Watermelon Soup

I first heard about this from Lkc. I used to laugh at the idea.

But I walked into the kitchen today to see a pot of soup boiling its way.
"Hey! There's soup today eh?"
"Yeah, it's watermelon soup," my mom *casually* replies.

Hhhmm...I guess it's must be a new fab among mothers, or is it my 孤漏寡聞 demonstrating itself(again)?!?! Wanna be "in"? Try this:

西瓜馬蹄百合湯
西瓜 一斤半
馬蹄 十二個
百合 一兩
雪耳 半兩
瘦肉 八兩
鹽適量


Believe it or not, it actually taste "normal" & pretty sweet. I blind-folded hubby to try..he couldn't tell apart from the 雪耳..hahahaha..how fun!

It's supposedly very good to 清熱下火兼養顏 ... let's give it a few days to see if it helps my 豆豆 >_<

Hey...next time you got a watermelon that's not sweet enough to eat, or too big to finish before it goes bad, dump it into a pot and boil it.. haha..this can probably be applied to any fruit!! haha =)

Sweden's Out..let's shop (& eat)

Blame in on the cough syrup, I slept right through the game on Saturday; which might be a good thing.. =(

Echoing what hubby said today: Sadly, Sweden's out, but IKEA is still our favourite store.

Most of you know we love to eat there. I don't see how can anyone not like their food, especially their yummy Swedish meatballs...You can even buy them frozen to cook at home (2.5lbs for $8.99--don't forget to pick up the lingoberry jam too, it's just not the same without it) yyyuuummm...

Speaking of IKEA, did you know that the first IKEA in Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tusi) was opened in 1975? Even earlier than the one in Canada (Vancouver Richmond,1976).

Ok..I don't own the IKEA (it's not even a public company)....but! Did you know that IKEA is indeed a franchising business? Maybe I should start saving some $...haha...

p.s. just a reminder to hubby <+any interested parties>...the IKEA sale is on now till July 9th..hehe

Our June Getaway

It has been over a week since we came back from our little getaway...I had been so busy catching up on sleep and recovering from my cold that I haven't had a chance to put my thoughts togehter for it...now, where do I start...

Day 1 - June 10th
Eventually we didn't get to Collingwood until way past 7pm. On the way we dropped by jM's new model home site...it is NICE... Congrats girl, feel happy for you! Can't wait for you to move in to see the 'real thing'!!

Day 2 - June 11th
Our first stop was Sunday worship at the First Baptist Church. It was a very old church with about 50 people, mostly eldery. We felt so welcomed there, everyone was so nice. They give out little handmade welcome kit, so sweet! The pastor talked about their challenges as first churches in a quiet old town. I was touched that they maintained a "children's story time" during worship eventhough there were only 3 kids in the church. A lady shared a story about a sister who recently passed away, I could really feel the bond they have, they must have spent most of their lives together...the atmosphere is just so different in a little town like this.

The day was COLD and I was with my long winter coat when we got upto Blue Mountain. I thought I must be CRAZY with my coat but goooshhh.. you really needed it, it was soooooooooo windy! It's funny to visit BM when it's green. The place have been totally reworked by Interwest, which we don't really like. It's nice but it's just toooooo similar to Mont.Tremblant la.. such cookie-cutter!

We drove up to BM and the views are so nice...Moutains and greens and...well, a drive through the hills that all guys enjoy! >_< Day 3 - June 12th
We were almost home! haha... we were crazy enough to drive back down to spend a day at Wonderland. It was nice...we always wanted to go on a weekday where there's minimal line-up!

Day 4-5 - June 13 & 14th
This is it!! Our plan for Lkc! They were camping at Algonquin since the friday before. Meanwhile, M&T arrived TO on Monday and our plan is to surprise Lkc by showing up at Algonquin to give her a birthday surprise!!!

bF took Lkc for a hike to keep her out of the campsite. We met up with M&T at the park office and drove into their site, hide their car at another campsite and set up the balloons & our tent before they came back. Our plan worked!!!

It's soooooooo nice to spend some times with them! It was m's first camping expereince and we had a BLAST! We did a trail in the afternoon, canoe, then BBQ & chat at the campfire. It's really our first good chat with the 3 couples together, campfire is always nice to getting to know each other. It was not until 1am that we turn into our tents.

