chinglish chick

snarky.

2010-01-08T22:17:00.004-05:00

I was with a friend tonight, and we were crossing the bridge between Embankment and Southbank when I witnessed a woman recklessly tossing something into the Thames River.

Me (audibly for her to hear): SHE JUST LITTERED.

Woman (pause): ... it's a banana peel!

Me: Well, wait a minute and just BIN IT when you come across A LITTER BIN.

Woman: it's biodegradable! It's a PART OF NATURE!

Me: Well, you're a part of nature too, so why don't YOU throw YOURSELF over the bridge?!

I love London.

My friend pretended that he didn't know me for the next five minutes.

Revival.

2009-12-27T20:51:00.002-05:00

Reviving this blog up from slumber. Finished my degree. Am working and living in London, UK now, as a ubiquitous consultant at a firm that is situated in very central London. Still trying to figure the city out. For the first time, I am an expat. I even have a work permit to prove it.

But, am so glad to be back home this Christmas in Toronto. It's been 15 months since I moved to the UK, but since I'm settled, I miss home. Miss my friends. But, at the same time, I kinda miss London ...

Right now, however, am basking in the Canuck love. <3

Last Eleven Days in the Tdots.

2008-09-11T02:18:00.003-04:00

Fuck, I still have so much to do. I'm not even going to type it out here, because it'll merely make my stomach churn (Mexico already did, so I don't need a repeat of that certain bout).

Went down to Cycle Solutions today to have them look at my derailleur hanger and totally got made fun of (in the kindest of ways). I told them I was a poor student; A., the manager there, told me to stuff it because he didn't believe a bit of it. "You bring in your Cervelo in here and you tell me you're a 'poor student'?! And, your WATCH! Look at that thing!"

Bumped into random people outside Jet Fuel Coffee, one of whom is T., who also rides for CS. Ms. B. and I end up having coffee with T. Crazy stories of him cycling down from San Diego to LOS CABOS, MEXICO (caveat: if you drive it, it merely takes, oh, 26 hours), and how he ended up riding / racing Mexican mountain / road racing events. And, how he RODE to and from each of his world cup events in Europe later on that same summer. As in, from Berlin, then over to London. Crazy. He put in 6,000 miles that summer alone.

Me: T., do you know why you're still single?

Him: Because .... I ride?

Me: mmhmmm!

I promised him that I'll try to have the OCA line up copious amounts of women for him when he wins the title again this year.

The scuzzbag owner of the coffee shop also gave me the dirtiest head-to-toe checking out, too. SCUZZY!

Ah. I will miss the TO cycling scene. A lot.

So, wrapping up a life in North America ...

2008-08-23T14:21:00.007-04:00

...good news to report here.

I PAID OFF MY TUITION!

Let's just say it was a lot of money. Oxford requires FULL payment of the amount upfront; my friends who are attending Wharton and Chicago have the luxury of paying off their tuition in installments. Words cannot express my relief. It was easy to drop that amount of cash in one go ... all those years of saving, and then, *blink*, all gone. It's all for a good personal investment, that's what I'll say.

Anyway, what else is new? Running errands lots. Spending time in coffee shops lots. Cycling lots. As in, cycled down to Philadelphia from Toronto last weekend with Y. and F. It was kinda killer, but tonnes of fun. These two thought that they had "no game" with women, and was probing me for "tips." Apparently, the best line to use on a girl is:

Hey! Your hair looks different today. You must've done something to it.

If she didn't do anything to it, her response would be, "Really? Yes, I guess I did floof it up a bit more today."

If she DID do something to it, she would say, "Yes! I did! I'm SO glad you noticed."

Nothing but net value gains in both type of responses.

Other good moments include:

When I squirted some ketchup and putting some salt into F.'s drink, and he drank half of the drink without even noticing it (I almost died laughing).
During a state of dire straits during a rest stop and needed tampons (yes ...). I was gripping Y.'s arm, and was like, "Where are they?! WHERE ARE THEY!?!?!?!?!" His eyes widened and he murmured, "....condoms?"
When I screamed at F. during a steep and killer 30-minute climb in PA, "Fred, I hate you!" . "And I MEAN IT!"

Anyway, some photos to prove the trip:

Y. and I zipping along somewhere in PA or NY.

Me, fast as lightning.

We got to Philly. Oooh yeah.

Three more weeks in Toronto. All kinda unreal. Wow. I can't believe I'm leaving this place for good.

Ahh, the break.

2008-08-01T01:25:00.002-04:00

So, I am on break right now. I woke up last Monday, feeling neurotic as hell, wondering: "what do I do now?!" Anyway. Coffees. Enjoying Toronto. The lot.

As for heartache, it was mended, but turns out that the guy is a total dick. I feel so used.

Two more days at work.

2008-07-16T16:10:00.005-04:00

One word: wow.

I'm kinda terrible at the whole thing, actually. Rolling into work at 9.45 a.m. Taking breezy, two-hour lunches. And then, leaving at 5 pm.

Currently, I am saddled under a pile of forms to fill. And a mosquito bite (bee sting?) on the inside of my right arm, where its diameter is expanding exponentially in size ... the only thing I miss at work are probably the nurses that are down the hall. I got a quick diagnosis of this welt: if it expands, go to the clinic tomorrow.

Well ... I kinda knew that already.

TWO MORE DAYS!

Last eight days of work.

2008-07-08T14:31:00.007-04:00

The end is imminent. I thought this day would never come. I'M DONE MY JAWB IN EIGHT FECKING WORKING DAYS!

(cue parades and colours and streamers and balloons ... now).

It's gotten to the point that I ... just. don't. care. anymore. Rolling into work at 9.30 a.m. Two-hour lunch breaks. Leaving at 5 p.m. Punching work back to the unit ("Sorry, I just don't think I should do any follow-up work, since my departure is imminent.") It is fantastic.

Anyway, it'll be good. Cooking. Cycling. Cleaning. Domestiquing. Seeing friends. Making food for them. Sleeping in. Not worrying aboot time. Enjoying Toronto in the summer. Oh, and I also got a part-time gig, teaching cycling at some evil pharmaceutical company for the rest of the summer. Not bad!

I've also moved out of my last apartment and into Nahawna's abode for the next 2.5 months. So much better. For starters, we actually eat dinner together, and she is sane.

As for travels, the plan is to go to Hongkouver Island (a.k.a. Vancouver Island) avec Ms. B for a bit of a cycling trip, and maybe a quick jaunt to Centro Americano for five days or so. That's the fluid plan.

---

As for heartache, heart is mended. As usual, I was neurotic beyond repair. I heart.

Heartache.

2008-06-20T13:45:00.001-04:00

We had a great outing last weekend, and was supposed to go out again on Thursday night. And then, radio silence ... what heartache. I actually fancy this guy, too.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2008-06-13T01:41:00.004-04:00

Just got back from a bike / dinner / dessert kinda thing with my Jet Fuel boy.

I am on cloud 9. Or 10.

Totally weak-kneed.

heart.

Cycling, and sticking it to the Man.

2008-06-05T14:55:00.013-04:00

Yeah, so I've been cycling lots and lots and lots and lots lately. Doing the donut religiously, and the guys on the ride have finally, more or less, started to accept me into their fold. Steve, from the donut, does cough up a "hello" when he sees me. He also offers these gems:

On one particularly windy day, while we were waiting for the pack to peel by to pick us up, he pipes: there is a headwind today, so they will won't be here at 9:20, but at 9:22 (his precision is better than a Longines watch, apparently).
After learning that I was doing the Toronto Crit, he starts his sentence by saying: Oh, I remember that year when I came 2nd in the M1 race at Milford (oh, retch!).

And, the Toronto Crit. Ahhh. I totally got slaughtered. During the neutral lap, there was a crash on corner 3, so I decided that it was best to stay at the BACK of the pack. When we finally started, after Corner 1, somebody yelled out: "Hey, Chinglishchick!" I waved back: "HEY, GUYS!" Anyway, it was AT THAT MOMENT, the pack started to peel away, and I was getting dropped. I started muttering, "oh, fucfkfkfkfkffkkfkfuckfuckkckk", as I tried to chase. I turned around to see three fat guys behind me - I was hoping they'll catch up to me, so we could catch up to the pack. Nope. They were fat for a reason. Fat Guys couldn't even catch up to me. I got pulled after five laps. Brutal!

Still, it is all good. All fun. Doing the CHIN crit on July 1. I should be racing for Midweek by then.

-----

I'm also getting the "Sticking it to the Man" thing out of my system before I leave this place. Last night, I went to Devil Strip Rollers with Ms. B., a weekly cycling event that a bunch of bike couriers in town participate in. Man. It was SO frigging rad. We bombed up Yonge Street, and weaved through all the construction cones. I jetted through some girls crossing the street at high speed, and Brad quips: ChinglishChick, you're such a badass. A guy was trying to teach me the nuances of popping a wheelie by telling me to lean forward. Then this other guy tells me (with his fixie, lime green frame, pink rims and spoke cards): don't listen to him. Listen to me - you lean back. And then, right there, he demonstrated the perfect wheelie, holding it for a few seconds.

I told one of my friends about this ride, and he quipped: Bike courier ride sounds great, and I bet you were the only MBA-track person there.

Anyway, got an invite back to attend the sprints for next Wednesday night. Rawk it!

And, I still can't decide whether I want to be a corporate whore or not.

----
Oooooooooooooooh! The guys at WofB are trying to set me up with Jet Fuel! Hilarious. They have an endearing nickname for me, too: Lucy Liu. R., the guy who works there, said: "Don't worry, Lucy Liu. I'll take care of this for you." I've been calling him Cupid ever since.

Did it.

2008-05-23T02:16:00.003-04:00

I cracked and told work today that I'm leaving on July 18, and am going to Oxford to do an MBA.

Felt great. Even changed my "education info" on my faceybooky, so I guess the cat is oot of the bag (meow, meow, meow).

Thanks to Nahawna for calling me a "wimp" on gchat for postponing the date. It totally worked. Also, my UK Visa application was another deciding factor. They needed "employer information." Can't lie on those things.

To-do list.

2008-05-20T11:19:00.010-04:00

For school:

UK Student Visa
LOC - ask KF (cannot procrastinate anymore and will avoid a WWIII fight like last time)
Go to bank and sort out LOC
College selection (got punked off by Jesus, now waiting for Brasenose)
Post-college, accommodation

For other items:

Book tickets for BOS (May 31, Jun 1, Jun 2)
Book tickets for NYC (Jun 21, 22, 23, 24)

Cycling:

Get my license
Sign up and race for Midweek
Learn-to-race clinic next Monday
Crit on Friday (eeeeks)

Job quitting:

Drop the news on Friday, June 6 (as you can tell, I'm moving the date closer and closer. Tired of sitting on it).

