Posted by
Anny Chih on January 11, 2010 at 11:01 pm.
Ladders
Each day on my way to work, I walk under these two ladders. When I noticed this, I wondered “Is it still unlucky to walk under ladders if they’re lying horizontally above you?” And “Does walking under two counter the unluckiness of walking under one? Or does it double the unluckiness?”
I Googled it and found out that this is actually a religious superstition and (hard-core Christians, stop reading now)… well it’s really stupid. Walking under ladders was first considered a terrible crime punishable by God because a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle which is representative of the Holy Trinity. By passing under a ladder, you would be passing through a sacred area and back in the day, you could be labelled a witch and / or a Satanist for it. -_-
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 10, 2010 at 7:02 pm.
Canadian Flag at Metrotown Mall
The streets, stores, billboards and malls of Vancouver were transformed this week in anticipation of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. But is there a Vancouverite out there that’s really excited about it?
Most of my friends associate the Olympics with impossible traffic, higher parking rates, a clogged transit system that’s already at capacity, and rising prices. In fact, the only good thing I can think of that’s a direct link to the Olympics is all the cultural centers that are going to be popping up – and that’s only because I expect there to be lots of great ethnic food at each one. I hope I’m not disappointed.
Go Canada Go! 
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 9, 2010 at 2:44 pm.
Evidence that I'm not a savvy shopper
Just before Christmas, Superstore was selling Christmas packages of two Liquorice Mini Allsorts for around $7 (single packs were $3-something) and I bought a package for my brother-in-law. After the holidays, I saw the same single packs for $1-something and bought another one for him thinking it was a really good deal and it would never get cheaper. Total spent: ~$9 for 3 packs (average $3 per pack).
Today I went to Superstore to get some nailpolish remover and came across one of the savviest shoppers around. She managed to find the same pack of Allsorts for 64 cents! She also found a boatload of pretty boxes of mintsticks for less than $1 each and all of her groceries together – probably enough for two days – came to only $31 and included the six little boxes of chocolates! When the cashier was ringing in the items I actually said “whoa” out loud ’cause I was so shocked she was able to find everything so cheaply. Apparently I’m not the savvy shopper I thought I was.
So how do you find great deals on everyday items?
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 8, 2010 at 11:04 pm.
Candles are always a nice touch
When you were born, your parents probably had a celebratory party where cake was served in your honour. On all other special occasions, you probably also have cake.
But what about when something bad happens? Why do so many of us fall into despair with a bucket of cheap ice cream or crap cookie dough? Why must we subject ourselves to sub-par fatteners, when we’re already feeling down? I think it should all end with cake. 
In the words of my friend @SimonLawry: “OHM NOM NOM”
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 7, 2010 at 8:56 pm.
The UQ Indian Student Society's Garba Night 2009
During my last week in Brisbane, I met up with my pals from work one last time for lunch. Sara asked me what I was doing that night, and I told her I was going to Indian dancing lessons with my friend Sarah. She noted that I was always doing something fun and exciting while I was in Oz and said it was probably because I was travelling.
You know what? She was totally right.
When was the last time you said ‘no’ to something in your city (coffee / movie / whatever) when you could’ve said ‘yes’? I know I sound a little bit like I belong on the set of ‘Yes Man’ but whatever. The point is still good and valid!
If you’re living the role of a traveller, don’t you find yourself so much more receptive to new experiences than when you’re living your regular life at home? Don’t you ever wonder if that boredom you feel on your living room couch has something to do with that ‘I’ve seen everything there is to see and done everything there is to do in this town’ or ‘I’m too tired to go out’ mentality?
Well, if you want to shed that skin of negativity you might be pleasantly surprised. Go Indian dancing!
By the way, that last part was a metaphor – don’t ask me where they have Indian dancing lessons in Vancouver because I really don’t know. Today’s picture was taken at the University of Queensland campus where the Indian Student Society had their annual Garba night. We got to dance with sticks!
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 6, 2010 at 11:19 pm.
"Retirement" on the park bench
Have you ever wondered what happens to all those ugly Christmas sweaters after the holidays are over?
You can’t very well wear the same ugly Christmas sweater every year otherwise all your holiday pictures would be the same year after year.
I assume most of them get recycled through second-hand shops. But for the unfortunate of unfortunates like this one, they end up on a bench by the sea wall. 
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 5, 2010 at 8:23 pm.
Kissing Bumpers
Prius: “I know you think I’m spectacular and all especially since I only use a fraction of the gas you need, but do you mind giving me a bit of breathing room?”
American Monster Car: <burp>
Prius: “… I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 4, 2010 at 7:03 pm.
The January Lunch
It’s January – the month of diets and resolutions.
Today marked my first official day of work at my new job, and so I packed a very “January Lunch” of celery sticks, cucumbers, broccoli, bread and dip. How healthy am I right? *pat on the back*
Happy January folks!
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 3, 2010 at 1:16 pm.
Today’s random picture of the day comes from New York at the pier overlooking the Statue of Liberty – right next to a few guys who were fishing… at least they weren’t female, pregnant or under 15?
Posted by
Anny Chih on January 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm.
Carl the Money Tree
Through a combination of boredom, requirement of a new hobby, general superstition, and a love of luck, I’ve adopted Carl the money tree.
The first time I saw a money tree (formal name: Pachira Aquatica) was during an excursion to Home Depot. I looked at the price tag for a 4″ tree ($13.97) and thought that maybe it was called a money tree because they were making a killing with profits like this. I wasn’t far off!
There are a few different versions of how the tree got its name. One story goes that it got its name from having five leaves – five being the number of Feng Shui elements (metal, wood, fire, water and earth). The trees are often interwoven in groups of five as well and thought to bring good luck to the home.
The other version is more like my original theory. The story begins in Taiwan where there was an old farmer who despite being a hard worker just couldn’t make enough money. One day he found an odd plant near his farm (the money tree), and being very superstitious he thought it was a gift from the gods. He grew more of these plants and sold them at the market. They sold like hot cakes and he became rich (hence the name “money tree”). I read this story on a website that sells money trees for $35 and up! I think the owner aspires to be that old farmer. 
