Vacation memories 2016: Frankfurt

Happy TGIF!

Once again, I have nothing. My mind is really tired too. I haven't been sleeping well this week... dunno if it's from the adrenaline from watching the Olympics or what LOL.

Anyway, here are some pictures from my vacation, taken in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt was an interesting mix of old and new. It's the financial center of Germany and perhaps why people told us there wasn't much to see. However, I beg to differ LOL. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing the contrast of old and new. Lots of pretty buildings and of course, churches :) Wished I had a bit more time to really research the city and make of list of what to see. All in all though, I liked :)

Vacation memories 2016

Okay, so I'm coming up totally empty. I have no idea what to blog about. I thought of posting a music video of my current favorite TV couple, but somehow, it felt like taking the easy way out ^_^; Instead, here are some pictures from my trip in Germany. Since I took the pictures, it feels like I'm putting more efforts into this post LOL.

We have a lot of relatives and friends in Germany. So during this trip, we stayed with them and took one-day-trips to several places. Sometimes, we'd visit a bit city like Munich or Frankfurt. Other times, we'd go to very quaint, little towns. One of my favorite days was spent in Esslingen. Esslingen is an university town just outside of Stuttgart... and it was just so peaceful! I wished we had spent more time. In any case, I got some awesome pictures that I'd like to share with you :)

I really enjoyed Germany and hope to return soon :)

What books to bring on vacation?

So I think the title of this post says it all LOL. I'm leaving on Saturday and I'm thinking what books should I bring with me. I have no idea how much time I'll have to read, but I figure a lot since there's not much visiting to do. Here are some books that I know that I'm bringing already.

The new releases:

The re-reads:

The comfort reads:

 

The TBR pile:

What do you think? What should I add?

Hauling Sunday CX

Oh, my poor neglected blog!! I've been meaning to blog, I swear, but life has been really hectic in the last few days. Basically, it's because I'm going to a wedding next week. Except my friend wanted a destination wedding and as such, I'm leaving on Saturday for a week to Punta Cana! Yay! It's going to be my first all-inclusive, resort vacation. Not sure what to expect, but just the work "vacation" makes me happy LOL. However, before I can enjoy the vacation, there is the departure and as usual, I'm running around like crazy to get some stuff: swim suits, bag, medicine, hat, etc. If that was all, it wouldn't be so bad... but this Friday is my birthday :) Usually, I'd keep it low-key... but I'm turning 30 :P It's a nice number to celebrate I think LOL. And so that's what I did last week-end :)

 
We had pork tenderloin with mac and cheese, some smoke salmon tartar, spinach salad with strawberries and feta cheese and shrimps wrapped in bacon. The food was extremely yummy and luckily for all of us, I wasn't the one cooking LOL. However, I helped and since I was hosting, I cleaned... and so my week-end passed really fast! Seriously, I've barely had time to read :(

Tonight, I'm going out with my new friends for curling and tomorrow, we're taking out my friend's aunts who came from Hong Kong for the wedding. When I went to Hong Kong in 2000 (jeez, I cannot believe it's been so long!!), they welcomed us into their home and so, this is a thank you in Montreal :) And on Friday, apparently, I need to beautify my legs and feet for the beach. In the meantime, I need to pack and I'll definitively try to write a couple of posts for next week.

In the meantime, I have a New Releases post with Ames over at Breezing Through. Check out what books I'm looking forward to in May here :) And while I know we're not Sunday, I thought I'd still show you what I've got last week and this week :)

I've actually already read Written in Red by Anne Bishop, but I loved it so much that I needed to get the hardcover :) Loki's Wolves is totally a score, considering that it's coming out only next week! No Strings Attached - I'm trying very hard to be a good girl and keep it for next week while in Punta Cana. It just seemed to be the perfect beach read! The Mary Balogh is also coming with me because I need to find out why Ames enjoyed it so much :) And  I'm currently reading Lord of Wicked Intentions :P

So what books did you recently acquire? Any suggestions of what I should bring with me?

I'm back!!

Hi everyone!!

Well I'm back! :) Yay! Sorry for the sudden disappearing act, but once you see the pictures below, you'll forgive me... right? :)

Yep, I was in vacation in Europe! :) I thought once over there, I'd have internet access and would be able to continue blogging and blog-hopping as usual... I was so wrong LOL! Hence, the hiatus post ^_^;

Well I'm heading to bed now, but I'll post more pictures tomorrow and share the details of the trip :) And hopefully, by the week-end or at least, next Monday, I'll get back on track :)

Night night!

