Biking to Spring

It is starting to feel like the beginning of spring.  No more beautiful soft white snow, we are left with ice with dirt that can become gray slush at any moment!

Sorta wish we can fast forward to mid-spring where lots of things are in full bloom, but, before that,  we must endure the awkward season transitioning period.  You know,  the period when the weather and temperature feels sorta unpredictable even with weather forecast?

Anyhow,  today is the last day of the month and the weather was nice so I decided to finally welcome spring with a bike ride not in the city or my residential area (aka to a place I've never been before)!

Technology has made it easy to find a suitable place for my bike ride to spring!  I had a mini forest guide since last summer (all of the information in the guide has probably been available on the internet for a while now) so while flipping through it I saw an area recommeded for mountain biking.  Seeing that the weather was nice,  the gas tank was full,  the drive there was about 40 minutes,  the time was only 2:30 p.m., the hybrid bicycle was in good condition,  I decided on a whim to go on a bike ride at the recommended area!   Now, imagine making this decision on a whim say 150 years ago.  There wouldn't even be roads for me to drive on.  Even if there were roads, they might be unsafe because of my appearance  (I'm Chinese-Canadian and sometimes people asks if I'm of aboriginal descent).   On top of that who knows what wild animals can emerge from the woods!

Anyways,  I easily and safely arrived at my destination and rode on the safest and easiest biking trail at the remmended area.  I had a peek at the entrances of the other biking trails during my ride.  They  all looked fun but could be challenging.  If I was an expedienced bike rider, today probably would have been a good day to explore a few trails because it was not raining and no one else was riding there.   Unfortunately, I'm the polar opposite of that, meaning I'm unfamiliar with what my body can handle, my bike and techniques useful for riding on mountain trails partially covered with ice.

Was I tempted to try almost every trails I came across? Of course, but I couldn't risk getting lost, losing control of my bike, injuring myself while I panic and, finally, cannot request for help after I have fainted.

With that said, it was a lot of fun going through what I considered the easiest and safest route.  I even had time to safely jump off my bike a few times to take some photos.  (No I did not fall)

So my bike ride to welcome spring was a success! :D  The forest was beautiful.

Extracurricular Activities

The original title of this post is preparing a spartan or tough mudder or triathlon participant yadeeyada...

I was a very active child.   Prior to coming to Canada,  I was part of the school swim team and also went to (hardcore) summer swimming training.   My new school in Canada did not have a swim team.  As such, my teachers suggested and encouraged that I try cross country and I did.  Just a reminder, I still don't like running so I don't know how I managed to place 8th at the cross country minor meet or why I kept doing cross country until grade 9.  Anyways, out of all the cross country events I participated in as part of the school team in 1998, the 1998 minor meet course was the longest one.  As I was running, I kept wondering is it over yet.  Anyhow, I'm pretty sure two of my teamates finished way earlier than me so I don't know what ribbons they got.   No ribbon, no problem, we all got McFlurry after!  That's how I discovered McFlurry Oreo.  Everyone shouted for McFlurry Oreo so I was like... "same".  Truth be told,  I had no idea what they were shouting for at all.  I just knew from their excitement that whatever they are shouting for must be good.  Otherwise I would have whispered "cone,  vanilla" or "vanilla cone" repeatedly for gosh knows how many times in a big hard to understand accent.

Sometimes while running an obstacle race event,  I'm reminded of my training and participations in cross country as a child.  I guess,  secretly I've always enjoyed cross country because it's an outdoor event!  The training was brutal.  Wake up early,  run in the cold.   Years later I have to wake up even earlier for some other stupid training just so that the second string team can participate.   You see I was the missing number they needed to compose a team.  They successfully suckered me in!  They even pushed me into a freezing Lake Ontario twice.

Anyways,  all these memories are fun to look back at so remember to sign up for extra-curricular activites!

Yesterday was rainy with a little bit of sunshine

Manage to take a restful picture of Okee yesterday while the sun was shining.

Have a chillaxing day ;)

Unlocking hidden levels

True story!   Every video game has a level lower than the easiest level.   In order to unlock it,  you must fail a certain task x number of times.

Enjoy your gaming everyone!

