In Pursuit of Happiness

Still Finding

2010-05-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

I've abandon my blog once again. Like my life it has been starting and stopping. Time waits for no man and it has passed me by like the wind through my fingers. I try to grasp it but it passes by. I really wish that i can get the engine started and rolling and continue running smoothly for a long time. But I have no idea which direction i want to head. I seem to have fingers in every bucket. Wish i knew how or what i want to do. I am still trying to pursuit my happiness. But i think I am in the way of my happiness. Some one help

Checking in

2010-03-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

If you happen to notice, i don't seem to be very consistent in posting in any of my blogs. I am not even near consistent. Although the blog is suppose to be all the things that is happening in my life, I just happen to randomly check in and check out giving this blog not much of a flow. Perhaps i am more of a short story person rather than like maybe a trilogy kinda person. My stories are told in short burst with string-thin connections. What can I say, I am just rather random.

Well funny thing is not too long ago when i told Rae I was going to apply for a writer's job, she told me that i should write more often on the blog. But the interview came and gone, I was offered the post and i rejected it. Christmas came and passed and so did the new year and the chinese new year. I told myself i would like to write about the job which I was so nervous about. And the article which i wrote for it. And how I wanted to jump in but yet i couldn't leave engineering field without fighting a hard battle. But well.... nada. I kinda got swept away in everyday life. Like i just kept flowing and moving and forgot to kinda pause and think. Well it has been soothing and nice and all. But i am getting fidgety. I have the fear of getting too comfortable. And at this moment i am also afraid i am too used to being comfortable. I feel like i need to get my angst up again. Call me crazy.

Ok i don't think i am making much sense here. But here is to getting to ball rolling. Oh btw i can't wait to get the iphone. So maybe i might post more random stuffs here. But knowing me its probably just a passing fad. Dang

on the way back from perhentian

2010-03-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in the kota bahru airport awaiting my 1726 flight back to kl lcct. My third time here.2 of which were transition to perhentian. It has been 5 days since we arrived and now its time to return to our ordinary lives. By far this is the most random and sudden trip.

Life is Like a Rubik's Cube

2010-02-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

You know it's funny how in every phase of your life you tend to associate it with something which you are currently doing. Well i just got myself a rubik's cube because someone in the office got themselves one and i have always wanted to learn to solve it and also was always fascinated by it. So i got myself one and i am like super obsessed with it right now.

So why is life like a rubik's cube. Well at least life for the pass 2 yrs that i can think of anyways.
It's like this. When i finished uni, which i deemed as a closing of one chapter of my life. The new chapter was presented to me like a new an un-touched rubik's cube. The whole picture seemed well put together. So to proceed and start the new game, things got scrambled. Coz well that is the whole point of a rubik's cube anyways. You are suppose to scramble it and then put it together. Else it's like just for decoration. So I started my job; scramble, scramble and i started a new relationship. More scrambling. Then it was time to start understanding how things works and putting things the way it suppose to be.

So when i looked at the cube it was like a whole mess of things. And there was so many possibilities. But where to start? I wanted to put together so many of the color sequence at one time. And so I jumped in. I never read the instruction, i never found any cheat. Coz i am that way. I don't want the answer and i will try and try until i find my own. Even if it kills me trying. Admittedly it is true that the rubik's cube is just so very bad for people with OCD. And i discovered albeit slightly late that i am OCD.

So i jumped into my new chapter of life trying my hardest to solve things my way. Along the way i got overwhelmed. Trying to twist and turn the cube to get to where i want them to be. And sometimes i manage to get one color almost right. And sometimes i manage to fix one color and almost complete another one in the process. But no matter what while attempting the next move, something else gets screwed up. And i end up starring at a whole jumbled up cube once again. So near yet so close. And it gets frustrating. Things just looked so complicated and every next move brought about so many more uncertainties. And so even though i made a few moves, i end up retracing the moves so as not to mess up what has already been solved. But in the end i still do. But along the way, i still discover a few things about certain moves and the picture gets clearer. I remember what does what and i learn a few new things which hopefully i don't forget until the next time i come to the cube again.

And as with the last 2 years, there have been many confusion, many wanting to do 10 things at the same time. Many jumbled up feelings and wants and needs and demands. But with each passing days and experience and thinking and learning, I have come to find that instead of doing a few colors at once, to solve one color at a time. Instead of getting overwhelmed with so many thoughts and wants and needs and demands to take a step back and look at the whole picture. Instead of getting frustrated at the situation to try and think back of the past experience and take a different approach or to take a similar approach which will work. It is funny how when in the beginning how life looked all jumbled up with bits and pieces of colors having no rhyme or reason or match can slowly clear up to form a clear picture.

No i haven't solved my rubik's cube yet. And my life isn't really how i want it to be yet. But well i am taking a different approach now. I am sure everything will sort itself out. Well at least now i have learnt a few moves which might help me along to the right path. At least things looks slightly clearer than when i first started my journey.

2010 1st Quarter Goals!

2010-01-09T19:49:00.001-08:00

OK and now 10 days into the new year which feels nothing different from 2009 its time to consider a certain number of goals to achieve for the year or in this case baby steps means in this couple of months. Lets start with 3 first.

