Pre-Christmas Shopping & eat eat eat!

Shopping in Bolton again!!

Bolton market is a must-go place when I think of getting some nice fish (esp my favourite salmon!) at a reasonable price! :) As Christmas is approaching, I think I better stock some fish at home :p. I asked my two ex-colleagues to go with me as we had done last time. This time it was quite stressful because we went there a bit late and when we arrived, some of the stalls were closed and we seemed to have missed some good bargains at fish stalls. Anyway, we got some nice salmon - compared with those from supermarkets or Arndale Market, they were inexpensive and also big!! I think if I keep eating two to three servings of salmon every week, I should be able to finish them all in a month! I should do that as I need vitamin D from oily fish! :p

We also went to Morrisons. I wanted to get a panettone for Christmas but those mini ones from Morrisons can't wait for Christmas.. As I was with my ex-colleagues, I didn't spend much time browsing items at the supermarket. Probably I'll do some food shopping in town again before Christmas while I'm still thinking of what to cook on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. :)

*****

Following yesterday's shopping for walking shoes, I went to another Sports Direct to exchange for another pair - the new pair were of the same brand, same style as the one I had bought yesterday but I seemed to prefer the colour of the new pair. I seem to become more picky in shopping nowadays when I have no income. It's not a bad thing but I think I did it too far today - spent too much time and still couldn't decide which one to go for...

Lunch: Christmas Lunch at a new Morrisons

Lunch: the Christmas turkey didn't have stuffing nor sausage with bacon!

It tasted so so.

Oh my favourite Roast Chicken!

It was as good as always :) 

I like the roasted potatoes! :)

Dinner at a Hong Kong-style restaurant

Four dishes for four people may be too much! 

But they were tasty and of big portions!

My all-time favourite: red bean drink! :) 

Finally it's the champion! 

I prefer blue to pink colour!?

Bye Bye pink shoes! I actually miss you! :p

The champion of 'Walking Shoes Contest' is...

Finally I got a new pair of walking shoes for this winter!

I'm always worried about how to walk on snow & icy road in winter as I don't have shoes that have good grip and I often have potential risk of 'pk' on slippery road every winter! Also my sports shoes need a replacement. So, even though I try not to spend money on things other than food, I still decided to treat myself a pair of nice walking shoes!

My VIP took me to Sports Direct today. Actually we went to Sports Direct in Salford last weekend but I couldn't make a decision on which pair to buy then. I can't wait any longer as it's becoming more likely to snow, esp. this morning there was a bit of snow (which melted soon it hit on the ground!). I spent an hour just trying a few pairs on and struggling between them! There were a few contestants. I like one of them but it was a bit too expensive! >_< I gave it up for another one which was less expensive but also quite nice. What a tough decision!

It was quite cold today. Only 1 degree Celsius! Are we going to have a snowy Christmas day?

This pair - Karrimor Tahoe Low Ladies is 大熱門!

I like its colour and comfort.

Its sole is very good!

This one - Karrimor Mount Low almost became the champion for its good price (£18 only!)!

However, the champion is this one - Karrimor Arte Low (Black/Pink)!! 

Welcome to my shoes family! :) 

Late lunch at Subways! Turkey Breast & turkey ham sub + meatball marina! :) 

Dinner: 1/2 rainbow trout (it tasted like salmon!) + scotch eggs + mixed vegetables

I tried to eat more healthily when home since I'll dine out more frequently these days. 

Being active (sociable) is good for health?!

Still non-productive but I tried to be 'active'.

I didn't do much in the morning - just surfed the Internet about Chinese soup! Then I had lunch at a Japanese restaurant before heading to my previous workplace for a temporary part-time job there. I felt a bit nervous, even though I didn't expect anything from there - it's good if I'm offered any part-time job; if not, it isn't the end of the world. Maybe I feel like I'm back to the 'old place' again (and again!)! Anyway, my meeting was an informal one and the manager and my future supervisor sounded positive to me. They invited me to next Thursday's Christmas party of the organization, which I hesitate to attend as I don't want to see some people then...

