I watched the Ice Hockey final game today, Canada vs. US.
I started from the 2nd period. Canada performed very well in the second period. The second goal was very elegant and beautiful. However, Canada was a little bit conservative in the 3rd period and was pressed by US. The dramatic goal by the US before the end of the game really destroyed the conservative dream of Team Canada.
In Overtime, Canada was revived again and played very well. Sidney Corsby's goal marked the end of the game and Canada won the gold medal of ice hockey. It's a perfect ending of the Winter Olympic. Canada won the most number of gold medal over all the Winter Olympic among all the countries. Canada won both men and women's curling and ice hockey. It all happened in Vancouver!!
I was so excited after the game. I yelled and screamed in the balcony.
I am proud of the Team Canada.
Go, Canada, Go!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Born to run
I just finished reading the book
The book is about ultra runner, a secret Mexican original group, and some ultra races.
The author tracked the mystery running man in a canyon in Mexican famous for ultra running (forget the name). He visited those people and met a guy who want to organize an ultra running race between American elite ultra runners and the Mexican tribe men.
In this book, he also discussed the "born to run" of human body, from both archaeology and evolution's perspectives. Some professors found that the human body was evolved to run long distance, human's brain and reasoning skills etc. were developed during hunting animals by chasing them down over a long distance. That's a really impressive discovery, but I believe so as I am a runner too. :-)
It's fun to read the book and get inspired by those ultra runners. I may run an ultra marathon like 100k sometimes this year or next year.
Monday, February 22, 2010
winter Olympic 2010
I watched the last section of Figure Skating - Ice Dance, Free Dance tonight. As I predicted last night, the Canadian team, Moir and Virtue, won the gold medal with a high margin. Frankly speaking, all the top three players performed very well in my eyes. But, the judges were definitely affected the audience in the stadium. Anyway, it's the first time non-Russian players won the ice dance of figure skating since 1960s. I am proud of them. The players are so young, only around 20s. They are been partners for 13 years. They are great potentials in this game, I believe.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
winter Olympic 2010
We went to Pacific Coliseum this afternoon to watch the Figure Skating - Ice Dance - Original Dance game. One Canada team ranked No. 1 after this game. This program consists of three sections, including compulsory dance, original dance, and free dance. Due to the host effect, I think, the Canadian players have higher chance of winning the final gold medal. Let's see that tomorrow.
You can really feel the host effect. When the Canadian players appeared on the ice, the whole stadium was filled with applaud, scream, and flags. Everyone was motivated and excited. I believe the judges were affected by the enthusiasm of all audience and have to give a high score for the performance. Admittedly, the performance of the Canadian players were pretty good, but I can't really tell the difference from other top players from the eyes of an amateur. Anyway, to watch the Olympic game in the field is my first time experience.
It's quite a good experience.
You can really feel the host effect. When the Canadian players appeared on the ice, the whole stadium was filled with applaud, scream, and flags. Everyone was motivated and excited. I believe the judges were affected by the enthusiasm of all audience and have to give a high score for the performance. Admittedly, the performance of the Canadian players were pretty good, but I can't really tell the difference from other top players from the eyes of an amateur. Anyway, to watch the Olympic game in the field is my first time experience.
It's quite a good experience.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
new business idea
Develop a similar system of opentable in China. Universal booking system.
* embedded device with 2G/3G connection, may use SMS for communication
* based on cheap cellphone reference platform with SMS support
* touchscreen support
* may be deployed to high-end restaurant, entertainment center, or any other booking required places
* application running on embedded device to accept reservation order, manage order
* different level of applications, charge different monthly fee
* lite version
* pro version
* premium version
* client software for easy booking running on iphone or other smart phone
* may use SMS to book from client
* may book online
* use SMS for confirmation, or phone call from the venue
* server software to send booking info, accept client SMS
* client use cellphone number to register, accumulate cash points
* embedded device with 2G/3G connection, may use SMS for communication
* based on cheap cellphone reference platform with SMS support
* touchscreen support
* may be deployed to high-end restaurant, entertainment center, or any other booking required places
* application running on embedded device to accept reservation order, manage order
* different level of applications, charge different monthly fee
* lite version
* pro version
* premium version
* client software for easy booking running on iphone or other smart phone
* may use SMS to book from client
* may book online
* use SMS for confirmation, or phone call from the venue
* server software to send booking info, accept client SMS
* client use cellphone number to register, accumulate cash points
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Buying a House
We celebrated the new year's eve with Ying and her mom at my home. We made dumplings together. Ying had brought traditional food made by her mom. I love the pork skin jello.
