Sun Run 2007

April 15
It's the day! My first 10K race!
Can I make it to the end?
Especially I have hurt my left ankle two weeks ago during practice and I haven't run at all two weeks before the race?
I truely don't know.

I have thought about given up. But I still decided to go at the end, as I got some prescription from doctor and my foot seems better.
Worst come to worst, I will just walk the 10K or mix with walk and run.

My start time is stated 9:30-9:45 (since I'm in the slower gruop). I was there around 9:15, afraid of the busy traffic. It's a sunny day with some morning cool breeze. Lucky that there are so many people on the street to "keep warm". Otherwise it's quite cold just waiting in the open air for half an hour.

Some how I sqeeze to the front row when our group start.

My goal is to just able to complete the run, either walk or run. So I'm not stressed at all. I just try to enjoy the scenry and relax. I even stopped a while and took some pictures with my cell phone. And of course I stopped at each water station (which I believe it slows me down as well)

Finally, I arrived at the finish line.
My watch says 75 minutes (but I know it should be less since I took picture of the finish line but forgot to turn off the stop watch).

71"27 is my official time on the Vancouver Sun.
OA M/F Div Bib Group Time Pace
22794 10069 1408 41284 F3034 1:11:27 7:08:50/km 11:30:00/mi

Overall, I'm pleased with the result. Hopefully I'll do better next time. :)






The start line










The finish line

Party at BC Place

Free fruit

Easter Holiday

Oregon Advanture
Yeah I know I just had vacation back in February but I am so long for another one. Partly because the last trip to Hong Kong isn't a relex holiday but rather, a tight-scheduled trip filled with non-stop hopping from one place to another.
Finally, holiday is around the corner!

April 5
We both took half day off Thursday and start taking off at 2:30pm, with a bit worried about the wait at the border. Surprisingly, there's almost NO line up that we didn't even need to go through Duty-free shore to get ahead in the lineup!
With a few washroom stops, we arrived at our hotel in Oregon at 8:30pm, shortly after the sunset.
The room is cozy and large, with a small kitchen corner with microwave and sink. There's a sitting area with sofa as well.
We then started looking for our dining place. Since we haven't done too much research about restaurants in Oregon, we decided to go to the chain restaurants that we know, and we like: the Cheesecake Factory.
Luckily, my hubby got the laptop (with the free internet in the hotel room), we found out the address online. Punch in the GPS navigation system, and, there we go! Although...I am a bit concerned driving in some unknown vicinity in the dark without a map but only the GPS navigation...
OK...the navi system tells us to turn left and we arrive at a shopping mall seems bigger than metrotown. But where is the restaurant?
We then drove around the parking lot and almost lost the sense of direction. At this time, navi system is no use since it doesn't help much in the parking lot.
It's 9:30 already and we are hungry...
Finally, we deicided to enter the shopping mall (luckily the entrance is not locked yet) and looked for the shopping directory.
And Bingo! We found it!
Then we drove again and park closer to the restaurant.
The server seems see "through" our hungry face that she right away brought bread to us!
With cheesecake factory, portion is always big (or anywaywhere in US, food portion is big). Eventhough I am hungry but still can't finish half of my dishes. (but yeah..I save some room for the cheesecake dessert).
With the filled stomach and my craving for cheesecake satisfied, we drove another 20 minutes back to the hotel.

