New Camera

I made it a point not to make any posts in the month of June, because I was putting it off so much that I figured I wouldn't update at all until July. The same thing was about to happen, but I don't like the idea of a completely abandoned blog.



In accordance to the title of this post, I did get a new camera, but I think I spent more time working on it than actually using it. I am please the price has gone up again since I purchased it for $199.99 to $239.99 at Future Shop.

I used the above tools to measure out, cut, attach, trim and squeegee the protective film over the camera's screen after cleaning it with the brushes and cloth included. All of that took me about 30 - 45 minutes.

The intention of buying this camera was really so that I could take pictures and record videos and audio to help trigger my memory. I am going to UW's Student Life 101, so I'll bring it along to take pictures of the campus and maybe make a video of their presentations.

That's it for now. I may or may not make a more detailed post sometime soon because the purpose of this post was to prove that my blog is still somewhat active.

Cherry Blossoms

I spent almost 9 hours today at the hospital and I was debating whether or not I should make a post at all today. It's very warm in my room and I have a lot of ideas. I'm afraid if I really get into it, I won't be able to stop, which would likely take me all night.

I think I'll just make a quick post about Spring in Canada. I heard it was 28°C today, but I was inside for almost all of it. When I was out it was stuffy and humid. I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a warm jacket, but I don't know why I didn't take it off. I bought a gel ice pack for Friday, because I checked my messages this morning there and I was surprised to hear that they had already replied. Dr. Freilich had wanted to speak with my GP yesterday at 5 PM, when she was getting off work, and I guess everything went alright, because the receptionist gave me a whole bunch of instructions and answered even more questions that I had. If I...uhh...don't post anymore...you'll know that either those estimates were inaccurate or I was just lucky.

There's going to be clouds, sun and a thunderstorm tomorrow with an average of 23°C tomorrow, when I'm going to see my GP, and it'll reach 25°C by Friday, which is fine because I have to wear a t-shirt for them to take my blood pressure and everything. I'm going at 2:30 PM and the procedure will last 1.5 hours, but there's always a delay, so I'm expecting to be done at around 5 PM. She wanted me to pay a $200 deposit and I wanted to see if I could pay all of it over the phone at the hospital with my dad's credit card so I wouldn't have to carry the remaining $1000 in cash on me, but she didn't think it would be a good idea if I did that. She will, however, keep my dad's credit card number on the computer, so she'll bill it and I won't have to worry about that.

I had to cancel the appointment with her on Saturday, because it's quite likely that I won't be feeling well or really need to go. That also means that I might not be able to make it to see HUE perform at the 'Unique Talent Show' at Pacific Mall during the 2 to 5 PM time span. I'll see how I feel, but I'd really like to go.



I took this picture of my backyard from a window in my kitchen. The apple tree is on the left and the cherry tree is on the right. On the far right, is a tiny maple tree, but it's difficult to see. There's a mulberry tree to the left of the apple tree, but I couldn't fit it in from that window, as you can see from the bricks framing the window on the left edge. The mulberry tree has been faithfully bearing a lot of fruit every year, while the apples and cherries only started to grow last year. My mom brought me a small apple when I came back and was staying at Markham-Stouffville Hospital last September. My dad found a bird's nest containing three tiny eggs high up on the maple tree on the front lawn. How did he know there were three eggs? He climbed up on a ladder to see. Nice.

On the apple tree, my dad decided that he wanted to put up a bird feeder, so we bought a very large bag for $3.99 at Bulk Barn. Most of it gets eaten by squirrels, who spill a lot of it on the ground so the rabbits come to clean it up. The plastic has been really chewed up, because the squirrels latch themselves onto it and gnaw away at the small hole intended for birds. There was one day when I was standing inside watching a fat squirrel eat, then it jumped deliberately down on the ground and faced me. It started to dance by moving its arms, gleefully shaking its body, and rapidly twitching its tail. Repeatedly. It didn't seem particularly friendly. It skipped back onto the fence where it continued to wave its tail mockingly at me, but finally dashed away when it finished making its point. It thinks it's clever. I think I'm scrutinizing this too much and I'm not angry or anything even though they finish off a full container of bird seed in a day, because I believe all of these creatures are eligible to live comfortably without hunger. However, these squirrels are hogging it and keeping birds from getting their share, so now I know why Martha Stewart was talking about the assortment of bird feeders she uses on her enormous plot of land, and also why people make/sell bird feeders specifically to keep squirrels from abusing it by making it almost impossible for them to climb on because they keep slipping off. I think the repelling and trapping techniques for squirrels described on the site are a bit excessive. My dad is thinking about getting more of them, so hopefully none of them have to go hungry.

Ugly Things Ahead

What I'm listening to: Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
I've liked this song for a long time. I used to listen it on loop 239843247 times on the bus, while working, running laps outside, to try to get to sleep, etc, and especially at the gym. It has that line that a lot of people love and it's motivational. Did I ever end up sending this to you, Intensecure? I can't remember, but here it is for everybody to download.

