Meh.

Haro all

2012-02-07T03:29:00.003+13:00

I understand that I have been slacking off posting photos and updating on blogger. Seriously, I dont really have the time whilst I am on holiday. It has been eventful. My iphone bailed on me the other day by refusing to charge, and only do so after spending a good 170bnd to fix it. It is okay now, but given it is already 1.5 years old, i thought it would be good to let mum have it while i get a new one when i get back to NZ. Sad to say, i wont be an iphone user for a while. A little depressing but I think i will get over it.

As of now, i will share some random snippets from a week ago.

Our house catGona miss this lil rascal when i head back to nz

whole fam and paternal grandparents

bunch of kids

Life is a breeze if its like this everyday

2012-01-29T06:19:00.002+13:00

I have been really horrible in updating about my recent life. In short, it has been eventful, and internet time has been scarce :P.

Just had a catch up with my school friends today. In fact, I been spending a lot of time with them since i came back from Kuching. I went back to Kuching for Chinese New Year and had a splendid time with my relatives.

Sigh, two more weeks before my holiday comes to an end. I know it sounds unappreciative, but i wish i could have a more extended holiday.

Will try to update some piccies in the next few days :)

Ciao

Singapore :)

2012-01-14T06:22:00.003+13:00

Went to wicked with the NZ clan the other day
truly an awesome show
and awesome companions as well :D

Playing with mak's kalei.

went to universal studio
tried to recreate my lost world
with my xiao long bao

note the lil dino in the corner
he likes xiao long bao

met up with the NZ clan that's based in Singapore
MAN, miss them so much
had a fun session with them at sushi tei

Singapore has captured all my buddies
been spending time with my beeches too

That is all for now :)

Will do a thorough update when I'm back home in Brunei
heading back on Sunday

Quick update :D

2012-01-11T06:54:00.002+13:00

Sorry about the long hiatus, but life has been extremely eventful since i touched down South-east Asia. Typical, really. There is just so much happening every single day, filled with catch-ups, shoppings, food and everything. My heels hurt so badly that I thought I was going crippled in a few days time. So far, I have gone to KL, Singapore and Thailand since 29 December 2011. That is a good milestone. Most important of all, I went to Wicked Musical at MBS with the NZ Clan. I still havent had an opportunity to meet with the NZ-SG pharmacists :D.

Anyway, I thought i would just share some random photos I have taken. There's heaps of them in my computer now, and on the verge of overflowing already. We had three cameras in our bangkok 4 days trip. you can imagine the amount of photos taken during the short period of time. PS Bkk has the best food and shopping really, albeit they dont have very good services and I am constantly frustrated with their inability to communicate fluently in english. well, who am i to decide on which language they use :P

As you can see, my parents were here in Singapore too

went to MBS and shopping too

Some family friends tagged along toodid some typical touristy stuff

Mum even had time to purchase heaps of dried productscny is around the corner after all

Went to Bkk with a silly couple and buddy makkie

the trip was amazing. Full of laughter and insanity

I was pouncing on makkie

Papaya salad. One of the many thai food we have tried

walked around with my dslr and a straw hat with my fenfen

even had silly glasses

obviously thai people are rather fashion forwardand therefore wearing such outfit is by no means awkwrd
i however swear i am a few shades darkerThailand, albeit not hot has pretty strong UV.Hence the hat :D

Just got back from Thailand todayand still feel the adrenaline rush
the most impressive member of our team is makkiereally. why? ask mehe made chatuchak market out of his own lounge 0_0PS the market is this ginormous open air market in Bangkok

KL-Singapore - 5 hours bus ride

2012-01-03T14:09:00.003+13:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. But, i also doubt anyone reads at the time of festive :P. In general, I have taken very little photos in KL :(. I was too carried away munching, walking and catchin up with friends. I met up with hwee wuon, sue ann, ken, yenn and others. None of them reminded me the importance of taking a photo. I am constantly feeling hot too, and therefore didnt have a chance to whip out my camera and snip snap. Other than that, there are times that I was on my own, and thus, i feel insecure to flaunt my sexy camera in front of everyone. The brief KL stay was really good, ate food that I havent had for ages, know new food, and sat in Ken's sexy red car....

Odd bears in KL

reminds me of the melting cow collection

Didnt take a lot of the bear sculps because there were too many people taking photos w the bears. I am lack of patience in a hot and humid country :P

Had this interesting rice flour dishIts technically choe cheong fan, KL versionVERY NICE :)

Popular mee in PJ

This is wild boar curry version.

Thanks to Ken. I grew a layer of flab instantly

Alright... i know i fail for not taking more photos 0_0

This is gong cha at the gardens, KL. everyone raves about the bubble tea but I have not yet tried it. There were lines waiting for it at all corners. Therefore, i decided to try when i get to sg :) I however have tried Chatime at Midvalley

Look at the people everywhere at gardens. gardens sells high end goods, and normally its calm, quiet and not a lot of people roam around here. There are a lot on new year's day

I miss the feeling of looking down and see theseits weird. and i know.

Malls maybe a big nono on my planning book, and it is something that i wish people have not invented due to their lack of livelihood and exclusion of public. However, it is undeniable the air conditioning inside is a big yes on my personal book. I am such a hypocrit. There are also so many sales to look at. Gardens is more tolerable as the crowd aint as bad as mid valley, one utama and etc. I broke the bank when I was there on this particular purchase

WOO creepy life size figure Dr. Brandti would not buy his product tho, i would.. urh look like him

At Bangsarit is the boutiques that you sould visitnormally they stock clothes from tw and bkkand add a personal touch to their deco

Pretty cool aye, when most cases second floor shoplots are rather dingy in malaysiai know ppl in nz oz uk do it too. but msia does it quite welll too

the only downside is, super hot having to walk up and down the stairs for diff shops

I had good mediterranean meal too

i was shopping alone that dayand i ended up playing this while resting my feet at the restaurant. A lil fail :P

ONE STAR?? REALLLY???

I arrived Singapore yesterday and, urh.. being the lil island packed with hominids
you have to queue for basic needs such as food
I waited at itacho Singapore
which apparently is a pretty popular sushi place

then went to a cafe at wisma
This is my lame friend choi

who feels embarrassed because she doesnt look v pretty yesterday
my 2c, she looks the same.. she's just being lame

THIS GOTTA BE THE BEST CREPE CAKE I EVER HAD

HMMM CAN still taste it in my mouth

BOSS counting his 'pennies'

Can only do in singapore 0_0 in KL, probably u be robbed

when i went back to mak's placei robbed his gucci ipad caseand wanted to run away with it

urh sad. plan- FAIL
i have now gone back to my cheaponana red case

Country bumpkin in 'little' city

2011-12-29T08:36:00.002+13:00

Before I board my homebound plane, I shall share the following adventure with you all

Went on rock climbing, abseiling, blackwater rafting in Waitomo Caves

We didnt take that many photos, as the place was crammed, and wet, and muddy as you can see. The experience was nevertheless amazing. I did it with Yung and Terence obviously. We are a good combination of bullshit, and self amusement. Well, Terence, not quite, but we are slowly corrupting and converting him. And, we are doing a swell job

Abseil

I can barely see what's down thereAs well lit as it looks here, the cave was pitch dark

Blackwater rafting

Yung Me and Terence

That's all for my waitomo caves part
The following photos are a combination of auckland and hamiltonI havent taken that many photos this trip, since I was carried away eating chinese. I know it sounds odd, having to eat chinese in auckland. Auckland, to those who do not know is filled with chinese population. it is the only 'city' in NZ, ridden with high rise buildings (well, sort of) and motorways. Driving around in Auckland feels like driving around in a mid-size asian city. well, the traffic is still milder than melbourne. Well, you get the idea anyway.

Went to albert park before we set off to hamilton

Akld Art Gallery

One thing you have to like about bigger city is their availability of big budget and their subtle designs in their urban fabric to make the whole area a more pleasant place. I still want to point out the fact that congestion is a drag, and having to get to work 1 hour earlier to beat congestion is still not going to make it on my book. Being a planner, I would want to be in an urban space, just to experience it. Evidently I am totally amused by the new waterfront, and was examining their working elements in the new area.

I can understand the attraction of bigger cities, with pull factors such as educational opportunities, bigger budgets, job oppportunities and everything... urban lifestyle i guess is part of it too. I have to argue, lifestyle doesnt just cover 'urban'. Enough of my waffling

The good thing that Auckland has kept most of its greenery

This lane is the art precinct

It is amazing, weaved with private galleries and has made good used of the lighting provided by trees and the steps. Well designed area. Apart from that, it is a good connectivity of green space and main street as well.

Auckland's shared zonethis is one of the earliest shared zones in NZ. You can find them a lot in different regions. Technically, no one has priority here. SHAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Alleyways like melbourne, just less well polished and less livelywell, there's only 1.5million people in auckland region anyway as opposed to millions in melbourne. You need to have a good population to sustain these sort of areas

at mission bayit was packed!!!! I guess, auckland people have very little green space to go to :P. I felt like playing cricket w the wee kids :P

Hamilton GardensAn amazing place reallythey even have a productive gardenwith heaps of zucchini, cabbage, broccoli (ready to harvest).

