#bestchristmasever

it's not anything but the company that matters.

I always dread going to Melbourne due to various reasons - the harsh weather, the hook-turns, the unfamiliarity, etc. It's about time I pay Melbourne a visit as it has been 2 years since my last trip there for Miss Petite's wedding.

One day, out of a random conversation, I told Miss Petite that I shall pay her a visit if she's around during xmas. After months of thinking, she decided to stay in town for xmas.

So I immediately got my tickets booked (1.5 month before the trip) at about $200 via Jetstar. A pretty decent price for a festive season (in my opinion). The most expensive Melbourne tickets I've paid before were $400 return (plus $70 for missing the flight back because we went to Miss Marple's for scones and couldn't get to the airport in time). Lol.

This xmas was one of the most memorable things that happened in 2015.
People say when you're happy, time passes quickly. It sure does.
I needed a couple of days to recollect my memories as I lost track of time over the xmas weekend. Hehe.

On Christmas day...

Brunch by Miss Petite and husband.

Coconut chia seed pudding with blueberry, strawberry, and roasted almond by Miss Petite

It's my first time trying chia seed pudding. 

A simple combination, beautifully presented, and healthy too.

Though I'm not a fan of almond, coconut, and strawberry, they kinda compliment one another that the ingredients don't stand out on their own. They mixed well.
It's probably the healthiest food for the rest of the weekend. Haha.

Next is the savoury crepe.

It's so juicy and yummy!!!

Crepe in the making

Traditional crepe with egg, spinach, ham. and cheese by Petite's Husband.

And then, we had some matcha shortbread cookies by Miss Petite.

Irresistibly tasty with slight hint of bitterness. 

Recipe here >>> Matcha Shortbread Cookies by Miss Petite

After that, off we packed and went to the Chua's.

The huge and overly-friendly Miss Zoe

First thing at the Chua's is always to get pass the Zoe Test.

She welcomes literally anyone to her house and loves jumping at people, it's kinda scary considering she's at the height of my thighs and she weighs 20 kg.

Her tail is like a whip and it hurts if she happens to step on you. The weight on each foot is probably 5 kg?

Her face is bigger than Miss Petite's! Lol.

They say 'she's huge but she doesn't know she's huge'. Hence, she thinks it's okay to jump on people.

She's like the desperate friend at school who everyone avoids. Haha.

She tends to get emo after being ignored by people. 

Poor girl. 

After all, she just wanted to be friends. 

After freaking out a few times, I got used to her friendliness and appreciated her presence. 

Kinda miss her now.

We spent the whole afternoon sipping wine and helping Ann out with the cooking and preparation.

2 bottles down before dinner time.

Table setting designed by Ann

Menu for the night - took 3 days to prepare the food.
All thanks to Ann, the head chef.

The entrée

The mains and sides.
#bestturkeyever

The dinner was so scrumptious that everyone over-ate and had no room for dessert.

We took a break for present-exchange while allowing digestion.

3 out of 10 presents involved whiskey glasses - what an alcoholic bunch of people (in a good way I mean). 

It simply means they know each other too well.

I'd say all the presents are pretty practical, useful, and thoughtful. Bought with much thought and consideration.

Warm xmas tree

After present-exchange, back to more food, followed by dessert.

Raspberry and cream ice-cream with chocolate truffle-coated popcorn, and
freeze dried and fresh raspberries by Miss Petite's husband.
All ingredients from Burch and Purchese except fresh berries.

There were much leftovers so we had the same feast for dinner the next day.

Not forgetting wine, wine, wine, and more wine.

Thanks to Ann for all her effort despite suffering from sore wrists. Rest well and hope they get better and better.

Thanks for the wine too. My next trip over, I shall bring some Sydney wines along.

And the feasting continues...Belle's Hot Chicken

Belle's was the last meal before heading back to Sydney.

I guess I gained 2 kilos in 4 days - compensating for the losses I had over the past couple of months. 

Out of this trip I found that...

- Melb can be warm despite it's uncooperative weather.

- No matter what you do and where you are, it's the company that matters.

- What used to be bad could become good, and vice versa.

- It's great to know there's a 2nd home in Australia, 10 hours drive or 1 hour flight away.

- Common interests play a big role in bringing people close together.

- Being in the same stage of life makes it easier to connect with people. It explains why sometimes, you may not be able to click with people you've known for years but able to click with strangers you just met. 

- I learned some new terminologies: Flambé, Chimichurri, and Chimichanga.

- Friends are the closest 'family' when families aren't around.

For who-knows-how-long, I've been telling Miss Petite that I shall visit Melb 'soon' but it didn't happen - not for once. I finally fulfilled my 'promises'. Haha. 

