Has anyone seen the latest Gmail feature? What do you think?
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Nursery!
Here it is folks... Jungle theme :)
I would love to go on from here and brag about how "on the ball" we are, having the nursery done 4 months before Baby Chu makes his appearance. What I actually have to do, however, is confess to the epitome of procrastination. We moved into our house over 3 years ago with our "office" consisting of the previous owner's nursery... fully intending to paint it someday. Now we're glad we never got around to it!
There's a saying, "Hard work may pay off in the long run, but procrastination always pays off now!" In this case, procrastination paid of in the long run too! I'm pretty sure that even if we were having a girl, she'd just learn to like blue ;o)
I would love to go on from here and brag about how "on the ball" we are, having the nursery done 4 months before Baby Chu makes his appearance. What I actually have to do, however, is confess to the epitome of procrastination. We moved into our house over 3 years ago with our "office" consisting of the previous owner's nursery... fully intending to paint it someday. Now we're glad we never got around to it!There's a saying, "Hard work may pay off in the long run, but procrastination always pays off now!" In this case, procrastination paid of in the long run too! I'm pretty sure that even if we were having a girl, she'd just learn to like blue ;o)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
STU...pid
I nearly gave my poor husband a heart attack yesterday. He thought some horrible combination of my hormones and my extrovertitis (a disease wherein an extrovert does not know when to be quiet...aka foot-in-mouth-disease) had finally met where the two should never meet...
It was a gorgeous day, so we decided to walk to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things. We were walking up the street, and a biggish truck with a biggish guy slows down and starts to pull into the alley about a half a block ahead of us. Then, he changes his mind, reverses into the middle of the street, and pulls forward instead, continuing past us. As he does this, I kind of mumbled something to Karl like, "what is that guy doing?"
As the biggish guy in the biggish truck passes us, I yell to the open window, "STU..."
At this point, Karl sees his life flash before his eyes, thinking that I am going to yell, "STUPID!" at the biggish guy... but actually, I stopped at Stu. His name. Stu. I know him from when I worked at Rocky Mountain College... much to Karl's relief.
So, rather than being pummelled, Karl was introduced, as I explained my protruding belly and Stu explained the ring on his wedding finger and we went on our amiable ways (you coulda' taken him out though, right honey?).
Another day, another adventure!
It was a gorgeous day, so we decided to walk to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things. We were walking up the street, and a biggish truck with a biggish guy slows down and starts to pull into the alley about a half a block ahead of us. Then, he changes his mind, reverses into the middle of the street, and pulls forward instead, continuing past us. As he does this, I kind of mumbled something to Karl like, "what is that guy doing?"
As the biggish guy in the biggish truck passes us, I yell to the open window, "STU..."
At this point, Karl sees his life flash before his eyes, thinking that I am going to yell, "STUPID!" at the biggish guy... but actually, I stopped at Stu. His name. Stu. I know him from when I worked at Rocky Mountain College... much to Karl's relief.
So, rather than being pummelled, Karl was introduced, as I explained my protruding belly and Stu explained the ring on his wedding finger and we went on our amiable ways (you coulda' taken him out though, right honey?).
Another day, another adventure!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
How not to get from Calgary to Paris, France...
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Friday, April 20, 2007
Baby Chu Update...
Pics of Baby Chu! This ultra sound was done at 18 weeks... just before we left for San Francisco. Saw the Doc again for a regular check up today and he's happy with the heart beat, my size and weight, etc.
It has been really cool to feel him start moving around.
Here is my favourite one: it was funny when the radiologist was actually capturing the pics, because Baby moved from a cross legged position (lower middle picture above) and stretched right out and booted me... fun to watch (may not be fun to feel in a few more weeks!)
Have you ever tried to print an ultrasound or x-ray? They gave it to me as a full sheet, but it's basically a negative. I thought I'd just be able to take it in to Kinko's (or Staples, or Blacks, or Japan Camera, or Future Shop, or Sure Copy, or... about a million other places!) It turns out it's not that easy due to the necessity of a back lit drum scanner thingy thing thing (for the record, I got it done at ABL Imaging Group, www.ABLimaging.ca).
Baby Chu is approximately 10.5 inches long (right now) and in the ultrasound, his foot measures 25.3mm! That seems so big already.
I can't believe we have to wait over 4 more months for him to make an appearance!
It has been really cool to feel him start moving around.
Here is my favourite one: it was funny when the radiologist was actually capturing the pics, because Baby moved from a cross legged position (lower middle picture above) and stretched right out and booted me... fun to watch (may not be fun to feel in a few more weeks!)
Have you ever tried to print an ultrasound or x-ray? They gave it to me as a full sheet, but it's basically a negative. I thought I'd just be able to take it in to Kinko's (or Staples, or Blacks, or Japan Camera, or Future Shop, or Sure Copy, or... about a million other places!) It turns out it's not that easy due to the necessity of a back lit drum scanner thingy thing thing (for the record, I got it done at ABL Imaging Group, www.ABLimaging.ca).Baby Chu is approximately 10.5 inches long (right now) and in the ultrasound, his foot measures 25.3mm! That seems so big already.