Well. I am a gardener, of cos i am keen on the gardens
The gardens are very elaboratedItalian renaissance garden

Chinoiserie buildingThis is a replica of one in UK.
It is technically the fanciful portrayal of China back in the 17th Century. Chinese Culture, or orientalism was very rare at that time. as for those who know a lil bit about china, they didnt exactly have an open door policy. In a lot of cases, you get death penalty for sharing knowledge with foreigners. ok, death penalty is a bit of exaggeration. but tv teaches us about the brutality of chinese regime back in the days, OFF WITH THE HEAD.
Isnt this chinoiserie awesome? it is a fusion of western and eastern design. most importantly, it is awesome to gauge the gap between the real thing and imagination :). I find it amusingly awesome.

something random. Do you know that churros are technically you-tiao in chinese cuisine? It is just the fact that chinese are unwilling to share (or scared to share) the correct way to make you-tiao, and therefore the spanish improvised it.. (accidental) and called it churros :P

SOUR GRAPES

We got real tired after a while

and skipped part of the garden
and ended up having dinner at the randomest restaurantwe walked into a restaurant that sells szechuan dishes
not that we keep pcking chinese restaurantswe are restricted to limited choices as we travel during xmas period

Although Yung and I read chinese, this lil boy dont.and is pretty bad with spicy foodwe read, but doesnt mean we understand 0-0
FAIL

Oh we picked this restaurant because terence spotted this

We googled. Very suspicious!!!!What is the international league of master chef?Note the signature 'TONY'Doesnt look too legit aye>>> :(we forget about chinese's creativity in this field of work
Having said that, the food is reasonably good.
GAH SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON FOOD IN AUCKS
thank god its holiday. money, is no objectuntil i come home.. and check my account :P
well it was good fun overall :D

MORE FOOD

Had breakfast with Yan the next morning @ Chancery Lane

Had another yumchar session at jade gardenthroughout five days we went to three yumchars, and three bbq style meals

On harbour bridgenot that O-somebut people in NZ takes pride in this bridge

at Mt victoria Devonport

That is all for now
Next updates, hpefully will be filled with MALAYSIA STUFF

Leaving at 4.10pm today
hope everything wil go smoothly fingers crossed

Auckland on Xmas Eve :D

2011-12-24T22:01:00.004+13:00

*did this post a few days ago but didnt have a chance to post it up until now*

I assume you know I am in Auckland now. Just drove from Timmy to Christchurch after dinner last night. I was getting a little bit concerned when aftershock struck in the afternoon. After the aftershocks, i constantly checked the airport status, for all flights might be cancelled as a result of the earthquake. Thank god it was only closed for four hours just to assess the runway. I pray hardly that nothing would happen to Christchurch for the next few days so that it will not impede me from boarding airasia on 29 December, and head home!!!!!

Arrived in the morning

Picked up our rental car

Gawked at the expensive parking fee!!!

Terence kept commenting on the urinary place

We found this interesting parking area by wilson

Hilarious

Sky tower

We decided to head up because Terence and Yung hadnt been up before

Also checked out the church since we are going for the midnight mass

Anyway, there's some interesting display at sky tower's gift shop

View at sky observation deck

At one of the public spaces
with bean bags

so many bean bags around aucklandRich brats :P

Had dim sum at chinapaid $13 for seaweedwe also whined about it for the whole daybecause that was one crappy seaweed

santa @ skydeck

so odd

they tried to get the baby to crawl over the glass floor

near to ferry terminals

We got super full after eating dinner

New place at queen wharf - cloud

CHINESE KUNGFU

The santa! it's always around every year

THE CLOUD!!!!

Walking along the waterfront, towards the princess wharf

MORE BEANBAGS as we walked towards wynward quarter

What a rip-offstupid santabut i did ask for nerf guns so that i can play at work and T & Y

GOD!!!!!

The new sections. North WharfCrazy amazing planned public spaceThanks to the talented planners and the availability of budget

THE SILO PARKthe newly opened public space

I LOVE THIS AREA :)

Shipping container as toileta good reflection of the industrial environment
Public design/Urban Design has been a pretty big thing in NZ, and worldwide recently. The waterfront in Auckland is a good reflection of the trend. In general, i thought the area was done up pretty well. Even though I didnt like the amount of people congesting Auckland central, it is undeniable that the population is able to sustain good planning projects! :D
Well that's all for now.
Bye
Hamilton/Waitomo next

Happy holidays

2011-12-23T00:19:00.002+13:00

Yung had this scrub competition at the function centre. It is a hospital event so technically everyone there is either a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist or something that is related to health profession. I am probably the only person who aint. Anyway, I am Yung Yung's 'friend' hehe

Technically she's the christmas tree while I was the present

The people were utilising their everyday tools

the consultantscan you believe this?hmm cross dressing

That's all for now
Going off for my 7 weeks holiday tomorrowCan you believe it?
thank god for xmas too, giving me 11 days extra of holiday

Eventful prexmas weekend

2011-12-18T17:07:00.007+13:00

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Dont be shy, like his page :). U be kept in the loop of any new updates and so on.

It was Hayley's 3rd birthday party today
it is a truly interesting one because all her friends are kids. Furthermore, they play games like pass the parcel, akin to musical chair game, but you get to unwrap one layer of the parcel when the music stops whilst you are passing. The main difference is, you dont really get eliminated from the game, and most of the times, all kids get something out of it. Every child gets a lolly and a pencil :D

Hayley's cake cutting session

Blowing the candles

everyone's wanting to blow it too

Her winnie the pooh bouncer :D

Terence slicing a cake

Opening the pressies

she got quite many

and a herd of lil ponies!

Giving hugs

I bought her a uke

I had an insider, the mother told me about her wanting one

She changed to her tutu dress again

While everyone's busy doing something

auntie chyi mei went to have a bounce in the pooh

with samantha

Im, urh supervising

T had a bounce on it too

i tell you, HE LOVES IT

He's just too shy to say it out loud

He ran to his shoes when he realised I was snapping photos of him

Oriental Lilies in Jo's house

very fitting

Hayley playing with her zhuzhu pets

Brian showing T his cut the ropes games on ipad

See how happy this lil girl is :D

They were performing

and I was supposedly the EMCEE

Brian was damn funny being the usher.

Jo got roped into to do drumming too

Anyway, I started driving around 0630 from Dunedinbecause i went south to Dunedin yesterday morning, after one late friday night.

Ken's was graduating yesterday :D

He's relatively young, 2+ years younger than I am.

Knew him since his first year when I was in Master 2008.

We burnt midnight oil in the 24 hr cal lab.

it is interesting how we managed to hang out well, mainly contributed through bonding via OMSA. And, our tolerance with each other's crap. It is unsure of his whereabouts after graduating. However, he will surely be missed if he decides to leave NZ for good. But well, he may move to timaru. U never know :D
I made him pose like a boss

and snapped him with Yong Hwa's dSLR

Awesome candid shot

Need to crop out yong hwa's hair

We all walk like a boss as we headed towards the procession's meeting place

Not quite bosses here

Group of us

yong hwa, Ken, ming, Kah Yen, Sze Ying and I

My forth street buddies :D

Like a boss, he has a secretary to look after his phone

Like a boss, he answers wth a firm voice

Like a boss, he shakes hands with other important people

Like a boss, he has two fans like us two :D

Like a boss, he has a bodyguard who treats us like kids

Like a boss, he graduates with a big smile on his face

and with a small cupcake in his hand

Congratulation KEN :).
you will do awesome no matter where you go.
SEE YOU IN KL IF YOU ARE AROUND FOR HOLS :D

Merry Xmas? hohoho

2011-12-17T00:31:00.001+13:00

Christmas Do.
Funny thing is, the balloons were purple and gold Odd for a Christmas do.
Anyway, Chanelle and DaveFUN PEOPLE

Well, usual antics from Andrew and Kurt

Sharon and Megan

Chanelle and I got toy trucks from the xmas crackers

Lousy balloons, cant keep the helium

we had some very interesting performance

Trucks, threesome on my iphone

Transformer trucks

The buddies

it was a really good feedWe proba had put on 2 kgs already

Megan's toy from the christmas crackers

Bulldoze, a pea

topple

Megan and I. Two asians :D

woohoo

Chanelle, Jo and I

YEEEEHA

Chanelle started to get creative with the sand in the bauble

Sand and tractorshow fitting

Me and my funny faces

Chanelle and I

ROAR

SAAAYYY WHAAAT

Peter Nixon our CEO has been pranked

Last but not least, we went to petite for a second round of drinks

Got back around 12.
Truly an enjoyable nightIm glad i stayed behind to attend the Christmas do
Even though that means i have to drive at 7 in order to get to Dunners tomorrow for Ken's graduation :). Will be back Sunday morning so i could attend hayley's birthday :D. Exciting Week. One more week before holeeeday in auckland/waitomo. Less than 2 wks before boarding on a tin can, heading back to SEA

BUZZINGGGG

2011-12-16T00:00:00.003+13:00

I wonder what's cooking in blogger's posting. It is making posting photos a little bit harder than usual

It's strawberry cake this time. A simple recipe, with a handful of fresh strawberry in it. it is not exactly the reddest cake you can find but it is good enough

It is Council's christmas do tomorrow night. 170 people have rsvp and will be there at the dinner. For me, i thought it would be an eye opener to see how people wing it in timaru. i missed the dinner last year because I was more keen on pimping my friend's graduation dinner than having to show up at a work do, with 100 of people that I do not know.

This weekend is still going to be hectic as I am heading down south for ken's graduation, and meeting some friends before i head back home. One more week before Christmas, and two more weeks before home time :).

Apart form that, I be rushing back to timaru again super early Sunday so I can make it on time for Hayley's birthday. Auntie Chyi Mei need to be there for Hayley... bouncy castle :P.

Speaking of which, something very disheartening just fell upon me. My dear nadiah is standing me up. She's heading to melaka during 30th Dec to 2nd Jan. That is the period of time when I be in KL. How cruel right? I have voiced out my disappointment in my email, and I guess i would have to see whether I could meet her up just before I head back to NZ again in February. Gah, siensation. I am making a big fuss about it because i want to hang with her, and do our thang. right.. this kind of tone isnt exactly me. I have to suck it up, accepting the fact that other people do have a life, and doesnt just wait on me :*

I arrive only late 29 Dec, and I guess it is unlikely for me to see her then :(.

I shall eat heaps of cakes to compensate for my loss...

Bakerish

2011-12-15T00:03:00.003+13:00

I apologise for the lack of presentability of the cake. Hummingbird Cake. Technically a banana cake with pineapple + walnuts.

I am a very impatient baker. the cake needs cream cheese frosting, but one cant apply it on the cake until the cake has completely cooled down. Well, I waited for 30min, and decided to wing it anyway. The frosting, unsurprisingly, got a bit melty. However, it still tastes rather good.

I halved the amount of sugar in the recipe, but the cake is still fairly on the sweeter side. i think it's partially contributed by the frosting (which icing sugar was halved as well) and the pineapple within the cake. Sounds like a real baker? no, not really. I think I screwed up a step, hence the cake is a bit more crumbly than I like

Baker May!

2011-12-12T22:22:00.005+13:00

Yes, I baked again today. I felt a bit gutted with my green tea marble cake yesterday because I knew I could do better.

I whisked, beat, mixed and so on today. Ta-da

I present you cake baby!

It is moist enough. The crust dont look that palatable but it is really nice :)

I am happy. Maybe its time to hunt for another different thing to bake

On a side note, it is so evident that I am a novice baker. I went to the local supermarket, circling the baking section for the longest time because I was hunting for corn starch. I was still searching high and low after a good 20mins, dissecting every single labels with my weary eyes but CORN STARCH WAS STILL NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

I was feeling a lil impatient, and therefore, I decided to consult google mobile for an image of a stereotypical corn starch to aid my epic hunt. During the search, I was utterly surprised at.. corn starch also being known as as corn flour. Corn Flour, has been in front of me, all along, RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE:(. WHAT SHIT. SO FAIL..

