July again

July has been an extreme month - of so much celebration and so much passionate fights.

I guess most people know that Ray's birthday which is also our anniversary is in July.

I love celebrations - big and small - I believe in giving moe credit to the little things in life and reminding ourselves to appreciate each other. And of course, the wine and the dine and presents.

However, with celebrations and occasions also come expectations and anticipation. Where one party might be anticipating or expecting too much while the other party feeling the same - but in a different way. For example, your idea of a celebration might be sweet champagne during dinner overlooking the skyline while your partner's might be cooking a simple meal at home over hot Milo.

While both are intended to make the day special and happy, the discrepancy in expectation can create disappointment. The former in how plain and unglamorous it seems, while the latter in how materialistic and overtly grand it seems.

In the end, many people choose to disregard the day or just go according to one person's wishes - a big NONO to me. The day should never ever end on a sour note. If it does, then you just have to celebrate again and again - until it ends on a happy note.

Expectations are different sure. But I am pretty sure if you do it often enough and care about each other enough, the gap in expectations will only close and not grow.

We learn to live with each other. It might take a few fights, but heck, those are kacang.

July was a month of celebration and fights. I was as happy as I could be and also as angry or sad as I could be.

But right now, sitting here and reflecting on everything that happened - Ray's birthday breakfast, Ray's birthday dinner, our anniversary dinner, Ray's birthday dinner make-up. Ray's birthday supper, Ray's birthday surprise with friends - I am glad to say that I feel happy.

They say the negative things always overshadow the positive things.

That is true, hence the significance of this moment right now: feeling happy and thinking it was all worth it despite all.

Easter 2010

Whenever you see a group of people with more than 3 cars hanging around Clayton and note:
1 Commotion/ Chattering beyond control
2 Several Melways/ run-down maps lying around
3 Girls in all sorts of fashion
4 10-15 minutes of pondering around doing nothing

Then chances are you have seen us at the start of one of our roadtrips.

For Easter this year, we went to Mornington Peninsula with a record breaking number of 19 of us! Phew. (For Easter last year, we went to Grampians and the previous year before that, to Adelaide - seems like the destination is getting nearer while the number of people is getting bigger).

Our first stop was at the Red Hill Community Market. The drive there from Clayton was smooth in the typical straight-can-see-till-the-end of the highway style. It took around an hour plus to reach Red Hill (where we previously came for cherry picking) but then the biggest surprise came- which made me miss home slightly.

A traffic jam about 500 m away from the market. As in a real traffic jam although not as high level as the grid lock kind back home.

The market was attracting so many people that there was actually a traffic jam leading to it. But being trained to excellence back home, we just parked at the roadside and walked to the market. Easy-peasy laaaa until we noticed some cars being fined for a whopping $117 for illegal parking and the army of drivers charged back to their cars to make sure it was alright. So we found out it is alright to park at the roadside and on the green slopes, as long as there is no parking permit needed sign. Money, precisely $117,to your pocket mou?

It was really nice weather on that day.

Complimentary picture with WenJi, long-time housemate and partner in crime. She is responsible for making me fat!! Really. I should have moved out ages ago, dang.

I couldn't resist taking snap shots of the quirky if not extremely colourful products on sale. That is the beauty of markets in Melbourne. You never know what to expect. Let their imaginations shock you as much as the price tag sometimes does!

Unlike pasar malams, which I equally love, there is something home-y about markets here. Highly recommended hidden gem to visitors.

1 Cupcakes shaped and scented soap (they looked so real from afar)

2 Selection of scented candles

3 Dollhouses(one of my childhood dreams)

4 Wall-E made from metal scrap (selling for $190 ah)

5 Loads and loads of pillows (the material used was epic)

6 Penguin band made from metal scrap

7 Little windchimes (very very pretty but not sure if they are really windchimes)

8 A performer tickling the nerves of the crowd

Being on a shopping ban and also a temporary sugar ban on that day, I just got some souvenirs for others and a pillow for Shiro. None for myself. *That was so hard to say*

After that we headed to a nearby cafe, the Blue Mini Cafe which we heard rave reviews about, in Rosebud for a light lunch. Nothing too heavy - we all agreed on for our next activity and also the highlight of the trip was going to be horseriding!

