More pics

The end of My Birthday Celebrations...It's almost been a week long celebration. From lunch at Bamboo Legend, to dinners at Umi Sushi, Tucker's Marketplace and the Mandarin. It's been a non-stop foodfest for me these past few days. I've enjoyed every moment of it. The best part is spending it w/ people I care most about, my friends. Thank you so much for sharing this special weekend with me. Thanks to Emmanuel Fellowship for SURPRISING me w/ a cake on Thursday evening. Thanks to the Adult Sunday School class for singing "Happy Birthday" to me.

Thank you so much for the bday cards, the warm greetings, and your friendship. I will always cherish that and feel so blessed to call you friends. One of my friends gave me this bamboo plant, three stalks mean happiness...wishing me all the happiness in the world. Even the birthday prayer I received from another friend, words of encouragement, and just sweet compliments.

The cards I received this year were ver touching, the gifts were very thoughtful. Lots of flowers (thxs Nikki and JonC), bamboo(Jon), SoleDriveCD, Hello Kitty, toys, etc...

What I enjoyed most was spending it w/ friends. Thanks to Alana and Chris for doing the planning for the respective parties and to the unofficial photographer/press secretary hahaha...Marc.

Thanks again everyone for coming=)

Bonz and her Sushi Friends

Pics from last nite

Pic#1- The girlz
Pic#2- The boyz in a very intense conversation over cars
Pic#3-Ho-Ming from SoleDrive performing at TCMC.

Friday Nite

Tonight was the first time for me driving on the 400 series...during rush hour (Ai Yah!!) Grace and I went to "Coming to the Table" at Toronto Chinese Methodist Church for the Plenary session and to also hear "SoleDrive's" Band. The day began like this...

It was a busy day indeed! I forgot that I was suppose to be on a course for work during the afternoon at our Training Centre in Oakville which I did end up going but was almost late. I had it scheduled into my Outlook Calendar in advance, but I forgot. My coworkers reminded me and eventually I did leave the office. During breaks though, I called the office, to make sure certain things were done. Yup, just can't leave work at work...sigh....

Anywayz, after my course, I went to ErinMills Mall to pick up some Advil for my headache and went to pick up Grace at 5:30pm. Either way, I think we'd have hit traffic whether we left at 4:30 or 5:30. Our commute was about 1hr and 45minutes to Scarborough. I googled the address but I guess I didn't write down everything and got lost. Went South on Warden instead of North or something...I should have turned left after the exit and not right. When I realized I was lost, I called D...Yes, lock the door, roll up the windows, don't make eye contact w/ other drivers=) Luckily, I still got there by 7:20pm...but my right leg was to tired from braking all the time. I don't think I went over 20km/hr except a few times I was able to go 80 on the Collectors. Both 401 and Collectors looked bad but it seemed to clear up on the 401 but I was on the Collectors. At least during the drive, Grace and I got to talk about our spiritual lives, why does God let certain things happen? Our purpose? Ways in serving God...etc...We also sand "WOW" worship songs from my CD.

When we eventually got there, the first thing..WASHROOM. It's a must. I couldn't get out of the car fast enough (hahaha) We didn't know anyone when we first got there, but then bumped into Dan T., someone I kinda grew up w/ in Hamilton when I was younger. I introduced him to Grace and asked him how his family was, etc...his daughter,etc... Eventually we found Dave, from SoleDrive, chatted for a minute then went inside. Grace and I prayed together before the program then the evening started. I was the unofficial photographer that night. Two cameras going. It was hard to take the pics but I got some good shots but they're not on my camera. We both sat in the fourth row. The worship team was great, very pasisonate. The speaker was good. More on that on my http://www.bonnspiritualjourney.blogspot.com Both Grace and I talked briefly to the leader of the band as well, I introduced them. Caught up briefly on old times, and how both Churches were doing.

After the program, we bumped into Pat Wu, so the four of us went to Congee Wong on Finch and Leslie. It was slightly busy there, so we waited approx. 20 minutes for a table. While all of us were waiting, we saw Ken and Stella from Soccer (Fan and Pat's friends) Chatted with them for a bit while we were waiting. Eventually we did get a table and we ordered Yeung Chow Fried rice, Singapore style noodles, Chinese Brocoli and best of all, Seafood superbowl Congee. Grace was trying to teach us to say that in Mandarin, while D and I tried to teach Pat to say it in Cantonese. Pat's new nickname for me, "Si-Lie" (housewife) the one word he didn't really know what it meant until I told him. After all the dissing back and forth, tried to keep it somewhat clean...hahaha...of course, leftovers. Had so much food but couldn't finish it all. So at the boyz request, both Grace and I had leftovers to take home, YAY!

Of course, you know me and my sense of direction...I get lost pretty easily in the GTA at night. So I had to follow D's car to the 401 but I missed the Express and got stuck on the Collectors. Going home though, it only took 45minutes and that includes dropping Grace off back at home in Sauga and myself back to Burlingwood.

In conclusion, despite my whining about the drive, I really enjoyed the time of Fellowship on Friday. It was really worth the drive. We were definitely moved by the Spirit. I was able to pray w/ my sister in Christ, getting to know her more. I also got to hear a Christian band, and a great speaker. Well, worth it. To those reading this and missed it...perhaps next time=)

Jumping F.R.O.G....BullFrog

Today I had my first co-worker's meeting for Jumping F.R.O.G. at my Church. The makeup session today was just the four of us from both the English and Mandarin Congregations. Went over the schedule, lesson plans for the year and what is required as Yifan and I become Cub leaders. While the four of us were introducing ourselves, S from Xara thought I was from Xara too b/c I said I was friends w/ Oli and Alana. This was the convo:

PF said: "Let's introduce what Fellowship we're all from, now that we've gone around introducing ourselves..."

