Day 104 - April 14, 2010

Well, lately Timmy's has been good to me. Although my odds on their Roll Up the Rim contest haven't been kind to me, I'm now officially 2 for 14. I know, it's not great, but I'm already ahead of last promotion's pace. I've gotta find a smile somewhere, right?

Day 103 - April 13, 2010

It seems to be the week to catch up with friends. Another colleague this time, dropped by after work and we chatted and chatted. She's an amazing person, very smart, funny, and the most dedicated person I know (to whatever she is doing). She's passionate about her interests and spends her time split between teaching and working with an GHNI, "Global Hope Network International (GHNI) is a non-profit, private humanitarian aid organization who believes that it’s possible to bring not only hope, but change, to the poorest villages of the world."

Heng-Zi Lo is going to be somebody very special. Hey world, watch out for this one, she's going places!!

Check out her blog. It's full of awesome info and more!

The above picture was scooped from her blog's photostream.

Day 102 - April 12, 2010

Caught up with a good friend and colleague over a couple of bevy's at the local Golden Spike. If there is anything in life that is worth anything, it is that you have good friends. They take you far in life, help you, support you, make you laugh, pick you up, and occasionally let you know that you're wrong. haha, Heck, they'll even make fun of you. That's how you know they really care. Here's to you, my good friend.

This picture isn't mine, I found it on Flikr and thought it was an interesting picture for a pub, if you catch my drift. It can be found here.

Day 101 - April 11, 2010

Today was the Vancouver Whitecaps Season opener. It was a beautiful day for a soccer game. I'm pretty excited for the season, especially since it is the last one before the team shifts up to the MLS. Love playing and watching soccer, so let's hope for a championship season!

Day 100 - April 10, 2010

Ahh, I've hit the century mark with my 365. What a journey. Fell off the wagon a few times, but I'm back on and I know that it will be all worth it in the end. I have to admit, it's a lot of work! Hopefully someone is reading this! :)

The above picture can be found here

Day 99 - April 9, 2010

Tis the season to be back playing summer hockey. Rollerhockey to be exact. Its great, mainly because my close friends formed a team and we all play together. Win or lose, it's a great time. We keep fit, share some stories, and generally have a good time.

Day 98 - April 8, 2010

Tonight was Wings night at the local neighbourhood pub. Can you really go wrong if you go to a place with a great atmosphere, great service, and some great wings? Of course not. Samz, I salute you.

Day 97 - April 7, 2010

Although today is wednesday, I completely skipped over something that happened a few days ago, on the 4th of April. Since nothing significant happened today, I'll post about that!

The Vancouver Canucks have clinched the Division Title after a 4-3 OT win. As a Canucks fan, I'm pretty happy about that. I know, it's just sports, but hey, anything that can bring a smile to my day, is good in my books!

Day 96 - April 6, 2010

Ahh, the first day back from Spring Break. It's always nice to get back to routines, but who am I kidding? I'd have love to sleep in today!

Day 95 - April 5, 2010

I've always hated Mondays, however, this is a Monday and a holiday. The good news is that it is a holiday and I can sleep in all I want. The bad news? I have to work tomorrow. It was a great week and a half off, but reality is back.

This great picture is found here.

Day 94 - April 4, 2010

Finally I have landed back into Canada and when I got home, I vowed to stay awake until the night in order to kick the jet lag. Did it work? Unfortunately we arrived in Vancouver in the morning and I just couldn't last. Tried a 2 hour nap, ended up sleeping for 7. Ah well, I'll try again tomorrow.

Day 93 - April 3, 2010

Our time in China has come to an end, and alas, we must head back to Canada. I had fun and I'll miss some things, but at the end of the day I'm glad to head home. I think I'll miss our tour bus, one that we spent most of our time and, at some point in the week, became our comfortable security blanket.

Day 92 - April 2, 2010 - 2

One lasting shot of a Guard staring at me as I took their picture, while driving by. Oh my.

Day 92 - April 2, 2010 - 1

The Leisure day of our tour trip involved a KungFu show and a visit to some merchant markets, a trip through the touristy and trendy shopping area and a food market.

In the early morning a trip to the markets to shop for some pearls and other trinkets. Markets are cool, I absolutely love the bargain game and cheap thrills. Wish they had more of those style of markets in North America, but somehow I doubt they will fly.

The KungFu show at the Red Theater was simply awesome. apparently it was the same show put on for dignitaries during the Beijing Olympics in 2008. It was quite a show and one that I would definitely see again. Awww I wish I took KungFu as a kid.


