Green Onions and OCAC |04.30.2001|
I can't believe I haven't updated for almost a week! I guess that's how dry this place is. . . there's not much for me to blog--which is probably why I get close to 8 hrs of sleep each day or more. :P There are also no mountains to see when I look out my office window! :( I understand why my youth pastor back at home loves mountains (she spent many years in Regina in seminary I think). Porkie said that God must've placed me here for a reason (instead of Leitch or in TO/Van), and one of the reasons is probably to develop my patience. I need a LOT of patience here (to be explained eventually but part of it is new place, people, and church). The weekend was more exciting though . . .Aside: my landlord offered me to take some of his green onions from their garden whenever I needed to use any (yum, I save myself 33 cents to a dollar per bunch and get fresh ones each time too =)!).
On Saturday afternoon, my uncle took me to visit their family. Azure (their white lab) is soooo big now! She's two years old (which explains it b/c I was there for Winterlude in 1999). She reminds me of my stuffed Pound Puppy for some reason :P. The rest of the kids have grown too! Camile (spelling?) has really long hair and the boys love their game console (not sure which one they have). My uncle also showed me the area of the house that I would've lived in . . . but it's too bad that they live so far away--but I would've definitely improved my Français!
Heheh, we had an interesting dinner meal--hot dog weiners and carrots w rice with wine (course the kids didn't get any). Hmm. I'm beginning to think that ppl from the French culture can tolerate wine/alcohol fairly well. I tend to turn shades but it must've worn off after we finished watching The gods must be crazy II:P That movie is bizarre.
OCAC (is that pronounced "oh-kak" if KWCAC is pronounced "quack"?!) reminds me of BAC. Yuck. Well, not yuck, but as many of you already know, I have something against Rick Warren and the whole Saddleback thing. I will retype that article my home church printed last year one day on the 8 characteristics of small churches (stereotypes more like). . .Kat L. told me that Melissa told her that Sponge and Ben were worried about me here. Isn't that sweet? ;P . . .I found that Rev Hing Wong is a better speaker (more eye contact vs. reading sermon) than Pastor (Rev) Dan but at the same time, Pastor Dan is a very good Sunday School teacher, so it seems. He almost makes me forget that we're doing the C.L.A.S.S series (BLECH.), where everything is fill-in-the-blank or one verse multi-translation scripture that may or may not be out-of-context. I think I like KWCAC's Sunday School the best still. =) At the same time, the people at that church remind me of BAC--they seem like a church family. And the way they behave seem to reflect those at my church (BAC) who have been there for a very long time. I guess that may mean it would be hard to integrate, but at the same time, Ben C. has been telling me good things about these people for awhile now . . . except Dominic still has a bad impression on me. Too cool for me or something.
What I'm not useta is to sing the Doxology before the sermon. 'Tis very strange indeed. The songs are somewhat refreshing though--to be able to sing songs of the early 90s. Sometimes I miss them because in CCF/KWCAC we recycle the same new songs over and over and over...again. However, I would like to sing some recent songs here and there, but I have a hunch that this church doesn't have drums. Or do they? I haven't seen one yet (my 3rd service there). Funny though, I've been seeing Romans 1:20 for three times or more this term already, isn't that something? I also saw pictures of Leah Yim (? if that's her last name) in the Jeremiah Fellowship pics. . .must be outdated or something, cuz she's been in BAC for awhile now. I also thought I saw a look-alike of Auntie Joan F. Very Strange. :P
I get there extremely early (ride arrangements), so I guess I have time to settle my heart first but that means I gotta wake up extra early too. I didn't realise that my ride was going to come at 8:45 am (for 9:30 am service). I'm hoping to catch a ride off of Ben C. if he visits in May so I don't haveta get up as early since he passes our area I think. . .=P
Anyhow, that's my weekend. Ottawa. Yipes. I can't wait 'til Canada Day. That's what I'm looking forward to in Ottawa!
