Anyhow, this time the location is only 4 hours away. I will have plenty of time to explore the area after the Sprint! I have already mapped out my route and scout out the area online on a preliminary basis.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Spartan Race Ottawa - Pre-Planning
I am excited about Spartan Race Ottawa which is coming up this weekend. The last time I participated in a Spartan Race was this past June. Sadly, I had to miss the Spartan Race events in July.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Nice weather today
Almost forgot to blog today. I was too busy being toasty under the sun today.
Picture is my view of the sky underneath a tree!
Nice eh?
Friday, July 28, 2017
Rollarbladding with broken blades or big blades
I find rollarblading leisurely but you might not. Anyhow, I had only three rollarblades in my entire life. The first two are long gone. One pair had bad wheels and was extremely slow while the other was way too big for me but rolled a bit faster than the extremely slow rollarblades. We got them used so it's no surprise that they are not perfect.
Many years later I got another pair of rollarblades for free probably because some other person's kid never used theirs. They're used but they feel brand new. Anyhow, they are still a little too big for me. I broke the tightening mechanism on both rollarblade because I tried to tighten the plastic too much. One of the useless broken part finally broke off today which is great. The laces were enough anyways. I'm waiting for the other side to break off now. See picture.
In summary, I have always trained with rollarblades that did not fit perfectly. In fact, I started off with a pair that was at least two sizes too big. I also took one winter of skating lessons and less than a handful of skiing lessons. If you are looking for rollarblading lessons and cannot find them, skiing lessons and skating lessons are ok substitutions. Just remember falling on ice and snow tend to be less painful than gravel and etc.
Anyhow, it's FrRIIiiday!!!!!
Thursday, July 27, 2017
I missed Spartan at Red Deer and went to Montreal instead!
As you may know, my aunts are visiting me and invited me to travel with them to Montreal over the weekend. Traveling with them was a lot of fun and very productive; however, it was more tiring than completing a Spartan Sprint or Spartan Super. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed our small 4 days 3 nights trip together in Montreal.
As they were on a tight schedule and budget, they wanted to see as many attractions in Montreal as possible while spending the least amount of money. As such, we bought the MTL Passeport for 72 H. For $99.00+tax the MTL Passeport provided them with access to 23 attractions/activities and unlimited travel on public transit. We were only able to get to 9 out of 23 things that we could have done in 72 hours. While traveling from one attraction to the other, I really enjoyed looking at the parks and buildings along the way so I think the MTL Passeport is great because it leads you to interesting attractions and encourages you to explore Montreal and Old Montreal on foot, cruise, bus, quadricycle and subway.
If I visit Montreal again, I think I'll just travel by foot the whole time. When you travel with many destinations in mind, you are on a tight schedule the whole time. When you travel with no destination in mind at all, you have plenty of time.
Cheers to that!
As they were on a tight schedule and budget, they wanted to see as many attractions in Montreal as possible while spending the least amount of money. As such, we bought the MTL Passeport for 72 H. For $99.00+tax the MTL Passeport provided them with access to 23 attractions/activities and unlimited travel on public transit. We were only able to get to 9 out of 23 things that we could have done in 72 hours. While traveling from one attraction to the other, I really enjoyed looking at the parks and buildings along the way so I think the MTL Passeport is great because it leads you to interesting attractions and encourages you to explore Montreal and Old Montreal on foot, cruise, bus, quadricycle and subway.
If I visit Montreal again, I think I'll just travel by foot the whole time. When you travel with many destinations in mind, you are on a tight schedule the whole time. When you travel with no destination in mind at all, you have plenty of time.
Cheers to that!
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Interpreting a Story
Yesterday, I wrote about Barbie. Today, I am going to write about Mulan (Flower Wood Orchid - please excuse the funny translation).
In order to watch Disney's animated feature, Mulan, in the Toonie Theatre (meaning the animated feature film has already been released for a year), I had to memorize verbally and in traditional written form the Chinese poem or folk song that talked about this very memorable woman. She is not fictional; however, fictional characters may have been made up during the retelling of her many tales in visual art formats.
As a child, learning the poem containing three hundred and thirty-two Chinese characters was not fun; however, I was very proud of myself when I managed to memorize it. I even recited it whenever I felt like it. I appreciate this learning even more as an adult because I am now able to enjoy this poem.
