Shiraz and Cabernet grapes share a rich embrace of luscious berry flavours with a hint of spice, aromas of plum and currant, and a touch of oak. This full-bodies red pairs wonderfully with grilled steak, burgers and BBQ ribs.
The reason I decide to try this wine is the price (less than $10) and the silvery purple colour label. Well... This is not a very good way to pick a wine in LCBO, but this wine didn't disappoint me. It's in fact pretty good. It's easy to drink and the price is good. I like the fruity finish of this wine.
I've got a cold since last Monday. It's just a cold... NOT H1N1!! ;) I am better now... but the coughing won't stop...
Ta Ta suggested a Chinese herbal drink. I've drank it for a few days. I seems to cough a bit less.
The Chinese Herbal Drink: 羅漢果 - 1 無花果 (Figs) - 6 (add more Figs for sweeter drink) 南北杏 (Almond Seed) - some, a small bunch Boil the above ingredients in 2.5L of water for 35 mins. Turn off heat and let stand for 30 mins.
Today, I've received 2 email invitations from 2 different persons asking me to join Desktopdating. It could be a new site like facebook, but the name "Desktopdating" doesn't seem legit. So, I did a search in the internet...
If you have received an email with subject " has sent you a Desktopdating invitation", don't open it and please delete it immediately!
Based on people's comments, it seems this malware only targets windows/outlook/IE. It will search your address book and send similar invitations to all of your contacts.
I didn't open my emails in outlook, so I hope my computer is not infected.
Some review on wines that I've drank before... PELEE ISLAND MERLOT 2008
750 mL bottle
Red Wine
Made in: Ontario, Canada
12.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1 (Dry)
Body: light-bodied
Price: $ 9.95
Its dark ruby appearance, distinctive black current and cherry flavours are complemented by a smooth lingering finish.
Serving suggestions: barbecues and most pasta dishes
This wine is ok. Nothing exciting. I prefer medium to full bodied wine.
PELEE ISLAND MONARCH 2008
750 mL bottle
Red Wine
12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1 (Dry)
Body: medium bodied
Made in: Ontario, Canada
Price: $ 9.95
Pelee Island Monarch Red is a fun and lively red wine with ripe and jammy fruits flavours. A welcoming aroma of cherry and violets give away to a balanced finish with robust tannins.
Serving suggestions: grilled red meats and full flavoured cheeses.
This wine is good. It's definitely better than the Merlot. Based on the price, it's not something that I would be very excited about. Don't get me wrong... It's a good wine... but I can find similar quality wine at a cheaper price...
CESARI MERLOT2008
750 mL bottle
Red Wine
12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1 (Dry)
Body: light to medium bodied
Made in: Venezie, Italy
Price: $ 7.45
This red wine comes from grapes selected in and around the Veneto Region. It has a good bouquet and a full bodied flavour making this wine a great accompaniment to many dishes, specially meat and pasta.
This is a good merlot for the price. I used to like Merlot a lot, but I recently found Merlot to have no character. May be my taste has changed over time... So, this wine is not really an exciting wine for me, but the price is good.
In addition to the Pumpkin Ale by Great Lakes Brewery, I've also tried another pumpkin beer: St-Ambroise Citrouille - The Great Pumpkin Ale.
I found this beer to have more pumpkin taste. I would recommend this to people who are interested in drinking some fun beers. ;) It's only $2 a bottle.
I am interested in wines that are under $10 and Casal Thaulero Sangiovese is one of them. For $6.95, this is a very good wine. Of course, you cannot compare this to some of the $15+ wines, but this wine stands out. It is actually better than some of the $10-$15 Ontario VGA wines.
CASAL THAULERO SANGIOVESE 2008
750 mL bottle
Red Wine
13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Abruzzo, Italy
Sugar Content : 1 (Dry)
Body: Medium bodied
This delicious wine is produced and estate bottled in Abruzzo - one of the most beautiful region in Italy. The Sangiovese grapes grown on this estate are of highest quality, creating a dry wine with fresh aromas and well-balanced flavours. Casal Thaulero Sangiovese is excellent alone or with many dishes, especially roasts, cheese and pasta. Serve at room temperature.