I guess chatting with my ex-colleagues helps me a bit - I feel I'm not alone in terms of facing problems like health problems. They also shared with me tips about where to get accessories like socks to keep myself warm this winter. I was so absorbed into my conversation with my ex-colleague that I missed my appointment with a friend of mine who had his graduation ceremony today. I was supposed to have a photo with him at uni but I was too late when I got there - he had already returned his gown and was on his way home when I was trying to get in touch with him by phone. :(  I felt bad and thought my time management was poor..

Anyway, I went back to the city centre later to do some window shopping. I happened to meet a woman who used to volunteer in my previous workplace. She looked happy as always. :p

I walked a lot today. Though I felt the bone pain from time to time, it seemed to be better than me staying home all day long...

Japanese Lunch

We ordered chicken & pork katsu. Both were nice!! But it'd be even better if there were some vegetables.. 

Dinner: fruit juice from Taco Bell - it tasted like 思樂冰 from 7-eleven!

Dinner: yummy nachos! :)

Nutrition deficiency again!

Non-productive day!

I got lazy again once I've finished my acca course and exams. I didn't do much but just sorted out some mess in my room and wrote my diary. I went to the GP clinic to ask about my blood test results. The reception lady printed it out for me, which is a good thing because later I found out that someone had made a mistake - the report from the lab said I had vitamin D deficiency but the person who read it made a note 'tell the patient the result is normal'! =_=' If I hadn't spotted this mistake, the doctor and I might have thought I was 'normal' (though I think I'd keep asking her about reasons for my problems anyway!). I talked to the female doctor about it when I saw her later in the afternoon. She noticed that and prescribed me some vitamin D tablets. She said it'd take longer (6 to 9 months) for my vitamin D level to get back to normal than it is for iron deficiency. :(  She reassured me that my problem is common and not serious. How come I have many different nutrition deficiencies?! Anyway, I guess I haven't had 'balanced' diet for a long while and those problems have been existing for quite a while till they've gone to a level that shows 'warning' symptoms to me! Maybe that's why I've been feeling weak - it's said that vitamin D deficiency can affect one's immune system, not just the bone health!

I guess all my health problems are attributable to my bad habits and '求其' lifestyle - not do things properly, e.g. eat too fast, not eat regularly, poor posture, stay up too late at night, .There's a news article saying most of the diseases/illnesses are caused by poor/bad habits! I can't agree with it any more. Time for me to correct those habits! I shouldn't take my health for granted..

Lunch: turkey with tofu & mushroom + Brussels sprouts

I'm tired of brussels sprouts these days! :P

Dinner: an economical meal! 

nice noodles for 15p & beansprouts for 10p from Waitrose!

Plus red, yellow & green peppers, salmon, mushroom & fridge raiders chicken.

It was a nice meal indeed! (I've also made 蓮藕綠豆薏米湯 but I've forgot to take a photo of it!)

I love home-made meals in winter! :)

I'm back to this blog!

Finally I'm back to this blog!!

Two weeks. Lots of things happened:
1) I finished my acca course and did the exams last and this week. Time really flies. It feels like I just started the course not a long time ago. Actually I spent 6 months only on the course (with 2 months summer 'holiday'). What  have I learnt? I don't think I've gained much knowledge about accounting but at least I have a basic idea of what it's about - it's more than calculations. There're lots of rules, formulas, theories/principles to remember. I still think linguistics is more interesting though...

2) My exam phobia has increased after I finished the exams. I performed so badly for my first two exams last week. I did a bit better yesterday, with more experience and more time to prepare. I can't imagine if I'd pass or not. It isn't good to take exams in winter in a sports hall where you have to make sure you keep yourself warm with enough clothes and better shoes!

3) I have more health problems. I saw the female doctor at the GP clinic and did blood tests for the pain in my joints. =_=' This time it took much longer to get the blood test results back. :( Hopefully my problem is minor..

Anyway, for the moment, I should try to enjoy life!! I want to keep myself fit and healthy - by going back to the gym and making more Chinese soup (oh Chinese soup is a big big subject!); I want to do some leisure reading, work on my job search (again!), spend more time on ebay selling :P..

