tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276679062024-03-14T14:37:15.175+08:00pENguiN~Welcome to Happy Penguin's Blog. Be Happy. Be cool. Like a Penguin~!pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-79791487402888672982016-03-13T20:50:00.001+08:002016-03-13T20:58:21.255+08:00PicnicsOne of our Aussie friends go picnic very, very often. When we met up once, we asked her about it and she told us about beaches that her family often goes to. So, we tried going beaches too since late last year.<br />
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During the Christmas break, we decided to make a trip to Mornington Peninsula, which is about 1-2 hours away from our place. It is a very popular tourist spot, so I did some google before making the trip, and I was a bit stress out with the food preparation (I always worry I don't pack enough (be if food/drink/clothings/anything for the kids especially!).<br />
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We drove a bit to <a href="http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/dromana/" target="_blank">Dromana</a>, went sight seeing a little around there, and drove back to <a href="http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/PlacesToGo/LocalStateNationalParks/tabid/524/View/3742/Mills-Beach-Mornington/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Mills Beach</a> in Mornington for our first very own beach outing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rk_vwSCmfI/VuVOI37i6PI/AAAAAAAADqQ/ECnJ9qQEAmcnAX49DBR_JaYMJU08inv9Q/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rk_vwSCmfI/VuVOI37i6PI/AAAAAAAADqQ/ECnJ9qQEAmcnAX49DBR_JaYMJU08inv9Q/s640/IMG_8636.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Natalie enjoyed the beach a lot!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIKg6IOiS4Q/VuVOI_0PYTI/AAAAAAAADqM/yeKoMCpIM9sUEaEX8TczGY_ajLNL4HD_A/s1600/IMG_8639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIKg6IOiS4Q/VuVOI_0PYTI/AAAAAAAADqM/yeKoMCpIM9sUEaEX8TczGY_ajLNL4HD_A/s640/IMG_8639.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to practice her swimming</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EBTqxnmBTI/VuVOIxwUV5I/AAAAAAAADqU/g2oCmq-KCpASb7QfJ0TUbC8iiXAyRMPoQ/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EBTqxnmBTI/VuVOIxwUV5I/AAAAAAAADqU/g2oCmq-KCpASb7QfJ0TUbC8iiXAyRMPoQ/s640/IMG_8641.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is their 2nd time @ beach but they looked like they know what to do....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3-u1KdSEE8/VuVOKycYncI/AAAAAAAADqY/Nh10OCHE8Ls_0alxM6MH9tGbtRKeMGUiA/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3-u1KdSEE8/VuVOKycYncI/AAAAAAAADqY/Nh10OCHE8Ls_0alxM6MH9tGbtRKeMGUiA/s640/IMG_8642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our little tent</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JyzaL2QQHs/VuVOMibi45I/AAAAAAAADqc/LjnZm9q3SJMbY4_rwZ9b3SroV4cWXcTnw/s1600/IMG_8645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JyzaL2QQHs/VuVOMibi45I/AAAAAAAADqc/LjnZm9q3SJMbY4_rwZ9b3SroV4cWXcTnw/s640/IMG_8645.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Building sand castle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTTmNySMhk0/VuVOMtj5YHI/AAAAAAAADqg/Bfv0k4nvbBEXL-VdLkTwAwqBNtszpnJNA/s1600/IMG_8649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTTmNySMhk0/VuVOMtj5YHI/AAAAAAAADqg/Bfv0k4nvbBEXL-VdLkTwAwqBNtszpnJNA/s640/IMG_8649.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The three excited kids!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CE8f9mYtxfI/VuVONSrSMcI/AAAAAAAADqk/VmiIsHxYugYlRyWnzlGGQhcYWMu_581ww/s1600/IMG_8651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CE8f9mYtxfI/VuVONSrSMcI/AAAAAAAADqk/VmiIsHxYugYlRyWnzlGGQhcYWMu_581ww/s640/IMG_8651.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The little destroyer!</span></td></tr>
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The day's weather was very good for the outing. It was about 25C, but there's no cloud in the sky so it was really, really sunny and hot! I got a little sunburnt on my back because I wore a singlet and I missed that spot while applying on my sunscreen.<br />
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The girls enjoyed themselves but the day didn't end very well - everyone was cranky while we're leaving. It was our first time so we made a few mistakes.<br />
1) We wore the wrong shoes - we should have worn thongs but the girls wore the wrong type of slippers (hard to walk on sand), and EG and I wore socks with sport shoes. Very wrong!<br />
2) I over-packed. I think we had almost 4-5 big items to carry. Bags with food, clothings / towel / extra clothing to change, water bottles/cold drinks/, sunscreen, our tent, sand play toys, etc. Ended up we all were pretty clumsy when leaving - with sticky bodies (sand and sea water) even we have cleaned up in toilet, and the girls were complaining they couldn't walk properly with their wrong type of slippers.<br />
3) We parked too far. It was our first time there so we just parked at the road side. But we didn't realise it was so far to the beach shore. So again, the girls especially the younger one, were complaining all the way when walking to the car, and the daddy was super irritated so everyone got scolded and in not so good mood.<br />
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I didn't even want to get into the cleaning part after we're home! :P<br />
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But nevertheless, everyone (maybe just except me :P) still enjoyed themselves a lot during the beach outing. The girls and EG talked about it a lot and been asking for another one before the school term starts.<br />
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So, 3 weeks later we went again to another beach. This time it's nearer, maybe just 40 minutes away from where we live. Eunice said she didn't want to go so far. So, we went to <a href="http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/chelsea/" target="_blank">Chelsea Beach</a>. We've been to this beach last year with a friend, so we know what to expect here. This time, I made sure everyone wore the right types of shoes, and we put on sunscreen for everyone before we left the house. I still over packed a little, but it wasn't as much as the first time. And I tried to keep the food simpler. This round, everyone was happy. The girls enjoyed themselves a lot, while the parents also chillax together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAij1YJWTuI/VuVZjNzUoKI/AAAAAAAADq0/kafmWqcdozU28TqUBeJWFpTZOXBDWRVsQ/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAij1YJWTuI/VuVZjNzUoKI/AAAAAAAADq0/kafmWqcdozU28TqUBeJWFpTZOXBDWRVsQ/s640/IMG_0733.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Borrowing each other's courage while going to the waves!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ahhh.. RUNnnnNNnnnNNnnn.....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3yRIoT0Iqho/VuVZjIarHAI/AAAAAAAADq8/1FWKOkYsi5k2D4OQNzHe4bdmQeWD2fi1w/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3yRIoT0Iqho/VuVZjIarHAI/AAAAAAAADq8/1FWKOkYsi5k2D4OQNzHe4bdmQeWD2fi1w/s640/IMG_0737.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to do a hand stand</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v25td7Z5VDs/VuVZkim1sMI/AAAAAAAADrA/-H_n_Ayxjb0_OBfJiIGK9BUYOgkzR_qjw/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v25td7Z5VDs/VuVZkim1sMI/AAAAAAAADrA/-H_n_Ayxjb0_OBfJiIGK9BUYOgkzR_qjw/s640/IMG_0740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frisbee</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m06DMEjACJQ/VuVZkxI1CCI/AAAAAAAADrE/nf9QzR8xXpAZoaNchuE98ceLjy4GfoOiA/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m06DMEjACJQ/VuVZkxI1CCI/AAAAAAAADrE/nf9QzR8xXpAZoaNchuE98ceLjy4GfoOiA/s640/IMG_0741.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daddy, and his two darlings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmjM-cc_7pg/VuVZk0Vnr6I/AAAAAAAADrI/ysdgWU45TUA2V4_X4rY-S4Yt6CP-cIu6w/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmjM-cc_7pg/VuVZk0Vnr6I/AAAAAAAADrI/ysdgWU45TUA2V4_X4rY-S4Yt6CP-cIu6w/s640/IMG_0742.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mermaid in the making</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VXT2HP1H_g/VuVZmuzB8MI/AAAAAAAADrQ/dkNpftwDFs8qmMeGYIUfskQzHzu4miOXg/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VXT2HP1H_g/VuVZmuzB8MI/AAAAAAAADrQ/dkNpftwDFs8qmMeGYIUfskQzHzu4miOXg/s640/IMG_0747.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little mermaid II</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SA6EQGtWA78/VuVZmzTT1BI/AAAAAAAADrM/qlTX_Rm27nMM-8EhE0tsiUcEuqWoyf5xA/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SA6EQGtWA78/VuVZmzTT1BI/AAAAAAAADrM/qlTX_Rm27nMM-8EhE0tsiUcEuqWoyf5xA/s640/IMG_0755.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chillaxing....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBeGR1M5rqg/VuVZm3LvESI/AAAAAAAADrU/e0ZoDnogtqEe9lioY3aMX7I7VvjPeGIdg/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBeGR1M5rqg/VuVZm3LvESI/AAAAAAAADrU/e0ZoDnogtqEe9lioY3aMX7I7VvjPeGIdg/s640/IMG_0759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our little tent...</span></td></tr>
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However, there was only ONE problem. It was too windy. The sea breeze was very strong and the wave was stronger too. The girls were a little scared when playing in the water. I remember when we first came last year it was the same, very cold and windy. This time round, the weather was warmer, but still as windy. So it might be because of the beach itself. We were eating our food mixed with sand! :P... However, it was still a very, very good and relaxing experience for all of us.<br />
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And today, we decided to go to a beach again since Monday is a public holiday. This time, we didn't tell the girls to avoid them hassling us the whole day/weekend. I only told them the night before that we might be going to a beach. I asked Eunice, which one do you want to go? She said she prefers the further one because the sea is quieter. Good, so she won't complain about the distance, since she chose it as well.<br />
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We decided to try <a href="https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/vicP029" target="_blank">Mothers Beach</a> this time - which is just next to Mills Beach. Since we're going to drive all the way to Mornington, we included visiting <a href="http://www.craftmarkets.com.au/markets/mornington.aspx" target="_blank">Mornington Craft market</a> in our day out itinerary. We only ended up at the beach about 1.50pm and we stayed till almost 4pm. This time, I only started packing in the morning. And I only brought a set of clothes to change for the kids. Food wise, I only brought water (I used to bring juice/soda along), and went to the shop to buy some bread. The kids will be too excited to eat anyway. We had some nuggets as snacks while we were walking around the market, so the kids really didn't eat much after we arrived at the beach.<br />
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This time, we changed our mat to a water proof one, and it was cloudy today - so we omitted the tent - one less thing to carry. And I reminded EG to park as close as we can to the entrance of the beach so we don't need to walk so far. It went all good today. Thank God! Less things to carry, and not as hot as it was cloudy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WW52LUwxIu0/VuVfntfnvjI/AAAAAAAADrk/eoD6plff6ZwgKzF8Fp_Lu-aDyO0g_1pmA/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WW52LUwxIu0/VuVfntfnvjI/AAAAAAAADrk/eoD6plff6ZwgKzF8Fp_Lu-aDyO0g_1pmA/s640/IMG_1037.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sandcastle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qgqqlc_Sio/VuVfnhW4ZwI/AAAAAAAADrs/erNrhPVSQiI5w-wmx_ObKVxOCaXYj6Wtg/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qgqqlc_Sio/VuVfnhW4ZwI/AAAAAAAADrs/erNrhPVSQiI5w-wmx_ObKVxOCaXYj6Wtg/s640/IMG_1033.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dunno what's the fun of building a sandcastle and then destroy it....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1a23lBx8YY/VuVfnlndtcI/AAAAAAAADro/ETkZmUnpl3QoOQXscRbPMcEpFvMwcAZhA/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1a23lBx8YY/VuVfnlndtcI/AAAAAAAADro/ETkZmUnpl3QoOQXscRbPMcEpFvMwcAZhA/s640/IMG_1036.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kicking in water. Hmmm... She's ready for swimming class, I think. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TRUjDyGB2M/VuVfpMkAraI/AAAAAAAADrw/iIe4lpVkRhglhIYlTh2Bm9bwViFeG1vIQ/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TRUjDyGB2M/VuVfpMkAraI/AAAAAAAADrw/iIe4lpVkRhglhIYlTh2Bm9bwViFeG1vIQ/s640/IMG_1042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love this picture. Daddy and his darlings having some quiet talk together.</span></td></tr>
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Beach, is not exactly my thing. But the other 3 in my family love it, so it is 3 against 1. This time, I sat on the mat most of the time, and just snapped a few pictures here and there. It was truly a very relaxing experience. And after the previous two experiences, the girls know what to do when we said it's going home time, they know how to clean themselves, and that we have to walk a little to the car. And they didn't whine or complain anymore. All I did was just offer them the leftover spam/nuggets, and some crackers on the way home. And everyone was happy.<br />
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EG and I decided that maybe we should visit other beaches around us - if the weather is kind to us. Summer's now over and autumn is on its way. A friend likes to go beach during winter, but I am not sure if we're up to it as it can be freezing cold, but it might be something that we should put in our to-do list for this year. :)<br />
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-47839273119568709152016-02-08T18:43:00.004+08:002016-02-08T18:44:06.307+08:002016 Chinese New YearI love it when this year's Chinese New Year's reunion falls on a Sunday. It gave me plenty of time to prepare, and to get things organised. Besides, I think now we're pretty good into the routine now, I could do more this year comparing to last year. I made some CNY cookies (will blog about it separately) and cooked up a storm for our reunion lunch. Well, I told EG we should improve bit by bit every year. Next year we'll surely be better.<br />
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This year we got my aunt and her family over (one cousin didn't join as he had to work) for reunion lunch. I wanted to keep it simple but still ended up cooking quite a bit with EG's help - it was a bit chaotic as I tried many new dishes this year. But I must say I am very proud of myself. I received compliments for all my dishes. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMD118J_qRo/Vrhrs9p_8EI/AAAAAAAADnw/di8PpXpLGsw/s1600/IMG_8659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMD118J_qRo/Vrhrs9p_8EI/AAAAAAAADnw/di8PpXpLGsw/s640/IMG_8659.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2016 Chinese New Year Reunion Lunch - Full Feast!</span></td></tr>
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Dishes that I cooked:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Hokkien mee - recipe from <a href="http://thefoodpornographer.com/2011/10/mums-hokkien-mee-recipe/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Garlic shrimp - recipe <a href="http://rasamalaysia.com/garlic-shrimp/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li>Buddha's delight (vegetarian) - recipe <a href="http://thewoksoflife.com/2015/02/buddhas-delight-lo-han-jai/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li>Steamed barramundi (must have for CNY!)</li>
<li>Coke soy sauce chicken (from Buffalo smart cooker recipe book)</li>
<li>Fried boiled eggs (mum's festive must have dish)</li>
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And my aunt brought sashimi, crackling roast pork, tempura, a fruit platter, and a bottle of champagne.<br />
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All these food, for 5 adults and 2 young children. o_O!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l29yuWa8EGc/Vrhrunqh1_I/AAAAAAAADn8/r4EdtXCXWMo/s1600/IMG_8672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l29yuWa8EGc/Vrhrunqh1_I/AAAAAAAADn8/r4EdtXCXWMo/s640/IMG_8672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2016 CNY Lunch</span></td></tr>
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We ended up with lots of leftover - which is good - 年年有余!<br />
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Now to some photos. I took a picture of the girls in their cheong sam in the morning before we went to church. Yea, they were very happy with their special "costume" and many in church actually complimented their dress, and said that they were very cute. Eunice told me, "I don't like people say I am cute. I like it when they say I am pretty." Oh my goodness!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpZZjmCoMHI/VrhrzHTkNjI/AAAAAAAADoc/SDZFkCfg7Uw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpZZjmCoMHI/VrhrzHTkNjI/AAAAAAAADoc/SDZFkCfg7Uw/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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After my aunt's family left, we decided to have a family photo shoot. In actual fact, the girls were all sweaty and tired with all the playing with my cousin (look at their messy hair!). But I still insisted on photo shooting. So I had to bribe them that I'll let them have swimming session in the bath tub if they cooperated.<br />
