My To-Do-List

Lately, I have been watching the TVB drama "Triumph in the skies II" and I really like the character named Jose. Unfortunately, she has a terminal illness but because of this, she takes much initiative to complete her goals in life so she can leave this world without regret.

The other day, on my quite-long-and-uneventful bus ride to work, I allowed my mind to wander and somehow, it drifted to the episode where Jose had made a to-do list.

Then I, having not much to do other than stare out the window, began to think about the things that perhaps I would want to do if my time was limited. I came up with the following:

1. Visit China to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, and Hunan & Anhui provinces for the breathtaking scenery.
2. Visit New Zealand for the scenery.
3. Learn to ride a horse and race through Mongolia on it **yes, I'm actually serious - it's kind of like my childhood dream**
4. Learn to play the dizi.
5. Own a pet dog (breed TBD).
6. Sponsor or adopt a kid.
7. *** Last one shall be kept a secret- a little too embarrassing to risk anyone knowing, haha***

When I really think about it, my list is actually not very long. Of course, there are other things that I would like to do but as of now, those seem to be the things that I would really want to complete.

I'm sure that somewhere down the road when I re-read this list, I'll laugh at how simple-minded I am; although, I don't have any doubt that a simple life is a happy life. I'm not a very ambitious person; things that revolve around fame and fortune do not really appeal to me. Of course, it is not true that "money can't buy you happiness" since essentially everything on my list would require money to complete...; however, I do feel that as long as I have enough to complete my goals and to live a comfortable life, it would suffice.

I guess it's time to study harder, get into a professional program, pass the professional program, get a job and save money, LOL. That way, I could finally begin to check those things off my list.

**Contemplates photo-shopping myself onto that horse**

From a stranger to a friend and back to a stranger.

I was never a social person - I wouldn't say that I like being by myself but at the same time, I'm not afraid of being alone.

From elementary to high school, I underwent the transition by myself.

I was a really quiet child. I had a few close friends in elementary but unfortunately, we went our separate ways when I was sent to a different secondary school. Looking back, I remember trying to keep in contact for the first months of grade 9 but, well, time took its toll. As we became busier with school, as we met new people, it just became harder and harder to pick up the phone and ask the simple question:

"How have you been?"

Soon, we went from being friends to strangers.

From high school to university, the transition was better.

There were two other girls from my year who had enrolled in my program at university. During first year, we were quite close but of course, we met other people in our classes and built our separate group of friends. One of them got accepted into a professional program after first year and since then, attempts to keep in contact was...how to put this...not very successful? I also happened to be close friends with her sister from high school but she had gone to another country for university. I had folded 99 stars to wish her farewell and I remember crying on our last get-together. Initially, we had both put in the effort to maintain our friendship but as the months passed by, we grew more and more distant. Eventually, I would wonder about how she is doing but I would no longer know how to message her.

I can say that I have experienced my fair share of friendships that had faded into memories- mere watermarks that barely reflect the vibrant colors of their prime.

Ever since university had ended, I began to reflect about the people around me. Who will stay with me as the years go by? Especially since school is now over, attempts to meet up would be deliberate - maintaining a friendship would actually require effort. Who would be willing to expend the effort on me and who would I be willing to use my effort on?

They say that as we age, our circle of friends shrinks. Is this the reason why?

I guess this is also a good lesson learnt: Only spend your time on people who would reciprocate their time. Otherwise, it would only end in hurt and disappointment.

I suppose that the flip side of holding onto any relationship is letting it go. However, it is just as important to realize the people who you can depend on - the people who you shouldn't let go.

Every time I hear that so-and-so has known each other for this many years, I get a little envious.

It must be nice to have someone who knows you so well - nothing to hide; nothing to hold back; nothing to fear.

Only everything to share.

To whoever who might be reading this - hold on and treasure your friends. It takes so much to find others who you truly connect with. Don't let them become strangers.

Cheers,
Joyce

Update/Revision to Cheesecake Recipe

So the other day, I wanted to make "cheesecake" again. I was just going to follow the original recipe that I had posted since I was satisfied with the previous outcomes. I had also bought a 9 " springform pan recently and this would be the second time using it....apparently I don't know how to use it properly (For those of you who don't know what a springform pan is, here is a picture of what it looks like. As I had mentioned in my previous post, it is definitely a worthy investment. I bought one from Fresh Co for $9.99. It's much easier to release the cake from this pan because the sides can detach from the base.)

