My Christmas and Birthday!

I am now 22 years . . . . and 9 days old. Wheee. Sigh. Hoho. Oh no. *Quarter-life crisis?*

It really is true when they say time moves fast once you go past your 21st year. 9 days just whooooooped past me, like in a blink or half a blink! I am so not used to declaring myself as a 22 year old. . . . not yet. I shall step into Forever 21 with pride and try on all the clothes there!

This year's birthday was a blast, but a different kinda blast - homey and warm and sweet. The first time I spent it without my Dad. The first time I spent it with Ray.

Before that I forgot to tell you guys something! I attended my very first thematic party ever! Erm, days before my 21 y.o. year ended - yer, so uncool rite? For Xmas 2008, Miss Yiki was kind enough to organize a Back To School Kris Cringle Christmas Party.

The night where all the 21/22/23/24 year olds dressed up in knee-high socks, headbands, short mini skirts - utter cutesiness. I felt young again!

This was the most perfect class picture outta the whole lot! Sam (with the dog) was particularly high up in the sky, for reasons unknown!

All the girls! Limelight stealers. I mean, Back To School this theme, if it were an all boy's night, you think anyone would be interested to go?

WenJi and Me. Moments before we broke into dancing for Cyndi Wang's 'Ai Ni! *deng deng deng deng deng. . . *

Our latest hobby - pull opposing faces on camera. I am getting so good at this, I am gonna put it on my resume.

This was meant to be a shot of the beautiful Xmas tree Yiki&Co set up, but all the camwhores swoooooooooped in - thus, look at the tip of the Xmas tree la.

It was a great night. For the Kris Cringle? I got a nice teddy bear :-) Thanks to whoever chose it! And as for who I gave mine to? Use your imagination nyeh.

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

December is always a month of celebrations. The best time of the year for everyone.

Cause it's a month of countdown towards my birthday. Woahohohohoho.

The celebration kicked off pretty early actually, with the first surprise cake being from my Dad and Bro Eddie while we were in Brisbane as both of them could not make it back to Melbourne with me for the actual day.

Phwoar. . . . Baskin Robbins cake - insides were strawberry ice cream - rainbow pattern - only one candle (hence no telling of age nyahaha!). It was so sweet of them!

Back in Melbourne, I was waiting for the surprise until 12.10 a.m. Don't call me 'muka tembok' for waiting for a surprise from others on my own birthday! Although Uncle Ray learnt a thing or two about surprising others, he is still bad at keeping the whole thing to himself. Either this, or I am damn smart.

So feeling weird, a tad-bit disappointed, confused and honestly, a bit malu for expecting something. Miss Lo took off her contact lenses, washed her face, changed into her pyjama, skipped the sit-ups, curled up in bed and fell asleep for 10 minutes.

Around 12.30 a.m., the surprise came. Wheee -.-"

Hence, forgive the extremely aunty looking Me in the following pictures and NO, I did not age that much in years, fashion sense, hair-style, energy level over the night! I am still the fun-loving, active, chatterbox-y, cute, optimistic and crazy 21-year-old me at heart!

Mum and Lowena were not wearing their glasses and you can see their eyes. Cher.

Ray and the cake he made. While he was fully awake, I wonder why his eyes were still so hard to find hmmm.

Everyone who came for the surprise, it was really tops! Thank you so much. Thank you for dressing up so nicely. Thank you for making me look like the maid of the house. Thank you. Thank you.

This is the hummingbird cake made by Ray. He picked the ingredients, baked, decorated and sent it over. Not bad eh? The frosting is amazing in taste, and also in expanding my waistline. Thanks so much, dear.

I mentioned how much I love Lindt Cafe in Sydney, rite? WenJi brought this cake from Lindt Cafe, Sydney all the way back. Okay, help me hold back my tears,and snot. 2008 had been a year of ups and downs, messy backyards, missing thighs/socks and watching a 24-hour McDonalds prospering opposite our house. Let's look forward to 2009 now :-)

Time for the pressies! :-)

I received this from Yiki, WenJi, Felix and WooHsian. A real nice leather bag - very WenJi, very brown haha.

Since my wallet broke, Mum got me this wallet from Esprit. It was really spacious and soft - meaning I can put in loads and it is expandable!

Sis got me this eyeliner from Shu Uemura. Speaking of which, I just noticed that this brand cannot be found in Australia, am I right? So, Lok actually brought me something RARE for my birthday!? Now this is RARE!

This is the Graduation+Birthday gift I received from Bro Eddie and Sis Leena. Exactly to be expected from the practical guy himself.

It even has my name on it!

This is another wallet I received from Ray. Nice choice I must say :-) It is a slim fit wallet. Contrary to the one my Mum gave me, this disallows me from stuffing everything and anything into my wallet. Sigh. Controlling-nya si Ray.

Olivia's gift? It is a secret!!

