Material used:
Sentiment is from HA.
Other stamps include Penny Black (the hedgehog), and Great Impressions (K83-the alphebet)
Nestabilities folder: Labels One
Colour with copic markers
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Dad
Hope you like it! :)
Material used:
Sentiment is from HA.
Other stamps include Penny Black (the hedgehog), and Great Impressions (K83-the alphebet)
Nestabilities folder: Labels One
Colour with copic markers
Material used:
Sentiment is from HA.
Other stamps include Penny Black (the hedgehog), and Great Impressions (K83-the alphebet)
Nestabilities folder: Labels One
Colour with copic markers
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Heat Wave
Definitely one of the "hottest" topics these days, the heat wave in town. It has lasted more than a month with its climax in the past two weeks. 32C from the weather report, or 34C or 40C from my car thermometer. I can only recall I don't have a single decent sleep almost 4 days in a roll. Thanks to those "sexy lingerie" I got, otherwise I would need to sleep naked as my bedroom is upstairs and it's like sauna even at night. I don't even want to step outside the office during lunch break. It feels like Las Vegas outside, while the air con inside office, in particular, my room, is just too good that I have to wear big jacket and keep having hot drink. My boss would definitely misunderstand me that I'm working so hard that I even work through lunch time! On the other hand, the chances of finding a portable air con or fan, become as slim as winning the lotto jackpot.
Finally, the heat wave decided to step out of our way of life. I felt some gentle breeze on Tuesday; and almost can't stand the COLD breeze at night. We almost catch a cold while trying to take some night shot in Jerico Beach.
This is the cool night shot we got. (The picture may not be cool, but we certainly were cool if not freezing cold while taking this shot)
Finally, the heat wave decided to step out of our way of life. I felt some gentle breeze on Tuesday; and almost can't stand the COLD breeze at night. We almost catch a cold while trying to take some night shot in Jerico Beach.
This is the cool night shot we got. (The picture may not be cool, but we certainly were cool if not freezing cold while taking this shot)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
This long weekend
It's not really a long weekend for me, since I'm planning to work on Monday, in exchange of getting off the coming Monday.
Saturday: J's birthday celebration. For details see previous entry.
Sunday: Jogging in the morning. Then dim sum for lunch. Shop in Pacific Center for a while then dinner @ home. Bought a top from Bebe. There are a few tops that I like but too bad they are not on sale yet. I will just keep on waiting. There is one top, though, which is 65% off. How can I resist? But the problem is, only small size left. It's extremely tight on me but no more medium available. At last I still get it, hoping that after losing weight I will fit. I know it's not a good reason to actually make a purchase but devil got me this time. I don't do it often though. Recently I felt in love with Jacob's lingerie. It's on sale but the waiting room lineup is too long. So I decided to try out when I shop alone. Some how I don't feel like shopping lingerie when my hubby is with me. I don't know why though, perhaps I want to give him "some" surprise at times? Btw, those so called "sexy" lingerie becomes my favourite pajama during the hot days. I'm lucky that I bought two before...otherwise I would have to sleep naked! It's just too hot! My main reason to visit PC is to check out the first Sephora Store in Vancouver. It's been such an hype here, although when I shopped in the US Sephora store, I don't feel that special. I end up buying a bottle of nail polish. It's special edition from OPI, exclusively made for Sephora. More trendy colour and when I try out the sample, it's surprisingly good, almost comparable to my Anna Sui nail polish, if not better. So I just grab one after trying out many colour. I guess the good thing about Sephora is that you can try out everything before you buy. There are cotton pad, disposable brushes, makeup remover etc available at every corner, making sure you can try out and be happy before you buy it, with minimal distraction. I think it's certainly a successfully strategy!
Monday: Work half day (actually 6 hours) then went to Michaels and Oakridge Center. Bought some stamping supplies and a dress in BCBG. Now that Michaels got more HA supplies and I guess I will just pay more visits. And I felt in love with another dress from BCBG. I WISH I can fit in size 6. I can barely put it on but the zipper just won't come up.... :( Actually, the sizing @ BCBG is so strange. I had a BCBG dress which is size 6 and it fits. I have another one size 8 which is ok. But this time the one I got is size 12! You gotta be kidding me! OK...I used to be size 6 (or in some rare cases size 4), then it goes up to 8, rarely 10. But 12...I don't believe it! Definitely just the sizing of the dress...not me!!! >_<
But this time I got no luck with the lingerie shopping @ Jacob. I tried 6 or 7 but none actually fits well. And the discounted style is much less than the PC store.
