Tamar Development Exhibition

The most expensive empty piece of land in Hong Kong, the Tamar site, will soon be developed into complexes of office spaces for the Government of Hong Kong - Central Government Complex and Legislative Council Complex.

The site Tamar is former location of the British naval headquarters for the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong, and is also one of the last remaining empty waterfront sites along Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

Design proposals are online so be sure to check them out!

Design A

Design B

Design C


Design D



http://www.tamar.gov.hk
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUBOS!

What a night of bar hopping...The Tap, James Joyce, and lastly the Madison.
I am so happy for you Lubos and Keythai when I heard that you made a huge purchase together - a place that you two will soon call home! I wish you all the best in your endeavours! Happy Birthday! (Mar 21) Read more!

Dragon Boat

Thanks to Iris, I have joined a training program for dragon boat races. What I have joined is actually the most intense workout I have ever encountered, ever! Painful, torturous, intense... but it's some good pain for my couch-potato body.

That's every thursday night! My support group includes, obviously, Iris, her colleague Yan and Simon! We must work as a team for some motivation, otherwise I don't think I can keep up!!!! Read more!

St Paddy's

St Patrick's Day was a great day to chill out with some friends namely Matthew Mos and Iris. The location was the appropriately named Green Room on Bloor St West. Though Guinness came in a can, at least the place is called "green" ... for St. Paddy's day. No green beer this time but it's totally fine with me. I don't think you can add any food colouring to the already dark Guinness anyway. =P Read more!

i'm

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Nathan Phillips Square Design Competition

My first visit to the Council Chamber
at Toronto City Hall!

After a dinner at Salad King with Cris and Timo and a little walk through Eaton's Centre and the Bay, we headed to the city hall for the display and presentation.
It was a presentation of the Design Competition proposals for Nathan Phillips Square. Each of the four design teams (finalists) had 20 minutes to present their work.

It's just great to see that our city Toronto gets serious about good architecture and design! You can also take part in this competition by writing your comments to the city by Feb 26.


Which one do you like?
http://www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition/index.htm

Baird Sampson Neuert Architects


Plant Architect Inc.


Rogers Marvel Architects


Zeidler Partnership Architects



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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX J!

First part of the two-day celebration happens tonight at the Brasserie!
BEST WISHES + HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX! Read more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG!

Wishing you a productive year
with plenty of happiness and health!

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Easy ... brunch

Easy is an eatery in Parkdale at the end of Queen St W where it meets King St W and The Queensway. Timo was my partner-in-crime on this adventure for Sunday brunch. On a chilly and clear day, the streetcar ride on Queen St seemed shorter than I expected.

Beyond the Gladstone Hotel, Queen St took on a quiet vibe on a sunday morning.

When we walked in, the place was almost full except one booth table available! Timo and I were starving by the time so we ordered our caffeine fix (two big bowls of strong Lattes!) and some real lunch!

Chicken breast and avocado sandwich with salad was my meal, while Timo got 6oz steak and eggs with homefries! After we placed the order, we then managed to slowly take in the 60s movie posters (Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry...) on the walls and the old-fashioned tables that are tightly placed, things that make it a very cozy and interesting place! Then it was all window shopping on King and Queen St...

Easy
1645 Queen St W
Toronto ON


With good friend and good conversation it was yet another good sunday!
Next time it's Timo's recommendation: Sunset Grill =P
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souvenirs from japan

Fire (Donkey Kong)


Stylus for Nintendo DS
Coin from Mario Bros.

Many thanks to Angela C. for the souvenirs!!!
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Two Weeks...

Let's see what I did in the past two weeks.
All I can remember is the food I consumed. haha.
Here is a recap:

Sports (that's right i am doing some!)
- Badminton on Mondays
- Skating on Sundays/Wednesdays


Birthday cake for Mos~

- Mos' birthday party at Joon's - yummy Korean table-top cooked dishes (with Mozzarella cheese) and hotpots. Excellent service...
- Tea at Oliver and Bonaccini (Bayview Village) with Matt and Mos. We shared a dessert platter, very filling! =P

Jan 28
- Skating at Nathan Philip Square
- Winterlicious at Oyster Boy (with Matt Timo Mos Cris), where we each ordered a set dinner from Winterlicious menu, shared a bottle of French white wine [Coing de Sèvre Muscadet 2004 (France)], a doz. P.E.I. oysters and a plate of Fish&Chips.
- Drinks at Shallow Groove for Katrina's belated birthday.

Jan 29
- Brunch at Mars on College St. Had the usual two eggs with sausages + tea. So greasy and so good! =P
- Shopping on Queen St. got a wallet by Goorin at Lavish&Squalor.
- Supper at I Maid Cafe. Mos and I shared egg wrapped rice with chicken curry.
- Dinner (an hour after the supper) at a Korean Restaurant where we had very good ginseng chicken soup, seafood pancake, spicy sweet and sour chicken, beef ribs, and last but not least the six side dishes that expanded to over 12 plates (refills)...haha. Special treats from the cute waitress. She gave us Yokault-like drinks (one extra pack just for Mos, lucky you!!!)