Thank you to all you nice people out there who left me an sms/Facebook message/ chatbox shout out wishing me a happy birthday - believe me, it got way happier because of you all!

So that's my December for you all!

Am I looking forward to more gifts? Sure yeah!

Am I busy looking for gifts for everyone back in Malaysia? Sure yeah!

Let's keep the present-giving tradition alive!

The Melby Rush

Silence. The kind which surrounds you after 3 weeks of being constantly around your noisy, nosy family. Just like the wind, they came, they annoyed, they left. And now I am missing the annoyance, sigh.

During the past 3 weeks they were here, I must admit that it was a helluva roller coaster ride - up/down, right/left, puke-inducing, etc. I was scratching my head thinking of where to bring them, googled crazy looking for directions and good restaurants, almost lost my sanity being tour guide, being frustrated then jolly and then frustrated then jolly for most of the time, screamed for fun and for real making sure everyone was happy . . . . . and totally lost my exercise and healthy eating discipline.

I am just reassembling my life again right now - back to normalcy, order and reality. Sei mou?

Despite all that, it was a trip I will always look back with a smile and silly sigh.

Our very first family portrait in a long time. Taken in front of my house before our first outing into the city. This was during SUMMER. Really. Everyone was most impressed with the tree with the purple flowers instead of the cleanliness and tidiness of the interior of the house (wasted all my sweat and time cher). Maybe it is because we have the only purple tree along the street, geng mou!

The first 3 days we spent around the city, hence PUBLIC TRANSPORT time! It must have been ages since my parents and sis have been on any buses or trains back in Malaysia while I think my cousin Ivy has never been on any of them. Now let us not forget trams (!!), impressive tour I organized eh?

Just wanted to let them have a taste of how my life is over here. E.g. freezing your butt off standing on the platform after missing a train and knowing the next one will be delayed. Everyone was curious and excited the first 2 times I think, after that, it just became a napping/stoning place for all :-)

One thing I love about the city are the street performers. They add colours and creativity to the streets.

Went to Eureka Tower for a skyhigh view of the city. Notice the picture doesn't depict anything skyhigh/cityview/etc? Well, I initially organized a healthy trip - 2 main meals being lunch and dinner and a small snack time in between for each day - but it was more than scraped when everyone complained that they were too hungry. TOO HUNGRY.

Reason? 1 - Walked too much. 2 - The day was too cold. 3 - Should try new food in new countries.

De-reason-fication. 1 - Walked only less than 2 hours with most time spent shopping. 2 - Wrapped up like a dumpling ady! 3 - Magnum ice-cream sticks are considered some kinda new food in a new country?????????

Anyway, due to this, the remaining of the trip (Reminder: 3 weeks minus day 1) spelt food, more food, more and more food.

The next day, I brought them to the bus loop to take a bus! Isn't this like a field trip? Loved seeing them kinda-panicky when validating their MetCards and nervous glances from my Mum wondering which stop to get down at. Little happiness-es in life :-)

This is the Christmas decoration in Crown Casino. Love candy-sticks, love crazy-lights, love jolly songs, love gigantic-fake presents.

Everyone really enjoyed Victoria Market. The colourful plants, crops and food of all kinds. One of my favourites - the colourful cactus plants.

The fruits and vegetables looking so healthy they shine!

The following day, we went to the Melbourne Zoo (answering my sis, Ivy and Wenji's brother, Felix's wishes but not so for my parents). But it was fun! See the picture above? It is the Thinker pose! How rare?

And the best picture of the day? Have to be this close-up shot of the Tiger. ROAR.

I love animals.

'Are You Game?' Sure yeah! I love animals even more now :-)

I loveeee this picture! It is like the poster of Infernal Affairs - the jolly, round and short version! Ho ho ho.

After days in the city and my graduation (both extremely taxing!), we went back to nature ~ Orchards, farms and wineries!

Pak Ramli suka berkebun di kebun raspberry-nya.

This is the Warratina Lavender Farm and the air really smells of perfume, girlish-ness, sisterhood - or to the less sentimental, it smells like toilet. Well, obviously toilets smell of lavender only because we put lavender-infused everythings into our toilets!

See, sisterly love xoxo. We look so very much alike, right?

Pak Ramli juga suka berkebun di kebun nectarine-nya.

Heading to BlueHills for Cherry Picking - see the horrified look. I was foreseeing the amount my Dad would gobble up while picking.

Doesn't this look like a mistletoe? 'Mistletoe'. . .

I was trying to emulate a serene Greek Goddess. And I succeeded. Yes oh I so did.

The picture explains all :-)

The next day, we were in for the BIG one - Great Ocean Road - my mum's favourite motion sickness journey. The picture above was taken during one of our pit stops in Geelong. A pit stop which became a huge breakfast fest of pancakes, big Aussie breakfasts and chocolate mudcakes. Don't you just love the ruby blue glistening water?

Another family shot under the blue skies, in front of the blue sea.

