Must have Monday - Team Canada hockey stick putter

OMG, you cannot believe what I saw when I was at Golf Town in Edmonton, Alberta.  There it was as soon as you enter the store.  A putter shaped like a hockey stick for Team Canada.  I had to try and use it on the putting green area and the crowd goes wild, all three tries, the golf ball went directly in the hole.  Now, I wanted to buy it but as I inspect it closer, there were a lot of nicks and scratches.  I ask the sales person if they had more and he said "that is the last one and it's on sale as it was a floor model".  Next question I ask myself, how am I going to hand carry it on the plane.  A long time ago my friend Percy ask if I could buy a special baseball bat for his daughter.  I did and when I checked it at the airport they told me I couldn't carry it on the plane as it's a weapon!!.  I thought of buying the putter anyway and just wrap it and ship it home via Canada Post.  When I told Jeff about it, he said that it's available through Amazon and it will be shipped within two days.  So I walked out of the store.  Now that I am back home and started searching for it on line,  I can't seem to find the exact same one.  I still want one and hope to find one with a reasonable price that can be shipped directly to my home.  This is what it looks like.  If any of my friends in the Toronto area reads this post, could you check Golf Town in your area to see if this is available, then we can talk.

 

Sandals Sunday - It's soooohhhh comfy

Just in case you are wondering why I did not post as many as my usual weekly post, it was because I was visiting my sister in Edmonton.  For some of you, you probably already knew that from some of post last week.  Before I left for my trip, I bought a pair of sandals from Kohl's and I decided to take only one pair of footwear.  I wore it a couple of days before the trip and I knew that this was going to be the perfect traveling sandals.  The style is a little bit different from most of my sandals or flip flops.  After wearing it continuously for two weeks during mini holiday, I decided that when I return to San Jose, I will try and get the other colors and hopefully they would still have my size and the other two colors.  The price was a little bit higher than what I would normally pay for footwear.  If you are residing in the USA and have access to a Kohl's store, I would truly recommend this pair of sandals.  It is so comfy, light and very practical.  you could wear it with jeans, shorts, skirts and even a casual dress.  It comes in black/grey, grey/olive and grey/purple.  The first pair I bought with my 15 % coupon and the other two, I bought with my $5 reward and another 15% coupon.  For now I will have to keep using my black/grey pair until it get's old and worn before I use the other pair.

 

Weather Wednesday - Long days

For the past couple of weeks I have the chance to experience long days while visiting my sister in Edmonton.  What I did not realize is that a lot of good memories but also sad memories happened here.  The weather has been perfect until the past couple of days.  We could take a walk late at night but still bright enough because the sun does not set until almost 1100 pm during my first week.  One night we were able to watch the super moon really clearly and close up just by standing in her living room window.  Here's a photo I took around 1030 pm on my second night.

It has been a really long time since I spent the winter months in the great white north and honestly I don't think I would want to even just for a day.  This is when I saw my sister's parka and it reminded me of a lot of things.  So I decided to try it, reminisce and sure enough, I was not impressed.  Here's what it looks like when you have to go outside when the temperature is freezing.

Now it's time to head back to sunny warmer weather of San Jose, California.  I am truly lucky to reside there now where you can golf and play tennis all year round.  After many many years of living in the great white north, I believe I have paid my dues.  I don't miss the weather, but I have made many friends and I am so happy I was able to reconnect with them during this visit.  

Stampede Saturday - Klondike Days

K days is what they call it now, all I remember was that when my father was alive the family would travel from Yellowknife, NWT to Edmonton, Alberta to attend a few days of this very popular event.  It usually happens after the week of the Calgary Stampede (I think we also attended this some years).  But I remember my father prefers this and it was part of their summer holiday.  This year it is from July 18 to 27.  My sister and I were contemplating on attending but due to the unpredictable weather, we might not be able to make it.  It would be nice after many years that I have not checked it out.  Although they have a great line up of artists, it would be fun to see The Village People (nostalgic) and of course Tim McGraw (if you are a true country fan).  As we are not into rides (due to the height phobia), this part will not be very exciting for us.  Their food and crafts booth will be what we will check out, that is if we are going.  I did a little searching and I believe they are not serving Beaver Tails which would be the deal breaker for me.  

