TV watching....

I had the stomach flu which has been going around in the city so I did not go out at all. I did laundry and watched tv.

On Saturday night I watched Tony Bennett duets with different stars and it was nice. The best was his duet with Lady Gaga. The lady can sing and it was interesting to watch her. They sang The lady is a tramp.

After that, another show on PBS. The band Human Nature from Australia...their concert which is Human Nature sings Motown. I have not heard this group before and they are good and did their covers of various Motown hits.

Last night, I watched the Hallmark movie which is based on true story. A Smile as Big as the Moon, which is a story about special needs students who worked hard to get to the NASA space camp and did really well, Now Space Camp has camps for families and all kinds of students. Of course being a Hallmark movie, it was done well.

TGIF.....

Yeah, that is how I feel after all kinds of tests and xrays. Weather is warm again and hopefully will stay that way for the weekend.

I am slowly getting to know my Nexus since I am not very technically inclined, I had to print the manual for it and there were 107 pages but I am learning a lot from it.

Since most of my friends have IPhones, I can't exactly ask them. I guess that is the price I have to pay for wanting to be different.

I have baked again and forgot to take pictures. I am sorting out my recipes and I will do a page of recipes that I use and are easy.

My travel catalogue has arrived and I will be checking destinations for my holiday. I can't make final decision since I am going for interviews and that will surely put a dent on my travel plans.

Enjoy the weekend.

Phone....

My Galaxy Nexus was delivered yesterday afternoon. I had a friend help me with it as my left eye was still bothering me and it is blurry. I will post later how I like it but it looks nice.

I also got two more interviews to go to......it does make me feel good that I am being considered. I did not think there will be lots of jobs out there.

I watched part of American Idol and there was nothing new. Maybe when they are down to 24, I will watch it.

This is it for a while.....

Warm again....

Yes, it is warm again but the roads are slushy. I am not complaining, just stating a fact. It is a bit annoying after I have just washed my vehicle and now this.

We will take this, so much better than -35. 

I have been baking but I keep forgetting to take pictures. I am thinking of what to bring to our next pot luck lunch. This time I have to bring main dish. I am debating between an asian noodle dish or paella.
It would depend on what kind of fresh seafood I can get on the Sunday I have to make it. I have to make sure I don't prepare something with pork as there are two ladies who do not eat pork...cultural or religious reason, I am not sure.

I might have to take a short break from blogging as I have problem with my left eye again. I won't know until Thursday but it is hard to read as it is a bit blurry. I hope nothing serious. I am starting to regret having the surgery.

I hope to hear from the recruiting agency about the job I was interviewed for, it would be great if it was offered. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Wishing everyone a great work week.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus....

Yes, that is the phone I chose. Hopefully, I made the right choice for me. One of the few things I have to get where I read a lot of reviews and asked people what they think. If after 15 days I do not like it, I can get a different one. Then I will be different, seems like everyone has IPhone.

I will get it this Thursday, it is being sent through UPS. I was lazy to go to a Fido store and get it there. It is a bit cold to be out and I did not feel like driving. Besides, it will only be a few days.

Next, will be the bundles for my cable. Now, I can personalize to the bundles I will watch, not just what is with the plan so I will take out the bundle for kids, sport bundle as I do not watch sports that much. I will get movie bundle (two different kinds) and time shift bundle where I can watch shows earlier than what time it is shown here.

A dare.......

On Thursday while two of the ladies at work and I were lunch at a restaurant, we talked about losing weight as one of ladies is lacking the motivation to lose weight.

So as a dare the other lady said that C and I will have to lose 5 pounds in one month and if we don't achieve that little goal, she would take us to the sleaziest karaoke bar and we have to sing. If we are successful, Y will have to do the singing.

As most of my relatives and some friends know, I do not sing even if my life depended on it. So no matter what, I have to do everything to lose the 5 pounds and I will lose as I am not ready and will not be ready to sing.

I think this will be a good way for me to lose the last remaining pounds. I better get on the treadmill now and start walking/running.

Enjoy the weekend, I will be busy trying to lose weight. Update later.

A nice visit....

Last night I got a call from my niece's daughter telling me that they are in Edmonton on their way to Lloydminster for a hockey tournament. They wanted to take me out to dinner. I am starting my diet today and it was kind of nice to have a meal before I started.

We went to the Sicilian Pasta Kitchen close to where I live. It was not a good choice. I do not think any of us was wowed by the pasta we ordered. I ordered the Linguine di Mare and not that good. The kids ordered canneloni and ravioli and nothing much to say about that either. The Caesar salad they ordered was quite good. A place I would not recommend.

Good luck to Victoria who will be playing in a boy's tournament and will probably be the only girl in the whole tournament.

