I'm back...to reality!

It's been almost 2 weeks that I'm back from my hectic exchange in Lundun ;) Unfortunately, I didn't pick up the sexy English accent even if my flatmate is English.

My four-month experience was really enriching and full of surprises (What happens in London, stay in London hehe). I've traveled to many places including Barcelona, Oslo, Paris, Bristol (in the UK), Amsterdam, Florence and Venice. All these trips are only avant-goût because it wasn't possible to see every thing in a week end.

Which city is my favorite? It's definitely Florence, a charming Italian city. There are a lot of markets on the street that sell leather goods. I bought a messenger bag made with lamb skin. I discovered how to test if the leather is real from the seller: use a lighter. If the leather doesn't melt or burn, then it is real. However, the craziest city in my opinion is Amsterdam because weed and prostitution are legal.

Every time that I look at the pictures, all the good memories come back and it's hard to believe that I'm back to my routine. Although I'm happy to be reunite with my family and friends, I (will) certainly miss the routine of a Londoner! I'm going to make a scrapbook with 195 pictures!!!

2009 was an epic year for me, but my resolution is to make 2010 even better. It'll be hard to beat lol But seriously, I just want to get the best out of everything...

...and cherish every moment :)

Networking Event: John Molson School of Business Banquet

Over the last month, I've been to a good number of networking events: KPMG Ace the Case workshop, KPMG Beer & Pizza, Deloitte's National Leadership Conference info session, Deloitte Spring Conference at Fairmont Elizabeth Hotel, and Deloitte and Ernst & Young "Demystifying Recruitment" workshop. This is only the beginning!!!

Accounting firms recruit during the same period which is between September-October. In fall, the networking events are insane!! Just to give you an idea, it would be 10 circles of people around a manager or partner...:S

Upcoming events:

01/04/09: This week, I'm going to another workshop hosted by Pricewaterhousecoopers & Deloitte: "Resume Clinique and Interview Seminar". It will take place in Concordia's EV building.

02/04/09: I will attend the annual JMSB Banquet that will take place at Sofitel Golden Mile Hotel. I choose to sit at the table of the company Business Development Bank of Canada (the Institution at Ville-Marie). I'm so excited!! =D I'm thinking what to wear for the event...probably a suit.

http://jmsbbanquet.com/main.htm

Slumdog Millionaire

The movie was amazing!!! Seriously I will watch it for the second time on the Internet hehehe

But it was worth going to the theater for Slumdog Millionaire. The cheesy love story is simple, yet the storytelling through the game "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" is creative.

The story of Jamal Malik, a 18 years old teen of the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest success of his life on the Indian version of the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" show watched by the whole nation. As the show ends for the night, the authorities arrested him suspected of cheating. How can a slum answer correctly all the questions and be on his way to win 10 millions rupees (Indian currency)? In order to prove his innocence, he unveils his difficult childhood on the road that he shared with his brother, Salim. He also met Latika, the girl he truly loved and lost. From each chapter of his life, he learned the answers of the seemingly impossible questions asked on the show. Although his life is about to change, Jamal has no desire to become rich. What is his drive to contest in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"? What would be more valuable than 10 million rupees? (Written by me)

I give 4.5/5 for the movie.

Actress: Freida Pinto

Naked and Famous

Shopping time!!! Since boxing day, I was looking for good deals on jeans. I'm still wearing the bad quality Urban Behavior jeans, however they are really comfy. I found that Naked and Famous have nice models. I like the skinny model =)

"Naked & Famous Denim uses only the most unique and rare denim fabrics from Japan. The prestigious mill in Japan, from which we import all our fabric, is committed to producing only the best (and most expensive) denim in the world. Throughout each step in denim production (weaving, dyeing, finishing…) the mill uses a combination of old school and modern methods and practices. So much culture and history is poured into the fabric so that it can be appreciated by the denim purist.

We keep all our jeans raw and simple. No washes, no embroidery, no gimmicks… just the best fabric in the world combined with modern fits. We have eliminated these costly (and in our opinion unnecessary) after-effects, and have stripped down our jeans to the core essentials. Now true denimheads and newcomers alike can enjoy these special fabrics at a reasonable price."

http://www.nakedandfamousdenim.com/

Moules Marinières

I really like to eat seafood such as lobster, oyster, tiger shrimps. crabs....and MUSSELS.

I know that Mussels and French Fries is a famous Belgian dish. Belgium is a must-to-go place in Europe for its cheap beers, seafood, Belgian waffles and chocolate....omg PARADISE :D

The next recipe that I would like to try would be "moules marinières" (mussels). I found a good video and it seems to be easy to prepare. That's what I like about seafood, it can served steamed/boiled without any spice. If someone tries it, tell me if the recipe is good =)

Here's the link: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-moules-mariniere

Connie's style noodles

As you know, I really like to cook, but I just do easy things... hehehe

When I don't have school, I like to make myself a good meal for lunch. Recently, my mom bought a miso soup paste (no msg added) and seaweed in a Korean grocery store. Two weeks ago, I made myself a really good noodle...it was so delicious :D

I took some hot pot style beef (thinly sliced beef) marinated with a korean sauce (the same sauce that I use to make rib eye beef) and small onions. I stir fried the meat and put on the top of the noodle when the soup is ready.


Ingredients: stir fried beef, shrimps, fishballs, seaweed, miso soup base, korean noodles and green onions.

Alcohol :D

Since school started, I've been busy studying and finishing the application for the exchange. I also applied to volunteer to fill tax return for low income residents and it should start in 2 weeks. Two weeks ago, I started to take wine education and testing classes at Concordia every Thursday (50$ for 12 hrs; 6 classes). It's super cool. :D

First class, the instructor taught us how to enjoy the wine by looking at the liquid, by smelling it and tasting it. We tasted 2 French wines; 1 white and 1 red. The white is Dom Brial Muscat de Rivesalle (Rousillon) 2006. The red is Domaine Labranche-Lafont 2005. The instructor said that wine is really a good investment and the return is high. So, give up stocks and start collecting wines hehehe

The red was dry and the white was really sweet. Wine is like love at first sight. If the color doesn't appeal to you or you don't like the taste the first time, then you don't like the wine. I skipped last week's class because of exams, I hope that I didn't miss the lesson on varieties of grapes.

Then, I just remembered that my parents received bottles of alcohol from friends a long time ago, but they've never opened them. They were hidden in the garde à manger for 10 years I think....lol I found:




Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky, Distilled, Blended and Bottled in Scotland 40% alc./vol. 750mL

It's sold around $30 now and it's the cheapest Johnnie Walker Whisky. The most expensive is the Blue Label.



Rémy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac V.S.O.P, CLS Remy Cointreau - Cognac France H.k.D.N.P 40% alc./vol. 1000mL

It's the famous Champagne with the Centaur design. Champagne is a sparkling white wine produced only in Grande Champagne or Petite Champagne of France. A 750mL bottle is sold at $76, but I can't find the price for 1000mL bottle.




Grand Marnier - Lapostolle Liqueur Cordon Rouge Paris - France 40% alc./vol. 750mL

It's a citrus liquor. ($45)




When I went to California, I bought a white wine, Mélange à Trois 2007 California White Wine from Folie à Deux Winery St-Helena, Napa County. It's a blend based on 3 varietals: Chardonnay, Moscato and Chenin Blanc.

The instructor said that the Californian and Australian wines have a lot of potential and they are on the rise.