April 6
My hubby got up early at 6, to get ready for the track day event. In fact, that's the main purpose of this trip. Together with Nic and a few others, he's going to spend the day on the track.
Before he took off, he let me know that the "wives" are getting together and go shopping in the downtown Oregon. And of coures I"m more than happy to join. :)
After getting up at 8:30 and had breakfast...I'm at the lobby and start waiting for someone I have never met before.
In the lobby, I saw a Chinese lady chatting with an Indian lady. But I'm afraid to say hi since I assume all of us in the shopping group are Chinese.
Finally, the "leader" in our group showed up. And yeah, we are all part of the "group" (4 ladies and 1 guy) and yeah...I gotta speak English...
We walk to the nearby plaza, took the bus, then transfer to the "tram" that take us to downtown.
We arrived at the Pioneer Square...And right away, we went up the top floor.
Our first stop: Forver 21.
In total, we spent 1.5 hour in the same clothing store that is about half the size of Zara. Can you imagine??
Everyone of us went back and forth the changing room.
One of us got 10 items, but only for $200!
I got 3, around $75.
Finally, it's lunch time. It's a nice Japanese buffet restaurant and price is not bad either. Quite a lot of food selections.
After lunch, we shop for another 1.5 hour and took the tram to the race track.
But too bad we missed a tram and wait for extra 10 minutes. By the time we got there they are all done and we missed their final lap, oh well.
Me and my hubby then started go shopping in BB and Costco on our own.
Dinner in Red Lobster.
Seriously, I would say I enjoy the cheese scones more than the entree. The lobster is not "fresh" and doesn't taste too well.

April 7
Although we don't have lots of time, we still manage to go to the factory outlet that took us 40 mins drive. We can only shop for an hour (but we spent quite a lot though). I guess we got too excited in shopping just because everything is TAX FREE!
It's amazing that it's sunny and warm (like August) yesterday but so rainny and cold today. I felt so blessed that we had such a nice day yesterday that both of us enjoy our activities.
On the way back, I visited my UBC classmates who lived in Seattle. The 4 hour drive to Seattle seems so long as it's such a rainny and we are a bit exhaused (not enough sleep).
They took us to Microsoft campus and we took a few pictures.
After dinner, we drove back to Vancouver.
Since the tax free allowence has increased from $250 to $400 recently, we decieded that we can declare everything we bought as there should be no where close to $800 for both of us...and yet... after counting the receipts...we did spend $660US and that is almost $720Cdn... Those are just the goods we brought back..not counting hotel, gas, meal...
Happiness comes with a price...
By the time we got home, it's already 12am.

That concluded the Oregon trip...

Oregon Trip

My first 10K run

I have never thought about running 10K before.
Those who appears on TV, to run the 10K or any Marathon seem to live in an entirely different world.
They are so slim, in such a good shape and simply, fit.

And I have none of the above. In a way, I'm exactly the opposite. I'm chubby, fat, and have been gaining quite a few weights recently. (the most depressing part is that, my coworker even think I'm pregnant...see...I'm SO fat now...)

Despite the above, I still sign up Sun Run 2007.

To challenge myself? To set up a goal? To keep fit? Or just to prove that I can run 10k since 5k is not as tough as I thought?

After my HK trip, sun run is already around the corner.
Only two weeks away from the day, I gotta start my 10k training.

After so many days of rain, it's finally a nice day today, nice enough to run.

So I decided to run 10km for the first time.

The first 7k is not difficult, since I have almost run that distance during the weekly run clinic.

However, the last 2k, if I wasn't stay together with my other running buddy/coworker, I think I'll just walk on my own. My knees definitely feel the pressure and foot is ached.

Final result: 1 hour 15 minutes (first 5k for 37minutes and same as the 2nd 5k).
I was a bit surprised...I think I will slow down in the 2nd half.
Anyway, it's not a fast run but sure it's a great start for me.
Looking forward for more 10k run and some uphill run.
And definitely looking forward for the big day.

Engagement Party

Over the past few years, my friends are getting married one after another. Nonetheless, I haven't been to any engagement myself (either they don't have one or I was not invited). And I don't have one for myself either.

So this time I'm excited to go to one of my best friend's engagement party.

It's a luncheon event in the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse (http://www.thaihouse.com/samba/)

I haven't been to this restaurant myself. It's all-u-can-eat type, but instead of getting all the food outside, the server comes to you with a long pole of meat, and slice it for you if you want one. There is a salad bar (with a lamb stew and rice) outside though.

I wasn't a "lamb lover". So this is actually my first time try the lamb stew since it's heavily spiced and it doesn't taste like lamb to me. And it certainly tastes good.

The day is filled with laugh and joy. There's a toss, photo taking and gift session, which almost like a preview of the actual wedding?

Pictures here:

Jeanne & Humphrey's Engagement Party

Welcome to the great event planning stage!

