The weekend after getting back from Miami, it was a celebration of SS, NM's and Sus' birthdays. They weren't all born on the same day or anything but still, all March babies. So someone had the bright idea of celebrating that by going out for dinner and to a club/lounge afterwards. There was a tense moment just before we all left the office on Friday when we realized that we didn't even have a card for them -- the organizer (if there was one -- I'm seriously suspecting a Stand Alone Complex here) didn't think of it. So down I rushed to Carlton Cards and picked a couple up and quickly circulated them..so quickly that one of the newbies actually signed it wrongly. -_- Thankfully, we managed to black out the mistake.

That aside, headed to Jack Astor's but it was packed with the after-5 crowd so switched to Joe Badali's...which was actually not bad. In fact, a little more sit-down than Jack's, which suited the occasion just fine. From there, went to Schmooze...2nd time around and on a Fri night, it still didn't get better. I'm not going there again if I were organizing...

Saturday, went over to JCh's to touch base after what seems forever. NML was cooking dinner and it was the first time we were going to taste something other than her delicious desserts. On the menu: grilled shrimp on saffron couscous, greek salad, beef stew with biscuit, panna cotta with raspberry coulis and the fifth (!) course -- muffins iced with choco-hazelnut spread. ;) We're getting better at portion control -- not too full but satisfied. Watched 'Blood Diamond' after.

Sunday went out with the Waterloo gang: Jits, MarcL, Xian, Nic, Nat, Bong, bro and me. Went to Zucca Trattoria -- 2nd time around and they'd pared down the menu. We decided to go with the prix fixe menu, starting with a garden salad. The duck ragu was not as good as I remembered it, but the dessert was rather nice to look at -- cake dosed with grappa and set afire.

5 days later on the Fri, Young P's farewell party. Had originally wanted to skip dinner in lieu of JCh's birthday dinner and join them for after only, but got an earful from Young P. To paraphrase, "If you're not dating this guy, then you have no excuse." Well...

In any case, a good dinner at Milestones cos FI, a new manager I worked with in 2006 had decided to give up the stress of his position for family reasons. In addition, KS was leaving to Paris and I was going to miss HER farewell since I would've been on vacation by then. So....it all worked out well since I got to say goodbye to 3 ppl (FI and KS wouldn't have wanted to go to after-dinner celebrations).

So from there, ended up at Easy again. What can we say....cheap drinks, decent music and an ok crowd (altho admittedly not so good that particular night). The funny thing was that NML had been keen on "going out partying" with me, so this was the only weekend that worked...so no pulling out of this part of the night either. Also decided to call Ines since it had been forever since we met up. So again, killing 3 birds with one stone. And clubs are more fun with more ppl anyway. I think Young P had a good time ... altho he bought me more drinks than I did for him. -_- Still...many "Porn Star" shots and bear hugs later, I can't deny I'm going to miss the guy.

Sat started off with dinner at Edo with MelT, Mirchan and JCh -- for his birthday. Wanted to get the omakase ("leave it to the chef") but turned out that JCh (who made the booking) didn't know that he had to specify it in advance. The regular menu was only ok -- decent but a little pricey for the smallish quantity and regular quality. After that, karaoke at BMB Karaoke in Koreatown! I'd already lost my voice from trying too hard to talk in the club the night before, and was planning on just lip-synching....but of course the atmosphere was just too much fun to stick to the rules.

Someone had the great idea of making T-shirts with the Dong Cheim inside joke on them, and altho I didn't want one, DLee ordered one anyway -- essentially I'd been bullied into it. -_- Still, it was a fun night with the singing of torch songs, corresponding dance moves, shaking of tambourines, throwing of fruit at each other (well really, just between Harold and JCh), attempts to dong chim and/or squash each oher (among the guys) and of course, alchohol. Thankfully DLee was pretty gone...I managed to get away with less than 5 sips of the stuff. Not good for throats after all. Also pitched in for the food processor we ended up getting him.

Sunday afternoon, met up with GP for brunch (hadn't seen nor talked to him for ages) and tried brunch at Meggie's. It was better than I expected (the food blogs made it out to be some sort of greasy spoon). It's true that the food is not very diet friendly but the atmosphere was awesome -- it had a great cottage-y feel to it and I thought immediately of Winhill. Later stopped by the doc to pick up meds for an eye infection that I thought was just starting up. Also asked him to look at the cough I'd started to develop...but he said that there was nothing congesting my chest and I didn't need anything.

