Monday, July 24, 2006
Festivals (Part 2)
I promised to post some photos. So here they are!Besides Canada Day and Edmonton Street Performer's Festival, which I talked about previously in Festivals, I also went for Capital Ex, and visited Fort Edmonton Park.
Canada Day (July 1,2006) - Anchal's moose on her face
Canada Day's Cultural show
The squirrel that I got from the balloon man. Cute, cute? ^^
On Wednesday, I will be attending Taste of Edmonton 2006. I can't wait! I heard it's really good. I must remember to bring my camera along this time.
On July 15, Jackie brought me to Fort Edmonton Park. This park is a reconstruction of Fort Edmonton which was established in 1795 as a trading post (fur especially) for the Hudson's Bay Company. This for was reconstructed in 1969, representing it as it stood in 1846. The park represents four distinct time periods. It is basically like a step back into the past! First, we took the train to "Fort Edmonton" in the park. I heard that this train is one of the last standing steam-engine trains.
Inside the fort - I can't remember whose house was it. It was a fairly large house. 
Picture taken from inside the teepee.
Then, we walked through "1885 Street", which represents the settlement era from 1871 to 1891, with historic buildings and reconstructions of that period.
After that, we walked through "1905 Street". This is the year that Alberta became a province of the Dominion of Canada. Modernization took place further as we walked through "1920 Street". It does feel like the past. There were people dressed up like in the old days and walking around, greeting you "Good Day!" and telling you stories of their families and what not.
As for Capital Ex ... I forgot to bring my camera again :( But I found some really nice pictures online. It's basically a really huge carnival ... or you can call it a fun fair. There are rides, games, exhibitions, and concerts (Nelly Furtado, Simple Plan, and many more). The concert tickets are pretty expensive so I didn't go for it. We watched the Bellydance Superstars and it was really breathtaking! It was free. Not a single cent to watch that performance :) and it was good. I didn't go on the rides because there were ridiculous line-ups. And it was so very hot that day. 35 degrees celcius in Edmonton. Hot, hot, hot. At night, there was a fireworks display. It was even better than the fireworks that I saw on Canada Day.
All in all, that's the summer fun I experienced so far in Edmonton!
3:27 PM | |
Monday, July 17, 2006
Grow Up
She needs to grow up. Fast. Otherwise, she will keep using her immature mind for her selfish needs.The story goes like this. I attended a forum two weeks ago. She and two graduate students attended it as well. We had to pay $150.00 for registration. After the forum, we were told to just give the receipts to the professor as he will reimburse the fee. However, just last week the graduate student told me that we had to fill out two additional forms to receive the reimbursement. We were in the main office when he was telling me about it. I asked him to show me how to get the forms online. As he was giving the necessary instructions, she came around with her usual fake cheerful self, "Oooo ooo, what's interesting here? What's going on?"
I figured she must have heard us talking about it. She puts up an act as if she didn't eavesdrop on our conversation. Anyway, it was not a big deal as all of us had to fill out the forms. One way or another, I would have had to tell her about it. When she came, the graduate student explained to her about the forms. I was sitting in front of the computer just keeping quiet. Then she asked me to print out a copy for her as well. I told her that you can fill it out electronically and then print it out, and so I asked her to save a copy instead. Obviously, she wanted to know how to get the forms. I did show her how. Okay, so that was it. I can't remember exactly when the graduate student told me that we should prepare the forms before Friday so that we can retrieve the professor's signature after the meeting. Well, perhaps it was really my fault that I forgot to tell her about it. But you see, the point is that you don't expect people to tell you everything or assume people will get everything done with your presence. It is your own responsibility to ask.
When the meeting was over, I asked the professor to sign our reimbursement forms. Apparently, she didn't have them with her at that time. Perhaps, she was already feeling bitter because the three of us prepared the forms. My friend called my name from across the table. She was standing beside my friend. And I really couldn't make out what was going on because my friend just mumbled something and pointed to her.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"How do I get the forms?"
"I told you the last time. You can get it on the website."
"No, you didn't."
(Okay, I was a little outraged at this point)
"Yes, I did."
