Category Archives: Random Thoughts

Outdoor Fun, Random Thoughts

It Wasn’t Me. It was the Bike!!

Posted by Anny Chih on August 28, 2010 at 7:52 pm.
Bixi on Mont Royal

So happy at the lookout on Mont Royal with my Bixi rental bike. Scratch free! :)

The bike brakes had been making some pretty awful screeching noises the last time I took a ride through the park. And after seeing how smooth braking could be when I rented a BIXI in Montreal, I decided I should take the bike to see the Bike Doctor (by the way, I’m not making up the name – the place is actually called The Bike Doctor). The guy at the shop said I could probably use a complete tune-up and since the tune-up would include the brake adjustments I figured I might as well.

My parents bought the bike in the early 90s for my sister and it was left relatively untouched from the mid-90s until 2003 when I first learned to ride with the help of my dear friend Denis. I still remember his first words of encouragement “You want to ride a bike?! But you can’t even walk! [laughs]“. He’s so supportive!

After a couple of hours of falling and a mini-meltdown on my part, the idea finally came to him that the bike seat was too high for me (my sister is a lot taller than me). We lowered the seat so I could touch the ground on my tippy toes, and a couple hours later I was riding like a five-year old. Huzzah!

Each time I got on that bike though, I was always very nervous. I’m not particularly skilled at balancing and I’d fallen oh so many times (you’ve seen what a bush can do to me when I’m on a bike). I always figured it was just me -  I sucked at cycling.

When I picked up the bike from the shop today, that usual bit of pre-biking dread came over me. “Oh geez, I hope nobody’s looking. Should I walk it to the park first so I don’t risk hitting a car when I fall? I hope I don’t get another scar today. Please, not another scar.” And then something magical happened…

I got on the bike and I COULD RIDE IT!!!!!! :O There was control. There was smooth braking. There was gliding and maneuvering and I could even STAND on it without any problems!!!

I used to struggle to stay on that thing and would get tired after a half hour in the park even though it’s relatively even. But today, I went through the park no less than three times, cycled through the neighbourhood, didn’t hit any person or bush and didn’t even come close to hitting a car, was able to stop at the stop signs and my nerves were still so calm after an hour that I even ventured onto Kingsway!

I learned something very important today: It wasn’t me. IT WAS THE BIKE!!!!!!

First Day on a Bike

This was taken the day Denis taught me how to ride a bike.

Tips for Beginners on Bikes

  1. Before you get on an old bike, get it checked to make sure the wheels are straight, the brakes work the way they should, and nothing is loose or out of place.
  2. Before you get on, adjust the seat according to your height. If this is your first time on a bike, I’d recommend adjusting it so that you can touch the ground with your toes while sitting to avoid unnecessary bruising. You can always raise the seat after you’ve gotten the hang of it.
  3. Learn about your bike’s speed settings and how to change your gears before you get on so you don’t end up pedalling harder than you have to when you’re first learning.
  4. If you feel like you’re falling in one direction, turn your handles to face the direction you’re falling to avoid actually falling.
  5. Increasing your speed will make it easier to stay balanced on the bike, though it might be more painful if you do end up falling off it.
  6. Lean back if you feel like you’re going down.
Random Thoughts

Is it Stricty Cosmetic?

Posted by Anny Chih on August 17, 2010 at 8:42 pm.

As you can tell, I haven’t been writing a whole lot these past few months. Instead, I’ve been thinking a lot, realizing even more, and taking a page out of Bambi by biting my tongue because letting my words run as wild as my thoughts would no doubt get me into a lot of trouble. If you know me at all, you know that I do NOT like being censored; it feels like having my soul sucked out of my body with a slow dirty vacuum.

But, something that I hate *almost* as much as soul-sucking censorship is whinging. So I’ve made a couple of big changes to get rid of the unhappiness in my life (way to go me!). The first change won’t take effect until my next birthday, and the second won’t show any results until next year. Until then, I’m going to avoid writing about certain topics for a while, continue to be annoyingly metaphorical, and focus on trivial matters like Henry’s recent defilement. Enjoy!

Henry’s Misfortune

Poor Henry couldn't see what was coming

I love my car. I really do. I swear sometimes that I was supposed to be born a boy because no girl I know loves her car as much as I love Henry.

On Tuesday as I walked towards him after work, I didn’t quite believe my eyes. The “I must be dreaming” thought really did cross my mind. Henry’s rear-end had been violated! :O

I squatted down to take a closer look. Something awful had scraped two long gashes through his paint. The culprit left no note, and the neighbourhood was void of any potential eye witnesses. I remembered parking between two small cars that morning, but this work was not a small car feat. No, it was a monster that did this.

