Affortable Art Show 08

[ nelly furtado ] all good things

It's been a very stressed week at work.
Many things happened but very little improvements.
I was looking forward to weekends! ...

I had appointment on Saturday morning... then went to check out some prices at some Chinese herbal and supplement shops... Came home to rest for 2 hours before heading out to my colleague's place for dinner as one of the ex-colleague will be flying back to HK for good. The dinner was great and we all had a great time that night.

On Sunday, I was meant to go to this New Age Festival at Frankston because one of my colleague is taking up some lesson to do all those Healing for Body and Soul thingy... and she was going to intro me to someone whom she thinks may help me in some way...

Anyway, I didn't end up going because I was feeling tired in the morning and to drive down to Frankston takes probably nearly 2hrs from my place. So I decided to give it a missed... and decided to go to the Affortable Art Show at Old Exhibition instead.

I thought I would missed out this year's Affortable Art Show because of my full schedule this weekend... I'm glad I didn't miss it... I know there's a lot of Artworks have already been sold on Friday and Saturday... but browsing and walking around on the final day of exhibition still inspire me a lot and made me wanna paint again... soon...

Slowly... because if the WHY is big enough, the HOW will be shown to me...

Earth Hour @ Melbourne

[ 古巨基 ] 劲歌金曲2 - 情歌王

Did you participate on EARTH HOUR?
Shame on you if you didn't!!

Shopping with Mum

[ 齊秦 ] 袖手旁觀

Initially I planned to shop for my dress for my bro's wedding... but I ended up shopping with mum at Malvern... Anyway, it was quite a driving distance from my place to Malvern, but having mum filling me in with all the news regarding my relatives in Msia, made the journey a little interesting...

Malvern has lotsa boutiques that's a little different... Mostly a bit mature for me, but mum was quite happy to find those shops which are different to the shops in Shopping Centres (High-Point or Chadstone).

Anyway, I bought a nice charcoal colour knee length pants which can be worn for office or leisure... I nearly bought the red bag too from the same shop, but I thought I shall look for my dress instead of buying more accessories... hehe...

Well, I think I spent quality time with mum today and found out lotsa details regarding my relatives in msia... Sometimes I would wonder why there's conflicts between the siblings when it comes to inherit the land/$$$... Well, I wouldn't mind if my parents give all their $$$ to my brother at all... I guess if you love your siblings enough, you wouldn't even be that calculative, yeah?? ...Hmm... but I'm sure every family has their own stories behind closed doors that I know not of...

Suzuki Night Market @ Queen Victoria Market

[ misia ] any love

I didn't think my Wednesday would be any different to the other Wednesday, but today was a little unusual... as it was a last minute decision to visit Suzuki Night Market at Queen Victoria Market.

Every year, I would make an effort to visit this Wednesday night market because I just love it there. There's so many arty stuff and a lot of home made and unique designs available... There's also hawker food stalls around as well as live performances for free... I guess it is also quite special as it is the ONLY night market in Melbourne and they only have it during Summer...

Anyway, I bought an Relaxation Pillow for eyes (filled with Lavender, Chamomile, rose and Millet filling) as well as a Moon Bag for neck&shoulder (filled with Lavender, Ginger, Sandlewood and wheat filling) which can be heated up in the Microwave for 2 mins, and it's good for aches, pains and tense muscles... They cost me Aud$40... hmmm... A little expensive but I really like it...

Also, I bought a Neckerchief from a stall called "The Girl Can't Help It" for my colleague as it was her birthday... The neckerchief is soooooooooooooooo pretty I really wanted one for myself too... but they don't have the one which I wanted (cos they no longer has the antique fabric or buckle for that particular patterns)... What a pity!!! ...But I still think they are really really pretty.... Love it!

I guess I'm into scarf and all these sort nowadays cos not only I could use them as hair bands, they also looks pretty when wrapping around the neck... I guess I feel more comfy with them than wearing necklace, eventhough I do like necklace too (edgy and unique ones only!) but rarely had the chance to wear them...

