At 12:54am, I officially finished the first Reading Book borrowed from the library. It was an interesting read. The book is called the "Book of Reuben" (354 pgs), and its a story about how a person who tried to do the right thing, only to have his life screwed over time and time again...
Here's a short spoiler (partly created by paraphrasing from the blurb from the book)
The story begins with Reuben (main character in the story), a kid who's father committed suicide and left him to tend to their farm in a small town. Because of this, Reuben, who was the finest baseball player that ever came out of this town, had to give up chasing the big leagues and start working to support the family. He works hard and by 18 is able to buy the local filling gas station. He meets a rich mistress with whom he develops a relation with, only to witness a mysterious murder of the mistress's child and also getting caught cheating by his childhood sweetheart.
Still very much in love with the childhood sweetheart, they eventually get back together and he was given the chance to marry her, only to find himself "in a battleground that lies bewteen desire and responsibilities" straight after the honeymoon. The childhood sweetheart eventually cheats on him later down the road, and in the process messes up their kids pretty badly.
The story ends with him starting to get things on track once again, and realizing that it's time to move on with his life.
Pretty sad in a way... since this guy tried to do all the right things in life, but misses time and time again what he truly desired. So close, yet so far...
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Random Sunday Part III - 2 lb Steak and Shrimp Dinner
Having not ate real meat in 4 days, I decided to splurge a little and go for a gourmet meal.
Earlier in the day, I had saw the sign that today's the day for a carnivorous day when I saw a close to 4 lb meat package on sale at $3.49/lb. This was not uncommon, but what was strikingly odd was that this package had only 2 pieces in it (usually, for this size and packaging, there would be 4 pieces of steak).
To add to my gourmet meal, I decided to buy some shrimp and learn how to steam it... I am glad to say I have semi-mastered another dish in my ever expanding cooking repertoire
So a couple hours later, and close to 2 lbs of meat and 0.66 lbs of shrimp later, Mson is once again satisfied :)
Note: Real meat means meat that looks and tastes like meat. Not the vegetarian tofu meat, but the real meat that comes from animals. Also eggs and stuff that comes from a cow does not count as 'real meat'...
Earlier in the day, I had saw the sign that today's the day for a carnivorous day when I saw a close to 4 lb meat package on sale at $3.49/lb. This was not uncommon, but what was strikingly odd was that this package had only 2 pieces in it (usually, for this size and packaging, there would be 4 pieces of steak).
To add to my gourmet meal, I decided to buy some shrimp and learn how to steam it... I am glad to say I have semi-mastered another dish in my ever expanding cooking repertoire
So a couple hours later, and close to 2 lbs of meat and 0.66 lbs of shrimp later, Mson is once again satisfied :)
Note: Real meat means meat that looks and tastes like meat. Not the vegetarian tofu meat, but the real meat that comes from animals. Also eggs and stuff that comes from a cow does not count as 'real meat'...
Random Sunday Part II - A Little Lighbulb Math
Also got free lightbulbs today!!! Not sure how it quite works... but here's the details:
Bought 8 lightbulbs in total...
2 x $5.97 (100W equivalent)
2 x $3.97 (75 W equivalent)
4 for $3.97 (ie. $0.99 each - 60W equivalent)
Total Cost: $23.85 + Tax
Now I had 8 coupons at $2.00 off each lightbulb. Meaning a total discount of $16.00. In total that means I paid $7.85 for 8 lightbulbs...
But technically, each coupon applies to one lightbulb... so actually, it meant I got $4.00 from my purchase of 4 lightbulbs for $3.97!!! :)
Bought 8 lightbulbs in total...
2 x $5.97 (100W equivalent)
2 x $3.97 (75 W equivalent)
4 for $3.97 (ie. $0.99 each - 60W equivalent)
Total Cost: $23.85 + Tax
Now I had 8 coupons at $2.00 off each lightbulb. Meaning a total discount of $16.00. In total that means I paid $7.85 for 8 lightbulbs...
But technically, each coupon applies to one lightbulb... so actually, it meant I got $4.00 from my purchase of 4 lightbulbs for $3.97!!! :)
Random Sunday Part I - Shopping at Safeway
Today I became a 3-time Safeway member! Having forgotten/misplaced my card yet again (realizing right before I checkout as always), I applied for another Safeway card! Saddest thing was I even went back to the car to look for the card and wasn't able to find it initally, only to find my original card in the car AFTER I got my 3rd Safeway card...