Anyways, continuing with my sad story - after pressing the graham cracker crumbs and margarine paste against the bottom of the pan to form the base, I lifted the pan from the sides to place it in the oven. And halfway to the oven, the base detached from the sides and ALL the cracker crumbs spilled to the ground. Worse yet, the crumbs were mixed with margarine so after cleaning the mess, the floor was oily and slippery. Oh Joyce, why are you so clumsy?? 

So there goes the base. Grudgingly, I was about to start over again when I realized I didn't have enough cracker crumbs to make a second base! That was going to be the end of my world when it suddenly occurred to me that I should consult the all-knowing internet before losing hope. That was how I found an amazingly simple way to make a cheesecake base without using graham crackers. In fact, it tastes better! (Well, in my opinion at least)

So here it is:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix 1.5 cups of multi-purpose flour (I had used cake-flour but it shouldn't matter), 1 egg, 1/3 cup of sugar, 2 tsp of vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/2 cups of margarine in a pan.

3. Press the mixture against the bottom of the pan to form the base.
4. Using a toothpick, poke holes throughout the base- this would allow steam to exit when put in the oven. Otherwise, the base may form a dome shape at the center.  

5. Bake in the oven until golden brown... (sorry, I forgot to time myself...)

Then you can continue with step 5 of the recipe on my original post.

So if you ever run out of graham cracker crumbs (cuz gravity happily pulled it to the ground), then try this out! I actually prefer this base than the original. Anyways, that's the end of my little update. Talk to you later ~

Windsor Arms Hotel Afternoon Tea Review

Not long ago, I went for afternoon tea at Windsor Arms Hotel with a few friends. Overall, it was a nice experience but I can't say that I will actively seek an opportunity to go back. 

When we arrived to the hotel, we were taken to a small room directly to the left of the lobby. It was lined with black wallpaper with a cozy fireplace against the wall and a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The room was pretty but I had read from a review that there is another room that is more spacious and ornate. Indeed, as my friends and I went upstairs to the washroom, we were able to see that they had a larger hall which had not been opened. Since we had gone on a weekday, I'm guessing that there wasn't enough people to open the other hall. So if you want to be seated in the other room...then perhaps go on a weekend when there is more people? (I could be terribly wrong though and the room may never be open, hahaha) To be fair, I am already satisfied with the ambiance of our smaller room. 

The pretty chandelier in our room. 

 As expected, a myriad of silverware was placed before each person and um...good thing I didn't have any English spectators during our high tea - I couldn't figure out what to do with some of the utensils, hahaha. 

The aftermath after we "ladies" devoured everything - but yeah, as you can see, our table was filled with silverware, dishes, teapots and cups. 

Now onto the food.

The menu for our high tea was set in that we do not have a choice in what to order - the menu is provided on this link. The only exception was that we were given a choice for tea...there were at least 5 pages of different teas on the menu (I had wanted to try something new so I just picked the one whose name I could not pronounce, LOL.) 

In general, I was happy with the taste and appearance of the food. The scones were delicious and the sandwiches were moist and flavorful!  However, the "petits fours" desserts were too sweet and heavy for me. Below are just a few pictures to make your mouths water, haha. 

These  were the "petits fours". They looked very appetizing but unfortunately, they were too sweet for my liking. 

Anyways, most of my comments have been positive so you might wonder why I probably won't go back again. Well, we had to wait quite a while for the waiter to come take our order. The waiter was polite and there was nothing wrong with his service, but there were only two waiters servicing the room. This was a problem because we were limited in our sitting time and our orders were taken last. As a result, by the time our sitting was over, we had still not finished our food. Perhaps we had lost track of time while talking with one another but I also think we lost some time because of the slow service. 
 
Also, throughout our high tea, there was an extremely unpleasant drilling noise that originated from the neighbouring room. It was disturbing; people were startled. I felt that the hotel could have arranged for the construction to happen at another time when there wasn't anyone dining in the next room. If that wasn't possible, they could have arranged for us to dine where the noise would be less disruptive...not the room right across the wall. 

Overall, I did enjoy this experience since it was fun to just dress up and have a good time with friends. I don't have any complaints about the food (the Petits Fours may not have been my favorite but I don't have a taste for sweets in general) and the décor in the room was pretty. However, the service could have been quicker and the construction could have been done without causing so much disruption.

