The Family Stone

Since I started going to Goodlife, I've been renting movies, I try to stay away from horror movies, but maybe I'll watch one soon? Well tonight I borrowed "The Family Stone" starring Diane Keaton(Everett's mom), Claire Danes (Julie), Dermot Mulroney(Everett), Sarah Jessica Parker (Meredith)...Basically, Everett brings Jessica "home" in the countryside to meet his family but everyone hates her. She panics and calls her sister Julie to come spend Christmas with her as well. Long story short, Everett ends up proposing to Julie whom he only met recently but he knew she was the one when Meredith decides to "disappear" with his brother Ben. At the end, everyone is happy in their new respective relationships. It's kinda chick flick, but the guy at the gym asked me if I saw it before, I said no...he said, well it's a nice movie, kinda warm and fuzzy...I'm like, waaaaaaaaaaa? You don't you just say "chick flick"?

I must say, it's a good movie to watch during the holidays...I recommend it to everyone to watch. Guys included. Cliff, you'll like this movie for sure.

Brampton Site is sooooooooo far.

Yesterday afternoon, I was on site learning what is done on a daily basis, what the senior builder is reponsible for, the foundation builder, admins, etc... it was interesting to learn. Washrooms is a bit hard to locate unless you want portable toilets and well, let's just say I wanted a real toilet...but eventually, you really need to go especially if the site guy keeps giving you bottles and bottles of water. I must say Thanks though to Joe for driving me and Dona back to the trailer to use the washrooms and then driving us back to site. It was four hours of training in the hot heat, with dust/dirt blowing around...guys working hard and looking at why is Head Office here.

Although the Brampton site was so far...I drove to Boviard(Hwy 7) and Mississauga Road and a bit East of there. It was like a 40minute drive from the office, then leaving there and getting to Hurontario and Eglinton took me another hour. Although that part of Brampton was neat, a combination of Burlington and Sauga, all new communities on one side, open space on the other. Then at the corner is "The Apple Factory", they sell homemade pies, tarts, honey, etc...it's like a General Store, kinda like the one I saw at Niagara-on-the-Lake. I also drove by Gage Park, it's quite pretty in the summer, with a nice fountain, mature trees, flowers everywhere...the last time I was there was to ice skate and that was late at night as well.

Communication Error @ Pmall

This afternoon, I went to get my haircut at Pmall as the family got together for my mom's birthday. Well, when I went to get my haircut, I asked her to cut only 1.5" off so that it's more of a trim but she ended up cutting like 2.5"-3" off. She also had two people blow dry my hair and two people to straight iron my hair continuously. I was thinking this is a bit dramatic. Typical salon, trying to convince me to do a japanese perm to straighten my hair, and then do more highlights and other unnecessary stuff, when all I wanted was a simple haircut. I was not that pleased. Now I have quite a bit of layers and look a bit different. I won't be able to tie my hairback for awhile, and my hair will always be in my face while I try to eat.

Leadership Retreat @Canterbury Hills

Yesterday, 35 of us went to Canterbury Hills in Ancaster for a leadership retreat. It was a time of renewal/revival, a time to reflect and a time to learn. It was a great time of worship led by boyz band Paul, Kevin, Vince and Felix. Followed by a workshop on Holy Discontent by Pastor John...which also included a time of sharing in small groups with people that we may not normally come in contact with. After listing/sharing a few items within the group, we also came up with ideas on how to solve it. Also, for part of the morning, we went on a prayer walk...I must confess, that I truly enjoyed getting to know my group(Kat, Cindy, Sam and Ada), Kat and I also took the path less travelled while hiking through the woods and well got stuck climbing up a steep valley/hill. Couldn't really go back down and couldn't find a grip to climb up. Although there were a bit of scary moments there of me falling down 20ft down to the valley, luckily I didn't. I did slide down/fall a few feet but was able to find some branches to hold onto. Thanks to the guys for giving us a hand and coming to my rescue. After a workout, we had some fresh blueberry muffins and croissants and juice for breakfast.

In the afternoon, after a nice lunch, we also had an icebreaker game of course, by Jeff Chan that made us work in teams with people sitting around you and being vikings, flight attendant or a rabbit. After the games and worship, Clement spoke on being a leader as an ordinary person. Thanks to John and Jeff for organizing this retreat.