But true to Safeway that I am, I saved $14.50 (18%) today! :)... And in the process, racked up another $0.10 off my next gas purchase at a Safeway gas station!
But true to Safeway that I am, I saved $14.50 (18%) today! :)... And in the process, racked up another $0.10 off my next gas purchase at a Safeway gas station!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Builder Mson at Work
On an early Sat morning, Builder Mson, true to his calling, wakes up and proceeds to go about building his furniture.
His first masterpiece... called the LAXVIX was completed after 2 naps and 4 hours later, is shown below (note the time elapsed used to build was maybe 1 hour)...
Next to the LAXVIX, is a pic of the fabled cutlery set, assembled by taking it out of the box and hanging each piece of utensil with the utmost delicate care onto the rack provided.
A few other pieces of furniture had been assembled today ... ... by others :).
Below are other pieces ... notice the nice faux fur backseat cover and the white bath mat :)... soooo soft and niccce!
His first masterpiece... called the LAXVIX was completed after 2 naps and 4 hours later, is shown below (note the time elapsed used to build was maybe 1 hour)...
Next to the LAXVIX, is a pic of the fabled cutlery set, assembled by taking it out of the box and hanging each piece of utensil with the utmost delicate care onto the rack provided.
A few other pieces of furniture had been assembled today ... ... by others :).
Below are other pieces ... notice the nice faux fur backseat cover and the white bath mat :)... soooo soft and niccce!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Hiking and Happy Hour
Today was another team event... this time a 2 mile hike up Tiger mountain.
The hike was not strenuous (though some ppl might disagree). The only thing that happened was that I got bit by a mosquito perhaps on my hand, and that resulted in my left hand swelling up like a bear paw! (Staring closely at the left hand, where the index and middle finger meet, and you will notice some swellage...
The other cool thing is that people apparently do paragliding on this mountain. They carry all their gear up to where we had lunch, and then fly off!!! That sounds sooo amazing. Their gear looked very heavy though.
Without Benadryl or allergy medication or insect repellent, the only way to reduce the swelling was the age old remedy... BEER! After the hike, went to a local pub and got a passport, officially becoming a citizen of rogue nation :). By being a citizen of rogue nation, I am entitled to a free yard and a free T-shirt on my birthday, as well as some discounts here and there when I go to a rogue nation bar. Woohoo!
After becoming a citizen, went back to work to check up on a few things and then went to my first Happy Hour with my fellow Canadian coworker. A local bar with cheap pitchers... ahhh, the taste of cool beer on a sunny Friday evening! ... Mmmm...
Of course, all this beer drinking was to reduce the swelling caused by the reaction to the mosquito bite... because I usually do not drink... right Anime Buddy? :)
The hike was not strenuous (though some ppl might disagree). The only thing that happened was that I got bit by a mosquito perhaps on my hand, and that resulted in my left hand swelling up like a bear paw! (Staring closely at the left hand, where the index and middle finger meet, and you will notice some swellage...
The other cool thing is that people apparently do paragliding on this mountain. They carry all their gear up to where we had lunch, and then fly off!!! That sounds sooo amazing. Their gear looked very heavy though.
Without Benadryl or allergy medication or insect repellent, the only way to reduce the swelling was the age old remedy... BEER! After the hike, went to a local pub and got a passport, officially becoming a citizen of rogue nation :). By being a citizen of rogue nation, I am entitled to a free yard and a free T-shirt on my birthday, as well as some discounts here and there when I go to a rogue nation bar. Woohoo!
After becoming a citizen, went back to work to check up on a few things and then went to my first Happy Hour with my fellow Canadian coworker. A local bar with cheap pitchers... ahhh, the taste of cool beer on a sunny Friday evening! ... Mmmm...
Of course, all this beer drinking was to reduce the swelling caused by the reaction to the mosquito bite... because I usually do not drink... right Anime Buddy? :)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Goal of the Week Achieved!
Today is a special day on many fronts...
1) Got in at 8:30am for work today! I had planned to get into work early for the entire week... but have something failed miserably. Monday was 9:30, Tuesday was 9:45, and topped out with Wed arriving at my desk at 11:00. But today I made it all up by arriving at 8:30!!! :)
2) 8/23/07... A great day for a big event in my life :)... (notice the numbers 8-23 :) )... coincidence? DEFINITELY NOT! ... wuhaha
3) Finally got a chance to watch Forrest Gump. A movie that's been on my to-see list! Another good recommendation from the folks at Issaquah... haha. Very interesting movie indeed... will likely have a follow up post on the Mson's Collections part of this blog soon for it.
