Day 2 - Visiting the Ten Ren Tea Shop in San Francisco's China Town

Our hotel lobby, SF

                                               

We checked into our hotel in downtown SF last night and had a good rest.

We had a relaxing breakfast provided by the hotel.

Wall murals at the Hotel Du Art, SF

Walking is our favourite way of seeing a city.

A sofa made of recycled newspaper

Staying in a downtown hotel, we were able to walk to many places close by.

A matching bench made of recycle newspaper, SF, USA

We walked by an the Arts Hotel and saw some interesting art work.

I liked the the two sofas made of used newspaper sitting in the hotel lobby.

China Town, San Francisco, USA

Close to China Town, Little Italy is just right next to it.

We browsed in a couple of antique furniture/  home accessory stores selling many huge interesting decorating and home furnishing item. There was one black table with a stone mosaic top but no price tag. Out of curiosity, I asked for the price - it was asking for US$ 25,000.00!!!

Ridiculously expensive tables. I do not like being in stores where there are no price tags on the items for sale. We got out of there without buying anything, great!

WE visited a tea shop in China Town, SF

After the Italian stores, we visited China town, and came upon a tea house.
















We were attracted by the big tea pot sculpture outside the store.

Many different teas were displayed in the tea house.

There were many different kinds of teas displayed on the store shelves available for sale inside the tea house.

A cup of tea too pretty to drink!

Some teas were for drinking as well as for decorating and for display like these ones here.

Another pretty cup of tea at the Tea Shop

There were also teas available for tasting in the store.

Not an alcoholic drinker, I was glad to rest our tired feet with a nice milk tea.

After our tea, we had more energy to shop in the other stores in China Town. We found and bought a nice Christmas present for E. - an expandable soft luggage bag! It was perfect!







Later on in the evening, we met E. at a Ramen Restaurant,He wanted to take us out for some dinner in the evening but S. didn't feel like a heavy dinner. So he took us to a Ramen restaurant close to where we were. The Ramen was really good!  Since S. was not feeling too well, the soup noodles were perfect for him.
It was  our first time tasting Ramen and we liked it!

E. was still busy with his end of the year report matter which he needed to finish, It was good for him to take a break with us. He was talking a lot during our meal and we  enjoyed his sharing.

Eager to take us around, E. took us to walk around Union Square looking for the Winter Walk but it was closed by 8pm; by the time we got there we were a little too late.

R.T.
San Francisco
USA

Connecting Flights from Toronto to SF for Our 2019 Christmas Holiday

Our Toronto house - decorated for Christmas!

Deciding what to do and where to go this Christmas took us a little while. We are fortunate to have so many options. This year we are not doing the big family Christmas dinner which means we could have more options of how we would spend the holidays.

We looked at cruises, thought about flying to the US or staying home, eventually, we decided to fly to SF for Christmas!!

We booked tickets to SF on Expedia,com trying to find the best price. I was disappointed after paying for the tickets online then I found out that we would need to change planes twice before getting to SF.

It was a snowy day when we left for the U.S.

We left our Toronto home on a snowy morning.
Our plane was on time and so was the boarding.

However, there was a lot of snow on the plane and runway.

A de- icing machine doing its job at the airport 

I saw a deicing machine deicing other planes close by as it turned on its powerful nozzle blasting a strong mist on the plane and getting rid the snow on it.

An de icing machine came to our plane\

 Then the deicing vehicle  came towards our plane. I wondered  with the snow condition if we would be able to catch all three flights in time.

We first took a flight from Toronto to Charlotte, South Carolina.

We had a take out lunch at the Charlotte airport.

The plane arrived at the Charlotte airport on time. There was enough time for us to have a hot lunch at one of the restaurants before catching our next connecting flight.

A delicious southern US lunch at the Charlotte, SC Airport

We love southern U.S. cuisine. We had some delicious pulled pork, brisket, and my all time favourite, corn bread! It was fantastic!

Service dogs carrying their masters' bags at the airport.

We also saw two guide dogs in action at the airport carrying their masters' bags in their mouth.

How cute and hardworking were these two service dogs!

Then we boarded another America Eagle from Charlotte, S.C., to Los Angeles. Our second flight took a little more than four hours.  Though we dragged the thought of having to board three different flights before getting to our destination, I enjoyed this flight a lot as I had an excellent conversation with an American lady sitting beside me.

A professional working mom in her late 30's with a 20 month old toddler, this lady and I have a lot in common. We talked about everything from being a mother to how we met our husbands. It was a nice change of just sitting beside someone being plugged into his/her cell phone!

