牛年（09）展望 Ox Year (2009) New Year Resolutions

元宵过了，新的一年正式开始。哈哈，人人的新年在阳历一月一日就开始了, 我的现在才开始。没办法啦，我这人总是慢半拍！

写了08回顾后，我拿了去年定下的新年愿望来看看，很惊讶也很高兴, 原来自己还真完成了好几项(除了第五项） 。虽不是每项都做足一百分，不过总算很努力。

今年的愿望和去年的很相似。

• 第一 , 安康快乐。吃要吃得健康，继续煲汤，喝茶，学煮一手好菜给Ed (当然也给自己啦）。

• 第二，修心养性，少发小姐脾气。

• 第三，要更努力学好中医。回马时，继续向爸爸学习。希望今年好好研读《黄帝内经》和专注妇产科。

• 第四，部落搬家。突然觉得这里的文章有点散乱，想搬家和整理一下。搬家时会通知大家。

• 第五，这个嘛，要看我在哪个国家。基于种种原因，我正考虑着回澳十个月左右。如决定留在加拿大，要继续考药剂牌，还有好几张试卷。如回澳洲，要回大学读针灸学。这也是我一直想取得的学位。

五个够啦，不可太贪心。至于，去年没完成的第五项　（开一个中医知识部落格），再看吧。

Finally, the traditional 15-day long Chinese New Year is officially finished a few days ago. So, my ‘new year’ is officially started. Well, I know most people’s new years have started from 1st January.   But for me, who studied so hard for exam, I allow myself to start the new year later. Heehee…

To start a new year, I normally begin with a few new year determinations. Looking back at my 2007 new year resolutions, I am quite surprised and a little overwhelmed that I DID achieve most of them (except no.5) ! Although I can’t say I have achieved them 100% (those goals require continuous effort anyway), at least,  I have tried my best. For example, for someone so fussy like Ed, complimented on my cooking, I think I am doing ok 😉  .

To keep up with the flow and the continuity, this year resolutions are similar to last year.

1. Oh happiness and health !  Continue my effort in becoming a better cook, eat more at home, drink more teas and boil more soups. All for Ed, of course, for myself too 😉
2. Just wanna be a better person, so will start with whine less to my hubby !
3. Continue to improve and deepen my knowledge and experiences in Chinese Medicine. It is my greatest treasure to have a dad who has more than 30 years of experience in Chinese Medicine, so learning from him is a must this year. Hope to focus my studies in Gynaecology and the thousands year-old classic <Yellow Emperor’s Canon Internal Medicine>.
4. Move this blog to a new domain. I suddenly realised how messy this blog is, moving will help me to do some cleaning up. Will keep everyone in loop if I move.
5. Ummm….this no.5 will depend on where I will be living this year. Due to a few reasons, I am considering moving back to Australia for 10 months. If I decide to stay in Canada, I will continue my journey to become a registered pharmacist here. If I go back to Australia, I may go back to university to pick another master degree. This time acupuncture, something I wish to do for a while.

Ok, five goals are enough. Don’t want to put too much on myself.

What about the no. 5 goal last year (start a new blog on Chinese Medicine) ? Ummm….shall see….

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鼠年(08)回顾 2008 Review

马来西亚家人朋友 (1月 和 6月)

Dear English readers, please scroll down for English translation.

阳历年时忙考试，没回顾我在08年做了什么。
现在，试考了，农历年过了，回头看看，鼠年可真多姿多彩。

这两年来日子都很漂泊，去年可说是‘四海为家’的顶峰：-
在马来西亚和澳洲各住了三个月，其余的六个月则在加拿大。

和Ed在马旅游 (2月)

1月 – 大马
回马做家里的大小姐。
在爸爸店里帮忙和学习。
天天去巴刹，到处吃吃吃。

2月 – 大马
Ed第一次来马，第一次见家长。
我俩背包游新加坡，吉隆坡，槟城，马六甲和浮罗交怡。
Ed回加国工作，我回澳洲工作。

澳洲的朋友 (3月 - 5月)

3月 – 澳洲
上班。和一位好朋友住。
放工回家就和朋友追港剧。
很高兴和很多朋友相聚。
喝我爱喝的意大利咖啡和比利时热巧克力，
吃我爱吃的eggs benedict早餐。

4月 – 澳洲
继续上班。
搬进一间有三房，却只有一张床和一张椅子的公寓。
没有网络。看了很多英文小说。

寂寞的公寓　(澳洲)

5月 – 澳洲
如4月。

6月 – 大马
回马。如1月。

多伦多 (7月 - 12月)

