Over the weekend, I was wearing this white shirt - and I rarely wear white. Was walking down Robson with a friend and we went into Blenz to get an iced mocha. When I got the drink, I jammed my straw into the hole, but when it pushed down, it made some of the coffee ooze out onto the top of the lid. Not a lot, but a little bit. Anyway, was strolling down the street, and then I thought to myself, I need to be really careful to not get any spots on this shirt.
And at that VERY moment, I looked down at my shirt and there was already a crapload of coffee all over it!!! It was because when I was drinking the drink, it tilted the cup and all that stuff that was on the lid totally fell onto the shirt and I didn't even feel it. I was crapping myself and I was so pissed off - brand new shirt - plus how often do I wear white?
So I had to walk with my gigantic purse in front of my stomach to cover the huge stain (which looked like puke, honestly). Went into a bathroom and then realized I had one of those Tide To Go sticks. So I took it out and frantically rubbed it all over the place. And when I went outside, my friend was shocked that it was all gone. I couldn't believe it either.
It was like a total before and after sort of thing - should've used it in a commercial! I totally endorse this product. Kelly Ripa does not lie. This shit works! Anyway, I went home, washed the shirt and I'm wearing it to work today. Like brand-new. Love this stuff!
The UK's got some really great female singers lately.
Adele has a kick-ass voice. Love this song, Hometown Glory.
Estelle is another UK singer. This song, American Boy, features Kanye West.
And let's not forget Duffy, performing Warwick Avenue on Later With Jools Holland.
For about a month now, I've begun a new sort of routine in the morning. I've taken to eating while I'm driving. And I'm not talking about just eating a pastry or breakfast sandwich that you hold with your hand. Nope, I'm talking about eating out of a bowl with a fork or spoon.
Sometimes it's cereal, sometimes it's reheated leftovers from last night's dinner, sometimes it's fruit salad or something like that. I tell ya, it's a real challenge sometimes to steer the car while holding the bowl in one hand and then letting go of the steering wheel real quick so that I can grab the fork or spoon to put into my mouth.
Sometimes I can hold the bowl and the steering wheel with the same hand while spooning food into my mouth with the other - all while driving safely and paying attention to traffic and pedestrians of course! When I'm at a red light, if there's another car pulled up beside me and they see me eating with a fork from a bowl, they make these hilarious "is that chick eating from a bowl while she's driving?!" kind of look. it's gold.
I've also become a master at putting on facial moisturizer and makeup while I drive as well. It's super easy to moisturize while you drive obviously. I also use liquid foundation makeup, which at first was kind of more difficult, but I got better over time. Now I'm a pro. The hardest part is applying eyeliner in the mirror really quickly at red lights. I won't dare do that while I'm actually driving.
But it's all about juggling and balancing due to the fact that I'm running late most mornings. By the time I get to work, I've had breakfast and my face is made up. How's that for multitasking? Maybe I should put that on my resume - "ability to eat and apply makeup while driving car in rush-hour traffic." Works for me!
It's halfway through the week already - woohoo! Here's some vintage Depeche Mode for ya - Enjoy The Silence (live). Crank up the volume and dance in your seat!!!
My eye has been twitching a lot the past week or so, and I'm not really sure why. Usually when it happens it's because I'm stressed about something, but I'm not stressed about anything that I can think of. Hmm... I dunno what it is, but it's annoying. It's not some huge twitch that looks like I'm having a seizure or anything, but I can feel it. When I've managed to catch it happening while I'm looking in the mirror, it just looks like some weird little muscle or nerve spasm. I guess that's what a twitch is anyway. I wonder what's causing it.
I was at this store chatting with the sales associate. She was talking about how she just graduated from UBC with a degree majoring in biology and minoring in sociology. Being the jaded old soul that I am, I wanted to tell this girl to do herself a favour and go get an actual skill in something that pays well. Go to BCIT and learn something practical.
She said that she tried working in a lab but didn't like it, and that sociology is useless unless you go for a PhD - even a Masters would be useless. Trust me, I know. I majored in sociology and minored in history - two very lucrative fields, I know. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed university and all that I learned, but I really wish that they'd had counselors who would've informed all of the first year undergrads what their actual futures hold if they pursue this major or that major.
Growing up, we were always told that if you got a college degree, you would be successful and could do whatever you wanted to do. Yeah, turns out, not so much. Degrees are a dime a dozen these days, and i would say that most arts and science degrees are useless. There are some that are more practical, but most are pointless in the real world. Of course you could get a masters or PhD in something like history, but you're basically going to be stuck in the world of academia. If you're cool with that, then great. If not, then you'd better get some skills or you'll wind up answering phones, waiting tables, or engaging in a variety of customer service oriented jobs like the rest of us.