Missions...BBQ

This afternoon after Church, the three of us trekked to North York for a BBQ with fellow acquaintances/friends from the missions trip to Nicaurauga. I learned I got to slow down when driving especially if you are following me to get to D's place. Sorry Amy! But I did slow down when leading you back to Burlington:)

At the BBQ, I got to know a few people better, to hear their experiences and how despite their severe allergies that they went to serve God. Also the questionnaire, that Jon gave us all, made me realize that I've already made my choice long ago, that it's time. The team also took the time to get to know me, to know us all, about our dreams, and what God has done in our own lives. Being a living testimony to others, encouraging others as well. Looking at the video clip, the hope that these children have...the connection, the bond, the passion to serve. This life is not about me, it's about others...serving God by putting others needs before myself, showing and understanding true humility. More about this later...

Now it's only 9pm and I'm soooo tired. Funny thing is, I didn't drive that much but yet so sleepy.

It's Wii...night Playing Rayman

Last night, a few of my friends and I got together for some pizza and pasta and played some Wii... My brother brought his Wii as well so there were four players at all times when possible. It was a nice evening of good conversation and good games. Although I think by 10:30pm my brain was fried. For part of the evening, as a group we played Rayman, must say it's quite fun. One of the games, that I exceeded involved hitting bunnies with a shovel something like the carnival but there, it's beavers. So the digital bunnies have a few bumps and bruises, digital bruises, LOL. Other games played involved quizes and bowling, boxing, etc...Although, I was very into boxing, it seemed so real...the punches...very tiring.

Overall, it was a good evening...very relaxing.

Clearer Picture

Thanks Girls, Fei for sending a clearer picture of the group...there are more pics on facebook. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ to sign up. It was great to have met you all, get reacquainted w/ a few of you...let's all keep in touch!

Long Weekend Monday

Today, a group of us (Cliff, Marc, Dan&Emily, Linda, Amy and I) went to Rattlesnake Point for a good workout literally...a five hour hike. Going up numerous hills, trails, right up to Crawford Lake and back down. Of course, along the way, we took breaks at lookout points, at the lake and after climbing steep hills. We also looked at the historical sites, learned a bit of history and saw a lot of fur, animal skins hanging, butterflies, chipmunks and hawks.

During our walk we all had a chance to talk to each other in a smaller setting, geting to know each other better...something that I personally cherish. I'm very happy that our Sauga friends made the trek out here to the West for the day to hang out w/ us Burlingtonians. We all took turn leading the way, including me and I didn't get lost. We finished the day with predinner at Pho here in Burlington, yes we do have one here. A bit more expensive than Pho99 but the atmosphere and decor is more upscale and it's cleaner.

The Long weekend Sunday

Went to Church, had lunch w/ the gang and the Sung family at our regular Pho place. After lunch, my friend and I went on a walk along Lakeshore before I had to head out to Richmond Hill for a friend's wedding. It was a good afternoon to chat and catch up.

At the wedding, I was afraid that I'd no only a few people, but luckily, some of my friends from TCBC were there, so it was a good time to catchup...since March. I had a chance to also get reacquainted w/ people I met a couple months ago...from CAs, MBAs, I.Ts to people who work in the Insurance field in Actuary Science to Sales as well. A wide range of people. At this dinner, I found that Chivalry still exists...The gentlemen were so kind to serve us first before themselves as our waiters/waitresses disappeared before serving us ladies the chinese banquet dishes. It was the traditional 11 course banquet, plus wedding cake, plus pastries and fine vintage wine from 2000 I believe. There was a lot of karaoke as well by the guests, I knew one of the Cantonese songs, and the only English song I recognized was "I can't help falling in love with you" by Elvis. There were also some games being played on the bride and groom and well, in one of them, the bride couldn't find the groom as the groom was dressed as a waiter literally, with a wig serving wine. The bride after changing outfits was to find the groom...when she had only 10 seconds to scan the room of 360 people, she couldn't find him. So the MC said, well, why don't you get a glass of wine, when she looked it was the groom in disguise pouring her the wine. I just found it cute...

At the end of the evening, the whole table exchanged emails among other things, so that we can all exchange the pictures that were taken that night. As everyone was leaving, I asked one of my friends to walk me to my car as I had parked it in an underground parking and did not feel comfortable walking alone at night. I managed to stop by Geoff's party as I had wanted to that evening, but by the time I arrived, everyone was leaving. So I was able to say Hi/Bye...

The Long Weekend-Saturday

A few of us went to a friend's suprise 25th Birthday at Dave and Busters in Vaughn. Played a lot of games and got almost 500tickets including skeeball, wheel of fortune, among other games. It is the adult version of Playdium.