Weekend iPhonography

Welcome back to my little world. After a lot of thinking, if I should keep this blog going, it should be for a good cause, (that was the original intention) and I intend to keep it that way. To share my little world most specially with my families and friends, who are not with me physically but whom I would like to be part of my humble little world. So life must go on and with no further ado, here are some of the weekend photos I took with my honey's iPhone4s which I dedicate most specially to my younger brothers, Jojo and Arnel who have unfortunately been very sick and still don't lose hope of their dreams that one day, they'd join me here in Canada. The last photo is kind of funny and ironic in a way because I was hoping that I would win the lotto max on Friday night so I can help them recover faster and get them to see Canada. Maybe next time, we'll keep trying--and dreaming, right?


I went on a walking spree and took advantage of the scenery while my honey was on job assignment right on that penthouse up on the building behind the Coast Bastion.


Spent my only toonie to explore the Museum after my exploration on each consignment shop opened along the way...


The Marina was at its peak, beautiful, blue sunny sky reflecting the water....


See that tall building up there? Had we won the lotto, my honey would have told the owner to pack and sell their penthouse to us right away. Since we didn't, you still have the chance to spend your 1.2 million if you want to live up where you can see the world around you. Gorgeous! Watch for his website, he'd be sharing a pano soon...


I walked and walked around and didn't get tired of this beauty....


The weather was just perfect: sunny and cooler. Fall is definitely around the corner.


I took another shot of Diana Krall's signature on the walkway by the Museum, and listened to the loud screaming noises of birds right on top of the building on the other side.


Couldn't find any sign if photography is allowed so I snapped away. That coin is supposed to tell you stories but didn't work for me.


Snapshot of the museum inside....


Snoopy, really? And those desks just reminded me of Elementary....


Here we met and ate, facing the Marina. It was late afternoon and we had time to dream...


Better luck next time and to my brothers, and to you my family and loved ones, hope and dreams are free. We'll hold on to them....

What we did Saturday....

Yes, it was one of those temperamental days that once you wake up with dark clouds, you just feel like doing nothing but stay in bed!


But after a while, you realized that it can be worst so off we went for a drive just to get out, hoping for a better day....unprepared for this!


We ate dim sum for brunch at Shanghai City restaurant.
We decided to walk the oil and fats we just consumed.
We parked the car way far from our destination under the heat of the sun. (we found out that Nanaimo was sunny!)
We also found out that it was the bath tub weekend as we approached some people wearing pirate costume, with matching mustache and eyepatch, and a partner!
We watched and listened to 3 concerts going on side by side at the park, one with a soloist screaming his lungs for donation at the sidewalk.
We looked at military vehicles, machines and bombs on display and collected some free stickers and pens while at it.


We read a few of the plaques on the walls on our way to the park.
We decided not to pay the beer and watched along with youngsters what was going on at the main event since we could hear the live concert anyways, and we can tell some possible trouble coming.


We sat and wondered if those rocks are actually standing on top of each others' tips. What a balance!
We ate expensive ice-cream and watched the planes coming and going with passengers, and found out a new company opened with a sale of $65.00 one way trip to Vancouver. Cheap!


We found this big frame and hope to go back with a nicer photo framing the whole background with not many people around.
We realized that the iPhone was loosing charge so we had to go home.
Maybe next time or maybe you can take a better one if you get the chance. Until then, hope this rain will not stay that long... Hugs!

I wonder....

As I was watching our flower garden the other day, I was amaze to find this hole dug on my bed of flowers! I wonder if it was that wild rabbit's hole that ran from here in the morning?


Meanwhile, ever saw a raccoon doing his thing while he stares at you taking photos of him?


This little town of mine makes me wonder at times... with all the little creatures I get to discover everyday, I'm a little wary even in the daylight! What's the strangest thing have you discovered in your area lately?

Weekend Foodie

Sunday was another craving for some exotic food around here. The one thing you have to know about our little town, it may be more popular to the Asian community than the year I moved here 6 years ago, but there hasn't been any good Chinese restaurant to go to, to satisfy that craving. So we headed on to the one we discovered the best not long ago, 25 minutes drive from Parksville. Say hello to Shanghai City Restaurant!


So far, they offer the best Cantonese/Shanghainese food we ever tried in the mid-island of Vancouver.


We didn't have any intention to have Dim Sum after the bad experience we had in one of the most crowded places in Victoria. But the lady owner who was rolling her cart around was so friendly to pass. The restaurant is owned, managed and served by this friendly Chinese family.


I could see the smoke coming thru the baskets and as soon as our friendly server pulled out the first basket, I was in! You can tell the scare on my honey's face....


But to our surprise, the first bite of our "har gou" was fresh and delicious! The Shanghai meat dumplings were meaty and juicy. The pork spareribs won my honey's heart. The shrimp "siu mai" was less fatty than the ones I had before. Our friendly server also introduced us to their new recipe of dumplings that wasn't on the menu. The dough was thicker but more tasty than the rest, and delish!


We were full, happy and in heaven. But with my craving for the sticky rice, I couldn't help to ask for more...stuffed tofu included.


The "gai lan" was just refreshing with all these heavy carbo and protein we devoured. Next time, we know where to go for dim sum.


And all that, it only cost $37.00 some odd dollars, with tip, not bad. Besides, my fortune cookie re-assured me that....


With happy tummies and smiley faces, I think we're set to face this week's challenge. Have a great one and thank you, Shanghai City!

The Bayside

Once in a while, we'd love to sit, relax and enjoy a spectacular view, just watching, listening to some music and the whispers of voices around. What better way to enjoy this than having it over a glass of good wine and good food!

I posted about this place in Parksville way back the first year I had my blog. It must be the only place for restaurants, that showcases a spectacular view where you can enjoy the whole scenery of the Parksville beach. Of all seasons we've been there, I'd say spring is the most I enjoy it. The beach looks so calm and beautiful barren from the table where we are usually seated. My side of the view can get busy and be full of people from all over the world at summertime.

See the white capped mountains? Just gorgeous! This is my honey's side of the table. Honestly, this whole view is visible to all patrons of the restaurant whichever table you get, be it by the window or the lounge. I love how they kept the design as it was when built in the early 80s, and I love that there's an access to go out there and enjoy a walk at the beach. I also love the fact that it's not just a restaurant but one of the known resorts/hotels here in town, and that you can go upstairs on the other side where you can enjoy your drinks, sunshine and a louder crowd. But this Sunday, it was so relaxing to just sit here and stare while we were enjoying a light lunch. We could have sat there for ever....


His lunch: hot chicken wings...

My lunch: seafood chowder, really good!

Creme brulee for dessert: raspberry, white chocolate, cream...

Just the right amount at the right place, with a gorgeous weather!

1st Spring Weekend in Photos

Another gorgeous day to you and me... so how are you enjoying the weekend so far? If you may ask, I'm still in my house coat and contemplating on laundry. But before I go further, I just wanted to share more photos and this time from the good ol' fashioned photography, with my best friend, NIKON. It was such a beautiful morning that I made an escape while my honey was working at his office. Still frosty and cold but hey, when it's sunny like that, take advantage! Spring here is so unpredictable and it could snow again for all you know. So here are some of the photos I took on my venture. Hope you'll enjoy them as much as I still do.

So glad I came early! I was able to gather a lot from this meeting!

Moving on, Mr. Crow was having some time alone up there....

Ooops! I feel like I'm being followed....

And look what they leave behind?

see the white specks on the ground? feather everywhere...

Time to go....

and one more of the millions of these (I might post a seperate blog).

Have a great Sunday!