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While EG was setting up the camera, we had some candid shots which I thought they were quite nice too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSA-6lX2iw8/Vrhr0S0x2uI/AAAAAAAADok/-fff9BBDTAg/s1600/shot1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSA-6lX2iw8/Vrhr0S0x2uI/AAAAAAAADok/-fff9BBDTAg/s640/shot1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Not very happy look</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QovUovbCuN0/Vrhr1tAdsSI/AAAAAAAADoo/KxPZqFnJ4XM/s1600/shot2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QovUovbCuN0/Vrhr1tAdsSI/AAAAAAAADoo/KxPZqFnJ4XM/s640/shot2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. A trial shot - always have to remind Nat to just smile normal :P</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Yedd2bvZRk/Vrhr1qZCbLI/AAAAAAAADos/wUjiSE9A-WI/s1600/shot3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Yedd2bvZRk/Vrhr1qZCbLI/AAAAAAAADos/wUjiSE9A-WI/s640/shot3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Oops, EG's head got cropped off</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hW9QRivuHyU/Vrhr2DE77wI/AAAAAAAADow/0y13jIoOU5Y/s1600/shot4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hW9QRivuHyU/Vrhr2DE77wI/AAAAAAAADow/0y13jIoOU5Y/s640/shot4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Forgot what's the joke</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmJF-Gws1lI/Vrhr3Df73iI/AAAAAAAADo0/i8tLcX-be9o/s1600/shot5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmJF-Gws1lI/Vrhr3Df73iI/AAAAAAAADo0/i8tLcX-be9o/s640/shot5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Daddy, are you done yet?!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLuUTkUC04Y/Vrhrthc35DI/AAAAAAAADn4/HyUTaE1kkH4/s1600/CNY_2016_Fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLuUTkUC04Y/Vrhrthc35DI/AAAAAAAADn4/HyUTaE1kkH4/s640/CNY_2016_Fixed.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And finally, a good shot of our family in 2016 CNY! <br />(after some photo edit by EG)</span></td></tr>
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Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Hope this year bring good health and abundant of blessing to all of us! I am ending this post with a video of my girls wishing everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai! :)<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XW-QI0IZ_7U/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XW-QI0IZ_7U?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-21257545165265637662016-02-05T05:42:00.001+08:002016-02-05T05:43:14.373+08:00Lucky Draw: Silver Circus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to remember my "emotion" when entering this lucky draw.</div>
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I got the email in my mailbox, I entered my details, thinking to myself, what kind of logic do they use for prize draw? I write scripts for prize draw at my workplace too. </div>
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And I got an email telling me I am one of the three lucky winners!</div>
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I was skeptical, I showed EG. We went and googled and see if there's any scam about this. After 30 minutes, we couldn't find anything. I decided to reply without giving any personal details.</div>
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After maybe 2 rounds of emails, I finally am convinced that I was one of the winners, but still reserved.</div>
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And last night I saw this in the website.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWTN-vBJ5fY/VrPEleoZcnI/AAAAAAAADnY/742vyYJDAd8/s1600/circus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWTN-vBJ5fY/VrPEleoZcnI/AAAAAAAADnY/742vyYJDAd8/s640/circus.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't find a word to describe my feeling (poor vocab). I never have any luck in winning any lucky draw! The previous win was in <a href="http://twynny.blogspot.com.au/2007/03/my-first-lucky-draw.html" target="_blank">2007</a>! I am just TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!<br />
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What a GREAT start of the year! Thank GOD! :)pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-18282324860540437062016-01-01T18:46:00.000+08:002016-01-01T18:46:15.924+08:00Throwback: My birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am a Boxing Day baby. My mum told me she had a stomachache after Christmas because she ate too much cakes, and she went to the hospital and that's how I came to this world. </div>
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This year, I disabled my Facebook notification for my birthday. And told my sister not to wish me in Facebook - I wanted a very quiet day. Haha! Also, <a href="http://eugch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">EG</a>'s idea is that with this, you'll find out who remembers your birthday. :)</div>
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I cooked myself the foochow chicken soup and mee sua every year. Somehow I could cook it MUCH better here than in Penang. I don't know why - maybe it's because of different ginger, or chicken. I can now cook it taste very similar to my parent's!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvSLv8TBtHM/VoZVqh7zt3I/AAAAAAAADkg/YXiTm1-Zoek/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvSLv8TBtHM/VoZVqh7zt3I/AAAAAAAADkg/YXiTm1-Zoek/s640/photo%2B1.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chicken soup</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQfE8dT6hyI/VoZVsT9D0hI/AAAAAAAADk4/svC7l5NIohY/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQfE8dT6hyI/VoZVsT9D0hI/AAAAAAAADk4/svC7l5NIohY/s640/photo%2B2.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Foochow mee sua - mum brought it over for me last year</span></td></tr>
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EG bought me a simple cheesecake from the shop, and we started our photoshooting. Girls were already in their pyjamas but they were smart enough to suggest to put on a jacket to make them look better. Bright idea!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHeLS4e9wGQ/VoZVmBk5M9I/AAAAAAAADkM/b4LGboFPiP4/s1600/IMG_8564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHeLS4e9wGQ/VoZVmBk5M9I/AAAAAAAADkM/b4LGboFPiP4/s640/IMG_8564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few tries to get a decent shot</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egAIC9G-42I/VoZVl4dqBUI/AAAAAAAADkI/FKXCSIRaX2w/s1600/IMG_8567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egAIC9G-42I/VoZVl4dqBUI/AAAAAAAADkI/FKXCSIRaX2w/s640/IMG_8567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Us with silly faces - except Nat.<br />She actually said "Sorry daddy I didn't make funny face" when we showed her the picture.<br />Forgiven because of her cuteness.</span></td></tr>
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We then moved to our kitchen to do the birthday song singing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kK9dlKA7zH0/VoZVmCdtNUI/AAAAAAAADkQ/h4aSMV57ii4/s1600/IMG_8571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kK9dlKA7zH0/VoZVmCdtNUI/AAAAAAAADkQ/h4aSMV57ii4/s640/IMG_8571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blowing candle after my darlings sang me birthday song</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBT_rkRlHS0/VoZVqngIjgI/AAAAAAAADkk/eTmHVaoAMnc/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBT_rkRlHS0/VoZVqngIjgI/AAAAAAAADkk/eTmHVaoAMnc/s640/IMG_8573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shot with my two lovely darlings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love them to bits</span></td></tr>
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Happy birthday to myself! This year birthday I truly think that it's not what you do to make a special day special, but it's who you're with that makes the day extra precious. :)<br />
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And truly grateful for some friends who wished me privately. :)<br />
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-56277865094810284502015-12-31T19:19:00.003+08:002015-12-31T19:19:48.181+08:002015 ReflectionNo matter how I neglect my blog, on the last day of every year, I make sure I make time to write a few notes. :)<br />
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I just read through my write-up on my <a href="http://twynny.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/2014-reflections.html" target="_blank">2014 reflection</a>. It's funny how human's memory works - well, it does make sense if I use the rational in the cartoon Inside Out - I somehow couldn't recall much of the messiness of 2014, but instead, I felt rather at peace in 2015.<br />
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For me, the greatest thing that happened in 2015 is probably that it has been a great year for Eunice in her first year of schooling in Australia. She has blended in so well that she has made so many friends, she's been so independent, and of course lots of praises and compliments from her teachers to her. We are very proud of her and also very relief that she's enjoying herself much in her first year of "formal" education. For us the parents, we were also grateful with the school system, and the parent representatives which has helped us adjusted so well into the new system and new routine. Now, I am much more efficient and relax in regards of the schooling works / system, as well as the daily preparing lunch boxes chore!<br />
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As for Nat, we changed her childcare since Aug 2015 and we have never been happier since then. She loves the new childcare (actually she loves the old one too!), but most importantly, both me and EG love the childcare a lot! They use Reggio Emilia approach, and because we all love it so much that we increased days of care for Nat from once a week to 3 times a week! And with this, we're now very happy to tick this item off our <strike>concern </strike>list.<br />
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For me, 2015 taught me to trust God in His providence. It is sometimes very amazing to see how God provides for our family! There ought to be some stressful times with all the uncertainties but I am really thankful how God has carried our family to sail through 2015 peacefully, and everytime I look at my girls' happy faces, or when I hear their happy laughter, I know it's all worth it. <i>Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God</i> - has always been my comfort whenever I felt lost.<br />
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2015 also put me and EG's into a position to re-invest into our marriage. We agreed that we were so pampered back in Penang that we worked in the same company for 5 years, and we literally spent whole day together, eating and talking, communicating, doing things together all the time. But now, all these are luxuries. With the busy and hectic lifestyle here, it's hard to find chance to spend time with each other quietly and peacefully. I shared with my friends before that somehow, I felt that both my girls have grown up now and they don't really need me anymore. For the past 5 years, ever since I became a mother, my whole mind was all about my children. But now, I switched my attention back to my husband, which I am glad that he thinks the same. We tried to make effort to spend time with each other, and we will try harder next year.<br />
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So when I think back 2015, we don't have any major event but we did manage to tick off many things in our list. I feel much more settled in 2015 - which I am really thankful for. And I pray that God will continue to bless our little family in 2016!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8aRr7ot5uVc/VoUPEr0nK2I/AAAAAAAADiQ/549kNcOpGKw/s1600/IMG_8552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8aRr7ot5uVc/VoUPEr0nK2I/AAAAAAAADiQ/549kNcOpGKw/s640/IMG_8552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy new year from all of us!!</span></td></tr>
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-86894778927171795402015-09-03T19:11:00.002+08:002015-09-03T19:17:58.399+08:00Steptember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My current workplace supports Australian charities. In the first week when I joined, we hosted <a href="http://www.cancer.org.au/get-involved/events/australias-biggest-morning-tea.html" target="_blank">Australia's Biggest Morning tea</a>. Occasionally, I'll receive emails in my inbox regarding some charity work or fundraising events.<br />
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Last month, HR sent out an email regarding <a href="http://www.steptember.org.au/" target="_blank">Steptember</a>. It's a charity event that encourages people to take 10,000 steps a day for 28 days in September for fundraising to support people living with cerebral palsy across Australia. That's the equivalent of virtually climbing the highest peak on every continent!<br />
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Aside from doing charity, I find it really interesting as I have been walking much more than I used to ever since I started working in the city, but how many steps did I really take each day? Seriously, being a data analyst, I am really curious of the "data" I am going to collect and some interesting fact that I will discover with the data that I collected.<br />
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I talked to a few colleagues (it actually took some courage out of me to do this) to form a team of 4 and registered ourselves. In less than 2 weeks, I received the kit in my mailbox and it came with a pedometer - small enough to keep in my pocket/bag to track every step that I take.<br />
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I started trying out the pedometer a week before.<br />
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So, how many steps do I take? My <strike>amazing</strike> discoveries below:<br />
1) In a morning, from the moment I stepped out of my bed to prepare breakfast / wake Eunice up / prepare myself / going in and out Eunice's room etc, I actually took >500 steps.<br />
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2) From the moment I stepped out of my home to bus station then to train station and to my office at 9th floor (using lift), I took almost 2300 steps.<br />
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3) From the moment I stepped out of my bed in the morning up till 8pm, I actually took 5360 steps (worked through lunch hour).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zothrdiwMdc/VegimeLXmzI/AAAAAAAADeM/wLq9MVWDINk/s1600/1.%2BDay1%2BTrial%2Bat%2B6pm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zothrdiwMdc/VegimeLXmzI/AAAAAAAADeM/wLq9MVWDINk/s640/1.%2BDay1%2BTrial%2Bat%2B6pm.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total steps from 6.45am to 8.15pm on a normal working day</span></td></tr>
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4) I took 873 steps just in my own home from 8.15pm to 11.05pm - just walking around the house settling the children and etc. Hmm.. quite amazing. So on my typical day, I actually took 6233 steps. That's double of what the video in Steptember shows that average office worker only takes about 3000 steps a day. Not too bad!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsQvIxOtuaI/VegimbI5yUI/AAAAAAAADeI/caafY0tZJyI/s1600/2.%2BEnd%2Bof%2Bday1%2Btrial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsQvIxOtuaI/VegimbI5yUI/AAAAAAAADeI/caafY0tZJyI/s640/2.%2BEnd%2Bof%2Bday1%2Btrial.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total steps I took in a day</span></td></tr>
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5) I took 1318 steps from home to Eunice's school.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KL6NMAneIA/Vegil847tCI/AAAAAAAADd8/acf7sfF4EN0/s1600/3.%2BFrom%2Bhome%2Bto%2Bschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KL6NMAneIA/Vegil847tCI/AAAAAAAADd8/acf7sfF4EN0/s640/3.%2BFrom%2Bhome%2Bto%2Bschool.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total steps from home to Eunice's school</span></td></tr>
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6) I showed Eunice my pedometer while walking home from school last week. I told her it'll count how many steps she takes. She was very excited and was holding it jumping around to see the number increases. So it might just add another 20 steps extra. :P.. Otherwise, for the same distance, a 5yo took 1623 steps from school to home! 300 steps more than me! :D<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YAqkxWN6pc/VeginQCUFLI/AAAAAAAADeU/IdWBTC7cAVs/s1600/4.%2BEunice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YAqkxWN6pc/VeginQCUFLI/AAAAAAAADeU/IdWBTC7cAVs/s640/4.%2BEunice.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The excited girl</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qEQMKFZD-8/VegipHGoaKI/AAAAAAAADeo/nGKIeopk8GM/s1600/5.%2BFrom%2Bschool%2Bto%2Bhome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qEQMKFZD-8/VegipHGoaKI/AAAAAAAADeo/nGKIeopk8GM/s640/5.%2BFrom%2Bschool%2Bto%2Bhome.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eunice's total steps from school to home</span></td></tr>
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7) Steptember started yesterday and I stopped a train station earlier than my usual one to increase my steps, but I got lost in the city! (Yes! Terrible sense of direction! How embarrassing...) And I ended up wandering around in the city for 30 minutes before I finally found my way! But again, I didn't go anywhere during lunch and worked through my lunch time, and I went for small group at night which I only sat in the couch from 7.45pm to 11pm. So in the end, I only had 9029 steps! Missed by a bit! But not a bad start... (Pardon me for the dark pic as I took it at night when I was falling asleep :P)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BufDttQch0o/VegjDQMZAaI/AAAAAAAADe0/snYLzLTWTeE/s1600/6.%2BDay1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BufDttQch0o/VegjDQMZAaI/AAAAAAAADe0/snYLzLTWTeE/s640/6.%2BDay1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">9029 steps in the first day of steptember</span></td></tr>