Taste: Medium to deep ruby colour with cherry flavours
Recently, I have been waking up 3+ times at night. I don't have a problem going back to sleep but I am still very very tired when I wake up in the morning. I am not getting quality sleep.
I think it all started when builder put 2 big fans inside my condo to dry the walls. I don't really know the cause, because sound usually doesn't bother my sleep. I can fall asleep when TV or radio is still on. For the last 2 nights, I've turned off the fans at night time. Unfortunately, I am still waking up multiple times. I've slept for 12 hours on Saturday night, but it just feels like I've slept for 7-8 hours.
According to a new Symantec report on security software, tens of millions of computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable.
A rogue security software program is a type of misleading application (also known as scareware) that pretends to be legitimate security software, such as an antivirus scanner or registry cleaner, but which actually provides the user with little or no protection whatsoever and, in some cases, can actually facilitate the installation of malicious code that it purports to protect against. There are two prevalent ways in which rogue security software can be installed on a user’s computer: either it is downloaded and installed manually by a user after he or she has been tricked into believing that the software is legitimate; or it is unknowingly installed onto a user’s computer, such as when a user visits a malicious website designed to automatically download and install illegitimate applications.
To date, Symantec has detected over 250 distinct rogue security software programs.
Click here to see the full Symantec Report on Rogue Security Software July 2008 - June 2009
(The Symantec Report on Rogue Security Software is an in-depth analysis of rogue security software programs. This includes an overview of how these programs work and how they affect users, including their risk implications, various distribution methods, and innovative attack vectors. )
Recently, I've tried 2 unique beers from the Great Lakes Brewery: Orange Peel Ale and Pumpkin Ale. According to the sales, you can only find this two beers once a year during Halloween time.
The orange peel ale is nice. It has an slight orange flavour and is very refreshing.
The sales person highly recommends the pumpkin ale, but it wasn't as good as I expected. The pumpkin flavour is minimal. I think it's because pumpkins don't really have a strong taste, but I would expect this beer to have a lot of pumpkin flavour.
It's nice to try them for fun, but it's not something that I would buy on regular basis. They are ok for once-a-year type of beers.
In a recent Marist Poll, nearly half of Americans – 47% – said they find “whatever” most annoying.
Top 5 most annoying conversational words or phases: #1 - Whatever (47%) #2 - You know (25%) #3 - It is what it is (11%) #4 - Anyway (7%) #5 - At the end of the day (2%)
I agree with #1... "Whatever" is annoying... For the other ones, I don't think so... I say "you know" a lot too... hahahahaha... :D
To see the images, just pull the human figure at the top of the Google Maps zoom bar onto the map and jiggle it up and down the street for the best view.
Google has blurred faces and licence plates on all the images... well... at least most of them...
I've found one where license plate is very clear:
Some photographs that bloggers and Twitter users flagged as humorous earlier today, including one showing a man helping a young child prepare to urinate under a tree, had been removed from Street View in the afternoon.
Here are some other funny images...
People don't welcome Google:
Some Google photo stitches are incorrect... This car has 6 wheels... :P
I had been battling with water all night last night to protect my condo... I only had 2-3 hours of sleep... but it didn't matter... I had to save my condo...
Last night around 12:30am, the fire alarm in my condo started ringing. I didn't pay attention at first, but since it kept ringing, I went out the balcony to see whether anyone went outside. I didn't see anyone. Since it was raining outside, I was hoping that this was just a false alarm. To be safe, I planned to check on my neighbors to see their reactions. Then, as soon as I opened the door, I was stunned by what I saw in the hallway. The hallway was filled with smoke... not from fire... but steam from hot water... There was a layer of water on top of soaking wet carpet... The whole hallway was flooded by hot water!!!