------

Haven't seen my Jet Fuel Rockstar for three weeks. I'm hoping he'll be at the crit ... or at this Sunday's donut, at least. Gosh. He's such a rockstar on two wheels. But, knowing my luck, I'll probably won't see him for the rest of the summer. Sigh. And then, I will leave, left to wonder ...

------

Just finished looking through my friend's Z.'s online wedding photos. Ahh, such is life. I've known Z. since our Boundary Junior School days in Hong Kong, and she left after P.6 for Australia. After that, we lost touch, and through the vagrancies of the Internet, we re-connected. Z. recently married and in her wedding photos, she looks absolutely beautiful, radiant and happy in her photos (yes, Z., I know you are on my RSS, and yes, I am honestly sincere in my compliments!). Z. - congratulations. I wish you all the best and happiness in this world. My wishes to you from the Northern Hemisphere, sent to the Southern Hemisphere.

Another day ...

2008-05-14T15:10:00.004-04:00

... is another day at work. 8.5 weeks of this left. How is my day shaping up (or down) so far? Unremarkable.

9.20 a.m. - roll into work.
9.40 a.m. - make breakfast.
9.45 a.m. - eat it.
9.50 a.m. - read the FT and NYT.
10.15 a.m. - tea and cookie break.
11.30 a.m. - toast break.
12.30 p.m. - lunch at the Wooden Grill (Kensington Market) with Garf.
1.30 p.m. - cycle to Aroma in the Annex for a mocha coffee.
1.50 p.m. - bump into Saurav on Bloor street. Chat. Cycle back to work.
2.00 p.m. - back at work. Or, "work."
2.15 p.m. - make a peppermint herbal tea. Sip on it.
2.30 p.m. - gchat. Actually, gchat continues in the background, constantly.
3.15 p.m. - update my blog.

Errrr ... yeah. I need a nap now.

Another year, another race ...

2008-05-07T00:54:00.003-04:00

Didn't do as well as I hoped at the Sportinglife 10K. Ah well.

This year's result is slower by a minute when compared to last year's time. Apparently, the winner was also slower by a minute, and a speedy friend of ours was also slower by a minute due to the wind chute effect underneath the Gardiner Expressway. I'll take that. I'll blame the wind.

http://www.canadarunningseries.com/results/2008/sl10k/sl10k.htm

You know my name. Ranking is still the same though. Try and spot me!

La Beigne.

2008-04-28T15:46:00.003-04:00

Did it on Saturday.

The Saturday ritual begins.

Got yelled at: "Stop looking backwards."

Only 5 girls showed up.

Made the mistake by yielding bike space in the pack to two other guys. A hill crest came, and I got dropped. All within the span of 20 seconds.

Take no prisoners.

Am so in for next Saturday.

Happiness: saw my rockstar Jet Fuel Boy on two wheels again. Still don't know his name, but boy. Legs like pistons.

Tussle.

2008-04-28T15:33:00.007-04:00

Strangest of calls last week (yes, again, I am blogging from work. Work has decided to throw me some work, asking me to draft some note on some workforce engagement plan for British healthcare workers. Something I can do in my sleep. zzzz. I digress ... )

Anyway, strangest of calls last week. Got an email from HEC Paris, asking me why I'm not attending their institution (apparently, HEC's yield rate is 70 per cent, which is fairly high). I told them that I am going to Oxford instead. What followed was a 25-minute phone conversation from France with HEC's Admissions director / manager person. Post-conversation, this Admissions guy rounded up a troop of people (via email), who are all HEC alumni, and want them to convince me to go to HEC instead of Oxford. The absolute creamer was that these folks even managed to round up an ex-Oxford alumni to talk me out of attending Oxford!

I did have a moment of weakness of Thursday - suddenly, I had all these men, who coincidentally held VP positions in the banking industry, telling me what to do. I flailed for a bit.

Re-positioned myself over the weekend. Oxford it is.

By the way, I wish Oxford would have an Open Day event for the incoming 2008-09 class ... I mean, HEC Paris is having its reception at the French Open. Three free tennis matches and a reception near Centre Court. MAN. And, here I am, trying to organise / wrangle an event for the 08/09 class in norteamericano (hopefully with some support from the school) . Might be a wee bit of a pain.

Daily dose of ingratiating happiness.

2008-04-25T10:59:00.004-04:00

We have an over-eager media analyst at work. Not only does she send out the daily media clippings on health-related news across the province, we are greeted with messages like this everyday:

Morning everyone.
Top issues for today (not yours).
Have a great day everyone!

Morning yet again!
Realizing how everyone loves media clippings, thought I'd give a second helping.
Enjoy.

Good morning everyone!
Happy Thursday!

It’s that magical time of the morning again! The sun shines, the flowers awaken and begin to bloom, and the daily media clips are delivered.
Enjoy!

I mean, seriously. Can't I just be miserable? Barf me a lung. And today's message was just way too much. WAAAY too much ...

Good morning everyone.
Latest breaking news: in the attempt to ensure a bountiful broccoli harvest, weekends have now been cancelled to comply with broccoli regulations. Thus, tomorrow is Monday - see you all then, and let us all hope that broccoli is worth it (personally, I'm more partial to cauliflower).

Joking. It is Friday, your weekend is ahead of you.

Now playing: Friday's media clippings.

One word: huh?

(Nota bene: I did not make any of this up.)

Eleven more weeks.

"Girl, you've got hop."

2008-04-20T20:20:00.007-04:00

... so I was told by some manic runner-geek guy with a Running Room fuel belt (UGH) when I was out for a long-ish type of run this afternoon (I stupidly signed up for a half-marathon. WHY.) Anyway, buddy running geek accosted me at a light and barked at me: "What kind of pace do you do? I do blahblahblah at a mile pace."

Me (looking down at my empty wrist): uhhh...I don't know. I don't wear a watch.
Him (somewhat disappointed): Oh.
Me: Yeah. And, I don't operate in miles, but in metric, so your time means nothing to me.
Him: Oh. Well, what races do you do?
Me: uhhh...10Ks and 5Ks?
Him: What's your time for the 10K?
Me: ummm...around 42 mins? I think?

Anyway, he decided that I should be his "pace bunny", but I successfully waved him off, telling him to "go ahead." So he did, but I was merely 5 metres behind this guy all the time. At the second light, he turns around to see where I was (I was right behind him). And then, the "Girl, you've got hop" comment. I deadpanned back, repeating: "Girl, you've got hop." And then came the lecture, "I run with a lot of fast women, and you should run with a group, and blahblahblahblahblah."

You should've seen this guy. He would wave "hello" to runners whom he deemed "hardcore" (i.e. looking wiry and such), and ignored the shleppy-looking runners. Him barking at a group of mums and their kids ("RUNNER BEHIND!") was priceless and super-runner geeky.

OMG. Why am I doing a half-marathon in three weeks? I mock peeps who run these things. I got roped into this. This is my last half-marathon. I swear. I don't want to be a running geek like that guy!!!!!!!

Etrange.

2008-04-17T12:56:00.002-04:00

Requests and revelations as of late:

HEC Paris needs a physician-verified copy that my shots (for measles, mumps, typhoid, etc.) will be taken before I arrive on campus.
Oxford needs proof that I have $100,000 CDN lying around in my bank.
Dealing with trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic transactions / communications, whilst located in Canada, has its own unique sense of logistical nightmare and pain.
Chinese relatives are a unique bunch.
I have been single for nearly two years. Maybe a Catholic nunnery future is in order (screw the MBA).
I am blogging at work. Twelve more weeks to go. Quitting by July 11 / 18.

MBA Open Day

2008-04-11T01:51:00.008-04:00

Alright. So, the "MBA & Women" wasn't my first MBA reception thus far. I actually flew down to Boston two weeks ago to attend an Open Day for all admits. I mean, I have a huge soft spot for this school, so I still really wanted to check it out.

Suffice to say, it was a day after I received my admittance from Oxford, and by noon that day, I knew that I just couldn't do Boston College. Why?

It was an OPEN DAY. OPEN DAYS exist to celebrate our admittances ... I was the only one that turned up in jeans and some cool tee. Everybody else was in business attire. I kid you not. I cracked "Did I miss the memo on attire ... ?" to the guy that interviewed me (hereafter known as "Doode"), and he guffawed in his oh-so-charming way (yes, I do have this weird crush on him. Kind of inexplicable).
The girls were ALL your typical New England girls. Pearl earrings. Pearl necklaces. They actually all sized me up and didn't bat an eyelash. I only garnered attention when I said that I wasn't too sure aboot attending BC, since I had other offers from other schools.
The first-year MBA student who talked to us talked like Mary-Catherine O'Gallagher from the SNL skit (you know the girl who gets nervous, who then puts her hands underneath her armpits and sniffs them?). LORD. This first-year MBA student talked EXACTLY like her. It was so incredibly ingratiating! Man. I seriously wanted to punch her in the face.
During the open bar reception, I got accosted by two guys who went on a rant on "socialised medicine" after they found out that I work for the Department of Health in Canada. I was thinking, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut UP. Don't you have no social graces? Worst things to talk aboot are politics and religion. I actually stopped him halfway and said, "Look, if you carry on, I will strangle you. Let's change the topic. Let's talk about your dog. Your girlfiend. Anything. "
And talking aboot social graces .... okay. Put these together: Oxford Admittance + Open Bar + Deducing that I really wasn't going to go to BC = Yes, I did get slightly sloshed. Emphasis on the "slightly."

All this lead to ... leaving my very personal steno notebook behind at BC. It contained some of my deepest inner thoughts on various MBA interview topics for each school, a social entrepreneurship idea, some doodles, and a simple steak noodle recipe. The kicker is, I doodled writing my name with the various letters behind it, along with the institutions' names in brackets. And, where do I leave this notebook?!!!?!?!?! AT THIS SCHOOL.

God, do I want to die.

And yes, BC did locate my steno-notebook. It is being delivered by US Mail as I sheepishly type this.

So good.

2008-04-11T00:57:00.007-04:00

Today, I went to my first "Women & MBA" event that was hosted by Queen's University (located at Kingston, Ontario, a two-hour drive northwest of Toronto). It was a great break from my mental rot that my job dishes out to me on a daily basis. So underutilised and undervalued ... only twelve more weeks before I drop it on them. Can't wait.

Anyway, the event was fantastic. I had so many attendees coming up to talk to me, wanting to know more aboot the MBA application process. And, it was great to dish out advice and empower these women. An MBA application process can be incredibly daunting and overwhelming, since these applicants will be entering into a male-dominated field. It felt so good to provide assurance and guidance to all of these women.