So today, I start my 3 day diet just to kick start my goal of losing a bit more to prevent me from being put on insulin. I had my lab test last Wednesday and no call from the doctor so hopefully all is well.

Friday and start of weekend. Enjoy.

TV Watching.....

Last night was the start of American Idol but I just did not feel like watching it. I am sure they will be showing the really bad singers and funny ones. I will just wait for The Voice.

But Monday, I watched the new series, Alcatraz. It was ok and I am not sure yet if I will follow and watch it, I will wait for this Monday and see if I will really be interested.

I will try and watch a few new series and decide which I will religiously watch every week.

It will be another nasty day. I had been wearing my northern parka which is quite heavy but it is warm. It only comes out of the closet when the temperature is -28 and colder. I guess it was worse in Inuvik with blizzard and wind at almost 95/km/hr.

I have been checking up travel destinations to see where I would like to go next. Maybe escorted tour somewhere in Europe or Asia. I am waiting for a brochure I had requested. Has anyone been to an interesting place/destination lately?

In the meantime, I will try and keep warm. The weekend is just around the corner.

Windchill warning......-50....yikes!!

We have windchill warning posted today and the temperature overnight will be -37 and with windchill it will feel like -50. The last time we experienced this was in December of 2009 and that was nasty cold.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and it is too far to be driving in that kind of weather so I will cancel it this morning. I may just take the bus as it is too cold to be plugging the Tucson and warming up and I only have a short drive and the car does not even get warm before I have to park it.

Enough of the cold weather.

I would like to thank Kathy, who gave me the pros and cons of IPhone and Galaxy Nexus and I will be sure to take that into consideration. It was really a very good and informative comment. Thanks again.

If I have to get IPhone, should I wait for IPhone 5 which is supposed to be coming out this March or get the 4S?

Winter is back, with a vengeance.....

Yes, winter is back and it is nasty. The forecast tomorrow is -28 with a wind chill of -38. It was cold today and I did not have my plug in cord out and when I came home, I had to get it out. I had my stall neighbour help me as we both drive Hyundai Tucson.

Finally we found it and I am ready and can plug it when I get to work tomorrow morning. It will be cold this week and maybe warm up just a bit next week.

I am thinking of just taking the transit for the time being but I will see how I feel by tomorrow morning.

My cell phone contract is up and I want to get a new phone and I am debating between the IPhone 4S or the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. I know most would say get the IPhone but I am not sure. There are some nice features in the Galaxy phone and one lady at work told me to get IPhone.

Do you have IPhone? And are you happy with it?

Maybe Fido will give me a good deal with the Galaxy.

movie classic....

After doing housework this morning and doing laundry, I decided to watch some tv and usually I would turn the channel to HGTV or Food Network. While flipping the channel, I saw the movie, To Sir With Love was just starting, so I decided to watch it.

I have seen it when it first was shown and maybe seen it one more time after that. It was nice and Sydney Poitier was good in that movie.

Sometimes, I wonder the kids at that time and I think the kids today are worse. What I mean, is the kind of classes and the environment of today. Like carrying guns or some other kinds of weapons. And hopefully we have teachers who can turn the kids around.

But as a friend of mine would always say, it is a different kind of world we have today. Maybe it is or maybe the kind of instant media and how news comes to the public with facebook and twitter and all that stuff.

In any case, it was a movie I enjoyed and wonderful way to pass the time. I should have made popcorn!!! Back to work tomorrow. I hope to hear from the company that interviewed me last Friday and I hope it is good news.



Need versus want.....

Since it is a new year and people are trying to do things to better their lives, health and finances, I was thinking about what I need versus what I want.

Somewhere I read that there are 4 things we need, a roof over our head, enough food and water to survive or maintain our health, basic health care and hygiene products and clothing. All the rest fall into the want category.

Gosh, I really felt bad and may really cut down on all these wants. We can still get a few of the wants but I think now I will be more aware to distinguish whether it is a need or a want for me. Then maybe I will save more. But as a friend of mine told me, she has never really seen me buy a lot of stuff regular price. In fact, she says only one time when I bought a pair of shoes regular price when we were in Camrose. It was a pretty awesome and most comfortable.

But then I bought 3 pairs of boots in San Jose and one of them I need....dressy winter boots. I guess the other two will count as wants.

In any case, it was one of those Aha moment, as Oprah would say.

It snowed this afternoon just after I came back from grocery shopping...a need....don't have any milk and fruits and those are the only things I bought.

It will snow again Sunday and Monday. And I have completed my first week of doing/working out on my treadmill....3 miles everyday. I start the second week tomorrow.

Hope your weekend is going great.

You got to eat here.....

That's the name of a new show on Food Network and they go to different restaurants all over Canada. The show is going to be taping at Urban Diner here in Edmonton where my son works. It will be shown this spring.

