Goodbye 2014

Well, this year has been quite a roller coaster ride, lots of ups and downs. I wouldn’t say it was a good year at all, it would be classified as one of the “not so good” year. Lots of disappointments, rejections, betrayals from who you thought were friends, but found new friends who ended up being your close friends and a shoulder to cry on when you most needed one. It is sometimes true that there is a window left open when you think they are all shut.

I didn’t end up travelling as much as I wanted to because I had a job change so I had to stay put during probation instead of going on vacation. But I finally did go to Japan for the first time, something I’ve been wanting to go since university and it finally came true. I was so excited to go and the country did not disappoint me. Everything was so new and neat, everyday was like a little kid discovering new things. I can’t wait to go back there again. I also went to Peru and saw the magnificent Machu Picchu, it is one of the great wonders of the world. It was not an easy relaxing trip, it was a lot of exercise, walking uphill, climbing stairs in the high attitudes but I conquered it. I managed to squeeze in one quick trip to visit my favourite NYC for the weekend, though things didn’t go well but I made the best out of it.

I went to a few big name concerts – Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Enrique Iglesias. I didn’t go to any Chinese concerts (they stop coming to Toronto), but I did end up getting tickets for the TVB Fan party show where I got to see Fred Cheng, Edwin Siu and Lawrence Ng. I also got tickets to see Wong Zi Wah and his sold-out stand-up comedy show, he is still my favourite comedian of all time. TIFF this year was alright, didn’t got stalk for stars on the red carpet as there wasn’t any star that I like enough to wait hours for. But I did buy tickets to see the world première of 單身男女2 starring my favourite Louis Koo. I was hoping he would show up but did see the director Johnnie To.

I finally had a job change after years of complaining at my previous job. It wasn’t my next dream job but it is a good stepping stone towards the next opportunity. I now have a lot of “hats” to put on and not just managing the finance. My dream of working downtown seems impossible for me as I’m moving further away from the core. But I know I don’t have the luck as others do, when I have a job offer, I have to take it cause it doesn’t come to me often. Not like others who have job offers for them to chose. Doesn’t matter if I have the same qualified skills as the other candidates or even better, I’m never the one that gets picked. I feel like even within my own industry circle, it works the same way as the entertainment world. Lots of people are great actors / actresses but not everyone is given the opportunity. The famous stars are those lucky ones that got a break, there are still others down below that are struggling to work their way up to being famous one day. And I’m one of the small supporting actress that are just there to support the big shots up on the top. It doesn’t mean I can’t do their job, it’s just not my fate.

That goes along the same line, why do some people meet guys after guys, boyfriends after boyfriends but the guys I meet are jerks. Why? It is times like these where you realize who your friends are, those who won’t hide things from you thinking that you might not find out about it. The saying is very accurate that “True friends go long periods of time without speaking & never question the friendship”. This year really made me realize who these individuals are, they don’t just use you for certain benefits and then disappear. This is why I stop posting status updates on FB or be on FB all day long, once in awhile, I will change my profile pic but I only update my life happenings in my blog. I start getting irritated on people’s useless (無聊) posts or those people who keep liking their own photos.

I stop making new year’s resolutions because it is pointless. I’ve been making the same ones for years but you know what, there are things that you have no control over. No matter how hard you try, it doesn’t mean you will be successful in it. And then at the end of the year, you get disappointed at yourself and start the depressed cycle all over again. So my new perspective is just live with the flow! Goodbye 2014, welcome 2015! 🙂

Mezza Notte Trattoria

I originally wanted to get the PAPPARDELLE with lamb ragu but the kitchen was still cooking the lamb and won’t be ready for another hour. So I had to change my decision and went with the SPAGHETTI CARTOCCIO – squid ink spaghetti, mussels, clams, tiger shrimp, calamari with white wine, tomato sauce. The pasta came in a parchment bag and it was opened right in front of me, that was pretty neat. The squid ink pasta was homemade, it was very chewy. There was a lot of mussels but the meat was tiny, the calamari was very soft, not tough to chew. The tomato sauce was very tasty. Everything mixed together was ok, I’ve had better pasta dishes so I was not especially impressed with the dish. Maybe also because I had my heart on the lamb ragu so it didn’t add up.

The service was good though, and the place was getting packed later on the dinner shift so it is a popular place.