7 月 – 加国
回加国。见到Ed给他一个大拥抱 ：“亲爱的，好久没见”。
享受我在加国的第一夏天。

8月 – 加国
阳光继续普照。每个周末尽情欢享。
Ed告诉我，我煲的汤和煮的东西已可以见人。Yay !
我这大小姐开始认真做好家务。

多伦多 (7月 - 12月)

9月 – 加国
啊！结婚吧！

10月 – 加国
开始发闷。不如去学喝茶和学泡茶吧。

Hey 先生，来个胜利手势吧 ! (多伦多)

11月 – 加国
好冷。
决定参加考试，

12月 – 加国
好冷。
拼命苦读。
圣诞和新年快乐！

多伦多　(7月 - 12月)

1月 – 加国
试考了，年过了。
2009 牛年要做什么好呢 ? ……

With Family & friends in Malaysia (Jan & Jun)

I was very busy with exam during the New Year, did not get the chance to review my 2008 year. Exam is finally over and (Chinese) New Years came and gone, finally, I have the time to sit down, to reflect on my 2008 year. Looking back, it was indeed a great and interesting year.

For the past two years, I have been dividing my times between Malaysia, Australia and Canada, and last year was my most traveled and drifting year. I lived 3 months each in Malaysia and Australia, the rest of the six months in Canada.

Traveled with Ed in Malaysia (Feb)

Jan – Malaysia
Went back to Malaysia and be pampered like a princess at home by my lovely family.
Learned from my father and helped out in his shop.
Went to pasar often and fully enjoyed the famous delicious street food !

Feb – Malaysia
Ed visited Malaysia for the first time and met my parents for the first time.
We traveled in Singapore, KL, Penang, Malacca and Langkawi.
Ed headed back to Canada, while I went back to Australia.

With friends in Australia ((Mar - May)

Mar – Australia
Went back to work. Stayed with a good friend.
Hong Kong TV series was our favourite passtime together after work.
So happy to catch up with many good friends in Oz.
Drunk my favourite Italian coffee and Belgium hot chocolate;
ate my favourite eggs benedict breakfast.

Apr – Australia

Continued to work.
Moved into a huge 3 bedroom condominium, however,
you won’t believe I only lived with a folding bed and a chair in the condo.
No Internet. Read many novels.

Lonely apartment

May – Australia
Same as April.

Jun – Malaysia
Went back to Malaysia.
Same as January.

Toronto (July - Dec)

Jul – Canada
Went back to Canada.
Gave Ed a big hug, ‘Darling, long time no see! ‘
Enjoyed my first summer in Canada.

Aug – Canada
Went to nearly all summer street festivals and events.
Surprisingly, Ed started to praise my cooking ! Yay!
Finally, I had been better with housework.

Toronto (2) (July - Dec)

Sep – Canada
Let’s get married dear !

Oct – Canada
Started to feel bored and restless. So attended Tea Sommelier classes.

Hey dude, you gonna have fun in summer ! (Canada)

Nov – Canada
So cold !
Decided to sit for exam.

Dec – Canada
So cold !!
Studied unbelievably hard for the exam.
Happy Christmas and New Year !

Jan – Canada
Exam is over, new years came and gone.
What am I going to do in 2009 ? …..

Toronto (3) (July - Dec)

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Top CEOs need just 12 hours to earn average Canadian annual salary

Ok, I heard about this, however, it is just so sad to hear it again during this so-called ‘once-in-a-century’ economic downturn, while many (many) others are worrying if they would still have their jobs tomorrow, while pensioners are losing most of their money for retirement, while some people might not be able to pay their food and shelter bills tomorrow, while many people working their fingers to their bones for their CEOs….

During a dinner, a friend told me, after the new year, he received an order from the boss to go back to office to fire 10 workers. At that time, I felt that the economic problem is really hitting home, but I forget it probably never hits the top CEOs’ homes ! Or time will prove this….

X     X     X     X     X

From Yahoo! Finance News

“TORONTO – As many Canadians nurse their post-New Year’s Eve hangovers and ponder what further economic storms await, Canada’s top corporate executives can take some comfort in knowing they have already earned as much as the average worker will earn in all of 2009.

A new analysis by the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives concludes the country’s richest corporate executives will have pocketed an average of $40,237 by 9:04 a.m. Friday morning.

“By the time your computer has finished booting up on your first day back after the New Year’s holiday, the average CEO would have already banked what took the average Canadian worker an entire year’s worth of work to earn,” the report states.

“Many of the top 100 include Canada’s big bank CEOs, who recently received billions in federal government bailout money to purchase mortgage loans.”

Prepared by economist Hugh Mackenzie, the report finds the top 100 CEOs of publicly traded corporations averaged more than $10 million in pay apiece in 2007, the last full year for which figures are available.

