Good morning me!

you know what?  

I still have to say the good reason of full-time job is I am free on the weekends.
Oh yeah~~

When I was in Taiwan, I love to find different brunch to take my time on the weekend.
Now I am in Toronto, I still can't quit this hobbit.
Working hard for whole week, and wanna treat myself nice.
I love'in it!

Kensingtons Restaurant @ Kensinton Market

And I saw this poster on their window.

C$3.99  all day << I have to try!

There have lots of seats in the restaurant, not so dirty.
In Kensinton?  it's a okay lo~

I was too hungry.....it's just a simple meal, but it's good for me.

It's starting my beautiful Saturday.
Good morning me and Good morning Toronto!

【Chef】basic pasta

(Below diary for my family, don't talk about I cook anymore.)
(這篇日記寫給我的家人，不要再說我不下廚了…)


I totally understand the feeling about professional women have to cook for family after off works.
it's really tired.
In order to save the money, I still have to cook for myself.
it's not delicious, but it make me full.
我完全了解職業婦女的感受，在下班後還要煮全家人的晚餐
真的是很累…(且我現在還是只要搞定自己就好)
為了省錢，我還是得為自己的肚子下廚
不是很美味，但有餵飽我!!!

Materials :
noddles 麵
tomato sauce 蕃茄醬
vegetables mixed 混合書菜
red pepper 紅辣椒

To heat the noodles.

Add the vegetable mixed

and tomato sauce, and done!

. . . . . . .. . . .

I forgot to take the picture of the final. (hahaha....)

The man in chef - Dele

Staying in hostel for one month, I saw many western men know how to chef.
That's so amazing!
I know one of them - Dele - he is really good in chef and he loves chef.
By the way, his birthday is the same as mine, on July 14.

Dele in chef

Today, he treated me a meal....mmmmmmmmmmmm

Fried banana + vegetable w/spice + Rice w/potato sauce

OH MY GOD !!!   That's DELICIOUS !
How come a man knows to cook so well ? !


As far as I know that most of Asia men don't know how to cook.
(some of them know how to cook, but not very well in chef expect the male chefs.)
Long time ago, they though the women/wife/mother should cook for whole family, and take care everything in the house.
Staying in kitchen is women's works, and man have to work outside.
............what can I say?


A man is seriously paying his attention in one thing is very attracting.  (its truth!)
How's possible does not fall in love with a guy knows to cook or serious man?



待在這小旅館裡，看著許多房客來來去去，看到不少西方男士會下廚，且是很好吃的那種。
這真的很神奇！！
我認識其中一位 Dele，他很會下廚，也很喜歡下廚。
(題外話，他的生日還跟我同一天)

今天25日，他請我吃一餐他的料理…嘖嘖嘖嘖嘖
真的是…好吃呀~
怎麼會有男人怎麼會下廚!!!!


在亞洲長大的小孩，若又是特別傳統的家庭長大的小孩，
從以前開始就知道，男人不進廚房的，進廚房是女人家的事。
對於這個…我能說什麼呢?


看著一個男認真專注的在做一件事，真的很吸引人…
怎麼可能不愛上這樣子的人呢??

Sales tax in Toronto

For eastern people, the taxes of western are 2~2.5 times than east.
You know why?
對東方人來說，西方的稅是東方的２～２.5倍，你知道為什麼嗎？


For example, in Canada, the government provide many products and services, including health care, education, roads and defence.  To provide these, government collects taxes.
比如說，加拿大政變提供很多東西和服務給加拿大人民，如健康醫療、教育、道路和防護。為了提供這些，政府就得收很多的稅。


After one month, I have a little impression about it.
經過一個月，我對這個終於有點小心得了。


In Canada, there are three types of sales tax, such as GST, PST and HST.
Depend on the provinces to pay the sales tax.
在加拿大，他們的營業稅分三種，依據不同的州收不同的稅。


what's that? GST, PST, HST?
GST : Goods & Services taxes >> this is value-added tax, levied by federal government, based on 5% of goods price
GST : 增值稅，主要是加拿大國家收的，5%
PST : Provincial sales taxes >> levied by provinces, depend on the provinces
PST : 由各州政府決定稅收
HST : Harmonized sales taxes >> combine the GST and PST.
HST : 直接合併GST 及 PST


For Toronto, Ontario example,the GST is combined with the province sales tax and appear as the HST. ex: 5% GST add 8% PST, we have to pay 13% HST to Ontario province
Expensive erh? yes, it is.
我以多倫多為例，5%的GST 及 8%的PST，我們平常消費就要付13%的增值稅給店家。很貴吧?