The water was leaking into my condo from the bottom of all common walls... I had got water coming inside from the bathroom wall, the door, and closet wall. I immediately searched for something to stop the water... I put some older home clothes (clothes that I wear at home only) at the edge of the wall to block waters as my first line of defense... Then, I searched for some towels (bath tub towels, kitchen towels, etc.) to soak water as my second line of defense...
In the mist of searching and placing the defenses, I was using one hand to keep dialing the security phone #. Every time I got the security voice mail, I wanted to swear. After many tries, the security guard finally answered the phone. I told him about the flooding and he said he'll notify the firemen immediately.
Well... Water kept coming in... And of course... I am the third line of defense!! I kept running back and forth drying the towels in bath tub and put them back on the floor to soak more water... I needed to stop the water from entering the laminated floor areas... I didn't want my stuff to be damaged...
Eventually the firemen came... I heard a lot of banging... The owner of the water leaking condo wasn't home... The firemen had to use an axe to break open the door...
I took a peak outside from time to time... At around 1:30am, one fireman told me that there was a broken water pipe in the heater of another condo... They had stopped the water leak but the water had went down 5 floors... All hallways are soaked...
At around 3:30am, the firemen had pushed a lot of the water out the hallway down the stairs. Water is still leaking into my condo but at a much slower rate. I dried all towels/clothes one more time and put some paper towels around them to replace me as third line of defense before going to sleep.
At around 5:30am, I was awakened by some loud noises. I guessed the builder had sent some people to clean up the mess. I got out of bed to dry all towels/clothes again. I had also put some new paper towels before going back to sleep.
At around 7am, some people from the builder knocked on my door asking about the damages. They said they would use machines to clean my condo but never came. I guessed they went to the other condos with more serious damages. Since I had been soaking water all night, my condo's damages were minimal compared to some other condos.
Elevators had stopped working due to the flood... I had to walk down many many floors to go to work... I was afraid that I have to walk up many many floors to go home. Luckily, when I came home from dinner, one of the elevators is working.
Ontario's new rules prohibiting cellphone use while driving will go into effect October 26. But, it will be February 1 before drivers will be fined up to $500 for chatting, dialing, texting or emailing on hand-held devices, because there is a 3 months education period prior to the enforcement.
We'll have to take more devices (i.e. bluetooth headset, etc.) while going out... :( When will all cars built in bluetooth phone?
A lot of people see sunset as something depressing, but I think sunset is very beautiful! It has a lot more colours and variations than sunrise. Sunset is an indication that we should now relax and enjoy life! ;)
Imagine yourself sitting in a comfortable chair looking at this sunset drinking a glass of wine... Wonderful! :D
When I think about the sound of rain, I often imagine a relaxing sound that can put me to sleep.
Well... That's not always the case... For some strange reasons, I woke up at 3:30am last night. I was twisting and turning and wasn't able to go back to sleep. I was very tired, but I just couldn't fall asleep again. I had to go to work the next day... but the more I wanted to go to sleep, it seems the more awake I was. I hoped the sound of rain outside would help me out, but... the rain sounds more like unpleasing noise than smoothing music. I was even blaming the rain for keeping me awake. I finally felt asleep again around 6am.
It's funny to see how we react to the same thing differently when we are in different moods. Last night, I hated the sound of rain. At other times, I would probably enjoy the sound and just relaxingly stared at the raining scene.
To take or not to take (the flu shots)?That's the question.
Based on a series of unpublished studies from British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, the findings seem to suggest that people who got a seasonal flu shot last year are about twice as likely to catch swine flu as people who didn't. As a result of that, Ontario is changing its approach to seasonal flu vaccine administration this year.
In October, the seasonal flu vaccine will be offered to people 65 and older, and residents in long-term care homes. Starting in November, the swine flu vaccine will be rolled out. The seasonal flu vaccine will once again be offered to everyone over six months old in December and January.
