VC-3000 cough drops

(Stocked up review again!) Got it in Japan last winter. Actually because of a lurking sore throat. Ya know, those when you don't drink enough water and don't eat enough fruit or veggie, especially during a trip. Ended up not eating any and brought the bag back home with me. It's sugarless (oops forgot to check if there's any aspartame) , lemon flavour, and quite mild. You can just eat it as ordinary candy.

Cold

OMG it's like winter! Day 13 night 7! The hail didn't come today but stays in the forecast. Rain, shine, rain, shine. Crazy. (So is my back...)

Goodbye summer

Gets so cold all of a sudden! Yikes! Summer is really gone. And the rain came as forecast. They say there will be hail tomorrow, so mom's been busy covering up the tomatoes and palm melons. I managed to sneak in some spray-painting. Argh why did I put it off for so long? Now that the rainy season started, it's bad for spray paint.

Manga $$$

2 manga and 1 magazine cost over $50. Sob sob sob... (10 + 10 + 30) At least this doesn't happen more than 4 or 5 times a year.

And this Pinky broke when I tried to swap legs. I didn't pull hard at all. They just came off as if they're brittle. Twilight zone must be hungry. Sob sob sob... it's a mystery how only one leg has a peg. (T_T)

Crash

Didn't see it happen, but close enough. I was held up at the intersection for a looong time. Every car slowed down to take a look. Finally the firetruck came and block off the traffic on the right. Only then could I turn left.

Windy today. That's probably why my body's been whinny.

Giant Caplico

(Wow! Still got a whole bunch of reviews from spring! Including this one right after my trip.)
Glico Giant Caplico Dry Ice Cream Cone with Strawberry and Chocolate Filling.
Yup, can't read from the photo and looked the proper name up online. Another piece of memory from my last Japan trip. Thanks Kazuyo! It's not unlike Aero. Sweetness is well controlled and very light. Slight tartness makes it even lighter. I really don't understand why the north American candies have to be so sweet and so heavy. This, you're satisfied afterward and not addictive.

Niece Pinky

My niece (11) drew a self portrait in Pinky style and I happened to have the right components (well, close enough).

Again, it's only 2 days after my chiropractor's appointment but my body is whining. What's going on???? (T_T) There is no rain in the forecast at least until the end of this weekend! (T_T)

Harvest?

Last of our prunes and some green union bulbs.

Chiropractor

Sometimes I wonder if my body can afford skipping one visit per month. Saves 40 bucks but I get a lot more cranky. (T_T)

Looks like some kind of unusual ad is being installed near 41st and Cambie. People were putting model cars into clear cases. Couldn't get a good picture form inside the car while stopping at a red light.

Microwave stand (2)

Finally wrapped up the construction. Nailed the flimsy cardboard backing on. Yup, so flimsy, the kit provided so many nails. The first nail went through the bottom. Sob sob sob... (T_T)

Oh well, at least this thing isn't as wobbly as before and I can finally feel more comfortable putting stuff on it. It's surprising to see how much difference the backing makes despite its flimsiness.

But I still don't want to install the wheels. No need anyway. (Just too much hassle to have to clean underneath, haha.)

Canada line

First time riding it since it opened about a month ago. Thanks Andrew. It was interesting.

I agree the platforms are too small. The only way to move more people is to increase frequency, since they can't run longer trains. The stations are also shockingly small. What happens when the population grows? Did they even consider that? Or is it cheaper to run more trains than build bigger stations?




If you're on a wheel chair, go make a phone call when there's a fire? (In fact, yes!)
"Way out" instead of "exit"??? Are we stupid??? Why can't they use "exit"??? Argh!!!

Wind

(Picture is leftover from yesterday and has nothing to do with subject.)
Rainy. Windy. Sunny. Overcast. Everything. Of course my body doesn't like it.

Cousin K from San Jose will be visiting for a week in early October. Looks like she wants to see my dad before his surgery. The specialist's appointment is at the end of October. Then he goes on holiday in November. Not sure when he's back. But surgery is for sure after that.

Aneurysm (5)

Last of the tests for now. Appointment at 1:15pm. Today was the CT scan from shoulder to feet. Same routine, fasting, dye injection, then scan. Since no one's allowed into the room, I was a bit concerned that dad might scratch his face or cough like last time and there would be no one to stop him. (You're not supposed to move when scanning.) The nurse didn't say anything at the end. I guess things went OK. Good.

Mug

Dad started to isolate my mug. I think when the time comes when he fails to recognize his family, I'd be the first to go.

