Winter in Summer

I know it sounds like some Korean soap opera/drama, but that basically sums up the weather in Melbourne. It is said that you can experience 4 seasons in one day, which is, it's freezing in the morning (winter), around 10 degrees, then in the afternoon it's 35 degrees (summer), then it suddenly rains in the evening (spring) and then the weather cools down at night (autumn). Hmmmm...a few days ago we had a top of 35 or was it 38, then the next day there was hail! And the weather went down to around 20 the next day. I do love it when the temp is around 20 degrees. Perfect.

Oh yeah, yesterday, I managed to survive playing basketball, THEN playing street soccer, both in the same day! Hahahaha...it's the first of many more to come! First it was 3 on 3 basketball, which of course I have no idea how to play, just pass the ball to secret basketball player Bernice and she will score a point. Hahahaha. All I did was just apply pressure on the other players, to "throw them off focus". Hehehe. Then, we decided to play a little 3 a side. My goodness, I still can run wei! Hahahahahaha. Miraculously I didn't have a heart attack, but after not playing for years, I could still run! Woooohoooo! Hehehehe...ok la, just wanted to brag a bit. I miss playing FOOTBALL so much. I don't like saying soccer. It's football laaaaaaaaa!

I still remember playing since I was 7 or 8, and got hooked on it eversince. Of course the best footballing days were when I was still in school. Where we could play in our school uniform for hours under the scorching sun, just fold up our pants and we're ready to go. Most of us wore 'Pallas Jazz' shoes, whether it was white or black. It seemed to be the 'officially cool' school shoes back then. And perfect for football too! And there'll be that one hole where we'd use the shoe to kick the ball! We also always wore an extra t-shirt inside, JUST IN CASE, we had a free period. And when there's a free period, please look for us in the field! I can imagine how smelly we were then! And we'll all crowd under the fan to cool down, with shirts buttoned down to the belly. Hahahahha. Then, continue with our classes. No showers in between! Oh man, I'm really missing those days. And that was like, yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarsss ago! And I still remember it as if it was just yesterday. Best were those, unofficial friendly matches of class vs class, or form vs form. Oh man, I miss them so much!

Gosh, I don't miss school, but I miss my friends from school so much. Being far hasn't really helped, but I really loved it when they came over to visit. Man, I'd love to have a pint with anyone from school right now! I can go on for hours and pages and pages, just talking bout memories from playing football itself! I wonder if my son will take after me? Hehehehe...But it's nice having friends from back home. It's strange though that I have 2 ex students here in OZ. But it's really nice having them around. I have Chef Paul Liew in Sydney and Cik Datin Forever 21 here in Melbourne with me. Hehehehe.

Anyway, I saw something comical in the city yesterday. There's this thing called a "hook turn", whereby cars, bikes and trucks need to stop at the left side of the road and wait, before turning to the right, to avoid blocking the trams. So normally, I'll see cars, bikes and trucks la, the usual. Yesterday, I saw a horse carriage doing a hook turn. Hahahahahha. That was funny! Kereta kuda pun kena!

This week, I had this for dinner. It started on Sunday, then carried on the entire week!

Sunday - Steak
Monday - Steak
Tuesday - Steak
Wednesday - Steak
Thursday - Steak
Friday - Steak
Saturday - Steak

Hahahha. Official steak week. Today no more la. Since I was in charge of making dinner today, and the menu was already fixed, so I just cooked whatever there was la. I dont know if I could've survived another day of steak, but to me I don't mind! I love meat! I love beef! I love steak! Hehehehe...Well, just in case there's nothing for dinner, I have a t shirt, that says Beer, that's what's for dinner! I don't mind, not at all. Hehehehe.

From the left: The one formerly known as 'sir' with Cik Datin Forever 21 during her birthday celebrations!

Rusty Cage

So rusty. Feeling so rusty. After weeks of holidaying (with some work shoved in between) I am back to my research again! Well, everyone needs a break. That's what being in Australia is all about. Take it easy mate! I've learnt so much about life since being here. To stand up for your rights. How taking a break is so important sometimes. The need to travel. To love food. I've always loved eating. Heard of the double chin? I think I've got the triple chin! Hahahahah. Anthony Bourdain has also taught me how to love food. I KNOW, some people get annoyed when I to go, THIS IS SO GOOD, like Bourdain. But then, praise is given when praise is due right? And why not enjoy the food? Take your time to eat a dish. Savour it. Taste every flavour there is. Instead of gulping down everything in one go! I love praising other people's cooking. But somehow, I always feel my cooking is never good, dunno why! Even when people go this is delicious plus the usual, you should become a chef la, open your own restaurant etc, I still feel, nah not that nice also! Hehehe.