The reason behind inoculating the elderly against the seasonal flu is because they are the hardest hit. The new H1N1 virus has disproportionately affected younger people. Doctors believe that young people have been particularly hard-hit because the H1N1 virus resembles a strain of flu that circulated before 1957, to which older people have been exposed.
Unpublished studies show the flu shot last year could make us twice as likely to catch the swine flu this year. What if the swine flu shot this year will make us twice as likely to catch another type of flu next year? If we take both swine flu shot and seasonal flu shot this year, are we four times as likely to catch a new flu next year? I guess no one can tell us... even doctors and scientists... :(
The following Ninja weapon 2G USB flash drives are pretty cool, especially if you love Ninja Anime (e.g. Naruto, etc.). It can be part of the cosplay outfit. ;)
The only problem is that they are very expensive. $135 Cdn for a 2G flash drive... forget it!!! Source: Gizmodo Geek Stuff 4 U
The idea came from Europe in 1999 as a way to reduce pollution and has since grown to include approx. 1,500 cities around the world. Toronto became the first city in North America to take part when it joined in 2001.
But... Does it make sense for people in Toronto to leave their cars at home today?
I would say "Yes" if GTA has a much better and convenience public transportation system. If I take public transportation to go to work, it'll probably take me 3 hours each way (6 hours in total). If I drive, it only takes me 45 mins each way. So, for me and probably for most of the people in Toronto, 'Car Free Day' is just another usual event. Everyone will still drive to work.
I've been having a lot of bad luck at work recently... Project is on hold, etc. :( As part of the Pad Thai lunch brought during lunch in cafe, I've received a fortune cookie. Inside, it says "You create your own stage. The audience is waiting." This seems to be a good sign! :) Hopefully, things will get better at work.
I have been busy with moving into the new condo. I didn't have time to check the MONOPOLY City Streets. When I check today, all the streets that I want to buy in Toronto and Hong Kong have been purchased by someone else... woo woo woo.... :(
Today is my moving day! :D I didn't sleep much last night. I slept late last night and was up early in the morning to do last minute packing. Everything is packed except for ironed clothes, kitchen stuff, and other breakable stuff. Movers came at around 12:30pm to move boxes to the new condo. It took around 2.5 hours. My new condo is now filled with boxes... a very good place to play hide and seek! :P
A live worldwide game of MONOPOLY using Google Maps as the game board will be launching tomorrow (Sept 9).
The goal is simple. Play to beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence. Own any street in the world. Build humble houses, crazy castles and stupendous skyscrapers to collect rent. Use MONOPOLY Chance Cards to sabotage your mates by building Hazards on their streets.
I think it's going to be fun! Hopefully it's not going to be difficult to play.
I came across the article (below) today. I especially like the part that says: 熱愛偶像的「粉絲」，這個時候該不該為了一個未婚的謊話而怪責偶像？偶像這刻有家人身故，正要安慰傷心的妻子，作為歌迷，或作為一個有點人性的人，是否應該在這時發動退會潮，杯葛一個你曾經在他身上投放過感情的偶像呢？ 如果是一班只為自己設想，為偶像一個未婚謊話而反面的不成熟「粉絲」，筆者認為不值得保留，因為他們遲早一日也會為其他小事離開。
I totally agree. Andy is also human. His marital status has nothing to do with his work. I want to know too, but if he doesn't want us to know, he has a right to do so. We enjoy his movies, his musics, and his Hong Kong style hard working legend. Why people are focusing on one bad thing and not focusing on the other many good things that he did? If a fan is selfish and immature, let he/she leaves... There are millions more mature fans supporting Andy!