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8) Today I came down a train station earlier again and made sure I came out from the right exit (YES!), and during lunch, I walked to the market to get some fruits. When on my way home, I came down a bus station earlier than my usual one and walked more. By 8.45pm, I already achieved 10K steps! Yeay!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rns5JR05fNs/VegjKJkpR5I/AAAAAAAADe8/x59g1w1Ric4/s1600/7.%2BDay2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rns5JR05fNs/VegjKJkpR5I/AAAAAAAADe8/x59g1w1Ric4/s640/7.%2BDay2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total steps in day 2 and still increasing! Yay!</span></td></tr>
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So far I find it pretty interesting, though I had some cramp feet at night (LOL). I am never a sporty person but for the cause of charity, and since this is also for my own health and fitness, I hope I will be able to last through 28 days with this determination!<br />
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And after Steptember is over, I am going to put this on Natalie and see how many steps my hyper girl actually takes everyday! *GRIN*<br />
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PS: Besides just walking, we also can convert the activities (like gardening, yoga, sports, cycling, swimming, etc) into steps. I'll see if my weekend gardening help much in the total steps, and it shall then fulfill more of my curiosity. :P<br />
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-87767337198024972752015-07-28T19:09:00.004+08:002015-07-28T19:11:54.941+08:00My new seasonI started a new job in Melbourne city in end of May.<br />
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Honestly, I struggled when I went for the interview - part of me wanted to get a better pay job, but another part of me was reluctant to change the routine which we were comfortable with. But when I was offered the job, I took it up.<br />
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It's since 2 months I started working in the city. In the beginning, I had to adjust my hours to wake up 1+ hour earlier, and travel 1 hour to work (one way), taking 15 minus bus, 30 mins train and another 10+ mins of tram or 15 mins if I walk. 2 weeks after I started my job, my office moved to a new premise which is right next to the train station. Thank goodness! That easily cuts my journey short for 10-15 minutes. And makes my coming home trip easier too!<br />
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Now, my biological clock has adjusted. I could automatically wake up earlier without feeling too tired. And with all the walking, running (chasing train/bus), standing in crowded train, I also feel that my stamina got better. In the first week, I felt dizzy in the office due to all the commuting but now I am fine. In fact, nowadays I tried taking the bus earlier so that I can reach office earlier to have a fresher start each day, and leave sharp at 5pm to come home earlier to my family.<br />
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With the new routine now, I also have to be more efficient in many things that I do. I started doing bulk cooking for lunch/dinner, and bake something over the weekend for Eunice's lunch boxes. However, freezing food is still not something that I am used to. On the week nights, I prepare everyone's lunch/lunch boxes after dinner, and I even chose my work attire for the next day to make my morning more efficient - and believe it or not, it does make a difference. Instead of going into store for my weekly grocery, I now do online shopping to click and collect - where I make my order and EG will go and collect it on Friday. Works perfect and saves us at least an hour every week.<br />
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For the children, we make them go to bed earlier (by 8pm) and wake up earlier so that I can change and tie Eunice's hair before I leave to work. In most mornings, I'll prepare her breakfast and she'll be eating her breakfast while I leave the house. EG will then take over from there. And EG also has taken over the main cooking task on weekdays as I only reach home by 6pm. Sometimes I do some cooking at night for the next day too so he can have more time doing his work.<br />
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It has been quite an adjustment but I am glad that we're coping pretty well. Even though I used to be sad that I am now further away from my children, but I must also remember that for the past 1 year, I had the privilege to be close to them and to be involved in many things in their happenings in school, and it surely helps me in learning and coping about schools and child care here better.<br />
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It was sad for me to leave my first workplace in Melbourne. It was indeed a very nice place to work, with very understanding and flexible bosses. Even with me leaving, they fully supported my decision. I surely wish that I will have the opportunity to work for them again in the future, esp since they are only 5km away from my home!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRYWxzhvTCw/Vbdh3AXIlkI/AAAAAAAADZo/oBZkQL9nSJY/s1600/saguity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRYWxzhvTCw/Vbdh3AXIlkI/AAAAAAAADZo/oBZkQL9nSJY/s640/saguity.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Farewell gift, and some shots in my old work place</span></i></td></tr>
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Nevertheless, I am thankful for the new career opportunity, and after having a break for a year+, I have a paradigm shift on "job". I thank god that I can work on something that I am passionate on with a team of professional folks. And even though I still desire to be a stay at home mum one day, I will enjoy my new season and continue to cherish this opportunity that I have now. ;)<br />
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-31252221986599791372015-05-05T10:55:00.002+08:002015-05-05T10:56:37.777+08:00Joy!A few friends shared the same verse with me at different places, different time.<br />
Psalm 37:4 - Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires.<br />
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I thought over this verse over and over again, and did some google search, shared with close friends. And one shared the below message to me.<br />
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I love it so much!<br />
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I got to memorize this!<br />
And putting here so I can always come back to read it. :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzxrSYXBi38/VUgxImAbYQI/AAAAAAAADXw/mamVDanlxsc/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzxrSYXBi38/VUgxImAbYQI/AAAAAAAADXw/mamVDanlxsc/s640/joy.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-76332234208742374462015-04-27T11:17:00.001+08:002015-04-27T11:19:45.418+08:00Working With Children Check<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got this in my mailbox when I came back from my home trip. :)</div>
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In Victoria, in order to do any work involving children, you'll need Working With Children Check. Basically, they just check if you have any crimical record before giving you the permit.</div>
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I recently put my name down to help out in Eunice's class as a parents helper, hence I needed this card. And I am planning to volunteer as helpers in more activities later. </div>
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Since this is just a volunteer task, so it's free. :).. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbudjKu3-_4/VT2pZc__EeI/AAAAAAAADXY/OQAb06Drmxc/s1600/IMG_9447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbudjKu3-_4/VT2pZc__EeI/AAAAAAAADXY/OQAb06Drmxc/s1600/IMG_9447.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am actually very happy to get this card. It looks very nice, don't you think so?<br />
I think it's because of the color and the picture of children on it. :)<br />
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Love it!<br />
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More info @ <a href="http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/">http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/</a>.pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-8058335370648625182015-04-14T10:32:00.001+08:002015-04-14T10:39:09.613+08:002015 Home Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We decided to make a home trip during the first term holiday in 2015 - air tickets were cheaper during this time, probably because everyone is not traveling anymore after the Christmas break in December. </div>
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I was very nervous for the trip (looks like I am always nervous for everything). Our previous home trip to my sister's wedding was quite a disaster in the airport. Thank goodness during then I had friends who traveled together to help us. So, this time, I have been brainwashing Eunice that I needed her help in the airport, and went through the "procedures" many times with her, like we'll go airport, have some nuggets, then we have to queue up, etc etc, until we board into the plane.</div>
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As usual, I think I overworried. Because my two cutie pies were angels throughout our long journey home! I was very pleased with Eunice. She's very independent now and could really hold herself together even though I know she's actually tired or sleepy. I was very very happy with her.</div>
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Our flight was at 1.30am, and we reached airport around 830pm (too early!). We waited for 2 hours before we could drop our luggage, went through the long queues for hand luggage scan check, custom immigration check, and to terminal to wait for an hour before boarding. After 8 hours flight, we arrived KLIA2 at 6.30am but our next flight was at 1.30pm (7 hours transit, YES!). So, we hung out at McD, walked around KLIA2, had <strike>expensive and lousy </strike>lunch until we flew to Penang. And, nope! We're not home yet! We then took a car from a friend, went to meet a friend to take 2 car seats, and drove 1 hour to Taiping. </div>
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And yes, after almost 24 hours, we're finally home! We reached Taiping at about 4.30pm! So, how can I not be proud of my two little angels who behaved so well throughout the long trip? We were so happy and proud of them until EG said, it's time to plan for more travel trips! :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPc6Fe87oOY/VSx1lXpiQ4I/AAAAAAAADVs/L5nPnbo-njw/s1600/IMG_9250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPc6Fe87oOY/VSx1lXpiQ4I/AAAAAAAADVs/L5nPnbo-njw/s1600/IMG_9250.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">@ the airport</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaLRzHe6324/VSx1lGe_laI/AAAAAAAADVc/QfocdovD_uU/s1600/IMG_9251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaLRzHe6324/VSx1lGe_laI/AAAAAAAADVc/QfocdovD_uU/s1600/IMG_9251.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">@12.30am, both girls still wide awake. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">They were excitedly trying to spot aeroplanes in the dark.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally arrived @ KLIA2 after 8 hours flight!</span> </td></tr>
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So what did we do at home? Honestly, nothing much. We were in Taiping most of the time and the main purpose of this home trip is to visit EG's family and get the children to spend more time with his parents, also to tell them about us in the new place. And we did. </div>
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The girls were happy with the grandparents as the grandparents spoiled them! Ah well, it has been a year since the grandparents met them. Hopefully they will be willing to come over Aus to visit us in the year end.</div>
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We took a few pictures of some of the things that we did.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having breakfast in my favorite kopitiam on the first day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbSApi97tqo/VSx1mhMr89I/AAAAAAAADVw/-JihXmfd7nc/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbSApi97tqo/VSx1mhMr89I/AAAAAAAADVw/-JihXmfd7nc/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The whole family went for a haircut @ our fav saloon. And I colored my hair.<br />This is the no.1 to do things in my list. :D</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Vpe6TW5omU/VSx1nfRGABI/AAAAAAAADWE/Eo48FzeHBj4/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Vpe6TW5omU/VSx1nfRGABI/AAAAAAAADWE/Eo48FzeHBj4/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Met up with cousin from KL</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwB4m48__gI/VSx1n4Uib_I/AAAAAAAADWY/oKvF0hrLQUY/s1600/IMG_9296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwB4m48__gI/VSx1n4Uib_I/AAAAAAAADWY/oKvF0hrLQUY/s1600/IMG_9296.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoyed those rides. RM1 / RM2 comparing to AUD1 / AUD2! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcdxH2eTTZ0/VSx1oJSNtWI/AAAAAAAADWI/7Iw3rLAlRTo/s1600/IMG_9318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcdxH2eTTZ0/VSx1oJSNtWI/AAAAAAAADWI/7Iw3rLAlRTo/s1600/IMG_9318.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Went Penang and met up with friends and their juniors!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoBwV4cT6pQ/VSx1onEAsmI/AAAAAAAADWQ/8I685WXQbQk/s1600/IMG_9336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoBwV4cT6pQ/VSx1onEAsmI/AAAAAAAADWQ/8I685WXQbQk/s1600/IMG_9336.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breakfast with grandparents. They love toasted bread with butter & kaya.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92vgxlCezoc/VSx1pW1A25I/AAAAAAAADWg/xu28WzbTCBQ/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92vgxlCezoc/VSx1pW1A25I/AAAAAAAADWg/xu28WzbTCBQ/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Updated Natalie's passport photo.<br />Do the sisters look at like? Both pics taken when they were 2.5yo. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2aA5186hX4/VSx1p8vemqI/AAAAAAAADWo/2Xa2aHnunwY/s1600/IMG_9372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2aA5186hX4/VSx1p8vemqI/AAAAAAAADWo/2Xa2aHnunwY/s1600/IMG_9372.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ate roti canai a few times and EG decided to teach them to eat with hands.<br />They enjoyed it! </span><span style="font-size: small;">Nat calls it Pizza. :D</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iDITKbPNuQ/VSx1qefRDCI/AAAAAAAADWw/uVVzsFv-dLI/s1600/IMG_9390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iDITKbPNuQ/VSx1qefRDCI/AAAAAAAADWw/uVVzsFv-dLI/s1600/IMG_9390.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let them try ice kacang (I told Eunice it's icy "bowl" instead of icy poles here).<br />They didn't quite like it. Too bad. :P</span></td></tr>
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After 2 weeks in Taiping, we drove back to Penang, returned car seats, met with a good friend before leaving to airport. We took a we-fie in McD in PG airport before we went into the terminal - just like what we did 14 months ago when we left Penang to Melbourne. :).. EG said we should do this everytime when we do our home trip. Good idea I thought. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgHGGEo05-s/VSx1qjLOCnI/AAAAAAAADW0/WZCobDKF_7g/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgHGGEo05-s/VSx1qjLOCnI/AAAAAAAADW0/WZCobDKF_7g/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All of us @ PG airport, stick together, as always!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHTiIryh4S0/VSx1rO7Q-nI/AAAAAAAADW8/QypAFAfR3Ec/s1600/IMG_9445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHTiIryh4S0/VSx1rO7Q-nI/AAAAAAAADW8/QypAFAfR3Ec/s1600/IMG_9445.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, dinner @ KLIA2 before leaving to Melbourne.</span></td></tr>
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Transit in KLIA2 to Melbourne was 4 hours so it wasn't too bad. Girls were easily occupied with some pens and books for them to draw or scribble (esp for Eunice). Had fast food in the airport (we reckoned that's the best food after getting disappointed with the hefty price and lousy quality food we paid in airports for several times) for dinner before going into terminal to wait for boarding.<br />
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So how did we like our home trip? It wasn't too bad. I thought since I have spent 30 years+ in Malaysia, the hot and humid weather in Malaysia is not a problem for me, but I was wrong. I was very reluctant to come out most of the time, and I only wanted to stay in air cond room. :P.. For girls, Eunice asked to bathe everytime we came back from outside. And Nat refused to sit on the kopitiam chairs, she said they're dirty! I had to find a better looking or cleaner chairs for her to sit. :P.. And for dinner, Eunice will ask to go to places which are "nice and fresh" - means air-conditioned.<br />
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For me, I think the thing I like the most, is the warm breakfast in Malaysia. Unlike in Melbourne, we normally just have bread/milk/cereal/eggs for breakfast.<br />
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Anyway, we're glad to be back safely. It's always nice to be home - no matter where the home is. And now after a break, it's time to gear up for the new year (a quarter has passed, I know!) with our new goals!<br />