I somehow regret giving this pair of Marc Jacobs sunnies to Ray for Valentines Day. He seems a bit obsessed and...... it is getting on my nerves. If you don't think so, try looking at the picture below and tell me if you think so now.

On another note, glad that I got him something he likes and actually uses.

I was very conflicted inside at that point during the trip because as childish as it might sound, I was questioning the reason for buying an expensive and amazing camera if all that ever will happen will be me snapping pictures of others and none of myself. :( super :(

What caused this BIG realisation to come about?

1 90% of pictures in my laptop are of someone else (mostly Ray)

2 70% of my pictures are taken by myself (always shushed by someone else if doing that for too long)

3 20% of my pictures taken by others are blurry/dark/at a bad angle

4 10% of my pictures are group pictures where my face is the size of a bean suffering malnutrition

How is that fair :( :( :(

So I was unhappy inside and then:-

Not that this solved the problem.

But at least I get some camera action.

That was major branching off sorry. Anyway, the highlight of everyone's day - HORSERIDING!

Oh and as soon as this, he peed.

The quantity and scent was shocking.

We had this experience at Gunnamatta Horse Trail. They have services catered for totally inexperienced riders (everyone of us) and really amazing instructors. I must say that I was quite nervous at first. After all, I never realised that horses were that huge and sitting on one can feel that bouncy.

We opted for the $50 Truemans Bush Ride as it was a walking ride with only short distances of trotting - perfect introductory course to us. When we reached there, we were briefed about horseriding and given helmets to wear. We were then brought to our horses and taught individually about the sort of command we can give to the horses.

Believe me, horses are huge.

Me: I want a smaller horse.

LeeXin: Me too. Oh all these look so big let's wait for the smaller ones to come out.

Me: Ergh, they are bringing new horses for us (only two remaining people not on horse)

Me: . . . .they seem to be the biggest among all.

LeeXin: Oh no. . . . .

But it was fun! Scary at first when my horse, Bella, started walking away from the crowd, but once the horses started walking in a line, it was quoting Ray - "in an auto-pilot mode".

WenJi: Ahhhhhh!!! My horse is turning back!

LeeXin: Oh noooo my horse is eating grass!

Loadsa distractions. Then came the exciting part - trotting. Like jogging to humans. But never have I felt so much like I would be bounced right off the horse onto the ground. The guys loved it and I loved it to - if it did not come too much as a surprise.

Instructor: Ready for a trot, guys?

Everyone: Yeah!!!

Instructor: Here we go!

(all horses started trotting one after another in a line, WenJi and Ray were behind me)

WenJi: Oi Loretta! Your horse is still walking!

Ray: Make her trot, kick her in the belly!

Me: I am doing that already but Bella just doesn't feel the peer pressure!

And throughout the journey, Bella kept peeing and pooing to the delight of WenJi who was riding right behind me. And when she complained about it, Bella kicked her horse's face! How cute was that?

I am still waiting for pictures for horseriding.

I highly recommend this activity to everyone - if someone as faint-hearted as me can do it, you can do it!

As usual hair was flat for everyone after the helmet.

Our next plan was supposed to be a relaxing visit to Peninsula Hot Springs but due to the amount of people, we were asked to return in 2 hours. 2 daunting hours how to pass?

Luckily we are never out of beaches to visit around there, so we went to St Andrew's Beach for some pre-hot spring relaxation.

We have still a long way to walk.

See another picture taken by me of myself :(

I hope someone flying by will see this!

Then after around 20 minutes, Peninsula Hot Springs called and told us they had place for us already. What the hell happened to the 2-hour wait? So we jetted back to the hot springs.

Ever since going to Daylesford and then Japan, Ray and I have been really vocal about our love of hot springs and spas (okay, more like me). We have heard about Peninsula Hot Springs for quite some time, but never really had a chance to be there so this was like a really good chance to do so.

