The Namesake

March 6, 2008

I've been trying to make it a point to read more this year as a way of balancing myself out a bit (which is probably one of the reasons for my academic downhill spiral but that's another story). Anyway, Andrew bought The Namesake for me at the Vancouver airport while we were waiting for our flight.
This book was a very enjoyable read. I love reading about other cultures and the amount of detail the author uses captured my attention and helped me paint vivid pictures in my head. It was a lovely experience.

The only problem with that is that I bought the movie to watch it after reading the book. I should have learned from experience that watching the movie after reading the book will almost always lead to disappointment (read: Catch Me If You Can).

I sat there one afternoon and watch the movie as my study break, trying to match the movie with the book. Nothing was the way I imagined it to be which was very disappointing. I would recommend the book to anyone who wants to read it but not in conjunction with the movie. You have to either pick one of the other. Not both.

Go Green!

March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Wedding Cake

March 11, 2008

This past weekend, I did squat in the way of wedding-related work. Well, actually that's not entirely true but the stuff we did wasn't that interesting. Plus, this entire weekend I spent with three sickly people, which resulted in me being sickly on the day of my big seminar presentation (cries) but that's another story for another day (if I ever feel the need to relive the horrific experience...).

So to brighten up everyone's start of the week, here's a funny video (aka. the reason I was late meeting up with Andrew for his basketball game last week - but it was so worth it). I hope our cake-buying experience is nothing like this...



I found this watching "Man Cold" by the same people - also very funny!

Love (Tech) Support

March 3, 2008

I just read this on weddingbee and thought it was quite entertaining so I thought I might share it with you all. Enjoy!













Source
Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as NBA 5.0, NFL 3.0 and Golf Clubs 4.1. Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I’ve tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Signed,

Desperate

***

DEAR DESPERATE,

First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an Operating System. Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and don’t forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta. Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.) Also do not attempt to reinstall Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

I forgot to mention that you should be sure to purchase the latest version of Husband 1.0. I understand that, if you run an older version of Husband 1.0, Hot Lingerie 7.7 might crash your system. If you decide to run an older version of Husband 1.0, then run Flannel Pajamas 7.1 instead of Hot Lingerie 7.7 just to be on the safe side.

Good Luck,

Tech Support

Request for Technical Support, Incident #99-02-14-01 (Installing your Wife)

Last year I upgraded Girlfriend 1.0 to Wife 1.0, and I can find no documentation on several features. For example, Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launches during system initialization where it monitors all other system activity. Applications such as RunAnywhere 10.3 and StayOut 2.5 cause freezes. Also, the new program has spawned a couple of unexpected child processes that have taken up a lot of space and resources. I was considering going back to Girlfriend 1.0 but there does not seem to be a “revert to previous state” feature.
Can you help me?

Registered User #10-1-13-5-19

Response to User #10-1-13-5-19, Incident #99-02-14-01

We receive many inquiries to this perceived problem. However it is almost always the result of a common error.

Many men upgrade from Girlfriend 1.0 to Wife 1.0 with the idea that Wife 1.0 is merely a Utilities & Entertainment program. This is a serious misconception. Although Wife 1.0 includes many Utilities and Entertainment functions, Wife 1.0 is actually an entire Operating System. It has been designed to run everything.

Warning! Do not try to: un-install, delete, or purge the program from the system once installed. Trying to un-install Wife 1.0 can be disastrous, resulting in the loss of valuable system resources. You can not go back to Girlfriend 1.0. Wife 1.0 is not designed to do this. Many have tried “workarounds.” These only complicate the situation. For example, some have tried to install Girlfriend 2.0 or Wife 2.0 and found the problems persist. Others, in an ill conceived attempt, have tried to run Girlfriend 2.0 in the background while Wife 1.0 is running. This almost always results in serious system conflicts, possibly leading to a non-recoverable system crash.

We recommend you keep Wife 1.0 and adjust a few user input parameters. I might also suggest you read the entire section regarding General Protection Faults (GPFs). Should a GPF occur, the best course of action will be to push the Apologize Button then Reset Button as soon as lock-up occurs. The system will run smooth as long as you provide needed maintenance time. To free up CPU time and improve performance, be certain that you have terminated your several search and scan routines. Because each copy of Wife 1.0 is a uniquely configured system, no single manual will cover all enabled features. New users should first consult with those who have been running Wife 1.0 for many years before installing a copy yourself. You should consider joining one of our established local users group to discuss your specific configuration. Remember, the installation of Wife 1.0 can allow maximum system potential. There are no plans for upgrades; Wife 1.0 was designed to work for a lifetime.