Hahaha You can imagine how traumatic it was, committing a mistake like that.

Wait, that's not the end of it. i grew up listening to margarine, being a substitute to butter. I decided that I should buy margarine for my cake, a feeble attempt to cut down the saturated fats (or any fats). In front of me at the chillers was rows and rows of table spread, i looked at it and thought, why doesnt it say margarine on top? it looks like margarine to me?

To avoid any silly mistakes, I asked a silly question. Interrupted a lady, and asked her about the difference between.. table spread and margarine. Urh, obviously margarine is table spread. Total freak, she must have thought.

Ok. That's all for today
I made the cake. Its the outcome that really matters.
I HOPE. AHHAHAHAHA

Baker? No?

2011-12-11T22:51:00.003+13:00

Today has been a very lazy day. Surprisingly, I enjoy every single minute of it. I however got a tad bored in the arvo, and went out to grab some ingredients to bake. Yes, you read it right, BAKE. CHYI MEI?? REALLLLYYY? I normally dont bake a lot, because I don usually have all the right tools for it. After moving in with yung yung, I suddenly have access to all these things. I started with cake mix stuff. Betty Crocker is top of my list, and edmunds stuff! However, I think yung's baking bug has rub off a little on me. Hence, the baking endeavor today.

I baked a cheesecake. Attempted marble cheesecake, and it didnt turn out to have the marble effect due to the excessive chocolate batter.

I sliced it up, and put them into different containers before I could take a photo. pretty fail. The crumbs are falling off because I skimmed on the butter required. Well, neophyte at baking. Guess the butter wasnt enough to hold the crumbs together. or maybe I should have baked it for 10mins before pouring the cheese filling on top....

Well, it was an internet recipe. I cant expect much right. Then, while hassling yung as she was sewing up her scrubs for the fashion show, I got inspired to bake a cake that uses matcha powder. Again, I snitched Yung's stuff, including her butter, and started baking. That, takes heaps of times because of the reserved batter, and different speeds while whisking and shit. Well, eventually i finished, without the use of yoghurt. Due to the lack of yoghurt, in the middle of the process, my green tea batter became so viscous, and I could not do the dolloping well. As a result, I made the following cake...

Excuse the crumbs. I was too eager to look at the colours underneath and therefore I didnt wait for it to cool down. Well, can always try it again.
Cakes are evil
yung has been contributing to my flab concentration.
Nevertheless, washing up is always a pain in the arse.
today, I washed up twice.

I dont think I am made a baker. Probably that explains why I am contended being a planner

Gah, work tomorrowAnother 10 working days before HOLIDAY :D Cant wait.

Kids!

2011-12-10T19:16:00.004+13:00

Strawberry fare.. dont exactly have a lot of strawberries

we went to waimate, appx 1/2hr from timaru for strawberry fareHonestly I am not very impressed with itthere's only two stalls with strawberries :(

Well, WHAT DO I EXPECT???

but there were ducks

Bomi is a duck lovershe pledges not to eat duck meat, ever

Yung just cut her hair real short

Definitely not with this saw

We did however buy strawberries

This is a funky entrance to a tennis court

Bouncy castle, guess what??it has caroline bay association, timaru written across it

One of the very few stalls with proper strawberries

Found random santa-men outside shops on the main street in waimate

Found a cafe that sells some malaysian food

One of the oddest thing
I however think mum makes better things
Moreover.....DRAMA ENSUES.
I left my phone in the cafeand drove back to get itThey however told me that they hadnt seen it....I went into a semi-frantic mode as i thought about the replacement phone, and how much it would cost me. I rather save my money for other random things. Well, me being me, I always thought about the Plan B if for example, my phone went missing. Thank god the other guy came around, only after 10mins in the frantic mode handing my phone over to my friends. Thanks for putting up with me, wtf where did it go from me :D

I think it was a sin to flash in waimateHence, i misplaced my phone for 20mins.

We went kite flying for a bit again
I bought 2 new kites fo 4.80. AND THEY DO NOT FLY
i will never buy kites from warehouse ever

I swear there's something wrong with its aerodynamics

Awesome looking kite, but lacking ability to soar in the sky

This is the incompetent kite no.2

then we started playing the hamster wheel in the playgroundwe been waiting for it, since kids were hogging it

Excuse the blobs on the picture... my camera lens have some scratches because...

I am not exactly the most gentle person in the world. Ok, it is just because i like to slung it over my shoulders, and ran around with it

I bring my camera everywhere!!!!!!!

However, it is workable, as long as it's not pointing at a certain angle on a bright sunny day. You dont see blobs on all my photos right. Further, I am getting a dSLR anyway, and therefore I shall tolerate this. It is afterall my own fault, and i will not betray my good old G11 as it has served me well....

This is a bit crazyI think Terence kung-fu-ed me on my bum. while i scrap some skins on my ankle

Then we played slide!!!

My cargo pants is rather obstructive

Didnt slide as well as I wanted it to be

Well, its the spidey webbie again

Then another one

Playground is awesomeee!!!!
So much joy!
We are a bunch of 5 year olds trapped in 25 year old bodies:(

Shy potato

2011-12-09T23:07:00.004+13:00

I present you, the proud mother of lemon bread.

Yung is an improvisor, and she always get very creative, in particularly with her baking.This is her second lemon baby :).

We have been eatings heaps of leh-mon recently due to the high influx of homegrown lehmons from Alice's Dad. I think our household had gotten rid of at least 30 lemons in the past week. I gave 10 away to colleague. Yung used 14 lemon zest for her yumm bread babies while i used up the juices for honey-lemonade. Moreover, I have made two batches of lemonade. Another 7 lemons, without its peel, is waiting on the benchtop to be squeezed dry. I however need a proper jug to contain the lemon juice.

Anyway, Yung's lemon bread babies are utterly soft, fluffy and.. comprises of everything that makes a good bread

Exaggeration NOT, evidently through Bomi's expression here in the picture. That's yung's first lehmon black baby :D.

That's the face of joy, and surprise.

Yung and I are very different. yet similar in many ways...

we are into making different sort of babies.

Mine, of course, have been the vege babies!!!!

It had been two days since I checked on my vege patch, and therefore off i went around 8ish to the side yard to check on the lil vege babies. Little did I know, my cauliflower had popped out from nowhere.... They sneaked up on me! If I had been a little bit slower in discovering the gem in my patch, it would have been overgrown! The curds would have been seperated if I had missed that moment :D. I had an adrenaline rush when I saw this baby maturing in my patch. I reacted by frantically flapping my arms, turned on my heels, and rushed back to the house in order to drag yung to witness the magic moment :D. Yes, My Cauli-flower. The prettiest flower one can ever see. It opened up so unexpectedly, as it was wrapped up by leaves before that.

Was sharing the magic moment with mum online tooo :D

It's humongous!!!

I swear if the plant has legs, it could hunt me down and eat me alive

Having said that, it is so not profitable growing cauliflower and broccolis (for one's own vege patch). Or even cabbages, as they take extremely long to mature. Further, there's often ONLYone head per plant for the above stated vegetable. Well, vegetable patch for me is a learning experience and a hobby. Honestly, I think I started a vege patch nearly 6 months back just because.. my inner asian wanted to come out and play. I wasnt aiming to achieve subsistence farming or whatever in my own backyard.... Anyway, why.. asians..

Asians are natural gardeners. It is in our genes. Really?
Asians are born competitive, and I am unwilling to lose out to my neighbours and colleague
Asians has higher level of melanin, and long hours of sun exposure pose less threat for us to get melanoma.

There are of course multiple reasons as to whyyyy. In short, I was being a bit random, and decided that my current phase of life involves gardening. it is surprisingly therapeutic, albeit it does cost quite a bit of time and money to get everything rolling.

The joy about gardening, you make.. new friends

SLUGS

WTF. DIEEEEEEEEEE. I squash them with my nimble fingers. Bow down slugs, BOWWW I say.

Well, i dont just have vege. The following picture illustrates the livingstone daisy and dahlias I have in my garden. I bought them for $2 a punnet, and they are spreading their influence rather well. They didnt look very sturdy when I first planted them, and now they are dominating the scene. I think daisy are rather invasive, as it grows everywhere and haphazardly. Having said that, they are one sexy plants anyway.

Before I shy away,

I also want to share this sexy potato picture, sourced by Chuai, inspired by our random conversation online. I think the conversation evolved to a potato monster, and how it would munch my friends alive. Yeah, we abuse whatsapp. It is technically free texting if you have data plan. So, WHATTTTT

Sexy po-tah-toe

Christmas, it is around the corner.

2011-12-06T22:46:00.003+13:00

2.5 weeks to Christmas. We had Christmas Lunch at Zest with the unit. I always make people take group photos and they have already gotten used to it. Alright, not quite. Look at the forced smiles :)

Anyway, Jolly Lunch albeit a lil unplanned to begin with. Two colleague forgot about it earlier today. We didnt even do secret santa this year because I was too occupied to plan last week. Planner, fail to plan. Sheesh.

Speaking of which, it was pouring for the whole day. I was wet after I came back from lunch. Apart from that, it feels like winter. Just went out in shorts and jandals for a bit with yung, as she deposited the car at the hospital carpark for Terence. He's swamped by the amount of outpatient in the ED today. Surprise Surprise.

Well, i got a bit sidetracked. yes, it felt like winter. Oh summer. where have you been hiding?

Having said that, my plants must be very delighted with the amount of precipitation that they are receiving today.

Revisiting

2011-12-04T09:40:00.003+13:00

Christchurch again on Friday night. Went there straight after work. The main agenda was to catch up with Krystal and Janice. Krystal is leaving for Perth in mid January, and yes, it is a little disappointing at how little friends I have left in NZ. Yeah, living up to the whole exodus to OZ phenomena.

Jan and I spent most of our Saturday together. Albeit a little hot, it was a very enjoyable day catching up with that little missy seeing that she had been busy throughout the year.

We went to Cashel Street Mall

if you guys recall, the February Earthquake had devastated most parts of Christchurch city centre. Cashel Street Mall is right smack in the middle, and just a stone throw away from the bus exchange and Cathedral Church. Cashel Street Mall, prior to the earthquake, has been invested heavily by the local council to create a pedestrian friendly environment by setting up public seatings, displays and art trying to attract people to linger in the area a bit longer. Christchurch, being a classic example of urban sprawl (with a population of only 400,000) didnt succeed very well in that attempt. They struggle, mainly due to the loss of consumers and patrons to the suburb malls, where parking are more abundant, and they often have everything under one room. In general, the redevelopment of the city centre, before the earthquake was rather desperate but didnt obtain widespread popularity.

