Feb 2008 ~ Mar 2008

City Baby again!!

Officially moved in to Kensington, I feel at home straightaway! Tram & train stops are just less than a minute's walk away. Its great to be able to get home in 20mins, and having an extra half hour sleep every morning! Awesome. This also means I can go back to cooking, which I have, and whipping up stuffs as I go along...not too shabby seeing the boys haven't complained yet (or rather I think they just keep their mouth shuts so that they won't need to do the cooking...kekeke). And yes, I know I know....I've been really slack in updating my blog. So here's 2 months worth of stuffs...

10 years worth of junk...
Was quite amazed at how much rubbish I have....

13/02/2008: Daryl's Birthday at my place

Meanwhile, Frank (a friend from work), got himself into a motorcycle accident and broke his 'little pinky', and needed pins stuck into them to hold it straight....and a million stitches to hold it together..., ugghhhh....

Leanna in Melbourne again!!! Yay!! She was here towards the end of Feb, and had kept me busy for the whole weekend. Had also organised a rock climbing session with workmates that weekend. Fun fun fun! Unfortunately, did not bring my camera with me. Oh, And the BIGGEST joke of all, we wanted to go to a rave, and neither one of us knew where to go since its been such a long while that I've gone out. So we thought maybe Bass Station down on Chapel would still be a rave club on Fridays. When we got there, while paying the entrance fee, we thought the music sounded kinda funny...little did we know...it was an r&b asian night thingy (something I've avoided as much as I can since a long time back...totally over it)!!! GOSH!!! We were like staring at each other for a full 10 seconds, wondering what the hell we got ourselves into!!! MUAhahahahah......anyways, I ended up sticking to beer (makes me happy regardless of where I am) while she was off her head....farnee....

3 Mar 2008 ~ NO RESPECT 4

Mike Zambidis in action!!! One of the better kickboxers around, this guy is amazing! For those of you who've seen him on youtube, if not you should totally check him out. Puny little guy, but his punches are total Knock Outs!! Held at the Vodafone Arena, his match was at the end being the highlight of the night, the crowd went totally wild when he came out, match vs Daniel Dawson of Australia. Too bad it wasn't a knock out round, although it was a good fight since Dawson is a pretty good opponent. Talk about adrenalin rush!!

Next to the heavyweight champion, makes Mike look like a kid!

That weekend, I had dinner with Wah Kei, Lucy, Ray and Tommy at Movida (1 Hosier La, between Swanston & Russell off Flinders St), my all time favourite Spanish Tapas restaurant...OMG....totally mouth watering and scrumptious, and delicious...after organising so many dinners with Ray (who has real high expectations when it comes to food), finally able to please him 100% with Movida. I had to make the booking a month ahead!! That's how good they are!! yummmoooooo........

14-16 Mar 2008 ~ Kickboxing Camp @ Mount Eliza, VIC

Totally cool!! My kickboxing school organised a training camp at Mt Eliza, about an hour and half's drive out of Melbourne. Tommy totally regretted getting himself into it!!! kekekeke.... Woke up at 6am, started training immediately running the field, then some basic training before breakfast. Then it was more training again. After lunch, we headed down to the beach to train in the shallow waters. Was totally awesome, and blardee tiring!!! I basically paid to get myself thrashed!

Kickboxing team

Tommy in action. We had a mock sumo wresting match on the beach.
Needless to say, I was out on the first round as I was unfortunately paired with one of the trainers, skinny tho as she may be, she has the strength of a buffalo!!!

19th Mar 2008 ~ My Burthday!!!

At work, my whole dest was filled with streamers and balloons...felt good to me a kid again :) But just a quiet one at home with Tommy & Tay, didn't exactly felt like celebrating this year. Check out my birthday cake, TOBLERONE CHEESECAKE from David Jones, the purest form of sinful indulgence.....mmmmmmmmmmmm

People please, don't drool all over your pc...it ain't waterproof...

21st Mar 2008 ~ Good Friday BBQ at my place

I had been hanging out for a BBQ all summer, finally had the chance! Had Ray & Lucy over with Jan, and some of Tommy's classmates as well as Tay's friends. Poor Tay had a toothache and could only watch us eat all the yummy foods. Lamb, beef, wings, mushrooms, eggplant, with spinach dip compliments of Rebecca....yummmoo....

22nd Mar 2008 ~ The Grampians with Tommy, Terri, Angeline & Imelda

Made a day trip out to the northern side of the Grampians with frenz from Papa Gino's.