Had diner @ Gramercy Grill for the first time, to take advantage of the 1000 point special from booking through opentable. Now I got 2000 points already, enough to claim a $26 coupon :) The review on opentable is not bad, above average, although the review on dinehere.ca is mixed. But certainly, I love the bread, the prompt service (although only 2 servers but they are attentive and friendly). Food is not top but not bad either. I especially like the crab cake (have real crab shell inside!) I'm sure it's freshly made crab meat not canned one! My hubby had the meatball with spaghetti and I had the seafood bowl. With $26 seafood bowl there are 2 Alaska King Crab leg. The spaghetti is $18. Price is not bad either. The final surprise goes to the lemon tart. Puffy pastry shell filled with lemon custard and the top is coated with a crust of caramelized sugar, just like the cream brulee! Final bill comes to $76 with my yummy cocktail drink (Tropicana). I would definitely go back. After dinner we hurry to Spanish Bank to take some sunset shots. Also to try out hubby's new wireless remote for his camera (a gift from me...heehee).
This ends the official long weekend of the month...
Saturday: J's birthday celebration. For details see previous entry.
Sunday: Jogging in the morning. Then dim sum for lunch. Shop in Pacific Center for a while then dinner @ home. Bought a top from Bebe. There are a few tops that I like but too bad they are not on sale yet. I will just keep on waiting. There is one top, though, which is 65% off. How can I resist? But the problem is, only small size left. It's extremely tight on me but no more medium available. At last I still get it, hoping that after losing weight I will fit. I know it's not a good reason to actually make a purchase but devil got me this time. I don't do it often though. Recently I felt in love with Jacob's lingerie. It's on sale but the waiting room lineup is too long. So I decided to try out when I shop alone. Some how I don't feel like shopping lingerie when my hubby is with me. I don't know why though, perhaps I want to give him "some" surprise at times? Btw, those so called "sexy" lingerie becomes my favourite pajama during the hot days. I'm lucky that I bought two before...otherwise I would have to sleep naked! It's just too hot! My main reason to visit PC is to check out the first Sephora Store in Vancouver. It's been such an hype here, although when I shopped in the US Sephora store, I don't feel that special. I end up buying a bottle of nail polish. It's special edition from OPI, exclusively made for Sephora. More trendy colour and when I try out the sample, it's surprisingly good, almost comparable to my Anna Sui nail polish, if not better. So I just grab one after trying out many colour. I guess the good thing about Sephora is that you can try out everything before you buy. There are cotton pad, disposable brushes, makeup remover etc available at every corner, making sure you can try out and be happy before you buy it, with minimal distraction. I think it's certainly a successfully strategy!
Monday: Work half day (actually 6 hours) then went to Michaels and Oakridge Center. Bought some stamping supplies and a dress in BCBG. Now that Michaels got more HA supplies and I guess I will just pay more visits. And I felt in love with another dress from BCBG. I WISH I can fit in size 6. I can barely put it on but the zipper just won't come up.... :( Actually, the sizing @ BCBG is so strange. I had a BCBG dress which is size 6 and it fits. I have another one size 8 which is ok. But this time the one I got is size 12! You gotta be kidding me! OK...I used to be size 6 (or in some rare cases size 4), then it goes up to 8, rarely 10. But 12...I don't believe it! Definitely just the sizing of the dress...not me!!! >_<
But this time I got no luck with the lingerie shopping @ Jacob. I tried 6 or 7 but none actually fits well. And the discounted style is much less than the PC store.
Had diner @ Gramercy Grill for the first time, to take advantage of the 1000 point special from booking through opentable. Now I got 2000 points already, enough to claim a $26 coupon :) The review on opentable is not bad, above average, although the review on dinehere.ca is mixed. But certainly, I love the bread, the prompt service (although only 2 servers but they are attentive and friendly). Food is not top but not bad either. I especially like the crab cake (have real crab shell inside!) I'm sure it's freshly made crab meat not canned one! My hubby had the meatball with spaghetti and I had the seafood bowl. With $26 seafood bowl there are 2 Alaska King Crab leg. The spaghetti is $18. Price is not bad either. The final surprise goes to the lemon tart. Puffy pastry shell filled with lemon custard and the top is coated with a crust of caramelized sugar, just like the cream brulee! Final bill comes to $76 with my yummy cocktail drink (Tropicana). I would definitely go back. After dinner we hurry to Spanish Bank to take some sunset shots. Also to try out hubby's new wireless remote for his camera (a gift from me...heehee).
This ends the official long weekend of the month...