I would recommend this place for those who have not had high tea before (since the construction probably won't last forever) but I think once was enough for me. I tried to give my honest opinion about my experience and I do realize that my feelings are mixed (um...at least I'm not biased?). Anyways, hopefully this review would be useful for anyone who is thinking of going to Windsor Arms. If anything, just give it a try! Perhaps you'll get quicker waiters and no construction next door, hahaha 

Thoughts on Beauty & Natural Skin Care Products

When exam season comes, there is always one thing that happens - my acne breaks out.

Well to be fair, my skin has never been great and even when I don't have school, I do get the occasional pimple here and there. It is something that has troubled me since junior high and I even remember a guy in high school telling me to try out some acne cream - needless to say, that would be a stab to any girl's self-esteem. So for anyone who may be dealing with skin issues, yes, I do know how it feels to be in your position and it's a terrible feeling to be self-conscious. 

Well, I've tried numerous acne products (Benzaclin Topical Gel, Tactuo Acne Cream, La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment...etc) and none of them work as well as the natural products I'll introduce now - Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

Lemon Juice:

First, I'll tell you what lemon juice is supposed to do and then what it has actually done for me after a month of application. Lemon juice contains citric acid which has a lower pH than what P. acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) can withstand. So when you apply lemon juice to your skin, the bacteria that resides in your pores should be killed. Also, lemon juice has exfoliating properties that quicken the removal of dead skin cells. This is the reason why lemon juice is also supposed to reduce acne scars and even out our skin tone. Furthermore, lemon juice is a natural bleacher that should be able to whiten our skin. 

After a month of applying lemon juice, my skin is virtually clear except for the occasional one on my chin so I definitely do believe that it can prevent breakouts! I have also noticed that my acne scars have softened but have not completely disappeared. However, given that I had only used it for a month, I can't ask for anything more. In terms of its effects as a skin bleacher, I haven't noticed any changes in my skin colour. It's also not something I would want since I only apply it to certain areas, hahaha...not sure if I would want blotches of pale skin. 

Overall though, I'm quite impressed by how effective it is at keeping my acne under control. It's definitely something I would recommend others to try. I usually apply fresh lemon juice onto my T zone for a few minutes and then wash it off with water. I would do this every other day. Like many others who suffer from acne, I have combination skin where my cheeks are dry but forehead, nose and chin are more oily. That is why I only apply lemon juice onto my T zone since it would be too irritating for my cheeks. 

I've read online that some people dilute the lemon juice with water and that was what I initially did but then I became too lazy, hahaha. I haven't noticed any harm with applying undiluted juice onto my face but I wouldn't recommend it for those with more dry and sensitive skin. Also, as a warning, when applying lemon juice for the first time, it will likely sting. It did sting for me but now, I don't feel anything. Maybe I got used to it? Anyways, just a heads up, but it's not that bad. 

One last thing - it's VERY important to put on sunscreen if you had applied lemon juice to your skin. Lemon juice makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays so you should find a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB - a higher SPF won't hurt either. If you don't...you'll end up with blotchy skin since the areas where you had applied lemon juice would tan more easily. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest class of olive oil with the lowest acidity. It contains antioxidants like vitamin A and E which, when applied to the skin, would help repair damage from the sun, diet imbalances, lack of sleep...etc. In this way, olive oil is supposed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. As an oil, it can serve as an effective moisturizer for dry skin and it can also be used as a cleanser to prevent acne breakouts! That might sound a little counter intuitive - apply oil to my acne prone skin to...prevent acne? Well, I'm no chemist but I do vaguely recall that "like attracts like". Olive oil is a hydrophobic substance (meaning it is repelled by water but attracted to fatty substances) and it will stick to other hydrophobic substances like skin oils and greasy makeup. When olive oil is used as a cleanser, it will stick to the dirt and oils that you do not want on your skin; when the olive oil is then removed with a towel, the unwanted substances will be removed as well. As a side, olive oil is also supposed to increase the growth of your eyelashes and eyebrows. 

Now, after about a month of application, I have noticed that my skin is smoother and more moisturized. I actually use olive oil in place of my moisturizer since it's much more effective (not to mention, so much more cost-friendly)! I don't have wrinkles so I'm can't attest to its anti-aging properties but I have used it as a cleanser/makeup remover and it has been effective for removing even waterproof mascara. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any differences in my eyelashes but it's only been one month so I am still hopeful!

