I'm sure the gym is great if you sign up and never leave!

I signed up and canceled my membership within 10 days. The sales guy said I could get a full refund no questions asked if I canceled within 10 days and that I would receive a cheque in the mail. Well...almost 2 months later and no cheque.

I had a lovely experience talking to everyone I needed to. The gym bounced me to accounting, and accounting gave me the president's phone number because there was nothing more she could do. The guy is simply NOT signing the cheques.

I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I think they are already in the system.

My complaint looks like this:

When I went in to Gold's Gym in Richmond, BC in May 2009, to ask about a trial membership, I signed up for a full membership with the promise that I could cancel the membership within 10 days and get a full refund. I decided to cancel the membership within the 10 days, and went back to the gym to sign the paperwork. I was told (as well as it states on the form) that I will get a full refund within 30 days. I have yet to receive any refund.

I called up the Gold's Gym to ask about my refund, and was given the number of accounting. I spoke to a lady there who said that a cheque for my refund was cut on May 20, 2009, but it still required the president's signature. She also mentioned that there were cheques from January that required his signature.

In order to inquire further, I telephoned the president, Victor (604-312-9800). He answered his phone, and I told him I had canceled my membership and was still waiting for my refund. He said he was "in discussion with the CEO about how to handle it" and did not offer me any other information. Then he promptly hung up.

Apparently, I will get a response from the BBB in 5 - 6 weeks. I don't think the guy will respond to anything. Victor is actually the CEO...he sounded so friendly when he answered the phone. Then he sounded angry when I said I was calling about my refund. I got to chatting with the accountant. She really wants out because of the way he is treating the clients and his employees. Her assistant quit and has also filed a complaint about him. 

I cannot believe that Gold's Gym! They have a couple of other locations, but not all Gold's Gyms are the same.

I'm SO excited about my home theatre that I will be setting up. I really lucked out with the sale. I bought a TV and got a surround sound system and Blu-Ray DVD player for free! From the reviews I've read, the DVD player is excellent, but the surround sound system is not that great because of the setup, visibility of the interface, and that it doesn't save your preset FM channels. Mine will work beautifully though. I just know it!

Anyway, I'm not complaining about something free that I got!

I won't be set up for high definition channels for another week and a half though...no biggie...as long as I can watch Big Brother, I'll be okay. I'm so excited about PVRing!!!!

I keep telling people that once I set up my TV and my wii, people will only be able to see me when they visit!! I'm not going to leave my home!! BWAHAHA Well, I don't have Rock Band yet. My wii won't keep me at home. I'm quite excited for Beatles for Rock Band!!! 

I hope I don't go to heck for the outburst I just had!

This friend of mine is a pretty sour guy. He's snooty, judgmental, and a self-proclaimed narcissist. He's also a really smart guy but depressed. He's not happy with his life and he says he's a hypochondriac. Anyway, he's been depressed for quite some time. I've never known what the best thing is to do for depressed people (Is narcissim a symptom of depression? Both my friend and my dad just kept repeating how unhappy they were/are.) I do not believe I can do anything for people suffering depression. My friend and my dad both poopoo(ed) any suggestions for fighting their depression. So really...what can I do? They spend so much energy and focus on being depressed that if they took that energy on getting over it, I think it would help a lot.

As much as I care for my friend, I can't deal with him anymore...again. 

When my friend told me he was a hypochondriac, I told him that was his choice. He said he didn't choose to be. I told him it may not be a conscious choice, but it is one. And then he said it was people with my kind of attitude that prevented people with mental illnesses from seeking help. Do people with mental illnesses know they are ill? After he said that, I went on a rant about my dad. Because when people are ready to seek and want help, they will do it. My belief is that everything is a choice whether you realise it or not. He doesn't agree with me, and that is okay. It's a belief that most poeple can't wrap their head around, I think.

Last week I found a sty in my eye, so I went to the doctor at a walk-in clinic. She prescribed me some eye drops that I was to use for 7 days. Seven days later, and the sty is still around. I went back to the clinic and got a different doctor. He told me the drops I was using were not very good so he prescribed me some new ones. 3 more days to go. I really want to be able to wear contact lenses again. It's hard to see with these glasses, and my eyes get really tired. I know I will need to get new glasses soon.

And I wish we knew about our company switching extended health care providers! Now I am pretty much getting double the benefits this year! WOO!

My mom called me to tell me a friend of hers just sold his house and has to be out by July 15. Woo, two weeks to pack up a whole house. Then she tells me that she promised him that I had many boxes to give him.

It is true I do have a number of boxes, but not to give him! I've moved all the good boxes that I plan on re-using one day into my old storage locker. At this point, it's not convenient for me to go there because the rental property manager has my key. I told my mom I had 3 boxes around that I could spare. She said that wasn't good enough, and gave me a "but I already promised him! What am I supposed to tell him??"

I hope she figures it out!

That's my mom...if something doesn't happen that ways she envisions, forget about a compromise!

I told her I had three boxes, and then she assumed I wouldn't be unpacking any more boxes any time soon. I let her believe her assumption. I guess waiting until after this upcoming weekend isn't good enough.

When I buy junk food (which isn't that often), I forget about it. When I was packing up my stuff to move, I found a couple of packages of Mega peanut M&Ms. I don't remember when I bought them, but they don't make them anymore.

So now I am eating them. I don't care that they're stale!!!! It will not be possible for me to get this product again so I am going to enjoy it!!

Yum, stale candy! Mr. Nick is in England right now. I was tempted to ask him to bring back some chocolate...but I resisted. I have about 18 hours to ask him if I really want some...

I don't know where the weekend went. I think I wasted much time since I'm still exhausted. I'm REALLY happy that I found the suction cups for my dining table. At least I can set that up soon. I went TV shopping on the weekend with Voldemort, and he was extremely helpful. I'm looking forward to making my purchase! There are a few more things I need to find for my place, and I want to pick them up NOW! First I need to find them.

I am finding more problems in my suite. The developer guy had better call me back TODAY. My bathroom sink is peeling! I also need a phone jack fixed. And someone needs to paint the wall they put holes in when they came into my suite without my permission. And they have a couple of weeks to finish off fixing my earlier reported deficiencies. I wonder if it matters that wasn't fixed properly. The carpet in my bedroom was loose so they came and fixed it, but they left a gap between the carpet edge and the wall. I can see the floor/concrete!!

Another silly thing is that they appear to have nailed the shelves into my walls for me. Why wouldn't they use screws?? How am I supposed to remove those frickin' shelves?? HOW??

I wish I had a handyman. Too bad The Handyman is not around anymore.

I hope Voldemort's negativity isn't a constant thing...He said a couple of things to me on the weekend that really bothered me. After I post about it, I am going to forget about it so I can move on. When he came over to my place, he checked out the fan in my kitchen and told me it sucked. That's great that you think that, but what is telling me going to do? How did telling me benefit me?

And you know when someone says "no offence, but..."? He did that to me! He met Mr. Nick a couple of weeks ago at "Social Club." (I don't know why he calls it that when it's a bunch of coworkers getting together.) Apparently, Mr. Nick didn't make a good enough impression on him or other people. Should that matter? Nope. He has nothing to prove. But what does telling me that "people thought Mr. Nick was weird." do? Anyway, if you're going to say "no offence, but...", just don't say it. But when he first said that to me, I tried remembering back. Mr. Nick is a socialable guy, but the last two times we went out where he didn't know anyone, he just kept to himself. Did I totally miss that he's not comfortable being somewhere where he doesn't know anyone?

One thing I dislike is when I'm in a social situation and I have to worry about whether someone is comfortable if I'm talking to someone else. Another thing I dslike is having no one to talk to when everyone else is totally engrossed in their own conversations around me!

I thought that concrete was the key to living in a quiet home.

My neighbour upstairs is either doing karaoke or listening to music quite loudly! And there's no sense in trying to poke the ceiling with a broom because that sound won't travel!

Well, I can't wait to try out Rock Band at my place, in this case! And I guess one bonus to having security through the elevators is that people can't come upstairs or downstairs to knock on my door to complain; however, they would just end up complaining to the strata council and then there'd be fines.

Oh wait! There is no council yet! I plan on becoming part of it. It's the only way to really know what's going on in the buildings and to have some say into how this place is run!

I'm downloading a movie off iTunes right now since I can't watch live TV on my PC and I have no TV right now. I was able to watch TV on my PC before I moved, but now I can't. I wish I knew if it was because of my cables, that I haven't gotten TV set up yet, or if it's because of shoddy wiring.

My coworker on maternity leave is coming back. Her mat leave is the reason why I am working at my current company. Generally, I like working here, and I enjoy what I do! I'm so happy that my contract is being extended!

Anyway, she has been dreading her return even before she started her mat leave, and she's been gone for a year. She is constantly dreaming about winning the lottery and not having to work. I guess that is a pretty common dream. Her plan upon returning to the company was to work part-time, with 1 day in the office and 2 days at home. She also wanted less challenging work (going from writing to "light" editing). Cushy, right?  I'm not sure what she told our boss about her desired work conditions; I thought she would have set out exactly what she wanted.

Anyway, our boss has asked her to work 2 days a week in the office, and her role will be just as before. And now she is complaining about it. I don't think she even has to work, but she wants to have that extra cash, and she doesn't completely want to lose touch with our industry. She complains a lot about her job...she doesn't like how our boss does things and is constantly venting to me about how he should run things. And now she doesn't even want the job she was hired to do.

That is fine and all, but her complaining and ungratefulness is getting to me.

Because I have no qualms about our boss, and I am happy with the kind of work I do. And I would be over the moon if I had a full-time permanent job here. Aside from the benefits and getting a paycheque, I don't think she wants to work for the company at all.

When I moved into my last place, I lost a considerable amount of living space. And now I have a tiny bit of it back!

I set up a printer yesterday, and I LOVE my printer! It's laser! It's colour! YEAH! I haven't had a printer at home in 5 years. I've done all my printing at work! And then I have to sneak around if it's colour stuff.

I also have drawers in my closet! I love drawers! I want MORE!

As I sit here facing a blank wall, I wonder if I should up some shelves or something. I do hate to put things on or in walls, but it seems like wasted space with no shelves.

“The only trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance.”

That flirty mover I had...I wish he had asked me out -- not that I know what I would have done. We had some chemistry going on...But yet I am a taken woman.

Anyway, I called him today to ask him about my missing box in case there was a super slim chance that my box was still in his truck. We chatted for a bit, and he told me that he had thought about calling me after the move. For some reason, he didn't -- not sure why. Doesn't matter. He left the door wide open for me to give him some sort of sign today though, and I closed it. I didn't mention I had a boyfriend, but I told him that it was a real pleasure to meet him.

He did say I could call him any time though. BWAHAHAA He also offered to come back to my place to help me look for my missing box. Or bring me a box.

I was also looking at photos of my old co-worker's daughter, and thinking why would she give her kid a bowl mullet! BWAHAHA From the front, she has the stereotypical Asian bowlcut, and then it's long in the back! Her little girl is a real cutie though.

Mr. Nick is away this weekend doing his Ride to Conquer Cancer. I dropped him off this morning for the start of their 270 km bike ride. I know of people who have had cancer but I've never been close to anyone battle it (thank goodness). When I was around all the cyclists, for some reason I felt very emotional. I think I was feeling the energy around me. I was really touched by all these people trying to make a difference. There were 1701 riders and together they raised $6.9 million dollars.

