Flow and Productivity

Yesterday was a really good day for me. I went down to Vancouver just before noon and stayed there until four o'clock. I bought a venti Soy Caramel Macchiato and a snack to get me by. I had it all planned - I was going to stay under a tree with this marvellous book I am currently reading until life decides to pull me back. Seriously, there is nothing better than finally getting something you have been pining for in a long time. I needed the time to myself. I needed the time away from everything good and bad and just live in the now. It was not a lazy day. If anything, I think I accomplished more yesterday than any day I had had in the past weeks. I was in a state of flow. 

This was also my view. Imagine my regret had I stayed home on a beautiful Friday!

Aside from the wonderful time I spent by myself, I also finally received my final grade for Sociology *screaming inside* Super thankful. My professor replied to my inquiry regarding the rest of the assignments we still have to pick up and in his email, instead of highly recommending that I should present my research at the conference, this time he says to make sure that I do. Nothing official yet but.. it's not an opportunity I'm going to let slip by.

In related news, I am still waiting for my final grade in Psychology. The wait is making me so anxious, I could just bury my head in the ground and weep. 

Hook, line, and sinker

(This being 10 minutes away from our place, I see it often, but it fascinates me every time.)

I always thought going fishing would mean having four to six hours a day to ponder, reflect on this thing called life. I guess it's fair to say that I always had this idea that if you are out someplace quiet, just sitting there, you would have nothing but yourself and your thoughts to keep you busy. I was wrong. Or at least in fishing, that is not the case. My papa told me once we were out to fish that going fishing actually takes your mind off things. It's because you have your eyes (and maybe all other senses) and even your breathing and pulse carefully waiting for that one tug, that one bite. It makes sense, doesn't it? It makes even more sense once you have been there.

I have kept my dad company many times going fishing. But I never bothered trying because for one, I didn't have my licence, and second of all, I would rather read, write, enjoy the view, and you guessed it, think. I guess I arrived at a point where I have had too much thinking, realizing that it isn't healthy anymore, and so I decided to get a licence. Saturday was the first time I actually went fishing (and caught a couple - woohoo!) and loved it. We started at 7 am. I had this lovely view (pictured above); The sun was hiding, the clouds filled the sky and they reflected in the water too - lovely. It was calm, looking almost like a blanket tucking in the life that lived underneath.The best part of that wondrous Saturday morning, life didn't get in the way. I had no time to think because I was too busy holding my breath, waiting for a tug, and all my focus was on the end of the rod.

I was talking to one of the best friends I have about fishing this morning; I told her it's a good way to take your mind off things. She then asked me if that's what I wanted to do. Thinking about it now, I don't think I ever answered her. Either it slipped my mind or I didn't know what to say. Now that the day is almost coming to a close, I now know what it is I'm running from. It's silly, it's strange, but for me it makes perfect sense - the only thing I am trying to get away from is myself.

School, the future, jitters

I have been at a loss for words for the longest time. I don't know why. It could be because I am often overwhelmed by my thoughts and the many things that are happening that I can't seem to pick the right words, the perfect ones that equate to the emotions that come with them. Then I forget I ever planned on writing about them. And I am only left with thoughts and grand memories that I feel will be blogged eventually.

Right now, I feel like telling you that I just paid my registration deposit for next semester. It may seem very odd, reading something so irrelevant and out of the blue, but I am just excited. I register for my classes on the 17th, and if I do that successfully, then I am a semester closer to getting my AA degree. AWWW YEAH. I am desperate to get into a particular writing class - a priority, a first concern, a transcendence - and I am hoping to get the same professor I had last spring. But I really do not want to expect anything since we (or I) know how woopty doo well that went last time. Although honestly, I am very much hopeful. I am desperate. I am actually left with no choice.

I feel desperate for so many things right now. But I can't complain with what I have either.

How are you?

On Nikaido and Tea

(Photo from the Steveston Insider)

On a lovely Saturday afternoon in sunny Steveston, my cousin dragged me to this specialty boutique along No. 1 Road. Nikaido is a quiant, cozy store that sells cards, stationery, and many other things you would want to splurge money on - ehem, cutest of all the cute in the world. This is one side of its interior:

(Photo from the Steveston Insider)

They also sell tea, and A LOT of it. I wish I could tell you about each and every kind, but I can only tell you about one since well, I only purchased one kind that day - the Nikaido Mango Ceylon black tea ($7.95).



I was never a fan of fruity tea until I had this particular one and I was blown away in delight. This black tea has a tangy-ness to it that is just perfect. The pieces that make up the loose leaf are authentic (there isn't much of it out there) and have a wonderful aroma. Whenever I steep this tea at night, or in the late afternoon, its aroma fills the whole place with calm, and it's nice. Also, you can use a batch several times without worrying about your next one being too bland. I also bought my tea filter (around $5) from them.

Nikaido also carries a variety of tea of different brands, some made for cough, weight loss, energy boost, or whatever you need. Name it, they probably have it. My cousin got a double matcha and milk oolong. She loves them too.

This was a really good buy. I can't wait to go back and get some more of a different kind! The lovely couple who owns the place are very nice too. They make you feel welcome to take your time and look at what they have in store.