He was wrong on the latter. My weakened state incl loss of voice, combined with airplane air I had to breathe for 18 hours plus, all culminated in a cough that started in the plane, got worse in HK and slowly recovered from in Seoul, South Korea.

But more abt that leg of my vacation later.

Recently went for the annual training session held by my firm. This was the third time around and surprise, surprise, the first time we got to go somewhere other than Cleveland. Which is good cos I was getting sick of the Sushi Rock and Spy Bar ritual anyway. We were debating between NYC and Atlanta and altho I hadn't been to the latter before, discussion brought us to the consensus that since we'd be spending most of the day in class anyway, we wouldn't be able to see many of the sights in Atlanta. And NYC definitely had better nightlife.

NYC it was then! Flew out on the Friday, Mar 12 with not just my batch of hires, but the ones a level below us as well. I think the entire group numbered around 20...and that was just from the Toronto office. Lodged at a serviced apartment that night before moving to the hotel in Times Square on Sunday...reason being that Times Square is where the training was going to be held.

Was glad that I'd done NYC sightseeing with Sandy and friend Reina in 2004, because this time around, the group was all about the parties and the NYC atmosphere. Friday night, dinner at the Italian restaurant neighbouring our apartment in the mid-town Lexington area, followed by a jaunt to the AER Club in the Warehouse district. Saturday, Japanese dinner, also close to the apartment before the Warehouse district again to the Club Duvet. This club was probably cloned after Bed (made famous by Sex and the City) and was pretty nice...only that it played house music for a good couple hours after we got there. Now, anyone worth their salt knows that in North America...its all about the hip-hop. No one would dance to the music till Jenn S walked up to the DJ and bluntly asked, "When are you going to play hip hop?" He agreed to, and in 2 mins the floor started filling up. Jenn's gutsy that way.

Sunday was a trip to Woodbury Premium Outlets, by far the best outlet mall I've been to. Trust MD to know about this one -- aside from the standards like GAP, Nike and Guess, it also had Versace, Camper, Prada, Kenneth Cole, Burberry (where MD blew her budget on an spring trenchcoat). Me? Just two pairs of sunglasses (one of them free), a Banana Republic tote bag, and an Esprit sweater. Later that night, dinner at Olive Garden and we called it an early night to prepare for the first day of training on Monday.

I thought that the training itself was pretty informative. Most of it consisted of Q&A and I got to hear what ppl from other regions do when it comes to managing teams/engagements. For breaks, we played 'Top 10' where each team brainstormed answers. Prizes were cheap but it was the non-cheesiest game I've played at a training session so far. I guess we're all growing up after all.

Mon night was a trip to see David Letterman live! I have much respect for AS post-trip...he really organized almost everything for us. The guest during our taping was Richard Gere who talked about his new movie and his new slow-food restaurant, and some guy who organizes the Discover Club's annual Exotic Food event. I would've preferred Jay Leno, but there was SOME amusement in watching David Letterman attempt to eat alligator meat and cow eyeballs. Got back to the hotel in time to have dinner on the firm. I had the seabass which I found a little overdone, but ppl who had the filet mignon pronounced it divine. The pre-dinner platter of raw oysters and shellfish, the yummy salad and the a dessert of rich and smooth creme brulee made up for the dissapointing main dish. Did I mention oysters already? :P

Post-dinner, went over to the drinking party at AS's room but called it an early night. Some went down to the hotel bar/lounge, and from the next morn's account of it, had a roaring good time, staying till the bar had almost emptied out. As an aside, my whole idea of what NY cheesecake is has been re-defined thanks to Lindy's just a block east of the Ed Sullivan Theater where the taping was held. Mmm cheesy yumminess.

Tue night was the last night of being at training, and keeping with tradition, we had to go all out. First was dinner at Dallas USA, a greasy spoon place I wouldn't have gone to if it weren't for Max and SK wanting to meet up with previous training session-mates who were based in NY. Still it was a good time cos MD, AD and I go to know the Vancouver ppl a bit better. Then we were sposed to go to a club called Marquee but decided it was too expensive -- ended up at Home instead just around the block which was really just fine too. It was really funny watching Young P and AS do the "lightbulb-screwing" (in Young P's words) dance move but poor NM and MD reached their party limit that night.