Can't stand when he goes around and "reorganizes" things and place the water bottles in a lump, stack the spoons and drape the dish cloth over the bowls so they can't dry. Common sense is long gone. And he drips pee even more. Smells 10 times worse then the stinkiest public washroom. Yuck... (T_T)

Another month

(Picture has nothing to do with subject.)
Last push before my boss' trip. Next work day will be at least a month later. She's going the Japan show in the second half of November so I won't get a full month's work in October. Will I be able to cover July's car repair bill before this year ends? (T_T)

Back and shoulders are so numb, I can't feel tough or heat. Tends to take overheated showers. Bad. Apparently might have caused the eczema on my upper arms.

Vam

(Picture has nothing to do with subject.)
Of course it chooses the worst day. I can't afford to miss any work, so I must go heavily drugged.

Sore eyes sore neck sore shoulders sore back sore hips. Well technically speaking, it's different from pain since the brain has turn off the signal. Everything just feels so wrong...

Otosibumi

(Yup, this is another stocked up review from the beginning of summer.)
My boss got it from a Japanese nobility during her trip, but she hates beans. So I got to eat it. (Thanks~!) The bean filling has a slightly sandy texture, and is wrapped in a soft, steamed, cake-like crust. Quite fragrant and natural. No preservatives was used. I suspect it's expired because they are only good for 2 weeks, and a little dry. (My boss was gone for 3 weeks and sick for 1 week after she came back.) The name of this bite size treat means "dropped letter", which refers to an indirect way of sending a love letter in the old days, by crumbling it up and dropping it on the ground in front of the receiver, usually in a different social class with no hope for marriage. The shape of the otosibumi resembles the crumbled up love letter.

Last day

My brother's mom-in-law's last day in Vancouver. Last minute shopping, last minute eating out. Glad that those 50% Michael's coupons are good for the photo frames she bought.

Putting the cardboard backing onto the crappy microwave stand just might help to stabilize it. Too tired to do it today though.

It's only been 2 days since my last chiropractor visit. How come my back is so stiff and cranky?

Fridge

Key word: scratch and save.
Not at Sears, though. And it's not on a piece of paper.

Finding the right fridge... can be difficult. Actually, finding the right anything can be difficult. However, this reminds me of that pair of jeans from the recent cross-border shopping trip. When it's yours, magic happens. Patience and persistence pays. At least I'd like to believe so.

The monster got out of control again. Why am I still alive? Why?

Bronze head pins

The bronze plated head pins from E-bay are...

... so dirty!!!!!! (T_T)

Well, looks like they've been through some kind of antiquing process. Oh why?????? They're totally fine as is! There's no need to add dirt!!!!!
Moreover, when it comes from China, who knows what kind of crap this "dirt" is????? (It's possible to be real crap!) Quality is very low too. The heads aren't centered. There aren't many that are properly formed and I might not even be able to use them. If they get my hands this dirty, I'll for sure transfer this dirt onto whatever accessories I'd be working on. Which is no good. Unless I clean them first. But... is the time and effort worthwhile? (Perhaps I have no choice...)

Not sure if it was my allergy pills running out or what, I was sneezing and coughing while re-bagging these pins. It'd better not be some kind of irritants. Sneezing... not uncommon, but coughing is.
Chaff was found in all the bronze findings: pins, rings, clasps and bead caps. Did they use food processing equipments to antique these findings? I sure hope not!! (T_T)

Traffic jam on Highway 1 on my way home.

Still aching

But slightly better than yesterday. At least I get today off.
Worked on doll accessories for a bit. Spent too much time on packaging. (T_T) Didn't get to deliver them to brother, and didn't get to go to the Y. My membership is still good till the end of this month. Wanna make the most of it.

Aaargh forgot to throw a Pinky into the photo!

Triple 9

Triple 9 = 666 upside down.

Rain all day. Ache ache ache. (T_T) Worked on 1/4 inch scale stuff. (Spooling silk threads onto micro cards, rolled rolls of fabric). Eyes, neck, shoulders, back, butt... all gone. A L L G O N E . . . (T_T) My whole body feels wrong. Not productive at all today.

Mom didn't want to cook again and we ate out. The curry beef was delicious.

Beyond tiny

1/4 inch scale. Insanely small. Right size to be toys for Pinky. Not sure how much they are, though. But I bet they're gonna be in the hundreds.

Microwave stand (1)

You do get what you pay for. (T_T) It was from Zeller's, about 30 bucks. Not worth it. Extremely wobbly. This design is not stable at all. (All vertical boards sit on the horizontal ones.) Haven't put the flimsy cardboard backing on yet. Comes with wheels but there is no way I'm gonna install them.