I even cried about it. I saw this kid in a furry Russian style hat wearing jeans carrying a backpack, and I was thinking, what the heck? And then I saw his brother who was doing the ride, and then I saw their mom...with a scarf over her bald head. It is really touching for those who ride in honour of their loved ones. 

There is still a lot of crap going on with my new building, and I don't want to get into it now. But I met with a property manager to look at my old suite, and I found out that I don't have to rent out my storage locker! Woo! I'm keeping it for myself!!!

Right now I have no TV at my place, so I finally set up my PC so I could watch TV on it...Only my Live TV isn't working! Mr. Nick had a heck of a time setting it up for me at my old place...It could be a cable issue, but I don't feel like sitting under my desk for another hour. I also made all my cables nice and tidy by zap strapping everything!!!!

I was entertained for a short while with someone text messaging me. I had no idea who it was so I just went along with it. Turns out it was Mr. Penis Photo rearing his ugly head (no pun intended). WTF? It's been over 3 years since we last had contact. In his last email to me, he called me a loser. The last time I saw him was what...4 years ago? And I kicked him out. We had two dates. And he texts me asking to hook up and says he was thinking about me? Riiiiight. I don't remember anything about him; the only thing I remember is the impression he left on me.

Yesterday was my first official day in my new home. And the elevator was broken. AGAIN! It breaks down on a schedule, it seems. It breaks down in the morning, the service people come for about 4 - 5 hours, and then it's fixed in the mid-afternoon. This morning when I left, I pressed the Down button, which lit up. Then I heard a ka-kung and then the light went out.

I need to talk to someone about getting a key for the stairs. They keep saying for security reasons they won't give out the key because it's a master key.  Instead, they suggest we prop the door to our floor open. How ridiculous is that?? Instead of giving only the people who live there access to the stairs, let's give EVERYONE access! YEAH!

Unpacking is going more slowly than I thought. Yesterday was really hectic. My old place looks really clean now, but I will probably need to get the carpets cleaned. But I spent my first night at my new place! I even got some new sheets, which I am not that fond of. Maybe a few more washings will soften them up. Sateen is crunchy! And although I needed sheets with deep pockets, these are ridiculously big! I like tight sheets and these sheets are not giving me the tightness I need. BWAHAHAA

I hope to make good leeway on at least unpacking the kitchen this weekend. I'm expecting someone to fix my island today, and they're replacing a panel. With the elevator down, I wonder if they will come and do it, still.

Ah, the joys of moving :) I can't wait to enjoy my new home!

Recently, I noticed that Bloglines no longer shows updated tBlog posts!

I thought people weren't posting! I guess I should bookmark blogs through tBlog.

Time to do some catching up on blogs!

Last night Mr. Nick and I went to see Russell Peters!! The guy is hilarious!! It was his 20th anniversary tour, and it's getting filmed. I guess he will be coming out with another DVD at some point. And I'd never heard any of the jokes he used last night.

His segue from joke to joke was really seamless. I love that he knows a lot about lots of cultures. He's good with his languages!

And he really heckled some of the audience members. The show was well worth it!!

I also went indoor climbing yesterday as a team building exercise at work. That was fun, too...but not as fun as seeing Russell Peters! I'd never done it before since nobody I know really goes, and I'm also really terrified of heights!! I went for three runs, and I know I could have done more but I just really don't like being that high up. Looking down is a necessity for climbing, and I didn't really want to look down. I'd look as far as my feet but I didn't want to be able to see the ground. I guess you're supposed to be okay with falling a little bit?? My legs are a little sore today; stretching yesterday would have helped. My shoulders are a little tight too. Climbing is a great workout!!

Who am I supposed to complain to who will take action?

Since I've gotten possession of my new place, trades people have gone in there at least twice without my permission while I'm not there. The developer keeps telling me "we'll talk to the trades people. They're not supposed to do that." I am ready to change the locks and take legal action if I can!!

The elevator was broken yesterday, too. I don't have a problem getting out of my building because I can take the stairs, but there is no way for me to get to my floor without the elevator. When I left a message with the developer about people entering my suite, I also asked if I could get a key temporarily that would allow me to exit the stairs. I mean what else are you supposed to do when there is only one elevator in the building. Don't tell me there is no back up plan!

And the caretaker is useless. I know he's new to the building, but is he new to being a caretaker? Who do I complain to about him? His favourite line is, "there is nothing I can do about it." Well, offer some sort of solution, you idiot! Parking spots are assigned to owners. It's up to him to designate visitor parking. There have been at least three occasions where I've gone to park in my spot and someone is there. Last time I blocked them in. When my mom complained to him about it, he told US to put up signs. I will do that, but that crap is HIS job. I've had to tell him TWICE what phone number to use for my enterphone. He is frickin disorganized because he is also trying to appease everyone by being available all hours.

Maybe it would help him to set up some office hours or something and get organised. And leave any after hours stuff to the property management company? Geez.

I can understand that things can get a little hectic and lots of surprises come out during a move in into a new building but could there not be someone who was organized and can at least think on his feet?

I am also not impressed that there was no notice of cleaners and painters working on the outside of the building. At least offer some notice in case someone inside their suite needs to close the blinds or put on clothes or something!! I don't care that there are only a few people moved in...There are people who have moved in!!!

Oh, right now there are some streets around my new place that are blocked off because there was a shooting last night. Good thing I don't need to drive around there right now.

Wow, I have a lot of stuff...I'd definitely better stick to my goal of unpacking every single box by the end of July. But after today, I am not planning on moving for a REALLY long time. REALLY LONG!!! BWAHAHAA The last time I moved it was easy because I had nothing to move. But over five years, one can accumulate a lot of stuff!

So...the movers showed up half an hour late this morning, which was kind of good because when they got there, I got a call from my new building caretaker to tell me that the elevator wasn't working AGAIN! And could I wait before moving? Uhhh....when the movers are here, how do I wait? There was only a bit of yelling from me...I asked them if they were going to pay my movers to wait around. Luckily, my movers didn't have another move to tend to and they said I could keep my stuff in their truck overnight, need be.

So after three (!) hours, all my stuff got loaded into the truck. It took three guy three hours to load all my stuff!! There was a short distance to walk from the elevator to the truck, I guess. I talked to the building caretaker who said the two technicians were working on the elevator. Then my mom yelled at him for a bit. I know people can't control an elevator breaking down, but he could have made better suggestions. Oh, another brilliant suggestion the caretaker was for me to unload all my belongings in the lobby and move the "small things" myself by taking the stairs. Only...you can't exit the stairs to my floor. He asked if my movers could wait. Ugh. My movers said they would be on standby.

My laid back French Canadian movers went for a lunch break, and I went out for lunch too. When we were finishing up, the caretaker called to let me know the elevator was fixed (for now, I guess. BWAHAHAA). I called my movers to see if they were still available to finish the move today and they were. Praise them!

When I got to my new building, they were pressure washing the outside!!!!! They were washing higher up above the main entrance, and they were washing the ground...the ground that my stuff would have to travel over. I was not impressed. The caretaker attempted to ask them to work elsewhere for a bit. I don't think they really listened. But then when I was upstairs, they were painting or something near my floor and I chatted with them, too. Nice frienly young men! BWAHAHA

So my movers unloaded stuff. The cute one unloaded the elevator to my suite, and we chatted. He was very curious about my pole. One of the other guys thought it was a stripper pole, and cutie wasn't sure so he asked me about it. And then he asked me about pole dancing. He also asked me if that was my profession. Do I really look like a dancer?! BWAHAA Anyway, he noted my muscular shoulders...figured I was good. He was flirty with me and pleasant to talk with.

After 2 and 3/4 of an hour, they finished unloading my stuff. Nothing got broken although one lamp that was on its last legs will need some repair. It can't stand up anymore!

I'm just SO glad the move was completed today. Too bad I couldn't really do any unpacking. It was a 9 - 5 job! Overall, impressed with the movers and NOT impressed with my property management company. And definitely not impressed with the caretaker.

Oh and hair and dust balls mixed together are really gross.

My back is killing me from picking up boxes and I think my feet are tired from all the standing!

Yesterday, I decided I would turn on the self-clean option in my oven. I'd never used it before and was a little apprehensive because I've heard of fires starting. I wasn't really worried since I didn't have a lot of grease in my oven. Anyway, things did get burned off, which set off my smoke detectors. The smoke detectors in our building are very sensitive. I hear my neighbours' going off frequently. Anyway, I figured mine would go off eventually, but I did open all my windows and patio door and turn on all the fans. Then I put in earplugs because man, those detectors are LOUD!

When they didn't stop, I kept thinking, I hope nobody calls the fire department. I also didn't want to open my apartment door because I didn't want to set off the building's fire alarm. Anyway, I kept packing away...and heard some sirens. I didn't think too much of it, but this thought  crossed my mind "I hope they're not coming for me!"

Anyway, probably about 10 minutes later, there's a knock on my door. I'm thinking, "oh no...it's some annoyed neighbour." I look through the peephole and it's a firefighter....BWAHAHA

I open the door. There are three firefighters,  and of course, they're worried. They ask if everything is okay. I told them yes and that I was using the self-clean option on my oven. They took a look to make sure everything was okay. Apparently, they could smell something upstairs. They tried to see if they could turn off the oven, but it wasn't possible. Anyway, as soon as I opened the door and some air came in, the alarms stopped. The firefighters were very friendly and told me not to be embarrassed.

I wasn't embarrassed, but I felt bad that they come out for something that wasn't an emergency. After they left, the alarms didn't go off again. They advised me to open the door for a few seconds if the detectors went off again.

I was mildly annoyed about my neighbour that lived upstairs from me though. When the firefighters came, she was with them. She apologized and said she was worried, and that she had gone down to the ground floor to talk to this other guy who lived in the building (I'm on the third). But WHY IN THE WORLD would she just not come knock on my door in the first place?! (Well, maybe she did and I didn't hear it, but I sure heard the firefighters knock. And if she didn't mention that she tried knocking on my door.)

And yesterday was my only opportunity for a full day of packing since I got back from Boston. I had hoped Mr. Nick could have helped me do more packing overall, but he's come for several hours on 2 occasions. He is mad that I'm not satisfied with the amount of help he has given. I am thankful for the help that he has given, but I thought that being my boyfriend would mean that he'd do almost as much packing as I did.

My mom reminded me that this isn't his home. It's true, but he is still able to come and go here as if it was his own, and he does spend time here. It was already hard enough for me to ask for him to help. At least I think I asked...and if not, I guess it was my mistake that he would help as much as possible.) And he is not going to be around to help me get settled into my new place.

Yet he expects a key.

Right now, I don't really want to give him a key to my new place. I don't feel he's entitled. And what would be the point? He's not going to come over when I'm not around. And he's not going to think of it as his place anyway. Well, maybe I will give him a key to get inside the apartment since the enter phone is linked to my cell phone. I can let people into my building no matter where I am! YEAH!

I had already journalled my feelings about all this, but blogging has helped me even more. I'm not angry anymore, and I have come to a decision about what to do about keys for Mr. Nick in my new place! (He had pretty much demanded a key fob to get into my current building, and I had to lie to my building manager to get one.)

And the movers are coming tomorrow!!! I am getting excited. I won't be sleeping in my new place until Thursday though. How much am I supposed to tip movers? $20 each if it is a fairly easy move?! $25?? Help!!