Memorizing this poem still feels like a daunting task yet reading it makes one desire for more. This poem tells the readers that Mulan, a female, went to the army in place of her father. It described hardships very briefly. When she returned home, at least a decade later, her fragile parents and lively siblings celebrated. Her army pals were in shock that she was a woman. She replied to them in her usual witty way. (see photo for her reply, final verse of poem).
While re-copying this poem today, I can't believe that simplycandee, the elementary school child, was able to write and recite 332 Chinese characters that are definitely not commonly used. On top of my everyday schooling, I had to memorize all this and its meaning before the movie came down from the theatre again!
I also wondered, how many other "Mulan"s were there during this period of time, not just in ancient China. With that said, I understand why Mulan is not part of the Disney's Princess, she was the girl next door of ancient China.
In order to watch Disney's animated feature, Mulan, in the Toonie Theatre (meaning the animated feature film has already been released for a year), I had to memorize verbally and in traditional written form the Chinese poem or folk song that talked about this very memorable woman. She is not fictional; however, fictional characters may have been made up during the retelling of her many tales in visual art formats.
As a child, learning the poem containing three hundred and thirty-two Chinese characters was not fun; however, I was very proud of myself when I managed to memorize it. I even recited it whenever I felt like it. I appreciate this learning even more as an adult because I am now able to enjoy this poem.
Memorizing this poem still feels like a daunting task yet reading it makes one desire for more. This poem tells the readers that Mulan, a female, went to the army in place of her father. It described hardships very briefly. When she returned home, at least a decade later, her fragile parents and lively siblings celebrated. Her army pals were in shock that she was a woman. She replied to them in her usual witty way. (see photo for her reply, final verse of poem).
While re-copying this poem today, I can't believe that simplycandee, the elementary school child, was able to write and recite 332 Chinese characters that are definitely not commonly used. On top of my everyday schooling, I had to memorize all this and its meaning before the movie came down from the theatre again!
I also wondered, how many other "Mulan"s were there during this period of time, not just in ancient China. With that said, I understand why Mulan is not part of the Disney's Princess, she was the girl next door of ancient China.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Toy Playing
At the beginning of this week, I briefly wrote about Barbie. I never gave my Barbie a name. My Barbie was just Barbie but it was mine.
Why did I not give my Barbie a name? Because a name was already given to her by her creater. Barbie is classified as a toy but she is also an invention and she will always be a thing or an item, to me anyways.
My Barbie is special to me because it's the first toy I chose by myself. Prior to that, all my toys were either hand me downs or gifts. I had a hand me down Barbie before I chose my Barbie so my first Barbie was not my Barbie.
Some people would say that I earned my Barbie by placing 4th in the entire first grade for my overall grade. I wouldn't say I earned my Barbie with good grades but I'll admit that I enjoyed learning and obtaining decent grade. Lastly, I wanted to ensure that I can choose my reward for obtaining my goal. If I placed 3rd, I might have gotten a puppy.
Unfortunately, I only placed 4th so, as promised, I was brought to a department store and I looked at a shelve full of Barbies for the first time ever. Everything was pink! Every Barbie looked about the same to me but my Barbie stood out to me because, like me, she can bend her knees and elbows; and, she has flat feet! She had the ugliest clothes but at least she was wearing pants and running shoes.
As I grew older, I would read and hear complaints about how Barbie is proportionately not possible in real life because she is too skinny and her chest is too heavy for her waist. Well, as Woody, a toy, once said to Buzz, another toy, "you are a toy, a child's play thing". In other words, your child should know that Barbie is a Toy and that it's pretty hard to look like Barbie. Although Barbie is proportionately impossible as a real human, she is possible as a toy and she looked happy and healthy.
When I look at my Barbie's face, she genuinely looks content. When I chose Barbie and when I played with Barbie, I always projected a happy and healthy woman doing whatever. She loved her appearance so I only had to braid her hair. She is still a babe!
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Silent Reading
Haven't found the time, concentration or a book I want to read for a long time. Only finished chapter 3 of a biography about the woman who created Barbie. Now I know why Barbie was so dreamy and glamourous.
Yes, I am well aware that Barbie is a toy and I will NEVER be able to look like her.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Preparing a mini Feast by yourself
Dear my non-existent readers:
I apologize for not posting on Wednesday and Thursday. I had no content idea on Wednesday and I was too tired to post my ideal date on Thursday. Lastly, I was busy grocery shopping for my feast!
My aunts from a dot on the globe is visiting! The last time they came to visit was about two decades ago. Obviously, back then, I was incapable of planning, preparing and cooking a tasty and edible feast.
