Tatiana's Wanderings

I discovered that Andre had unfriended / blocked me on Facebook - WHAT THE HECK?! Eric picked me up at 8:50 AM so I could use church as a vehicle to get to the Osborne Gym at UBC for Hiero's 6th birthday party. It helps that his hockey is all the way out at UBC, too... and it turned out that his hockey building is practically right next to the Robert Osborne building! He said that the LUFIA music sounded like something crazy was going on at my place - HAHAHA! I packed the Creature Chumpers toy (but forgot the birthday card), a bottled water, my Doge bag, and the other Starbucks Cold Brew before putting my boots on just in case of slush. Made my bag heavier, but it was okay. Eric and I listened to the radio for a bit until some guy came on who just monologues at you all the time - not his thing, and not mine either!

When we got to church, there was still plenty of parking across the street. As I thought, the car door went CLONK into a slush accumulation. Luckily, Eric could pull forward a bit so I could go into the nearby parking lot and then cross the street after getting on the clear sidewalk. I waited around outside the sanctuary, saying hey to Joe. When we were allowed to go inside, I said hi to Geoffrey and Sheena, and was respectful of the service. Hiero was there with Jon (who was preaching today), so I asked him if he wanted his birthday gift now or later... of course he chose now, before the Children's Sunday School.

I realized I'd forgotten the birthday card, but I can always give it to him later. He seemed out of it for some reason, but I wouldn't find out why till much later. Then he was trying to get Jon's attention, but he was busy talking to Pastor Dan. When I got back from the handicapped restroom (seeing empty water jugs inside and hoping a grandma didn't have to use it), Hiero had gotten Jon's attention, who told him to say thank you. I said that he already had (when I prompted him), so of course he didn't have to say it again! I did see Uncle Eric and Auntie Brenda at different times, and an uncle said hi to me as well.

Jon had an engaging sermon on Mark and seeds, at least. Even Julie S. agreed with me later on! I said hi to Sam, Auntie Cathy, Auntie Catherine (hug), Auntie Esther (hug), Cordia's mom, Helen C., Joe T., Ivan, Lesley, Dylan / Deb / Declan / Elysse (who thinks it's crazy that Hiero will be her age by next week AND who was eating sugar cubes), Cordia / Amasiah / Julie S. / Denise (who sent a photo of me to Steph) / Julie M., Auntie Susan x2 (Karen Grace's mom and Vivian's mom), Darren L., Martin T., Acer, and others. I could hear Acer swearing in the fellowship hall while talking about DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, but whatever.

Soon enough, it was just a little group of me, Eric, Cordia, Amasiah, their friend Jeremy, and Acer since everyone else was staying for the Larry and Bella Mori missionary lunch before Missions Fest later in the month. Once we were shushed by Auntie Ada (Benedict's mom) since the Cantonese service was going on, we moved to the stairs, where I noticed a few minutes later that we were blocking the way, so we stood around a little outside the sanctuary in the "hall" until the bench cleared up. We still had to watch our volume, though!

Jeremy insisted he wasn't a weeb just because he went to Japan with some guys - including Acer's cousin - and had to translate for the group, Cordia said she's accepted who she is, and said that Amasiah was morbid like me - SWEET! We talked about the Japan trip, Japanese people KNOWING when you're "foreign" to them even if you're Asian and fluent in the language, Sharon's health woes in the Osoyoos (being literally stuck at home), 80 cents for a medium bottle of milk tea in Japan, the Mori kids Timothy and Tiffany, Molly, people following others on Instagram, pressuring Amasiah to buy some Pokemon figurine on Amazon since she didn't in Hong Kong, my trip, the snow and slush, anime / manga, otaku people, Discord, and lunch plans. Eric and I went upstairs to see if we could get some extra $2 sandwiches (Benedict had five pink tickets from his mom!), but he decided not to bother or distract anyone in the rooms, which I noticed are now labelled. They even upgraded the water cooler from a huge jug to a black self-cleaning one!