OK, so I think one of my new year's resolution is to love life. And to love life, I need to take it easy. And to take it easy I need to control my thoughts, temper etc. Sometimes somethings are not worth getting upset over. Sometimes some fights are just not worth fighting. Sometimes we just gotta know when to take one step back. In the end, life is so short la right? In the end, it's God we should fear. I love Yasmin Ahmad's quote. "I fear no one but God." I'm sticking by that' It's such a bold and brave statement, yet so full of truth. If only more of us will think that way. It seems surreal reading back on her e mail and also seeing her e mail address. Reminds me on how fragile life is. One minute you can be the most powerful person in the world, the next minute, you can be gone! I am sure you are in a better place. Always praying for you Yasmin! You're always in my prayers! So, let's love life!

Secondly, I wanna make sure that I take more pics, edit them and post them within the same day, or within the same week! That explains the tonnes of pics I have uploaded on FB! I have lost tonnes of pics when I had reformatted my laptop, stupid virus. I thought I had transferred out the pics but apparently I didnt. Hence I also bought a 1TB HDD to save my pics already. Hehehe.

Thirdly, laugh more, smile more, be happy more! Most importantly, do it sincerely and with humility! Less worries! Sometimes, worry for what?! No worries mate! Be yourself and enjoy life!

Alright, so here's cheers to the 5th successful day of 2010! Here are some dishes I had whipped out for my cousin's bday a few days ago. Labour of love man. Hours in the kitchen over the hot stove. In a summer afternoon!

1st in line, my fried rice. With lap cheong, peas and eggs. OK LA, nothing fancy la. Hehehehe.

2nd in line. Fried bihun, Again, nothing fancy la. Hehehe.


3rd in line was a crowd pleaser. Tom Yam bihun. I didnt get to taste it though, But I was told it's nice and was asked for the recipe. Hehehe. Oh and it was topped with red chillis later. Hehehe.


4th in line. My maggi goreng. I saw someone ta pao it home. Enough said. hehehehe. And yes I noticed all the same garnish! Hahahahahaha!


OK. There's supposed to be a 5th dish. My mun yee mee. Which was what I described as my star dish. BUT, amatuer photographer I am, the pic didnt come out in focus. But you can see it here, as I humbly sit with my food. Heheheh. Its the middle dish, with a lot of dark sauce and topped with spring onions. Star dish la, so had to sit in the centre. Hehehe. I love cooking hawker dishes. Hokkien Noodles, Char Hor Fun, Mun Yee Mee, Fishball Noodles. Next I'm experimenting with KFC's chicken! Will let you know!


My 6th Uncle trying to steal my thunder/bask in my glory/share my limelight. No la just kidding. He did help too! We went grocery shopping together. Only the freshest ingredients!


This yam/taro rice I made for NYE's potluck. Topped with fried shallots, spring onions and deep fried shrimps. Oh, there were bits of chicken inside too. Hehehe.


Now this delicioiusly looking and tasting bakuteh was fortunately not made by me but by Bernice. It was really good! Lotsa garlic. Well done! I'm posting it since the rice had to go with a partner ma! Hehehe

Happy 2010

Technically it's still 1st January 2010 in Malaysia. So I can still send out a New Year's wish to all! I'm so tired. So many potlucks this time. Just came home from cooking a feast for my cousin's belated birthday. Too tired to write much anyway. Technically, I had already lost 1 day of 2010. I thought today is Saturday, and was prepared to wake up early to go for Sunday mass! Hahahahha....it's only Friday! I've really lost track of time since going to Lakes Entrance. That means it was a good holiday, since I've managed to leave all the cares of the world behind! So, leave all the unhappiness, sadness, grief, mistakes, negativity, hatred etc in 2009 and look forward to a better and blessed year ahead!

Sooooooooooooo.......(sorry I can't think of anything to say from 10, so let's just start the countdown from 6! Hahahahaha)......

6 hours preparation and cooking time (to cook)
5 dishes for my cousin's birthday dinner (after only having)
4 hours of sleep (cos we were too busy counting down the night before and not worrying about the final)
3 chapters to complete in my PhD (while)
2 years passed in 2 days and
1 happy happy happy birthday girl celebrated her birthday on this New Year's Day...

HAPPY

In case you didnt notice, we're putting the hand signals to symbolise 2010...Hahahaha...OK, I'm having a severe lack of sleep. Almost 5 hours in 24 hours daily in 7 days! Good night, have a happy and blessed 2010 and God Bless!