Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Good Laugh


Sharing the following email with you:


Hell is
a Chinese salary,
a British Cook,
a Japanese House,
and an American Wife.

Heaven is
an American salary,
a Chinese Cook,
a British Home,
and a Japanese Wife.


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Monday, December 27, 2010

This year photo contest

From my brother:

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to all those that made such a great effort in participating in this year's photo contest. Some of my friends commented that our family has such a special relationship that you just don't find with other families. How many people do you know that will spend the time and effort to dress up and take an Xmas photo for their Uncle? For that, I truly appreciated it. And now onto the results....

It was a close call:

1) Most Original - Adri - The Grinch Who Stole Fashion

(Over the summer, the Grinch grew an interest in fashion and with the holidays coming up made the perfect plan: to steal the most expensive and high-end presents. She put on her red high heel boots, got her purse and with her thousand thread-count scarf planned on looting all the gifts on Christmas Eve before the Tsang Holiday Party could begin. As she was making her final escape, she was caught by the Bee-Pee Paparazzi so she struck her most fashionable pose.)










2) Most Humorous - Toni - Gingy


(Gingy caught Santa helping himself to some milk and cookies! Oh no!
"No! Not the buttons! Not my gumdrop buttons!")









3) Best Execution - Matthew - Super Mario



















Some of my comments:

I really loved the caption and the extra behind-the-scene story that some of you gave - that gives the photo an even greater depth. I think some photos were missing an Xmas element as it was suppose to be Xmas-y. Overall, I am really impressed with the creativity and quality. (I think the Tsang's house will be turning into a professional studio soon.)

As for the prizes, I have to keep it a mystery, but like Keith said, I think everyone deserves a prize, so I will see what I can do. I will likely bring them next summer when I see you guys in 2011.

Until then have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LP

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Toronto WINTERLICIOUS Jan 28 - Feb 10, 2011

In case you are interested:

Savour the holidays: Winterlicious culinary events on sale!

WINTERLICIOUS
January 28 - February 10, 2011

A highlight of winter in Toronto! Winterlicious again offers TWO
popular programs or you to savour. Foodies will enjoy the 14
delicious CULINARY EVENTS and the incredible value and exclusive
PRIX FIXE MENUS offered at 150 of Toronto's top restaurants.

www.toronto.ca/winterlicious
………………………………………
CULINARY EVENTS
Tickets on Sale: December 16, 2010

Just in time for the holidays, tickets for a mouth-watering
array of unique culinary events go on sale Thursday, December
16, 2010.

The Winterlicious Culinary Event Series features one-of-a-kind
ticketed cooking experiences hosted by some of Toronto's finest
restaurants and venues. This year there are 14 events to tickle
the taste buds.

………………………………………
PRIX FIXE RESTAURANTS
Reservations accepted: January 13, 2011

Three-course Prix Fixe menus ($15, $20 or $25 for lunch and $25,
$35 or $45 for dinner) will be available at 150 of Toronto's top
dining establishments across the city. For a list of restaurants
participating in the Prix Fixe promotion, visit www.toronto.ca/winterlicious.

Reservations for Winterlicious Prix Fixe begin on January 13, 2011.
American Express Cardmembers can go to the Front of the Line and make
reservations on January 11-12, 2011.

………………………………………
NEW WINTERLICIOUS WEB TOOLS
New for this year! You can now sort all 150 Prix Fixe restaurants
by price, neighbourhood and type of cuisine to create a personalized
list that can easily be shared with friends through social media.
Check out the new interactive Winterlicious map. Zoom into your
favourite neighbourhoods to see which restaurants are participating this year.


Winterlicious is a signature event produced by the City of Toronto.

====================================
TORONTO'S FESTIVALS & EVENTS CALENDAR

Visit the Festivals & Events calendar for information on a wide
variety of events taking place in Toronto:
www.toronto.ca/eventcalendar

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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Being good at yoga

Today I discover that for yoga practice, it does not matter very much that you can do the posture, but the important issue is you have to do the posture correctly.

You may be able to bend, twist or fold. Yet are you doing it correctly?

The extension is a matter of degree in how well you posture can be performed. However you must do it correctly to benefit from the posture (asana).

So from the very beginning we should try to understand how the posture is supposed to be done correctly...

Knowing the correct posture is the foundation in being good at yoga.

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Please view this Video - Will change your driving habits

Sharing the following email with you:

Dear Friends,
After you view this video you will not be the same driver again.
Pass it to your friends to save lives and misery.
Asoka

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Tim Jackson's economic reality check | Video on TED.com

Sharing the following email with you:

Ideas worth spreading:

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_jackson_s_economic_reality_check.html

ESCAPE into Ecological ALTRUISM!!

Makes very good sense.

Less materialistic than growth based prosperity!

More ROBUST and realistic vision.

To achieve this we NEED political LEADERSHIP.