Breakfast: bread from Morrisons + oat porridge with blueberry!

Lunch: mixed peppers with turkey and broccoli

I'm trying to eat less red meat.. 

Dinner: tortellini (chicken & bacon) with tofu, mushroom & broccoli in mushroom soup! :) 

Stop being worried but enjoy life?!

Back to my blog. Life as usual.

I haven't written any post in this blog for a few days since Thursday. It wasn't totally true that I have been too busy - I'm busy as the ACCA exams are coming and there're also some other things to do (e.g. helping a friend who's now in Malaysia to buy some dresses, doing shopping, posting ebay items, going to class, etc.). Also I'm tired of myself 'complaining' or moaning about any unpleasant things in life - especially my health concerns. My VIP has tried to ask me not to think about those health problems, and I know I'm suffering from health anxiety (oh am I mad?!). Anyway, my life's ok - I went to gym (Thu), went to school (Fri), did weekly food shopping (Sat) and did some cleaning duties at home. I slept longer (due to cold weather!) and ate more! (hmm, I always feel hungry!)

One more month and there's Christmas Day!

I just hope my performance in ACCA exams is not too bad and I can have happy Christmas!! :)

Dinner on Thursday: ready meals from Sainsbury's at reduced prices! 

Plus tortellini from Waitrose :) 

Dinner on Friday: home-made meal with steamed salmon (from Bolton Market)

I'm gonna eat more fish instead of red meat, for health reason...

Lunch (Friday): sub of the day (tuna) from Subway

I preferred going to Subway for lunch these days when I went to class. 

It's cheap, yummy and healthy :) 

Weekend dinner: cheese & bacon omelette with baked beans & chips

I missed the chips and omelette! :) 

Lunch (today): pasta in miso soup with brussel sprouts & luncheon meat!

Dinner (today): rice with smoked haddock & Chinese cabbage with 粉絲!

Oh Christmas is coming!

Gotta work hard for the exams!

No class. No gym. No use of laptop. Did my ACCA revision...

After last night's scare of itchy & rash skin, I felt better this morning. I slept for more than 9 hours! I had felt quite tired after taking anti-histamine last night. As the ACCA exams were nearer (less than 2 weeks to go), I started being more focused on the revision. I didn't use computer till the afternoon (only to check email!), nor did I go to gym. Any 'non-urgent' matters are to be delayed till after exams! I only have to work hard for 3 weeks and then I can be 'free'!!

I have become lazier in writing this blog, in going to gym.. hmm...

Breakfast: Chicken, Emmental & Bacon Club from Waitrose!! 

It was very tasty! I love it! :) 

Lunch: lazybone's meal! steak pie and vegetables served with rice

Dinner: beef stew with carrots & potatoes + broccoli 

Yummy :) 

No motivation to work hard on revision?

Back to class.

Today was the 2nd day of the revision class for F4 paper (Business & Corporate Law). The tutor said we didn't seem to have motivation to work hard for the exam, which could be told by the fact that some of my classmates were absent, late or left early and whenever he asked us questions, no one could answer them! =_=' He asked us if we were confident we would pass the exam - I'm confident! :p Though I still haven't worked hard enough...

My itchy and rash skin has come back! :(  When can I have days when I don't feel any discomfort/unwell?!

Lunch: Subway meatball! 

I was too lazy to prepare lunchbox and

so I went for a 'healthier' choice (instead of Mcdonalds) when dining out :)

Dinner: noodles in soup base (carrots, swede & potatoes) with mixed vegetables

Dinner: sushi as snack! :) 

Meeting with the dentist

Staying home. Had my regular tooth check up with the dentist. Lower back pain still persists. :(

I like to have a day off on Monday so that I can avoid Monday blue! Just like today - I could do my laundry and tidy up my room. Time seemed to pass without me noticing and doing anything at all! :(  I went to the dentist in the late afternoon for a check up. It had been 6 months since my last check up. Time flies! My appointment with the dentist lasted less than 5 minutes! :p She just had a quick look at my mouth and teeth. She said it looked fine, except for the fact that I had some plagues building up inside! :(  That was why I had bleeding in my gum. She suggested me buying an electric toothbrush which may help clean the teeth! It sounds a bit relief to me as my gum problem isn't serious. :p I hope my other health problems aren't serious either! :p  My lower back pain has been ongoing for more than a week now. *sigh* My joints also seem to be 'weak' and cause a bit of pain. Feel like I'm so fragile! :( Probably my sitting posture hasn't been so 'correct' that I have problems with my back?!