Anyway, my next stop next time would be:-
(1) Lost and Found market
(2) Rose Street Market

Chinese New Year in Melb

[ 恭喜恭喜 ]

I remember last year I went to almost every Chinese New Year celebrations in Melb (ie. Box Hill, Springvale, Richmond, Crown, Chinatown, except Footscray). This year I only went to Chinatown and Crown just to feel the atmosphere...

Anyway, Chinatown (Little Burke Street) was soooooo crowded I felt as if I was still walking at the same spot... Thankfully the weather wasn't that hot at all... Anyway, there were one dragon waiting in the middle of the road for the right time to perform... and at least 5 lion dances along Swanston Walk and Little Burke Street...

We had to get out of Chinatown because it was too crowded and we went the long way to Russell Street just to check out the stalls to see what they were offering this year... As usual, all those hawker stalls and bright red decorations for Chinese New Year... We bought a slice of yummy 肉干 (sorry, I don't really know what's the English name for this!) and slowly walked to Crown Casino as there's more along Yarra River...

Personally I prefer the Chinese New Year Celebration at Crown along the riverside... probably because it's more spacious and it's a nicer view along the river? ...Bought so many food to eat (Curry Fish Balls, "Apong Balik"), 豆腐花, and Green Tea Drinks)... If I hadn't have lunch earlier, I think I would have bought more food (ie. 猪肠粉, Satay, and PoPiah) ...Hmm... Actually the food there wasn't that great, it's just the atmosphere makes you wanna buy and eat (especially I miss those food as well).... =))

Anyway, such a tiring day... but that's my Chinese New Year during the weekend...
We already had our family dinner on Wed and Thursday night (Chinese New Year Eve and 1st day of Chinese New Year)...

Well, I hope you all have a Wonderful Chinese New Year 2008!!

Nutella Peanut Butter Sandwich @ Botanical Garden

[ regina spektor ] lady

Almost every Tuesday, the color I noticed were moody and grey...

Anyway, it's Wednesday and I hope the cloud would clear up a little... perhaps a walk would help... though it wasn't very Sunny but it's good enough to take a walk at the Botanical Garden...

Peanut Butter + Nutella Sandwich... YUM!! ...My 2nd day of quiting Peanut Butter in the morning and I was already back on eating Peanut Butter again during lunch today... but Peanut Butter + Nutella are very compatible and they absolutely compliment each other... How to resist?!?

Be brave OoKi... be strong OoKi! ...Nothing out there that I could not over come with... esp if it was the right thing to do...

And I have finally got piece of information out of my system... and what a relief... Guilt free now I suppose...

Another surprise again... I was given a gift again which I was instructed not to open immediately... Well, at the end I only opened the gift hours later as I was extremely busy at work (mid month and end of month is my busiest day!)...

As I opened the gift, I could not believe it... I always wanted to own a copy of this book but it has since stopped printing ages ago... and he found it just like that?!?! ...Unbelievable... Why does he make thing looks so easy and simple???

I was so happy that I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day... THIS is THE book that changed my perspectives and helped me get through one stage of my life and make sense of the journey for me without having to put much effort...

Up Up and Away...

[ jack johnson ] gone going gone

Had lunch at a Malaysian restaurant called KotaRaya at Elsternwick... I'm quite impressed with their Hainan Chicken Rice... Quite yummy...

Actually it wasn't my first time here at Kota Raya restaurant... During my ex-classmate Kevin's last visit... We all went there for dinner with my family... The best dish I could remember was their fish (which you have to pre-order when you make reservations).

Anyway, it was a beautiful day... The clay making classes wasn't opened until school holidays (initially we were planning to take up the sunday fun class)... Looking at the Melway, no idea where shall we go... I decided to buy a kite and fly it...

Flying Kite has always been one of the activity that I wanna do... and I was a little jealous that Rabbit has done it but I hasn't... hehehe... So off we went to hunt for a KITE!! ...It didn't take us too long to find the KITE at Game Shop at Southland Shopping Centre...