Sweat Pants

Leisure Friday,  Jean Friday, Sweat Pants Friday for me!

Childhood Dreams

Believe it or not, people tend to achieve their childhood dreams.

A few examples,  my dad wanted to own a house and he does, my best friend wanted to become a doctor and she is, a farm boy wanted to be an astronaut and he is.

I think the bigger the dream,  the earlier you will be aware of it and be able to work towards it.

Some dreams are easier to achieve than others.  If your dream is to see prince charming or a princess,  just visit the royal family in Great Britain.

As for myself,  I don't know what my childhood dream was so I definitely have not achieved my childhood dream.    Stay tuned for when this achievement happens!

Love is Lame

Today is family day.  When thinking about family love naturally comes to mind.

Last week or maybe last last week a local high school dedicated a whole week to love.   Each day featured a different way to interpret, express or receive love.  While reading this article,  I thought "where is the theme for Love is Lame?".  Before you take my question negatively,  take a second to think about how love is lame.

Maybe it is just me but I often profess love in a lame way.  Quotes about love are filled with cliché.   There're also the awkward hugs here and there.  I also feel extremely embarrassed when people are loving towards me.

I guess what I'm saying is that it takes courage to love so if you are lame,  embrace that.   Happy Family Day!

Winter a season to rest

Semi-Hibernating today!

Missionaries

Yesterday,  after my downtown visit,  I walked home instead of asking for a ride or taking public transit to the nearest stop to my home.

It was about 840 pm in the evening when I got off from the bus at the nearest station where I don't have to pay extra fare.   I proceeded to walk home.   Unexpectedly, I was approached by two missionaries.  It was dark and my walk was going to be long so after his quick introduction,  I swiftly said my exit line "I'm in a rush to get home."  Part of me wonder if they approached me because they thought I was homeless or lost.

Anyhow in hindsight, I wish I said I'm in a rush to get home but you are welcome to walk with me (until a certain location - not my home) and say your spill.

It would have been fun to have a companion to walk home with.   Anyhow,  I didn't get home until 1005 pm.  The evening was quiet,  calm and cool.

Silly things to do at the gym

I goto the gym to workout, sweat and exercise my mind and body.  With that said though,  I like to be a little silly while I'm there.

Without further to do,  here is a list of 10 silly things you can do at the gym:

1. Wear silly workout gear. (Make sure you can actually workout in them)

2. Pretend broken equipments are working by using them like they are not broken and performing functions that it used to perform (you need to know your equipment well)

3. Add new functions to working equipment by doing things on them that other people don't. (Safety first)

4. Make weird faces while working out. 

5. Stretch with Yoga or Yoga-like movements in the sauna

6. Dance, whistle and/sing while showering

7. Wear the partcipatory metal you've received immediately after you've completed the event and proceed to the shower

8. Act like a gorilla during dance class

9. (I have never done this before) Secretly breath into a frozen window and draw a happy face!

10. (I have never done this either) Do a complete facial, masque, cucumber and all.  Wait for the masque to dry at the massage chair.

Sunny Sunday!

This Dreaming Thursday my dream is simple.  I am dreaming for a sunny Sunday like the weather we are having today.   It's cold and warm at the same time.  It's not too warm that the snow is slushy and it's not too windy that you don't want to walk outside AND best of all it's Sunny.

If you are a cute little grade school kid you can walk around with an outfit like the one I wore in grade 4!

I guess my complete dream for Sunday is to see kids dress like little me lol.  Just look at those leg warmers!

Beware of my heels. HMPT!!!

Valentine's day is now over!  How much damage did you sustain financially, physically and emotionally?

Anyways,  this post is my humble suggestions of things to be aware of when you are selecting a pair of heels and what you should be aware of when dancing at a crowded place like a club.

When selecting heels make sure it is comfortable, fitting and that the heel is not already broken.   Case in point,  my left heel, which I bought brand new during boxing week,  was lopsided.  I did not noticed at the time of purchase (and tried them on the carpeted floor too) but noticed immediately when I walked with them for the first time.   Anyhow, I've been walking, dancing and running with lopsided heels whenever I have to wear heels because I'm too lazy and traumatized to go through customer service lol.  Other than this little defect, the heels are otherswise very sturdy.  I love them!

