Winding Up with a Better Future (Pun Intended)

So, let's talk about our future.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A) Fossil Fuel User
B) Nuclear Power User
C) Wind Power User

If I were you (or the rest of humanity), I would pick C.
Why? Because when in doubt, we always pick C.

Just kidding.

The truth is, if we want a sustainable energy future, then wind power is the way forward.

Wind power is a clean source of energy that does not pollute our earth in the detrimental ways that other power sources do - burning fossil fuels can deplete our earth's precious ozone layer and nuclear power plants often result in acid rains around its vicinity. Not to mention, those environmentally-UNfriendly sources of energy are not even renewable! They will run out.

How can we continue to depend on fuels that we know will not last?

Perhaps we, as a society, are too focused on the convenience of using the older power plants that are already available and too unmotivated to spend the money to invest in wind power. However, few people realize the economic benefits that also comes with using wind power.

Wind energy is essentially home-made local energy. There is no need to import fuels from foreign countries and it can give our nation more energy independence. Furthermore, since wind is always free and available, its price is stable and as such, it can help buffer the more variable price of electricity from nuclear power or fossil fuels.

In addition, wind turbines are often built on farmlands where the power plant owners pay the farmers for using their land. The turbines use up very little space and do not interfere with crop growth. It gives farmers an additional source of income and revitalizes the rural economy.

So, friends, how do we wind up with a better future? I'm sure you know now.

100 Happy Days

Every so often, I become a little philosophical and I just happened to have one of those moments today. 

Several days ago, I searched up job postings for audiologists in Canada to get a more realistic perspective on their salaries across different cities/provinces and I came across a job offer from the government of Nunavut, community of Iqaluit. Aside from the very generous annual salary of $94K and an additional allowance of $15K (omg, $$$$), I was also very tempted by the idea of living in a native community. 

I mentioned this position to someone afterwards and her immediate response was: "Who would want to move to Nunavut??"

At that moment, a little voice in my head said, "....I wouldn't mind?" 

Oh gosh, I must be one abnormal human being. 

Anyways, just today, a friend told me about the 100 Happy Days challenge where  for 100 consecutive days, contestants document one moment in their lives that had made them happy. Unfortunately, 71% of the people who had attempted the challenge had failed. The most common reason is that they simply did not have time to be happy. 

This leads me to wonder, what makes one happy? How much time does it take to make one content? 

I know that this would vary between people and that some individuals have great ambitions in life that would require much energy and effort to achieve. However, it is sad to think that for 71% of the contestants, there was a day where they could not find a single moment to do something that they enjoy. 

I think that is why the idea of reverting back to a more simple and less materialistic lifestyle appeals to me. Although I probably would not move to Nunavut for a job, I would still like to pursue a more "native-like" lifestyle/mentality where one has less focus on reaping profit from others and less of an urge to accumulate wealth. In that way, it would be easier for us to appreciate what we already have and gain more happiness from the little things that were always there, but sometimes overlooked, in life. 

With that said, I have just registered for the 100 Happy Days challenge with the goal of consciously making myself a happier person for the next 100 days. I'm sure it will be harder said than done but hopefully, it will be a small step in appreciating the life that I have. 

For this challenge, contestants are to submit a picture (everyday, for 100 consecutive days) of what made them happy. Upon completion, a personalized book would be sent to each contestant with their 100 happy moments to serve as a reminder of the things that they enjoy and value in life. 

I will be posting some of the pictures below as a way of documenting and reflecting upon this three months challenge ^^.

Well, ready, set, SMILE!

New Plant Obsession

I have always enjoyed being outdoors and have always had a deep appreciation for nature. However, because I was preoccupied with school for the last....umm, 18 years of my life, I never felt that I would have the time to take care of houseplants. This was further complicated by my irrational fear of insects which has actually significantly improved as I grew older. I still can't bare to touch or kill bugs but at least I won't run away in fear, haha.

But....recently, I have discovered the joys of making terrariums! If you do not know what terrariums are, then I'll raise a simple analogy: Terrariums are to plants as aquariums are to fishes. Basically, terrariums are enclosed spaces, mostly glass containers, where plants are grown and displayed.

The great thing about terrariums is that since the plants are usually grown inside a glass container, then you only need to open the lid for watering so even if the plants need to be grown in moist soil, insects have less accessibility to breed in the soil. Furthermore, some plants grow best in high humidity so potting the plant in a glass container would allow you to maintain a warm humid environment within the terrarium - no need to crank up the humidity in your entire room.

The most important factor is that terrariums make incredibly beautiful displays. I put my terrariums and plants on a shelf next to my window and when I wake up to see the rays of sunlight seep between the contours of my plants, it puts me in such a great mood that the rest of my day feels much smoother. In the past, I did appreciate the beauty of nature but I never realized how relaxing it was to just look at plants until I began growing them in my room.

Without further ado, I'll share a few pictures of my terrariums and plants below:

A little baby jade sprouted out!

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