tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423416662605777412024-02-21T00:06:55.481+08:00Always & ForeverMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-55861521764059512062017-03-23T12:22:00.000+08:002017-03-23T12:23:25.903+08:00Cookbook • BACON BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Let me preface this post by saying that I am aware that I spelt brussel<b><u>S</u></b> sprouts wrong in my book. I will fix it. Promise. #noshame</i></span></div>
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While updating some recipes and tacking some photos in my cookbook this week, I realized I didn't have much in my recipe collection that fell under the category of "side dishes." So, in my grocery shopping pursuits this week I saw the store had some really good looking brussels sprouts, something I don't eat very often. I usually stick with my basic loves for broccoli, green beans, and asparagus. And so begins another recipe adventure...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>BACON BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS</u></b></span><br />
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INGREDIENTS: </div>
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+ 1 lb brussels sprouts<br />
+ 2 tbsp sugar<br />
+ 2 cups balsamic vinegar<br />
+ 1/2 cup of bacon, cooked, chopped<br />
+ salt & pepper<br />
+ EVOO<br />
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1. Cut off the stems of the brussels sprouts and remove the outside leaves that might be discoloured or rubbery. Wash. </div>
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2. Cut the brussels sprouts in half and toss them in a bowl with a generous drizzle of EVOO and a liberal shake of salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">°</span>C for 30-40. At the half way point, turn over the brussels sprouts so they brown on the other side. </div>
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3. While the brussels sprouts are cooking, make the balsamic reduction. In a sauce pan, bring to a boil the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Reduce temperature and let simmer until the vinegar has become thick and reduced by half (approximately 20 minutes). Set aside.<br />
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4. Remove brussels sprouts and add the cooked, chopped bacon. Plate and drizzle with as much balsamic reduction as your heart desires. I'm generous with my drizzles. I like a lot of that tangy goodness!<br />
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I loved the crunchy bits of bacon in this dish. I also loved the crispy leaves on the outside of the brussels sprouts from roasting them in the oven. Next time, I'll definitely roast these with some garlic (like I do when I roast all veggies - still not sure why I didn't do this in the first place. Everything is better loaded in garlic! Am I right!?) </div>
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Cookbook is coming along nicely. I'm edging on the 30 recipes marks. Goal is to be to 40 recipes before summer vacation! I've been experimenting with techniques and flavours I experienced in Italy. I haven't written any of those recipes down yet. Once I do, I'll be sure to share one on here!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-29702046658918098202017-02-26T18:51:00.001+08:002017-02-26T18:57:04.973+08:00Italy 2k17 - VENICE<div style="text-align: justify;">
I already knew that Venice was going to be a legit <u>"dream come true"</u> moment for me. Venice was my first taste of the <i>"there's more out there then my small little town"</i> mentality. At the age of 13, I vividly remember seeing that picture of Rialto Bridge and saying to myself: "I will get there!" So,needless to say, Venice had high expectations and I was a little bit nervous that it wouldn't meet them. SPOILER ALERT: It met every expectation and MORE!</div>
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Venice was my first interaction with the Italian culture. It was my first taste of <i>REAL </i>Italian food. It was my first sip of true Chianti wine. It was my first "Buongiorno" and my first "Ciao." Sigh, take me back?<br />
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I will never forget the feeling and emotion that came over me when I rounded the corner and got my first glimpse of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. I grabbed Ken's arm as I gasped and I exclaimed over and over again <i><b>"ohm'god, ohm'god, ohm'god!"</b></i> Instantly, tears filled my eyes. I had sunglasses on at the time but when I removed them, I looked at Ken and pointed to my face and said "I'm actually CRYING!" We then just stood there and watched the gondolas drift by and I looked at the beautiful buildings along the water over and over again. I didn't want to leave. I could have just stood there for the next 2 weeks of the trip and been content, I'm sure of it!</div>
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After standing there a while, we walked up and over and saw the other side of the bridge. Restaurants lined the walkways on either side of the bridge. Docks lined the water where gondolas were waiting to take folks on a journey through the small canals that make up Venice. It was dusk and the sun was setting making the ambiance even more memorable. What I dreamt didn't even COMPARE to the beauty of seeing all of this in person. A feeling I'll never forget. Bucket list item checked. </div>
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We spent 2.5 days in Venice. It's a small city and 2.5 days was good enough to see everything. This isn't to say you couldn't stay longer. We spent our days walking the narrow streets. There's a lot of beautiful architecture and history to see in Venice. And it is so easy to get lost in Venice. You get turned around quite easily while mindlessly twisting and turning through the small streets and alleyways. Thank GOD for the old fashioned paper map! The city is very charming and romantic. I loved walking through the streets and crossing all the small canals. There are over 4000 small bridges in Venice! I'm pretty sure on our walks, we must have crossed at least half of them (I'm only <i>slightly</i> exaggerating).</div>
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Now, let's talk <b>food</b>.<br />
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It's going to be really hard for me to fully describe how this food brought me the joy that it did. We didn't have a bad meal in Venice. How could you when the people take such pride in their cuisine?! There is so much love and joy put in to every plate of food that is put in front of you. You can taste how the recipe has been developed and shared from one generation to the next. You can see how some restaurants have taken the techniques and flavours they were taught as a child growing up and put their own modern takes on them. Many of the meals had me speechless and all I could do after taking a bite was to sit back and just say "MMM" over and over again.<br />
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Fettucine in a porcini mushroom cream sauce.<br />
Vongole (pasta with clams)<br />
All of the crostini with bruschetta, garlic oil, prosciutto, mortadella...the list keeps going<br />
Cheese on cheese on cheese<br />
Ricotta cheesecake<br />
And the meal of all meals in Venice: squid ink ravioli with white fish and a saffron sauce. I can't <b><i>even</i></b>. NOPE. There are no words to describe our last night in Venice. Just the "heart eye emoiji" forever and ever.<br />
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I fell in love with Venice at first sight. My Italy trip was off to a good start. The weather was gorgeous. We went expecting it to rain every day considering it was the official "rainy" season. Also, we have friends who had visited Italy at the same time of year in the past and they warned us to be ready for rain and stressed the need for extra socks and good waterproof boots and jackets. Our entire stay in Venice (and Italy for that matter) was rain-free! It was like a perfect Canadian spring day every day that we were there.<br />
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I'm going to let the pictures do the rest of the talking about my time in Venice. Hopefully my words and these photos will truly express how easily it is to fall in love with this place. I truly hope I can go back to Venice someday. Soon.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">Next stop: Florence! Stay tuned...</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-69249764190470940712017-01-20T09:08:00.000+08:002017-01-20T09:14:45.598+08:00This is freaky...slash...I DID IT!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Woah, woah, woah!! </div>
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Like I'm a little bit speechless right now. </div>
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Goosebumps! </div>
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Am I over-reacting? </div>
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Ok, perspective. Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at my desk thinking about this blog and past posts. Sometimes I like to travel down memory lane and I'll pick a tag and read through those posts and reminisce and marvel at the growth and journey I've been on. </div>
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So, while daydreaming, I vaguely remembered writing a post when I started this blog 6 years ago (SIX YEARS AGO!) about my travel goals in the future. And GUYS! I literally wrote <b><u><a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2011/10/someday.html" target="_blank">THIS</a></u></b> a little over five years ago. </div>
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Re-reading it again now, my eyes well up with tears. I feel these emotions because tonight I'm taking flight and literally going on my dream trip for two weeks. Two weeks in Italy! First stop is Venice, then on to Florence, and finishing off in Rome. While in Florence, I'll be taking a day trip to Tuscany and Pisa. I'm sharing this journey of a lifetime with one of my greatest friends as well, Ken. It's a bit surreal, but the excitement I'm feeling is unreal!<br />
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At the end of that 2011 blog post, I wrote: <i>"So here I am, declaring to you that in the next 5 years I will live my dreams and travel (through Europe)." </i>Ok. So I'm not traveling ALL OVER Europe. But I am doing what I set out to do and I'm taking that trip of a lifetime. The one I've been dreaming about since I was 13.<br />
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Amazing where life leads you. Yeah, I wrote that down in my blog - but a small part of me did it half knowing that I'd probably never follow through with it. You know what I mean? One of those BIG goals you say "I HAVE TO DO THIS!" but is it truly feasible? It's a big world out there and 5 years ago at the time when I wrote that blogpost, little ol' small town me was quite comfortable in my little ol' Fredericton home living my comfortable and familiar life. In fact, I still experience a little anxiety when it comes to traveling and the unknown. That "knots in your stomach" kind of feeling when you think you might get lost, lose a passport, miss a flight, do something wrong and piss off the locals.<br />
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But, those feelings haven't stopped me yet! There's too much world out there to see for me!<br />
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<i>"I often hear of friends and acquaintances travelling and seeing what the world has to offer. Why can't I be one of those people?"</i> Dear 2011 Melissa: You are! </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-31777257304182279342016-11-11T10:48:00.001+08:002016-11-11T10:48:45.072+08:00Inked in Beijing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On October 7th, I got a new tattoo.<br />
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This is something I've wanted to do now for about a year. I wanted to have a memory of these very important years of my life that I've spent living in China. I knew immediately that I didn't want anything in Chinese writing. Not my style. Too cliché. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Then again, I have a compass on my ankle. Soooo, who am I to judge being cliché!?) </span><span style="font-size: xx-normal;">So, I started to think about things that reminded me of China, specifically Beijing. A lot of my thoughts, of course, went immediately to food. But, I can't say I was ready to jump at the commitment of tattooing a dumpling on my body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-normal;">My absolute favourite time of the year at home in Canada is fall. No question! The colours, the smells, the feelings, the coziness, the flavours. I. Love. AUTUMN! However, Beijing's autumn isn't quite the same. My favourite season in Beijing is spring. The colours, the smells, the feelings, the coziness, the flavours. I. Love. SPRING (in Beijing)! </span></div>
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After a lot of thought (like, almost a year of thought) I decided that I wanted to get something connected to my love for spring in Beijing. And I came up with Chinese plum blossoms. These beautiful pink flowers come out in full force around April/May in Beijing. They brighten the place up after a grey, smoggy, and dark winter.<br />
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There's also the symbolism that comes with spring: rebirth, new life, and growth. Which is exactly how I see the symbolism of my life (so far) in Beijing. I've discovered a lot about myself over these four years - I've grown as a person, as a teacher, as a traveller, as a global citizen. I've opened my mind to many different lifestyles, cultures, and ways of life. I've seen a lot of things I never imagined I would. I've been reborn as someone who is internationally minded and aware, as opposed to my closed minded, small town self from six years ago.<br />