私房菜 @ the Lo's Kitchen

It's a pleasure to have a friend who is a good chef. He enjoyed cooking a lot and most important of all, he cooked very well.

We have dined in his house a few times but none of them is as formal as this time.
It's to celebrate my husband and another friend's birthday, both of them were born in the same day!

In the email exchange, the hostess offers a MENU to us and a few choices of the appetizer and main course.

First Course
Russian Cabbage Soup

Second Course
Prosciutto Wrapped Tiger Prawn in Balsamic Sauce
Or
Shrimp Cocktail
Or
Prosciutto with Apple Salad

Entrée
Duck Breast Roast Pine Nut with Sweet Plum Sauce
Or
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Peppercorn Shiraz Sauce
Or
Sauteed Yellow Fin Tuna Filet with Shiraz Sauce

Dessert
Traditional Italian Tiramisu

Pictures here:

私房菜 @ the Lo's kitchen

Thanks to our chef and hostess who offer us this "fine dining" experience, also the time and patience to accomdate the bday boy's "special menu".

(OK...time to run extra 10km...)

Trip to Hong Kong

It has become my yearly routine, that I went back to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year period.
Since my parents stayed in HK most of the time, I'd like to spend the Chinese New Year time with them.
Another reason is, the weather is enjoyable at this time of the year, not too hot nor "too cold" (ok..it depends...it "could" be cold but rarely).
In addition, there are lots of sales going on near the holiday and season end, it's a great time for shopping! :P

Well, this year I go back with my newly wedded husband.

This 10-day trip, supposed to be a vacation but turns out to be more busy than going to work!

We tried to cooperate sight seeing, family visiting (for both my family and his family), get together with friends, and of course, shopping!

Sight-seeing
We managed to go to try out the Sky rail (on ping 360), and go to the Peak, including the wax museum. Too bad we weren't able to go to the Ocean Park to visit the jelly fish and the penda. We also went to Macau for 2 days. I felt that I'm extremely lucky to get the hotel lucky draw of $1000! ($500HK cash and $500 chip). The $500 chip we play Baccarat and 2 games of Blackjack. In the end we got $980 back. This is the biggest prize I've ever get in my life!

Family visiting
I'm glad to meet Henry's uncle and aunts, speically thanks to both of his uncles who gave us a ride.

Friends
It's always nice to get together with some old friends. And of course, I'm more than happy to be able to keep our friendship over the years.

Shopping
Actually I don't feel like I have bought many clothings...since I have gained a bit of weight and I simply don't think I will fit in even size L. However, I did spent quite a lot here and there.

Hong Kong Trip 2007

Now it's the time to come back to my routine life.

Dine out Vancouver (Part 2)

I almost thought that the Dine Out Vancouver Part 2 blog is not going to happen, simply because the time and work involved in posting pictures here. In addition, it's been a while and I have almost forgot all the "comments" about the restaurants/dishes.

However, I do not want to see another "mission uncomplished".

I'm trying my best here.

First comes the pictures: (click on the picture below to go to the album)

Dine out vancouver

And sorry, no pictures for Smoking Dog Bistro and Horizon.

Joe Fortes
Overall, I'm a bit disappointed with Joe Fortes. Service is so so...so as the food.

The Westwood Bar and Grill at the University Golf Club
To me, the University Golf Club is a very special place, as I got married there. Although my wedding did not take place in the restaurant (but the ballroom across the restaurant), the club house itself did bring back the sweet memory. Still, I'm very fond of the price and the food. I may definitely go back another time, not to mention that the server is nice (always with smile) and attentive as well.

Williams Tell
I like to go there because of the atmosphere, and the nice dining culinery.
They are very detail oriented - the way food is served and presented.
The lobster bisque is first presented with the just the lobster oil and "meat", then with the poured-in soup. The dessert is simple, but nicely done.

Smoking Dog Bistro
Go with my friend P and her brother. We both enjoyed the food and I'd love to go back again. Although, I got a bit upset as they say to have jazz on Wednesday on the website but didn't.

Horizon
Go with Henry's family as my mom in law love the view from the Burnaby mountain. We got the nice window seat.