"No, you didn't. Everytime I ask you, you would just ignore me and you don't show it to me."
(What??? Excuse me? She never came and ask me anything after that day!!! She was literally trying to defend her poor, pitiful self by putting the blame on me. Grrrr.)
"Yes, I did. Ming was there too. I showed it to you," I replied quite sternly.
Then, she just started packing her things up and said softly with dissatisfaction in her tone, "It's okay, just show it to me after this."
And, she left the room.
I was so pissed off. That was such an immature act. Obviously, she was feeling bitter just because the rest of us prepared the forms. It is possible that she might have felt that we were isolating her out but the truth is we weren't. Like I said, you can't expect to be spoonfed. She could have asked anyone, even me or the graduate student about it but she didn't. Showing her temper like that was really rude and childish. Especially at work!
Eventually, I showed her how to get the forms again. I had to because we had to give her the birthday card. Even so, she didn't even apologize or anything and continued to act chirpy and cheerful. Gosh. Weird.
Speaking of her birthday, it was on Sunday. She sent an email to my Yahoo! account stating of the plans for her birthday. Actually, I didn't check my email until today. I rarely open this email account because nobody sends me mails there. Here's how it looked ...
Hey Everyone,
For those of you who are busy on Sunday, feel free to join me for dinner on July 16th at Rose Bowl at 10111 117St (on Jasper Ave). Apparently, they have the finest pizza in town and have Karoke...
If you are not joining us for the afternoon festivities (which have now been changed to the Devonian Gardens Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony), you can meet us at the restaurant.
By Public transit from University of Alberta (or any other LRT station), go to Corona LRT Station. From there it is a 20 min walk (10 short blocks west). Or you can catch the #1 or #5 bus that stops on 106/Jasper ave (right beside the Boston Pizza). The busses come every 15 mins. They should say "West Ed or West mount?". They go down Jasper Ave.
I will make a estimate reservation according to what people have replied. Don't feel any pressure if you are busy.
Really detailed directions. Okay, focus on that last sentence. She said no pressure, right? My friend replied the email saying that she had dinner plans with her homestay family. Well, guess what she replied back?
"I told you a month ago. Anyway, enjoy your dinner with your homestay family."
That sounded so bitter. What happened to the "no pressure" chirp at the end of the email? Was it just written for fun?
Haha. Oh well. I'm so glad that my work term is ending in two weeks' time.
11:38 AM | |
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Chicken breast, anyone?
Nyuk nyuk nyuk.I participated in a research project yesterday. Actually, we were on our way to lunch. I did not realize that they were giving out $2 Tim Horton's coupon for this research project. My friend was like, "Hey Esther! Look! $2 coupon for free eh!"
Of course, we had to participate in the research project before getting that free coupon. It was quite interesting. We filled out a short questionnaire and was led into a room with separate cubicles, each having a desk and a chair. We were told to wait patiently as our food was being warmed up. By the way, the purpose of the project was to evalute consumer liking of chicken breast and thigh patties from chickens that have been fed different levels of flaxseed. It was said that feeding flaxseed increases the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the poultry meat to provide health benefits to consumers. I remember I was asked whether I like to eat chicken breast or thigh patties. I circled thigh patties. However, they were doing the sensory evalution on chicken breast meat yesterday. The lady told us to come back the next day for the thigh patties. Haha.
Anyway, I thought this whole setting of the project was pretty cool. A minute later, we were served four containers, a glass of water, and two pieces of crackers. Each container was labelled with a sample number. Also, we were given another questionnaire form to fill out while tasting each sample. At first sight of the small piece of chicken meat, I thought, "Errr is this safe? It looks so brownish." Then again, I reassured myself that it should be safe since it is a university funded project. Any research project has to receive permission and grant from the department/university. And so, I took a bite. I decided not to eat the whole thing lest the chances of food poisioning (I have to admit I was still wary of the chicken meat). It was fun answering the questions and all. I finished tasting four samples and answered the questionnaire faster than my peers. HAHA. I wondered why my friend took so long. I thought she ate everything, hehehe.
Well, I did request to be informed of the results. So, I'll wait and see how it will be.