Wed we packed up and had a quick dinner at a Parisian bistro close to our hotel, then MD, NM, AD and I were on the plane to Miami! This leg of the trip was purely for leisure -- we figured that since we were in the US anyway, might as well take the rest of the week off for a respite from the chilly weather. Arrived at the serviced apt around midnight -- it was huge and we could've easily fit in another 6 ppl if we wanted to! However the price was still cheaper compared to the hotels in the South Beach area, which was where we were going to spend most of our time.

From Thu to Sun, visited the beach (just once, cos AD lost her less-than-48-hour-old sunglasses and that turned us off the sea) walked and shopped Lincoln Road Mall (a pedestrian mall) and the Art Deco district  and caught a movie ("I Think I Love my Wife") in between just relaxing and enjoying the sun. NY had been hit by a snowstorm Thu evening and I can't deny we felt lucky/smug that we'd escaped it by leaving earlier than the others (the juniors had class till Thu and had planned to take off on Fri).

I was talking to a friend online a couple days ago and we got to a point where we started taking turns accusing each other of being emo / depressed. Hey, at least I admit to being that way occasionally, right? You know who you are.

Paraphrased from another conversation around the same time: "It's ironic how a person like me who lives in the past so much can remember so little." Mainly in reference to how I'm really bad at remembering events. The most ironic thing is how if I write out my thoughts, I forget even faster....the blog in a way is my Pensieve. But I guess it's better to record it somewhere and have an increased rate of forgetting, than not doing so and forgetting eventually.

But today, a regular post for those who tire of listening to me getting all mopey. ;) Don't think it's all just for you guys though: this blog is also meant for me to keep track of what's been happening in my life lately. :P

So let's see...happenings. Was sposed to have started my secondment to the financial audit team on Monday, but manager asked to keep me for 2 more days, and fin audit manager agreed. Now, the secondment had already been pushed back a week, so we all thought that Wed b(i.e. today) would be the absolute start date. But really, Fate just does what it wants. There was a snowstorm warning for today, and the senior called me last night to give me a heads-up that they might work from home if the weather is too bad. 7.15 am today, she called and confirmed that no one was going out to the client site -- which would make it pointless for me to head out as well, cos I would know nuts.

Which is fine with me because 1) it was blowing snow out there and 2) I had work still outstanding for my previous clients. This extra day meant that I need to put in less overtime to complete the deliverables. Lately it's been rather intense to be honest, and I'm online or on the phone being fielded question after question till dinnertime, but today, a rare respite: it's Valentine's Day! Manager said he had to leave earlier. A coworker had said earlier that he would take a bunch of us date-less girls to dinner just because, but I think that fell through because of the storm. So since Bro has gone to KW to spend reading week with BYHo, and CNY is coming up, I decided to give the apt a more thorough cleaning than usual -- in lieu of the traditional spring cleaning we do as a family back home. I should go buy some new tableware too for tradition's sake -- will try to remember.   

Sunday, skating class as usual. Instructor's got me started on backward sculling (making bubble shapes with both skates), but I'm really not great at it. Plus I still am afraid of falling. Well, more lessons next Fall if schedule permits -- and an indoor rink for sure. Winter in an outdoor rink requires a more will power to show up for class (skipped the week before's cos there was windchill of up to -35C).

Saturday, had a curry laksa get-together with Jits, MarcL, Xian, Bong, Nat and bro. Met up with Xian and MarcL first and checked out the Curry's art store close to Chinatown (MarcL wanted to buy pencils and a kneaded eraser -- which is sposed to be gentler on the drawing medium), then to pick up ingredients for the meal. Back at the apt, we took much less time than last summer when we last cooked the dish...not quite sure why. Maybe cos we've made it before so we had a better idea of measurements (last summer we had pots almost overflowing and utensils everywhere)? Or was it cos we omitted eggplant? The latter is less likely tho a more interesting excuse. :P 

Friday, Hil's bday celebration at Coca Restaurant (a tapas place) on Queen St W along w JCh, Nic, CH and Nel. I have to give Nic and CH props for setting things up -- they even brought a cake w candles! Tummy wasn't in the best condition for the combo of oily food and wine though -- nearly thought I couldn't make it for PCh's bday bash at Easy. Stood outside for a good 10 mins altho there was no line, trying to decide if it was worth paying the cover to go in if I was going to leave early. I did end up feeling better though, so PCh got a big surprise when he showed up and I was there....I'd called him earlier to say I might not be showing up. However, did leave early cos tummy started acting up again, and from the looks of it, missed the best parts of the party. :S No regrets tho -- I needed the rest and Krupo generously offered a ride home. Thanks man!

