things i dislike

I am soo happy to be home!! Back to things I am familiar with, back to my room, my parents, my sista (even though she works 26 hours a day), my granny, aunts, uncles and cousies!! Of course, my dear friends too!! But have not had time to catch up with them as yet! Blame my poor time management..

I am so happy on one hand, but there are things that I am not used to.. and I dislike after being in the city of never ever land...

Oh well, today was not the kind of day I'd expect for our stay in KL to be like... It was one of the bad day... I have so much to whine about, so much to complain, so much to bitch about... sighs...

• I am sooo frustrated about the traffic here. It's crazy! It took us 1.5 hours on a Monday afternoon to travel 10km to Pavillion. Worse, we did not end up in Pavillion, instead ended up somewhere nearer, Sg Wang! So much time wasted!


• Traffic! Yes, traffic again! I dislike how rules are not followed, how bikes think the road belong to their grandparents', and how the signal lights are not used!


• The weather!! It's soooo hot and humid here... But the sun seemed different to what it was in Melbourne a few days before we left.. It was more glaring and 'pokey' there, but it's sticky and sweaty here... It indeed is challenging for me to hold my rage here. But I think I've been coping well...


• The blardee economic condition currently... and worse, the aussie dollar that weakens by the day!

Lastly, I dislilke men!! I am frustrated today.. I am disappointed..



That's it.. the end.

the long awaited day

yes, that's right! the day, after 10 months that we are about to leave on an airbus! After 10 long months of hard work, 10 long months of being independent, 10 long months away from family, 10 long months of wait... I will be back to my home sweet home tomorrow...

Just earlier, we went to this suburb in Melbourne to have a look at the Xmas lightings people put up in their houses. Houses in this suburb put up Xmas decos every year in celebration of the occasion, and this has made it a popular suburb for kids in Xmas.



The weather has been treating us well before we head back to the hot and humid home ground.. It was 15 degrees just earlier when we were out enjoying the Christmas lightings and the weather.. But how unfortunate of us to have only worn summer clothings, not expecting a 15 degrees on a summer night.. Would have stayed longer, have a cuppa skinny latte, enjoy the chilly weather in summer... if only it'd snow in Melbourne over Christmas... then it'd be perfecto....

Back to packing for now.. and maybe 2 hours of sleep tonight...

JK's farewell

There have been so many farewells this year! First was A&L, then was EC, now JK! What is wrong with all these Singaporeans?? All left on the same year! Leaving LSM and me alone!

Well, although it was only a short stint, I must say it has been real fun having them around! How would work life be without such good biatching buddies? =)

We went to this place with the best curry laksa in Melbourne (claimed by CH - only because they had fresh clams). EC you've missed it, but I am sure you are getting much nicer food in SG eh?

It was a pity we did not take a groupie this round. But we have one during EC's farewell though... EC, you are not being left out =p



Sighs... when will it be my turn? =(

i am not the only one

I am not alone... there's another 'quarter century + one' year old celebration!

I was warned - NO CUPCAKES! but yet, some sincerity is required in such occasion isn't it? Yes, I baked a marble cake from scratch! =p and decorated the cake from scratch! (well, not from scratch, but what I did was cut each words out and did the wordings with icing sugar) =)



We went to this place in Docklands - Butcher's Grill. But was soooo disappointed with the service and people working there! Everything that could go wrong, went wrong!! I was soo pissed and disgusted, worse thing, it happened on such a day! But anyway, it's over now, and most importantly he's feeling fine... =)

Oh, his pressie? well, it was a disaster too!! Oh my, everything did go wrong!! It was initially a BOSS gift, but it did not fit! Had a longg conversation with the sales girl and wasn't happy with the outcome. I ended up getting a Touch, in which he didn't agree initially (during the pre-planning phase), but ended up loving it!! =p

'quarter century + one' year old

How sad is this.. another year closer to 30! =(

But it was a memorable one! I got a baby cupcakes surprise from a person who went all the way to Prahran to get lil cute cupcakes, and back to the city again in 1 hours time! I am soooo touched!! =) Thankssssss!!

Here are my lil cupcakes...

We went to Port Melbourne's Waterfront for dinner, and it was amazing! Loved the view, and the company! =) of course, the DS too !!! wooo.. another toy to keep be occupied!

fishing @ fish farm

Yes yes.. we went fishing again! This time to a trout farm out at the Dandenongs. Well, of course it is not as fun or as challenging as sea fishing. But was a great experience! Cost effective too ;)

I shall let the pictures do the talking.. =)

The horribly gross bait.. it's made out of bread apparently..