I can tell this is going to be a long post already. Sometimes I wonder whether I should just do a voice post instead, but I'm not really good at speaking. *Deep breath*
I hope you're reading this, ES!

I just got back from my consultation with the specialist (I'm not getting paid for this) who is going to remove my wisdom teeth, all four at the same time. I got there very early, as usual, and had to fill out two forms, so it wasn't too bad. Waited for a bit and had to go in to do a panoramic x-ray. I think I already did one not too long ago, maybe October, but I didn't have time to go get it from my cousin's office, so I figured I'd get a new updated one done, just in case. Nothing exciting, I just had to take off all jewelry and metal items, wear the lead armour which is a little heavy, put my chin in the space, and bite on a piece of plastic. Went back to the waiting room, which is beautifully furnished. Picture a nice hotel lobby or Troy/McNamara firm in Nip/Tuck. There were a number of rooms and they were very bright and spacious. They were well equipped with a computer, a very organized set of tools in cupboards and drawers, and a large flat screen television, but it just happened that the computer wasn't connecting properly to it to show me my x-ray today. It's fine because I've seen it before and I was going to bring my camera to take a picture, but I probably wouldn't have done it anyways. The doctor had a lot of diplomas and certification documents framed on the wall. All of it was very impressive and he lived up to it in person, too. Dr. Freilich was patient and thorough when asking me questions and explaining all the details, risks, outcomes, additional medications, whether there were any contraindications of the anesthesia with my medications, reports I needed to submit and why I need it done at all. He wants me to come in only when a professional anesthesiologist is working because of my medications and to be extra careful. Very considerate and observant as he noticed my tracheotomy and asked appropriate questions to go along with concerns about head and neck fractures.

"Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the specialty of dentistry that treats surgical problems of the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, face, head and neck. Practitioners of this specialty graduate from accredited dental schools ("Doctor of Dental Surgery" or "Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry" degrees), and then complete hospital-based surgical residency training programs that range from 4 to 6 years to complete. To be licensed in Canada as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, practitioners must pass a credentialing examination that is administered by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and be eligible for licensure by their provincial College.

Dentists who refer to themselves as "Dental Surgeons" are General Dentists, and are not specialists in any aspect of dentistry."

The doctor also wanted me to either get a blood test done, which as you may recall I did not too long ago, so he wanted me to give him a copy. I had to pay at the front desk and my dad had given me $100 at the last minute as an afterthought this morning, but I ended up having to chip in $60. I'm lucky that I keep a decent amount of cash on me, because the consultation on its own was $100 and the x-ray was an extra $60. I got the appropriate receipts and hopefully we can get reimbursed from the insurance that my dad's company pays for. I had to sign a release of information form, so that the receptionist could fax it to my GP to get the blood test results. I insisted on sitting there to watch her do it, I'm not sure why. It took quite a while, but all the paperwork and the faxing were completed properly.

This is where the fun begins. While waiting for the fax to go through, it suddenly occurred to me that I should make a trip to the GP's on the way home. Her original receptionist was AWOL, while her husband the pharmacist was still working at his pharmacy, but she was replaced by a younger girl, who was...kind of difficult to deal with. I arrived and it was still that girl. I asked if they received the fax and they did, not too long ago. I was a bit worried that I might show up after she already faxed in my blood report, so I'd seem very pushy. That wasn't the case today. She was talking on the phone, for a long time. When the doctor came out to make an appointment for a patient, she hung up and I told them what I needed done. My GP gave her approval and told her to pull it from my file. After a long search, she still couldn't find my file. My GP continued with her appointment, so I kept waiting as she looked for it until my GP came out to sort something out again. It turned out that the file was actually with my GP, because she had to make a CT appointment for me/my head. She thought it was strange to use the one from February and I reminded her, so we got out the proper one done in April. My GP left again, telling her to fax it. She said she'd do it right in front of me. Of course, I wouldn't have left if she didn't. She puts it in the fax machine and we wait forever. I had a feeling she dialed their own fax number, which she did. *sigh* I'm glad that I had a couple of the Dr. Freilich's business cards in my pocket, which had their fax number on it. I kept standing there until it went through, but halfway through, she told me I could leave. I waited for it to go all the way through, but thinking back, I'm not exactly sure if it was my report at all. She might have faxed the requisition from the specialists' back to them. I got home and gave them both a call, but no one picked up, presumably because they had gotten off work or were close to being done for the day so they didn't want to have to deal with a call that might make them stay a few minutes later.

Dr. Freilich had mentioned getting a night guard for my teeth, because I had said that my jaws hurt, either from the way the wisdom teeth are growing in horizontally because there isn't enough space, from grinding/clenching my teeth at night or both. I already have one, but I don't wear it as often as I should, because I have enough trouble getting to sleep as it is. In case you've never seen one or you're going to get one, and it seems like there is an increasing number of people who need them, I'm making this post as a product review.