7 rules of fair arguments: a) No compare -> don't compare people b) No point fingers -> no "you, you, you" -> solve the problem together c) No commanding d) No threading e) No looking down at others -> respect others -> I am better than you or I know more than you f) No interruption -> listen more than talk g) No introduce confusions -> stay on one topic
(4) Try to compromise
"惟獨從上頭來的智慧、先是清潔、後是和平、溫良柔順、滿有憐憫、多結善果、沒有偏見、沒有假冒。並且使人和平的、是用和平所栽種的義果。" (雅各書 James 3:17-18)
-> Marriage facing death/end usually because one side always says he/she is right... Then, reason for divorce is 'Incomparable'... -> respect each other -> Peace is like growing a plant. If you plant peace, you'll get peace.
-> It's not worth it, if you solve the problem but destroy relationship. -> People can agree to disagree.
Take toothpaste as an example: - if our inside is peace, when pressure occurs, peace comes out. - if our inside is anger, when pressure occurs, anger will come out.
It is difficult to be peace maker. We need to rely on God to help us to have peace inside. "願恩惠平安、因你們認識神和我們主耶穌、多多的加給你們．" (彼得後書 2 Peter 1:2)
Happy Marriage! :) As your fans, I am very happy for you and I'll continue to support you. Hope you and your wife will live happily ever after! There is no need to say "Sorry". If you lie, I am sure that there must be a good reason. If the main reason for lying is your fans, I just want you to know that your fans are very mature. We'll support you no matter what...
Last Wednesday, the following article appeared in 港聞 (HK news) section, not 娛樂 (entertainment news) section...In the following days, a lot more articles related to the same subject also appeared in front page of HK newspapers. Why?
Is this really important HK news? I AM Andy's fan. I do want to know whether he is married or not, but we should respect him. If he wants to keep it a secret to protect his family, why not?
If you are Andy's fan, you should know that 朱麗倩 and Andy have been together for a long time. Whether they are married or not is their business. Actors should have a private life too!
Andy is now being called by media as 「大話天王」. Ok... He lied... He is married but still claims to be single... Does it matter? If you like Andy, then you'll still like him no matter he is single or married. If you like Andy, then you'll still like him no matter he has kids or not. Media is saying that Andy is unfair to 朱麗倩 . How do they know it's unfair? She is not complaining that it's unfair. May be she wanted it this way so she can avoid HK paparazzis.
The love relationship is between Andy and 朱麗倩... between two people... It's not a relationship between Andy and 朱麗倩 and the whole world... Andy doesn't need to announce to the whole world if he is not ready.
I like Andy because of his attitude... because of his work... because of his movies... because of his singing... etc... etc.... not because he is single... and not because he is not married...
I'll always support him!! :D Andy... All your fans will continue to support you!!!
gScreen has announced that it will ship a laptop with dual 15.4-inch widescreens, called the Spacebook, by end of this year. This laptop is pretty cool with an expensive price tag (USD $3,000). One monitor is definitely not enough nowadays. Hopefully, more laptops from different companies will be equipped with two screens. I can't wait to get one when price eventually drops to an affordable price! ;)
At church today, people are sharing their experiences of their short term mission in china
The greatest commandment is love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. "你要盡心、盡性、盡意、愛主你的神。" (馬太福音 Matthew 22:37)
"所以你們要去、使萬民作我的門徒、奉父子聖靈的名、給他們施洗．" (馬太福音 Matthew 28:19) - We are being called to do God's work - If you don't love god, you won't spent time doing God's work - People who don't believe in God can also love other people, but God shows us the sacrificial love - Are you willing to step out of the comfort zone and the usual habits?
Everything has a rhythm: - light and dark - moon phases - seasons - people ages
People's perception of the relationship between work and rest: - increase work -> you need rest so you can do more work - work has no meaning - working is only for salary - resting/playing is life's target
Today's World: - living a 24/7 life - have flexible work hours - play anytime - more and more people drink coffee due to lack of sleep - mixing work and play - Linus Torvalds describes work is a "serious hobby" - As a result, work and rest lost balance
- God rests not because of tiredness - God wants to show "I take control" - Christ's "rest" is not a "rest" from work, but in work, "not the rest of inactivity but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections, of will, heart, imagination, conscience, because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development" (J. Patrick Hastings bible dictionary)
Rest is God's design. Rest: - release us from the cruelty of work - release us from work satisfaction -> turning into a workaholic - release us from money -> earn more money to buy more luxury things
We are not work slave.