We then drove to the park nearby (that showed on the Melway)... as there's this beautiful Lake and the wind was strong enough... Pulled out my picnic mat and brought out our picnic junk food (leftover from yesterday - muahahhaha!!)... and we started to fly the Kite! ...

It took me a few good attempts before I got the hang of it... The 2 strings (controllers) kite ain't easy at first but I found it quite fun to fly than the normal one string kite... I think I was the smart one here too cos it took my friend agesssssssss to manage how to fly it... =P

Anyway, it was quite tiring running around after a while and we started to pack up and get some dinner... Picked up a DVD "Sunshine" and a pizza and garlic bread and off we went to have our movie session.... (I thought the movie was ok at the beginning... and it started to go downhill when Hiroyuki Sanada is no longer appear in the movie!!!!) ....hahahaha

I must say I think Hiroyuki Sanada is sooooooooooooooooooooo damn handsome... I was so excited when I saw him appearing in Sunshine (cos I didn't really know who casts in this movie).... Anyway, enough enough... Maybe I shall start watching some Japanese Series that he made last time... hohohoho!!!

So the night ended with me thinking about Kiroyuki Sanada smiling..... He's so MAN isn't he??!!! ....hahahaha...

Shortest Picnic @ Warrandyte

[ cass elliot & the mamas and the papas ] dream a little dream of me

It's been ages I have not been to Warrandyte... It's only about 30mins away from Melbourne. A little township that offers lots of food and arty stuffs... and there's this pathway where you could walk around the river and see people kayaking or canoeing...

The last time I went was probably at least 4 to 5 yrs ago... and I always wanted to try Kayaking there because the river is quite calm - would be suitable for beginner I guess...

Anyway, the place has developed a lot since... The walking path along the river has been upgraded and there's so many people walking around there now then before... We were walking there to search for a picnic spot, but we couldn't find any as it's either too bushy or too wet and sandy)! ...

By the time we finished walking and drove to a nearby park and set up our picnic area... It was already quite late... We only sat there for probably 30mins and decided to pack up and leave... The wind is getting COLD and shadows of the trees were growing longer and bigger as the sun started to set...

Well, on our way back to the city, I suddenly remember Sutdley Park Boathouse at Yarra Bend Park... Another beautiful area just right outside the city and some part of the hill could overlook the city night lights (a substitute to Mt.Dandenong if you don't wanna drive too far)... Unfortunately, the beautiful Boathouse (fine dining) was not opened until 6pm or 7pm... and I think we could only hire the boat or canoe to row along the river in the morning or early arvo... Perhaps I shall come back again next time, cos it's such a lovely place!! ... =)

(Sorry Rabbit... I forgot about this place while you were here... Perhaps during your next trip? ...come to Melb again!! =)

At night we went to a Vietnamese Restaurant along Richmond and we tried out the Vietnamese Pancake and I'm very impressed because I like it! ...All you need to do is to use the Lettuce to wrap the pancake... The Pancake is egg based and has meat and prawn and lots of beansprout on it)...

Then we were searching for a Lounge or Cafe... Drove to Chapel Street to have Cheesecake at Cafe Greco (can't go wrong with their strawberries cheesecake)... and we walked along before we headed home and end the night...

Proper Date with Shoya

[ michael buble ] dream a little dream

For the past few weeks... It was always "wherever you go I'd tag along" kinda thingy... and today I received an sms in the morning for a "proper date" at 4pm... and I was instructed to wear something "pretty" or wear a dress? ...*panic*...I don't have any dress to wear because I'm not a girly-dressed-person... I love my jeans, my khaki, my wide leg pants and my cargo pants...

Anyway, it was all due to I was undecided what to wear and had too many "fashion shows" in front of my mirror at home until I was an hour late... (Yeah!! ...Never ever asked me to dress up "pretty" cos I'll certainly end up being late!)... and guess what? ...I rocked up in jeans at the end... lolx!!!!

