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KayTRON
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Country: Canada
Birthday: 10/10/1983
Gender: Female
Interests: Ballroom dancing, listening to music (esp. jazz!), playing the piano once in a blue moon, trying out different restaurants (yum!) and lots more stuff
Expertise: Well, I'm a sociology and family studies major, so I will supposedly become an expert in analyzing society and families?
Message: message me
Member Since:
11/29/2003
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| It's been a while since my last entry and honestly, I don't even know who still uses xanga, but had the urge to post :)
I came home from work all excited about being able to attend the Tuesday latin funk class downtown so that I can free up my Saturdays. I came home, changed, then drove downtown, found a parking spot and walked to Studio 55. I go up and what do I find? The class was cancelled!!!
I really wanted a work-out so I decided to check out Fitness World. $15 for drop-in. Latin funk only cost $10. So I couldn't justify paying $15 do use a treadmill... So instead, I decided to walk down to Coal Harbour. On my way down there, I decided to call Arthur and see if he was Downtown, but of course the one time I do call he's not. So finally, I decided to walk.
It was a really nice evening, the sun was setting and there were many people down by the harbour. I looked across the water and saw Stanley Park, North Vancouver and dozens and dozens of boats parked at the Marina.
Let's just say I fell in love with my own city all over again. I walked quite a bit before I decided to sit down on a bench and just take in my surroundings. It really makes me think of why I wanted to leave this city 6 months ago. Today's incident reassured that once a Vancouverite, always a Vancouverite.
Cheers.
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| This was the first family vacation I've taken since 2000. It was definitely a successful one! We didn't kill each other so that was a relief... We planned this last November and of course it came and went really quickly. We left Vancouver last Thursday and arrived in Las Vegas at around 4PM.
Upon arrival, we picked up the car rental and checked into the hotel. I was impressed... I highly recommend the MGM Signature Suites for any of you thinking of going to Vegas! They're newly built and there's a indoor walkway to the main MGM building. It was absolutely gorgeous!!!
bathroom
View from our suite
Bed
I forgot to take a picture of the kitchen and big screen lcd tv... but yeah amenities were awesome! Only if I could live like this regularly... 28th floor. hahah
Side story: On the plane, we were talking about how ugly Peter's cell phone was cuz seriously the design was very ugly. Prior to boarding he was talking on the phone for like 30 minutes and then shut it off. My dad felt very strongly that his phone was ugly and Peter agreed too. Upon arrival, when he tried to turn the phone on, it froze, then it died. So lesson learned: Never insult your phone. In this case, the phone was insulted to death.
After we settled in, we spent the first night wondering the strip.
We were excited and this is the first of the jumping photo series :)
Here's Peter and Joe (the dermatologist who provided a mass supply of sunscreen samples muahahah)
First of many family shots (missing Fiona tho... who volunteered to stay at home to take care of things)
Me and the boyz
You haven't been to Vegas if you don't go to M&M world!
Highlights in Las Vegas would definitely have to be "O" and the Bellagio Buffet. O was amazing...! It's my first Cirque de Soleil show, but apparently it's supposed to be the best cuz of the incorporation of water. The buffet speaks for itself. All you can eat King Crab, we indulged like animals hahah. We were debating whether we should go because by the time we got back from our shopping venture outside of town, and with the traffic jam on the strip, we only had 45 minutes to eat as we had to go see O. I'm glad we did it! Quite the experience... All you can eat Kobe beef, prime rib, king crab, decadent desserts, sashimi, etc...
I got to meet a couple of new people on this trip as well! Joe drove in from San Diego and his fiancee flew in from Toronto. Fun people!!! They were willing to jump so all good! hahah I almost forgot how fun family vacations could be. It was nice to know that I can travel with my parents and have a good time.
The Grand Canyon experience was absolutely breath taking. I didn't anticipate on hiking, but it was well worth it. We hiked about an hour to the sunset viewpoint and woke up at 5:50am the next day to see the sunrise. Two things I seldomly do. Prior to Grand Canyon, we stopped by Hoover Dam, also an amazing site. They're in the midst of building a bridge so expect delays from 2003-2008, we're almost there....!
We stayed overnight at the Canyon and it was a funny contrast cuz the cost to stay there and the MGM suites was very little, but the quality went from 5 star to 1 star hahah and we booked like 3 months in advance. Apparently, the only decent hotel there, you have to book 1 year in advance... Craziness.