Terrible Thursday - Review of restaurants

Although I am not a food critic nor an expert in the service industry, sometimes I like featuring great restaurants that we have visited and share our experience.  Since I am visiting the city of Edmonton, we have made plans with friends and sometimes just stop for a bite because it was a perfect time to have lunch.  I've taken some photos to share but would also share our recent experience.  One thing for sure is that I can't really enjoy my dinner when there's a non stop screaming of kids beside, behind or across your table.  Don't get me wrong, I love children but not when you are trying to have conversation with friends who have not seen for a while and you can't hear each other. The other negative issue about some of these restaurants is that they don't tell you right away that they ran out of a particular dish, you will order it and a minute later say that is not available.  It doesn't happen just once, twice and even three times.  Some of the dishes are expensive and some of the dishes are easy to make and my sister can cook these dishes better and very inexpensive.  So check out these foods and if you are ever in the area, you can just try and be your own judge.

My friend Patti made us her black bean spaghetti salad with greens with miso dressing.

Mixed grill (chicken, pork and beef) from Manila Grill - full of flavor and tender.

Halo Halo from Max's -we didn't order this but the other patrons allowed me to take a photo.

Crab Fried Rice from Max's - lots of garlic but great flavor.

Fried milk fish also from Max's - not greasy, boneless and crunchy.

Tasty Tuesday - It has been a while

It has been seven years since I visited my sister who lives in western part of Canada.  While visiting she suggested that we try some of the foods that I have been craving or have not tried for a while.  I took some photos to share for this post.  Most of them are not the best choice but I thought that life is too short now to have them at least once after seven years, right.

Only available at KFC in Canada

Spicy poutine from McDonalds - not even close as a poutine

Pancit Palabok from a filipino restaurant - not even close to my sister's cooking.

KFC Poutine - it's ok but not as good as the ones they sell in Ottawa or Montreal

Stuck Sunday - Not children anymore

It's difficult to see parents who are currently stuck with adult children still dependent on them.  As a parent I'm very lucky to have children who were very responsible and respectful and I am blessed that they did not give me any kind of stress throughout their childhood and adulthood.  Today is Sunday and of course I think of my son who was a very good son.  He was a great and fun roommate and I would exchange anything to have him live with me forever even after he gets married and have children.  Unfortunately this would not happen.

My daughter even said one time when my son was still alive, that after I retire, I would be living with the son's family and look after his children.  That was just a wish.  So where is this post going.  Well, it's all about adult children who are still very dependent on their parents. We hear so much stories about parents having their single or divorced son or daughter living with them and sometimes with their children also.  Some of them could have a job but the rest of the day to day stuff would still be done by their parents.  These parents are stuck. Some of us would say, "kick them out as they are adults".  It's easy for us to say but I am sure those people would like to do it but it's their child, right?  What happens is that they would never get back on their feet because it's easier to stay even though it's a little embarrassing to say "they still live with their parents".  Can you actually just let them go and have them learn and live their life outside of your roof?  Does this make you a bad parent when you refuse to help them out or does this make you a good parent because you are not enabling them?  Today I hope that some of the parents gets the courage to do what is best for them and their adult children.  I wish them the best and hope that they have the strength to do it.  I truly miss my son specially when I hear stories of ungrateful children.  To all the sons and daughters, be respectful and don't abuse the kindness of your parents.  Be kind and love them as they did to you.

Sour Saturday - Be a Sport

Now that the Wimbledon Championship 2014 is on it's final two days, I wanted to do my post today specially for all the followers of tennis.  If you have ever played any sport, we all know that there's only one winner.  For us who just love the sport, whatever it might be, winning is wonderful but losing is also a part of it.  So why is it that some of these players are such a sore loser.  Some of them don't even let the winner enjoy their few minutes of fame and glory.  One even tap the shoulder of the winner as if saying, let's go, what are you waiting for.

The player did not even let her opponent have her moment.  What I cannot stand are those players who come up with a variety of reasons why they lost and not give credit to their opponent who might have had a good day and played very well.  Recently a comment was made by Shriver - she wondered: "Is this a drama? Is this an act?.  One would think that after all these years, they would learn from experience and accept their lose graciously as they would when they win.  When watching their after match press conference, you get to know how the players react, who answers each and every question professionally and honestly.  For all my favorites, good luck to the rest of your match.  For those who did not make it, be a Sport, move on and start practicing for the US Open 2014.

August 25 - September 8, 2014 ( Flushing Meadows, NY )

Fourth Friday - Happy 4th of July