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I asked the tattoo artist to design the image with closed buds at the bottom of the branch, opened flowers in the middle of the branch, and then closed buds again at the top. To me, this represents the transformations I've experienced while living in China. The bottom buds symbolizing the me I was before moving abroad, the flowers representing the change and growth I have experienced, and the buds at the top of the branch symbolizing the growth and transformations I will continue to experience later in my life.<br />
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I love my new tattoo and what it represents. I love that it's unique and original. I love that'll always be a constant reminder of how important it is to discover yourself, to grow as a person, and to experience all that life and the world has to offer.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-45792090512046503612016-10-27T21:27:00.001+08:002016-10-27T21:27:16.746+08:00Cookbook • CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAMA & PICO DE GALLO<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2016/10/cookbook-update.html" target="_blank">As promised,</a> I'm making cooking a priority again in my journey to #bebetter and focus on what makes me happy. I'm really good at telling other people to take care of "Number One" that sometimes I forget to heed my own advice. </div>
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Over the last two weeks since making my presence again on the blog, I've created three new recipes, documented some "oldies by goodies" in my cookbook journal, and brainstormed some ideas for future kitchen adventures. Most of the time, my recipe ideas come to me when I'm walking the aisles of the grocery store. I LOVE shopping...at the grocery store and fruit and veggie markets. I love looking at all the ingredients, trying to come up with inspirations and ideas, thinking about what food adventure I could go on next. </div>
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Ok, so who doesn't love tacos?! Seriously though. Tacos are AMAZING. And very versatile. Hard shell or soft shell. Corn or flour. Chicken or beef. Or fish! Salsa or sour cream. Or dare I say BOTH!? The options are endless. These tacos came from...well...a walk through the grocery store. I knew I wanted to make a taco recipe for the book, but wasn't sure what direction to go in. I have had this pico de gallo recipe in my back pocket for a few years now. So I knew I wanted it to have that. As I walked the produce section of the grocery store I go to here in Beijing, I saw the avocados. And the rest is kinda, sporadic. I just grabbed ingredients and went with it. And this is what I came up with: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAMA & PICO DE GALLO</u></b></span></div>
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<u style="text-align: left;">Avocado Creama</u></div>
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+ 2 avocados </div>
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+ 1/2 cup greek yogurt, plain </div>
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+ juice of 1/2 lime </div>
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+ cilantro </div>
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+ salt & pepper </div>
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<u>Pico de Gallo</u></div>
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+ 2 tomatoes, seeded, diced* </div>
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+ 1 clove garlic, minced finely </div>
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+ 1/2 red onion, finely diced </div>
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+ 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped </div>
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+ juice of 1 lime </div>
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+ sugar</div>
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+ salt & pepper </div>
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<u>Shredded Chicken </u></div>
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+ 2 chicken breasts</div>
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+ 1 tsp garlic powder </div>
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+ 1 tsp chili powder </div>
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+ 1/2 tsp paprika </div>
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+ salt </div>
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+ juice of 1/2 lime </div>
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<u>Other</u></div>
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+ 1 cup purple cabbage, julienned </div>
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+ juice of 1/2 lime </div>
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+ hard corn taco shells </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*If I had my choice of tomatoes for pico de gallo, they'd be roma tomatoes. Not as juicy, which means your finished product won't be watered down. I haven't found roma tomatoes yet in Beijing, so I opt for "hot house" type tomatoes. If you have access to romas and you are making this recipe, use 4 tomatoes as they are generally smaller in size than hot house. </i></span></div>
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1. Poach chicken in 4 cups of water for 12-15 minutes. Remove and shred with forks. Add garlic powder, chilli powder, paprika, pinch of salt, and juice of 1/2 lime. Mix with hands. Taste and add seasoning as needed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcia8CS-Q1l1KXZzSI5eyPGSbyhAfv61DW2FWPluSF1Xxvj06c_AWNaZxRQIIzD6qp5OENKG36_bGLPX0BjuielDkv2UWDsUHVjcttcCVPnSq840R_rzgXbpZoWsA1rHtAm5NnMxsallc/s1600/IMG_9377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcia8CS-Q1l1KXZzSI5eyPGSbyhAfv61DW2FWPluSF1Xxvj06c_AWNaZxRQIIzD6qp5OENKG36_bGLPX0BjuielDkv2UWDsUHVjcttcCVPnSq840R_rzgXbpZoWsA1rHtAm5NnMxsallc/s320/IMG_9377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. While chicken is poaching, assemble pico de gallo. Combine chopped tomatoes, garlic, red onion, cilantro, lime, pinch of sugar, salt and pepper. Mix together and let sit for 5 minutes. Taste and add lime or salt as needed. </div>
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3. Now, assemble avocado creama. In a blender or food processor, add avocado, lime, greek yogurt, and a handful of cilantro. Pulse until the ingredients have combined together into a smooth mixture with no lumps. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix with a spoon. </div>
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4. In a small bowl, combine julienned purple cabbage and the juice of half a lime. Toss together. </div>
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5. Once all components have been made, it's TACO TIME! </div>
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6. TACO SHELL + SHREDDED CHICKEN + PURPLE CABBAGE + PICO + CREAMA</div>
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7. Serve with a side of creama, pico, and a lime wedge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GEw1FZNhBnd7lLPi2QkHN4muNxvezUqXJjV9WRevv_7UCg8jMKNJKXZnoGeQ6YrG86g3YZOvlnQIByDqD1jNmeDZOw7wQIiYZr73W9pUQdyNH5GOYnZEPrwPIeSz16n1lskloQaLrnI/s1600/Image+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GEw1FZNhBnd7lLPi2QkHN4muNxvezUqXJjV9WRevv_7UCg8jMKNJKXZnoGeQ6YrG86g3YZOvlnQIByDqD1jNmeDZOw7wQIiYZr73W9pUQdyNH5GOYnZEPrwPIeSz16n1lskloQaLrnI/s640/Image+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty proud of this recipe. The flavours work really well together. The tangy bite from the pico, the sweet & smooth flavour of the creama, the crunch from the cabbage and hard shell, the spice from the chicken. I ate three...and I'm drooling again thinking about the idea of getting to eat the leftovers for lunch! </div>
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Something I'd like to try next time is adding cheese. Maybe crumbles of queso fresco (if I can find it in Beijing) would add another depth of flavour? I'm a woman on a mission for Mexican cheeses now! Watch out, Beijing! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Links to my Twitter & Instagram pages on the right!)--------></span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-50476839047704486232016-10-12T19:24:00.000+08:002016-10-12T19:46:11.082+08:00Cookbook • UPDATE<div style="text-align: justify;">
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May 18th. The last time I posted on this blog. 5 months ago. I don't feel guilty about it, but I also don't want to quit blogging. I love writing down my thoughts! I love being reflective. And I am in a very reflective mood this week. I need to hit a big ol' red reset button and get back to focusing on ME. And the one thing that never fails to make me happy - <u>COOKING</u>. </div>
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Yes, I am still writing my <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.ca/2016/04/the-beginning-of-new-journey.html" target="_blank">cookbook</a>. Not as often as I'd like to be. I've never stopped creating. I just haven't been writing down my recipes as promptly and frequently as I would like to be. </div>
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I cooked A LOT this summer. I had so many amazing summer recipes I wanted to try. A lot of them I never got to, but some of them I did. I documented a few, but I also forgot to document a lot of them. But what I am certain of is I had a wonderful summer back home in New Brunswick <span style="font-size: x-small;">(blog post coming SOON!) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqcfGv6qNNUxEGMz5pnvsG3A3Gj0FZiFJGk19L2w_1JwAFo8GNZ3ZghwYUEeSK9-zi4kWtbDHAAJaqRXNk1vdIxvHLJk0CfORe7s-IV-r2JbHJ43r_KGwIN_joY3sAQ5hpKPGUpfAYAQ/s1600/IMG_9267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqcfGv6qNNUxEGMz5pnvsG3A3Gj0FZiFJGk19L2w_1JwAFo8GNZ3ZghwYUEeSK9-zi4kWtbDHAAJaqRXNk1vdIxvHLJk0CfORe7s-IV-r2JbHJ43r_KGwIN_joY3sAQ5hpKPGUpfAYAQ/s640/IMG_9267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, tonight I am sitting with my good friend <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> at one of our favourite restaurants, <a href="http://mokabros.com/en/" target="_blank">Moka Bros</a>, sipping wine by candlelight, writing recipes and blogposts. Getting back to working on me. Because that's what I need to do right now. For me. </div>
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Stay tuned for recipes of some of my favourite recipes I'm making right now, including my homemade Greek Pasta Salad, Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken, and Mango Pineapple Salsa. </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-80058299890988763232016-05-18T22:46:00.000+08:002016-05-18T22:46:56.067+08:00Happy Birthday, Mom!<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's my Mom's birthday! I've written many, many posts about how amazing and loving my mother is, and you should read them (<a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2015/05/happy-birthday-mom.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-birthday-mom.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2013/05/happy-birthday-mom.html" target="_blank">here</a>, AND <a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-birthday-mom.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I always read through them again prior to writing these birthday posts, and it just reminds how lucky and truly blessed I am to not only call her my Mom, but also one of my best friends!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDY5tvwB_FKRrVgFwGqOWTcgvdMsNcAD5mSuY4HP0HZLPY54KTdZUYO_Brr0Uuu8rVnXzzjpzFv5sdiKs4vzJLuNk5UV74Oah7S5TSoM7d-VJ3aIUKUCgc8lCswR40uvCMZlGCJzdzKs/s1600/11934932_10153598740399766_8664349023378077848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDY5tvwB_FKRrVgFwGqOWTcgvdMsNcAD5mSuY4HP0HZLPY54KTdZUYO_Brr0Uuu8rVnXzzjpzFv5sdiKs4vzJLuNk5UV74Oah7S5TSoM7d-VJ3aIUKUCgc8lCswR40uvCMZlGCJzdzKs/s640/11934932_10153598740399766_8664349023378077848_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kind, thoughtful, supportive, loving. These are just a couple of the many words that can be used to describe who my mother is. But one word that stands out above the others: selfless. My mother constantly puts others before herself. She is always there when you need her, even when you're on the other side of the world. Life is tough sometimes, and something I know to be true is that no matter how old you get and how independent you are, sometimes you just need your Mom.<br />
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I could honestly go on forever about how much I love my mother. Family is extremely important to me, and it is the values that have been instilled in me by my parents that have really influenced the person that I am today. What I love the most about the relationship that I have with my mother is how open and honest I can be with her, and I always know that she will be there to listen, give advice (even if it isn't what I want to hear), and to no matter what love me through thick and thin. I can't emphasize enough how truly grateful I am to consider my mother a friend.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Mom! I so wish I could be there to celebrate with you! But alas, we are 36 days away from being reunited. I miss you, I love you, and I appreciate you! xoxo</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-16782094413331769182016-05-15T17:49:00.001+08:002016-05-15T18:09:33.780+08:00Cookbook • ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES <div style="text-align: justify;">
I did a good amount of cooking last week, which made me SO HAPPY! I wrote in my <a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2016/05/still-here.html" target="_blank">"Still Here"</a> blogpost about how busy work life had been in April. I foresee it getting busy again in about a week or so as the school year is quickly wrapping up around here. BUT, until then, I'm focusing at home on cooking and building up my cookbook. Last week I added three recipes to my cookbook: Pad Thai (which I learned how to make in <a href="https://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/04/southeast-asia-vacation-thailand.html" target="_blank">Thailand</a> 2 years ago <i>SLASH</i> I'm just looking back now and realizing I didn't write about my cooking class in Thailand. Sad face!), Chicken with White Wine Mushroom Sauce, and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. </div>