1. The first one which i desperately need to achieve and has been thrown around for a while is to loose weight and of course gain a healthy (of course hot as well) body. Did anyone tell you that once you hit 25 the rate at which your body age kind of start to become exponential. Or perhaps its because of the accumulated effect of not up keeping it. I dunno. So aim is to eat healthy and exercise consistently (i.e create a schedule and keep to it). No more feeling old and achy when doing not so rigorous things.

Time frame: for this i am hoping to see some results by chinese new year. Got to push it else its never gonna happen.

2. Change that job. So going to have to work on this. almost 2 yrs and counting convincing myself to get the hell out. But well distractions and self doubts got in the way. It was totally like a tunnel vision where i know where is my destination but it seems so far-a-way. I think i have finally exited the tunnel and i see the bigger picture now.

Time frame: Hopefully within 3 months time. That should be a good time frame for me to get serious and start looking and interviewing.

3. Give back to the community. Do some charity work or help out somewhere. Been throwing this around for some time as well. But well like the above, i got caught up in life. Tunnel vision and all.

Time frame: So i have to work on this and achieve this within this 3 months. I think 3 months is probably a long enough time to achieve something while short enough so it doesn't get forgotten.

Alrights then come back in 3 months time to see what has or has not been achieve. The race is on. And i am starting my engine.

Oh one more long term goal. To get organized! This is something i really need to work at and remain consistent.

The year that was 2009

2010-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

What did i tell ya. The pre 2010 reflective post never did got written. And as it is it is already the 2nd day of 2010. I felt as if the 31st and the 1st kinda merged together as one and flew by with a Hi! and a Bye! in the same breathe. Well the good thing is, now i am sitting myself down to make sure I write some thoughts about the year that was off the top of my head. A good change to make since I would usually sit pondering what i would have liked to say before i wrote such reflective post which only results in it not being written because i get too many ideas and dispute.

So if 2008 was a year where i hyperventilated thinking about all the things i want to do and how i wanted to do everything at a go. Plotting and planning and planning and plotting but only left fretting and not doing anything. 2009 was a year where i stepped back and took things one step at a time. Perhaps the urgency was not there and things got pushed back and maybe slightly forgotten but i did manage to do quite abit things this yr. But i feel i could have done even more. It has been a learning process from one extreme to another. And 2009 felt as if it has swooped by like it only lasted a couple of weeks.

But I am happy to say that it did not swoop by uneventfully. I will remember that 2009 was the year where i travelled. 2 planned trips one of which has been in the works for forever plus one unplanned and totally improptu trip which well, i have been thinking about for sometime as well. And it is a good mix as well.

Cambodia, Siem Reap to be precise was a historical and cultural place which i enjoyed because it's such an adventure trip and i got to see the angkor wat which is something which i think everyone should see at least once. The company was great too because everyone just clicked and was so chill.

Then there was the Perhentian trip which regardless of the initial hiccup I was glad I went with my boe. It would not have been the same. And it was a destination which I have been wanting to go since a long time ago. It was not as I imagined it to be but it was breathe taking non-the-less.

And the improptu trip to Australia was also something which was the best thing that happened to me as i find it liberating to firstly have made such an improptu decision seeing as to the kind of person that i am. Secondly to for the very first time fly alone to somewhere so far. And most of all to finally spend some quality time with my bestie Rae (I think we had this whole conversation about the whole best friend vs close friend designation. But we know who we are so a name is just a name).

One more thing which I am proud of doing this year is getting my own car. It was something planned and finally executed albiet slightly later than expected. But with much help from the parents. Owning a car does make life very different and kind of feels like a level up. I am enjoying driving but still do not know much routes yet. But driving has become less stressful for me and becoming more second nature. Never imagined it would be that way.

Well this is what i can think of so far. Resolutions for 2010 in the next post maybe

Sit and Ponder

2009-12-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

2 days before the end of another year. I'd think i would leave the customary reflective post till the very last day or at least the first day. Well i think i will do that. Its just that i predict that it will never happen because well i would be swept in another whirlwind of activities till ..... well till.

Now for the momentary reflective post. I haven't blog in a while. Not that that is a surprise. Happens more often than not. It is just that i wonder how's it that there are times when I just have this burning passion to write and then somehow the next thing i know it cools down to sub zero. I have switched blogs a couple of time. But I feel i am quite liking this one. In Pursuit of Happiness seems like something which should timelessly describe life's journey. Now if only i can stop and smell the roses and jot down some thoughts.

Resistance is Futile

2009-12-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes something just comes along and steals your heart. And no matter how much you resist, somehow you end up throwing your hands in the air and just giving in. It was a tough battle...... I have my reasons. But I am begrudgingly resigned to the fact that she is now our puppy. I know i sound like such a scrooge especially since x'mas is around the corner. Sometimes i surprise myself with who i am.

And I've still got to say this. It's all your fault! Sorry yang you have to take the blow for this. You have been warned. But she is just too cute.