Monday, August 3, 2009
The UPS incident
I should have listened to the advice that no online shopping if the shipping method is UPS.
Anyway, to take advantage of the 20% off sales from the HA site, I placed an order for a very old rubber stamp which was on my wish list for long time. And I don't seem to find it elsewhere. Then I also order another kit so total of $24US. Shipping is about $13.
Since UPS offers tracking, I anxiously wait for the shipping day and I even went back home during lunch hour to see if I'm able to catch the delivery. Too bad the delivery didn't come during lunch hour. Around 5:30pm I got a phone call from the delivery guy that I miss the package. I quickly returned the call and asked if he can drop off around noon the next day so I can actually get it personally. The delivery guy is ok about that and I'm happy, until I got home. There is a yellow slip on my door regarding reschedule the delivery. When I called that number, I found out that I am owing UPS $21.99 brokerage fee. Gosh, my package only worth $24 and the brokerage fee is $22?? That's just ridiculous! I first called UPS and see if it's possible for me to clear the item at custom myself. That would avoid the brokerage fee. The service rep first says ok but then later she mentioned that the item is declared high value and therefore I can't clear myself. This is so BS! $24 package is considered high value?? Gotta be kidding! She mentioned that once the item is inspected (opened) by the custom it's considered high value. Still it makes no sense to me. Then, I decided to email the seller that actually the invoice contains the original price but not the discounted price (that might affect the brokerage fee). And if they are able to re-deliver the package to US address. The shipping to US address is only $5.99! Since I'm not getting response before noon (when the re-delivery occurs), I decided to call UPS the early morning to "complain". Luckily the customer service rep I got this time is helpful. He's trying hard to help me and he finally says he's reverting my brokerage fee. And I'm only need to pay the tax portion (which is about $4.xx). However, since the adjustment may not go through right away, he suggested me to get the package two day later, so to let this adjustment appears on the UPS invoice as well. Otherwise the UPS invoice would still be $21.xx.
Since I have waited so long, I wouldn't mind waiting two more days for the package. And I also change the delivery address to office (so that I would am able to get it personally).
However, the next day (Wednesday), I got the package early morning, and the invoice is still $21.xx. I am quite pissed at that point but if I don't pay, I wouldn't get the package. In the end I still paid the $21.xx.
Let's go back a bit, that morning I wasn't feeling well so I go to get some prescription drugs refill. At the cashier, I realized that I got no wallet! I thought I leave it at home since I always bring different handbag so it may just be inside another handbag or leave on the desk. I called home and asked my husband to check and he returns a bad news that he couldn't find it! That moment my heart just stopped! I don't have too much cash inside the wallet but I have loads of cards! So I try to rewind and think about where the wallet may be. Then I know that I did go to gas station and buy some stuff on the way to work. It must be left at the gas station then! At that point my heart sunk further more. So I quickly drove back from the office parking lot back to the gas station. I don't care if the big boss saw me leaving the office parking lot at 9am. I have to go. So as I got to the gas station, luckily, the gas station sales lady kept it for me. It's such a relief...At least it's found.
But for safety purpose, I still decided to cancel my credit card and get new ones, including the one I just paid for the UPS charges. So...too bad for them, if they didn't put through transaction, they won't get the $.
And during the process of cancelling my cards, I realized that I did the wrong online payment so I actually over paid one card and didn't pay another one...oh well. Interest incurred...oh well.
Everything seems to be over until 1 month later, I got the UPS invoice letter that I'm owing them the $21.xx. So I have to call them again, explaining that I'm only going to pay the $4.xx instead. The service rep this time doesn't seem to care much. He just said the request of reversing the brokerage fee is not gone through yet (although should be soon). I just went ahead to pay the $4.xx only.
It has spanned over a month and still seems not end yet...
Actually, I do expect to pay brokerage fee. If it's around $10 (like 30% of my package cost) I would gladly pay for it. But it's almost 80% of the total cost. It's called over charged!
Lesson learned: I am not going to use UPS shipping for any US online order ever again!
Anyway, to take advantage of the 20% off sales from the HA site, I placed an order for a very old rubber stamp which was on my wish list for long time. And I don't seem to find it elsewhere. Then I also order another kit so total of $24US. Shipping is about $13.