As a cleanser, I would just apply EVOO onto my face with my fingers (making sure they are clean) and gently rub it onto my skin for 1-2 minutes in a circular motion. Then I would run a towel under hot water and place the hot towel onto my face to open up the pores. When the towel has cooled, I would rinse the towel and use it to wipe my face one more time to remove any excess olive oil. After that, my face should be clean and I would apply my moisturizer....which happens to be more olive oil, hahaha. 

This cleanser is effective and I've read many positive reviews about it online. However, the process does take some time and I usually run late in the morning so I've reverted back to using my normal cleanser - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel. This is a product that I also highly recommend as I've tried numerous other cleansers specific for acne prone skin but this one seems to suit me best. It effectively removes any impurities without irritating or drying my skin. So yes, olive oil can serve as an effective cleanser although its application takes too long to suit my lifestyle. Who knows, it might suit yours though!

As a moisturizer, I would apply EVOO onto my face with my fingers (making sure they are clean) and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Then I would just wipe the excess oil off my face and I would be left with softer and more supple skin. I still use EVOO as a moisturizer and I don't think I will revert back to any drugstore products since nothing has even matched its effectiveness when it comes to nourishing my skin. 

As a make-up remover....honestly, I just rub olive oil all over my face to dissolve the makeup and then wash it off with water. 

*Well, that is that! Results and effects will vary from person to person but I can say that lemon juice and olive oil are both very effective natural skin care products for me. It has helped improve my skin and hopefully it may do the same for yours as well. If anything, no harm in trying, right? Anyways, I'll talk to you later!*

Mango "Cheese"cake Recipe

My close friends all know that I have a huge cheesecake craving (ESPECIALLY during exam season). The creamy texture and the melt-in-your-mouth sensation is literally addicting. But alas, every indulgence seems to be followed by a smack from reality - Hi, Joyce. There goes your new years resolution for eating right. 

Okay, don't get me wrong - I'm not promoting thinspiration but it is important to be conscious of the types and amounts of foods that we consume. It's just part of being healthy. But let's be honest- when my cravings strike, they hit me like a stampede. I am lucky that I only have this one craving but umm, not so lucky that I can devour 2 slices in 5 mins...? Not surprisingly, I wanted to find a healthier alternative. 

After several minutes of very intense online searching, I discovered a recipe for **Yogurt Cheesecake**. 

At first, I was skeptical. A cheesecake made from yogurt? But being my adventurous self, I decided to give it a try and I must say that I was very impressed. Even though this recipe uses Greek yogurt in place of creamcheese, it still has the creaminess that taunts me during my most intense cravings! It also delights me to say that it's so much healthier. 

Too good to be true? I guess you'll just have to try it yourself.

I've made this "cheese"cake 4 times now and I've played around with different sugar contents and toppings to suit my taste. I'm not one for really sweet desserts so you might want to change around the portions to your liking. Anyways, here we go. 

Yogurt "Cheese"cake Ingredients/Equipment 

1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tbsp melted margarine 
2 cups or 500g Greek yogurt (I use 0% fat but I'm sure 2% would be fine as well)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cornstarch
pinch of salt
9" baking pan
large mixing bowl
oven

Steps 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted margarine inside the 9" baking pan until it takes on a paste-like consistency. 

3. Press the paste against the bottom of the baking pan to form the base. 

4. Bake in the oven for 7 minutes at 375°F.

While that is happening....

5. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl.

After 7 minutes have gone by...

6. Take the baking pan out of the oven and pour the contents from the bowl on top of the graham cracker base. 

7. Bake in the oven for 35 mins at 350°F. Be careful not to over-bake.

8. Remove the cake from the oven and once it has cooled, place the cake into the fridge for at least 2 hours before removing it from the baking pan. 

Tip: When removing a cake from disposable baking pans like this, take a pair of scissors and make vertical incisions along the edge. Then, carefully peel the sides of the pan downwards. This way, the sides of the cake may be exposed without ruining the shape. Of course, if you don't want to deal with this step, just invest in a springform pan  (which I will likely do soon) :P

After pulling the sides of the pan down, snip them off with the pair of scissors. Then carefully transfer the cake onto a cake board.....and clean up the mess. 

