Latest News

Vancouver in Party Spirit

first-nations-dance-vancouver-olympics1The City of Vancouver is in one great party mode for the last two weeks.  The whole nation is entranced with the Olympic spirit.  The entire downtown Vancouver  has become one big pedestrian mall with art exhibits, street vendors, buskers and tourists.  Big screen TV’s are positioned in restaurants, streets, supermarkets… so that people at work can still keep up with what is happening at the Olympics.   Window displays at retail stores and supermarkets all bear the Olympics theme.

Tourists and locals alike wear Canadian themed clothing, whether it is a toque, T-shirt, mitten, jacket, anything to symbolize oneness.  The Canadian flags are everywhere, wrapped around people back like a bandana scarf, sticking out of cars like antennas, on flagpoles in buildings, homes, …. Whenever a Canadian wins a medal, people honk their cars, and street pedestrians downtown roar simultaneously in one glorious battle cry, or sing “O Canada”.

It is indeed an incredible time!   Vancouver invited the world, and the world arrived!  What a great party we throw!

Business in Canada

Honoring Accountants & Accounting Troubleshooters

March is Accountant’s Month, and the Accounting Troubleshooters Group of Associates have prepared this video clip showcasing accountants portrayed in movies.   They laugh, they cry, they fall in love, they can be goofey, funny, moble and heroic.  Just like in real life. ...

Arts

Canadian Moose painted on Hands

Canadian Moose painted on Hands

I am happy to share this amazing photo of art painted hands by an Italian artist Guido Daniele. The photo depicts a Canadian Moose and the green grass all painted on hands. Guido Daniele is an artist who lives and works in Milan, Italy. He was born in Soverato. In 1972, he ... ...

Tina's Cucina

Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad

During a recent potluck, somebody brought a seven layer salad, very imaginatively arranged.  I have made seven layer salad before, but never had the wits to arrange the ingredients so artfully.  So, I thought  I would share the recipe and the different images of how they can look.  Here is the easy to make seven ... ...

Canadian Traditions, Life in Canada, Tina's Cucina

Foolproof Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Foolproof Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

This Christmas holiday, we have decided to have yorkshire pudding and prime rib instead of the obligatory annual  Turkey dinner.   The reason was forwarded by our turkey carver - it takes too much time and effort to dress and carve the turkey.  A prime rib roast is just as good and takes less effort. So, once ... ...

Life in Canada

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away, The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing, About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would s...

Cupid, Life in Canada

A ancient story of interracial romance

A ancient story of interracial romance

To watch the Metropolitan Opera Live at the Lincoln Center can cost you as much as US$400 for the best seats, and US$42 at the worst.  Yet, through the recent Metropolitan Opera Live in High definition program, I was able to watch opera at an equivalent price of US$18.   Metropolitan HD Live now broadcasts live ... ...

Life in Canada

Parol Christmas Lanterns

Parol Christmas Lanterns

After the James Bond 007 Inclusion Office Party,  I attended another Christmas function. This time, it is  a Low Budget yet High Energy Christmas Party by  a Filipino community group.  We each paid $10 (about US$9.50) per person  for the party. This included hall rental, catered food, door prizes, christmas decorations and entertainment.  Thi...

Business in Canada, Life in Canada

James Bond 007 Christmas Party

James Bond 007 Christmas Party

I had a chance this year to attend  a Corporate Christmas Party that is quite unlike anything I have experienced before.  Called the James Bond 007 inclusion, this  is a  party professionally hosted by a corporate event planner.  Guests dressed in their favorite James Bond characters.  At the party, guests were given secret mission assignment...

Family, Immigration, Life in Canada

Canadian immigrant trapped between two cultures

Canadian immigrant trapped between two cultures

Mina and her husband are a ordinary Canadian immigrant family with a male dominated structure.  Husband is the provider, and works to support the family.  Mina stayed home to look after the two children.  Mina gets a good allowance to buy groceries and pay for the home expenses.  Husband paid for everything, and the children ... ...