Monopoly: World Edition

February 5, 2008


I've recently renewed my love for boardgames and although I'm not all into Monopoly anymore (after Andrew kicked my butt in it three times in a row...) I think it's exciting that Hasbro is coming out with a "Here and Now: The World Edition". And the coolest part? You can go online and vote to put your favourite city on the map board! Go now! The polls close February 29, 2008. (click!)

One Way Ticket to Spice City, Please!

February 4, 2008


Spice Girls was amazing!

Broken Telephone

December 13, 2007

My sister's work called this morning asking for her but she was at school. It sounded kind of important (because anything from William Sonoma sounds important to me) so I called her cell to let her know. She called me back moments later to tell me that she had been fired (but not really) and she went on to tell me about her studying problems.

I can relate to studying problems - I've had a whole week of studying problems before now (aka my brief retreat at home). Anyway, she was telling me how she thinks she has mental issues and constipation. I was really surprised that she told me this - we're not the type of family that shares these kinds of things, especially not 9:30 in the morning. She went on to say maybe she has anemia issues and when she was all done, I suggested maybe the stuff she was eating had to do with her constipation. And then, it all became clear... because the next thing she said was "I said CONCENTRATION, not CONSTIPATION." (Well, that's the basic gist of it, I don't remember it too clearly) And then apparently I laughed hysterically for a while.

Trash That Cookie

December 11, 2007

A couple nights ago, Jasy called me to tell me she had made cookies! She did, however, also warned me that they weren't fully cooked. This made me think back to all the other cookies my friends had made and shared with me in the past. I'm not trying to be a snot or anything, but many of them were pretty bad. Each of them came with their own story, which still make me smile now, so I'll share a few with you.

1. The Cookie Muffin.
Back in elementary school, I discovered my favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe from a kids cookbook. In high school, each year when our youth group went on retreats, I'd bake cookies to share with people on the bus. One year, one of my friends wanted to bake some too, so I gave her my recipe. As she took out her box of cookies, she said to me, "I don't know what happened, but they look like muffins." And indeed, the cookies that are normally flat and chewy, turned out stiff and muffin-like, but they tasted good. Nothing wrong with a chocolate chip muffin!

2. The Substitute Cookie.
As a going away present as I left for university, one of my friends baked me some oatmeal cookies. She warned me that they didn't turn out too well but that didn't stop me from trying them out. What did stop me was how incredibly hard they were. I couldn't even get my teeth into them, and when I finally did, they didn't taste quite right. The next time I was on the phone with her, I found out why. Apparently, she had substituted practically every ingredient with something different. We had a great laugh, then she told me to throw the cookies out (haha).

3. The Not-Bad-Made-Bad Cookie
These cookies came with a cup of Caramel Corretto (yum) which made them so much better. Jas made these cookies and instead of just using Smarties, added crumbled chocolate, which I thought was ingenious. However, when I brought the cookie closer to my face, it just didn't smell right. It didn't smell bad, it just smelled uncooked. Anyway, I figured I could just warm it up in the microwave for a bit, just to cook it a little. Sixty seconds later.. well, let's just say I took a relatively good cookie and burned it to cookie purgatory. We're lucky the fire alarm didn't go off. What was left of it was decent though.

I have received some good cookies (and cookie recipes) in my time. And on a totally unrelated note, I wrote my second last exam today and less than 15 minutes in, a blood vessel bursts in my nose and I get a nosebleed. I put my hand up and as I was waiting for the prof to see me, I catch a glimpse of Andrew giving me a "I'm onto you" look as if I was going to check the cheat sheet I had stashed in the bathroom just moments before the exam...

Christmas Music

November 18, 2007

I know it's still early but Christmas is in the air! The malls have started playing Christmas music, putting up Christmas decoration and therefore not-so-subtly coaxing anxious shoppers into spending obscene amounts of money on gifts and other holiday related items. That and it's absolutely frigid outside.

As baking seems to have become my new weekend ritual, I helped my sister bake some cookies, along with some other special cookies I will send out today. Anyway, while we bake, we usually have something, whether it be a movie or music, on. This weekend, we started listening to Christmas music.

