out sick :(

hey everyone... I caught something quite bad... I won't be able to post for a few days :(... please bare with me :(.

*cough cough :(

Today I learned... Lion Dances

taken by my dad during one of his performances

Today I learned what each Lion's colour means for Lions in Lion Dances.

Black - fighting
Red - victory, courage
Green - friendship, brotherhood, goodwill
Gold/Yellow - vitality, dynamic spirit

As insignificant this info might seem... it helps you understand the significance and symbols they place in Kung Fu movies. I remember when I was about 4 years old, my parents and I were watching a Wong Fei Hung movie, during a friendly competition, a competitor tried to join at the last minute before the Lion Dance competition ended (to announce the winner). The moment my dad saw them bringing in a black lion, he said: "oh... trouble... they are here to fight".

Lion dances are not just performed during New Year... some stores will hire them during their grand opening in Hong Kong. (see what lion they use :P)

So with this piece of information, see how it will benefit you the next time you watch a Kung Fu movie :)

cakes from Hokkaido

Cakes from Hokkaido. I was stopped by a vendor in Meguro station and they sold me these two cakes... I was a little creeped out at first... but they only wanted to make sales XD

lunch today :)

I have been craving Thai/Viet food for the past month!! GIve me my Chicken and Tom Yum Kung soup! >:D

does this work?

one of my friend's recommended these Fancl Calolimit pills as a healthy way of losing weight. She says that they do not use any chemicals (only natural herbs).  Has anyone else tried?

truth :(

my friend posted this on her Instagram... cool art but the message is kind of true :(

Mita Line

this is how quiet the subway cars are in Tokyo (even during Rush Hour)... I tried to be mindful of recording other passengers. This was on Mita Line with 60% of the car full.

If you wanted evidence... here it is

Lindt's Golf Balls

Lindt introduced these Lindt Golf Balls back in 2014 when I was working for them on a project. I found this sitting on the back of my drafts and I thought it would be good to post after so many years.

Since this isn't a review, I will just post it here instead of my reviews blog.

They are $5.00 each and contain 3 golf ball looking Lindt milk chocolates inside.

Each golf ball chocolate is equivalent to 1.5-2.0 regular Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate ball

I would recommend these as good gifts if you are buying for someone who is a huge golf fan.

Book reading

this is one reason why I like reading books...

Never Be Enough

photo credits: The Verge

While watching Crazy Rich Asians, I noticed a line in which Mrs. Young says to Rachel Chu that "[she] will never be enough"

Coming from a traditional Chinese family, I know exactly what that means... and Rachel Chu and most people got it wrong. There is a lost in translation.

It was a warning more than a threat.

In Chinese families, no matter what you do, you will never be enough. Even if you get A+ the parents will not be happy and ask why you didn't get extra credit (my family isn't like that... but I'm trying to emphasize how most Chinese/Asian families are).

Mrs. Young was trying to explain to Rachel Chu that no matter how good she is (pretty, smart, etc), she will never be good enough... and yet she mistook it as a threat or a challenge.

Today's lunch

Jasmine Thai @ Otemori B1

Daiso Hand mask

Have you encountered a bad product? I have ... click here to see why I thought this was such a bad product.

Snow

Toronto

Snow is like a bad sibling. Sometimes I miss it, but the moment I see too much of it... I hate it...

We grew up together... but the only time we are on good terms is when I just have to stay at home and learn to enjoy it (it is quite pretty).

Devil's Craft

yet another great time at Devil's Craft :P

desserts are good! :P

Today's lunch

at Sarafina's New York

a good reminder

I'm going to take this to the challenge...

I saw this on Feb. 2nd.

This will be published on the 13th.

These are the prayers I will pray:

1. for a relationship to go through, that God takes our good and our bad, that this relationship will work, be reconciled.
2. for the situation at work to be fixed.

McDonald's 4 beef challenge

McDonald's Japan is at it again!! the 4 layers of beef challenge!!

this wasn't my phone... they somehow printed it wrong

I'm always a fan of beef patties... so bring it on!!... I wish they stuck to the cheddar cheese though... this white (not sure whether it is mozzarella or something) cheese lost its taste and didn't contribute to the texture :(

... STILL!! I like the 4 patties! mmmmmm! beef :P

My must gets at Izakaya

One of my favourite things to get in izakayas are chicken skin skewers! :P I only get the crispy kind (salt) ... I was never a fan of the sauce kind... they feel too soft.

Another one of my favourites are the beef skewers... Japan, beef, skewers... need I say more?

and finally... Edamame... which is not only healthy, salty but also pairs well with beer (and other alcohol)

Kindle Paperwhite

I did it!... I went and bought Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite... will update you on my thoughts

Best Onigiri

Once you have had the best you can't go back :P

This is from a restaurant in Ginza :)

Breakfast

freeze dried fruits with nuts and oatmeal :P

cuteness

bunnies/rabbits are cute enough to get two spots on "what is cute"

Today I learned... Fur Babies

furReal

My friend taught me a new term "Fur Babies", which refers to (real) pets such as dogs, cats, hamsters and bunnies.

Cheers for a new year

since it is Chinese News Years... cheers to a good year and new beginnings :D (Can you name each of these drinks?)

and yes... somehow all these are mine's... hahaha

colourful charts

ok... yes... this is my adsense... not impressive but it is going somewhere :) I'm attracted to how colourful everything looks :)

tonight's dinner

roasted pork neck

pork neck is one of my favourite parts of a pig :P

Masks

These masks have been a lifesaver for me during this flu season... fingers crossed I won't get sick >___<

until next time

Toronto has been great. There are a lot of things I like about it but it also reminds me of why I decided to leave... 

things I love:

• friendliness
• casualness
• it is the place I was born and raised in
• nostalgia
• affordable luxury items (e.g. Lancome, Chanel, Sephora... etc)
• infrastructure - hot water, insulated homes and buildings

passive aggressive sign in Toronto >___<

things I hate:

• passive aggressiveness
• fake friendliness
• mediocre
• winter
• bad drivers
• the feeling of not feeling safe
• the lack of people and liveliness
• public transportation
• inability to protest and see change
• lack of things to do
• overpriced admission to experience (e.g. museums, art galleries, etc)
• lack of choice (brands, adventures, competition, etc)

goodbye

goodbye to the city I both love and hate.

until next time