It is however interesting how the earthquake has transformed this scene though. The urban forms have changed. Many people have been displaced from their own neighbourhood. For instance, Riccarton is now consumed by numerous shops from city centre, and people from a different suburb.
Cashel Street Mall, thanks to the displaced commercial scenes, and mainly earthquake. People are feeling COMING BACK, as they binded by this string of attachment to the city centre. When they relaunched the cashel street mall, mainly with shipping container buildings, it was a blast. People enjoyed the public environment, in spite being in the middle of the worst eq hit area. The locality has empty sections, for most buildings have been reduced to rubbles. It is not that bad really. it sounds horrible when I put it that way. In short, they had landscaped the area very well. Made used of modern designs, and even created small public spaces, with enhanced connectivity. The weather was gorg yesterday, and the usual buskers are flocking back into the CBD. It is amazing really. I have never seen Cashel Street Mall so alive. They are more compacted now, instead of having a long stretch of it with sporadic human traffic.
Most importantly, Dimitri is back! in their food kiosk :D. I was thrilled, and didnt mind waiting 25mins for my souvlaki :).
Note the colourful container buildings

Ballentynes once again have their xmas display

Public seatings, and landscaped areas

They made use of space and executed it perfectlyWell lit shops, with see through glassesThey make rusty shipping containers look hip

Having said that, I think if they make the whole town centre looks like thisi wil find it boring and too homogenous.
but small sections and precinct of it is amazing :)

I also wonder about the insulations during winter though
prob quite inefficient

The back of the bus exchangeLook at the damage

They made a courtyard to connect ballentynes and the street mall

hanging flower baskets

Those rounded things are actually sewer airer sort of thingThey actually relocated them from somewhereand made them into public seatingsvery fitting for a courtyard facing the back of buildings

I wonder which planning consultant company or architectural company involve in the whole planning process

Yes, they stil have a bit of public art

One can still see the crane in the background

Then we took the CERA corridor that leads to cathedral church

Intending to see the damaged CHCH icon with my own eyeseven though I have seen it uncountable times on television

Hereford Street - No more Wendy's and the food court

Yes

Its Cathedral Church

The Old Postoffice

Last but not leastour awesome dimitri souvlaki

How i miss it :)

Got back around 8.15AND yung took a photo of the sky around 9

Yes dusk is around 9 now

Look at the whippy cloudsthanks to high velocity wind

Ranting is sooting

2011-11-29T21:22:00.004+13:00

Harro everyone.

I have decided, today, this very moment that I will try to come up with a words heavy blogpost. It has been a while since i have whined, nor ranted about anything in particular. That does not generalise my life being all good and dandy. There are still heaps of ups and downs that crap the bejesus out of me. There are things that crack me up, and there are elements in life that makes me want to wrap my short hands around someone's neck to asphyxiate someone. Let me spare the details of my gruesome thoughts. It maybe very traumatising to some.

Work life, in short, is hectic. Its four weeks before Christmas. With the new system intact, and being forced to use them, it has incurred more inefficiency and less productivity. Today alone, has been my most unproductive day in terms of resource consent processing. I, struggled with Authority (the system) with the affected party name list. Sharon, our lovely planning admin is a doll, trying to shoulder my frustration and helped me with it. Again, I shall spare you the details. You would not want to know, name links; BA/DA; Property links; and all those random crap shit.

Most importantly, i feel heavy hearted leaving my assessment for other planners to handle whilst I am gone. I have three reports that may go to hearing, and I am ecstatic about it. I have been working for one year plus, and I had my first notified report before my one year is up. However, there are also some random cheapo and stingy basket who are unwilling to comply and foiled my plan for going hearing on my own for the first time. Well, GAHHHH and ROARRR

Well, Holiday Vs Work. I think I will take the former option. Henceforth, I shall part with my notified consents, and pass it on to my dear colleague. nah, i am not scared of speaking in front of prying eyes and even councillors in hearings. Planner, that is a part of the job description. Tensed? maybe I will be. Confident? Wait, not 100% but i will get there. I believe in learning through practice and, also practical!

Seems like tying out the above stated matters have been relatively mood uplifting. I am not as grouchy as I was at 5pm. I swear I was this close to spitting fire to an extent that I needed sweet stuff to calm my nerves. I am not cracking you up. This is for real. Could be PMS or whatever. Today has not been very smooth in terms of my goals and agendas, and I do not like disruptions. The thoughts of falling behind a little bit behind deadlines traumatises me. Right, I have had one, due to many circumstances, is behind deadline 0_0. MY ONE AND ONLY ONE IN 15 months of work. NOT BAD LAR.

Right, get on to the slightly happier stuff,

I have been reading up, a lot. Most of the time, I read up planning stuff for fun, and also national geographic books. I have a stack of them, which i collected during booksales and all. One thing about living in NZ is the abundance of second hand books. I however havent had all the time to read them but I spend numerous times trawling through those stalls, and collected a bundle of them. That explains why every year, my stuff accumulates and piles up in my room.

On friday night, i went to the library. Yeah, nerd, and no life. Hey, I do, i just turn down invitaiton, and i still find it daunting to head out into the drinking scene in timaru. Seriously, what is out there? I had a few drinks at bar and restaurant. but never a proper pub. Anyway, I found a stack of travel books to Bangkok.

During the weekend, I slowly find my way through them. They maybe slightly outdated as some was published in 2008. They are no doubt useful as landmarks dont change much, and I do not rely on it to find the right hotel nor restaurant. The most challenging part of all is my ability to pronounce and enunciate the thai words. Tongue tied and flushed, I gave up after 2 mins. I decided to make my own tongue clicking tone to go with it. After persisting for a bit, I somewhat narrowed down a few things on the books. Recurring theme is what I shall choose. If they have been recommended repeatedly by different publishers, it would definitely be a great place to head to right.

They are mostly, river expresses (easiest way to see the temples), chatuchak market, chinatown (but may have heavy traffic congestion issues) and all. I am still researching. I have 4 weeks to come up with something before heading up auckland and waitomo for holiday.

I have a preholiday to Auckland/Waitomo before going back home (Brunei Singapore KL KCHG and Bangkok). Well, that is the only thing driving me forward now.

Right, I shall stop here for now.

Jolly Wednesday people. Humpday! WOOHOOO

Loves

1 more month, tick tock

2011-11-27T00:00:00.003+13:00

Sorry about the lack of updates. My life is revolving around work, and after-work fatigue. Yeah, so nothing exhilarating. It's pre-xmas season and therefore everyone's in a stampede rush to flood Council with their proposals. One more month to Christmas. One more month to holiday :). That's the only event that is driving me forward now. I however need to mend the hole on my purse, and be frugal. At least, try to :)

Today's election day. Well, you say, NZ has it every 3 years and why would it make it any special this year. Alright, nothing too peculiar. Like 3 years ago, we have John Key, and the National Party is once again, the dominant party in the parliament.

What interests me greatly is google doodle for their nz branch Cute much right??

Voting is not compulsory in NZ but there's a high participatory rate. It does mean that the population is highly concerned of the country's future direction. I say, this is possibly a by product of nationalism, which many countries are lacking as well. Even though there are times that I doubt the reason behind all the political correctness and their ability to be so pedantic about small matters, there is no doubt that there is a high unity and identity within th kiwi population.

Well, enough of the solemn topicWhat i like about spring (well nearly the end of it) is the bloomsssss,shops are even utilising the abundance of blossoms as part of their window display

Some christmas deco is already up

Weather is simply gorg todayespecially after some odd alternating weathers last week

I have gotten some floras from Chanelle and JO

arent they looking sexy (even in a make-shift vase)?

Calla Lilies, Gerberas and Roses

If you ask me about floras/veges 8 years ago, i probably give u a slap on the back of your head, calling you goon.
I am a changed woman.
Moreover, having some colours in the house do brighten up the day

Need to learn how to say no to yummmy fooood

2011-11-20T20:35:00.004+13:00

Went to Victoria Fete in Oamaru. None of us dressed up for the occasion. I apologise to those who would consider us party poopers as we didnt go with the flow..
My defense, I'll say we are not that organised or keen with victorian era
Having said that, Oamaru is truly the steampunk capital of NZ. It's so freaking awesome :D I have grown very fond of the thing steampunk! According to Yung's brother, Kevin and wikipedia, it is technically sci fiction, inventions envisioned by Victorian scientists. Obviously, we have a lot of wannabes here in NZ and around the world. I like science fiction, thus i think steampunk totally rocks!
Obviously they pedestrianised the old main street, which has bluestone/vic buildings lined on both sides of the street.
Guy selling pretty bouquets, with peonies and such

Food stalls and random people dressing up in vic era clothing

Guy in top hat Disappointingly, he wasnt armed w a steam punked pram :(

Sexy girls on stiltdoing london bridge for visitors

Blacksmith wannabe

Lady in waiting?? heheheheehhehe

The victorian buildings were vandalised :(

found a wooden victorian-era bike!!!!I doubt it actually works though

there was intermitten rainbut we got there at a right time as it was calm and all

at least no heavy downpour

There were guys in kilt and blowpipes. not exactly victorian era but good enoughPeople who don know history enough will be bluffed anyway I am referring to myself too :D

Even the bank tellers are victorianified

There was a victorian bike for people to try onI was getting a bit annoyed by a lady who was hogging itI am lack of patience, and I do not like hoggers!
So i got on one, and i realised i didnt have the height to pedal it!!!