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The chicken recipe was good, but it needs some work and some tweaking. It wasn't QUITE what I had pictured when I drafted the recipe the night before. Notes that I wrote in my cookbook journal include: <i>"Flavour is off. I added salt, but was afraid to add too much because my side of rosemary roasted potatoes were on the salty side. Other flavours that could be added next time: thyme? parm cheese? (maybe as a crisp garnish"?) ????") </i>So, I'm not ready to share THAT recipe yet. </div>
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However, the potatoes I made were brilliant. And they are so versatile. You could substitute so many different herbs if you aren't a fan of rosemary. Or if you are a fan of rosemary, but just like to try new things and explore, like me!</div>
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They'd taste amazing with thyme as well. </div>
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And also, grilled on the BBQ. I mean, summer is just around the corner guys and nothing says summer like a BBQ cookout! </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES</u></b></span></div>
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+ 20-25 baby potatoes<br />
+ extra virgin olive oil (appox. 2 tbsp)<br />
+ 2 tbsp roughly chopped rosemary<br />
+ salt and pepper<br />
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Rinse potatoes and dice them in to similar sizes (this is really important to make sure they cook evenly!)<br />
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Put potatoes on a baking sheet and coat with extra virgin olive. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the chopped rosemary. Use hands to mix and make sure everything is coated evenly.<br />
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Bake at 350<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-indent: 27px;">°</span>C for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender and crispy on the outside.<br />
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PS - Make sure you flip and turn potatoes over half way through the cooking time.<br />
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Let me know if you try out this recipe! And let me know if you substitute with other herbs or flavours. I think the next time I make them, I'll use thyme and garlic. Garlic on everything makes it so much better!<br />
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And also, thank you everyone for the amazing support and feedback about my goals and new journey! The messages and comments have been an amazing motivator and I'm beyond thankful for all of you who are reading this!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Links to my Twitter and Instagram pages on the right!) ---></span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-70048972560929041902016-05-09T06:00:00.000+08:002016-05-09T06:00:16.854+08:005 Years. <div style="text-align: justify;">
This date always looms over me. And over the last couple of days I've been reflecting, reading old blog posts, and thinking about how I feel. Of course, I feel sad. And I always miss home more than normal today. And, I'm a little breathless and at a loss for words thinking about the reality that it has been 5 years since Grandad passed away.<br />
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How does time fly by so quickly? So much has changed in our family, and it makes me sad that he isn't here to see it. I feel like these are the best years of my life recently, and I feel like a completely different person than I was when he died. I've grown immensely, and so has our family. Huge milestones have happened, memories have been made, and journey's have been taken. And I guess I'm in this limbo of feeling sad that he is gone, but also sad that he's not here to be part of our growth. </div>
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And for some people, being <i>"here"</i> doesn't have to be a physical thing. For some people, there is a stage in their mourning where they feel their loved one lost is with them spiritually or in faith. Dealing with Grandad's death has taught me even more that I don't know what I believe. It's very rare, but when I do have a dream about him, I <i>think</i> I feel that his presence in my dream is him being present in my life. "Spiritually." But trying to find happiness and comfort in the idea that Grandad sees what I am doing and he "knows" doesn't work for me. I need him here, in the flesh. I need him here to talk to. I need him here so I can see him. </div>
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Last summer, our family had a little reunion in Saint John. Uncle David came East from Vancouver, and before I fled back to China, we all gathered for fun, food, and family. This. This is when I feel Grandad with us. In the way Uncle Mark smiles and hugs me, the way Brad laughs, the way we dance like fools on the back deck busting a gut laughing, the stories Uncle David tells about their childhood. But most of all, I feel him with us the most when I see how happy my Grandmom is in those moments. None of this would be our reality if it weren't for her and Grandad. Our successes and growth are reflected in their relationship, their leadership, and their love. </div>
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I love my Grandad so much. I miss him so much. And he continues to be one of the greatest motivators in my life. Always and forever. </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-14553630652405051682016-05-04T15:09:00.001+08:002016-05-04T15:09:52.553+08:00Still Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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YAAASSS QUEEN!! Julia knows what she's talking about! I snapped this picture when I was in Ubud in February because I knew it'd bring me joy every time I looked at it.</div>
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It's been a busy couple of weeks in the life of this teacher. Besides the regular grind of being a teacher that includes lesson planning, marking, and instruction, I've been immersed in helping with the school musical. Last week and this past weekend I pretty much spent at school. I was home long enough to wind down for an hour or so, and then go to bed. While it was exhausting and a lot of work, I enjoyed every single minute of it! These students are extremely talented, and I had so much fun working with them. </div>
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But now the show is over, and I am back to focusing on me (and the piles of marking and planning I still have to do/catch up on!) I have some recipes sketched out and planned in my journal, and I'll be doing some heavy cooking this week and next. Except a new recipe in the very near future!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - Home in 50 days!!</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-17086777463962630392016-04-12T22:00:00.000+08:002016-04-14T11:29:02.542+08:00The Beginning of a New Journey. <div style="text-align: justify;">
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Guys, I'm writing a cookbook! A book full of my own original recipes. Cooking has always been a big passion of mine. I can't remember a time where I didn't love to cook. My dad shares this passion with me, so maybe it's in our genes?! But since moving to China, I've lost some of that passion. Partly because my kitchen isn't ideal (toaster oven and a hot plate have proven to be challenging at times), and it has become so easy to just order food at the end of a work day. But, still, when I do cook, I remember how much fun I have and how good it makes me feel to create. </div>
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If I'm being completely honest, I feel like my life has been in a rut lately. I haven't felt any spark of passion for anything in a long time. I just go about my daily routine, and at the end of the day, I sometimes feel lonely and lost. A lot of that passion came from creating in the kitchen. I love entertaining and cooking for other people, and I love messing around with flavours and ideas. I love going to a grocery store and spending hours (seriously, HOURS) going up and down the aisles, looking at the produce, the cheeses, the meats, the spices, the possibilities! I'm literally grinning from ear to ear thinking about being there just a couple of hours ago! I truly do believe that a part of my life is meant to be devoted to creating delicious, feel good food in the kitchen. </div>
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How did I come up with this idea? As most of you know, I'm a teacher. Last week, our grade ten students presented their personal projects to the school; a year long project they've been working on. They decided on something they wanted to create that they were interested in learning more about. Kids created stop motion movies, haute couture gowns, and pixel art. I "jokingly" said to a fellow teacher: "Man, I'm leaving here seriously motivated to create something of my own!" Little did she probably know, I honestly WAS motivated. That night, I thought about it more, and I decided that what I need to do is make a cookbook. I can explore my interest more, learn more, and ultimately decide if I want the culinary arts to be a hobby or more of a career-type thing. This is what I hope to get out of this "personal project" of my own. I'm on a mission, a journey, to find my passion and love for cooking again!</div>
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So tonight! The journey began. I went out, I explored the grocery store, and I came home the ingredients to make my first entry into my journal that will one day become my cookbook. I intend to blog some of my recipes, and others I'll keep only in my journal. I'll be Snapchatting my journey and posting on Instagram. You should follow me! My handle for both is mel_dickinson. Come find me!<br />
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So here it is. My first recipe!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>SUNDRIED TOMATO, BACON, PESTO PASTA BAKE</u></span><br />
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Pesto Sauce:<br />
+ 2 cups fresh basil leaves<br />
+ 1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted<br />
+ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated<br />
+ 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped<br />
+ extra virgin olive oil<br />
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Put basil, pinenuts, cheese, and garlic into a blender or food processor. Begin mixing on low and slowly add oil to the blender. Continue to add oil gradually while mixing until desired consistency.<br />
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Pasta Bake:<br />
+ 1 package of your favourite pasta (I used large elbow macaroni. Penne would also be great!)<br />
+ 8 slices bacon, cooked, choppped<br />
+ 1 small onion, diced<br />
+ 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped<br />
+ 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped<br />
+ 1-2 cups of spinach, roughly chopped<br />
+ 3/4 cup of heavy cream<br />
+ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated<br />
+ salt and pepper to taste<br />
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Cook your pasta in heavily salted boiling water according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside, saving 2-3 tablespoons of the cooking water.<br />
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Cook bacon in a frying pan until crispy. Set aside and chop once cooled. Use the leftover bacon grease to sauté the onions and garlic together. Once the onions become softened, add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. Add the sundried tomatoes and cooked bacon to the pan. Mix.<br />
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Add all of the pesto sauce from the blender or food processor to the pan. Mix. Stir in cream and mix until combined. Remove from heat. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.<br />
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Mix sauce with pasta in a baking dish. If it's difficult to combine the sauce and pasta together, add some of the reserved pasta water to the dish to loosen up the sauce. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif , "segoe ui emoji" , "segoe ui symbol" , "notocoloremoji" , "emojisymbols" , "symbola" , "noto" , "android emoji" , "androidemoji" , "arial unicode ms" , "zapf dingbats" , "applecoloremoji" , "apple color emoji"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-indent: 27px;">°</span>C for 20 minutes.<br />
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That's it folks! If I served this to my friends, I'd maybe add some chopped basil and a few crumbles of goat cheese to the plate. Eating myself, I just threw it in a the bowl and it was DELICIOUS with a glass of red wine.<br />
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When the timer on my toaster oven dinged after 20 minutes, and I took this dish out of the oven, I literally cried a little bit. I had to step away from the counter once I set it down and compose myself. I created this! I took things I knew from watching others, from reading cookbooks and recipes, and from my own palate and I created this dish! I tried something I've always wanted to, and I made homemade pesto. SO EASY! This is the result. Feel good food, and I'm feeling so full of passion and motivation, I can't wait to try my next recipe. I think it's going to be something sweet using inspiration from a family cookie recipe.<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read this. For being interested in me and what's going on in my life. And if you try this recipe out, let me know!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Links to my Twitter and Instagram pages on the right!) ---></span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-9484208513311757722016-04-10T16:20:00.000+08:002016-04-10T16:20:52.368+08:00Bali New Year.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bali is just one of those places you always read about. I feel like it's one of those places Beyonce goes to get away from her hectic life of being a celebrity and escape to a glamorous life of staying at some 5-star resort, getting a massage on her balcony, wining and dining on lush and lavish food and drink. I'd never actually dreamt of going to Bali, but I can recall moments in my life growing up hearing my friends talk about wanting to go to Bali, or reading in magazines and books about how gorgeous and exotic Bali is. Since moving to Beijing, I have had close friends travel to Bali and other areas of Indonesia and rave about how amazing it was. Time for me to go and see what the fuss was all about! </div>