Anyway, these are some of the "gems" I dished out today:

Before I even cracked a GMAT book, I made sure that I had solid and sound answers to these questions:

Why an MBA?
Why now?
Is an MBA necessary in advancing your own personal career goals?

If you can answer with confidence, then an MBA is for you. And, put your whole heart into the application. Apply with your heart, passion and gut, and when you are 110 per cent sure that you want to do it. Never underestimate the power of eloquent and powerful essays. Make sure to tell a story and that your application has a theme (i.e. you can centre it around leadership, or your ability to deal with change, etc.)

Last, but not least:

Get Richard Montauk's book on "How To Get Into Your Top MBA Programs" (but junk the section on interviews if you're a natural interviewee. My all-time favourite line is: Avoid sounding like a robot. If you follow this book's suggestions and prepare thoroughly for your interview, you run the risk of sounding pre-programmed rather than spontaneous);
Watch Judith Hodara's online B-School Talk; and
Avoid Businessweek's MBA forums LIKE FIRE. They will make you worked up and too caught up in the process. Actually, don't avoid all MBA Forums. Pagalguy.com shared interview tips and questions. However, any MBA Forum is guaranteed to make your blood pressure rise.

(And yes, I will post my interview experiences very soon. This weekend, okay?)

Hella YEAH.

2008-04-03T15:02:00.007-04:00

I am officially 5 for 5. I got accepted into ALL of my MBA programmes. A brief ponder / mental tussle whether to attend HEC Paris or Oxford over the weekend, discussions with my uncle, but Oxford won the arm wrassle.

I am going to be an Oxonian, yes. At this college.

For those who trip over my online blog, I'll post my interview experiences for all to share, some personal tips on the applications process, and tips on essays.

On the whole, I learned a LOT about myself throughout the application process. In hindsight, not only have I learned to keep (most of) my wits about me during times of nervousness, I have also come to the realisation that an MBA application is, more or less, a personal growth process. No joke here. I put all of my heart and soul into each and every application. Each essay for each school was edited at least 12 times. I made sure that there was a coherent theme to my application packages and ensured that my references knew about this. And I knew that my application package is basically my first MBA Marketing assignment - yes, your application package is a marketing assignment on YOU.

And, fyi, I did not use any admissions consultants, nor did I take a GMAT class (wrt the GMAT, I should've, in hindsight, but ... what's done is done). I had a team of good friends who pulled me through and painstakingly provided comments on every essay that I wrote. Thanks to Nahawna, my roommate, Briawna, and my other pal who's going to UChicago this year for his MBA. Seriously. My fwiends showed me their love and pulled through.

I know it sounds cheesy, but I wake up in the mornings now, knowing for a fact that I'll be going to Oxford. MAN! This is big - I'm stoked!

And, a picture of my new home, come end of August. Jesus College - woo woo woo!

I GOT IN!

2008-03-26T13:46:00.003-04:00

Find me in September, here! Oxford, here I come!

HELLA YEAH, I'M HAPPY!

MBA Forums

2008-03-21T00:36:00.004-04:00

Two thumbs up for www.pagalguy.com forums. I highly recommend it. It is an Indian-based MBA forum and, from what I gather, true collegiality exists on this thing. People post their interview experiences up for all to share, and it is SUCH a useful source.

On the other hand, the businessweek forum is a MUST to avoid. I've never seen so much online mud-slinging. God! A-types at their worst!

And, FYI, for those who may stumble across my blog, I will post up all my interview experiences for all to share.

(Lord. I am becoming a big nerdball).

And yes, I'm STILL BLOODY WAITING! It's Easter Break in the UK.

STILL NO ANSWER.

2008-03-14T11:07:00.005-04:00

Oh Lord. I'm so anal retentive. Will get answer next week.

Anyway, no answer means that I'm prepping for another set of interviews for next week. Two interviews, not one, but two for one school. It'll consist of a 10-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A session. This school is my #1 / #2 choice, but I'm kinda losing steam. I didn't expect to get interview calls for all of my schools I applied to, but I did.

Roommate was right in saying that even if I did get accepted into DS, I should still go for these interviews. Why not? More options, good practice. I paid for the application and wrote killer essays for this school. So, bloody hell, I'm gonna go in and kill those suckers.

After all, I do have good "interview shtick" (so I've been told by the guy who interviewed me for Boston College).

Still waiting.

2008-03-12T00:05:00.004-04:00

Agonising, agonising, aaag-gon-eeeyesing wait. Every time when my Gmail Inbox says: "Inbox (1)" my heart flutters and then starts to pound. Must stop myself from furiously clicking like a nutball on the link. You've set the email retrieval to "every 2 minutes" from "every 5 minutes", so f2cking relax! (Easier said then done though, I must admit).

Anyway, to distract myself, I will keep an online count on the amount of fruit I ate per day.

Today: one apple, one banana.
Yesterday: one mango, one orange.

Another admittance.

2008-03-10T22:14:00.002-04:00

Imperial College London. However, the response from the Big Monster lurks.

Eeeeeep.

Agonising wait.

2008-03-07T07:40:00.005-05:00

There is nothing worse in life than an agonising wait. Or, re-playing the interview experience over and over and over ... and over again in your head. Or, thinking that it could've went better. Or, checking your email every five minutes to see if your dream school (DS) has replied to you.

DS will get back to me by next Wednesday or Thursday. Let's just say that I really, really, REALLY, REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY want to sub fusc.

Two more interviews to go for one school just outside of Paris. Offers from Boston College (YES!) and Manchester (failsafe) came through.

If worse comes to worse, I'll be walking through the streets of Bawston come September as a BC Girl.

Please tell me to stop checking my email every five minutes. Pleeeeeeease.

EEEEEEEeeeeeeeeep.

2008-01-28T20:33:00.001-05:00

I am so overwhelmed with everything, it's not even funny. Writing essays (tonnes of them). Triathlon coaching course task assignment. The Triathlon Club (training days, coaching interviews to run). WORK. Training (the little time I can squeeze in).

I want to hide under my bed covers.

Add one more to the list.

2008-01-16T20:29:00.001-05:00

HKUST.

One down, seven to go.

2008-01-15T09:53:00.001-05:00

Blood, sweat, tears and toil.

So help me gawd.

MISERY

2008-01-07T08:52:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. Gawd. Words cannot describe the HELL I went through yesterday. I don't think I had fun. I was a miserable sod. Yes, the whole experience was PURE MISERY.

What I have learnt:

Going up the mountain is peanuts. I have the stamina for that. Going down the mountain is another matter.
Flexible ankles can be a hindrance when it comes to these things.
If you want to bail, you can't. You can't bail, because you're in the middle of f$cking nowhere.
Snakes make me weak-kneed in the wrong way.
After a while, you just don't care aboot your standing. You just want to finish the bloody damn thing - alive.
My legs are so sore today, I'm lucky that I can still walk. Seriously.

I will post my shameful results later. Anyway, a quick chat with the Wanchai Hash ladies post-race, and they very kindly invited me to their practices the next time I am in town. Which I would attend. Those ladies of the hash killed me on the downhill. They basically screamed down the hill, running like the wind ... I, on the other hand, was taking step by step, step by step ...

On other happier news, I did do the Cheung Chau Round The Island (CCRTI) Run on January 1st, and came first! Try and spot me in the photo below!

Prizes involved: a trophy, $100 gift certificate at ParkNShop, a free one-night hotel stay at Cheung Chau's Warwick Hotel (two "American-style" continental breakfasts included), and multiple photos. And, two photos requested from teenage boys groupie fans, with a handshake a complimentary "You run very fast" comment. Hilarious!

Dear Lawd

2008-01-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

Am doing THIS tomorrow. http://www.seyonasia.com/koth/lt.html

So screwed.

So bleary-eyed.

2007-12-25T07:35:00.001-05:00

Blogging from Pearson Airport right now. Am supposed to catch a 6.00 a.m. United flight to HKG (via ORD and LAX), but was then changed to YYZ-SFO-HKG. But, the YYZ - SFO leg got fugged up, and I am now flying YYZ-LAX-HKG. On a lousy Air Canada flight, not United. This translates to losing my frigging upgrade and having the pleasure to sit in cattle class.

I'm just way too tired to mope over the changes (snow and heavy fog over the mid-west, apparently). I was supposed to be sitting in the lounge, enjoying a free cup of joe ... instead, I'm out here, general wait area, all bleary-eyed. Blah.

Anywayyyyyy...

So, dear faithful readers (of two, or three?), remember the lad that I met on the flight back from Geneva last year, who happens to be a skier on the World Cup circuit? Well, we lost touch, but somehow reconnected. He found me via facebook, out of all things. And thus began the mad emails to each other. And meeting up with each other whenever he came through Toronto. And the texts to each other on the night before he leaves, and a call from the airport.

Sigh. Am always looking for lurve in the wrong places ...

----------------------

Oh, yes. Happy Christmas, everyone.

Torture begins. And, heartache.

2007-12-23T22:23:00.000-05:00

Let the business school applications begin. Eight schools, kids. Eight schools. Here goes:

UK: Imperial College, Oxford, Manchester.
Fr: HEC Paris.
Espana: IESE, ESADE
US: Boston College
Canada: UBC.

Twenty-four essays. The onslaught commences ...

I am here!

2007-11-09T00:22:00.000-05:00

Oh, my faithful readers (of two, maybe?), I am alive. It's been SO busy. I've been busying studying for my little aptitude test for business school, and wrote it just two days ago. Result? Not GREAT, but not TOO bad ... anyway. I'm gonna gun for a re-write again. When? December 13.

Oh gawd. It'll never end. And then, applications ...

Running the UofT Triathlon Club as well. Sooo much work. Not only am I on the co-executive this year, I have the fun job of looking for a head coach as well. And, I have a coaching course to attend in November. Training camps to run with coaches. Cycling and running workouts to lead. JUST fantastic. Fantastic.

Anyway. I have HKG to look forward to. Roll out the red carpet: I land at Chek Lap Kok on December 26.

am here.

2007-10-07T02:04:00.001-04:00

am alive. Don't worry. Hitting the sack now. Blog more tomorrow.

T-minus 4 weeks.

So sick.

2007-09-07T01:23:00.001-04:00

How can I be? Again? I'm tired of being sick all the time.

This time, it's a cold and a cough.

!@$!%#@%^#$&

So fried.

2007-09-03T00:39:00.000-04:00

Garf's going away to McGill, so we partied with all the gay boys and girls at Big Primpin' last night until 4 a.m., which was oooooo-so-much fun.