The wallet

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Hockey Day In Canada 2007

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ROM + Salvadorean

On the second last day of the Italian + Design show at the ROM, Timo and I went just in time to avoid the lineup. It was just perfect timing that we avoided the line that extended to Bloor St from the temporary entrance on University!!!

Since we managed to save an hour by not being in the end of the line (we'd still waited for 45 minutes to get in), we spent a good amount of time checking out Italian designs from the 20th century. Most prominent from the collection were the house electronics and furniture! I'd say some look more contemporary than what is being manufactured today!

After a good walk through all the exhibits, we walked along Bloor St west, past the Annex into K-town. Instead of Korean food, we opted for Mexican/Salvadorean at Tacos el Asador. The price was fantastic! Timo and I ate so much!!! We absolutely splurged on the occasion. We tried most of the items on menu, namely the Tacos, Burritos, Tamales (wrapped in banana leaf, kinda like dimsum sticky rice)... and of course, iced-cold beer!
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Italian Arts + Design the 20th Century

Time is running out for this exhibition at the ROM!



This friday is the last day to get discounted
admission to the museum that includes the
above exhibition through ROM Friday Night $5.
The exhibition ends on the 7th of this month.

for more info:
http://www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/special/italianarts.php Read more!

WINTERLICIOUS 2007

for more info...

List of Participating Restaurants
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Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients: Chocolate, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and
green apples
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Mii

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La Bamboche

Green Tea Mousse + Caramel Pear Mousse
http://www.labamboche.ca Read more!

TTC + Google Map

Torontoist reported that TTC Ride Guide PDF and Google Map have been combined together along with Sean Lerner's TTC Rider Efficiency Guide. The result is this amazing Toronto Transit Map created by Ian Stevens!

via Torontoist
Toronto Transit Map

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Festival of Lights

at the Kensington Market

when:
Thursday, December 21, 2006
6:00pm to 10:00pm

where:
Kensington Market
S. of College St, W. of Spadina Ave.
Toronto, Ontario

"Every year on December 21 there is an amazing parade of lights and music and silliness through Kensington Market followed by a celebration of fire in Bellevue Park"

for more info:
http://upcoming.org/event/109500
http://www.redpepperspectaclearts.org/ Read more!

Playing Wii on 1.5-inch TV

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Nintendo Family Tree

I remember those days when I played with my NES or more recently with the Famicom! Now, here is your chance to get a T-shirt with the print of Nintendo Family Tree!

via Nerdy Shirts
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Architectural Gingerbread Houses

It looks familiar?
This gingerbread house is the design of British Architect Will Alsop, who also designed the OCAD addition in Toronto. Check out the other architectural gingerbread houses here.

via The Star
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KKG Playing in Toronto!

KKG = Knock Knock Ginger!
They're one awesome band that started out in Guelph, Ontario. With the success of their first EP album Hurry! comes another just-released EP album Based On A True Story!

Upcoming Shows
December, 6 2006 (Wed) at The Boat 9pm
158 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario
Pitter Patter night w/North of Summer and Mariposa

December, 7 2006 (Thur) at Starlight 8pm
47 King St. N, Waterloo, Ontario
CD Release! w/The D'Urbervilles

via KKG's Website

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Virtual City

The art of street-mapping is evolving rapidly.
From map quest to google map, now there's
a new one in town called Virtual City, which
includes series of panoramic photographs
according to the location you click on the map!
Thanks to Ptmsync for the link!

via Article: Globe and Mail

Virtual City - Toronto
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Earth Tones

Great night we had at the Earth Tones Benefit Concert! Angela, her friend Bonnie, Matt, Cris and I started the evening at a mexican restaurant on Baldwin Street. We had trawberry margaritas, tortillas, enchilatas, garlic shrimps...
Concert at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto was brilliant! A variety of music was performed by a group of very talented med students at UofT. Thanks to Angela for hooking us up with the advanced tickets!

I liked the violin/viola/cello quartet and the funk music!!

Chris Matt and I continued our evening at the Green Room on Bloor for some night snacks "siu yeh" (chicken wings, viet veggie rolls) and beer!


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Happy Birthday Brightday!