I'd have to say I'm tired of fastfood now. In particular, McDonalds. We decided that it was worth it to have a nice sit down dinner each day but to rough it out during the day to save time. So we did McDonalds about 3 times, Wendys, and Popeyes... I'm all American fooded out.
The road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon was 5 hours long. Believe it or not, I was the designated navigator... For those of you who know me, yeah, I have no idea why. I wanted to sleep. But we got there! The dynamics in the car were quite amusing. There were periods of non stop talking, then SILENCE, then snoring. The parents were speaking the Fujian dialect and I don't understand that so I actually picked up a lot during the course of the road trip there and back. Good bonding times.
Playing scrabble while waiting for our flight also made me reminice about being 12. We were one of the lucky people who go the one of the last Harmony flights. It's sad that they're shutting down because I must admit that they have the best service! For a 2.5 hour flight, we got a full meal, with dessert, beverage (I asked for tea but they said it'd take a while so i settled for a juice but after they brought me tea), hot towel and more beverages! The entire plane applauded the cabin crew at the end of the flight. I'll miss those Harmony flights. We are now stuck with Air Canada and West Jet. Sigh... No competition.
It was nice to know that all of the young people felt the same way in that we almost forgot what it was like to travel with our parents. It was fun and yes our parents are COOL people.
Stop at Wendy's en route to the Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
The Grand Canyon
Sunset at Yapava Point
Sunrise at 6:14am
Our hotel room at the Grand Canyon... cost almost the same as the MGM suites, sigh.
Felt like a cabin at a camp hahah
It was cold... Shortly after sunrise
Yes that's right, jumping runs in the family.
Priceless...
Action shot
They have a casino with the same name as well... go figure
Waiting for our last Harmony flight ever.
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| As cliche as it is, I always like to look back and do a year in review type of thing. Like every year, there were many ups and a few downs. However, I truly feel that I have grown as a person. I got the opportunity to re-connect with old friends, make new friends and the best part, do some travelling.
Career wise, I'm satisfied with what I have achieved and looking forward to this year as it will be a year where I'll be pushing myself even harder.
Socially, I've been extremely fortunate to have met many new people who have truly enriched my life experiences. I've also learned that just because people drift apart, it doesn't mean they don't care, deep down inside, they're always there. It's a good thing that everyone diversifies their social circle. I've definitely accomplished that in the past few years.
I've learned that it's okay to be a 'bubbly girl' at heart. I've always felt the need to be very 'woman', meaning strong exterior etc... and not let my weaknesses show, but vulnerabiilty is not always a bad thing. I found that letting go and living freely can be a great rejuvenating experience and that deep down inside, I'm just as girly as the rest of the population.
I've been fortunate enough to do some travelling this year and it has truly enriched my life. My 'Ont/Que' trip with my sister is definitely an experience I will cherish for a very long time. Despite our 5 year age difference, this trip brought us closer and I am happy to say that we're compatible travel companions. Out of that trip, we learned to be spontaneous, street smart, jump in mid-air, shop under time constraints, be boy crazy, find our way around new places without a tourguide and much more. It's hard to describe how fun that trip was and to this day, we still remember everything in detail and laugh about it.
Secondly, I was finally able to travel with my other best pal Arthur. We had an absolute blast in San Francisco. It was truly another bonding experience and yes we are compatible travel companions as well. I'm really glad we went together as it was something we've been talking about for a while. We totally conquered the city and again, it is something I will remember and smile about for a very long time. It's great to be young and energetic.
Thirdly, I had my first business trip ever! The concept of being paid to work and 'have fun' was totally awesome! Stepping onto the plane and flying by myself was the most liberating experience ever. I've always travelled with other people, so being by myself was brand new. Also, flying back to Toronto felt really close to home. I suppose because I was just there 4 months prior might explain why, but that repeat visit was the first time I did not have to worry about having to hit up all of the touristy places. I was able to take my time and just chill with my friends. London ON was another experience. The whole being there for business was already a very exciting concept.
It's really hard to summarize a whole year into one post so I'm sure I missed tons of stuff. However, this past holiday season itself was really awesome. It had the perfect mix of family and friends. I had time off from work to hang out with friends who've come back to town (Lily, David, Loretta). Got to see everyone else at our annual Christmas party, went clubbing, tons of coffee/dessert outtings, movies, dancing, curling, and much more.
I'm hoping that 2007 will be even better so cheers to a great year!
I'm not good with words and pictures speak a thousand words so enjoy!
