Hot Time in the City

It's been a really wonderful summer so far, weather-wise. Hubby and I didn't really have any trip planned for the summer. Doesn't mean that I still can't enjoy it, just by being out and about in the city...

Hope you're having just as wonderful a summer!

The Dog Days of Summer

The last few days have been quite full. With good stuff, anyways...

... part of the garden by City Hall

... celebrating a birthday by the beach

Spanish Banks

... facing downtown

... waiting for sunset

... just watching the tiny waves

... having fun by the water

... going

... gone

... enjoying summer (from inside the office)

... out with friends

... another gorgeous evening

... at Brazilfest... reminds me of childhood in the Philippines

yucca and chicharron, yum!

Ahhh... the dog days of summer... you're more than welcome to linger...

"I am So Smart... s-m-r-t!"

A woman at work and I could not have picked a better time to walk home than this afternoon *snort*. First of all, it was hot! Second, we decided to take a different route tonight and headed more west. West! In the afternoon! And boy, did that sun shine brightly! On our faces! Are we smart, or are we smart! By the time we walked into a store, I dunno about her, but I felt really icky. I must have sweated an arm or something.

But, along the way, the city did kinda make up for our "smart" decision (not that it was the city's fault)...

For brief moments, I did forget how hard the sun was beating down on us just looking at this view. And since we were close to the water of all, we did get moments of respite from the heat thanks to the sea breeze.

Ah, summer...

Local by Day, Tourist by Night, er, Afternoon

One of the nice things about working at a different office (to compensate at least for being away from my element and peeps), is the change of scenery, especially since I walk home. So, for the last 2 weeks, I've walked in parts of town that I normally don't venture into, not so much because they're far, I'm still walking after all, but more because I've never found a need, that's all.

What makes it nicer is the fact that along the way are tourist areas that as a local, should probably bother me because of the too many people ambling around but I actually enjoy, in moderation, of course. I thought it's quite interesting trying to see things from their eyes. It makes me appreciate my town even more, in a way.

Gastown Steam Clock

I say for the view, I'm willing enough to not focus on the more than usual number of people out and about, although for some reason, there weren't that many when I took these pix yesterday.

Anyhoot, earlier tonight, was able to get into an advanced screening of Total Recall. While waiting for the movie to start, I thought it was quite interesting hearing the conversation of the people sitting next to me. One of them said he's seen it and he guessed the effect was good for its time *gasp*. To which the other person responded that she's never seen the original *bigger gasp* Sheesh, am I that old?!? The movie itself, in my humble opinion, was more of an homage than a remake. Keeping in mind that I've probably seen the original bajillion times so I'm quite familiar with the scenes, I find they switched the scenes around. It didn't have as many funny scenes as the original either. Oh, and some of the funny parts were lost, I thought, on the audience 'cause they were alluding to scenes from the original and the "younger" ones didn't get it, I suppose. And most interesting part, for me, was casting Bryan Cranston as the baddie. Not that he was not good (hel-lo, Breaking Bad!), just wasn't expected, that's all, for me, anyways.

But do I like it? Heck, yeah. Colin Farrell, after all... HAH!

Oh, The Weather Outside Is...

Last night, along with a couple of friends, we decided, last minute, to check out the Vancouver Christmas Market.

It was such a treat, I thought! If this place doesn't put you in a Christmas spirit, I don't know what will.

Jack-o-lantern? Christmas? Hmmm...

Not sure what those are called, but they're the most adorable things! You can put incense sticks inside and as it burns, the smoke comes out in a tiny hole. Cute!

O Christmas tree!

Believe it or not, those are soaps!!! Made in Turkey. Cray cray, right?

... more soaps...

There was something for everyone...

And in true winter form, it was a chilly night. With all the food stalls at the market, offering all kinds of wonderful German treats (and libation), we did think we were going to stay, but it just got too nippy for us.

So, with a cup of hot cider on hand, we finished walking around and headed somewhere warm:p

Mushroom soup, mmm, mmm, mmm...

With a glass of wine on one hand, and a spoon to scoop the yummy goodness, belly warmed up quite nicely in the end. Hah!

Paint the Lips Red

Whoever said always have dessert first is on to something. Ok, I'm not really sure if anybody really said that but I say a good idea is a good idea, no?

So even before we stepped out for dinner last night, I had my cake and ate it too! HAH

Ricotta filling, how can you go wrong?!? It's one of my fave cakes, obviously.

With a slice of cake polished off, we headed out for dinner shortly after. I figure, what better time to start wearing my dark(er) lipsticks than on a night like last night. See, another thing I love about fall is being able to wear darker shade on my lips. I realize too that I look better with darker lips. Hmmm, if that's the case, then I really should be wearing them all year round, right? No? Yes? No...

Pure lipstick (#65)

And for dinner, we went the classic route.

Prime rib with yorkshire pudding, mashed potato and veggies

This morning, I woke up the time my body wanted to wake up. Sweeeeeeet! And it turned out to be quite a nice day. And when you weren't expecting it, it was even nicer.

Decided to go for brunch at the art gallery. Sitting on the garden patio, it felt good to feel the sun on my face while eating my salad.

Ahi tuna nicoise salad

Capicollo, red pepper, spinach & asiago tart

Well... the week is flying by real fast... what's that they say? Time flies when you're having fun. Yeah, let's just say that that's what it is...

Table for One

This is so funny coz it's so true, typically, for the city, but not today. Apparently, they get it right, once in a while.

courtesy of metronews.ca

I went outside briefly at our balcony this morning, and this is what greeted me.

Wasn't really planning to go out today. But I got hungry and didn't feel like making anything. So, just like some of my decisions lately, I decided last minute to try this new ramen place that recently opened nearby. I figure, hubby's working and this kind of food is not really his thing, I've been meaning to try this place since it opened, I don't feel like waiting for the weekend again to try this place with friends perhaps, and it's raining, so what better way to warm the belly up.

Rainboots, check. Ok, I'm ready.

Tretorn rainboots from Winners

 This place, as its sign says, before it opened, originated in SoCal (haven't heard of it when lived there, they may have opened after), and apparently, "one of the must-have food before you die" or something like that. Now, how can you not be tempted by such declaration!

I ended up ordering this.


Shio Tonkotsu Ramen- HAKATA Pork Premium rich broth Pork Broth : Pork chashu, Spinach, Bamboo, Green onion , Flied onion
-Limited to 20 servings a day -  (this is the description, right from their website)

 I thought I would go for their spicy soup, but this soup came recommended, not counting the fact that this cost the most. This is their signature soup, their most popular one, apparently. I asked why they only served 20 a day. I don't remember what the girl said. I don't think I got a real answer. Maybe she wasn't expecting to be asked that question at that moment. O well. I ordered it anyway.

This soup is not for the "light" of heart. Hello? Pork belly! I know it looked a tad monochromatic. For sure, it was rich, for a soup!

I can't say for sure that this is the best ramen I've had. It IS good, that much I'd say. The pork belly is so tender, it melts in your mouth. I guess this place can give the established ramen places on Denman St a run for their money. Hey, the more, the merrier, right?