Happy Halloween, Happy Birthday

Thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishes. It means a lot to me

It's my first one with Ella, she had no clue and did not care (fuzzier than ever) ^_^

Today is a strange birthday indeed, but quite memorable

1. My car was in the shop and let's see - $100 wheel alignment, $180 Tie Rod (RF), and...they wanted 1200+tax to replace all brake pads & rotors. No thanks, not to mention the super late shuttle. Not a good birthday surprise
2. Look at Ella wearing uncle's Old Navy Halloween gift (75% $8), she is a cute butterfly indeed. Let's hope she will fit next year when we take her Trick-or-Treat for the first time
3. Ella is teething, again, and that means lack of sleep for her and us. Tired
4. As we get a week off during Christmas, we decided to book a trip to Washington D.C. Flight from Buffalo to Baltimore/Washington is only $120 USD on Southwest (wow, YYZ is $$$). I also chose a hotel with kitchen, free breakfast & dinner (Residence Inn Marriott) so Wendy can prepare baby food. It shall be fun, and pray for no snowstorm.

Flat Tire, Wheel Alignment

Last Monday (Oct 17) I had my first ever flat tire, in my 12 years of driving and 5 different cars.
I am truly thankful my TL got me to work safely and only leaked air right when I pulled into a parking spot

Thankfully I have TD Auto Club and called them again (this is the 3rd time in the last 6 months) to come install the spare tire for me (LF tire), and I drove to put on my 4 winter tires at Canadian Tire ($20+tax). Possible cause is wheel misalignment, I was told, as there were no nails or sharp objects present.

Scheduled a wheel alignment ($99+tax) and diagnostic at Fairview Acura next week. My first ever alignment too (I don't even know it needs to be done). Hopefully won't cost me too much...

Conestoga Mall Apple Store & Steve Jobs

Was at Conestoga Mall over the weekend, and saw this tribute for Steve Jobs.
Taken with my BlackBerry (ironic), and no iPhone 4S in stock

KFC Free Zinger Burger Coupon

Apparently you get a nice size burger, and a SUPER SIZE drink, for $2.xx only. I shall try soon
Expires in 4 days, October 16, 2011

ELLA - Y0.M8 Ella is 8 months old

Ella八個月囉 時間真的過的很快
12 kg 大概73-74cm

可以爬了
可以扶著東西站起來很久
可以吃食物泥
可以翻身
可以一一阿阿
可以撒嬌
可以找人抱抱

只是 也摔來摔去的 真讓人心疼 >_<

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011. The world won't be the same

Mini-Round-The-World Conclusion

Photos 
You can view the planes, the lounges, the seats, and most importantly the food.

Toronto-Tokyo-Taipei

Taipei-Singapore-Bangkok-Zurich-Montreal-Toronto 

* I stopped over at Zurich for few hours

Hardware
Flying business class, I'd argue hardware (Seats, Monitor Size, Airplanes, etc...) are the most important thing. This theory is further confirmed after my trip

• Lie-flat seat makes a big difference for sleeping (and 170 or 175 degree angled-flat seats are not as close to 180-lie-flat as one would think
• I want my TV screen to be as large as possible, Touchable too despite being far away
• AC's business class hardware, despite installed in 2007, is still good. It was the only aircraft with separate air nozzle per seat so you can adjust temperature. 
• Singapore airline and SWISS have great and attractive business classes also. Large screens
• Thai's Business Class is just money spent without any detail. Lying down to sleep at an angle is annoying
• ANA is your standard old short-haul seat.Cannot lie down

Service
Average hardware can be saved by superb service, and vice versa

• Great services - Air Canada, Singapore Airlines. They were friendly, attentive, and ask if you need anything or photos taken :)
• Okay to Good services - ANA, Swiss Air. They were friendly and did what the should do
• Never mind - Thai Airways

Lounges

Whatever flies in the air gets complemented with lounges on the ground. For my trip

• Thai's Bangkok lounge & spa is the best
• Singapore's Taipei lounge has the best food
• ANA's Tokyo lounge is huge, half-crowded with a view, and the noodle bar was the highlight
• Air Canada's Toronto/Montreal lounge are okay, some hot food but nothing to write about 
• Thai's Singapore lounge is tiny and sad, while SWISS' Zurich lounge is huge but completely crowded and uncomfortable.

The map

Some sample photos

Phone Comparison - iPhone 4S, BlackBerry 9900, Galaxy S2