At Earls

Dinner with coworkers at the Earls on Kingsway. I don't even really remember how I got to know these coworkers well enough to pick a random day for dinner. We all work at different locations and didn't really work together all that much. I suppose it might have been the PCP program that we're all in. We all run clinics for our company. Once a year, we have our annual meeting with management from H.O. and that's really the only time I see them and get our yearly update. Anyway, it was nice to come together one random night just for dinner. We're not only from different locations but different cities. So, we picked a middle point for everyone and I guess that happened to be Burnaby.

It was really cool. Updated on relationship statuses. (Not everyone's on facebook!). New additions to the family. Random work update. Living conditions. And even how one is coping after a sudden death of a coworker.

We should do this at least once a year! A midway point between our annual meetings. Thanks for the dinner invite, Connie and An! 

I had originally booked this night off to celebrate Jen's big birthday... but she's in Disneyland celebrating it with her husband.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN!!

I think it was 18 years ago today that I was at your parents' house for your birthday slumber party. Can you believe it? In a few more years, it will be you throwing slumber parties for your kids! No... you're not old :)

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 7

I still remember the last time I watched a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals with the Vancouver Canucks playing against New York Rangers. It was 1994 and I was a 12-year-old in grade 7. I never really followed hockey (and still don't unless if it's the playoffs) but all the boys did. I knew it was a big deal and everyone was glued to the TV for every game leading up to it.

I remember the boy sitting across from me at school had Canucks stickers decorating his Le-Kit pencil case. I remember my brother asking my parents to take him to the mall so he could pick up one of those white towels that everyone else at the game seem to have. I remember that night. We sat only a couple feet away from the TV, and both my brother and I took turns waving that white towel every time the Canucks scored. That game ended in a disappointing loss for the Canucks and the cup went to the Rangers.

17 years later, another Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals for the Vancouver Canucks. I wondered if today would be the day for the Canucks to make history and win the cup. I didn't want to miss it. I took a vacation day from work and was prepared to park myself at a pub for the rest of the afternoon before the game started.

Bran and I first checked out St. Augustine's on Commercial Drive only to be rudely treated by their staff, so without hesitation, we got up and left to go back to good ol' Toby's. We got prime seats right infront of the big projection screen. We were all excited yet nervous. So nervous that some of my friends couldn't sleep. Some couldn't eat. (They're nuts!) You get so wrapped up in this moment. The game had already started when my brother also joined us and we had to tip the security guard at the door to let him in. It was a full house at the pub.

We opted to stay away from downtown... the streets there were insanely packed. It was like the Olympics all over again. Not that I was there but it was all over the live feeds on TV.

We cheered, we yelled... but in the end, the Canucks seemed to have lost their fire. The Bruins took the Stanley Cup with a 4-0 win. Not one goal for us to cheer! It was definitely disappointing. But... I'm still a believer of the Canucks. Thanks for the awesome playoff run. They made it this far! That was one fun journey. And honestly, I'm glad to get my life back. No more posts about pubs and pub food and rushing off to watch a game after work.

The people at the pub disbanded with a bit of solemnness but generally still in good spirits. There were already tweets and updates on people's phones that there was a car on fire in the downtown area. It was a beauuutiful sunny evening which I think helped soothed all of our broken hearts.

It wasn't until I got home not long after the game was over that my brother and I watched in horror on TV what was really going on in downtown. A major riot broke out live all over the news. I couldn't believe what happened. They didn't riot because we lost a hockey game. These people purposely wanted to cause trouble. I couldn't imagine... if you supported your city and wishing it to win a hockey game, why would you go around and destroy it? Windows were smashed and people ran in and out of big department stores looting. It was ridiculous. What happened to morals? Bystanders got hurt. Emergency rooms at hospitals were full to the max. I thought I was watching some zombie movie. This can't possibly be happening in our city!

It was sickening. Embarassing to the rest of the world. Absolutely disgusting. I was so angry. This ISN'T our city. This does NOT represent our city. And those people are definitely not Canucks fans.