I wish I had known about Nikaido a long time ago. Then I wouldn't have gone back to grocery stores to buy boxed tea. But hey, we learn, we learn.

Mother's Day // Busy Sunday Fun Day

I thought it was a really good day. It was simple, but it was fun.

We had a family lunch out to celebrate one of my cousins' birthday and Mother's Day of course. Lunch was courtesy of my cousin and aunt. It was fun catching up with everyone and having a good laugh at the small things. We're a very happy family - I think we're rather the nice to be around kind of people. We love to eat - already a plus right there!



That's me, by the way - platinum hair, leather jacket, short stuff. Yeah, that's me surrounded by awesome family. See our faces? All smiles, as a result of a good, greasy lunch at the Hog Shack, and good conversations.

And of course, this is one of those I like to call an obligaroty family photo.

Since it was Mother's Day, of course I wanted the day to be a little extra for the momma. And since every restaurant in the Lower Mainland is probably overflowing in reservations, I decided to sit my dad and uncle down and ask if they were willing to join me in cooking. Oh yeah, it happened. The three of us ransacked the kitchen to cook. Fact: we all love to cook at anytime of any day, but tonight, it was all on us and all my mom had to do was sit back, relax, and wait for everything to be set. She'd stand and move around the kitchen once or twice but we have to admit, it's a wife/mother's instinct to check up on everything and make sure that everything is still tip top.

So I am very tired from preparing tonight's meal, dessert included. It was extremely fun though. I'm glad everything from this morning to the wee hours of tonight turned out well for everyone.

Such culinary delight!

#Oysters / Rodney's Oyster House

The other day, I was browsing hashtag #oysters on Instagram (yes, I do that) and tortured myself with photos of beds and beds of oysters. I had been craving it for months. I am aware that there are several oyster bars in Vancouver but none of them ever appealed to me for some reason. I never bothered to go. But upon seeing the torturous photos and reading that they were taken in Yaletown, Vancouver, I jumped to my feet and knew I just had to go. Luckily, that Friday, my uncle and I had planned to meet downtown and do another photo walk. Luckily, my uncle, an extreme foodie like me, had been craving the same for months now.

We went to Rodney's Oyster House along Hamilton St. in Yaletown and was guaranteed to be seated in 30 minutes. We went to the waterfront and took a few photos, then excitedly walked back.

We started with their New England Clam Chowder (around $7.50) and it was good. It was very filling. The clams were plentiful. The cream is quite rich, but is contrasted by fresh ground pepper that adds a little kick. I also had been craving for this specific chowder since all of the places I go to only have the Manhattan one, which is a tomato-based chowder. Not my type.



We tried the Scallop Galette (around $12) which features potato encrusted scallops, a salad with vinaigrette, and plum sauce. I love love love scallops so this was excellent for me. Also, the greens were a nice touch. The plum sauce was a bit sour than I expected, but still good.



Nobody should say no to these babies - their Pan Fried Oysters (around $12) was really good. They were fried perfectly and not at all overwhelming.



And of course, what we came for, raw oysters. Beautiful. If you come during their low tide (3 - 6pm Mon to Sat), their raw oysters come at $1.50/pc. Not bad at all. It's only been two days and I'm craving for more already!

They will also give you this nice array of sauces to put on the oysters. They are placed from mildest to hottest. The hottest, the last one called Back From Hell, is INTENSE. It will take your taste buds off, but if you're some daredevil then you'll enjoy this treat.

I honestly did not enjoy the sauces because I thought they overpowered the oysters. But don't get me wrong, they are all excellent. Your server will let you in on the best sauce combination. I just opted to squeeze lemon and pour a bit of vinegar on mine. Unlike myself, my uncle just can't take the thought of slurping these babies right off the shell. I love it. I like the taste of the ~sea~



Halfway thru our meal, we decided we needed something to wash down the taste. We asked our waiter (such hunk, btw) for their white wine selection and he recommended the Babich Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ($11/glass). Yeah....it's poured into this tiny glass (full to the brim) but still quite pricey if you ask me. It was very very good though.

I had to crouch down to take a sip before I could move the glass without spilling.



It was a very good meal. To think that the only carbs we consumed were the potatoes in the chowder and the complimentary sourdough bread, we were very full and happy. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys oysters and who isn't meticulous dining in quite a rowdy place (especially during hockey matches. Go Canucks!). If you aren't a fan of raw oysters, they have other goodies too. Check out their menu here: http://rohvan.com

They have a Maritime Room hidden at the stern usually used as a function room, but is also opened to the public during busy hours.



Have a photo of myself in zombie mode.

Photo walk photos to be posted soon!

Rodney’s Oyster House
1228 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6L2
604.609.0080

Earth Day Birthday and No Tulips

Let's grab something (a lot) to eat and let's go photograph tulips! 

That was yesterday's agenda. It was my uncle's birthday and so I decided to take him out for lunch. We went to Boston Pizza and ordered food enough for three, enjoyed devoured by two. We both got cocktails because well, it's his birthday; and we don't drink as often anymore so why not have a glass on this special occasion? Candy-coloured cocktails for the win? I think so. Better than beer? Let's just say we wanted it light.



