sat at the table with the birthday boy, and I can't believe the other table go served with their food before us!!! Wondered if restaurant was trying to cut down on their electric bill coz the a/c had been shut down for quite some time. We were hot! Birthday boy unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his not so flattering undershirt. Not a pleasant sight. Looks like an ah-pek... :P

Before sitting down, I had informed our waiter that it was my friend's birthday. He said he felt really bad that things turned out this way, and will do his best to make it good. When he brought a slice of free cake for bday boy, there was no candle and no entourage singing a birthday song. Was that his standard of "making it good"???

No need to say, everyone was upset and disappointed. Killed the mood for the celebrations. I was also disappointed at my 2nd experience with this restaurant that I once had a great impression of.... *sigh*

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=94184301209

The night was saved by me going to the Asian night market with 2 of my friends (all 3 of us didn't join bday boy for clubbing. Felt bad, but rather not be bored). We had Stinky Tofu there.. yum!!!

Leaving me...

One by one, friends of mine in Canada leaves me. Whether of not they're close to me, I get sad when it happens. I guess I'm just too sentimental.

A friend calls, "Hey Ming, I guess you've heard the rumours..."
"No.. what rumours? What are you talking about?"
"I quit my job and found something else in US."

A send off party is in order: http://photobucket.com/albums/a6/ming_liew/Farewell%20for%20Libaan/

Time wasted in travelling is why I look forward to the invention of the transporter we see on Star Trek! I believe it will happen, but the important quesion is: "Will I live to see the day? "

On the bright side of things, I just got myself one more free accomodation somewhere on the globe! :) Usually it's not the plane ticket cost that cripples you when you go on vacation. It's the accomodations! That's money that can be spent on shopping!

Everyone knows that distance can be detrimental to any kind of human relationship. I have to say I'm lucky coz I'm still close to my childhood friends. People always ask me "Don't you find it difficult to communicate with your friends back in Singapore?" My answer has always been "NO". Pray it remains that way. We seem to be able to pick up where we left off, share our thoughts and have endless things to chat about. I love it!

Fab time in Montreal

Off we go at 10:30am... 2 hrs later than planned, but that's ok. Traffic was good, ETA 3pm, so we decided to take a side trip to Kingston, home of Queen's University, best of the country. Toured around the city to see where Jenzy went to school! Beautiful little town.

This is my 3rd time in Montreal. It's a french city. En français. Oui oui! I absolutely love this city. Makes me feel like I"m in a totally different country. Kinda like being in Europe I would imagine.

We were recommnended by Jenzy's friend to go have dinner on this lovely street. We were all ready for some French cuisine, but unfortunately, it seems that street was mainly greek cuisine. And of course, we had to choose the worse one!!! Sad beginning of the trip.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

I have to say for a person who's not into Jazz, I had a pretty good time there.
How sad is it for an artist to announce his name before the end of his show, telling people they can find his album in the store at festival, only to find out that none was sold because somehow it wasn't stocked in the store??? Jenzy was impressed by Robertson and had tried without success getting his CD from the festival for the 3 consequtive days we were in Montreal.


DAY 2

Today, I fell in love with the works of a painter. I was never an artsy person, never appreciating art the way some people do. Till today... It seems that this painter only paints cherries! I love eating cherries, but I have never realised how beautiful and rich it can look. Till today... Of course, I couldn't afford the real deal, and yet, I refused to buy the posters. The posters did not capture the essense and beauty of the painter's work. *sigh* On top of that, I've grown out of hanging posters in my house. Those days belongs university days.

Needless to say, this entire trip was filled with lots of eating and I was on a rampage to find lapin (rabbits)! Went around looking at menus, but always disappointed. Asked for a french restaurant, was told it wasn't around the area... how is that possible in a french city?!?! Finally, luck shined on me at the end of the day. At the end of a whole street of Italian restaurants and pubs, there it was, my french restaurant.

I did not enjoy my first french cuisine experience a few years ago, and the cause of that was goose liver. So I told myself I would not even consider that today. Guess what I did? I ordered cow liver! The idiocy doesn't end here. The liver came in a creme brulee style.. *YUCK* I just want to kick myself. Not only did I find it disgusting, it killed my appetite to have Creme Brulee for dessert!

My goal here in Montreal is shopping and clubbing. Little did I know that she was not a clubber and had opted to stay in the hotel room instead.. :( Jenzy and I did not like the club we went very much. Music was excellent, but not the crowd. I had forgotten that it's only smoke-free in Ontario, and that made me realise I've been spoilt and can only club in Ontario from now on.

DAY 3

So far, the summer has been hot and filled with beautiful weather. Till today... I of course did not have the sense to bring an umbrella with me on the trip. I do not have that habit, so why start now? It looked like the rain was not stopping, so I blew $30 on an umbrella! ouch!

Unluckiness continues when we tried to visit the famous Notre Dame church. We were too late yesterday, and today, there was a wedding going on, so we couldn't go in. Maybe God is telling us we should attend the church service tomorrow(Sunday) morning! :P

Last night we satisfied my rabbit cravings, and tonight it's Fondue! I had WAY TOO MUCH cheese and bread... I think fondue can only be a appetizer for me, not as a main course.. Did you know that there's wine in the fondue cheese? Jenzy, the wine connoisseur among us couldn't for the life of him taste the wine in it! Shall I just say that we joked about that for the rest of the trip? heh heh...

DAY 4

For lunch today, I actually ordered a french onion soup(had chesse on top) and the 4 cheese rotolo! I shall be staying off chesse for quite some time! I guess it's obvious that I hadn't made the smartest food choices.