Attempt to eat the world's largest mushroom...please do not try this at home

Me & Terri

Imelda & I

June - August 2007

29 June 07: Team dinner at the Steakout Restaurant, Crown Casino

Rating: 5.5/10
Very ordinary steaks and ribs...

30 June 07
Super spicy hotpot in Boxhill with the housemates and Vunita (far right)
Don't remember the name, but the sauces that came with was yummm...

14 July 07: Lucy's birthday dinner at Tao's Restaurant, Bulleen
For the price we were paying, AUD 48 p.p. for a seven course meal, it wasnt' too shabby. The atmosphere was good, and it was something a little different where you can choose what you like for each course and still end up paying the same set price.
Rating: 7/10

5 July 07: Lisa's Birthday!!
Lunch date with my Aussie mom at Laurent on Lt Collins St
MMMmmmm....the chocolate doughnuts there are just irresistable.
Can't get over them!!!

ME Awards Night :) ~ Melbourne Aquarium 19/07/2007

Yessss....!!! I got nominated for the Special Mention Award July 2006. Thanks John (my team leader)!! MembersEquity has this half yearly award thingy where every team nominates 2 people, one for the Special Recognition ($50 cash award + a bottle of wine), and the Special Mention Award ($100 cash + a bottle wine). Its a good feeling to be recognised for your efforts and to know that you have made a contribution at work. Personally, it gives me more reason to strive harder. Special Recognition was snatched up by Carmina, this Phillipino girl who sits next to me who well and truly deserves it...(she always squeals with enthusiasm when she gets something done...I should know cos i sit next to her...cute...kkekeke). Anyways, we all got call to a short presentation in the afternoon, and then invited to a function at the Melbourne Aquarium after work. Finger foods, and little bowls of entree gnocchi and lamb racks...yummy. And free flow drinks of course...wine, bubbly, beer (my choice naturally), and juice/soft drinks. We were taken on a short tour of the aquarium, then given a short introduction to local mangrove fishies by this cute guy. Anyways, got to meet ppl from other teams, and it was a good night overall.

3 Aug 07: St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs

My first ever footy game!! I can now officially call myself an Aussie!!! Ended up a tie game, which is supposed to be very rare. It was a team outing, and although I had no idea what was going on (except that if the ball went through the sides, the score is 1, and if its in the middle then its 6), it was really fun. Just getting absorbed into the atmosphere and the crowd was really exciting. So yes, reaction from me was a few seconds late as I had to keep asking my colleagues what the hell was going on....hahahha. And I was barracking for St Kilda that night, don't ask me why, maybe I like their colours better :)

Birthday Weekend March 2007

I've never really celebrated my birthday, but this year was an eventful one. hehe....really felt like a spoilt kid.

Fri 16/03/2007: Team bbq by the Yarra

Just so happened that my workmates decided to have a bbq after work by the Yarra river (just a little further down from flinders station and the fed square). Yummmm.....grilled meat....




Sat 17/03/2007: Dinner & Karaoke

Mmmmm.....had the bestest dinner at Jade (somewhere in chinatown) with my housemates - Wil, Ray & Lucy. The whole point of going there was for the jumbo sized oysters they have. Unfortunately, they ran out :( Didn't get to eat my beloved oysters, what a bummer!! But anyhow, dinner was still fantastic. And guess what, I had an upset stomach straight after dinner. Was pretty bad and nearly fainted (i have no idea where i got it from). Terrible, nearly spoilt my night out, especially going to the karaoke after that. Alcohol + bad stomach = die hard. But I had a really fun time, the guys got me a cake (the last time I had a cake was for my 21st bday). No photos, didn't have a camera then, only the camera on my phone.

Just a little something from the kids, Jordan & Rodney...how sweeeet!!! Totally melted when they gave it to me together with the biggest hugs and kissess....awwww....



Sun 18/03/2007: Miss Saigon
Went to watch Miss Saigon with a friend, Tay. The tickets were originally 2006 Christmas presents from him. Worked well seeing it's on my birthday weekend. Two birds with one stone...kekeke. It was really good, I like the music and all, but somehow felt that it lacked power in the presentation. Its no phantom, but still a good watch. Stage settings were pretty impressive, especially the scene when they were in Bangkok. All the neon lights and hustle bustle of Bangkok's district, so pretty. Enjoyable!