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-11445956724306312102015-03-19T10:12:00.004+08:002015-03-19T10:13:33.867+08:00Early<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OlQYj9822s/VQov6nH-quI/AAAAAAAADU4/RAFOUy9xXd4/s1600/IMG_9218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OlQYj9822s/VQov6nH-quI/AAAAAAAADU4/RAFOUy9xXd4/s1600/IMG_9218.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">@ Melbourne Central, 19 March 2015</span></td></tr>
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Passed this this morning, after almost 4 months.</div>
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Doing what <a href="http://supercolossal.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/im-late.html" target="_blank">supercolossal </a>did, took a pic, and blogged, except that I was early.</div>
pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-60137036555437546842015-02-20T07:51:00.000+08:002015-02-20T07:57:01.386+08:00Busy start of 2015It's a super busy start for 2015 for me - Eunice <a href="http://mamabeh.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/2015-eunice-in-school.html" target="_blank">started primary school</a> and with me getting stressed out with all the lunch boxes idea, as well as the "processes" in the school - which are all new to me, and a few information nights/meetings/assessments, and we decided to sign Eunice up for swimming lesson after all the read up & surveying around, later came February for Eunice's birthday, Chinese New Year, etc.<br />
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I thank God for His strength for me to have all these finally settled and over, especially for Eunice's school stuff - it's more into the routine now. Even she knows when is the PE class to wear the right shoes, and when is the library day to bring her library bag and library book.<br />
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So I've been pretty busy cooking especially for all these events.<br />
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For Eunice's birthday, I steamed a chocolate cake for her when we had a dinner in my aunt's house. So it was a early celebration for her with my cousins (her beloved playmates). It was really yummy. I got the recipe from: <a href="http://cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/hot-steamy-chocolate-cake.html">http://cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com</a>, it's really easy and you don't even need a blender. The weather was rather warm on that day and we ate with vanilla ice cream, oh it was really very yummy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-116kwORwBDk/VOZrgJ6_WbI/AAAAAAAADO0/L4Wcv7H33fg/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-116kwORwBDk/VOZrgJ6_WbI/AAAAAAAADO0/L4Wcv7H33fg/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steam chocolate cake</span></td></tr>
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And on Eunice's actual day of her birthday, I got a few of her little girl friends over just for a small party with the children. It's harder than I thought. Anyway I think they still had a good time (I hope!). I made an ice cream cake for the kids. And they loved it! A kid told me it's the best cake she's ever eaten - Wow! I believe kids don't lie. :)<br />
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For this cake, I got the recipe from: <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/28557/vanilla+raspberry+ice+cream+cake">http://www.taste.com.au</a>. But I didn't follow exactly. I only mixed a tub of vanilla ice cream with frozen raspberries and chocolate chips, and topped with Eunice's choice of favorite berries. I think it looked fabulous!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G82cev1956Q/VOZrgYgvoTI/AAAAAAAADO4/ruHkH7eQ_KE/s1600/IMG_9071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G82cev1956Q/VOZrgYgvoTI/AAAAAAAADO4/ruHkH7eQ_KE/s1600/IMG_9071.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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A week before Chinese New Year, I got some time off from office and I decided to try the bak kwa recipe that I saw from <a href="http://nasilemaklover.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/homemade-chinese-pork-jerky-bak-kwa.html">http://nasilemaklover.blogspot.com</a>. It was so easy to make and it finished all in a day. However, I didn't make it again because cleaning up (the tray) is too much work. So, I only make it once. :D<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZSBWmEjw0/VOZtL-WQHrI/AAAAAAAADQo/Xew6HNDEtTM/s1600/IMG_9035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZSBWmEjw0/VOZtL-WQHrI/AAAAAAAADQo/Xew6HNDEtTM/s1600/IMG_9035.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grilling in the oven</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFjN7xN482g/VOZs-JxxIMI/AAAAAAAADPQ/b5Sx5YPekTM/s1600/IMG_9036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFjN7xN482g/VOZs-JxxIMI/AAAAAAAADPQ/b5Sx5YPekTM/s1600/IMG_9036.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looks pretty good after cutting up!</span></td></tr>
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Chinese New Year is one culture that I'll surely want to keep and instill into my children. I made them say Gong Xi Fa Cai (ended up pretty hilarious with their aussie slang now), and cooked up a storm for our reunion dinner (or a storm was cooking instead). Nah, just being exaggerate. :P. I did cook up quite a bit for our reunion dinner, and we had it with two of our good friends from my hometown as this is their first CNY away from home. It was a good dinner. All the things that I cook are pretty easy - no, I didn't stay in the kitchen for 2 hours to cook all these. In fact, most of them are done quickly, and I still could run around for my errands and take a short power nap!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbKJF9FWGhc/VOZs-KnHM6I/AAAAAAAADPI/LnN6M9Wk1QE/s1600/IMG_9089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbKJF9FWGhc/VOZs-KnHM6I/AAAAAAAADPI/LnN6M9Wk1QE/s1600/IMG_9089.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roasted chicken. Recipe from: <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/roast-chicken-rules#.mjrKwKZBRn">http://www.buzzfeed.com</a>.<br />4 steps: <br />1) Thaw and dry the chicken<br />2) Season with salt & pepper (inside the cavity as well)<br />3) Truss the chicken<br />4) Into the oven for 200C for 1 hour 15 minutes.<br />Done!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHkMvon0DE/VOZs_5c-baI/AAAAAAAADPg/zAoLUw_mxeU/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHkMvon0DE/VOZs_5c-baI/AAAAAAAADPg/zAoLUw_mxeU/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My mum does this for every festive season or celebration. <br />Just lightly fry the hard boiled egg with oil.<br />We call them 炸蛋 (sounds like bombs in mandarin).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKCw7Ajy-eg/VOZtAJ-gTbI/AAAAAAAADPk/ZCxYei8XK0k/s1600/IMG_9093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKCw7Ajy-eg/VOZtAJ-gTbI/AAAAAAAADPk/ZCxYei8XK0k/s1600/IMG_9093.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I got the very fresh banana prawns from the supermaket here. Cleaning them up was most probably the task that took up most of my time. And I used the recipe from my favorite cooking website: <a href="http://rasamalaysia.com/garlic-shrimp/2/">http://rasamalaysia.com/</a>. Easy peasy and yummy yummy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0St0PgrxFk/VOZtAl4S8oI/AAAAAAAADPo/DzY4S3zOL2I/s1600/IMG_9094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0St0PgrxFk/VOZtAl4S8oI/AAAAAAAADPo/DzY4S3zOL2I/s1600/IMG_9094.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the first time I bought a whole fish ever since I came Aus. But I was very impressed that the fish from the fish pier outside my house is very very fresh, and it's not expensive too. Well, I just got a barramundi. The girls have not had steamed fish for a looooong time and surely ate a lot of them. Guess this dish will be a frequent dish on my dining table from now on.<br />5 easy steps:<br />1) Clean & dry the fish. Julienned the ginger and put on the fish & in the cavity.<br />2) Steam for 10 minutes (I poured away the water from the fish after steaming to avoid soil smell)<br />3) Put on fried garlic & garlic oil (pre-made)<br />4) Mix 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and hot water. Pour over the fish.<br />5) Garnish with chopped spring onions and chili.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTNyS2xQzQ0/VOZtBJUgYJI/AAAAAAAADP0/vdG7opDZRKc/s1600/IMG_9095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTNyS2xQzQ0/VOZtBJUgYJI/AAAAAAAADP0/vdG7opDZRKc/s1600/IMG_9095.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spring rolls! My friend made this so I have no recipe for this.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwGGc4y7iH0/VOZtCB54JQI/AAAAAAAADQA/wZoRKrLgS2I/s1600/IMG_9096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwGGc4y7iH0/VOZtCB54JQI/AAAAAAAADQA/wZoRKrLgS2I/s1600/IMG_9096.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lotus root soup with pork ribs by me. Just boil pork ribs (cleaned), lotus root (I bought frozen ones from Asian grocery) and red dates (seeds removed) for 1 hour. Yummy-licious!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq841e5ZezI/VOZtCUMMZjI/AAAAAAAADQE/Va7L7s087ZI/s1600/IMG_9097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq841e5ZezI/VOZtCUMMZjI/AAAAAAAADQE/Va7L7s087ZI/s1600/IMG_9097.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Standard stir fried vegetables with scallops by friend.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMHk4gn7yuo/VOZtCrk1jcI/AAAAAAAADQM/6iqlcpbmOoE/s1600/IMG_9098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMHk4gn7yuo/VOZtCrk1jcI/AAAAAAAADQM/6iqlcpbmOoE/s1600/IMG_9098.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Reunion Dinner</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XujGh05yoXo/VOZtDVWJXLI/AAAAAAAADQU/pp9zb8tR1WY/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XujGh05yoXo/VOZtDVWJXLI/AAAAAAAADQU/pp9zb8tR1WY/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dishes on our reunion dinner - I was pretty proud of myself!</span></td></tr>
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EG was a happy happy man on the CNY eve. Food was very good and he was full until the next day (yeap, no kidding!). But I didn't put up any decoration or made any CNY cookies this year. I'll surely improve myself next year though he told me it's already very good this year. :). And of course we gave red packets to the children. And I am also impressed with Eunice's school - they have a 1 hour mandarin class on Monday and she told me, "Mummy, it's the year of Goat this year!". :)<br />
<br />
So now my major cooking for this year is done - for now! Until the next event comes up. In the meantime, introducing my new member on my kitchen counter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_t0kPJn9QU/VOZ2Z9MCWlI/AAAAAAAADQ4/jD3gNTlwOFU/s1600/IMG_9103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_t0kPJn9QU/VOZ2Z9MCWlI/AAAAAAAADQ4/jD3gNTlwOFU/s1600/IMG_9103.JPG" height="640" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Introducing - PHILIP AIR FYER!</span></td></tr>
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I am so excited! My friend's mum decided to let go of hers as she hardly used it, so I got it at a big discount. And now, I am looking for recipes to see how this beautiful baby can help me with my cooking, to serve more delicious food for my precious family. :)<br />
<br />
Till then,<br />
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-45859114347000638832014-12-31T19:35:00.000+08:002014-12-31T19:36:50.429+08:002014 Reflections2014 is probably the craziest, the messiest, but also one of the most blessed year that both EG and I had.<br />
<br />
Even since we're married, all the good things happened to us - we bought a terrace house in Penang (when everyone said we're crazy), I got pregnant, and we had our first child after 2 years of marriage, and our girl grew up beautifully while I braced through the journey of breastfeeding, and we marched through the journey of parenthood together, and then we had our second princess after 2 more years. We changed our car, we got promoted in our work, we very much enjoyed our family time within our small little family, and then we made probably the biggest & the craziest decision in our life - we let go of all the beautiful things that we had, and our whole family migrated to Australia together in Feb 2014.<br />
<br />
As I wrote in my <a href="http://twynny.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/beginning-of-our-new-journey.html" target="_blank">previous entry</a>, we have been settling very well in this new place. Today, on the last day of 2014, I recall how we have gone through our year this year, there's only one word to describe it - <b>MESSY</b>. 2014 is truly the messiest year that I have had in my life. But of course, it's messy in a good way - in the past 10 mths, we got a car, settled all the children schooling, childcare, banking, settled in a church, moved in our place, started new jobs, setting out routine, made new friends, joined small (cell) group, etc.<br />
<br />
It really amazed me that how on earth we could do so many things in just 10 months.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, my company closes for 3 weeks for Christmas/New Year holiday. Many were shocked that we're closed for so long (not a good sign for business, plus it's forced leaves). But for me, I have been waiting for this break for a really long time. Now, 50% of my holiday has passed, and I feel very much rested, especially mentally. I do not need to wake up early to pack Eunice's lunch box/water bottle/ fruits & snack box, I do not need to rush in and out to fetch children to childcare and rush to work, I do not need to think what to prepare for lunch a day ahead, and I can relax and spend time with my children, driving and bringing them around the suburbs to check out new things or new places, and I can tidy up my messy home after living here for 6 months! I have time to plan out the kids' schooling next year. And the thing that I enjoy the most is, I can spend time with my hubby everyday for 3 weeks!<br />
<br />
Though 2014 has been a great year for us, but it's also a sad year. There're three airline disasters in Malaysia in this year alone, the flood in east coast Malaysia, a friend's neighbor whose child used to be Eunice's classmate in Penang passed away, leaving behind her hubby and 2 children who's the same age as mine, and another good friend's nephew passed away.<br />
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One thing that I really wish to thank God is that we always have faithful spiritual friends around us wherever we are - in Penang, and now in Melbourne. Their friendship and their sharing have encouraged and helped us a lot in going through this crazy 2014 year.<br />
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On the last day of 2014, as I reflect on this year that is going to pass, I thank you God for all the blessing that He has poured unto us, and my prayer is that everyone in my family, and all my friends whom I know will stay healthy and safe in everything that they do.<br />
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So, goodbye 2014, and Bring-it-on 2015!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year from all of us :)</span></td></tr>
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<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-57332519533590160712014-11-16T20:40:00.000+08:002014-11-17T18:51:21.868+08:00Mango SmoothiesI love mangoes.<br />
<br />
It's now mango season in Australia. Yum yum! The price is getting cheaper and cheaper since it's at the peak of the season now - we can get $2 for 1 mango, or sometimes less if buying in bulk! So, I've been cutting mangoes for our fruits pretty often for the past week. Last week, my friend from church gave me another 3 mangoes! *Drool big time*!<br />
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I try not to give the girls mangoes too often - Chinese believes that mangoes are heaty and might cause cough (especially since Nat has been coughing occasionally), but I can't keep them for too long as they might get overripe. As I was wondering what else I can do with them, I then came across this super simple smoothies recipe in a magazine.<br />
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We're having simple pizza for lunch today and I decided to make this drink to make the lunch more complete (lazy mum - I know!). I didn't follow the original recipe 100% but tweaked by using whatever I have in my pantry. Result? Oh, it's very very yummy! And it's very refreshing. Eunice had 2 cups. I didn't have almond meals so I didn't put into my drink. Now I know what to do if I have more mangoes. :D<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7OYHxYw1Y8/VGiYk17pEII/AAAAAAAADIM/QmCearJhALs/s1600/IMG_8415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7OYHxYw1Y8/VGiYk17pEII/AAAAAAAADIM/QmCearJhALs/s1600/IMG_8415.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mango Smoothies</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Mango & Honey Smoothies</b></u><br />
<u><b>Ingredients:</b></u><br />
1 mango<br />
400ml of fresh milk<br />
1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt<br />
1 tbsp of honey<br />
<br />
<u><b>Method:</b></u><br />
1. Peel and chop mango into small pieces and place into a blender with milk, yogurt and honey.<br />
2. Blend until smooth.<br />
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As simple as that. Yum! I must go buy almond meal one day and try with it. It should add extra flavor to the drink. :)pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-30361335078692638092014-11-12T21:27:00.001+08:002014-11-12T21:42:47.556+08:00A day in Melbourne CityIn Penang, EG and I worked in the same company for the last 5 years.