To Taiwanese people, Taiwan is very small, so we pay 5% tax to government and included in goods price.
we don't have to pay extra tax.
so when we come to western places, we can't take these heavy taxes.
對台灣人來說，台灣很小，只要付5%的增值稅給政府即可，且稅還是已包含商價格中，所以我們來到西方國家，對這種稅還真的是吃不消。



這是一個很有趣的事情，習慣台灣消費模式的我們，
習慣在付錢時就把所有的費用都付清了，不喜歡在結帳時還要再另外付所謂的消售稅。
但在多數的歐美國家，消費稅還是得另外再付。。。


常常在大賣場看到外國人拿著手機 按按按，我猜想應該是在算稅的部份
畢竟多倫多的13%這種非整數的消費稅，不是一般人能用心算算出來的！


是的，在安大略省的消售稅是１３％
很高，我知道…你買１００元的東西，還要再另外付１３元的稅。也就是在結帳時要付１１３。


我研究了很久，終於…有幸認識一位會計師，聊了一下這個消售稅的問題…
才知道…這個消售稅，這麼有趣。
也就是因為我們銷費了、付了這麼高的銷售稅，所以…加拿大才這麼強大啊！！！




但是，１３％又怎麼來的？　
為何有時後，不用付稅？　什麼情況下，不用付呢？


以安大略省來說，所有的消費都必需要付１３％的銷售稅（Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax, 簡稱ＨＳＴ）　
其中有　５％是要給國家的，簡稱GST　　＜＜這個跟台灣一樣，就是固定的５％
另外的　８％是要給省政府的，簡稱PST　＜＜因為台灣太小，也只有繳給國家，沒有所謂的省政府


每個省份要付的稅都不一樣唷，小盆現在人在多倫多，屬於安大略省
如果有人好奇別的省份的部份…可以參考這個ＬＩＮＫ




告訴大家，有些東西是不用付8%的省政府稅唷!!   但重點是 MADE-IN-ONTARIO


【食】
日常食品(乳製品、肉類、蔬菜、罐頭) : 豁免GST+豁免PST
售價不超過C$4元的熟食和飲料 : 5% GST  
(5% GST + 8% PST : 零食 (如薯片、罐裝飲品等)、餐廳餐點超過C$4 、酒精飲料)


【衣】
兒童服裝 : 5% GST
兒童鞋 : 5% GST + C$30元以下，免8% PST
乾洗服務 : 5% GST
(5% GST + 8% PST : 成人服裝、修鞋服務、裁縫服務)


【行】
省公共交通 GO TRANSIT : 豁免GST + 豁免PST
由安省出發到美國的航空 : 5% GST
由安省出發到加拿大及美國境外的航空旅行 : 免GST + 免 PST
由安省出發到加拿大境外的火車、輪船、汽車旅行 : 免GST + 免PST
(5% GST + 8% PST : 由安省出發的國內航空、鐵路、輪船和汽車旅行、酒店客房、TAXI)


【住】
住宅租金 : 免GST + 免PST
市政府供水服務 : 免GST + 免PST


【居家用品】
書籍 : 5% GST
報紙 : 5% GST
尿片 : 5% GST (雖然我用不上)
成人失禁產品 : 0% GST + 0% PST
女性衛生用品 : 5% GST


【樂】
音樂課程 : 0% GST + 0% PST
(什麼專業體育比賽入場費、電影門票、滑雪和用品、冰棍球設備、高爾夫球、健身費、芭蕾舞、空手道、彈床、足球、表演門票，全都要13% HST)

BIG Festival in Toronto

After off work on Saturday, when i was on my way home, I saw the a festival on the Bloor street.
So I stop and took a look.

wow.....that's all I like to see....Crafts, Handmade crafts, Arts, DIY....

strange performance....painting with western sword

Taking a photo for free

painting on the stones

creating your own T-shirt

used book C$1 per each

Garden stone painting

Painting

Painting

Painting

There is a silly game, C$2 for 3balls.
if you make a hit, he/she will fall into the water.