May all your wishes come true!
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Earth Tones Benefit Concert

Come out this Saturday evening for some great music and a good cause for disadvantaged children around the world. Earth Tones Benefit Concert is founded by medical students and staff at U of T. "This year's line-up of enviable performances, ranging from a diverse mixture of inspiring solo instrumentalists (strings, woodwinds, fiddle, piano, guitar, etc.) to popular jazz players, vocalists, folk singers, spectacular bands, and lots more."

via University of Toronto
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Reel Asian International Film Festival

What a great night...to be able to watch a Chinese movie in Toronto at a movie theatre (Bloor Cinema). "After This Our Exile 父子" was the opening movie for the tenth annual Reel Asian Internation Film Festival in Toronto tonight. Many thanks to La 天使娜 for hooking me up with a pair of tickets!!!
The film features movie stars from Hong Kong namely Aaron Kwok and Charlie Yeung. The plot is a bit depressing but it leaves you a sense of hope at the end. Applause to the performances of the actors, including the little kid pictured above!
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Crepe a Go Go

Many thanks to Brightday for picking such wonderful Sunday brunch spot Crepe a GoGo at 18 Yorkville Avenue. Along with Appledanish + friends, we went to this lovely place that occupies a small storefront in a new condo building. There is about 20 seats (4 tables / 4 bar stools) and an open kitchen where fresh crepes are made to order.
I tried a savoury crepe named Campagnarde, consists of Mozarella + Tomatoes + Fresh Basil, and a refreshing bottled drink called Limonana, which is a blend of Lemon Juice and Mint!! The place mainly serves quick bite on the go, it was a stretch for them to accommodate a big party we had.

The French accents of the waitresses add to the atmosphere!
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Recent Obssession: NDSL

I have been addicted to this little black machine and it's unstoppable!
- Big Brain Academy
- Brain Age
- Animal Crossing
- Mario Kart
- Super Mario Bros.
- Nintendog
How do I find the time to do other things in life!? Like job-hunting...
I will give you my Friend Codes on request to you, my friend.
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SAW III

Usually I would include the movie poster when I mention about a movie I have watched. There's always exception and this one is it. I do not want to see any visual reminders of this movie.
That's it. Read more!

Open Season

Alex Moss and I went to see this animation about animals and hunting at Rainbow Cinema for a mere $4.25 ea.!! I enjoyed the movie, especially the jokes, as much as the row of kids did sitting right behind me, kicking laughing chatting... It's a Sony-produced movie, not a Pixar, but it's just as good and entertaining! Read more!

Manhattoronto?

via www.newmindspace.com Read more!

Retribution

By Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan, 2006, 104 minutes, English Subtitles

"A modern-day ghost story/serial-killer mystery (with) a clever box of tricks that keeps turning the tables on the viewer" - Variety



Chris suggested this movie. I am not a fan for horror movies, but "I am scared" is not really an excuse. So off we went to the Bloor Cinema to participate in After Dark Toronto Film Festival. Honestly I was scared to watch the two short videos that they showed at the beginning than to watch Retribution in its entirety. Retribution has a smart plot with little hints throughout to grab your attention. It's also not without hiliarious moments to see the ghosts with basic special effects or lack thereof. The entire audience (a full house) broke out laughing so hard... and we're watching a "scary" movie. The twists and turns all came down to the unexpected final moment.
I'd recommend Retribution when it comes out in theatres.

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The New Pornographers

A night of food drinks and music, joining AlexJ Hai and Hayley for the New Pornographers concert at the Kool Haus! Being nostalgic of the daiquiris at Dallas BBQ in NYC, we had dinner at Lone Star on Front St. for frozen margaritas and fajitas.

Bands playing at this concert:
Bicycle
Novillero *
Immaculate Machines
The New Pornographers *

* Personal Recommendations

Not just recently do I see an explosion of musical talents from Canada, when I see two personal friends involved in these awesome bands: Knock Knock Ginger and Takenation. So looking forward to future concerts and new albums from these guys! Read more!

Thanksgiving

Beautiful weekend getaway organized by Alex and his family. Matt Chris and I joined them for two days at Carriage Hills Resort. That's the same place where I went skiing with Angela Matt and Timo long time ago, back when we were students!

It was a weekend of hiking, biking, video games, good food, and most importantly good company!!

Matt was driving us Saturday morning, and the first line-up we encountered was not on the highway, but at Tim Hortons. We all tried the Timmy's Breakfast sandwiches, which I would give a 4 out of 5 considering how much I like buttery biscuits and scones.



After 1.5 hours of slow traffic, we arrived at the resort and met with Alex and his sister Alice. The 2BR unit looked so welcoming and warm because Alex and Alice set it up so well, food in the fridge, drinks... Alice fixed all of us lunch at the BBQ. Then Chris Matt and I went hiking on the two short trails.

We spent the evening playing NDS and PS2 - Mario + Winning Eleven.

The next morning after breakfast, we went to rent some bikes for some hill-biking. ;) The paths were very well maintained, so it's nothing like a rough mountainbike path, which turned out to be so much fun!

There were tons of outdoor activities, like Treetop Trekking. It's too bad we didn't get to do it. Definitely next time if we had a chance to go back. It's so nice to be able to just hang out with friends, without worrying about getting home late...!!

