MOVED UnknownThursday, December 25, 2014 0 comments

billiamwong.wordpress.com

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CHRISTMAS MARKETS UnknownWednesday, December 17, 2014 0 comments

So apparently Berlin is a popular European destination during the Christmas season.. The reason..Christmas markets.  They are EVERYWHERE.  EVERYWHERE.  Few weeks ago, there was a S-Bahn/U-Bahn "Bar Map" showing you the good bars at various station.  Then they released one for Burgers.. and now there is one for Christmas markets.. not sure who makes these things... but they're available..

So I think I went to like 4 this past weekend, and they're all pretty much the same...

Food, little shops selling random trinkets and shit, beer (of course, it's not Berlin if theres no beer involved), and Glühwein.  

Glühwein is I guess their holiday drink.. its warm wine.. but a bit sweeter?  I'm not a fan of wine, but I actually like it...  

Anywho, enjoy the pics.

Probably the biggest one... 

Sony Centre

pretty colour.

Alexander Platz

Apparently this one is one of the best in Europe... not sure why..but it's nice though.

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THE 6IX - PT2 - NO NEW FRIENDS UnknownThursday, December 04, 2014 0 comments

Evie :)

I actually did see something other than food.  Weeks beforehand I had meticulously planned my week in Toronto to make sure I could see as many people as possible; family/friends/old colleagues/food.. I pretty much had a full schedule every day from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed.

Optimized my time and made the most of what little time I had.

Wednesday night when I landed it was straight to dinner with family.  Sadly no pics with family, just food. 

70018

These people made my very first job fun.  The Champs Crew.  Although a few are missing from the pic, these guys are always down to party.  Shiet, we were only suppose to go get a few drinks and just chill, we ended up at a Hennessy VIP event at Uniun on a Thursday #ThirstyThursdays.  Each time we meet, it's always talk about the good ol' days of Champs and the endless stupid-drunk nights we had.  Sucks that not everyone was able to come out.  

Cousins.

On Friday, I Harold, caught up with Kumar for lunch.. This is the moment we realized I had changed.  What used to be small meals for me became too much food for me to finish.  After lunch, we wandered the mall.. good ol' Yorkdale and ended up having drinks while we waited for BoBo Baggins to finish work.  After that, I met up with the cousins for dinner.  We pretty much ate all types of chicken for dinner.  I wasn't even mad, I'd been craving some good old KFC - that's Korean Fried Chicken for you n00bs.  After that.. we ended up at Karaoke and that was that.  

no new friends.

Recycled pic.  Saturday night was spent with the crew.  Known these fuckers since high school.  We go back.  They had 21 questions for me and I had to retell the same story a few times but I didn't mind.  It was good to see the people that I pretty much grew up with and that they were all alive and well.  Of course drinks were had.  Many many many drinks.  Pretty sure everyone got fucked.  If I could have it my way, I would want all these fuckers in Europe with me. Watermelon anyone?  

Sunday I went to watch Hunger Games.... kind of disappointed.  If you see the movie, you'll understand..

We the North.

 Monday night.  My first and last Raptors game of the season.  Guys night out.  Such a good game.  I was worried that these guys would kill me if the Raptors lost because they had been killing it for awhile.. and the one game I go to.. if they had lost... Luckily, they won.

<3

Fast forward to Wednesday.. had dinner with the entire family.. and this grumpy little one made an appearance.  So I love kids, especially babies.  I saw her once earlier in the week, but this time she came out and was so well behaved!!!  Apparently she cries when anyone other then her parents holds her.. but she was fine with me.. she was even smiling!!!   WHY IS SHE SO CUTE.  

Ad Club Ugly Christmas Sweater

Thursday night was my last night in Toronto.. and it just so happened that Ad Club was the same night.  Thanks Rollback Colin for the hook up on the ticket!  For those who don't know.. Ad Club is kind of like an "industry" party where networking happens... by networking, everyone just gets drunk.  And as usual, it does not disappoint.  Many ugly sweaters were worn, and many drinks were consumed.  Pretty sure most people worked from home on Friday or called in sick.  It was good seeing everyone I used to work with.. and you know.. get them drunk. :)

Finally, I spent a lot of time with you and I'm glad nothings has changed.  Thanks for taking a day off to see me and making time for me throughout the week.  See you soon! :)

THANK YOU EVERYONE.
LOVE Y'ALL

SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.