A few minutes later at 1:25, Eric asked if I was cool with going to Broadway / Cambie instead. Sure, why not? We could get fast food burgers, so we went to A and W where he kindly paid for my Mama Burger and we shared his fries before going to Pacific Spirit Park and a parking garage on UBC campus. He pressed the crosswalk button for me in the rainy weather, and showed me which building to go into. I went into the Robert Osborne building, connected to the Wi-Fi, and looked for a specific gym on the Evite to no avail, so I had to text Harmony about it. "No, gym" is not really a great answer to "should I meet you on the second floor?" when there are at least three gyms and lots of lockers in the entire place... as I told Steph, I wonder how many "where is this place specifically?" calls and texts they got before the birthday party.

Jon and Harmony were actually early with the kids, probably because they had to sign a waiver and were nominally hosting 15 kids and their parents. I showed Beckett the balls that he had dropped in my bag, but he seemed too out of it even for just waking up. He did look at them with widened eyes, but said nothing. After I met Hiero's friends Emmett and Huxley (what a name!), I heard that Hiero had puked on the gymnastics equipment when Harmony was explaining what had happened in Chinese to her parents! IRRESPONSIBLE AND GROSS! WHY WOULD YOU SUBJECT KIDS TO THAT?! Even Ayler was complaining of feeling sick at the end of everything later! While I was there, Chinese Eric replied to my text about the All-Star Game, saying he'd get back to me later. Why don't you figure it out first, man? I'm not like my ex Mike who wants an almost-instant response! Uncle Joe and Auntie Wing ended up driving me home after the refreshments since Costco closes early on Sundays, so I got home at 6:25. AWESOME!


Random stuff from Mom and Dad, who definitely wanted the tiny tote bag back if Mom dug through my bag for it: Cao Is Starvingbase Chongqing instant noodles, Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang instant noodles, Country Life pure soap, a random floral soap circle, Princess Cruises Lotus Spa shower gel x2, a shoe brush, a Bath Aquatics h2O+ bath bar, and Ontrue roasted seaweed x2 in green tea flavor! It's MINE after I put it in my bag - come on now, WAIT FOR ME TO GET BACK FROM THE WASHROOM AND THEN ASK PERMISSION! Even Beckett has more respect than that! When he dropped his balls in my bag, he just stood by the bag and didn't go through it... I'm sure he doesn't have the words to ask about the balls, but that doesn't matter!


The Tiger Tiger Sukiyaki noodles did come with a lot of packets in the bowl with the handy lid, all crammed inside!




( Gummies, water jugs, hot water advisories, and party food! )

I noticed that Gemma Wright unfriended me on Facebook. Hahaha! She always said she'd post spider pics in her comments, but that doesn't work if THE VERY FIRST THING you see is a tarantula! She thinks that spiders helped her get over her fear - whatever! Kate agrees with me!

I also noticed that Facebook can't find either Dustin's or Geoff's accounts - OH MAN! :(


Dijonnaise Norman?!




Mathew Dumba?!

I left my place at 11:25 (after yelling at Jimmy over Facebook Messenger for the Festivus Airing of Grievances) to meet Kathy, Aaron, and Geoff at Tsawwassen Mills at 12:30. Not too bad - I just had to take the Canada Line to Bridgeport, then the 620 bus. I got there at 12:35, got lost in the Bass Pro Fishing shop (which Mike S. and Scott C. would like), waited for AN HOUR at the food court, and they STILL weren't there yet! (but I did meet a kid named Sawyer who asked what my name was, and whose friend "tied him up" with used dental floss which he'd tried offering me!) Determined NOT to waste my time, I remembered that I wanted to buy teaspoons from the dollar store in Richmond, so I bought them (and tablespoons and a bag of pretzels) from the dollar store there before leaving at 1:35 or so. When I got home, I told Kathy to be on fucking time next time, and then she tried blaming ME for it since she says Geoff was there at 1:15. Then he could also have been proactive and started looking around for people as well. Ugh, never going there again! I also told Julie and (by extension) Wilf about it since the cross-posting Swami could not be denied! Aaron merely wondered if I couldn't make it out: if that had been the case, I'd have told them earlier! He doesn't get my anger, though. The Canucks played the Blues at 7 tonight, and lost 3-1. Good effort, but those empty-net goals!