I love Christmas music. But the nice kind. Not the super cheesy (and annoying) "Jingle Bell Rock" kind. I mean, if you're going to play the same songs over and over every year for the span of a month, at least make the songs good!

I have a very small selection of songs I like to listen to each year to put myself in the "Christmas mood". I'd like to expand my repertoire a little this year so please share with me some of your favourites (and I'll promise not to make another YouTube post until at least December). Anyway, here's one of my all-time favourites:

Trans Siberian Orchestra - Carol of the Bells

Country Roads, Take Me Home

November 17, 2007

I just thought I might share a video with you guys. And since it's my first one, I thought I'd make it one that I like... a lot.

Spice Up Your Life

November 2, 2007


My Spice Girls tickets are here! All four of them arrived safely contained within two little inconspicuous brown envelopes. Whoohoo!

Couch Potato

September 25, 2007

If you ever need to find me at 9pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, I'll likely be sitting on the couch watching House MD, Private Practice or Grey's Anatomy. I'm kind of excited about the new seasons (and if you didn't watch House tonight, shame on you).

Sure, I've got lots of school stuff to do but everything in moderation, right? Plus, watching these shows helps relieve stress and less stress = more productivity. So in reality, I'm not slacking, I'm getting more work done!

SIMS

July 24, 2007


A couple summers back, Andrew introduced me to a wide variety of computer games. SIMS was one of the games (I know, it's old). I was addicted. When the game was open, we operated on SIMS time. When talking about time, we had to specify which time we were talking about.

Andrew: What time is it right now?
Bee: *looks at computer* 9:43pm
Andrew: No, real time
Bee: Oh.. I don't know, 3-something? (in the morning)

Somehow, the player (usually me) would get lost in the world of SIMS and the other person (usually Andrew), would get dragged along. Our conversations would revolve around whatever was going on in the world of SIMS.

Bee: Oh mi gosh, I need to use the bathroom
Andrew: "So go"
Bee: Okay
Andrew: *waits* Aren't you going to go?
Bee: Oh, I meant my SIMS me had to use the bathroom

We even bought SIMS 2 for all the other additional things you can do and buy. But, as the end of the summer rolled around, we were forced to relinquish games for more important things. Y'know - school, taking care of LG, things like that.

The game remained in Andrew's piles of junk all this time, until now. Two days ago, Andrew re-installed SIMS on his computer for my playing pleasures. For two nights now, I have been up until the not-so-wee hours of the morning, falling asleep just as the sun rises, hoping to get just enough sleep to last through the rest of the day. Someone needs to set an alarm for me to go to sleep.

Summer Book 2/5: Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom

July 11, 2007

I had every intention of buying this book and reading it a few summers back but never got around to it. In fact, I didn't intend on reading this book this summer until Andrew borrowed it from his house mate and left it on my desk tonight. He asked if I was going to read it. I said no. But only moments later, I picked it up and I really could not put it down. I tore through the first half of the book but had to stop because it's already 4am.

A few random thoughts that popped into my head while reading:
- This is the second book I've read that involves a main character who has a disability. In this book, Morrie is diagnosed with ALS. The other book was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime which was about a boy with autism. I loved that book and somehow, that meant that I would love this book as well. So far, it's been true.

- The set up of the book is great for someone who has a short attention span. Each section is only a few pages long (and the book is small so really, the chapters are very short). It's also a very easy read.

A quick overview: This book is about a (now) middle-aged man who is reunited with his favourite college professor, his mentor, after seeing him on TV talking about embracing life while dying. Every Tuesday, they meet and discuss various issues of life.

I think what I really love about this book was that it helped me label something I've been struggling with for the past little while. Morrie calls it the Tension of Opposites. He describes it to be the series of tensions, pulling you back and forth in life. For me, this is most obvious when I think about what I want to do after I graduate. On the one hand, I'd like to 'go out into the world', get a job and live my own life. On the other hand, I feel like I want to stay in the shelter of education, maybe get another degree. Both sides seem appealing in their own ways. Which one wins? Which one is better? That's just one of the many things I'm struggling with right now. It's like a never-ending fight, this thing called life.

Anyway, I know that's not the point of the book but that was the part that stuck out to me the most because it helped me label my problem (which apparently is one of the first steps to solving it, right?).

The other day in class, we were learning about safe sun behaviour. Andrew took notes. (Thank goodness I took my own as well.. hah)