CH in action fishing in the 'challenging' lake, and m-e relaxing =p

We decided not to spend too much time wasting our bait in the 'challenging' lake, and went to the pond which is fully of trouts! It was soo easy in getting one on hook! The fish that we caughted weighted exactly 1kg!

The meal.. yummy.. but of course, not as nice as sea fish !!

Next will be deep sea fishing!! Perhaps we should get a fishing rod from KL! muahaha...

DIY big breakfast

Ever since our big breakfast at St Kilda last month, the Mister has been requesting for a DIY-ed big breakfast from me!

Well, since it's Cup day today, why not? Check out the DIY from scratch big brekky! Just like the pommy bastard of St Kilda's Velour! Well, it's proclaimed by Mr. Hong! =p

Our brekky - scrambled eggs requested by CH, and just a simple sunny side up for me

the contented looks...

Yumm... and after that, we are all set for the races! But unfortunately, none of the horses that we picked came to the final top 3. The Malaysian horse owner won the Melbourne Cup! Should have done more research and have faith in Malaysian horses? haha... maybe next year...

fishing @ mornington

I have been feeling better after 2 long weeks of MC, and went back to work this week =( How I miss my holidays now!! But glad I'm feeling better.. =)

There we go again - for sea fishing! It was an awesome trip I must say, despite having sea sick, the unpredictable weather and the unexpected (small) size of the boat. Everything else was just right! The company, the fishes that came on hook =p

US

The 2 parrot fish that we caught

They were yummilicious and fresh! Would I get addicted to eating only 'fresh' fish? hmm...

st kilda market, beach and eatery

We have been wanting to go to the St Kilda market every week - but never jadi. Since I have been staying home all week, I made it a point to get out of the house! (but it seemed like I've been going out too often for the weekend eh?)

The market was quite disappointing. There wasn't as many interesting stalls as I would expect. They are mostly things that you would expect to find in Vic Mart. So I was not too fascinated by it.

Instead, we went to the beach (get to do what we left from yesterday!) It was windy and chilly today - wrong day to be by the beach though. But there were heaps of kite surfers around! It looked fun, really fun for people who's afraid of the wave, but is cool with the wind (like me). I'd love to give it a try. Maybe some time in summer would just be excellent!

Check out some of the photos on the kite surfing blokes.

This is how you get into the water

The kite surfers and if you see closely, the Eye on Melbourne is somewhere in sight

Tricks that you can do with kite surfing

The tram that brings you to the St Kilda beach - tram 96 =D

We have been craving for hot chocolate since last night, and found this place San Churro that apparently serves the best hot chocolate in Melbourne. We gave it a try, it's near St Kilda beach anyway. It's also near our breakfast place yesterday! I just realised - we went St Kilda twice in a weekend! -.-

Anyway, we had hot chocolate and a big fat chocolate cake! The choc cake was sinful.. On top of a serve of a choc cake, they served melted hot choc together with it, which made it even more sinful!! But was good!

Pity our d60 battery died on us! But we'll be there again.. =)

So glad I went for a 90minutes yoga this morning! But it wasn't enough I guess? =(

big breakfast

After a week of boredom at home, CH was sweet enough to bring me out for an angmo breakfast (which he does not really fancy normally, as it's really pricey and DIYable.)

Our plan for today was initially to...

• Breakfast in St Kilda
• Walk the beach plus phototaking (but cancelled cus we felt we had a lil hay fever)
• Wash car (but cancelled cus there were too many cars queuing)
• Groceries at Vic Mart (but cancelled cus we were at the other end of the city)
• Gym after that (but cancelled cus it was blardee 33degrees!!)

Instead, we went to Doncaster Westfield shopping centre - a new mall since some time back (but definitely since we left in 2004). Nothing great there, just a shopping mall like Chaddy or 1 Utama.

Still ok-lah, at least some shopping to compensate the changesss in plan.

Since breakfast was the only one in the list that made it, I must definitely blog about it. We wanted to try this place - Brew Ha Ha, but it closed down! (or moved? - anyone knows?) Then we walked along the St Kilda street where the restaurants are and settled for this place called Veludo. No regrets at all - it was marvelous!