I can't believe we have to wait over 4 more months for him to make an appearance!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Be Selfish...
I'm sure you've heard of the big Weekend to End Breast Cancer taking place in 7 major Canadian Cities this spring and summer.
My aunt ("HERO" T-shirt, lower left) is participating... if you'd like to sponsor her or donate to the general fund, click here or click the photo.
I want to challenge you to "give selfishly" and contribute to research that may save your life or the life of your loved ones some day.
Tune in to my blog mid-June and I will let you know how her team did!
:)
Dayna
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Book Preview - Wikinomics
(posted by: Karl)
I decided to make it into a habit to post the book/audiobook that I am reading (or listening to) here. For each one, I think I will say a few words about what it is about and what I am hoping to glean from it. If it is deemed worthy, I may give a bit of a review later.
My first entry is "Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything" by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams. Since I am a computer/programmer guy, I have been asked many times how does open source software work; and more particularly, how does the economics of open source software work. Frankly, I don't have a concise answer. So for one, I would like to have a more intelligent answer to that question. Also, I think there is a huge economy revolving around this movement of mass collaboration. It makes me wonder how one can tap into that.
I decided to make it into a habit to post the book/audiobook that I am reading (or listening to) here. For each one, I think I will say a few words about what it is about and what I am hoping to glean from it. If it is deemed worthy, I may give a bit of a review later.My first entry is "Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything" by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams. Since I am a computer/programmer guy, I have been asked many times how does open source software work; and more particularly, how does the economics of open source software work. Frankly, I don't have a concise answer. So for one, I would like to have a more intelligent answer to that question. Also, I think there is a huge economy revolving around this movement of mass collaboration. It makes me wonder how one can tap into that.
Pizza Party
Sometimes, on a snowy Wednesday afternoon in April, you just gotta take a break for some Tea and YouTube...
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Go Flames Go!
We're hoping that the Flames will follow the Hitmen's example and make a big series comeback now that they will be home. After all, they are the NHL's winningest home team. By the way, how come sports commentators are allowed to make up words like winningest?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Steamed Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms
In Dayna's book, this would be Steamed Shitake Mushrooms with Chicken. In any case, there isn't a lot of simple Chinese food that anyone can make. This one happens to be one of those. So I figure I would post the recipe.
Ingredients:
It is as easy as that. However, after talking to Dayna, I realize that it is not obvious how to steam a meat dish; so here are a few pointers for that. Steaming a dish in Chinese home cooking is usually done with a wok and a steaming rack (as shown above). Boil the water in the wok. Once water is boiled, place the dish directly on the steaming rack and cover the wok. If you don't have a wok (I suspect most people who read this blog don't have one), you can also use a steamer like the one shown here. However, a steamer like this is usually not very big and your dish may not fit inside. A third option would be to use a steaming rack (like the one shown in the wok above) and use it inside a much bigger pot (like a stock pot); basically replacing the wok with a big pot.
At any rate, there you have it. Hope the steaming part of it wasn't too confusing.
Ingredients:
- 4 Boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 1 pound
- 4 to 8 Shitake mushrooms depending on size
- 1 piece of fresh ginger about the size of a dollar coin
- 1 tbsp Soysauce
- 1/2 tsp Corn starch
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp Sesame seed oil
- 1 tbsp rice wine (optional)
- Cut chicken and shitake mushrooms into bite-size strips
- Mince or julienne the ginger
- Mix all ingredients together
- Let marinade for 5 to 10 minutes
- Put into heat-resistant dish (e.g. Corning ware). Do not put a lid on.
- Steam for about 20 minutes or until chicken cooked, stirring every 10 minutes.
It is as easy as that. However, after talking to Dayna, I realize that it is not obvious how to steam a meat dish; so here are a few pointers for that. Steaming a dish in Chinese home cooking is usually done with a wok and a steaming rack (as shown above). Boil the water in the wok. Once water is boiled, place the dish directly on the steaming rack and cover the wok. If you don't have a wok (I suspect most people who read this blog don't have one), you can also use a steamer like the one shown here. However, a steamer like this is usually not very big and your dish may not fit inside. A third option would be to use a steaming rack (like the one shown in the wok above) and use it inside a much bigger pot (like a stock pot); basically replacing the wok with a big pot.At any rate, there you have it. Hope the steaming part of it wasn't too confusing.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Supper: I had some ground beef thawed and wasn't too sure what I felt like doing with it. Not up for the usual spaghetti or chili or stroganoff. Sometimes I really need some inspiration for suppers... what do you make? Do you have a schedule? Pre-freeze meals? Argh, it gets so annoying trying to make a menu plan, etc. It has to be all that much harder with kids...