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My goals for this 2-week vacation included (in no particular order): relax on a beach (and by the pool), eat ALL OF THE YUMMY food, explore, hang out with a monkey, and try not to get a sunburn. I accomplished all my goals...minus the sunburn. And before I go any further, let me tell you about sunburn in Indonesia! I never got burnt at anytime extremely bad. I got burnt once on my forehead and once on my shoulders. After a couple of days, when the burn started to peel, it left my skin really discoloured. It happened to some of my friends as well. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that the equator goes directly through Indonesia or not, so the type of sun we were exposed to, our bodies are not used to. Nevertheless, it was gross and it hurt and I hate getting sunburnt! Despite the amount of sunscreen I put on and the shade I sit under, my poor fair-skin just can't handle it. </div>
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We spent the first 3 days in Sanur, located on the eastern side of Bali. Sanur is a quiet area in Bali. The hotel we stayed at, <a href="http://www.agoda.com/hotel-segara-agung/hotel/bali-id.html" target="_blank">Hotel Segara Agung</a>, had an amazing pool only 15 steps away from out hotel room. It was also a 2-3 minute walk from the beach. And the side streets in Sanur were filled with cute little shops and restaurants. We ate breakfast every morning pool side, which I loved! What better way to wake up then to breakfast, coffee, a pool, blue skies, and warmth! We spent our days by the pool or at the beach relaxing, swimming, and reading. Evenings were spent at restaurants eating and drinking. It was a very peaceful first 3 days of vacation!<br />
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What's better than a cold beer on the beach?<br />
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The walkway from the street to our hotel was beautiful! The grounds of the hotel were equally as serene. </div>
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We found a gelato shop down the street from the hotel (which was also recommended to us by <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda</a>!). 2 scoops on a cone for $2. Can't get any better than that! I was a fan of mixing flavours; this one was Nutella and Toffee Almond, I think.<br />
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It rained almost every day we were in Bali. I guess that's what you get for traveling there during rainy season. Most times it never rained for more than 15 minutes. One afternoon in Sanur, we got caught in a right out downpour. So, we found a perch at a covered-patio on the beach, ordered some delicious Indonesian food, and drank sangria. No complaints! </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">After Sanur we traveled to Ubud, which is in central Bali. No beaches; instead we were immersed in lots of sight-seeing and touring. During our time in Ubud, I felt like I really learned a lot about the Indonesian and Balinese culture. We saw a traditional Balinese dance performance, drank<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak" target="_blank"> luwak coffee</a> in the jungle, watched the creation of traditional wood carving and oil painting, the T<a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/ubud/tegallalang-rice-terraces.htm#promo" target="_blank">eglalang rice terraces</a>, watched a bathing ritual at the <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/attractions/tirta-empul-temple.htm" target="_blank">Tirta Empul Temple</a>, and had lunch at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g303952-d676508-Reviews-Mount_Batur-Kintamani_Bali.html" target="_blank">Mount Batur</a>, an active volcano in Bali (even if it was a teeny tiny bit foggy and it blocked some of our view). This was probably my favourite touristy day! It poured rain the whole time we visited these locations, but I was extremely gracious and humbled to witness a few pieces of the Balinese culture and it really made me appreciate the place I was visiting.</span></div>
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We also visited the <a href="http://monkeyforestubud.com/" target="_blank">Monkey Forest</a> in Ubud. The hotel we stayed at, <a href="http://www.champlungsariubud.com/" target="_blank">Champlung Sari Hotel</a>, was across the street from the entrance to the Monkey Forest. I could have spent all day here! Despite being bitten by one little monkey, it was so much fun watching the monkeys interact with each other and with other visitors of the forest.<br />
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This was NOT the little guy who bit me. I just love the way the gentleman beside me is holding on to my leg all protective and such!<br />
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We spent about 3-4 hours at the forest. It all came to an end when Alexis was mauled by a monkey. He took a big chomp at her side and hung on by his teeth. There were screams, points, and maybe a little bit of laughter. She's alright, and luckily the monkey didn't break her skin. At that point, we'd had enough and quickly left the forest. Despite the bites, I'd highly recommend anyone to go to the forest. Don't look the monkey's in the eyes, and don't bring any loose items with you. They WILL take them...like my sunglasses.<br />
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He eventually did let them go once he was distracted by something else he could grab. But he had chewed them and dragged them everywhere, and they quickly went in to the garbage can. Luckily, they were cheap things I bought on the side of the road, and easily replaceable.<br />
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After Ubud, we spent a week in Gili. Gili is three small islands off the east coast of Bali. We stayed at <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/gili-trawangan" target="_blank">Gili Trawangan</a>. We originally weren't going to go Gili, but after talking to other friends who visited Bali & Indonesia in the past, we were convinced that it was worth the trek over to the islands.<br />
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Alexis and I rented bikes one day and biked around the island. It's small! 3km all the way around I think. We stopped a few times for pictures and were back at our hotel in an hour. It was a fun way to see the whole island! (Even if my butt was in A LOT of pain afterwards...that bike seat was hard!) <br />
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I tried two nights to see the sunset. The first night it was too cloudy, and the second night I saw most of it. But eventually the clouds covered the actual setting of the sun. It was gorgeous either way. <br />
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Gili T is beautiful! The island runs on solar energy, and there are no gas powered vehicles on the islands. You get around by walking, biking, or by horse and buggy. When I read about the horse and buggy system online, I almost didn't believe it. But it's true, folks! You get used to the horse smell after a few minutes of being on the island.<br />
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The water was crystal clear. Alexis and I also went snorkelling one day on a mission to find some sea turtles. We saw two BIG turtles on our adventure. We followed them around for a while, until I had to get out of the water because my poor, fair skin can't stay in the direct sunlight for that long. I managed to be a beach bum for a week in Gili and come out of it sunburn free!<br />
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I also took a cooking class in Gili! We made 7 different Indonesian dishes. Mie Goreng (noodles and vegetables), Gado Gado (vegetables and peanut sauce), and Tofu Satay (fried tofu and peanut dipping sauce). The chefs at <a href="http://gilicookingschool.webs.com/" target="_blank">Sweet and Spicy Cooking School</a> we're the most fun! They played music, sang, danced, and told hilarious jokes. They had as flambeing, singing, drinking, and laughing! Even if you don't like cooking, I recommend doing this.<br />
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Our final day in Indonesia we headed back to Bali and drove to Uluwatu. This was a last minute visit decision when deciding what to do with our last day. Do we go back to Sanur and relax? Or go somewhere new and see one last piece of Bali? We decided for the second option.<br />
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We watched the sunset over Uluwatu Temple while watching a traditional fire dance ceremony. I had read and heard from friends about the beauty of the sunset in Uluwatu. I mean, I am a <b>SUCKER</b> for a sunset! Sunsets all day, every day please! I can't explain it, but I just feel at ease, peaceful, and thankful all at once when I watch the sunset. That I get to be on this planet, seeing the things I'm seeing. I get all reflective and sentimental thinking to myself during a sunset. There are no words.<br />
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And with the final sunset in Uluwatu, my Indonesian adventure came to an end. I boarded a plane the next day headed back to Beijing. This trip was amazing! I love Southeast Asia, and I love Bali!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk-Wao8lZ_E8lHqc8BHPrrUtAZHUB5MHEzsEPttM7MS8mxpVQdR_kZj2OugLl_S4O03PQaaCO6fBy2FN3UpLog375UI5x8D-BJqLeegH0jmK6XxXim8uHfYFMtOug9OxhigF5vx5T1HU/s1600/IMG_7260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk-Wao8lZ_E8lHqc8BHPrrUtAZHUB5MHEzsEPttM7MS8mxpVQdR_kZj2OugLl_S4O03PQaaCO6fBy2FN3UpLog375UI5x8D-BJqLeegH0jmK6XxXim8uHfYFMtOug9OxhigF5vx5T1HU/s640/IMG_7260.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe you'd also like to check out my past adventures to <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Vietnam</a>, <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/03/southeast-asia-vacation-cambodia.html" target="_blank">Cambodia</a>, Thailand (<a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/04/southeast-asia-vacation-thailand.html" target="_blank">2014</a> & <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2015/06/thailippines.html" target="_blank">2015</a>), and <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2015/06/thailippines.html" target="_blank">Philippines</a>.</span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-11119838433273860952016-03-04T19:18:00.000+08:002016-03-04T19:18:12.422+08:00Harbin Ice & Snow Festival. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eeekk!! Hello my faithful friends and readers...IF you are still out there! I am so sorry it has been MONTHS (almost 3 to be exact, AHH!) since I last wrote. Thank you for still visiting my page while I was away. Your loyalty does not go unnoticed, and I am forever grateful that you all find an interest in my life and writing. I mostly write this for me, but I know that some of my friends and family back home are curious and interested in my experiences living abroad. So, I'M BACK! This time to tell you a story about my trip to Harbin in January with my friends Amanda and Tony. </div>
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This post is LONG overdue! I wanted to write it a long time ago, BUT life. Work life and personal life. So, here I am putting my work life on hold for a couple of hours so I can write this post. Because I definitely want to remember Harbin - it was for sure one of the most uniquely amazing experiences I've ever had in my travels so far! </div>
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Harbin has been on my list of places to visit in China for a couple of reasons. At my old school, I had a student who was from Harbin. Let's call him <i>John</i>. <i>John</i> was SO proud of where he was from. All my students were proud of where they were from, but <i>John</i> expressed it differently. He was a quiet student, and generally kept to himself. He was different then most of his classmates, and therefore, sadly, he wasn't always accepted nor did he have many friends. So whenever I had the chance to stop in the hallway, courtyard, cafeteria, library, etc. to talk to <i>John</i> I would. And 90% of the time our conversations headed in the direction of talking about Harbin. Hearing his stories about his life and the culture in Harbin intrigued me. This is when my desire to travel to Harbin began. Later, I took the time to research about Harbin and this is when I learned about the famous <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/heilongjiang/harbin/ice_snow.htm" target="_blank">Ice & Snow Festival</a>. You guys! This festival is EPIC! Towering structures made purely of ice and snow, COUNT ME IN! <i>John</i> never really spoke much about the festival. He'd tell me that I should go. But most of his favourite spots in Harbin surrounded food and shopping. So, over the summer, Amanda, Tony, and I decided that during the month of the Ice and Snow Festival, we would find our way there! </div>
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Firstly, I want to remember the temperature. Oh. My. GOD! Living in eastern Canada for the majority of my life definitely DID NOT prepare me for the cold I experienced in Harbin. It was FREEZING. Literally, it was so cold one night that my hair froze and started to form icicles. Look! </div>