I drove away from the scene of the crime with a feeling that was new to me. I felt like I should be mad, but I wasn’t. Instead, the feeling was more like when you put on a gorgeous new dress to attend a posh event, your hair is perfect, your make-up flawless, and right after you enter the doors you realize that you have the worst rip along your entire stocking. It’s obvious and embarrassing, and it doesn’t matter if you change or remove your stockings. Your outfit just isn’t quite the same anymore and a part of you is terribly disappointed. (ok, maybe I should be a girl)

The drive home was a very self-conscious one and I had a twinge of guilt for being a bit ashamed of having these two large gashes on the bumper. It was as if I had let Henry down twice.

I haven’t parked on that street since.

PS Open note to the person behind the monster: shame on you.

Random Thoughts, Travel

Yesterday’s Rain

Posted by Anny Chih on August 1, 2010 at 4:53 pm.

Baby Seal in North Vancouver

Oh Vancouver, how fickle you are with your weather!

My yesterday began with a lovely clear blue sky and the warmth of the summer sun while a friend and I walked along a beach in North Vancouver and spotted the cutest baby seal trying (unsuccessfully) to hide from onlookers among the rocks. “These are the moments that make Vancouver feel like the best place on earth” I thought.

As the day was coming to a close, I went to Spanish Banks to meet some friends for the last Celebration of Light fireworks of the summer. Quite suddenly, the skies turned grey, the fog rolled in to obstruct our view of English Bay, and we heard a threatening rumble. We understood the warning and began to pack up our beach belongings. Still, we weren’t fast enough to avoid the sharp attack of Vancouver rain.

The clouds spat large splotches of cold wet rain that patterned the beach like chickenpox. At first all I could think was “ow, ow, ow, ow geeezus OW!” as a scrambled to my car in highly inefficient flip flops. In the process of getting completely soaked, I remembered how different it was to walk through the rain in Montréal.

Two of my favourite things in Montreal: the rain, and BIXI bikes

Ahh, Montréal <3

I’ve always wanted to take a walk through pouring rain. You could blame it on movies like The Notebook, La Spectatrice or even The Princess and the Warrior or Spiderman. Most love stories include some form of rain.

The rain in Montréal was the kind you want to walk in. It was warm and complete, would drench you in a second, and it felt like you were being given the biggest hug by the whole sky. The great big dollops fell gently, and walking through it was more like wading through a pool; you would hardly even notice when you walked through a puddle. I couldn’t help but smile the whole way from the Mont Royal Metro to the little room I was renting on Rue St-Urbain. If only Vancouver’s skies could borrow its clouds from Montréal…

Random Thoughts

My First Memory of Peru

Posted by Anny Chih on April 19, 2010 at 6:41 pm.

Paddington Bear

To be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about Peru. So when Trish told me that she was sending me on BikeHike Adventure’s Trek the Inca Trail this May, one of my first thoughts was “deepest darkest Peru is where Paddington is from!” :P

It’s amazing what memories stick in your head and which ones just zip right through one ear and out the other.

I was in Grade 1 when Ms. Staple, our Monday (fun day) teacher would sub for our regular teacher (who shall remain nameless because she wasn’t very nice) and we’d do fun activities like make jello, crafts, and read stories. I loved Mondays! As a child who wasn’t allowed into the backyard without supervision or (heaven forbid) to play in the kitchen, any day where I was given the task of pouring hot (and therefore potentially dangerous) water into a bowl of jello powder was pretty darn spectacular! ;)

One day Ms. Staple introduced us to Paddington Bear and she asked us who had tried marmalade before. I’d never heard of the stuff. “Well” she declared, she was just going to have to change that! The next week, she brought in a jar of marmalade and we each got a taste as we listened to the adventures of Paddington the bear. I remember liking the sweet sticky jam immensely, but after trying it several other times later in life, I think it must’ve been the memory I liked more than the marmalade.

As much as I like Paddington, I think he’d agree it’s about time I added some new memories to the Peru folder. Stay tuned!

PS Did you know that Paddington is a spectacled bear? I think he’s a lot cuter than most spectacled bears though.

Outdoor Fun, Random Thoughts

Present Yourself to the Rope

Posted by Anny Chih on April 4, 2010 at 8:52 pm.

Who loves trying out new and wonderfully random things? I know I do!

