My name Horace is originated from the God of time keeping in Greek (not Geek) mythology. I used this the opening line in my Toastmaster timer speech. Unfortunately, a good opening doesn’t lead to a smooth ending. I had too many um/ah and dead air during my speech. I also forgot to address the chairman and the fellow toastmasters in the beginner and lead the forum back to the chairman at the end. I hope I will do better next time.
All posts by hevangel
enoki mushroom beef roll
Tonight, I made enoki mushroom beef roll for dinner the first time. I spent quite some time in preparing it and the out come is very delicious. This is the latest addiction to my favourate recipe.
Other than that, nothing much happened today, except I went to see an allergist. My forearms got poked many times for the skin test and have some itchy rashes due to positive reaction afterward.
tax
Apirl is the tax season of the year, and people are busy in preparing their tax returns. With only 1 week left before the filing deadline, I finally started preparing my tax return tonight. I have been a loyal customer to Quicktax for many years. Filing tax return using computer and internet is really convenient. I’m so used to doing tax electronically hat I can’t even imgaine how can I do it with pen and paper. After subtracted all my debuction and contribution to the retirement fund, my actual tax rate is only 20%. People always say Canada is a tax heavy country, but my experience found that it is not so bad. Maybe it is just me who don’t make enough money to qualify for the normal high tax rate. Sigh…
facial
Lately, I’m getting in touch with my feminine side more often. Today I had tried my first facial treatment. Pat had bugged me to have facial treatment with her for quite some time. Today I finally gave in and go with her. Luckily, the beauty shop she usually go to is a home bussiness, that save me some embrassement. She had her treatment first, then I had my turn afterward. In summary, facial treatment are just regressive steps of applying different cream or solutions to your face, then wash them away with sponge. I think I’m the most ignorance customer the facialer ever had. I kept asking her question about the effect and material of each step. Other than all those cream, there are some other interesting steps such as: My face is steamed with hot vapour, which makes me feel like I am a BBQ pork bun. The dirt and oil clogging the pores at my nose are squeezed out, and it is less painful that I expected. An ultra-sound treatment to iron out my winkles and push nutrition deep inside my skin. At last, applying a mask is the last and most important step like all facial treatments seen in TV. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep for almost 20 minutes! After the facial treatment, I think my skin is softer and shinnier. Pat said my skin is even better than hers! Well… that’s the end of my exploration in facial treatment, doing facial is a female stuff after all. Man don’t need to do facial, so trying it once is enough for me.
food festival
This weekend the annual Eat! Vancouver food festival is taking place in BC Place. I went to the first day of the show after work with Pat. The ticket price is $12 regular, $10 with a donation to the food bank. So I bring along some old canned food digged up from my self that I will never eat. There are many free food samples in the show. On top of that, I bought some tickets to try larger sampling plate and alcohol drinks. The best part of the festival is the Food Channel cooking show hosted by Iron Chef winner Rob Feenie. His show is quite funny, I am not bored for hour long show. Best of all, I get the chance to try his dishes after the show. Most people just left after he is done without expecting they can actually taste the dish. Me and Pat went to the front to try our luck. Only a few people was standing there and we were just looking at the dishes at first. Somehow I’m brave enough to ask the host whether can I taste it. Out of my expectation, the host cut up the steak and fios gras, bring out four forks, and tell us to help ourself. Obviously they are not prepared to share the dishes with the audience, otherwise they should have prepared more folks. Pat also bought a recipe book written by Feenie and have him autographed. The food festival is definitely a good event to be to have a date with your girlfriend. Tasting the dish prepared by the Iron Chef is my highlight of the day, I guess I will have a good dream tonight.