Look at the people behind me, laughing at my inadequacy :P

Terence did it... Annoyingly, a breeze for him

There was a really cute steampunked couple :P

I bought a foot long bratswurtz $6.50, price's pretty steep for just a germanified hot-dog Nevertheless, it is still pretty yum

Took a photo with the steampunked guy
he has the most awesome outfit of all :D

There was a stone sawing competition too

Astonished look!!!
Kevin was admiring the architecture

YOOHOOOO Steampunk capitalI have no idea how they got that train up that base

There was a steampunked typewriter too
having said that, i don think there was any typewriter in the victoria era

Checked out an anglican church too

NZ's historic buildings are all youngish
only around 200 years old TOPS

Nevertheless, Oamaru has one of the best well kept victorian buildings (some built only during edwardian era though since NZ was only colonized after 1850s)

I was just stealing flowers from bushes

Baddddd

Trying to act cute to get out of itwell, failed miserably i guess

Went to riverstone kitchen before we headed back to Timaru Riverstone kitchen is an award winning restaurant a few years backI made a reservation only this morning, for i could not get any reservation before 3pm. We were contemplating flagging the whole lunch at Riverstone. Nonetheless, we stayed behind since it is not everyday we frequent Oamaru. Most importantly, I am unwilling to drive another 45minutes just to get to Riverstone Kitchen. Having said that, there were heaps of people who flocked to the little restaurant. We didnt get a seat by the deck, and the garden.
For those who don know riverstone, it is a restaurant which make use of locally grown products to cook up awesomely tasty fooood. It is located appx 20min from Oamaru town centre

They even sell very funky homeware

I have some occupational hazardI keep reeling thoughts regarding resource consents required for such activity in a rural area, and whether the planners have thought of the impact and also potential traffic hazard that may arise from users accessing the restaurant and the shop. HAHAHAHHAH

I was spying on another patron

There are heaps of knicks knacks in the shopIts amazing how many things they can cram into the tiny shop

we finally got a seat after waiting for more than half hour

It was real busy due to the fact that Oamaru is flooded with visitors
They also have a lot of lilies on display

AHH Spring

Its a riverstone
its smooth, flat and roundedproduct of alluvial erosion

Chickennnnyyall from their own farm

Happy people with good food

They have one of the best hand cut chips I ever had

I had Pork Rilette It is one of the kind. Haven tried anything similar honestlyMost probably I have limited knowledge regarding riletteI however am not a big fan of their gherkins

Had a sour cream chocolate cake

I say, I am overdosed with cakes really
i have decided to do a self imposed cake ban for at least 1 month
Last week alone, I had a few tiramisu slices, choc mint cheesecake, multiple slices of brownie cheesecake and last but not least a decadent choco cake. 0_0

I LOVE SATURDAYS!

2011-11-19T18:14:00.002+13:00

We went to kite flying at Caroline Bay. The weather was crazy awesome! All of us have never really flown kites before so it was rather exciting. Unlike back in the days, we didnt have to make our own kite, so we just bought it from the discount shops. Two dollars for a kite.

Yung was getting real excited and been wanting to catch the kite in some way

She was just being silly :P

Sun hanging high up in the sky

the $2 kite aint that greatpretty crappy aerodynamics, but well..its $2. Cant expect much from it aye?

We should have bought the $4 kite! Well, still equally cheap.
Yung's brother - K Lau

I just realise hydro grand hotel is quite conspicuous in the backgroundIt has been redundant for a long period of time

Terence was trying a bit of kite fight but it got a lil tangledhe was running around yung trying to untangle it

MY TURNI was thrilled seeing the colorful kite in the skyI a
Contrasts against the blue sky

Right, I have to confess. the kite did flop!

The wind was intermittenand i had to run around like a crazy asian trying to keep airborne

Thanks to the glorious weatherThe grass is real drymaking it really nice to sit and lie on

It was really windy even though the weather was real pleasant

trying to reel back the kite

before T got a bit competitive againemulating kite fighting

We then went to Caroline Bay playground

It's really highhhhhI got weak knees when I reached the top

Yung was giving it a try too

There was a skateboarding competition at skate park

Crazily happeningthere were heaps of kids running abouton scooters, and skateboards

Got home around 4pm. and started harvesting my vege again
My bakchoy is a lil overgrown have you seen bakchoy flowers beforeee???

One too many cakes

2011-11-19T00:36:00.005+13:00

I been having heaps of cakes recently. As much as i love cakes, but I think they are sabotaging my diet. I had a glorious brownie cheesecake for morning tea yesterday, half a choco muffin for afternoon tea yesterday, tiramisu after dinner yesterday, another tiramisu slice for lunch today and last but not least, choco mint cake for dessert tonight :P. I am spoilt by all of you all. I refuse to count the calories contained in those devious little things.

Thank you Crystal for dragging me out for a belated birthday dinner at Zest. The pork ribs are yum, and good to know all about your joyous events recently. I look forward to see how the events unfold :D

She got the iphone 4S in timaru last week.
im utterly surprised at the availability of iPhone 4S hereIt was only launched in NZ on 11 November.

Based on my experience, Timaru was 2-3 months late with iphone 4.
I got mine via Dunedin while Chch/Auckland etc iPhones were all sold out
anyway, we were trying to play with siri.still, i havent found much practical need with it
Nevertheless, iphone 4S feels much lighter than iPhone 4 for some reasonI think I was a bit rough with Crystal's iphoneI apologise as it truly is a habitbecause my iphone has been treated like a motorola defy.
The world is dominated by iphones

The interesting choc mint cheesecake

Thanks Crystal for shouting me dinnerit was fantabulous :)
Good luck with next weekend :D

quarter century old

2011-11-17T23:23:00.004+13:00

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!

Honestly, it is something that I am not too excited about

i am 25 this year, which means I am no longer a young adult

so, when i fill in a form, I can no longer tick age group (20-24).

The horror. The only benefit is being 25, my insurance premium is now cheaper. Additionally, i can now rent car (if i need one) without having to pay for extras and stuff.

Anyway, i arrived at work to this. This is mr brown + chanelle's polite gesture. i did the same for him in September :D

I shouted morning teabrownie cheesecake from Divine.truly divine :D

There's a drink called Ch'i. Named after me

Chanelle got me a small bouquet of flower, which is very sweet of her

Had a good morning tea with colleagues but totally forgotten about photo taking. Was too busy devouring the cake! Peter T my manager was trying to be my friend for 20mins because he wanted a slice of brownie cheesecake. I however have warned him of his old age, and the cheesecake can be a potential threat to his ageing arteries and all.

Had lunch with Jo and Selwyn before dinner with the rest of me timaru buddies!!!!!

had Benny's ChickenBacon cheese and chicken. you do the math

Hayley found a new friend- Aunty Alice

This is a series of events...
Hayley's force feeding me red onions 0_0

I however had to be a role model

therefore swallowing everything that she shoved in my mouth

EVIL HAYLEY

A bunch of asians :)

in timaru

Hayley was trying to imitate Marilyn

So funny how she called her a monster :P

Despite having a cake in the morningI could not wait to sink my teeth into yung's tiramisu :D

I was trying to cut it nicely

but failed miserably
Yung is being crazy in the background

Had to get the maestro to do it

Oh this is my gift from the Chang's family :D

The little chang is enjoying it at the restaurant for me

THANK U MISSY FOR PICKING IT WITH MUMMY :D

it has been a very pleasant day
Thank you for all the greetings on fb, msg and whatsapp.

really appreciate it. The only day in the year when i feel so much love
Mum even attempted to call me the whole day, albeit i had missed the calls at least 4 times. When we finally talked, I could not really talk for long as well. Thank you mum for making the effort really.
Thank you friends and colleague :).U guys been awesome.
Being 25 isnt really something that i look forward. Ageing is inevitable, but i guess the only way to combat ageing, is to not think about it. Oh no. I mean, not mind about it. hmmm.. well, alright i will just embrace the wisdom that normally comes with age. Right, i hope i have some :P.

It is probably a bit hard to see.it is really funny how Dave did a winpop, which is a message tool that is visible to every computer screen within the Council. I wasnt at my desk when he did it and therefore didnt know he greeted me via winpop. He got a tad disappointed and did another one, hoping that I could see it this time. The little grey box said 'because Chyi was not at her desk last time, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and welcome to adulthood'

Right, much appreciated :D.

Weekend, has once again came and went.

2011-11-13T19:53:00.003+13:00

Went to Dunedin for the weekend with Yung. We crashed at my usual dunedin hangout place - 26A F Street, and introduced her to Yong Hwa, Ken and Ming. We had a pretty awesome time. The main agenda in Dunedin was to watch Sleeping Beauty by Royal NZ Ballet.

We ate and shopped from 12pm to 5.30pm. Yung went through at least 10+ pairs of jeans before deciding the two pairs. Not complaining about it though, because its always good to find the right stuff amongst everything. I bought a colour block top :). with colour that spells awesome :D

Had velvet before the ballet

So fat, but still munching :D

Yummylicious, albeit not as good as ferg

At top level - regent theatre

It was a girl's night obviously

During the show

I didnt take a lot of ballet photos because I was too distracted by the bulges, and the men in tights. Of course, I cannot avert my eyes as the girls with pretty tutu prancing around on the stage. Nevertheless, i still find ballet.. very daunting. Look at those ballerina feet :P. Yikes. Well the show overall was very enjoyable. There was even a dragon, with laser shooting eyes :P

Had brunch at starfish with Yen Yan and the rest

Took a walk to 'second beach'

Weather was crazy gloriouswith fluffy winds and awesome waves

the flasher :P

Yen Yan, my sister's bestie

some lesbo love going on here

well, cant forget gay love aye?

waves, seaweeds and looming cave!

They js cant stop fight 0_0

Ming's praying for money

Kah Yenn is carrying Yong Hwa. Holy

I am a superman @ St clair beach :)

I transformed into a bench

Yen Yan didnt want to sit on me :P

Meh!

REALLLLLLYYY??
IN DUNEDIN???????

We played with Swings for a wee bit

and i was dead awesome. The highest of them all

That's all for now

good to catch up with Yen Yan for a bit too :)She been here for the entire year and I never had time to shout her a meal
I did today. Good on me :)

Services, fail.

2011-11-09T19:50:00.003+13:00

Customer service, it is something that baffles me a lot. By plain meaning, they serve the customer, those with practical needs and reasonable request. I am reasonable. No.1 I pay. No.2 I converse reasonably well. No.3 I dont fucking muck up.

Anyway, this particular company that I have had business with screwed up twice. They have my address down, with my postcode, yet they can get my city of residence wrong. I dont live in the quake striken Christchurch, for i live in peaceful and tranquil Timaru. The postcodes are numerical, and I am perplexed by their so called competency and efficiency. Now, my thing is going to Christchurch and Thank God there's no 61A XXXX Street in Christchurch. If this was a larger country, i think my things will be delivered to some lucky bastard who would just send me an email to thank me for my generosity.

Second time that it has happened. This time, i specifically reminded them about their past mistake, yet they do it again. They are not britney spears entourage right. Why do they do it again? This is just unacceptable.

Forgive my constant whining. I am swamped with work, and hated the feeling of looking at my door step and post box every time when I come home. I am just annoyed by many things. 6.5 weeks to holiday, and why isnt my pile of work subside a little bit? Sigh.