……..

To read the full story, click here.

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愿祝圣诞快乐 ! Wish You All Merry Christmas !

圣诞娃娃

昨晚，我一边包圣诞礼物，一边在自言自语．．．．

记得，约十年前，我药剂行的澳洲洋人老板问我，“你是华人，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？你是佛教徒，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？那你在圣诞当天上班一定没问题吧?＂这哪是问我，简直是要我内疚，要我上班　（注：我是那间药剂行唯一的亚裔药剂师。那间药剂行365天都开足13个小时）。

我心里算一算，“哗！十三个小时，双倍工钱，即可赚二十六小时的工钱。划算划算。”　那时，我刚大学毕业，穷，又要学人储钱旅行，傻。我假装推迟一下，就答应下来了。反正，我是真的不庆祝圣诞的。接下来的五，六年，我的圣诞都是在店铺里过，从早上七点到晚上十点。我一点都不在意，顾客很少，很空闲，不难挨过。

一直到四年前，圣诞还是与我无关。没想到，现在，圣诞突然变得这么重要　－圣诞树， 礼物，卡片，火鸡，团圆，假期，派对，还有白雪飘飘。

人生一个转弯，有些重要的好像变得不重要了，不重要的好像开始重要起来．．．．

今早起来，我忘了昨晚思考的问题，匆匆赶去预定两个蛋糕 – 一个要带去明晚朋友家的派对，一个要带去圣诞晚Ed大家族的团圆晚餐。今天不预定，明天一定卖清光！26日晚，和Ed父母吃饭要带的已准备．．．．

愿祝大家圣诞快乐！

Christmas Dinner

Last night, I was talking to myself while I was wrapping Christmas presents….

I still remember vividly how my boss asked me to work on Christmas Day. It was about 10 years ago, ‘Shirley, you are a Chinese, Chinese doesn’t celebrate Christmas, right? You are a Buddhist, Buddhist does not celebrate Christmas, right? So, I think you are the best person to work on Christmas Day !’ Since I was the only Asian in the pharmacy, and he was right about a Chinese Buddhist (plus as a immigrant whose family is in Malaysia) does not celebrate Christmas.

So, I accepted the offer. Well, who won’t? The shop opened on Christmas Day for 13 hours, and I got paid double. In fact, being a poor newly graduate who dreamed of saving for travel, I felt grateful to have the shift ! Since then, my boss never failed to give me the Christmas shift and all my Christmas for the following 5 or 6 years were spent in the pharmacy from 7am to 10pm. Frankly, I did not mind at all. The pharmacy was normally quiet on Christmas Day and it was not a difficult shift.

It was not until 4 years ago, I stopped working on Christmas Day. Prior to that, Christmas was just another day for me. I am surprised to realise that it has suddenly become important in my life – the Christmas tree, Christmas presents, the turkey, Christmas parties, family gathering, holiday, Christmas cards,  and the previously unthinkable White Christmas. I have them all now.

Life is interesting, just a small twist and turn, previously important things are no longer important, and what never appeared important has suddenly play an important role in my life….

Woke up this morning, totally forgot what I was pondering last night, I rushed to Loblaws to order two cakes – one for tomorrow night Christmas Eve dinner with friends, one for Christmas Day dinner with Ed’s extended family.  I know if I don’t order today, I will have trouble getting the cakes I want tomorrow. And we have already prepared what we want to bring for 26th dinner with Ed’s parents….

Merry Christmas to you all !!!

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Reply to Bryan – What to Wear in Subzero Climate

winter wear in Canada

Bryan left the following message in my previous post :

“ I am going to Harbin end of this year. I believe it will be minus 15 Degree during the day.Since I am not living in Subzero Climate for long period, I just bought a Winter Jacket, not those ultra warm type though, but for active sports, where we partially keep ourselves warm while exercising in the cold weather. I think it might not be enough to fend off the cold there.

How many layers of clothing you wear to protect yourself from the cold?

My idea:
1st Under Thermal (Long John shirt and pants)
2nd Long Sleeve T-Shirt
3rd Wool Sweater
4th Thin Down Jacket
5th Wind & Waterproof outer jacket

Ear Warmer
Gloves
Head Warmer?

Wish me luck! ”

Hey Bryan,

I went online to check the weather in Harbin, yup, it is already around minus 5 to 15 degree during the day !! And currently, the wind gust is around 4-15 mph (6-23 km/h), which is quite strong if you are walking on the streets, especially in wind tunnel (like between tall buildings). So, you have to be quite prepared, especially people like us, who are brought up in tropical weather.