House and Interior Design |04.24.2001|
Wow, I would've never imagined that Ikea would have some really good stuff at such low prices! Much of their quality is pretty good for the price you can get it at. The small items are especially good--Chinaware cups and plates at 75 cents each, halogen light bulbs @ $2.50 (vs. Canadian Tires $5+), and certain wooden coffee tables for $10! Heeheh, and it's relatively close too :). Anyhow, so far that's my highlight of Ottawa :P.
Beavers and Beavertails |04.24.2001|
When I said that Ottawa is dry, I don't mean weatherwise. On contrary, the weather has been quite warm in the past 2 days--yesterday, it reached 26C! Dry--oh boy, I don't think I can ever live here permanently. Chinatown is only one street long =(. It's not very Chinesey either because many stores are Vietnamese or something else. See, after church, we couldn't even find a Chinese restaurant that didn't look ghet. We ended up going to this half-decent dim sum place to "yum cha"; the siu-mei is so cheap! No shrimp roe/eggs, or yellow wrap. . .Everything else closes sooo early! I have a free COWs ice cream card, but when we got to COWS, it was closed! The store is at the heart of downtown (marketplace), but it closes at 5 PM everyday--I work 'til 5 pm everyday! :(
Carleton University is sooo uuuggh. I am sooo grateful that I go to UW. Although Uw is nothing as nice in archetectrial (spelling =|) form/structure as SFU, Carleton can't compare at all! The tunnels are good in that it connects to the whole campus but it looks, feels, and smells like a SUBWAY tunnel . . . The newest residences are the only thing that's good--they look like hotels b/c they have sinks and such in their rooms, and they only haveta share the bathroom w/ the room next door.
There don't seem to be very many theatres here for some odd reason--at least not in my area. I think my area is a lower income area or something...b/c I read in a magazine Ottawa City that Kanata and some other -ville has the highest income homes. Not surprising.
I actually saw WILD beavers here! They're like Waterloo squirrels, they just reside on the side of the road--if there's grass and all. I've never seen them in my life before (aside from in zoos). They're kinda cute-shaped; like a groundhog almost. That's what I thought they were at first. Sponge and Ben had their first beavertails here too. :)
My place is quite nice! Carpeted, large room w furniture, balcony, large and many windows around the house, screen windows, free cables and laundry, etc. Very comfortable and all for $300 inclusive :)
Stickers and Stories |04.23.2001|
Wow, I haven't been able to update this for awhile now :\. Having internet access again (even though it's only accessible at work for now) is such a relief! I think I wouldn't be able to survive without internet. At the same time though, I think I'm at the beginning stages of carpal tunnel syndrome because my right wrist hurts again. . .I have much to say . . . let's begin with my day-trip to Toronto.
Guess what?! The Sandylion Factory Outlet actually exists (well I know it did since my Youth Pastor back home bought many stickers from there years ago, but my friends didn't believe me)!! I can't believe that none of my Toronto friends knew about it until I personally found the HQ address (from the back of retail stickers) and looked at a map and "made" Ben A. drive there. I ended up buying a package of 35 squares @ 7 cents a square (that's 21 cents for a regular sheet as opposed to retail price of $0.35-0.45 a square). The irony of it all, is that when we drove Eric C. (Ben's housemate in Waterloo) back to the 'loo, I brought it up and he actually knows about it!Eric is the last guy on the planet that I would expect to know about stickers. Apparently, he has a drawer full of them at home. Why? Well, his mother and aunt both work there! I thought that "coincidence" was rather amusing.
Another "amusing coincidence": Dr. Ho.
Who's he? Actually, I'm not quite sure since I don't have cable TV. But apparently, he is quite famous for doing infomercials. Anyhow, when he walked in with his not-that-young-kids, Ben said, isn't that Dr. Ho? I was like, "Hmm, I donno but he looks familiar . . ." The teen behind us started rambling to his family, "That's Dr. Ho!" Anyhow, it was quite funny, because I think Dr. Ho was in hearing distance but it doesn't seem that anyone else at The Taste of Japan recognised him.I finally managed to see what Pacific Mall and Market Place looks like inside. We accidentally stumbled by a dry-cleaning place, and after brief second a thought registered into my mind, "EEPS! That's the place [of the Pacific Mall mystery]!" So we "casually" walked back to look inside the store, but the white chair had NOTHING in it! Hmm. So I was thinking, maybe they removed it. BUT . . .