The picture to this post is my menu and two of the already finished dishes. The soup and the chicken (served chill) will be more tasty by dinner time.
In order to prepare a mini-feast by yourself, you have to be:
1. Know how to cook at least a few dishes
2. Have purchasing power to buy the ingredient
3. (Optional) creative and positive
Anyhow, have a good weekend!
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Why I love Public Transit - Part 4 - Upgrades, Improvements and Changes over time
I am not sure if any of my non-existent readers read Part 1, 2 and 3 of my "Why I love Public Transit" series. They were not that serious but they were real observations. Today's posting will be a bit more serious. After all, it is part 4 of our never ending series.
The transit providers in York Region and Toronto has not changed much in the last two decades. As a child, if I wanted to travel to downtown by myself, I would ride the YRT (now YRT/Viva) and transfer to the TTC. Back then, I did not know that the Go Train existed. In fact, whenever I saw the Go Train I thought they were there to transport pigs, I mean, cargo, or something. I had no idea that it was a commuter train with a set schedule.
As a student, volunteer and evening worker, I would get dropped off at the nearest TTC bus station with no extra fare and ride the TTC all the way to the downtown Toronto core.
Compared to Go Transit, the TTC was/is much cheaper but the travel time was/is longer; however, since the Go runs on a set stringent schedule, the longer travel time is sometimes mitigated by the wait time for the next available Go Train or Go bus.
I rarely use the Viva because it just feels so expensive and most of the bus lines no longer travel in a straight line. If you would like a bus tour that goes round and round to all pick-up areas, Go ahead and ride the Viva. They also did a lot of never ending constructions to ruin one of my favourite roads. Hopefully, when they are FINALLY done with their constructions to build the perfect pathways for all of their bus lines, everyone will be happy. The original YRT (prior to the introduction to Viva) used to go in a straight line.
There are also changes being made to fare collection. Fare collection has been a big problem for the TTC because, well, there are a lot of cheaters who do not pay the fare. Counterfeit bus passes and all. Lots of work was created just to combat these problems of people who do not want to pay transit fare and are rude to drivers. TTC had to put in surveillance cameras to protect their precious employees and riders.
I digress. Go Transit has already been using the Presto fare system for a while now. Basically, you have a fare card that you "tap on" as soon as you board. It's going to be a bit confusing transitioning the Presto system to all other transit systems in the GTA. The tap on and off can be very confusing for riders if it's done inconsistently across different transit systems. It's more confusing, growing up at this time because kids under twelve don't have to pay. Maybe kids should start practicing tapping a kid's practice Presto card so they know about the tap on (and off) and it's not a hop on and off.
The Presto fare system has some glitches though, for example, the machine that you tap on freezes up in the winter outdoors. That is a problem for Go Train riders.
A major difference between tapping on for a train and a bus is that the "tap on" machine is outside of the vehicle for the former and inside the vehicle for the latter. It's actually quite interesting to board the train during the evening rush hour, especially if you are like me. Please keep in mind that I no longer have to commute to the downtown core.
Here is the scenario. My train comes to the same platform every day at 5:20 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. I can never make the 5:20 p.m. train because my work ends at 5:30 p.m. If I walk slowly to the train, 30 minutes is more than enough time to get there. I usually end up leaving the office at 5:50 p.m. when the streets, roads, platforms and station are still extremely congested! Sometimes, I leave the office at 5:55 p.m. The train leaves exactly at 6:00 p.m.
I have illustrated the potential routes I took. I prefer the indoor route because I don't have to worry about cars and lights and I can take a sniff of food court smell along the way to regain energy. Many time people in the food court saw me running across the food court. At least once a week, I would miss the train at exactly 6:00 p.m. I literally climb a flight of stairs at the highest speed possible only to see the door closing as I step out of the stairs or I make it on the Train and huff and puff for about two minutes. Once I board the train, I have to sit or stand there for 40 minutes or so. The Go Bus during non-rush hour is actually faster than the Go train. By the way, my walk/run to the station during the evening rush hour got confusing when they decided to change platform.
Obviously, this post is just my humble opinion and from my simple rider knowledge. I did not do no research whatsoever.
The transit providers in York Region and Toronto has not changed much in the last two decades. As a child, if I wanted to travel to downtown by myself, I would ride the YRT (now YRT/Viva) and transfer to the TTC. Back then, I did not know that the Go Train existed. In fact, whenever I saw the Go Train I thought they were there to transport pigs, I mean, cargo, or something. I had no idea that it was a commuter train with a set schedule.