Hope all those involved get arrested. And if not, watch out for karma.

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 6

I traded a shift to get today off just so I could watch the game. I headed down to Original Joe's on Cambie and Broadway to meet up with a couple of friends that have been there since 2pm. The pubs here fill up pretty fast during the hockey playoffs. And especially now that we're in the Stanley Cup Finals, going around 2pm for a 5pm game is just about right if you want seats.

I joined them around 3pm. I had a late lunch so I wasn't even hungry enough to order anything. We waited and waited... this was a time I wish I had an iphone or an ipad. To help kill time. The pub was getting pretty full. We had to give up a couple seats we were saving for our friends so that the early comers could take them first.

5pm rolled around and the whole place was hyped. We had it planned that if we won the cup tonight, we were book it downtown on the skytrain. Convenient being right across the street from a skytrain station. The game started with much anticipation. More and more friends joined us along the way once they got off work.

There were so many close calls in the third period to try to bring us closer to the number of goals made by the Bruins, but we fell really short in the end and lost the game 5-2.

Now the series is tied at 3-3. Bringing us to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals...

No celebrations in downtown tonight. We all headed over to Jen's afterwards and drowned our sorrows in haagen daz and let Barney (her dog) cheer us up.

LET'S DO IT IN GAME 7!!

Early Celebration

In the midst of the Stanley Cup Finals, I remember that I will not be in town next weekend, which is also the weekend for Father's Day. So, I made the plan to take my dad and the family out for dinner a week earlier.

I was a bit lost at thinking up a good place to go to but eventually came up with The Market. I've been there a couple of times with friends. Definitely on the pricey side but food was enjoyable. I still remember the short ribs from the previous visit, and since my dad loves his meat, I decided to have him try it.

I knew it would be a bit fancier place and my family isn't all into that fancy schmancy somewhat uptight scene, but I thought... who cares. We all wore our jeans and a proper shirt (which was underdressed compared to most there) 'cause I find making a big deal out of what we wear would probably make my parents feel more uncomfortable. Which in turn would just kill the whole experience. So, as long as we're all clean and decent... who cares.

The thing about going to such places too... I normally get the whole "Why are you spending so much money?" talk. Or, the "any other restaurant is just as good" talk. And I don't disagree with them. At the same time, why can't we? Not like we eat like this everyday. The good thing is, lately, they haven't complained. Instead, just enjoying it for what its worth.

My dad ordered this foie gras appetizer. He was so desperate to have my mom try it because she's never tried it before. To be honest, I don't like foie gras. I've had it before and I don't get the hype. My mom loved it though... the richness and its taste. My dad and I had the short ribs and my mom and my brother had the halibut. We had a couple of their special sodas. And then we ordered two desserts to share at the end. Oh, and we had truffle mashed potatoes. Love truffle.

All in all, a wonderful experience. Next time, we'll go to a $5 burger joint. The experience will be just as great. From time to time though, it's okay to treat ourselves. The best part is not to say we've been to an expensive restaurant or even that we've tried foie gras and truffle... but that as a family, we had a good time. All its uniqueness will just make us remember this occasion more.

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5

Y'see... the reason why the Canucks lost the last two games is because I cared too much. Remember my motto of "If I don't care so much, they will win"? (See Game 1 and 2). But, with the Canucks cupcakes in Game 3 and going to the arena (instead of a pub) for Game 4... they inevitably lost. So, for Game 5, I didn't care so much.

I took my time after work getting off at 6:30pm. The game has been playing since 5pm. I didn't bother looking up the score. I was even debating whether or not to meet up with my friends in Chinatown at a new pub called London Pub. But, I decided to check it out. Yes, for the pub. Not the game.

When I got there, I spotted Dan in the crowd outside of the pub. It was already the second intermission and people were outside for a breather. He looked pre-occupied yet wasn't doing anything in particular. I shouted "Hi!" and he sort of looked past me and said "Hey.. Jen's there (pointing in a different direction)... I gotta go to the bank." Wow, such warm welcoming.