OK ! the point is FOOD....

Korean Food !!!
SPICY ~ I LOVE IT !

My meal cost me C$3, but it's good!
HOT! SPICE! 

Cycling in Toronto

I ride the bicycle in Toronto for a couple of weeks.

until now, I still learning how to cycling in Toronto.

Many people ride the bikes in Toronto city, that means we also have to follow the rules!

signs for turning and stopping

I think there are many people ride the bicycles in Taiwan too, we have to learn and use it too.
And drivers have to know how to recognize these too.
台灣也有很多人在騎單車，也應該學學這個手勢，連駕駛人也應該要會看懂這些手勢才是。


And Ontario government provide many bikeway and routes for cyclists.

Bikeway design and way-finding signage
Several types of bikeway designs are used in the City of Toronto to improve cycling conditions.  This information describes what these different bikeway designs mean for cyclists and motorists, and how the Bikeway Network Route System can be used by cyclists to navigate the city. 光是給單車人士的符號就有下列這麼多，真的算規劃與設想得很周道… 難怪我亂騎時，都會有駕駛者在瞪我…有可能我真的騎錯了。真糗。 Bike lanes Contra-flow bike lanes Sharrows Shared roadways Off-road paths Bike Boxes Bicycle actuated signals Bikeway Network route system Bike lanes are a dedicated space for cyclists where motorists are not allowed to park, stand or drive. Bike lanes brochure (PDF) 單車道　是特別設給單車人士，禁止汽機車行駛、暫停和停車的。 Contra-flow bike lanes allow cyclists to travel in the opposite direction of motorized traffic on one-way  streets. Cyclists riding in the same direction as motorized traffic should not ride in the contra-flow bike lane. 雙相通行單車道　允許單車進入汽機車單行道。 單車方向應該與汽機車同方向，不可反向騎入單車道。 Sharrows are used in shared lanes to indicate the ideal cyclist position in the lane (away from the curb and parked cars) and to remind drivers to share the road. Sharrows are marked on the roadway with two white chevrons and a bicycle symbol. Learn more ... 與汽機車共同道路，提醒駕駛人員預留單車道。 Shared roadways (or signed routes) are designated by bikeway network signage as preferred routes for cycling, but no physical changes are made to the roadway. Shared roadways are usually found on residential streets with lower traffic volumes. 共用道路 Off-road bike paths are physically separated from motorized vehicle traffic by open space or a barrier. Off-road paths are also known as 'multi-use paths' because they are often shared with pedestrians and in-line skaters. Major multi-use paths are paved, while minor ones are not. Learn about trail etiquette. Bike Boxes are used at intersections to designate a space for cyclists to wait in front of cars at a red light, and to proceed first when the light turns green. When the traffic signal is red, cyclists enter the bike box through a bicycle lane, and motorists stop at a regular stop bar behind the painted area for cyclists. At bike box locations, cyclists and motorists are prohibited from making right turns on a red light.Learn more...

They also have lots of confirmation signs for cyclists, because city of Toronto is too big.

Confirms number and direction of route
Usually located on far side of major intersection

Signs at intersecting bike routes advise cyclists on route options

Advises cyclist to make left/right turn to remain on bike route

Two days after I bought the bike, my bell was stolen when I try to pass someone on the street and went to ring it.

Damn....it's gone!!!    

In my second riding day, I had a small accident in the morning when I was on the way to work.
I crossed tracks at a wrong angle and I tumbles from the bike.
That scared me and the side of police.
After that, I always be carefully cross the tracks, I don't want to it happen again.


Too many things I have to learn.....I just like a new baby in a new world.

My trainer - Alice

My trainer - Alice - she is a very nice woman, she tough me lots of things,

and answered me lots of questions about Toronto life, works, people....