I was thinking about the counselor said to me earlier this week. She told me I had too many rules. When she said that, I was flabbergasted. As far as I was concerned, I'd never made ANY rules for Mr. Nick. I've never told him what he absolutely can or cannot do, so I don't know how this notion of me and rules came up. I am not a controlling person. The only thing I've ever requested is no phone calls after 10, but Mr. Nick still calls me then anyway.

But something came up for him while I was in Boston. He had a very bad experience with a dermatologist. He mentioned it in one line of an email. I had replied to that email offering some words of comfort. He replied to my response, but it was just mostly venting about what his doctor said about the dermatologist. I didn't bother replying to that email for a number of reasons:

1. The doctor that badmouthed the dermatologist wasn't doing anyone any favours and I didn't want to feed into the negativity. Mr. Nick just regurgitated everything the doctor said, but I was thinking...why don't you stop reliving that and move forward towards thinking about getting better?
2. I felt like all Mr. Nick wanted was pity from me, and I didn't want to give him any.
3. I was going to be home in two days, and since he's not diligent about replying to my emails, I didn't think it was necessary to reply to his email with high priority. (It was a little "here's a taste of your own medicine."
4. After the lengthy diatribe about what his doctor said, he ended the email with one line to say he was hoping I was having a better time in Boston [than what he was going through].
5. It would have been too much of a pain to reply to his email saying everything I would have by typing in my iPod.

Although I had free wifi, the only time I was at a computer was when I borrowed my cousin's laptop -- hence only two blog posts while I was gone!

In counseling, we talked about his medical emergency and my lack of response to it. What he had really wanted was for me to contact him by phone. I said if he really needed to, he could have called me. I had my cell phone with me all the time, and I told him exactly what hotel and what room I was staying in. But he took it as a rule that I did not want phone calls while I'm away. I would prefer not to, honestly, but what did he think I was going to do if he called? Hung up on him? Told him I didn't want to talk to him? Tell him I hated him and to never call again? What would have been the worst thing to happen if he called me?

Like, seriously!

On a more positive note, I did a presentation for my team yesterday for the first time ever, and when I was done, my boss said I did an excellent job and then asked me if I had participated with Toastmasters before!

Hurrah!

I'm so looking forward to meeting the building's caretaker. He sure is on the ball. I told him which building number I was in, and he wasn't sure which  street it was. And when I asked him where the movers could park, he was only able to tell me one area. When I asked him about an area on the other side of the building, he  wasn't sure what I was talking about and to only park in that one alley.

Great!

Went to the allergist this morning and got the skin prick test. The results were mostly different from the blood test I got through the naturopath.

I had  a feeling the previous reactions I'd gotten were because of carrots and celery -- not because of them, but what was on them. Of course I was right! :-p

Anyway, things I need to avoid...birch, alder, oak (and the things those tree products treat like a whole gamut of fruit), dust mites, dog/cat saliva/urine, runny eggs (naturopath told me I had a strong allergy to eggs...allergist said it was mild), high fight dairy products, and wheat.

Not bad!

But one thing I should highly consider is to not use feather pillows or comforters....

Why aren't there razors that are shin-friendly! I've normally been very careful. But last night, I don't know what I was thinking (or wasn't thinking!) I lost skin on both shins!! I haven't lost skin in years!!! Serves me right for not wearing glasses while shaving, I guess.

And hurrah! The purchase of my place has gone through! Now I just need to get the phone call about picking up my keys.

Last night, Mr. Nick and I saw our counselor. I think we finally had some sort of breakthrough. I was thinking that we'd had a lot of sessions already with not a whole lot of progress. But then again, we'd not been very diligent about practising what we learned in counseling. Anyway, she gave us a tongue lashing. The bottom line is that we can no longer keep assuming the other person is a mind reader. And I need to provide Mr. Nick with unconditional support.

What I do know from my seminar that providing unconditional support is not always easy, at least I've had some practice now.

I usually leave those counseling sessions feeling really down. Last night was no exception. 

There was something else I was going to write, but I don't remember what now...

Oh! Yes! The J Man invited me to a good-bye gathering he's organizing. Luckily I can't make it; otherwise, I'd be thinking about whether I wanted to or not. He's off to Sweden for several months to work and travel. I haven't talked to him or seen him since we broke up a couple/few years ago except for that one time we saw each other while I was at a bus stop and then we Facebook messaged each other with some brief catchup small talk. Yet I feel like it's some last chance to say bye or see him or something. Maybe I wouldn't even be thinking about this if I hadn't seen a photo of him yesterday and then started thinking about a certain part of his anatomy...BWAHAHA

I threw out more stuff yesterday and it sure felt good!! Good bye old photos of Big Mouth Boy. I hate having gaps in my photo albums though. There are also a number of photos where I just cut him out.

And today I just made a change to go paperless with my bank statements. The reason I made the switch was that I'm cheap. A cheque I wrote was cashed, but I have no recollection who it was for. If I want to look at the cheque image online, I have to pay! But if I receive paperless statements, I can view my cheque images for free! But the less paper I have, the better. Now...should I still keep my old receipts?

The property management people also ought to call me back quickly so we can get the ball rolling on other biz!

I don't know what is up with the latest version, but for me it crashes constantly. I can't do mass uploads. The only way I have mild success with it is by uploading small batches and not using any of the features, like adding tags and descriptions as a batch.

The crashing has rendered the batch uploader...useless! It's not a time saver at all anymore!  And I have photos to upload!!

I'm back home from Boston. The trip was a lot of fun, and I didn't feel left out like I usually do on family trips.

I ate so poorly that my body is really paying for it now! I also didn't buy a whole lot which is unusual for me on vacation! BWAHAHA It was good to hang out with the fam.

But now I'm back at work, and stressing out about moving!

I need to pack, maybe find a plumber, find some cleaners, and most importantly, find a tenant!!

i'm so tired I have no notion of what day it is or what I've done...

This morning we went to Salem, MA to visit my aunt and uncle. I saw some really gross bathrooms. People have been having digestion issues.

Then we stopped in a town and had some lobster rolls. The weather was perfect! We saw a beautiful beach.

Then a bit of shopping and some dinner in Chinatown.

I'm very dehydrated.

And in a rush because I'm typing on cousin's laptop. 

Bostonians are not very friendly, I've found! And I don't know if it's just me, but they seem to stare a lot.

And what is up with all the Dunkin' Donuts? They are so dry! Where are the Krispy Kremes? 

Tomorrow is Trader Joe's and a tour of Harvard! Can't wait! I'll get to train it up!

Not the most comfortable flight, but I'm glad we made it safely!

Staying in a fabulous hotel with awesome service.

Have gotten in a bit of shopping. May need to buy some more clothes. It's A LOT chillier than I thought it'd be.

Stuffed myself silly at the Top of the Hub. Gorgeous views, scrumptious food, and impeccable service (unlike the place we went to last night...The Ivy.)

I'm totally carbing it up and now I am getting sugar arms!

Boston is lovely so far! Even the family is bearable! BWAHAHA

Graduation is tomorrow!! WOOHOO!

And then it's a week in Boston!!

WOOHOO SOME MORE!

A friend's negativity is really getting to me. It's been getting to me a lot, but I let myself stay in a friendship with him (and I allow myself to get annoyed). Maybe it's time for a break. I don't mean permanent. He can continue being the way he is, but I am going to choose to not be around it. There comes a time when you can let something go, but if you notice it happening a lot, then what's the point? I have passed the patience tests!

I made a cryptic Facebook status update, and he text messaged me asking me what it was about. When I told him I did 10 pullups, he messaged back saying "I thought you were ignoring me."

Like who turns a friend's good news into something about them? And whenever I ask him for cooking advice, he tends to put down whatever I am doing, or he doesn't want to answer.

The text messages he sends to me are usually about people who are annoying him at home and work any other places he goes to (supermarket, bus, Skytrain). One of his favourite things to say is "I hate people." And then he says nobody has time to hang out with him.

He's already told the universe that he hates people, so why in the world would people want to be around him? When I mentioned that, he said, "well, people are all coupled up..." I just roll my eyes and let him think of excuses for people. In my (humble) opinion, you can find a way to spend time with someone if you really want to.

Again, it's mind over matter.

I heard about energy vampires a while ago, and then I found this article today: http://www.craigharper.com.au... (it's an oldie but an applicable goodie!)

Last month when I started my seminar, one of my promises to myself was to be able to do 10 unassisted pullups in a row by May 30, 2009.

When I trained with my crazy trainer last summer/fall, I got up to 6...That took me 3 months. When I stopped seeing that trainer, I stopped doing pullups.

So at the beginning of April, I was able to do ONE pullup! I told my current trainer that I had this goal of doing 10 pullups in a row by the end of May. Her skepticism really pissed me off. "Hmm...that is going to be challenging." I think "that's exciting! You can totally do it!" would have been more helpful. I guess that tells me her ability to do pullups and her attitude towards herself.

My crazy trainer was ALWAYS encouraging and full of positivity. There were so many times when I said I couldn't do something that she just cut me off there. She ALWAYS believed in me. 

And my current trainer, despite me telling her what my goal was...never made a conscious effort to help me out during our weekly training sessions. We did pullups two or three times together. My trainer is knowledgeable and great at showing me different and challenging core exercises, but I think she is not a good fit for me anymore. I can't afford a trainer now anyway with the move and all!

Anyway, I did my 10 pullups today!! I DID IT!!! I did so much mental preparation last night and this morning that I truly believed I could do it and I was totally pumped to go and get them over with.

This last week was the hardest...I was making slow progress. I was increasing by 1/4 - 1/2 pullups every time I attempted them. Yesterday, I was at 9 pullups. I was worried that reaching 10 by tomorrow was going to be questionable (despite what my pendulum told me).

But now I've done them!!

I set out 3 goals at the beginning of my seminar and I met them all!!! I am so excited for graduation on Saturday!!

And then it's Boston for a week!!!

A coworker asked me how much I was paying for my new place. I tried to deflect the question by answering "too much." He asked again, so I repeated my answer and walked away. Who asks these kind of things?!

I've decided to not buy a yogurt maker because I already have the tools to make yogurt! I am going to use my thermal cooker. I just need to find the information about temperatures and the exact process. Thanks to tampi for giving me an introduction!

I really dislike working at home.

One of the best Facebook things I ever did was remove a bunch of people, including my ex' brother.

Good thing, too, because my ex finally signed up for Facebook. I had uploaded a class photo a loooong time ago, and almost everyone in the photo is on Facebook. I decided to do a search on the people who weren't tagged, and well -- there he was.

I'm debating whether I should throw out photos I have of my ex. Not that I look at them, but they're in a photo album or two. I'm not trying to hold on to our history, but I'm not sure if I want to throw away a piece of my history. Would it be better to throw them out?

Oooh, something to consult my pendulum on!

I didn't think packing was such a bad thing. But I guess the last time I moved, I didn't bring much with me. I have learned my lesson in being a pack rat! I already buy less because I think about its disposal.

Anyway, last night, I purged 6 boxes of old textbooks. I should have probably gotten rid of my tech writing textbooks too but I always think maybe one day they would be somewhat helpful! I already got rid of a lot of regular books a while back. Maybe I can pick out some more.

So far, I have 8 boxes packed and this is a quarter (?) of my non-essentials!!

Yesterday, I participated in putting on a yard sale. I brought sunscreen with me. But I didn`t use it.

I wore a T-shirt yesterday, and I also got sunburnt. I`m only a little sunburnt on the neck. But it was a high collared T-shirt. And then my arms....oh my arms...From the front, it looks like I got a bit of sun. From the side, I look burnt. From the rear, I am REALLY burnt!