I went up to Jen and again shouted "Hi!". She started mumbling. Her eyes darting back and forth. To the inside of the pub. To me. To her husband. Still mumbling. I couldn't make out a word she was saying. "Are you talking to yourself?".

"Yah. Talking to myself," she said.

Then I realized... everyone's on edge. The game has been heartpounding and nerve-wrecking. Stressful isn't it. Oh my.

I saw the line-up to get into the pub. People had to pay cover. And if I got in the line-up, I'd never make it in before the end of the game. I started debating to head over to my cousin's instead. But Jen insisted we try to sneak me in. Gee, when was the last time I tried to sneak in anywhere to avoid line-ups and paying cover??

So, the third period was about to start. We filed in with me sandwiched between my friends. They each flashed the stamp they the got on their wrist. I quickly lifted up my coat sleeve to show a blank wrist... but the security guard nodded and I made it in! Wooo.

The puck drops for the third period and the pub was packed. Great place to watch the game with its many TVs. My heart started to pound. Omigosh... can I even watch this??

All my friends shouted and "Luuuuu'd" at every one of Lu's saves. There was a wall at the pub with a bunch of blow-up Orcas lying against it. A sign on the wall read "Orca Parking Only". Then, magic happened... and Lapierre scored the first (and only) goal! WOoooooooooooooo! The pub exploded. Everyone was screaming and cheering while hi-fiving each other. The blow-up orcas left the wall and began surfing the crowd. It was pretty funny.

Omigosh, how happy we were. We bit our nails and clenched our teeth for the rest of the third period. C'mon boys! Hold it together! And sure enough they did. WE WON!!!!! Bringing the series to 3-2 Canucks. Craaaziness.

We left the pub, got in our cars, and honked our horns all the way down Main St. and Broadway. The whole city was going crazy. I dumped my car at city hall again, and we made our way to City Center. The last time I've been on the skytrain this many times was during the Olympics. The crowd tonight was definitely larger than the past few times I've been down there after a game. You can hear the millions of hand-slapping from all the hi-fives around you. The cops also joined in and hi-fived everyone else. We were hungry after the game so we stopped by Japadog. We sat outside the joint and people watched while we munched on more junk food.

ONE MORE WIN TO GO!!!!!!!!!

WE WANT THE CUP!!

NBA Finals

The initial plan was to go out for dinner. But then there was a change of mind and then a change of plans. Staying in it is. Because... someone's got to watch the NBA Finals.

In the midst of the Stanley Cup Finals, there is also the NBA Finals .( I don't think I've ever watched this much sports in my life. ) I don't know anything about the NBA. What I know about basketball is whatever I remember from gym class back in school. Ball goes in hoop. There are different ways to get one, two or three points. I remember the rule of not "travelling". The term "lay up" sounds familiar. That is pretty much the extent of it. Hah. I think I know less than a handful of basketball player names.

We had takeout pho for dinner while watching the game. Along with answering my milllions of questions, Ming told random facts and tidbits about the players and the sport. Love random stories. Even though I don't remember parts of it. The european guy who was discovered and trained since the age of 16 and has kept his coach since... who was he again??  Actually, I don't think I was told a name. I think it was more like "you see that player over there? And that old guy standing there?...".Oh, and I learned why some of them wear sleeves and only on one arm. Regardless, it was actually pretty entertaining to watch. The game came pretty close near the end. Making the last few minutes the most exciting. Game ended with the win for Dallas giving them the lead in this final series and making it 3-2. And since Ming's rooting for Dallas... then... yay! (Now if only the Vancouver Canucks could do the same tomorrow).

I occupied most of the in-between times playing Plants Vs. Zombies on the ipad. It's addictive. I must have been so absorbed that I hadn't notice that Ming was spending quite a deal of time in the kitchen. I managed to look up (and peel my eyes off the ipad) when he came back into the room with two bowls of "tong yuens" (chewy glutinous balls in sugar water... a Chinese dessert). "When did you make tong yuens?".