Our last flight was from LA to SF, a short flight but nonetheless, our third flight change of the day!
By the time we reached our hotel in SF, it was almost 11pm. We went to bed and had a good rest from our travel day.

R.T.
A Long Travel Day
Enroute to USA

Waterloo International Students Learning about the Real Story of Christmas i

Our house was decorated for Christmas

University of Waterloo is a famous and very popular university in Canada. Students from around the world come to study at this famous university. However, these students face many challenges and lots of pressure.

Last September, we started a ministry serving some of these students and young people in the Waterloo community. We have been providing a free dinner to new and first year university students every Thursday evening at our Waterloo home.


Last Tuesday we held our first Christmas celebration and a turkey dinner for them. We purchased and roasted a 18 lb turkey!

An appetizer tray with a dip for crackers and veggies

Lots of people attended the dinner and our little house was filled with laughter and joy!y since 2:30pm when our lovely volunteers came to help us to cook. The Christmas turkey dinner was ready to be served at 6:30pm, along with stuffed cannelloni, carrots and mixed vegetables, baked potatoes etc.

Many guests brought food to our party.

The volunteers who came to help with the cooking also brought dumplings, broccoli salad, home made buns, Korean noodles etc. The table was full of homemade delicious food.

Guests started arriving at 6:00 p.m. and  people just kept coming. Hallelujah! I prepared three games to break the ice and got our guests talking and interacting. The games  were:

1. An icebreaker game - each guest took turn saying his/ her name and sharing with us a favourite place they had visited.
The next person would repeat what the previous guests had said and then add his/ her own information.

Students enjoying the gift unwrapping game

 2. A fruit/ treat basket weight guessing game - I prepared a basket with treats and weighted it ahead of time. At the party, Tiffany went around asking each guest to feel and guess the weight of the gift basket and entered it so everyone had a turn. The person with the closest guess won the basket of goodies.

 3. Unwrapping a Christmas gift wrapped in numerous layers of wrapping paper while wearing a pair of oven mitts.

Our guests enjoyed the turkey dinner! For some, this was their first time eating a roast turkey, a new experience for them. Everyone loved the food! We were surprised that most people were able to find a seat. Our little house hosted 23 people at our first Waterloo Christmas party for international students! Guests were able to mingle and started talking more with each other after the ice breaking game.

Everyone enjoyed the food at the Christmas dinner

Our guests loved the carol sing- a- long 

The previous week I was lucky enough to meet a professional music teacher who was willing to entertain us with a carol. After dinner, Julie entertained us with O Holy Night and we broke into a chorus of carol singing.It was a lot of fun!

We also have learned that a lot of young people do not know the real story of Christmas as they think that Christmas is only about Santa Claus. Therefore, we invited a local minister to come and shared with us a brief story about Jesus' birth. Her message was captivating! When she was speaking, we could hear a pin drop in the room. We all prayed that the seed of gospel has been planted in the heart of these young people.

It was a lovely Christmas celebration! One of the young people told me at the Christmas dinner:
" The Thursday dinner is the highlight of my week. I look forward to it all week to Thursday evening!"  It was music to my ear!

We thank God for the opportunity working with the students and young people in the Waterloo/ Kitchener area!

R.T.
Christmas Dinner in Waterloo
Ontario, Canada
  

A Great Celebration Dinner with Our Volunteer Friends, Markham, Ontario

Why do people do volunteer work?  You don't get paid for what you do.  What do you get in return? 
These are some of the questions many people ask me as they feel that when people do volunteer work,  they have to give up something in life, for example,

1.  Money -  We need to use gasoline to get to our volunteer work.
2.  Time -  Doing things for others or driving people around who do not have the means or resources.
3.  Schedule - We need to accommodate volunteer work in our lives and sometimes it may affect our        own schedule.
4.  Freedom  -  We need to be committed to our volunteer work regularly and may not be able to take       off at the spur of the moment

We were invited  to a dinner by our volunteer friends.


 However, what many people who are not involved in volunteer work do not realize is that volunteers gain much back for what we give out.

The dinner was hosted in our friend's home

I have been involved with many charities and charitable events. Every time what I give out is much more than what I  gain in return.

Friendship is a precious thing whose value cannot be measured by money. I am  thrilled of the new wonderful friends we have made over the past three years from my involvement in community charitable activities.

Our host were busy getting ready in the kitchen

Tonight, we were invited into Nora's home for  a wonderful dinner. Freda and Peter, whom we have befriended from my volunteer work , were also invited as well.