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I was wearing so many layers. Two pairs of leggings, a pair of stretchy jeans, and then a pair of black pants on top of that. Sweaters, on sweaters, under coats. Two scarves at a time! I've never had to dress like that in Canada. During the day, the temperature would be about -25<b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">°</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">C </span>give or take a few. And this was with the sun shining brightly in the sky. At night time, it got below -30<b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">°</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">C. A</span>nd it was a dry cold. Just cold right to the bone! </div>
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Secondly, I want to remember the Ice Festival, of course! There are really no words for what I saw while I was there. So, let me tell you about it through pictures:<br />
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Thirdly, I want to remember the city itself. Like a lot of the cities in China, they are packed full of history. In addition, Harbin is in the VERY northern part of China which borders Russia. So, a lot of the cities influence comes from Russian culture. On the Saturday morning/early afternoon of our weekend there, we toured around the city. We saw Sophia Square and Church, Central Street where we ate ice cream <i>(YES, I said ice cream. Surprisingly, eating ice cream in a place that is that cold does the opposite of what you'd think. The ice cream was warmer than the temperature outside! So, if anything, it warmed us up!)</i> and we enjoyed hot Coca Cola <i>(probably won't have it again. Wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great).</i> Then, we went down to the water front and watched all the activities they had going on on the water. Skating, sliding, inner tubes tied to tractors and 4-wheelers. PS - Skating in China consists of sitting on a very small toboggan and using miniature ski poles to pull yourself around on the ice. Also, for the first time EVER, I saw bicycles with blades attached to them for skating. So interesting and different from what my western eyes are used to! </div>
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We had to call the touring quits mid-afternoon because we weren't fully prepared for THAT much time outside in the cold, and my legs were so cold they were starting to sting and hurt. I was actually fearful that I might get frostbite. However, we saw everything we wanted to see in the city, and that's what counts in the end (even if my legs took hours to fully thaw out). </div>
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Lastly, I want to remember the hospitality we experienced. The company I work for has a sister school in Harbin. When a friend of Amanda and Tony's heard we were coming to Harbin, they invited us to stay on campus. The staff at the school were so accommodating and friendly, and we were blown away at the kindness we were greeted with during our stay. They toured around with us, made sure we were comfortable, and even made us a little weekend schedule to make sure we saw EVERYTHING in our short stay. The words "THANK YOU" don't truly say how much gratitude we have for the lovely staff in Harbin! We truly were spoiled. </div>
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Some of my favourite moments while traveling are the small things that happen that impact me emotionally, and also those little things that happen that make me laugh uncontrollably or feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. For this trip, the one that sticks out in my mind the most happened in the first hour we had arrived. On the drive to the residence building, we spotted our first ice sculpture and the three of us got so excited. We yelped, screamed, ooo'd and ahh'd. Our new friends kept telling us it wasn't even that big. But to us, it was ENORMOUS! We tried to take a picture from in the car, but it was just TOO BIG! So, the driver stopped for us and we got out and took a picture.<br />
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It's blurry, you can't see us because it's dark, and part of the structure is cut off. However, I remember how big I was smiling in this picture. I remember we were all laughing. And I remember how excited I was when we got back in the car afterwards. It was one of those moments where I felt so fortunate to be on this journey and to be sharing it with my beautiful friends. It was one of those moments where I truly was in love with my life.<br />
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Traveling has become such a huge part of me. Exploring and seeing and doing. I can't imagine my life being anything else right now. Harbin was a quick weekend away, but a weekend I'm glad I had. Because, not only did I get to see another part of China and the world, but I was reminded about how much I love what I'm doing and I can't wait to see what comes next.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - It's Bali...and that blog post will be up very soon! </span></i></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-28653597216929068892015-12-18T14:25:00.003+08:002015-12-18T14:25:50.943+08:00The Time Has Come! Bags are packed. Double and triple checks have been made. Farewells and holiday wishes have been said. Now it's time to get on the plane because....<br />
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I'M COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! </div>
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To say I'm excited is an understatement. I don't think there is a word to accurately describe my feelings about going home for the holidays. I haven't slept well all week because I'm constantly day dreaming and thinking about what it's going to be like to be home. I love my job, but this week has been LOOONG! But now the time has come! In just about 24 hours, I'll be home in New Brunswick for the holidays. After two Christmas' away, I have a feeling that this one is going to be extra special! </div>
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See you soon, NB! xo</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-27520111996386130202015-12-14T10:23:00.000+08:002015-12-14T10:23:44.867+08:00Recipe: Baked Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I eat a lot of salmon. I have one go-to recipe and I usually stick with it every time I eat salmon, which is usually once a week. Sometimes I get bored of said recipe and I need to mix it up a bit. My friend </span><a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Amanda</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> was telling me about this "Lemon-Dill Sauce" she got at Ikea that she put on her salmon one night and really liked it. Just listening to her describe it made me drool! The next time I made salmon, I decided to try and make my own lemon dill sauce to top my basic go-to salmon recipe with. My first attempt at making it was a flop; way too much dill! The next time was better. And then the third time was OUT OF THIS WORLD good! I definitely don't think I'm a chef, but I certainly like to pretend I am one. My plating needs work <i>(see sad attempt at plating in photo above)</i>, but I definitely think I got the taste nailed down! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My "go-to" salmon recipe is simple: Salmon on a baking sheet; lightly coat with olive oil and squeeze of lemon; sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little chopped fresh dill; top with two lemon slices; bake for about 15 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lemon-Dill Sauce for Salmon</span></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">INGREDIENTS:</span></span><br />
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<li>plain yogurt, 7 tbsp</li>
<li>1 tbsp mayonnaise </li>
<li>3 tbsp chopped, minced fresh dill</li>
<li>1 clove garlic, minced finely </li>
<li>1 lemon</li>
<li>salt and pepper to taste</li>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">INSTRUCTIONS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Spoon about 7 tablespoons of the plain yogurt and 1 to 1 and a half tablespoons of mayonnaise into a bowl. Mix together with a spoon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Finely chop the fresh dill and garlic and add to the bowl with the yogurt/mayonnaise mixture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. I like my sauce bright with lots of lemon! So, I add the juice of the full lemon, but this might be too much for you. I suggest adding half a lemon first and tasting and if you want more, then add the other half. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Stir together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. </span></div>
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I served my salmon with rice and a side of garlic roasted asparagus. I garlic roast all my vegetables lately: broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts. I SLATHER my plate with this sauce. I went "light" for the photo op, but then sat at the table with the bowl of sauce beside me adding more and more. I mean, it's made from yogurt, so it's healthy right?! </div>
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Try out this recipe and please comment and let me know what you think! Was it to lemony? Too dilly? Just right? What ways do you like to cook salmon? Let's share! </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-72801883046882320242015-12-12T13:14:00.001+08:002015-12-13T17:43:04.384+08:00Weekend Getaway to Shanghai.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">At the beginning of November, I got a phone call from my friend Ken. He asked me if I'd be interested in going to Shanghai at the end of the month with a couple of other friends. Of course I was on board! Who doesn't love travelling and taking spontaneous trips just for the heck of it!?</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">So, on Friday (November 27th) I rushed to the train station after work to catch the bullet train to Shanghai with Ken, Alexis, and Andy. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sidenote: Andy had to work later than he would have wanted and didn't make it in time to catch the train. So, our group of four turned into a trio for the weekend. Sorry Andy!) </span><br />
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We got to Shanghai around 11:30pm that night and to our hotel at 12:30ish. A little part of us was hoping that Andy would already be at the hotel after maybe hopping a flight to Shanghai. Sadly though, he was not there. After settling in to our rooms and taking a short wander around the streets outside our hotel, we made a plan for the next day: good food, touristy things, see MIGUEL! more good food and drinks. Sounds like a plan to me!<br />
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<a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/06/shanghai-memories.html" target="_blank">I had visited Shanghai</a> with <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> in May of 2014. It was a holiday long weekend and we did a great job of seeing as much of the city as we could in such a short amount of time. This time around, I was going for a normal weekend with two people who had never been before. We agreed that the Pearl Tower and the Bund were a must! So after eating an amazing brunch at <a href="http://www.boxingcatbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Boxing Cat Brewery</a> (which I had eaten at last time I was in Shanghai), we hopped the subway to the Bund.<br />
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Oh, another thing! The weather in Shanghai was a treat that weekend! We left smoggy, cold Beijing wearing winter coats and scarves. The layers were shed in Shanghai where the sun was shining and the air was (almost) clean! It made for some awesome pictures of the Bund and city skyline.<br />
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After getting our scenic shots, we headed across the water to check out the Pearl Tower. Cliche as it sounds, the pictures really don't capture the view from the top of the Pearl Tower. And they also don't capture the feelings you have while you are up there. You really just need to check it out for yourself! I remember thinking to myself while looking out over the vast and enormous city, how eerie yet mind blowing it is that when I'm down there walking around those streets, there's this whole bustling city around me that stretches for what really is MILES! I'm just one little ol' person in a sea of millions of people! It's crazy! Really. <br />
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After going back to the hotel to "freshen up", we met up with my kindred spirit, Miguel! I love this little Peruvian. He makes my heart happy! And I'm so excited that he'll be living in Shanghai for the next couple of years because YAY VISITS! We had dinner at a delicious Thai restaurant called "Coconut Palace" and then we went over to the <a href="http://shanghaibrewery.com/" target="_blank">Shanghai Brewery</a> (which I also ate at last time I was in Shanghai) to have some drinks and continue our hilarious night. Seriously guys, I haven't laughed so hard so frequently in a LONG time. My "abs" hurt from laughing so hard on Saturday! I loved it.<br />
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Sunday, we had time in the morning to grab some brunch at <a href="http://www.kabbsh.com/" target="_blank">KABB</a> with Miguel. Miguel and I share a passion for food. We had discussions about how dining out should be an experience. I think Alexis and Ken might have given us a stare down or two, or maybe just an eyebrow raise, but Miguel and I truly are foodies. Brunch was AMAZING! I'm in love with all combinations of eggs benedict, and KABB's eggs benedict, topped with truffle hollandaise was...there are no words. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Dad, I see you drooling!) </span><br />
