April 2009 - the Month of "Free-falling"

Well, since I arrived in Van, I know that things can change in a matter of days. It had happened just after I moved. People come and go in life. And yet 6 mths later, I still can't seem to be able to grasp or fully accept this fact. But, I guess, this is part of life, and growing up that I won't be able to run away from. I still can't let go of what i had lost 6 mths ago, and now i face with the possibility of losing things in life again, is this fully living each day for each moments truly means? There will be no answers, other than, just taking one bump as it comes, and after crossing it, I will drink to it, as then, maybe I can then say I had lived life for each moments, without any tots of "What-if"s.

So, in the month of April, other than failing my road test twice, (just don't understand what is wrong with the system here, I don't think i am that bad a driver... ) going for wine festival and just getting damn high after that on at a nice pub in Gastown, going for a pillow fight in the street, watching travis (and getting totally smashed then), having quiet dinners and just chilling out, plahying games at friends' apts, spending some much needed alone time walking a long trail, meeting up with singaporeans, trying to survive in the big bad world alone, and the best highlight would be, to have seen THE KILLERS live in the mosh pit, and jumping to "All these things I have done"... ("I have soul, but I am not a solider"), "Mr Brightside", and singing to "A Dustland fairytale" and seeing them perform their songs live; I guess, maybe in a way, based on my own definition, I am living my life for each moments amidst all the mess.


April 24 - The Killers at Thunderbird Arena

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and... "0" was shown on the on the stage... and finally, the Killers.... started the show with a bang with "Human". Well, it started at 915, or thereabouts, whereby I lost the bet to Charlie and the rest of the girls, (I bet that the show will start at 830pm). But, Charlie had placed her bet at 9pm. So, out of goodwill, I shared the first round of drinks with her after the show for the girls.

Didn't take too many photos from the concert, as I just singing along and jumping to all their songs... All i can say is that, This is the best concert that I had been to. It beats Coldplay back in sg. Totally. the set, the music, the mosh pit. It's just the Killers. Just a pity that they didn't play the "non-hits" songs like romeo and juliet or replaceable. But well, seeing them, and hearing them, keeps me happy for now. :D this is life... and looking forward to Coldplay in 2 months time. :)

"Somebody told me" - The only video that I took... and yesh, it's short and it's cut off before the chorus.. as I was getting ready to jump up and down to the chorus... It's a song that I was "exposed to" when i was back in UVIC. It's been a long time..

Easter Weekend
Walk walk walk

Friday was spent walking along 12.1km trail (portion of Baden Powell) from Deep Cove all the way to Lynn Cannon Suspension Bridge. I took 6h to finish this, which was 1-2h short of my own expectations, since I am totally unfit right now. It's really nice to know that there are so many trails out there for me to explore, which is just about 1h bus ride away from downtown.

Love the Deep Cove lookout area...

Just reached DeepCove and was just walking around. There were a few pple that were going out to kayak from there. So, it's something that I will be doing soon.. after June.. right in the summer.
took a while to find this sign - direction to starting point of Baden Powell... but I found it with some help from a local.. .and started my long walk....

My guide throughout the 6h. Whenever I am lost, I will just be looking hard for this sign on the trees, in the west directions, as well as the east, to be sure that I am right on track.

If only I have a "guide" like this in life, to look to in my life.. and I am not talking about "God". haha

Sneek peak at what's going to be seen....

At the top of the lookout, where I had my lunch.. Deep Cove direction for the photo...

Just looking towards the east of Vancouver.. the islands.. awesome..

Some part of other trails were still covered in snow in the North Van mountains. Well, not on my trail. But i always love snow.. so, yeah.. it's good to see some and touch some in April still...

Seymour River....

Finally, I had reached my destintation, 6h later. Was not too tired, as I was just doing it at my own pace. Taking in all the wrong turns that I had made along the way, the beautiful sights, and being totally at peace with myself....

On the LynnCannon suspension Bridge... :D

Dinner after the walk - Noodle Box!

YAY! Noodle Box is in Vancouver!! I love Noodle Box since my days in UVIC. Brings back all the memories. I was upset that when i was back in Victoria last Dec, and the Noodle Box was closed.

So, I was meeting some Singaporeans, and decided to bring Noodle Box as dinner for them. And, it's been 4 years since I last tasted it... and it's still as good. And it's really spicy!!! And, realised my tolerance for chilli has dropped. Used to be able to do xtra hot at noodle box with no sweat, and had done the x-xtra hot before in Victoria. But was just sweating to xtra hot now.

