Brrr

Day 237

So it was minus 2 degrees today... and it will be minus 8 tomorrow.. AH! Is all I have to say.

Anyway, so I am suffering from lady issues today. I felt like crap at work (nauseated with the worst head ache ever). Ughhh...

In other news, Bobby and I went for wings (woo hoo!). Pre-wings, I checked up on Kiwi and Chaos to make sure Chaos didn't freeze her tiny ass off (an hourly concern for me). Chaos was fine. Kiwi, on the other hand, was being a drama queen:

For the longest time, she refused to eat her cat treat. I was starting to get concerned... but then it turned out it was because she already had one in her mouth that she was hiding from me...

After wings, we hit up Pacific Centre for some light shopping. I just picked up some lip gloss at Sephora. On the walk home, we stopped at Urban Outfitters and found this gem:

An NES/SNES hybrid console

Now we are home hiding from the cold by the fireplace.

PS: It was another Bailey's original irish creme chocolate in the calendar today. :)

Black Friday Haul part 1

Day 236 (part two)

I did most of my Black Friday shopping online... at origins.ca. They were having this sweet deal where if you spent 25$ or more, you got 10$ off AND free shipping :)

So I bought toner for 15$ and face wash for 17$. I had it delivered at work because I am never home to receive packages. Normally, if the package is mailed via UPS or Canada Post, its not a huge deal for me to pick it up on site because the UPS and Canada Post are both open late and on weekends.. However, when companies use Purolator, I get severely annoyed because the one Purolator in downtown is only open until 5:30 Monday to Friday only and its also all the way on the other side of town (closer to the Coal Harbour part of downtown). Well it turns out that Origins.ca uses Purolator so I didn't have to stress myself out having to pick up my package :)

However... because the packages were mailed from Ontario... and then driven across the country... my toner came FROZEN... FROZEN yet it leaked all over the box. Needless to say, I sent Origins a slightly terse email about the condition my stuff came in.

You can't really tell but there's one giant block of toner inside this bottle.

Anyway, the toner melted throughout the day and the world is round again :)

Presents!

Day 236

Came home today to find the yearly Christmas present my landlord leaves at our door.

In other news, there were TWO chocolates in the drawer today. I normally open them up in the morning before I go to work, but I forgot this morning... Anyway, I opened it up when I got home and I pulled out another Bailey's original chocolate... Bobby's the one that noticed that there was actually another one in the box (another Bailey's chocolate lava cake truffle). He didn't realise he put two in there :) Tomorrow's box better not be empty!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Day 235 (part two)

From Chaos, Kiwi, Bobby and me! :)

New coffee maker!

Day 235

Our old Bialetti knock-off espresso maker died and went to caffeine heaven about two weeks ago. Bobby finally bought a new one. He got this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-Express-10-8Oz-Cappuccino-Italian/dp/B00B4XCKQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1386207853&sr=1-1&keywords=mukka+gran+gala

It is very hard to take a pic of an aluminum coffee maker

In other news: It was a large blue ball in the advent calendar this morning :)

Modelling our New York Fashion

Day 234

I told Bobby to look cold... this is the face he made.

Jacket: http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=23540976
Sweater: http://www.hollisterco.ca/shop/ca/dudes-full-zip-hoodies-and-sweatshirts/pacific-coast-hoodie-1487719_03
Hat which I bought three seasons ago at H&M, but here's a similar one: http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Black-Gray-Faux-Fur-Winter-Trooper-Hat-Cap-Fargo-Color-BLACK/134252539

Jacket: http://aritzia.com/Community-PARADIGM-PARKA/22732,default,pd.html?dwvar_22732_color=1274#start=10
Ear muffs (I got them from Costco for 50$): http://www.uggaustralia.com/womens-accessories/double-%27u%27-logo-sheepskin-earmuff/U1023.html?dwvar_U1023_color=BLK#start=1&cgid=women-cold-weather-accessories-earmuffs
Boots (I got them from Ebay three years ago for 160$): http://www.uggaustralia.com/women-boots/bailey-button-triplet/1873.html?dwvar_1873_color=CHE#start=39&cgid=women-boots

I think we're ready to stay toasty warm :)

In other news:

Today's chocolate was a gold Lindor ball (white chocolate)... mmmm....