By the time I parked my car at Crown Casino, it was about 510pm... *faint*... I thought I was soooo in trouble (even though I had already notified that I'll be late... but that wouldn't make me feel any better for being late)... Hmm... The idea of making a "U-turn" and go home actually crossed my mind cos I was afraid I might get scolded... hahaha...

Well, we walked around Crown Casino's shopping area for around (totally because I haven't been there for ages and there's many changes!)... and we started to walk towards the city... Went to Gin Palace to have a sip before we headed to Shoya Restaurant (which located next to Flower Drum)...

We had the Smokeless BBQ "Yakiniku" Special Set Menu (Seafood)... Very interesting place... and the Wagyu Beef was soooooooooooooooo nice... We also ordered Yuni-Yakko (Fresh tofu topped with fresh Sea Urchin)... Ohhhhhhhhh... I think this appetizer is sooooooooooooooooo yummy and it was my first time trying Sea Urchin too!! ...It's absolutely delicious....

I think it's either the food was toooooooooooooooo yummy or I was a little tired that I didn't talk too much at all during the night... But it was a good night, yet walking back to Crown Casino after dinner was extremely cold!!! ...

Anyway, I used to think Sozai was the best Japanese restaurant in Melb... but I changed my mind now as Shoya beats it!!! ... =) ...Absolutely in love with food in Shoya...

(Rabbit, come to melb again and we shall go Shoya and try out all the interesting dishes!!!)

Real Cherry Ripe Ice Cream Finally

[ regina spektor ] on the radio

We had 6-inches each at Subway around 1pm near Elsternwick... Initially I planned to visit another Maze which I found on the Melway (directory at the back)... but he asked me to drive a little further (a few blocks away from Subway) and wanted me to wait at the carpark for 10mins and he went to get something? ...Anyway, I thought he left something at work and went to pick it up...

When he came back, he was holding this paper tray full of cookies in many varieties which he just bought from this famous shop called Aviv Cakes & Bagels at Glen Huntly Road... He insisted that I must eat the fruit tarts (I don't think that's the proper name but alas!)... I think that was yummy especially the custard in the middle (ewwww... how to lose weight like that??)... And then he kept asking me to try the cookies... I tried 2 different type of chocolate cookies and that's it... Too full!!!

Just as I was about to start our day trip (I wanted to go to the Maze!)... He asked me to drive to Glenferrie Road at Malvern... So I did as he tried to navigate... Parked the car and we started to walk along Glenferrie Road to find his shop... And he surprised me by bringing me to this Ice-Cream shop called Cold Rock.

Well, he was trying to make up to me because I was disappointed last week when he told me there was Cherry Ripe Ice Cream in supermarket, but it turned out to be a Turkish Delight Ice Cream... Tsk! ...Anyway, I picked Coconut Ice Cream and had them mixed the Cherry Ripe chocolate for me in the Ice Cream... Yummy!!! ...He had Rum & Raisin Ice Cream + TimTam... Quite cool... but again I was TOO FULL and was struggling to finish the ice-cream....

We then headed down to Frankston listening to my mp3 songs (2003) in the car and chatting away... Didn't really do much at Frankston at all... We went to the shopping mall just to use their washroom... haha... and then we headed back to Melb again...

On our way back to Melb I was driving along The Esplanade... the houses were absolutely beautiful... but the sun glazed was pretty bad (it was nearly sun-set)... Anyway, I drove to Williamstown via Port Melb...

We didn't manage to walk around Williamstown because it was VERY COLD and already dark... We had Mexican food at Viva Zapatas. The food tonight was alright but pretty filling (I can't remember the names of the food we ordered, sorry!!)

We then went to Breizoz to have Apple & Calvados Crêpes and a hot drink... I love the courtyard area... Most of the big paintings still the same... =) ...Love them!!

Anyway, we left around 11pm and before he got off my car, he gave me another little surprise - a tiny little pressie... I didn't open it until I reached home (cos I'm a cinderella, remember? ...Had to rush home before 12am or else I'd get nagged!)

A Saturday full of little surprises... eventhough we didn't make it to the maze as planned...