Cherry Blossoms at Nitobe Garden (UBC)

"Well, spring is late. It's been too cold." That's the only excuse the guide could give for just having 1 or 2 trees with Cherry Blossoms in the whole garden!!! It was supposed to be Cherry Blossoms viewing, where the WHOLE garden is full of it. And, the guide asked us to IMAGINE! haha, I was totally not impressed, paying $6 or $8 for it. I am seeing all the Cherry Blossoms in the streets already, Plus the ones just outside the office, when I am having my break. haha.. but oh well, it's something that I have to pay to imagine, and a location, whereby I meet some singaporeans... and some part of vancouver that I hadn't been to. (Supposedly one of the best japanese garden in the world, outside of Japan) So, give and take... it's okay. haha. Just "imagine".

Apr 4 - TRAVIS

Granville Street.. while waiting for Mickael. It's already 7pm! and it feels like 4pm.

Time on travis ticket is 8pm which I just glanced and decided to meet Mickael at 7, for some pre-drinks before the concert. As we are sitting down just 2 doors down the club drinking our 2 jugs of beer (where travis will be performing), the queue into the club got longer and longer and the door had not opened at 745pm.

So, we decided to re-look into the tickets, and it said "DOORS 8PM". and, we just continued sipping our beer slowly.....

We got in.. Mickael bought me the Travis World tour T-shirt!! :D

and we were just drinking beers after beers, and shots of tequila after shots... while waiting for Travis to appear.....

And they did appear after 1.5h from the time that was stated on the tickets.. and.. they were good. I was just singing to their songs... and vaguely remembering what really happened. No more shots after shots for me anymore, at least until end of June or just before concerts.

Apr 4 - Pillow Fight!!!
Alykhan sent me this email to ask me to join them for a Pillow fight!! Exciting, and well, i just said "yes, and I will see you there!" So.. the details as follows:

First Saturday after the First day of spring.
This year: April 4th 3pm sharp (not a minute sooner).
Finish at 315 sharp. Then disperse quickly to the afterparty of your choice.
Don't boff anyone who is not armed with a pillow.
Use common sense and be compassionate.
April 4th at 3pm sharp!!! (Synchronize you watch to Transit Time)
At Robson Square on the street, south side of the Art Gallery.
The Rules are:
- Look inconspicuous (For effects don't draw attention to yourself)
- Hide your Pillow so it's not visible (preferably feather)
- Do not congregate in the location try to be generally around it.
- It will be really weird when "Out of Nowhere" all these people start to Pillow Fight.
- DO NOT wear glasses (unless you want them to shatter)
1: At exactly 3pm Pillows OUT!!! And descend onto Robson Square.
2: ONLY Pillow fight those with Pillows
3: DO NOT hit bystanders or cameras unless invited.
4: At 3:15 walk away.

I was late, and couldn't find the rest of the gang who were already in the fight. So i just head out into the "woods" on my own.. and hitting pple that i don't know. and, i was an easy target due to my height... but i survived....

After the fight, a posed picture of us fighting at the side... It was fun.....

After work weekday dinner at Charlie's (Mar 31)
So was just slacking in the office, and Charlie proposed dinner at her place. And headed off, and met her to help her buy the ingredients at.. Urban fair (yeah, the expensive supermarket, which is just off her street)

Anyways, we bought 6 scallops at $18, which works out to be $3 for each one.. but it's good and fresh. But, we were quite baffled by the price tho..

Charlie and Mel.. and the starter - Scallops. Main was steak and potatoes. It was filling and GOOD....

Wine festival:
Well it was held at Canada Place, just 2 mins walk away from the office. Headed there, tried all sort of wine. My first wine tasting. Yesh, we were supposed to taste and spit it out, but me, being myself, who don't believe in wasting good wine, just drank almost all of the wine that was filled into my glass, unless it's crap, it's a sip and into the bucket for something new. And after 3h of wine tasting, and 2 beers during dinner before that, we headed to a really nice pub in Gastown for some drinks, whereby, i can't rem how many drinks that I had then.. and I was highly intoxicated but made a few new friends...

Okay, call me ignorant. But, i didn't know China produce wine as well!! I was really surprised! It's called "Great Wall". It didn't taste that bad.. just normal. Seems like China is just capable of producing anything in the world.