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And then to the train station we went back for home. Of course, the train ride back to Beijing felt like an eternity compared to the train ride to Shanghai. Most weekends, I like to spend time with friends while also finding some time to relax from the craziness that is full-time teaching. While there wasn't much relaxing done in Shanghai, there was friends, laughter, good food, good drink, sunshine, and lots of happiness! Now, that's how weekends should be! </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-67681697725817395302015-11-19T17:49:00.000+08:002015-11-19T17:50:02.783+08:00Addicted |1|<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
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I am currently obsessed with wearing lipstick.</div>
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The love affair with lipstick started at the beginning of the summer. Well, actually, in the spring it was birthed. I had gone to Hong Kong with some friends and we hit up the Lush store. They had some samples of lip tints so I tried one. I remember confiding in my friends about my uncertainty with wearing lipstick. That I thought it would make me look weird or it just wouldn't look nice on me. "Clown-like," ya know? Despite it all, I bought the lip tint. I used it quite a bit and got some compliments on it. So, I then bought another lip colour that was brighter and more vibrant. Before I knew it, I had gathered a whole collection of colours. Reds, pinks, mauves. I am addicted. In fact, last week I went to Sephora and spent almost $20 on a tube of red lipstick. <i>Oopsie. </i></div>
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I wear it all the time. Right now I'm obsessed with red lips. Bright red lips! I've been pairing it with gold-toned eye shadow for a holiday-type look. I'm no makeup genius, but I think it looks good! It makes me feel good, anyway...and that can't hurt, right? </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-12015478741858708132015-11-01T21:17:00.000+08:002015-11-03T08:37:19.608+08:00Happy Birthday, Amanda!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today is <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda's</a> birthday - one of my dearest friends. She is turning 26 and I was so to happy celebrate with her last night because <b>A.</b> she's my friend and I love her and <b>B.</b> she is finally the same age as me again! </div>
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I've written birthday blog posts to Amanda before: the <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/11/happy-birthday-amanda.html" target="_blank">"here's to the time</a>" post, the <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-birthday-amanda.html" target="_blank">reflection post</a>, the <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-birthday-amanda.html" target="_blank">"23 things"</a> post, and <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-birthday-amanda.html" target="_blank">the first birthday</a> post. Take a gander at all those posts and if you can't figure out why this girl is my friend, then you are insane! If you want the definition of a giving, thoughtful, kind, honest, and loyal friend, you'll find Amanda's name. If you want someone who listens, offers sound advice, and puts others before herself, Amanda is your girl. If you want to know what makes a great friend, just think of Amanda. She truly is one of the most kind hearted and thoughtful people I know. </div>
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We celebrated her birthday last night with a trip to Haidilao Hot Pot (a dining love that we share) with a small group of friends and family. We came back to her apartment and had birthday donuts, junk food, and watched Halloween movies. (Yes, I "watched" a scary movie - not scary for Amanda, but frightening enough for me who doesn't like any sort of scary movie!). </div>
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I was in Amanda's bridal party at her wedding this summer. I wrote a speech for the reception that had me in tears because while I wrote this speech and recited it, I was overwhelmed with this feeling of "LOOK AT HOW LUCKY I AM!" One of my goals in life is to be surrounded by love, and I am so lucky to have a select number of close friends who I truly love and feel loved by. Amanda is one of those friends. </div>
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Amanda, I want to wish you a Happy 26th Birthday! I hope that you have felt special all weekend and that you continue to feel special all year. Because you, my friend, are a good egg and I aspire to be the kind of friend you are every day. </div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-89674278241852466232015-10-19T18:33:00.000+08:002015-10-19T18:54:03.026+08:00I Voted! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I live in China and I voted. I'm two years away from being #Harpered*, and I voted. It started by printing the application, filling out the application, scanning and printing a copy of my passport, faxing it all to Canada, calling and finding out they didn't get it, finding out from <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> that I can apply online, applying online, getting a special ballot in the mail 5 days later, casting my vote, giving it to the Vice Principal so she can deliver it to the embassy, and done! </div>
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If I can do that 3 week process, you can take 20 minutes out of your day to vote! Please take the time today to have your voice heard. VOTE! Do the thing that many people around the world don't have the right to do. VOTE! If you don't know who to vote for, check out this website: <a href="http://www.strategicvoting.ca/" target="_blank">Strategic Voting</a>. VOTE! I'm a firm believer in "if you don't vote, you don't get an opinion!" VOTE! </div>
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#oustharper<br />
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I'm not trying to be all "look at me and what I did to vote, I'm amazing!" Because I'm not. I just want to motivate everyone to get out there to the polls today and vote! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Stephen Harper has made it impossible for people who have lived outside of the country for 5 years to vote. Many of my colleagues and friends here in China don't have a choice - they can't vote. You do! VOTE!</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-45712465172445345492015-10-14T22:09:00.000+08:002015-10-14T22:09:02.284+08:00Thanksgiving 2015. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year's Thanksgiving was a bit different than my past Thanksgiving's in China. Usually, it's surrounded by a number of people, involving a potluck, and getting to try all kinds of different foods that people associate with their traditional Thanksgiving dinners. This year, I was kind of sad at thinking I wouldn't get to take part in that tradition in my third year living in Beijing. In fact, up until the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving weekend, I had zero plans to celebrate Thanksgiving. I told <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> how I felt about it, and in an instant we had plans to celebrate Thanksgiving that coming Saturday!</div>
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We called <a href="http://lilysamericandiner.com/" target="_blank">a local restaurant</a> and ordered a turkey (which may or may not have cost $123) that they would cook for us, including the gravy. We decided we'd cook potatoes, green beans, squash, and potato dressing. There would be pickles, and cheese, and apple pie with ice cream for dessert. Wine would be poured and games would be played, and we would go around the table and tell each other what we were thankful for. We decided we would just have a small dinner for four to make it more intimate and family-like. So it was me, Ken, and the Zhang's. They were gracious enough to host us! </div>
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It was a great Thanksgiving in Beijing! We laughed and reminisced and shared stories. It made me so excited for Christmas time and getting to go home. All I could think about (besides how fortunate I am to have such amazing friends in Beijing to celebrate this Canadian holiday with) was my family and how much they mean to me. I have said it time and time again on this blog, but I am so thankful and blessed to come from such an amazing, rock-solid family. We are so close and love each other unconditionally. They are the greatest support system and I am filled with so much excitement to think that after 2 years away for the holidays, this year I'll get to sit around that table on Christmas day sharing in the joys of being together and and the warmth that comes with the Christmas season.<br />
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I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for my family and my friends that feel like family (Amanda said this at our Thanksgiving dinner, and it sums up perfectly how I feel about my friends), my students, getting to travel and see the world, FaceTime & Skype, good food, and where I come from.<br />
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I know it's a couple of days late, but Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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PS - Read about <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-are-you-thankful-for.html" target="_blank">what my students are thankful for</a> and my T<a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-weekend-getaway.html" target="_blank">hanksgiving getaway to Vancouver</a> in 2012. </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-22774933190206034512015-10-08T20:10:00.001+08:002015-10-08T20:10:39.299+08:00Summer Recap. <div style="text-align: justify;">
This summer was a WHIRLWIND. And that's kind of an understatement. I just don't know any other word that can convey what this summer was. But before I continue, let me back up a bit. </div>
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Last summer (my first summer back in Canada after living in China for year) was also a bit busy. I visited friends and family, went on two trips to PEI, and spent time running the roads of New Brunswick. I remember reflecting on the summer after returning to Beijing and thinking to myself (and also saying out loud) how "Next summer I'm going to spend much more time <u>RELAXING!</u>" <i>HA! HA! HA!</i> But, in my defence, I didn't exactly know 100% that I'd be transferring schools at the end of that school year which drastically changed the length of my summer vacation this year. Transferring from my prior school of two years, BCCSC, to its sister school in the city, CISB, meant that my school calendars changed. My old school wrapped up around the 10th-ish of July and started up again at the beginning of September of each year. My new school wraps up around mid-June and opens it's doors to a new school year mid-August. This means that my summer was cut in half. Instead of having the normal 7-8 weeks off, I was down to 4. I know some people out there probably are thinking "OH, poor Melissa. 4 weeks off from work and boohoo-ing about it!" But teaching is a unique job (and I'll open that can of worms another day) and when you've been living on the other side of the world for a full year, the more time at home the better! So 4 weeks was exciting because I was going home, but also a bit sad because I knew it would go by in a flash and that I wouldn't have time to truly relax and take in the gloriousness that is summer vacation! </div>
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So, there's the back story. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had many goals for summer vacation that I wrote up <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2015/06/19-days.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Let's recap! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTsiYVa6OFlwoUDCr3UusrOomOpfHiO4nN8AZ5Zj7SrE60Ud8I_rmkijyjsmOWiQK8XlTWuAyWaPewHqN1TJeVgXqpaNCHkxrf3swQBprIQCRCvt-erIeQ8PLa0U5efvlRhH3x0DC-yo/s1600/The+whole+gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTsiYVa6OFlwoUDCr3UusrOomOpfHiO4nN8AZ5Zj7SrE60Ud8I_rmkijyjsmOWiQK8XlTWuAyWaPewHqN1TJeVgXqpaNCHkxrf3swQBprIQCRCvt-erIeQ8PLa0U5efvlRhH3x0DC-yo/s640/The+whole+gang.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">+seeing my family and us all being together in one place.</span></strike></span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This was a success on SO many levels! We gathered to celebrate my Grammy Dickinson's 80th birthday and even had family photos done. My cousin Michelle and I made comment on how we don't remember a time with ALL of us being in one photo together. It was a milestone birthday for Grammy and it was captured in photos which I am so glad we have now! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">My Uncle David also came to visit from Vancouver this summer! I was so excited about this - I love catching up and visiting with this man. The final weekend I spent in NB before departing for China was spent in Saint John. We gathered as a Farwell clan and had such an amazing day/night. We did a scavengar hunt of downtown Saint John then had a Mexican feast for dinner back at my Uncle Mark and Aunt Carolin's. The dancing and laughter that happened induced by some fine tequila was gut-busting funny and a memory I won't soon forget. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Seeing my family and us all being together in one place = CHECK! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ hugs from my parents. They give the most amazing hugs!</strike></span></div>
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The hugs that I got from both my Mom and Dad at the airport when I arrived super late (or super early, depending on how you look at it) were THE BEST! I cried, of course! I just love them so much and feel so grateful to come from such a rock-solid, beautiful family. </div>
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Hugs from my parents = CHECK!</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">+ sitting on our back deck, sippin' a Dooryard, breathing in the fresh summer air, listening to the sounds of my quiet town.</strike></span></div>
