TBOX 2005

TBOX stands for Twelve Bars of Xmas... basically a brilliant pub crawl in the heart of Wrigleyville. We went to a few bars, my favourite being Moe's Cantina. TBOX is most famous for its cereal shots...

Taken on Dec 10, 2005: Christine is doing a cereal shot

Happy Hour at N9ne

One of the fancier "steakhouses" in Chicago. It's so uber-modern with the bar and a vaulted ceiling lit by purple floodlights as its centerpiece. Great martinis...

Taken on Dec 8, 2005: N9ne Steakhouse


And later that night was probably the biggest snowstorm of 2005 where there was endless snowfall...

Taken on Dec 8, 2005: on the Randolph bridge over the Metra rails


Taken on Dec 8, 2005: on Sheridan where the 156 appears to have blocked the entire street

The First Snow of 2005

One of my favourite things is walking along Michigan Ave during the holiday season with the snow falling gently everywhere. Yesterday was probably one of those rare experiences because it was topped with mounds of shopping on my part. The scene was just so beautiful: bustling shoppers, colourful window displays, lights on the bare trees on Michigan, and snow falling slow, falling fast, sparse, and then, dense. It's reasons like these why I love early winter where the snow is still white and pure and people just aren't sick of the winter yet.

Taken on Nov 25, 2005: from the Water Tower


Taken on Nov 25, 2005: Pottery Barn award-winning display


Taken on Nov 25, 2005: snow on Michigan Ave

Gotta love the bean!

The recently polished Cloud Gate 9 designed by Anish Kapoor in Millenium Park, Chicago, IL

Taken on Nov 6, 2005


Taken on Nov 6, 2005:

Lyric Opera House

I finally got my first taste of Carmen at the famous Lyric Opera House in Chicago. During the summer of 2003, I went to Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme on Broadway (unfortunately, it was too expensive, losing money like crazy, and therefore, had a short run) and ever since I've been wanting that true opera experience. The Lyric is one of the most famous opera houses in the world and it produced a photographic opportunity for me...

Taken on October 6, 2005: the stunning entrance hall


Taken on October 6, 2005: inside the theatre

Another attempt at some lightning

That night, my window was open to let in the breeze but the storm was so loud, I woke up and almost had a heart attack... well... no... just completely disoriented. Then I saw the flashes and at 2:30am, I grabbed my camera and tried to shoot a picture, rather groggily. I missed all the really good stuff, like the thick bright ones that went straight to the lake because it took me too long to figure out what was going on. I got some good lightning action... unfortunately, it's out of focus!!!!

Taken on September 21, 2005:

Orlando (again)

So I've been going to a lot of trainings and they fully book us from 8am - 10pm not including the networking "opportunities" that seem to arise beyond that time frame... anyways, for the latest one I went to (yes, back in Orlando), there was an event at Universal Studios and they closed the park and let us on two free rides! There was also free club night so that was neat. I got my HRC guitar pin too!

Here's one for the blog...

Taken on September 18, 2005: Universal Studios globe in Orlando, FL

Breckenridge, Colorado

A relaxing yet fun-filled Labour Day weekend in Colorado. We drove to Breckenridge from Denver, thanks to JJ's brother's Subaru Forester. We went through Loveland Pass and got to stand on the Continental Divide, where the precipitation will drain into the Atlantic or the Pacific depending on which side of the Divide it falls on. We saw some Bighorn Sheep along the highway and got to climb to over 12,000 feet (up Peak 8 of Breckenridge Ski Resort). We ate some amazing meals: unlimited riblets at Applebee's; duck breast and pork medallions (extreme!) at Top of the World restaurant; surprisingly good Bubba Gump shrimp; and ended the trip with a whole lotta pho. Had an awesome weekend even though we didn't end up whitewater rafting. It was so much fun; thanks honey :)

Taken on September 3, 2005: on the highway through the mountains


Taken on September 3, 2005: at Loveland Pass


Taken on September 3, 2005: Bighorn Sheep


Taken on September 3, 2005: view from the top of Colorado Superchair on Peak 8

Lightning!!!!!!

All right, this is the coolest subject matter that has managed to elude me for the longest time. The night after I came back from Orlando, it was thunderstorming late that night. I was up until about 2am and spent about half an hour trying to do this. Requires so much patience! I missed what would have been an amazing shot: the lightning bolt starting from the clouds and right down to the lake!!! This was the best one that I caught. Too bad my window was all dewy from the rain... but I'm so happy with this!