Creative Pak Raymond decided we should take another picture similar to our first ever picture together which was taken around Great Ocean Road as well. Two and a half years on, ooops, sorry in case there are some of you who processes time in round numbers, lemme rephrase - two years on:

I look slimmer, poses less cheesily and am still similar in height.

He looks chunkier, poses more cheesily and 'looks' taller.

I love going to Great Ocean Road. The drive, the sceneries, the walking around, the sound of the waves, the surfers in action, the stories behind.

One of my favourite stops is definitely the Loch Arc Gorge - like a hidden paradise.

Following my sis's suggestion to give the smouldering look. Before and After. Not much difference also, ceh.

A bonus for that day? Seeing wild koalas and they were not sleeping!!! . . . . but eating.

If only I were a koala - to be considered uber-cute when I continue sleeping and eating while I am chubby.

Next stop - BRISBANE!

Graduation

It has been ages since my graduation. I am perfectly aware of this since - I am no longer 21 (boohoo) and the house is actually free of sis and mum's perfect noises.

What I learnt from my first ever graduation ceremony is:

1) Time is never enough.

2) The robe is too long and heavy.

3) The cap shapes your hair into a perfect bowl.

4) Marketing campaigns are everywhere (studio picture, Monash ring???)

5) Too many faces, too many flowers.

Conclusion is - it happens in a daze. Savour the moment (and the frustration) cause before you know it, it will be over.

Despite all that, of course it is a happy occassion! A celebration of all your hard work throughout your degree. With family. With friends. Who all care enough to be there :-)

My Dad, Mum, Sis and Cousin Ivy flew all the way from Malaysia for this big day of mine :-) and for their holiday as well la. Bro Eddie and his girlfriend wanted to come over from Brisbane as well, but sadly it did not happen. Some friends turned up especially as well.

This was our very first picture! See the Big Bear I was holding - sent all the way by Aunt Justina from Sandakan with love. It was wearing a purple graduation gown - super-cuteness compared to my all-black-gown. Then the flowers were from my Mum and Ivy. My sister? Wah, you expect to get something a?

Ray turned up minutes before we entered Robert Blackwood Hall. And he brought flowers from outside of Monash (!!) but later forgot which bouquet was from him (cis). See we were standing so properly cause Mr Lo was there! ROAR!

BigBear and I looking towards a bright future. I still envy BigBear's flashy graduation gown :-(

Me and my parents. I think I looked like a lawyer here :-)

Ivy, Me and Sis. Sisterly-girlish-love with all the hugging, flowers and teddies.

Taken before my hair was shaped into a perfect ricebowl.

Me and my Sis. GIANT. Click to enlarge - and see the heels she was wearing. As if not satisfied that she is already around 10 cm taller than me. Thunder stealer. Luckily my shoes were RED.

I love this picture. A perfect family picture :-) see my shoes?

We call this the 'circle'. An unofficial and cincai name. But totally understandable the Malaysian way.

Inside Robert Blackwood Hall. Loved it - I felt like I was in Hogwarts for a tiny teeny moment.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to the Campus Centre for some light refreshments. Light in size but heavy in calories, sugar, fat and temptation, I must say. But oh well, it was a day of celebration.

One thing I regretted about the day was that I failed to get a group picture with my coursemates who were there. My parents succumbed badly into all the marketing tricks around the campus centre!! - Flowers, graduation plates, graduation frames, studio pictures! So sigh-nya! I still managed to snap some pics tho!

Cassie, Ashley and Me. Before the start of all the confusion and still looking for Yani haha.

Oli and I with the MonashBear - now, Oli, WenJi, Shirley and I have one :-) Amy's turn soon!

ShinYi and I. She was rocking Vegas a few days back. Time sure flies and now she is cool in Vegas while I am rotting in Clayton.

WanRu and I. Her flowers and bear, I think? Taken moments before I returned my gown as everyone did and I was afraid I would be penalized if I returned late! Kiasi.

Chitz, Me and Jean. Taken after I returned my gown only to realize that there is not penalty. Ish, I should have worn till the max time permitted.

The bears I received on that day. Oh! The white one? It is a surprise from Ray *he learnt a trick or two in this department from me*. It comes with a birth certificate which states:

This Furry Friend is special, because no two are the same. It was chosen with love and given a heart and then it was given a name. Now treasure this friend and make it your own. Promise to love it and give it a home.

Date of birth: 18-12-2008 (My graduation day!)
Full Name: Master Loretta
Height: 45 cm
Weight: 250 grams
Fur colour: White and Pink
Eye Colour: Black and Brown
Belongs To: Loretta Lo

Stuffed with Love by Raymond.

So that's it folks, I own Ray I think since he declared me Master Loretta.

And when I went to Brisbane, Bro Eddie surprised me with this cake (after I took off my contact lenses and everything looked like a blob of colour to me).

Here is a big thank you to everyone of you who deserves only the best and nothing else. and a big wet virtual kiss.