Since UPS offers tracking, I anxiously wait for the shipping day and I even went back home during lunch hour to see if I'm able to catch the delivery. Too bad the delivery didn't come during lunch hour. Around 5:30pm I got a phone call from the delivery guy that I miss the package. I quickly returned the call and asked if he can drop off around noon the next day so I can actually get it personally. The delivery guy is ok about that and I'm happy, until I got home. There is a yellow slip on my door regarding reschedule the delivery. When I called that number, I found out that I am owing UPS $21.99 brokerage fee. Gosh, my package only worth $24 and the brokerage fee is $22?? That's just ridiculous! I first called UPS and see if it's possible for me to clear the item at custom myself. That would avoid the brokerage fee. The service rep first says ok but then later she mentioned that the item is declared high value and therefore I can't clear myself. This is so BS! $24 package is considered high value?? Gotta be kidding! She mentioned that once the item is inspected (opened) by the custom it's considered high value. Still it makes no sense to me. Then, I decided to email the seller that actually the invoice contains the original price but not the discounted price (that might affect the brokerage fee). And if they are able to re-deliver the package to US address. The shipping to US address is only $5.99! Since I'm not getting response before noon (when the re-delivery occurs), I decided to call UPS the early morning to "complain". Luckily the customer service rep I got this time is helpful. He's trying hard to help me and he finally says he's reverting my brokerage fee. And I'm only need to pay the tax portion (which is about $4.xx). However, since the adjustment may not go through right away, he suggested me to get the package two day later, so to let this adjustment appears on the UPS invoice as well. Otherwise the UPS invoice would still be $21.xx.
Since I have waited so long, I wouldn't mind waiting two more days for the package. And I also change the delivery address to office (so that I would am able to get it personally).
However, the next day (Wednesday), I got the package early morning, and the invoice is still $21.xx. I am quite pissed at that point but if I don't pay, I wouldn't get the package. In the end I still paid the $21.xx.
Let's go back a bit, that morning I wasn't feeling well so I go to get some prescription drugs refill. At the cashier, I realized that I got no wallet! I thought I leave it at home since I always bring different handbag so it may just be inside another handbag or leave on the desk. I called home and asked my husband to check and he returns a bad news that he couldn't find it! That moment my heart just stopped! I don't have too much cash inside the wallet but I have loads of cards! So I try to rewind and think about where the wallet may be. Then I know that I did go to gas station and buy some stuff on the way to work. It must be left at the gas station then! At that point my heart sunk further more. So I quickly drove back from the office parking lot back to the gas station. I don't care if the big boss saw me leaving the office parking lot at 9am. I have to go. So as I got to the gas station, luckily, the gas station sales lady kept it for me. It's such a relief...At least it's found.
But for safety purpose, I still decided to cancel my credit card and get new ones, including the one I just paid for the UPS charges. So...too bad for them, if they didn't put through transaction, they won't get the $.
And during the process of cancelling my cards, I realized that I did the wrong online payment so I actually over paid one card and didn't pay another one...oh well. Interest incurred...oh well.
Everything seems to be over until 1 month later, I got the UPS invoice letter that I'm owing them the $21.xx. So I have to call them again, explaining that I'm only going to pay the $4.xx instead. The service rep this time doesn't seem to care much. He just said the request of reversing the brokerage fee is not gone through yet (although should be soon). I just went ahead to pay the $4.xx only.
It has spanned over a month and still seems not end yet...
Actually, I do expect to pay brokerage fee. If it's around $10 (like 30% of my package cost) I would gladly pay for it. But it's almost 80% of the total cost. It's called over charged!
Lesson learned: I am not going to use UPS shipping for any US online order ever again!
My creation of the week
My output is still low, here it is ...in almost a month time...
First time to try out the Design Block Silhouette from HA. I love it!
I first colour the stamp with Tombo water marker, then spray with water from HA mist bottle. The name "mist" says it all. Water does come out as "mist". And then I stamp the image on the water colour paper. Add a few stickles and ribbon. Sentiment also from HA and the butterfly stamp is from Stampedious. Love the watercolour effect here!
First time to try out the Design Block Silhouette from HA. I love it!
I first colour the stamp with Tombo water marker, then spray with water from HA mist bottle. The name "mist" says it all. Water does come out as "mist". And then I stamp the image on the water colour paper. Add a few stickles and ribbon. Sentiment also from HA and the butterfly stamp is from Stampedious. Love the watercolour effect here!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Exercise Log (week 18)
Due to my sickness, I almost have to give up this week's exercise entry...
Glad that finally, things turn better towards end of the week, so...
Saturday: Hiking in Lynn Valley (Lynn Loop Trail) for 3 hours. One steep section reminds me of Grouse Grind.
Sunday: Jogging in QE Park for an hour. Actually running time maybe 30 minutes. But lots of uphill run. I didn't feel muscle sore after hiking but I guess they are sore. I am way behind my running buddy (or he just did much better today?).