Is there a snap pea shortage I am not aware of?

Day 233

I went to Costco after work to finally get some ear muffs. Its going to drop to minus 7 in Vancouver, and while minus 7 is considered "warm" for the rest of the Great White North, we Vancouverites are not used to the cold. My only consolation is that this will help me prepare for New York City :)

Anyway, so while paying, the lady in front of my had TWELVE boxes of snap pea treats... Now, I have heard about the potential shortage of sriracha (which reminds me, I have a bottle that is still 3/4 full I am willing to sell to the highest bidder! Leave a comment if interested ;)) but I have not heard of a potential snap pea shortage ;)

In other news, Day 2 of my advent calendar was a Bailey's original irish cream chocolate... mmmm :)

New Years Eve planning

Day 232 

We are entering the final month of 2013... I feel like I just finished celebrating NYE 2013 and I can't believe 2014 is already upon us... I'm turning 30 next year so the end of this year is bittersweet yet exciting.

Last night before Bright Nights, I started looking into New Years Eve events in Manhattan. I was surprised to learn that for 150$ or so per person, you get VIP entry (no waiting in line with the rest of the peasants for this lady ;) ), open bar for 4-6 hours (depending on the venue), hor d'oeuvres, reserved seating for the entire night, NYE party favours, champagne for the countdown, a bottle of champagne (depending on the venue) etc. Some venues even allow you access to Time's Square if they are close by. Is that a good deal or what?!?!?

We've been fortunate because one of our friends organizes a New Years Eve event where you pay 60$ or so (depending on the venue) for cover and unlimited drinks. However, in Vancouver, you usually pay upwards of 100$ for entry and ONE free drink for New Years Eve events. Vancouver you are so lame!!!

I've narrowed it down to two places:

This place is a bowling alley which they will convert into 90,000 square foot NYE party

This place is a roof top (enclosed!) patio with views of NYC's skyline

Can't decide which place I want yet...

PS: Happy birthday to my Mommy
PPS: RIP Paul Walker :(
PPPS: Advent calendar day 1:

This one contained a Godiva chocolate lava cake truffle... mmm

Stanley Park Bright Nights

Day 231 (part two a day late!)

So last night, Bobby, Aleks, her guy and I hit up Bright Nights at Stanley Park. I got 4 free tickets from my union. Bright Nights doesn't officially open until December 5th, so we got in early, and we also got to ride the train for free :)

We hit up the Alibi Room afterwards. Very sad to know that our Alibi Room does not serve calzones like the Seattle location. However, the wings were pretty good and their drink selection is pretty awesome :)

Saturday randoms

Day 231

After two or so weeks of gorgeous sunshine, the rain is back with a vengeance. Apparently we are supposed to get 20mm overnight.

Anyway, so I helped Bobby paint the boxes for my advent calendar and Bobby put all the pieces together and:

Voila! The finished product. No chocolates in the teeny tiny drawers yet... Though I expect them to be filled by tomorrow :)

Later on in the day, I checked up on Kiwi and Chaos and found them sleeping like this. Chaos is a VERY heavy sleeper. I managed to wake Kiwi up and take her out of their cage without even waking Chaos up... even though they were sleeping right next to each other :/

Little Miss Chaos in dreamland

Ghost beer

Day 230 (part two and a day late! )

Bobby had to chill his beer really fast last night and so he decided to use his face towels.... anyway so the towels froze in beer shape and he looked like he was drinking ghost beer ;)

Just an ordinary day in downtown, Vancouver

Day 230

Today is my Friday off. I spent my morning in Pacific Centre because I had to return something. Also I wanted to check out Aritzia's Black Friday sale. I have a love-hate relationship with Aritzia. I hate how everyone that shops there all ends up looking the same (I have a coworker who has the exact same jacket as me - the Community Paradigm Parka), I have the same Talula leggings as all the other Vancouver leggings.. etc. The thing I hate the most is how severely annoying the sale's ladies can be. The one thing I love about Aritzia is their denim. They have an amazing selection. Too bad everything in Aritzia is overpriced :( I didn't buy any jeans because even though I was there around 10:30 am, the store was PACKED. Do the good ladies of Vancouver not have to work?! I seriously expected it to be empty....