Loved my time in Montreal, but I was not sad to leave it today. Looking forward to the next trip here though. On this trip, lots of money was spend on food and shopping(mainly accessoriess).

Goodbye Montreal

http://photobucket.com/albums/a6/ming_liew/Montreal/

On the road to a nice bod!

Well... Finally... The time has come... The inevitable is here...

In the end, my mom has won. After a long time, her persistence has won. I've made appointments at 2 different gyms in search of a well facilitated gym and a personal trainer armed with a whip.

2:30pm - Goodlife Fitness
I actually started leaning towards this gym coz I like this location better. It's situated right above a grocery store. I don't know if that's actually a benefit or a downfall. I like it coz it'll help to prevent my fridge from straving. I am however afraid that grocery shopping after a vigorous workout will cause excessive compulsive buying, especially with my pathetic level of self-control.
Sadly, their score plunged from the second I stepped in. I have decided that I will never join a all-women's gym. I find the staff and environment to be less professional. Plus, this venue is small, not adequately equipped. Did I say I hate it when the sales is only interested in closing the deal and becomes really pushy?

3:30pm - Sports Club of Canada
I already know this club is good coz 2 of my friends go there. I liked it from the moment I stepped in. It was a big place, 3 floors, lots of equipments(where I was told will never become unavailable), friendly staff.
For once, laziness paid off! The fact that I never got around to cancelling my membership at my previous gym helped me get my enrollment fee at this place waived! hee hee..
Because I was referred by a friend, he gets to receive a free gift. Since he may not want it, I may actually get to enjoy the gift! muahahaha!

Since I'm still on my search of greener pastures, I hope to be able to make full use of this free time to really get into shape. Janet Jackson's abs? Angelina Jolie's figure? *wink* What's everyone placing their money on? :P

Life = contradictions...
10yrs ago, I have been told constantly that I was fat and needed to lose weight. 10 yrs later, those same ppl tell me I was perfect then. Can someone please tell me what is the sense in that???

Live 8 concert - We dont' want you money!

Held in Park Place(aka Molson Park, name of venue), Barrie(name of city), Ontario(name of province), Canada. I thought it was really sad when Will Smith was introducing each location live via satellite. There was Phillidelphia, Paris, London, Rome, etc.. then it came to Canada's turn. Park Place, Ontario?!?! He did not even say Barrie... who would know where it is anyways? Don't understand why Toronto did not get to host this event.

How did I end up going???

23/06/2005

5:48:23 PM

Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.

~Yumm.. my salmon is delicious!!

hey if I got tickets to the Live 8 concert on July 2 would you want to go?

23/06/2005		5:56:05 PM		~Yumm.. my salmon is delicious!!		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		it's a whole day thing isn't it?
23/06/2005		5:57:05 PM		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		~Yumm.. my salmon is delicious!!		ya.... It's fine if you don't.... John just asked if would want tickets if he had them and i was just finding out if anyone wanted to go.

23/06/2005

5:58:13 PM

~Yumm.. my salmon is delicious!!

Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.

dun think i wanna go.. wouldn't enjoy sitting on the grass all day..

days later...

29/06/2005		4:28:56 PM		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S		so you didn't want to go to the Live 8 concert right?
29/06/2005		4:40:57 PM		~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		that's right.. christina is going wif u right?

29/06/2005		4:47:39 PM		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S		she hasn't been feeling great (big surprise) so she was planning on staying home this weekend.
29/06/2005		4:49:40 PM		~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		oh.. that sucks! like i said before, if u wanna go, i'll go with you..
29/06/2005		4:50:01 PM		Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.		~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S		no you don't want to go so I'm not going to make you go... what's the point of that.

29/06/2005

5:01:06 PM

~Ming~ falling apart.. aching, feverish.. :S

Andrea... Just call me Cupcake, everybody else does.

ok.. why don't we go.. alicia said it's really really near her place.. and we can stay at her place if we want, so if we get bored we can just head to her place

That's how I came to go.

Like I predicted I did not enjoy sitting in the sun on the grass all day, there were times I was bored, BUT I'm glad I went... The only performer in the line up that I a interested to see was Bryan Adams, and Andrea was only concerned about The Great Big Sea (Canadian group that sings folk type songs). We agreed that we will leave anytime we got bored AFTER both our performers performed. I was under the impression that Bryan Adams was a big shot and therefore will not be out till end of day... but I was so wrong. If we had arrive just 5 mins later, we would have missed him! He came on at 12noon. He was awesome! Great Big Sea came on at 3:20pm... We could have left then, but somehow we stayed on till the end... Can't believe it.. And neither Andrea nor me needed to use the washroom. Our mind is one powerful tool. The thought of using those portable potties just turns us off. yuck!

This event was for a good cause, lots of performers took time off their busy schedule to make an appearance. Celine Dion was obviously invited to perform in Canada... But yeah, she was too occupied with her concerts in Ceasar's Palace, Las Vegas. However, being the "great" person she is, she offered to do a live telecast from Vegas. When Tom Green, the host for Canada was announcing "And now, Live from Las Vegas!!", he was immediately interupted by everyone there BOOing her. Too bad she couldn't hear the boos from her end. People got even more upset when they realise she was doing the telecast in the middle of her concert. The song she performed wasn't even good. People just sat down and started to ignore her. I like Celine Dion's songs, I think she's a good singer, but I couldn't help but to join in the boos..

Regardless of the heat, discomfort, inconvenience, length of stay, being dehydrated, etc., I had a good time and I'm glad I went. Will I do it again? Probably not. :P

some pictures I took:
http://photobucket.com/albums/a6/ming_liew/Live%208%202005%20Barrie%20Ontario%20Canada/