Done

I asked "What do you think?"

She said "Yes."

=)

Chronological Recap

I think it was a pretty quiet week for the most part, the came the weekend... well the party started Thursday night with the Storming of the Bastille, a mindless 5 mile run around the city of Milwaukee in celebration of the flashpoint event that sparked the French Revolution.  

I was supposed to run that with Tammy and Becky but somewhere between heavy rain, shopping (not me, them) and a scrumptious dinner, we somehow managed to be late for the run.  I mean, when we reached the start line, there was NOBODY there.  And, there were thousands of people running, so the tailback should have been pretty long, so i would say we were pretty late.

D-O-H! Where the %*@#$ did everyone go?

Well, determined to run we were, since we had braved the night to turn up in running gear and all, plus the 2 gals had actually paid good money to run.  After snaking through a few sidewalks and buildings, we caught sight of the runners and quietly slipped in to... the FRONT PACK.  We were running hard but these people ran like they wanted to WIN, and were going past us left right & centre.  We probably would have run faster if not for the Kobe burgers and crab cakes bouncing up and down in our digestive systems.  I probably would not have lasted the full 5 miles, so it was a good thing that we were late and ran only 1.5 miles ultimately... haha... that's what i call a discount!

As with all good fun runs, we had our supporters show up.  Brandon showed up with his lady Luly in tow, not to run but probably to have a few laughs.  I somehow even managed to literally bump into Chris Gilmar from our sales desk at work. I think we all had good fun that night =) . 

$20 for that T-shirt?!?!?

Chris Gilmar on the left

The motto at the Bastille festival after the run of course is "Drink Beer, Save Water", and there was plenty of that going on.  It was a pretty neat festival with shops selling various knick knacks and live music being performed all over.  

Do i get to drink the number of beers shown on my number tag?

Quite a crowd of thirsty runners

Welcome to Paris baby!

America!

I'm 26

Thanks all for the kind words and wishes yesterday! Appreciate it!

And thank you Marcia for dinner!

4th of July

Independence Day in the USA; a day for a grand showing of patriotism towards Uncle Sam. I spent the eve of this big holiday soaking in a ONE AND A HALF HOUR long fireworks display.

Absolutely mind-blowing stuff.

It was so good and beautiful that i really want to be around here to see it next year... but only if you're here with me.

Independence Day itself was pretty good as well.  I had a big brunch consisting of pancakes and eggs benedict at a place called The Original Pancake House.... good stuff. Then, i peddled to the beach for some volleyball with a group of friends before rushing back home to meet up with Brandon and friends for the Stone Temple Pilots Concert which was the main event tonight for Summerfest.

When they sang Interstate Love Song, I really let go.  One of the best songs from the 90's.  Hopefully i get some pictures from them to post... =)

I'm Lucky

And when I count my blessings, I count You twice.

The Boss & the Visitor

Last week was the big trade meeting in Milwaukee and coincidentally, we had a visitor from ADM's fresh recruits program, Claude Diogo, who is from Liberia, grew up in Ivory Coast and just completed his undergraduate studies in Michigan State.

So, once all the big fish had cleared the pond, we managed to take Claude out for a nice meal in Milwaukee at the Blue Sombrero, a Mexican place in the suburbs. Most fresh recruits don't normally go through a rotation with the cocoa group but given Claude's background, he specially requested to be attached with us and Uncle Archer kindly obliged.  

He's a great fella and by looking at the photos, i am cocksure that nobody can guess his age... btw, the silver-haired chap beside him is Mr Bill Lansing, head honcho of cocoa North America and my boss for the next... 6 months or so... =)

Seafood Burritos Smothered with Mozzarella (I somehow finished it)

The Art of Cooking

Hoi Sin Sauce USDA Prime Ribeye Steak - 1st attempted home cooking meal =)

An ability that i have always wanted to master (or at least learn the basics of!) but have not had the time nor been in a situation that has forced me to really do it.  When you have a mum like mine who can cook anything on planet earth and cook it well, you really don't have the incentive or need to try and screw up the show.

Things are different now... As much as i like burgers and can eat/accept sandwiches, i am not going to be able to eat such stuff 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Home-cooking has its merits and as i have found out, great pride and satisfaction if done err... satisfactorily. It doesn't have to be Jamie Oliver standard, just edible!  

Despite almost burning down the house the first 2 or 3 times i dared to whip up something in the kitchen (1st time in a microwave for chrissakes!), i stuck to my gus and continued trying and have made a few meals for myself to date.  I've even had guests over for one of them, haha.  These dishes won't be enough to start a restaurant anywhere in the world but at least i won't go without home-cooked food for 6 months!

Fried Udon with meatballs, fishcake and leafy vegggies 

Fried Udon II

Cold Soba with Baked Teriyaki Salmon

The Baked Salmon

So far so good i guess... more recipes are greatly appreciated!

Can't Hardly Wait

2007 Cannondale F4 Mountain Bike

I'm still gushing over it.  A good as brand new Cannondale F4 hardtail mountain bike from 2007. USD 500, made in the U.S of A baby! I'll be taking this beauty out for a ride to work on Wednesday and then for the Sparta Elroy trail on Sunday with a friend of Yang's dad. Can't hardly wait.

My Place

The Living Room

Photos from my downtown apartment.  Feel free to send gifts and goodies to 916 E.Ogden Ave, Apt 1-301, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. =)

The Bedroom

Overview of living room, dining room and fireplace

Cleansing area in toilet

Kitchen of Horrors... one day delights hopefully

Nice Bathtub in the toilet

Opening Night Fireworks Summerfest 2008

Howdy all, i'm reviving this old blog of mine to keep in touch with everyone and to allow the converse to happen of course.  Bearing in mind that i am a person of few words (stop rolling your eyes in disbelief), i will for the most part, let my pictures do the talking.

Though i've been in Milwaukee for 3 weeks now, i've hardly taken any photos as i reckon that i'll have all the opportunities in the world to do so since i'll be here for the next 6 months... Well, i finally found the perfect chance to whip out the good old SLR and me new tripod last night - Opening night fireworks for Summerfest 2008 - the largest music festival in the U.S and some say the world... not too sure about that...

Anyway, i went with my PSD colleague, Tammy, and her bf, Ray, who were kind enough to let me play 3rd wheel/light bulb (i was carrying a mighty powerful flash) for the night.  I currently live pretty near to the lake which is where the festival grounds are and where the fireworks were being launched from.  We found a nice spot in a park on a bluff that was overlooking the lake and where many other Milwaukeeans had gathered for the fireworks.  I shamelessly set up my giant tripod and basically shot away.  I had the feeling that a lot of the photos would look repetitive, so i started restraining myself halfway through. 

After reviewing the photos, i kind of regret it though;  seems like each photo is same same but rather different.  Well, you decide...

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