I then woke up at 8 a.m. to go on another hell-hath-no-fury 100 kilometre lung-busting ride with the donut boys. A chick turned up on a touring bike, and there was no way I was gonna have her overtake me. I blew her to bits on the Hwy 7 ramp to show her who's the boss. Sorry honey, no mercy. That's why you don't show up on a touring bike.

Hung in with the boys until Teston Road. Bit of an improvement, but no "chase group" formation today. It was all a cat-and-mouse game, so it was all very tiring. Still rad though.

Not so sweet post-ride. Head throbbing and tired as hell. Was surprised I could even walk. Ate like a horse.

Donut Ride.

2007-08-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

I did it! I did it! I did it! I did the Donut Ride today and earned respect!

I had a dream that I overslept and missed the ride, but I managed to get up on time (for once). Although I was one of three girls that showed up today, it was massively fun in a nerve-wracking, ohmygodIcan'tgetdroppednotnownotnow, teeth-gritting sort of way. This ride is fairly unforgiving; the Donut Ride is one big testosterone sausage-fest. If you get dropped, you get dropped. Got dropped on Keele, but was in the "chase group" with a bunch of wiry older guys (I can only keep up with the 40-50 year olds). Not bad for a girl, I would say.

Roger, the super-wiry, 61 year-old Donut Ride old-timer, already has a nickname for me. He spotted me and started screaming: "TEAM HONG KONG."

On Keele, reached up to over 35-37 kph. Post-Grandma donut shop: wailing down at 50ish kph.

Am sooooooooo going again next week.

Warcraft Love.

2007-08-23T23:35:00.001-04:00

I was waiting for my colleague to finish his mobile phone conversation today outside our work building. He looked pretty concerned, and when he hung up, he said: "ooooooh man."

Me: What's wrong?
Him: My friend's brother is moving to California for a girl.
Me: There's nothing immensely wrong with that...
Him: ...Yeah, if you met them over playing WARCRAFT ONLINE!
Me: WHAT!!?
Him: Oh, it gets better. He's 21 years old, and she's 31 years old...with THREE! KIDS! He's gonna be moving down to Cali to live with her and her kids!
Me: well, at least there won't be a huge age gap between him and the eldest kid, I guess?
Him: Yeah...by only EIGHT F@CKING YEARS.

What is the morale of the story here? love can exist between orcs and humans.

Food preparation.

2007-08-22T00:50:00.000-04:00

I work with a HILARIOUS British guy, D. Not only is he my accent buddy - I practice my Jewish mama and "BBC World News" accents on him - D. and I have a great time at work. We're both kitchen nazis (in the kindest sense), and both of us get a kick out of some of the food preparation techniques that go on in the "kitsch", as we so lovingly call it.

Case in point: one woman at work brings the strangest foods in. I mean, it's a debacle; it's never a simple sandwich or a box lunch that can heat easily in the microwave. There's always, without fail, a lot of prep work needed for her lunches: chopping food, mixing ingredients, cooking in the microwave box, stirring stuff, etc.

I mean, just the other day, she brought in this gorgonzola cheese contraption that smelt like rotten socks (microwaving it did not help its olfactory assault on the nasal passages) . I kid you not. Rotten. Socks. I, a lover of cheeses, complaining aboot cheeses is almost unheard of.

D. and I subsequently gagged like a bunch of school kids outside the kitsch.

And today, she was stirring this jar of organic peanut butter which she then spilt all over herself, which added to the awkwardness (like I said before, her food needs "work"). It was absolutely gross. D. and I were giving each other quizzical looks, and when we got out, I remarked that "it looked like watery poo." D. couldn't laughing for five minutes.

Third night in a row, 5.10 a.m.

2007-08-12T05:10:00.001-04:00

I am hacking up a lung. Still. Once I fall asleep, something seems to crawl over my throat, and I then spew out a vociferous cough. This current coughing spew is reminiscent of my childhood in Hong Kong when I was coughing so much due to the poor air.

The only good thing is that my New Yawk Jewish mama voice is back ("Daaay-vid, hourray awp and eat yawr hawt dawg. We're gawing to miss the shaow awn Broawdway"). But, seriously, I just want sleep and slumber.

Perchance, to dream...

The River Ganges.

2007-08-08T01:57:00.000-04:00

After work, I happily biked home (toodley toodley doo).

Opened the door (tiddley pom)
Racked my bike (tiddley pom)
What's that noise? (drip, drip, drip)
Look into my bedroom...

OH. MY. F@CKING. GAWD.

The River Ganges decided to make an appearance through the ceiling and into my bedroom. I was so shocked, I didn't know what to do. Let's just say that the water was thick enough for me to slosh, slosh, slosh through it.

The Gods decided to have a cry in my bedroom today.

I weep, too.

I'm back!

2007-08-07T01:07:00.000-04:00

Sorry folks, it has been awhile. Moved, went to the UK, and am currently studying for my little aptitude test come October (wish me luck).

The house is still settling; we still need to get a print for the living room. Once that is done, we're gonna throw a little housewarming. For those who are reading this, you are invited. Try to be here in spirit, even if you're located far, far away.

During my time in the UK, I seriously assessed whether I could stomach living in the UK again for school. When I stepped off the plane, it was raining and a balmy 15C (strike 1: bad weather). When inquiring about bus tickets to Woking / Guildford, got screamed at by the ticketing agent at the bus station (strike 2: bad British service). Ate nothing but pub food because I was in small towns during my stay i.e. Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Chopham, Oundle, Corby (strike 3: British culinary fare). Waited ten million years for the average British toilet to fill up a tank (strike 4: slow and non-flushing British toilets).

However, despite all of the above-noted strikeouts, I think I'll still gun for the UK. That Stilton cheese and pyramid PG Tips teabags are good enough lures to get me back.

**********************************

By the way, for those who didn't know, I was in the UK for a wedding. One of my dear friends from Hong Kong got married at Oundle (very posh to have weddings "out in the country"). Here are some photos for you to enjoy. This is where the wedding and reception took place:

Cathedral at Oundle.

Outdoor reception.

Despite the fact that I practically got man-handled by some British schoolboy on the dancefloor, I survived the trip alright.

I also managed to worm training sessions with the Woking Hockey Club (very fun, with some funny beers with team members post-workout) and the Serpentine Running Club, so I didn't manage to get too fat on the trip.

Next quick sojourn: San Francisco at the end of October / beginning of November.

Attempt at being organised.

2007-06-25T00:12:00.000-04:00

TO DO LIST

House

to purchase:
-hot water pot
- rogers wireless / cable package (inquire)
- rice bowl cooker
- ottoman
- desk
- tall lamp
- dresser
- cleaning supplies: broom, swiffer mop, toilet cleaner, dettol

to move:
- bed
-bookshelf
-corner shelf
-clothes
- linen
- laundry rack
- skateboard
-bike
- hand-held vacuum

to do:
- rental truck for the day

Forever single.

2007-06-20T00:03:00.000-04:00

Lamentation. I will be forever single. I haven't gone on a date in eons. EOOOOONS.

Right now, I only have David from the Masters' Swim Club to look forward to. You should've seen me today after the run, craning over the pool gallery barrier to see if he was there. I immediately jettisoned off to the pool to get changed so I can swim with him the same lane (shades of previous Roman infatuation-induced behaviour four years ago - Mark can attest to this). How pathetic is that.

Me to my running buddy today: OooooOOOOOoooH! David's at the swiiiiiiiim!
(pause)
OK. Let's get changed. NOW. STAT.

And, of course, I have Nahawna to blame for creating another impossible-person-to-have-a-crush-on, but I do. He added her on facebook, and she sends me an hissy email that consisted of two words and multiple exclamation marks ("add him, add him, ADD HIM!!!!!!!!!"). He's an investment banker in NY with strawberry blonde hair, and is incredibly good-looking. Sigh. I bet he's getting girls left, right and centre.

I will sign this blog entry as:

Dateless in Boring Toronto.

You know you're getting old when...

2007-06-11T00:25:00.001-04:00

...you don't recognise any of the bands that are gonna be on this year's Warped Tour. I only know of five on that list (and no, I'm not counting Bad Religion as one of them). "Pepper"? "Karate High School"?

Gosh. I'm almost 30 soon. THIRTY. Why do I have a longboard and still looking up bands that will be on the Warped Tour? I should be worried aboot housing mortgage interests rates and car payment loans and my fertility clock. That's what people my age worry aboot.

Finally, an update.

2007-06-10T01:09:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile since my last blog. Hope my fine readers are doing well; the sun is peaking through the Ontario skies, temperatures are warming up...yes. The Canadian summer is here.

Nothing much to report on. Went to Lake Placid on a training camp. Kinda fun. Check out that one pic I took.

Here's a picture of one the Adirondack highways as we were zipping
around in a 7-person van in Lake Placid.

*****************************

Lying low at work. I've come to accept my current state of career being; I'm telling myself - only one more year of this, then I'm out of there. Really feeling like an bloated bureaucrat...

One thing good about Government is that how granola it can be. Read this. Now, everyday is a casual Friday. Sweetness. Where are my thong sandals and bikini?

*****************************

And, oh yes. We've (another girl, S. and I) found an apartment! It's pretty near the Annex neighbourhood in Toronto. Despite my mom's seemingly sadness over the fact I'm moving out, I'm excited aboot it.

One of my mother's friends have been particularly mean-spirited over the fact that I'm moving out (again). When my mother told her about my upcoming move, this "friend's" response was: "Well, we all knew that she was going to do it, sooner or later. Thank God my kids* aren't like that."

Hold on there. She has an unemployed 30-year old son still living and mooching off of her, and that's considered okay?! I told my mom that the first thing she needs to do is to kick his lazy ass out the door; that'll give him some impetus to find a job. My mom's response? "Well, it's a different culture."

Uhhh, no. It's not about different cultures. It's about laziness and ineptitude.

*Aged 28 and 30, respectively.

*****************************

Will be going to Chester, England for about a week in late July for a wedding (my old high school chum from Hong Kong is getting married). Fire pit hog roast and "dancing in the fields." It'll be pretty sweet. Plus, will be going back to Hong Kong in late December with my mother, and we're hoping to do Xian to see the terracotta warriors. That'll be good, too.

Was also in Bawston a couple weeks back for some Buddhist purification rituals. My friend Nahawna wrote aboot the experience oh so succinctly. Read it here.

I've also come to the realisation that in about 5 years' time, I want to move back to Hong Kong...

Bawston.

2007-05-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

My gawd. It's cold and miserable. It's 17C in Toronto, but a 6C here and raining. Ugh. My fingers are frozen as a type this. FROZEN.

10K results

2007-05-09T00:14:00.000-04:00

Check out this past Sunday's 10K results here: results.