Rest from world's point of view: - it's my right - rest and vacation is my enjoyment - want to use to fullness... Squeeze our time... Often more tired than work - long weekend syndrome -> people are turning from workaholic to vacaholic
Rest from God's point of view: - it's God's gift - rest is day off with god but not day off from god - "不要效法這個世界．只要心意更新而變化、叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意。" 羅馬書 Romans 12:2 - Eugene H. Peterson has said, "if you cannot afford to take one day a week for rest, you are taking yourself too seriously." - "所以我告訴你們、不要為生命憂慮、吃甚麼、喝甚麼．為身體憂慮穿甚麼．生命不勝於飲食麼、身體不勝於衣裳麼。你們看那天上的飛鳥、也不種、也不收、也不積蓄在倉裏、你們的天父尚且養活他．你們不比飛鳥貴重得多麼。你們那一個能用思慮、使壽數多加一刻呢。何必為衣裳憂慮呢．你想野地裏的百合花、怎麼長起來、他也不勞苦、也不紡線． 然而我告訴你們、就是所羅門極榮華的時候、他所穿戴的、還不如這花一朵呢。你們這小信的人哪、野地裏的草、今天還在、明天就丟在爐裏、 神還給他這樣的妝飾、何況你們呢。" 馬太福音 Matthew 6:25-30 - we need a break to come before god
Keeping sabbath and being kept by sabbath 1) everyday sabbath (安息) - breaks - sleep is also serving God -> Ministry of rest "你們清早起來，很晚才歇息，吃勞碌得來的飯，都是徒然；因為主必使他所愛的安睡。" 詩篇 Psalms 127:2 - serenity (寧靜)
Yesterday was just like any other work day. I did notice the rain and the thunderstorm, but just like any other thunderstorm, I was not too worried. The only thing that worried me was the traffic jam going back home.
Due to the heavy rain, I waited until 6:30pm to leave office. Then, I realized this storm was not like the other storms. 680News kept reporting about Tornado warnings and Tornado touchdowns.
A tornado had been reported near Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre. In the meantime, Environment Canada had issued a tornado warning for Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Georgina. Tornado warnings were also in effect for Uxbridge, Beaverton, Northern Durham Region.
"Wow... Tornado?! When was the last time we had tornados in Toronto areas? Never! Oh well, I still have to drive home."
To avoid traffic, I took Hwy 407. While driving, I could see tons of lightnings on both left and right hand side of the highway. The rain wasn't bad. I didn't see anything that looked like a tornado.
While driving, I heard that there was another touchdown at Bayview and Elgin Mills. "This is the first time hearing tornado touchdown at places so close to my area! It's scary, but... I am also excited. I've never seen a tornado in real life... only in TV and videos..."
Here is what I have noticed about this storm: (1) Lightning appeared very frequently.
(2) For other storms, lightning usually happens randomly at different location. However, the lightning in this storm did occur repeatedly in the same locations. It's easy to catch lightnings in video.
I took this video at Warden and 14th:
(3) Either the funnel clouds changed colours or I've drove past different areas of the funnel clouds. The clouds were grey colour in most areas. When I was driving down McCowan, the clouds turned greenish grey in colour.
I took this video at McCowan and Finch:
Here is a video capturing a tornado touchdown in Vaughan area. I found this on youtube:
I've organized a Ping Pong Tournament at work today... It's not something big... just a small team building event... I've invited everyone under my manager to join.
The participation rate of 61% is good considering that we are busy at work and that not all people know how to play ping pong.
A person in my team became the Ping Pong Champion. :) He was presented a 1st place medal... too bad I didn't take any photos....
