Forest Gump

Sunny and dry at Blue Mountain, Canada. I decided to go for a run. We are staying at Janet's cousin's farm house and is about 6 km from the nearest town. She suggested that I take a run downtown and she will ride along with her and catch up with me at the local farmer's market with Cayenne. "It is mostly down hill anyway." She suggested. Sound good to me, not too difficult and something to look forward to after a nice run.

Old Navy Run

Woke up this morning with another day of sun shine. First up, feed the monster. Bananas, Muffins and blueberries. Her little fingers were working hard but still most of everything went onto the floor and Haley is getting the picture that Cayenne's surrounding is a good feeding ground.

Matt, Jonathan's brother left today after a nice dinner last night. Jeanie went setup at the Pontiac fair. She has a bling business that seems to be doing better each year even thought the Michigan Economy is in the shitter.

But today, I have an agenda, I hit the pavement for about 30 minutes, had some lunch and I am ready for Old Navy. I know it is cheap stuff but I have been craving disposable clothing and some good old American shopping, meaning shopping with a extra large trolley (Cart).

What I missed about the US

It is refreshing to be back in the states. The weather is just beautiful today in Michigan. Blue sky, sunny, in the 70s which is about 20s C.

Day 2: Family reunion with the Mather family

Woke up about 6am today, Cayenne slept through out the night with just a little rolling around.

Back to the US

After a year and a half, we are back to the US visiting families. It is also Cayenne's first time to the US. We were really nervous about this trip, partly because of the long plane rides and jet lag. We arrived monday afternoon to Michigan, and we will be heading up to Ontario, Toronto and Blue Mountain, then to DC for a couple of days and end up in Japan for 2 days to visit friends. This is really ambitious and I will have to keep a diary to see if this trip is worth it.

Turn a page

The past month went by so quickly. Turning a new leaf in HK. Started working for Shamrock catering to be their part time sales and marketing manager there. It is so nice that I finally found a company that I can work part time with freedom. It is also a flash back of what I did in the US. I was hired to roll out their boxed lunch program in HK. This is a new concept for HK, I think there are lots of potential but it is hard to get started when there is other fish to fry in the company.

Working for a small company is nice because your opinion is valuable. Your ideas really get utilized and your effort counts. However, you also get to do everything and trouble shoot is the best job description of this job. In a day, I could be do a flyer, then create a menu for client, drive to canvas an office building, sell some lunches at a school, translate a chinese menu to English, manage a kids birthday party and cold calling clients all in one day!

This is the difference between working for a large company that you have to play by the book and work within the box. I am not sure if I can do that anymore and follow the rule book and punch in at 9am sharp. To be honest, it never worked for me. I always have to challenge authority.

I really enjoy the part where I get to make important decision and see a new project that I roll out mature and become a success. Although it is risky, it is the most rewarding thing being an employee. Talking about being an employee, wow, I am liking it. Especially after being my own boss for so long, it is so nice not to worry about much at the end of your work day and just go home and chill. It might be nice to say I am the boss, but deep down, you are really an under paid and under appreciated person that hopes to make it one day. It is never enough, it is never successful enough. You are always looking for investor, you are always looking for new avenue to improve your company. It could be fun but it could also be draining. It takes every ounce out of you having your own business.

That is why I decided to sell my business before I have Cayenne. I cannot handle the pressure and do both. I might not make as much money, but at least at the end of the day, I can relax and enjoy my baby. I never thought I would find an employer that will tolerate my feeling about work, but I am glad, this seems to be working so far. We will see!

Metro Wonderland

Had been so busy with work, baby and planning parties. The latest was our boat trips yesterday, so much fun! Hong Kong is just fantastic in that regards. Lots of avenue for lots of fun. Junk trips are on of the things that is a must have in the hot summer sea in HK. I have been to lots of trips when I was a kid but this is the first time that I planned with my friends. Nice weather, nice boat, good food, wakeboard, but the most important, good company. Everyone had such a good time and so chill and cool about everything. Having a good mix of fun and relaxed people is one of the most important element when it comes to a good party. You can only do so much to please the crowd but if they are all tight and stuck up there is nothing you can do to make them happy.

Picking the right people to party with is very important. It depends on the nature of your party and what you want to accomplish you have to pick the guest you want to attend. Easy said than done! We got lucky yesterday, everyone had the same goal, to have a good time and soak up the sun and sea. No agenda, no worries, just let go.

Why is it so hard sometimes for people to let loose and just surrender for some fun and laughter? Maybe it is my personality that I don't get it. I got a long list of things to do in life that I cannot waste my time in life. Got to have fun while you can or else, life will just past you by.

Anyway, I am talking smack now. But I want to just shout out to all the new friends that I met this weekend. Had so much fun! Stay chill and keep partying!

Low Fat Banana cake with blue berries (Cayenne's Birthday Cake)

I am going to bake a cake based on Cayenne's favorite foods. Blueberries, bananas and cream. I found this recipe from joythebaker.com and really enjoyed it. It is low in fat, not too sweet and the best part is can use all the old bananas that Cayenne cannot finish and make it into breakfast for the family. Here is the recipe for the cake

Low Fat Oatmeal Banana Bread

1 1/4cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
a pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp canola or walnut oil
1 large egg, beaten
2 medium egg white, beaten
3 large bananas, ripe
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 35oF. Grease and flour a loaf pan and set aside. In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients including the oats and cinnamon.

In a small bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add oil and whole egg and mix well.

Add wet ingredients into the dry and mix well. Batter will be thick.

In a medium sized bowl, with an electric hand mixer, beat egg whites until soft peak. Fold egg whites into batter in three additions.

Pour batter into pan and bake until top of loaf is firm to touch, 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Flip out and cool on a wire rack for another 10 minutes. Slice loaf into 10 equally size slices.

In this case, I use this as my cake base and I used a 9 inch and a 6 inch round pan.