Chip time: 42:28 (split: 4:15/km) Gun time: 42:29 .

You know my name. Check it. Lesson learned from this race?
1) Never bike the day before. Your muscles will seize up by the 7km mark.
2) Never stand waaaaaaaaay back the starting line. You will waste time weaving in and out.
3) Never go too hard at the beginning. My 3km split was sub 12 minutes, my 5km split was sub 21 minutes, and then...I positive split. Bad.

Anyway, still pleased. Next year: close to 40 mins? Hmmmn.

Oh, what the hell. LET'S JUST PULL THE BAND-AID OFF IN ONE SHOT!

2007-05-05T15:45:00.000-04:00

Alright. So, I didn't get the consulting job. And cried like a schoolgirl over it. Work right now is rather - sigh - not much to be desired, let's just put it that way.

So, why not get all the pain out in one shot.

I TOLD MY MOTHER I'M MOVING OUT.

Reasons why:
1) I'm 28.5 years old.
2) It's about time.
3) Living at home kills my dating chances (yeah, what do you think?!)
4) Re-read first three reasons. I don't need anymore.

Reasons to stay:
1) Chinese guilt.
2) Built-up ex-Catholic guilt.
3) It's my mother. I am her everything. I don't have siblings, so I'm her companion, her life, the only thing she has control over...moving out may kill her. Seriously.
4) I may be excommunicated from the Chinese community.

To my defense:

1) Chinese kids that stay at home are basketcases. I'm going to do some generalization here, but most of them don't grow, whether it is emotional growth or personal growth. Living at home, more or less, stunts development in those areas.

They only move out when they get married. And that, by the way, may not always happen. Yes, some of them do stay with their parents post-marriage.

2) If I move out when I get married - which, may I stress, is probably at least five years away - I'll be living with my mother until my 30s. And by that time, who wants to marry a woman who is in her mid-30s who lives at home with her mother?! I wouldn't.

Again, see reason #3 under "Reasons Why".

3) You know what, I don't need any more "defense" reasons. HECK.

So, my mother has been saying incredibly mean and hurtful things to me since I broke the news. Examples are:

"You are just like your father" (How am I like my father?! I haven't lived with him since I was 14)
"Who needs you?! I'm lonely anyway, my only activity is going to the supermarket." (caveat - I try, and do I try, to get her to do some activities. Volunteering. Small jobs. ANYTHING. Travel. She doesn't do any of that, and complains that I "force" her to do things. Ugh.)
"Oh yes, if you go, the car stays with me. You can't take the car." (The woman doesn't even drive. I drive her to her errands.)

To quote my friend: "I don't know why post-menopausal women are so mean."

Compound stress upon stress. But, hell. It needs to be done.

I've moved out before, but every time there was a reason. The last time I moved out was because of a boy (which, may I add, almost killed her). Now, there is no boy. I'm doing it on my terms.

And yes, I had my cry already. Sigh.

Tears.

2007-05-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

I cried and cried and cried and cried and cried and cried today at lunch.

Gosh, I'm such a spineless wreck that can't take rejection. I need to BUCKLE UP.

Disappointment.

2007-04-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

The dance is over. I got officially punked off by one of the Big Four firms. They held the candy out to me, I was this close to getting it, but apparently, we're not the "right fit."

Back to the drawing board. Business school it is.

And yes, I had my cry already.

COUGH HACK WHEEZE SQUEAK CROAK ARGH

2007-04-23T23:58:00.000-04:00

I have no voice. I either sound like Fran Drescher doing a Darth Vader impression, or I'm relegated to squawkiness and whispery-ness.

I should carry a white-out board when I go out. Writing "Could I get an oatmeal cookie" on a piece of paper is easier than communicating it verbally.

--------------------------

Anyway, the guy DID email me, but I think I erroneously wrote an over-eager email back to him by mistake (the last thing you want to be perceived is some eager loser). Unfortunately, the computer keyboard at the gym had a broken spacebar, which did not help my cause. Nor did having a crazy Friday help.

Well, anyway. I think I sounded too eager. I wrote: "What are you doing this weekend? Drop me a line sometime!" may have been conceived as one clause, but man, I meant them to be two, separate clauses. I wasn't fishing for a date this weekend. But now...it sounds as if I did.

Ooooooooooh gawd.

<cough hack squawk croak screeeam>

--------------------------

I absolutely howled with laughter when I read this week's FT's installment on "Lunch With." The columnist totally burns Lou Dobbs' muck-up on the definition of determinism. Read it - it's fantastic. I loved the lines: "Then something peculiar happens. Dobbs has a falling out with the English language." Funny.

No voice.

2007-04-23T00:27:00.000-04:00

I have completely lost my voice for the past three days. It was sort of fun sounding like Joan Rivers at the beginning, but right now...yeah. Her voice is driving me nuts.

ANYWAY. The sun was out, it was 24C out in the city, and it was GREAT weather. The first crack at good weather this year in Toronto. And thus, did a lot of cycling this weekend. And, who do I bump into? Yes, the EX. With a chick. That's not hot.

OOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh - such sweet vindication!

I am such a bitch - but, that's why you love me, right? Right.

Dating game.

2007-04-18T20:53:00.000-04:00

I've been told that a one week bracket should be given to this guy. So, he's still in the running and to not write him off yet. One of my friends said: "He doesn't want to be be perceived as some eager loser."

Fair enough. I guess if he called me the next day, I would've been thinking, "What an eager twat." No fun in that, eh.

And, so says this: Play Hard to Get.

Compliments and nerves.

2007-04-17T18:24:00.000-04:00

If someone compliments your mother as being beautiful, does that mean that she is beautiful, or you?

Hmmmn.

Anyway, it's the waiting game. Number and email given to this unfailingly (yes, unfailingly) good-looking guy on Saturday morning, and am doing the wait. Oh gawd. Am totally having omgwhyhasn'thecalledmeyet moments. Hands clammy and heart palpitates. I can forgive him for having the latest copy of Vanity Fair magazine* on his coffee table. He's HOT.

************************************************

I had to buy something today that costed me two arms and multiple legs. But, I looked killer in it. I needed it. My credit card did not need it though.

More details later, after the fact.

************************************************

Two more weeks until my 24 year-old Austrian boy-toy leaves to go back to Osterreich. Who knew interns at the Austrian consulate can be this much heartbreak and fun? Sigh.

* Why not Harper's? Or the Atlantic Monthly? Walrus? The New Yorker? Even, Dear Sir, the Economist?

Updates.

2007-04-10T21:38:00.000-04:00

I can't blog aboot it here, but I am excited (yet nervous) for an upcoming-something-event. A good excited-nervousness, though. Not stressing out. But, am excited. EEEEEEEEEEEE.

As for last week, all I'll say is that the Austrian boy is tres cute. Tres cute. Also, there is nothing like being hoisted on a strapping lad's (who is 6'4) shoulders in a middle of a dj concert. One does feel like a rawk star.

Ugly template.

2007-04-09T00:54:00.000-04:00

I can't take the green anymore. Really. It's disgusting. The faux leaves, the boring shades of green. Furthermore, the new blogger format ate my clustermaps up, which made me royally pissed.

Moving this to typepad, maybe?

Fun with maps.

2007-03-31T02:36:00.000-04:00

create your own visited countries map

Your turn now. Thanks to henpecked for this.

On another note, you MUST read this. And then laugh. And then read "Submit your thoughts." Laugh even more. It's brilliant.

Zeum Teufel!

2007-03-31T02:26:00.000-04:00

I totally have a widdle crush on an Austrian boy.

We went skiing two weeks ago at Holiday Valley at upstate New York, he's only 24, but I don't care. He took my hand tonight on the dancefloor, told me I was beautiful, and kept asking for kisses from me - which I obligingly dished out.

I did my best girly Chinese demure personality, and he loved it.

EEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee. He's, like, omg, soooo cute!

Oooooooooooooooooo My Goodness.

2007-03-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. Really. Really! It's just that facebook is sucking away all of my spare time on the computer, and I've neglected this tiny corner for a whee while. Anyway, I'm alive.

Really.

Went skiing with Austrians last weekend, studying, training, figuring out work, figuring out boys, the whole gamut. More tomorrow!

Some pretty photos.

2007-03-01T21:39:00.000-05:00

Briawna and I volunteered at this Ice Bike Race last week in Toronto. It lived up to its name in terms of the "ice" (yes, it was freezing) and "bikes" (yes, there were lots). They even wrote aboot ice racing in the NYT. Check it here.

Oh, yes. So there were the freezing temperatures, studded wheel bikes, and uh, streaked nudity.

Enjoy.

Briawna checking in some cute Montrealer couriers, Sebastian and Simon. Mon Dieu!

Bikes on ice.

The Ice Bear whizzing around.

Ummm....poor bike.

Well then. It was cold.

Well then.

2007-03-01T21:22:00.000-05:00

Talk aboot ill-timed moments.

Last week, I wasn't too sure if I gave out a "lesbian vibe" or not (and was slightly freaking out over it). So, why not ask my friend, Jenn G., who dishes out honest opinion and advice?

So, I GoogleTalked her with this frantic statement:

Eh-choo Mui Mui says:
Do I give off a lesbian vibe or something?!

Turns out that she was in the middle of giving a presentation in front of these pharmaceutical reps, and the message popped up during the presentation. She forgot to turn off her GoogleTalk, and didn't know that there was wireless around.

She then proceeded to quickly delete it, but the screen froze, which made things worse.

I have now been immortalised in a National Lampoon goes to Work moment. I have also killed all (if any) of my chances to work at Jenn's company.

I was first horrified when she told me what happened. And then, I broke down in a fit of giggles.

This ranks up there with another one of those ill-timed moments. However, this one is way worse. Waaaaaaay worse.

Well, the update.

2007-02-25T19:25:00.000-05:00

The AC Guy.
What can I say. The "date" with the AC guy never came to fruition. After a missed attempt to meet up (he thought we were supposed to meet on Thursday, I thought we were supposed to meet on Wednesday), well...that killed it. Not to mention: i) he had some snarky comments in his emails; and ii) facebook-stalking yielded some of his very uncool pictures of his A$$ (like, oh my gawd, ewwwwwww) ... uhhh. Yeah. Sorry, kiddo. Go find another woman, and that woman ain't gonna be me.