Family Karaoke Night

[ gloria gaynor ] i will survive

What a night!! ...Karaoke with my family!! ...How cool is that hey?!

Anyway, it was my idea to go Karaoke for brother's birthday initially, but nobody supported my idea at that time... Few day later, mum and I were talking about singing thingy and she started to like the idea especially they (mum & dad) haven't been to any Karaoke in Melb before... So we all decided we'll have a family Karaoke on Friday night!! ...Woohoo!!

We all met up after work at 630pm and had dinner at Ghin Khao Thai restaurant at Swanston Street... The food was fantastic!!! ...but the servicing was a little chaotic... we had to wait for a long time for all the dishes to come out... other than that, we all pretty satisfied with the food there... yummmm....

We then walked to the Karaoke (I can't remember the name) near Little Burke Street. Many youngsters there and we could hear people singing their heart out when we walked to our private room... We all sort of laughed too when we heard someone next door trying to scream out loud in hoping to reach the higher notes? ...It was sooooooo funny...

Anyway, I knew brother's girlfriend and my parents might be a little shy at the begining... So brother picked a song for me to sing first... Brother and I sang together too to warm up and brother started to pick lotsa Chinese oldies for parents to sing...

Wow!! ...Dad can sing well but his voice is a little soft... Brother can sing very well too but I think he is a little shy in front of parents... hehehe... And the songs tonight didn't suit me as most of them were too high for me to reach (yeah! blame the song instead! ...haha) ...

The first song I attempted was a little out of tune especially when I tried to reach the high note ... They all laughed at me... How embarrassing!! ...hehehehe... But I guess that probably inflated my brother's girlfriend's confidence seeing me singing so out of tune at times... and she started to sing solo too!!! ...Big Big applaud to her... =)) ...(cos she doesn't sing at all)

The night ended around 1130pm as dad has to work the next day... Oh well... I guess everyone was a little tired too as towards the end, nobody wanted to sing anymore... My parents actually prefer to watch the MTV than singing... haha... Cos they kept asking me to turn on the singer's volume instead... hahaha... (I guess they were trying to tell me I couldn't sing in a nice way!! =)

Oh well, I would love to go Karaoke again if anyone out there willing to lend me their ears... hahahah... =))))

Cherry Ripe = Turkish Delights???

[ melly goeslaw & eric ] ada apa dengan cinta

Visited the Highline Tattoo Parlour at St Kilda just to check out the Flute Dancing Couple again... They still look soooo irresistibly cute!! ...I will redesign them and perhaps when I am happy and satisfy one day, I would have another one... (don't think it would be any sooner at all... hehe!)

Anyway, the Tattoo Artist is Simon Wilson, and I seriously admirer his Traditional Tribal designs... They're not only complicatedly beautiful, they are also extremely challenging to work on (esp those that covers the whole limbs)... No wonder he won the Awards for those!!

Lunch was at Nyonya Restaurant at Glen Waverley... Woah!!! ...Laksa sedapnya!! ...We had some kuih too... and I bought 1/4 of the Cakes Lapis (cost $15!! ...So expensive for a 10cm x 10cm cake!)...

Well, I was hoping to buy my brother a birthday present, but there wasn't much at The Glen Shopping Mall... so we went to Chadstone Shopping Mall yet it was already 4pm and there wasn't much time left to shop at all... We ended up reading books in Borders Bookshop instead...

At night I went home and sorta celebrate Brother's birthday with the Cake Lapis... I think I like Russel a little bit more nowadays... that's probably becos he likes me!? ...hahaha...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anyway, the highlights of the day wasn't the food I had nor the places I went this time... it was:-

(1) My friend told me he sold his bicycle and gave away his helmet which he has worn for 1yr... I found it really funny because I thought people would get their own helmet instead of using a 2nd-hand helmet? ...Imagine the SWEAT from the previous owner... Ewww... I mean, I thought helmet is like underwear or socks, you don't buy 2nd-hand's to wear??