Almost everyone were sick the next morning, along with tons of insect bites....yyyeeeekkkkkkk!! "Lim-Chee-Um", "Cold&Flu Liquid Capsules" + "Mo-Bay-Dic"(a superb afterbite med) were part of the breakfast buffet! Blame it on the cold weather, or blame it on M, or bF who attracted all the bugs...hehe.. just joking..

Thanks guys for allowing us to have some girls-only time. The girls just gotta catch up, it's not everyday that we get to be together like this!!

En-route home we stopped by Webers for the BEST hamburgers! Thanks m for introducing us there!!! Too bad bF's sore-throat was so bad he couldn't enjoy the yummy fries...next time!!

Day 6 - June 15
I still can't believe I slept the whole DAY!! Felt such a waste!! But my body really needed it. I was sooooooo drug-out with the cold & cough. Felt so bad to have left hubby alone...He said it gave him a good day to watch the world cup and video games.....I hope he really did enjoy the day in.

Day 7 - June 16
We got back to TO today. Rented AV equipment for a wedding on Saturday, along with a visit to Dr.Chu's office. Enjoyed a nice 'bor-law yau' afternoon tea before picking up my prescription....hey....is that home? Is that the end of our vacation? NO WAY!

The rest of the weeknd (& the following week) was spent inbetween 2 weddings and me sleeping endless hours with my cold...

I'm ready for another vacation. NOW!!

Great Game

June 20,2006 -- Sweden:England 2:2

Did you know that May 20, 1968 was England's last victory against Sweden in the past 12 matches they played?

Yesterday's was a great game! I watched the last 30 minutes standing outside the BellWorld store at Cummerland near Bloor/Yonge subway station. It was kinda fun watching with 20+ odd strangers cheering...kinda fun...

Some re-cap for the record (excerpt & photos from FIFAworldcup.com):

England had gone in front on 34 minutes through a spectacular strike from Joe Cole. Marcus Allback headed the Swedes level at 1-1 six minutes into the second half but substitute Steven Gerrard restored England's advantage when he headed in their second on 81 minutes. (by this time I was thinking....goooshh..no chance la...BUT!!) Sweden hit back to claim a late draw at 90 minutes as Larsson stabbed in from close range just ahead of Mellberg from a low throw-in that England's defenders failed to deal with.

In conclusion: England have still not beaten Sweden since 1968 but, as group winners, they will be happier to be facing Ecuador and not Germany in the Round of 16. Sweden's performance in the second half here, however, should give them confidence ahead of their meeting with the hosts.

Hhmmm... it will be a difficult one on Saturday...but GO SWEDEN GO!

Day 7

Today is already Day 7 of me living with my tissue box!

Been to the doctor, taking my meds on time.. sleeping hours & hours.. drinking glasses after glasses of water....

Goooshhh.... If anyone sees my 'voice', please ask it to come back!! ... you can take my nose away.. it hurts!!



I want to stay in bed!
Why did I come to work?!?!?!??!


...sniff.. sniff... sniff....

On Trail to Something Good...

Today, we start our long-anticaipted getaway to the Wasaga Beach & area...FINALLY!!!

PLUS!! Our "Mega-plan" for Lkc is about to be executed ... So excited!!

Had Dim-Sum this morning with mom & dada..watched the game at the restaurant,1-0 England vs. Paraguay...but the TV was too far, couldn't see much...Aye!! Going to miss Trinidad vs. Sweden!! GO SWEDEN GO!!... Grocery shopping and now we are packing to be on our way...

We booked for a compact car rental, when we go pick up this morning, we got a Matrix!! Another family was there at the same time, rented a Mid-size car, paid $1xx more and got the same car.. hehe... =)

So excited!! Will our plan work? =p

Ethics

Participated in a workshop today re:Values & Ethics.

What is Ethics? The facilitator's point of view is:

"Ethics is drawing a line in the grey zone.
Drawing the line isn't always going to make the grey zone disappear.
But if someone ask you where you draw the line,
You will know what to answer and know what's your stand."

Interesting view eh?

Next Phase...

Although this has been a week with low low energy, this week has been full of great NEWS from those around me. You are all moving onto the next phases in life...some I've past, some I'm in already, some are new stages I have yet to explore...

Am I ready for the next phase?

I agree with Lj, "one can never be READY for these kinda things...I think I will get ready as I'm getting ready.."
I guess my emotions would go wilddddddddd too!