I took a picture of all of these things that I had to make a mould for. I didn't include my retainers because I've probably lost them. I didn't actually need them, but an overenthusiastic orthodontist made me get them. She wasn't nice at all and her personality wasn't the greatest, so I really didn't like her. I've made a post about the trays on the left that I had to get for the bleaching process. I got my first night guard, which is on the right, but I never really wore it because it's very uncomfortable. It had the same yellow case.

As I've already said, it's not comfortable enough to allow me to sleep, but it's an improvement. It's glossy on the underside as my cousin didn't have to adjust it by shaving pieces of it off, because it fit quite well. The colour is a lot nicer, too.

It's difficult to really tell, but this is the inside of it where I fit it on to my top set of teeth. I have to immerse it in hot water for before I put it on, because it softens it up a bit. The grooves get to be sort of gummy, which isn't the right word, but it's the first one that comes to mind. It has a plastic taste to it that almost seems like a synthetic fruit flavour.

I think it's a bit thinner than before and felt as comfortable as something like this could get for the first few times I wore it, but that feeling passes pretty quickly. After a night of wearing it, my teeth felt very different and foreign when chewing. I think it would have been more effective than my retainers if they shifted the grooves around a bit, but that's very difficult to perfect. When I got sick of using it, I went back to using those trays for bleaching, but that was bothering me a lot last night, so I left them next to the abandoned night guard on the desk beside my bed. Imagine wearing that in the daytime as well, like I was told to. I guess it could be used to prevent overeating sheerly out of boredom.

Silicone iPod Case

What I'm listening to: Pink - Fingers
I thought I'd add in this feature to my posts sometimes, even if I'm not actually listening to the particular track. I was listening to it in bed, in the dark where the light from the iPod screen was actually enough to act as a small flashlight. I actually heard it first in a commercial in Shanghai. I can't remember what for, but it was probably something like toothpaste. There were a lot of those commercials. I hadn't known it was by Pink, because I didn't have the album yet, but I listened to that for almost the entire time when I was in HK and feeling very down.


It's a beautiful day outside. According to the up-to-the-minute weather forecast at the bottom of my browser, it is Now: Mostly Sunny, 21°C. What am I doing inside? I would have gone grocery shopping with my dad, but he went to pick up his oldest sister, my aunt, and she is incredibly naggy, so I opted to stay home and work on my Calculus and the workbook that I was assigned. Of course, that's what I do everyday - say that I'm going to work hard, instead of hardly working.


My dad came back from his business trip to HK and bought me this iPod case. In an email that I checked only after he came back, he told me that it was okay if we didn't find the iPod. He didn't even know that I did when he bought me the case anyways, because he really did mean it when he said that I'd get another one. Soon.

He wanted to get one with a lanyard so he picked this one for me. I'm getting a...hip bone ache, so I'm going to have to speed this one up. As written in a previous, lengthycomment (sorry Intensecure):

When something finally turns up, especially after abandoning a long search, it's like getting a brand new one for free. In this case, it was better than a brand new one because it was mine :]

I'm not sure how to take preventative precautions against losing [my iPod nano] for good, but I'm thinking on it. Carrying it with a lanyard around my neck is difficult because it doesn't come with a place for attachment, plus it would swing around, get scratched up and in my way. I can wrap the drawstrings of the little bag I use around my wrist and hold it in my hand, but that's not always convenient. Everything I make are unreliable and armbands of any sort feel insecure. I don't always have pockets or ones where it would fit comfortably if I did. Like Batman, I have a utility belt XD but the pockets are too small...and of course I wouldn't trust something like that even with belt attachments made specifically for iPod. Besides, belts don't always match... I've been keeping it in my bag with the cord coming out of an unzipped compartment, because I can't think of anything else safer or convenient. Hence, the complicated dilemma I've been trying to resolve even before I bought it *sigh*

My first MP3 player came with earbuds that were part of the lanyard and they were the only ones that fit, so when they broke, I couldn't use it anymore aside from its function as portable USB storage, in which case, it's too bulky. I didn't have any respect for the one I got next. I don't know why I'd toss it around, drop it often, leave it around and it in loose jacket pockets that I might have left unattended, but I never managed to lose it and it took a long time for it to break. I don't know if I was subconsciously trying to break it, but when it did, the earphone jack gave out on me after all the tugging and wrapping the cord around it tightly. Even then I could still listen to it after tweaking the earphone plug around. What do people do with the cord when they're storing it away?

Good. I got the long discussion on lanyards with a lot of tangents out of the way. I'm quite impressed with what my dad got me, because he often has, let's say, a very different taste from mine when it comes to colour, style, design, object, etc. At first, I was a bit skeptical when he told me about it over the phone, but I said "Oh, you shouldn't have, but thank you". I can't seem to remember if this was before I found my iPod though. I believe it cost him $95 HKD, which is approximately $13.57 CAD. At first I forgot the exchange rate and thought it was $20+ and kind of felt bad about it, but thought that it would be about the same price in Canada. However, that's not really fair since he did buy it in HK. It's of fairly high quality (nice QC), so it's worthwhile, even more so if I didn't have an iPod.