Regards,

Shan

---------------------

He talks of sustainable development, caring for the poor and reversing the ecological damage. His views go against the general understanding of development and exploiting the earth's resources for consumption and profit taking. Very interesting.

Mahinda

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Friday, December 10, 2010

The cheapest way to convert Canadian to US or vice versa

I just found out today that the cheapest way to convert 2 currencies is through internet banking or on-line money transfer if you have 2 different currencies accounts in the same bank.

Instead of going to the bank to buy US dollars or transfer money from Canadian to US, the teller told me the exchange rate is so much better through on-line banking as there is no banking fee involved. I tried and the rate is really 1 to 2 % better. All you need is to transfer money from Canadian account to US account or vice versa.

Another advantage with on line banking is that the rate is the market rate so it fluctuates instantly and you may be able to catch the better rate if you have the time to watch the market. When you go to the bank the rate is fixed by the moment of time.


This tip may save you hundreds of dollars.

Happy saving...

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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Netti Pot

My son has been using the Netti Pot for a while. He is able to breath with both nostrils again. He loves the feeling.

The best things come around in simple and natural means...

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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Live a simple life and be happy...

Sharing the following email with you:

You can't decide the length of life, but you can control how you want to live it.

You can't control the weather, but you can control your mood.

You can't change your look, but you can smile.

You can't control others, but you can control yourself.

You can't foresee tomorrow, but you can utilize today wisely.

You can't win everything, but you can try your very best to achieve that.

Hope everyone can face the daily life positively and always happy...

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Sunday, December 5, 2010

Hold on tight to the ones you love!

Sharing the following email to you:

Never look down on anybody, unless you're helping them up.



Read quietly then send it back on its journey

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to a premature baby..

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

The origin of this letter is unknown,
But it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.

Remember....

Hold on tight to the ones you love!

Do not keep this letter.

Send it to friends & family to whom you wish good fortune…………..

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

Beware: RFID and CREDIT CARD THEFT

Sharing the following email with you:

IF WHAT YOU SEE ON THE VIDEO CLIP CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN, THEN THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ALL OF US.

Please view to become aware of how your credit card info and possible bank card info can be obtained without you even being aware that it is visible externally to RFID devices.


http://www.wreg.com/videobeta/?watchId=8ba6f8fc-90a2-4711-90ea-1884ec348310


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Friday, December 3, 2010

DDMBA Ontario December One Day Chan Meditation Retreat

In case you are interested:

Event: One Day Chan Meditation Retreat 一日禪坐共修
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010星期日12月12日
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm 上午九點半至下午四點半
Location: DDMBA Ontario, 154 Poyntz Avenue, Toronto M2N 1J4 法鼓山安省分會

This is a gentle reminder of the upcoming DDM One Day Retreat which will be taking place at our 154 Poyntz Avenue Centre on Sunday, December 12 , from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

This form of practice is very beneficial for everyone; it gives us the chance to practice with a group over a longer period of time. Furthermore, the One Day Retreat is an excellent opportunity for deepening one's practice. Participants for the One Day Retreat should ideally have practiced meditation for a considerable length of time, preferably with some formal meditation training.

Sitting meditation periods are followed by walking meditation, gentle stretching exercises and mindful work periods. The environment of the retreat is designed to promote mindfulness in everything we do.

To receive the full benefits of this form of group practice, we encourage you attend the entire event.

Also, be sure to wear loose, warm and comfortable clothing suited to the long sitting periods. DDM provides cushions, sitting mats, towels and a light vegetarian lunch. While a conducive and relax atmosphere is maintained in the retreat, participants should understand that it is still a serious occasion dedicated for practice. In the interest of respecting your own and others’ practice, please provide advance notice should you be arriving to the retreat late or leaving early without valid reasons.

In the spirit of sharing with the community of Chan practitioners, participants of this retreat are also encouraged to contribute a vegetarian dish or snack for the retreat lunch. Please note that dishes contributed should not contain any form of onions (including green onions), any form of garlics, chimes as well as egg products. If you would like to submit a dish, please send an email to meditation@ddmba-ontario.ca, no later than Thursday, December 9.

Kindly RSVP meditation@ddmba-ontario.ca by December 9 should you plan to attend the retreat and, if you plan to bring a dish, inform us about the dish that you would bring.

The event is offered free of charge while any donations to support events like this are greatly appreciated.


With Palms Joined,
DDMBA Ontario
http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca

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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Yoga: Life is Good

Today Dina taught us how to experience "Life is good" through yoga. She mentioned: "Life is a gift and we should appreciate it well."

Through a better understanding and control of our body (the small universe), we gain a better understanding of our mind and, extending it further, to life (the big universe).

I taught my son how to use a Netti-pot. He was frustrated and wanted to give up. I demonstrate to him that it is like yoga in the beginning, once you get the hang of it, you will love it...

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