The Year of Hotpot

New Year’s Eve is one of the only two nights I would stay up for (the other is Oscars). We don’t do anything grandiose.  Dinner is simple and easy.  Kids are tucked to bed on their usual bedtime. The TV is on for the New Year Countdown in Time Square and Nathan Phillips Square. It is one of those moments I want to be awake for - the split second when one year ends, and another begins.

This year is our first full year in our new house (we moved on December 2012).  And a full house it has been!  Between March and July we have had a revolving door of guests, enough to forego the housewarming. One batch at a time, some overlap, and basement renovation in between.  While at it, we are getting on with the daily humdrum and also getting settled-in the new home ourselves.  It’s been very hectic but it was my pleasure to open our home to family and friends.

Our office also finds a new home, which cuts my commute by half. Though I miss the airport view, it has now been replaced by the very inviting shopping hub, Heartland Town Centre. I could easily make a quick stop on my way home – grocery shopping, buying dinner or “just looking”. So, pray this danger zone doesn’t scream my name whenever I drive by it, or Sorry, Mr. Hotpot! 

I still rise early each morning to make bento for my boys. They are now in the after-school program while I go back to full time hours. Although this has loosen some pressure at work, life took over on the home front.  My blog has gone to backburner.  I have not taken and shared as much photos as I had, but I have just as much special moments worth capturing, saving and sharing.  On the flipside, I have lived and relished in those moments as they are taking place. Check out my Instagram, for snippets of my everyday life. 

We took a raincheck on a big trip this year, but we’ve been out and about.  We’ve been to Mountsberg Maple Towne for maple syrup making, StonehavenFarm for pumpkins and corn maze, Crystal Beach, High Park and Niagara-on-the-Lake with our guests, Burlington Waterfront with my family, the Shrine Circus, Toronto Centre Island with friends, and Riverwood Conservancy for hike, among others.  I have taken Sashimi on his favourite train and subway rides in Toronto to a Jays game, Sugar Beach, ROM, and the new Ripley’s Aquarium. Sushi had a different birthday experience at the Raptors Game with his BFF. Meanwhile, Sashimi's favourite outing was the plane-ride to New Jersey. A nice 5-day break for me from the daily mundane to go eating and shopping with my sisters.

Back home, Dad is battling stage 4 cancer and has gone through 6 rounds of chemotherapy.  While this is to us terrifying and depressing, Dad is in good spirits.  Thanks to family and friends who are keeping him company regularly.  It is a good way of celebrating his life while he is still with us.  I am so grateful that he was able to visit me this year with Mom and my brother.   And I am going to see him in February in the new year.

This year marks our 10 years in Canada.  I am on the same job for 6 years.  Sushi turned 9, Sashimi turned 5, and I, another year older. In the winter I tried ice-skating for the very first time. Fearless like I was 5. And in the summer I was biking, with the determination of a 9 year old. One is never too old. And it’s never too late.  

I shall carry this on into the new year and there will be no deterent to try to new things. Be bold. Dream big. Believe I can.  Do something out of the ordinary. Go places I've never been. Take a different route to work. To the mall. Or to the gas station. Enjoy the drive. The everyday commute.  Because it is every day.

I will make new friends.  Be something to someone. Build extraordinary relationships. Love unconditionally.  Say thank you to the office cleaning lady. Or to the bus driver. Hug my parents.  And my kids.  Every day.  Live everyday like there’s no tomorrow.  Because life is short. And unpredictable.   

I will not sweat the small stuff. Rather, pick my battles. Take it easy. Appreciate the little things. Look at the sky. Wait for the rainbow. Marvel at the trees.  Stop and smell the roses. Value the ever day ordinary. 

“Write it in your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Wishing you a good Every Day in 2014!
From the Hotpot Family

Dear Sashi,

This summer I had the privilege and pleasure of several days-out with you.  Much like me, you have always loved to ride the train, subway, bus, and streetcar.  I was able to fulfill your wishes with the help of my eager co-worker - thanks P! It was a joy ride. 

You were so easy.  You sat through 8 innings of baseball with Mom. I thought you wouldn’t even make it pass the 1^st. 

You could spend hours entertaining yourself - with mist,

Or with sand.

 

That’s why I didn’t mind giving up this daybed for your play area.