(2) My friend told me there's Cherry Ripe Ice Cream and we can buy from Coles / Safeway!? ...I love Cherry Ripe and I was so excited and when we went to check it out.... ALAMAK!!? ...It wasn't Cherry Ripe Ice Cream at all... It is a Turkish Delight Ice Cream... and he insisted they taste the SAME?? ...and force me to try the Turkish Delight Ice Cream even though I kept telling him I KNOW the difference between Turkish Delight and Cherry Ripe.... lolx... Mana boleh?!

@ndy The Great Visiting Melb

[ regina spektor ] lady

Guess what? ...I went to Laksa King again... haha... This is all because a Sydney sider just arrived in town and what is more important than to show off one of the best Malaysian food in Melbourne? ...hehe...

Anyway, I had Laksa and Plain Roti Canai this time round, and he had Har-Mee... Not only he finished the Har-Mee, he also finished drinking the soup... OMG!!! =)

After that we headed to the City and walk around... He bought so many stuff from Manchester United shop at Melb Central... Anyway, we then headed to the Section 8 Container Cafe near Chinatown...

Next stop was Dockland... It was pretty quiet there as it's still quite early... We actually walked to Dockland from Queen street as we missed two trams... =/ ...It was quite cold and the red rashes started to show on my face... Well, at least it is not itchy anymore... =)

By the time we came back to the city by tram, it was nearly dinner time... and we went to this Korean Restaurant which I last had Hot Pot with another friend not too long ago... *ahem*... I don't really know what is the name of the Restaurant because I didn't really pay attention to the name of this restaurant)... Anyway, if you still don't know me yet, I am very very bad in remembering names (street names, people's name, name of attractions and etc)...

Anyway, the reason why I came back to this Korean Restaurant is totally because I wanted to try out the Noodle with Black Bean Sauce. I couldn't remember what my friend ordered but that dish was pretty nice as well... We also ordered the Sizzling Octopus but we didn't try the HOT POT this time round... hehe... I was extremely full after the dinner... wooosh!

There's seriously NO WAY for me to lose a few kilos any sooner at all... Imagine if going out with friends mean EATING... and if staying at home means EATING (peanut butters) too... How could I possibly lose any weight? ...Hmmmmmmmm...!!!!

Getting To Know You via Food

[ 阿木 ] 有一种爱叫做放手

I was waken by an SMS from a friend at 730am!! ...He wrote, "Any plans today? It will be a boring day for me if I don't do anything. Help me cure my boredom please :)"... And for some reason I thought he was asking me to go out and I replied, "You're not working? I'm free 2day. Time & Place?"... and then I realized that maybe he just wanted to SMS to kill some time and had no intention to meet up today? ...haha... So Pai-Seh... Anyway, we ended up meeting at the end (probably because I left no choice for him to turn me down, I guess)... haha...

Anyway, I picked him up from his workplace at noon and head to Laksa King... Woohooo... I had Assam Laksa and he had Curry Laksa & Ice Kacang... We also ordered Plain Roti Canai as side dish... *YUM*YUM*!!

After the very satisfying lunch... We headed down to Melb Central's Hoyts for movie... We had free tickets and Mr. Brooks was the only movie that seems interesting... and we found out it was showing at Halfpipe Cinema (Bean Bags)... How cool is that? ...I always wanted to watch movie at Halfpipe Cinema!!! ...

Anyway, the bean bags are actually big enough for 3 people to sit/lay on... it's as comfortable as sofa bed! ...I think they are more like soft comfortable cushions than bean bags (because it's not filled with beans at all)... and seriously, it's the BEST experience watching movie in Halfpipe Cinema... BEST!!! ...I think I'd prefer watching movies only at Halfpipe Cinema in the future... hehehe...

Anyway, we went to Brunswick Street at Fitzroy for a walk and have light dinner at this VEGGIE BAR... Didn't order main dishes because we weren't that hungry at all... We shared a Pizza and the absolutely yummy Stuffed Mushroom side dish and have healthy mixed juices...