As always, I would have hoped for a red case to go with my red and black theme, but I don't think they make red silicone cases. Either pink or blue are very nice and would go well with summer attire and other accessories. The lanyard is silver, very sturdy and it is entirely removable. It also comes with a clasp, so that I could get rid of it very quickly or I could easily attach another key chain accessory, if I wanted to. It's attached at the bottom, so if I wanted to look at the screen, it would be flipped right-side up.

The click wheel is covered by a thin layer of opaque silicone, which I thought would desensitize it, but it still works well. The silicone is supposed to be unbreakable and it does absorb shock quite well. The screen part has a transparent unbreakable cover over it to protect it from scratches, instead of just a hole in the silicone. It has a very thin frame encircling it, so that it doesn't press directly on the screen. There is also an additional frame around it on the silicone itself to give it a proper finish and prevent the cover from getting scratched when placed or dragged across a flat surface. I accidentally scratched the film sticker covering that I had bought earlier and it was noticeable underneath it. I thought about it and decided to take a risk by putting a dab of hand lotion on it, which could have potentially ruined the sticker altogether, but it disappeared like magic. :]


On the back, is a very tight metal clip to attach it to a belt, pocket, or unzipped hoodie/cardigan. It's difficult to pry it open just enough to fit the fabric through, which is also a benefit, as it is less likely to become slip out. The clip can also be rotated and inserted through the square horizontally. That is almost an impossible task to complete due to its sturdiness, which makes it even more reliable so that the entire clasp doesn't just fall out someday. I tried gently, but I don't think I'll force it or risk stretching/breaking, and it doesn't really matter that much if it's vertical or horizontal since I'll be moving it around and it's current position does have it's benefits.


While there is a hole at the bottom of the case where the earbuds can be easily inserted, the hold button at the top is rather difficult to slide as it is covered, but still manageable. The bottom part of case can be easily slipped off to sync or charge it. In addition, that part is usually covered, making it more water-resistant and less likely to be severely damaged if it were stabbed by something. I'm very pleased with it and I'm thinking up more ideas to accessorize it further without adding bulk.

Dental Procedures

Yesterday, I finally went to get my veneers finished and I've been procrastinating for months, because it really is a hassle. I had to make two visits for making moulds, reducing the size of my teeth, making moulds again, then installing temporary crowns so I can still bite, bleach the rest of my teeth because they'd be very sensitive without them, but also with a more normal appearance. Nobody wants to be seen with two miniature, baby teeth-sized front teeth.

When he was working on the two front teeth that I needed to have fixed for both aesthetic and repairing purposes, he kept asking if I needed local anesthetics, but I had already taken my own painkillers in the morning for other reasons. I asked to see more information on it, while I was waiting during the second visit, just for educational purposes and the nurse actually gave me a PI sheet. Lidocaine HCl 2% and Epinephrine 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 injections. While it seems harmless enough in most websites, the PI sheet does warn against using it with those using is with a bunch of conditions, but also "patients receiving drugs known to produce blood pressure alterations (MAO Inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, etc.)" and after the whole list of Adverse Reaction, "In psychoneurotic individuals, existing symptoms mat be aggravated." Patients fill out the form for their conditions and, on that first visit, I was actually required to fill out another one, a more specific one with a list of current medications. Mine was filled up to the margin, but the writing was big, don't worry. I think I qualify for both contraindications, but he really didn't ask at all. What if some of my medications were in the category of "etc." I mentioned it and he said that it wouldn't matter because it would only be an extremely diminutive dose. It ended up being a little bit like an argument/discussion, I think because I was annoyed that I kept having to come in, but I think he was somewhat offended. I'm also paranoid with some OCD tendencies, I can't help it. I wish I had just stopped before it started making me uncomfortable, but I don't know, it just kind of persisted, maybe because he might have still been asking me whether I wanted it or not. I can't remember.

After bleaching, which is a literal and a metaphorical pain, I had to get the shading matched. I was really irritated in that last visit and was arguing about just estimating so I wouldn't have to make another trip, etc. I tried to arrange it on the same day, of course, so I got it at 4 PM with sufficient time for me to get from my GP's appointment and to find the place, if it wasn't quite as simple as described. I got a call when I was away the two days before saying that there was a "problem" with that appointment time. I called and they were already closed for the night, so I left a message insisting that I had to have that time. She called back and said fine, but try to be early or at least on time. We had a couple of small but nevertheless time-consuming tasks to complete after the first appointment, such as picking up my aunt for her visit and getting stuck talking to another aunt. We got there at exactly 3 PM. They made me wait a bit before working on it.