Taken on August 20, 2005:

Downtown Disney, Orlando

Last week, we had a training in Orlando. We got there Saturday evening and pretty much spent most of our time indoors during the entire training in freezing cold convention rooms. Therefore, most of my pictures either turned out fuzzy (in the dark) or I just didn't have any pictures at all. One of the ones that turned out really well and that I really like (although nothing special) is this one...

Taken on August 13, 2005

Chicago skyline

On a Wendella Lake and River cruise, I finally got a chance to get the FULL Chicago skyline. It's very difficult to get a good shot... especially with tons of people milling around as well as the bobbing of the boat. My Toronto skyline picture from Centre Island was so much better but of course, it was a different time of day. I get a silhouetted skyline here but I did my best with my trusty S400!

Taken on August 7, 2005:

Miss Saigon, Toronto

Located near College in Toronto's Chinatown is probably the best Vietnamese cuisine I've ever had. Of course, it helps to be friends with the chef! He used to have all sorts of new things for us to try, crab using various sauces, grilled meats, chicken stuffed with sticky rice, those giant prawns... the list is endless. No doubt their rare beef pho is top notch. But my absolute favourite thing there is the grilled beef on salad. The salad is absolutely refreshing and drenched in that freshly-grilled beef juices. The beef itself is seared to perfection on the outside and left pink and juicy in the middle. Absolutely the best!

Taken on July 2, 2005: the beef is near the bottom of the picture


Taken on July 24, 2005:

Auberge du Pommier, Toronto

The most memorable thing about this restaurant that's tucked away in the middle of North York was the wonderfully decorated little house on the corner.

Taken on July 21, 2005:


The service was splendid despite what I have heard about them being sometimes rather snobbish (as with any upscale places when they see young professionals walk in). Their chilled pea soup with creme fraiche was very unique and their desserts (cream cheese cake and chocolate tort) were both very rich. My entree was an upscale chicken pot pie but if you go, you must have what Hongsa had, the cold poached Atlantic salmon. I've never tasted such excellent and fresh poached fish! Must try :)

Taken on July 21, 2005:

Tundra, Toronto

It's Summerlicious week so obviously, I tried to take advantage of it. Iris and I went for lunch at Tundra located inside the Hilton Toronto. It was a light lunch but tasty nonetheless. Their yellow tomato gazpacho with grilled shrimp was extremely flavourful and their crab cake salad was most excellent!

Taken on July 20, 2005:

Fred's Not Here, Toronto

I cannot believe I tackled this monster (and ate about 2/3 of it too!)

Taken on July 16, 2005: Crackling pork shank (osso bucco) w/fire cracker apple sauce


It was a very nice place for a 312 reunion dinner minus Trung (in Vancouver) and Roger (in Scotland). We missed you guys!

Vong's Thai Kitchen, Chicago

This is absolutely, one of my most favourite restaurants in Chicago. It's located just north of the River and fairly close to the tourist areas. Unfortunately, this means ridiculous prices... they have the most expensive pad thai I have ever had (at dinner, it's US$13.95). I've never heard of pad thai that's that expensive but for some reason, I got it anyway. It's AMAAAAAZING! It's almost worth that $14... If you go during lunch, it's much better (at US$7.95 I believe). Their satay combo appetizer is also very good (the beef is just so succulent!)

Taken on June 13, 2005:


Taken on June 13, 2005:


Their, again, super expensive (US$4) bubbletea special that day was excellent too... it's like a strawberry slush but it's got good quality bubbles. I've tried bbtea at so many places and most have been disappointing to say the least.

hmm...

I guess I haven't really figured out how to organize this. As of now, I have two blogs... this one, and the other one that's more for where I like to rant and rave. This one, I was thinking of using, primarily, for my nice photos of travel. I think I'm going to throw in restaurants there too.
So here it is, this one is all about things I like. The other one is all about how I think and the things I do? Yeah... that sounds good :)

Toronto

Toronto has been my most recent permanent home and now, I'm only going to be here for another week. It's the most diverse city in the world where you can find great authentic food of every kind. People who live in Toronto take it for granted. Sure, it's full of suburbs surrounding a downtown core area... sure if you live in the suburbs, you can't get anywhere without a car. It's like that in every city but New York City and Hong Kong! I LIKE Toronto. The downtown is bustling with the suits during the day and at night, it's hustling in the clubs. Queen Street is my favourite. Bloor/Yorkville has its own style and class. Every place has its good and bad... Toronto is flat... so flat and the friggin sales tax comes to a whopping 15%. Sometimes, you can't appreciate Toronto until you've been elsewhere. I never went to Roy Thomson Hall for a TSO concert until I came back from New York. It's amazing how you don't appreciate something until you start to miss it... that's life.