We chose the Public Baths as the Private packages were all sold out. It cost $30 per person but Ray and I had a buy one free one voucher so nehehe. Unlike onsen in Japan, people wear swimsuits and towels are allowed - or what did you expect?

Hence the last hour before the lift of my temporary sugar ban - all to look less bloated even if only by 0.57% in my bikini on that day. The very first time I wear just a bikini in a place where there were actually people around. Phew. But you know what, it wasn't that scary:

1 I had my girlfriends wearing bikini with me

2 Women of all shapes and sizes were there

3 I own no assets to be scrutinize-worthy by guys

So it was easy-peasy.

There were three main types of pools there - 37~40C pools, cold pools, 35-37C pools. Everything is open air and you get an average of 20 people in each pool dipping with you. Other than that you also get a sauna room - which I avoided, never liked sauna.

So the verdict: Is it relaxing?

No.

While the warm water really does loosen your muscle and make you feel comfortable - there is just too much noise, children splashing around, adults trying to swim (wth) and generally, people - to make it relaxing. It is good as a reward after a hard day of work but don't expect to feel any more relaxed that being at home with your kids.

Ray: Rating my hot spring/spa experience: 1) Hakone onsen, 2) Daylesford Hepburn Spa and 3) Peninsula Hot Springs.

Me: You have really ONLY been to three.

I still prefer Daylesford. And even more Hakone muaha.

I hope everyone had an amazing Easter!

Snippets of CNY

Random snippets to depict my Chinese New Year.

#1 The wallpaper in my room - romantic-nya.

#2 Mum thinks I am outdated but I am just in love with vintage

#3 Helmet hair

#4 Meeting and fighting with my sister in person after a long time

#5 Family portrait while waiting for reunion dinner

#6 Trained Chuck to rollover while missing my Shiro all the way

#7 Look, it's my Mum and her rock'n'roll hair

#8 Tis' the season to give money

#9 Long live chor yat and ang pau

#10 Walking on sunshine

#11 Gone are the cereal+soy milk breakfast

#12 Shouldn't have given aviators as valentine's gift

#13 Finally a taste of papaya after a year

#14 'Fook'

#15 Isi hati time with Chuck

#16 Bed of salad greens with ba gua

#17 The nosy one

How was your Chinese New Year?

Chinese NEW Year

Today is the last day before Chinese New Year.

With my birthday being on New Year's Eve, I am usually too occupied with celebrating my own birth to really feel the coming of a brand new year.

So, at least to little me, Chinese New Year marks the start of the year.

The hustle and bustle in my traditional chinese family.
Specially prepared new year dishes in the morning.
Organising gathering with friends not seen for the whole year.
Click clacks of mahjong tiles.
Cursing about losing money over poker cards.

It is the dynamic of meeting with people old and new, sharing stories future and past, rush of reunions and departure. Without all these, Chinese New Year is nothing but a date on the calender for people to drink and eat like a pig.

Meeting with people old and new = tying up loose ends. The various lines of communication and relationships cut short and abrupt due to the busy everydays or procrastinau'tion or even fear. Time to meet and greet and to re-build bridges through appreciation, apologies or a mere 'how are you'.

Sharing stories future and past = remembering who we were and reminding ourselves of our aspiration. People we have met halfway in our lives often do not have a good picture of who we really are. Talking to people we met at various stages of our lives and better still, mixing these people together, reminds us of how far we have gone and where are we heading to.

Reunions and departures = nostalgia. Like an illusion. Cheesy as it might sound - it is beautiful and even more so just because it is transient. People always treasure things that cannot last more. And so, just like chasing a dream.

So how is Chinese New Year for you?

Birthday 2010

You know what day it is - a freaking hot - birthday to me ("hot" as in the weather, erm see the temperature? Oh or is there no need to clarify?)

After a very sweet surprise the previous night from some really nice people and the extreme weather impeding the grand surprise Ray arranged for me, we decided to go out for some big breakfast. Let's go to Mart 130 the best breakfast place in Melbourne. Let's go to Replete Providore one of the top ten breakfast places in Melbourne.