On my walk home, I spotted a movie being filmed on Robson and Howe (across from Chapters and the Art Gallery and the future home of Nordstrom). Vancouver = Hollywood North. Everyday there is something being filmed... But have I ever actually seen a celebrity? Noooo... Lame how that works eh?

Anyway, I have no idea what they were actually filming, but there were tons of cameramen, and other movie set staff... oh and giant big green screens.

UPDATE: So it turns out it was James Franco and Seth Rogen who were filming :)
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/rogen-and-franco-flick-turns-robson-square-into-n-korea-1.1567208

Adieu, dead batteries....

Day 229

... that have been sitting on Bobby's desk for at least a year.. AT LEAST! We go through a lot of batteries (Bobby has a lot of projects) and because you can't throw batteries away, they get piled into a container on Bobby's desk. He's supposed to bring them into work for recycling, but he forgets/doesn't want to. Well, today, I finally remembered to bring them into work with me for recycling! Our house is now a little less junky/cluttered

Green goo for breakfast

Day 228

So I'm sick... runny nose.. feeling like crap... etc. I stopped by Choices on my way to the skytrain this morning to pick up some juice. Bobby always buys this juice, and I think it looks gross because it's green (yes, I have the food mentality of a 5 year old) and I tried it last night and it was sooo good!

I have Friday off so I only have to be zomblie like at work for another day and a half... Then, hello three day weekend :)

And the world's saddest lunch award goes to...

Day 227

ME!

Late yesterday afternoon, I started to feel sick (sore throat), and then we went to the game (I was good and didn't drink any alcohol). I woke up this morning feeling like crap though. My throat felt really dry and I felt really weak.. I kinda slept in so I forgot to bring BOTH parts of my lunch (the stuff that is supposed to go IN the sandwich). Ughhh...

Thank goodness we had some jam in the fridge at work :/

Go Canucks Goooo!

Day 226 (a day late!)

So last night, Bobby and I went to the Canucks game, courtesy of my brother who was not able to sell his tickets. After work, I went to my brother's house to pick up the tickets, rushed home to find Bobby working on my advent calendar (http://bobbobblogs.blogspot.ca/), and very quickly changed into something Canucks (I found a green stick in rink shirt I bought when they made it all the way to the finals two seasons ago).

The game started at 7pm, and we left at 6pm. There was a moderate debate on whether we wanted to walk or transit... the plan was to stop by Costco to eat cheap, delicious food (as opposed to expensive, crappy food at Roger's Arena) before the game. In the end, we decided to walk, and it took about 20 minutes.

So we got to Costco and the line for the concession was REALLY long... seriously, if there were 10 more people in line, we would've been across the street lining up outside of Roger's Arena!! Bobby had to go to the bathroom so I waited in line while he was gone. An older lady ahead of me started to get concerned that Bobby left me there or something. It was really cute. I had mentioned that we were going to the game, and she was concerned that he had taken our tickets and left me at Costco. It was really REALLY funny. I told her that I actually had our tickets, but she was still genuinely relieved when Bobby returned. Haha!! Thanks for not leaving me there Bobby!!!

Bobby eating his chicken strips like a kid

We ate our food REALLY fast and we managed to make it to the game just as the American anthem started. The game itself was exciting as always. It was really gross was Daniel Sedin got hit in the face with a stick and he lost a tooth... Like he literally pulled the tooth out of his mouth to show the ref and it was gross.

Start of period deux

Another gross point was during a fight between 2 LA players and 3 Vancouver players.. The Kings were wearing their white jerseys and Nolan (of the Kings) had blood splattered all over his jersey... It was gross!!

