WND at my house!

Last night was my turn for WND. I usually try to make something "challenging" that I've never tried before or something that looks like its "gourmet" however last night I just decided to do something simple. Stuffed chicken breasts with roasted vegetables and Jello for dessert. It was one of the easiest meals I've done, and I was able to do just about everything the night before so last night I got to relax a bit. I realized its a lot more fun when I can actually participate and not be stressed out about what needs to be done next.

I put everything on the table at once and everyone just served themselves. Sally brought the wine (2 bottles!) and everyone liked the multicoloured Jello. I forgot how much I like Jello myself. Its definitely under-rated and one of my favourite treats. Too bad its made from horse saliva or something gross like that. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of my dinner but you can check it out on Sally's blog at "sallyinmontreal.blogspot.com".

This weekend I'll be getting together with the university crew tomorrow night for dinner and then a party at another university friend's house Ryan on Saturday. The weekends always go by so fast! By the time I start to enjoy it, its time to go back to work. Well, maybe I'll start doing some research for my vacation, that'll be a whole week of free time to look forward to.

Whew! A false alarm...

Yesterday was a very interesting day. On my way to work I noticed that my chest was hurting. It was a dull squeezing pain like someone was squishing down on my heart. Shortly thereafter my left arm started to tingle, then my right, then my legs started. I thought this must be due to the cold weather so when I got to work I took off my coat and sat down. All of a sudden I started to feel very light headed and I felt like I couldn't get enough air. It was very strange and a little scary. I didn't really know what to do. I didn't want to think the worst but I have to admit, my mind was thinking "heart attack". I tried to google the symptoms but I found that my arm was so weak I had trouble holding the mouse. I finally decided to call my cubicle neighbour Katy over and see what she thought. Well she took one look at me and then ran into Grant's office and dragged him (while he was on his cell phone talking I might add.) He came out and asked me if I was ok. I have this thing about when I'm sick or hurt, as soon as someone asks me if I'm alright, I start to cry. So of course, the water works started and I think that worried them more. Katy told him I wasn't feeling well and Grant suggested an ambulance. I told him that I didn't want one just in case this was nothing but I would go to the hospital by cab to get checked.

It was a very scary 8 hours but everything turned out to be ok. Grant checked me in at Mount Sinai Emerg and they gave me some aspirin and did some tests (blood, ecg and blood pressure) and gave me some Atavan(?) and then finally sent me home. The doctor said it was most likely just an anxiety attack. (Although I had no idea what I would be anxious about, I have the least stressful job there is...) I think what worried me the most was the tingling in my arms and legs which didn't really go away until late in the afternoon.

Being in Emerg was really scary. I'm glad Grant was there with me because being around all those sick people made me even more nervous. (I have a feeling I was probably having an anxiety attack over thinking I was having a heart attack!) It was a whole lot of waiting and at one point they needed my room so I was wheeled into the hallway in my pretty blue nightgown. All in all a bit of an embarrassing experience but I suppose as the saying goes, better safe than sorry.

100 days of bliss...

For my niece Charlotte that is! In Korean tradition, we celebrate when a baby is 100 days old. My mom says the time before then is supposed to be for just the immediate family and that after 100 days, all the rest of the family and friends are invited to come and meet/visit with the baby. (I think its just another well disguised reason to buy presents, eat cake, and spoil my niece rotten.)

The party was at a Korean restaurant on Orfus Rd and my entire family plus Nancy's side were there, about 50-60 in all. There was tons of food and lots of babies to go around, unfortunately my niece was a bit traumatized by all the action and spent the majority of the time (when she wasn't asleep,) crying her eyes out. She even had real tears. It was sad (but still cute... for about 5 minutes until she hit the really high pitched notes!)

We pigged out and then went to nearby Yorkdale with my cousins Hanna, David, Jenn and her boyfriend Justin who in town from Ottawa for the week. It was nice to spend some quality time with the cousins. Well, at least quality time with Hanna and Jenn as we perused every store and the boys just sat on the bench outside. But they didn't seem to mind, Gerwyn said it gave him a good opportunity to get to know them better and complain about me.

After two pairs of leggings and a pair of boots from Browns (c'mon, they were on sale for $35 how could anyone pass that up??!) we headed home.

Today, I've completed the first half of my grocery shopping for WND and am off to the gym now. Gotta burn off some of those calories. Someone decided to have 2 pieces of cake yesterday. (Ok, three, plus two chocolate bars.)

Clean as a whistle!

Saturday I came home to one of the best surprises I've had in awhile... a clean condo. And I mean, sparkling, shiny, lemon scented clean! As I've gotten older, I've found that I spend less time cleaning. I used to be obsessive about it but I find that I just don't have the time (or the energy personally,) to get down on my hands and knees like I used to and give the place a good scrub down. When I mentioned this to Saadia, she suggested I give her friend Rosie a call. Rosie is a friend of hers who is trying to start her own house cleaning business. She charged me an $85 flat fee to clean my entire condo head to toe. (I told her she didn't have to do laundry or dishes.)