The Lesbian.
...is just a little too much for me. It's a constant, "let's go out for coffee! Coffee! COFFEEEEE!" I mean, yeah, coffee's okay, but a sister needs some space. CHRIST! It doesn't help your cause that you did inform me that you are attracted to "Asian girls that are athletic" (now, why don't you just say my name?). UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The Former Grad Supervisor.
After making me dinner at his house* where we supped by candlelight and jazz music** (it was a belated birthday present), he then proceeded to mock and denigrate me during the dinner. The topic of the ease of establishing democratic elections in developing countries came up, and my suggestions were quickly squashed by him snapping at me, saying: "Did you even study political science? Did you even go to graduate school to study the discipline?" This was amongst the many "witty" comebacks that I had to endure during the night. At one point, I had to get up and go to the washroom, for I thought I was going to burst into tears. As I was leaving, he then proceeded to say:

"We should do this more often. Hang out, or maybe even catch a movie together."

I think I would rather jab a bic pen in my aorta and go through that again.

Well, as Mark said, at least I'm in some sort of demand...

*beef bourguignon, which is no easy feat, shall I add.
** double ughhhhhhh on both counts.

Wrong people hitting on me.

2007-02-21T23:59:00.000-05:00

My former graduate supervisor, random guy at gym, and two lesbians.

For now, I think the random guy at gym wins out.

More details tomorrow.

You are a cunning if...

2007-02-17T00:12:00.000-05:00

...if you're a master of several languages. A cunning linguist, that is. So, I cracked a joke to a colleague, saying, "Well, D., you must be a cunning linguist" (D. is fluent in German, English, French, Czech, Flemish, Dutch, and a bit of...Putonghua!!?!?!?! That title is deservingly so).

HA HA HA! (we both had a cheap laugh out of that).

Well, D. told me that BBC had a show called "Not the 9 O'Clock News," and had a spoofy song called: "The memory kinda lingers."

From now on, please use the term "kinda lingers" generously in your daily lexical usage. For example:

I like to re-use tea bags. The taste kinda lingers in the hot water.
That policy idea he pitched was a really good idea. It kinda lingers in your membrane, don't you think?
Oh, stop sucking on that straw! The sourness from that drink kinda lingers in your mouth.

It will guarantee cheap laughs.

Skateboard sadness.

2007-02-03T17:16:00.000-05:00

Was all ready to go out for a winter skateboard, but it's snowing now, with blizzard-ish snow.

So sad.

A picture to remind myself of warmer weather. This is taken on a stroll around Cheung Chau. That's my good friend, Charlotte, a non-native (but native) Hong Konger:

She's posing with one of the rocks in the background that looks like a shark's head pointing upwards, like this: ^. Can you see it? It's situated more on the right side of the photograph.

PHREAK - OUT !

2007-02-01T06:27:00.001-05:00

I am now have 28 years banked in my life. MY GAWD, I'M OLD!

(phreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak!)

*******************************

Ummm. Some guy at the Athletic Centre office got wind that I'm on a "single status". I may be going on a d__e soon. This has proved highly embarrassing; going into the office to look for one of the managers, he was just sitting there...my face just shot red. Oh man. I'm the worse at these "I don't know you, but hey! I'm interested!" sorta things.

Maybe I'm not. Recall google-stalking incident (I'm not linking it here). But, that was different. We talked! (haha). I've never talked to this guy, except for "Could I get a temp pass for the day? I forgot my card at home. Thanks."

EEP.

In Hong Kong ...

2007-01-28T05:42:00.000-05:00

Just got back from Hong Kong. It was a good sojourn: saw the dad (which went surprisingly well); went to Zhuhai, China to see my uncle; skateboarded around Cheung Chau; and saw some friends.

**************
Went on some crazy runs with a friend of mine. I still can't believe we did Ma On Shan in the DARK, on a Wednesday night.

(I was whining like a kid after I found out that we were running up that thing. "What's wrong with doing a hill run on a road? Really. Reeeeeally." Protestations fell on deaf ears).

I'm still surprised that I made it back to Canada in one piece; we were clamouring over rocks on the downhill during the night....my gawd, running with a flashlight, jumping over rocks and trying to keep up on the downhills (to no avail) is serious hardwork. The run was beautiful, though. At one point, when I looked up, the sky was clear, and the stars were shining down. It was one of those Perfect Moments In Life.

We also did the Pak Sin Leng ridge. Another amazingly sick run. I'm also surprised I made it back in one piece. 25 kms of crazy trail running.

My knees are still slightly swollen, but it was absolutely WORTH THE PAIN!

*************
Longboarding around Cheung Chau is priceless. LOVED IT! It was worth dragging that board across the world. I learned a new trick, too. I can now sorta "kick turn". Trust me, it earned some good stares, and my Cheung Chau islander peeps never mince their words, " 喂! So big, your board!"

**************
Coming back from China is always a relief; travelling through that country is always an exercise in bladder control. Squat toilets aren't exactly...nice, especially when one has knee problems. they all tell me that China's the next big thing, but I'll believe it when they up the hygiene standards of their washrooms. And, when they get rid of "The Special" during foot massages.

(My friend, Charlotte, feigned shock after I told her about my dislike for squat toilets: "But, that's so against your culture!")

*************
I did go to Yuen Long to pay some respects to my Grandpa (deceased). He was Taoist, so instead of the usual "place flowers on tombstone, then split" sort of deal, the visit is oftentimes a lot more complicated.

You burn a lot of stuff. If you're a pyromaniac (who doesn't like fire?), then this is the thing for you, because the visit legitimises vasts amounts of burning paper. Not only must incense be burned, but paper replicas of "Hell Bank Notes" must also be burned so my Grandpa can use these items in the Taoist underworld.

My dad and I burned three massive bagfuls of Hell Bank Notes for Grandpa. We wanted to burn him a paper replica of an iPod, but my Grandma barked, "What the hell is he gonna use that for? He doesn't know how to use it!" It was nixed.

*************
Alright, alright. I also bought a Gucci bag (mine is beige, with light blue / brown trim). I walked out of the Gucci store at Pacific Place with an evil giggle and a hop, skip and a jump.

Feel the love.

2007-01-28T05:31:00.000-05:00

Is this guy for real? Anyway, I logged into facebook, and I had this waiting for me.

Oh yeah, it's a HK Chinese guy. Hence the Chinese-English structure (think, "Why you don't believe me?" Straight Canto-English translation).

Caveat emptor: No wording has been changed, except for the replacement of my name.

Dear Pretty ECMM,

Hi, my name is Bryan, nice to meet you. I got your profile in here and strongly felt you are very pretty and attractive. May I be your friend?

Actually, I want to build up a short relationship with you, but I more prefer to enjoy a sweet dating with you FOREVER : )

I sincerely hope to receive your reply ASAP. My MSN is ____.

Plz add me ;)

Love,
Bryan.

Buddy, SA-WEET! Sweet dating FOREVER, too. Let's be pals.

WRONG DEMOGRAPHIC AGE BRACKETS.

2007-01-03T23:55:00.000-05:00

Observation 1:
Skateboards make you cool. However, for boys ages 5 to 12, the skateboard is cooler than you.

I was crossing the street with a friend after the longboard purchase last week.

Kid 1 (yanking on his mother's hand, awestruck): MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWM! Check out that skateboard!

Later that night, as I was practising on the longboard:

Kid 2 (awestruck, eyes wide open): WOOOOOOW.

Observation 2:
You will attract men over the age of 50.

Emerging from the parking lot yesterday morning, I bumped into a postman doing his daily rounds. Gives me a full "head up- down" check, and smiles. Uhhh...I guess I should say hi to the friendly postman of the neighbourhood, and cough out a "hi".

Response? "You look really sharp today. You look very nice."

Guh-rosssssssssss! Last thing you need is a slimey older man checking you out. GAHHHH!

Conclusion:
I need a demographic age range of 25 - 33 to work with here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 新年快樂!

2007-01-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

Hippy Hoppy Huppy Happy 2007, everyone!

(And, for the first time, here is a photo of me, but I won't say who is what, or what is who...)

Quickly, here are the new year's resolutions:

Not only will I be on schedule, but I will be on time (stealing quotes from Nas).
I will live life to the fullest i.e. try anything, do anything. What the heck. Just one life to live, eh?
For this upcoming year, I will make the most of my civil service career.
I will train hard.
I will floss daily, as opposed to every other day.
I will join / volunteer with Toronto's Out of the Cold program.
I will stop being so bloody vain. Looks aren't everything, ECMM. Really.
I will aim to bring peace between the parental units.
I will use my longboard as a form of commute.

Uhhh, what? Longboard?! Yeah, for those that don't know, I BOUGHT A LONGBOARD!

So much fun. I have been practising the past couple of nights. My friend asked me, "do you work in the mailroom? Why are you getting a skateboard?"

Anyway, why not? Instead of walking to work, I'm hoping to use it to slide to work come spring. Here is a sample photo of it:

The plan is to take to Cheung Chau next week, so I can BURN SOME SERIOUS PAVEMENT WITH THIS MOFO (in other words, try to maintain stance on it, and not break my neck).

And no, I'm not trying to be Avril Lavigne.

Clash of the Culture Titans.

2006-12-27T01:22:00.000-05:00

'Twas in upstate NY last weekend. Stayed with my bestest of fwiends, Ricky. Ricky's dad's a pastor in the local church, and Ricky had to stand-in to sing a hymn because Judy bailed ("I hate it when it's so last minute", sighed Ricky).

Anyway, I really wanted to see Ricky's family in Church action (me, the godless follower at Church? Ahhh...yes). It was really neat seeing them do their thang, but boy, was it an experience.

Scenario 1:
Ricky was singing a hymn with his dad and his uncle (both pastors at the church). A congregationalist was so moved by the song, he was sobbing heaving. I mean, sobbing. And, heaving.

Scenario 2:
Shakey hands bit. Past Catholic roots did this at churches: you shake hands, mutter a "peace be with you", and move on. However, I got special treatment because I was tied to the pastor posse. Ricky's mom introduced me to some random man at the Church...

[I shake hands with the man]
R's mom (to man): Well, this is ECMM., she is Ricky's friend from school.
Man: OH! (goshdarrrrnit, smacked-out surprised)
R's mom: She's from Toronto, Canada.
Man (at a loss for words, eyes slightly glazes over):....Welcome to America.

Considering that this is upstate NY and merely 2 hours away from the border, it was nice to get a welcome...hmmn.

Scenario 3:
I was introduced to Ricky's grandmama. Sweetest lady on Mother Earth. However, she was curious about my culinary expertise.

Grandma: So! Ricky tells me you're Chinese!
Me (not sure where this was leading to)...ummmm, yes. I am.
Grandma: Are you a good cook?
Me (?!): I guess I'm okay..?
Grandma: Well, I gotta ask you this. I just loooove this Chinese restaurant that's just down the street from where I live. JUST LOVE IT! Anyway, they make this wonderful food for the buffet, but at 3 pm, when they sit down for their own meal, they don't eat the food they make for the buffet! Instead, they have a bowl of white rice and some fish. That's all they eat! Now, why don't they eat the wonderful food that they made for the buffet?
Me (at a loss for words, since I can't really explain all my 1.3B brethren's actions): Well, uhhh...
Ricky (steps in, sensing awkwardness of situation): Oh, Grandma! ECMM says that the food they make isn't real Chinese food, but white man's Chinese food!