We went to White Rock for another house visit trip on Sunday again. We finally decided to go for the previous offered house again, by raising the offer for 5%. The seller accepted our offer on Monday. It's an important milestone of our house purchase.
We are now busily working on mortgage, house inspection, and everything before the final deal closure.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
house visit
We are busily checking on houses this week. We went to White Rock on Monday afternoon to checkout 6 houses. The following is my summary of the house visit.
1. This one is in a location of good elementary and high school. Quite community. 1,800 sqrt.
One living room, one dinning room, and one office downstairs. 3 small bedrooms plus a small den upstairs.
The owner is a retired accountant. The house has some recent upgrade with new roof, new ceiling, driveway, and window.
2. This one is in a corner of two not-so-busy street. But the traffic can definitely be heard.
This one has a rented suite $700/month downstairs. The upstairs has a big living room and three bedrooms.
3. This one is on a busy street. It has a rented suite $610/month downstairs. A two stage living room with 3 bedrooms upstairs.
4. This one is not decorated. 1,800 sqrt wit quite community. 3 bedrooms w/o den upstairs.
5. This is the agent's own house. A big one with a lot of living room spaces. Good community with good schools.
6. This one is in a quite community. A fan shaped area with small entry. The room are spacious. 3,000 sqrt. The style is quite interesting, looks luxury.
I am pretty interested in the 1st one and the 6th one, if the price are reasonable.
1. This one is in a location of good elementary and high school. Quite community. 1,800 sqrt.
One living room, one dinning room, and one office downstairs. 3 small bedrooms plus a small den upstairs.
The owner is a retired accountant. The house has some recent upgrade with new roof, new ceiling, driveway, and window.
2. This one is in a corner of two not-so-busy street. But the traffic can definitely be heard.
This one has a rented suite $700/month downstairs. The upstairs has a big living room and three bedrooms.
3. This one is on a busy street. It has a rented suite $610/month downstairs. A two stage living room with 3 bedrooms upstairs.
4. This one is not decorated. 1,800 sqrt wit quite community. 3 bedrooms w/o den upstairs.
5. This is the agent's own house. A big one with a lot of living room spaces. Good community with good schools.
6. This one is in a quite community. A fan shaped area with small entry. The room are spacious. 3,000 sqrt. The style is quite interesting, looks luxury.
I am pretty interested in the 1st one and the 6th one, if the price are reasonable.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Alumni Party Succeeded
We had a successful alumni party yesterday. Around 60 alumni and relatives attended the new year party. The party was in potluck style, everyone brought food to share with others. The committee provided drink, fruit and snacks, a lot of sunflower seeds and peanuts. Unfortunately, I had cracked the crown I just installed last Dec. What the hell? The crown is so fragile?
Many alumni have discussed about donation to the association. However, as nobody had followed up on this topic, the good time of collect some money for the association ended with nothing.
Some new alumni have come to the party, but many old ones are missing.
In general, the party is succeeded. But, we may need to organize more activities to increase the connection of alumni.
Many alumni have discussed about donation to the association. However, as nobody had followed up on this topic, the good time of collect some money for the association ended with nothing.
Some new alumni have come to the party, but many old ones are missing.
In general, the party is succeeded. But, we may need to organize more activities to increase the connection of alumni.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
diet is the king
Let's discuss the weight loss here again.
I have the plateau of 160lb for over one month since December of 2009. I had increased the work-out time and the running mileage was increased gradually based on my training plan. However, I didn't lose a single pound since X'mas. I finally figured out that the diet is the king. Although I had increased calories burning through weight training and cardio, I had also increased calories intake since the Christmas season. So, my weight is stabilized at 160lb for such a long time.
As I had realized this point since last week, I have to control my diet further with lighter lunch and without any night snack. The weight finally dropped to below 160lbs. I have recorded the new low point of 157.8lb this week.
So, the diet is the king of weight loss. You have to be very careful with every tiny bite of food, including snack and drink. My typical meal everyday is like the following:
* Breakfast: Oatmeal, 1/4 cup of milk, some blueberries or grape.
* Lunch: two pieces of whole wheat bread with 2 tablespoon of peanut butter, a bowel of green salad with low-fat dressing.
* Late after snack: one banana, one/two small apple, one/two orange, before or after work-out. Sometimes, two pieces of digestive cookie.
* Dinner: vegetable, fish, or pork, chicken soup or vegetable soup.
I felt that dinner right now is the most calories meal in a day. The vegetables and meat are usually cooked with too much salt and oil. I may further cut the dinner calories intake if I have another weight plateau.