I serve the public, but i don remember me being so incompetent. Having said that, the public dont exactly pay me. The ratepayers do. Not all ratepayers come into the council. Those who come in, they are not entitled to ask so many questions. The more they ask, the more expenses that they are imposing on the population in the District, really. I am rambling, partly due to the pent-up frustration as a result of many miscellaneous thing......

Market gardener :)

2011-11-06T20:34:00.006+13:00

It has been a productive day.
I woke up early, and restored my pc laptop after breakfastI went back to fondle my mac for a while before having Hayley over.We went through our vege patch and flower bed. She had a couple of my snow peas, and told me that 'they are sweet'and even asked 'can i have another one' :).
There's no peas sweeter than lil hayley :)
When she's finished with it, she dusted her lil palms and said,'I am full already and I share with you'
Harvested some more bakchoy today
Got some slugs/caterpillars attack in the patchthings are still somewhat under control
These are my first harvest of snow peasDidnt know I could harvest them until Jo pointed them out

The funny thing is, I was just telling Yung about it last nightcommenting on its larger size when compared against Asian's snowpeas
Well, being an amateur gardener (neophyte really)I was completely wrong, some of them have over grown
Well. its fine.One learn from mistake
i eventually will have the best garden in Timaru

Went to the backyard and wrestled with ivys, weeds, and other thingsspent a few hours doing some weeding in the humongous yardand came back to watch yung in the kitchen, making pao

Yumm ass for dinner
Yung made some golden kiwi sorbet, with manuka honey too

It has been a productive day even though we havent had much planned in the first place. We have been spending quite a bit of time in the garden when we are free during the weekend. It is spring/summer in New Zealand now, for it is the best time to exercise our green fingers when everything grows relatively well with the help of an abundant supply of precipitation and sun. I am elated and contended at the same time with my maturing vegetables. Thrilled by the sight of the budding broccoli, i even did a happy dance in my flora gum boots yesterday.

Well, i am trying not to dwell on the amount of money and time that I have invested in the vege patch thus far. The learning curve has been fairly steep thus far. Further, it makes an awesome story telling, and seeing how everything springing alive is invigorating. Most importantly, it fels like butterflies in the tummy. Even a hunk cant trigger that fluttery feeling in me. It is a learning experience, and a hobby. Satisfying I say.

Sigh, back to work tomorrow. I think wrestling with weeds are easier than toying with words, and compute words-laden reports. Thats all for now. Hope your weekend has been a great one :)

AH SATURDAY, JOYYY

2011-11-05T08:32:00.005+13:00

Another week has flown by. Friday, it's always the most anticipated day of the week. I love Thursday, because the anticipation builds up through out the day. Saturday is the culmination of anticipation, and often ends up to be the most relaxing and carefree day, knowing the fact that there's Sunday to fall back on.

This is my first post in the month of November. November, we are already in the other end of the year with the flick of an eye. This year, albeit eventful, is probably the most predictable year I ever had in the past 8 years of NZ. I settle in Timaru, worked for the council, have colleagues who are both amiable and intriguing at the same time. I live with two of my friends, and have a family who adopts me from time to time, and let me leech off them. Yes, Life is mundane, but pretty good. Stability is part of it, hence translating to mundanity in the books.

Anyway, before i go completely sidetrack,

I went to pleasant point fair with Jo, Hayley and Yung. A spontaneous trip, and we even dropped by a landscape centre before heading off to pleasant point. Weather is glorious, albeit coupled with cold northwest winds. Northwest winds are usually warm, as the moisture that the wind picks up when blown across Tasman Sea, precipitates on the westcoast just before they are driven up the terrain (Southern Alps). Usually, the winds get across the alps and arriving at the east coast, warm, and without much moisture. Its a different story today since there was some snow dump in the past 2 days on the alps. Hence, the NW winds have picked up the chills, and the cold draughts.

Hayley and her mummy

Funny things that kids made

Lots of garden decosI like the bunnies

They pedestrianised the main street for the fair

Miniature Pony

Sheep searing contest

More garden decos

More plants

Lil hayley signing up for duck raceits like jaffa race. U get a price if ur ducks win the race.Doh.

Hayley and Jo went for the steam train ridewhile Yung and I had our lunch at Legends Cafetheir custard square is legendary :P

Long lines! Pleasant point is probably experiencing their busiest day of the year

Note my flora hairpin

Really good sausage rollwith vege inside, surprisingly

With hayley as I get my tiramisu

We spotted Jo Goodhew, the MP candidate for Rangitata

She's eating custard square too
Adorable 3 year old

My tira

Yung's custard sq :)

Came home. did more gardeningand, now im js chilling watching person of interestI cant believe weekends are so short :(

Happy Birthday Mum

2011-10-31T21:07:00.003+13:00

Happy Birthday to my awesome mum

Mum's 55 years old. She is the most awesome mum, and the only mother I have ever had. She has always been there for me. I would not pull through life if it werent for her. Thank you for giving me a good family, home and plentiful of resources! Technically, what i have today is a result of a good family. Mum's the cornerstone of our happy chappy family.

Anyway, I did the video in one take and I was a bit lazy to do any retakes. I even found the pitchy thing really funny so I was laughing at myself all the way.

Toodles people.

Hope your monday has been okay :)

Happy Birthday to Denise too :).

and Happy halloween day :D

Queesntown and Abs

2011-10-29T00:41:00.000+13:00

Went to Queenstown with Yung Terence Alice and Bomi

Yeah a weekend away after Melbourne

State Highway 82 brought us to Richie McCaw's hometown - Kurow. Richie McCaw is NZ's Rugby Team All Black's Captain. He's a country boy, grew up in a farm and played the only sports in a small town that possibly has less than 1000 people :)

They even had things contributed to him

First thing we did when we got to queenstownwas dumping everything, and ordered ferg burgerIts truly godsend i say :D

I had Bambi
The burger is still good, but i thought the venison can be better marinated
Stayed at Kawarau Hotel, managed by HiltonStayed in the same room with AmelineShe had to put up with my snoring
Travelling continuously and back to work straight away is taxing for an old lady like me

The room had everything

Glorious sceneriesFriendly staffmost importantly crazy yum continental breakfast
It's also located next to the Kelvin Height Tracks

Walking past million dollars houses.. equipped with boat sheds and all. Landscaped gardens
I keep pushing the doctors to earn moreand employ me as a ground keeper Queenstown area is one of the most sought after area in NZ

Everyone wants to wake up to this right?
A piece of vacant land on a steep terrain sets you back 700,000. Building a house on that sort of terrain, say 700,000-1,000000Yes, that is a lot of zeros aye

Toi Toi fights

Funny thing is
the hotel has half price asian meals

Surprisingly YUMMMM
Well, hilton hotels do have a certain level of standard that they have to maintain i guess

Others went to canyoning the next day while Ameline and I were just strolling around

Ferg Burger btw :D

There's a new ferg pie shop as well

Along the lake front

Blossoms

Markets @ lake front

Spinwheel

Soap cake :D

We went up gondola and luge @ queenstown of course

I swear. No photoshop
cause i dont even know how to PS anything

Light

Part of the hotel towards stacks pubs, jetty, lake front and restaurant

They even have a bakery/deliJUMBO MACAROONS I TELL U
However, macaroons are just a hype to me
I had one of the better ones in Melbournebut i thought they are still too sweet to my likingThe colours are nonetheless very exciting

Patagonia Cheese Cake

OMG Hilton Queenstown has the best danish I have ever swallowed

No exaggerationI SWEAR

The puffy goodness is to die for

I gobbled so many of them

Hot breakfast

This is the BOMB

Oh they have a new cookie time in town too

There's lots to eat and try in queenstown
the food in queenstown is always extremely yum and has a wide range of selectionshonestly, this is probably my 8th time or something to Queenstown. i did multiple ski trips there, skydiving, bungy and all there. The food places have never.. bore me in any way. The folllowing photos are taken in a french bakery. The flans look extremely appetising.. I feel sorry for my inability to stomach anything at that time

So quaint right

The following photos were taken in Arrowtown

Went to arrowtown afterwardsIts appx 30mins from queenstownA small town, and previously a mining town
it boasts great walking tracks and most of their settlements have been well preserved

Victorian Lamps and hanging flower basketsCliche, but has its appeal i guess

Alleyways that's very happening

Old post boxes

Yeah it was rugby world cup match night as well

Torpedo looking car

flower buckets

Ameline and I hoarded.. in front of the bar and watched rugby

Other supporters

Ame and I were in our ABs shirt, and I had my flag
Honestly the game was rather disappointing but a win is a win

Over exposed.
but another breakfast at Hilton's restaurant

Once again, i reunited with my puffy goodness

My french toast hot breakfast

My buffet breakfast
You can imagine how much food i had consumed those few days of getaway

We took the arrowtown walk before driving back to timaru

it took us 2.5hrs return
up the slope, and cross some streams
the scenery is breathtakingThe rocks are classified as sedimentary rocks and have alternate resistances to erosions, and therfore has created a very interesting landscape in the locality. Furthermore, the site is located in close proximity to mountain ranges and the stream at that time is swollen with melted snow and run offs from the days before

Oh i brought ABs flag with me too

There were people with their dogs as well

Last but not least, we wont the webb ellis cup :D
Kurow added a new cup to their haystackRefer to the first picture to spot the difference in the original display :D

2011-10-25T22:57:00.001+13:00

Went to Queenstown with Yung Terence Alice and Bomi

Yeah a weekend away after Melbourne

Melbourne whirlwind trip

2011-10-19T22:51:00.004+13:00

Sorry about the one week hiatus. Been away in Melbourne with the fam bam :). The trip was short and crammed with activities. I was there for 3.5 days, and had to go through graduation, road trips, shopping and all in one go. Due to the hectic schedule, I have very scarce time for my usual habit in documenting the streets, food and people in Melbourne town. Well, I find it funny how I call it Melbourne town. Although I dislike the lack of open space in Melbourne, I adore the liveliness of their streets and their good use of alleyways and the thriving cafe lanes and all. There is a cafe in every turn of the streets, and boutique shops in the least expected places. So wellington, but in a larger scale. I went to a couple of cafes for brunch and lunches, and they are hidden in the corner of the alley. Obscured by the graffiti on the wall, and the milk crates by the footpath or reserve. Melbourne is thriving incredibly well due to their bold use of public art, and through the creation of public spaces. If you walk on Bourke Street or something, you see a purse on the floor. That is actually a seating place! the purse reflects the retail environment in its locality..