Many were skeptical (including Gerwyn) as to what would be taking place while I was away for the day and how good a cleaning she could really do (that I couldn't do myself with a little elbow grease,) but our jaws both dropped when we arrived on Saturday night. The place looked amazing. She took the liberty of not just "cleaning" but re-organizing some problem areas where I had obviously just "shoved" stuff. After cleaning my microwave inside out (which was pretty gross inside I might add,) she turned it around so that I could actually use without having to manoeuver everything on my stove to get to it. It was brilliant. (See picture above.) It was these "little" things that really put me over the edge. Not only was the place sparkling (there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere, trust me, I checked!) but she had done a good job putting away my "crap" so it actually looked tidy. I was really impressed. So if anyone is even thinking of having this done, I am 100% all for it, it was a luxury that was worth every penny. Its a great feeling to come home to a clean place (and an even better feeling to know that its a chore that doesn't have to be on my to do list anymore.)

I don't know how regularly I'll do this, maybe just once every couple or few months, but I'm definitely a believer now...

SO FULL... again

Tonight was Norm's turn for WND. That's right, I'm probably going to be the FIRST to blog about it (although you'll have to wait for Sally's blog to see pics). Norm decided to make "Sally-friendly" dinner: Clam Chowder, Shepherd's Pie and Cookie Ice Cream sandwiches for dessert. It was all yummy and perfect on a cold winter day like today.

Needless to say, I'm really full. Like 110% full. I'm quite tired and would like to go to bed but I don't think I'll be able to sleep until my big belly digests.

Next week is my turn, maybe I should take this opportunity and start my research...

Family Day Weekend

Thank goodness for long weekends. I've always thought that three day weekends are the perfect amount of time to get well rested for a four day week ahead. After my lazy Saturday alone, Gerwyn came over for dinner in the evening and we pigged out as usual. We originally planned on going to Bier Mkt after to check out his favourite live band but of course, after eating so much (and drinking a lot of wine,) we just passed out.

Sunday I woke up early to visit Grams and my niece (who gets chubbier and chubbier every time I see her) before heading back downtown to meet Gerwyn. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Mel got extra inspired after her Saturday cooking class and made so much food that she invited me and G over for a mid afternoon "snack". She made Shanghai noodles and sweet and sour pork cutlets. It was super yum, gotta love those George Brown classes. Can't wait for Gerwyn to start his Northern Italian class. Mel, I promise we will return the favour!


After another pig out session, we all decided to check out the latest chick flick, "Definitely, Maybe" in honour of Valentine's Day. It was very cute, I always get a little mushy when I watch those romantic movies. But apparently Gerwyn (who was still on a sugar high from eating a cinnamon pretzel and 3 chocolate bars) just wanted to get outta there. Didn't even want to hold my hand! Hmph! After we dropped MelandNorm off at their place in a cab, we decided to walk the rest of the way home and enjoy the mild weather. Then I packed up my things and we headed to Thornhill and spent the rest of the weekend north of the city.

Turns out north of the city wasn't all that interesting. After we got up on Monday, we did a quick stop at the mall to pick up some gifts for my niece and then spent the rest of the day parked in front of Gerwyn's tv. By around 6 o'clock I was going totally stir-crazy. (Personally, I think this is another sign of age, I remember when I was younger I had no problems watching tv all day. Now after a few hours, I feel like there's other things I should be doing... not sure what they are, but maybe its just the 'adult sense of responsibility' kicking in.) After calling Sally to go bowling, Gervinder decided he didn't want to go out anymore, so what did we do? Watch more tv! (Actually we went out and tried to rent a movie but we couldn't agree on anything so we just got sandwiches instead at my favourite place "MeVaMe". Soooo good. The sandwiches are so big you have to eat them with a knife and fork. Or fork and spoon for all you filipinos.) Once again we were so full we couldn't move, so we just watched the new show "Girlicious" and went to bed.

It was a very relaxing weekend, if only they could all be 3 day weekends...

A Lazy Saturday... alone!

Today was my very first lazy Saturday in a loooong time. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had a day totally to myself to do N.O.T.H.I.N.G. Boy does it feel great!

Sally and Saadia came over last night for some girl time and then they left around 10:30 or so at which point I got all ready for bed. I think one of my most favourite all time activities is reading a good book. The last great book I read was called "The Blindside" by Michael Lewis. It is a book about football and was recommended to me by Saadia's husband Raju. I could not put it down. I had to started to develop a mild interest in football just because I don't think Gerwyn and I could last if I couldn't sit through a game. But after I read that book, I was hooked! That led me to my next book, "L.T: Over the Edge" which is an autobiography of one of the greatest defensive players ever to play in the NFL, Lawrence Taylor. There was some mention of him in the Blindside (the main character of the book is supposed to be the next "LT") and if you read anything at all about him, he just sounds like a crazy guy. I just wanted to know what goes on inside the head of someone who plays the way he does, with complete reckless abandon. Its a very interesting read, even the way the book is written is interesting. Its like a documentary on paper. Each person makes a comment about an event, and then he tells his side of the story.
Anyway, last night I got to stay up as late as I wanted to read and then again when I woke up at 10 today, I read again. I stayed in bed until just after noon and it was fantastic!