My heels would be closed to perfect minus the defect I just mentioned until one day when I went clubbing in them.   That evening I was and my heels were trampled on :(.  Someone also spilled alcohol on the three of us :@!!!

My advice wear comfortable and sturdy shoes when dancing at a crowded place.  

I'm very sad that my beautiful heels are ruined from only one evening.   It is still my goto heels though.

This concludes my walk down memory lane for today ;)

Message in a bottle - The most romantic gifts

It is that time of the year again!  Valentine's Day.  Are you celebrating your love?  Are you feeling blue? or perhaps you feel nothing at all.

Whatever you are feeling I hope you find this post romantic ;)

I'm currently listening to Elvis, the sexiest man at some point in time!  I'm not imagining that he is serenading to me.  Although I could be!  Instead I'm thinking about all the romantic movies I've watched like message in a bottle.

Hidden romances and unexpected gifts are the most romantic.

I'll name two romantic gifts I received as a child.

1.  While getting mail from the mail box  and elderly neighbour was also getting his mail.   I probably seen him many times.  One day,  he gave me his collection of stamps he has been collecting.  I secretly gave a few away this year... free of charge.

2.  While walking on the beach one day I found a green rusted quarter buried in the soft feather like sand.   I have no idea who (purposely) dropped it.

Those were the most romantic gifts I've ever received.

Happy Valentine's Day.

If I was...your boss

You would get the day off today!  Snow day ftw!!!

But then do you really want a day off? That is the question!   Extra long weekend for me.

Long weekend next week too.

Waaahooo

Can't Take Me Eyes Off of Q

Does anyone know where I can find the lyrics to this song? You can Listen to the Preview here

I don't know who sang it but it resonates with my dog walking experiences.

I tried searching Can't Take My Eyes Off of Q, Don't Take that Harness Off, Stop Running Off with the Leash and Stop Taking the Harness Off.

Spartan Fail One!

Stay tune for other fails! See Picture, self-explanatory.

So you can't sing!

So you can't sing and you are tone-deaf but you enjoy singing anyways.
Well, it's Leisure Friday and since you find singing leisurely I will let you in on a little secret ;)

I can't sing either and I just recorded myself singing.  While completing this exercise, I discovered two (2) YouTube channels (Kareoke Tube and MusicalBase) that provided me with the background music to songs I know!

You sound a lot better when there is background music.  For non-gifted singers like myself, I cannot go a capella.  Happy Singing everyone! :)

Visit to Nature

When you are not feeling dreamy, visit a dreamy place :)

School Dance

I never liked school dances because I can't dance and no one will ask me to dance anyways.  That is why I have only been to one elementary school dance!

It was quite funny.  At the beginning of the dance the boys will stand at one side of the gym and the girls the other.  This period of awkward stand still lasted for at least half the dance until some ballad came on and the most popular girl will be asked for a dance.   During the slow dance, the boys will reach up and down and the girls will either stop such actions or do nothing.  It is rare to see anyone dancing to fast songs.  If you are really dancing,  you are the dancing sensation.   I basically just stood at the wall like a security guard the whole time.

Years later I would read some articles about clubbing and the author of those articles made the same observations on a much older group of individuals!  Anyways happy and safe dancing everyone,  afterall love is in the air because VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING!!!

Movie Review: The Parent Trap

Movie is a wonderful invention, it brought entertainment to the masses.  One major milestone movie that I am aware of is The Wizard of Oz.  Finally, we have colour!

As a child, I watched many re-runs on the Family Channel.  I watched two Disney versions of The Parent Trap.  The older one with Polly somebody (might have remembered name wrong) and the newer one with cute little Lindsay.  I loved both movies but I prefer the Lindsay version more because it was more modern and funnier.

Lindsay was so cute in The Parent Trap.  I also got to experience summer camp vicariously.

This is not a real review, I watched both versions too long ago, I did not give a score or summarize the movie.  No spoiler warnings required.  See my movie reviews are pretty awesome.

If I was an obstacle at Spartan Race or Tough Mudder

Disclaimer:  I'm not affiliated with any organizations but I just enjoy blogging about things I find fun.

Obstacles inspired "races" or "courses" have became quite popular.  If you are a fan of this blog,  you should know by now that I participate in one of these events almost every year.

