book review: New Moon

Like the first book, I read New Moon in four days. At first I wasn't into it, the story of Edward and Bella got lost but it did introduce a new character, Jacob, who is crucial to the whole Twilight Saga. But halfway threw the book, it picked up and I once again, could not put the book down. It's funny that no matter where I go (twice on the GO Train and at the dentist office), I get asked if I like the books. It's such a conversational topic. Everyone seems to be reading the saga or knows someone reading it. I don't know why I bother to do book reviews because I hate giving away any details. JH - you know who you are, I told you I would do the test run and I honestly think that you might enjoy it, even though it's a vampire love story. You can borrow the books anytime, I will be done all four books by the weekend.

blarkness rating: 5/5

book review: Twilight

As I probably mentioned in a previous post, I read the fourth book in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. I was so intrigued by it and so wrapped up in the story that I couldn't put it down. I did pick up the other first three books on Monday. I read Twilight in four days. These books are so addicting. As I was reading Twilight, it answered all the questions that I had reading Breaking Dawn. But it was more intense. In BD, I got it that Edward and Bella were in love but in Twilight, you read about how strong and powerful their love is. Yes, this book is about vampires but it's not scary at all. I hate horror movies and I am scared of the dark but reading this book is so different. You will begin to have an attachment to the vampire family in the book and you will also become attached to Edward. I could go on forever about the book but I STRONG suggest you go out there and read it for yourself.

blarkness rating: 5/5

product review: Gizmobies

These are the coolest things - Gizmobies. They are pocketable protection for your iPhone, iTouch, iPods, even your cell phones, blackberry or Nintendo DS. I picked up this design for my iPhone and another design for my DS. This daisy design isn't the greatest but since the 3G iPhone came out, they have limited designs for the originals.

blarkness rating 4.5/5 (I knocked off .5 because they have limited designs for the original iPhone)

countdowns are cool

Yes, I love my vacation countdown. Yes, it helps that I can see how many more days until I get out of this cold hellhole. Yes, I know you wish you were going with me and yes, you can come with me...

what i've been up to...

It's been over a week and I haven't blogged. So, here's a little snipped of what's been going on with me:

• I finished Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. On a recent shopping trip, I bought the other three books, Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. I started reading Twilight, the first book on Monday and am almost finished. PLEASE READ THE SERIES IN ORDER...I was being cheap by reading the last book which I got my hands on, I really wanted to see if I would enjoy the series before investing in it. If you are interested in reading it, I can lend you the books.
• The conference, Fall Forum, in Niagara-on-the-Lake that I was planning was a huge success. Learning during the day, dancing with an open bar at night (seeing my mom on the dance floor?) mentoring sessions the following day, and to top that delicious food all weekend!
• I got new eyeglasses. They are a cute pair and wow, I can see so much better now. With the sun not making an appearance these days (I love sunglasses), I can wear my glasses to work.
• Tita Pinkie came and left after 9 days. It's different without her here. She didn't stay at our place that much, she was too busy partying with my mom.
• I spent my day off on Monday with Julie. We shopped at Heartland and did not go overboard on the spending. I got the books, a purple cardigan, two turtlenecks and boots that I ended up returning yesterday. Mike pointed out that since I am short, I should opted for boots with a heel rather than flat boots.
• I saw Darina (my ex co-worker from Taxi) and her son, Kai. He is adorable. The cutest thing ever!!! I will post up some pictures that I took of him later.

That's about it for now. I should be heading off to work. It's been a short week for me but it seems to be dragging. I can't wait until Friday. It's been a horrible two days at work, I hope today is better =)

sushi dinner

I should be packing right now for Niagara-on-the-Lake. My team and I have organized a young lawyer's conference this weekend. I have been so stressed out by it - pimples, lack of sleep, lack of appetite - that I hope everything turns out okay and that all the work was worth it. It's 9:50 pm and I have to watch Lipstick Jungle in 10 minutes so I am just going to post the photos from Saturday's sushi dinner with Gino's friends. It was very nice of them to come by, and even each bring a bottle of wine. We all ate like champs, the food will speak for itself (see below). Tita showed us how to roll sushi - so, who's up for a sushi dinner at Casa Solon?

I honestly have to say that I love that Gino's friends still keep in touch with us even though he is no longer with us. Being with Gino's friends makes me feel good, like Gino's spirit is with my family through his friends. G's friends are awesome, I truly see why he is friends with each one of them. They are all unique and bring a certain quality to their crew of friends.

sushi

maki rolls

hand rolls and more maki rolls (we must have made about 13 maki rolls)

yours truly

brian and his custom made veggie rolls

Tita Pinkie, Anjay and my mom

Mike, Ryan D., and Andrew

SHIT - Lipstick Jungle isn't on tonight because of the debate =(

I'm in love...