The new temporary fillers were supposed to be easily removable by the veneer specialists, but they weren't. They refused to come off with every prying effort. The specialists wanted me to come another day or get it removed and back by 4 PM. *palm to forehead" It was rush hour. We'd have to traffic jam our way to my cousin's office and hope that he's there to pull it off. Utter insanity, but we made it, without any other patients there, oddly enough. Usually the waiting room is full and people are walking in and out, so I got immediate service - me running in, talking very rapidly, then taking a seat. Again, that same question...Do I want the anesthesia? I had a feeling that he might have taken a glance at my file after the last visit, but I don't know what's up with him. Maybe he bought too much and it was close to the expiry date, which is highly unlikely. Had I already taken my own painkillers? Nope, but this time it didn't bother me nearly as much for some reason. He had to file it off again.

Then, it was the rush back. I think it was already 3:40 PM. I had to endure the sting even while inhaling throughout the trip. I ran in at 4:02PM and had to take another seat in the waiting room. By the time the specialist came out, she didn't really seem like she wanted to do it, because she had to go to present at a seminar at 5 PM. I kind of blurted out that I did arrive by 4 PM and it wasn't my fault, but yet again, I managed to offend her or something. Maybe she was just thinking about her presentation ahead? I don't know, but it's definitely a symptom of social anxiety - simply over-analyzing what I said and my impression and how she responded, etc. It's true, it's in the workbook I got assigned.

I asked if she could make it just a touch whiter than my other teeth and they were strongly against it. They said it would last for a very long time and would be difficult to match again. Nevertheless, I tried to squeeze in that, if at all possible, maybe just a little on the brighter side? I think she was confused. I sat there staring at the laminated sign on the wall informing me that all the instruments I will be in contact with in have been carefully sterilized. I couldn't help but stare at her paint palette that actually had several other colours than just shades of white. What about the paint? It certainly didn't look new and she'd be dipping the brush as she painted them the proper shade with a "touch of blue with some highlights". I kept thinking about it, but I was so relieved when they fit perfectly and didn't have to be fixed or remade altogether. After she put it in the kiln for about 25 minutes, they turned out a little bit speckled, so she filled them in with the paint and baked them again. It ended up exceeding the 5 PM deadline, but she said it was fine. I'll bet the seminar was later and she needed time to prepare for it. In conclusion, they turned out brighter than the others, exactly what I had wanted :]

We had to get back so I could have my cousin attach them, rush hour persisting. We weaved around this time to see if we could get there faster and I think we succeeded. Here's where it gets to be troublesome again. Of course, another delay in the waiting room. My cousin thought they didn't fit so well and started drilling away at it - the veneers and some of my teeth, even the ones next to the area. Do I want anesthetics? No, I don't. How very courageous of me, he said. I told him I was getting used to it. I was just tired. That was one stressful hour. I had to make two other moulds with another unsuccessful attempt, because my veneers would break very quickly if I didn't have a night guard. I had to do it to make the trays for bleaching and I'm losing of the times I've had to make moulds. I've had a night guard before and I hated it, so I stopped. I understand the necessity of using one because I've actually stuck a device on my jaw for a night to count the number of times I ground or clenched my teeth in one night. I think I had around 75 or so, but my dad had over a hundred. Either way, we both need night guards and he was telling me to remind my dad to come in to make moulds. I think my dad is avoiding it, but I wouldn't blame him for it at all. I'll use it because I definitely don't want to go through the hassle of making a new pair of veneers.

I finally got home at 8 PM. My teeth were feeling sensitive, with a persistent sharpness of pain in both teeth on the right side, counting from the middle. Since I didn't have my night guards yet, which means another trip in about a week, I actually put on the bleaching trays willingly because my teeth were hurting that much and I really don't want to grind them any further. My jaw is sore every morning, so I know I do it for sure. I'll keep wearing those flimsy plastic trays. Better than nothing.

My mom encouraged me to call him today to ask him why my teeth were still hurting, but he had just left the office and would be back shortly to return my call. Thanks. It's 7:30 PM and he's not going to call. Does it happen to anyone else? Almost the moment after I hung up, they stopped hurting. They aren't hurting now either. That sort of thing always happens to me. I show up at a doctor's office and the pain instantly stops or a problem like a bruise or cold disappears overnight. I'm starting to question whether it's psychological.

My family doctor (GP) and my dentist know each other for some reason. He told me to say "Hi" to her when I made a visit about a week a go, which I did yesterday and she said it was "a small world," while my cousin wouldn't tell me why. He said they've known each other for 7 or 8 years, since "the old student days". Were they classmates? No, but "these things aren't brought up for discussion anymore". Hmm, endless possibilities.

As usual, I organized my appointments so I can get them done in one day, with one car ride from my uncle. I went to see my GP first, which is how all of that was "brought up", but it was he, who suddenly checked my file or whatever and asked me if I was still seeing her. I don't think I told him, but, yes, in fact, twice a week and almost always on Thursdays and Saturdays. I've had them all booked since March through July.

I was told they have a site and here are some of their policies:

• Regular appointments are only 15 minutes in length. Please focus on 1 or 2 issues. Please book another appointment for further issues.
• If you need counseling or a longer time period to discuss your issues, you can book 30-minute appointments.
  