Though the weather outside was freezing cold, but the atmosphere inside was warm and inviting. We shared the joy of our volunteer work, talked about the two Mongolian babies and families which we recently helped. There was such a warm feeling flowing through us.

We share a strong bond with our volunteer friends.

Our volunteer friends and we share a common bond,  God's love and a shared vision of helping people. It was wonderful!

The small amount of time and efforts we give helping others is nothing  comparing to the joy and satisfaction we receive in return.

Thank you, God, for giving us health, resources and the opportunities of serving others, especially those in needs!

R.T.
At a Celebration Dinner
Markham, Ontario

Breakfast and Lunch at Nova Era - a Good Bakery Cafe in Kitchener, Ontario

We love discovering new eatery especially mom and pop places.
We have been going to the Kitchener/ Waterloo area  for a while and we often try different places for lunch and afternoon snacks.

Recently we visited Nova Era, a bakery cafe selling all sorts mouth watering pastries, tempting desserts as well as soups, breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

We went in there for a coffee break, but ended up trying its deluxe breakfast sandwiches - with cheese, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and lettuce served in a English muffin. It was filling and delicious!

Nova Era Bakery Cafe, Kitchener, Ontario

We stayed through lunch while I was preparing my workshop material in the spacious comfortable dining area.

We ordered a large Caesar Salad with chicken, a bowl of chicken and spinach soup and an almond crescent. All this came to $20.00!  A very reasonable and delicious lunch indeed!

Lots of tempting desserts offered at the bakery cafe

Discovering different restaurants and enjoying various types of food is one of life's simple pleasures; one which we enjoy tremendously!



R.T.
Nova Era Bakery
Kitchener, Ontario

Enjoying an Austrian Lunch with My Mom at My Favourite Restaurant, Unionville, Markham

Main Street, Unionville, Markham, Ontario

Though in her 90's, my mom is still an active person. She is in fair physical shape, going for her exercises two times a week. There is nothing she loves more than spending time with her children and enjoying the outdoors.

 General Store in Unionville, Markham, Ontario

In Canada, we need to make use and enjoy every good sunny weather day.  We have a very busy schedule each week as we are commuting between two cities now. However, we do pay attention to the weather report, as soon as there is a nice day, we take advantage of it and hit outdoors.

There was such a day recently. We took my mom out and strolled on the Main Street of Unionville, one f the prettiest areas in the Greater Toronto Area.  My mom loved it!

Mom enjoying a fine fall day on Main St., Unionville

Pushing her walker, my mom enjoyed the nice fine autumn weather, strolling and visiting different shops. It was a pleasure being outdoors!

My favourite restaurant in Unionville - Old Country Inn

We had lunch at my favourite restaurant in Markham, the Old Country Inn.

I was so glad that the restaurant is still around! This restaurant serves one of the finest Austrian dishes I know in the GTA.

We enjoy taking my mom out and trying out different food from around the world.

 My mom is also an open minded person willing to try new dishes.

Eating in the same restaurant where I visited years before brought back those wonderful memories of my younger energetic days and precious time spent with my best friend.

My best friend has been my strongest and loyalist supporter and fan for the past three decades.

We enjoyed the meals at this restaurant on numerous occasions.

Over lunches, I often poured out my heart to my best friend about my ambitions,  joy and fears of the challenges facing me.

Though we both are retired, not able to see each other often, the bond between us is still strong.  I am grateful forever to have my best friend standing beside me while I was struggling my way up the corporate ladder.

Thank you DM, for your love, great support and kindness over the years. There is always a special spot in my heart for you!









R.T.
Old Country Inn
Markham, Ontario

Samaritan's Purse - Helping Kids Needing Life Saving Heart Surgeries from Mongolia & Other Countries

For the past few weeks, my husband and I have experienced a lot of joy, love and mercy!
With God's grace, we were privileged to have witnessed unconditional love at a close range.

A couple of months ago, I went out for lunch with a Christian friend of mine, Freda, trying to catch up with each other. We always have so much fun sharing and talking about everything. The joy of friendship in Christ! During our lunch, my friend casually mentioned that she was involved with a Children's Heart Project a few years ago.  Pretty soon, she and her husband would be hosting two families and an interpreter from Mongolia in her home providing them with lodging and food. Altogether, there would be five people staying in their house for at least four weeks.