Mon 19/03/2007: Work Wishes

Liz, my assistant team leader (the one in the pink stripe shirt at the bbq), seems to think the way to celebrate someone's birthday is to embarrass them. As soon as I walked in to work, I was like "oh my god..." balloons and streamers everywhere and everytime someone walks past they came over and wished me happy birthday. Not that I'm not appreciative of the fact that they are celebrating my birthday. Thanks guys, but I was being constantly embarrassed all day....I'm sure they got a real kick out of that...hahaha.

Thanks so much to all you guys for celebrating my birthday for me.

Sweet sixteen forever....ok, ok, maybe eighteen. It was totally awesome!!! xoxoxox

December 2006

2 Dec 2006 ~ Day trip to Mornington

Decided to try out Wahab's wife's restaurant in Mornington Peninsula, so took a short day trip there. Started out after lunch and its about an hour and a half drive out from Melbourne, with Imelda, Tay & Wahab. The beach was absolutely beautiful. Sooo windy, and weather was just perfect. Not too cold, with the sun giving out just enough warmth. The coastal line was just beautiful!!! After that, it was chow time...Mornington Masala (1E Albert St, Mornington 3931 - 03 5975 7377). Authentic northern Indian Cuisine. Remember how I was telling you Wahab used to feed me and Lisa sometimes with his wife's cooking?? Well, this is the real deal. The food was soooo good....mmmm. Rating: 8/10. For starters, we had the tandoori platter - a mix of chicken, fish and lamb. Then for the mains, we had seafood curry, chicken korma, lamb roganjosh, palak paneer (minced spinach with cottage cheese cubes), served with basmati and naan. Absolutely delicious!!! Highly recommended, especially for a short getaway from the city to enjoy the coast and for a scrumptious dinner. We practically had to carry our bellies on the way out!!!

Imelda & me, braving the winds.
Not the best situation if you are one who cares for your hairdo!!!