LOL, I'll bet she made up those rules just for me. All my appointments are of the latter and I usually go overtime, even twice a week.

I'll save the details for the next post, because they're somewhat out of chronological order and this one is long enough as it is.

iPod Nano

I hadn't wanted to fall in with the whole craze, but I've been looking at iPods for a long time now. At first I wanted the best and most expensive, but I realised that I probably wouldn't even have anything to fill 80 GB, nor would I want to convert full movies to watch on it. I don't even take very many pictures either. It'd be strange having the photos to follow of my iPod on my iPod.

I had wanted to get the U2 one, only because it's red and black, but I really don't like U2 or Bono, nor am I willing to pay extra for it just so that a small portion of the proceeds would be directed towards the efforts in Africa. I don't want their signatures all over the back of it either. You should know by now that those are my favourite colours - black first, then red, but they're best when together as a team. I had really been planning on buying the Red iPod Nano online, because it was the same fair price and I'd get the engraving for free .

A few weeks ago, we thought better of it and decided to buy it at a local store, so if I had any problems with it, I could easily go back and take care of it. The problem was it was only available online. Nevertheless, I finally made up my mind and settled for a black one with 8GB at Costco, but was very adamant finding a way to make it red and black. I was going to pay for it myself, but my dad really insisted that he wanted to get it for me under one condition: I had to eat. I was still hoping that I could just buy it myself.

For the time being, I kept it in one of those tiny sealable plastic baggies and put it in a Dyrberg/Kern bag that I had received as a gift to contain the jewelry inside, of course. I was very anxious about getting the slightest scratch on it or damaging it any way. (Note: The red case is the one I ended up buying.)


The next weekend, we went shopping for iPod accessories at Pacific Mall. Oddly enough, almost all of the silicone skins or plastic cases only come in pastel colours. It was frustrated, but we persisted. Just as we were about to give up after approximately four hours of endless searching solely for iPod cases, we found a very nice metal one for $25. I was worried about scratching the screen since the case left it bare, but they were also selling plastic coverings for $5 and they were specifically designed for the iPod Nano. I was thinking that I had those clear adhesive sheets at home for cell phone screens, but couldn't be sure that they would be large enough.


I still keep it in the Dyrberg/Klein pouch, because sometimes I'm able to use the click wheel or lock/unlock the hold without having to pull out of the bag. The "Even brighter colour screen" is indeed strong enough to shine through the mesh and I can see the screen quite clearly.


Another bonus of keeping it in the pouch is not having to remove the actual device from it and directly insert USB connection cable directly when it's facing the right direction. The earbuds' cord also flows nicely through the opening when the strings are drawn. I don't feel safe with it dangling around my neck, putting it in my pocket, or just carrying it in my hand, so I hang it on my wrist by the strings, then twist it around so that it fits securely in the palm of my hand.



There was one night where I couldn't sleep at all. I stayed up the entire night and by 3 or 4 AM I gave up on sleep and decided I had to do something. I couldn't think of anything, so I thought I'd follow the trend of all craftsters and make an iPod cozy. I did it in one night and I happened to have a trinket for its closure - a silver metal 'M'. Why the 'M'? For Music! For Mania! I don't know. To be honest, it was just what I happened to have on hand, because I had used all the other letters in the word DREAM (you'll see how and why in another post to come). I made sure to make a small button hole opening at the bottle so I could plug in the headphone cord.

I hadn't intended on its cover to be in something of a zig-zag or snake-like shape. I wasn't sure if I wanted to make it at all, but decided it was for the best so that it wouldn't slip out. Plus, I just wanted to make use of that 'M'. I might remake the cover, because it doesn't fit quit the orderly stripes on the inside and on the back. As with most manic creations, especially made through or in the middle of the night, I wanted to destroy it as soon as the sun had risen. I'm rather ashamed of it, but it wouldn't be of much use to me to frog it completely, because the yarn would be difficult to use and I might be able to think of a way to improve it or motivate myself to remake the cover. Who knows. For now, I just never use it and prefer to keep it hidden. I hadn't really wanted to even take pictures of it let alone post them online, but I might as well include it as a part of this post.

On a side note, how do you handle the headphone cord? Does anyone have any brilliant ideas on how to keep it neat, organized and in good condition in a convenient fashion other than winding it around the iPod? I really hate having to do that and I really worry that the plug will get stretched or twisted and just give out on me some day. The sound quality is excellent, better than all the other cheap MP3 players I've gotten in the past, especially in comparison to the most recent one I had owned, where it required a lot of twisting of the plug to get it to play music. It was difficult to get it to play in even one side, but both was next to impossible.

Busy Day

I had an appointment yesterday at Markham-Stouffville Hospital, then made a trip to Chapters and picked up about $60 worth of books (including tax and after iRewards 10% discount). However, I did manage to make a hat in just a few hours yesterday, so that was productive. I'll take pictures of it soon.