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While I didn't have much down time at home this summer on my back deck, I was able to relax and enjoy a Dooryard or two back there. No photos, so you'll just have to take my word for it! Instead, I'll show you a photo of my view when I was sipping those glorious, citrus-filled, Dooryards.<br />
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Sitting on our back deck, sippin' a Dooryard, breathing in the fresh summer air, listening to the sounds of my quiet town = CHECK!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRlgqiGJ8tuRDvFaWLw4m1DUuy-BP3e4HIt27PA9NCSgWKi-jQdBwPEma_xEL1CN079BL64wcgvOz-rJxnCvPwxIfTGJgoopH3mdxHkj8UX2hDGUqbnazupQT9MFYttYYnq7Ct_nNocM/s1600/11707989_10153484798579766_2894911495248741993_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRlgqiGJ8tuRDvFaWLw4m1DUuy-BP3e4HIt27PA9NCSgWKi-jQdBwPEma_xEL1CN079BL64wcgvOz-rJxnCvPwxIfTGJgoopH3mdxHkj8UX2hDGUqbnazupQT9MFYttYYnq7Ct_nNocM/s640/11707989_10153484798579766_2894911495248741993_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">+ bonfires with neighbours and good friends.</strike></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;">One of my all-time favourite summer activities is camp fires. Partly because of the s'mores, but mostly because of the people who are there and the conversations we have around the fire. Every summer, the Johnston's (my second family) and the Dickinson's take a scoot across the border to Maine and go to this absurdly oversized serving "diner-type" restaurant called Grammie's in Linius. We eat ungodly amounts of food and then gorge on ice cream and head back home for a bonfire in our backyard. It's become a summertime tradition that I always look forward to and we always make time for. I've grown up with this family, and (Little) Brad and Nicky are like two more younger brothers to me. Rob and Tracey treat me and (Big) Brad like their own. I love them!</span></div>
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Bonfires with neighbours and good friends = CHECK! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiQjBVfRmQhz4xObS-iDc46QC4KyCGfTq3AiX2CqkN6Qo3YI2bTbaxuCmuq5nwe58GLibt2KdYmuZHe0SNBJ9o-0zTJmottgrF5mwB7Hd2xXjhW2ptDX4Jl7NJyPZ3iTifNgc3LU4Dhc/s1600/Sara%2527s+B-day+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiQjBVfRmQhz4xObS-iDc46QC4KyCGfTq3AiX2CqkN6Qo3YI2bTbaxuCmuq5nwe58GLibt2KdYmuZHe0SNBJ9o-0zTJmottgrF5mwB7Hd2xXjhW2ptDX4Jl7NJyPZ3iTifNgc3LU4Dhc/s640/Sara%2527s+B-day+Party.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></strike></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">+ traveling to Fredericton every chance I get to spend time with the best friends in the world.</strike></span><br />
While I would have liked to get there more often, I did get to Fredericton a couple of times. I got to celebrate my best friends 27th birthday with her and her friends. We even had a couple classic sleepovers! And saw Magic Mike XXL together on the whim (and was pleasantly, AND HAPPILY, surprised by the quality!) I got to take part in another best friends wedding (more on that in a minute). I visited with friends at the market and in downtown Fredericton. Sometimes it was when I passing through from one city back to Florenceville, other times it was to stay a couple of days. I'm just so happy I got the chance to see them! My friends mean the world to me, and I am so thankful that we can be apart for so long and still manage to keep in touch and pick up exactly where we left off! </div>
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Traveling to Fredericton every chance I get to spend time with the best friends in the world = CHECK!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><strike>+ Amanda and Tony's wedding!</strike></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This was a much anticipated event this summer! </span><a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" target="_blank">Amanda</a><span style="color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> asked me to be one of her bridesmaids in her wedding and I was happy and excited to accept the honour. Kudos to her for planning a wedding from China that would happen in Canada. I spent an evening or two with her planning and helping her to make some phone calls to businesses at home and while sometimes we laughed and broke out in to hysterics, there was also an equal amount of frustrations and annoyances. Regardless of all that, the day of was magical, beautiful, and unique. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It happened in Fredericton at O'Dell Park. The day of was a bit chilly, but it didn't rain as forecasted so that was a big YAY! It was a very small wedding with family and close friends. It was intimate and special, and I shed quite a few tears when they exchanged their vows. What an honour to watch them say "I Do!" Happiness and love were exuding from both of them. I already knew that they loved each other, but watching them that day I could tell just how deep their love really is. I could tell you so much more about the wedding, but <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/2015/09/wedding-recap-ceremony.html" target="_blank">you should read it from the bride's mouth/blog herself</a> (and <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/2015/08/wedding-recap-getting-ready.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/2015/08/wedding-recap-first-look-before-ceremony.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.net/2015/09/wedding-recap-reception.html" target="_blank">here!</a>) </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">PS - the beautiful photos were done by <a href="http://www.kandisebrown.com/" target="_blank">Kandise Brown</a>. Talented woman!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Amanda and Tony's wedding! = CHECK</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV0X5UweBN1u4PqVQCTF0o_JbmNWHnjEJ-Xg9oNTI-QFBvepSbmuG6-UCJomI-IgKqrLX2wsFNC6hhFHOjUJEYgD2BYmOqfwLnw31Td1i2XCFRmFSfJTYjXpdeaAPZnpMHciybi_zmGE/s1600/073-snooty-fox-wedding-reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV0X5UweBN1u4PqVQCTF0o_JbmNWHnjEJ-Xg9oNTI-QFBvepSbmuG6-UCJomI-IgKqrLX2wsFNC6hhFHOjUJEYgD2BYmOqfwLnw31Td1i2XCFRmFSfJTYjXpdeaAPZnpMHciybi_zmGE/s640/073-snooty-fox-wedding-reception.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ Snooty Fox!</strike></span><br />
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Snooty Fox is one of my favourite places to go in Fredericton. I spent many a Wednesday (and Tuesday, and Saturday) night at Snooty Fox during my university days. I always enjoy going back there when I visit Fredericton. The first time I went this summer was for Amanda and Tony's wedding. I had eaten at their reception and was too full to eat the spinach and artichoke dip I ordered. I had two bites and remember crying to my friends that I wasn't going to be able to finish it. I was able to go back again with Mom, Grandmom, Uncle David, and Sara for lunch and ordered the dip again and finished the whole thing washed down with a Dooryard. Success! </div>
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Snooty Fox = CHECK! (And another photo cred to <a href="http://www.kandisebrown.com/" target="_blank">Kandise Brown</a>!)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ driving! I can't wait to be behind the wheel again.</strike></span><br />
The jamming I did by myself and with others road tripping around was epic! I love driving!<br />
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Driving! = CHECK!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSOQ6qDtkB6GWoU-juR8ZZOLN3xvffkgGBv3RkhF6iFqIFDSK2JtWqnY8FTXaV0zap5T0GhKS4fWGOg9pp4jJiCbfefOezPQRG0IGvhc2cMhidqhCf7mvCZWPiZ_eSWtbgGp7iqZD7u0/s1600/IMG_4706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSOQ6qDtkB6GWoU-juR8ZZOLN3xvffkgGBv3RkhF6iFqIFDSK2JtWqnY8FTXaV0zap5T0GhKS4fWGOg9pp4jJiCbfefOezPQRG0IGvhc2cMhidqhCf7mvCZWPiZ_eSWtbgGp7iqZD7u0/s640/IMG_4706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fo1OuID7y4sG0HFVHhf0SCd6z3_mXvVBkFOCf0EzfcL984fEyICtU72dzhv_8eseo2OI-FBCnp21rifD_0rjmpJW57V3a-ePXGClktUzCxvJIs8tSWnLp5tQKRv0pOe7rbpi5fVJsKM/s1600/IMG_4722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fo1OuID7y4sG0HFVHhf0SCd6z3_mXvVBkFOCf0EzfcL984fEyICtU72dzhv_8eseo2OI-FBCnp21rifD_0rjmpJW57V3a-ePXGClktUzCxvJIs8tSWnLp5tQKRv0pOe7rbpi5fVJsKM/s640/IMG_4722.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ PEI with the family - golfing, eating, and creating new memories.</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;">I love that at 26 for me and 23 for Brad, we still go on family vacations. He and I are both in the beginning years of our careers, I live in China and he travels all over the province, but at some point in the summer we are still able to all get together, just the original four, and get away for a couple of days. This year we headed back to PEI and stayed at the same place in Cavendish that we did last summer. Brad and Dad went deep sea fishing again, Mom and I went and saw "Anne the Musical", we ate Cows Ice Cream, and dined at some "new-to-us" restaurants. We had a round of golf and I ended up laying down on the rough of the 18th hole sulking because I couldn't hit "the god-damn ball!" Mom and I explored Victoria by the Sea and talked about how next summer we want to try kayaking. We found us a lighthouse, and Brad got offered a new job on one of our drives. It was a great vacation away! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;">PEI with the family - golfing, eating, and creating new memories = CHECK!</span></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ seeing my Mom for the first time with her new knee! I can't wait to see her walking around pain free for the first time in many years!</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;">WOW! After Mom had her knee replacement surgery in the spring, I only heard about the progress and had to envision it in my mind. All I could see is how I had left her at the end of Summer 2014 - in pain, stiff, and struggling to get around. When I arrived home and watched her walk around the airport, I had to squint to see the slight limp she had (and she only had it because she'd been standing for quite some time). As the summer went on, I watched her climb stairs, get in and out of cars without any pain, and go for walks around the block! What a difference. I'm so happy for her!</span><br />
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Seeing my Mom for the first time with her new knee! = CHECK!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfldG6W0VefL4zC6syT1QKY6dNXKuFiII14dEQ8meXDEycU1nHmxiMREZGUsCbc0Et7ZIsZE001TjfJv_LCvii14C-CUmqyMU7u5qCN4CIHyxQuzVESWsq_TLw3WrfdHEamHtealbBFo/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfldG6W0VefL4zC6syT1QKY6dNXKuFiII14dEQ8meXDEycU1nHmxiMREZGUsCbc0Et7ZIsZE001TjfJv_LCvii14C-CUmqyMU7u5qCN4CIHyxQuzVESWsq_TLw3WrfdHEamHtealbBFo/s640/IMG_4851.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ Road trip to Nova Scotia to visit A & C.</strike></span><br />
I worked with Andrew and Christina during my first year living in Beijing. We became good friends during the second half of the school year. Christina was an amazing friend, but also offered me some great advice when it came to teaching and the job. I was really sad when they decided to move home back to Nova Scotia permanently but super excited for their new chapter. So, this summer Ken and I made plans to spend a couple of days in Dartmouth visiting with them. We made the road trip and helped them move to their new HOUSE! So happy to have helped them, so happy we got to visit, and so happy to call them my friends!<br />
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Road trip to Nova Scotia to visit A & C = CHECK!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;"><strike>+ visits from Uncle David.</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #636363; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: start;">I was so excited when Grandmom told me that Uncle David was coming to New Brunswick this summer! He planned his trip so he'd be in New Brunswick while I was home too. I was able to spend 5 days in Saint John before going back to China visiting with him and the rest of the family. We got to explore a new part of New Brunswick (St. Martin's) to us, searched tirelessly for a lighthouse and FOUND ONE FINALLY, we had some yummy meals, we had some great conversations, reminisced, and laughed A LOT. From now on when I hear "Benny and the Jets", I will remember him dancing with Brad, Rebecca, Rachel, and I on the deck. What a night! </span><br />
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Visits from Uncle David = CHECK!<br />
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It's hard to believe I jammed all of this in to 4 weeks. I didn't have a single day where I had NOTHING planned. I wish I could have visited with more people, I wish I could have gone to more places, I wish I could have had more spare time to myself and relax. However, you can't have your cake and eat it to (speaking of which, <i>why the hell not! </i> This cliche, while I understand it (I think), still doesn't make sense to me. I eat cake all the time! That means I have it, right? Ouch! My head...).<br />
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I love my home. I love it so much! It's always amazing to go home again. And this year, I'm COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! Oh, I can't even begin to express how extremely excited I am for this. It's definitely it's own blogpost soon to come! 71 days, people! 71 days! </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-35725876885745880402015-09-12T00:10:00.000+08:002015-09-12T00:10:15.401+08:00Happy Birthday, Brad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today my brother turns 23. He's a pretty awesome guy and and even cooler brother. You can read my past birthday blog posts to my brother <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014/09/happy-birthday-brad.html" target="_blank">here,</a> <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2013/09/happy-birthday-brad.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2012/09/happy-birthday-brad.html" target="_blank">here</a> to find out how awesome he truly is! As we grow older, my appreciation for having a younger brother also grows. </div>