I was never a practical sort of person and never had any interest in studying commerce, computer science or anything like that. It's just not my thing. If I could turn back the clock, I'd still have studied sociology, but I would've pursued journalism or communications as a major instead. I wasn't thinking about anything like that when I was actually in school. I was just trying to get through each day and each class. Wasn't looking at the big picture. I wish I had. Then again, things happen for a reason.
If I had made different choices, then I wouldn't be where I am right now and more importantly, I wouldn't have the people in my life that I do right now. So it what it is. I guess it's the struggles in life that teach you the most. If you've had it easy, then what would you know about what people have to go through? Your life perspective would be so narrow.
Anyway, I wanted to tell this girl at the store to go travel the world for a year, then come back and head right back to school to get a skill. All of that stuff is easier the younger you are. Of course you can do that at any age, but really, the older I get, the harder I find it in me to do something like go back to school for a masters or something. I totally admire anyone who can start over from scratch like that.
It's not that I've totally given up all my ambitions though. It's just that I've had a rough few years with some bad jobs and work environments, and for now, I kind of just want to enjoy where I'm at. I finally found an office that I like, and I've got plenty of time to do other stuff outside of work. It's refreshing and quite frankly, weird, to not be emotionally drained and miserable every day from work. It's nice to finally not have to spend all of my time looking for another job to move on to either. I'll probably get restless in another year or so though, and then I'll have to challenge myself again. But I'll be up for it.
Sometimes I think we all get caught up in the craziness of our lives and we get worked up over things that seem like they're the most important things ever. We stress, we cry, we get frustrated. It can be emotionally draining and before you know it, there's this dark cloud looming over you wherever you go.
But then it happens - amidst all of the chaos - a moment of clarity. Right before your eyes, you see all the scattered pieces of your life fitting together like a completed jugsaw puzzle. It's calming, it's reassuring. There's now a sense of where you're going, what you're doing, and why.
Suddenly, you realize that things are going to be okay. Or at least, you know what you have to do in order to make things okay. It might not be an easy road ahead, but at least you can make out the path in front of you now. It's moments like this that get you through a day.
Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing
Here are a couple of places I've eaten at recently. Not in the mood for a super long review, so here's the lowdown.
Orchid Delight, located at Burrard Street between West Broadway and West 10th, is a Singporean and Malaysian restaurant. Modern and tastefully decorated in deep mahogony colours along with bamboo mat wallpaper, it's small, intimate, and cozy. Service was great. For 2 people, ordered Laksa and Tofu Goreng.
Laksa is a coconut curry soup with rice noodles, chicken, shrimp, fried tofu, bean sprouts and a hard boiled egg. We got it medium spicy, and it was perfect. This was perfection. Made me realize that I've had some crappy laksas at other restaurants.
The Tofu Goreng is deep fried tofu with peanut sauce and bean sprouts. I've had better. When something as bland as tofu is being served, you really need to serve it with something flavourful, and this peanut sauce - though fresh and homemade - didn't taste like much, and it was kind of on the sweet side. I can honestly say that I've made better myself at home. And I'm not someone who ever puts salt on food at restaurants, but I actually had to do that this time. The bean sprouts were a bit much for me. I'm not that into them, but that's a traditional part of the dish so what are you gonna do? Push 'em aside, that's what. Wouldn't order this again.
Although the Tofu Goreng disappointed me, the Laksa was amazing enough that I'll go back with even more people next time so that we can order a bunch more dishes to try.
Michi Sushi, located at West Broadway and Granville Street, just opened its doors this past Monday. Not your typical sushi spot. Concept is simple - uncut sushi rolls, made fresh daily, wrapped and ready to eat. Cheap at $3.50 each roll ($2 each during Happy Hour), it's a quick and easy meal/snack for those on the go. And it really is meant to be eaten on the go. There are no seats or tables inside. You buy it and walk out the door and eat. I went after work to try it out. Really modern and bright, the rolls are prewrapped and in the deli window for you to choose.
Thankfully, the owner/chef wrote down all of the ingredients of the 8 or so different kinds. I basically avoided any that had green onions - blech - and decided to be boring this time and tried the california roll and the prawn & lemon mayo roll. Each roll comes with one tiny fish-shaped bottle of soy sauce - so cute. You squeeze a few drops onto each bite as you eat it. The California roll was good. Not great, but good. For $2, I'm not complaining! The prawn and lemon mayo roll was much better though. I really liked it. Didn't need soy sauce at all. 2 was enough for me this time. I think if you're really hungry though, then you could easily eat 3 or 4 of them. I'll definitely go back to try more flavours. At $2 each during happy hour, it's a quick, cheap, tasty, and healthy meal. Who says fast food has to be crappy?
(To read an interview with the chef/owner of Michi Sushi, go here.)
"...and by the way, I'm rich, bitch!"
What a moron.
RSS Feed