Looking at your 5 layers clothing sandwich, I think you will be fine for the minus 15. However, it depends on the quality of your down jacket and the water/windproof  jacket. It makes all the difference !

windproof jacket with chin flaps

Not sure what kind of quality you will get in Malaysia. So, whatever you buy, check the quality properly, or buy trusted brands.  There are hell lots of things to consider for good down or windproof jackets. I am not going to go to the details here and you only go there for a short trip. Just some simple things you should look for. For example, for down jacket, check exactly what the down filling is (make sure is not synthetic) and its fill power (how dense they pack the down/feather); for water/windproof jacket, check the construction of the jacket (how well the jacket is ‘sealed’), fabric lining etc.

I have a windproof jacket that have two ‘flaps’ on my face area (left picture), so when the wind blow fiercely, I can cover half my face, and only leave the eyes out. But I rarely wear it because I think it is very ugly ! Haahaa….do I scare you though? I hope you don’t need those things anyway ! It depends if you are a person who afraid of cold. I need those because I can’t stand cool weather !

Ok, now let’s talk about other accessories.

(1) Gloves – yup, you need a good pair of gloves ! Best is wool or windproof gloves.

(2) Hat/Head Warmer – you definitely need a very good hat/head warmer. Generally, about 30% of body heat lose through our heads, it is quite a significant amount. If you cover your head (especially forehead) properly, you surely will feel warmer. Tips : Don’t buy knit hat, because wind can blow through it easily. Buy wool one,. If you like knit, buy those have an inner (wool) layer.

(3) Ear warmer – If you have a hat that also can cover your ears, I don’t think you need ear warmer.

(4) Sock – Your feet and toes !! You don’t want to have cool feet and toes when you are outside, especially if you have to walk on the snow. Also, most time I dress my body properly, but forget my legs. So,  your under thermal pants will be very helpful. Tips : alternatively, buy very good wool knee length socks. They help me heaps when I don’t feel like wearing my old-lady-like thermal pants 😉

(5) Boot – Very important especially when snowing heavily and have snow/ice accumulation on the ground. A good pair of boot prevent slips.  My boot is knee length, with fur inside, strong rubber sole with deep treads. Of course, it depends how much walking you have to do, otherwise, normal boot should be ok. Tips : Walk on snow-muddy ground, instead of the ‘shiny’ icy ground, which is extremely slippery, unless you like to roller skating 😉

(6) Scarf – Depend on the design of your jacket or if you have turtle neck top. I feel much warmer when my neck is warm, and it prevents cool wind slips inside your body through the neck opening. Tips : When I don’t wear my ugly windproof jacket with the ‘flaps’, I like to wear very large thick scarf. So, I not only use it to cover my neck, I use it to cover half my face when I have to walk against wind gust.

multiple layers and a down jacket

For this photo, I think it was taken on a day of around minus 5-8 degree or so. With the hat, an under thermal, a turtle neck (white), a 200 fleece (blue), and a medium fill power down jacket ( filling : 50% down/50% feathers), I was able to pose for photo with a smile 😉

I hope the above information helps. Shoot me more questions if you still not sure.

Haahaaa… I have too much fun here. I better go back to study for my exam !!! 😦

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My 2 + 2 Daily Newspapers

Though I am studying, I still can’t resist to read my 2 + 2 daily ‘newspapers’ online.

One is – The Globe and Mail, for Canada news.

One is – The Age, for Melbourne, Australia news.

Sometimes, when things get interesting across the boarder, I read New York Times.

Sometimes, I read Sin Chew Chinese newspapers or Malaysiakini online, for Malaysia news.

The world is currenly going through an interesting and trying time, I feel that to be a responsible world citizen, I need to be informed. Or is it because of my experiences in the above different countries that make me want to know more, and care for more? I think that plays an important part too.

Thanks to the internet. Otherwise, I would not know the world simply by a click away.

Sometimes, I think : will news online eventually replace newspapers completely? Maybe?

Do I still read ‘real’ newspapers ? Only once every 2 week, I think, except when I am back home in Malaysia.