When my dad came home from work, we went to Costco, then No Frills (Warden & Hwy. 7; I don't like that one), and finally Future Shop, where they only had two models for freezers. We picked the Frigidaire, but delivery would be $50 if we went with their service. Being Chinese, the sales associate recommended owning a van, but we didn't, so he called his friend who did and made arrangements to have it delivered after his shift today for $25. That's very easy money, considering I live about a block away.

Another appointment with my fantastic family doctor today, then I went to Pacific Mall today for two to three hours or so and ended up owing my Aunt Tiffany $50. I'll write about what I bought another day, because it's getting late and I have a very long and early day ahead of me tomorrow. I'm hoping that I'll be able to make good use of my time, because I intend on crocheting a bolero to match the two-piece dress I purchased. I bought a lot of things today. I place the blame of insufficient funds on the prescription medications that I had payed in cash instead of using my mom's debit card.

I was showing what I had gotten and tried on my clothes for my mom to see, then dragged out some old stuff and just as I was changing out of my last outfit, the doorbell rang. He was supposed to be here after 6 PM, but it was only 5:45 PM. I was putting on my clothes as I raced down the stairs and finished right before opening the door. He said he needed assistance to move it out of the van. Of course, my dad wasn't home yet, so "I guess that'd be me" and he looked at me, in my ruffled top and brand new black chiffon skirt. He sighed and told me to put on my shoes, so I added on my pleather jacket while I was at it, because it was quite windy and cold. The cardboard carton was slippery and I slipped once, but I kept thinking about Mr. Mitchell saying, "I may be thin, but I am wiry." After just a few inches forward, my mom was yelling at me from the top of the staircase to get away and let the guy do it himself. I told her that he'd told/asked/demanded me to help him, so that was what I was doing and I was fine. After a few moments, she started yelling at him that I had an injury, etc. Seriously, it's a freezer. How is he supposed to get it from his van into our kitchen on his own, without any other equipment, taking it apart or trashing it?

When we got to the porch steps, he asked if I had a ramp or trolley of some sort. Hmm...Nope. He had no idea how we'd get it up the steps. I suggested that we bumped it up one level at a time, but he seemed dissatisfied with it for some reason, but we did manage. I was very pleased to find that it fit in the space beside the cupboards where the fish tank used to be. He asked for a knife and my mom asked if scissors were okay. No and I couldn't find my Exacto or box cutters, because my dad confiscated or threw all of them out. I had another one, but I'd have to run upstairs, so I got him a paring knife, which worked just fine. I spent a good portion of this evening scrubbing our filthy, overcrowded refrigerator and organizing everything between the two. My vegetables get their own drawer in the cool side of the fridge and my parents' meats get another. There is a lot of ancient garbage that my parents aren't willing to throw away in there. Some of it is probably older than I am.

The category that took up the most space in the fridge was definitely the two large drawers of Chinese herbs and medicines, so I moved all of that to the very bottom of the new freezer and it took up about half of it. All my frozen vegan food went on top.

I have a lot of plans to make a lot of things, but not enough time! Blogging takes up a good chunk of my day, because I like to edit several times and add things to it until I'm satisfied with it. I'm also very forgetful, so I have to keep coming back to add to it. Even now, I have things I want to add to previous posts, but I'll make an update in a future post if it happens to be convenient.

The Vita-Mix 5000

My dad went to the Homeshow in September, because his line of work allows him to. However, the real reason he went was to buy us this lovely machine for which I watched the amazing demo. when I was volunteering at the Vegetarian Food Festival the year before last. I wish I could have volunteered again last year, but I think I might miss it when I go to Waterloo. Anyhow, I was so excited about this machine that I could hardly breathe, but not like I'm going into anaphylactic shock or anything. It cost us about $600+ including tax.



We used to use the average juicer and blender, but we have now retired both of them. The Vita- Mix 5000 comes with a video and a binder of recipes for inspiration and instructions, in addition to the manual . It can make frozen desserts or decadent mousses and a variety of beverages in about 30 seconds and hot soups in 2-4 minutes! Instant gratification! It doesn't destroy the vegetables' nutrients and is suitable for the Whole/Raw Foods movement. It was rather pricey, but my dad says it was worth definitely worth it because we use it every single day. It's a vegan/vegetarian's dream, especially a health-conscious one. As for hot soups, it pureés vegetables, such as squash or into a thick, creamy soup that is completely guilt-free and chemical-free, such as preservatives and colouring. It can make homemade peanut butter and pesto amongst other sauces and spreads. Just add imagination.

There are carnivorous recipes, but it's not so easy for me to name some off the top of my head. The ones I can think of include soups like clam chowder and bisques, seafood or meat fondues, ground meat, etc.