. . .2 stores down, there it was! Yipes! I don't know if they actually change the clothes of the doll, because on the day I went, she was wearing a pink outfit--just like the picture. Ben was scared out of his wits even though it's only based on a rumour; it was funny :)Ottawa is dry.
On the Light Side |04.17.2001|
A couple of my friends (guys of course) and I recently started e-mailing on the topic of purses. What we don't understand is why girls like to carry purses, aside for the sake of accessorising their wardrobes. Practically speaking, purses are a hassle--they are small (hence, can't carry much), burdensome (must stay on your shoulder or be watched like a hawk), and just not worth it (costs at least $30 for a nice purse that matches with only one outfit). MEC bags are more practical, but we don't consider that a purse :)Shitake Mushroom!
Heeeheee, that's a good phrase to use :P For example, you drop a glass onto the floor and it shatters, perfect time to say "Augh, shitake mushroom!". It's even better than Dan T./Dylan L.'s "What the hay?!" Hehe, that mushroom phrase is actually taken from the movie Spy Kids. Yup, that's actually quite a good movie, even though it stars two kids. Amazingly, we had the theatres to ourselves. That's quite a different experience.C-Factor. Sponge's infamous theory. After seeing Remember the Titans, one has the idea of racism fresh in mind. Hence, when we were seated in the corner (away from the playoffs/big screen TV) of Morty's (yet again even though there were only 3 of us and plenty of tables/seats to go around), was served pink-coloured ginger-ale, diluted cocktail, and iceless water, we were once again reminded that just perhaps, that place is racist, or nicely putting it, the "C(hinese)-Factor". Last time, one waitress even told Clinton F. that he couldn't sit at the end of the table, and made him squish at the end of the wall. She had an attitude with our orders and well, even though she was dressed "down"--that didn't get her any points.
I think Sponge has a bad influence on me. The End.
PS. I almost forgot to tell you that Gabbie told me that a better nickname for him is Real Big (anagram). 'Cept I don't know how that relates to him . . . unless he's a real big eater or something.
Hmm, anagram for "Gabbie" is "Big Abe" :P
Fruit Peels and Laundry |04.15.2001|
Another conversation with a friend today made me recall a previous discussion with some other people, possibly with Carey and the "POH" cell group.I'm curious as to the correlation of this interesting finding: whether this is more common with guys than girls, and whether having only sons is the factor.
The first time I heard this, I was very surprised. In my mind, I was thinking that these mature people are spoiled. But at the same time, I realise that they are not because they do not demand their mothers (usually) to do this, the parent just does it out of love.
So what is "this"? Well, I asked a friend of mine why he didn't want to move out (aside from the cost factor), even though he would be working in downtown Toronto and would have to commute on the Go train every day. Somehow, we got onto "this" topic: his mother peels fruit for his entire family, and does the laundry everytime--including folding and putting it away for them. Amazing dedication.
As you can tell, I have no luxury of that, which may be a good thing, since I have to learn basic survival skills, but at the same time, my consumption of fruits that must be peeled decreases :P
Another relevant question: Do most parents, especially moms, spoil their kids more when they come home especially if they are study or work elsewhere? Hmmm . . .
Freedom |04.14.2001|
I'm free at last! Alas, I don't think I did very well on my final final exam. I have, up until today, yet to have seen an exam that is worth 50%, with 12 questions (subparts for some questions), and worth 200 marks! I'm actually very scared of my final mark for this course. Linguistics, the "Science of English"--one cannot um.their way through it (like my other English final). Hours are spent memorising and doing drills. Yuck =(. I did very well on my first midterm but got slaughtered on my second one. I compare this course with Math as well. But, I really enjoyed first year and high school Calculus--maybe because my mom and my Grade 12 teacher was soo patient with me. That's the only aspect of Math I liked. And now, I recall why I Science (and Math) is not my strong point :P.
