Babiess....

Just realised this year many of my friends have extended their family trees...

Hence, I'll be hearing the word Aunty by 6 babies in due time...

Can't deny that I am ageing...

Friends are building families & I'm still studying!!! *No joke*

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Hello, my name is Ethan . . .

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Oh, but I still have my nephew! Still part of my family...

Was shopping around for Kris Kringle present, Christmas Party Gift exchange with collegues,

And saw this EdIbLe Monopoly & bought it for nephew but heard that he is getting naughtier... should I still give?!?!

*Love should be unconditional* =)

Hope it will not melt by the time it reaches K.K. or should I keep it until next year???

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The instruction says that - after the winner has won, the chocolate shall be divided accordingly...

Melbourne 5-hr Tour...

Had a short tour in Melbourne City & realised that I have not mentioned anything about Melbourne so far

And I shall

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Took public transport to the city due to the high rate of parking fees

Wanted to take train but it was delayed for more than 30 mins

Hence, I took the Tram ...

If I am not wrong, only Melbourne, among other states in Australia, has tram as one of the main public transport, although Sydney has one line of tram service but not as a main public transport...

Then, I reached city after 1 hr which should only takes 15 mins!!!

Here is a "landmark" of Melbourne (above) - the GPO - but no longer functioning as one but as a shopping boutique... *All Branded Shops*

Here is another "landmark" of Melbourne - Melbourne Central - a bulding in a building...

Sounds more like "a factory in a shopping centre"

Oh, Bourke Street & Swanston Street are the main streets in Melbourne CBD!

(Not the Blood Donor though, he he he...)

Myer's (a major departmental store) Christmas Window display for this year! I prefer the previous year's display, which told some meaning of Christmas but not this year (maybe not obvious to me)

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Melbourne is a beautiful city, will miss here after gone from here, shall cherish it while I am still here...

Melbourne Public Toilet!

Never visited a public toilet in Melbourne until a friend told me how "advance" the features were!

And we paid a visit to one & here is the outcome of the visitation!

The friend was demonstrating how it works!

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1st, enter the toilet by pressing a Green button

2nd, press the button for Toilet Seat (left middle)

3rd, the wet toilet seat will come out (right third) & need to wipe it dry!

4th, wash hands with sensor soap & water as well as dryer!

5th, the End

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And the whole toilet will be automatically washed after a time period! (right middle)

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I reckon it's clean although I could still see some stains...

Nevertheless, very well-thought features are installed!

Oh, forgot to mention that there was music as well!

Molecular Gastronomy!

Learnt of this term in the "Emulsion Conference" in October...

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Found this term sounds CoOl...

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What is the definition? ?

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Google it & you'll know!

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"The Scientific Study of Deliciousness" - Harold McGhee

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"The Science of Culinary transformations & gastronomical phenomena" - Wikipedia

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And many more definitions...

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Celebrated Ken's Birthday at Authentic Thai Taste!

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Papaya Salad!

One of the Famous dishes

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Pork Shank!!!

The "most" famous dish!

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Are you "eating for living" or are you "living for eating"?! - Anonymous

A Tiny Seed to A Mighty Tree!

A statement crossed my mind lately: "Cruelty of life!"

What is life all about? Just Suffering?

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On Second thought, after seeing the pictures of my beloved nephew:

"Life is actually Amazing & heart-melting"

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Still remember when baby Ezra was only few months old, he was (& still is) very cute!

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Now, he is six years old!

Time flies, how I wish happy moments could just freeze or pass slowly or if possible at all that it would never pass!

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Ain't he CoOl??? Just like me! =)

Wow! His Smile is Very captivating!!

Be a gentleman when you grow up, okay?!

Heard that he was the only One, among hundreds of students, that cried on the last day of school! *pat*pat*

He is such A Sweet, Cute, Cool & Handsome Boy!!!

Pictures are copyright of Tong Tong!

Events of the Week ...

After Sydney's Eating Trip, Part 2 continued!

That week had few celebrations!

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Firstly, Jo Jo & Gary's Engagement Party!

Theme: Dress to Impress, Pink or Black

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Didn't eat much though but had some champagne & wine for the 'Yam Sing' (Toast)!

Trying to increase my tolerance to 'alcohol' & to enjoy a glass or 'three'

but still prefer soft drinks & have been 'addicted' to Sprite-like soda because of the hot weather!

Thorn among the roses? =}

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After the party, celebrated Patrick's Birthday!

Had supper around 1 am & was commented by a gentleman "how could girls eat such oily foods at this hour, not afraid of being fat???"

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Oh, too late!! One full cup of oil had already been drained down through the throat to the intestine, being lipolysed, turned into fats & stored in every part of the body!

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Third event was celebration of Jenny's birthday!

Had Lunch with FSA colleagues,

& dinner with a small group of friends!