Monday, Sunday and Saturday before that, eating with JCh, Mirchan and DLee: altogether very bad for weightwatchers. Duck ragu atop gnocchi and proscuitto-wrapped melon slices at Mirchan's apt with Kelso, her friend Alan and gf Loretta, Harold. Nasi lemak at JCh's on Sunday w MelT there as well. Saturday was Caesar salad, panfried monkfish, salmon and scallops followed by a poker game with additional bodies i.e. DLee's classmates Kelso, Andy S and gf Carmen, Corey, Kien.

The Friday just before that, went to Across the Road for Winterlicious w Young P, Krupo and gf HoY and some of his friends, including Andrea and her bro Mark and Veronika. On the menu -- mushroom soup (NOT the creamy kind), lamb shank w couscous and cabbage Also had said to PCh that I'd join the work crowd at Easy and felt really guilty abt skipping out -- esp since NM and Michy had implied they were going to flake. It turned out that the two ladies showed...and since it was pretty rare to see the both of them AND Young P all out at the same place and the same night (Young P hadn't been out in ages and he was hankering to go), Krupo graciously gave us a lift downtown -- thank again man!

As a side note, JCh thinks that I like Easy a lot. It's not that I like it a lot, but the drinks are cheap, the music's not too loud and the crowd is decent, making it relatively more conducive for hanging out and catching up with coworkers. At least on Fridays anyway. 

Moving on: we were really late, like 11pm-ish...so we were subject to the dreaded line. SJ was already in the line, and later PatM and Tom joined Young P and myself. It was freezing! I couldn't feel my toes by the time we got in -- but thankfully the bouncer was really nice and even gave us an ETA for getting in, something along the lines of "As soon as the crowd clears (from the top of the stairs where coats were checked  and cover was collected), you guys can go in."

It was a good night overall -- managed to get to know the new hires somewhat better at the very least, and caught up with the others.

That's abt it for the past two weekends. Now, abt some weekday stuff. ;)

Last Monday, gave my 2nd Toastmaster speech -- I titled it "How to Have a Successful Vacation" and was so nervous abt taking too long that I ended up too short! The target was 5-7 mins and I had a buffer period of 30 secs before and after....but I came up at 4 mins and a few secs. I nearly got disqualified i.e. having to give the speech again...but they gave me some leeway since they didn't really warn me abt it beforehand. After the speech, FY asked if I hadn't enough time to prepare. :S The truth was, yes, I did, but I thought giving an organized speech (the goal of Speech #2) was of higher priority than finishing on time -- if I'd dragged things out impromptu, I reasoned that the speech flow might get all choppy as I try to think of things to say.

Two Mondays before that, my first Toastmaster speech -- the Icebreaker. So, the backstory to this was that I'd been drafting the content since I first joined the club last summer, but hadn't finished organizing, and hadn't come up with a punchy intro nor conclusion. VP Ed had earlier sent me an email asking if I was still interested in the club -- I'd been away for a long time given the KW client -- and I'd told her I would be away till Apr but would drop by if ever I found myself in the office.

So that Monday, I was just thinking to myself that I'd do the latter and put in some facetime, but as soon as I walked into the door, she asked if I wanted to do a speech to fill in for the two scheduled speakers (my club unfortunately has a history of flakes -- ppl having to make last minute business trips or saying they're too busy). I don't know what came over me, but on the spur of the moment I said yes. In hindsight, it was probably her saying "You don't have to prepare -- the objective is just to get out there and speak in front of an audience." :P So, yeah, wrote the content out from memory onto a piece of paper (just to have something to refer to in case the mind went blank) in 10 mins before I went out there and did it! It's true what they say abt getting the ball rolling though -- it took me more than 1/2 a year since joining to give my first speech, but less than 2 weeks to give my 2nd!