Thanks for having me over, giving me a cozy bedroom - new carpet, nicely-made bed, and even towel! Not forgetting Miss Michie who always welcomes us at the entrance, so awwwwwwww.

My second bedroom in Australia

This is by far the #bestchristmasever as agreed by all of us.
What a tremendous closure to 2015.
I'm truly blessed.

a good listener

blessed to have you

Out of randomness...

From a friend who has always been there to entertain my utter randomness, though I may not do the same in return for lame reasons like 'too caught up with work'.

A good listener...that's all she asks for.
It explains why she's one herself as this is what she thinks a friend should offer.
I could have done a better job if not for all the other priorities I've put before her.
I've understood that it's the willingness to spare time for each other and accept the differences in each other's priorities that make every relationship work.

While I work on finding a balance in my life priorities, thanks for being the patient one.
For all you know, you have never dropped out of my priority list.
Just that I've procrastinated in producing a balanced list.

We are under-utilising each other. If not for the distance, we could be of more use to one another. I'll make sure to use you more often and in more ways - not just the eyes and a companion in Msia - and be ready to be used by you.

Thanks for always sparing me your eyes, reading my lengthy texts on boring repetitive stories - work, colleague, friends, flatmate, etc. I wish I have more to share especially on the 'husband' topics, cos that's what you've been hoping for. While that hasn't happened yet, I know your eyes are always actively searching on behalf of me whether I like it or not. Lol. It's hard to get mad when you're just being you, xoxo.

Thanks for all the times you try so hard to squeeze into my calendar whenever I'm back in Msia. Hahaha. I really mean THANKS okay, don't roll your eyes. You're probably the next most excited person after my sisters, which is the reason why I'll always have time for you when I'm back.

Thanks for all the food-hunting adventures, though they are mostly to satisfy your cravings rather than mine. Hahaha. No matter how much cash I bring with me, you always have a way to over-order and leave me bloated, out of cash, and gain 2kg overnight! For all the times I don't have enough cash with me, you're always my boss - I'm so sorry but I'm more a 'credit' than a 'cash' person. I'll ensure to do a better job in controlling your greed for food.

Thanks for all the times you say things straight to my face. It's just so you and I love you!
Thanks for all the birthday cakes you've ever made/designed/bought for me - from a hummingbird to ice-cream to Pandora. Make me a KitKat M&Ms next, please? Hehehe.

Thanks for being a friend, twin sister, matchmaker, food-decider...

Thanks for so so so much more.

Love you always, Birdie!

project manager wannabe

be tough

A whole list of tasks each day.

Over 15 people to deal with and their issues are all inter-dependant.

It all goes back and forth, back and forth...through me.

Don't know what I got myself into with all these additional managerial works.

Gahhhhhhhhhh.

Suddenly it's 1pm while my breakfast still sits on the table.

Suddenly it's 2pm and I haven't had lunch.

Suddenly people are packing to go home because it's 4.50pm. 

Suddenly it's Friday tomorrow.

Omgggg. Time does fly.

Only get to sketch some concept design after 5.30pm when the emails and phone calls stop.

The almost a century old granny will get new retaining walls next year if all goes well.

No one really knows the hard work behind this.
No one questions 'how'.
It's okay.
That's what engineers do, they make things happen.

Once in a purple moon, I need a food therapy to straighten my mind.
Craving for Korean hotpot.
Reminds me of how my sis and I used to finish a hotpot for 4 and fall into 24 hours of food coma.
Those were the days.
Now I wish my sis still flies with the SIA.
Oh well, the craving will go soon.

Tomorrow is another day.
Two weeks to 2016.

'moving' quotes

If it's meant to be, it will be.

Below are quotes which force us to face the ugly truths which we sometimes deliberately ignore.
Subconsciously, we do know what we should do.
It's a triple hit!

The same mistake if repeated, is a choice.

I will bear this in mind.

p/s: Random discovery >>> Search "Repeating the Same Mistake Quotes" and go to 'images'. Hopefully, more people will stumble upon this and grow from their mistakes.

nephew #2

a child and all the comfort in the world

While on a video call with my sister last night, my dear nephew came to interrupt.
He randomly said to me...

A: 二姨，我不能进去这个screen leh. (pointing at the screen).
Me: 进去screen? 为什么你要进去呢？你要来找我吗?
A: 我不能进去。我要去梦中。
Me: 梦中？Ok. 你可以在梦中见到二姨。我们在梦中meet咯。
A: 嗯。Hehe.

Perhaps he saw that I'm alone and wanted to be by my side?
Such a darling, as always.

For this season of love, hope, and joy, my sis got him to send out greeting cards to our loved ones far and near.
While he prepares the cards, he says his wishes and prayers for the respective recipients.

Greeting cards for loved ones.