I`m going to have these tan lines that won`t be gone for a long time (Mr. Nick joked they would last until December...actually there is a lot of truth to that joke...) I hate these kind of tan lines!!!!!!!!

I have strappy dresses to ear in the coming WEEKS!!!!

There are some new government regulations going on with credit card companies. I read the information this morning, and now I've forgotten a lot about it. Credit card companies can't raise limits without your consent now, and your statement needs to tell you how long it would take you to pay off your debt if you just made the minimum payments??

In this article I was reading, the people were blaming the credit card companies for their debt, which is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. "They raised my limit!" "I got a credit card when I was a student and I didn't know any better." HO-LY!

Do people who get credit cards not realise this is borrowed money they're spending and that at some point, they have to pay it back? If someone receives the option to spend more money, do they have to spend it all? Everyone makes their own choices. If you're not aware if what you're spending, you can't really blame the credit card companies for your debt.

I got my first credit card when I was 13. (Wow, that was almost 20 years ago!!) I've never carried over a balance. I have dipped into my line of credit so I don't get skyhigh interest tacked onto my balance though. But it's quite simple...if I don't think I will be able to pay off my credit card debt in a set amount of time, I do not charge it.

Mr. Nick and I were in his kitchen last night and he got distracted by something going on in the building across the way. The blinds were about 80% drawn.

There was a naked guy walking around in there and all you could see was his butt (white and nicely formed). And then he turned around! I would have tried to get a better look if Mr. Nick wasn't there. Eventually the guy put on some clothes and then lowered his blinds all the way. BWAHAHAHA

This morning I was feeling kind of down. I think I have been since Monday. And I think it's my community project or something that is making me sad. With this seminar I am participating in, there is a graduation ceremony. It was suggested we invite our loved ones. Well, everyone I asked (except for Mr. Nick), including my mom, said no. It was hard for me to ask in the first place, so I guess I should be proud of myself for even asking.

And then with our community project, we're raising money and food for the food bank, and we're doing a blood drive. I sent out an email to acquaintances and friends and family about this. I also put out something on Facebook. I got only only a handful of replies. It's fine if people don't want to donate or do anything, but even acknowledging what I was doing would be nice. But now that I think about it, do I really need people's acknowledgement? No, not really.

But getting support from people especially when I ask, would be nice. It just brings me back to this recurring thing in my life...the constant lack of support. My coach pointed out to me that it's hard for me to ask for support. I guess that is true. It is hard.

I've lived with my life having to be the only person I can count on so far, and I'm only starting to lean on others for support. I don't think I am even aware when I could or should be asking others for help.

Oh, and then this weekend...I got a really last minute invitation to a BBQ. The email arrived half an hour before it was scheduled to start. The host said someone told him my name was left off the original invite. At this point, why send an email? Why wouldn't someone just call me? Needless to say, I didn't read the email until much later that evening. It would not have made a difference to me if I wasn't invited at all.

But is this all related to what goes around comes around?

I canceled my membership, and I didn't even work out there once.

After thinking about it, the Gold's wouldn't work well for my workouts right now. They're not officially open yet so their hours are short, and they have no free weights.  And I did not like being duped by the sales guy!

I told him I wanted a trial pass. I told him I worked out with free weights. He  duped me into getting a current "great deal" and he wowed me by showing me machines after I told him I didn't use them. I told him I did little cardio as well but he got me to try some equipment. Their equipment is VERY nice...I'd love to work out with some cardio equipment and watch my podcasts. But I can't justify the cost, and especially for something that is not meeting all my needs.

I also need to cut off my trainer in order to save money. She has taught me a lot, which is why I want to keep seeing her. But at the same time, I'm not sure she is pushing me to be the athlete I could be -- despite me telling her what my goals are!

Mr. Nick and I went to a wedding yesterday. It was all very short and sweet. The newlyweds are such a nice couple, too -- very down-to-earth and lots of fun! I'm glad there was one person we didn't have to sit with for the reception though. She is a very nice girl and quite warm and friendly. The only thing is that she talks a lot...and seems to be an expert on evertyhing --well, mostly giving birth. However, she has no kids and has never given birth.

I could probably count the number of times I have been around this person, but she has talked about having kids a number of those times. She is definitely prepared to have them. In between the ceremoney and reception, a bunch of us went to grab a bite to eat. There, she asked one of the guys if his wife tore when she gave birth. "A lot of women tear and need stitches." And then she went on to talk about doulas and midwives but couldn't remember the word doula and wasn't sure of the difference. But she was adamant that she would have a midwife and a doctor when she gives birth. When I told her that the government only covered the cost of one or the other to assist with the birth, she disagreed and said "well, a midwife would cost only $2000". I kind of tuned out... I didn't want to hear more about giving birth.

At the restaurant she also asked me if I got my dress "back home" when I went to visit. I guess I still have issues around my cultural identity or something because comments are supposed to slide right off my back. I said, "pardon?" And she repeated her question. So I told her, "yes, I got my dress in Hong Kong." But it really bothers me when people think my "home" is Hong Kong. Thanks for your assumptions! What gives off the impression that I'm from somewhere else? Oh, right...it's my skin tone and hair colour. Nothing else about the way I look gives the indication of where I am from. But I do know that I don't dress like someone from Asia, and I don't wear my makeup that way either.

I was trapped for a little bit in the bathroom. The first time, I avoided the bathroom when I saw her go in, but this time, she went in after me. She talked about my dress some more and told me how she got an Asian dress many years ago and rambled on to me about how the sales woman told her she was too fat for the dress. And then she told me her shopping experience with this clerk 5 different ways. 

Another thing struck me that was odd. When her boyfriend left the restaurant to go set up the music for the reception, she said something about being confident enough that she would be okay with her boyfriend not being there that moment and with him leaving. If she was, did she have to say something about it?

There's a new Gold's Gym in my city, and I wanted to get a tour and see about getting a trial pass. How could I have forgotten that was my goal? Instead, I signed up for a 2 year membership. The only reason why I did was that the guy said I could cancel within 10 days and not be penalized.

Anyway, the gym is REALLY nice...REALLY REALLY nice. The issue is the price. I would be paying more than twice what I am paying now. What I am paying right now is DIRT CHEAP. My current gym is okay. The equipment isn't horrible. Their demographic are the women and mothers who just want to get in some fitness. They could use more strength equipment. Basically, what my current gym offers is just passable for my fitness goals. What keeps me going there is the price. That is it.

My new building will have a gym, too. I don't know what kind of equipment they will have but I am pretty sure it won't be the state of the art stuff like at Gold's. The Gold's is huge and has a lot of amenities...pro shop, sushi bar...infrared sauna...

I like my current gym because of the locations as well...

I guess if I think about it and use all the amenities at Gold's Gym, I will be getting my money's worth.

If I can find 2 other people to sign up within 10 days, we can all get the corporate rate, too. 

*sigh* I don't need a Gold's Gym membership, but my current gym is just barely passable in terms of service and equipment. In fact, my gym is now going to be closed on stat holidays! My current gym is also very close and convenient for me (both by my place and Mr. Nick's). Gold's will require a bit more traveling time, but their hours are a lot longer, too!

I will have to cancel one of the memberships -- but which one?

It's dangerous for me to peruse any retail websites carrying cooking gadgets!! Seriously! I'd love to get a yogurt maker and a nut grinder and a whole assortment of unnecessary cooking/baking/decorating utensils!!

There is a store here called Gourmet Warehouse that I have totally avoided. I hear it carries a lot of cool things for the kitchen. Many people have told me that I would probably like that store. I bet they are right. That's why I must not set foot in it!!!

I noticed two deposits into my bank account from Paypal for a total of 20 cents!! WOO! I'll take what I can get!

I hope those two transactions don't get reversed!

Edit: I totally forgot I made some changes to my Paypal account...Now I hope they don't take that money back out! Each transaction could cost me $1.00. Me paying $2 for 20 cents to go in and out of my account seems hardly worth it.

There's someone I see on my Facebook travels. I did request him to be a friend since we were friends (or so I thought) while we were in high school and we'd chat every time we ran into each other after that. Anyway, he did ignore my request and a message I sent him. He used to go to school with TV Baker too, and he sent her a message apologizing for the way he treated her in grade school, and that was it. She was baffled by that message.

But he was a really good friend of my ex-boyfriend in high school, so I heard stories about him. Like how he had a huge crush on this one girl (who already had a boyfriend), and he'd leave her flowers and left a message for her on her answering machine with a violin serenade.

But what I remember most about him was what he said to my ex..."I wonder what pussy tastes like."

When I go to my group meditation and hypnosis sessions, we always start and end the night by drawing a card from different tarot decks. Lately, I have been drawing a lot of cards about love. Why????  I need something more specific! Do I need to be more loving, will I become more loving, is more love coming my way, who loves me??

But I think it is neat that I draw cards with the same themes no matter what deck I am using. One day it was about psychic ability. Another day it was about being part of a team.

Last night I was looking at old mementos, and there were things from people I had no recollection of -- zilch...not a clue. And then there were things from people that brought up fond memories of. I wish I was still in touch with some of them. They brought me back to a place of happier times.

But then again, I am happy these days, too. This is happiness I haven't experienced in a really long time. Hurrah!

Sleep would make me very happy right now, too!

I just went to the bathroom to pee. It's usually no big deal, but I ended up crying! Bathrooms are a great place to think. I started thinking about my upcoming move, and how Mr. Nick won't be around for pretty much any of it. It's not a big deal that he's not help me with the moving part, but it's the part about him not being around as I move into a new home. He's doing a bike trip fundraiser one weekend and then he's planning on leaving for England pretty soon after that. Him going away doesn't bother me either.

But I started reflecting on my last move and how my dad was alive then. He helped me with a few things after I moved in, like putting in shelves, but he didn't help out otherwise. In fact, he had said he would help while I was moving but ultimately didn't. I ended up moving a 100 pound cabinet by myself. My father disappointed me a lot. If he said he was going to do something, I could pretty much count on the opposite.

And I have come to expect the same of Mr. Nick. I often feel like I cannot depend on him because he has often said he will do things and not. But this whole moving thing and realizing that he won't be here for it really reminded me of a time with my dad and my relationship with him. It's extremely upsetting to me.

I guess I finally experienced the tears that come from nowhere that my friends have said I would experience. Wow. 

Again, I am enlightened. But that doesn't really help me figure out anything else. BWAAHAHAHA

I never talked about my relationship with my dad in counseling, and how it might possibly affect my relationship with Mr. Nick. Is this something I should bring up? We're having our last session with her tomorrow.

Over the last month or two, people have commented on how white my teeth are. I wish I knew why my teeth have gotten whiter! I don't drink beverages that would stain my teeth. I pretty much drink only water. And I brush my teeth once a day. I do use a electric toothbrush, but I have been using this one for almost a year. Maybe that's the reason? I don't use any products to whiten my teeth either.

Anyway, last night, Mr. Nick helped me sort out my old computer stuff. I can't believe how much I had and stuff that I didn't use. (I also thought of another item to add to the pile). This is stuff off to be donated! It was about 10+ years' worth of computer stuff!! We threw out two bags of stuff, and whittled my stuff to keep down to about one box. I'm donating one box of stuff and 3 computer cases. Crazy!

But it felt really good to get rid of stuff!!

Hmm...Free Geek will also take video game consoles. I'm so tempted to throw in my Xbox, its accessories, and games. But I think I will donate it to the charity yard sale I am helping out with first.

