it's almost that time again...

PACKING AND MOVING.

It's pretty much my worst nightmare.
You'd think that I'd get used to it after so many times, but nope it doesn't get any easier for me.
I may be a more efficient packer now but I still hate it with a passion. I just don't like how I have to move my life around constantly, and this time back to a place I don't even like.

Ok, so moving around is probably "character building". Packing is just a necessary part of it.
I can't wait until I can finally settle down somewhere and call a place my own. No more roommates. Just my own place, peace, and quiet. Loneliness? Well, I'll find someplace with easy transportation and friends nearby.

In the meantime, I'll have to put up with it and repack everything three times before I get it right.

A thought just came into my mind...I can't imagine what it'll be like when I move my life back to Vancouver.....I'm excited for that day to come, but still...it's going to be madness. I need to purge my possessions.

Alegria - raison pour rester?

I've been thinking about my next summer work term and where I would like to work.
I know I really want to work back in Vancouver, or try applying to jobs in Asia again on my own.
But ever since I found out Alegria is going to Toronto next June for only FIVE days...I've been thinking that maybe I should stay in Toronto JUST so I could see the show.

I've never seen clips of the show. What I have heard is the SOUNDTRACK. Repeatedly, you will hear me obsess over soundtracks. I really think Soundtracks are such brilliant musical compositions.
GAH I really want to watch Alegria. Everyone else in my family watched it in Taiwan in January. Of course I couldn't be there to watch this show with them. They looooved the show. I loved OVO, but something tells me I'll love Alegria more.

This is like when I was deciding whether I should go to UBC or a school in Ontario. I was thinking that if I stayed home and went to UBC, I'd also get to be home during the OLYMPICS. But it's ok. Problem solved. I'm going home for reading week and watching Patrick Chan perform!

I know I'm going to choose the best work place for me over Alegria. But still...in the back of my mind it will rest.

Rosa does the darndest things

So my good friend, roommate, and fashionista Lucy at In My Music Box tagged me to share 7 random facts about myself. I'm grateful it's shorter than the 25 Random Facts on Facebook. I guess I'm going to add 7 more to that list so I don't repeat myself. Does a person really have 25+7 = 32 Random Facts about themselves? Well, we shall find out. I wanted to do a Friday Favourite today so I'm going to mix that in to this list.

1. I'm very slow to be in the Christmas mood. This year more than particular. It just bothers me that right after Halloween and Remembrance Day, the Christmas lights and all the red and green starts popping up at our malls. It just starts earlier and earlier each year. Christmas feels like a commercial gimmick, and it works. I actually feel pressured to buy gifts. I've kept the number low this year though. Just family and close friends. The moment I felt Christmasy was on Monday. I was walking down to Harbourfront Centre at lunchtime for a skate. While leaving my building, there was a nice band playing some great Christmas tunes. When I walked past Union, another youth brass quartet was playing to raise money for the Salvation Army. By the time I laced up my boots, it started to flurry rather gracefully. That moment put me in the Christmas mood.

   
   

2. I dislike washing my hair. Don't worry, I wash it every couple of days. I just think it's such a waste of time! I wish there was an automatic hair washer that does the washing and drying for me. Drying is my least favourite part. But gotta dry the hair, especially in the winter.
3. SOUND OF MUSIC. I've watched the movie countless times. I most of the movie, except for all the corny bits. Tonight, I went to watch the musical down at Princess of Wales Theatre. $25 student rush tickets are superb! We had first balcony seats, 4th row, and had a great view. The set design was amazing. The singing was pretty good as well. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. So yes, I like Sound of Music. My favourite song has to be the part when she's going to meet them for the first time, and she sings "I have confidence". It's seriously the most uplifting and happy song. I will listen to that everytime I feel negative.
   
4. I have a thing for Bokeh. So the heartshaped ones are girly. I haven't been able to find the lens cover for the heart shaped ones yet, but I haven't really been looking very hard. I need to take my camera out to practice some more. That and buy some new lens!

   

5. I sleep with earplugs now. I'm a light sleeper and I can't sleep with noise, light or heat. Give me a cold room, quiet, and pitch black room and I'll have the best sleep of my life.
   
6. I'm really beginning to enjoy spending time alone. I usually eat lunch alone, and I like having that time to myself for self-reflection and to do some reading. I've read quite a few books this term because of all the time I spend reading at lunch.
   
7. After spending a few months in Toronto for this work term, I've come to appreciate the city a lot more. I used to think that no other Canadian city is better than Vancouver, but I've gotten off my high horse and thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Toronto. Some of my favourite places:

St Lawrence district - especially the Flea Market. Went there 3, 4 times with K.

The Underground PATH - albeit not direct and with rather poor signage. It is quite useful when you're trying to stay warm. Also lots of great underground shopping =D

The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts. I watched the Nightingale and Other Short Fables here and it was just amazing. I've been inside to see Sonny Rollins perform. But it was something else watching and hearing the sound quality for an opera. I love all the performance venues in Toronto in general. A lot more than Vancouver, that's for sure.