Extended Vacation...

Woohoo, extended vacation!! Okay, so here's the story. I went in Friday to fill in the HR paperwork and then, my new boss informs me that I have to pass a medical exam. It's just standard procedure (since I'm going to work in a hospital) and I can't sign anything before going through it. He actually didn't know I had to, until he called HR to get the paperwork. HR has already called me and set up an appointment - this Tuesday afternoon, but for now that means that my vacation is being extended... probably a week. Woohoo!!!

Yesterday was a quite busy day... but I'm proud to say that my to do list is almost totally completed :) I might try to go to the video rental store... I feel so bad :( Otherwise, this week, I'm going to focus on reading and watching the Olympics and cleaning my room.

Seriously, I just want to be reading, but so far, I keep getting distracted. I started The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella, The Wild Road by Marjorie M. Liu, Oceans by Fire by Christine Feehan and have all put them down :( The worst is that I've been buying lots of books, so you'd think that something would catch my attention... but no :( Sad. The good news however is that I got some new coupons from the bookstore! Remember how I complained that I lost my coupons from the bookstore that I've received when renewing my I-Rewards card? Well I was paying for m newest books and complaining to my friend who was accompanying me and the cashier just gave me a new booklet :D and the best news? The expiring date is November instead of August LOL :)

Oh and yesterday? I went to Elixor - I guess the Quebec's version of Cheesecake Factory :) LOL :) Although I have to say, there's not as many cheesecakes... but hey, we have a Cheesecake Factory :) What can I say?

I love living in Quebec... not

I don't have much to say ^_^; Vacation still going slowly and relax. I was able to complete no. 6 and 7 from my To Do list. I'll try to accomplish more today. By the way, as usual, I forgot to add 'Clean my messy room' on the list. Sigh. We're having a guest staying for a couple of days and my mom is in total frenzy. Seriously, she's almost welcoming a complete stranger. Sometimes, I don't know what she's thinking.

Haven't had the chance to read much. Well I did read a bit, but nothing that wow-ed me :(

Olympics-wise... well, seriously, while I enjoy watching all the competitions and sports, let say, there's not much to cheer for for Canada. We still have no medals and all our hopes are popping like balloons. Sigh. It's quite sad...

Oh by the way, you might be wondering about the title of my post? Have to say, I like where I'm living, but sometimes... just sometimes... Ames came to visit me right? and of course, she had to show me her new toy, her Sony e-reader. It's very nice and I have to say it's the first time I've seen one. I know there's been posts about what to look for in a e-reader and blabla, but I never paid attention to it, because I don't plan to switch to e-reader anytime soon. Anyway, so Ames showed me hers... and I was curious. I wanted to have another look at it and check out the price and so on. So yesterday, while shopping, I went into Sony store... couldn't find the e-reader anywhere. I found the thing to protect the e-reader, but no e-reader in sight. So I asked the saleman... Anyone one to guess what he told me? Come on, just guess...

Yep, the e-reader is not available in Quebec province... because the program is only in English. UGH, are you freaking kidding me?!?! Of course, you're not. So yeah, ridiculous... but what do you want? That's how it is in Quebec. Ugh.

Vacation week no.2

Hmmm, do I count the week-end in my vacation days? Nah... So day 6 of vacation. So far, my vacation has been relatively calm without much happening, except for yesterday... more to come on yesterday.


so yeah, the vacation has been very calm and uneventful. I'm still glued to my tv watching the Olympics. Canada still has no medals. Are we going to get any you think? Vietnam has 1 in weightlifting which is wow!! LOL :) Ah well, since Canada isn't doing well, I'm rooting for other countries... China, Japan, Australia, Germany... Sorry my southern neighbors, but you don't need cheering LOL :) (Not that China needs it, but since I'm Asian... and it's the host country...)

Okay, here is a quick to do list for the week... just a reminder for me:

1) Visit the professor (master supervisor)
2) Take pictures for passport
3) Passport
4) HR paperwork for job next week
5) Video rental store...
6) Catch up with some friends...
7) Send a package to Holly

Hmmm, I feel like there's something missing... but for now, I guess it's enough...