CH ordered the Big Fat Pommy Bastard (yes, it is what it's called) - which has eggs the way you like it (CH chose scrambled), on thick toast with bacon, sausage, hash brown, baby spinach, home made baked beans & tomato and onion relish PLUS mushrooms.

Since I couldn't take egg, it left me with only one order. The BLT - which has bacon, lettuce and tomato served on thick cut toast with garlic aioli, and smokey bbq sauce. I loved it - especially the thick toast. I wonder where could I get such toast, and how to toast it!!

The Big Fat Pommy Bastard and BLT

The contented look with his finished pommy bastard, and my leftovers...

Wow, I would really go back for the breakfast again!

We called it the day after shopping, and now CH is with his Brothers in Arms on Wii!! -.-

yet another sin

It's 9ish now, and guess what I am having.. MAGNUM ice-cream!!

WAIT.... I am having it for a purpose...

To have an upgrade to Gold Class for free!

Apparently the seats are really cool and spacious. I got to try!

Having said, this MC break is not doing my body good, with the calories... One magnum ice-cream (wrapper) allows for only one gold class upgrade. We need 2 obviously. That Mr. CH doesn't take ice-cream for I do not know what reason. I hope I do not need to eat his share! Is there any way to induce someone to eat ice-cream??


Whilst I am sitting at home alone, doing nothing, but updating my blog, I am feeling all vain and thinking of having mani- and pedicured. Googled for a good manicurist near my place, but couldn't find any... then I found this place in the CBD which looks really pro and good... French Pink..

I couldn't wait to be in the CBD to fix my ooogly nails. Hence I settled for one somewhere nearby. They don't look as bad as I'd imagine... My nails now look so pretty!

Perhaps I should consider maintaining them going forward? Sigh, these are the investments that girls have to incur, that guys would not have to...

still unwell

It has been 2 boring days at home... I'll be getting another 3 more days of MC... I am getting the whole week off!! =)

Not sure if I should be happy for the break, or worried for my health... sigh...

unwell

I went for the free community yoga class today. It was good! Even though it wasn't hot yoga like the one I used to go, it was good too (definitely better than FF). I would go again next week if I am feeling better.

I have not been feeling well lately... I doubt it's the exercise... It's stress at work perhaps? Anyway, I'll be getting 2 days of MC! Yay!! But... there's no where to go, nothing to do though.. sigh....

I received a pot of "get well soon" flowers.. How sweet of him... =)

It's a Kalanchoe - never heard of it tho, but it's supposed to be heat and draught tolerant. At least it saves me time from watering all the time, and worry about it when we're away..

yoga-fied

I'm afraid I'm yogafied... and becoming a gym freak.

I broke my own record of 5 days gym a week! I would need to keep up the enthusiasm before it wears off slowly (although I hope not). The first les mills class I went was BodyPump. It pumped me til I'm flat! My muscles ached for a week (and still aching!).

For the yoga classes, the yoga mats that I've been using at the gym are gross!! They are dirty and filthy. I've used once, and never again! Hence, I got myself a new yoga mat! Well, CH got it for me actually, in support of my yoga classes.... =p

A pink one. One which I've been searching high and low for (as they normally comes in blue, black, brown, purple, baby pink, etc.). We got it from this shop that sells mainly yoga attires on Chapel Street. Their attires are awesome! They are way better than the Nike ones!

They provide free community yoga classess on Sundays too! I shall try it next week in order to fully utilise my mat! =p

mom's birthday and a whole lot on a Saturday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom!!!

Sigh.. I'm not home to celebrate with her again this year... I hope I will be next year though... =( But my dear cousin has kindly sent me the photos from mom's birthday dinner showing me what I've missed, which makes me miss home even more!!!

Mom's cake and my baby sister...


Everybody.. and the food that I'm missing out...

=========================================

In Melbourne, I spent today out in the sun, with my Singaporean colleagues at the Singapore day in Melbournes. Months before this, I attempted to register for this event online, but it didn't approve my registration (yarr.. Sg quite bah bai, have to register prior to the event, and only allow Singaporeans to attend. Malaysians have to be on waiting list or not approved at all). As patriotic as I am, I rather not lie on my Nationality (proudly Malaysians =p ) than to go. But a colleague was kind enough to get her Singaporean friend to apply on my behalf, which brought me to the Singapore day. It ended up quite well (besides the longggggg queue of at least 45 minutes for food, the sun and the crowd). But the food was quite good and they were free!