She looks like such a tough cookie

She is quite a smart pup. But also so very naughty. She likes to test her limits to see if she can get away with things.

cutie pie

Sometimes she is such a cutie pie she will come and run around you and lick you. But don't be fooled. She is quite mischievous.

silly girl

And she has got the wierdest positions when she sleeps. Sometimes i can't help but chuckle at her silliness. You can see her stuffing her nose through the basket handle here.

When she runs she has this sort of bunny hop that i actually wondered if we should have called her bunny instead of cookie. But she also gives me a scare when she slips or crashes when she runs. She even managed to topple over backwards when she stands on her hind legs once that gave me a shock. Lucky i manage to catch her in time before she meets the floor.

Sigh..... but i am still begrudging the fact that she stole my heart.

My Hands Feels Like It Doesn't Belong To Me But It Hurts Like A Bitch

2009-11-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

It wasn't really an impromptu thing but I never really did plan on participating. I merely thought i would be the spectator. I did not know what to expect as this was my first time thus my nervousness and my uncertainty towards participating. But i did and it was surprisingly exhilarating.

So yesterday was my very first time going go-karting. When boe told me about plans on going go-karting on Sunday, i merely entertained the thought and just thought i'd go there to see what it was all about. But it didn't occur to me that i would be on one of the karts. I was rather apprehensive with things of the unknown as usual, and has my reservations about speed and cars. Although interesting enough i used to love playing those car racing games in arcades and the PS. But i guess that is beacuse you can't get hurt in those.

But once we got there, well i guess it was just follow the crowd. We signed our indemnity forms got our gears and chose our karts. I think the guy in me kinda came crawling out long retired into the back of my existance. They started our supposingly lawn mover engine :P and off we went to the starting line. And then the wave off and off we go! I stepped on the accelerator and zipped off testing the "engine" for size, although admittedly i was cautiously curious as to how fast i could go. The steering i soon discover was no easy task to handle. But with each lap i found myself taking everything in and recalling and trying to execute so called racing lines. Don't think i was too successful though. And I was attempting catch up but was too chicken to floor the pedal. When taking the sharp bends i was going fast enough to worry if i might crash into the tire walls.

After we finished and we went back to the rest area i was surprised to find my arms so very tired and shaking. Didn't feel that while i was on the track. And felt a blister on its way on the left palms. Wasn't sure i could handle a second round when everyone was raving for another go, but heck went for it anyways. This time i got a hang of stuffs and found the best way to take certain corners. And then it was a matter of consistency in keeping with the driving pattern. But half way through i discovered that the skin on my left palm has torned and i kind of got a shock. But i sucked it up and continued racing.

Well it was so much fun, but there is a price to pay. My as the title goes, my arms really don't feel like it belongs to me anymore. It is so hard to litf it and moving it takes so much effort. And the muscles are aching like hell now. Not to mention that torn blister which hurts like a bitch when in contact with water. But i won't mine doing it again :D

Completed Project 2

2009-10-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

When i looked back at when was my last post i was surprise that it was exactly 2 weeks ago. It is always a shocker to discover that time flew by so quickly without you realizing it. And i feel as if i have been cheated because i never knew where it had gone. But at least i know that i did do something with it. Even if it wasn't that much. So the last post i showed a rose i was making to be put together for a hair accessory. But silly me i forgot i was suppose to take a picture of the completed project before handing it over to my colleague. So maybe i can go take a picture tomorrow or something. Next up is another completed hair clip in the shape of a hat for another colleague.

Top View

Side View

Back View

Now is to make the final one for myself. And i have no idea what to make. Looking for ideas. Anyways we are suppose to wear this for a 'tea party' we are having for a farewell for our colleague which is off to the US of A to be with her fiance and also look for work there. Sigh isn't it dreamy.

Current Project and a few random pictures

2009-10-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

I know its been a week since i posted. My mind has been a blank sheet for the week. Trying to unblank it. So Instead of words i shall replace it with a couple of pictures. Pictures always works better anyways. First of the most recent. I have been having this project in my head for a while. One step at a time i am going to do things i want to do. And i am trying to keep that promise to myself.

rose for hair accesories (wait to see the end result)

more cupcakes

My yummy salad lunch from too long ago (need to start back on it again)

awesome breakkie courtesy of dad and scrambled eggs from me

And that is a summary of life for me so far. Still working on many things.

Starbucks Vs Coffee Bean

2009-10-04T04:17:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a time many moons ago, i worked in Coffee Bean for the semester break. Those were the days when i get to have a glass of aaaannnnyyyy kind of coffee/drink i would like each day. Even before then i was an avid coffee drinker. Which explains the fact of why i chose to work there. Other than the fact that they were one of the higher paying part time employers around.

My love with Coffee Bean actually began when my uncle brought us all on a treat to coffee bean for ice blended. It was indeed heaven. So when i was working there, and had my share of coffee, there was once when Starbucks the rival was giving out free sample. I took one sip of it and told myself no way am I ever going to be a fan of Starbucks because they have too much milk in their coffee. I love the kick of the strong coffee taste which Coffee Bean provides.

