musings and reflections of hollyholz

Winterlicious

It's baaaaack again! :) However, the list of partcipating restaurants is yet to be posted. I will definitely go w/ Mags this time... but I think I'll limit myself to only 2 restaurants this time, for the sake of my wallet and health. I don't know how much weight I put on after last year's experience.

You know how I've always wanted to critique restaurants but never really took the initiative to? Perhaps THIS will be a good way to start.... :)

I'm hungry now... looking forward to tomrrow night's meal. In the meantime, Chunky Monkey should suffice.

posted by Holz @ 11:28 PM |

Shopping Time!

Actually, those of you who know me knows that I hate shopping. Recently, I don't know what has gotten into me... I'm actually not whiny about going on shopping trips w/ people. In fact, when Miche asked if I wanted to shop w/ her today, I said 'yes' w/o hesitation. Could studying really change a person? :) Perhaps temporarily. Anyway, I am currently taking a break and am shoppin' online. Yes... it's that phase again where I'm addicted to online window shopping. Here's what I'm looking at right now:

IKEA
- Mirror
- Full length mirror
- Art cards for my wall.... with an appropriate frame, hopefully
- A wall lamp

Amazon.ca
- Alicia Key's new CD - The Diary of Alicia Keys
- Spirited Away

Pottery Barn
- Collage frames
- Collection wall shelf

Roots
- Jumbo bean bag chair (not necessarily from Roots... anywhere would suffice

I've also gone thru RW & Co., Restoration Hardware, and Amazon UK...

If online shopping is THAT tiring, imagine how actual shopping will be like! :P

Actually, my eyelids are getting heavy... this tells me what I should be doing... :) zzzzz.

posted by Holz @ 12:23 AM |

A Day Off (Kinda)

Yes, I'm getting more creative with my blog entry headers. Haha...

As I'm waiting for class, I've decided to slack off and relax for the day. A well-deserved break (or so I think). I actually got one of my "wishes" come true - I went to Starbucks and actually enjoyed my drink... didn't pull any books out at all! No studying at Starbucks! Instead, I took my friend Miche's offer, and decided to go "shopping" - we really didn't end up going anywhere except for the shops next to Starbucks, cos it's raining like cats and dogs right now.

At least I got ONE wish granted, unlike a certain someone who wouldn't let me set up my shed. *cough*Myles*cough* It's not THAT cold.

Okay it's time for class now. *sigh* :)

posted by Holz @ 5:54 PM |

My Wish List

Yes, I've decided to copy Nevin and post up my wish list, in light of the upcoming Christmas holidays and other important date(s). :) Also, it's a great way to keep me going through the final stretch of the term...

What Holz wants:
- Hot pot dinner with friends
- Good feast at Mariko
- Dido's new CD
- To go to a Leafs game - however, they stink right now :P
- A party
- Sleep - sleeping in w/o feeling guilty!
- A tea party w/ old friends
- A new palm... or clie.
- Too many CDs to build up a collection
- To redecorate my room
- Go to Ikea and revamp my room
- Set up my shed at Can & Myles' new home
- Too many DVDs to build up another collection
- To be free from school
- To go to a coffee shop to actually enjoy coffee and good company
- To go to HK NOW
- A discovery trip of Toronto
- Winterlicious
- More sleep

I can't think anymore :( It must mean I need sleep :P

posted by Holz @ 1:00 AM |

Random Blog

I GIVE UP ON READING! :P (for the night, at least) You can only read so much in a day :( argh.

Anyway... pt form style:

~ How was your weekend?
Mine's was fine, thank you very much. Actually, the typical answer to that question is "boring. studied. did nothing interesting." This past weekend, however, was a different story. I actually did something FUN... I did do some reading, but I managed to watch a movie AND shop! Surprise, surprise.

~ What movie did you wanna see?
I wanted to see "Love Actually"... Ian and I intended on seeing it at Silvercity on Saturday night... but to our surprise, the show time board had a special blinking thing next to "Love Actually"... it said "SOLD OUT". :( So, to MY absolute and complete surprise, guess what we saw? KILL BILL. It wasn't a bad movie actually... despite the excessive blood and what not. However, with the anticipation of seeing Love Actually and having to sit through Kill Bill wasn't my cup of tea at that time.

~ So how much have you been spending lately?
I've been spending too much. This past weekend's shopping experience made me realize that I've been spending almost uncontrollably. From my past short-lived obsessions of buying magazines, to DVDs, to CDs, and clothes, I'm going to go broke soon at this rate. To make things worse, my grandma is currently in HK - she'll be back in a few days. This gave me another excuse to spend more money. Yep, I've sent an email to my mom's cousin in HK listing all the CDs, electronics, VCDs, etc. that I want... and the list is not short. :P Aiyah.

~ So what year are you in at school?
I'm in my final year at UT. I can't believe I'm saying this... it didn't really occur to me that four years have past by until I was walking from College Park to Gerstein... and passed by the Banting building, where I had my first midterm ever in University (and ended up sobbing over right after...). Time really passes by too quickly. Also, I saw my old fellowship counsellor tonight (Uncle Alex)... and we mentioned how Josiah has changed since he left us. Wowzas. It also occured to me that despite me hating UT a lot, I still feel somewhat attached to it. I wonder what is causing this sentimental feeling?