Yes, as Gino would say, I am behind with the times. The Twilight series have been out for some time now and I don't want to admit where I heard about it but my mother-in-law was kinda enough to lend me Breaking Dawn, which is 4th in the series. I wanted to try and read this first before committing to buying the first three books. It's so good. I know that it's about vampires and werewolves but there is also a love story involved. Since I am already 70 pages in, I am just going to finish it and then buy the first three books. For those who may be interested, I strongly recommend you read from the beginning.

the pinkster is here...

That's right, Tita Pinkie has arrived. She will be here for 9 days. I left work early and had dim sum with my mom, Tita and Anjay. After we all went to visit Gino. It was a nice visit. Anjay bought Gino a "non-gay" flower. It's quite different. Me, Tita and I had an episode at Blockbuster since we found a new series of Peek-a-Pooh. The store clerks thought we were crazy because we jumped each time we got a pooh from the machine. It's our new obsession.

Mike and I are cleaning up the condo right now because the O-town Boyz (Gino's friends) are coming over later for Tita's sushi dinner. Tita made this sushi dinner for me, Mike, Gino and Mike Martha for NYE 2006 and my mom, Gino and I had it again when we went to Edmonton in October 2006. It's been a long time so I can't wait. Stay tuned for pictures!

pictures from the weekend

To follow up on my previous post, here are some pictures from the weekend:

Me and the peacock

Mike and I will have have Paris (in Vegas and T.O.)

A Bug's Life (my fav exhibit)

Sunday's Baby Shower

The soon-to-be proud parents

Beatrix - Michele and Mike's lil cutie (She looks so much like Mike - sorry Mich)

weekend recap

Yes, I know...it's Wednesday already. Everyone says that they are busy with work and yes, I am one of them. October is one of the most hectic month in our education year. I don't stay late but I do work hard in the 7 hours that I do work. Like my boss always says, "there is always tomorrow". So, I take her advice and do what needs to be done and leave at 4 pm.

I don't have time to do an elaborate post but I will do a quick rundown in bullet points:

• Saw Nunsensation with my dad at his church for Volunteer Appreciation Night. I stuffed my face with pigs in a blanket (something that I would never eat). I was basically the youngest person there (except for the priest who spoke at my brother's funeral).
• Bought new dishes, two sets since they were 40% off at The Bay. It was a mission for sure! Thanks to Ron for taking our old set. Chilled out for most of the day and then went to the Chinese Lantern Festival with Mike and Dwight. All I have to say is PANIS...Mike took a ton of pictures but he still has to upload them. Thanks MoPar for the tickets.
• Had to cancel brunch at The Boiler House with our Punta Cana friends because the Gardiner was closed. Mike and I went straight to Adaiah's baby shower. Mrs. Recto makes awesome food so I ate like a champ. Played some shower games and took a peek at the nursery. I love it A & J. I can't wait until I am pregnant cuz then I can go shopping with you guys at our favorite baby store. FUDGE IS DELICIOUS by the way.
• Monday is the new Friday, J/K. It sure felt like it when Mike, Maureen, Rommel and I went to watch Robin Thicke at Kool Haus. I wasn't that impressed with this concert but all is forgiven when I found out that Robin Thicke and his band did this set as practice for when he opens for Mary J. He sang all my favourites off the old album and even my new fav from the new album, Dreamworld. I also can believe I drank three beers (thanks to Rommel and Neil), drinking beer is not usually my thing. Thanks again MoPar for the hook up.

That's it from me for now. I am pretty spaced out these day, I say silly things because my brain doesn't work.

P.S. I got a phone call from a little friend of mine, she is so sweet and she called out of the blue. Also, I heard the wonderful news from Dianne. I am so happy for her and so glad that she called to tell me. If you don't know what I am talking about, ask her yourself. It's better if you hear it from her. Belle - look in the mail, your pictures and a little surprise are coming to you!

happy day

Yesterday was a really good day for me. Nothing really happened but for once in a long time, I was happy. I wasn't sad, depressed, tired, angry, mad, confused...I felt nothing but a spring in my step. Whatever it was that made my day, I am glad that I had one good day among the many rough days I have been having lately.

fabFIVE on rotation

I really need to update my iPod but here are the songs that I am addicted to:

Single, NKOTB f. Ne-Yo - Yes, you probably know this already since I had the video on my blog and it is constantly playing.

Better in Time, Leona Lewis - I have listened to her album and quickly learn to love Yesterday and Bleeding Love. I just listened to the lyrics and it means a lot to me.

Paper Planes, M.I.A - Gino and A. Wong introduced me to M.I.A at one of Gino's Vinyl parties. They were blasting Bamboo Banga and surprising I liked the song. I remember Mike asked if it was Mia (pronounced it like the name) playing and A. Wong had to correct him and say, "you mean M-I-A". Too funny.

Nobody, Ne-Yo - As always, Ne-Yo's song are very catchy. He is definitely a talented songwriter. If you liked Closer, you will like this song.

Love Song, Sara Bareilles - I heard this on a TV show, it's probably an old song but like Gino always says, I only like songs because I hear them on a show. And he is right. It's funny how on Lipstick Jungle, Kirby and Nico go to see Sara Bareilles at a club and I just discovered that I liked one of her songs.