Restaurant Review- Sura Korean and Japanese Restaurant

Name: Sura- Korean and Japanese Restaurant
Location: 2795 Pembina Hwy
Price Point: 15-25$
Food Type: Korean and Japanese
Parking: Minimal, free
Overall Rating: ****

Mom and I went for their all-you-can-eat sushi dinner. Without sashimi/nigiri (raw fish slices, raw fish over rice, respectively) it's about 14.95$ per person, with its 22.39$ per person. Unless you're a huge sashimi/nigiri fanatic, I would recommend just going for the 14.95$. The sushi is fresh, not premade and it is absolutely delicious. I'm used to going to either Sushi Train or Sushi Gozen, which are good as well, however after going to Sura I've found my new favourite sushi place for sure! They have a wide selection and at a decent price, plus you can eat as much as you want. They are very eco friendly, using laminated order sheets they you use an erasable marker to write on, limited ice in your drinks and no straws. Their chop sticks are metal with wood tips, so they're washable instead of throwing them out. I was very impressed with that, whether they were trying to be eco-friendly or just trying to save a buck, doesnt matter, it makes them look good. I would highly recommend their crab tempura as a starter, hot, juicy and absolutely delicious. Everything was great, I really dont have a single complaint about this place. It was decorated nicely, service was fast and friendly and you leave very very full. What I liked most was, instead of like regular restaurants where you sit around and wait for someone to come around to you, they have a call button so when you're ready to order or need something, you press the button and someone will come over to you. If you order multiple dishes, as Mom and I did, they bring them out a few at a time so not to over load your table, which we liked.
They dont just offer sushi either, they do have other dishes as well as appetizers. Small selection of beer and wine, Mom and I were disappointed at no desserts though, not that we could have fit it in but we most likely would have made room for some if they had it. The no dessert thing is why I gave this restaurant 4 stars....I like my dessert, ok?
Over all it was a wonderful and very pleasant experience and I will most certainly be going back and if you're a sushi lover, I recommend you go too.
I should also mention, They also have a few random items they sell (Mom and I assumed someone there made it) some gorgeous hand-made jewelry and some lovely handmade soaps. We ddint buy any but we did admire them.

Bon Apetite!

~Paige

Restaurant Review- The Royal Fork

Name: The Royal Fork
Location: 1615 Regent Ave W
Price Point: 15-25$
Food type: Buffet
Parking: Lots, free
Overall Rating: ***

What can be said about The Royal Fork..it is what it is, a buffet. Somewhat decent selection, lots of salad choices, stuffing, potatoes, chicken, pizza, corn, some soups. Variety of pop, tea and coffee as well as a dessert station featuring brownies, cinnamon buns, cheesecake, pie, cake and ice cream. I would recommend this establishment for medium to big families with picky eaters as everyone can pick what they want and eat as much as they want. My boyfriend, RJ, and I went at 8pm, not realizing they were closing at 9. However, they still had a good selection for 8pm and were still putting food out. The chicken was tasty, a little greasy but still good. Corn was good perfectly, however the stuffing had a funny taste too it, could quick put my finger on there, therefore i didnt put my fork on it either.Their french fries were very good, tasted exactly like KFC fries. RJ ate some of everything practically, hes got a huge appetite and can eat lots so he was past full by the time we were done- he's not a picky eater at all. For dessert I had chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream on it. The cake closely resembled a McCain cake, very good and the ice cream was fantastic! As for beverages, they had a decent selection of pops, however they're cups were very small, had to refill mine a few times didnt like that too much. I did like how everyone seemed busy, either clearing tables or cleaning, refilling food, plates, cups, cutlery etc. The one thing I didnt like was that if you wanted seconds, you got a brand new plate, I didnt see the point of that. I did not have seconds.
Over all it was a pretty meh experience, most likely would not crave it or be too excited to go back.

~Paige

Get off my road!