We spent a lot of time together when going to work, having lunch
together almost everyday, and leaving office together to fetch kids. Ever since we moved here, we've been really busy with all our daily chores and spending time together is almost mission impossible - maybe only after kids are asleep at night, but by then, both of us will be exhausted too.<br />
<br />
I
actually miss those times that we can talk and chat with no distraction
from the kids. EG works in the city and has been asking me to go with him one day just to tour around or see how he travels to work, and have a look at his work place.<br />
<br />
So, we both took a day off from work, sent the girls for full day childcare, and I went to the city with him.<br />
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We spent a lot of time in Melbourne Uni, where he showed me around - things that he learnt from his orientation, had coffee at his favorite coffee house, walked around the gardens, etc. And we took the city loop tram a bit, and went for Vietnamese lunch, and off to QV and Emporium for some window shopping. Time passed very quickly and we needed to rush home to fetch our two girls from childcare.<br />
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It was a good time spending time together just between two of us. As usual we both enjoyed each other's company a lot. I guess it won't happen very often, but I believe now we really should make an effort to have some times for ourselves once a while. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2VhAwdO8w/VGNWqkU0ujI/AAAAAAAADFw/wRJrYoz1Lsg/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2VhAwdO8w/VGNWqkU0ujI/AAAAAAAADFw/wRJrYoz1Lsg/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Melbourne Central. Stopped for a while to watch the clock "sings" :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLoPz_yg4_c/VGNWrnWq88I/AAAAAAAADF4/f3K1MQ2wbck/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLoPz_yg4_c/VGNWrnWq88I/AAAAAAAADF4/f3K1MQ2wbck/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Different corners of a part of Melbourne University</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cageyuOFgcw/VGNgq4CgQMI/AAAAAAAADHg/5rkdqIYK15w/s1600/20141023_133832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cageyuOFgcw/VGNgq4CgQMI/AAAAAAAADHg/5rkdqIYK15w/s640/20141023_133832.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">House of Cards Expresso in Melbourne Uni </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">EG insisted that we should have a cup of coffee at his favorite cafe in the uni.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yALgJ0Cvk8w/VGNXE9N9MzI/AAAAAAAADGk/I4_FLPhvAn4/s1600/IMG_8366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yALgJ0Cvk8w/VGNXE9N9MzI/AAAAAAAADGk/I4_FLPhvAn4/s640/IMG_8366.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did a we-fie :P</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJi1pJeLQHw/VGNWs9cF7vI/AAAAAAAADGA/REw-W0R2KYs/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJi1pJeLQHw/VGNWs9cF7vI/AAAAAAAADGA/REw-W0R2KYs/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me @ different corners of the Uni</span></td></tr>
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<br />
EG brought me to this place and asked me to guess what it is. It's a very special car park. Above the car park is a nice lawn where ppl will sit/lie down to read/rest/eat. In EG's orientation, he was told that each pillar in the car park is either the tree trunk or some drainage for the lawn/garden on top.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Df51sHBGa1I/VGNXAJ3soaI/AAAAAAAADGI/LOLdEe0XpUg/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Df51sHBGa1I/VGNXAJ3soaI/AAAAAAAADGI/LOLdEe0XpUg/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very special car park :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WorE9dPpkqs/VGNY3dGCwOI/AAAAAAAADHM/z8XJbMoLlqE/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WorE9dPpkqs/VGNY3dGCwOI/AAAAAAAADHM/z8XJbMoLlqE/s640/IMG_8369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the South Lawn on top of the car park </span></td></tr>
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We tried to be "artistic" and went for to the Ian Potter Museum Art for some art viewing. But sadly, we don't really know how to appreciate those art... :P<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz6HbNywcKk/VGNgq-sBfHI/AAAAAAAADHk/OJTkKb0BbhQ/s1600/20141030_151446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz6HbNywcKk/VGNgq-sBfHI/AAAAAAAADHk/OJTkKb0BbhQ/s640/20141030_151446.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a story about this Leckie Window, since 1935.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Apparently it's from some hall that caught fire, this is the only piece that they could save.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yjQu6DeLa4/VGNXC3U4zjI/AAAAAAAADGQ/glK38HHeUHI/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yjQu6DeLa4/VGNXC3U4zjI/AAAAAAAADGQ/glK38HHeUHI/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this part of the of the Uni - love those plants around the buildings</span></td></tr>
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<br />
The best thing about this outing is that I didn't plan anything. :P... I let EG do all the planning by himself. Whatever he asked me what I wanna do or where I wanna go, my answer is, anything, up to you. Hehehe..! It's always nice to just relax and have someone to plan the trip for you. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thlJfndZoYE/VGNXFqTys7I/AAAAAAAADGw/d0Q2ABV_DoA/s1600/IMG_8372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thlJfndZoYE/VGNXFqTys7I/AAAAAAAADGw/d0Q2ABV_DoA/s640/IMG_8372.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My tour guide checking the itinerary :P</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cQoy7uLHd4/VGNXG75DXAI/AAAAAAAADG4/Kkd2IcAVKqo/s1600/IMG_8376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cQoy7uLHd4/VGNXG75DXAI/AAAAAAAADG4/Kkd2IcAVKqo/s640/IMG_8376.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">EG said this sun dial still works... Trying to figure out how to read the time :P</span></td></tr>
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After we left the uni, we took the free City Loop Tram, and decided to stop by Parliament building to take some photos, and not going for the rest of the journey as we're running out of time <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjHHnPU8z_A/VGNXDTjmMlI/AAAAAAAADGY/CK_cfk-eOvs/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjHHnPU8z_A/VGNXDTjmMlI/AAAAAAAADGY/CK_cfk-eOvs/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Exploring the city in the free City Loop tram - but completed maybe 20% only :P</span></td></tr>
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Time passes very quickly as we walked around. We went the famous Lygon street for food hunting and decided to have Vietnamese food for our late lunch. Yum yum!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4SlWyBUWWE/VGNXEga2dtI/AAAAAAAADGg/MLV1p8wwu10/s1600/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4SlWyBUWWE/VGNXEga2dtI/AAAAAAAADGg/MLV1p8wwu10/s640/20141111%2BA%2Bday%2Bin%2BMelbourne%2BCity6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Went Lygon street for Vietnamese food. Ordered a big bowl and both of us share </span><br />
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Now, our adventure is over. And we're back to our usual routine, with our two lovely girls. :)pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-15455263839397645912014-11-05T10:17:00.000+08:002014-11-05T10:17:54.473+08:00Picnic @ Tim Neville ArboretumOur small group (cell group in Malaysia context) has family gathering about once a month (or maybe once in 2 months). Most of us have young children, and I love my small group leader as she's so detail in choosing a safe park for children to go.<br />
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A few things that she took into consideration including number of exits in the park (in case kids run out while parents are busy chit chatting?), the park landscape (any obstacle where kids can hide and we might miss them? like behind the tree? can we all watch the kids at a distance at a glance?), safety (river? stream? pond?), etc. I feel so "safe" for her to choose the place because I know all that I worry will surely be taken into her consideration - So I can relax. :)<br />
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The previous gathering we had it at Greythorn Park @ Bawlyn. I love that park (hope I can blog about it next time). And this round, for a difference, we decided to go Tim Neville Arboretum @ Ferntree Gully, Knox.<br />
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The park is quite a distance from where we live - about 30 minutes drive. Kids were very very excited (oh, they love parks!) and were behaving well in the car. I told them to take a rest or a short nap if they want, and they did sit down quietly in their car seats to take a rest throughout the <strike>short</strike> journey.<br />
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It's a nice park, with big trees with shade everywhere. My small group members and friends put the picnic mats on the grass under a big tree for shelter. The weather is good, sunny and windy. Park is amazing - so many things for children to play. Needless to say, my kids (*again*), hardly ate anything, they just snacked on crackers, potato chips (argh!), and fruits while they kept playing.<br />
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I didn't take much picture this round comparing to the first outing as the play area in this park is a distance away from where we sat - so I couldn't really stand or sit around eating while watching my kids (like the last round). I needed to bring them into the play area and watched and played with them.<br />
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We did have a great time. Thanks to friend's children who actually helped to watch over them. It was a public holiday yesterday in Melbourne hence the park was crowded. My kids didn't play with other children, but only with the familiar faces - my another migrant friends' children who were also invited for the outing.<br />
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Overall, it's a good outing. Girls were happy. And parents had a good time catching up and chit chatting with other parents. I just love going outdoor activity like this in Melbourne. Very relaxing with the good weather here!<br />
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It's supposed to be a bring-your-own-lunch event (quite common here apparently! :P).. But as Asians, it turned out to be a pot luck session! But some of the Caucasian friends really just bring their own lunch for their own family. I actually love this idea - food is not the most important thing during the gathering, but it's more for the catch up.<br />
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Anyway, took some pics of the yummy food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENEj9pIs_bk/VFmBteMH3RI/AAAAAAAADBs/moxzyzAMtVQ/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENEj9pIs_bk/VFmBteMH3RI/AAAAAAAADBs/moxzyzAMtVQ/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gado gado by my Indonesian friend</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vg-aQtbUWL4/VFmBtcqMr_I/AAAAAAAADBw/W0o7KFlaXlU/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vg-aQtbUWL4/VFmBtcqMr_I/AAAAAAAADBw/W0o7KFlaXlU/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Putting the nice crispy crackers yum yum!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Curry beef with hard boil eggs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH-i_1IjKfs/VFmBubgfakI/AAAAAAAADCA/agpMvd2qnBU/s1600/IMG_8280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH-i_1IjKfs/VFmBubgfakI/AAAAAAAADCA/agpMvd2qnBU/s1600/IMG_8280.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nasi lemak - Very very authentic!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Homemade Sambal! Been craving for this big time :D</span></td></tr>
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And now, some pics of the children - Like I said, I didn't take much. And I actually let Eunice went around freely with another Eunice (friend's daughter) and she really likes her. So, she told me what she did later on while I was busying chit chatting with my friends with Natalie around me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yq1Ri0N75Q/VFmBvxencSI/AAAAAAAADCM/xHsXOVYwaEc/s1600/IMG_8282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yq1Ri0N75Q/VFmBvxencSI/AAAAAAAADCM/xHsXOVYwaEc/s1600/IMG_8282.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This swing is really cool! Like a car seat on a swing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRcnlaDrEao/VFmBwvv_7II/AAAAAAAADCY/gJVhYEKNjWY/s1600/IMG_8283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRcnlaDrEao/VFmBwvv_7II/AAAAAAAADCY/gJVhYEKNjWY/s1600/IMG_8283.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't be deceived by her sad face - She actually quite liked it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs9xe-Dob44/VFmBx9xDgdI/AAAAAAAADCg/OboZS3Io-Rw/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs9xe-Dob44/VFmBx9xDgdI/AAAAAAAADCg/OboZS3Io-Rw/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All kids love swing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BHzwhAz1sg/VFmByRxHBwI/AAAAAAAADCk/9Ul0pF0C6IM/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BHzwhAz1sg/VFmByRxHBwI/AAAAAAAADCk/9Ul0pF0C6IM/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daniel bringing Natalie for flying fox!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgrrUj5c1g8/VFmByxMaYxI/AAAAAAAADCs/b7-pOEbjCKI/s1600/IMG_8287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgrrUj5c1g8/VFmByxMaYxI/AAAAAAAADCs/b7-pOEbjCKI/s1600/IMG_8287.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Haha!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_61tRx1juiM/VFmBzncXknI/AAAAAAAADC4/vy8iQpNgMoA/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_61tRx1juiM/VFmBzncXknI/AAAAAAAADC4/vy8iQpNgMoA/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eunice's turn!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8HUllq5hl0/VFmB0xN-gII/AAAAAAAADDA/PU4MubH5rio/s1600/IMG_8289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8HUllq5hl0/VFmB0xN-gII/AAAAAAAADDA/PU4MubH5rio/s1600/IMG_8289.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She's actually quite terrified - hence the tension face :D</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HQfN0LjO9o/VFmB1XsMDkI/AAAAAAAADDE/h6jaIWIc31Q/s1600/IMG_8290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HQfN0LjO9o/VFmB1XsMDkI/AAAAAAAADDE/h6jaIWIc31Q/s1600/IMG_8290.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My fearless baby going for her 2nd ride!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrLYyPsHOsQ/VFmB137H6HI/AAAAAAAADDI/6IY-K1wo3m0/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrLYyPsHOsQ/VFmB137H6HI/AAAAAAAADDI/6IY-K1wo3m0/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another side of the park - my kids haven't explored this yet!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFBu1G0wg-Y/VFmB2VJFOxI/AAAAAAAADDY/cD-MKfPpmLY/s1600/IMG_8292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFBu1G0wg-Y/VFmB2VJFOxI/AAAAAAAADDY/cD-MKfPpmLY/s1600/IMG_8292.JPG" height="479" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Families around, with their children. Mostly fathers yea?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-We0V7cbBfvc/VFmB3HSW7gI/AAAAAAAADDk/gbYIefIDcuE/s1600/IMG_8293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-We0V7cbBfvc/VFmB3HSW7gI/AAAAAAAADDk/gbYIefIDcuE/s1600/IMG_8293.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying the hammock..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaWryz2TV_s/VFmB3SMPZMI/AAAAAAAADDg/IthK7GDdc7w/s1600/IMG_8294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaWryz2TV_s/VFmB3SMPZMI/AAAAAAAADDg/IthK7GDdc7w/s1600/IMG_8294.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't know that there's a pond with ducks at the other side of the park. <br />Eunice actually took some bread from our picnic table and fed those ducks. She told us there's a mother duck, and some little ducklings around. Must be big Eunice che che told her this. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_sM_FDpuL4/VFmB4TjhpaI/AAAAAAAADDw/5lKWbhRUeHA/s1600/IMG_8296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_sM_FDpuL4/VFmB4TjhpaI/AAAAAAAADDw/5lKWbhRUeHA/s1600/IMG_8296.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A small stream for the kids to play. My girls didn't play here (I quickly walked away) and I was too lazy to clean up wet children!</span></td></tr>