Okay, so what was so exciting for me yesterday? I got to hang out with Ames!! Yay!!! She was in Montreal to attend a wedding and swung by yesterday afternoon. We hung out and caught up a little bit. She showed me her newest toy, her Sony e-reader. Very nice... Then we went to eat a light lunch and... what do you think we did? Of course, book shopping! LOL :) I brought her to a UBS where she found some books that she's been looking for a long time :) Then we went to Indigo and Chapters downtown. Of course, I'm the one who ended the evening with more new books. You know Ames, she has a better will than me when it comes to books. She was also able to find 2 books I've been looking for a while in Winnipeg: Crazy for You by Kate Angell and The Secrets of Rosa Lee by Jodi Thomas. Ames and I also both bought some jewelry :) It was fun to get to see her again this summer, even if it was only for a couple of hours :)

Since Ames was able to find two books I've been looking for every time I go in a UBS in Winnipeg and she was able to find some books she's been searching high and low for in Montreal... I've been thinking of opening a new blog... a place where people could put up titles of books they can't find anywhere near them. I know that there is ebay and paperback swap... but both are not very convenient for Canada... Would you be interested in such a blog?

Anyway, I have to go mow the lawn! Talk to you later!!

Quebec City trip

Hi everyone!!

I'm back!! LOL, actually, I came back yesterday, but was so tired... Anyway, today is my first day of vacation!! woohoo!!! LOL :) It's been a while since I had one of these :) No plans really...

So I thought I'd post some pictures... We only went from Saturday morning to Sunday evening, but we still managed to bring a lot of things. It was funny, because you'd think that we'd be gone for a long thing, looking at how we were packing. The neighbors were sitting on their porch, both when we left and came back LOL :)

I drove to Quebec City which is a 2.5 hours drive. I tried driving back when we returned, but could only managed half of it. I was too sleepy. Seems like I can handle morning drive very easily, but I always have difficulty in the afternoon.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the trip. We did a lot of walking around. Quebec City is celebrating their 400 years anniversary, so there were lots of people everywhere. I had a cramp on Friday night while sleeping and so, now, my calves are really stiff :( But it was well worth it to see my uncle and his family.





So Saturday, after eating lunch, we walked around Old Quebec. The weather was really nice, so it was great :) My cousin, whom I haven't seen for 2 years, went on a camping trip. So she only joined us for supper with her boyfriend. It's kind of strange, because she's always been my little cousin... and for her to offer me beer and introduce her boyfriend, just strange.

We went to a steakhouse. Took us a while to find a place to eat. My uncle doesn't go out often, he's more of a homebody. All in all, the food was pretty good, but the service a bit slow... and forgetful ^_^; Actually, they completely forgot my order... Luckily, I only ordered a chicken Ceasar salad, otherwise, I'd probably have waited a long time.





Next morning, we went on a loooong walk LOL. My cousin had to go to work, so we didn't get to hang out. I like the third picture where my sis and dad are posing, LOL :) I tried to imitate them in the last pic :)

Overall, a nice week-end. Wonder when is the next time I'll see them...

As for my first day of vacation, a bit boring. Brought my car to the dealership because there was an oil leak. Turns out they are missing a piece so they'll keep the car overnight. My mom was gone grocery shopping, so me and my sister were pretty much stranded home. Then, we lost power for about 2 hours... So I napped... and I woke up all groggy and uncomfy. I'm trying to slowly clean up my room... it's not that bad, but yeah, I have a bit of work to do LOL :)

Good news is that I read and finished Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra :)

My vacations are now officially over...

Sigh.

Yes, it's over. My week off is over and... sigh. Seriously, a week is not enough and it goes by way to fast. I didn't even get time to be bored with myself yet. So how did the rest of my vacations go? Very good :D

Thursday, I went to see my professor who was my supervisor during my Master. He was there! Yay! (I went on Wednesday, but he wasn't there, so I had to go again the next day). I also got to see some labmates that I haven't seen on Wednesday. You know, it's weird how the labmates I've seen on Wednesday didn't tell my prof about me coming to visit them. I don't know, it's something I would have told him... Of course, I was coming back the next day, but what if I didn't? So we caught up :) Also, he really boosted my ego and self-esteem, cos everytime I see him, he asks me if I want to do a PhD with him :D And you know how nowadays, it's quite difficult, cos you need apply to fellowships and grants on your own... and professors are reluctant to take you in unless you have any kind of fundings... but my professor was all "I'll find funding for you and no one is working on your project at the moment..." Seriously, that is rare to hear, that a prof will provided all the funding necessary... Funding was one of the main reason why I didn't do a PhD or even just a regular Master degree - I don't know, I have difficulty to sell myself or to beg for money... Of course, my professor is really good at getting fundings, but still... He's getting a new PhD or Post-doc student from Brezil and even that person was only accepted because he had a fellowship. So yeah, it was good to hear and personally, I really like my professor. Unfortunately, I don't think that I can go back to school :( My mind just doesn't want to. But really glad I went to see him :D

