The weather was too nice in the afternoon to stay home, so I took a stroll at the nearby Richmond Green. Saw countless Canada geese by the pond, almost forgot to include them in my list of Canadian things to sketch!
Parks here seem to be lacking sufficient shading even though solar radiation seems to be particularly strong in the summer.
Went shopping for appropriate shoes to attend my friend’s upcoming wedding. There were 2 things that I noticed – the malls in Canada are empty of people (compared to HK) and everything is made in China! Why can’t they just let me buy the stuff in HK, then it won’t need to travel so long and emit so much more GHG?!
Was out for dinner with a good friend and then drinks with my EE2003 buddies, and thanks to friends, I was treated without having to pay for anything! I promise I’ll treat you guys back if you visit HK!
Had lunch at the only Chinese restaurant that’s at a walkable distance from my place yesterday. Amazed that the owners still remembered me after my ~2 years absence! Family restaurants with a sense of warmth and locality like this is hard to go by in HK where franchises and big corporations dominate the business.
Finally filed my tax for 2010 in the afternoon. I didn’t have any income for the last year, so $0 tax balance for me!
Treated for dinner by a friend at night, I promised to return the favor when he visits HK.
Met up with a couple of friends for lunch yesterday, one of them is here for family matters and will be returning to HK, and the other will be relocating to Beijing soon. It’s interesting how all of us are or will be Asia-based but ended up meeting here in North America.
Renewed my driver’s license on my way back home. It just needed a photo at the spot and a CAN$75 payment, I don’t quite understand why the Canadian Gov. is making their citizens come back every few years just to do that!
Had lunch with my ex-colleagues from GS1 Canada yesterday. It was nice seeing everyone good and well. I was told that some of the systems I implemented 3-4 years ago as prototypes were still being used, glad to know that I left behind some good quality and useful work.
Thankful that I crossed path with so many nice and helpful people.
Arrived safely to Toronto. The plane ride was not as dreaded as I anticipated. After arriving, I still have the energy to pick up a car from my brother’s friend, grab a cup of Timmys, visit Canadian Tire, and drop by BTBC.
Was really exhausted at night with blood-shot eyes. Slept from 9-2, then woke up to read a little, and fell back to sleep again from 3-7am. Feeling quite well-rested this morning and ready to explore the place I left ~2 years ago!
Realized that I missed my chance of getting a laptop for my trip to Toronto, I figured I might as well try to free myself from staring at a computer screen for a few weeks.
Bought myself a new sketchbook and pens, thinking about indulging myself in a sketching feast in the coming weeks…
Took an inventory of the flora and fauna I have acquired since returning to HK.
There are 30+ pots of plants (mainly succulents and cacti) and an aquarium with 6 corydoras, 7 neon tetras, 10+ cherry shrimps, 6+ assassin snails, and lots of aquatic vegetation. I can honestly claim that I’m making good use of my prior Environmental Science education!
Instructed my mother on how to care for them while I’m away to Toronto. Since low-maintenance was one of the top design priorities, the living things I had been keeping are quite hardy and should only need care once a week.
Just when I thought school is finally over for me, I received a phone call on Monday morning saying that I have failed one of my assignments. FAILED?! I’ve received low grades but I can’t remember the last time I failed in any academic course! My ego overwhelmed me and manifested itself into anger, rage, fear, impatience,…
I skimmed through other submissions, and in comparison, my assignment was admittedly below par. Anger and fear slowly subsided as I immediately pulled myself together to completely re-do the assignment.
Worked past 3am in the last two days and the assignment was finally completed and re-submitted tonight. RELIEF!! May this finally be the last of my academic days.
I’m thankful for being given the opportunity to re-submit my assignment. I’ve learned my lesson to stay humble always and not let my ego take a foothold inside me – the emotions of rage and fear are really less than pleasant.
Busy cleaning up my place recently. About 75% done for my studio, and there’s also the bedroom and bathroom that I’ve yet to start. Got to get everything done before leaving for Toronto on the 29th. The way I’m rushing through everything and trying to properly leave behind the things for my family to take care of felt like the weeks before I move back to HK about 2 years ago.
Went out to shop for furnishings in the afternoon, saw these orange flowering trees dotting all over the neighborhood, they seemed to be more vibrant than last year.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
© 2023 Tony Law's Website. All Rights Reserved.