Also, company dance group classes have started, reimbursable under the company's fitness plan. The dance is hiphop, and I signed up cos AD, Michy and NM was all enthusiastic, but when I showed up, no one did. Later on, AD said she backed out cos she thought she wouldn't be downtown often enough to make it. Michy and NM were on vacation while sign-up was going on, so they didn't get on the list in time. :S Still, since I signed up, might as well go. The conclusion after 2 classes: I'm really bad at it and I honestly don't dare look at myself at the studio's mirrors while doing the moves, altho I should, to find out if I'm doing anything wrong. Plus, I'm not awesome at remembering the sequence of steps. Lindy is soooo much easier!!!!! However, no objection to the claim that it's a good workout, although my leg muscles hurt after each class due to the 'snapping' movements (or 'popping' as Jeff B, my ex- lindy teacher would've called it). I think I'll have to be careful or end up with thunder thighs. :P And don't ask me to demo any moves! To debunk a popular misconception -- hiphop is best done with flat sneakers.. It's really a dance for the streets, requiring loads of attitude. Clubs are really not the place to dance real hiphop -- how many girls go to a club wearing that kind of footwear anyway?

Japanese classes at U of T's School of Continuing Studies started two weeks ago on Monday. 8 weeks long, 2 hrs per week, emphasizing speaking and for roughly $400, it's not cheap but the classes so far have been good -- the teacher, Noriko Yabuki-Soh, can remain enthusiastic for 2 hrs straight. From a speaking perspective, I think it's easier for me than say, French, but there are trying moments -- when it comes to saying one of the most important phrases (shitsure shimase) which is used for excusing oneself and saying good bye to bosses and so on, the first two syllables really give me trouble, since the 'i' in 'shi' is silent.

An aside: what are the chances of having two ppl with the same name in a class with 5 students? I'm sitting next to a LeAnne, who is also ethnic Chinese. How weird is that? This is one of the few times where ppl have to pronounce the 'Y' in my name to refer to me (teacher's only solution for differentiating the both of us) -- I myself usually underplay it to make things easier. LeAnne, the person, is friendly though -- works at Motorola. We walked to the subway after class together last Monday and she told me abt how she took a German crash course at the Goethe Institute over the summer -- 3 hrs every day for 5 days per week for 1 month...and it still worked out to be cheaper (on a per hour basis) than this Japanese course. Still, she said she liked the teaching style (better for beginners) and I agree.

Ok I think we're up to speed now, excluding reviews -- which will go up on another day. :P

Phew...finally, after the past weeks' insanity, things are finally beginning to slow down. I'm starting down the road of getting stuff off my plate, either through eating it up or pushing it to someone else's. Heehee.

For starters, the exam that's been worrying me all Fall is DONE as of Saturday, Dec 9. Yes, I'm talking to you, CISA Dec 2006!

Parents arrived since Nov 24 and one left today (Dec 11). Sis arrived with them -- the chickie got a part-time job working for Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. It's a good thing, me thinks. It's true she likes how the money will multiply by three times by the time she takes it back with her, but she's a generous one. Bought me 3 sets of earrings for my upcoming bday (in anticipation of her 1st paycheck)! In total, too many earrings to be able to regularly cycle through, so gave her 3 pairs and mom one. But it's the thought that counts.

So I wrote the exam on Saturday morn...will not comment on whether I'll pass or not, but I think any extra studying wouldn't have helped. In short, what I put down on that Scantron sheet was with the most prepared mindset that I had. If I wrote the exam later and did better, it would only be because I had more experience and not  because I studied more.

Anyway, exam was freaking 4 hours long and we had to be there approx 1/2 to 1 hr before it started, and I was rushing there to begin with cos I was worried I might get shut out.... so I was really hungry by the end of it! Streetmeat never smelt so enticing...and after that, I had a haircut. To be honest I'm not a fan -- liked the last one better....and the lady was kinda gruff too. Sniffed disdainfully at the person who cut it before until I told her I got it cut at the exact same place.  -_-

Night time activities....well, dinner at Mediterra Restaurant at Richmond and York St downtown. Well the manager told me to make sure everyone was on time or else he'd charge me...so yeah, I did get kinda worried and actually put it down on the Evite. I mean, I know ppl are wont to be late, however, I thought by putting it on the Evite, they would get it and actually try. Human nature is hard to change though...one by one, ppl either flake or they call and say they'll show up later than expected. When I arrived (with only LW), the manager actually said, "So all 15 ppl are here, eh?" However, it seemed to be a case of bark worse than bite, because nothing came out of the initial threat. In the end, the guestlist was: Young P, CR, JV, AK, RD, MelT, Mirchan, JCh, LW, KS, JW and SH.

