Stanley Park's Prospect Point... Vancouver's version of San Francisco Bridge

It has been awhile since we've been to Stanley Park's Prospect Point. We were nearby and decided to get some ice cream for the kids but the ice cream place was under construction. 

We decided to walk around and found these great view which I forgot existed in that area.

...and the panoramic view of the amazing scene that we are proud to call our home.

Easter Sunday

We spent the Easter Sunday by starting our day attending mass as a family. Celebrating the resurrection of our Christ Jesus. 

Santouka was the choice for lunch but because of the long lines, we went to next door's "Guu with Garlic" which suits me just fine. I went there for dinner before with the hubs and loved it a lot. It was a great lunch this time as well, trying out a different things this time around.

I love the sashimi salad and the almond tofu was the perfect ending to a delightful meal.

Across the restaurant, there was a small group of crowds around an exhibit which turns out to be live rabbits. What else being Easter today? Donations will get you in for a chance of a close encounter with the cute furry creatures. 

A Trip to Chinatown and Sun Yat Sen

It was exciting for me to be able to ride the bus with the kids for their field trip in Chinatown. Pretty apt as it was Chinese New Year and this garden is a perfect place to know more about the Eastern culture.

Unlike before, where we just go and look around on our own. The kids are going on a tour to get to know about some interesting facts about the garden and it's features. 

* Sun Yat Sen in stone

There is two Foo Dog guarding the entrance and it always comes in pair. I've always thought that these were lions or dragons but now I know better hehe! 

* Tour guide Wendy explaining that there is a male and female

* Female Foo Dog…

The female apparently differs from the male in one aspect. The female one is doing something quite maternal and you can see that one paw is holding a baby while the male foo dog's paw is holding a globe.

The tour started outside the garden and into the streets of Chinatown...

* Busy streets of Chinatown

* A pair of dragons perched on the street signs

Next on the tour was going to the store where different medicinal plants and herbs were sold as an alternative medicine for different ailments. A strong smell greets you as soon as you open the door. It brings back memories when I used to go to these stores with my dad while I was a kid.

* A tray of sweets in a tray near the entrance

We also passed by lanterns adorning the stores. Red and golds… these are colours you can see everywhere during Chinese New Year.

* Lanterns

* A large abacus. Calculator of the past

* Gateway to another world

A break between tour was the lunch time which took place at Tinseltown Food area of the mall...

* Photo opportunity for the whole 1st graders…

Inside the garden, it was like being transformed to Old China. The garden was in the middle of the house and other areas were placed around the garden.

* Entrance to the Garden

 

 

A bit of story on how the zodiac animal got it's placement...

* Tour guide and Mrs Taylor act out the story with puppets

* Chinese Calligraphy

* * * * *

DR SUN YAT SEN 

CHINESE CLASSICAL GARDEN

Vancouver, B.C.

I'm Thankful...

I've been quite busy these past few weeks...

First and Foremost, I am...

Thankful for the busyness because my family from the Philippines (and Netherlands), went out of their way to find a niche in their busy schedules to come here to be with me...

I would like to post something about thankfulness...

Stress is always a part of life. How we handle them is what matters...
It's easy to compare and complain...

to see what we lack, instead of what is already there in our life.

This time around, I decided to be intentional in certain things in my life.

Instead of wishing for more, (and being thanksgiving) I decided to focus on things to be thankful for...

For my hubby...
Thank you for filling my life with love and inspiration
especially giving me kids who gave more meaning to our lives

For my in laws...
for helping us with things here in the house.
taking care of the kids and loving them in their own ways

For my Ong Family...
Thank you for the love and support throughout the years,
I am what I am right now because of you guys...

For my Friends...
Thanks for the shoulder to lean on, an ear who's there to listen
...a helping hand when I need someone. For just being there to extend any help without me needing to say it. (you know who your are guys!)

For our home...
It brings us a place where we can be together and add memories as a family. A place of security.

For work...
I am thankful for the flexibility and giving me a bit of respite from home so that I come back a better mom.

For problems...
for it made me a better and stronger person. It made me realize that life is never fair but there is always a reason why it happens. It actually bought me to sit up and take notice of what really is important. 

