Category Archives: Photos

Flashback Friday, Part 1

Posted in Flashback Friday, Life, Memories, Photos by

Growing up, I was lucky enough to know both sets of grandparents as well as three of my great-grandparents. I know some people grow up without grandparents, or at least not both sets, and never got to know their great-grandparents.

I’ll start with my Dad’s side of the family. I don’t have pictures of my great-grandma, “Granny”, as we called her. My memories of her include her old apartment near Chinatown in Vancouver, which reeked of Tiger Balm, her wig and the fact that she was blind. I remember her touching my face, asking how old I was, what grade I was in. She’d call me a good girl and give me stale cookies.

My Dad’s parents, who we called Grandma & Grandpa Chow (original, right?), raised my Dad and his siblings in my hometown before moving to Vancouver to retire. My Grandpa owned a store, which belonged to his father, back in the day and it was quite popular. “Wing Chong Tai” is what is was called and it’s even in the museum in my hometown, with a picture of him and everything. I remember once, we were grocery shopping while we were visiting in Vancouver and he insisted on buying my brother and I a chocolate bar, even though my Dad told him “No” a million times. (Grandpa Chow won!) After having cancer and a stroke, he passed away when he was 86. (Or at least I think that’s how old he was.)

My Grandma Chow didn’t speak English very well, so I only remember her yelling “Eat!” in this high-pitched voice that demanded respect. Her food was amazing. I remember her jade jewelry. I was only about 3-years-old when she passed away. I can’t remember how old she was when she passed away, but she battled with diabetes. I remember her insulin needles in the cupboard in the bathroom.

This a picture of my grandparents and I when I was almost 1-year-old. They came to visit every Easter, which meant twice as much Easter candy and chocolate. (Also note how Chinese I looked when I was a baby!)

Next Friday, I’ll flashback to my Mom’s side :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Ten on Tuesday

Posted in Lists, Photos, Ten on Tuesday by

Here’s another edition of Ten on Tuesday, brought to you by Chelsea at Roots and Rings! These questions are extra special, as they were written up by yours truly! :D

1. Think back a decade, do you remember what your first cellphone was? Was it as cool as Zack Morris’s phone?

Not even close! Compared to phones today, my cell was an embarrassment:

I got it for Christmas in Grade 12 and used it until my first month of university. Then I started on a Family Plan with my dad and brother, so I got a “fancy” flip-phone. The great thing? My grandma has this exact same phone and it still works!

2. What is the first children’s book you remember being read to you?

My mom read to me all the time, but the books that stand out are the ones by Robert Munsch, Dr. Suess and the Berenstain Bears.

3. What was your first car? Did you love it or hate it?
It was a 1996 2-door Pontiac Sunfire. Colour? Beige! For the most part, I loved that car. For whatever reason I had always wanted a Sunfire and I was so happy that it was my first car. I only hated the fact that it didn’t have air conditioning. You kinda can’t live without that when you live in a desert!

4. Who was your hero growing up?

I really didn’t have one, but as I got older I realized that I really admire my grandparents. They’re both so amazing in so many ways. My grandma lives for her kids and grandkids and my grandpa is just an amazing man. He’s 72 and he still goes out and hunts every fall and is constantly working – be it in the yard or filling in at his old job.

5. Think back to your first kiss. Was it everything you dreamed of?

No. It was horrible! I think it was when I was in Grade 7, during some sort of school dance. Basically, it was forced upon me since all the other kids were kissing. It was awkward and everyone knew about it. FML.

6. What was your first BAD hairstyle choice? (Extra points for embarrassing photos)

When I was in Grade 9 I decided that I wanted super short hair. (My hair before the cut was below my shoulders) I decided that it would look the coolest if I used super strong gel and spike it. Yeah … bad decision! I was called a lesbian and had a sandwich thrown at me. :( I think I kept it for just under a year and got it fixed during Spring Break when I went to Palm Springs. Never again!

This is the best I could do for a photo; I guess I was in that “I’m a teenager, don’t take my picture!” phase.  I was feeling too lazy to scan. Ignore the devil horns, it was Halloween and I was answering the door for my Grandma.

7. What was your first realistic dream? (One where you had to think “Oh dang, was that a dream?”)

I was really little (Maybe 3 or 4?) and I was terribly ill with the flu. I had a nightmare where monsters opened a portal in my wall and tried to convince me to come with them. I had never been so terrified in my life!

8. What was the first phobia you remember developing?

It was probably spiders. We get huge, ugly puff spiders and disgusting, fast wolf-ish spiders a lot. My dad used to let me kill them with a blow-torch. Ha!

9. Which character on Sesame Street do you most identify with?

I’ve been called Snufflufagas before, probably because I mope the same way he does, lol. Or The Count. Because I love to count! AH AH AH! (Kidding)

10. What was the hardest goal you ever accomplished?

I’ve never really set a goal, such as “I will do ___ by ___.” I guess finishing my degree was a big goal, considering I was on academic probation after my first semester. It was tough!

I’m not lame, I’m growing up!

Posted in Cooking, Growing Up, Guest post, Kara and Kyle, Photos by

I’m also over at Amber’s blog today as the Feature Career of the month! Be sure to go check her out – she’s an amazing blogger!

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You know you’re a grown up when the highlight of your weekend was buying cookware!

Kyle and I have been slowing accumulating bits and pieces of things we’ll need once we find a place of our own. Currently we’re renting his mom’s house and a lot of her stuff is still here and we’ve been using it. Earlier last week we decided it would be a good idea to start buying pots, pans, silverware, etc., while we have a little extra cash, because once we buy a place, we’ll have to budget ourselves.

There was a fabulous sale on a set of Cuisinart pots and pans at Canadian Tire (One of the best stores on Earth, IMHO) so we scooped one up!


I must say, it may sound lame, but I’m pretty excited for them! I’ve already used the 10″ skillet and they’re wonderful :) My rice didn’t even stick to the pan, which is a bonus because I suck at cooking. I feel like Julia Child! Okay, not really, but seriously! I wanna cook my heart out!

That stock pot is just tempting me to make delicious soup. Yes …