1) Got in at 8:30am for work today! I had planned to get into work early for the entire week... but have something failed miserably. Monday was 9:30, Tuesday was 9:45, and topped out with Wed arriving at my desk at 11:00. But today I made it all up by arriving at 8:30!!! :)
2) 8/23/07... A great day for a big event in my life :)... (notice the numbers 8-23 :) )... coincidence? DEFINITELY NOT! ... wuhaha
3) Finally got a chance to watch Forrest Gump. A movie that's been on my to-see list! Another good recommendation from the folks at Issaquah... haha. Very interesting movie indeed... will likely have a follow up post on the Mson's Collections part of this blog soon for it.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
First Late Day at Work
So today I broke all records and was at work until 9pm+.
First time in my life working this late... but then again, it serves me right for waltzing into my desk at work at 11am...
First time in my life working this late... but then again, it serves me right for waltzing into my desk at work at 11am...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
My First Haircut and Charging Up my CC
After almost 2 months here, I finally decided on a rainy Sunday morning to go in for a haircut.
After the haircut, went to Ikea to charge yet more onto the credit cards... Luckily, the damage wasn't too bad. phewf!
After the haircut, went to Ikea to charge yet more onto the credit cards... Luckily, the damage wasn't too bad. phewf!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Yet Another Shopping Adventure
Since I have gotten into the US, it seems that I am starting to developed an interest in shopping...and buying stuff. I came to this realization when I was offered a battery of activities to choose from for this weekend, and I replied "I rather go shopping."
To start things off, we went to a rotating sushi restaurant that was really tasty. Tried sea urchin for the first time... This is the first restaurant I have seen in a while that even offered sea urchin, so I had to try it (as part of my experience new experiences mode here). In summary, the sea urchin reminds me of the black stuff in cooked oysters.. yuck!
After sushi, we proceeded to drive up north for 1 hour and finding ourselves in an outlet mall. There I bought yet more stuff, including a cutlery set that looked very pretty (above). A crescent moon as a stand with dangling sparkly cutlery... all for the price of $30.00!
At the outlet mall, also spent 2+ hours at the adidas store. It's been a long time since I last bought shoes... for the longest time, I couldn't decide which ones to get!!! But in the end, I decided and now have 2 more pairs of shoes...
Shoes, cutlery set... AND I also bought some new shirts :). Ended the day at a Mongolian Grill. It was not very busy there, but walking inside a Mongolian Grill did give me a dejavu moment. Can't believe it's already been almost 6 mths since I had my last Mongolian in Waterloo!
As always, AYCE food is always good! As we were paying the bill at the counter, I noticed 3 Hello Kitty figurines on the counter and started playing around with it... Turns out they are actually pens and these were toys from Happy Meals from McDs in Taiwan. Seeing my extreme fascination with them, the girl at the counter gave me one :). What a nice girl!
To start things off, we went to a rotating sushi restaurant that was really tasty. Tried sea urchin for the first time... This is the first restaurant I have seen in a while that even offered sea urchin, so I had to try it (as part of my experience new experiences mode here). In summary, the sea urchin reminds me of the black stuff in cooked oysters.. yuck!
After sushi, we proceeded to drive up north for 1 hour and finding ourselves in an outlet mall. There I bought yet more stuff, including a cutlery set that looked very pretty (above). A crescent moon as a stand with dangling sparkly cutlery... all for the price of $30.00!
At the outlet mall, also spent 2+ hours at the adidas store. It's been a long time since I last bought shoes... for the longest time, I couldn't decide which ones to get!!! But in the end, I decided and now have 2 more pairs of shoes...
Shoes, cutlery set... AND I also bought some new shirts :). Ended the day at a Mongolian Grill. It was not very busy there, but walking inside a Mongolian Grill did give me a dejavu moment. Can't believe it's already been almost 6 mths since I had my last Mongolian in Waterloo!
As always, AYCE food is always good! As we were paying the bill at the counter, I noticed 3 Hello Kitty figurines on the counter and started playing around with it... Turns out they are actually pens and these were toys from Happy Meals from McDs in Taiwan. Seeing my extreme fascination with them, the girl at the counter gave me one :). What a nice girl!
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