While this yogurt cheesecake tastes great by itself, I prefer to add a fruit topping just to give it an extra layer of flavor. 

Mango Topping Ingredients/Equipment 

2 fresh mangoes (diced)
1/8 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with equal parts water
Saucepan

Steps:

1. Combine the diced mango, sugar, salt and water in the saucepan and cook under medium heat for 15 mins.

2. Slowly pour the cornstarch/water mixture to thicken the mango sauce

3. Let the mango sauce cool. When the yogurt cheesecake has been in the fridge for at least 2 hours, add the sauce on top.

Enjoy!

Now, just to make your mouths water some more, here is another cake I've made but with blueberry! The steps in making the sauce is essentially the same; only difference is the fruit and perhaps the proportions. So you might want to taste-test the sauce as you go and add more or less sugar/salt/cornstarch accordingly. 

The Immortal Creature

So, as I am studying for my second last exam, I reached an epiphany. I realized that I had come face to face with an immortal creature for at least 4 days/week for the last 4 years. I have even discovered (through wikipedia) the year that it was first conceived - 1827. This thing is 186 years old and it's not about to go anywhere.

Friends, beware. This creature is a dangerous.

It raises a bunch of lab rats and keeps a handful of cadavers on its grounds to bait innocent 17 year old humans with them. Quite sadly, once victims have fallen prey, they are tortured with long nights of insomnia, elevated cortisol levels and perhaps even recurrent slaps of depression.

Yes, unfortunately, I am speaking from experience.

Yes, even more unfortunately, it is immortal, and I can prove it. This creature displays pictures of itself from 1876. Walk through MS, the proof is all there.

(PS. Sorry you had to read all that. Yes, U of T is driving me crazy and I am losing my composure. But I guess that's what I get for falling prey?)

A Collection of MISC photos

Once in a while, it's nice to pretend that I'm artsy and snap pictures of interesting people, things and creatures (although my friends don't enjoy me sneaking up on them at the most random times, haha). I'm particularly fascinated by architecture and monuments because you can look at them and get a taste of the styles (and even ideologies) that were circulating at the time of construction. Considering how buildings can be hundreds of years old, you can actually learn a lot from them. It'll be more apparent when you look below, haha

The pictures were either taken with my Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD, Fujifilm Finepix HS25EXR or Samsung SII phone. Some of them were edited with Picasa. The program is available to download online (Picasa 3.9 Download link) and it's free! Of course, if you're hoping to remodel or transform the objects in your photos, this program won't be able to cut it. But it should be sufficient for those who simply want to enhance their photos or add some effects. 

Anyways, I won't ramble on. Enjoy the view!

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Vaughan

Thornhill

Thornhill

Ottawa

Old Quebec

Old Quebec

Old Quebec

Ottawa

Old Quebec

Markham

High park 

Center Island

Washington

Washington

Washington

King's Mill Park

King's Mill Park

King's Mill Park

A 5 Am Poem

Dreams and reality may not align,

goals in life are just not met.

Reflections are tainted in shades of blue,

eyes are obscured by a haze.

Present and future may seem too bleak,

incompetency stabs the fragile heart.

Tears may trickle behind the mask,

emotions choked back until they burst.

-But-

Sadness and distraught will reach its peak,

despair would be no more.

Turns in events will have to occur,

abysses do have an end.

Hopes and aspirations may yet be reached,

but life will carry on.

Acceptance precedes the recollection,

recollection precedes new hope.

Strength and passion will resurface,

light will pierce the dark.

Things may not happen as expected,

but life's not worth living if they did.

Twists and turns lead to new terrains,

achievements beyond your dreams.

Dignity and fulfillment will be attained,

detours won't define your worth.

Goals are certainly set to be reached,

but please don't fret if detours are made.

Struggles and failures will become memories -

wisdom that grows with time.

At 5 am, I simply could not sleep. I hadn't drank coffee for a while and a small cup from the afternoon had kept me awake through the night; perhaps I should drink my coffee in the morning now? Anyways, I don't usually write poems, nor do I read poems. Most of this just came to me at 5 am when I couldn't sleep. Haha...what an odd night. I thought I would share this because I know a few people around me are going through some rough times. Hopefully this can be a source of encouragement!

PS. It's not titled A 5 am Poem because I wrote it at 5 am. Care to hazard a guess?