Tonight I went to a Meetup event where a bunch of us beginners tried slacklining. It’s like tightrope walking, but on a stretchy piece of tubing. The event was organized by Kerry of the RAA Meetup Group, and his guest Scott Emmons was our slacklining expert / teacher for the day.

My very first attempt at slacklining (sans presentation / attack)

Slacklining

I figured it was just about balancing, and it sort of is… but you can’t balance when you’re thinking about a million things at once, and you also can’t go forward without confidence that you’re going to step where you want without looking or even thinking. Am I being metaphorical enough?

Once I finally got to that point of relaxation where there was nothing but that dot on the tree to stare at, it was suddenly a lot easier to keep that rope still under my foot and lift myself up. Once I didn’t think anymore, it was easier to get where I wanted to be going.

Thanks to Scott for teaching us how to “present [our]selves to the rope” and then to “attack” with confidence, and to Kerry for getting us all together! :)

Random Thoughts

Bye-for-now Richard!

Posted by Anny Chih on January 3, 2010 at 4:28 am.
Richard and Me at 3am. Be nice! It's 3 in the morning!!

Richard and Me at 3am.




Q: How do you know if your party was a hit?

A: When there are still a dozen people left at 3 in the morning playing Mafia!

It’s a little past 4am now and I just got back from a friend’s farewell-for-now dinner party. His name is Richard and in a few days he’ll be leaving for UQ in Brissie! So Brisbanites, if you see this bloke around please say ‘hi’ and make him feel at home. He’s uber-awesome and hangs out with a fab crowd (me included of course ;) )!

Richard, I know you’re going to have an amazing time!! Have fun! <3



Random Picture of the Day 2010, Random Thoughts

Welcome Home Carl!

Posted by Anny Chih on January 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm.
Carl the Money Tree

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. ;)

Random Thoughts

Another Year Goes Whizzing By

Posted by Anny Chih on December 31, 2009 at 3:00 pm.

At the end of 2008, my Facebook status read “2008 was a year of revelation. 2009 will be a year of celebration!” And it was. This past year has been quite the whirlwind adventure where I happily discovered a limitless amount of good luck wherever I went and many new and fabulous friends along the way. I had a great deal of things to celebrate! Thank you, you strange and wonderful universe and everyone within it! <3

So, what’s the theme for 2010 then? (drum roll please)

New and Improved!

This is going to be the year where everything gets just that much better (career, bank account, baked goods and even hair). It might be tough to beat this past year and I know my life is already pretty darn great, but I think things are off to a good start! ;)

My latest batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes

My latest batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes

Random Thoughts

Where Do You Dine?

Posted by Anny Chih on November 23, 2009 at 8:56 pm.

I was at a social entrepreneurship conference this past weekend where I met a very tall young lady who was looking to open a vegan bistro in Vancouver for non-vegans. We talked for all of two minutes because I think I offended her when I said “…like The Foundation. I love that place!” No, her bistro isn’t going to be like The Foundation at all. It’s going to feature uber-healthy nutritious vegan dishes targeted towards regular Joes who won’t know that what they’re eating isn’t actually meat. “Hmm” I thought, “I don’t know what you’re planning on putting in there to make the average Joe think they’re eating non-vegan, but I think you’re missing a major target market if you’re opening a vegan restaurant but refuse to target the vegan crowd.”

Honestly, I don’t understand why she was offended by the comparison to The Foundation. It’s one of my favourite places to dine in Vancouver and I’m not even vegetarian! The place is usually bustling with business because the food is good and the decor is what some people like to call “hip” or “trendy.” I just like the quotes on the walls. :)

For a little list of some of my other frequented eats in Vancouver, click HERE.

Random Thoughts

Just One of Those Days

Posted by Anny Chih on November 20, 2009 at 4:05 pm.
Poor Roo looks like he wet himself

Poor Roo looks like he wet himself

I’m back in the liquid sunshine capital of the world, and armed with a new haircut, painted nails and a stockpile of pent up frustration from not having enough to do. Watch out world! This girl’s calendar is going to be FULL before you can say “how about coffee sometime?”

I was so irritated at my lack of stuff to do that I did some calling and rsvping and must’ve been too excited at the prospect of not being bored anymore because I spilled an entire mug of coffee all over my desk, the stuff on my desk, the boxes underneath my desk, the wall, and of course the floor after hanging up the phone. erg.

Ah well, it gave me something to do for the next half hour: cleaning, chucking the boxes and finding somewhere to put their contents. And hey, now my room smells like a cafe. Who says they need to go to Starbucks for the atmosphere? psshh I’ve got it all right here. ;)



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