Everyday, we have been drinking a fruit /smoothie with no additional ingredients - just the fruit of the day and a little water to thin it out. The fruit include anything that happens to be at the supermarket: apples, kiwis, dragon fruit (4 for $2 yesterday!!), bananas (which I don't usually include), cantaloupe, melon, cucumber, papaya, frozen berries and fresh strawberries, pears, cranberry juice, etc. We also eat an extra plate of fruit as dessert/snack some time during the day. My food intake would probably be composed of 67% fruit, 15% vegetables, %15 soy products (usually tofu), 2% grain products and 1% miscellaneous (I don't know what would fit in that category, but I allocated a section to it anyways).

Just recently, we've begun to have papaya soyshakes and it's hands-down my favourite beverage. I dislike eating papaya on its own, but it's fantastic in a soyshake. It's one of the highlights of my day and it's one of the main sources of protein that I get each day.

Robot Spare Change

He is who I wake up to every morning. The first face I see in the morning, knowing that it's been watching me all night while I've been asleep. On good days, I can imagine that he's standing guard for me, maybe to protect me from nightmares, but he's really been slacking recently. I've been getting some very crazy, anxious and busy dreams that make my head spin, which makes me think that he might actually be maliciously staring at me while I'm sleeping.

The clock is always wrong, so I never know what time it really is. Every time I try to figure it out that maybe it's 45 minutes late, it turns out that I'm still wrong. Why don't I just adjust it? Pushing any one of its buttons is very, very loud. So loud that I can't stand it. There is absolutely no way of turning it down either. It has a number of tunes for you to choose from to use as the alarm clock ringer, but I can't even use it, because it'll make me leap out of my bed, crash on the floor, fracture something, and wake up the entire house. Maybe the neighbourhood as well. I seem to have an natural ability to wake up at approximately the same time everyday, regardless of when I went to sleep.

One of its special features is its ability to automatically count your change for you, like a high-tech piggy bank. However, that function has the same problem with its volume that bursts my eardrums. It's necessary to set the value of each coin first so it can register it by the coin's size. I don't have spare change, because I take it with me and spend it. I'm one of those people who would make the cashier wait while I count out twenty-three pennies, five nickels, two dimes, one quarter and a loonie to make ninety-three cents.

At night, it's also the last face I see before I go to sleep. I stare at it during fits of insomnia. Sometimes it seems to have an eerie expression. Most of the time the chubby fellow just looks hungry. Hungrily staring at me. Or, maybe it's staring at me and reporting to mission control. Depending on how much it bothers me, if it does at all, I'll turn it slightly away from my head to divert its attention a little bit or completely reposition it and make it look at something else. I wish it would go to sleep. Maybe it does as soon as I do. And if it does, what does it dream of?

Bleaching Teeth

Today was the day that I thought I should adapt part of the email I wrote to Intensecure and write about the bleaching of my teeth. It's rather complicated as to why I need to get it done, but it's not entirely for simple aesthetic reasons. I thought that I'd get organized for once, take pictures, take my medications, then start bleaching. I forgot to take my medications first, and I've tried to do it during the process before, but it's tricky.

The bleaching is a customized-style, where I had to get a mould done for my front and bottom set of teeth, which I have to fill with a syringe containing a bleaching serum. This is very strong stuff. Forget using Sensodyne, because it's not going to help with the sharp pains with chewing, cold or hot water, inhaling, sometimes even when I'm just sitting there and leaving it alone. It also squeezes out, gets mixed with saliva and I have to spit it out every minute or so. A lot of it gets swallowed inadvertently. The moulds aren't quite deep enough to cover the top of the teeth, which is where it's most discoloured, but on the whole, it gets instantly noticeably white very quickly.

The trays, as they're called, come in the lovely green case and the syringes are neatly packaged in packs of four in the box to the right.

The contents:















I started with eight beautifully designed syringes with metallic lettering and accents, etc. It did not come with many instructions, except something like "Remove cap. Fill container with a line of the syringe contents. Fit securely on teeth." No comments on how long I should use it, whether it can be used overnight, how much should be used, etc. I finished two treatments with one full syringe at a time, because it was a waste (and inconvenient) for it to be constantly gushing out, but that was still a bit too much, so I ended up using about a quarter of it per treatment. I finished the first set of four syringes and my cousin, who is my dentist, said that my teeth still weren't white enough. The assistant said to use about half a syringe each time, leave it on for at least four hours and avoid drinks that may cause discolouring, like orange or cranberry juice and artificial drinks. Otherwise, I could use a straw and try my best not to touch the teeth. I have stayed away for anything that could remotely cause discolouration, because this bleaching is tough work.

Here I am, dutifully working away at it. I think the four hours are almost over. I have a problem with grinding my teeth and I'm starting to worry that I'd bite through the trays. My jaws are stiff from trying to clench while simultaneously trying to control myself. The excess isn't so bad today. It wasn't entirely necessary for me to have to keep getting up to spit it out in the sink, but I think I've probably swallowed a lot of the half portion of the syringe. The syringe has a suction feature to it, so it's impossible to reuse it for anything else once it's empty. I think I should go spit out now.