Taken on July 3, 2005: City Hall (view from Nathan Phillips Square)


Taken on July 3, 2005: Toronto skyline at dusk (view from Centre Island)


Taken on April 20, 2005: such a nice atrium at BCE place

Barrie

For Canada Day "weekend", our usual bunch went up to Chris's cottage for a few days of fun, relaxing, and chilling with friends. I love Chris's cottage but now, the development of houses in Barrie is starting to creep in on this space. Sure it's not as far as Andrew's cottage and you can't see the Milky Way at night but it's right on Lake Simcoe and the lake can be pretty cold. I tried wakeboarding for the first time (unsuccessful) and I got to catch the sunrise one morning with Tiffany. Here are my most memorable shots (I also love those playing in water shots that JJ and Phil took!)

Taken on July 1, 2005


Taken on July 2, 2005: sunrise over Lake Simcoe

Down One

My favourite lounge in Toronto. First of all because Bryan works there. Second because we know the owner, Ivan. He's a real cool guy! Third, we like to play pool there in a relaxed atmosphere. Four, Ivan makes a good Cosmo. Five, it's just way groovy in there... the music is awesome! Six, all the colours in there are just too cool to miss!

Taken on June 20, 2005

Boston

For a weekend in June, I had the brilliant plan of visiting Jonathan in Boston for his birthday. Jonathan decides to go home out west for his birthday...
But thanks to AA's amazing deal, I went to Boston anyway so I could visit JJ while he was there. We did our usual touristy thing and we got to see quite a bit too! We ate good seafood, wandered through MIT, Harvard, downtown, Beacon Hill, Boston Common, the Freedom Trail... I even got to see Wilson! We had good and bad weather and I got some really amazing shots.

Taken on June 28, 2005: John Hancock Tower and Trinity Church (I tried to copy the shot of a picture in our room in the Westin)


Taken on June 28, 2005: Washington statue


Taken on June 28, 2005: the ducks in Boston Common


I had a picture with Wilson that I also wanted to post but I've exceeded my upload limit this month on Flickr so check back later for that picture!

Huang Shan

And taking of advantage of the fact that I'm still in Asia, my parents and I took a four day trip to Huang Shan in China. The majority of locals are employed in the tourism industry or in agriculture. You see all sorts of great things like rice fields, water buffalos, old architecture from the Ming dynasty, and factories that produce the world-famous ink used in Chinese paintings. But the thing you go to Huang Shan for are the mountains and the various rock formations. If you're lucky, you might catch the sea of clouds beneath you as you head up the mountain. Unfortunately for us, it was so dry that we missed out on that. No matter, we still got to see the beautiful layering of mountains and pine trees that grow on these mountains exclusively. It's amazing. I bet the winter scenery is just as beautiful but in a different way.

Taken on June 4, 2005


Taken on June 4, 2005: mountain layers


Taken on June 4, 2005: sunset over the mountains


Taken on June 5, 2005: rice fields

Macau

While I was "vacationing" in Hong Kong, my cousin and I took a day trip to Macau. Macau is interesting because it's retained most of its Portuguese influence in the architecture and in the culture. It's not as modern and fast-paced and you basically go to Macau for the casinos. Oh, not to mention the various types of meat jerky and traditional almond cookies and Portuguese tarts.

Taken on May 24, 2005: The Ruins of St Paul


Taken on May 24, 2005: A-Ma Temple


Taken on May 24, 3005: Macau Tower

Hong Kong

So here are some of my "prize" photos that I took in Hong Kong I promised from my previous post...

Taken on June 8, 2005: dusk view of HK from The Peak


Taken on June 11, 2005: day skyline of HK (Central)


Taken on June 11, 2005: night skyline of HK


Taken on June 10, 2005: crowds in front of Sogo in Causeway Bay (definitive HK!)


Taken on May 22, 2005: New Territories (JJ's favourite photo)