I still love the ideas of holding the newspapers in the sofa or bed, read them with a cup of coffee or tea. And there are more articles in the printed edition. However, to save the papers, and to know the world better and faster, I have gone to the internet…

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美味之旅 A ‘Tasty’ Trip (1)

几个星期前，我提到和DM夫妇到Sandbank 省公园露营。Sankbank 座落在Prince Edward County (爱德华王子县), 离多伦多市约两个半小时车程。

上个周末，我们和DM夫妇又到爱德华王子县一趟。这次是为了一个叫Taste! 的Food and Wine Show (美食加美酒展）。

很多当地的餐馆，厨师，农夫和葡萄酒酿造厂等都踊跃参与。没想到的是，那天的天气又冷又阴云满布，像我们这种来吃喝的人竟也出乎意料的多，很多档摊前都有长长的人龙。

Buddha Dog Caravan （Buddha Dog 的大篷车）

我们不敢怠慢，马上去Buddha Dog的大篷车前排队（如图）。Buddha Dog是个卖‘高级‘热狗的小餐厅 (不像多伦多街边的热狗）。他们要将爱德华王子县内最好的一面呈现给顾客。所以，做热狗用的所有材料都是县内最好的。这次，他们为人们带来了用火鸡肉做的热狗。用火鸡肉是要像征感恩节，因为上几届的Taste! 都是在感恩节周末举办，今年除外。

拿了我们的热狗，配上推荐的苹果酒，真的是我尝试过最好吃的热狗！

其实，什么食物配什么酒是一门艺术，也是一门学问。配对了，食物能带出酒的‘深度‘，酒能带出食物的美味。所以，在这个美食展上，每一种食物都会推荐一个相配的酒，把我们带到享受食物的‘最高境界‘。

DM夫妇是‘好食‘之人，也是美食专家。我就是从他们身上慢慢学会吃出食物配对酒时的不同。（参阅法国大餐）。所以，在这个难得学习的机会中，我当然每吃一种食物都坚持要有相配的酒。哈哈！ 还好，每杯酒的份量都不多，我没喝醉 😉

我们接着吃了依下的：

Elk Goulash Poutine with 5 year old Black River Cider

这个是一个加拿大魁北克特有的法国小吃 – Poutine。其他国家是吃不到的。最普通的作法是，炸马铃薯条配上颗粒型干酪和肉汁。而在Taste! 上，多伦多著名的厨师，Jamie Kennedy, 竟配上了糜鹿肉！效果是好好吃！

我啊，可是第一次吃糜鹿肉。你们知道什么是糜鹿吗？看看下图。

Elk 糜鹿

待续．．．．．

A few weeks ago, I mentioned our camping trip in Sandbank Provincial Park. Sandbank located in Prince Edward County, about 2.5 hours drive from Toronto.

Last weekend, we went to Prince Edward County again, but for a completely different reason – for Taste!, a food and wine show, to celebrate the regional cuisine.

Many of the local restaurants, chefs, farmers and wineries participated this event. Though the weather of that day was cool and gloomy, surprisingly, it did not stop people from coming for this event. When we arrived at 11ish, there were already many people and most booths had a long line up.

Buddha Dog Caravan （Buddha Dog 的大篷车）

Without any delay, we first ‘attacked’ the Buddha Dog caravan. Buddha Dog is a small boutique restaurant in Prince Edward County that sells gourmet hotdog (of course, not the street hotdog I mentioned before). AIm to feature the best of Prince Edward County, Buddha Dog sources the best of everything (bun, meat, cheese, vegetables etc) within the region itself. And this time, they brought us the Thanksgiving Turkey Dog. Traditionally, Taste! was held during the Thanksgiving weekend, but this year is an exception, hence the turkey.

With the lovely mini dog in our mouths, paired with the recommended County Cider, I had the best hotdog I ever had in my life, so far 🙂

I guess, most of you familar with fine cuisine, are aware of the act of food pairing with wine, to bring out the best tastes of both food and wine. In this event, of course, there is a suggestion of a pairing wine for each dish, aim to take us to the ‘highest state’ of tasting.

As for me, an Asian, who did not know about this art till I met DM and LM, who are serious foodies. Learning from them, and slowly, I think I can notice the slight differences in taste when food pairs with a right wine. Hence, for learning purpose, during this event, I insisted to drink the right wine for every dish I tried. Haahaa….don’t worry, I was not drunk because each glass of wine was only of little amount.

From Buddha Dog, we moved on to other booths, as followed :

Elk Goulash Poutine with 5 year old Black River Cider

This is a special French dish originated from Quebec. You can’t find it anywhere in the world except Canada. We called it ‘poutine‘ here. In fact, it is a simple dish, a dish consisting of French fries topped with fresh cheese curds, covered with brown gravy and sometimes additional ingredients. Jamie Kennedy, one of the most famous chefs in Toronto, had prensented us a poutine with Elk Goulash ! The result was fantastic !

Elk 糜鹿

Well, this is my first time to taste elk meat! I was shock to realise later what is elk ;)　See the picture.

to be continued….