Many years ago, all the rage was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. It gave ideas for you to do things so you have a happier life. I bought it and couldn't finish reading it. I thought the book was ridiculous. I thought the focus was way too much on other people. Seriously? Think about people to thank?! Ridiculous!

I had forgotten that book was on my shelf until a couple of days ago. One of my teammates asked me to bring him a book - any book, so I went perusing through my book shelf. Funny how I left it behind even though I had purged about 1/3 of my books from that shelf to the library. I started flipping through it and thought it was brilliant. The things the author suggests in the book is how I am trying to live my life now.

I feel so enlightened. I am ready to read that book now.

And today has been off to a great start. I have been walking around with a smile on my face. My workout was awesome. I realised my progress over the last month has been amazing, and I am still able to do things that I hadn't done in a long time (kneel on a ball without holding on to something). Also, I've gained much strength and my posture is better, too! I love being aware!

For the first time EVER, I see insects in my home!

I wonder if vacuuming would help. Vacuuming is important, but housework was something I decided to not do in order to lead a saner life.

Besides, it's hard to get around all my stuff with the vacuum these days. I can't wait to move! It's the only way to get away from the bugs!!

I'm kind of glad I'm not stuck in the middle of the whole stagette mess. When the bride brings it up with me, I almost pretend I know nothing, and I don't mention the drama. She knows though. Everyone else is letting it on!

So the latest thing is this...Bridezilla told the bride that she wanted to keep the event small to people who would have been in the wedding party. (That drives me nuts...these small stagettes.) Bridezilla said she would rather not have more people at dinner. The bride tried to explain that if Testosterone Girl was there, then other people who were closer to her should definitely also be present that night, even if only for a portion of the evening. The bride is getting upset about upsetting a) Bridezilla because she's organizing (Oh look, how nice...Bridezilla has taken over organizing the stagette. So much for TV Baker, the weasel!) and b) her other closer friends who are going to be excluded from the event.

Bridezilla suggested having another night out to include everyone else, and the bride said no because it'd be too over-the-top.

So anyway, to ..

... er...ahh...

There was a lot more ridiculous drama that ensued with people sending emails to the group and then to the bride and then to the group. Sick of it!

I'm not going to post about it anymore!

Voldemort has decided he doesn't want to rent my place. I am relieved! But now I am going to find a different tenant!

With a lot of time being focused on my seminar, I've not been able to stay at Mr. Nick's as often as I used to. It was a wonderful feeling hanging out with him last night and waking up next to him this morning.

Oh, we did have a blowup on the weekend. We were back to rehashing the same issues, and I realised the focus was turning to piddley details and forgetting the big picture. I had hung up on him and then called him on his work phone (since he turned off his phone). Then he hung up on me and turned off the work phone, too. So I drove over to his place. I was tired of the BS and felt like I needed to say something. I had no idea if he was going to tell me to leave or if I was going to grab my things.

But on the way there, I decided that I was tired of the moaning and groaning, and I was tired of allowing myself to feel like crap and blaming it on his actions. So I decided very clearly that I choose happiness. For the last while, I had been choosing unhappiness, and I really didn't have to. So I told him I was grateful he was in my life and that I was tired of arguing about the same stuff all the time and getting nowhere. I told him I just wanted to let go of the negative baggage and forget about it and start fresh. He said he was grateful that I was in his life and that he wanted happiness, too. Then I went home. Good thing, too, because I left the oven on. Something told me to not stay even though I would have, otherwise.

So, we are good. I am going to allow myself to experience happiness with this new outlook on our relationship.

Anyway, I forgot to pack underwear. I wore my emergency pair and then ...well...I had none left.

And roasted chickpeas are REALLY good!!

And it's not easy to let go of negativity that gets thrown your way.

I guess posting about it would be re-living it, so I don't really want to do that.

I just had a lengthy conversation with one of my team members. I feel a connection with him, and I admire his strength. He left his country and came to Canada to study. He left behind a life as he knew it. I couldn't imagine jetting off to a country where I knew nobody, knew nothing about the culture or the language to grow. I admire my parents for having done the same thing.

I am happy we met.

I slept like a brick last night. I could seriously sleep longer.

I had another full weekend with my seminar, and I have come out of that weekend in awe, with excitement, and feeling full of life! It wasn't an easy weekend. There were a lot of ups and downs and lots of release of negative energy and baggage. But holy crap. I feel like I've been reborn.

I want to keep working on my energy. Maybe one day I will coach one of these seminars. I would love to give back to what this seminar has given me. I have learned so much about myself, yet I can hardly express it.

So...my question is: what does it mean to be powerful?

I learned that it's a good idea to wipe your mouth after eating beets.

When I looked in the bathroom mirror, the corners of my mouth looked like they were bleeding.

At first I thought it had to do with my earlier allergic reaction...thank goodness I was all healed after wiping my mouth. BWAHAHA

My contract at work has been extended!

It's nice to know that I won't have to look for another job until the new year. I wonder if my contract is going to change. I hope not unless it means I get a raise :)

I am getting the feeling that Bridezilla is playing some sort of hand in all this stagette drama! Not once has she participate electronically about the stagette! But I hear through the bride to be all this communication that is coming from her. Bridezilla shared the list of stagette ideas with the bride to be asking for feedback.

Bridezilla was the one who wanted the committee of events. So lame. And TV Baker has no backbone. 

The bride to be sent out an email to 4 of us asking us for a Sunday that we're free because she's taking us out for high tea. Bridezilla asked her if Testosterone Girl was going to be invited. But she worded it like this: "Just wondering, and feel free to say no; I am just asking to know, but is Testosterone Girl invited to this? No worries either way" I didn't know BrideZilla was the boss of all this. If she or TV Baker had a clue, they'd notice that the bride to be and Testosterone Girl are not close. There isn't even a mutual like for one another.

And Testosterone Girl is extremely cheap. The bride to be has no issue with her being there, unless Bridezilla and TV Baker are holding back on doing stuff because of TG's budget.

So it's been whittled down to an overnight stay at a casino. I have no idea what else is planned. TV Baker found a package. I'm sure it will a FUN night. *sarcasm* We'll probably be there all day and night. None of us gamble. For about $125/person, I'm starting to think the package is not a good deal. $5 for $10 gambling credit, free upgrade for CERTAIN spa services, $20 meal credit, a T-shirt, free parking, frickin plastic beads, a chocolate shot glass, and free breakfast. Oh, and there is a special gift...

We stayed there the night before TV Baker got married. I got stuck with the hideaway.

The Godmother found a deal for the Fairmont for $100/night. This package is about $600. I know I should be more positive about this, but I know there could have been better places to stay for an evening. 

And to top it off, I gave TV Baker my dates of availability. She has chosen a date where I said that date was out.

"I'll also have relatives here around the last week of July to mid August, so to be on the safe side, I should mention that July 25-August 9 I would likely have a family thing" How clear is that? I like my friends -- I really do. But last year, I had to miss out on a family event because of another frickin stagette!

But I am addicted to sugar again!

When I was doing to the Paleo diet, I ate no processed food and had very few sweets, even fruit. Now that I have been snacking on some of my baking and other desserts, I am craving sugar! And I even enjoy it! When I stopped eating sugar, I actually did not like dessert. It did not taste satisfying anymore! I want to go back to that time.

Anyway, thanks for the words of support and advice yesterday. I did some thinking and I feel better and more positive. I also found John Gray's relationship blog. He wrote Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus. There was some good advice on there that made me think. Obviously, relationships aren't easy. Going with my theory about everyone coming into your life for a reason, maybe I am still learning from Mr. Nick. Anyway, I'm not ready to give up just yet.

And OMG. I didn't want to be involved with organizing a friggin stagette, but I feel like I am. TV Baker has dropped notches in my book over this. Either she is being manipulative or she needs a backbone. She didn't want committees of people organizing the events, but she didn't actually tell Bridezilla that. All along, TV Baker was emailing with me and The Godmother about ideas for the stagette, asking for our opinions and feedback. She keeps saying Bridezilla wants to do this and Testorone Girl wants to do this. The point was she was supposed to organise something and we would help with the details.

But the bride mentioned to me yesterday that Bridezilla emailed her a whole list of ideas asking her for some feedback. TV Baker keeps wanting to meet to discuss for some strange reason, but on the outside it appears she has been excluding Bridezilla. But obviously, Bridezilla is participating in some way. We're not little girls. Why isn't there more openness about this, and why can't TV Baker just take charge? Is it so difficult to plan a fun night/weekend out that the bride-to-be would enjoy? It's not like we don't know her. We know what she would like!!!

For the last couple of months, my satisfaction with my relationship with Mr. Nick has been consistently dropping to the point where I am wondering if I want to stay with him.

Back in the winter, we started counseling. Before we went to Hong Kong, I reflected on our progress and realised that little progress was made. Things were going well when we first started, but I noticed him slipping back into old habits. I don't feel like a whole lot has improved since we started counseling. I am better at asking for what I need from him. But I don't feel he listens to me, and whenever I do bring up something I do not like, he gets defensive. Often, I feel that he doesn't listen to me because he is too busy looking for ways to disprove things I am saying.

One of my biggest beefs with him is that he doesn't keep his word. They can often be minor things, but every time he doesn't keep his word, it's a sign that he can't be trusted. We did a counseling exercise on my beef with this, and at the time, he seemed to understand that every time he doesn't keep his word, it contributes to me trusting him less. But when I brought that up again on the weekend, he thought long and hard for ways to show me that I do the same thing. His conclusion was that I didn't usually do that. So to me, that was just wasted time and effort to find something negative instead of focusing on moving forward in a positive way. (And anything negative that people do that remind me of my father, I think it strikes a chord with me. I always felt that my dad never kept his word.)

And doing my seminar, no doubt, is changing me. It's helped me tremendously into focusing on positive energy and going after what I want. I end up really noticing Mr. Nick's negative energy. I don't want him to bring me down. I could stick around and provide unconditional love to bring more positivity into his life, but honestly, why would I want to surround myself with that? Wouldn't it be better to surround myself with other like-minded individuals?

I'm also noticing patterns. My mentor says there are no coincidences in life. In the last while, every meaningful event that has come up or will be coming up, Mr. Nick has been unavailable. I'm hosting a presentation tonight. At first he said he'd come, but then he got mad with me when he said he might be going out for his sister's birthday. He got all defensive because he thought I was getting mad at him for making him miss his sister's potential dinner. So he said he'd go to last week's, but he chose to go his parents for dinner instead. What I was mad at was that he said he'd go but didn't tell me his plans had changed.

When I went condo shopping, he was away skiing. I didn't purposely exclude him from this big part of my life, but he wanted to go skiing that weekend, and I wanted to check out the new condo development. It all happened very fast. I put in my offer before the following weekend while he was at work.

And now I plan on getting moved by the end of June, quite shortly after the closing date in case I need to be out of my place by July 1, but he will be off doing a Ride for Cancer fundraiser and will be out of town that weekend.

So lately I have been looking for signs why I should stay with Mr. Nick. I don't feel happy when I see him. I feel love for him, and we do care about each other. I just really don't know if we are working out in terms of being life mates. I don't want to be with someone who is happy with reacting to events in life. I want someone who is excited about new adventures and goes out to seek them. On the outside, we're a great couple. We have fun, we have the same values, and we do want the same things in life. We could have a great future together, but I feel like there are things about him that I would just have to accept. And I'm not sure if they are acceptable.

I just wish a sign would fall in my lap.