I am glad now that I am keeping losing weight after the plateau period.
I have the plateau of 160lb for over one month since December of 2009. I had increased the work-out time and the running mileage was increased gradually based on my training plan. However, I didn't lose a single pound since X'mas. I finally figured out that the diet is the king. Although I had increased calories burning through weight training and cardio, I had also increased calories intake since the Christmas season. So, my weight is stabilized at 160lb for such a long time.
As I had realized this point since last week, I have to control my diet further with lighter lunch and without any night snack. The weight finally dropped to below 160lbs. I have recorded the new low point of 157.8lb this week.
So, the diet is the king of weight loss. You have to be very careful with every tiny bite of food, including snack and drink. My typical meal everyday is like the following:
* Breakfast: Oatmeal, 1/4 cup of milk, some blueberries or grape.
* Lunch: two pieces of whole wheat bread with 2 tablespoon of peanut butter, a bowel of green salad with low-fat dressing.
* Late after snack: one banana, one/two small apple, one/two orange, before or after work-out. Sometimes, two pieces of digestive cookie.
* Dinner: vegetable, fish, or pork, chicken soup or vegetable soup.
I felt that dinner right now is the most calories meal in a day. The vegetables and meat are usually cooked with too much salt and oil. I may further cut the dinner calories intake if I have another weight plateau.
I am glad now that I am keeping losing weight after the plateau period.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
house visit
Linda and I went to visit a house on sale tonight. This rancher home is built in 1965, with brick outside and hardwood floor. The lot is around 8,000 sf and the house is about 1,600 sf with 3 bedrooms.
The current tenants are Korean couple with kids. The house is maintained well. The pros of the house is that it close to Lougheed town center with 5 minutes walking distance to skytrain station. The cons is that the space is a bit limited without any basement structure. The price is reasonable asking for $580,000.
It's still on my candidate list though. But Linda said it is so-so as the space is too limited.
The current tenants are Korean couple with kids. The house is maintained well. The pros of the house is that it close to Lougheed town center with 5 minutes walking distance to skytrain station. The cons is that the space is a bit limited without any basement structure. The price is reasonable asking for $580,000.
It's still on my candidate list though. But Linda said it is so-so as the space is too limited.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
buy new house
With the coming of the new baby, I think it is time to think about purchasing a new house. My current apartment is too crammed with 4 adults and one baby to come.
As I discussed with friends, I realized that the following aspects should be considered when purchasing new home.
* Location, location, location. Usually the location is the most important part of the house, and it is already an accumulated factor of other factors like neighbor, school zone, etc. Within the location aspects, the following factors could be considered sub-aspects of location, like:
* neighbor: security, neighbor people
* environment: park, view
* convenience: shopping center, community center, library, sports facilitates,
* transportation: commute, bus, skytrain, highway access
* House. The house itself is the next important part as it is the main dwelling place for the family for a not-short time, usually 5-10 years. For the house, the following factors should be considered before the purchase.
* building quality: main framework, leaking, foundation
* layout: number of bedrooms, bathrooms, functional areas, full/crawl basement
* rental suite: separate entry, legal or not, second kitchen
* orientation: south backyard, lighting condition, fengshui
* roof, plumbing, outside wall
* garden, big trees
* kitchen, bathroom
* appliance
* Price. Of course, the price is the most influential factor to buy a house. Within a certain budget, you are confident to checkout the house, otherwise, you won't probably checkout the house anyway.
As I discussed with friends, I realized that the following aspects should be considered when purchasing new home.
* Location, location, location. Usually the location is the most important part of the house, and it is already an accumulated factor of other factors like neighbor, school zone, etc. Within the location aspects, the following factors could be considered sub-aspects of location, like:
* neighbor: security, neighbor people
* environment: park, view
* convenience: shopping center, community center, library, sports facilitates,
* transportation: commute, bus, skytrain, highway access
* House. The house itself is the next important part as it is the main dwelling place for the family for a not-short time, usually 5-10 years. For the house, the following factors should be considered before the purchase.
* building quality: main framework, leaking, foundation
* layout: number of bedrooms, bathrooms, functional areas, full/crawl basement
* rental suite: separate entry, legal or not, second kitchen
* orientation: south backyard, lighting condition, fengshui
* roof, plumbing, outside wall
* garden, big trees
* kitchen, bathroom
* appliance
* Price. Of course, the price is the most influential factor to buy a house. Within a certain budget, you are confident to checkout the house, otherwise, you won't probably checkout the house anyway.
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