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英雄 We all need a Hero

当我看完Dark Knight后，我不停想着一个问题 – 英雄。在电影中， Harvey 说他其实是Batman, 因为他相信真的Batman会现身救这个城市。到时，市民就会知道Batman 是个好人，是个英雄。因为，Harvey 不要人们对心目中的英雄失去信任。到最后，Harvey 虽‘变坏’。Batman知道这个城市乃善良，至少那两艘船只没有为了自我的生存而炸掉另一艘船。所以，为了不破坏人们心中的英雄形象，Harvey 坏的一面不可让市民知道。

我们都需要一个英雄，我们心中都有一个英雄。在电影如是，在现实生活如是，在奥林匹克如是。

Carol Huynh 和她闪闪发亮的加拿大第一面金牌。

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蒙特利尔烟肉 Montreal Smoked Meat

（Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

今天突然想到，我已很久没写有关美食的贴字了。 因为，我已很久没为食物拍照了。Ed受不了我在吃前将桌上的食物挪来挪去， 硬要为我们的食物’ 摆一摆姿势’，以拍出好照片。他现在禁止我在吃前拍照片，以免影响胃口，要我们安心吃就好了。其实，在餐馆对着食物疯狂拍照，顾客总会投以好奇的眼光，我也蛮不好意思的。 嘻嘻！

今天，我找到旧照片，要为大家介绍介绍蒙特利而驰名的烟肉。

烟肉其实是一种古老的肉类腌制法。简单来说，人们用盐，各种香料调味料来腌制肉类几天。这样可以将肉中的水份抽出，以防止细菌滋长。接着，将肉类放在火上面的烟‘烤’ （注：不是放在火里烤，只是用烟来‘烤’）。古人发现烟有防腐作用。在远古时期，没有冰箱，这样可以防止肉变坏, 主要是不要浪费食物, 和收藏起来以备收成打猎不足时吃。加上烟味让肉更好吃。算是两全其美的方法。而且，用不同的木起的火，会’烟’出不同的‘烟味’。

有些欧洲犹太人保存了这种烟制法。当他们移居北美时，也将这种方法带进北美。它那种在肉类留下的独特‘烟味’，使它开始普遍起来，尤其在蒙特利而。现在，烟肉已成了蒙特利而的到地特色。

(以上两张照片来自Schwartz’s的网页）

我第一次去蒙特利而时，Ed无论如何要带我去著名的Schwartz’s 餐厅吃。Schwartz’s 的烟肉是当地最有名的。记得，我们晚上去时，队伍排到街上至少一尺远，听说常常是这样的。我们不想排，等到第二天三，四点才去。还以为这段时间不是午餐时间，也不是晚餐时间，我们该不用排队吧。怎知，还是排了二十多分钟的队。我俩还因为排队排得‘火’了，为无聊小事吵了起来。但我们一吃到好吃得不得了的烟肉，‘火’就消了，因为排队是值得的 😉

加上，这间餐厅有七十多年的历史，从没搬迁，也没特别装修过。里面只长长桌子几张，小桌两三张。如人少去，通常要和别人同桌。烟炉前有一张长长的高桌，一个人来吃的，喜欢坐在那，一边吃，一边看人‘烟’肉。虽有点窄，又有点乱，我倒觉得很‘古色古香’，很特别。我吃得津津有味。

听说，因为烟肉很受欢迎，但古老的腌制和烟法很花时间，所以有些餐厅会加上一些化学物来催促过程，或加强烟味。 Schwartz’s那么远近驰名，也是因为他们自称一点化学物或防腐剂都不加。一切按照古老方法。我看到一大堆一大堆的肉放在一旁时，其实有点怕。可是，还好我们没拉肚子。我想，古老方法该还管用。

当我最近去蒙特利而和一位来渡假的朋友聚聚时，他一见到我，就告诉我Schwartz’s 的烟肉多好吃。我哈哈大笑，说我也很喜欢呀！:)

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近十年来最严重的暴风雪 worst snowstorm since 1999

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我’有幸’体验到多伦多近十年来最严重的暴风雪。

昨天一整天，雪不停地下，不停地下….

我和Ed穿得厚厚地跑出去‘赏雪。

因积雪有20至30公分高，步步艰辛，才绕公寓一圈，我已气喘如牛。

今早，雪小了，轻轻地飘。

太阳跑了出来, 人们也出来了。我也出去拍拍照片。

阳光反射在洁白的雪上，好美好美。

人们暂抛开要清理那么多的雪的烦恼，先快乐地享受….

I was ‘fortunate’ enough to have the chance to experience the worst snowstorm in nearly ten years in Toronto.

The snow was pouring non-stop yesterday.

Ed and I went out during the storm, well, for an experience. It was rare chance.

The streets were covered by 20 to 30 cm of snow and was extremely difficult to walk.

We only walked around our apartment but I was already quite exhausted.

This morning, though still snowing, only lightly.