Even after i stopped working there i still had to have my once in a while fill especially of their iced caremel latte. But then they closed the pyramid branch. And the rest of the ppl were more inclined to Starbucks. So i made do with having my coffee from there when they decided to meet up there. I did go back to the branch in taipan for my caremel latte once. But they screwed up my order. Just recently they reopened in Pyramid and last weekend i decided to reignite my old flame with Coffee Bean and went to order an iced caramel latte. To my horror, i find that i actually prefered Starbucks' caramel macchiato over Coffee Bean's iced caramel latte. What have these 7 yrs done to me. I could not believe myself.

But anyways what i didnt like was their vanilla powder which they add to the coffee. Wierdly enough it didnt melt completely and caused the drink to have a grainy feel to it. It is so sad. But i think i am still not giving up. Next time i will order an iced latte to test water. I really want to rediscover my love with Coffee Bean. Starbucks is over rated.

Dinner at Hyotan

2009-09-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

I just got back from dinner in Hyotan Japanese Restaurant in SS15 but... but... but.. once again i forget to take pictures. I am such a noob. I am even a bigger noob because i put the quails egg into my tempura sauce instead of my soba dipping sauce. Not feeling too great now. Oh well. I think I am just updating for the sake of updating. Hopefully better post soon. This to keep the engine warm.

Living Life One Step At ATime

2009-09-21T23:52:00.000-07:00

A year and a half ago I was living life wanting to do any and everything possible. I had so many ideas, so many dreams, so many conflicting needs to meet. And i feel there was a need to conquer as much things as i can in as short a time span as possible. But because of that feeling of needing to achieve many things at a go i was also paralyzed by fear. I didn't know how or where to to start. Obviously i wasn't a happy person.

Lately i have managed to take a small step back and breathe a little. Tried to put things into perspective. Even though i am not 100% focused yet but i have tried to remind myself to take life one step at a time. Do what i can first, although part of the fear is the knowledge that i am a procrastinator. Meaning if i let myself go i will never do what i intend to do and it will just fade with time. But i have taken a couple of first step, one of them being this blog. I had left the old one un-updated for a long long while before. Although i do not update as often as i should this new one, but i try to make it once a week. No doubt there is still my melbourne trip which is still missing day 4 - 7 but i will try to maintain the momentum of this blog.

Other than that, i have managed to visit Cambodia, a super rustic place, drag a bunch of people to go on a holiday although we have been talking about going on a trip together even as far back as after we finished high school (Although the result wasn't as i expect it to be) and hopped onto a plane by myself to Melbourne (Something i have been yearning to do for a while).

And yesterday, after telling myself for a long time how i wanted to make cupcakes, I finally did. Went the whole mile with buttercream frosting and all. And the results is:

Does it look yummy? :P I totally love the sprinkles. But oh not much a fan of buttercream frosting. I need to think of a way replace buttercream or make it yummier. I know some use cream cheese as well. But i have to see what i can do. I am quite happy with the results.

There are still tons of things i haven't manage to do. But 2009 has been a pretty productive year so far. 3 more months for me to pack in some more stuffs. A couple of project which hope to kick-off a.s.a.p. But yeah learning to live life one step at a time is something i am glad i did.

When House is a Home

2009-09-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Wow its Tuesday already. How time flies. Been meaning to write this on Sunday but procrastination never fails to deter me.

Anyways on Saturday, right before i left for my breakfast with Elaine and Dom my dad dully informs me that he will be cooking breakfast on Sunday morning. Which is a first. And he ask me if i want some and to buy anything else i would like to add to the fare if i want. He had sauteed mushroom and bacon lined up. (Because of that I decided since i was having those for sunday breakkie i ordered Eggs Benedict and well regretted it.)

Came Sunday morning i woke up at 930 and proceeded to the kitchen where my dad was about to start. And since he is making the sauteed mushroom and bacon i decided to make scrambled eggs to add to the fare. And we had a nice salad and a little bit of pasta to go with it as well. It was indeed a first or perhaps a first in an infinity of time that breakfast was cooked at home and had together. It was nice. We left a little of everything for my brother though, because being the lazy ass that he is, he decided to sleep through breakfast.

Then during lunch, my mother discovered that the leftovers from breakfast wasn't touched and asked me to finish it up. So as there was no more pasta since we made very little for breakfast i decided to boil some. And then after that in the same pot i tossed together everything else and just heated it up. And the results was this:

Sorry no better presentation as it was really impromptu.

While i sat down to eat, it dawned on me that its been awhile since much cooking was done in my house. Ever since cooking was shifted over the other house where the maid is, there was barely anything stocked in the fridge. And the fridge somewhat resembled ones in a bachelor's pad minus the booze. As such neither have i done much cooking at home for a while. I used to be able to whip up something whenever i felt hungry or inspired. But now all i see when i open my fridge is random things which can't be put together to make a meal.

But sitting there eating i also felt that this house felt slightly more like a home now. And i thought to myself that a house will only feel more like a home when cooking is done in it. It makes a house feel a little warmer, a little cozier. I am looking forward to more cooking to be done like how it used to be.