Food-wise, I have to be honest and say that mine was only ok. The yellowfin tuna was perhaps a tad too...medium. I blame it on the style of cooking. Grilling does tend to take the juice out, and yellowfin is not exactly the fattiest fish. LW got the Chilean seabass and pronouced it awesome though.

Many presents later (JV -- scarf, LW -- Nina Simone remixed CD, AK -- one set of festive monkey-shaped gingerbread cookies and one set of chocolate cheesecake, JCh and MelT and Mirchan -- a special(!) teddy bear from the Stag Shop and a gift cert, JW and SH -- a dozen pink roses)...KS made the dinner complete (for me at least!) by surprising me with a piece of fresh tiramisu from their dessert menu with a candle on top! I like!

The next item on the plan was to go to Easy Social Lounge. However, it was their snobbity night and everyone had to be on a guestlist/VIP list before you could get in. Now you could either get on it in advance, or you could talk to this guy who stands outside the club and 'evaluates' your worthiness before possibly putting you on the 'special' guestlist. I didn't make an advance reservation  and I guess we didn't qualify for the 2nd category that night.... Oh well, I guess Fridays at Easy are better.

Moved onwards to Schmooze instead. Young P immediately deemed it to his liking and between him, LW, JCh, MelT and Mirchan, proceeded to get me really drunk....and after at least 3 tequila shots, two vodka 7's, a flaming shot (Lamborghini?), a Yaegerbomb and something red that the bartender recommended...i think they pretty much succeeded! I look bright red in the pictures, and I had a mighty hangover -- although no puking, I woke up at abt 6.30am (abt 4 hrs after getting into bed) with uncomfortable heartburn that gave way to a pounding headache that gave way to a hunger unsatisfied by the traditional bday bfast of mee sua (longevity noodles) and hard-boiled eggs. Although in hindsight, the heartburn could've been from the burritos we got post-club from Burrito Boyz. :P

Tis the season for appreciation....so....

Thanks to the ppl who wished me, through various means, good luck and success for the CISA...the very catchy "luck and pluck" is worth a special mention -- I was repeating it to myself all the way to the exam hall and even while waiting for the exam to begin.
Thanks to the ppl who sent me bday greetings -- its a multimedia world out there when you get them through emails, phone conversations, ecards, phone SMSes and of course, in person.
Thanks to the ppl who look out for me....among many other gestures: Cold-FX appearing next to my laptop with instructions on a Post-it note, giving me rides to skating class and to dinners/outings, delivering my presents post-bday bash, taking the long way back in the taxi to make sure I get home safe...I've said it in person so you know who you are.
Thanks to the client and managers who accomodated my last minute request to have a study day.
Thanks to my counselor who called me from Florida to wish me happy birthday...although he was a week early.
And of course, thanks to the family for being family.

This past weekend has been an interesting mix of events and people.

Friday, got back from work late trying to meet deadlines. Kimi came to stay over from Mississauga -- he was writing an Econ distance ed exam early Sat morn and thought he could save travelling time by just staying the night in TO. Good call -- according to him, it took 1.5 hours by bus from where he's living now (he's co-oping in a company located there).

It was SJ's 27th bday celebration weekend tho, and though I skipped out on dinner at Marlowe's in Little Italy, I promised I would show at Shallow Groove for after-dinner festivities...so I did. He said it was at just at the intersection of College and Bathurst, but it was really a good few blocks away! So glad I was wearing ballet flats, else my back would've screamed bloody murder.

The place itself was a little...lacking in decor. Somehow it reminded me of the inside of a ship's hull. Probably because of the candle lighting and the wood panelling. It was just warming up when I arrived -- most of the ppl there seemed to be SJ's friend or co-worker. But it was certainly a big group, and after a few drinks (and they were pretty strong...else I was drinking them on a not-very-full stomach), everyone was ready to party. The dance floor that was a little recessed and had NO lighting at all, which actually made it all the better for anyone still sober and/or anyone shy to let loose. The DJ knew his stuff though...the music flowed smoothly from one track to the next.