Life in Canada, Marketplace, MicroBusiness

A Magical Coffee Shop

A Magical Coffee Shop

Situated in the quiet neighbourhood of West Vancouver is this small coffee shop that is truly magical and charming named Amadeo Bakehouse and Coffee Shop. The wall is decorated with murals, handpainted by an artist.  The seats have figureheads, each one featuring a different person. The pastries, European, of different types, scones, croissants, e...

Life in Canada, Tina's Cucina

Baptist Church Ladies Peanut Butter Squares

Baptist Church Ladies Peanut Butter Squares

It’s Christmas time soon, and our church is having a Christmas Craft and Bake Sale to raise funds for our Youth Mission to South Africa. So, I used a recipe from my Aunt who used to run the Black Cat Ranch in Hinton, Alberta.   She got this recipe from the Canadian Baptist Church Ladies who always ... ...

Business in Canada, Life in Canada

Romancing China

Romancing China

“What took you so long?” For the first time, since Stephen Harper became Prime Minister of Canada, he visited China with his wife, Laureen Harper on a 5-day scheduled official visit. Premier Wen Jiao Bao gently chided the Prime Minister for taking so long to come and visit China.   It has been five years since any ... ...

INUKSHUK AWARDS, Immigration, Life in Canada

Inukshuk Blog Award - Immigrant Story

Inukshuk Blog Award - Immigrant Story

We find this delightful blog that has been on cyberspace for the last three years (since 2006).  It is a blog about the adventures of a French Canadian immigrant  who settled in English Canada; about immigration, life as a French teacher and snow ! Her name is  Juliette, aka Zhu. Yes, she’s not Chinese, but she’s  ... ...

INUKSHUK AWARDS

Inukshuk Blog Award for edutainment

Inukshuk Blog Award for edutainment

Inukshuk (ee-nook-shook or ee-nook-sook) is an Inuktitut word that means to look like a person (an Inuk). They are stone monuments erected in the image of humans and have been used by the Inuit people of Canada to mark high points of land, good hunting and fishing spots or the way home. A blog that has received our Inukshuk award is a way of us ...

Life in Canada

Prime Minister Harper visits Bollywood

Prime Minister Harper visits Bollywood

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife made a stop at a Bollywood TV Dance Show in Mumbai during  his recent trip to India.  What an amusing sight it is to watch him and his wife be surrounded by dancing girls. The visit is a deliberate photo opportunity and publicity stunt to soften the Prime Minister’s ... ...

Immigration

A Friendly Stop for New Canadian Immigrants

A Friendly Stop for New Canadian Immigrants

For new Canadian immigrants settling in British Columbia, whether you are looking for work, trying to improve your English language skills or needing settlement assistance, be sure to check out ISS of BC.  ISS  stands for Immigrant Services Society.  ISSofBC provides a variety of services to immigrant and refugee communities in the Lower Mainlan...

Business in Canada, Marketplace

Is there a Message on Your Head?

Is there a Message on Your Head?

“A head that turns head” is the tagline for a company called Bald Media in Toronto.  Imagine a bald head as a blank canvas or a blank billboard, where you are free to post your company logo or advertising message.  Then send this bald head to roam around high traffic areas like the mall, downtown ... ...

Business in Canada, Marketplace, MicroBusiness

Sprouting your Business

Sprouting your Business

A Canadian company has launched a social networking site called “Sprouter“  designed for entrepreneurs to connect, share ideas, experiences and exchange information in an online community.  The concept is similar to Facebook, except the Sprouter will be a social site dedicated only to entrepreneurs, thereby reducing the noise from the rest of...

Canadian Traditions, Life in Canada

A Canadian Christmas Tradition

A Canadian Christmas Tradition

Every year, Canadians filled out over 700,000 shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, combs, etc. through the Operations Christmas Child project run by the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse. These shoeboxes are sent to children living in poor countries in Asia, South &  Central Amer...