Anyway, tonight I went with cheeseburger pizza:
Anyway, tonight I went with cheeseburger pizza:
I really should have pictures of LAST night's supper that Karl made for my step-mom (Mary) and me. It was SO delicious! It was a chinese dish that he learned from his mom... steamed ginger chicken with shitake mushrooms. Amazing.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Weekly Awards
Last name of the week: Satan. Wouldn't it be funny if Miroslav Satan were on the New Jersey Devils rather than the Islanders? Okay, I know they pronounce his name "Shah-Tahn" but wouldn't you insist that's how your name was pronounced if your name was SATAN?!
Compatible Team Mates of the week: Okay, and I personally think it would be awesome if the following players were on the same team: Ruutu, Tootoo, Saku Koivu, and Cheechoo
Conversation of the week:
Dayna: "Argh, ick... 4-0 for Detroit..."
Karl: "Well, I guess it's time to start regrouping for next game."
Dayna: "Honey, it's only the end of the second period, there's another period left."
Karl: "Um. Yah. There's a fine line between being optimistic and being delusional!"
More awards next week!
Compatible Team Mates of the week: Okay, and I personally think it would be awesome if the following players were on the same team: Ruutu, Tootoo, Saku Koivu, and Cheechoo
Conversation of the week:
Dayna: "Argh, ick... 4-0 for Detroit..."
Karl: "Well, I guess it's time to start regrouping for next game."
Dayna: "Honey, it's only the end of the second period, there's another period left."
Karl: "Um. Yah. There's a fine line between being optimistic and being delusional!"
More awards next week!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Chicken Poop for the Soul
CBC interviews the editor and publisher of Winnipeg based Christian magazine Geez...
Self description from their home page: "Geez Magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. For wannabe contemplatives, front-line world-changers and restless cranks."
Looks irreverently fun... does anybody already subscribe?
Self description from their home page: "Geez Magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. For wannabe contemplatives, front-line world-changers and restless cranks."
Looks irreverently fun... does anybody already subscribe?
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Easter "tea"...
Weekly Awards:
Best-looking 79-year-old: Grandma Jacquie!
Best Clinch of a playoff spot without really needing to do anything:
Calgary Flames!
Best Stripey Shirt... Co-winners: Karl and my step-dad, Trent:
Tour Guide of the week: Karl Chu!
Family Easter Tea Pictures:  |
| easter07_C |
More San Francisco pictures: Album
Friday, April 06, 2007
San Francisco... and other news...
First things first:
:) Yes, folks, we had the big ultra sound and everything is looking good! We got to see his little hands and feet, arms and legs, four chambers of his heart... and other important parts of the anatomy that gave away the news :) Now for the hard part of picking a name (or is that the easy part?!)...
San Francisco was incredible... starting with an upgraded room to a massive executive suite... more square footage than our house as far as we could estimate. Great views of the city, including a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. We couldn't find out what the exact "rack rate" for the room would have been, but from what we did find out, it would have been in the neighbourhood of $1000.00 a night (we paid $83US, thanks to Hotwire!).
We got pretty ambitious on the first full day there... probably too ambitious! We walked from Union Square (where our hotel was) through China town to Russian Hill, down Lombard Street (the "crookedest street"), through North Beach over to Telegraph Hill (Coit Tower), then down the Embarcadero to Pier 1 and the Ferry Terminal area for a late lunch.
We then walked through the Financial District back to the hotel for a little break, then back through the Financial District for some incredible seafood at the Tadich Grill.
The second full day we took a trolley back to the Embarcadero to get our ferry to Alcatraz, went to Fisherman's Wharf for a late lunch, then to Ghiradelli Square for chocolate and ice cream... then back to the hotel to totally and completely crash! Then the next day we flew home! Talk about a whirlwind.
More stories later :)
:) Yes, folks, we had the big ultra sound and everything is looking good! We got to see his little hands and feet, arms and legs, four chambers of his heart... and other important parts of the anatomy that gave away the news :) Now for the hard part of picking a name (or is that the easy part?!)...San Francisco was incredible... starting with an upgraded room to a massive executive suite... more square footage than our house as far as we could estimate. Great views of the city, including a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. We couldn't find out what the exact "rack rate" for the room would have been, but from what we did find out, it would have been in the neighbourhood of $1000.00 a night (we paid $83US, thanks to Hotwire!).
We got pretty ambitious on the first full day there... probably too ambitious! We walked from Union Square (where our hotel was) through China town to Russian Hill, down Lombard Street (the "crookedest street"), through North Beach over to Telegraph Hill (Coit Tower), then down the Embarcadero to Pier 1 and the Ferry Terminal area for a late lunch.
We then walked through the Financial District back to the hotel for a little break, then back through the Financial District for some incredible seafood at the Tadich Grill.
"I left my heart..."
The second full day we took a trolley back to the Embarcadero to get our ferry to Alcatraz, went to Fisherman's Wharf for a late lunch, then to Ghiradelli Square for chocolate and ice cream... then back to the hotel to totally and completely crash! Then the next day we flew home! Talk about a whirlwind.
More stories later :)
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