Mezza Notte Trattoria
5304 Yonge Street
North York, ON M2N 59P

Great Escape

I played another Escape Room game today at “The Great Escape”. We tried “The Museum” room, with difficulty level 5 and only success rate of 13%. So we didn’t feel that bad of not escaping in the 45 minutes … we were really close though … I think we might have escaped if we had another minute. It was a lot of puzzles to solve … lots of fun. This was a lot harder compared to the other Escape Room I tried.

Break from shopping

Taking a break from shopping with my favourite snack – egg tart (蛋撻) fresh from the oven! I can never get enough of this, yum!! 🙂

This year, I found the Boxing Day sales are not that great. Things that I want to be on sale were not. There were bigger sales on Black Friday, luckily I did buy things then and didn’t hold back till Boxing Day.

Muji Canada 無印良品

Ever since it opened on Black Friday, I meant to pay a visit here to the first Muji store in Canada. But ever since the store opened, there has been long line-ups just to get in … wow, so popular. And I’m not going to stand outside to wait in the cold weather. Finally, the crowd has died down nowdays and able to go in without lining up. But the store is not that big and the line up to pay is in circles around the store, it was impossible to “shop” comfortably in the store. Lots of things were out of stock and I can’t look at anything without being pushed around or have to move out of the way. Going to go back maybe in a few months when they restock and have less people so I can really see what they are selling.

I still wish they have the food selection here in Canada, that’s what I really want to buy … the snacks. But I’m glad they decide to open a store in Toronto!

Merry Christmas!!

Cooked a nice Christmas meal for my family tonight. It was my first time making stuffed quail and it turned out good, my parents loved it. It was a change from the traditional turkey. Plus sides of baked sweet potato fries, ceasar salad, pineapple & sausage and my mom’s fruit cake. Best way to spend this holiday is with family. 🙂

Merry Christmas to all the readers, may you and your family have a wonderful time together during the holidays!

衝上雲霄-電影版

One upside to working during the holidays is no traffic, I flew to work today very quickly. And the office closed early today so getting off work early was a bonus. Since there was minimal staff, everyone was just chilling, talking and socializing until lunch time and we had a little pot-luck during lunch. There was lots of goodies from baked goods, veggie dip, samosa, cheese and crackers. I usually never eat in the lunch room (usually at my desk) but today, I decided to finally be social and eat with the rest of them.

On the other hand, I was so excited when I saw the poster is out for the 衝上雲霄 movie. I liked the first 衝上雲霄series a lot and was excited to see the 2nd sequel. But I was just not into it, I still haven’t finished the 2nd series. There were people that I like and also people that I didn’t like. The annoying actors won over and this is why I still haven’t finished. I’m excited for the movie sequel though, not because of “Cool魔” but because 古天樂 is in it. 😀 😀 Hehehe. He looks so hot in the pilot uniform. I can’t wait!! Feb 19, 2015 – I wonder if they will screen this movie in Toronto at the same time as HK, that would actually make me go see it.

Christmas Eve tonight … I did my early online Boxing Day shopping, brought my own Christmas present. Now I don’t have to get up at 6am on Boxing Day to line up in store. Yeah!! Can’t wait till it arrives. 🙂

Nails … check!

Finally had a little time tonight for a manicure, DIY nails ready for Christmas party! OPI “going nude” with “the golden age” gold sparkles on top. 🙂

Happy Winter Solstice Festival (冬節)

The problem with a Chinese living overseas is that she doesn’t get to celebrate her Chinese holidays. And it seems like my work deadlines always clashes with the Chinese holidays, no matter big or small days. Today is 冬節 or “Chinese Thanksgiving” but of course, I have no time to celebrate with family with big dinner. I’m still stuck working on next year’s budget right now … didn’t even have dinner but only managed to make some 湯圓 tonight to eat as a “celebration” of the festive day. 😦

I’m so envy of my co-workers who mostly already took off last week for Christmas holidays while I’m still busy working over the holidays to get stuff done. Year-end is a horrible time for Finance but at least I get some peace and quiet around the office.

Distillery District: Christmas Market

Brought my parents to check out the Christmas Market at Distillery District. It was packed with people even though it was cold. But it was worth it, there was definitely a great deal of Christmas atmosphere here. And a lot prettier at night when the lights are lit up. There seems to be a lot more booths and decorations this year compared to the last time I was here. As it got later, more people came packing in and of course everyone was standing around by the Christmas tree. From carolers to Santa Clause … hot chocolate, apple cider, mulled wine, beer … and sweets, donuts … fill with Christmas flavour in the air. I haven’t been to a Christmas Market in Europe but the one here in Toronto is listed as one of the top 10 Christmas Markets in the World. 😀