One of Those Days

2009-09-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

This thought came into my mind:

I laughed and I cried and I thought about how why things can't just fall perfectly into place somehow. I am an idealist living in a world far from that. I am romantic only wanting to see the sweet side of things. How i sometimes look at others and feel envious of them, of where they are at or what they have without realizing that to get there and stay there, more often than not is not a bed of roses. And how sometimes looking at them i did not realize that i already have in my hand what i wanted all along. Maybe it's about time to stop dreaming and yearning and start taking one step at a time to be where i want to be.

Day Light Robbery

2009-09-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

I am not kidding when i say day light robbery. While i was at work today, i had an SMS which indicated that i failed to receive a call. When i opened it, i saw that it was from my mom's place. I was wondering why she called. And totally got a shocked when my mom picked up with a somber voice and told me that her house has been burglarised. She was only out to the hypermarket to get groceries in the morning at 11 a.m. and when she got home at 1 p.m. she got the shock of her life. They entered through the front grill by breaking the hook which the lock is hooked through to keep the door shut.

On the phone the only thing that my mom told me was they took her white gold bangles she purchased recently for rm 500. But when i got home it was disheartening to learn that they took jewellery worth a couple of thousand and much more priceless was the sentimental value to it. Some where from my grandmother to my mother and some was purchased during a memorable period of time. They even took my grandfather's coin collection. 3 books worth of it. Things which perhaps to them can buy them an extra jug of beer tonight or another flashy hand phone or even a shot of drugs perhaps. But is irreplaceable in terms of memories and sentimental value. Although i have never really had a good look at the coin books and only been vaguely aware of their existence, the knowledge that it is gone forever makes me feel sad. I can only imagine my mom's distress that all these are gone. She barely wanted to have her dinner tonight. And just because of some good-for-nothing, selfish, lazy assholes who thinks robbing people off their valuables is the best way they can live their life. I never know how some people can think that they have the rights to take other's things just because they can't seem to be arsed to work for it themselves.

To say that I am not conjurring all the ill thoughts of things that might befall them would be untrue. But then so what, its not going to change anything. So let it be left to their judgement day for them to recieve what they deserve. Or for a more instant reiteration, let their karma be the judge.

Punishment aside, the whole need for a gated community is getting out of hand though. First it was USJ 5 then USJ 11. Sooner or later we will all be living in a caged world. My mom was actually worried how having gated communities will just push the crime rates to other parts of the USJ area. Its not exactly a wholesome solution. Just pushing the shit to someone else. Apparently around her area there is already 6 to 7 break-ins. Isn't there a way we can make our community a safer place in a more holistic approach.

I Heart Bright Bags

2009-08-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

So i am still diverting on the "Day 3 in Melbourne" post and my car pictures aren't up yet. Working on it. You can tell how i am soooo very organized. Now for a more current post.

Yesterday for lunch we went to help this colleague of ours to do shopping for birthday present for the GF. Since he will be stuck in China for 2 weeks and won't be able to celebrate her birthday with her he has got to have some backup plans. So the item in mind was a wallet since hers was pretty old. And he got our resident fashion/retail consultant to assist him with finding his way in Pavillion which was just down the road from our office. I was just a tag along.

Anyways this post is not about the wallet which i can't find a picture of anyways. It is about me spotting a bag which just called out to me. I don't know what is it about me and bright colours, but i happen to be totally drawn to them. I might just be the grandmother wearing shocking pink top in the future, god forbid.

So we were in the DKNY shop looking for wallets because its one of the brand within his budget. And that was when i spotted this bag:

It was totally calling out to me. So i picked it up to check it out in the mirror. Now how i wish i was the kinda girl that can just whip out my credit card and sign for what ever which caught my eyes without needing to think. But not at the moment, i won't be able to burn rm 1.5K without blinking my eye. I hope i will be able to do that comfortably in the future though.

So yes after i picked it up look in the mirror and put it back i peeked in to look for the price tag and found that the bag cost rm 1500 plus. Its cheaper in USD though as usual. Yes i probably can find an almost similar design with a way cheaper price tag. And perhaps maybe i will keep an eye for one. One thing to complain about though is that the bag feel so heavy even before i dump anything inside. One of my pet peeves would be heavy bags. What is the point of lugging around something which is so heavy on its own. Not very functional.

Melbourne Day 3

2009-08-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

Naturally the night before we girls talked and talked till we were too tired to talk and only fell asleep at 4 a.m. So sticking to the spirit of a slow and relaxing holiday we rested till 10 a.m before we got ourselves out of bed to get ready to leave for the city. This time i got smarter and i left my clothes hanging on the cubicle so that i could get dressed in the shower before getting out. Works so much better that way.

Finally it was time to get me acquainted to Melbourne city. The weather actually got colder compared to the day before. Rae suggested I'd better put on a long sleeved shirt under my dress and she loaned me her trench coat. The wind was pretty strong that day. And we walked all the way to the train station near her place. This was the first time i felt the cold cold wind of Melbourne blowing in my face. I decided i really liked the feeling. I might be a bit crazy and like torturing myself. But i much rather freeze to death than to be so very hot.

Because Sam took the car to work, we took the train to the city. Much like going to KL on a KTM. However, the train station was only 15 minutes walk from her house. And apparently all the public transport around Melbourne are linked and so you only need to pay once and utilize the bus, train and tram for a certain number of hours before needing to pay again. Well i still haven't figure out how that works. Trust me to be oblivious when there is someone there to depend on.