Chicks |04.12.2001|
"Fred" wanted to walk home today after Comfie Night at Sherrie's ("Fred" here is Winnie, not Fred H., N., or Ben A.). But because I'm lazy, I wanted a ride. To convince her, Jonathan said that he had a nice car (Honda Civic 2001 w/ spoiler, tinted windows, xenon lights, etc. etc . . . but it didnt compare to Michelle's Mercedes). Right away, Winnie says, "OOOOH!--we could go and pick up some nice chicks with it!" as if she was a guy. =Þ Well, maybe she was the "chick" that ended up being "picked up" because she eventually got a ride home. Heheh. :)
Storms |04.12.2001|
It's 12 noon, sunny with a warm wind, and temperatures at 21C. There are remnants of rainwater on the ground, but it's hard to have guessed that at 3:15 am this morning, lightning and thunder and heavy rain stormed upon us. Scary. I haven't really been through big thunderstorms here (it woke me up) since 1st year. I couldn't even count in between the flashes and the thunder! The car alarms in our parking lot was set off by the thunder--reminds me of the thunderstorms back home, where the whole house shakes (maybe because it's made of wood?) and car alarms are set off, and dogs bark like crazy.The saying goes, "April showers brings May flowers," so I suppose Spring is here indeed (not to mention the warm weather)! :)
Star Trek |04.11.2001|
Actually, this entry has absolutely nothing to do w/ Star Trek, aside from the fact that my CS prof is overly obsessed with it. I just finished writing a CS 100 final in the PAC. Yuck. I hate that place; it's so intimidating. But at least I get my own BIG desk :)! Big desks are hard to find in Arts.Anyhow (hmm I tend to say that often), this exam was very tricky. I think the class average was too high on the mditerm. Questions, if not read carefully, can easily throw one off. One example is this one:
What is false?
C. The Internet is another name for the World Wide Web
D. There are over 90 000 pages on Star Trek on the InternetI tried to reason two of them out because they could very well both be false.
C would probably be wrong (my most likely incorrect reasoning) because Internet refers to a network, but at the same time, you can "get on" the Internet without going on the www (in the URL) . . .
Although 90 000 or more pages on Star Trek may sound farfetched, there may be a 0.0001% chance that it could very well be true and I just didn't know it (afterall, prof was big fan of Star Trek).Another one asked what's proper formatting if you want to emphasise a title in a document?
A. underline
C. bold or italicisedWell the correct answer for title headings is C and for titles of books, it could be A or just italicised. I picked C and justified it. Thankfully, there was a comment section (which I screwed up the question referencing for one :\ and now that I think of it, I may have even changed the correct answer on the bubble sheet, noticed my error, and changed it back to the wrong one! yipes!).
So I don't know how well I did. Thanks to Matt M. who helped me solve a couple of practice questions last night. One showed up on the exam :). Also, word of advice to people who try to take any CS course: unless you allow your name to be shown in UWDir, your marks cannot be posted. I don't know why my Arts courses seem to be okay in posting my marks. Which means, I have to e-mail my TA, who's willing to try and get my mark, for my final mark after exams have ended. *High* (that's Carey's way of sighing in Chinese), so maa-fan. I think I will change my permissions in September cuz I'm taking CS 200 with Sponge in Fall term.