Anyway, here is a picture of the medal:
It's not bad considering I pay less than $4 at Party Packagers. :P
I have tried both salmon sushi flavour and takoyaki flavour potato chips before. Even though the package looks big, but there aren't many chips inside. I don't really like the takoyaki flavour, because I can't taste the sauce.
For the salmon sushi flavour, it tastes good, but remember don't put the whole bag of wasabi powder inside. If you put the whole bag, then all you can taste is wasabi flavour.
I still prefer Calbee chips, because for the price, I get more chips with Calbee potato chips. ;)
Once a while, Canadian Blood Services would setup blood donor clinic at my workplace. I've tried to donate blood many times... Yes... TRIED many times! Finally... Today is my 2nd time donating blood!!! :D I've actually donated a whole bag of blood!
First time I was there... I didn't drink enough water... My blood was not moving... I only donated 1/3 of a bag... This time, I was well prepared... I had forced myself to drink 1.5 L of water last night and then 1L of water this morning...
Here is the usual process: 1) When we go to the reception desk, we will be given a number and a folder with a few pages to read 2) After that, a nurse will call the number to do a simple blood test... Needle puncture to the middle finger... Ouch! 3) Then, we'll be given a long list of questions. 4) After filling out all required questions, we'll need to see another nurse. This time, blood pressure and body temperature are taken. The nurse will go through the questions with us.
This is the point where I kept getting kicked out... :( One time I had recovered recently from a cold... One time I had visited Thailand within past 12 months... etc... etc...
Today... I finally got past this stage to the final stage... giving blood... I guess the nurse noticed that I was very nervous. She gave me a first time donor sticker even though this is my 2nd time. :P
My heart was beating very fast when I lie down on bed waiting for the needle. I hate needles! :(
It took 14 mins to fill the whole bag (approx. 1/2 L in size) with blood. It did seems longer to me... The nurse said I had a big heart but small veins. I asked her to see whether I have a problem, but she told me that it's normal. I only had a glimpse of the puffy blood bag before the nurse took it away. I wonder what it feels like holding that bag. Does it feel like a warm water bottle? ;)
I had to wait 10 mins. (I think I had to wait an extra 5 mins because my hand was cold.) After that, I was taken to the cookies and juice table for goodies. :D
Even though the actual blood donation part only took 14 mins, but the whole process took approx. 1 hour and 45 mins. There was a lot of waiting in between steps. :(
I would give it a 2 out of 5. The chips are very crispy and crunchy. :) In terms of flavours, I can taste the smokey and a little bit of honey. However, I don't taste the chicken wing flavour. It's more like smokey honey chips to me.
Just feel like to be a kid today... So, I brought a box of Lotte Koala Biscuit during grocery shopping... I used to love Koala Biscuit when I was little... and I found a special favour today... The Banana Crepe favour....
Here is what I have for afternoon tea: - Lotte Banana Crepe Koala Biscuit - Mango soda (mango puree + club soda)
Yummy Yummy!!
Lotte Banana Crepe Koala Biscuit tastes more like banana than banana crepe, but it doesn't matter... It is still good! :D
Look at the baby koala with the crepe in his/her hand... Sooooo cute!
I normally take notes during worship at Church using the Church bulletin. After I get home, papers are flying all over the place. A thought occurs to me today that I can use my blackberry to take notes and post it here.
Today's topic: Where to find happiness? Bible: 腓利比書 Philippians 4:4-9
--> Others might have hurt you once... But if you keep thinking and thinking, then you are hurting yourself many many times... Is it worth it?
2) Treat people with kindness (verse 5)
--> Don't keep calculating people (e.g. people don't say hi back or don't buy us dinner back, etc.) --> People are not born optimistic. They just choose to be happy and not let other people affect them. It's a choice!