"When I was going back and forth to the kitchen."

Didn't notice. This is one of a few reasons why I'm reluctant to get the iphone. I'll become so dependent and too absorbed.

Anyway, the tong yuens were really good. They were enormous in size. Barely fits in my mouth. Filled with red bean on the inside. I tried biting one in half but only almost made a mess with the filling oozing out so I had to pop the whole thing. The sugar water was perfect. Barely sweet at all. Yum! Good job on boiling the tong yuens.

"I made the sugar water too."

Sorry. Good job on the sugar water too.

These everyday simple days really are my favorite.

GO MAVS!!

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 4

Right after work, I booked it down to Rogers Arena.

One of my friends was lucky enough to score tickets to this away game. Yes, we all get to sit in the arena and watch the big screen TV on the jumbotron. And I'm sure there are people who will think what is the fun in that? The thing is, it was practically like a home game. The great big crowd. The live shows and kids hockey during the intermissions. The yucky concession stand food. Fin ruffling the crowd and shooting free t-shirts out of his "gun". The music that keeps you hyped up. The fans chanting "GO CANUCKS GO!". The "Luuuu"ing in unison. The sea of waving white towels. All of this adds up to the atmosphere. And if not any of that appeals to you, then at least rest assure that the cost of your ticket, the whole $10, will go towards charity.

So, if you want to hear a silly "Amie" story which I should title something like "Amie playing tourist", I dumped my car at the City Hall skytrain station. If I want to get downtown for some sort of city celebrations, that's the way to do it. The skytrain takes you right to City Center where "party central" is... and if you want to leave that mess, you can jump right back on the skytrain and it'll whip you out in no time. Anyway, I always manage to find free parking around City Hall. I made my way to the skytrain station.... only to realize....

I'm not going downtown.

I want to go to Rogers Arena. Which is at the Stadium skytrain station. Which... is on a totally separate skytrain line.

Great.

Do I walk all the way back to my car and drive to a station of the other line??

No. I skytrained it to the very end of the Canada Line which then connects to the Millenium Line (where Stadium station is). I've basically went backwards deep into downtown when I totally didn't have to. Oh well. I stood around reading the maps and running around skytrain stations.... I totally felt like a tourist in an unfamiliar city. If you live in Vancouver, you'll know why this is silly. Where I parked my car is practically minutes away from the arena. But, to get to the arena, I skytrained it way out of the way... and back. Just to get right to the arena doors without a whole lot of walking.

Anyway, I made it to Stadium and finally made it to Rogers Arena. The second period had just started and the score was 1-0 Boston. Met up with my friends Kat, Ray, Freddie, Al, and Kat's coworker Linda.

Unfortunately, the rest was uneventful to report. They pulled Luongo and put in Schneider. There was a lot of cheering with each of Schneider's saves. But, we all still believe in Luuuuuuu..... He just needs a break.

The game ended with a very heartbreaking 4-0 win for Boston making this series now tied 2-2.

Sigh. Wow.

You're making it harder and harder to BELIEVE!! But we still do.

TWO MORE GAMES TO WIN!!!!! JUST DO IT.

GO CANUCKS GO.

_______

I was asked if I cheered when Luongo was pulled from net and replaced by Schneider. If any Canucks fan did, then that's saying a whole lot about our fanbase. But it wasn't until after reading several articles and blogs that I realized where that question came from in the first place. Apparently, it was the way that CBC edited the coverage that night. The moment Luongo was pulled, CBC flipped the coverage back to the Rogers Arena where it showed thousands of fans cheering. Okay. I was at the arena. And I was cheering. But not at all because Luongo was pulled from net. Is it not inevitable that when TV coverage shows your home arena that you'd automatically cheer? What kind of headlines would we get if the arena was completely silent?

The negative coverage and the unfair biased stories on the Canucks (poor Lu!) during this Final series has really got to stop.