Friday was an okay day. I went out with my mom and we picked up my sis for lunch. She hasn't been in a great mood lately, because she has to study (midterm tonight). We went to a chinese restaurant (one my mom chose)... the food and service wasn't great... but at least, we got to spend some mother and daughters time. Then, we drove my sister back to school and my mom and I went to get a haircut :D I have to admit, I'm happy to have my hair short once again.

On Saturday, I work at the Fathers' place the whole day (from 8.30am to 9pm). People often ask me why I work there since I have a full-time job. I actually only work from 4.30pm to 9pm usually, although lately, I've been replacing my friend a lot. I grew up with my grandparents living right with us... so I guess I miss being around with old ppl. Also, they needed someone and no one was willing to do the Saturday evening... so in a way, I'm helping them out. Of course, the extra money doesn't hurt, but seriously, I work only 4.5hours/week so it's not a major issue. Of course, considering the stability of my full-time job, I think that having a job on the side is good, even if it doesn't pay much. Anyway, I like it there... but doing a full day like that, not as much :( But it's really fun to be around these old men... they were all missionaries in Afrika and even if now, most of them are 70y.o. and up, it's amazing how they are still autonomous and self-reliant.

Finally, Sunday was a quiet day. I stayed in bed and read What a Lady Wants by Victoria Alexander. Once I was done, I went grocery shopping, cos I was hosting a Wii party at my house. Then, I had to clean up my room a litte... My friends got here at 4pm except for Emily. Emily called me later and she was like: It's today? At your house? LOL :) it was sooo cute, she was so lost :P Anyway, in total we were 8... we finished most of the chips, carrots, dips and salsa... Then I ordered pizza... but seriously, I should have ordered more... well I'll know for the next time, right? 8 is really the perfect number to play Wii. Enough ppl to play and rotate and enough ppl to watch and laugh :D The party did end early though, since it was Sunday and most ppl had school or work the next day...

By the way, miscellaneous thing... we played at Brain Academy... and my brain weighs 1173g LOL :) and of course, I'm above average :P but seriously, I really liked that game... Otherwise, I suck at the others... and I hate trying to navigate a car or a spaceship or a submarine on a Wii... I just can't do it!

So how was your week-end all?

ps. first day of work after vacation is hell... seriously sucks. Not only it's hard to get back to work, but I did sooo many mistakes today... ugh.

and the vacation continues!

LOL, do you really want to know what I've been doing? If yes, well keep on reading :)

Day 2 was a very quiet day. Basically, I've been having difficulties mustering interest twds my TBR pile and haven't been reading much. So I haven't been reading much lately... instead, I've been re-reading Loving Jack by Nora Roberts - this in my opinion is one of the best serious hero meets lively heroine and she thaws him out plot :) I've also re-read Vrigin River by Robyn Carr (loved this book LOL) and Now You See Her as well as Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard. I think those are my two favorites by this author :D

So basically, I lazed around, read and slept. It was a rainy day, not very nice weather. I still went downtown to pick up my sister - cos I'm nice LOL :) It was hellish to find a parking place though... ugh. Then I wondered around a little bit since I was early... bought myself an ice cream to cheer me up and window shopped... then, of course, stopped by the bookstore... and I didn't come home empty-handed LOL :) I'll make a list of my new books in the next post :P And that's about it :P

Day 3 - i,e. today - was much more exciting. It started early because I had to go downtown and wanted to miss traffic. Today was the McGill Bookfair at the downtown campus. Basically, the McGill Bookfair is a charity event: during the whole year, they accept book donations and during 2 days in October, they sell them. It started at 9am, so I wanted to be there early. I picked up my friend, cos she wanted to come with me, and also drove my sis to school. My friend and I went for breakfast then head to the bookfair. Ugh, I guess it doesn't matter at all how early you get there or not, there was a LOT of ppl present there already. I went through the books for about 2 hours... I was so tired afterwards (actually, still am). There were books on the tables and under and very little space btw the tables. The hardest was crouching down and looking through the boxes, having ppl stepping over/behind you and then, standing up again... with a tons of books in your arms! So final count? 28 or 29 books! The thing is I bought some books for friends too... so I'm not certain yet :P The worst though was to lug all the books back to my car! I had a box and had to transport it... by the end, my arms felt like jello!