OK my list is done! Going to enjoy some jazz at The Rex tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait!

Friday Favourites

With the holidays quickly approaching, I can't help but be influenced by all the product advertisements thrown in front of me everyday. So here is a list of consumer and non-consumer favourites on this very chilly Friday evening.

1. MUSIC
1.1 John Mayer | Battle Studies

Released a couple of weeks ago, I've been listening to his CD on repeat. My favourite songs are Perfectly Lonely and Edge of Desire. This guy has real talent. I went to his concert two years ago in Vancouver, and it was a great continuous flow of melodic music, great guitar, and smooth vocals. His next tour - Sign me up.

1.2 Sophie Milman | Make Someone Happy & Take Love Easy

I love her covers. She doesn't write lyrics or music but she brings such a unique style to her covers - both jazz, classics, and even rock and roll covers. I have both her CDs as well, ones that I actually purchased from the store. I'm actually going to her concert tonight at Massey Hall, which leads to Favourite Thing # 2

2. Going to concerts by yourself
Yes I'm going to the Sophie Milman concert by myself. I didn't really ask anyone except Julia, and I kinda knew she wouldn't be interested. It's ok. By going on your own, you can get better single seats! I went to a concert at RCM's Koerner Hall in October for a Venezuelan brass ensemble and it was a great time even though I was alone. I should be leaving after I'm done with this post.

3. Mulberry bags
Ok...I've always LOVED Mulberry bags for their simplicity and great quality. The leather they use is soooo soft and supple. I could hug one of their bags to bed. Unfortunately, Mulberry bags cost an arm and a leg and a few fingers...I'll have to wait a few more years until I purchase one. Still. I can look at them and love them.


4. Good friends who are there for you
I did some real stupid things last week. I'm glad I have friends who don't judge and are there for me when I need some loving and support. Thanks ladies! <3

Ok this wraps my Friday Favourites.
Happy weekend and bundle up!

Recipe Revival

(I haven't made this yet...)

With winter fast approaching, I've been putting on the pounds...yes by eating a lot more. I crave more food and eat more too. I just hope winter is the reason I'm eating more. I don't want to be one of those people who eat their feelings.

I realized that my "recipe" label is lacking blog posts. I started it over the summer and posted about 3 or 4 recipes. However, a slow day at work led me to browse through the Wine and Dining section of the New York Times. I browsed through The Minimalist - Summer Express section. There were 101 simple meals ready in 10 minutes or less. Obviously the 10 minutes doesn't include prep time. I'm guessing the meals will take about 20-30 minutes. I really liked some of the recipes posted. I'd like to try to make some of the recipes posted on that list, and then post it on this blog. I need to branch out on the things I make. Sometimes I'm caught in a lull and start making similar things all the time. I'll see if the meals from the NYT are actually quick and simple.

Another recipe I'd like to try is Stracciatella with Spinach. I don't eat enough spinach. Being iron deficient, I need to try to get as much iron from vegetables and nuts since I don't eat beef or lamb, which are meats with the highest iron levels.

I also have a love for risotto. This recipe - Pasta with chicken and mushroom, risotto style - caught my attention. Now I can't wait to attempt this recipe. I love that the recipe calls for gemelli pasta. I bought that pasta over the summer because it was sold at President's Choice supermarkets. I can't seem to find that pasta at Metro. I dislike Metro...overpriced food and not a lot of choice.

Of course, I'll need to try to make my creations as healthy as possible. Or I need to find some time to continue swimming. I am swimming tomorrow...hopefully at 40 minute swim!

Oh and Happy December. I can't believe it's already December. I'll be back in Vancouver soon :)

let's get a move on...

The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.

-- Wendell Berry

I've been struggling with some emotional baggage for the past month or so. Time is the best cure-all for heart break. A method I tend to use is to visualize the person at their worst. I know it may seem crude and mean, but it really does work to an extent. This weekend, I did something I'm not so proud of, which shall not be stated (yes let your mind wonder). I put myself at risk of more emotional stress but I took a chance because I needed to be certain of what I was feeling. The results were mixed. However now I feel more in control of my emotions than ever because I heard what I needed to hear and I felt what I needed to feel to know that he is a thing of the past. The past defines us, and as much as we want to run away from what has happened, we learn from the good and bad. I added something to my past by revisiting it, and walked away with some very positive emotions laced with a tinge of guilt that I see as being worthwhile.

I'm sorry I'm being vague, but what I'm trying to say is that you can always learn from your past, improve yourself, and move on.