BIG thanks to Alex and his family for giving us a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner + weekend!

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at Gladstone Hotel

A book launch event organized by Pages and Penguin for iGeneration was held at the Gladstone last night. As Matthew suggested the event, we went together and had Pho and TsingTao beers for dinner a few doors down from the Hotel beforehand. At the Gladstone Hotel, the main hall was a good size for the event. A bar near the entrance connects to the hall. There was a few rows of square tables set up near the stage, and further from the stage were stackable chairs. With Heineken in our hands, we sat down in anticipation.

After the author's little struggle with his tiny macbook pro and PDF files, the presentation turned into a long Q&A session intercepted by a few readings and a few awesome animations from the
s u p e r b r o t h e r s.

All in all it was a good experience to see the current scenes in the city and What Torontonians are up to at the moment.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!

Thanks for all the street directions that you've given us...among other things.
Best wishes!

image source: www.imagebank.com
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON!

YOU WON'T BE THE LAST ONE!
MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!

image source: www.imagebank.com Read more!

a very long night

It was an incredible 9-hour walk in downtown from 8:30pm to 5:30am at Toronto's first Nuit Blanche event. An all-nighter that I haven't done since my school days. There was such an incredible vibe as we navigated through the streets to check out some of the many art installations.


Wishing Tree - One Garden One Night One Wish


Fog In Toronto


Ballroom Dancing

As I recalled my first Nuit Blanche experience in Rome - La Notte Bianca 2003, in comparison, although Rome's density and atmosphere is very different; the experience in Toronto's Nuit Blanche was just as incredible if not more. In a city where things are as spread out, and architecture is as typical as many cities, Toronto managed to carry out such event and brought in such a big crowd of people. That's incredible! Toronto, there has got to be another one and more to come! Read more!

Nuit Blanche

a free all-night contemporary art thing
september 30, 2006 7:01pm to sunrise
Nuit Blanche

more links // TheStar.com // Livewithculture.ca // EyeWeekly

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Congratulations!

another Big congratulation goes to Chlo~ for her visionary take on the Gardiner Expressway!
As the brits would say, it's brill~! Read more!

All Over T.O.

Walking is a lot of fun in the city!
Since Mike's visiting, I made the decision to drag him out not once but twice to walk all over Toronto.

Day #1 - Tue 19th
- Lunch with Matthew at Ema Tei on St. Patrick's St.
- Tour of University of Toronto St. George's Campus
- Down Spadina to Harbourfront/Queen's Quay + Tim Horton's
- Financial District
- Eaton's Centre

Day #2 - Thu 21st
- On Bloor West from Bathurst to Ossington: Annex
- Honest Ed's Store
- Korean Town
- Lunch at Kalendar in Little Italy on College St. (Salmon Quiche + Salad)
- Down Ossington Ave to Queen West West
- Along Queen to Eaton's Centre + Baskin Robin's Read more!

Congratulations!

a Big one goes to Katrina for her fantastic thesis and defence!
You did such a great job as always!
Read more!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

May all your wishes come true!

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Happy Birthday Big Eye Gal!

Have the best time in HK
even on a school budget!
Best Wishes!
Happy Belated Birthday!
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Brunch #2

Sunday Brunch at Leslie Jones on Queen Street East with my buddies Matt Timo and Iris! Not as planned, Matt and Timo stumpled upon this great place after trying to find Toast On Queen at the wrong address, which I gave them. For a VERY light brunch, on the menu were quiche + fruits/or/greens, open-sandwiches on pitas and pasta. The place reminded me so much of the apartment I rented with Gb and Hermie in Brooklyn. (Long narrow space, large windows on each end, brick walls)

To help digest the light brunch we took a long walk to The Beaches area. We came across a nice Husky in a front porch, many junk-collectors shops, Avondale Retirement Homes...etc until we reached the Beaches strip. (Timo...we'll get ice-creams next time we're there, since we regretted not getting it.)

Back to the heart of T. Shopping in Eaton's Centre proved a bit draining so we decided to get BBQ Pork on Rice, but sadly the place we went didn't serve BBQs on Sundays so we ordered fried rice, chiu-chow vermicelli and general tao chicken for our afternoon tea at 4:00pm.

Eating continued for dinner at a Shanghai place in Scarborough where they served yummy Bok Choi and Pork dumplings. Interestingly they also served Korean food. To top it all off, at Alex's his mom offered generous servings of sweet soup with papaya!!!! Thank you!!

Queen Street East is lined with many great-looking restaurants - it is definitely getting on the Toronto map. Next spot: Verveine
Anyone?

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Brunch #1

...since I got back from HK. So great to see many classmates at one seating. We basically had the entire restaurant (Gypsy Co-op) all to ourselves - that's 17 of us in total!
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