May need to buy those L-shape brace to square this thing off.

Skid

(Picture is leftover from yesterday and has nothing to do with subject.)
Have to work today to make up for the lost time during the week. Yup, it's fall already. Rain rain rain. Ache ache ache.

When I was going downhill on Boundary to enter highway 1, a car signaled and wanted to cut in front of me. I braked to let him/her in, but my car made a huge squeaking noise and skidded to the right! Lucking I didn't hit the curb. The thing is, the light just changed from red to green and I wasn't going fast at all. It must be the rain and the slope. That was scary. The other driver must have been scared too, since I almost came to a stop and there was enough room for him/her to cut in, but he/she didn't. So I just went.

No work tomorrow. I'm glad, though. Still haven't recovered from yesterday's trip.

Cross-border shopping

Hitched a ride with my brother and his family to the States. His mother-in-law was dropped off to our place like last time. (And she spent the day making lots of Zongzi again.) Traffic was way better than expected. It's the last chance for back-to-school deals, on our labour day long weekend, and their labour day long weekend too. (I thought theirs is later? Hmm...) Line up was said to be 40 minutes online, but actually took 20 minutes only. (I'm not complaining!)

Finally bought a pair of jeans. It was the first store we went to, and the first pair of pants that caught my eyes. Tried it on and it fits! Amazing! I've been looking for a pair of jeans all summer long with no luck. Seems like some strange force was at work here.

On the other hand, didn't get to buy any panties, which I need. Hmm...
Bought craft materials form Michael's and Jo-ann as usual. A few bucks here and there, and it turn into $50 before you know it. Yikes... (>_<;) We went to Costco at around 6:30 pm and found it closed! No one remembered Costco closes at 6 pm on Saturdays. Oh well... So we went to Wendy's for dinner. We ate there for lunch too. So, I've eaten 3 crispy chicken burgers in one day. Plus a few fries. I was counting on refilling my water bottle at Costco, so I ran out of water for a few hours. Now that I think about it, there are fountains at Bellis Fair. It's interesting how the lack of water doesn't only screw up your body, but your mind too.

Tired like hell. Need to work tomorrow. (T_T)

Aneurysm (4)

Part 2 of dad's test. Today's appointment was at 11, so much more comfortable. It was basically the same as yesterday, except for an iv was left in place after the injection of dye. Then dad was sent to "exercise" while data was collected. Real exercise was not appropriate in his case. It was done with blood vessel dilating drugs. In stead of walking the treadmill, he was given 2 squishy foam hearts to squeeze while lying down. After that, eat fatty snack, take X-ray, and he was done.

By-low Foods has very good corn. 12 ears for $3.98. But if you peel them, you'll be charged 20 cents more each. There was a butch biker lady (white) who bought 12 and removed everything even the hair between the kernels. She would rather not have to bring the garbage home. (Well, she was blocking and hording the area, and was on the mean side, though.) At the same time, there was a senior Chinese lady who peeled the corn and got charged more, but was making a big scene like 3 cashiers scammed her together. She demanded to see the manager and got her way at the end. Hmm...

Thanks for the printer and findings, Andrew!

Aneurysm (3)

Part 1 of 2 today. Had to get up at 7 for dad's 8:30 appointment. (Tough!) The test went smoothly.

1. Fasting 4 hours ahead
2. Injection of dye
3. Wait about 40 minutes while eating a fatty snack
4. 180-degree X-ray was taken
5. Continues tomorrow
   

Parking at $4.5 an hour is super expensive. 2 hour = $9. Tomorrow's test will be longer.

Tried not to nap but kept dozing off at the desk for the rest of the day. Delivered coffee beans and got some findings. Thanks!

Dermatologist

Turns out I can keep using the 2-year-old ointment. No need to buy new one. Good. Because that stuff is super expensive! Apparently it's still good after 2 years, according to the doctor.

Mom doesn't want to cook again. Brother and his gang usually comes home for dinner on Wednesdays. (Now plus one: mom-in-law until later this month.) But recently it seem that dad has tired mom out enough to drive us eating out.

Milka Nougat Cream

Full name: Milka Nougat Cream & Caramelized Hazelnuts. Thanks Andrew!

Yikes! Another limited edition! Actually that are 4. The others are already sold out. Oh well. (This one is "Earth", so... the rest are elements like water, fire, and wind... etc.) As good as Milka has always been, this chocolate is delicious! Highly addictive too! Gotta watch out!