Vegetarian Pls Be Informed!!!!

I just got an email from one of my vegetarian friends who remind that the French Fries from McDonald's is not 100% pure vegetarian. Not because it is not fried by vegetable oil, but the fries itself content beef. There is even one lawsuit against McDonald's by the Vegetarian Society, McDonald’s Lawsuit —What’s the Story? to prove so.

Wow, I love to eat French Fries but not more from McDonald's or any Fast Food restaurant till I find that they are considered vegetarian food.

So my pals, I have to stay away from Fast Food restaurants and hope all of you can understand. And for those who always think I am so troublesome, I am now a level higher than problematic so watch out, ha ha ha!!!

Young At Heart

Finally Jennifer is on her way to Foz Iguaçu, hope she is enjoying herself right now.

Wow, I saw Valderes today and she looks even more younger than her usual with her new hairstyle. I always believe we never grow old if we always young at heart. See this is one of the best example.

Penedo & Logoa with Roy and Tania

03 Dec 2006
It is very difficult for me to plan a getaway trip as I do not have a license to drive (even if I have, I don't think I dare to drive in Rio). One of my colleagues promised to bring us to Penedo, which was recommended a good place to stay over the weekend. Too bad she can't make it due to her work, so I asked Roy for this favor. As I wanted so much to give Jennifer the best stay in Rio, trying to do my very best in whatever way I can.

Roy and his wife agreed to bring us there on Sun, they never been there too. So happened that Zeon can't make it last minute too, so ended up only four of us went ahead. We drove 2 hrs to reach this small town. Nothing much there but a perfect place for relaxation during the weekend, simply doing nothing. We walked along the street, relaxing ourselves and had a good time there. We had our lunch and Ice-cream there before returning back to Rio.

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Surprisely, Roy drove us to Logoa since Jen has not been there yet. A good place for family outing. We went there to have a little walk and saw the Christmas Tree there, which they had it there last year too. Before going back, we had a drink but thanks to the mosquito (again), we are not able to enjoy much on the windy astomphere by the lake. We hurried settled the bill and leave the place before more mosquito bites on our legs.

Well, thanks to Roy and Tania for the pleasant hospitality. We had a wonderful time!!!!

Lagoa is an odd neighborhood, as the focus is the big lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas) that drains into the ocean between Ipanema and Leblon. For the majority of Cariocas, this is primarily a recreation area. They come to walk, cycle, inline skate, or run the 8.5km (5 1/4-mile) pathway that circles the lagoon. In the afternoon and evening, the neighborhood's pleasures become more hedonistic as people come to the many waterside kiosks to grab a drink, have some food, or listen to a group play live music.

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Jennifer goes to Niteroi Museum

02 Dec 2006 Afternoon
We reach Niteroi in the evening so I decided to have a walk to our nearby Niteroi museum, as Jennifer has missed to do so on her first day in Rio because of the dogs and cats. (Ha, actually it was raining heavily on that day)

Jennifer said the view around my apt is beautiful enough to let her colleagues envy her for having such great time. I agree with her, here is like heavy on earth, so beautiful with good weather. Especially when we reach the museum, the wind is so strong that we have to grab the camera tight, before it will blow away by the wind. (Ok ok I was just kidding, it is not tat strong. But it is indeed windy, all my hair was in the mess)

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Jennifer at Petropolis

02 Dec 2006
The weather forecast MOSTLY CLOUDY both at Rio and Petropolis, therefore I had been prayed very hard during the night before, hoping our plan can go on with good weather.

Thanks God! I was so happy to be welcome by the sunny morning when I woke up on Sat morning. We went to my usual laundry and breakfast before we heading to Petropolis. This time we went for a quick shopping first at the Centro before lunch. Jen and I got a lot of simple sleeveless tops and pants at a very reasonable price, while Jimmy and Zeon went for coffee. Aiyo, I had forgotten to take a photo of what I had bought.

But definitely did not forget to take photos outside the restuarant which I enjoyed more than the food, hee hee.