Sun is out, people are out too. Me too, taking my camera for some photos.

Temporarily ignoring the need to clean up the mess, people want to first enjoy the sunshine-filled beautiful snowwhite city ….

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看天生活 weather watch

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刚刚才看到加拿大的气象台预测, 这个星期六晚开始至星期天，有些地区, 包括多伦多, 会下一场大风雪。 多伦多积雪可能会高至15到25 公分，有些地区会有超过40公分的积雪！ 不但下大雪， 也会刮大风和下冰雨。 这种天气最危险。气象台特别警告人民路上一定要小心，必要时改变计划最好。

这星期天傍晚，我本来要出席一个佛教集会。我已收到通知，所有集会将取消。几个小时前，我和Ed还没看天气预测。 那时，我们还兴致勃勃，要叫几个朋友星期天出来吃点心。为安全起见，这计划可能要泡汤了。看来，我们还是乖乖呆在家里煮饭看书好了。这里的生活就是这样，很看天气’做人’。 要常查天气预测，计划要随天气更改。

今年，雪不但下得早，还下得又狂又频密。难怪前阵子有预测说，今年冬天可能是十五年来最冷的。这是我在加拿大的第二个冬天，还好我已开始可以忍受这种冰点下的生活。而且，也不坏，我去年没缘过白色的圣诞（去年第一场雪在12月28日才下）。今年该如愿以偿了。现在，整个城市是白色的，加上家家户户已装上五彩缤纷的圣诞灯饰，已经很有白色圣诞的情调了。

欣慰的是，过了圣诞的两天后，我就会回马享受太阳普照的日子。可是，却有点担心从零下十度的冬天，突然变到三十度的炎热夏天，我最好不要病才好。我该开始煮药材汤‘补补’自己了！

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有害水瓶 Unsafe Water Bottle

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今天看报看到加拿大大型的户外用品商家 Mountain Co-op 决定停止售卖所有polycarbonate塑胶做的盛皿器。当然，也包括那非常流行耀眼的Nalgene 水瓶。这是因为，一些最近新的科学研究成果认为塑胶内的一种化学成分，bisphenol A， 对人体有害。这 把我吓一跳，因为我是这种水瓶的忠实用者。

其实，很久以前已知道塑胶的害处。所以，我都会丢掉任何塑胶商品，绝不收起来用来装其他食物。或我会拒食任何装在塑胶内的烫热食物。我也决不会用塑胶盛皿放进微波炉内。 可是，倒是对Nalgene的水瓶情有独钟，因为还以为它是安全的，它是用不同於普通见的汽水瓶等的塑胶。怎知，防不胜防。

我和Ed都有几个这种水瓶。我出外露营，工作上课，天天带着。我以前有个粉红色的（如图），和我影形不离，药剂行的同事都叫我Pink Pharmacist了。Ed以前说可以装热水，我就放心装。现在，不知我吞食了多少化学物。虽然，以上研究有争议，因为有些研究说无害。真是不知相信谁好。但既然Mountain Co-op这个大型公司情愿放弃大笔收入，做出这种决定。我想，我还是将我心爱的水瓶打进冷宫较安全。

现代人的生活虽较有钱有闲, 可也真不容易。生活上的每一细节都有无数的化学品。我们可能要改食有机食物了，可是洗头水啦，肥皂啦，清洁剂啦，墙上的漆啦，街上的空气啦…..什么都有有害的化学品。真是防不胜防，避不可避。那些口口声声说是安全的物品，可能几年后又会被证实有害。真是没办法。我们苦苦挣钱，花一大笔钱消费，再花一大笔钱医自己。最终，无良厂家商家最划算, 医生药厂代代平安。

其实，担心也没用。最重要是做个明智的消费者。避得的避。避不得的话，就别去担心了。也希望商家们多用良心真心经商。

Ps: 有兴趣者，可以点击这里读此新闻。 以下是几个月前ABC电视台的新闻。

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遗忘了的习惯 Long Forgotten Habit

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小时候， 很爱阅读， 是个书迷。就是因为常躺着看书，常在动摇的巴士内追小说，常顾不了灯光暗淡还是放不下书本，我变了个千度大近视。

上了大学后，虽还是常看书，可是少了文学，多了课教本。或看的是电脑。唯一接触文学时，是每个暑假回马追金庸武侠小说。不过，那也是好多年前的事。已忘了追小说的感觉很久了。阅读文学书籍这个好习惯早已慢慢在我的日常生活中消失。

现在回想起，我虽曾爱看小说，可是都是以华文书为主。 对英文的文学世界真是一无所知。在澳洲书店见到琳琅满目的英文小说，可真是不知从何看起。所以，要多看英文书的心常不了了之。