We headed to the closest park to photograph tulips, supposedly. There were none; none at all. It was like a dead tundra.

On our way back to the centre we walked past a couple of tulips (almost in full bloom), cherry blossoms and japanese magnolias. I didn't take many photos, and the few I did manage to take didn't thrill me at all. Here are three okay ones:



None of them have the sharpness I was going for, but I guess that's because I used a 75-200mm lens to take these.

Anyway, I didn't know it was earth day yesterday until I came home last night! Tell me how timely our photo walk was.

Yesterday was a good day!

Pizza night & a Friday in which I make homemade goodies

More often than not, Friday is always pizza night (or eat-out-wherever night). It's that one weeknight my mom and I try to always find an excuse not to cook. Don't get me wrong. We love to cook. I love to cook. But sometimes, it's just good eating food you haven't been constantly sniffing and tasting for an hour or so.

We decided to try out this pizza joint in Steveston. I've heard many good things about it. People say they make gourmet pizzas. People also say they have a $450 pizza consisting of shrimp, lobster, and caviar. People say they're the best. We all know one should never trust rumours. But it's different when it comes to food. Sometimes, the best are known via word of mouth.

Tonight we ordered an Italian pizza (reg $20) and a Bocconcini salad ($9) from Steveston Pizza Co.

What was I thinking ordering a "basic" pizza at a gourmet pizza place? Well, I wanted to try the Earth pizza which consisted of brie, camembert, bocconcini, dried tomatoes and enoki mushrooms. I wanted to try all of the pizzas that didn't have meat and had three to four kinds of cheese and the unusual tidbits you would ever find on a pizza. BUT it was our first time and I wanted my parents to pick.

It's Italian. What do Italians love in their food? Did I hear you say meat? If you said meat, then you're right. This baby right here has so much meat in it. You can't see? Me neither. But don't judge this baby by its surface. Beneath the countless slices of black olives, vibrant pieces of roasted peppers, basil pieces, caramelized onions and cheese, hide three layers of meaty goodness. Fantastic. And look, a dollop of mozzarella in the middle!

I looked at their menu and the meats in this pizza are: pepperoni, genoa salami, back bacon, lean beef and capocolli! Say that five times fast.



I wanted to edit the photo because I feel like it's too vibrant for the eyes, but I wanted you to see how pretty the colours are! Looks good, huh? It tastes even better. No need for ketchup or Tabasco. Hallelujah pizza goodness!

I opted to order salad too since I felt we didn't have enough veggies.



The Bocconcini (meaning small pieces of mozzarella) has in fact, /thick/ slices of mozzarella, slices of tomatoes and various greens topped with a very very good basil and balsamic reduction. Words cannot express how much I loved the dressing.

Enough about the pizza and onto a more homemade delight!

I made my mom's favourite carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting today. From scratch. It's the best one we've ever had and all the credit goes to one of my mom's bestfriends who was very kind to share her secret recipe with us. 




I also prepared mac 'n cheese balls! They're chilling in the fridge (ha!) ready to be deep fried any day now.

Yay long blog post~

Steveston Pizza Co.

http://stevestonpizza.com

3400 Moncton St, Richmond, BC V7E 3A2, Canada

Phone:+1 604-204-0777

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Yesterday was a gooOOood day. I am putting emphasis on the good (it's read with a wave-y tone, by the way) because it really was a good day.

It was my dad's birthday. It was also the day I had my first and final exam for the semester, setting me free for 3 weeks before I go back to school. Going back, my parents, my uncle, and I had a simple dinner at the River Rock Casino. The buffet at the River Rock is nothing spectacular. I have been there thrice, I think, and I honestly have never been wow-ed by the food, but it's just always good eating out with people I love who are very much extreme foodies too. Who else would I think after?

What I do love about the buffet is that if it's your birthday, you get a special dessert. You also get a free "happy birthday" song from your very attentive waiter who (last night) happened to pull/force another staff to sing with him, forgetting to remove her gloves. Very funny. Very nice of them.

Our dinner was filled with laughter and hearty talks about the simple things in life. Little stories about how our days went, and funny accidents filled our glasses intoxicating us with happiness. It was an extremely good dinner. My dad was happy, my uncle, who is celebrating his birthday on Monday, was too. And of course, my mom and I who planned it all to skip out on cooking for at least one night on a weekday felt very satisfied.

A little tip from me to you, when you're at the River Rock, get a casino card. If it's your first time getting it, you get a $5 voucher. You can either use it on the slot machines or cash it out. If you get it on your birthday month, you get double the voucher, totalling to $10. With the casino card, you also get a 10% discount whenever you eat at the buffet. Not bad.

I just found out last night that they have a daily breakfast buffet for only $15. Instead of going to yourlocal IHOP, why not just go to a buffet? (I am a sucker for /good/ buffets nom)

P.S. Let me just throw a little tantrum here. Hey River Rock, why does my dad get a fancy dessert for his birthday? I had dinner there on my birthday in 2010 and I got this. It's not as fancy aesthetic-wise, but it was good nonetheless; I'll give you that.