Our destination of the day is St Kilda where there is a beach and many breakfast place. We stopped at Southern Cross station if i am not mistaken, to take the tram to St. Kilda. By the time we were there it was already 1 pm and it was food time. No matter the time a good hearty breakfast is always welcome. We were suppose to have breakfast at this place Rae used to go to get breakfast when she was working nearby. But unfortunately it was no longer there. So we walked down the street to survey for another place to settle for. And we decided to go for this place which served all breakfast for AUD 11.

I happily ordered the most expensive breakkie on the menu. Not because i was kiasu but I wanted my baked beans, suasages, bacon and the works. And also for the sake of curiousity for their black pudding. When i saw it on the menu i had a hunch what it was but i asked the cute waiter what was in it anyways. And he confirmed it. It was made of coagulatted pigs blood, chickpeas and i forgot what not. And most importantly to go with the hearty breakfast on a cold day would be a nice warm glass of latte. My very first in Melbourne. It is said that Melbourne is Australia's capital of coffee culture and i was determined to have as many coffee i can get my hands on for my whole 7 days there.

here is me with my very first latte in Melbourne

don't it look absolutely yummy

Rae's Vegetarian breakkie

my awesome huge ass breakkie

After breakfast we walked to the St. Kilda beach and just spent time talking and doing more catching up about our lifes which we haven't been doing for such a long time. Soon evening fell and we waited for Sam to pick us up to go home.

Later that night Sam took us to a Vietnamese restaurant which serves great pho. I haven't really had pho before but blogging about it now my mouth is actually watering. And after that we went to Max Braner for hot chocolate. And that completes day 3

The Car is Here

2009-08-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

The car is finally here after all the saving and hunting and mix decisions and delayed order. The waiting for the car to be in stock and the getting the number plate. The car is here! And boy is the feeling overwhelming. My very first brand new car. No pictures yet, because well it was overwhelming and I didn't manage to take any.

I took half a day off today to pick my car up. Its a good thing I did because the whole process ended at 5pm today. Super exhausted. And the bill of things spent on the car seems to be adding up. I paid extra for a safety tint. Maybe I might have gotten a little kiasu. But boy is owning a car expensive business. I do hope the spending will start to trickle down to less frequency and amount soon. Else I better start making more money soon.

I still can't believe I own a car now though. As in the car is mine all mine. My responsibility, my own to decorate and care for. I can do anything to it because it belongs to me kind of a thing. So I am now an official owner of a Myvi. Ok nope it hasn't fully hit me yet. I still haven't explored my car yet. But damn i am so not used to driving it yet. Need more practice.

The Weekends

2009-08-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

So its week 2 back from Melbourne and I only have day 2 of Melbourne blog post up. Gosh i take forever to blog. But i think i've got to take a break from that and just blog a short entry about the present time. If not god knows how long will we be stuck in the past.

So its already Sunday night and its time to get back to work tomorrow. Surprisingly I am pretty happy, well rested and am not dreading to go back to work. Its been a while that i remember not dreading to go back to work. There have been a period of time when every end of the weekend leaves me feeling like it has eluded me too quickly and facing work the next day was just too much pain. Well i guess a round of holidays have done me good. Especially when within a month i went on 3. Left me pretty broke though. And when i usually anticipate with much eagerness the next public holiday, i don't seem to bat an eyelid on the coming one. But i am sure i will enjoy it non-the-less.

So lets start off by listing what i did not do during the weekend. I did not bake and i did not go to the gym as i have intended to. What i did was, sleep, sleep and sleep plus surfed the internet and watch a movie with boe. Today i woke up, went to dim sum with Michelle, Daphi and Kumar and proceeded to hang out with Michelle after that. We watched alien in the attic in IOI Mall and then after that went to Pyramid to pick up my book which i ordered.

Side story: The reason why i needed to pick up the book was because on the second night when i was at Rae's place, we switched room with Sam. But we forgot that my stuffs were in that room and i left the book which i borrowed from my colleague and my make-up bag on the luggage. Sam brought Coco their dog to sleep with him. When we finished chatting, Rae went back to her room and turned on the lights to the sight of Coco chewing on my make-up bag. According to her, the look in Coco's face was priceless. So there, the dog ate the book and its a true story. And a week after I left she proceeded to chew up a Gucci wallet. Expensive taste yo.

After that we were off to the IT centre for Michelle's stuff and there i laid eyes on something which i was longing to get previuosly. But the RM 300 price tag kinda put me off, seeing as to the fact that i just wanted it for fun. I wanted a drawing tablet to draw and paint on the computer. Dont ask me why. Its not like i have any professional use for it. I just kind of like the idea. So RM 300 is not justifiable. But i saw one for RM 199 and i started thinking. Ahbut the artsy fartsy me doesn't really gel with the engineer image. But as it is, I am broke so till more money starts pouring in it is going to have to wait.

Melbourne Day 2

2009-08-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

The night before, i arrived late at night at 11 and we went back to Rae's place in Sunshine. When it was time to sleep, i felt so lethargic that i was worried i might fall ill. What with me not fully recovered and the whole flying and H1N1 scare. So i popped a panadol and went to sleep.