K, i went off topic. Snap. Of course, we cannot ignore the fact they have in fact utilises the mechanisms of connectivity and directing the traffic flow in ways you cannot imagine.

It is indeed one of the most liveliest city I have ever been too. Haphazard, but working smoothly nonetheless. Having said that, it is not my favorite town in Aussie. Maybe it is the atmosphere or whatever, there is just something in the air that spite me. Hey, dont get it wrong, I do like Melbourne's planning. For i.e. Brunswick Street, the connectivity that trams bring to general public, the exquisite cuisines, the cafes and shops hidden in the alleys, the fashionable people, use of spaces, the strong presence of public art.. the combination of everything makes a good recipe to create a planned town. Well, maybe i appreciate more of my open spaces and privacy :). That's why. Some times, it is just down to preferences. Physical Planning may help to create a space that people may want to linger. However, I am a person of character :D. I choose my space, and will not be conned by people who may want to con me...

Well, we are the so called creative class. I say Melbourne has attracted a good band of creative class into the City. Well, a flock of them anyway, which subsequently created the existing urban fabric. I wish I have had more time to study every little things that rub shoulders with me while I was there. Yes, Melbourne will not be top on my list. But I love everything bits of things that have something to do with planning. Even the fake patch of grass within QV building amuses me and made me wonder about the concept behind the creation of such space....

Before I waffle incessantly about other things in relation to planning, I share with you a truck load of photos. My sisters have snapped numerous things on my camera and I borrowed Yung's camera to document some exciting moments of the fatty graduan Peiyi Sim :). Overall, we have a total of up to 900 photos. Holy Mackerel right?

I flew off around 6am NZ time on Thursday
Had a glimpse of sunrise in the horizon

Met the fam bam in town

Mum and Dad after 1.5 years :D

Truly nostalgic
My third trip to Melbourne

Good old free city tram

My sister's graduation on Monash Clayton Campus

Well, the sim kids

Patrick, her exflatmate
and friend of mine

Spot the black holes in the sky. Where you ask?
Look closely
hint, its near to the mouth and under the nose

Fam :D

You think you can fly???

Bunch of gifts

Ate Dinner around 9pm
Was rushing here and there on the first day
Forgive me for not looking glam.
I didnt sleep for more than 1.5 days already. Furthermore, by the end of first day, I had eaten a good brunch in an awesome cafe by one of melbourne alleys. Shopped at DFO South Wharf and spent good half day in Clayton before making our way back to Melbourne Central

My youngest sister is the skinniest among us now

Dad

Melbourne Central the next day
I was.. busy buying my beloved Boost Juice

Waiting for my juice
Mango Green Tea Mantra
Godsend i tell you
A pack of goodness with a price tag of $6.20Aud

Spot the amusing public arts on buildings
The good thing about melbourne is their integration of historical buildings and public art.

Got our lil rental car
and off we went to Mornington

Stopped by bunnings warehouse to show dad around hardware down under

Well we had to be creative right

Expensive sausage sizzle
I say, daylight robbery

Strawberry Farm

On our way to boat sheds (at least that's what i think it is)

Mum is amused by random wild flowers along the path

Went to gardens and vineyards

Mornington Peninsula Brewery
for a local brew and gourmet pizza

Mornington Peninsula Hot Spring

Had Dinner at Sophia
Humongous portion
Friendly Staff
Needless to say, the meal was truly enjoyable

QV Market

WOOHOO WRC

FOOD AND FOOD
DELIS AND ALL

Brats :D

Had some oyster as well

Mum's again amused by random stuff

She also got a leather belt

Went to the zoo after that
My expression is a result of over-heating
I cant stand the heat

Melbourne at night

Our rental car
96 is our house number in brunei

Camberwell Market on Sunday morning

Those Alleys which i think is perfect planning example
well, we do need population to sustain such activities though

Graffiti and makeshift chairs

Isis Cafe at Flinders Lane

That's all for now
I have more photos over at facebook
as you know, two of my siblings are posers
The photos are... abundant.

Bye!

A week

2011-10-11T23:48:00.001+13:00

Harro all.

I am a bit slack in updating. Most importantly, I have been busy catching up with things. There are a lot of ongoing activities recently, especially when spring is kicking in and the warmth is setting in.

Anyway, I will be heading to Melbourne tomorrow to attend Peipoo's graduation. Very surreal knowing that I be seeing the rest of the family in the next few days. I havent seen them in person for a year and a half already.

Had Bomi and Alice over for dominos pizza a while ago before we had a discussion on the things that we intended to do over in Queenstown next week. Yes, I am going to queenstown the week after i come back from Melbourne. Anyway, they narrowed down to options such as horse riding, quad bikes and kayaks. If you ask me, I have no intention in getting on another horse again. Not interested. So boring, Done it twice this year and I think I have had enough of horses. Quad bikes, yeah, a wee bit interested but prices border around 220. I am still considering. I am lazy enough to only want to devour desserts in Queenstown and take scenic walks around Arrowtown.

Well, i should not be thinking too much ahead. I have to tackle Melbourne Streets first aye?

Toodles people.

May update when im in melbourne

Angry me Vs green pigs

2011-10-05T22:41:00.003+13:00

I am seriously not complainingI do like my life in Timaru

Many may see my new found hobby in gardening, tramping, walking and snowboarding a little boring. But I am rather contended here. The only thing that worries me a little is getting too comfortable with this little town. Comfort Zone is a black hole, beware.

Anyway, the following photos are pretty self explanatory as to why I feel contended. I come back to awesome friends at home. Apart from that, I get random invites to Jo place to munch off her egg tarts :D. They are so yum. I somehow hold some grudges though, over the fact that Jo is piling more flabs around my waistline :(. Gah, Having said that, I voluntarily gobbled down those sugar laden stuff :D. So Yum. So Happy. So well-fed :D

Yung and I. Munching away
Forgot to take a photo of the baker though. Yikes
Hi JO :). Well, this is not the first time that I have leeched off her. I feel a little useless at most of the time. No.1 I dont think I have ever cooked for her. No.2 I eat and hassle. Yes you read this right, I dont even wash my own plates because her husband does it for me. No.3 I bombard her relentlessly with my childish thoughts and gibberish :D.
Unfortunately, She's still stuck with me. I AM NOT GOING AWAY

As for the rest of the night, I ended up wrestling with green pigs

I have never played angry birds before until today

i was at Noel Leeming earlier today, browsing at their portable speakers. They didnt have the model that I wanted so I ended up killing time on their ipad. Unsurprisingly, their ipad happened to have angry birds. The little birds with furrowed brow, which perches on a catapult is surprisingly addictive and entertaining. I cannot stand how the green pigs can survive under my feeble attack. I drained my iphone battery, and made Terence to play against me (in a way) on the ipod touch. Well, I spent a few hours on it, and finished all level 6 on the free version. I dont think I would buy the full version. I have never bought games on itunes, and i would like to keep it that way. Terence and I agreed on the small screen being the only reason why we could not achieve 3 stars in all levels. We are awesome, its definitely the screen's fault :P

Well, im not usually a game person. I speak the truth, and only the truth. It is evident that my ipod touch of 3 years still hold a good battery life due to my lack of gaming interest. My iphone is only being used for normal whatsapp, sms, pxt, phone calls, ebooks and all. Rather simplistic.
Well, GAH. Angry birds. Well, good game. I am a bit slow if compared with other people, especially when other regions are inundated with Angry Birds merchandise. I don usually pick out games to play, albeit owning one or two tools that are capable of doing so.
Well. thats all for now.

Sorry about the abrupt end but... I am running out of things...to tell you. BYE
One week to Melbourne to see fam bam :)

Happy Sunday Sundie!

2011-10-02T19:18:00.004+13:00

I have been bombarding you all with flora pictures

I cant help it. Im thrilled by what's growing in the garden
i even went to Chanelle's place to check out her garden!

My tulips were blooming during late morning
i woke up 8ish when the tulips were not quite bloomed yet

These are the blossom at our front yard

Theres a mixed variety of colour :DI have grown them since last winter

Actually i have other floras than just tulips in the garden
we have lavender, daisy, dahlia and all.

However, tulips are the one that excite me the most atm

The white ones are really nice tooo

more blossoms :D

Look at the pollinator

Went to roncalli fair after yung and i went for a run/walkwell it was a short one

They sell all sort of things for dirt cheap price

It is massive tooOut of my expectation
i thought it was a dinky one

They have lots of food, silent auction and the most interesting hosts

There's american cakewalk

technically like musical chairsU walk around and stop when the music stops

someone would draw a numberif your number get picked, you get the cake
Like that :D

Apart from that, We were looking at this fish tank that said 'invisible fish for 50c'
A guy came to us, gave us a ziplock bag and talked about this invisible fish
Yung and I knew... it was a sale of imagination
but i bought it anyway, for 50c
He mentioned that the fish should not be directly exposed to the sun
i even inquired abt the kind of fish food that the invisible fish need
Honestly it was greatly entertainingawesomest invisible fish i ever bought

I even got a board game for $2!
I was in the gym hall when i stumbled upon this cranium bumparena
i havent seen it in the shops before, assuming it is an obsolete game
i held on to it, and asked how much..

T and I were utterly surprised at the $2 price tag
I was 'SOLD' ahhaha
Oh Im also holding the invisible fishonly smart people can be the owner of invisible fish :D

make shift stage

we then went to garden centreyes we are garden gnomes now

Yung made PAO too :)
adorable one.. a rabbit

that transformed to a piggie after being steamed

the PAO maker

Fillings

We played our bumparena as yung waited for the dough to rise

My $2 toy!

Its surprisingly FUN
Terence kept losing!!
he argued that it was law of physics and not pure luck
Speaking of which, he was running a few trials js now

So much fun for 2.50 today
Terence also bought Kinect Sport

I AM AWESOME AT BOXING

Further pao making

While I had my own sit around at front yardwith Mickey, Lappie and Starry mouse

Yung joined me afterwards

in front of the tulips

I keep sharing my tulips
I shall share other things in my flower bed

My vege patch - snow peas

Wild Daisy

Spring and lasagna

2011-10-01T21:06:00.004+13:00

Spring with blossom in our garden :D

Made lasagna for everyone and spicy wedges :D
Did a picnic near

Ignore the TDC bins :D

The blossoms above our head
Ate like there's no tomorrowLasagna is evil

more bloated today
After eating a good number of the following stuff

Made betty crocker's cupcakes this morningand they are so yummm

Used Yung's Rainbow Sparkle and etc to decorateDid you notice the lil chocolate drop on top?