UNTIL NEXT TIME.

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THE 6IX - PT1 - FOOD UnknownMonday, December 01, 2014 0 comments

Fire chicken w/ cheese.

To say that the only reason for me to go back for a visit was to see my friends and family is a lie.  There was another reason; food.  I needed my fix from just about everything from Jerk Chicken, to Peking Duck.

I mean, when I first got to Berlin, it was quite depressing.  The food was pretty bad.  But slowly I'm discovering better food joints.  But still, Toronto will always be my food heaven.

And according to the scale I finally got to use,   I've lost a fair bit of weight so why not indulge and try to put back on as much as possible?

Chung King for Peking Duck

Landed on Wednesday afternoon, got stuck in traffic because of the snow storm, so I made dinner plans.  Soon as I got home, I rushed everyone to get dressed and drove through the snow/traffic to Pacific Mall for this.  I've never been here but apparently its good so why not give it a go?  Overall... was a bit dry, could've been better.

Myungdong Kalkuksu Noodles

Had this before in Toronto and had it korea...  them dumplings; sooo good.  and and awesome kimchi.

Do Guu boo boo.

Need I say more?

Cho Won - probably my favourite KRN joint.

Friday met up w/ Kumar for lunch.  This guy has never had tried this place so we went.  Kalbi + Kam Poong Gi for the mutha fuckin' win.

 

Dinner after that delicious hot/spciy chicken and Kalbi was at Home of Hot Taste.  Korean fuckin' fried chicken.  Can eat this all day, errry day.

Yea I spent $120 at dimsum for 4 people.  Ain't eem mad.  Had another massive dim sum few days later...

Han Ba Tang - kimchi fries

 Been seeing this place pop up alot on my Insta-feed, so decided to meet the homies here for some grub and good old drunking.  Everyone got pretty messed up.  Watermelona anyone?

Swatow

No picture can do this place justice.



So many more pics.. so tired..  i guess thats enough.

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25 Jahr Mauerfall UnknownSunday, November 09, 2014 0 comments

Brandenburg Gate behind a balloon where the wall once stood.

So this weekend was the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the wall.  8,000 white helium balloons were erected where the wall once stood across the city.  Yesterday I went to the gate the check it out and they were setting up stage for the big event today.  So apparently they were expecting around a million people to show up for the event today.  I'm sure you'll read about it in the news somewhere.  Its kind of a big deal.

After all the festivities, they released the balloons one by one into the sky.  I am fortunate to live right by the East Side Gallery where the balloons were so I went to check it out.  To be honest, I was so lazy today (like every day) that I was contemplating just staying in, but I'm glad I went.  Now I can say I was there, and I witnessed it..

Brandenburg Gate.

These creepy red things again w/ the balloons in the background!

cars driving by the East Side Gallery.

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HALLOWEEN UnknownSaturday, November 08, 2014 0 comments

Last weekend was Halloween.  I wasn't sure if there was such a thing here in Berlin, but it is!  Not as a big as back home, but people still dress up, and I guess kids still go trick-or-treatin'.   Some kids rang my buzzer and spoke German and I just ignored...

Back at home, it's pretty much a contest to see who can wear the least fabric and show the most skin. Here they actually go all out and try and look as scary or be as accurate as they can to whatever character they chose to be.  I saw girls with full skull paint on their face, fake blood, fake teeth, crazy contacts, etc... Basically, there were no slutty police officers, nurses, teachers, no sluts period.

Umm Friday was spent at a bar, then a place called "White Trash".  Not sure what to make of the name, but the place was decorated to the max and was rammed.  Not a single soul went without a costume, and all the costumes were good.  Only downside, it was like rock music... not my thing, but whatever, I was drinking all night and a drink in my hand the entire time.  Oh and it was also a coworkers Birthday... Poor guy got his phone stolen.

Saturday I went to a house party and we drank.. surprise surprise.

The Prince and Princess.  Simple, but brilliant.

birthday boy looking a bit faded.

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BARCELONA UnknownSaturday, October 25, 2014 1 comments

dear summer.

Long over due post..

A few weeks ago, Rochelle and I were "planning" a trip since we're both in Europe.
This is how the planning went...