As a student, volunteer and evening worker, I would get dropped off at the nearest TTC bus station with no extra fare and ride the TTC all the way to the downtown Toronto core.
Compared to Go Transit, the TTC was/is much cheaper but the travel time was/is longer; however, since the Go runs on a set stringent schedule, the longer travel time is sometimes mitigated by the wait time for the next available Go Train or Go bus.
I rarely use the Viva because it just feels so expensive and most of the bus lines no longer travel in a straight line. If you would like a bus tour that goes round and round to all pick-up areas, Go ahead and ride the Viva. They also did a lot of never ending constructions to ruin one of my favourite roads. Hopefully, when they are FINALLY done with their constructions to build the perfect pathways for all of their bus lines, everyone will be happy. The original YRT (prior to the introduction to Viva) used to go in a straight line.
There are also changes being made to fare collection. Fare collection has been a big problem for the TTC because, well, there are a lot of cheaters who do not pay the fare. Counterfeit bus passes and all. Lots of work was created just to combat these problems of people who do not want to pay transit fare and are rude to drivers. TTC had to put in surveillance cameras to protect their precious employees and riders.
I digress. Go Transit has already been using the Presto fare system for a while now. Basically, you have a fare card that you "tap on" as soon as you board. It's going to be a bit confusing transitioning the Presto system to all other transit systems in the GTA. The tap on and off can be very confusing for riders if it's done inconsistently across different transit systems. It's more confusing, growing up at this time because kids under twelve don't have to pay. Maybe kids should start practicing tapping a kid's practice Presto card so they know about the tap on (and off) and it's not a hop on and off.
The Presto fare system has some glitches though, for example, the machine that you tap on freezes up in the winter outdoors. That is a problem for Go Train riders.
A major difference between tapping on for a train and a bus is that the "tap on" machine is outside of the vehicle for the former and inside the vehicle for the latter. It's actually quite interesting to board the train during the evening rush hour, especially if you are like me. Please keep in mind that I no longer have to commute to the downtown core.
Here is the scenario. My train comes to the same platform every day at 5:20 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. I can never make the 5:20 p.m. train because my work ends at 5:30 p.m. If I walk slowly to the train, 30 minutes is more than enough time to get there. I usually end up leaving the office at 5:50 p.m. when the streets, roads, platforms and station are still extremely congested! Sometimes, I leave the office at 5:55 p.m. The train leaves exactly at 6:00 p.m.
I have illustrated the potential routes I took. I prefer the indoor route because I don't have to worry about cars and lights and I can take a sniff of food court smell along the way to regain energy. Many time people in the food court saw me running across the food court. At least once a week, I would miss the train at exactly 6:00 p.m. I literally climb a flight of stairs at the highest speed possible only to see the door closing as I step out of the stairs or I make it on the Train and huff and puff for about two minutes. Once I board the train, I have to sit or stand there for 40 minutes or so. The Go Bus during non-rush hour is actually faster than the Go train. By the way, my walk/run to the station during the evening rush hour got confusing when they decided to change platform.
Obviously, this post is just my humble opinion and from my simple rider knowledge. I did not do no research whatsoever.
Monday, July 10, 2017
Monday Blues
Having been unemployed and underemployed for a while now, the Monday blues hit me harder than my ex-fulltime employed self.
I don't know which Monday Blues I like more at this time but let's compare the two.
Past Monday Blues: The feeling of doing mindless, seemingly repetitive and unimportant work at times. Work that no one ever looks at or take notice yet take away all of your time.
Current Monday Blues: The feeling of being unproductive and not welcomed. You have time but everyone else is on a tight schedule and can only spare five (5) minutes.
Anyhow, I am a weird person, generally speaking, my friends like to meet up at coffee shop or festivals. Those are not places I like to meet up at so I end up being that awkward person that just go there and buys nothing.
I don't know which Monday Blues I like more at this time but let's compare the two.
Past Monday Blues: The feeling of doing mindless, seemingly repetitive and unimportant work at times. Work that no one ever looks at or take notice yet take away all of your time.
Current Monday Blues: The feeling of being unproductive and not welcomed. You have time but everyone else is on a tight schedule and can only spare five (5) minutes.