Wishes for Eryi.

This kid has the most sympathetic and empathetic heart.
Who is sensitive with people's feelings.
Who is always making sure that no one is upset.
Who hopes that no one will be left alone in this world.
Who always gets worried when someone is unaccompanied, hence he always wants to make sure someone is with/around me while on video call. If he sees no one else, he would ask 二姨有谁跟你一起？二姨你一个人吗？二姨ML阿姨在哪里？
He just has to know that I'm not alone.

Thanks for coming into our lives, bringing joy and laughter with you.
As much as you're here to learn and grow, we are also learning from you as you grow each day.
Thanks for assisting us in becoming better adults.
Thanks for being the constant reminder, prompting us to be kind and patient.
Thanks for just being you.

Lastly, great thanks to the parents who brought up this wonderful kid.
It's the EQ not IQ which will help us through the hiccups in life and also make this world a better place.

nephew #1

ever so sweet

My darling nephew is the sweetest.

From he was under a year old, whenever the video call gets through, I'll see a pair of excited eyes on the screen.
When he first learned to speak, the excited eyes would be accompanied by him calling out 'Ay!' (baby's language for er-yi 二姨).
He has grown out of the 'Ay' period, now it's his 1 year old baby brother's turn to be calling me 'Ay'.

So one night while on video call, I told him to teach his baby brother to say ER-YI.

M: 可以教弟弟叫二姨吗？
A: Ok. 弟弟叫二姨。二，姨。弟弟叫二姨。二，姨。

The baby ignores him.

A: 弟弟叫二姨。肚子饿的‘饿’姨。

Chinese could be confusing at times.
Doesn't matter Darling, you'll get there one day.
Thanks for the entertainment. LOL.
Love you to the moon and back!

not be taken for granted

be nice and kind

to those who deserves it

It happens all the time...
When you be all nice and kind, people take you granted.
They forget how hard it is to meet a nice and kind person in this harsh world.
They thought it's easy because they've met you.
They test your patience and assume you're here to stay and that your kindness is bottomless.
Then it becomes, the person nicest to them is not the person they're nicest to.
The person who will be there for them is not the person they'll be there for - any time anywhere.

Same goes to my dear flatmate.
When she told me her birthday's coming and that no one's celebrating with her, I bought her a cake.
When she told me she's suffering from some kind of anxiety, I thought I should give her a break and endure the messy kitchen and clean after her.
Then she brought her bf home, over and over again - ignoring the 'No BF' rules, as if it's not valid.
Then her bf kept complaining about the summer heat and turned on the aircond when a fan could have done a good job.
Then he did his week laundry and used dryer when the outdoor heat could have dried his clothes in 30 mins.
Then he cooked and messed up the kitchen.
Then they played hide and seek by 'pretending' to leave the place every night, but sneaked in 2 hours later as if I was dumb and wouldn't know he's back in the house.

I finally had enough of these. It's driving me nuts.
I sent her a text msg telling her that I know he has been sleeping over and reminding her the 'No BF' rule still applies.
It's not the best thing to type for a text.
It's my first ever flatmate 'confrontation' in 8 years.
I hope she keeps the reminder fresh in her head so I won't have to type another text like this.

Why do people have to take people for granted and force people to not be nice any more?

"the person nicest to them is not the person they're nicest to"

What happens to "What goes around comes around"?

allergy

look can be deceiving

The beautiful culprit. 

Mega bought this beautiful fruitcake for the informal 'house-warming' yesterday. 

There were two slices left. 

I thought I shouldn't put it to waste so I ate a slice together with its beautiful but harmful toppings.

Zzzzzzzz.

Within an hour, I'm down with flu, sorethroat, itching and prickling sensation on my tongue.

One more slice left.

I should eat it tomorrow to see if the same reactions occur. 

Once bitten, twice shy.

Twice bitten, thrice bye?

9.25pm: Developing fever. 

Site inspection on 13 hours. Omg. Tough luck.

1st day of summer 2015

 summer, please be kind and mild

Summer. You're too hot!!
Not sexy hot.
Not spicy hot.
I mean temperature hot!

Freaking 30deg at 9pm?!

This is the second time in my 8.5 years in Sydney that I'm 'enjoying' the luxury of aircond in my room.

The first was 36deg 2 weeks ago.

The aircond is too luxurious but my flatmate needs it cos she's fainting.
Now I'm wrapped up in my winter blanket on the first night of summer - like I got the seasons mixed up.
Poklangggg!

I start to doubt the usefulness of having centralised aircond.
People survived without it anyway.
If only I could dismantle it. Hehe.
Just bear with the fan will do.

I'm not very pleased with your hotness, summer.
Please don't go overboard, else my electricity bill's gonna sky-rocket!!!