Julie's autocorrect: "Sore penis" is an acceptable substitution for "swear"?




From Reddit: The Christmas manger scene looks like two Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs fighting over baby Jesus!




From The Onett Times: You have been visited by the Wooly Shambler of Christmas cheer! LIKE or SHARE for all your Christmases to be merry!

THIS ENTRY IS ALLOWED TO HAVE NON-ALIGNED TAGS.


Sushi boat for two from MEGA SUSHI in Steveston: Appetizer tempura, big boss roll, California roll, two pieces of tuna sashimi, two pieces of salmon sashimi, two pieces of ebi, ebi sunomono, and miso soup!




Birthday stuff from Vanessa: Dutch chips (Bali Kroepoek), Dutch chocolate sprinkles (Quino boterhamkorrels) to be used on toast, and five Mentos flavors: Strawberry Shake / Banana Shake / Peach Shake, Tutti-Frutti, Fresh Cola, Strawberry-Lime, and Cinnamon!




From white Eric: Lindt Excellence Chili dark chocolate! Dark chocolate with natural chili flavor!




From white Eric: Lindt Excellence Roasted Almond dark chocolate! Dark chocolate with roasted almond slivers!




Steak and salmon bites from Original Joe's! Sterling® Silver sirloin and Pacific salmon in a sweet soy glaze over brown rice; with shredded carrot, red pepper, and green onion. Creamy sesame steak sauce on the side.




Email: Eric M., Eric H., Dylan L., Deb L., Auntie Catherine I., Chrystal C. {6}

Evite / Event RSVP: Eric M., Vanessa H., Billie E., Jennifer S., Lincoln L., Eric H., Christon S., Shannon N., Andrea T., Chuck W., Eric H., Dylan L., Deb L., Vicky L., Laurie E., Andrew M., Daniel T. x2, Sabrina K., Lisa D. {20}

Facebook Wall Posts: Cecilia M. x2, Melissa T., Kitty B., Heather M., Itamar R., Jamie W., Ellen W., Jim S. x2, Amanda B., Chrissy S. x2, George B., Mikki M., Sara H., Ryan B. x2, Vivian S., Barb D., Ruthy M. x2, Ellen C., Jimmy C., Andrew M., Michelle S., Rosenda M. x2, Flora G., Noel E., Jason T., Erin Curry, Ed W., Sheryll T., Andrew L., Andrea T. x2, Alan P. x2, Lesley C., Michelle C., Lisa B., Leanne C., Harmony H., Jason H., Milli P., Auntie Susan L., Vicky S., Lucas N., Amy L., Leona K., Wesley V., Dawn W., Witwur R., Helen S., Christon S., Shane T., Jesse C., Nita F., Daniel T., Troy A., Kelli E. x2, Eric M., Chun Wai C., Geoff E., Lisa D. {72}

Facebook Chat / Messages: Mike B., Julie S. x2, Vanessa H., Jimmy C., Scott C., Jana F. {7}

Discord: crmi / Stick / Eichel x2 / Nas St. Louis / Yuriegh [r/hockey], Jerry [Kramerica], Sh.varuka | しわるか/シワルカ / creature_of_tea (Med Reminders), JLateralus / clusa [Dragon Quest], Falexxx1 (Earthbound HYDRATE), Highspirits / Volklin / Pesmerga / Kuja_20 / LuckyToken (Highspirits), ClassyBeard x2 / TinyTalkingNinja [ClassyBeard], Erik Charette x2 / Aimsworth x2 [DaveTheUsher], CuyaDK [CuyaDK] {25}