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Dinner at Outback Restaurant

01 Dec 2006 Evening
Marilea and Mauricio is not able to make it to my birthday party on 30 Dec as both of them will be away for their vacation. So we planned for a meal with my Kakis and Jennifer. Since I never have any good and new suggestion for the location, we went to Outback Restaurant for dinner. It is good for them since they have 1 for 1 during their happy hours.


We had a great time with the couple, especially Maruicio love to joke around. Hey, we also have a lot of old time jokes - during Dawn's time.

Hey Dawn, we all do miss you here....... also on those 'special' words (you shld know which one)you taught them. My goodness, they all still remember!!!!

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Lunch With My Colleagues

01 Dec 2006 Afternoon

Long before Jen is here, I had invited Monica and Claudia to have lunch with her. Luckily they can make it on Friday and I was so happy that Jennifer finally meet them, as I always mentioned a lot about them to Jen. I also invited Meg to join us for the lunch, she is such a sweet lady and I like her alot.

Jennifer at Cafe Colombo

01 Dec 2006
Jennifer like Cafe Colombo when she saw the photos I took previously, so the first place I brought her is this café.

Luckily I still managed to find the café after asking the direction from Zeon and we took a lot of photos (as usual cos Jen always said, it’s free so just take as many as we can and select the best one to upload).

Since we behave more than a tourist, we were given a synopsis of Café Colombo.

Confeitaria Colombo was founded in 1894 by two Portuguese adventurous men, Manoel José Lebrão and Joaquim Borges de Meirelles, whose philosophy was “the customer is always right”.

All the Belle Époque charm remains in full bloom at Confeitaria Colombo in the heart of Old Rio. Part of the city’s cultural heritage, it’s also one of the favorite downtown attractions for tourists from all over the world.

The magnificent salons are lined with ornate jacardnda-framed mirrors imported from Belgium at the turn of century. The art nouveau décor is found throughout its showcases, furniture and fittings, ceiling lights and floor dating back to this delightful past.

Confeitaria Colombo benefited from the social and urban progress of the city well as the consequent business development. Soon it became well-known as the place where politicians, journalists, poets, writers and artists went to attend business meetings or simply to have fun.

Eminent visitors, as Queen Elizabeth, from England, and King Albert, from Belgium, had the opportunity to taste its delicious specialties.

Almost all Brazilian presidents were Colombo’s customers. The afternoon tea was an elegant occasion and the ladies of society and their families enjoyed it after shopping. Later at night, the cheerful cocottes filled the salons with their fashionable and colourful clothes. Confeitaria Colombo introduced not only new fashions but also new technologies as the elevator.

Since the beginning of the century the lively Carnival dances at Colombo inspired musicians to write songs that became great hits.

The tradition and effective participation in our society confirm the importance of Confeitaria Colombo in the history of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

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Jennifer Visiting My Work Place

Well, I always think that it is wonderful to introduce my circle of colleagues and friends to my close friends. Isn't that is one of the good way to know more friends? So I have long planned to bring Jennifer to go to my workplace when she is here, showing her around and to introduce her the friendliest people here. And Jennifer ask me is it okay for her to take photo with my colleague, and I immediately said that they are most welcome to take photo with her. This day happened in the morning, she said she was amazed to feel the warm and friendly smile from everyone. And she feels more happy when everyone have definitely no problem to take photo with her. Check it out from the link and feel the sunny atmosphere in the office, although it was raining outside the window.

Thanks to everyone up there cause your smile have made her stay another wonderful day. Afterall, we can't control much on the wet weather, but sure we can control the sunshine feeling from the warmth of your heart!!!!

Jennifer 1st Day in Rio

30 Nov 2006, bad weather as it has been raining the whole day but it is good for Jennifer since she has the intension to stay in the apartment to regain her energy and recover from the jetlab after long hours flight.

Too bad I have nothing much in my apt, not even any fruits too. I am suppose to buy more fruits for both of us but........... just didn't happen, hee hee, lazy me. So she can only have instant noodle for lunch.

But we went to Porcao at Niteroi for dinner, a good suggestion from Zeon and Jimmy that we should let her enjoy her 1st dinner in Brazil. So here we are at Churrascaria Restaurant and Jennifer is enjoying herself very much. She was so full that she keep saying "I am so full" after the meal.