3:04 PM | |
Monday, July 10, 2006
Festivals
It is difficult living without internet. Currently, I can only log online using the school's computer. Hence, I cannot upload pictures now. But I promise I will do it as soon as I am back home in KL.Recently, we celebrated Canada Day (July 1, 2006). Everyone gathered at Churchill Square to hang out. There were food, handicraft stores, face-painting, animal balloons for children, and many more. My friends and I strolled around for a bit and then we walked to Winspear Center to watch a two-hour cultural show. I took low-quality pictures of the show (my camera is outdated-lah). Surprisingly, the Chinese fan dance was impressive. Except the song was a little too screechy. The Ukranian Folk Dance was the best! It was so colourful and exciting. Some of the Indian dances were erm ... not too interesting. They should have shown those cool Indian dances where they shake their bodies vigorously. *Shake shake shake* Those are really cool. I remember watching a performance like that in SMDU. I think it was Teacher's Day or something. There were two Indian girls dancing so well. I was impressed! Sadly, they didn't have that performance here in Edmonton. After the cultural show, we had dinner at Old Spagetthi Factory. The display of fireworks at the river started at about 10 p.m.. We managed a good view of the fireworks. I took lots of videos!
So, that was a whole day of fun.
On Saturday, I went to watch Pirates 2. Johnny Depp is sooooooo sexy! *tee hee* I can't wait for the third movie. I heard that it has been filmed and Chow Yun Fatt is starring in it as some Chinese pirate. Akakakaaa, that I must see! Yesterday, Yee Ying and I watched FIFA's final game - Italy vs. France. Poor Zidane. But yay, Italy won! After the show, we headed down to Churchill Square for the Edmonton's International Street Performers Festival. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera along, but you can check the website to get a glimpse of what it is like. I thought it was very entertaining for both children and adults. I hope to go there again sometime because this festival runs for the whole week. I got myself a really cute animal balloon too! (picture will be shown later). The guy who made it was an expert. He has been doing this for a living for 17 years. And the squirrel that he made for me was his original design in a previous competition. At first, I wanted a turtle. But he said he could only make a really small one. Then he asked me if I wanted a small lady bug too. I asked him if he could make a beaver but he said he couldn't make it with the amount of stuff he had. So, I ended up with a squirrel :) and it was really, really cute! It was also holding a walnut in its hands! I was so happy :D
Ah, that was one great weekend. There are so many festivals here now in the summer. Many more festivals in August, but I will be back in KL at that time. At least now I can say Edmonton isn't such a terribly boring place after all!
1:26 PM | |
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Restless Fly
How would you react if you knew someone doesn't really like you? Never mind if it is a friend or a co-worker ... I am pretty sure you would speak cautiously the next time to that person. And if the person shows no interest in engaging in a conversation, shouldn't you just be polite and just back off a little?I don't know how to describe this co-worker of mine sometimes. Could she even sense that I dislike chatting with her? Does she realize that I don't want to be disturbed when I am doing my work? And why should I tell her in detail what my research is? She gives the weirdest comments at every single thing.
Like today, as usual she came by my desk, looked at my computer screen and asked me what am I reading. I just told her very hesitantly that I was reading blogs. And she had to criticize it. She criticizes at almost every thing that I do. Nothing good comes out of her mouth. She does it in a "merry-go-round" way too.
"Really. Why are you reading blogs. I don't understand why you have to read them."
"What's wrong with reading them?"
"I don't know. I just think there's too much to read and it's too time-consuming."
Ugh. I can't wait till the last day of work. I won't have to see her ever, ever again in the near future. If she was less cocky and condescending, I wouldn't mind hanging around with her in the office. Heck, I don't even want to go lunch with her now. I don't even feel like seeing her at all. Everytime she comes by my desk, and asks me the usual - "How are you?" "What are you up to?" "What are you reading?" "What are you plans for the day?" "What are your plans for the weekend?" BLabelblabelbalbeeee...
She can ask the same question three times a day. Okay, well she asks it every time she sees you. Now, I just want to say hello and that's it. It has gotten to that point where I feel so uncomfortable around her. Sigh.
Oh well. I guess in the real working world, we are bound to meet people like this.