Facebook Discussion Boards / Groups: Mikki M. (COME AS YOU ARE!), Jon McCully (Laid-Back Corner), The Onett Times New Age Retro Hippie {4}

Facebook Status / Photo Comments and Reactions: Josh A., Eve M. x3, Ryan B. x3, Mikki M., Kitty B. x2, Julie S. x3, Flora G., Leona K., Cathy W., Barb D., Witwur R., Steph N., Cecilia M., Alice P., Nita F., Helen S., Ellen W., Andrea T. {24}

Youtube: Alana Ronald, Mint Plays!, Charles Darling, Damn Grade, Edward Cox, Lady D Bug, ghanimaSLC, Devon Hotchkiss, Jikookslover37Saga, gato712, notsodocile, Angela Chisler, Darla P, Arthur Dent, Life Wuzonceezr, David Mitnick, Lauren, Justin B, Scary Mysteries, Henry Robles, Lorraine Smith, KM, Casey Trettin {23}



Reddit: PopPunkKid [r/vancouver], Creepin_Reaper [r/childfree], emotionaldisorders [r/askwomen] {3}

Other Message Boards and Such: Baby's Named A Bad Bad Thing, OK Cupid, Unaboard, Match, Plenty of Fish {5}

Other Rewards Stuff: London Drugs Extras {1}

In Person: Vanessa H., Mom, Dad, Eric M., Christon S., Chrystal C., Laurie E., Auntie Catherine I., Auntie Cathy W. {9}

Cards / Presents: Pathways, Steph N. / Lisa N. / Fraser N. / Henry N. / Havarti the dog, MEGA SUSHI from Christon S. / Eric M. / Laurie E. / Vanessa H., birthday card from Christon, birthday card / Lindt Chili dark chocolate / Lindt Roasted Almond dark chocolate from Eric M., Dutch chips (Bali Kroepoek) / Dutch chocolate sprinkles (Quino boterhamkorrels) to be used on toast / five Mentos flavors: Strawberry Shake / Banana Shake / Peach Shake, Tutti-Frutti, Fresh Cola, Strawberry-Lime, and Cinnamon from Vanessa H., a steak and salmon bites meal at Original Joe's from Chrystal C. {17}


* Mom and Dad's presents: Random stuff from Mom and Dad: one funeral home mint from Dignity Funeral Home, a birthday card, $10 in cash, a 15-pack of Royale double roll toilet paper, Strawberry Shine NIVEA lip balm, 20 GUM flossers, 7 Simple Cleansing facial wipes for mascara removal, a Life jasmine and cactus flower extract purifying face mask, Dove cucumber and green tea body wash, a mini-pack of President's Choice Kleenex, Burt's Bees nourishing lip balm with mango butter, and Schwarzkopf Professional GLISS Hair Repair shampoo.

Also: a Savvy Home facial tissue box (90!), a 132-count Royale tissue box, Got2b Rockin' It dry shampoo, two Playtex Sport Combo ultra-thin pads and two unscented tampons, one small Purell hand sanitizer bottle, a small Dove Cool Essentials anti-perspirant, a GUM Ora-Clean toothbrush, Essence volumizing lash powder, a Schick Quattro for Women raspberry razor blade, and Yes To coconut cleansing wipes.

Plus: a Hotel Wing International Chinese toothbrush and toothpaste, a light blue bra with yellow dots (which is not even my size), a Rabbit and Bears Happy Day notebook, an 8-pack of April Cornell note cards, a blue-grey vest from The Tog Shop, light purple socks, a pink pajama set with hearts on them, a yellow pajama set with hearts on them, and one very light blue child-sized Jockey pair of underwear. {31}


Phone Calls / Skype: Steph N., Chrystal C. {2}


21.0% of my Facebook friends ... 87 of 414! (x fewer wishes, 9 fewer people) [97 of 422]


GRAND TOTAL: 249