The night life at Brunswick Street was quite happening but we didn't stay there long at all... I do wish to jump into the pub/lounge for live band performance but it was kinda crowded... So we headed to Stoker for coffee and crepes instead... He has Rum & Banana Crepes (with Walnuts), and I have Spicy Apple Crepes... I think going to Stoker during Winter is the best... cos the wood fire in the middle and the beautiful old relaxing music and dim lights created this very warm and cozy feeling...

Well Well... When I do blog... it's all about FOOD, haven't you noticed? ...HAHAHAHA...

Peanut Butter Iced Chockie

[ 南拳妈妈 ] 笑着流泪

While I was driving down to city today, I saw some tiny little yellow flowers along the freeway... it's the sign of Spring... the beautiful tiny little flowers... How do they know Spring is coming especially when the weather is still so cold?? ...Interesting huh?~

Saw him right in front of Ex-Nike and I quietly walked and sat next to him for a few seconds and he was a little shocked to find me sitting next to him without him noticing... hehe... Anyway, we went to this new Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown (cos both of us haven't been there before)...

Our verdict is... The Popiah wasn't good at all... My mom makes better Popiah!! ...The recommended (by the Waiter) Goreng Nasi Kampung tasted just like normal Chinese fried rice with some spicy sauce... BUT the Laksa was quite good... Worth the try =)

Next stop was Melb Central's Max Brenner... OMG!!! ...You must try their Peanut Butter Iced Chockie!!! ...It was absolutely heavenly beautiful!!! ...I think I'm a Peanutholic no doubt... cos soon as I saw "Peanut Butter" on the menu, my mind were made up eventhough I wasn't that into COLD drinks especially during cold Winter...

Driving home alone listening to my CD in the car... Thinking about the very few outings we've had in the past before he went back to Msia... We only knew each other for a short few months before he went back to Msia... and we'd never really met up ever since he came back to Melb again since last year... So to sum it up, we don't really know each other THAT well, but we do have a lot to talk about...

Just in case any of you started to wonder... No No... I think he is taken... and I have also just found my new love too -----> Peanut Butter Iced Chockie!!

Hot Pot Not Hot

[ michael bublé ] everything

Met up with a friend to have lunch and he suggested to have Korean food... I didn't mind Korean food as I haven't had it for quite a long time... I do miss Kim-Chi and I love those complimentary appetizers most Korean restaurants would offer...

Anyway, that Korean restaurant is hidden at one of the alley off Victoria Parade near Exhibition Street... Such an old double story brick dwelling surrounded by tall offices and service apartments... Hidden treasure for the Koreans I believe... cos most of the customers there are Korean and most of them ordered the black bean noodles... It must be very yummy!! ...

Well, we ordered a spicy Octopus dish (which turned out that some Octopus wasn't fully cook) and Mushroom Hot Pot... The dishes came pretty quick and they placed the Hot Pot on the mini stove which was attached to our table and let it boiled slowly... So much to talk about with my friend as it's been a while we haven't met up... and we were also busy eating the free appetizers while waiting for the Hot Pot to boil...

As we finished our appetizers, we both decided to dig in even though the Hot Pot hasn't fully boiled... The soup was warm but it wasn't boiling and we both actually thought it was normal?? ...It didn't occur to us to even check the stove underneath at all (both of us were not fully switched on that day I guess)... hehe...

Anyway, I think when we both have eaten 2/3 of the Hot Pot... I don't know what came to me that I suddenly realized something wasn't right about the Hot Pot (finally)... No, don't get me wrong... The Hot Pot tasted absolutely FABULOUS... I was just wondering why it still wasn't boiling when there was so little soup left in the Hot Pot?? ...I then checked the stove control and check the stove... ALAS!!! ...NO FIRE at all!!! ...NO MORE GAS in the mini stove!!! ...

How funny?! ... Both of us had been sitting there wondering why our Hot Pot wasn't boiling yet it didn't occur to us to check the stove during all those times... And we finished eating a Hot Pot which was not boiling HOT?! ...I started to worry whether we'd get tummy ache because we were eating the un-cook and un-hot Hot Pot... ISH?!!?! ...Silly us!!! ...