Oh! As well as lunch with Supervisor - home cook Malaysian food - *yum*

Put on a few KGs within a week! & am thinking how to lose them now!

*Any suggestions?*

Sydney 2007...

Four-day Sydney Trip!

Main purpose to Sydney was for a 2-day work

But some friends were kind enough to go with me for extra 2 days

& the main purpose was none other than FOOD!

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I said before that I would not have Korean food anymore but ended up with Korean again!!!

Top left: Fish Market - Sashimi, Seafood platter, Oyster!

Top right: Korean BBQ!

Bottom left: Lowenbrau pork Knuckle & etc!

Bottom right: Korean Hotpot!

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After four times to Sydney, the excitement was not as intense as the first two times!

Highlight of the trip was visitation to Hillsong!!

It's really amazing to see how other people praise God & their intense love for God!!

And of course we did not miss out some "fun" during the trip!

Played "Dai Di" / Big 2 &

Mah Jong!!! Haven't played it since Chinese New Year!

Goal for the Next Term...

2007 is coming to an end SoOn!
*Reflection* What did I achieve this year?! *Shrug*
Then comes 2008!
And here COMES my ReSoLuTion List or rather WisH LiSt!!!

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My WisH...

MacBook!

Suddenly have the "desire" for it! Or maybe because suddenly noted that many friends are using Mac & heard of many positive feedbacks!

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And

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iPod!!!

Have always wanted one!

I think this is achievable...

I can so feel my sisters, Linda & Julia, will pretend they've never seen this post!

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Actually, why do I want them? For the sake of ever owned one? or maybe I do want to "admire", closely, the amazing, beautiful, high tech Inventions!

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Ok, Now comes the ReSoLuTion List!

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Wanted to pick up some basic chinese all this while

And a stronger motivation kicked in today, hence, I surfed through the net for free online chinese lessons...

Without fail found a website that is pretty good & FrEe of Charge!

Many other websites require a small fee...

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Really hope to pick up some words, to be able to read & write...

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Oh, back to my wish list, my beloved sisterSs & nephew, do start saving up now, ok?!

*BIG CUTE GRIN*

Another Week of ...

Guess what?!
Yes, had another week of Korean Food & Pancake!!!

Top left: Korean - Spicy Chicken BBQ

"Spiciness, too, is in the tongue of the beholder!"

Eater J kept drinking water because of the spiciness while Eater C kept adding chilli because of the "minimal" spiciness!

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Top Right: Blueberries Pancake! I still prefer Boysenberries flavour!

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Bottom: Oh, the transforming Mirror! Don't they look PreTTy.............. CuTe?!?!

Yessss, they are PreTTy & CuTe!

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I think I should stop eating Korean food & pancake for this year!!!

I can see the fats are comfortably residing in me!

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Closing Note: Today was so Blessed with lunch & dinner treats! Never expected...

And This week was pretty relaxing, had an extra day off, thanks to Melbourne Cup!

The coming weeks will be full on, hope to be fruitful with my work!

Good Bye...

In less than 10 hours a friend will be leaving...

Being an international student or someone "transiting" at a foreign land, one not only has to struggle with adaption to the new environment but often has to face the 'going' of someone after they have graduated or decided to move on in life...

And it is tough to say 'Good Bye' especially to friends that one has developed a good friendship.

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The thought of seeing someone close leaving and not knowing when you would see them again it's s*d...

Will it be in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or never?!?!

_______

Perhaps, One Day the two paths will CroSs...

_______

However, many times one would take another for GranTeD while being in close proximity!!

*InConSisTenCy*

________________________________

A friend recently said that 'when one grew older one longs for StaBiLiTy in LiFe!' One would no longer wish to live a life of uncertainty and 'vapour-like'

Guess it is an indication of AgeIng ... in me ...

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All the best

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Foods of the Week...

Foods that had been tasted this week,

A pretty full one!

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Hwaro Korean BBQ

562 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Top: Korean BBQ - Beef Rib, pork, mushroom

Bottom Left: Hotpot - small intestine + etc

Bottom Right: Korean Wine, Soju

Had this twice within a week for different occasion. The reason was because the setting & atmosphere gave a "Korean feel"...

The portion was small for moderate to big eaters, especially guys

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Malaymas

320 St Georges Rd., Fitzroy Nt

Top: Mee Rebus (friend claimed that her Aunty makes the best Mee Rebus)

Bottom: "Har min"

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Craving of the Week - PANCAKE!!!

Had pancakes for 3 consecutive days & still craving for them!

Pancake Parlour & Mc Donald's Hotcakes

Top Left: Strawberry Flavour (most voted for "yumminess")

Top Right: Rasberry & 'Rhuburb'

Bottom Left: Mc Donald's Hotcakes

Bottom Right: Boysenberries Flavour

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A Korean Restaurant on Victoria Street

(can't remember the name)

SPICY noodle soup!!! Can be more SpiCy!