I'm listening to: Someday My Prince Will Come - Dave Brubeck

busy yet rewarding

Just a bit less than a month left of work left. My boss left for her two-week vacation today to Hong Kong and with this application deadline next Monday, my phone was ringing a lot more than usual and my emails grew and grew. I worked 9 hours today. I've had longer days than that when I was at Kitchener because I helped out at public meetings. Those days were more like 12 hour days.
But today was especially busy...I just kept going and going. Not sure how my boss does it, but I know I don't want to be super attached to my career in the future. Many people seem to be defined by their careers, and I can see that happening now. Because more and more people are studying things they're interested in, their interests become their careers. It's great to be working on things you're interested in, but I need a line to be drawn somewhere! I feel like doing all this work is really worth it. I'm put in a situation where I'm sort of on my own and it feels nice to be in control of things. Yes, I like to be in control.

Despite all the tiredness, on my walk home, I encountered a cute little boy on Yonge Street. He was with his mother and younger brother and he turned to the officer and said, "Mr. Policeman, I have my guns too!" The police officer replied, "Ohh I'd better not see you with them!" The little boy seemed embarrassed and said, "OK. I promise".

It was an endearing moment. I wonder if the little boy will remember this moment in his life.

Ok, going to grab some yummy Thai food with Sherry before we get ready for a night out! I wish it were warmer!

a fashion post for lucy

Lucy asked me to post some photos of the recent purchases I made. That's what happens when you live downtown...passing Eaton Centre everyday walking to and from, and several great shops in the underground PATH as well (I have a Winner's in my building!). I am CONSTANTLY surrounded by temptation and marketing.
My style lately has been influenced by the well-dressed workers of the financial district. The men all look polished in suits. I've seen some more fashion-forward suits - slim-fitting, skinny ties, and tapered legs. The women are mostly all in heels of various heights with very professional outfits. Many of these professional outfits do lack a bit on the "creative" side. The looks are classic, clean, and timeless. I've always been a fan of fashions and styles that last. Hence, my wardrobe usually consist of colours such as blacks, greys, whites (ok not a colour), browns, and more recently, purples!


Club Monaco blazer | Forever 21 shirt (not recent) | Gap jeans | Zara booties
(I'm trying to be a humorous model!)

Blouse from Anthropologie | Black racerback tank from Dynamite (10 bucks!) | Leggings from Net in Taiwan | Zara purple booties


Left: H&M Dress | Nine West heels ~~ Right: Jacob silk blouse | Kenneth Cole jacket | Skirt from Winner's | Nine West heeled boots

I have to say I love the stuff at Jacob. That store really has a lot of pieces I would love to wear to work. Some of the things are a bit plainer, but I'm not really one for fancy embellished things. Silk and satin = love

Special thanks to Tiff for taking the pictures!

Club Monaco sweater | Zara boots

I'm not allowed to shop anymore.

beauty in the eye of the beholder

There aren't too many occasions on which my breath is taken away.
Only in circumstances when my heart and soul is moved beyond a threshold unquantifiable or indescribable. My heart and soul is likely to be moved by things I find beautiful. These "things" are often not material objects. I can look up at the sky, and wholly adore the pink streaks of cloud off in the horizon, or the thin stream of sunlight peaking through the grey swirl of clouds. I don't need a photo to justify what I feel. It's the sense of awe (in a calming way), to feel the nature's beauty.

When I went to see The Nightingale and other Short Fables, presented by the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre, I was utterly beguiled by the beautiful voices. I enjoy opera, but not all opera. Some I find too shrill or too forceful. In The Nightingale, the voices were sublime. The beautiful voices mixed with the stunning set design made me want to weep. Again, a moment that couldn't be captured by a photo (literally, photos weren't allowed anyway).

What prompted me to write this entry is a song from Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong Soundtrack, with music composed by James Newton Howard. The song, Beautiful, captures the essence of the relationship between King Kong and Ann. Every time I watch the movie, I shed tears...many tears. Although seemingly unrealistic, a giant "beast", carries a tough exterior but a soft, fuzzy, and sometimes vulnerable personality. Ann brought out the best in King Kong, but also the worst. The line said by Jack Black in the end, "No, the beauty killed the beast", is probably one of my favourite movie quotes. The soundtrack composed by James Newton Howard goes so well with the movie. Every time I hear Beautiful, my eyes well up, and I lose my breath.

I live for moments like this. I hope artists find reactions such as mine rewarding. Be it music, paintings, structures, words...I am moved.

The mind works like this...

Deep within the corners of my mind
I keep a memory of your face
And I only pull it out when I long for your embrace

Deep within the corners of my mind
I’m haunted by your smile
As it promises me joys like a journey to a tropic isle
It’s not hard to see what you do to me
It’s like a page right out of fist time wave
Though I try to fight all the word you write
Leave me standing in the starry robe in some tragic lover's place

But deep within the corners of my mind
I’m praying secretly that eventually in time
There’ll be a place for you and me

That eventually in time
There’ll be a place for you and me