I don't think I'd go back to eat at that place anymore... cos I sorta went pass the kitchen and boy, it was a MESS... I was even more worried after seeing the messy kitchen because we have eaten the whole Hot Pot which wasn't boiling hot... hmmmm...

Freezing Winter

[ brothers four ] try to remember

The past few weeks... Melb has been soooooooooo cold... That explains why I haven't been blogging nor being on MSN lately at all... (Not willing to go anywhere nor do anything when it's too cold)...

I took this photo not far from my office... The freezing strong wind tensed up every inch of my muscles and I wished I could walk faster to get into my office every morning... but the wet weather slowed me down because I didn't wanna dirty my long pants nor shoes...

Anyway, this was the exact color of my world the past few weeks...

Ballooning Highway

[ michael bublé ] everything

One of the morning when I was driving to work, I saw 5 hot air balloons flying quite low and very near...

Without second thoughts, I took out my phone and risking not only my life but also others' to take this photo... Seriously... Don't ever try taking photo while driving at 100kmh on a highway... I was stupid!!

Anyway, there was once I saw a rainbow colored hot air balloon taking off between two buildings (with very little gaps in between) and I didn't take a snap... and I regretted it until now... cos it was such a bizarre sight!! ...

Melb Food & Wine Fest - Cafe Di Stasio

[ nat king cole ] l.o.v.e

It's Melbourne Food & Wine Festival... Many restaurants offer special menu for bargaining price... Absolutely a great chance to eat great food... hehe...

We went to Cafe Di Stasio at Fitzroy Street, St Kilda for 2 course meal ($30) today... It has this Tuscany type of decorations (the wall and the wall lamp status) and the waiters all stand very straight and extremely professional... Though it is not a very spacious restaurant, the dim atmosphere gives us a very comfy and classy feelings...

Once be seated, every table will be given a bottle of imported water (which you'll find out it's been added onto your bill end of the meal... hehe... *evil smile*)... Well, we all decided to have Entree + Main Meal... so that we could go somewhere else for Dessert... hehe... Smart yeah?! ...*wink*...

Hmm... The food was not too bad and it's small portion (but we still came out feeling full)... Not a "wow" factor kinda food, but we don't have any complains neither...

Anyway, the only eye-popping thing was the bill that shows the 2 bottles of water were almost $10 EACH!! ...!@#@#$%... No wonder the waiter kept asking us if we still want more water all the times... hmmmph!!

After that we went to The Old Paper Shop Deli at South Melbourne for a cuppa and desserts before shopping around at South Melbourne Market... and visit the Chinese Temple at South Melb before we went home...

Lunar New Year Eve - Sunshine

[ hinder ] lips of an angel

Finally had the chance to watch one of the movie which I've always wanted to watch - Bichunmo. It was not as good as I expected it to be... Well, I probably should have watched it when it first came out during 2000... I probably would have thought it was good back then...

Anyway, I fell asleep a few times watching it on my comfy bed as the storyline is kinda predictable and it was so hot in Melb (38 Degree Celsius)!!

It's one of those day that I actually felt like I should have gone out instead of staying at home... Sorta suggested to a friend to go Crown Casino or BoxHill as there's Lunar New Year celebrations tonight... So off we went after dinner... It was crowded but there's nothing much to see though... Not as many stalls as the previous few years... Probably it was too hot, yeah?!

Received an SMS which made my night much more interesting... I drove to Sunshine to meet up and went to Sunshine's temple... It was so crowded as there's so many Vietnamese there... Squeeze into the temple to pray... Watched a little bit of Dancing Dragons and saw a little Fire Crackers...

Spending Lunar New Year Eve at Sunshine reminded me of Malaysia so much... Many families and houses light up Fire Crackers like nobody cares (it's actually illegal in Australia)... There was polices and securities making sure the traffic flows throughout the night, but they didn't bother the Fire Crackers at all...

I missed Malaysia's LNY celebrations...
I missed my friends, and I missed my beloved cousins...

[ 1st time - visiting Sunshine Temple ]