In my city, as I’m sure is in a lot of cities, people are constantly making an attempt at being more eco-friendly, which in my opinion is fantastic; we should all try and be a little more green. However, when you start getting in other peoples way while trying to better yourself and the environment, that’s when it becomes a problem; I’m talking, of course, about bicyclists. I myself own a bike and I enjoy bike riding, especially with my dog, but I enjoy it where I belong- on the sidewalk! There are rare occasions when I bike on the road…like if there is no sidewalk.
All summer long there is an abundance of helmet bearing, tight-shorted individuals pedaling their asses off just to get to and from work, to each their own, I’d rather bus if I had to. I’m all for exercising and like I said, I’m all for being green but when you think you can blend in with the flow of traffic, that’s when we have a problem. For anyone who drives to and from work you know that rush hour is extremely busy and frustrating with other vehicles, but toss a couple (or in the case of most streets in my city, almost a dozen) bikers in the way and your commute just got a little bit slower. There is absolutely no way a biker can keep up with cars, and even if they think they’re being out of the way by staying close to the curb, drivers still get freaked out and don’t want to pass you for fear of hitting you. So, instead they drive slowly behind you waiting to change lanes to go around you which in turn holds up more traffic and the more bikers there are the more they have to do this. There were a lot of traffic accidents involving bikes on the road last year, some even resulting in death…when will bikers learn to just stay on the sidewalk?
The absolute worst thing I think I’ve ever seen a biker do, is bike on the road with their kids, whether its with the little seat that attaches to the back or the little wagon/ kid-haul thing that rolls along behind…I’ve seen it all and its disgusting. If you’re stupid enough to put your life in danger, fine that’s your choice, but don’t drag your child’s life in with you.
I, for one, bike on the sidewalk; always have, always will. When I have children I will teach them to always ride on the sidewalk, never on the road unless they absolutely have to. I’ve seen bikers and pedestrians get hit, its not pretty…especially when you see the after math of a puddle of blood under someone with a sheet over their face and 2 life-less feet sticking out the bottom. I don’t want that to be me, my children or anyone I know.

~Paige

Refund on regulations

With the Christmas season come and gone I’ve noticed a few things.
One, people leave everything to the last minute. Two, people at my office are obsessed with treats and three; too many stores changed their policies on returns. The latter is what really infuriates me…more than the weight I put on from office treats.
Many places now a days will not let you return things you’ve purchased for a refund, its either exchange, or in store credit. Stitches for example, I purchased some items there and then changed my mind about them so I brought them back, “we don’t do refunds, exchange or store credit only.” It was only for 10$ I told the lady and that I did not want to purchase anything from there but she was adamant about not giving my money back so, I demanded to talk to her manager, who was just as big of a useless twat. The manager told me there was nothing she could do, but if I wanted I could call their customer service line and take it up with them. Well, I was furious! I’m not calling your stupid customer service line over 10$, I said, I want you to give it to me now. In the end I called her a fucking bitch and that she could shove her policies up her ass, grabbed my bag and left and went home. About 2 weeks later, realizing that it was useless to have the clothes just sitting in the bag, I brought them back and just took the store credit…wasn’t happy about it, was even more mad when I couldn’t find anything.
Other stores have different variations of this policy, however. Wal-Mart for instance will let you for a full refund…as long as you have the receipt…otherwise its store credit for you. The Jets store, practically every Winnipeggers new favourite store, would let me exchange the gift I bought for my boyfriend, but would not refund me the difference, instead they gave me a gift card, why? Because all I had was the gift receipt. How stupid is that!? I have a receipt that should be good enough. But its not, hardly ever is anymore and my reasoning behind it is this: companies are money hungry! Yes, I get that you have this business to make money, but you should also want to do whatever you can to make your customers happy! Without customers, your business is NOTHING!! No customers = no money! So wouldn’t you want them to be happy with their shopping experience that way they come back? I would think so.
As long as the item being returned is in good, working condition or whatever is applicable to the item, the customer should get their money back in full, regardless of receipt. It’s just the right thing to do. 