We woke up rise and shine at 9 a.m to get ready. And i got a feel of how bathing in Australia during the winter is like. Well being the first time, i left my clothes outside of the shower cubicle. I managed to get the shower nice and warm. But once i stepped out. *Shudders* the cold hit me. I got dressed real quick and rushed back into the nice warm room. Ah the wonders of heater.

After everyone got ready, Sam, Rae's fiance went to collect the Land Rover in which we were to travel in to Mornington Peninsula. We were to be joined by their friends Joyce and Ibs. And after we picked them up, off we went.

But first stop was to test drive a Honda Jazz which Rae was looking to purchase. The place was on the way to Mornington Peninsula. Which was a slightly long drive of perhaps 2 hrs to get to. On the drive there, I got to see all the different build of houses along the way. Its really nice to that each individual house has its own character and design. And it adds to the charm of Australia. Also we passed by the city and Rae pointed out the place where she used to stay, Crown Casino and her current work place to me. Then i also saw the sea side and it looked so beautiful.

Along the way Rae asked me again, what was my impression of Melbourne so far. And my answer was still freeways. It took a while for the fact that i was in Melbourne to sink in. I think my senses are getting slower and slower as i grow.

So when we were waiting for Rae to test drive her car Joyce started explaining to me about the plants in Australia. The lavenders, the eucalyptus tree, and that there are different types of gum trees in Australia.

After the test drive, it was time to hunt for food. Rae wanted to bring us to try this place which was called Mac Donald's Burger which apperently got sued by 'The' Mc Donalds fast food chain for apparently having the same name. Unfortunately we did not find it. We speculated that it had probably closed due somewhat to that incident.

Rae and her Chanel Bag at the counter ordering

Fish and chips and potato cake and dim sim

So we decided to have fish and chips instead. Apparently this is one of the must try when in Australia. We walked into the quaint little shop and well i left the ordering to them because i have no idea how things works. So we ended with a fish and chips set seen above and Calamari rings. They were yummy! While i was at the counter i saw something on the menu called Dim Sim. And i was wondering if the spelt dim sum wrongly. Apparently they did not, and dim sim is this huge ass minced meat + cabbage thing wrapped in the wanton skin and deep fried. So i guess you can call it the Australian take on dim sum. While i was eating, Joyce asked me if i knew that what i was eating was actually shark meat. This is my first time eating shark meat. That got to be something to remind me of my trip to Melbourne.

After lunch it was first off to a vineyard for wine tasting. The vineyard looked really huge but because it was winter, there was no grapes. We went into the wine tasting room to try out some of the wine. As i liked white wine better, i tried their chardonnay. I have to say that it was actually quite nice. Not that i know much about wine, but it tasted sweet and full bodied.

Next it was off to Red Hill Brewery where we tasted all 4 of their beers as seen on the tap above. I settled for the golden ale because it tasted fruity. So we each had a beer and sat down outside to enjoy it.

It was pretty late after that, and the day was getting darker. Thought it was going to rain, but come to think of it, it must have been because that was the time it gets dark during winter. We left to drive back to Glenn Waverly to drop Rae's brother back home. I was totally poofed and fell asleep quite quickly after we got back into the car. Next thing i know Sam was asking me what i would like to have. And because Rae has been talking about this Uncle Bob's dumplings which i have to try, naturally i would pick that. So off we went to the shop, which was super pack by the time we got there. We almost changed our venue. No pictures though, cause i am not very consistent with documenting everything in pictures. But the dumplings were good and my tummy was nicely filled. And eventhough we were all quite full, we went to get bubble tea with egg pudding. And boy am i glad we did. It was so very yummy. Until now i am still looking for somewhere in Subang which i can find something like that. Miss it so much. So that was day 2 of Melbourne

My Trip to Melbourne

2009-08-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

People ask me why i bother spending so much money on traveling, which is such a fleeting thing rather than investing in gadgets or what not which i can hold physically and likely last me for maybe 10 years or so they say. I thought about it did some calculations on the trips that i went on this yr alone and well true enough that sum would have bought me some cool gadgets which i have been yearning for. But even so I can't help but still choose to go on my travels. No regrets on all the 3 trips that i took this year definitely. But i think that will be it for the year while i regroup and maybe save for some gadgets ;).

So the most recent and perhaps the last trip for this yr that i went to was Melbourne. It was somewhere which i have been yearning to go to ever since i graduated. The plan was to graduate, work part time and then save enough (say rm 4k) to go over to Aussieland before starting a real job. Then that plan fell through and i started working. Then it was to save enough to go at the end of the yr. And then changed to, save to go down for Rae's wedding.

But one day while itchy fingers were clicking through Airasia's site, i found tickets for 700+ RM. And I felt that i needed a break from life and just run away. I always wanted to do one of those decide suddenly, buy a ticket and fly the next day kind of thing. It just seems so cool and empowering. It feels good when u can say you want to go on a trip and just go. But of course that is easier said then done when u are traveling on a budget and working full time. So i shall settle for booking 2 mths in advance for a trip on a shoestring AUD 500 for supposingly 9 days (August 1st - 9th) Melbourne trip. As it is, traveling took 2 days off of that and so it was 7 days in Melbourne.