Why wouldn't Malaysia organise such a thing abroad? Sigh!! The other time we went to the Merdeka celebration at Federation Square, it was disappointing!! It was not as grand scale as the Sg day.

The PCK came too! He is indeed a joker! CH went up close near the stage to get the shots of him (below).

The crowd, the queue and the free food (that's why the queue)


PCK and his family


M-E

We ended up having the ever so spicy sichuan food again...

It was a tiring day indeed... but at least I am ready for an answer to the "How was your weekend?" question. =D

one week with yoga

It is a week now since my first yoga class. And yes, I've gone for 3 lessons this week and decided to let my body rest today (which is also the last day of the free pass).

I tried persuading CH to go for one class together, but he refused, even though there were men in the classes... oh well.. my plan for getting another 7 days free pass.. pooofff... gone.. =p

One good thing about yoga was that it made me realise and be conscious of how I sit, and my asana (posture in sanskrit). For those with backache, hunchback, etc. I would strongly recommend you to go for yoga to fix your posture up. But make sure the instructor is aware of your injury (if you have any). I'm sounding all yogi-ed. =p

For all I know, that was the end of my yoga lessons (at a professional yoga studio). Because we (finally) got ourselves stucked with Fitness First. Well well... to make it worth, I've decided to at least go 4 times a week for an hour per session. =D I hope we're able to keep each other motivated, and not give up after half a year like what he did the last time he joined the gym.

With all the yoga this week, and the coming exercises at the gym, we decided to feast ourselves with prawn noodles!! It has been a longggg while since we had prawn noodles, this time, with some beer. Yumm.... and a DIY dark choco fondue with strawberries and honeydew (inspired by the Max Brenner we had with Jacob, Phoebe and Vishnu). It was absolutely fantastic...

Yummilicious dinner and dessert

*I am not thinking of the calories from the dinner*

THE GYM BETTER HELP ME !!!

jacob and phoebe

CONGRATULATIONS to Jacob and Phoebe !!

He did it! His well-planned surprised proposal on MH149 from KUL to MEL was a success! I am extremely happy for this lovely couple!

Thanks to our Perhentian trip in April 2006 that allow us to better understand each other. Although we have proposed to organised an island trip every year post Perhentian, but... none has been a success eh? =p

Nonetheless, I've had a great time catching up with the couple. I wish for them to have a blessed life together ahead.

Jacob and Phoebe in Melbourne @ the Boathouse and Max Brenner

On another note, Phoebe's a very talented artsy girl who handmakes bags, clutches and much more. Visit the PhoeJ shop for her beautiful artwork, and of course, to buy some of them if they fancy you. =)

yoga

Yes yes.. I went for yoga for the first time ever. Thanks to Mr. EVo's comment! >.<

I felt so bad eating and not exercising. Imagine the only exercise I do, and I really mean.. ONLY exercise.. is on my fingers, whilst typing at work, typing now - for my blog. I decided I needed a change in my lifestyle. Furthermore, it really is b-o-r-i-n-g in Melbourne!

A colleague introduced this yoga place near Chapel Street, that give out 7 days unlimited yoga free pass for new students. Why not try right?

I was nervous at first, as the place is located in one of the dodgy lane near Chapel/High Street. But surprisingly, inside is really nice, with a small cosy and warm studio. They offer hot yoga that is supposedly good for the body. I couldn't complain as it was wet and cold outside.

It was a good experience. I will try to go at least 3 times this week, as they say, you get the most of yoga if you practice it at least 3 time a week.

My body did not ache as much as I'd imagined.. =)

mooncake festival

It's my 2nd mooncake festival away from home now. But mom brought me lanterns and candles in her last trip (still missing home badly...).

We decided to do some simple cooking and invited a few friends over in celebration of mooncakae festival. We made fish ball noodle soup (well, CH did I must confess). It certainly tasted better than Singapore Chomp Chomp - a place in the Melbourne CBD that surprisingly manage to allure many of the Singaporeans with its not-very-tasty food. Perhaps CH's one is better?

ahem.. *clears her throat* Any orders?

Food and some lanterns

Pity thing there was no moon in sight =(

But there was a huge one in the city the next night, and we captured a good photo of it on the 15th floor of Blue Diamond.