I met up with Voldemort for lunch today. We got around talking to my place, and I told him I was going to rent it out. He told me he would rent it from me. The timing is actually really good.

It would be awesome if he was my tenant. I know he'd be a good one.

I'm scared to show him my place in its present state right now. It's cluttered and needs a cleaning. Stuff is piled EVERYWHERE! I showed him pics of my place from before I moved in so he could get an idea of the layout and space. But now with all my furniture in and boxes of stuff everywhere, it just looks tiny! I'm already embarrassed enough to invite people over -- how can I show potential tenants? BWAHAHA

My building allows pets, but I wasn't going to for my tenant. Voldemort wants a cat...I said I'd make an exception for him.

But mixing friends with business...gotta be careful with that. Guess I'll see if he is ultimately really interested. The feng shui of my place also isn't great, so I wouldn't feel totally right renting out to a friend. I'll have to disclose that information to him.

At work today, I found a chunk of a log in the toilet. It was quite well-formed. Looked healthy. There is one toilet where the pressure isn't enough sometimes.

The engagement turned out really well! It was fun, and the bride and groom to be had a great time!

One event down, two more to go. I'm still glad The Godmother and I are doing okay with the shower. The ...what nickname did I give this one again? TV Baker?? I forget. Anyway, she is still trying to convince me and The Godmother about going away for the stagette. Maybe she should focus her energy on trying to create something fun and memorable for the Poo instead. The Godmother and I made it clear (or so we thought) we didn't want to go away.

So the latest the suggestion is to go down to her parents' trailer in the USA for the weekend. That was already done for Bridezilla, and Poo thought that stagette was lame. TV Baker thought we wanted to go inexpensive. It's true we don't want to break the bank but that doesn't mean we want to sacrifice a good time! I just wish she'd stop asking us for our opinions and not really wanting them. I'd rather she just plan something, so I can deal with it. It's not like she's going to plan the stagette according to what I'd like! TV Baker is really adamant about going away for a weekend.

I'm so exhausted these days with my seminar and trying to lead a normal life, too! But on the weekend, I did a bunch of cooking as part of my promises to myself in the seminar and to make sure I have food to eat this week.

I pretty much refuse to go buy takeout for meals, and I quite adamant about making my own meals. It's not even a money-saving thing (is it really a money saver to make your own meals if you're buying quality food?). I always think that I eat more healthfully if I make it myself.

So on the weekend, I roasted a turkey loaf, made cranberry sauce from scratch, made a stirfry with veggies and pork, roasted beets, cooked beet tops, steamed cauliflower, boiled eggs, baked cookies, and baked a banana zucchini loaf. I think that's about it! That's enough food for half the week. Maybe I would get something pre-made if I trusted its nutritional content!

It put in a really happy place last night and then promptly knocked me out!

I guess my lips feel a bitter better and the throbbing is gone, but they're still quite irritated. Looking forward to those allergy test results!

I think I am having a reaction to something I ate. My lips are in pain! And they look really irritated! The last time something like this happened, I was eating a lot of raw carrots. Now I am wondering if this issue is caused by raw celery!

I want to rip my lips off my face!

I'll take some allergy medication later...But I scheduled myself for an allergy test next week. I'm looking forward to seeing the results! I've always wanted to take one!!

I don't have anything that comes to mind that I needed to post about, but I got some early bird Kings of Leon tickets!

I always wonder if those seats are really good, or if it'd be better to wait until the general sale. But at least I have tickets!

I think if I was younger, I'd be have been more obsessive about this band and would have memorized all their lyrics by now and joined the fan club.

There was a time when I went to a lot of rock concerts, and my favourite spot to be was front and centre. I loved and hated being in the mosh pit. Getting my face smushed into someone's shoulder and smelling BO were my least favourite experiences. But the energy around me and being close to the band was usually worth it!! I never did go crowd surfing, though. I was afraid I'd fall and break something!!

This lack of sleep is preventing me from being able to restore anything in my memory! I'm definitely napping on the bus on the way home today. I think it's necessary to be somewhat rested for hypnosis.

Anyway, this morning, I had a clear view of my new home from the bus, and it was awesome. Not so much the view, but actually seeing my balcony and knowing that it was mine and that I'd be moving into it relatively soon.

I also have a crush on someone. I seriously can't remember the last time I had a crush. Nothing will ever come of it, but I guess I am just attracted to his je ne sais quoi. He's a very positive person. I think I am most attracted to his can-do attitude. And he is also into physical fitness, too.

I attended my group meditation class last night. I really enjoy it a lot because I get to seek answers that require me to quiet down and pay attention.

I was thinking about how people come into our lives for a reason and how my life is different because of events that have occurred. I definitely wouldn't have gotten into physical fitness had it not been for my my car accidents.

The Godmother and Poo came to class with me, and I was thinking how grateful I am to have them in my life. They're both amazing women.

I feel great today!

I participated in some hypnotherapy on the bus today. I didn't allow myself to go very deep in case I fell over or off my seat.

I dropped some clean underwear into the toilet today. I contemplated throwing them out, but I've left them to deal with after I get home later. I'll fish them out with chopsticks and then give them a good wash!

Bridezilla offered to throw an engagement party for Poo because "she threw me mine." That's a great reason to throw someone a party right -- not because you want to? Anyway, the party invites were sent out a couple of weeks ago, and today she sent us an email about what "we" were going to do for the party.

Poo is not having bridesmaids, but four of us (her closest friends) are doing bridesmaid duties. The Godmother and I are throwing the shower; Bridezilla is throwing an engagement party, and TV Baker is organizing the stagette. A while back, Bridezilla brought up the idea of all of us sharing costs for all activities. I was not cool with that idea at all. A 5th girl is participating in some of the organizing but she won't be paying for anything more (she's also on the frugal side). She basically wanted a committee of people organizing each activity. Hello, too many cooks spoil the broth? And on top of that, it'd take too long to make decisions.

So I told her I would rather not split the costs for everything and that everyone's costs would ultimately end up being about the same. Besides, I don't like paying for things that I don't have a hand in. On the flip side, I wouldn't feel right telling people to pay me for something that they're not helping me with. (Last year, No. 5 organized TV Baker's stagette and told everyone how much to pay. She kept our costs low, which was nice, but I had no say in what we did. Not only that, she went the cheap route, like expecting the bride to pay for some stuff.)

So...BrideZilla sent out an email about this Saturday's party, like what "we" should think about for food, cake, drinks, and decorations. She said we should be mindful of the cost as money is tight for everyone right now. When I said I would help with the party, my contribution was going to be set up (maybe...I hate that kind of stuff) and to bring some dessert and appetizers. She wanted to throw the party, but it sounds like she wants everyone to pay! In the invitation, it sounded like everyone had to bring their own food. It's a 6 pm party...You'd think some food was provided? When Poo threw her the party, she threw the party. Food, drink, decorations were all provided. And the party is in 5 days...you'd think she would have started doing something about it sooner?

I can understand that due to a family emergency, she was not available (mentally or physically) to be around to plan a party. But Poo had asked her if she was sure she wanted to throw the party at this time. Bridezilla said yes. Bridezilla could have spoken up sooner about needing help for the party, and she could have also made it a potluck if she wanted to save on cost. But no...she is assuming people will chip in to pay even though most of us said that we did not want to split the costs.

When I reply to her email, I may just ignore the part about stuff "we" need to buy and offer to bring a couple of food items.

I thought I had finally gotten away from the old coworker who was always wanting to grab a coffee to catch up. I don't think we really developed a strong enough bond to warrant a catch up.

Anyway, he asked again recently.

I don't want to go for coffee with him.

I don't go to coffee shops regularly.

I don't have anything to say to them.

I would rather be doing something else.

So what can I do avoid going to coffee with him? Tell him what I just wrote? I can't lie and say I don't work in the same vicinity.

Good thing I'm not the kind of person who gets the runs when she's nervous because I am full of nervous energy right now!

I got the counter offer for my place (no surprises), and I just signed and emailed it back!

I just committed myself to a big purchase, and that is what makes me nervous!!!

But I'm also VERY excited!!!!!!! My new home is perfect for me - lots of light, big kitchen, great location. I CAN'T WAIT to move in!

And then I'll also become a landlord, too!!

Edit: And thanks to everyone who sent positive thoughts and wishes my way!!! Truly appreciated!!!

Yesterday, I saw some guys from the city working at an intersection. Maybe they were on a break. But what I saw was 4 people standing around a manhole and one person directing traffic.

They were laughing and having a good time. I really wanted to know what was going on!!

Um, yeah. There I said it.

Yesterday, a friend (that I'm not close to) on Facebook mentioned something about Molly RIP. I had no idea who Molly was. Today, she posts some note and tags me in it. The note was full of anger condemning her friends for not offering condolences.

That angered me. How dare she call out people for not offering their sympathies. It didn't look like she was looking for support; it looked like she wanted people to feel bad for her. And I am sorry for her loss, but yelling at people for not offering their condolences was a little dramatic. Why not use that energy towards your grief, girl.

She offered absolutely no condolences to me when my father passed away. First off, I had no idea who Molly was -- turns out was her dog. I didn't even know she had a dog.

But I do understand where she is coming from. I was disappointed by people whom I thought were my friends when they didn't say anything to me, and these people knew my dad. So I shrugged it off and now I don't think of these people as friends anymore. No big deal. You find out who your true friends are in such times.

Also, you can't expect everyone on your Facebook list of friends to see all your updates.  For those who knew my dad passed away and didn't say anything, that's fine. For everyone else, maybe they didn't know my dad died. These things happen.

Yesterday: Temp's perfume reminded me of sweaty feet.

Today: Woman sitting next to me on the bus wore perfume that reminded me of grape Hubba Bubba.

I'm forging ahead with a promise to myself to do 10 or more unassisted pullups on or before May 30, 2009. I want to get a pull up bar at home, but I'm not sure which is the best one out there. Can anywhere share knowledge with me about this?

I've read up on the Power Trainer Pro but apparently the quality of the product isn't that great. And then there is the Ultimate Extreme Door Gym. Any info would be appreciated!

And please think positive thoughts for me. I have found a home that I love and see myself living in. However, I just need to make an offer and have them accept it. I would like to see everything wrapped up on or before next Monday. So please! Think of me in my new dream home! Thanks!

tBlog wasn't down for very long, but when it went down, I wanted to blog about it. BWAHAHA

I did at my blogger blog. I had set that one up in case of emergency. But I've signed up at thoughts.com, too. 

I know I had been lazy about backing up my blog entries into a Word document. I should do that ASAP!

I just sent an email to Voldemort after reading his blog.

And then it occurred to me...I think he was the one calling me with the unavailable number!

He's out of town right now, and usually those unavailable numbers are calling cards.

I'll have to ask him if it was him, but if it was him, I hope he brings it up, so I can tell him that I don't answer the phone after 10, especially if I don't know who it is!!

Borrowed from PirateGirl!

Now, here's what you're supposed to do... Create a new note, copy and paste this message, delete my answers and type in your own. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known things about your friends.

Three names I go by
1. Rosie
2. Honey
3. Amanda

Three jobs I have had in my life
1. Retail salesperson
2. Movie theatre floorperson
3. Technical writer

Three places I have lived
1. In a house in Richmond
2. In a different house in Richmond
3. Another house in Richmond

Three tv shows I watch
1. Chuck
2. 24
3. Grey's Anatomy

Three places I want to go
1. Turtle Island, Fiji
2. Across Canada
3. Italy

Three favorite foods
1. Chocolate
2. Sweets
3. Unagi sushi

Three pets I have owned
1. Rabbit
2. Fish
3. ...