Top: Sliky toufu + seafood - taste better!

My Battle Field...

This is where I spent 78.9% of my time in the past 3 years & for a couple of months more... (hopefully!)

............................................

From the 1st pic you'd know what do I do!

The rest of the pics are my armours & shielding zone!

Next: Introducing the faces that I see everyday (except weekends)

Top left: Ayam boy a.k.a Lieutenant General Ben! He eats charcoal chicken & chips almost everyday! I wonder where are the chicken hormones & trans fats stored in his body?!?!?!

Top right: My neighbour, Colonel Jinah! We've been making a lot of noises in the room, & we're just waiting for warning/complaints!!!

Bottom left: Foods that have sustained me thru'out the past 3 years!

Grace: Thank God for the foods & the hands that prepared them...

Bottom right: IrReplaceAble asset of FSA's, General Jen! How'd Delivery Team be in 4 months time w/out her?!?!

F. A. Q. . .

Recently, a friend asked me "Why God allows suffering, poverty & why some people are born in a better condition than others?"

Actually, I do not know the answer myself. I, too, asked God why people, especially closed ones, have to suffer? Isnt it painful seeing His beloved Children suffer?

And many times these questions leave us doubting who God is...

However, I was enlightened through a real life story of a woman sharing on a Christian radio channel.

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The woman suffered loss of her sister & almost her own daughter. One day the doctor told her that her young daughter would not be able to make it... She was all heartbroken & ran out of the room.

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While her husband was comforting her, he "boldly" asked "whose daughther is she?". The woman answered "it's my daughter!". The husband asked again, "whose daughter is she?" & the woman answered "is my daughter!". It continued on and finally, the woman surrendered & said "she belongs to God". From that very moment she felt a relief...

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On their way back to the room she met a nurse and she was given a bible and told her that she wants her daughter to have the bible.......... (story shortened).... When they met up with the doctor, to their surprise, the doctor said that her daughter is healed and all well....

It was a MiRaCle...

At the end of the sharing, the woman said a line that strucked me deeply, which goes something like this... (with modification)

"Our love & trust in God does not depend on what He has or has Not done, but depends on Who God is, on His Characters, on His attributes!"

Just for the fact that He is God & not about what He has or has not done!

In deed, Christian walk is all about knowing who God is = a Relationship!

Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.

Oh man, I hope it's not too late to share this with the friend... =)

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

SpeCial Days!

... Three Special Days ...

Went back to KK in Sept 07 as a SurPriSe for Mama's Birthday (30th Sept). Missed her birthday for the past 8 years & glad to be back to celebrate with her this year... (Tong Tong's Copyright!)

Was double blessed because went back in time to celebrate MoonCake Festival! Especially with my CuTe, HandSome, SweeT Little Nephew, Ezra!!!

*Three Sisters & Cute nephew*

And today, 27th Oct 07, is my Sister's, Linda, BirthDay! Not able to be back there but I will (hopefully) be back next year!

Happy Birthday Mama & Je Je!!!

The Lord has blessed me with a WonDerFul, WonDerFul, WonDerFul family!!!

A FoodFul Trip...

My Favourite, Yummy Foods of the Trip!

No 1. Boudin Clam Chowder!!!

No 2. Cheesecake Factory Nachos & Burger!

No. 3 Lobster

Of Course there were other foods that sustained me throughout the 10 days!

And my beloved Junks that had traveled hundred miles across the Pacific Ocean & back to Melbourne with Me!

Conclusion: Had a great experience from this trip! Wish to visit other states of U.S. again!

San Francisco - best part of the trip!

Why was it the best part of the 10-day trip?

It's because I finally could sleep after 5.5 days of sleepless nightsssss!!!
*Truly sustained by God throughout the times!!*

And of course because of the UniQue, BeauTiFul & Hilly City of San Fran!
Also, it has BOUDIN Bakery!!! The clam chowder is super YUMMY!!!

1st Day of San Fran - Met up with a long time high school friend!

And he is none other than Pang Kien ... and had a stroll to Fisherman's Wharf

Thanks for the Cable Car Ride! It was great especially when standing & looking down the hill!

Really walked A LOT in San Fran! 10 hrs walking & climbing over the steep Hills for 3 consecutive days!

The hills are really steep, i mean really really really steep ~ 44.9 degree!!!

Highlight: Lombard Street - CrooKeDest Street in the World! It's really cool!

On 2nd day - met up with a Melbourne friend, and she is none other than Suwana & her hubby, Hendrick.

Had a great time with them, thanks a lot Suwana & hubby! They drove me around and passed the Golden Gate Brigdge to Sausalito, followed by lunch at Cheesecake Factory (YUM!!!) then Japan town & ended with Alamo Square to see the Full House's House!

Landmark of San Fran - Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz & Pier 39!