Personally,  I think Spartan Race and Tough Mudders are the most popular.  Spartan is suppose to be an individual race while tough mudder is for teams but both events have been around for a while now so participants are doing whatever they please now.   There are more difference between the two.   You can read about my previous experiences or experience them yourself.

I love wearing my participatory t-shirts at the gym!  I think some of my fellow gym members noticed lol so now I've been wearing all kinds of freebie shirts to the gym.  It's how I check out the fabric of the shirt.  This weekend I pretended that I was training for one of the tough mudder event!  I carried Pachi during my entire work out.  There is an event in tough mudder where you have to carry your partner.  I decided to carry Pachi by piggyback!

Anyhow, if I was an obstacle, I would like to be something distracting. 

Donald Duck is modeling my gym outfit over the weekend!

Thin Ice

Outdoor skating in Canada. Better know your ice!

Playground

It's Saturday!  Time to goto the park or playground! 

Now that I'm "old", I either hit the park early,  before the kids come out,  or late,  after they left.

(8) BRRrrr it's cold out there...(8)

(8) BRRrrr it's cold out there,
there must be some sneezes in the atmosphere!  (8)

*Haaacheeerr*

Ragnarok Land?

Two weeks ago, I wrote about some of my favourite online games.  At one point in my childhood, I dreamt about opening a swimming pool made entirely out of Candy Cane, Chocolate and Chocolate Milk because of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  That thought had subsided, it is non-hygienic and who knows where you can build something like that - oh, wait.. I think I might have saw a miniature chocolate pool in Big Brother.

I digress.

As I was saying, two weeks ago, I wrote about my favourite online game, Ragnarok Online.  It is a multiplayer online game, excuse my non-nerd/non-geek language, please.  There are many servers hosting this game and I played diligently on one of these servers.  I liked my server because it was well organized, fun and engaging.  The game was also super cute :).  

Server maintenance and updates were properly announced and game drop/success rates were fair which provided me with ample of time to work on things I wanted to achieve in game.  A good server attracts good players and, naturally, I found people to play with!  

The "server people" and "update providers" provided excellent server maintenance and updates.  I never worried about losing my in-game progress and if I did, it was my fault.  I was always one of the first people to log in when server maintenance is complete, yes I JAMMED THE LOG IN, and I was always the last one out, yes, YOU FORCED ME OUT.  I did not care because I was collecting materials that dropped easily while exploring maps.  I would log back in to see how much stuff I lost, if any, and if I can catch a glimpse of any MVPs before their destructions.  When I finally decided to quit, I deleted all my characters and passed all of my items to a friend.  I never wanted to go back because it took a long time to build my two, maybe three, characters and to collect all of the gears.

While I was a player, I thought about making movies in game but my computer was always lagging, in fact, I always tone down the special effects.  Today, I thought maybe I can assemble and print my own collector's edition of the Ragnarok Online game "guide" using whatever I can find on the internet.  I've always enjoyed looking at the artwork in game.  I actually hunted cards so I can look at the art on the card (I know I could have just went to the source file but I wanted to look at it in game).  I wonder if I would ever attend to this project.  I had many in game projects, like collecting pets.

I also loved the game music.  I remember my first log in where I was creating my first character, it was so much more magical than sims!  

Aside from that, there were all sorts of unique people on the server.  We had a maxed out acolyte!  She didn't want to be a priest, she wanted to be special and she WAS because she was the first one, at least according to rumours I've heard.  I am always the last to know so don't believe my sources.

Anyhow, I want to see Elder's react to Ragnarok Online and it would be interesting to see an amusement park or an attraction at an amusement park dedicated to RagnarokOnline.  Let me know if they exist, please.

I was YAO MING in grade 5

I am procrastinating on real work.  It is hump day after all.

I was Yao Ming in Grade 5, I was Chinese, could not understand English and I managed to get on the basketball team!  Ok, maybe he had a lot more basketball training than I did and we played different positions and I was and am a female.  BUT, both of us managed get on the team and stay on the team.

So we must had similar ESL experiences during basketball training.

Anyways,  would have loved to write a better piece on this.   It's hump day and this is an invisible poke for fun lol.