We ended the night with a trip to a large area, trendy shopping, crazy big mall, and a food market. I loved the open street with the lights and lots of people, but not too fond of some of the food items I could see.

Day 91 - April 1, 2010

April Fool's Day. I hope you were all very good today. Our China festivities consisted of a museum trip, a Rickshaw ride through the old city, and a traditional lunch with a local family.

First, the Museum was fascinating. Not many people can go to the museum and enjoy it. I like that kind of thing, and found lots of history and culture in the museum. I always like to try to get to one if I'm in a city with a deep cultural history. In any case, the place was also fairly modern with some great architecture!


We were able to get into rickshaws and flew through the old city. Narrow streets did not permit cars and buses to get in. There seemed to be two parts, the old city with old streets and traditional living, and the second part which seemed more modern. I suppose I could tell by the variety of bars that are present. And the huge waterway.


Finally a traditional lunch with a local family. This was an amazing meal and really, it was better than every restaurant we went to. Isn't that always the case?

Day 90 - March 31, 2010

We went to visit a Middle/High school in a neighbour city - Tianjin, which is 2 hours from Beijing. Very cool school and very nice kids. It's a fairly modern school with lots of room. Over 3000 kids and 40 per class. After listening to the principal speak and presetations, we were able to tour the school, check out classes in session, and participate in a cultrual class (in my case, Papercutting). All in all, it was a great day! (Yes, they are track suits, but that is their uniforms. Each School has the same look, with different colours.)

Day 89 - March 30, 2010

The Great Wall of China is certainly great. I've been wanting to stand on this wall since I was a little kid, so being there was just so surreal. Still the most impressive thing in China, I couldn't believe the size and length I could see from where we were. It just made me imagine I was a Mongol trying to storm a wall. Wow. The fact that there has not been any major maintenance to that wall in 500 years makes it even more spectacular. Save of course, the touristy vendors.

Day 88 - March 29, 2010 - 2

Tienanmen Square. I was looking forward to this, if only to see two things. First, the location of the Big Chairman Mao picture that you see in almost every news story about China, and second, The location of those infamous tanks and Cultural Revolution. It is definitely a place with an eery feeling, the moment you arrive there. Perhaps its the history, or just the warning from the tour guides, "Don't talk about democracy, don't take pictures of the guards. The government has spies..." Kind of sets the mood, eh? In any case it was interesting to see it and be there. Soldiers walking and marching constantly. I can see why this place is such a lightning rod...

Day 88 - March 29, 2010 - 1

One of the first highlights I'd been waiting to see since I went to China was to see the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square. Although I knew a little about the Forbidden City, I had no idea just how huge this thing actually was. It was ENORMOUS! Yet so detailed and so planned. Everything from the feng shui to the painting to the vast courtyards to the rooms with original furniture and decor! What an amazing place. If you haven't heard of it, or seen it, check it out from Google Earth too. Forbidden, because commoners weren't allowed in, huge for ego and defense. Amazing...

Day 87 - March 28, 2010 - 2

The Summer Palace is a beautiful place. The summer home of the Emporers in China, is filled with statues, buildings, decorated pathways, a marble boat, and one incredibly long and very detailed corridor. The corridor, I think, is the longest one in the world. The Buildings are all very nice, some with the original painting. The marble boat was originally built as a tea house for the DragonLady. Marble (apparently) being the strongest thing available and symbolizing power. Definitely an interesting place!

Day 87 - March 28, 2010 - 1

While I'm in Beijing, I figure I'd add more than one picture for my days, and more than one day for my blog. I know the rules of the 365 project, but I'm not following it anyways :)

We arrive in Beijing late at night, so the morning we wake up and are ready for our first trip I decide to take a couple of shots just to remind myself where I am. First thing I noticed is the weather and traffic. A little hazy out, probably due to a combination of pollution and the sandstorm that had just blew through the city. Either way, it was interesting.

The traffic was more so. Crazy busy!! just look at the line of cars!



Think I'll just drink my water...oh wait, that's Chinese too. Why would't it be? It gave me a chuckle anways...

Day 86 - March 27, 2010

My China trip has finally started. Woke up early in the morning to head out to the airport. Check in 3 hours early, they say. So we were there and we waited and waited. Finally the time came to depart. I leave you with the shot of my plane before I left and one from the plane's safety manual.



Of course, you'd want a shot from the sky too, eh? See you in China...


<*Update*>

So I finally arrived in Shanghai, China. How do you know you are definitely somewhere new? Well the Chinese Arrivals and Departure board could be my first clue, pictured below,
however, I think the most important indicator would be the Official Welcome sign in Customs...