And no, you won't see my son on tv....they are filming at brunch time and he does not work that shift at all and never will. He does not do eggs that well, according to him he told his boss, he sucks at eggs and I can verify that. He could never crack an egg properly.....I think it might have to do with hand dexterity. That is my excuse for him. But it is nice that they are featuring 3 other restaurants here in Edmonton and I do not know the names of the other ones.

The brunch at Urban Diner is famous for their eggs benedict and there is always a line up outside every Saturday and Sunday. I have not had time to try brunch there after one time where I had posted it here and the wait was too long. Maybe another time I will get a chance to try it.

By the way, the weather is nice but I read that it will be a bit nasty next week. Guess I better enjoy the next two days but there is snow in the forecast tomorrow morning. Winter is back!!!

Popular New Year resolution.....

Losing weight, I think is the most popular resolution. In our office 3 ladies are starting to try to lose weight this Monday. And that does not count myself or any other of the staff who are not saying or just keeping quiet.

My goal to lose weight is not just to lose the weight but I have to do it so I won't be put on insulin. I am petrified of needles and having to poke myself just to get my blood sugar count is such a difficult task, I can't imagine injecting myself.

I wonder what kinds of diet they are doing. I am just watching what I eat and do daily exercise and hopefully I will lose the pounds, I am ok with 1-2 pounds/week and being able to maintain which is the biggest hurdle in losing weight.

I will update and post how I am doing and maybe how the three ladies are doing as well. Nobody is really fat just trying to lose some to stay healthy.

Enjoy the weekend.....It is Friday, the 13th.

Pot luck lunch.....

Starting this year, every first Monday of the month is pot luck lunch at work. We ask staff to bring whatever they want and one can bring salad, appetizers, main dish, dessert and whatever else one can think of.

The office is close from 11:00 -1:00. While we are eating, we are watching a movie in the boardroom. Yes, we are doing that and it is chick flick moment. This past Monday, we did just that and the movie was "What Happens in Vegas".

I don't know if the idea is to get the morale up as it has sort of gone down after we moved to the new office. But whatever the reason, it worked just a bit. Actually, where else could you work and be allowed to play hooky and watch a movie right there in the office?

For me at least it shortened the work day by about 2.50 hours. We'll see if this will continue and for how long. This office has all female staff, mostly in the same age range except for one. Do you have something like this in your office?

New Year.....

I have not posted anything about the New Year.....I had been writing down 2011 in my day planner at work.

I do not usually do New Year's resolution but I read my sister's blog and she used goals for the New Year.

I will only have goals I know I can do and I have started one...doing exercises, mostly getting on my treadmill and walking and I have done that since I have gotten back from my vacation. I am also trying to lose a bit more weight and maybe the doctor will decrease my medication. I have maintained the weight I have lost which is good and will work hard at losing the rest of the pounds.

Changing job is also one of my goals...I need more challenges and it gets boring as it is the same things I do. I got a call for an interview and I am really hoping I will get this one. A great company to work for, just being interviewed and be considered is good and makes me feel better about myself.

Keeping my fingers crossed....

Little things mean a lot.....

This Christmas I received a present from a dear friend. It is something that he has made and I love things that people make and give as presents, it means a lot to a person.

He has been retired and has been doing all kinds of new things. When I got the little parcel, I was wondering what it would be and when I saw the little box, I got a bit excited and was hoping that it would be something he has made.

When I opened the box, it was one of his paintings. Oil painting and small, you have to see it to admire the patience it took him to do it. The picture does not do it justice.

This painting measures 2.5 "x 2.5". It is so cute and it is sitting in my night table. Thank you, Ped.

Warm weather.....in January!!!

Before it starts to get cold again, which I am sure it will one of these days, I would just like to post that since I left to go to San Jose before Christmas, the weather has been quite warm. On January 4, I think we broke the record....it was plus 11 and that is balmy.

When you think about it, at this time we are usually in the -25 or colder and lots of snow. There is no snow on the roads and we had brown Christmas. I know the forecast is saying traces of snow in a few days, and that is still ok as long as we do not get dumped with the white stuff.

So while we have it, we are going to enjoy it. And then it will only be 21/2 months and will be spring. Something to look forward to.

A very sad news.....a tribute

She is like a mother to me, but more than that, she is a great and dear friend. I met her 7 years ago. I was starting a new job as site manager and she was one of my assistants. I have featured her in my special people, special places page. She was the second feature I did and I am glad that she has read that.

Today, I found out that she passed away December 30. She had another heart attack. She had quadruple heart bypass a few years back and being diabetic, has had a lot of problems. I called her the night before I left for San Francisco to wish her Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am so glad I had done that.