3) Pray to God (verses 6-7)
--> ask in Jesus' name and you'll receive "向來你們沒有奉我的名求甚麼、如今你們求就必得著、叫你們的喜樂可以滿足。" 約翰福音 John 16:24
4) Stress more on giving than receiving (verses 8-9)
--> It's more blessed to give than to receive. "我凡事給你們作榜樣、叫你們知道、應當這樣勞苦、扶助軟弱的人、又當記念主耶穌的話、說、施比受更為有福。" 使徒行傳 Acts 20:35
--> Care for other people... Make an effort to remember new people's name... Don't ask for return
--> A lot of people have based marriage on returns... What can the husband/wife give me back in return? That's what there are lots of complains or divorces... --> Sometimes, wife complains that her husband is a different person before and after marriage. Well, North American is target based culture. Before marriage, his target is getting a girl to become wife. After marriage, his target is getting money for house, car, kids, etc. Husband is the same person. It's just a misunderstanding.
5) Rely on god's power more than our own difficulties. (verses 4, 9, 13)
I found out one more thing today... Pastor Yung has serve god for 30 years next year!
I've just finished the "Fruits Basket" anime series (26 eposides in total) online at Megavideo. This anime series is based on the Japanese manga series "Fruits Basket" by Natsuki Takaya 高屋奈月.
"Fruits Basket" has many chinese names: 幻影天使, 魔法水果籃, 水果籃子, 生肖奇緣
The series is about an optimistic and selfless high school girl, Tohru Honda 本田透. After her mother's accidental death, 透 has to live with her grandfather and her aunt, but when her aunt's house needs remodeling, 透 decides to live in a tent in a forest. One day, she enters a house in the same forest and meets her classmate Yuki Sohma 草摩由希. She learns that the forest is owned by the Sohma family. Yuki Sohma 草摩由希, Kyo Sohma 草摩夾, and Shigure Sohma 草摩紫吳 live together in that house.
A landslide has destroyed 透's tent, so she begins to live with 由希, 夾, and 紫吳. She later learns that 13 members of the Sohma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac and are cursed to turn into their animal forms if they are hug by the opposite sex.
草摩由希 will transform into a rat. 草摩夾 will transform into a cat (the only one not part of the Chinese zodiac). 草摩紫吳 will transform into a dog.
This anime series is pretty good. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5. I took .5 away because of the overall sadness in the series.
In general, this series does have the regular Japanese anime silliness and exaggerations. However, it does bring out some good points that require deeper thinking. For example...
In Eposide 3, 草摩紫吳 to 草摩夾: 我們同其他人相處, 就會學到比人傷害或我們傷害人, 如果我們逃避其中一種, 我們就無法學到如何去體諒人或同人相處.
本田透 to 草摩由希 and 透的母親 to 本田透: 做人應該要相信人, 不要用懷疑的態度去待人... 人一出生是沒有帶同心地好來的... 人天生只有食慾和物質慾... 這是我們生存的需要... 心地好是同我們的身體一樣, 是慢慢長大的... 這就是良心... 只是每個人的良心不同... 因為慾望是每個人天生就有的, 所以每個人很容易理解和接近個人慾望... 心地好是由不同的人長成不同程度.. 所以很容易被誤解，一個好人的好心是偽善...
In Eposide 7, 本田透's 飯糰和酸梅 Theory： 這個世界上所有人的背後都有著各式個樣，不同顏色，不同味道的酸梅。可是因為都附在背後，所以就無法看到酸梅。當你羨慕他人，只是因為你可以看到別人背後的酸梅而已吧了，自己會以為一無所有，只是白米而已，其實不是這樣的，你的背後也有屬於自己的酸梅。
In Eposide 18, 花島咲 was jealous because 本田透 is always with 草摩由希 and 草摩夾. At the end, 花島咲 realizes that: If the people that I like always care about me... even if we don't see each other a lot, it doesn't matter... If they still care about you, then you should be very happy...
In Epsoide 21, 本田透 to 草摩燈路: 世界上有很多人為了逃避成長, 所以在思想上無時無刻都當自己是細路, 但是你肯面對和接受自己長大, 是需要很大的勇氣!