Then I got up and lazed around my condo, watched "Enemy of the State" on tv (when was the last time I watched an actual movie on tv?) and then finally motivated myself enough to head to the market. Tonight, I'm making Gerwyn dinner for a sort of post "Valentine's" date. We kind of passed out a little early on actual Valentine's cause we were both so tired so we're hoping to keep the romance "alive" tonight with a romantic dinner for two. I'm still trying to figure out what to make. Speaking of which, its already 4:30 and he's supposed to be here in a couple of hours... Better get cracking!!

Baby-pa-looza!

This weekend was family weekend. Friday night I offered to have my cousin's kids Michael and Jessica over to my place for a sleepover. We made caramel apples and watched a movie and then went to bed around 10:30. At about 7:00 am the next day I heard the pitter patter of loud feet and the sound of the television and I knew there was no chance of sleeping in. I got up and promptly made them waffles with some berries (and a little chocolate ice cream) for breakfast and then we went for a walk.

After stopping by the St. Lawrence Market to pick up a pie for our family get together, we got back to the condo just in time to be picked up to head to Scarborough. My cousin Mark just had a baby with his wife Meredith and they were having a "meet and greet" at my aunt and uncle's house for the entire family. It was my first time meeting Samarra and boy was she cute! She's our first mixed-race baby (Meredith is white) and you know what they say about mixed babies? Well, its definitely true. Samarra has these huge eyes and cute little bags underneath you just want to eat her up. After we settled in at my aunt and uncle's, everyone else started to arrive and it was baby central with my gigantic butterball niece Charlotte and my cousin's other daughter Stephanie. Its been so long since we've had babies around, what a change! Every where you turn there's someone to hold and cuddle. It was great.

Sunday I stopped by grams for a morning visit and then Hanna came over and we headed downtown to go out for dinner for my cousin Carol's birthday. The new moms took some time away from their newborns and all the ladies enjoyed dinner at Lolita's Lust on the Danforth. It was a good restaurant and we stuffed ourselves silly. We even ordered dessert even though we had cake back at my cousin Mad's house for Carol. My brother and Mark were waiting with hungry babies and we all enjoyed some tea and pie before Hanna and I went back to the condo.

the BIG game!

This weekend was one of the biggest in mine and Gerwyn's relationship. Bigger than Valentine's, bigger than New Year's and ALMOST bigger than Christmas... SUPERBOWL!

Last year, Gerwyn threw a party at his place, this year he decided to mix it up a bit by throwing a last minute party at my house. Well, enough food for a party but really just a few friends. We had pizza, beer, chili and my mom's chicken wings. Lots of food for not so many people... but it all managed to get eaten. Gerwyn invited his friend Victor and I invited the usual WND crew (Ev and Kahlua made it on time,) but Sally couldn't make it and MelandNorm ended up coming by late. But they made up for it by bringing an entourage, unfortunately they were Patriots fans. One of Mel's friends brought her 11 year old son along and Gerwyn had a great time bonding with someone at his own mental level. They shared football stories, dissed French Immersion and taught me some new terminology... "giving a gas pedal" which is apparently when a guy steps on another's guy's privates. (I guess this stuff is common when you go to an all boys school.) Anyway, I had a great time and luckily Tristan being the growing boy that he is, and Gerwyn having the never ending appetite made sure that we had little food left over. I always hate having a ton of leftovers and now I know the secret, invite growing boys to the party!!

The game was unbelievable, one of the best football games ever. I had faith that Eli would come through and he did. (Unfortunately, my jersey did not, hence the "Shockey" jersey instead.) I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I can't wait til next season!! Go GIANTS!

How'd you get up there?

So much for not letting someone on the couch. This was taken during my week of dog-sitting. Seemed all the rules went out the window when Gerwyn was around. Kahlua on the couch, Kahlua eating chicken, basically Kahlua getting spoiled rotten... we miss her already.

Are you ready to WROK!?

Last night Sally and I went to Saadia's house and WROKED out! We played with her "rock band" game on Playstation and it was so much fun. We all took turns using the guitars and drums. However only ONE of us was brave enough to tackle the most important instrument... the microphone. That's right, yours truly "rocked" her way through Black Hole Sun, Maps and some song by Nirvana that I can't remember right now. That was prior to my stint on the drums for Radiohead. Oh yes, I'm officially a rocker. I got 96% on my last song and was voted "Most Energy" more than once.

Now I must post because Sally is racing me. Everything is always a game...