Anyhow, I am a weird person, generally speaking, my friends like to meet up at coffee shop or festivals. Those are not places I like to meet up at so I end up being that awkward person that just go there and buys nothing.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Hammocking on a Sunday
Aside from sleeping in a hammock, you can stretch in it! I think some people even do yoga in it.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
My long cycling yesterday
Shortly after publishing yesterday's blog, I went cycling. I probably left the house at around 530am and did not return home until 6 or 7pm. It started pouring and hour or two after I got home. By that time I was already sparkling clean :D!
The weather was extremely nice yesterday and I bike along the roads I frequent, the dvp and along the lakeshore. It was great to see other people, dogs and wildlife cycling, running, walking, flying and swimming.
Everyone was on the move!
My favourite part about yesterday was riding on the lower don trail. I've seen this trail many times while on transit but never had the opportunity to be in or on it. I finally explored it. Just a little :).
I ended the day with a special pho combo. I was hungry and dying of thirst by the end of the trip.
Anyhow, photo of my route which I drew last night from memory. Obviously street names may be inaccurate and it's not too scale.
Have a fun Saturday! (I hope it's as adventurous as my yesterFRIday)
Friday, July 7, 2017
Longer Bike Rides on Even More Congested Roads
On a day off, like today, one can leisurely do whatever one wants without time limit.
My chosen activity today is a longer bike ride than usual on unfamiliar territories that could be more congested than my familiar territories.
I'll report back tomorrow!
My chosen activity today is a longer bike ride than usual on unfamiliar territories that could be more congested than my familiar territories.
I'll report back tomorrow!
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Empty Road is no more
I haven't drove much this week because I find the roads too congested with everything. I feel angry almost as soon as I encounter the first butt car which is usually very close to my starting point.
I hate driving. In my dream scenario, I would hit every butt car in my way as hard and as fast as possible. Unfortunately, life is not a dream so I cannot do that because I'll end up in the hospital gravely injured and not dead.
My other dream scenario would be discretionary speed limit when there's no cars around.
I'm seeing less and less roads with no speed limit signs which is sad.
Originally, I was going to draw the butt car that angered me but I want to finish my yummy dinner.
No picture!
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The war against acne
Like my non-existent readers, I missed out on the Youtube stardom career. I don't know if anyone already made a comedy short about acne so this post is my "The War Against Acne" video proposal.
We will start off like "Yellow Fever" which is a well known short about non-asian guy taking all asian girls. If you have not seen this well known short, go watch it now for a good laugh.
And now to introduce my up and coming comedy short!
Drum roll please!!!!!
!!!The war against acne!!!
Narrator in a dramatic tone...
And that's all she wrote.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
The evolution of Bra
I have bought some very expensive Bra for my precious body. It is not until I'm injured that I realized how much support it can give to your body.
The most memorable sales pitch I have heard and took it with a grain of salt is that a Bra will help move your fat from your stomach and/or armpits to your breast. You will go from size AAA to B. This pitch really works on some people.
During the sales, you will try on the Bra and it will feel great because it's brand new and chances are you are happy thus you probably have good posture. When shopping for a Bra try it on and make sure it's a good fit. The Bra should be adjustable and strong. There are sales ladies who only sell and doesn't actually know how to use a Bra or what it is actually for. Hopefully, you come across a Bra sales lady who actually knows how to use a Bra and show you how to use it without taking clothes off or groping you in the process.
The photo attached to this post feature some of my favorite bras. As you can see they are all different styles. Sometimes I wear two bras at the same time for more support. When a bra provides good support, you breath better because it helps you open up your chest. If you feel like you cannot breath when you are relaxed, it's too tight.
A problem with Bra and posture is that when you are stress, your chest expands and the bra could become too tight making it hard to breath. The bra also feels different when you are standing up or sitting down. There is really no perfect bra because of these reasons. Sweats and temperature also effect the comfort of a bra.
Anyhow, currently the excess fat around my chest is being held up by the beige colour bra. It's basically squeezing the excess fat inwards and upwards constantly. Less weigh for my injured shoulder to hold. It is also holding my shoulder in place.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Daily morning dog walk of the day
I'm used to waking up at 5 or 6 am so Okee had been welcoming every morning with me. Today I ate breakfast while sitting in a forest. Hard boil egg, baked yam, tangerine and water.
Okee had left over soup residue before we left.
Check photo for a glimpse of our daily morning walk of the day. We went to the york region forest headquarter today!
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Saturday, July 1, 2017
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