Scenario 4:
Lesson here: presenters can see you from the stage.

Ricky's uncle was giving a sermon on baby Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes. The guy just went on and on. So, I scrawled on a piece of paper to Ricky, writing: "My goodness, when is your uncle gonna end? I'm STARVING". Ricky passes a note back to me, which said: "I KNOW".

So, I got introduced to the uncle during lunch...

Me: I really enjoyed your sermon on baby Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes! I thought it was a very symbolic sermon, how you applied it to God's love, and how his love wraps around us, like swaddling clothes [obviously kissing up, because all I can think of - oooooh my goodness, when is the guy gonna END]
Uncle: Well! That's good to hear - my family never pays me compliments! [Eyes begin to narrow] I'm surprised you paid any attention at all, seeing you and Ricky were passing notes to each other at the back of the Church!

BURNED.

Other questions that were tossed my way, during that day:

Do you celebrate Christmas up there ("up there" being Canada)?
Do you believe in God?
Do you put up Christmas trees?

I still love upstate N.Y. though (and, I love you toooo, Ricky! And your mama and papa and your luverly famileeeee!).

I did relay the story over to my friend, T., who is currently residing in la geneve. He quipped: "See, more exotic than Geneva."

***************************************************************************

Sometimes, I don't get Chinese people...

Yesterday, my mother and I witnessed this strange incident at the street corner from the car. Two Chinese women were basically shoving each other off the street. Turns out that Woman A wanted to give Woman B a present for Christmas.

So, according to Chinese tradition, you don't take the present immediately. You normally "pretend" to refuse the gift, then accept it later. It's all about showing "face" that you're humble, and that you're not good enough for the present. Pretty dumb, but that's what Chinese people do.

Anyway, Woman B takes this to a new high:

Not only does she refuse the present, she basically shoves Woman A almost onto the road with the present. You can see Woman A yelling, and pushing the present back at her (in Chinese): "Take it! Just take it!" Woman B flat-out refuses the present, shaking her head violently ("No, no!"). More shoving continues. So, Woman B takes the present, throws it on the ground, and then runs away.

My mother and I watch this unravel as we wait for the traffic light to change.

My mother (bewildered): Can't she just take it?!
Me: Chinese people are so bloody stupid, sometimes.

Update! Update! Update!

2006-12-16T23:56:00.000-05:00

I *am* aliiiiiiive!

Just a quick report:

I got a new job! Start date is January 29th. But, let's keep it hush hush, my soon-to-be manager told me to be "more discreet about your hiring", because I have yet to sign anything. Ah well. I thought the cat was out of the bag when one of the directors in my unit congratulated me on my "new post". I've been blabbing and blabbing and BLABBING aboot it. Say no more - I have to shut it. Wheeeeeeeeee! though, I have a new jawb!
I'm going to Hong Kong on Saturday, January 16th! I'm hoping to fly to Melbourne on a quickie, if I can nab a cheap airfare from HK, so Mark and Lynnie, I may see yoooooou! OR, better yet...LET'S GO TO MALAYSIA TOGETHER!

My love life is pretty quiet, however. Still sussing out situations. So, must keep on sussing. Suss, suss.

I'm currently updating this from upstate New York (Ellicottville / Jamestown area). Was supposed to snowboard this weekend, but there's NO SNOW. I'm still wearing my fall jacket around...everything's too green to be thinking of winter sports right now.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee! New jawb! Hong Kong to see family and friends! Maybe Oz to see family and friends!

Steve and Cathy's place in Indiana.

2006-11-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

To Mark and Lynn;

This is where the Ponting-Myers reside. It's a luverly place! I had some great sleeps at their place. AGHHH. Sleeep. zzzzzzzzzzzz....

And yes, that's Cathy in front of the house!

p.s. I can only post on blogs that have the new beta format. It really sucks.

A NEW OBSESSION.

2006-11-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

I am completely, completely, COMPLETELY HELL-BENT on winning the devinci bike that Curbside has put up for grabs. It's hooked onto this computer course thing, and the person who can finish the course in the shortest amount of time WINS THE BIKE.

I managed 3min32 sec (with one crash - DAMMIT!). It's absolutely tiring. It feels as if you're cycling through mud the whole time, even when you're supposedly cycling downhill.

Because I protested, there is now a separate sheet for female cyclists. I wasn't all that much slower than the male cyclists; I think only 4 are faster than me?

The time to beat (male) is 2min41sec.

On the topic of hygiene...

2006-11-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

Toronto Public Health has launched a new flu campaign. Plastered all over the city is the new "Sleeve Sneeze" poster:

I actually quite like the poster!

So, instead of having your goober in your hand, you'll have your goober on your sleeve, for all the world to see. NICE.

*************************************

On the topic of hygiene, I think I've had the final straw when I saw this lady (aka Starfish*) brush her teeth on the Benson pool deck at the University's Athletic Centre (AC) . Uhhhh...that's just nasty beyond belief. Anyway, protestations to these wimpy and weak 17-year old lifeguards get nowhere (lifeguard's response: "like, I can't get her to stop, because she's not spitting on the deck. But yeah, it's pretty gross.")

It's time for some Top Five AC Changeroom Pet Peeves:

To the Chinese woman who butt-flosses hard in the communal shower. STOP IT. It's not a pretty sight - really.
To the Geography PhD student (I know who you are, because you crashed our Grad Political Science party once, and was an uber-bitch at it, too) who shaves her doodydoodydoo in the communal shower, again - STOP IT. If you want to do it, do it in the private confines of the shower wank tanks, not in the communal shower area, thank you very much!
To the Master's Swim Woman X who blow dries her hair with nary a piece of clothing on. The unwritten rule is, you can only be naked in the communal shower area. Once you leave it, cover it. Yes, you do have an okay body, but I don't want to see you butt-naked a$. Throw on a loin cloth. Something. Actually, anything. But please, more than just a thong...
Talking aboot t-backs: to Master's Swim Woman Y who blow dries her hair with just her thong on. One word: AUGHHHHH!
To the grandma who blow dries her hair in the hallway, also in her birthday suit, sitting on a chair with your legs open...alright. You're 90. You're slightly forgiven...but, just barely.
To Starfish, who also brushes her teeth in the shower...WHYYYYYyyyyyyyyy?

(That's actually six AC changeroom pet peeves).

My friend Ilan always thought that the female communal showers meant that all the girls soap each other up, like an undergraduate boy's wet dream. Ummm. Not quite.

*I've given this woman this nickname, because her swimming style is this: she lies on her back, and does the moonsweep. She's a frigging rock in the pool, and her legs poke over to the fast lane. I kick faster than she swims. Furthermore, her breasts hang like two poached eggs ... so not a pretty sight.

New beta format...

2006-11-20T00:15:00.000-05:00

I knew something was up, when the buttons were a wee bit different on other blogs. I've joined the dark side, too. Check out the blue and orange buttons when you leave a comment on this blog.

Nothing much to report on, I'm afraid. Well, I've been going "out out" more (and went on a couple of dates this week, ooooooooooh!). Anyway, partying with my friend Martin is fun. He has no qualms aboot money, unlike me.* I think we (combined) blew about $400 Cdn last Friday. He covered most of it, thank goodness.

I will share you the lamest pick-up line used on me:

Some random guy (SRG): hey you!
Me: uhh..hey back?
SRG: you look really good tonight! Lemme guess. You're born in 1985.
Me: uhhh...no. I was born in 1979.
SRG: NO WAY! WOW! You age really well!
Me: ........!? (not sure if that was a compliment, or?)

We split from that club soon afterwards (not me and SRG, Martin and I split). At least that guy showed an aptitude in mathematics, I guess?

*I'm a complete stinge, living up to the stereotype of my ethnic background.

Stupid facebook.

2006-11-09T00:40:00.000-05:00

I. Can't. Stop. I. Can't. Get. Off. From. Face.Book. Must. Stop. Must. Look. At. Photos. Must. Stop. I.Can't.

AGHHHHHHHHHHH!

*********************************************

And, hmmmn. Innnneresting. Don't think I'll quite the cheese in this category. Think I can bike the shiz out of Mike Eisner though: The Corporate Wives' Club.

PLEASE - NO! MORE! WEDDINGS!

2006-11-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

I have four slated for next year already. FOUR!

Gawd has a way...

2006-11-06T22:25:00.000-05:00

Many moons ago, you made out with some random guy during frosh week (drunk, of course). You think that he would've disappeared from your life.

No. You will spend the next four years in undergrad, bumping into him in college, on the street, in the hallway. Everytime you see him, you do a run, hide, duck and cover.

So, you go to grad school. Turns out that he's in grad school too, in a building that's located just down the street. He will be attending the same seminars and talks as you do.

And so, you start work. He is still around. Instead of seeing him in classroom settings, you see him at work-related health policy conferences.

You think: there seems to be no end in sight to this whole thing.

You start a new job. You think fate will stop fupping with you with this. Ahhh. Wrong. Now, he's the legal counsel for this policy initiative that you're the co-lead on.

Such is life.

Stories from the trip...

2006-11-05T20:25:00.000-05:00

I promised some stories, so of course, for those who know me, I LOVE confrontation. Really.

And, all I want is world peace...

I almost got beaned by some racist Englishman on a Swiss inter-regional train. It's because I told him to SHUT his stupid, ethnocentric-racist ass UP. They were sitting in the next aisle, across from me.

Him (talking to some other English guy): England has gone to the pits. THE PITS!
Other guy: Why?
Him: The whole place isn't English anymore. You can't even recognise England. All these Indians cooking their curry, these Chinese that...
Me (interjecting): Stop! Stop. I don't want to hear it.
Him: ...what?! Stop what?!
Me: Just stop what you're gonna say next. I don't want to hear it. Really.
Him: you understand English?!? Young lady, you understand English?

At that moment, he was just flaring up, and I tried to ignore him by looking out of the window...thinking, oh my gaaawd, what have I started?! Why can't I keep my trap shut? But, I can't - hearing those things just make my blood boil.

He was yelling at me when I got off the train. Let's just say I put my fleet-footedness ability to use.

photos, photos, photos

2006-11-05T18:22:00.000-05:00

Too lazy to write. I'll let some of the pics tell the story:

Geneva.

Christie's at Geneva. DREAM EMPLOYMENT CENTRE!