Canadian Traditions, Family, Life in Canada

Canadian Immigrant’s Halloween Surprise

Canadian Immigrant's Halloween Surprise

This new Canadian immigrant was delightfully surprised with the Canadian Halloween tradition. She finds the practice amusing and a little wasteful. “Coming from a third world country, I found it hard to waste a pumpkin, when it could be food. When I helped my kindergarten son carved his pumpkin, I wanted to save every pulp and every seed a...

Life in Canada, Tina's Cucina

Canadian Yam Salad with Craisins

Canadian Yam Salad with Craisins

For Canadians pressed for time, this Yam Salad with Craisins is easily a favorite for three reasons:  (1)  It is healthy and tasty.  (2)  It is easy to make, there is very little cooking.  (3)  You can have many variations which keep the recipe fresh and exciting. Ingredients list is simple: - Yam  or Sweet Potato - Green ... ...

Business in Canada, Jobs/Career, Marketplace

AFCA-BC - the little engine that could!

AFCA-BC - the little engine that could!

An organization in its infancy, AFCA-BC (Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants BC Chapter) put on a very impressive show on Oct 17, 2009 for its Second Annual Professional Development Workshop with a turn out of over 50 accountants and student accountants, seven of them from FAACPA (Filipino American Association of Certified Public Accountan...

Canadian Traditions, Family, Life in Canada

Canadian Thanksgiving 2009

Canadian Thanksgiving 2009

“Thanksgiving weekend is a time when Canadians everywhere pause for the weekend to celebrate with family, friends and communities. “Many Canadians use the long weekend to catch up with loved ones, take a break from hectic lives and take part in activities that remind them how important those around them truly are. ...

Life in Canada

Neighbour’s Tree fell on our Yard

Neighbour's Tree fell on our Yard

On one unforgettable night, I was having dinner with my son  at around 8:45 pm in the evening when we heard a thump.   I couldn’t figure what it was, but my son could see it from the window, even in the dark.  A big tree from our Korean neighbour fell sideways and landed on our ... ...

Life in Canada

The Dalai Lama at the Vancouver Peace Summit 2009

The Dalai Lama at the Vancouver Peace Summit 2009

It’s no different as when you grandparents used to tell your parents “Think of the starving children in India, or China or Vietnam..”  Instead of nagging,  the world’s celebrities came dancing, singing, and cajoling.  One after another, young people went on stage and  spoke of the power to change….Vancouver’s...

Celebrities, Immigration

This Famous Canadian is Half Dutch-Half Chinese

This Famous Canadian is Half Dutch-Half Chinese

Half Dutch, Half Chinese, this is one of the many faces of The New Canadians.   Kristin Kreuk is a second generation child of immigrants.  She was born and raised in Canada, attended school in North Vancouver, BC and  she possesses many of the Canadian values we so cherish - down to earth, sweet, polite - ... ...

Life in Canada, MicroBusiness

Romanian-Canadian immigrant brings Kurtos Kolac to Vancouver

Romanian-Canadian immigrant brings Kurtos Kolac to Vancouver

From Transylvania, the land the gives us Count Dracula, come Kurtos Kolak. It’s been called Kurtos Kolac, Kurtos Kolacs, Kurtos Kalac, Kurtos Kolak, or Kurtus cake, Chimney cake. Originating from Eastern Europe, the Kurtos bread or cake has been traditionally sold at food fairs. Basically, it is made with a sweet bread dough rolled flat, cu...

Family, Immigration, Life in Canada

Long Lost Son Returns to China

This is the story of a adopted teenager, Christian Norris who was reunited with his biological parents after being separated for 10 years. His was an unusual case. He was the favored boy, the second son, illegal baby because of the one-child policy. He was raised by his uncle and grandmother. One day, during a bus excursion, he was lost in a cr...

PingPong's e-DEN, Tina's Cucina

Dancing Chicken - a beer chicken recipe

Dancing Chicken - a beer chicken recipe

(Contribution by PingPong) It was my parents anniversary and my mother asked me to prepare two beer chickens for the anniversary party.  Just a small party for the family, and two beer chickens should do the job. It is a very easy recipe to cook, and can be done indoors or outdoors.   In the summer time when ... ...