I'm so appreciate about this.

And she told me her son is same age as me, so she treats me and speaks to me like a daughter. (thanks mom)
Alice 是一個非常nice的女人，她教了我很多事，也回答了很多關於多倫多的一些事，如生活、工作、人。我很感謝她。且她跟我說，她的兒子和我一樣大，所以她對待如女兒一般。

Alice knows I come here for working holiday, and she asks me to save the money, no party, no smoking, no drug, no shopping......

She lives in Toronto for 25 years, and she knows how hard to live in Toronto.

So I said - I learn the works from you, and I also have to learn how to live in Toronto from you.

She promises me that she is going to New York for shopping with me. (ha)
Alice 知道我來這WH，要我多省錢，少跑趴，不要抽煙、不要吃葯、少血拼…就可以存到錢了。她在多倫多待了25年了，她很清楚知道在多倫多生活不易。
所以我也對她說，我工作上學妳，看來生活上我也要多學學妳…
她答應我，下次她要去紐約血拼時，她會帶我去！

I think Alice is not only a good wife, but also a good mother, grademother....

Because she knows how to take care a house and new people.
I like her a lot....

TATTOO Story - NIC

Nic works in our hostel.
When I was off work, I can see him in front desk everyday, so he is one of our English teachers.
(we always ask him something ridiculous questions)


These are his tattoo, I think they're very nice.

TRUE LOVE

Carol : you believe the true love reh?
Nic : yeah
Carol : so did you find your true love yet?
Nic : not yet, but soon.
Carol : You will and soon.


So a girl's hands holed by Nic must be his true love!

A is A

Carol : what's that mean?  Alan is Alan? (Alan is hostel manager)
Nic : yeap, one of.   
Carol : Apple is Apple?
Nic : one of....that means...There is always only one true, and the true is the true.
        for example, paper is paper, water is water.....
Carol : I see....




A is A..... never change?
Sometimes you deeply believe in somethings that still change according to the environment, conditions.....

Night it up !

what's '' Night it up''.
If you were from Taiwanese or have been to Taiwan, you must know what's '' Night market'' means.
Night it up = Night market, in Toronto.
And it makes us missing Taiwan foods.

What's funny in the night market?　
mmmm, everyone is waiting on line for their favorite foods, and eating the meal beside the street or in walking, and looking for next one.

What's the delicious in the market?
mmmm, more people are willing to wait for that means "good" or "famous".

Chin and me went to "Night it up" after I was off work.
These were the Taiwanese foods we pay for it.....

And these were free food...

yeah.... this was our dinner on happy Friday.

Are you in Toronto?
Never been to night market?
Wanna try Taiwanese foods?

Date : July 21~24, Wed ~ Sun.
Time : 21~23 >> 17:00 ~ 00:00
           24 >> 17:00 ~ 20:00
Location : 222 Cherry Street, Toronto, ON

Just Eat!!


By the way, if you want to buy Chinese food, there is a Chinese food market where is beside the night market.

and also have a basketball show.

you can make a team to battle with them.

ps. I really like to see the black players playing the basketball, they look so cool more than white players.
      Just reminder me the time in the high school.......mmmmmmm    nice!

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

What's happened in this weekend?
這禮拜發生了什麼事？

Caribbcan Carnival

Sooooooo many visitors and performers there.
很多人都來參加的一個盛典，且很多不一樣的表演

Visitors

Performers

It's really big party with loud music and dancing.

Don't be shy, just follow the tempo and move your body, there is no anyone laugh at you.
Listening the drums, beats and tempo.... it started naturally from your heart.
這真的是一個大趴踢，有音樂、舞蹈。
不要覺得害羞，跟著音樂，就會自然的擺動身子，也不會有人笑你
聽著鼓聲和節奏，身子就自然的動了…來自心中。

we can't go inside of rail, expect you pay C$20 for admission.

Many south-american came to support this carnival.
It's my first time to join this big carnival.
it's really interesting!  

But it's too hot to stay there.
I just stayed there for 2 hours, and I got sun-tanning.