For each day...
It meant that I am here for a purpose and a chance to right what I have done wrong from my past.

...these are the ones that are on top of my head right now,

ANYWAY...
Belated
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Fridate with the Gals

A few hours away from the hustle bustle of being with the kids and into a normal dinner with the adults in a nice place with a little adventure afterwards...

* Love this Jap Bar... YUMMY!

* Thanks to Kate for the recommendation on both the place and what to order...+++

* New Sets of Friends... :)

* This was pure torture... in a good way. 

Love the Chocolate Decadent.. Soo Moist and rich!

* * * * *

SUIKA/ DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

West Broadway

Vancouver, B.C.

Going Downtown with the Guys...

Going Downtown in any country is a must for any visitor and we decided to do it on the only weekend that the guys are here. They slept over at our place and because of the late night of catching up, everyone woke up around lunch time and we had a late start.

We went for the Skytrain and Sea Bus just so they have a feel of being a commuter here in Canada.

* Long Escalator ride down to Granville Station

Several shopping bags and  a Sea Bus ride later,

* Lonsdale Quay

We had to hurry back to Aberdeen for a quick dinner so that they can go and get a car to rent for the rest of their trip.

* * * * *

GRANVILLE STATION - LONSDALE QUAY

Downtown- North Vancouver, B.C.

Sciue: An Italian Bakery Caffe

I love downtown. I don't mind going there even if it was just to get a document. 

It was Monday morning wherein I had to go for my U.S. interview, I had to run back and forth since there was a lot of rules such as bags were not allowed etc. I was not in the best of moods that time since I was so tired from going back and forth plus the waiting time outside :(.

I was so happy to have it over and done with. I decided to treat myself to s quick lunch in Sciue.

* Hot Chocolate

* Panino Sunny Side Up

I love my sandwich. It was a little time for me to enjoy before I go for my regular routine... Work :)

I hope I can go back with hubby for breakfast here soon.

* * * * *

SCIUE ITALIAN BAKERY CAFFE

Downtown. B.C.

Deal for another Deal

I purchased a great deal for a 3 course meal for 2 at Hyatt's Mosaic. Turns out that it expired January 31, 2012, and I found out about it on February 1, 2012. Toink! I was planning to use it for my upcoming birthday or something.

I called up the restaurant and told them the situation, I guess they deal with these kind of calls a lot and decided to give me my coupon at face value but not for what is written. I relented and reserved right away for that weekend. I was a bit sad that we won't get the deal but lucky us, it was still Dine Out Vancouver, and Mosaic is one of those participating restaurant so it was still a deal if we use our coupon for Dine Out.

* Our Dinner Feast

This restaurant waiting time for each dish is way better than Bistro Sakana. I love the food in Bistro's more though but the food here is good too. Parking price is better than that of Yaletown's.

* Kimi, Mel and Twinny

* Stone and Karl

* KM with Kimi

* * * * *

MOSAIC BAR and GRILL

DINE OUT 2012

Hyatt Regency

Vancouver, B.C.

Downtown L.A.

I celebrated the first part of the day of hubby's birthday with my other Honey, Honey. :)

 Hubby agreed to stay home to bond with Kimi and get some much needed rest for the weekend's activity.

Honey took off a day's work and took the public transportation with me to experience Downtown L.A.

* Grauman's Chinese Theatre

We tried to get a shot of the Hollywood as the background but it was too small and focuses either on us or the sign. We decided to focus on us he he!

* Mel and Honey.... and the miniscule Holywood sign

Our itinerary was to walk and see Kodak Theatre...

* Kodak Theatre

Honey's crush in college. They also share the same birthday

I didn't expect to see Snow White here...

....and the finale, fresh from the shooting of Breaking Dawn

* Wax of Robert Pattison

It was time for lunch and decided on Rolling Stone

* Spicy steamed Clams and Mussels

* Creamy Orochiette

* Cowboy Bone in Ribeye

* My Date, Honey :)

It was a great afternoon of catching up and bonding under the afternoon sun. It was like being transformed back to the time when we were college students waiting for our cars to pick us up and we just talk about anything under the sun. 

Thanks Honey for the wonderful lunch 

and taking time for a great afternoon bonding.

* * * * *

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

California, U.S.A.