The "first" day started off with me arriving at the airport at 12 pm for my 1:45 pm flight. Was suppose to leave the house at 9 as dad needed to pick his business partner from KLIA. But there was a change of plans as they wanted to try out the shuttle train and we ended up leaving the house at 11.

I never really thought about it, but this was the very first time i was travelling alone and out of the country as a matter of fact. I was not as nervous as i thought i should be, but still slightly worried of things which might have slipped my mind that i needed for the flight. Checked and double checked my passport and flight details and all. But i felt so proud of myself to be able to do this as i know not everyone would dare to. Of course it helps that there is gonna be someone (i.e. Rae and Sam) to pick me up when i arrive over in Melbourne. But there is all the going through customs, which when i travel in a group i barely pay attention to because i am dependant that way when i know i dont have to think. A really bad habit, which is why i need to do this to know that i am capable of taking care of myself. So now i know the procedures i need to go through when flying :).

So i arrived in LCCT. Took my luggage with me, lined up at the counter to check it in while my dad waited for me to see if i might need to unload anything from the bag. Just in case. Got my boarding ticket which is a measly piece of paper that looks like supermarket receipt. (that is malaysia budget airline for you i guess). After that, my dad left and it was me and myself. I was hungry and i wasn't sure if there was anything to eat in the waiting lounge as i am such a noob. So i rushed over to Mc Donalds to grab a quick bite before going in to the boarding area only to find there was food inside as well. I practically gobbled everything down because i was worried i might not make it on time for boarding, only to have to wait for another 30 minutes or more before i could board. Silly me.

So for the sake of prove and to burn time, i took a picture of me with the mask, which i did not wear anytime after that on the 8 hrs flight. Shhh don't tell my mom :P. My seat was 16H and i somehow had a feeling it was going to be a aisle seat. Yay for me! But Boe counted and say it couldn't be. Well turns out i was right, although i still havent figured out how that work out to be. But it works for me since i always keep needing to go to the toilet. Though i still can't figure out how when traveling alone do we take care of our belongings when we need to go to the toilet. Got seated with a mother and son which seem pretty nice, so that did not seem to be a problem. Or i might be too trusting. So for the next 8 hrs i kept myself entertained through books and a movie which i got my brother to upload into his PSP for me :). Had my dinner, since i only arrive in Melbourne at 11pm. It wasn't really that bad. 8 hrs passed rather quickly.

Some time into the flight, i looked out of the window and saw something really nice. It was a mid air sunset. I don't think I have seen such a thing before. That was when i whipped out my camera and asked the guy that was with is mom to help me take a picture. I think if i was sitting next to the window you will see me taking pictures like crazy. Even with the DSLR.

So 8 hrs later i arrive in Melbourne Tullemarine Airport. Walked out to the customs and to collect my luggauge. But I have to say i am hopeless at catching a heavy moving bag because i can barely grab a hold of it. What happen was i saw my bag coming, waited and tried to grab hold of it and it totally slipped my grip and i went "fuck" and started chasing the bag. And this nice guy saw me having trouble and he just grabbed it for me and lifted it off the carousel. So I probably look like this dumb bimbo damsel in distress. And i don' t really like that image. I prefer to look like the macho bombshell cool and contained. Then after that i was directed to the customs check, because smart ass me declared my panadols and chinese herbal medicine. What to do, my first time traveling alone. But i guess better over declare than be caught and fined.

So out i went and Rae was there and into the car we went. And i got to feel the nice cold winter air. Half way driving back to Rae's house (and her house is supposingly 10 minutes drive away or something) she asked me. "So what do you think of Melbourne so far?" And my answer was " hmmmmm....... freeways?" :P

I Miss Melbourne Already

2009-08-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

I got back from melbourne yesterday at 7 a.m. A whole 7 hours plus flight which was totally uncomfortable and i guess it was because going home always seems the most longest. When i flew there the time just sort of flew by. Not to mention at least i had all the entertainment i needed and someone to at least talk to once in a while.

Now it is back to reality and i really miss melbourne. Its rather odd to hear me say this as i was only there for 7 days. I really had a wonderful time there. And now i am contempelating a long term stay there. How things can take a sudden turn. More details on the trip in the next posts

Blog Personality

2009-07-26T05:47:00.001-07:00

I wrecked my brains on what identity i would like this blog to take, (Although i would like it to be a down to earth genuine kind of blog which is about everything me) and for a while there was no inspiration.

The identity is not meant to be a restriction to the kind of post put in this blog but a purpose and path for the blog to head towards. So I decided that this blog should be the jottings of my pursuit for happiness as i believe that one thing which everyone ultimately aim for is happiness regardless of the forms which they come in. And at the same time, through pursuing happiness we will stumble across many unhappy moment and heartbreaks which is just part of the journey towards finding your path to happiness.

For what is happiness if it is not a contrast to unhappiness. If we do not know the feeling of sadness how would we identify happiness. Thus i think it is apt to link my writing and archiving of my life to the pursuit of happiness.