Crotched Mountain New Hampshire

Crotched Mountain New Hampshire Nov 9th to 11th 2008

This trip was planned about 2 months ago by my wife Yeu-Tin. The resort was one of the latest expansions by Shell Vacation, and we wanted to check it out before planning our next shopping trip to New Hampshire. Traditionally we go to New Hampshire at least once a year for our annual shopping pilgrimage. Normally we would go to Attitash Mountain Village Resort (part of our Taranova time share) for a week usually with the Morrison. However, on this trip we have our close family friend and consider a relative, Gladys Tay with us.

We started our trip from Mississauga on Saturday and after picking up Gladys at her resident we went straight to Ottawa where Louie (Gladys’s son) lived. We stayed at Louie for a night before going to Montreal to visit Carol Morission at the Lakeshore General Hospital. After the hospital visit we went straight to Crotched Mountain, New Hampshire.

The trip should take 5 hours but I made a critical error with the GPS. Instead of going to 740, 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike North, I selected 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike South. To our horror it was a resisdential area and near a school. Some how while trying to look for the resort I must have driven at 40 mph in the school zone without knowing in the dark. As I turn into a office like building only did I realize it was a school. By than I saw a flashing light of a police car in front of my park car. I walk over to the police not knowing he has caught me speeding but more concerning with my lost in the dark.

As the officer approach me, I ask him if he could help me find the resort, to which he say he will but not until I show him my driven license and vehicle license. Only than, he informed me that I was over speeding in the school zone. Because of the situation he gave me a written warning. He than ask me to follow him in him cruiser to the resort. We reach the resort slightly after 6.00 pm in the dark. After thanking the officer who was amuse by my lost we went to the resort office which at was close after 6:00 pm. However, the management has posted a welcome letter on the office door with instruction where our unit and key are placed.

Without any further difficulty we were happily settle in our units.





Link to Crotched Mountain Resort:- http://www.shellvacationsclub.com/GetResortScreen.event?fac=113

Birthday surprise!

What a surprise for my birthday party. Earlier in the day Kie Morission call to arrange with me to have family dinner at her home. There is nothing unusual about the dinner, as we've been having birthday party celebration between our two families almost every year since we've been friend. We had been having dinner sometime at my place and at times at their place. Later she call my wife to informed her the change in venue explaining that Don would preferred western food instead of Chinese. It was than; the decision was made to have dinner at Chelsea Restaurant (The same restaurant we have chosen for celebrating the Coats 60th anniversary).

The arrangement was for us to meet them at 7:30 pm on Thursday evening October 23rd 2008 at the restaurant. A few phone calls later the time was set for 7:45 pm. We are all set for Don' cooking. (That is the way we choose to say every time the Morission invited us out for dinner and Yeu-Tin's cooking when we invite them out for dinner at a restaurant).

Both Yeu-Tin and I work late that evening. We finished work at 5.45pm and caught the 6:10 GO train home. However, on this night Alan Liu come home with us to pickup his mom's car parked in our driveway. Since we have some time to kill before going out for the dinner I prepared him the left over turkey dinner I have cooked the day earlier. At about 7:30 we all left home and go our separate way.

Upon arriving at the restaurant at about 7:44pm I mention to Yeu-Tin that I did not find Don's green Subaru in the parking lot even though the have call to say they are at the restaurant.

As we enter and approach the table the crowd was there waiting for us. What a surprise! It was a fabulous evening and what good friends and family in Christ; I have, who takes time to help me celebrate my birthday. Pastor Sharon was not able to attend but send her greeting and Don read her greeting during the party. I am been privilege and blessed to have such close and caring friends.

Celebrating the COATS 60th anniversary

On August 22nd 2008 a group of us from the Barnabas fellowship help the Alen and Kathleen COATS celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Work work work

Lately, it has been work work and more work. The day start at 8:00 am and end at 6:45pm. Reason for 6:45pm leaving the office is to catch the last GO train home. After cooking and eating than it is back to the computer and work again till mid night. I am currently involved in 4 concurrent work streams and all are vital to the department. The is the reason for all those heavy work loads.
Weekend are for 4 hours of babminton coaching at MCBC (Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church) for the youths. After that is driving my wife shopping etc. Sunday is church at 9:30 am and generally finish at 1:30 pm. Lunch and than an hour of rest and it back to church again for adult babminton club from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. By the time I clean up and lock the church door it is usually 8:30 pm. A quick 15 min drive home, cook and eat dinner it only give me a couple hours to relax. Hopefully no call from the office, otherwise it is back to the computer.

Will update later concering our trip to Kill Bear in good old USA on Jun 7th to Jun 10th 2008.

Singapore May 1st 2008
Finally we are in Singapore. We landed at Changi International airport yesterday at about 5:15 pm Singapore time. I was extremely hot and humid. It was like begin toasted in an oven. Will update the blog as soon as we start shopping.

Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

The main cherry blossom season has ended in most cities across southern and central Japan, including Tokyo and Kyoto. Meanwhile, the blossom front is moving into northern Japan and higher elevations, and already reached Sapporo on Hokkaido on April 21, two weeks ahead of the average year's schedule.

Scenic view enroute to Lake Towada

Scenic view of Lake Towada

Scenic Towada Lake is Japan's largest caldera lake, and is situated 400 meters above sea level. The surrounding crater rim reaches as high as 1000 meters.

Lake Towada

Island with some sort of shrines near the shore line of Lake Towada.

Young vendor grilling mochi for sales.