When I came home, I tried to call her and there was no answer so I just left a message wishing her Happy New Year. But deep inside I had a bad feeling. I tried to call her again a bit late at night and still no answer. I again tried another day early in the morning and still no answer. By then I thought she might have been in the hospital. So this afternoon, I called again and her daughter answered and I knew then that something has happened to her. Her daughter was apologetic that I had to find out this way but she told me, she tried to call me and no answer and she did not want to leave a message.

My only consolation is they have not had the funeral/memorial yet. I believe it will be this coming Saturday so at least I can still say goodbye to her. I had cried the whole afternoon and at a loss wondering who can I ask for advice or just vent over anything that is bothering me. She and I call each other every few days and I will miss that.

She was a wonderful friend, a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and the best great grandmother. She will be missed.

Phyllis, I hope that you are happy where you are now and will be with your Don. I know Katherine had mentioned that you were getting tired and finally decided it was time to go. I will miss you so much. 

Il Divo is one of her favorite singers and we were just talking about them coming to Edmonton this summer. This is for you, Phyllis.

San Jose.....shopping

This is a post about shopping and a few pictures of what I bought there. When I got to San Jose, the next day we went out shopping for groceries and went home and started cooking for the Christmas eve dinner. After we had done a few dishes and waiting for some to cool down, we decided to go out shopping and went to Ross and Kohl's.

I bought 3 dresses, and 1 pair of boots. Then we headed back home again and finished what we had started cooking. A few hours later, I said to my sister that I have not gone out shopping late at night close to Christmas. This is the night of the 23rd and my sister told her hubby to check what time the stores would be closing. One was closing at midnight and the other at 1:00 a.m. So we headed back out to go shopping again. This time I got a dress which I had to convince my sister I had to buy, it was only $22.99 but at first she thought it was expensive after we paid $15.00 or less for the other 3 dresses. So I got it and went to Broadway and I bought two pairs of shoes there. After a while we headed back home again.

I was glad we did this because my sister got sick afterwards and could not go out shopping. After Boxing day, she asked Jeff and her mother-in-law to take me shopping. This time I found two pairs of boots and some leggings and bought See's candies for the ladies at work.

Here are pictures of the boots and shoes....for Alysia.

I found this one at Kohl's.

Annette found this one at a different Kohl's.

Jeff found this one at the same Kohl's

The next two pairs, I found at Broadway.

The next 3 pictures are purses I had asked my sister to get for me and just took it home this time.



This matches the jacket I bought.

A match for a skirt my sister gave me.

I like animal print.

My shopping experience in San Jose. I have not taken pictures of the clothes as I needed to hang them and take pictures and they have to be pressed to look nice, and I just do not feel like ironing at this time.



San Jose......pictures

I know this is a bit late but I am now posting Christmas pictures from my trip to San Jose. I did not get much of a chance to blog from there and I did not take a lot of pictures but here are some.

I did this table arrangement just in time for Christmas Eve dinner and I just went out the back and cut some of the leaves and berries and even stole a few sprigs from next door.

My sister's version of brown (could be Charlie) Christmas tree.

One of the decorated homes nearby.

Another one.



Christmas day dinner, crown roast of pork

My orange picking moment/episode

BIL and me

My sister's mother-in-law, Luckie and me in front of my cousins, Jo and Becky's house

So these are some pictures from my trip and I wish I had taken a few more but I keep forgetting my camera.

San Jose....a wonderful time

I am back home and missing my sister. Sometimes we don't realize what we are missing until we get a chance to experience it. I had a great time visiting my sister and I know that she feels bad because we did not do a lot as she got sick. But it was still fun just being with her and there will always be a next time.

My biggest thank you to her, Jeff, my fave brother-in-law and to Annette, my pretend mother-in-law. Also my cousins, Jo and Becky who on the spur of the moment, decided that we would drive to Carmel/Salinas after having dim sum. Of course it would not be a wonderful trip without the shopping. even though my sister was sick, she made sure I went out to shop with Jeff and Annette.

I am sure they will be relieved now that I am gone that there will be no chance of somebody stealing oranges. lemons or flowers.

My trip back was uneventful, although I have realized that I am not going to fly with United Airlines ever or if I can help it. No need to explain....just not flying with them.

I will post some pictures this weekend. I went back to work today and was greeted with 114 emails and took me almost 4 hours just to acknowledge and reply. I had a headache after that. Now, it is time to plan for my trips this year.

Again, thanks to my wonderful and dear sister.....it was great to spend some time with you and to my wonderful BIL and Annette....I believe I ate a lot of Chinese chews. Hope to see you again.

Thank you for lettin me be myself again.....I don't know why but somehow this song reminds me of how the two of us are when we are together...just being ourselves.