I wonder which direction will my next phase be? Ada reminded me today: If I do A, I can't do B; if I do C, I probably can't do A... hhmmm.... which should go first?

Congratulations 3g, aL, jM, rN, Lj, cW! So happy to see you moving onto the next phase...Congratulations! So glad I am here to experience it with you! Challenges awaits, so are the blessings from God!

Cheers!

怎麼沒有星星的

"你不是說, 星星會指引人方向嗎? 這兒沒有星星! 我要回去!!"
"你在發什麼脾氣? 怎麼可能沒有星星?...

恒星, 恒星, 就是說, 星星永遠在天上喇!
你看不到它, 也許是因為烏雲, 也許是因為光害
你要耐心等侍
等你頭頂上的烏雲退了
等你眼前的光害消失了
星星就出來了"

--- 流星花園II

De-bugged

Irritations dot our lives.

When we encounter them, we often say we're 'bugged'. What happens? Our negative emtions steal our rest -- physical, emotional and spiritual.

In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Philip Keller says that sheep react to irritants in a similar way. Being 'bugged' by flies or parasites makes rest nearly impossible for them. Their helpless state causes them to be "up on their feet, stamping their legs, shaking their heads, ready to rush off into the bush for relief form the pests."

Sounds familiar?

Just as a diligent shepherd recognizes his sheep's discomfort and rushes to their rescue, so God, our Shepherd, sees our plight. We can admit our helplessness to resolve the problems and know that our Shepherd will apply the soothing reality of His presence in us so we can lie down and rest.

---- excerpt from 10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women by Grace Fox


I really miss my long deep sleeps...Hubby says I have been pretty restless in my sleep. I can feel it myself too coz I feel so restless during the day! Sometimes I can't even pin-point what exactly is irritating me! Dad jokes I have 渴睡症...sometimes it does feel like it!

I don't know, but HE knows!

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).

Thank you Father, for knowing how to free me from irritations. Help me rest in the knowlege of Your presence in me.

Simple Day

Last Saturday, we shared a 'long-missed' simple day together...

Lunch at foodcourt, rented movies, grabbed our coffees on the way home.

Made edible nougat and non-edible mango cakes & strawberries. (We are starting to get people confused, which is definitely a good sign! hehe…)

Left the boys in the living room and had our girls-only chat in my room.

As sunset we shared laughter over dinner...Other b/s joined, watched two movies in a roll...fell asleep half way through the 2nd one (no surprise...oh man, it was late!)

Dear, I am happy for you, you have my full support. Just keep praying and we will see how God wants to lead you.

十載有二的情誼, 實在簡單便是美

(p.s. Thank You Ken for the ride and your patience with us...making our day possible)

Happy Birthday-to-be To ME!

Just found out an interesting fact: My birthday this year is on Mid-Autumn Festival!!

Next time this happens will be the year 2025!! Plus ... it's the Thanksgiving Long-weekend too!!

Hey my friends...treasure the rare chance!!

10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women

I saw this book at the Bible Factory when we were visiting Birch Run last week.

"Can I buy this book?" I asked hubby, knowing that we still have a dozen unread books at home and we agreed we won't buy any more books until we finished them. (but hey!! how realistic is that?!?)

"Will you really read?" he asked.

"Yes!"

"Promise you will pause and take 10 mintues to read at lunch at least, okie?"
---------
So here I am, at lunch today, starting to read ...

"Ten days before I completed this manuscript, my cousin's wife, Tracey, passed away after battling cancer for nearly three years. She was 36 years old, the mother of two, a beautiful and fun-loving hair stylist.

Tracey's illness created within her an intense hunger to know God more intimately. Several months before her death, she took a month off work to rest her weary body, read the Bible, meditate, and pray. Her priorities changed. She wanted friends and family to know that work and life's busyness weren't important anymore. She discovered what mattered most: friendship with God and fellowhsip with others.

I dedicate this book to Tracey's legacy. May her passion for the Lord challenge and encourage us. And in the midst of our busy lives, may we, as Tracey did, make time for what matter most."
--- foreword, 10-Minutes TIme Outs for Busy Women, by Grace Fox

I pray to my Lord that we learn to make time for what matter most NOW! -- when we are still well and can still jump around to do crazy things with those we love; and most important, to build that fellowship with Christ.