This was my winning pumpkin from the pumpkin contest at my workplace (couple of years ago).

It was a nice weather so we (my hubby and baby Brandon) decided to check out Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Admission was $10 per adult, but we used the Entertainment Book 2 for 1 coupon. You’ll learn some of the basics of the Chinese culture and its history. The architecture is amazing and the garden is beautifully arranged. Each area tells a story.I would recommend checking it out if you haven’t been there before.

Website: http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

These are a few of the photos I took:

I have made plans with my sis to meet up with my mother-in-law for the Purdy's Chocolate Factory tour. My mother-in-law is an employee there so she took an hour off to take us on a tour of her workplace in the chocolate factory. It was so interesting how different chocolates are made. Each section/department has their own part: sugar mixing, coco bean crushing, to boxing and packaging.

Before the tour, we all had to wear hair nets/caps for food hygiene reasons. Baby Brandon looks cute, but to me I think I look kinda funny.



Lots of sugar and butter. That's why chocolate is fattening.


Moulds for chocolate eggs

The Making of chocolate-filled eggs/Hedgehogs.


Making Caramel Almond Chips




This is the cold table where chocolate is instantly cooled.


Snowballs: A worker rolls chocolate into balls and places in the tray of shredded coconut on the right side.


Peanut butter dough mixture


This machine flattens the peanut butter mixture like a sheet and presses out shapes. This is the making of the Peanut Butter Daisies.



The Peanut Butter Daisies gets coated with chocolate.


Chewy Almond Truffles (that was off the cold table)


Almond Truffles cut into small squares and then coated with milk chocolate.


Finally, the truffles are marked individual by workers using a designed wired marker.


We would have more photos to share, but camera battery died by the time we were at the "End of the Line" department where the chocolates are packed in boxes to distribute to Purdy shops.

I think I have posted this before. I have given deep thoughts if I decide to sell my "show-winning" Honda Civic. It has been sitting in the garage (and collecting dust) for over a year now. I've put a lot of work into it so it's hard to let go. I was attached to my "sweetcivic" :) Feeling indecisive. Here are the basic details:

- Reason for selling: to pay off the new car
- Year: 1994, Model: 4-door Honda Civic EX
- Japanese Spec
- Manual 5-speed
- Color: Turquois/aqua
- Mileage reading: 188,720km
- Engine: 1999 Integra Type-R
- no A/C, but have the parts
- Winter tires included (good tread)
- great condition, always kept clean
- no leaks
- maintenance always kept up-to-date
- no major accidents
- have all the receipts for work done
- needs a new battery
- Asking: $6000



I am still into the car scene, but don't really have the time to participate in much of the events/shows with the Civic. Until our little Brandon is older, car stuff & car hobby should be a little more fun again.

BMW M3 will be my next project car ;)






Here's an update with my modifications list:

Performance Mods:
* Type-R Vtec Motorswap
* Auto to Manual SiR Tranny Conversion
* Mugen reprogrammed ECU
* Lightened Type-R Flywheel
* ComptechUSA Type-R Header

Suspension Mods:
* 16" Enkei RS-E
* Kumho Supra Ecsta 712 tires
* H&R sports lowering springs
* KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks
* Hawk Performance Brake pads

Interior & Exterior:
* Neon lighting
* Carbon-fiber shift knob
* Momo shift boot
* Tinted windows
* Clear corner lens
* Custom Eyelids
* Projector Headlights
* Mugen Spoiler
* Mugen front lip
* Custom Euro tail-lights
* Painted mouldings & side skirts
* Painted side moldings and side mirrors

I.C.E.:
* Pioneer speakers
* Pioneer CD deck w/organic EL display
* two 10" Rockford Fosgate subwoofer w/ custom box
* Rio High Current Power Amp
* Blaupunkt front tweeters

Carshow Appearances:
* Driven to Perform Event (06-06-24 Vancouver, BC)
* Import Fest Vancouver (05-11-26 Vancouver, BC)
* VCC Show & Shine (05-09-18 Richmond, BC)
* Krank’d Car Audio Show & Shine (05-06-26 Vancouver, BC)
* Country Show & Shine (04-07-18 Langley, BC)
* Driven to Perform Event (04-06-26 Vancouver, BC)
* National Sport Compact (03-08-30 Vancouver, BC)
* Northwest Auto Salon 2003 (03-08-09 Vancouver, BC)
* Country Show & Shine 2003 (03-07-20 Langley, BC)
* ImportDynamix Showdown (03-07-19 Richmond, BC)
* Showoff Canada 2003 (03-06-07 Vancouver, BC)
* ImportSupreme 2003 (03-04-19 Vancouver, BC, Canada)
* ImportFest 2002 (02-11-23 Vancouver, BC, Canada)
* 604CivicClub Show & Shine 2002 (02-08-04)
* Import Showoff 2002 (02-06-08 Vancouver, BC, Canada)
* ImportJam2K2 (02-06-01 Millcreek, WA, USA)
* Ideal Tint RichCity2 (01-09-08 Richmond, BC, Canada)
* Boom 2001 (01-07-29 Richmond, BC, Canada)

Credits/Awards Acheived:
* ImportFest 2005 >> 3rd Place Baddest 92-95 Civic Trophy Award
* Vancouver Civics Show & Shine 2005 >> 3rd Place Girl Car
* ImportDynamix ShowDown 2003 >>Best of Show 2nd Place
* ImportShowoff 2003 >> Amateur Class 4-Door 1st Place
* Import Supreme 2003 >> Female Novice 1st Place
* RevScene 2nd place at ImportShowoff 2002

SPONSORED BY:
Richmond Honda (2004-2006)

It is August 28th, 2009 and this day is our 5th anniversary since our marriage. He came home after work and surprised me with pretty earrings and a gold figurine of a couple from the jewelery store. Wow, was I surprised. I made him a custom-made card and bought a box of Purdy's chocolate Hedgehogs.


Hubby Patric and I spent the evening out at a classy restaurant called West Restaurant. Finally out without Baby Brandon. Grandma was babysitting for a few hours while we were out.

Yes, it was expensive as it was a high class restaurant. The food and the service was great for our first time there. Also, not to forget the nice atmosphere. I ordered Organic Roast Duck Breast and he ordered his Organic Steak. For appetizer, we shared a plate of Seared Tuna (seared on the outside and slightly rare on the inside). Parfait was also served to start.

Thank-you Patric. I love you!