Lunch: supposed to be a 'vegetarian' meal

'kai lan' + mushroom + (strange) mix of baked beans and egg! :p

Dinner: noodles with 'kai lan' & pork in soup base

(the soup was made with carrots, swede & potatoes)

Baby stuff for my nephew/niece

Busy buying stuff for my 'nephew'/'niece'!

After last night's research on some baby items on the internet, I made the decision on what and where to buy for my nephew/niece that would be born soon. We went to Mothercare to buy a teat for baby bottles, then to Toysrus to buy a 2-pack baby bottles. :)  We then went to Morrisons as we found we had paid for a pair of soothers more than we had thought. But when we checked the items on the shelf, we found the price tags had been changed! :S *sigh* Anyway, as my present 'mission' for the bb has been completed, I don't want to care about whether I've paid more or less. Maybe next time when I'm going to buy baby stuff items again, I know where to shop! :)

Breakfast: this HK-style bun (curry chicken) was long time so see! :p

Too bad I couldn't eat spicy stuff now... 

Lunch at Morrisons: this beef with sauce was a good surprise!

Quite tasty and reasonable price (only £2.5!)

It'd have been perfect if it was served with rice!

Lunch at Morrisons: my first Christmas Lunch this year! 

Hmm, the sauce was too salty.. 

Dinner: rice with half a potato pie (hmm, disappointed that there was no meat), 

Salmon & 'kai lan'

Got another good bargain from Morrisons!

Interesting experience of shopping for baby items

Back to gym and shopping for baby stuff.

I found that I went to gym less and less frequently over the past two months. This month I only went to gym two times so far! :S  In order to make my gym membership worth the value, I decided to go there as much frequently as possible! Even though I still felt quite weak, I thought going to gym for some exercise may help my health a bit. I did feel more energetic after exercising for 25 minutes only! :p

My eldest brother's baby is going to be born in less than 3 weeks! So as his/her aunt I better get her something. :) We went to Toyrus, Mothercare and Morrisons to look for some baby stuff. To be honest, I had no idea what a baby needs and I was surprised at how many little things a baby may need! It's interesting though to bring up a child from its birth. I did enjoy buying baby stuff! Fortunately I got advice from some parents friends about what to buy or I'd have struggled!

Breakfast: oatibix & special K with strawberries & blueberries!

Oh I'm so in love with berries these days! :) 

Lunch: Salmon with Chinese mushroom + 'kai lan' :) 

So many choices of baby items... 

Dinner at Morrisons: as usual :) 

Three ladies one tea time

A quiet day.

No TV, no laptop till the evening! (though I still had internet access through mobile phone! :p). I spent the morning on sorting some items for future ebay selling. :) It was time consuming but I did learn how to do a 'business'. I also wrote diary, tidied up my room and did a bit of ACCA revision. Around 5 p.m. I went out to meet up with two of my ex-colleagues. We went to a cafe called Teacake where there were some very nice tea and cakes. They were quite expensive though. We three ladies had a chat about things like skincare (since one of us is going to HK soon and she wants to buy some skincare stuff there!). A good time. :) though I didn't feel quite well later (again, feverish, weak, tired...).

Yesterday's bargains: all 4 of them cost only 28p in total!! :)

Breakfast: carrot muffin + cereals with strawberry & blueberry

Lunch: olive bread with tomatoes & cheese + omelette with baked beans + mixed vegetables

Tea time with friends

This countdown stuff was used to let us know when our tea was ready!

My choice: chamomile flower tea

My cake choice: vanilla cheesecake

Its texture was a bit like that of tofu. The base was interesting - with apple pie & some sunflower seeds! 

Dinner: toast with tomato & salmon

A bit full after the tea time..