My tulips are blooming well
they were so pretty in the arvo
need to take more pictures
Apart from that, I also dropped by Dave and Chanelle place to check out their vege patch and there was a hedgehog in the garden :D. I brought them my awesome cupcakes. I also got some for megan as well. had a good lunch with Jo and Hayley. It has indeed been a rather pleasant Friday/Saturday.... apart from my overfeeding. All others are goood :D

Happy South Canterbury Day

2011-09-26T21:41:00.005+13:00

I am short of words to describe how pleasant weather is for today. Spring weather has always been menopausal. Today, however, is a different story. Everything glimmers under the sun, and the air smells fresher after a good bake :D.

Went to Ashburton for their boulevard day today. Again, I am tagging along with Yung and T. Ashburton is a town that is under 1 hour from Timaru, and Boulevard Day is their annual event which they pedestrianise East Street.

Pasture and Blue Sky

How typical of NZ scenery.

Fyi, pasture does not equate NZ sceneries

These are eyesores if you ask me

Part of the closed, pedestrianised street.

Streets are lined with cherry blossoms trees.

I never really had to line up at ATMs....
NZ is sparsely populated and therefore this scene is very rare

Bungy for kids

Somersault :D

Shops are having makeshift stalls too

Spring is in the air, so are all the plants

I find this unusual
I do not have an idea as to why BNZ cage a lamb in the middle of the street
if you ask me, i think the lamb looks a bit sad

Grumpy Old Man and Old Hag

Water balls

Lunch :) at Braided Restaurant
I googled as to where to go
and, this pops up first

Awesome antiques

T and his National Party

It's election year again as it happens every three years

Been three years since National Party is in power and possibly stand a good chance in getting re-elected again. T was very antagonistic towards me today as I was sporting a red Labour Balloon. He even got a National Balloon so that he could try squashing mine as I walked in front of him. I am not a fan of any party in particular. I however, like a bit of friendly competition. We even got stickers from Jo Goodhew, the national party MP for Rangitata (where we are). I even asked whether we could get her 'I am a KEY person' Tee shirt. Fyi, John KEY is our Prime Minister at the moment. The queen is our head of state. HAHAH

The battle ensues

Got back to Timmy around 4ish and had a good feed at Jo. Yummmeh Strawberry Cake. In case you wonder what I was doing in Ashburton on a Monday, it's South Cantebury Anniversary Day today. The first public holiday since early June. How pathetic right??

Back to work again tomorrow :(

Sunday with intermitten sun

2011-09-25T20:58:00.003+13:00

Went farmer's market with yung for the first time in ages

Was hoping to see more fruits but there were more floras instead

I look forward to buy the $10 for two kilos cherries. YUMMMM

Weather was glorious in the morning

Like typical spring weather, the weather was a bit indecisive
Rain and shine, in the time span of an hour

Lots of plants to grow

Kid holding a bunch of daffodils :DI like how light and bouncy she is

Me holding my savoury bread stick and Macaroon I have never had them beforedidnt understand the hype of itFinally tried one today, very.. sweet.

More daffodils

Went to station market too

Humongous broccoli for only 1.50 per headCountdown sells for 1.80 but half the size
Will you marry me?

My choco macaroonmy verdict, meh.

Yung's mochi muffin

My All blacks Pump bottle

I went out to do a bit of gardening again before weather backfires on me
T was mowing the lawn

Yung got into beautifying the yard too
She even dragged me to the warehouse to get some more florasI, got dahlias and bak choy
Do you know fertilisers cost $20 for a bag?

I was weeding and digging some morefor a better flower bed

Im a neophyte at gardening but it is a pretty good workout

I also accidentally spent 18bucks on a pair of pink flora gumbootsI dont usually buy pink, but what are gumboots when they are not conspicuous?

Another day off tomorrow :)
South canterbury anniversary day
First public holiday since early June

I SAVOUR EVERY SINGLE MIN OF IT :D
Heading ashburton for boulevard day tomorrowSpring is so happening :).

Of sceneries and sammies

2011-09-24T14:43:00.003+12:00

Terence made us Singapore Prawn Noodles the other day
I dub it SPrawN

I could still taste it in my mouthit is actually very yum albeit the prawn isnt fresh

Yung T and I went on Deer Spur Track at Peel Forest
it's one of the steepest track at the DoC reserve

The view is pretty stunning though
we spent 3 hours on a return trip
didnt hike all the way up to little mount peelif we headed up that way, we would take 6 hours return
it was goddamit windy when we were up there, and it was forecasted to rain

GROWLLL

The other side of Rangitata River (the braided river) is Ashburton DC boundary... Look at the canterbury plain, so flat, and has been occupied by numerous agricultural activity, which includes livestock farming and all. Ashburton is known for their agricultural productivity, which translates to flat stretches of land and rich farmers :D. We are intending to go Ashburton boulevard day on Monday :). I be on my best behaviour and hunt for some rich young farmers... Speaking of which, I am having Monday off because of South Canterbury Anniversary Day. 1st public holiday for... 3.5months :(.

Lunching on the ridge

Its js boring track pictures really
That's the rangitata braided river that I was talking about earliera clearer view :D

The stinging nettle

T is terrified of them because they crawl through everything

Burst of randomness

2011-09-21T22:06:00.002+12:00

How are you?

I am fine!
What is past continuous, past participle, noun, verb, adjective, case etc?

OH NO I DONT KNOW
EAT FLOWER U ALL
OK. i had a wee session about grammar today
I suck. end of story.

I only write what i think that sounds right, and therefore my english aint proper, and aint right either. I understand my burst of randomness has again plunged you all into a world of confusion. Please do not dislike me and I shall share my blooming tulip with you. Its pink. I have this deduction that pink tulips are more competitive and 'fittest'. I bought a bag of mixed coloured bulbs. My tulips buds all look pinkish. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. This illustrates a higher survival rate for pink tulips right? oh no, we are being overtaken by the colour pink.

Ok for now. Say hi to my no.1 tulip!

I am a garden gnome!

2011-09-19T13:29:00.003+12:00

Spent Saturday around in Christchurch.

Went around with repek lee. She's back from perth and it is refreshing to listen to things from the other side of Australia. Jan Rebec and I had lunch atNorth/South that day and I was commenting on people's perspectives being myopic and all. She bursted out laughing saying that's an eye condition. I tell you, its really occupational hazards. To optometrists, those are eye conditions. To me, it is just people being narrow minded. anyway. Sigh, good to have rebeck around really. Been a while since i last saw her.

On Sunday, I spent a good portion of the morning doing GARDENING. You heard it right, Yes, I have grown some green fingers since I moved to Timaru. Right, Honestly, I am a neophyte at gardening. But I consult google well :P Oh and Jo helped me to shop for seeds and bulbs before i begun 2 months ago.

This is me.. urh being random in the arvo after I came back from Countdown, and watered my plants.

These are my tulips. They are growing well. Funny stor is that when i grew them a good 1.5mth ago (or more), I didnt have any clue on the how-to. I just dug a shallow hole, and chuck the bulbs haphazardly into the pit. Its not after one day when I talked to Jo about it that I realised I had mucked up, urh pretty big time. It turns out that you have to ensure that the bulbs are sitting right so it grows unobstructedly. Well, basic stuff but didnt occur to me when I was doing it. Urhhh learning curve aye?

I definitely am going to have a pink one. Cant wait :). it is technically spring now

I have a couple of pink/reddish ones

There's random wild daisies on the lawn too

and others

This is my vege patch, which consists of snow peas (at the back) and broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

Hi snowpea plant

It took me good 2 hours doing wedding at my vege patch. The weather has been warm and wet in early spring and therefore the weeds have been thriving very well. Further, heaps of weeds latch on the snowpeas. Snowpeas are climbers, and therefore, their vines and stuff are grown over the weeds too. This better be worth it. Speaking of which, I understand why I am a planner now instead of a gardener. These are seriously hard work. Right, I havent done weeding for 3 weeks already. Serves me right. Lazy gardener, who doesnt even do it properly. Didnt buy a vege patch bed nor compost really. I believe in urh organic farming? HEHEHEHEHEHE

Another daisy :)

Thats all. Toots

colour on canvas

2011-09-17T00:59:00.004+12:00

It has been pouring in Timaru these few days. It is not entirely bad because I enjoy the rain cascading down the slope, my windscreen and creating puddles. As much as I enjoy endless blue skies and basking in sun, I appreciate the torrential rain from time to time.

The picture below is a Magnolia grown on the adjoining property. The pink shades have dotted the gloomy sky. Not looking too grim anymore aye?

Work has been fine i guess. There have been some deterrents to my progress but I am still ahead of my schedule. Having said that, It is creeping on me, waiting for the right moment to pounce and plunge me into a frantic mode.

One of the main reasons why I have not felt that stressed chasing after deadlines is mainly because of the existence of the new duty planner. However, he has been sick recently and therefore having to fill in for him has impeded part of my work plans for this week. Well, i am 75% of my target and achieving all deadlines okay so far.

Work environment is a very dynamic context. Been having some steep learning curve regarding management and all as well. Additionally, I think I have won a battle today too. I shall give myself a pat on the back.

Well, Megan told me i should compartmentalize and terminate all work-related thoughts during weekend. Well, they are mind boggling at all times. However, I am happy that Friday is here and I am heading Christchurch for a day trip tomorrow just for a bit of shopping and catch-up with the Lee sisters :). Speaking of which, I had a quick catch up with a friend today at coffee culture as well.

Forgive my oblivion, this is teapuccino
I thought it tastes rather interestingNot bad at all

I dont know where I was looking

but well, more food and shops in Chch tomorrow.

Adios for now.
I would want to extend my appreciation to my youngest sister for finding me some gems from Country Road. I have gotten my boatshoes :). I cant believe I could shop via whatsapp while having afternoon tea in the Council :P. Definitely reaching a new height, with the aid of mobile technology :). And thank you sister for offering to pay for it. I guess having to pay for quite a lumpsum on your sister is a good investment. They thought of you, well, sometimes :D
Another month before seeing the fam bam in Melbourne. It has been nearly 2 years. How scary is that????

Mooncakey!

2011-09-13T00:06:00.002+12:00

Happy mid-autumn festival

I haven really had one for a long time

Yung called me both on house phone and cell phone
I am really horrible with phones some times since I am rather good in ignoring.

Bomi/Alice/Yung and I had dinner at Monteith
It was a spontaneous dinner really

I had Penne Pasta
Didnt feel like meat after much of it past few days

We came back for cake

I had a small piece. I swear.
Made of dark choco