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My brother and I were VERY different people growing up. I was a "floater" (friends with people from different social circles) and a little odd. Brad was popular and a school athlete. I sang in the choir and spent my weekends at home or having movie marathons with my friends who were much like me in ways. My brother spent his weekends playing hockey or socialising with bigger groups of people. Everyone knew who Brad was, and everyone knew I was "Brad's sister." To say he and I clashed growing up is a understatement. I think I annoyed him with my personality more than he annoyed me. But maybe he'd different. I dunno? Regardless, we always supported each other, even if we didn't always show it in our words to each other. </div>
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Today, we text each other about the happenings in our lives. We share stories about our adventures and I honestly can't remember the last time we fought. Some of that comes from the fact that we are both WAY MORE MATURE than we were 10 years ago. But I also think that we are at an age where we have truly grown to respect each other. I respect my brother for so may reasons: One of them being how quickly he had to grow up at such a young age; Moving away from home to pursue his hockey career; Despite the pressure as a teenager to go to university and get a post secondary degree, Brad never succumbed to the pressures and waited until he really knew what he wanted to do; Being able to make split-second decisions; Knowing what he wants. In ways, I consider my baby brother as one of my heroes and I try to model myself after him in ways. Like being more patient, laid back, and relaxed. I envy those characteristics of his. </div>
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It's been a pleasure growing up with him - even if we fought like cats and dogs. And my heart gets warm and I get excited thinking about all the growing up we still get to do together as brother and sister. </div>
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As humans, we share our lives with many different people - spouses, parents, friends. But there is something about the bond with a sibling that's it's own unique little relationship. I can't imagine my life without a little brother. </div>
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Happy Birthday, Brad! Keep being you and being awesome. You're pretty good at it! ...Now, don't let that get to your head ;-) </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-28937009941310344482015-08-13T22:13:00.002+08:002015-08-13T22:13:26.806+08:00Happy Birthday, Dad! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_234a3gNA8_-uk5x5Iq6GbB5c9MUGrCF-pXMldHrj_v9W5prHKWGArrPk9RhBz957vdSp2d_zkSmYy6PpnzDjdnJZpAb5BCJ71nbS_pD4OpgynqyaCkXVaQWBoh1srBvK36Q92KxObJc/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_234a3gNA8_-uk5x5Iq6GbB5c9MUGrCF-pXMldHrj_v9W5prHKWGArrPk9RhBz957vdSp2d_zkSmYy6PpnzDjdnJZpAb5BCJ71nbS_pD4OpgynqyaCkXVaQWBoh1srBvK36Q92KxObJc/s640/image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today is my Dad's birthday! I like to brag about how amazing my family is, and it is tradition that I write a little blogpost celebrating them on their birthday. For the last 3 years, I've written about how amazing and wonderful my dad is on my blog. You can read them <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.ca/2013/08/happy-birthday-dad.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.ca/2012/08/happy-birthday-dad.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://melmargaret.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">here</a>. There aren't words good enough to fully encompass how much I love and appreciate my dad. The only way I can convey how much he means to me is to just simply say he truly is <u>THE BEST DAD EVER!</u></div>
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Sadly, I had to leave only a few short days before Dad's birthday. However, on Saturday (the night before my flight back to Beijing), we had a wonderful, little bash with some family for my dad and Uncle Mark's birthdays. There was good tunes, plenty of cold beverages, dancing, singing, delicious food, laughter, and love. Exactly the way I like my parties. And I think most of my family would agree, a great way to celebrate these two amazing men in our lives. I am beyond happy I got to be there for it!</div>
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Dad, thanks for being you! It's exactly how I strive to live my life. I hope you have an amazing day and are spoiled and celebrated immensely - as you should be. </div>
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I love you to the moon and back! </div>
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xo</div>
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Melissa</div>
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<u><br /></u>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-64630030050805219442015-06-23T19:22:00.000+08:002015-06-23T19:27:24.143+08:00Inked in Thailand. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9EMznVabGT2aHGF7rO9PHzhYxUrSGPJUFx5iNgsGIs1pUwDHjFWr53oOuqU6UExOHPWBGOrJIqigw_AuZukkGHoCkon8YjaOrUMSxxBnLBuE3iYP4drnrk9XTSs4edJA5XgksGFKHt0/s1600/IMG_3209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9EMznVabGT2aHGF7rO9PHzhYxUrSGPJUFx5iNgsGIs1pUwDHjFWr53oOuqU6UExOHPWBGOrJIqigw_AuZukkGHoCkon8YjaOrUMSxxBnLBuE3iYP4drnrk9XTSs4edJA5XgksGFKHt0/s640/IMG_3209.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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A few weeks ago I posted about my trip to the Philippines and Thailand in February. In my post, I promised that I'd write about my tattoo adventure with my friend Elspeth. And an adventure it was! </div>
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On one of our nights in Thailand, Elspeth, Ken and I ventured to Patong to do a little "partying" if you will. Patong is definitely known as the party island on Phuket. Lots of bars, loud music, lights, dancing, and LADYBOYS! We had some dinner and scoped out the Ladyboy Shows that were happening that night (think cabaret meets drag queens). We found a decent one, got a seat and a drink and enjoyed the show A LOT! I don't think I've laughed that hard since leaving Thailand. </div>
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All week, Elspeth and I had been joking about getting ridiculous henna "tramp stamp" tattoos. I won't tell you what we were going to get because it is extremely embarrassing and maybe even a little offensive. It's an inside joke, we think it's funny, and I'll keep it between the two of us (and the other select people we told who would maybe think it's funny, or just think we are stupid). So, after the show, we were on a high and started looking for henna tattoo parlours. We found one, and when I saw that the henna could stay on for up to 3 weeks, I was out! I didn't want to go back to China with some stupid henna tattoo on my lower back for people to possibly see. I also had an irrational fear that my fair skin would take differently to the tattoo and it would leave a permanent tinge on my skin. No thank you! </div>
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So, we found a perch at a bar and got some tequila shots. You know what they say: "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, LETS GET A REAL TATTOO!" Yes, that makes complete sense. I was afraid to get a henna tattoo of some stupid hashtag (yes, it was a hashtag...but I won't tell you what of, sorry!) but let's get real, permanent tattoos of something I actually want. Makes sense, but at the same time doesn't. Elspeth was on board, but we both agreed we wanted to go somewhere clean and not sketchy. </div>
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We got our phones and started researching tattoo parlours in Patong. We found one that was owned by an Australian with nothing but positive, rave reviews. Turns out, it was just around the corner from where we were sitting. We assured Ken we would "be right back," that we were just going to check it out and make an appointment. We assumed it would be busy and they wouldn't be able to take a walk-in. Surprise! Once we found it, there was not a soul inside except for two of the artists. Mind you, it was after 11pm at night and most people were half in the bag by then. We timidly walked in and asked if we could get tattoos. They asked what we wanted and how big they were. We got the okay to do them then and there. This is where I started getting some cold sweats and my knees started to shake a little bit. I'm not one to be spontaneous on this level. Elspeth said she would go first and I could think about it some more. She promised she wouldn't be mad if I backed out, but we both agreed it would be a much better story if we BOTH came back to China with tattoos. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7qLgXDSheBYS08HgRIvcx_G8s0-C4VGPSh7RmXyeKRhEvB5drJVW-y0QFu1MeEmcInwGyRru9_T_FuH1-IgiCDa3aWbI_LesjUsLxMO5humaRPhO6M8J0sGQVoe26moDwuent0laSgg/s1600/IMG_3203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7qLgXDSheBYS08HgRIvcx_G8s0-C4VGPSh7RmXyeKRhEvB5drJVW-y0QFu1MeEmcInwGyRru9_T_FuH1-IgiCDa3aWbI_LesjUsLxMO5humaRPhO6M8J0sGQVoe26moDwuent0laSgg/s400/IMG_3203.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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While Elspeth got a beautiful elephant tattoo on the back of her neck, I hummed and hawed, messaged my best friend Sara at home about my crazy idea, and then finally decided to just DO IT! I had been thinking about this tattoo idea for a little while and figured it was a good time to do it. Especially with the meaning behind it. </div>
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During my fourth year of university, I started developing this desire and want to travel and see the world. My whole life I've always wanted to travel, but I think I was too much of an introvert to follow through. But something happened in my fourth year; this drive appeared within me. It scared me at first, mostly because I didn't like the thought of being so far away from my loved ones. But what scared me more was the thought of living a life where I didn't know what was outside of my comfort zone. A life where I was jaded and blinded to different cultures, to history, to the "other." This world is so big and there is so much to see. How could I go through life only knowing my little corner of the world? Ultimately, in my mind, life is so unpredictable. We are ever changing and growing. Who knows where I'll be in a year, 5 years, 10 years? What I do know, is that if you had told 18 year old Melissa fresh out of high school that this would be her life at 26, I'd have laughed in your face. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBPEkHfsp-_Kuf_DGqXuaozjtP6Agib7Vk-DPHgFrHqJRK-FbIZ_-z19xI-1Qrw2CEeUu_oa7KeVb1MPSJK0JtMb_IqyyJZXpThnibA8SZ7dYoJrJOEg2MDWXIbicGUepCEHnJgGyMBE/s1600/IMG_3211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBPEkHfsp-_Kuf_DGqXuaozjtP6Agib7Vk-DPHgFrHqJRK-FbIZ_-z19xI-1Qrw2CEeUu_oa7KeVb1MPSJK0JtMb_IqyyJZXpThnibA8SZ7dYoJrJOEg2MDWXIbicGUepCEHnJgGyMBE/s400/IMG_3211.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
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This is my tattoo. It's simple and it's on my right ankle. It's perfect and exactly what I wanted. It symbolizes my drive to explore. It represents the unpredictability of life, and it reminds me that there is still so much of this world left for me to see. </div>
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So, while the decision to get the tattoo was quite spontaneous, I'm beyond happy that I did it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - HOME IN 13 DAYS! </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342341666260577741.post-66936735347164609532015-06-17T18:41:00.000+08:002015-06-17T18:41:30.675+08:0019 Days!19 days until I'm on a plane heading home to Canada! While I enjoy my life living abroad, it's always nice to come home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv5TVhPz-AteKZpJsd5r8poHkKJhFPmBMSZhs77chU2OW1U-2tliXnVDAHN0BknHG6y4mzrf9LufkMQhae-Fs7Y6X05U6LMrxE5fr-XgunE73XJ1WVpMaUUD52tcXmpm_Nemhldwwruc/s1600/image1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv5TVhPz-AteKZpJsd5r8poHkKJhFPmBMSZhs77chU2OW1U-2tliXnVDAHN0BknHG6y4mzrf9LufkMQhae-Fs7Y6X05U6LMrxE5fr-XgunE73XJ1WVpMaUUD52tcXmpm_Nemhldwwruc/s400/image1.PNG" width="271" /></a></div>
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Things I'm looking forward to about being home:<br />
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+ seeing my family and us all being together in one place.<br />
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+ hugs from my parents. They give the most amazing hugs!<br />
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+ sitting on our back deck, sippin' a Dooryard, breathing in the fresh summer air, listening to the sounds of my quiet town.<br />
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+ bonfires with neighbours and good friends.<br />
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+ traveling to Fredericton every chance I get to spend time with the best friends in the world.<br />
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+ Amanda and Tony's wedding!<br />
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+ Snooty Fox!<br />
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+ driving! I can't wait to be behind the wheel again.<br />
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+ PEI with the family - golfing, eating, and creating new memories.<br />
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+ seeing my Mom for the first time with her new knee! I can't wait to see her walking around pain free for the first time in many years!<br />
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+ Road trip to Nova Scotia to visit A & C.<br />
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+ visits from Uncle David.<br />
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I just can't wait to be HOME <3 See you in 19 days Canada!<br />
xoMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13351235830908103480noreply@blogger.com0