~Paige

Restaurant review- Billabong

Name: Billabong
Location: Suite D-121 Osborne st, Winnipeg
Price Point: 25-50$
Food type: Australian
Parking: Minimal, pay
Overall rating: ****


I went to Billabong for my 22nd birthday, it was my second time there. For starters we ordered my recommendation of kangaroo tacos. It's kangaroo meat, lettuce, assorted veggies and cheese in a wonton-like taco shell. The meat is spicy with a sweet, fruity sauce. Very messy to eat, but I still highly recommend them as they're so delicious. I ordered the steak and it came with crispy, breaded potato wedges, asparagus and other veggies. I ordered it medium rare and I got it medium rare, perfectly done. My mother ordered the kangaroo medallions, and my brother ordered the mango chutney duck. The potato wedges were delish! crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, lots of flavour; would go back just for them. Steak was flavourful and cooked perfectly.
Mom's kangaroo medallions were the envy of ...well, me (Dad and brother werent too crazy about it). Absolutely fantastic, would definitely recommend them to anyone who is going there. A medallion cut is a piece of meat that is cut into small circles, like medallions. Kangaroo tastes similar to beef, but slightly different. The medallions were covered in a delicious bbq sauce and cooked to perfection. The thing with medallions is they're very easy to over cook or burn and they can get very tough. These were very tender and extremely flavourful, I will definitely be ordering it next time I go. As for the duck, now I'm not a duck person myself but I have enjoyed it in the past. This duck however...I did not like at all. It was very gamey, I didnt like the flavour. My brother is a fan of duck, as are my  parents and they said it was perfectly done, so..I'll have to take their word for it.
Overall the service was great, our waiter was very pleasant. Restaurant does not seat a lot of people so if you're planning a large gathering you may want to reconsider this restaurant, but if you're looking for an intimate dinner this is perfect. When we went it was early evening so it was still rather quite, but the restaurant is right beside the lounge with an open doorway separating the 2. The lounge can get quite loud and they sometimes have live music. if you're not sure I would recommend calling ahead of time to see whats going on, they do also take reservations.
The only downside  to the restaurant is they dont have a great dessert menu, they do however have a wonderful crème brûlée!


Bon Appétit!


-Paige

English Pronounciation

An amusing poem depicting just how strange the english language really is.

Dearest creature in creation,
Study English pronunciation.
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse, and worse.
I will keep you, Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy.
Tear in eye, your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.
Just compare heart, beard, and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word,
Sword and sward, retain and Britain.
(Mind the latter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak, but bleak and streak;
Cloven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.
Hear me say, devoid of trickery,
Daughter, laughter, and Terpsichore,
Typhoid, measles, topsails, aisles,
Exiles, similes, and reviles;
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
Solar, mica, war and far;
One, anemone, Balmoral,
Kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel;
Gertrude, German, wind and mind,
Scene, Melpomene, mankind.
Billet does not rhyme with ballet,
Bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood and flood are not like food,
Nor is mould like should and would.
Viscous, viscount, load and broad,
Toward, to forward, to reward.
And your pronunciation’s OK
When you correctly say croquet,
Rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
Friend and fiend, alive and live.
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
And enamour rhyme with hammer.
River, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
Doll and roll and some and home.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Souls but foul, haunt but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand, and grant,
Shoes, goes, does. Now first say finger,
And then singer, ginger, linger,
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, and age.
Query does not rhyme with very,
Nor does fury sound like bury.
Dost, lost, post and doth, cloth, loth.
Job, nob, bosom, transom, oath.
Though the differences seem little,
We say actual but victual.
Refer does not rhyme with deafer.
Fe0ffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
Mint, pint, senate and sedate;
Dull, bull, and George ate late.
Scenic, Arabic, Pacific,
Science, conscience, scientific.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, ache, moustache, eleven.
We say hallowed, but allowed,
People, leopard, towed, but vowed.
Mark the differences, moreover,
Between mover, cover, clover;
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice;
Camel, constable, unstable,
Principle, disciple, label.
Petal, panel, and canal,
Wait, surprise, plait, promise, pal.
Worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
Senator, spectator, mayor.
Tour, but our and succour, four.
Gas, alas, and Arkansas.
Sea, idea, Korea, area,
Psalm, Maria, but malaria.
Youth, south, southern, cleanse and clean.
Doctrine, turpentine, marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
Dandelion and battalion.
Sally with ally, yea, ye,
Eye, I, ay, aye, whey, and key.
Say aver, but ever, fever,
Neither, leisure, skein, deceiver.
Heron, granary, canary.
Crevice and device and aerie.
Face, but preface, not efface.
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass.
Large, but target, gin, give, verging,
Ought, out, joust and scour, scourging.
Ear, but earn and wear and tear
Do not rhyme with here but ere.
Seven is right, but so is even,
Hyphen, roughen, nephew Stephen,
Monkey, donkey, Turk and jerk,
Ask, grasp, wasp, and cork and work.
Pronunciation (think of Psyche!)
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won’t it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It’s a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Finally, which rhymes with enough,
Though, through, plough, or dough, or cough?
Hiccough has the sound of cup.
My advice is to give up!!!