Wahab, me & Tay

~~~~~~~

6 Dec 2006~Team dinner @ The Quay Bar & Brasserie, Docklands

Another team outing, dinner this time at The Quay Bar & Brasserie (40-43 Cander Tower, NewQuay, Docklands). Had a couple of drinks at the bar when we got there just to chill out a little before dinner. Then when it was time for dinner, we were ushered into the main dining area and the first the waiter said was, "Guys, guess what?!? We are really sorry, but the chef has quit and we have no cooks tonight. But don't worry, there are a few courses on the menu that I'm sure we can handle!". Hmm...interesting, not sure whether he was kidding...but surely it must be one of their practical jokes. They gave us a few choices to the main courses on stonegrill, chicken breast rolled with seaweed coated in sesame, surf & turf - combination of steak & seafood, and steak. I had the chicken - honestly, not very impressed at all. Apart from looking pretty unique and having to grill it yourself, the taste was bland, and the seaweed was just cheap japanese marinated seaweed in the middle. Sauce - sweet chillie & other one I can't remember (obviously didn't leave an impression). Main course came with a glass of red. Price: $40 p/p. Overall rating: 5.5/10. I'm not one for stonegrill, it just a novelty and maybe something to experiment with, but not something I'd go back for the price you're paying and quality doesn't add up. The surf & turf and fillet steak looked alright, but still nothing out of the ordinary.

Mili in Melbourne

15 Dec 2006~Simon & Mili...here on a short trip for a week to meet up with her parents. Took a day off to hang out with her, (very nearly ended up on a holidaymaker to London 3 years ago had we not had to wait for an interview with the British embassy for a year!!!) Too long to wait, totally messed up our plans :( ...but of course our dear fren here got herself married to Simon, and is on a 'permanent' holiday over there. So anyways, we met up for dinners and shopping while she was here and had a lot of fun bar hopping.

Sept 2006 ~ Family Holiday to Melbourne

Parents & brother flew over to Melbourne to visit with an aunt. Miss them heaps...hadn't seen them for a year since my gram's funeral. It was really good to see them, my brother especially. Took them around town, Victoria Market, and also managed to take them to the Werribee Open Range Zoo.

It was basically this huge food fest...took them to the better foods around Melbourne. First stop, shanghai dumplings at Camy's off Lt Bourke St, yummm.....siao loong bau (steamed little dragon buns), wor tie (fried dumplings) and shanghai noodles. Then to Ling Nam for a proper chinese meal: for starters, steamed oysters in half in x.o. sauce and half in black bean sauce, x.o. pepes with yau char kuay to dip in the gravy. For the mains, lobster on noodles (drool.....), salt & pepper fried chicken (arguably the best jiu yim kai par in Melbourne), and some stir fried veges. Talk about being content...! And of course Lygon St is a must on the list...Villa Romano, my favourite Italian restaurant around town. Pizza for starters, and for the mains, Seafood spaghetti olio...the best!!! and ricotta raviolli amatriciana, and some other pasta I don't remember...satisfaction rating - 9/10. And my dad's favourite yum cha, took them to Sharkfin House. A selection of dumplings and spare parts, 'pheonix claws', and finished off with delicious mini egg tarts, my absolute favourite dessert....yummo! Last but not least, Squire's Loft for steak on Toorak Rd. Eye fillet, medium rare with bluecheese sauce on the side...you can't go wrong. Also took them to Cafe Greco's in Crown for dessert...carrot cake and delightfully scrumptious warm sticky date pudding with ice cream....a little piece of heaven on earth....somebody pinch me please.....

I only see my folks once a year or once every 2 years, so every time I see them, they've aged more than I like to see. Miss them alot...I guess the only sad part about my decision to stay in Melbourne is that I don't get to spend time with family, so every chance I get is all very precious, so I try to make the most of it.

Short and sweet 5 precious days...

Mom & Dad

At the airport...

Me & John (boy version of me....)

My brother & aunt

Lucy's Birthday 15th July 2006 ~ Shoya

Celebrated Lucy' Birthday at Shoya (25 Market La Melbourne), its in a little lane off Bourke St next to Flower Drum. Lavish modern Japanese cuisine, damage: $80 p/p. Good environment. Very well prepared and presented (you'd expect that for the price you're paying), really pretty entrees and impressive main courses, and not forgetting the desserts....mmmmm.....topped off with some good hot sake. Satisfaction....8.5 on my score chart. Didn't have a camera, so had to make do with what my phone is capable of....

http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=shoya_japanese_restaurant

Eye Fillet

Poached Salmon topped with Salmon roe

Mash on Salmon

Grilled Scampi

Birthday March 06

Nothing special this year....just a cosy vietnamese dinner with Wil, Ray & Lucy at Van Mai on Victoria St, Richmond. Had my favourite vietnamese sour soup canh chua, and stewed pork and fish...yummmm.... If you ever go to a proper vietnamese restaurant, those are MUST tries!! I have to say I was kinda disappointed in the standards Van Mai had dropped to...their canh chua used to taste much better...this time around it was kinda bland and the stewed pork was kinda dry :( Nic, Tim & Joko were supposed to join me, but bailed on me last minute...bastards. No fancy cake this year, but I'll settle for warm food and good company :)

Abalone Galore - Port Fairy 29-31st Oct 05

Ever had abalone for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Well, I'm proud to say I have. Roger invited us Nic, Tim & me, to his family beach home in Port Fairy, a few hours from Melbourne, just past Warnambool. Just to get away for from the city for the weekend to chill and relax. (Roger was Nicole's archi coursemate). That's Roger in the middle. We were playing this board game - some war game where you have to conquer your enemies' land, can't remember the name (if anyone knows what its called can you please let me know?) since there is absolutely nothing to do at night except to create your own entertainment. In the morning, Nic, Tim & Rog went abalone fishing (...tsk tsk tsk....I was too chicken shit to go down into the freezing waters despite given thick wetsuits).

We made abalone omellette, pan fried abalone, abalone steak (a whole one for each of us), you name it....yuummmy! Rog made us sticky date pudding for desert, and other stuffs we cooked were chicken in milk, and stuffed baby calamari. Soooo goood.....!! Oh, and of course, loads of alcohol to go with it, beer...wine...port. What else can you ask for??? Talk about satisfaction....


Ok ok, enough about the fantastic food. The house was right in front of the sea...awesome! You can hear the relaxing sound of the waves constantly, and had a really nice setup and garden. They even have a veggie patch...cool. We went strolling along the beach in the afternoon and looking for weird creatures by the rocks. It was just the trip we all needed, away from the city buzz with little to no television, and just purely taking time to soak in nature and spend quality time. Anyhows, this was on the daylight savings weekend. the guys took and 2 extra days off on the following monday & tuesday while I couldn't get off, so I had to take the train home from the Warnambool station.., and guess what...none of us remembered that it was daylight savings, so that when i got to the station, I was an hour late...damn!! Well, it was kinda like a blessing in disguise, so I could stay longer. I had to call in sick to work...kekekke, and took off on the evening train instead and had the day to hang out with the guys.

AWESOME holiday!!!