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Location of the park:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d12597.406463389967!2d145.286014!3d-37.875459!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xf04567605313c80!2sTim+Neville+Arboretum!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1415153460747" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-34043105281136709352014-11-03T14:27:00.001+08:002014-11-03T14:27:10.406+08:00Baked Chicken NuggetsOne of the biggest challenges after moving to Melbourne is the need to cook every meal everyday. Well, my family, especially the father, he doesn't really like to eat out. I have been cooking almost 3 meals a day, 7 days a week since I came. I could count with my fingers on how many times I've eaten out so far. But I am not complaining. My family is not complaining. In fact, EG is such a happy man that he could eat at home for most of the meals. Simple logic - he happy, I happy, kids happy, everyone happy. :D<br />
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Cooking here is simpler - ingredients are easily available, weather is good - I cook with my sweater on most of the time, like cooking in aircond room haha! (I'll soon share when I have to cook during summer). Because of the different culture here, I can find many different types of food - greek. asian, japanese, korean, etc. Some of the cooking websites, like www.taste.com.au or Jamie Oliver's website, have all their ingredients available in the major grocery shops here.<br />
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So I decided to document down some of my recipes in my cooking journey. I am a full time working mum, with two clingy children, so my recipe is not going to be the super canggih one - but mainly the simple, quick, and easy recipe that can whip up a meal in 30 minutes or less. Maybe slightly more complicated ones during weekends or holidays.<br />
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To start of, during the weekend, I found chicken breast in my freezer and decided to make baked chicken nuggets for my girls as a treat. I surfed around for the internet to find the easiest recipe and I found one in kidspot.com.au, with most of the ingredients available in my kitchen. I tweaked it a bit to suit the ingredients I have.<br />
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<u><b>Ingredients:</b></u><br />
1 pc of chicken breast (about 250g-300g)<br />
1/3 cup of plain flour<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
1/4 cup of breadcrumbs<br />
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese<br />
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<u><b>Method:</b></u><br />
1. Whisk egg in a small bowl<br />
2. Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in another small bowl<br />
3. Put the plain flour in a 3rd bowl.<br />
4. Cut chicken breast into bite size pieces (not too thick).<br />
5. Dip chicken breast pieces into the flour, dust off the excess, dip into the egg wash, and finally coat with the breadcrumbs and cheese mix. Press the crumb mix onto the chicken pieces. Place the chicken on the baking tray with aluminum foil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(*Note 1)</span>.<br />
6. Refrigerate the chicken pieces for 30 minutes.<br />
7. Pre-heat oven to 180C. Put in the chicken pieces in for 20 minutes <span style="font-size: x-small;">(*Note 2)</span> until cook through.<br />
8. Serve with ketchup.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Note 1: The original recipe uses baking paper but I used aluminum foil. It still works, but the chicken pieces stick to the foil. I probably should have sprayed some oil on top to prevent them from sticking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Note 2: The original recipe only asked to bake for 10 minutes but I baked for 20 minutes as I worried the chicken pieces are not cooked through.</span><br />
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I am pretty happy with the final result. The Parmesan cheese makes the chicken pieces really flavorful. Girls love them so much that I have to keep it aside so they will eat the rice instead of keep biting on the nuggets. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chicken pieces, flour, eggs and crumb mix</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ready to go into the oven.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ii6chjEeZs8/VFcftWeGnWI/AAAAAAAADBM/cuKcRekNX5s/s1600/IMG_8191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ii6chjEeZs8/VFcftWeGnWI/AAAAAAAADBM/cuKcRekNX5s/s1600/IMG_8191.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yum yum healthy nuggets!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-58161434279634469372014-10-31T12:35:00.001+08:002014-11-03T14:27:23.548+08:00Pyjamas Party in OfficeOne of the team leaders in the office sent an email that the next day is a Pyjamas (or Pajama) party.<br />
<br />
I brought a pyjamas long pants in my bag the next day, thinking of changing it in the office (instead of walking around in it to childcare), but I didn't put it on in the end (COWARD, I KNOW!). But I am amazed how sports my colleagues are. When my MD came into office in his boxer with long sleeve shirt in the late afternoon, I regretted for not being sporting enough. Anyway, he gave 2 hours meeting in his pyamas outfit, which we spent 15 minutes laughing at the start of the meeting.<br />
<br />
Quite a fun place at work, don't your reckon? :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5liyrD7FJ0w/VFMRGuqx4dI/AAAAAAAADAk/Jy5R0hf0z04/s1600/IMG_8047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5liyrD7FJ0w/VFMRGuqx4dI/AAAAAAAADAk/Jy5R0hf0z04/s1600/IMG_8047.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fun bunch. I love the onesie! :D</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJn9OjfhSug/VFMRGseH5_I/AAAAAAAADAo/DmC66y8uP6E/s1600/IMG_8048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJn9OjfhSug/VFMRGseH5_I/AAAAAAAADAo/DmC66y8uP6E/s1600/IMG_8048.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boss!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWRkIsYS13I/VFMRGiwCjeI/AAAAAAAADAg/xBSoDe8Xpfs/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWRkIsYS13I/VFMRGiwCjeI/AAAAAAAADAg/xBSoDe8Xpfs/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Director in pyjamas pants and UGG boots :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-41334562729720032652014-10-21T08:09:00.000+08:002014-10-21T08:09:52.978+08:00New MembercardI used to read a lot when I was younger, like when I was a teenager. I remember reading after my mum off the lights. And I remember my mum had to keep my novels so I will go study my textbook for the next day test, instead of reading the novel.<br /><br />But I was reading more on Chinese books, more on sci-fi books. Reading the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisely" target="_blank">Wisley series</a>. Somehow along the way, I stopped reading somehow. EG has been trying to make me read again but he failed miserably. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moving here, library is so easily accessed. Every suburb has a good library well stocked with many books. I called it EG's heaven. There's this library opposite my office, in walking distance. I went over one day during lunch time and was pretty impressed. So, in my heart, I made it a new resolution to pick up reading again. And finding chinese books is definitely a tough task here (there's one rack of chinese books though!) as there's limited variety. So, I'll venture into english books then.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4UMHSICpNU/VEWLLH49L1I/AAAAAAAAC8A/SOs2o6tulpk/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4UMHSICpNU/VEWLLH49L1I/AAAAAAAAC8A/SOs2o6tulpk/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My library member card</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Library membership is free, and I can borrow up to 70 items! There're DVDs in the library - but most children one are on loan - you need to be quick and fast in getting them. We've been getting Disney cartoons for the girls.<br />
<br />
I tried to get some books for myself but I am totally lost in the library looking at the books. So, in order to make sure I don't give up, EG has been getting books from the library at the Uni that he works in. So far I have read one book and reading another one, and I try to read when I am sleeping the children, or when I am on the public transport. Like eg, he's <a href="http://supercolossal.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/reading-on-tram.html" target="_blank">reading on the tram</a>. :D<br />
<br />
I hope I will start to put down the phone with all the whatsapp and Facebook, and start to read more.<br />
<br /></div>
pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-14693743879679219842014-10-15T11:27:00.003+08:002014-10-15T11:28:05.424+08:00Proud<div style="text-align: center;">
I am always proud of my hubby. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Always.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Great job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Praise the Lord. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2W4wYR8Fq4/VD3pXNGAMbI/AAAAAAAAC7w/eg5rdIXqnww/s1600/20141015_135826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2W4wYR8Fq4/VD3pXNGAMbI/AAAAAAAAC7w/eg5rdIXqnww/s1600/20141015_135826.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Try spotting him :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Link to: <a href="http://supercolossal.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/amongst.html">http://supercolossal.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/amongst.html</a></span>pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-22422094558738446112014-10-02T12:35:00.000+08:002014-10-02T12:35:01.777+08:00Shopping in MelbourneNope, this is not a post about the retail shopping. :).. I am never a shopping person - not even when I am in Malaysia. Shopping therapy never works for me.<br />
<br />
One thing I love about Melbourne is the choices that we have to buy things. My aunt brought me to Salvos (Salvation Army) in a few suburbs and picked up a few good second hand stuff with GREAT value. And she told me, You don't need to spend a bomb in buying things for your house. Just look around you. And on that day, we picked up beautiful plates for my kitchen, cutlery, and a casserole. And you won't believe the price I paid for them! Most of them are less than $10, and if it's of better qualities then it'll still be less than $15.<br />
<br />
My uncle told me before that we could pick up good deals from Salvation Army here before we moved here. Deep inside me, I felt so sad. In Penang, we used to donate our old things to Salvation Army and after we move to Melbourne, I need to buy things from Salvos. How sad. LOL! How wrong I was! Salvos here are like a boutique shop! They arranged things accordingly on the racks, and clothes hanging nicely according to sizes, with proper fitting room, and their people in nice uniforms and always friendly and helpful. <br />
<br />
Ever since then, I always "shop" in Salvos, Op Shop, and any 2nd hand shops. Because Melbourne is a big city, there're many people donating their things to Salvos when they move, and I managed to pick up many things. Besides these shops, we have also been looking at 2nd hand stuff with good condition from the most famous gumtree website - where people post their stuff to sell 2nd hand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1D6sTIxsuk/VCzUhF9-FJI/AAAAAAAAC5k/tgNVCeZ2ugQ/s1600/IMG_7995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1D6sTIxsuk/VCzUhF9-FJI/AAAAAAAAC5k/tgNVCeZ2ugQ/s1600/IMG_7995.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 stainless steel heavy sauce pans for $7.25 and $12.25 each</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aODqlkW0kPk/VCzUiIT8b7I/AAAAAAAAC5s/hV8SheRKbJo/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aODqlkW0kPk/VCzUiIT8b7I/AAAAAAAAC5s/hV8SheRKbJo/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite casserole in the kitchen! Used it for one-pot dish in oven very often!</span> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">Paid $9.25 for it I think?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ksW9sg2kuO4/VCzUiWfL4lI/AAAAAAAAC5w/H083oDA90vg/s1600/IMG_7997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ksW9sg2kuO4/VCzUiWfL4lI/AAAAAAAAC5w/H083oDA90vg/s1600/IMG_7997.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I picked up good deals for kids clothing too! This is one of the cardigans that I picked up for Eunice. $5+</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwRMJCie3PU/VCzUjLbcLSI/AAAAAAAAC58/Uk0NLvapKa4/s1600/IMG_7998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwRMJCie3PU/VCzUjLbcLSI/AAAAAAAAC58/Uk0NLvapKa4/s1600/IMG_7998.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first woolen sweater that helped me to survive our first winter in Melbourne!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">It was on 50% off and I think I only paid like $5 for it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFiTsWxoNOQ/VCzUk9wjW6I/AAAAAAAAC6E/DFvztdMG7Vo/s1600/IMG_7999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFiTsWxoNOQ/VCzUk9wjW6I/AAAAAAAAC6E/DFvztdMG7Vo/s1600/IMG_7999.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My another favorite baking dish in the kitchen. Been using it for pie or quiche.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXRQOyrnqkc/VCzUlBXU1xI/AAAAAAAAC6I/Q-2PekdHivA/s1600/IMG_8001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXRQOyrnqkc/VCzUlBXU1xI/AAAAAAAAC6I/Q-2PekdHivA/s1600/IMG_8001.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">6 made in Italy wine glasses. Saw the price there? How to resist to not buy them? :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There's a Salvos nearby my office @ Nunawading which I'll pop over
during lunch time from time to time. My aunt brought me to one @
Camberwell and that is a real good one as the Salvos is big and plenty
plenty of choices. There are also many opportunity shop or charity shops
around that sells good things in a discounted price.<br />
<br />
I haven't gone for any retail shopping for the past 8 mths here. Haha! But no worry, I'll surely plan one soon! :)<br />
<br />
<br />pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-77142286294621679042014-08-22T10:15:00.000+08:002014-08-22T10:15:41.105+08:00Cultural DifferencesBefore moving over to Melbourne, Eg and I have been reminding ourselves about the cultural difference in Australia comparing to Malaysia. So far we've been coping quite well as things are within our expectation, and we're always talking to others, and learning the ways of living from the locals here.<br />
<br />
But there're a few conversations that EG and I shared after work that make us chuckle. As much as we awe on some of the ways things are done here, the locals here also find our lifestyle back home rather unusual, or bizzare.<br />
<br />
<u>1: Milo</u><br />
Aussies put milk into everything - tea, chocolate, milo, coffee, etc. Local milk here is nice, I don't deny that. Even the cheapest milk in the supermarket also taste really good. But the way I drink milo is only put milo powder, and hot water. I once told my colleagues about it, and they went big eyes and asked,"Serious? No milk?"<br />
<br />
<u>2. Sambal</u><br />
EG's workplace (a university) has a student union house that sells Malaysia food. Once, his colleague bought mee mamak and it came with sambal. He shared with EG and EG put into his home-packed noodle for extra kick. And when his colleague saw the amount of sambal EG took, he went, "That's suicidal!"... And EG told him we're used to this taste. And he asked,"And you have nasi lemak for breakfast?" EG said yes, and they all went shocked as they couldn't understand why would us take such a heavy tasted spicy food for breakfast. But later on they deduced that it's probably healthier as it contains rice, eggs; instead of usual local breakfast of cereal which contains more sugar. EG begged for differ and lots of explanations went on that I'd skip here. :)<br />