These two babies are in Canada for the Children's Heart Project

The Children's Heart Project, sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, has been in operation since 1997. Its mission is to provide children needing life saving heart operations in countries where the technologies are not available. Samaritan's Purse provides plane tickets to the child patient, his/ her parent and an interpreter to fly to North America or Cayman Island where the hospitals with top notched heart surgeons also donate their time to perform these surgeries.

Besides the medical staff and the hospitals willing to donate their time and expertise, many people are also required in helping these families whose children are about to go through these surgeries. Extra help and support are needed in the areas of accommodation, meals, transportation, emotional and spiritual support.

Freda and Peter had hosted a group from Uganda before. This time her patient guests would be from Mongolia. At the end of our conversation,  my friend asked me if I would be interested in helping out and lending her some support.

These 2 Mongolian babies are sponsored by Samaritan's Purse

The thought of opening your home for a month and preparing three meals a day for a group of five strangers whose eating habits, cultures, customs and language are totally different from us overwhelmed me.  I could imagine the tremendous amount of work, time, efforts, financial resources, endless dedication and patience involved in being the hosts of this project.  I knew very little of the Children's Heart Project, but love my friends dearly. How much love does this couple have in order to open their home, receive these strangers in need and shower them with love and care?  They do this all for free,  with no compensation whatsoever at all! I was so moved by their actions of love that I agreed to get involved immediately.

Zamillian enjoying some fresh fruit during her stay in Canada

Glad we were of our involvement! Since the group of five Mongolian guests would be staying for a month at Freda and Peter's home, Freda found a Meal Train application online where volunteers could sign up to help with meals and visits for the duration.  Desiring to encourage others to sign up with meal deliveries, we signed up right away for three dinners and visits.

We loved watching little Zamilian enjoying fresh fruit!

It was a joy cooking, delivering the meals and eating with the two Mongolian and host families.  There was much sharing, laughter and love at the dinner table.

Enjoying our visit with the Samaritan's Purse host and their Mongolian guests.

It was  wonderful being around the two babies, Zamilian, a 12 month old baby girl, and Telman, a 13 month old baby boy, their mothers and the interpreter.  We were privileged to have been there to see the two kids just before their scheduled operations and were also present after their surgeries.

In fact we enjoyed the experience so much that we wanted to spend more time with the kids and our Mongolian guests.  We wanted to sign up for more meal deliveries. But the schedule was full; all the spots were taken, Hallelujah! Many other volunteers also wanted to help and support these families!

The interpreter stayed with the 2 moms at all time.

Involved with the Children's Heart Project by helping out with meal delivery, we were able to sit, enjoy the dinner and have great sharing with our Mongolian guests, the two mothers, the interpreter and Freda and Peter, our hosts. We have learned so much from them!


They shared with us about their Mongolian way of life, their customs and traditions. In return, our hosts shared with them about the gospel and the love of  God.

The two heart surgeries were successfully performed in |Toronto!

Beside the unconditional love demonstrated by  Freda and Peter, we were also touched by the Mongolian interpreter's sacrifice. She willingly gave up her own vacation time and has been accompanying these two mothers since the beginning of the trip flying from Mongolia to Canada.

While they were at the hospital awaiting for the children's numerous medical tests, assessments and staying overnight throughout the gut wrenching surgeries and post operation periods, this interpreter stayed with the mothers at all times, interpreting for the them and supporting them emotionally and spiritually. It must have been exhausting and emotionally draining for them all!

Both kids are recovering well after their life saving heart surgeries in Toronto.

Our thanks to God, the children are recovering well and awaiting for their final post operation check ups before returning home next week. We delivered our final dinner and visited them last Friday night.

The mothers were relieved that both surgeries went well for the kids

We gave our Mongolian guests each a small gift as a token of our love and good wishes. We said our goodbye; tears started to swell up in our eyes. We were thankful for the gift of life for both babies, for the opportunity of meeting and getting to know the mothers, the interpreter and our hosts.















The best gift was experiencing God's love, His mercy and protective hands in our lives and making new friends!  We may be thousands miles apart, but our hearts and prayers will always be with Zamilian, Telman, the mothers and our selfless interpreter!

Thank you, Freda and Peter for  opening your home and receiving and looking after those in need so well for the past five weeks. We were privileged to have a tiny part in this life giving project!

Thank you, God, for your love, grace and mercy!

R.T.
Toronto, Canada
Photo credit - Freda, the Samaritan Purse's host

P.S. For more information about the Children's Heart Project, please go to:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/franklin-graham-in-mongolia-stories-from-childrens-heart-project/