English Pronunciation by G. Nolst Trenité

Welcome to me.

My name is Paige. Paige Lockhart, and this is my first blog.
A little about me to start: I'm 22, I live in Canada, I am, obviously, a female and for the most part am not a big fan of my life.
Now I know what you're thinking, "ugh, another angsty girl blah blah blahing about her life" well, you would be wrong. I'm really quite funny so I can assure you my articles will be of some amusement and humour. Sure, some of my life is angsty but honestly, who isn't sometimes eh? It's just the way it is.
Anyway, maybe I should be more specific as to why my life is often a hell hole...I live with my parents for starters, it wouldn't be so bad if it was just my mom and I but my dad is there too. He is quite literally the cause of all my problems and my depression. His mind-set is stuck in the 50s, really old-fashioned and as he gets older it just gets worse and worse. It's always been bad, I was the only kid in the 2nd grade who wished their parents were divorcing no exaggeration. But alas, my parents have been married now for 23 years and are showing no signs of stopping. However, I don't believe my mom is particularly happy anymore, but I digress.
I'm also over weight; always have been and most likely, always will be. I used to get teased for it in elementary school and a bit in jr.high, but ever since I got fed up and beat up a boy in gr.8 for teasing me, I've never been picked on again. so much for violence isn't the answer haha
I have a bf, for the sake of this blog I'm going to refer to him as RJ. RJ and I have been dating for almost 2 months now. Not long I know but its been good so far :) RJ is 27 and has had a tough couple of years so he is, unfortunately, back living with his mom..and his uncle, and sister, sisters bf and brother...yeah, it's a house-full, not to mention a dog and 3 cats. I wont get too much into his home life because well, this isn't about him and quite frankly I don't feel comfortable sharing that much of his life.
I currently work at the same company as my dad as a receptionist. I hate it. I think I've come home crying twice since I've been here and its only been not even 2 weeks, since we just had a bunch of days off for Christmas and new years. Truth is, I don't deal well with people because for the most part i find them stupid and annoying and a waste of my time. I've had a LOT of jobs, mostly retail but also some fast food, so I've had my fair share idiot encounters. Just recently started in business settings, its been better as far as idiots go but as a whole, i hate people.
So this is a little intro about me. My life is boring, but I'm going to write about it anyway haha
I'll be blogging about anything and everything, mostly my life but also about restaurants and attractions in my city (Winnipeg) to just my city and its craziness in general. So sit back, relax and enjoy the stylus of me.
Yours truly,
        Paige☆