Sleeping quarters at my friend T-Bis' house.

His living room / my bedroom. I threatened to clean his apartment for him, and he got scared. He wouldn't let me do it.

My bed. Ahhhhhh. Who needs a mattress?

Should I do it?!

2006-10-30T00:12:00.000-05:00

So, on the flight back on Friday, I spotted a rather strapping lad on my flight back from Frankfurt. Hmmmn. Started small-talking me outside the loo, and saw him catching some furtive glances over at me whenever I walked by him. Outside the baggage claim, he made a beeline straight for me. Afterwards, we waited for our appropriate lifts together. My lift came first; we said our goodbyes, and parted.

The thing is, I don't even know his name - all I know is that he's on the Canadian national freestyle ski team, and his first name is "Warren" (saw it on his luggage tag)...aghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Now, why does it always end like this????!??!

(And yes, I've google-stalked him already. I now know who he is, but he doesn't know who I am. The only clue he has of me is my UofT Triathlon hoodie with the word "TRIATHLON" splashed on the back).

*********************************************

Ummm. Update. My friend upped the ante on this one. She google-stalked him for me, and got his email address.

Her: You should email him!
Me: ARE YOU CRAZY?! He's gonna think I'm psycho!
Her: But, life's too short! EMAIL HIM!

I've now his email address staring at my face. I'm not too sure if I have the balls to do it.

Lost.

2006-10-30T00:11:00.000-05:00

I lost my wallet and my earring today. OH GAWD.

My life is in shambles.

Bonjour de Geneve

2006-10-25T18:36:00.000-04:00

Ca va! Gargantuan post ahead. Tonnes of pictures and stories to tell. I came to scope out the UN situation, and have concluded that I'm too much of a princess to slog it out "on the field". I think I secretly enjoy being a minion-bureaucrat-in-training.

In the meantime, my francais is slowly improving, mais juste un peu seulement (I think that's also grammatically incorrect, but you get away with it when you speak it).

I've done tonnes of walking and running, felt some love from a Slimey Spaniard, ate lots and lots of cheese, and got into a fight with some Englishman on the Swiss inter-regional rail. Fun times!

Hello from New England.

2006-10-17T23:50:00.000-04:00

The New England autumn colours are very pretty, and loving every minute of that crazy Bawstonian accent ("Clam Chowdah! It's time to pahk my cahh!").

I'll blog more tomorrow during my six-hour layover in Toronto.

It's been a trying few days - my Bawston friend is currently going through a rough time, and I just got another PFO* from a job that I really, really, really wanted. I still can't believe they ditched me after the initial screening with no interview. I mean, come on. I know civil service experience can be interpreted as a handicap, but it can be useful, no? Apparently not.

School is looking better everyday. Oh gawd. This means some Amerrrrican standardised testing in the near future.

*Stands for: please eph off.

Broken Furnace.

2006-10-14T00:04:00.000-04:00

The furnace in our house is broken. The indoor temperature is a balmy 17C. Meanwhile, it's a breezy 3C outside.

I'm sharing the bed with my mom for warmth purposes tonight. FAAAANTASTIC!

Oh gosh. Not one of those again...

2006-10-13T00:07:00.000-04:00

I locked my keys in my car. Again. This normally translates into not a great day. Hmmmn, let's see....

1) I got another PFO for a job I had interviewed for. I was told that the successful candidates were all internal candidates. Why do I even bother? And, in hindsight, I really don't think I did all that bad. Sigh.

2) I had a coffee date set up with this guy today at 1230 pm. But, it didn't work out, since we totally missed each other. We're trying again after I get back from my holiday. Considering that I even stashed out the skirt for him, I am somewhat disappointed. Double sigh.

3) I received a call from a different branch of the Ministry, inviting me for an interview on the 23rd of October. I can't make it - I'm going to Bawston and Geneva/Milan over the next two weeks, visiting friends and dad. Could I reschedule? No can do.

At that particular moment, I was at my wits' end. So...I marched upstairs to the Director's office, got through to her secretary, and explained my situation. She wouldn't budge. I mean, come on. We're working on government time here; would having the interview on the 30th really kill them? (Answer: yes.) Triple sigh.

Talk aboot efficiency.

2006-10-04T00:10:00.000-04:00

Public sector: email sent to HR "advisor" - expect a reply in three days.

Private sector: email sent to HR recruiter at 12 a.m. - response is emailed back in 4 minutes.

One word: wow.

Another one bites the dust...

2006-09-29T23:54:00.000-04:00

Well, there's this guy at work, whom I must say isn't the most physically attractive fellow around, but has the sharpest wit and humour about him. This automatically upped his attractive points.

He must've clued in, because I started dropping by his desk whenever to kill time, and we started going for coffee breaks.

Turns out that buddy has a chick stashed in a nearby town - note to self: must stop aimless flirtation.

Life goes back to boring.

Sigh.

It's a cold, Ontario autumn night, and instead of someone's arms around me, I'm typing into my blog.

Thank God my dear Mama cheered me up, and we're going to have some blueberries now.

Operation Nothing.

2006-09-28T22:15:00.000-04:00

I did absolutely fupping nothing at work today.

Nuuuuh-thing.

I read the New York Times, and found out that Borat's pissing off the Kazakh state big-time (ha! ha!).

I went for two coffee breaks, and a leisurely lunch.

I talked on gmailtalk.

I bugged my colleagues.

I ate some snacks.

I made tea.

....And, that's all I did.

Better Engrish, Better Service.

2006-09-24T13:55:00.000-04:00

Poor Ma wanted to book a one-day, casino bus trip to Niagara Falls for this coming Tuesday, the standard highlight of all Chinese bus-tour companies based in Toronto.

Mom (in Chinese): I would like to reserve three spots for the bus that departs this Tuesday.
Operator: No can do. Your reservation is too early. Call back tomorrow.
Mom (incredulous) : What?! But, it's for this Tuesday!
Operator (repeats): Call back tomorrow [slams phone down].

I tell Ma that I should do the reservation. In pure-laine, unaccented, North American English.

Me (en anglais, in budding bureaucrat firmness): I would like to make a reservation for the bus-trip to Niagara for this Tuesday, please.
Operator: Yes. For how many?
Me: Three, please. I will take the one that departs from Alton Towers.

...and so, the reservation was made.

Colonial attitudes will never die.

bridezillas, and some worthy advice to heed.

2006-09-19T22:56:00.000-04:00

I juuuuust caaaaaan't taaaake anoooother brideziiiiiiiiillahhhhhh <screams in silence>. Somehow, why am *I* roped into organising some bride-get-away next weekend? Why, oh why, oh why, oh why?

(sobs in utter despair and desolation).

******************************************************************

A Canadian men's magazine, Toro, dishes out some sage advice in their latest issue's Q&A column. Here goes:

I went to school for years to become a lawyer, and I loved it - the learning, the challenge, the articling. But now that I've met the bar, I'm finding myself less enthused abou tthe profession. The hours are ridiculous, the work can be pretty insulting, and I just don't think I can last in it. After slaving years to get where I am, should I suck it up, or move on?

Toro's answer is priceless:

Bail. There's nothing worse than putting in 100-hour weeks at something you loathe.

I so need to bail. Life's too short to *not* be an organic farmer. I really need to move to Peng Chau.

Changing my blogger picture.

2006-09-12T23:32:00.000-04:00

Should I keep the old blogger picture, or use this?

I fell asleep on the ground at a hokey dragon-boat tournament last month (the waiting periods between each race can last up to two hours, which is very conducive for afternoon cat naps) . My colleague says that I look like a 5-year kid taking a nap.

I'll crop it. And no, I'm not the girl in the pink shirt.

Why get to places early?

2006-09-12T22:28:00.000-04:00

There's never a point to get to places on time. You wait, you waste time, you stand around...one word: why?

Especially for triathlons. Really. Who needs warm-ups, time to body-mark, etc.

I had to fix my engine light on Saturday morning. Andrew calls my phone, asking me where I am:

Andrew: Now why did you leave it until Saturday to fix your car's engine light?!
Me: I had an interview I had to prepare for!

Suffice to say, after picking up my car at 12.30 after a 2-hour wait, getting downtown at 13.40 to pick Jenn and Clay up for the Sherkston Shores race (start time:16.00), a 2-hour drive to Niagara (with heavy rain and traffic jams thrown in), we get to Sherkston at 15.52.

At 15.45, in the car:

Jenn (clenched fists, body curled up): Guys, I'm totally freaking out here. I'm totally. Freaking. Out.

I drop the tri-kids off, and they get themselves body-marked just in time, despite the fact that I had tried to drop them off in the fenced-off area of the transition zone (a unanimous "FOOOCK" was spewed loudly in the car at that particular moment). I then race off to rack my bike, and was slowly jogging towards the start line when the gun goes off. With a "aghhhh!" shriek, I bolt.

I had no warm-up, and posted some of the best times ever. I did walk away with hardware, but the field was soooooo small, I could've walked away with hardware by coming dead last. Here are the results:

http://www.sportstats.ca/res2006/sherkd.htm

I so need aeros on the bike! And no, I am not going to swim unless the air temperature outside is 25C or above. It was freezing this past Saturday at 18C.

My Thoreau Moment.

2006-09-11T00:23:00.000-04:00

Had another interview this past Friday. Another milkperson's position, because it was at 8 a.m. (good grief. I don't know what's with the Ontario bureaucratic gulag, all of these innnerviews are soooooo early).

I'm not feeling hot aboot the interview, but not cold aboot it either. Anyway, I had a total Thoreau moment during the interview. When I reflect back at that very moment, I still couldn't quite believe it. During the usual Q&A shoot-off, all I can think was:"why the fuck am I doing this for? Really, what's the purpose?"

Work. Such a roundabout way of putting food on one's table. We all just complicate things by chaining ourselves to these institutional norms that society forces us to commit. Nature didn't create us to be chained to our desks; why are we bounded to such useless existence, drumming away, doing such tasks?

I seriously should move to Peng Chau and become an organic farmer.

What's stopping me? I have no balls. Literally and figuratively.

I'll post more tomorrow. Must sleep, so nitey nite.

2006-09-04T21:58:00.000-04:00

Another long weekend over. Another week at work.

Soooooooooooo not wanna work. Sooooooooooooooooooo not. wanna. work.

***************************************

Anyway, did a race this weekend. Duathlon, not a triathlon. I don't think I can muster swimming in a lake when the air temperature is 18C...yes, I wimped out big time.

In 50km/h winds, here is my result:

http://www.sportstats.ca/res2006/g2b.htm

It was good enough for hardware (it was a small field, due to the blustery weather). I still need to put the aerobars on my bike though!