Apparently there's this well-played and famous jazz band that only plays on Sunday night. We decided to give it a try, but it turned out - nothing special la... I reckon one of my friend sings jazz better than them! She rocks! Go girl, go Yoke May!! =) aww.. how I am missing my dear girl friends... =( Sighs.. we used to spend so much time together in school, outside the science lab, around the stairs, talking nonsense, and of course watch the bball boys.. =p

Anyway, it was a great night out with great company.

The egg yolky moon in the middle of the quiet Melbourne CBD.

There goes the night... There goes the weekend... =( It's one week now that my family have gone home... sigh...

September 08 in Melbourne

The day that I've been looking forward to has finally arrived. The countdown is over...

My parents and sista are here in Melbourne!!

I shall let the pictures do the talking...

Yarra Valley shots @ Domain Chandon

Wine making @ Domain Chandon

Anniversary spent in Melbourne... aww.. how sweet.... we are well-prepared with cake and wine ;)

A trip down to the wild life park @ Phillip Island. Check out the kangaroo family!! =D Good take to the photographer!

Some (fake) penguin shots @ Phillip Island

Ta-da... My well-known brekky! Egg Bennedict for the family...

The parrots love the ladies in the family

Miss Marples @ Mt Dandenong.. the sconesss... they are yummilicious...

The giant chair @ Mt D, where everyone would definitely have a shot

Mommy's homecooked dinner on a day after work... yummm... if only I get this everyday..

Mr. CH's great meal.. curry chicken, mussels, veg with scallops.. yummm...

Final day in Melbourne @ airport... sobs..

But now that they have left, everything here is back to square one again... =(

It might have only been a short trip, but this is the thing that I've dearly missed most - family and their presence here...

Life goes on... Nonetheless, December is not too far away... The counter's rolling...

c`est la vie..

sin sin sin

Yesterday - worked from home half day

Today - worked from home whole day

Tomorrow - calling in for personal leave

sin #1

What a work life balance we are getting here eh?

Since we will be calling in for personal leave tomorrow... we have planned for a night out to Crown for photo taking and desserts!! And of course, to try our luck...

Well, our first priority - photo taking (night shots again!!)

1) Night shot of the Yarra River and its reflections

2) The infamous Crown hourly flame - which is not doing much good for their carbon credits

3) Night shot of the Flinders St Station across the Yarra River

4) The Crown walk way

It was a freeeezzzinggg night in Melbourne, and yet I was requested to take a seat outside in the cold while having my dessert at Greco!!

Thankfully they had a spot near the heater, which was also near the hourly flames! At least some heat!

The craving for desserts is still in us (particularly for CH). We have been searching high and low for good dessert places in Melbourne in most nights at 9-ish! Which is such a huge sin for me!!

sin #2

I wonder if there's ever a non-fat, zero calories desserts? sigh sigh...

The bad thing about the crave for desserts in Melbourne is the variety of desserts they have. If it's not about chocolate and cheese cakes, it's about coffee, gelato and dessert wine (?). What about red bean soup, lin chi kang, jelly, fruit flan, kuih-muihs, etc ??

Well, after desserts, takkan head home straight to the bed.. ;)

sin #3

But we l-o-s-t =(

Sighs... committed so many sins in a day..

We need to form a strategy to w-i-n !! argg..

Beijing 2008 & EC's farewell

It's the night of the Beijing 2008 Olympics that most of us have been long awaiting for (for me was in particularly the grand opening)... But also a night for EC's farewell =(

The Olympics' opening ceremony was... splendid, excellent, fantastic, grand, impressive!! I must admit that Chinese are the most amazing species that fully utilise everything they have and flaunt them all at the right time! I am truly impressed by the 2008 Beijing opening! Certainly, I'm proud to be a Chinese too (always!) =)

Olympics aside, it's EC's last night in Melbourne after suffering for 9 months of boredom (and of course her friends suffered for 9 months of her whining =p) I am happy for her to have finally found a way out of this "pain".

Some individual EC photos

can't wait to get this Parker (not that I'm longing for a Parker, but zoom in for a closer view)

the most amazing idea by the photographer (m-e) in order to take a group photo (pity the glass pane wasn't as clean)

a group photo with EC

the girls with EC

m-e and the photographer (who stole my original idea of a group photo =p)

Apparently, in Malaysia, there was a whole lot of couples tied the knot today! "08.08.2008" Well, no doubt it's an easy date to remember. Lucky men, will not have problem remembering their anniversary! But I still reckon 2009 would mean more... :D