至到遇上Ed才稍有改变。Ed爱看书 （只是英文书，他不会中文）。他常鼓励我多阅读英文小说，因为他太受不了我很烂的英文。他说，‘拼命’阅读可较快地加强语文能力。这个我当然知道啦。可是，他的亲身体验还是给了我很大的鼓励。他七，八岁移民来加国时，英文很不行。就算到了中学，还是不过如此。一直到他拚命阅读，书写能力才开始大大地进步。

这个我也明白。我在澳洲住了那么多年，英文虽已比以往好，日常的沟通也没问题。可是，还是有很多时候有些词不达意，也写不出漂亮的文章。现在，手头上有些时间，所以决定好好啃书充实自己。

于是，Ed常带我到书店逛。他会介绍我一些好的作家。我则会站在那读上几页，看我喜不喜欢作家的风格。加上，这里有很多二手，或便宜卖过时畅销文学书的书店。Ed弟弟的妻子也很爱书。上次见她，给了我一大堆书看。

渐渐地，我又开始爱上了阅读。最近，除了中文书，也看了蛮多英文小说，对英文的现代文学界也开始有多些了解。

很开心，把遗忘了的好习惯重拾起来。也添加了新的阅读习惯。语文能力虽没那么快进步，可是书中的‘黄金屋’已找到….

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A Cool Night in Montreal

这次去蒙特利尔一张照片都没拍到。反正为了见朋友，专心聊天就是了。加上，我也不懂怎么在这种又暗又湿的景象拍出好东西。我的朋友是摄影高手, 我也不好意思在高手面前献丑。

怎知，回到多伦多，才后悔没拍到秋末寒冷的蒙特利尔。所以，唯有向Daniel要了张照片留念。他好厉害！拍得真的好漂亮。在此与大家分享。谢谢了，Daniel !

拍这张照片时, 天空中已飘着雪片…..街上一片冷清….

It was rare to catch up with a friend, let alone someone from Australia. We met up in Montreal. It was very wet and dark while we were there. I knew I was not capable of take any good photos in such conditions. In addition, my friend, Daniel is a keen photographer and I knew I feel embarrassed to take photos in front of an “expert” 😉

When I returned to Toronto, I regretted that decision. No matter how poor the quality would be, I should have  a photo of Montreal in late autumn/early winter. I asked Daniel to send me one of his photos. The photo is so quite well taken and rather beautiful (see above)! Thank you Dan!

P.S. It was already snowing when the picture was taken.

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蒙特利尔的建筑和节庆 Montreal Now and Then (2) – Its Buildings and Its Festivals

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(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation )

当然来到蒙特利尔市，不能不谈它那耸立了几百年的古老法式建筑物。坦白说，我对建筑物不内行， 不敢在此班门弄斧。贴上多多照片就是 （如上，照片是在第一次游蒙特利尔时拍的，那时是夏天）。市中心有一条市中心的主街，Sherbrooke街, 很有趣。这条街很长。街的东部是法式建筑，西部是英式。驾着车在此街上东西跑，也看得出法式和英式建筑的不同。可惜没拍到英式建筑的照片以便比较。抱歉。

这里也有个小小的古城。城中有许多餐馆, 咖啡店, 酒吧等的。小巷中有艺术工作者卖他们的作品。我蛮喜欢的，很有欧洲风味，觉得很浪漫，很美。当然，我没去过欧洲，才大惊小怪。Ed去过欧洲，觉得这里不过如此。 我嘛，自己陶醉就是了。

蒙特利尔也是个节庆 (festival) 之城。听说，它常年办各类型的节庆。它的爵士音乐节是世界闻名的。Ed说，夏季时，几乎每个周末都会有东西看。我第一次去时，也刚好碰上蒙特利尔电影节。一屏大大的银幕摆在主要的大街上，整条街封锁了给电影节用，每个晚上都有好戏免费上映。

我和Ed在第一晚看了一部法国古典名片- Bird Cage。有英文字幕。第二晚去时，上映的是Mission Impossible。可是，我竟一点也看不懂！因为，他们竟配上法语，却没有英文字幕。我当然听不懂啦！别问我为什么他们这样做。可是，看到Tom Cruise讲法语也蛮搞笑的。

这回第二次游蒙特利尔，因为是冬天，倒好像没什么大型的节庆。即使有，我也没留意到，也没什么兴致。因为，天气真的很糟糕。整个晚上都在下雨，接着还下雪。不过，在雪中看蒙特利尔，再加上，街上的圣诞装饰，也真别有一番风味。白茫茫中，又有那五颜六色的霓虹光，很美(下图）。可是，我和我的朋友，却变了落汤鸡。

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