The Canucks lost in OT in the end... but still a fun way to spend a Monday night ;)

Sunday Funday with the familia

Day 225

Went for dim sum today with the familia. We hit up Floata in Chinatown around noon. Personally, I'm not a big fan of dim sum, but it's always fun to hang out with ma family. Plus, today was a birthday celebration for my dad and mom.. and my brother just got back from India.

After lunch, Bobby, my parents and I hit up Tinseltown for some coffee at Starbucks... and also so that I could show my mom the dollar store in Tinseltown. It's this Japanese store that's very similar to Daiso that actually sells some pretty sweet stuff! Afterwards, Bobby and I needed to go grocery shopping so we hit up Costco (which is down the street from Tinseltown) and my parents headed back to suburbia.

Holy hell was Costco ever busy. Rookie mistake hitting up Costco on a Sunday afternoon :)

I found these sweet ear muffs in Costco. They're Uggs and super warm. I am going to need a pair for New York! I decided not to buy these because they are 50$ and I thought they are pricey for ear muffs!I have toques I could use, but I don't want serious hat head every day I am in New York... I decided to search online before buying these since I will only needs ear muffs for my four day sojourn to Manhattan... Anyway, I regret not buying these since upon further research, ear muffs are actually 40$ for a decent pair :( 

Mental note to head back to Costco sometime this week to pick a pair up!

 Speaking of Uggs: Uggs for sale in Costco (Downtown Vancouver location for those interested!)

Laundry time

Day 224 (part two and a day late!)

I was doing laundry yesterday and look who I found: Little Miss Kiwi-Keys. Her lump is continuously shrinking. It was like pimple like and is now drying up. I'm monitoring it like a hawk and keeping her vet appointment just in case it doesn't completely go away.

House hunting... sort of...

Day 224

Bobby and I are planning on moving some time next year, so I have had my eye out for newer, but still affordable, developments in Vancouver. I heard of Kensington Gardens being developed in the East Vancouver area so we went to check it out today at their presentation day. Kensington Gardens is developed by Westbank (developers of so many gorgeous buildings in downtown, Vancouver like the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Telus Gardens and the Shaw Tower), so the design of the exterior of the buildings (three towers) is nice. The inside was just okay and the prices are somewhat astronomical for the location...

Super cool view of downtown Vancouver. All the coloured buildings are Westbank designed and developed buildings.

Anyway, it was a very Asian event (not being racist or anything like that!). On our way out, I got stopped by a Chinese cameraman and he asked me to say a few things about the event. I got really nervous because I am pretty damn shy. Anyway, this really nice lady asked me questions which I then answered while trying not to look terrified or like a deer caught in headlights on camera... She then asked for my name. I didn't catch to see what station they were filming for, but Bobby said it was one he hadn't heard of. Its likely an Asian channel I don't subscribe to... but I knew I would always be big in China ;)

Happy Hunger Games!!!

Day 223 (a day late!!)

And may the odds be ever in your favour!!

Bobby and I went to see Catching Fire last night and it was pretty good. Some people actually dressed up (one girl as Katniss in her wedding dress, which, surprisingly enough actually looked like the wedding dress Katniss wore in the movie...). We usually watch matinee showings on a Sunday, or a mid weeknight movie, and so yesterday was the first movie we have seen in months on a Friday night, and holy hell was it ever busy!!! It was actually kind of insane - an explosion of people just loitering around Scotiabank Theatre waiting for their movie to start. There were a lot of tweeners watching Catching Fire with us and ughhh! Seriously, some of them gasped at the end when *SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK* Gale told Katniss that there was no more district 12 *END SPOILER ALERT*. Oh and there were also serious debates before the movie about who was hotter, Gale or Peeta. If this is what tweeners are like these days I am scared of my future teenage children!!!

Anyway, since I saw Thor 2 last weekend, and Catching Fire last night, I have officially decided that Chris Hemsworth is the Hemsworth brother for me ;)