Glad that finally, things turn better towards end of the week, so...
Saturday: Hiking in Lynn Valley (Lynn Loop Trail) for 3 hours. One steep section reminds me of Grouse Grind.
Sunday: Jogging in QE Park for an hour. Actually running time maybe 30 minutes. But lots of uphill run. I didn't feel muscle sore after hiking but I guess they are sore. I am way behind my running buddy (or he just did much better today?).
馬拉松式生日派對
可能年紀漸大，很多朋友都已經有自己的家庭，大家各有各忙，聚頭的時候已不像過往般頻密，活動也不是像以往般由早到晚的。沒想到這次J的生日會竟然歷時半天，沒錯，是整整十二小時！
首先我們在J家集合，我們的車隊也挺壯觀的呢。先來一輛Volvo，跟着有 IS250，再來一輛CLK Convertible和330i，當然，為了環保，我們都是car pool的，只有CLK 和 330i往北溫出發。
我們先在北溫的I Love Sushi 吃一頓all you can eat lunch，不然怎麼有氣力去行山呢？以 all you can eat 格局的餐廳來說，食物和價錢算很不錯($10.95/lunch)。之後我們便往 Lynn Valley 出發。本來是想到 Lynn Valley 旁邊的Rice Lake，只可惜車子兜了幾圈，還未能找到入口，只好作罷，到 Lynn Valley 算了。Lynn Valley 有好幾條不同的 hiking trail ，我們選了在小冊子上注明兩小時來回的Lynn Loop Trail，有一個steep section，心想也不會很steep吧，沒想到它令我想起Grouse Grind！ 幸好只有大約半小時的上山路程，不然的話我相信朋友們會立即掉頭回程。不過總算先苦後甜，之後多是落斜的路，不會太難走啦。只是到最後被路牌所騙，它指示的Parking Lot並不是我們停車的Parking Lot！問過途人後，多走了半小時的路才回到我們的Parking Lot，已是7：30了，比預定的兩小時多了一小時呢。
儘管走了三小時的路程，但我仍然不太肚餓，可能我之前真的吃得太多了。回家洗臉之後，便到告羅事打吃飯，因為它的地點很接近我提議看煙花的地方。我是覺得那裏的水準比以前差了。飯後匆匆忙忙的到看煙花的地方，欣賞了差不多半小時的煙花。之後想到今天壽星女還未有生日蛋糕，我們便到附近的Cheesecake Etc吃宵夜，回到家已是午夜時份了，真真正正的馬拉松生日派對！
後記：最初我以為我的腿會很累，但竟然絲毫沒有問題，我還在第二天早上跟友人跑步呢！
首先我們在J家集合，我們的車隊也挺壯觀的呢。先來一輛Volvo，跟着有 IS250，再來一輛CLK Convertible和330i，當然，為了環保，我們都是car pool的，只有CLK 和 330i往北溫出發。
我們先在北溫的I Love Sushi 吃一頓all you can eat lunch，不然怎麼有氣力去行山呢？以 all you can eat 格局的餐廳來說，食物和價錢算很不錯($10.95/lunch)。之後我們便往 Lynn Valley 出發。本來是想到 Lynn Valley 旁邊的Rice Lake，只可惜車子兜了幾圈，還未能找到入口，只好作罷，到 Lynn Valley 算了。Lynn Valley 有好幾條不同的 hiking trail ，我們選了在小冊子上注明兩小時來回的Lynn Loop Trail，有一個steep section，心想也不會很steep吧，沒想到它令我想起Grouse Grind！ 幸好只有大約半小時的上山路程，不然的話我相信朋友們會立即掉頭回程。不過總算先苦後甜，之後多是落斜的路，不會太難走啦。只是到最後被路牌所騙，它指示的Parking Lot並不是我們停車的Parking Lot！問過途人後，多走了半小時的路才回到我們的Parking Lot，已是7：30了，比預定的兩小時多了一小時呢。
儘管走了三小時的路程，但我仍然不太肚餓，可能我之前真的吃得太多了。回家洗臉之後，便到告羅事打吃飯，因為它的地點很接近我提議看煙花的地方。我是覺得那裏的水準比以前差了。飯後匆匆忙忙的到看煙花的地方，欣賞了差不多半小時的煙花。之後想到今天壽星女還未有生日蛋糕，我們便到附近的Cheesecake Etc吃宵夜，回到家已是午夜時份了，真真正正的馬拉松生日派對！
後記：最初我以為我的腿會很累，但竟然絲毫沒有問題，我還在第二天早上跟友人跑步呢！
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