<br />
<u>3. Coffee</u><br />
This is again from EG's workplace. When he introduced himself and mentioned that he's from Malaysia, a lady asked him, Oh, you guys eat nasi lemak for breakfast right? (point #2 above), and next that we never expect - "And you drink coffee with ice?".. Hmm at first we thought what's wrong with that, and later we found out, locals here they drink coffee to keep warm due to the cold weather here. No wonder I never see Starbucks being any popular here.<br />
<br />
<u>4. Leaving home</u><br />
While chit chatting during lunch in the pantry, my another colleague who came from Malaysia and been staying here for the past 9 years shared his story. He said he left home to Melbourne at the age of 17 until now. All my colleagues were shocked and asked him how did he cope initially. I told them it's common in Malaysia for someone to leave home after high school. And one of my colleagues mentioned, "Oh yea, I have a friend who did this. He left home to another state, and the parents paid for his fees, rental, food, everything!" And later on they just kept saying that they can't imagine themselves doing this etc etc. Hmmm.....<br />
<br />
So far these four are those that we thought it's the usual common which really make locals here jaw dropped. I'd think the coffee is really something that we never expect from anyone.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it's interesting to see how others think about us. Nevertheless, we're having lots of fun exchanging our experiences with others here too.pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-37554074885080195402014-08-07T13:55:00.002+08:002014-08-07T13:56:59.576+08:00About IntrovertsSaw a friend shared this in Facebook and just clicked in to have a look while taking a break from work.<br />
<br />
I was laughing while reading it. I believe I used to be an extrovert. But after marrying EG, <strike>as a submissive wife, </strike> I believe his introvert genes has eaten into me. Now, EG sometimes thinks I can be more introvert than him. The article explains us pretty well - I could relate to almost all the points. But the one that makes me laugh out loud is #7. :D.. I think only EG and I will share this joke. Hehehe! :)<br />
<br />
I do hope some friends will read this and know why sometimes we're just so reluctant to come out. And we hate it when we have to justify or give reason why. Gee, there're times when we just want to be left alone (refer #1). :P.<br />
<br />
So, excuses us if we sounded rude. And don't ask why. :D<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copied from: http://playfullytacky.com/2014/07/16/things-you-should-know-about-introverts/ </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://playfullytacky.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2012-11-26-hug-your-introvert.png?w=639&h=207" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://playfullytacky.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2012-11-26-hug-your-introvert.png?w=639&h=207" height="104" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1 class="headline text-center">
Things You Should Know About Introverts</h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>1) We need to recharge alone.</b><br />
This right here is the cusp of the entire introvert v. extrovert debate
(if there is one, anyway) – Introverts need to be alone to recharge. We
tend to get completely worn out by socializing. This is basically what
it means to be an introvert.</span>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>2) We don’t hate being around people, but we probably hate crowds.</b><br />
I love being with people, but if you drop me into a large crowd I
instantly feel like I’m alone and invisible. I try to avoid situations
where I feel that way, so I may decline your open invitation to some
random event. It doesn’t mean I don’t like to be around you, it just
means I like to have more control over my surroundings. <br />
<br />
<b>3) We don’t mind silence. </b><br />
I can sit beside you in silence and not think we are having a bad time.
This is especially true on road trips and can be a little confounding to
true extroverts. For this reason, I especially like going to the movies
where it is already considered rude to chat. Rule #1 for dealing with
introverts – Don’t tell me I’m “too quiet.” I hate that. Sorry I’m
making you uncomfortable, but you really don’t get to decide how much I
have to talk. <br />
<br />
<b>4) Just because we are introverted doesn’t mean we are shy.</b><br />
Introvert and shy are actually two different things. Google it! In my case, I’m a shy introvert (the double whammy!). <br />
<br />
<b>5) We can turn on an extroverted personality when necessary, but it is especially draining.</b><br />
See #1 and #2. I have no problem getting up in front of a group of
people and giving a talk. I don’t even get nervous by a question and
answer period. But – here is the thing – I will need major recharge time
afterwards and I won’t be able to keep up this extroverted illusion all
day. I can turn it on to dazzle a crowd, but if you take me out for
lunch afterwards, I’ll probably just listen to you talk. I am an
excellent listener.<br />
<br />
<b>6) We aren’t judging you. </b><br />
See #3. Did I get quiet? Do I have a mean look on my face? I’m not
judging you; I’m just wrapped up in my thoughts with my
bitchy-resting-face on. I might have even forgotten you were there.
Sorry, just poke me. I didn’t do it on purpose.<br />
<br />
<b>7) We secretly love it when you cancel plans.</b><br />
I like being with you, but finding out I suddenly don’t need to be “on”
and it wasn’t actually me that backed out? – priceless! Don’t worry if
you have to cancel, I’m probably thrilled to be able to stay in my
pajamas. <br />
<br />
<b>8) We can get very wrapped up in our own thoughts.</b><br />
My inner monologue is epic. When you have a strong monologue constantly
running in the background, it is pretty easy to settle-in and listen for
a while. I have to work through things in my head before I proceed, so I
usually need a few minutes. When I’m ready to move forward though, I am
100% on top of it!<br />
<br />
<b>9) We can be pretty bad at connecting. </b><br />
You know when you have had a really bad day and you just want to call up
a friend and chat? Yeah, I’m bad at that. I tend to wait for extroverts
to reach out and include me, so when the time comes that I need
support, I can be a bit lost. <br />
<br />
<b>10) We don’t like to hang around.</b><br />
That time after an event or meeting ends and stragglers hang around to
talk – yeah, I know this is the perfect time to make more plans, connect
with new people, and get involved with future projects, but I really
really really hate this. I’m probably already checking my phone in my
car before you have even picked up your purse. Small talk with strangers
is my kryptonite. <br />
<br />
<b>11) We have strong opinions.</b><br />
Just because I have difficultly sharing them sometimes doesn’t mean I
don’t have opinions. Give me an extra minute to compose my thoughts and I
will continue to push myself to speak up sooner. It is a give and take
here.</blockquote>
pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-1867445693085115532014-08-01T12:16:00.003+08:002014-08-01T12:16:59.268+08:00Working.... in Australia<span style="font-family: inherit;">Never in my life that I ever thought that I'll be working overseas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah well, I did travel a lot in my first job, where I went to Indonesia for a month, and then Vietnam for 11 months, before I decided to quit the job and got myself another job that doesn't need me to travel often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that we moved to Australia, it's truly God's blessing that I can get a job in such a short time. I consider myself really lucky to work in this company. It's a small local company that does survey collection and I am hired as the Business Intelligence Analyst who is supposed to help with the IT support, data warehouse, data analysis and reporting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My office is only 5km away from my house. When I first started work and while we're still staying with my aunt, I took bus to work most of the time as EG needed the car to chauffeur Eunice to/back from kinder. But ever since we move to our own place in June, I've been driving. It's only a 10 minutes drive. And the office hour is from 9am to 5pm, hence I could still cook lunch, and prepare breakfast for everyone, and only leave home around 8.45am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many have told me about racism in Australia. Deep inside me, I used to fear to work in a whole new environment in a whole new culture. However, I over-worried! My colleagues are most young chaps, so they're really a fun bunch. Of course, they have their unique working ways (foul words, relax, take-it-easy) but so far they treat me really well. I have a few female colleagues who have children and we have total different topics when we bump into each other in pantry, or during lunch. I have heard stories of Asians being discriminated in the work place but not for me. Most of my colleagues greet each other in the morning when they came in, and when they leave, they'd even come to my place to say bye to me as well. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Communication used to be a little bit of problem as we're still adjusting to each other's slang, but after 3 months here, I think I have picked up the right way to talk here, and now I can chit chat with my colleagues pretty well. But ah, most of them are young chaps so they have their jokes that might be too "modern" for me to comprehend but nevertheless, it's still good. I am pretty happy about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For my bosses - I report directly to my MD and a director. They're really nice to me and have been very accommodating. There are times where I need to go and settle some of the children's stuff and they let me have my time-off. Besides, they also trust me and allow me to work from home for 2 days a week so I could save cost on the childcare. I am really glad and thankful for their trust. Besides, they treat me with respect and lots of courtesy. They are really courteous when talking to me (maybe I have the good-girl look) but so far, I am very thankful for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">None of my colleague eat out. Most of them bring their own lunches from home so I did that too. And we normally sat on the table in pantry for lunch together. I joined sometimes, but half of the time, I took the 30 minutes lunch break for a walk at the nearby shops near my office. Just to have some window shopping and looking for things that I might be interested in. Besides, the lunch break walking also helps me to take a break apart of sitting at the computer the whole day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wouldn't say Australians are very laid back, but it is probably more appropriate to say that Australians are very understanding, or accommodating. There are times when my director would ask if I am overloaded before passing me more work, or even ask me to pass some of my work to others when they see me looked really overwhelmed. Besides, they are very family oriented. Never once in my 3 months of working experience here that they request me to work over time. Most of the time they'll just tell me to do it the next day when I come back to office. I was so worried for the children arrangement when EG found a good job, and was thinking hard for 2 weeks to think how I should tell my director that I'd wish to work from home since childcare is just too expensive. When I finally gathered all my courage to tell her, I could be very frank on the reasons, and all she said was, "Hey Winnie, no worry, go ahead! Just let me know the plan when it's all confirm." You cannot imagine how relieve I felt deep inside me at that moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, this is a small company that I am working in. Probably this is why everything is more relax as there're less red tapes or processes. But so far I really enjoy myself working here. I do have job satisfactions, keeping some of my technical skills intact, earning some income to help paying bills and buying food, while still be able to mind our children is office is nearby to home/school/childcare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a summary, I'd say I am really, really lucky and blessed to get this job. And I am really thankful that it's an all awesome good experience for me. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IS9jzcJ659A/U9sT84f1PZI/AAAAAAAACrU/iFQbvOUdAIg/s1600/IMG_6876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IS9jzcJ659A/U9sT84f1PZI/AAAAAAAACrU/iFQbvOUdAIg/s1600/IMG_6876.JPG" height="479" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The bus station that I waited for bus for first 2 months before we moved</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd2R8BJNv2A/U9sT85m_kxI/AAAAAAAACrM/A4ppj8T6HDE/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd2R8BJNv2A/U9sT85m_kxI/AAAAAAAACrM/A4ppj8T6HDE/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The busy street</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ExkvGcDko/U9sT83LP8QI/AAAAAAAACrQ/-Hzk7Ia_RKE/s1600/IMG_6988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ExkvGcDko/U9sT83LP8QI/AAAAAAAACrQ/-Hzk7Ia_RKE/s1600/IMG_6988.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Right outside my office entrance. I love the sunlight in Melbourne in the cold weather. Ironic, I know. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGdkFnvxVPc/U9sUD8gvNSI/AAAAAAAACrs/yowPC-aEYHE/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGdkFnvxVPc/U9sUD8gvNSI/AAAAAAAACrs/yowPC-aEYHE/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The side street that I walk everyday from carpark to my office</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PS: If you're curious, EG is enjoying his work place even more than me. He works in Melbourne University with all the technical teams, so the buildings are awesome, good facilities, nice colleagues and fantastic team members and colleagues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really can't ask for more. :)</span>pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27667906.post-25547780171777178422014-07-29T12:33:00.004+08:002014-08-01T12:18:36.174+08:00Beginning of our new journey<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We migrated to Melbourne, Australia in Feb 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have been very discreet about this - Initially we only shared with family and some close friends, only until recently that we started to share openly with friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thinking back now, seriously I do not know why would EG and I have the gut to make this move. Anyway, we're glad that we did it together and we both had a good experience through the whole journey.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Why?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So you might ask me why? The standard answer we have been giving is - for the children. However, to be honest, it's not entirely for the children, it's partly for ourselves also. We were looking for something different that we could do to our lives. We went for a migration seminar in Penang and EG told me, we could do this. I was about 4 months pregnant with Natalie during then. We engaged a migration agent to overlook the whole process - which is the most correct decision that we have made as it saves us a lot of headache and hassle as we have someone expert to make sure we did the right thing. Besides, I have an aunt, who is very close to me, residing in Melbourne for the past 30+ years, and a few cousins around. I emailed them before deciding to engage the agent for migration and all of them were very helpful in giving us advice if this is a good decision. So, we thought, since we have relatives to watch over us if we go Australia, why not?