Afterwards, I went to buy some manga and went to the lab where I did my internship.... however, my professor wasn't there!! So I have to go back tomorrow. So afterwards, my next stop was the UBS. I've been meaning to go this week so I could really laze around and explore, but after the bookfair, because well I didn't want to get the same book twice... Plus, books at the bookfair were cheaper... They were still holding the Buy 3 get the 4th Free sale :D So I ended up with 16.

Finally, I went to the video rental store and got my weekly fix of TVB shows. Went back to the Mcgill campus to pick up my sis, beat the traffic and got home... however, I'm exhausted now! Book shopping is really hard LOL :) but I think I'm done for the week!

I'll be listing my new books soon :D Stay tuned!

Day 1 of vacation!

hey everyone :D

man, even if it's been a few days, I miss blogging. My problem is that I haven't been reading much lately :( For some reason, I'm not interested by any books in my TBR pile. In addition, it seems I'm on a paranormal overdose :( Anyone has a suggestion? Holly has recommended Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. So I'll be looking out for it. I really want to go to the bookstore, but tomorrow is the McGill bookfair... I'm thinking I should stop myself, cos I mean, perhaps I'll find the same books at the bookfair for much cheaper... of course, I could always return the ones bought at the bookstore. Ah well, we'll see.

So what did I do on my first day of vacation? LOL :) Nothing really interesting. I cleaned my room and now I'm actually able to walk in it! Next step is going to be the closet... maybe :P and going through my books, but then, again, I'll be doing that after the bookfair... Do you think I have too much hopes for the bookfair? I have the feeling I'll end up being disappointed. Sigh.

Then, I brought my car to the garage for a check-up, oil change and a lavage. I went for professional lavage, because they have the really powerful vacuum cleaner + it smells so good afterwards... and it was really worth it! Also, the whole thing was cheaper than I expected. So I was quite happy.

I also went out with a friend... She actually picked me up at the garage and drove me back to pick up my car later in the afternoon... it work out really well because I don't like waiting for my car, but at the same time, I don't like having them driving me home... So we went for sushi :) I love Japanese lunch menu because their specials are really worth it! You get the miso soup, the salad, your lunch and ice cream for 10$ How cheap is that?!? Also, the food was excellent :D

All in all, a very nice first day of vacation. In addition, the weather was sooo nice! Sunny and about 22°C. It was hard to believe we are in October. Oh and I got Road to Hell by Jackie Kessler, the 2nd installment after Hell's Belle.

Vacations!

Isn't that an awesome word? Vacation! LOL

So I've talked about my situation at work in many posts, but let me recap: I'm working in a biotech company, in a lab. Basically, we're looking for a drug against cancer, but any other disease is good. I started this job in September 2006. At the time, I still had a semester left for my master degree, so when I was hired in the company, it was on a student contract for 4 months. They renewed my contract for January-April and then, renewed once again for April-August. However, those are 4 months, student contracts... and they always let you know about the renewal at the last minute... putting you under lots of stress.

During the summer, they told me they were going to give me a one-year contract... this meant some advantages and vacations... The one-year contract turned into a 2.5 months contract, because board of directors wanted to do a head count.

My current contract ends tomorrow...

So what's the deal this time? A 6 months contract with a ridiculous raise, but a raise nonetheless :) I'm okay - not happy or unhappy. Seriously, I was expecting another renewal and after New Year, I'm going to put myself into gear and seriously start looking for a permanent job. Seriously, I know that it's cheap for a company to hire on a contract-basis and also, we're not included in the head count, but I'm tired of the uncertitude and all. Also, it's not enough money... I manage to save money because I live with my parents, otherwise, I would have nothing in my saving account... but for now, it's okay...

However, best of news? VACATIONS! Well not real vacations - as in, I'm not going anywhere. Just one week off - no need to go to work. That definitively sounds like heaven! Basically, my real last vacation was spring break 2006... that's 1.5 + year already... so I really need that week off. I think it's going to be wonderful for me - both physically and mentally :D and you know what vacation means :) More time for blogging and reading! yay!

So basically, tomorrow is my last day of work! yay! I have to admit that I'm very ambitious for my week off, as I almost have plans for every day, but I don't care! So I'm really looking forward to it!