There is nothing absolutely wonderful than spending your Saturday at the lake under wonderful sunny weather :)

Ilya and I were going to vist Toronto island like the previous weekend (ended up getting some shower and returning home earlier than planned), but thanks to Stas inviting us on his plan, we got to spend our Saturday at the Lake Simcoe with Stas, his g.f., Chinatsu, Denielle, Ilya and myself.

It was such a FUN time having fun on the air-mattress on the lake, crazy boys jumping off and on it (LOL) and enjoying our lunch by the grass under the *shade*. :)

Stas, Denielle and Ilya enjoying their butter-bread :) Was such a great eggplant spread!!
One of my favorite photos from the lake. A cool shot of Stas's one eye and Chinatsu-looking very pretty :)


I love seeing Ilya and Denielle hanging around with each other. They are like brothers with each other, and I love seeing how close they are! :)

and enjoy seeing my wrinkly face (after exposed under the sun for so long-oh, it's so hard to stay young and beautiful..lol) but such a happy face of myself.. :)

It's always SWEET sharing a meal with someone: Danielle coming over for Dinner

We had Denielle over for dinner on July 21st (Thu). The list of dishes for the dinner is as follows: salmon and bak-choy stir-fry, clam stew with yukon gold potatoes and broccoli, red, yellow and green peppers, zucchini and mushroom gratin, steamed rice and miso soup. Although it was my first time trying the first two dishes, it turned out well and I was happy that I could make something tasty for my friends :)

And we had some Japanese beer for the dinner thanks to Ilya surprising us with some bottles! (see, this is what I am talking about. Ilya just does things like this always giving us surprises. What a sweet soul he is!):
and here is Denielle and Ilya going thru a mad collection of Ilya's CDs (mpeg files). We saw the first episode of CHEBURASHKA. Very cute stuff...
Thank you for coming, Denielle, and hope you will come and visit us again!

Restored Love and Passion for my Life- I have no fear any more

Words can not describe how deep sense of fear and darkness haunted my internal self for the past 6 months after a life threatening experience put me off at the edge of cliff. I did not fall off the cliff completely, because look, I am still alive, but I experienced one of the most painful and struggling phase of life learning how to live my life passionately again.

Now I am returned here in the city of Toronto, uniting with my dear friends and meeting such wonderful souls, I feel very blessed to have everything in my life right now.

Last nite while working out at the gym, this thought just popped into my mind: "I have experienced and lived in the hell for the past 6 months collecting missed sense of personal identity, and now that I feel I have restored my passion and love for my life, I have no fear to stride forward to fight what I feel I deserve in my life, and I do not let anyone violate or control my life in a negative manner anymore, because I have the full ownership for my freedom and life".

:)

I feel absolutely wonderful realizing that I have finally come back to this mental stage once again in my life. Yes, I did it, and I feel as though I have the full control over my life and am able to explore my opportunities in my life here in Toronto.

One of my favorite songs that reflect much of my current self is this one: "Golden" by Jill Scott, and I would like to leave my entry with its lyric for you all to enjoy :)

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

Golden by Jill Scott

I'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far,

[Chorus]
I'm livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden, X3
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,
Livin' my life like it's golden, X4
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,

[Verse 2]
I'm taking my own freedom
Putting it in my song,
Singing loud and strong,
Grooving all day long,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my stroll,
I'll be high-steppin' y'all,
Letting the joy unfold,

[Chorus]

I'm holding on to my freedom,
Can't take it from me,
I was born into it,
It comes naturally,
I'm strumming my own freedom,
Playing the god in me,
Representing his glory,
Hope he's proud of me,

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I'm living my life like its golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, [X2]

[Chorus]

[Jill Scott:]
Livin' my life like it's golden,
It really matters to me, Ohhh

Exploring Cooking & Fulfilling one's soul @ Toronto

Hi there! Sorry folks for not updating my entry for a while now.

I am happy to inform you all that now I have the internet connection from my home thanks to ilya and his friend's support!!! (I got a free 3 months internet connection..sweet!!!)

Here are some photos of some dishes that I have had at my new place. Some prepared/cooked by me with my soul and heart~ and some by ilya. It's been absolutely wonderful nurturing my inner self with fulfillingly satisfying meals from in the morning here. This is also to tell my parents that I am eating healthy and happy here in Toronto :) Enjoy looking at the photos and let your imagination fulfill you also.....

Simple Living. Simple Beauty and Eternal Happiness....

My First Japanese Meal @ My new place- July 2nd 2005

July 4th: Veal and Vegetable Soup, Spicy Tofu Stir-Fly and Salad
w/ Japanese Sweet Ginger and Carrot Dressing:

July 6th: Portbella Mushroom and Zuchini Omelette with Feta Cheese,Rosemary Potatoes and Cranberry over Sour/Cottage Cheeses:

July 7th: Fresh Tomatoes and Smoked Ham on Toasts:

July 8th: Famous Butter-Bread and Fresh Cherries Prepared by Ilushe:

July 10th: Power Sunday Breakfast- Vegetable and Immitation Crab
Meat Stir-Fly over Pork Ramen Noodles:

July 10th: Wonderfully Hearty Dinner Prepared by Ilushe: Chicken
Masara and Steamed Vegetable and Steamed Brown & Wild Rice..was SOULFULLY WARM AND TASTY!!! thank you very much, Ilya!

Tasty Russian Cookies: hmmmm

July 12th: Mushroom & Shrimp Gratin, Mango and Avocado Salad
(Passion Fruit Dressing) & Steamed Brown & Wild Rice:

July 13th: Sprinkle of Shredded Coconuts Over Sliced Banana and
Cottage Cheese on Toasts & Apples and Grapes:

July 15th: Chicken & Vegetable Soba (buckwheat) Noodles Before
Partying up at Roxi Blu Closing Party:

July 16 Saturday Breakfast: Zucchini & Eggplant Omelette w/Feta
Cheese, Rosemary Potatoes, Slices of Tomatoes, Cucumber and Ham over Toast

July 17 Sunday Breakfast: Fresh Banana and Walnuts Crepe!!

July 17 Sunday Lunch: Chicken & Vegetable Soba Noodles and Colorful Vege Medley Stir-fly:

July 17 Sunday Japanese Dinner Party~Having Russian Friends over :):
We also had some tempura, miso soup and edamame :) Stas kindly brought a bottle of plum sake and a platter of fresg fruits, yujin brought hakutsuru (white crane)-a bottle of sake, and Svet brought tasty chocolate covered gummies, a huge pineapple and orange juice. We enjoyed our evening eating, drinking and talking. What a beauty having friends over for good meal. We gotta do this again, next time over simple traditonal home-made Japanese meals :)