We left almost immediately after SJ puked in the corner though. When I first saw him that night (about 4 hrs prior) he said he'd already had 8 shots...but I'm still surprised. He's a pretty big guy and it must take a lot of alchohol to bring him down. But someone bought him a beer and I bought him a vodka-cran...so I can't say I'm totally innocent. :P

Sat morn, Kimi had already left for his exam but MarL was still around. MarL and I met up with LWA and Des, then later with Kimi at the St Lawrence Market. Introduced them to Mustachio's veal-and-eggplant sandwich and also Carousel Bakery's peameal bacon sandwich. Between the two, I think I like the latter but LWA the former. Anyway, after that, browsed the market and got some stuff, then took the streetcar to The Beach for the Beaches International Jazz Festival. 

It was a very well-planned event with vendors in strategic positions giving out freebies (coupons for free Starbucks Frappucinos, anyone?) and easy navigation.... but the weather was terribly hot, around 38-40C maybe? There were also tons of ppl (everyone on the streetcar seemed to be heading there, not to mention the cars on the street) and none of the roads were blockaded, so everyone had to keep to the pavements. Did I mention how hot the weather was?

Got there in time to catch Jake Langley do some guitar-virtuoso-ing, and also Janiva Magness, 3-time winner of the "Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist" award. Funny cos I was really there for Janiva Magness and her after-hour style records...but when she did, it also started raining. -_- So we left. Went to Chinatown straight away because curry laksa was on the menu! MarL and myself were talking abt it all week.

We'd nv cooked together before so it was quite an interesting experience. We thought we'd spend only 1 hr max (the packet's instructions said 15 mins for the curry itself) but it turned out to be double that time. But I blame it partly on us going a little overboard with ingredients. :P

Noodle-wise we had yellow noodles and bihun (rice vermicelli). Vege-wise we had long green beans, bean sprouts and sliced eggplant. We also had tau foo pok halves and hard-boiled egg slices and steamed chicken from Chinatown. When I was trying to take a pic of a bowl of the final product, I found it hard to make sure everything had surface time. :P Of course the dinner was not possible without help from Des, LWA, my housemate and Kimi who helped prepare and also did the dish washing / stove cleaning...many thanks to them.

After dinner we settled down to dessert (apple strudel from the market) and to watch Princess Mononoke on DVD (see the My Reviews tab). Tired after overeating though, so slept early.

Sunday, time to get down to work. I promised my senior at work that I would complete a certain amt of deliverables by Monday...and after a few hrs at home, I decided it was more productive to do it at the client site. Plus my laptop's batt was dying.

The office was a little stuffy but it definitely helped concentration...constantly sipping iced water helped too.

Decided to go out for dinner with JCh, Boon, DLee and his bro at Nakwon at Yonge and Finch. Going with a bunch of guys definitely allows more food ordering! Between the 5 of us, we had the grilled mackerel, 2 bowls of bibimbap (stone bowl rice), a 2-person order of grilled beef with veggies (which came with 2 bowls of tofu and minced meat soup), the pork bulgogi on a hotplate, an undefined number of bowls of white rice and the 6-pc appetizer spread. And some quantity of white rice. Satisfying....

And now to end with something a bit more serious (in case you think I have fun all the time :P). I signed up for the CISA exam today. The exam will be written on Dec 9, 2006. That's a day before my birthday (what a way to celebrate huh).

I'd already decided a while ago that I might as well write it since the company will pay for it if  I pass. And that writing the exam (while not yet fulfilling the number of work hours required to get the charter and not being sure if I want to be in this line of work for life) is better than not writing it at all.

But today there was a lot of talk abt promotions at work and the likelihood of getting it or being held back...and I realized how competitive some of my co-workers are after all. I thought that by just constantly performing at my current level, I would be above average already (as I have been this yr), but perhaps it won't work as well in the coming year....

How much of a dog-eat-dog world is it out there?

EDIT:
- Added pic of Sat's curry laksa and apple strudel. Looking at the pics again makes me hungry! :S
- Added Beaches Jazz pics to the Photos tab.