Three things I am looking forward to
1. Seeing how my seminar pans out
2. Seeing my relatives again in June and visiting Massachussetts
3. Sleeping

Three friends who will reply
1. ?
2. ??
3. ???

Three Favorite bands/ Artists
1. ?
2. ??
3. ??

Three Favorite teams to watch
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Vancouver Giants
3. ...

Three favorite Drinks
1. Water
2. Soy milk
3. Almond milk

(I feel boring now...I was thinking about my list of 100 things about me, and that is really old...)

It's a full moon tomorrow! I wish I had remembered that last night! I always seem to cry two days before full moons.

I also forgot to mention that Stinky Girl wasn't as stinky yesterday at the gym. I even saw her on the bus after work!

I can't remember if I blogged about this either, but starting next month, my pay and work hours are going to be reduced. I am already trying to think about what I could do with that extra time. I have the option of taking one day off every two weeks, or I can "save up" a bunch. I think in May, I might take the 1 day every two weeks since I am so consumed with things to do and then save up after that.

Taking an extra week off in the summer when my relatives are visiting or to go camping in Portland would be very nice! I am going to go print off a calendar to do some calculations!

You know those bars that people stick in their doorways for doing chinups?? How well do they stay up?? I also got my TRX system yesterday. I want to become a pro at using it! In case, you're interested, here's the link. I'm still definitely a beginner!

I haven't gotten any more mystery callers on my landline, but last night, I was woken up from a deep slumber, shortly after I had fallen asleep after a long day.

Someone with an hidden phone number called me on my cell phone. GRR!

I went to a group meditation class last night. There was a lot of hugging (before and after the meditation...) Sometimes I wonder what will come of my personal relationships with others after I finish my seminar. My attitude towards life is changing and I think it will be forever changed.

I don't think I will tolerate being around negative people and when people say negative things. When you start noticing energy around people, it becomes very loud. When I see some people, I am instantly uplifted. When I see Mr. Nick, my mood usually gets worse. I met up with Mr. Nick yesterday for a quick walk. I just noticed that he made a lot of negative comments, even though they were just in passing.

Metaphysically (is that the word I mean?)...now I've lost my thoughts. I guess my fear is relationships from my life dissolving as I go on with life with a more positive attitude, or more specifically with Mr. Nick. I should work on bringing him up to a higher vibration.

The start to my seminar was awesome. I'd say more about it, but it would take too much time right now. The experience will help me achieve my goals, and I will grow spiritually. Anyway...I feel like I am radiating positive energy today, but I'm really tired.

And hungry.

This morning I journalled. We've been requested to do this -- to write our thoughts in the morning so we can unload all the stuff that is going on through our head over the previous day and night. I am still thinking about some of the stuff I wrote because of the questions that came out of it. I am also thinking about something I didn't include.

I went out for lunch yesterday with a few of my teammates. One of them told a racist joke, and I couldn't figure out why she would bring it up out of the blue. I didn't notice anyone from the ethnic group she was joking about near us. Nobody in our group was of that ethnic group either. And then it made me wonder what kind of jokes she had about Chinese people. I can laugh at colourful jokes if I know where the person is coming from, but I didn't know this person very well. Is she about white supremacy?

And yesterday while I was grocery shopping, I caught a glimpse of a guy that looked familiar to me, so I went back and took another look. I couldn't remember his name, and I am *really* happy about that. It means I've forgotten him. I do remember that the last time I saw him was at the same supermarket, when he was shopping there with his girlfriend. In this blog, his name was The Talker. He had completely lied to me about his status and obviously cheated on the girl he was holding hands with. Because after we made eye contact that day, we never spoke again, and he had deleted and blocked me on MSN.

Anyhow, back to my journey. The bug was put in my ear back when I was doing hypnotherapy. I can say hypnotherapy, for me, was life changing. It really gave me a new outlook on life, and without it, I don't think I would have handled the Cindy situation as well. So wish me well! This seminar is going to consume my life for the next 2 months.

Oh and last night, someone with an "Unavailable name and no." called me multiple times between 10 pm and 11:30 pm (about every 15 - 20 minutes). I do not answer calls after 10 pm, especially if I don't know the number. I figured if it was someone I knew or it was something important, they'd leave a message and/or call my cell phone. But no...whoever was calling really wanted a human to answer the phone. Well, I did pick up once, and then I hung up without saying anything. They called again one more time after that, and that was it.

If I was able to anonymously tell this girl, I think I would. Would you want to know if your BO was horrendous enough that people 20 feet away from you could smell you? I see this girl at the gym all the time, and I always cringe because I know her body odour, no matter where I am standing in the weights area, will offend me.

One thing I liked best about traveling around Hong Kong was that there were no obnoxious body odours or artificial scents either. I think most people there don't marinate themselves in products, or maybe the products there are just not as heavily scented. The only time there was stink was my Australian cousin's perfume, and some London tourists.

This weekend I am starting my YOU Leadership seminar. It's a 60-day thing. It sounds hokey but I think it will be empowering. It's about achieving your goals (which will be determined under hypnosis) via group support and your subconscious. Two days a week, I will participate in group meditation and hypnosis. I think one day a week I will be meeting for a lone hypnotherapy session. And I will be in constant contact with my partner during the week as well. Too bad this weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny. I will be indoors all weekend attending the first classes.

There was a woman on the bus this morning who didn't seem to understand a stitch of English. She was trying to get to a particular hospital. Since she couldn't understand the bus driver, she stood and yelled (in Cantonese), "does anyone on the bus speak Cantonese who can tell me how to get to St. Paul's hospital?" Luckily, a few people were able to assist her. She mentioned that she had never taken this bus before, and she was going to see her husband who got in the hospital yesterday. I liked her determination.

I think my car is starting to feel more like mine, and I don't miss my 'stang as much. One thing I like seeing are the sperm like water marks on my rear window. When it rains, I guess something drips on the window, and then the water trickles down like sperm tails.

Time flies when you're having fun, or maybe it just flies when life is action-packed!

Hong Kong was a good time. I was there for my cousin's lavish wedding.

I ate a lot, shopped a lot (not as much as in previous years. I only came home with 3 new pairs of shoes.), and walked a heck of a lot.

Didn't work out despite my best intentions. It was great to see my cousins. Who knows when the next big family event will be (the joke was whoever was getting married next).

Did well with the jet lag this time. I took this stuff called No Jet-Lag, and stimulated accupressure points as directed.

What did I miss in the last two weeks??

I'm in Hong Kong right now. It's my second day here, and I'm still a little jet lagged. I'll know tomorrow if I have it bad. During my flight, I slept very little, and I took this stuff called No Jet-lag. I also stimulated pressure points to keep my jet lag at Bay. Usually when I get to Hong Kong, I'm up super early every morning. Not this morning, though! And I even had caffeine yesterday!

It's been really nice seeing my cousins, and so far, it's just been shopping, shopping, shopping. But it's ironic that Mr. Nick has been Mr. Big Spender. Usually I practically replace my wardrobe every time i come here. So far, I have barely even been in a shopping mood. And the one piece of clothing I have bought, it's been ho hum.

however, I desperately need to find something to wear my cousin's wedding ceremony. I hate having a shopping deadline. I don't know what I'll do if I don't find anything.

I'm really tired and really dehydrated. The worst part is taht I am all carbed up, so I have no appetite.

The Godmother is always talking about things she *needs* to buy...usually it's some sort of clothing item or another.

She just found out that she will be getting a 20% paycut (but in her situation, she will be able to get some Employment Insurance to make up for some of the lost income). She said, "if I had known this was coming, I would have thought twice about getting the renovations done [to her home]."

I'm going to sound so judgmental about this because I can be smarter with my own money, too...

But she didn't save up for the renovations and relied on a line of credit. For the last several months, she kept talking about how slow things were at work. And she's been dropping a lot of money on clothes as well. $200 for a pair of trendy jeans? "Yeah, but they're so comfortable, and I will wear them a lot! And I found them on sale!" I think she'll cut back on her spending a little, and she plans on not contributing to her retirement savings for a while. But this weekend, she's going to look for a dress. Besides, "it's something I can wear to work." ... if you're going to be working less often, wouldn't you spend less on your working wardrobe?

Right now, I just have a hard time doing the spend now, worry later bit. Maybe it's because I was like that a few months ago...I just don't want her to get into a huge amount of debt!

And she is so anti-marriage right now that I wonder if she is even happy for one of our best friends who just announced she's getting married in the fall! It's one thing to not want to marry and wonder what the point of marriage is, but to be negative and to put down others for wanting marriage just doesn't seem right to me. She didn't say anything nice about it to me at all when we found out. I'm even afraid to get excited about the wedding in front of her!

You know how you're supposed to not send (negative) emails when you're upset. I held off the first time, but this time I lightly unleashed.

I know someone who used to be a friend. (What do you call that person after you grow apart? A friend? An acquaintance?) This person is one of the first people I met through the Internet in the late 90s. I guess we emailed/IMed regularly until he moved to Hong Kong when he got married. (I attended the wedding.) Then our communication pretty much stopped. I didn't see him or his wife when I was in Hong Kong last year. Since I'm going to Hong Kong, he and I have had a couple of Facebook conversations through messages. At some point I told him that Mr. Nick wanted to move in together, but I didn't want to. He made a comment about me "still" making guys jump through hoops for me.

The comment really bothered me, but I didn't say anything. I mean really...like I have an ulterior motive for denying Mr. Nick the pleasure of living with me. Give me a break! Like I'm not allowed to not want to live with somebody.

And then in our latest exchange, he said it was "impressive" that I was bringing Mr. Nick with me [thus meeting my relatives from abroad -- some of which he's already met]. When I commented "hardly," he retorted back with "And then there's the living together thing. Even if it's only for a couple of weeks."

I wrote back to him basically saying that I'd like him to keep his opinions and judgments to himself about my relationship with Mr. Nick since he didn't know anything about our relationship, and that he hadn't been in my life for the last several years. I told him I wasn't the same person I was 10 years ago, even though I should have said 15.

After these conversations, I really wonder what the point of seeing him would be. 

I really don't like the HR head around here. She is just a talking head.

Depending what is easiest for her/the company, I'm treated like a contractor or a permanent employee. She is not consistent. I've been denied certain benefits because she called me a contractor. And the whole reduction in pay and hours...I was asked by her (and pressured) because she called me "pretty much a permanent employee."

My position is a contractor here; however, I am supposed to get all the benefits that a permanent employee gets. I am basically a full-time employee with an expiry date.

I needed some clarification about the reduced hours/pay. I talked to my boss yesterday who then talked to his boss about my situation, i.e., whether I am eligible to participate in the reduced workhours/pay thing. Turns out my boss' boss and the HR woman had ALREADY DISCUSSED my situation when he was in town LAST WEEK. They had AGREED that I would not participate for the rest of my contract. So yesterday, she turns around and pressures me to opt in?

Anyhow, if/when my contract gets renewed, there will be definitely a change in the salary rate; however, I'm not sure about the hours. I would prefer reduced work hours if I'm getting the reduced pay.

On one hand, I'm relieved that I'm not losing any pay, but on the other hand, I was looking forward to a couple of extra days! However, I have decided that I am going to stop with the organic food for while except for meat. I'll probably stop the naturopath visits for now, too.