But being the seasoned New-Year-Eve-Birthday-Baby, I had my reservations. My instincts were right when both cafes were closed!

Let me share my experience with you as a New-Year-Eve-Birthday-Baby:

Sure you get the amazing fireworks, jolly people, celebrations and sometimes even holidays BUT you also face:-

Your favourite eating places either closed or double in price.
Your favourite eating places/hang out spots/ any random place crowded and stuffy.
Your friends having NYE celebrations with family/other friends/in church.
Your sister getting you migthy double discounted stuff due to Megasales.

That is why I usually prefer an intimate and simple get-together at my own place. After all, I am getting old ehek-ehek.

The weather forecast for the day was hot during the day with chance of storm during the night. Joy.

I was in a summery mood hence I donned a bikini top and a long flowy dress. On days as hot as this, I love wearing bikini tops as it doesn't feel yucky when I sweat and any fabric that doesn't stick to my skin blergh.

My arms look disfigured here for some reasons!

I put on green shimmery eyeshadow and watched as they melted away. . .

I love cafe style big breakfasts! It just spells satisfaction. Mmm-mmm.

Snippet of small talk:

Me: You can get the big breakfast and me the toast as I can steal a bit from you.

Ray: Nahhh. I don't want to eat too much.

But look where his eyes were looking at.

THIS!!!

(In a far distance, I can hear Lowena salivating)

It was too hot to walk along Chapel Street. SO I grabbed my Free Birthday Boost Juice and left to Chadstone for some strolling around and free air conditioning before heading home to prepare for the party.

Before I could put on my make up, some early visitors dropped by. It was a weird little celebration - three people singing Happy Birthday and eating up cake before jetting off to the city for the fireworks. Nevertheless, it was really sweeeeet.

And behold, my amazing brownies. I make really yum brownies. I do. It all comes down to ONE secret ingredient. Be it brownies mixes or passed-down-generation recipes, this ONE ingredient transforms it to another level.

Oh were you expecting the SECRET to be revealed? Hoho.

Some snapshots from the party.

Amanda, Mel and Su-ee came all the way from the city and braved the storm home. Really touched and really loved the bag, girls!

Snippets of small talk:

Amanda: How did you make these amazing brownies??

Me: *Trying to whisper to her ear* Actually they are from prepacked . . .

Amanda: OMG, I KNEW IT! I KNEW THEY WERE FROM PREPACKED MIXES!

So much for trying to keep it down :-{

Someone who almost got mad at me earlier during the day.

Snippets of small talk: (Telephone call)

Me: Jess!! Where is the best place to buy pre-owned games?

Jess: Erm, EB Games. Why do you ask?

Me: I want to buy The Sims!

Jess: Hah? Ergh. . .Don't buy it la.

Me: Why? I really wanna play!

Jess: Why not wait for another day or two?

Me: But I want it! Bla bla bla bla. . . !!

Jess: Haiyer! You try buying it I will kill you. Asked you to open up your present last night, you did not want to!!

Me: . . . . . Oh.

Irwin Street gang minus Ray the photographer.

This is the "Let's take lots of pictures with Shiro to make Cheryl and PKN jealous" picture.

I guess you can tell how hot the weather was by seeing the grease on everyone's face. And how little they were wearing!

So the theme for entertainment was - as little action as possible. Thus:-

GUITAR HERO.

The couple that stays together, plays Guitar Hero with the same facial expression :-)

PICTURES! But my camera was acting up again so a lot of pictures were blurry :-(

SHIRO! More like the heat pack/ scarf.

MAHJONG!

POKER! With my One Piece playing cards hoho.

And entertainment for Shiro?

A REFRIGERATED BOTTLE OF WATER! Economic.

And my cake for the night was a erm, combination cake!

Cake 1: The surprise the day before!

Cake 2: The surprise from the early visitors earlier during the day (Thanks ShinYi!)

Cake 1 + Cake 2 = My Birthday Cake!

I really hope in 2010, I can have all of these people with me again. Celebrating my birthday and NYE, eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow, laughing and joking. Mahjong, Guitar Hero and CRANIUM!