Did a lot of cleanup last weekend. Cleaned out front closet and put away the 2 luggage that were sitting at the hallway. Also cleaned up my nightstand, threw away all garbage and vacuumed the tray. Went to parents and cleaned the fish tank and filter, and put in 3 new filter media.

Did initial estimate for new project, and the more we looked at it the more number of days we added.... IMO it's a waste of time doing estimate sometimes.... in the end.. it is what it is. To me, it's there more as a formality than for practical reason.

Went to friend's bday dinner at a Japanese style bistro in downtown. The only thing I liked about that place was their drink. I ordered a melon soda, it was pretty good. It's probably the first time in N years that I'd ordered drink on the side.... and I's glad I did it. Most of their food was way too salty and too expensive for its value and quantity. Also, almost beyond possible to find parking there. Glad I got a ride from my friend.

Skating is getting better. I'm getting more speed than last year and more flow in my skating. I no longer needed to stuff in a quarter insole along the arch. Although, however, I find that I do not have enuf ankle support; way too much room around the ankle...maybe the "punching" needed to be more "pointy" but it's hard to do because of the stiffness of the boot. On the other hand, I probably won't be doing any double again anytime soon so probably don't need all that support. My "almost double" loop had completely disappeared.... probably due to the "new fit" (more broken into and no more 1/4 insole) I'm now getting from my boot.

Tried new recipe, tuna and fresh tomato spaghetti

and chicken and mushroom spaghetti

Went to Richmond center on Fri nite and Sun nite. Bought stuffs for john, socks, pajamas, underwear, and more socks.
Had a pina colada flush at the bubble tea place just outside the pet shop, for 4.xx... it was good though.
Saw "Fever Dream" is out in hardcover at Chapters. Gonna wait for the paperback version.

Went to friend's place to visit their new dog after dropping john off for his soccer volunteer thing. The dog is really cute and not afraid of being hugged or lift up several feet off the ground.

Cleaned the stove. Things that r stuck on the stove r still stuck on the stove....

Made another salad, steak mango salad

Went to cousin's wedding. 2 of my friends were there too. The ceremony was a lot shorter than I had expected and the banquet was so much fun. They had a great MC. Banquet was held at Sheraton Hotel. The portion was so huge that I had a hard time finishing it. I was glad I ordered the fish and not the steak. In retrospect... maybe I should have ordered the lamb rack... the portion of that looked smaller....

I missed my own friends' once-every-n-year BBQ and john missed his BC game w/ his dad... :'(.

Went to July bday brunch the very next day. I was very surprised that I could still eat more. It was a buffet style cold cut/salad/taco/cheese/smoked salmon brunch followed by extremely heavy chocolate cake w/ homemade strawberries sauce, and cool whip and strawberries on the side. I got an IKEA gift card and a laptop cushion from my aunt and in-law, both would come in very handy. No more red thigh!! Earlier, got spice rack from friend, also very useful to me!! Got jewelery box from sis and Olympic figure skating memorabilia from john :). All in all, a very good year for me :D.

Woke up early and found one of my mangoes gone :'(
Fortunately, the other mango wasn't too small and I had just enuf to make salad with.

Celebrated Canada Day and my bday last week. Didn't do anything special, except had cheesecake @ Steveston w/ friend :D, and dim sum w/ parents at Gingeri. It's been a while since I had had dim sum. It was very good.

Went hiking in UBC trail again. It was not as fun as last time. We went later and there were more bugs around.

Made chicken curry with Thai House Yellow Curry..... there was not enuf sauce!!! Shoulda bought 2 packets (on the other hand.. it'd be too expensive 2.99 x 2) ... so ended up using milk to dilute... and result not so good.

Went to Coquitlam to sharpen my skates. Cost was not affected by HST :D. Saw Tami and her son. Her son is now doing double lutz, I overheard. Upon a quick search, he's 1st in the BC game, juvenile men section.

Got new vacuum, a Eureka vacuum, something like thisWe bought it for $149 + HST and 2 yr warranty.
So far so good, but I find my prev cheap Dirt Devil had much better suction.... I do like the loop design that this one has and its height and also its weight. Also, I did not have to sweat as much or breathe in as much dust / dust smell with this one.
Sears review http://reviews.sears.ca/1367-en_ca/20300400/reviews.htm

As usual, some ppl like it some ppl don't....
Dyson vacuum, on the other hand, it was almost 100% good review.
But, $499 + tax.