~ What's makin' you smile today?
Bumping into Sarah, studying with Lilli, and relaxing for the night :) Speaking of which, it's time to go to bed. Byeeeee!

posted by Holz @ 12:51 AM |

A Continuation of Things that Make me Smile

Today's been a good day... but I'm exhausted. As a result, I'm at a loss of words... kinda. I just can't seem to write anymore... & I wonder why. Haha. So... I figured I should just continue with the list of things that make me smile and feel warm and fuzzy.

77) Bumping into old friends unexpectedly at Starbucks
78) Unexpectedly spending a relaxing day with Magda (today!) - from Sushi to Shopping.... argh the vices! It was fun though... :)
79) Showing up late to prayer mtg and having Can ask me if I had any prayer requests... despite the fact that they prayed already.
80) A nice tall Peppermint mocha from Starbucks
81) Spending quality time with Jessica... :) laughing like the old days at Thornlea
82) Smiles & laughs w/ Myles
83) Chatting with "ketchup" friends, as Lyds would refer them
84) Pictures... looking especially at family and friends pictures
85) Photo booth photos (the photos on a strip) - those 30 seconds you spend taking the pics w/ friends & loved ones end up being lasting memories.

I'm getting tired. I think I'll stop here for now, and continue later.

posted by Holz @ 12:09 AM |

The way you shouldn't write

:) Instead of giving you a piece of my mind, I'll give you something else to read and save my rants for another day.

Enjoy :) A great stress reliever.

Page One of Composition
Page Two of Composition

PS - I didn't write it, FYI. :)

posted by Holz @ 10:31 PM |

Ah,something *hopefully* more light-hearted and fun!

Yes, Christine has been complaining to me how serious my blogs have become, and Margaret has bugged me incessantly to update my blog. So here I am! Actually, I haven't been able to blog much lately 'cause of school :P Sad, but 'tis true.

Anyway, I was obsessed with buying magazines last month, with the discovery of what Vanity Fair has to offer... I ended up buying two more magazines.... none of which I have devoted any time in plowing through because of stupid school. This month's obsession... it's unfortunately a bit more expensive than magazines. I blame it all on HMV. Stupid two for $30 sale... I have purchased THREE DVDs this past week! Well, two I paid for, and one I used my PC points for. Yes, I finally found a cheap(er) copy of "I am Sam" so I couldn't resist and purchased it. It didn't help that Finding Nemo was released last week.

A few new things I've realized: I love the Telus pigs... actually, the Telus ads have never failed to amuse me. I also like to go to Loblaws to alleviate stress. It works. However, it comes with a cost - muussssst ressssiist on buuuying things. Like junk food. I also am a reckless driver. Norris, Peggy & Nevin can testify to that. (But please don't let my parents know!) I also haven't lost my touch with certain piano pieces, as I have been playing songs to release my stress on the piano. Poor thing.

So, with school on my plate, I have been coming up with wish lists of all sorts to make life slightly more interesting - things I want to have, things I want to do, places I want to go, people I want to see, notes I want to write, Christmas gifts to get, etc. I think these are the things that keep me relatively sane these days... they distract me from thinking about management control systems, income tax returns, and stupid auditors. So... I shall share one of my lists- top 10 things I want to do from now until dec. 17 (my first day of freedom/Christmas holidays):
10. Join Sarah & Rich for the LOTR marathon RIGHT AFTER MY LAST EXAM - this will give me no excuse of NOT watching the trilogy... (yes, I have shocked many people in the past)
9. Write Christmas cards - I've already bought them... perhaps I'll start early this year, right Tammy? :)
8. Watch my DVDs...
7. Go to Ikea
6. Go to the Old Curiousity Tea Shop w/ Mom
5. Go for breakfast w/ Karen & a bellini w/ Sarah & a coffee with anaV, & you get the point
4. Go hot pot with a bunch of friends...
3. Buy Christmas gifts for people
2. See my grandparents - I haven't seen them in such a long time!
1. Have a entire day to myself and clean my room, relax, and spend some quiet time.

This past weekend has been quite nice - went to a wedding, had some good fellowship time at Congee Wong & w/ Malachi, and took some pics at the wedding, which turned out not to be so great :P Regardless, it was a relatively fun weekend despite having to prepare for a presentation.

I've been having the urge to clean my room and make it more interesting. Either school is really getting to me, or my friend's sister's room is enticing me to make it interesting with pictures and posters. Must go to Ikea for a big poster frame!!!! :) (I have this gigantic poster but I just haven't put it up!)

All right, enough randomness :) I must get back to work. :(

posted by Holz @ 11:38 PM |

Self-Discovery

Something in life that we will always do is learn new things about ourselves. This past weekend, I've come to the conclusion that I am no longer the optimist that I always thought I was. Over the years in university, I've become quite the pessimist without knowing it myself until this past school term.

It's really a shame. This attitude I have truly reflects where I am at in terms of my faith and walk w/ God... I am one of little faith.

God has continually guided me and blessed me over the years, especially this past year - mom's health & recovery, my schooling, career, support of friends, a loving family, and many many more. Yet, I am blinded by my own ignorance and self-doubts. I fail to allow God to work through things (although I know He eventually takes the steering wheel from me...!)

There was the boy who had the faith to move the mountains,
and like a child he would believe without a reason.
Without a trace, he dissapeared into the void and
I've been searching, for that missing person.

Now obviously, I'm not a boy :) however, I did once have the faith to move the 'mountains' of junior high and other struggles. I'm looking for the old me. With His grace and help, I know I will find it.

posted by Holz @ 10:49 PM |