You are so full of energy.  You could climb this huge rock endlessly.

 

And do an imitation with your toys.

 

You would try anything and do every thing - from hammering

to batting.

You're afraid of nothing - deep water,

Even the police officer.

And most recently, you biked with Mom farther than you ever had, longer than I would expect from you.  You never gave up.  You blew me away.

These moments are my best with you, doing anything or nothing at all.

Love every minute of it. Please don't grow up too fast. 

Happy birthday, Sashi!  High 5!

XOXO,
Mom



What I've Been Up To

When I was fresh out of high school, I remember telling my Dad that I wanted to learn how to drive. He told me to learn how to bike first.  He bought me a bike and I learned how to bike so easily.  Biking seemed to be only a prerequisite to driving, so after my driving lessons I got a car and my bike never saw the light of day again.

Fast forward to present, I wanted to bike again.  I didn’t have a bike so I would only use my sister's when we visit.  It’s true they say, once you learn how to ride a bike you will never forget how to.  I decided to get my own bicycle.

I came across Mom vs the Boys, who made a review of the Everyday Traveller bike. By this, the good reviews on Canadian Tire, and my lack of bike knowledge, I was effortlessly swayed.  Five CT stores later, a thunderstorm and a pushy Mr. Hotpot, the baby's home.

Since then I’ve been biking after dinner most evenings whenever I could.  As long as there’s no restraint in weather, with our routine, and with my boys, I’m out!  With my bare bike, I'd ride with just my iTouch, my dependable ride companion.  My playlist keeps me going.  I would only make occasional stops for quick rest, snap photos. Nothing special, just to mark how far I’ve gone with biking, literally and otherwise.

I would meet this old couple on my bike rides, holding hands while strolling. I don't know them. But I love them already.  It's the unexpected and these little things that make me look forward to my next rides.

Maple Time

It's maple time at Mountsberg Maple Towne.

 

It takes 40 litres of maple sap to make one delicious litre of maple syrup

 

 

 

 

Sushi reviews the history

 

Maple candy tastin

 

Sampling the maple syrup with hot pancakes at the Pancake House

 

 

Mountsberg Conservation Area

2259 Millburough Line, Campbellville, Milton

Hotel Sepia

On our recent trip to Quebec. We stayed for 2 nights at the very nice boutique Hotel Sepia. It is 10 minutes drive to/from Old Quebec. We didn't mind.


The wallpapers had me at hello.

boutique = modern

The bathroom is small but I like that it's sleek and simple.

I like to copy this design for my basement, except I don't have one =[

We have buffet breakfast everyday at the hotel's Le Galopin.


Even that is boutique-ish.

There's a good view of Pont de Québec & Pierre-Laporte. We enjoyed driving by these bridges to Old Quebec and back.

And the very laidback views of Promenade Samuel de Champlaine. Love it!

Hotel Sepia
3135, chemin Saint-Louis
Québec G1W 1R9

Skyline LUGE

We had the most amazing time in Mont Tremblant (Quebec) mostly for the Skyline LUGE. The ride is fuelled by gravity and the rider controls the speed through a unique braking steering system. The ride will twist and turn through the Laurentian forest overlooking the beautiful Mont Tremblant.

First the chairlift that will take us to the mid mountains.

There will be brief directions how to ride before you hit the track. I really mean brief! But ride along! The LUGE is exhilaratingly fun, you wish the track is endless.



Close to the end there's a camera that will take your photo, which you have to buy for $10.

That the Hotpot family at the end of the race. Weeee!



Skyline Luge Mont Tremblant
1000 Chemin des Voyageurs
Quebec, Canada J8E 1T1



Spring Rolls

If we don't have a particular cuisine in mind, Spring Rolls is our go-to. Some say it's not authentic Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Malaysian, nor Vietnamese. I say, that's Asian Fusion.

I would say their Spring Roll platter is the specialty, hence the name. I call it pretty.

Our must have is their Thai curry.


Sushi loves the Chicken Satay & Thai Mango salad.

For a change on our recent visit, we tried their Crispy Calamari. The generous serving did not disappoint.

If with company, we would go for their sit-down buffet. For $15.99/adult, it's about the same price you'd pay for a complete meal.

And still every dish comes with presentation.

That and the ambiance. Sometime that's enough reason to go back. Anyone?