That's why I like most Arts exams. I can make up everything and still get marks! Okay, I'll stop ranting about my exam now. :|
Note: What's yet another name for Gabbie? E-Bag (Gabe spelled backwards :Þ)
Learning |04.10.2001|
Hmm today was interesting. I've been having 10 hours of sleep a day or so lately and it feels really good :) I went to a CS tutorial today and got our final projects back. Reflecting back, I think my TA has been one of the best TAs I have had as compared with my days in Science. He'll be a very good highschool Math teacher (his aspiration) =). Anyhow, after realising that I could've used Notepad as one of the new applications as required our project I unconsciously said, "Doh! You made me learn a new thing!" in reference to learning Flash. He pointed out what I said and it actually sounds rather funny :).After the tutorial, I had yet another small honey jasmine with tapioca "bubble tea" from Sweet Dreams. I don't think I can ever get sick of that flavour. . . people also think that I am bizarre for mixing flavours like pineapple with passionfruit. . . that tasted okay too but honey jasmine is the best so far! :P
Oh yeah, I was talking to Ben C last night and what's funny is that I pronounced "alias" wrong. I said "uh-lie-us" and then thought, "wait a minute, that doesn't sound right" b/c i was just reading it from my head . . . he told me that in highschool, one of his classmates in Science read organism wrong. . . :\ oh boy.
PS. Anita thinks that guy from St. Cin's is a Jason look-alike too :P
Guys |04.08.2001|
Black and Blue. Woah. I think I've been brainwashed by Ben/Jonathan. I actually asked to borrow a BSB CD from Ben. Actually, I liked Track 13 (How Did I Fall in Love With You) since Christmas, after my friend Jasmine uh, introduced that song to me. I didn't really like BSB before until Track 13 :P.
That's not exactly what I was planning to write, but considering I am listening to it in my CD player right now, it's hard not to sing along :P.Anyhow, if any of you know a Jason "Hut-Yee King" L., brother of Simon, there's a guy working at St. Cinnamon's that resembles him for some odd reason. Ben was with me and he thought so too, and he knows Jason more than I do! I think Sponge or Simon should go see for themselves and let me know . . . maybe I'm just crazy (it's one of the 2 asian guys working there; and the other one is obviously too big/tall for a "Jason") :P.
That place is actually pretty good. Ben C. told me yesterday that there is a St. Cinnamon's at the mall where I'll be living close to in Ottawa--mmmm. The price, atmosphere, and quality is quite reasonable :). Very good competition with Williams at the UW plaza.
Movies |04.05.2001|
I saw Someone like you . . . the other day. I forget who it starred but it was a very bizarre movie--good in some sense, not too good in others. Very secular. To tell you the truth, I can't remember what it was exactly about. OH WAIT. That's right! Inter-office relationships. The actor (can't remember names for the life of me) that played Wolverine in X-Men is in it.Anyhow going back to movies. I generally enjoy watching "chick flicks" but at the same time, I like watching certain movies that guys would watch, like X-Men. At the theatres, I saw a poster for Tomb Raiders (starring Angeline Jolie). For some odd reason, I want to see that movie, along Final Fantasy when it releases even though I haven't played FF (but have played TR on Playstation once).
Speaking of FF, I remember when FFVIII finally came out, I told one of my guy friends that it was out and he was like shocked that I even knew what FF was. Actually, if you read my guestbook, he was making fun of the fact that I knew HTML. Kinda funny really :P
Shopping Part 2 |04.05.2001|
Hmm. I think I should make a new page for archives although I don't keep a archive of my announcements . . .
Would you believe that I went shopping at Fairview Mall (Kitchener) again?! Anyhow this time, I was with only 1 friend so we didn't stay for 5 hours (thank God!). I was reminded of this experience that I had the last time that I was there.Aside: Porkie commented the other day that I wasn't a girl because I was surfing on the web trying to build my own car. I tried it w/ the Acura website one day at work and on that particular night in Twinkle, I was procrastinating once again so I decided to look at McClaren F1s and Dodge Vipers--$89 000 USD. Did you know that if you have physical disabilities and you live in the US, Dodge will take off $2500 (or so) from your car purchase? Hmm.
Back to my shopping story. I know that I look young (ie. 12 years old), and I don't dress sophisticately with class, BUT I still expect a certain level of respect. Because I was dressed very grungely the other day, I went into Laura Petites to look for some interview clothes. I appreciated the fact that I wasn't watched like a hawk, but at the same time, the saleswoman didn't have to look at me from head to toe like I'm being checked out or something. Anyhow, yeah, a word of advice for those who are shopping for clothes with class: dress accordingly.