Annual Summit Christmas Bash
Dim Sum aftermath
Christmas at Canada Place
Sanafir
Waiting for our food on our bed.
Annual Family X'mas Party
The cousins
at some fondue place on Robson
Only piece of salsa evidence
We unite in Vancouver finally.
4 chickies at the GRIND Gallery
Annual X'mas dim sum minus a few people...
Party room
Bar
The party hosts 
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| Just got back from Toronto this morning and boy do I miss their weather already... Kinda strange concept, but looking out the window right now, i wish i was still there...
It was a short trip 80% business, 20% pleasure. I airport expressed my way from the airport to DT T.O. Settled in at the hotel and then met up with my good friend Danny. We spent 2.5 hours at the Royal Ontario Museum (an attraction I missed out on last time). After that, I had lunch with Loretta at Salad King (this Thai food place downtown). Then went window shopping and have to say highlight was Loretta, Danny and I checking out this XXX store on Yonge St. Have to say it was one of the classier stores I've seen. They had neat stuff heheh. Then met up with my cousin at the Eaton Centre food court, (it was so crowded...!) After that, subwayed our way to Magic Wok for dinner in Markham. That was definitely one of the highlights! I was really really happy to see my friends.
This was my first semi-vacation where I wasn't visiting to go sightseeing, but visiting for the purpose of visiting. No pressure to see things. What more can I ask for? Good food, good friends and many good laughs! Shot some pool and went for some wholesome Chinese desserts. Stayed out till 3:00am... lol So I was up from Thursday 6:30am (PST) to Saturday, 3:30am (EST). Yay for red eye flights.
Saturday, I did some damage with Lily on Queen St heheh and had some good quality girl time. Too bad the rentals place was not open at Nathan Phillips Square. I've always wanted to skate outdoors... Got some good photos though! Then went out for dinner at this Japanese place called Izakaya (noodles specialty place). Highlight of the evening: fireworks display, laser show and tree lighting ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square. After that, made a quit visit to Loretta's place and then went to dessert at Just Desserts!
The work part was really fun too. Exhausting, but fun. Learned tons (now I have a stack of readings to do...) but it was all worth it.
I'm not really good with words, so here are some pics to show what I'm talking about.
Loretta and I with the Sears mascot
Lily and I in Chinatown drinking our chrysantheum tea.
Outside the pool hall
how can I have a vacation without jumping pics!
After dinner
Fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square
My head office in London
The entertainer at the dinner/dance
Artifact at the company museum
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| Having gone on a few vacations this year, I've finally discovered that the best part about vacations is the planning process and being able to look forward to one. It's what really gets me going at 120%. There's something about airports and planes. Most people laughed and said that I'm weird, but I could care less about where I'm going, but just the thought of heading to the airport, checking-in, being sent off and picked up... Which is why, back in 2003 I said to myself that I must take at least one vacation per year every year going forward and it will also make me work harder at what I do to make the $$$ to take those vacations heheh.
I've also discovered that it's a lot more exciting going to a place where you know people there. It adds to the hype. I'm hitting up Toronto again next week. Although it will be my third visit, I'm still excited as I don't have to worry about having to fit in the touristy stuff, except for the Royal Ontario Museum... I just have to look forward to seeing all the people I want to see and catch up with.
Technically, the bulk of it is a business trip, but I still consider it a vacation as I'm not in the office. I have an extremely busy schedule this week, but whatever, just have to suck it up. My co-workers think I'm crazy, but so be it heheh.
As for this past long weekend, got together with some old classmates from UBC. One of them is relocating to Ottawa. Yep, crazy stuff. We were just discussing how it will almost be 2 years since we've finished school and now all we talk about is what we do. It's actually quite interesting to see how even though we all graduated with the same major, we're doing VERY different things, which shows that university was more about learning how to learn and being able to transfer skills from one discipline to another.
Been learning a lot about myself lately. Also discovered that I cannot stay at home and not go out for more than one day. When I refer to going out, it doesn't have to be any thing big. It could mean going out for a wholesome breakfast or picking up a coffee at the local coffee shop. But just getting out, it really adds to my productivity. I'm also trying to improve myself by achieving a better balance. I think I've sorta been letting the social side of me slide in recent weeks...
On another note, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival was definitely a blast! "We So Funny" We laughed so hard we were all ready to pee in our pants lol. I would have volunteered for the event if I knew about it earlier...! Definitely in my list of to do's for next year.
An entry full of randomness, but hey, only 10 more days until take off (for the 3rd time this year ).
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