1.  Skype Call

2.  Whats your budget?

3.  What weekend?

4.  I don't want to go to Italy, or France.

5.  How about Barcelona? - Okay

6.  Ok here is the price for flights.  Okay let's book.

And that was more or less how it happened.  I swear I see this girl once a year (normally its for pho) but each time, it's always a good time.  :)

Anyways, so she got there early Friday so she had some peace and quiet before my annoying ass showed up. I had to fly in later on that day as I had work (should've taken the day off..)
Truth be told, I almost didn't make it.  Missed my train to go the the airport by 2  freaking minutes, so the next train came half an hour later.  Arrived at the airport with 30 mins to get to the boarding gate..

Normally that would be okay in Europe... but flying with EasyJet, that's a problem cause their lines are so fucking long.  So I asked one of the workers if I needed to check-in still cause I already had my boarding pass and didn't need to check-in any bags...But this lazy b!tch just told me to get into the line w/o even listening...So I listened, but after a few minutes I asked her again and she was like "Oh sorry, you can go straight to the security screening.." - No big deal, because of your incompetence, I may miss my flight.        -__-

This line was even longer... cause you know they check your bags and stuff.  Knowing that I would for sure miss my flight if I had to wait in this line, I asked one of the workers if I could cut the line as my gate was soon closing.  She looked at my ticket and without any hesitation, led me straight to the front of the security check.  - Thank you kind lady :)

I was one of the last to get to the gate, but whatever I MADE IT! 

Upon landing in BCN, I realized that I was in for a treat.  The weather.. it was like summer, the air.. it was fresh, the city, it was nice, the women.. well you know.. its Barcelona. :)  The AeroBus.. AMAZING.  I think it was 5€ from the airport to the city centre.. i HIGHLY recommend to anyone planning a trip to BCN to use this.

Our first selfie of the weekend.

Tapas 24 - attention to detail.  

I finally met up w/ my Rye High buddy (No, that is not my GF; forever alone.) and I was starving.. so we went to Tapas 24 as my coworker recommended this place..  Pictures do not do this place justice.  The drinks were meticulously prepared with the finest attention to detail.. if you only saw them make the drinks and food, you'd understand.  MUST TRY if you're in BCN.  Prices are a bit higher, but worth it!

After we ate, we headed back to our crib and Rochelle decided to stay in as she had a long day of exploring.  So I just went for a little walk.

So next morning we woke up nice and early to begin our super long day.  First stop was 1.5 hours away from the city, the mountains - Montserrat.  There was the nice monastery there and of course, awesome views.  I'm a sucker for views.

talent.

By the time we got back to the city and had dinner, it was pretty late so we had to alter alot of our plans.  So we headed to a site to see the city from up high.  The plan was to catch the sun setting, but you know, being me and all, plans don't really work.. But we made it, and still got to see the amazing city at night.

Turo de la Rovira

This pic gives you an idea... I'm pretty sure we were one of the few tourists there.  This little bunker was not on any tourist map and not even my coworker from Barcelona knew about it.. so I'm glad I found this little gem. :)

Kaskade - Empty Streets

forever alone level over 9000

Find me.

So after our little night hike up the to he bunker, we headed back.  I decided to head back out after a little rest and do some exploring... I love exploring foreign places and getting lost.

Barcelona sunrise.

We woke up later than we had planned and thought we had missed the sunset, but we hopped in a cab and told the cabbie to step on it and take us to the beach - no regrets..

La Sagrada Família

Got here just at opening and there was already a 3 hour wait.. being limited on time, we decided to take in this unfinished architectural masterpiece from the outside... :(

We headed over to Park Güell luckily we were here early, cause shortly after we got in, the China Tourists showed up by hundreds and the line got extremely long. To be honest, I'm not sure what was so special about this place.. It was nice, don't get my wrong.. but it didn't appeal to me.  Maybe I should read up on the history...

SUP

one of our many SUP selfies :)

momma, I made it.

And finally, we finish off our weekend with what was probably Rochelle's favourite part.. Paddle boarding.  She told me it should be easy for me cause I can board.. but boy was she ever wrong.  The struggle was real.  I'm pretty sure she would've had way more fun doing it on her own then babysitting me as I fell off over, and over, and over, and over.  I fell so much that I lost my new shades.  RIP sunglasses.  In my defence.. i had an "intermediate" board that was not as wide... and the water was very wavey... =|  None the less, I think I learned.

THANKS ROCHELLE FOR THE AWEOME WEEKEND!

Random shit

explorin'

playing with the cam

fresh to death; literally.

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