Oh, and I just found out that I have to pay a year's worth of my net income to cover my dad's taxes. One last gift from dad. I knew I was going to have to pay taxes. I'm not sure why I didn't mentally budget for it. This will put a damper on my next home purchase!

So the cast is in town getting to ready to start filming the next Twilight movie. The guy who plays Jacob has been grocery shopping...at Choices!!!!! I shop there often, but I just don't know which he has been going to. I was also trying to identify where Robert Pattinson has been hanging out by looking at the photos he's in. But I'm not obsessed, really. BWAHAHA Just a mere curiosity.

But I should be avoiding shopping for anything organic, I guess...or only buy hormone-free meat.

It looks like I might be taking a 10% paycut. We got an email from our CEO last night. There's going to be a meeting in about 25 minutes discussing the latest news. 10% less income is still more than what I was making last year, so I guess that is not too bad. But if I want to keep up my current lifestyle, I am going to have to find a way to supplement my income. Otherwise, it's back to being a little more frugal. And then all those extra healthy things I have been doing will have to take a backseat!

Oh, with the paycut, we'd be working 9 days out of 10. It'd be nice to have that extra day of time, but it's also an opportunity to make some money! I need to see when we get that 10th day.

They say this paycut is voluntary, but seriously...I think you'd be the first to get cut with the next round of cuts if you didn't take it!

When my colleague was still working here (before he got cut during the last round), the company told him that he would have to take a paycut if he did not want a particular duty added to his job description. He said anyone's pay can be cut anytime without permission. I guess that makes sense since you're never asked if you want a raise??

I'm not a fan of comics, but I often like the movies. I was looking forward to seeing Watchmen.

I even saw it in the IMAX theatre. I thought there'd be some good action and excitement at least. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had read the comics.

I thought movie was boring and long and plotless.

I barely remember the characters' names. I thought there was going to be a point to the movie, but all the flashbacks (which were cool) kind of confused things. Also, with all the flashbacks, it was great history of the characters, but I wasn't sure how they lended significance to the plot.

Good things about the movie were The Comedian (Denny on Grey's Anatomy woooo) and Rorschach (the child molester in Little Children). I liked some of the special effects. Okay, and it was neat to be brought back to a few decades ago. Oh, and one of my favourite anchormen has a spot in the movie! He played a newscaster! YEAH!

The sex scene was totally gratuitious. The actress in it...does she have to get naked in every single one of her movies? She already bared her boobs on Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. I expected better acting from her, too.

Actually, the best part of the movie was the naked blue penis. I kept trying to figure out it was circumsized or not and how they modelled that body...and was that character all CGI? That occupied my mind instead of the movie.

That show is one of my guilty pleasures. At least the premier episodes are not as boring anymore.

There's one girl on the show who was scalded as a young child and now has a lot of scars. It reminded me of the show Kink. One of the guys on the show used to own one of the body piercing places in Vancouver. He was turned on by scars.

I was thinking that this girl, if she wanted to model and have people accept her scars, she could totally pose for fetish sites and magazines. The show uses her as "oh, yes...we want all sorts of people on the show...not because we want to share their stories, but it makes the show unique and garners more viewers!" So...for their first runway walk at a real fashion show, she wore a business suit. All the other girls wore skimpy bathing suit like outfits or skimpy dresses. I'm not sure North American television is ready for something so "different."

I was thinking about some of the unpleasant people I've crossed paths with in my life.

I'm not sure how it came about...I was probably thinking about what goes around comes around.

A long time ago, I was on website called MatchDoctor. I don't know if it's still around, but anyhoo, some guy across the country wrote to me saying that I was too nice to be on the site and to meet people other ways. I went to visit my aunt on the other coast, and I ended up meeting the guy. We met up at some mall, and he drove us somewhere. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have gotten in his car. Even locally, I always made sure I met people in public places. [When I met the J man for the first time, he offered me the opportunity to park in his building's parkade and I even declined that.]I thought with your communication, there was a level of trust.

So I guess this guy that I met wanted to teach me a life lesson or something. He wasn't very friendly, but he was saying things like, "don't you think you should be less trusting? You don't know where I could be taking you. I could have knives/rifles/guns in the back." I think he did have some sort of weapons. Anyway, nothing life threatening happened to me.

But as we were about to turn into some mall, he didn't see a car coming from the opposite direction, and he turned right into it. Not only did he damage the other person's car, but he also damaged his shiny new red Mercedes.

Jerk. I was quite happy at that point. Needless to say, I never heard from the guy again!

They were in a backpack!!

He was accompanied by Sock 1 and Sock 2 as well :)

I was reading some chick lit yesterday (the more chick lit I read, the more I find that I dislike it. Hold on -- I'd rather read Twilight than chick lit?). Anyway, the main character made some comment about "joe jeans," and I asked myself why that sounded so familiar.

It's because I have a pair. Or had?

Then I realised I hadn't worn the jeans in a really long time, and a mental scan of my closet showed that they weren't there.

When I got home, I looked for them, and they weren't in my closet. How do I lose a pair of jeans?!?

I'm eating shrimp right now. The package said it was fresh, but it sure doesn't taste very fresh. It needs lemon juice or something. Or a lot of mayo.

I'm going to make meatloaf this weekend. Is there a suitable substitute for breadcrumbs? I'm trying to avoid bread.

I got that comment 173 times!!

What a nice way to be greeted upon logging into tBlog.

It was a very exhausting weekend. 

Friday night was schnitzel night. I really don't like eating it because it's so greasy and it's breaded. But I was there to see friends. It's schnitzel night at the Vancouver Austria club every weekend. People can buy a schnitzel dinner for $10. They raised their prices recently. Anyway, the accordian players come out, and there is a lot of German beer abound!

Saturday, I went to a birthday party for 1 year old. I guess these kind of birthday parties are more for the parents than the kids. Since this one was baby #2, it was less of a production to watch him eat his first birthday cake. His grandmother bakes the (cup)cakes for all the birthday parties, and they are absolutely disgusting. Who screws up cakemix cake?? I've learned to not eat them anymore.

After the birthday party, I checked out some more condos. I guess my goal of buying something before I leave the country is not looking very likely. There isn't much out there that interests me right now. A lot is still out of my price range.

After looking at condos, I had to hurry and eat dinner to get ready for my exciting night of dominoes. It was my first time playing, and it was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, it was a later night than I had expected. I knew I had to get up early Sunday to meet up with my cousin for brunch.

Brunch didn't really fill me up. Seeing Princess was good. She didn't seem very happy. She recently moved here and is still looking for a job. She is somewhat dependent on her boyfriend right now even though I think they're on the verge of a breakup. It sure gets messy when you're living together. It was my first time meeting him. From his photos, I thought he looked like a douchebag. Meeting him in person didn't change my opinion. 

After a few hours with them (when he showed up, things got really awkward.), I had to leave to go meet up with He Who Must Not be Named. You know, that is too long to type. I'm calling him Voldemort from now on. I was planning on only a two hour coffee get together but he ran late, and then I didn't feel like cutting our get together short. We sat at a Starbucks for 3 hours. There was a young girl reading Harlequin romance novels. I remember reading those in junior high. It was a good chat...very comfortable. Hard to believe I hadn't seen him in 3 - 4 years. He lent his wii, which was nice!

And that was my weekend. Because of all the activities, now I have more errands to run during this week. BLEH! And I could really use some rest.

With these new porcelain fillings, I feel like I have noisy teeth. It's not my teeth coming together, they're horseshoes! The dentist did an awesome job. I know I won't have to go back to get adjustments. I can already chew on that side.  In two weeks, I'm going back to my original dentist, so he can redo the work he had done. Yay, more freezing. It still hurts to chew on that side. I really hate getting frozen for dental work. It takes a long time to wear off for me. Yesterday, I was so frozen that the freezing went up to my eyelid. The dentist, of course, said I didn't look any different. BWAHAHA

The left side of my face was swollen and I could only smile on half a side. BWAHAHAA

This was a holistic dentist I saw. When we did the procedure (replacing my mercury fillings with porcelain ones), his assistant was wearing a gas mask. I had my own oxygen supply (it really chills the nostrils to feel that oxygen flowing in), and everything in my mouth that wasn't getting work done was covered, pretty much. I wish I could have seen what I looked like in the chair. Maybe it was like wearing a dental dam with a hole cut out. And there was this really big tube to suck away any mercury bits flying around.

After I got my fillings done, I went straight to my naturopath for a vitamin C IV to detox. I felt so queasy by the time I was done! I hope it was worth it.

This morning, this girl really annoyed me on the bus. She had a window seat, and I sat beside her. We were right across from the door. When we were a couple of  blocks away from our stop, she stood up. Since I didn't move to let her out, she said, "excuse me." I told her I was getting off at the next stop, too. Then she said, "well, I wanna get out." Okaaay, then. So I stood up to let her go by, but she didn't. People were already crowded around the exit, and there was nowhere for me stand to let her go. So I asked her, "so, where am I supposed to go?" Of course, she didn't say anything. 

We were both headed towards another bus stop to change buses. She saw the "Not in service" bus coming and started running for it. But since that wasn't her bus, she had to wait at the bus stop like everyone else.

I guess she was running late and was anxious, but she sure was a rude little bitch who needed to learn how to relax. She was probably cursing me for being in her way and preventing her from being the first one off the bus. I would suggest she not sit down in the first place if she wanted to be the first to get off the bus. You can't have it all!

For people who aren't supposed to consume dairy, why is goat's milk products okay?

I have been avoiding cow's milk for a while, except when I make gelato. Then it's the organic stuff packaged in a glass bottle (love it!). But in  pinch last night, I had to find something easy to consume, and chocked full of protein, so I got some goat's milk yogurt. I think that kind of yogurt requires some fruit.

Once it's all mixed up, it's actually very creamy and delicious. But then again, it's probably just the brand. Liberte makes the best yogurt ever! When I first opened the container, the smell of goat dairy was a little too strong for me. I didn't think I'd be able to handle it!

Anyway, I'm going my other mercury fillings removed today. I hope I will be able to eat comfortably. The left side of my mouth will be numb, but the right side is still not very good for eating. It hurts to chew food. It's been months now! But my regular dentist just had another kid and has taken some time off. I hope I don't get the same sort of complications from this dentist!

I really enjoy baking. I'd probably do it more often if there were more people to eat it. I have one other friend who also likes to bake. People have joked we should have a bake off. BWAHAHA

The Godmother was over on Sunday to watch the Oscars. We  were supposed to go to Poo's place for an Oscars party (complete with fondue and pajamas), but Poo and Mr. Poo got sick so they canceled. We had some of my banana chocolate coffee cake, and she said, "I don't care if C [the baker friend] went to cooking school, but your baking is so much better!"

C tends to use a lot of mixes. I seem to like do everything from scratch. Speaking of scratch, I ordered a soymilk maker on the weekend! I can't wait to use it. Then I can make tofu and tofu desserts and all sorts of nut milks! YEAH!

I've been getting down to business trying to find a place. I've gone looking at places two weekends in a row, and I thought I would have found something by now! (Yes, seriously.) I feel the need to move quickly.

Anyway, I DID find a place I really liked, and the price was awesome. But I consulted the family friend who knows feng shui, and he advised against the unit I was interested in.

I was really stressed about it, too, while I was waiting to hear back. Like I couldn't sleep! I was afraid someone else would put in an offer before I had a chance to hear back.

Anyway, I wasn't too disappointed to pass up the condo. I know something just right will come along at some point.