PH&D said: "We're from the Chinese Samll Groups"

S said: "Both Bonz and I are from Xara Fellowship"

I said: "Wow! thanks for the compliment, but I'm not from Xara"

S said: "Where are you from? Zoe?"

PF said: "She's from the career group, Emmanuel"

Wow, such compliments. Didn't think I could pass for a Xara kid (Hahaha). When you don't know me, especially if you just met me, never assume anything. Btw, no I was not wearing "Bum" clothes, I was wearing jeans and hooded sweatshirt.

Anyways, thought the story was just funny. Gotta take a nap now. Exhausted from last nite's drive.

This past weekend

Wow! What a weekend...Friday, I spent the early part of the afternoon swimming at my aunt's condo, then headed to sq1 for the Eddy to wash the bridal car. Running behind schedule as the decorations for the bridal car wasn't done til 7:30ish then headed to Business Depot to get some gold/silver pens. By the time we got back to the house, it was 8pm, time for dinner. His family invited me to stay for dinner and by this time I was suppose to be at the Church to help decorate. So I called a friend of mine to let him know to let everyone else know that I was running approx. 1/2 hr late. Turns out I was an hour late. Stayed and helped w/ decorations til 10:30pm then headed home.

On Saturday, I woke up pretty early. Couldn't really sleep...just excited! So I got up at 7am and did the usual and asked my mom to do my hair at 8am. By the time the hair and makeup was done, I had to leave and pick up Alice. Then I went to pick up the lunches for the helpers and headed to the Church. Did some last minute decorations and flowers...setup the reception table,etc... The wedding cermony went smoothly w/o a hitch. Running off schedule but it was great. The couple looked so cute and so happy. They also did the unity candle and a slideshow presentation. S&E also presented a chinese song for them too, it was done very well. The lyrics and the melody just made you melt...

After the ceremony, I parked my car at my friend's place and changed as well and proceeded to the restaurant after loading some essentials for the evening. I was told not to leave my car at the Church at night b/c of liability reasons. So thankfully, my friend allowed me to park...saved me some long D driving. Took a couple Tynenol and halls for my voice and pounding headache...oh!! it felt so good...Left my friend's place D at 4:30pm and got to the reception in Scarborough by5pm.

At the reception, the ushers helped setup the dinner favors among other things and seated the guests. Emmanuel presented our own lyrics to the tune "More precious than silver" and the chorus of "All my life" by KC and JoJo. There were also games for the bride/groom it was pretty funny including guess who's massaging you?, chicken dance, tracing the character of double happiness w/ his lips w/ lipstick on a napkin around Shirley's neck. Towards the end of the night, the bride threw her bouqet and I caught it. Guess that means, I'm next to get married...hahaha...Who's the lucky guy? hahaha...They didn't do the garter though...too bad. By the end of the night, I slept almost all the way on the way back...Thxs for the ride back to Sauga D. Got home around 1am...and after taking all pins and clips from my hair, etc...I slept like a baby.
(Side note: Thxs to those who helped me that evening...Thxs for your encouragement and help.)

More pictures on yahoo photo album, please click above.

Long Weekend

How terrible the weather has been this weekend...Rain, rain, rain...You'd think it was April not September. It was a nice relaxing weekend. Spent time w/ family in Burlington, handled a few "problems" and enjoyed time w/ my friends in the West. Went to T&T grocery shopping w/ my mom, who's never been there before. I've been there three times in the past two weeks. It was raining heavily as we exited the supermarket. Although, it was worth it. Spent quality time w/ family. In the evening, I had coffee w/ a friend and talked about our walk w/ Christ. Sunday, I went to Church and had Sunday School in our new wing for the first time. As soon as SS was over, I raced back to Burlington to get back by 1:30pm for lunch w/ friend. We went to the ribfest to check out the ribs and all the fatty foods. Didn't really want to pay $20 for a rack of ribs if I'm only going to eat a few pieces...So we headed back and made lunch, both of us were guinea pigs..I made homemade coconut chinese buns, which I had given out throughout the morning at Church as well. Lunch was sooooooooo yummy and healthy. Aspargus w/ oyster sauce, veggie fried rice, pork chop and dumplings w/ tofu. Yes that's right...TOFU. I've been eating tofu this weekend and I seem to be ok now w/ digesting it. I didn't feel too well on Saturday when I first had it but when I had this afternoon as well, I was fine.
I went home for about 20minutes, then RSo, came to pick me up to go to Channie's and had a BBQ/potluck. It was the Mac Eng gang/West Hamilton people. Small group of people...like six of us. So much food=) I forgot to invite the Sauga people...Ooooooooops! Nex time...hahaha. It's been quite some time since I've been there. I played w/ the baby as well. After dinner, they were watching Dave Chappelle on DVD and played poker. I lost eventually but since I don't gamble nor do I drink which was the punishment, I said I'd drink 3 cans of pop as punishment. Sorry, Chris and Channie, I told you I don't drink anymore. Went home just before midnight, as a few of them were going to go to Hess village and go clubbing.