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">The Process</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We engaged <a data-mce-href="http://www.kitson.com.my" href="http://www.kitson.com.my/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Kitson Migration</a> for our PR application and after analyzing our skills/age/etc, they suggested that we should apply for Skilled Migrant Permanent Visa. I remember it took us a few sleepless nights to really think about this to be sure this is what we want to do. And finally we decided to give it a try - whether or not we'll have the Visa approved it doesn't matter - just giving it a try and have another option in life. Besides even if our application is approved, we have 5 years to plan and decide if we really want to move over. That was the real thought that we had during that time. So, EG was the main applicant and he went for IELTS test (passed with flying colors and pulled up our scores in application). Both me and EG are local graduates, hence in order to prove that his skill is competent to Australian Engineering Association, he had to write 3 major career episodes throughout his 10 years working experience as an Electronics Enginner, and submitted to Australia EA for skill assessment. It took probably about 2 months for him to complete the whole thing, and submitted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, what did I do? :D.. In order to make sure he has the time to prepare for the IETLS test, and to write the skill assessment document, I made sure Eunice (around 2yo+ then) didn't disturb him and gave him lots of time to do it. Work in office was terribly busy and the only time he could prepare all these is after working or during weekends. Besides, I also helped to complete and compile some other documents like pay slips, passports, application forms, HR letters, etc and made sure all are in place for the application.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After all are ready we just send them in to Kitson's office and they handle the rest, and we waited.</span></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;">Express of Interest</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Australia EA came back with the skill assessment result and recognized EG as an Electronics Engineer per their standard. And now we can submit our application into the Express Of Interest (EOI) pool and wait for the system to pick us before we could officially our application. Our score was pretty high (Kudos to EG for scoring high in IELTS), and we were picked almost immediately by the system for lodging our application officially. That was in October 2012, when Natalie was only born for 2 months. Of course we submitted our application immediately, and we brought the whole family to Adventist to do a medical checkup per the request by Aus government. And then we submitted everything, and waited again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Visa</strong></span><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"> Approval</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The waiting process was never fun. We were often anxious if we missed out any document or any details in the submission, but Kitson has been doing a very good followup and convinced us that everything is good. We weren't expect the approval to be done fast, however, in less than 3 months, we received an email from Kitson saying that our application is approved and we're granted with Australia Permanent Resident Visa. The best thing is, the date of approval was our ROM date! That was the best 5th year anniversary present that we've received! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Planning to</strong><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"> move</strong></span><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /></strong>In order to activate our Visa, we whole family must enter Australia once by using the Visa. We did that in April 2014. During that trip, we stayed with my aunt and tried to check out as many things that as we could - house, lifestyle, weather, schools, banks, etc. My aunt has been giving us very good advice and also trying to brainwash us to move ASAP. After the trip, we have decided that we'll move soon. Why wait? Like my aunt always tells us. Again, the whole process caused us many many sleepless nights - very often that we were worried if we made the right move. However, it's a very strong desire in me and EG's heart that this is really what we want to do. So, we often pat on each other's shoulders and decided to go through this together as a family. And, we started with all the major things - sold our home (still remember we held our hands tightly together before going into the lawyer's office to sign the S&P - as this is our <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">HOME</strong> that we bought together after we got married), sorted out the schools in Aus for Eunice, financial planning, packing, resigned and passed down work in office, transferred all the posting address, sorted out all the insurances, cut/transferred all the utilities to the new owner and got the refund, etc etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that we think back, it's seriously a nightmare. If you asked me again, I'd say it's such a tough job to do that. Everynight after we made the girls asleep, EG and I will be busy sorting out things and packed them up. We engaged Unigroup as our shipping company and we had to think and sort out what to bring or what to give away or what to not bring or how do we fit those things into the shipment etc etc. For the last 1 month before our move, EG and I could only sleep around 1-2am to do the packing. We split the job to make it more efficient, and until Unigroup came and packed up our house, we were at the most stressful moment as we were worried that we forgot or missed out anything. Besides, packing up a <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">HOME</strong> that we have stayed for 6 years is definitely not an easy task.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cC2wO8J5n9o/U9cldH2z6hI/AAAAAAAACoE/vWDAMj_ZC64/s1600/packing-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cC2wO8J5n9o/U9cldH2z6hI/AAAAAAAACoE/vWDAMj_ZC64/s1600/packing-1.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Packing at home for almost a month!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6IcRfc70RI/U9cleQC_XVI/AAAAAAAACoY/BCxhfQhzDJE/s1600/packing-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6IcRfc70RI/U9cleQC_XVI/AAAAAAAACoY/BCxhfQhzDJE/s1600/packing-2.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Packing team is here - most stressful moment</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaSQ5Ocm4xo/U9cldWd5L8I/AAAAAAAACoI/9hCmP8gW2g0/s1600/packing-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaSQ5Ocm4xo/U9cldWd5L8I/AAAAAAAACoI/9hCmP8gW2g0/s1600/packing-3.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our house in boxes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TI9LMHlVZU0/U9cl4ki6pLI/AAAAAAAACos/SCb4fTZfPKE/s1600/packing-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TI9LMHlVZU0/U9cl4ki6pLI/AAAAAAAACos/SCb4fTZfPKE/s1600/packing-4.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our house in 4 cubic meters</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our family has been quite supportive over our decision. Surely, they felt heavy or sad that their grandchildren are moving so far away but they respect our decision and have been supportive and helpful. It is not an easy decision for anyone in the family, really.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Leaving on the</strong> <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">jetplane</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, we left on the 14th February - don't ask me why the date. :).. My aunt wanted us to arrive on a weekend so that they can pick us up from the airport since both her and my uncle were working on weekdays then. We wanted to come in February (house already sold) after Chinese New Year and there weren't many dates for weekends available. So this will be a very easy date to remember - we left on Eunice's 4th birthday. We took MAS airline because we needed the luggage check in, and 4 of us were entitled to 100kg of luggage and we fully utilized that, not forgetting our hand luggage too. It was CRAZY. I really couldn't imagine how on earth did we manage to do it at all. However, Eunice was a perfect good girl. She was in perfect mood and that helped A LOT as she could run with us in the airport, slept in the flight, ate the food, watched the cartoon, etc. Nat was hyper but was still manageable. The overall experience was pleasant but still overwhelmed. It wasn't until EG and I boarded into the flight in KLIA to Melbourne then we looked at each other, and said, "This is it! It's now real!"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32d5L296rAg/U9cmmuG7BhI/AAAAAAAACo4/PoEzMee5SWc/s1600/family-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32d5L296rAg/U9cmmuG7BhI/AAAAAAAACo4/PoEzMee5SWc/s1600/family-1.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Last picture in our master bedroom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfmoTI09UvY/U9cmmg_25MI/AAAAAAAACo8/sXFJC_SjWC8/s1600/checkin-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfmoTI09UvY/U9cmmg_25MI/AAAAAAAACo8/sXFJC_SjWC8/s1600/checkin-1.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our checkins</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1MssnISpR4/U9cmmT2bULI/AAAAAAAACo0/4jh4sXBLHFI/s1600/checkin-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1MssnISpR4/U9cmmT2bULI/AAAAAAAACo0/4jh4sXBLHFI/s1600/checkin-2.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our checkins + hand carry</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-a-GPOBIsI/U9cmnZkV-3I/AAAAAAAACpI/qke-QQEnTzE/s1600/family-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-a-GPOBIsI/U9cmnZkV-3I/AAAAAAAACpI/qke-QQEnTzE/s1600/family-2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4 of us in the airport - We stick together</span></td></tr>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Our New Journey</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, we landed on the 15th February in the new land.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXTJIIdXLD0/U9cnSaQ6qhI/AAAAAAAACpU/ulOJcMQREYw/s1600/arrive-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXTJIIdXLD0/U9cnSaQ6qhI/AAAAAAAACpU/ulOJcMQREYw/s1600/arrive-1.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Can't believe that we made it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Got help from airport crew to help to push the luggage out from terminal. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wS3fIZlhsmM/U9cnSj-X5cI/AAAAAAAACpY/Pw0mFD9PSL8/s1600/arrive-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wS3fIZlhsmM/U9cnSj-X5cI/AAAAAAAACpY/Pw0mFD9PSL8/s1600/arrive-2.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Another side of the luggage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Both girls were angels throughout the whole journey. :)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We're here for more than 5 months now. How're we doing, you must be wondering? :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All I can say is God has been really really good to us. He has poured us blessings over blessings that we couldn't even imagine or believe. We're doing really well here. We stayed with my aunt for the first 3.5 months and she took real good care of us by feeding us good food, and giving us a good place to stay. Our cost was bare minimum for the 1st 3 months and that really helps as we're still trying to get ourselves familiarized with the new place. We bought a car in the first month that we arrived, and both EG and I got the local driving license in the first 2-3 months. I was offered a permanent job as a Business Analyst since Easter Sunday, and EG has just been offered a Test Engineer position in Melbourne Uni last week in the research department. Eunice has been going to kinder on the same day that I started work, and she is enjoying herself a lot. Since I am working, EG has been taking care of the girls at home and they surely enjoy the parent's care - however, since EG is going to work soon, we're sending them to childcare for 2-3 days a week while I work from home for the rest of the weeks. We moved to our new home in June, and we're much more settled now. We enjoy the lifestyle here - maybe we weren't preparing to come to "bed of roses" at all - we were planning for the worst case scenario for no job for 1 year, and took a gamble with all our savings. So, whatever that we're having now is much much better that what we've planned. I have been cooking A LOT here as it's not a culture to eat out. All my colleagues pack their lunches to office and hence I did that too. I cook before I leave to work in the morning so that EG can just feed the girls with the lunch straight. It took us a while to get used to the new routine, but now we're pretty good - getting more efficient in getting things done. Of course, my relatives, esp my aunt & uncle, have been the great help here. I often say our lives will be 100 times harder if without them helping us here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Very often, when EG and I looked back, we thought that compare to many migrants, we probably are the luckier and blessed ones who can settle down pretty well. It'll still be a long journey for us to find out more about this new land, but I surely hope that God will continue to shower us with His blessings and watch over our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, time for some random pics here. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2hoCukb3gc/U9coAAL1iTI/AAAAAAAACp0/UIEiYpo_5AQ/s1600/life-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2hoCukb3gc/U9coAAL1iTI/AAAAAAAACp0/UIEiYpo_5AQ/s1600/life-1.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Me and girls in the park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN0-Ng_8wXA/U9cn_7yUyOI/AAAAAAAACpw/uI8AAczvDF0/s1600/life-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN0-Ng_8wXA/U9cn_7yUyOI/AAAAAAAACpw/uI8AAczvDF0/s1600/life-2.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">EG's heaven - Library</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvvcmW39_ls/U9cn_bk-UII/AAAAAAAACps/mU34iovyXlE/s1600/life-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvvcmW39_ls/U9cn_bk-UII/AAAAAAAACps/mU34iovyXlE/s1600/life-3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Easter Party @ Bunnings. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">Eunice loves face painting</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsMt8zq0ePw/U9coAsMCYuI/AAAAAAAACp4/_yHropuH4Ls/s1600/life-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsMt8zq0ePw/U9coAsMCYuI/AAAAAAAACp4/_yHropuH4Ls/s1600/life-4.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Amazed with ducks in pond @ Carribean Market</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXkHNFm7hew/U9cojJagDSI/AAAAAAAACqs/eH0uuhtyLX4/s1600/life-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXkHNFm7hew/U9cojJagDSI/AAAAAAAACqs/eH0uuhtyLX4/s1600/life-5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nat's favorite activity!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZjMk5179sg/U9coBX-6oqI/AAAAAAAACqE/Q-X1fPMXCuo/s1600/school-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZjMk5179sg/U9coBX-6oqI/AAAAAAAACqE/Q-X1fPMXCuo/s1600/school-1.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Eunice in her kinder</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyhzEiibRG0/U9coCGQLiWI/AAAAAAAACqI/eWqVXFfdKWQ/s1600/school-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyhzEiibRG0/U9coCGQLiWI/AAAAAAAACqI/eWqVXFfdKWQ/s1600/school-2.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sand playing - Cooking</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaLuVv5u6FQ/U9coC9m4AjI/AAAAAAAACqg/x0UnAoMoqpQ/s1600/school-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaLuVv5u6FQ/U9coC9m4AjI/AAAAAAAACqg/x0UnAoMoqpQ/s1600/school-3.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Invitation to Mother's Day tea party - Kids singing songs to all mums :)</span></td></tr>
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pENguiN~http://www.blogger.com/profile/07554401019842801722noreply@blogger.com3