blessings

Blessings received from Adelaide!

back for good!

just a short entry to say I've reached SG safely! Was too busy to update since I got back frm Syd. Great year in Adelaide! Missing the weather n bread nowwwww...super hot n humid here! Think will start missing people n scenery v soon! Gonna just start unpacking and hopefully reorganise my rm this week n starting work next week.

back

Yup, i'm back! Had a great time catching up with my cousin and also spending time with Rach n her friends (same friends I drove ard last week) n who are now my friends too. Hah...did lots of walking to save on transport and good workout also lah..hah..ate great food too! Realised ppl in Syd nt as friendly as Adl and are more "varied" in nationalities. It's also an eating city I find..at any time of the day, I'll definitely see ppl eating in restaurants or cafes or food courts! Compared to Adl, there has many more international cuisines and more happening, definitely! Glad to be able to get stuff for the Khoo's 1st grandchild and K...didn't dare to buy much coz had to stay within handcarry of 7kg..mine weighed 6.4kg (phew..hehe). Bought a pair of 3/4 denim jeans frm Esprit there..stopped myself from buying another pair of casual pants and short skirt..hah..

Yday while chatting with K then realised tt I'm leaving next Sat!! How fast time flies! Gonna settle all the stuff before I leave too..coz gg Alice Springs for a week this thur. G and C asked if I wanna join them to McLaren Vale and Victor Harbor today or nt so I can show them ard but decided not to (despite them keep persuading..haha!) coz I'm supposed to pack my stuff today. Changed "date" to wed instead coz need to come back earlier tmr - gg to Elsa's place for dinner ard 6pm. Planning to make rice pudding and maybe Apricot custard tart to bring over.

Went to Firle for a walk just now but think Carolyn's nt working today..didn't see her in the shop. Coles changed their price tags (on their shelves) to those we saw in Syd...noticed ppl lookin closer at the tags coz the wordings are smaller and offer is in yellow which makes it harder to see! Pity the elderly...

Just sent email to my program coordinator and heard from her tt she's stopping by in SG in Aug so prob will meet up with her n her husband in the evening/s after work. Hah..must bring her to have assam laksa - rem she mentioned she likes..haha!

Cooked chinese-style braised beef in my thermal "magic" pot this morning for my dinner. Hope it tastes nice.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord!

Just got some assignments back..got full marks for my 2nd assignment for Introductory Statistics (haven't gotten 100/100 since pri sch 听写 days! Haha!) and HD for my last Critical Thinking and Reasoning module (the module tt's only meant for post-grads). Not too sure what the overall grade will be since 1st assignment (40%) was only a credit, 2nd assignment (10%) was a D and the latest (50%) is a HD! Feeling proud of my work..heh..n the lecturer's comment is it's one of the best he has reviewed so far! Woo hoo! As for PCP which is 9 units out of my 18 units this sem, I got D for the report (80%) and awaiting grade for poster presentation (20%). Think Intro to Statistics will hv overall of HD or D if this final one I submitted is okay.

Another thing to thank the Lord for is the chance to bless others with my last batch of bikkies (as what the Aussies call "biscuits"). Made peanut cookies (similar to Rach's fave except I used peanuts instead of almonds), cheese biscuits (K's and her sis's fave) and gingernut biscuits (Auntie Mag - LT's mum's fave). Also tried my hand at Toffee Almonds which turned bitter coz I overcooked the sugar! Sigh..but anyway, gave some of the bikkies to Rach (and her hsemates) yday and seems tt her hsemates wish me happy new year (coz the cookies remind them of CNY!!)..gave some to Carolyn (she came over to pass me a gift) and ltr passing gingernut cookies to Auntie Mag. Have packed some to give to cousin in Syd too. That's prob the last time I bake here in ADL coz I've finished using my flour (though still hv butter left) and baking powder.

And yes, Carolyn came over to pass a card and gift...the gift is a very lovely n unique eucalyptus earrings..n postcard of ADL..hah..gonna miss them sooo much..I won't be surprised if they turn up at the airport to send me off..haha..but will prob drop by Carolyn's workplace before I leave.

Busy making some handmade cards since morning...more or less packed for Syd/Canberra but still undecided if I shld bring my laptop along..if I do is just to watch shows during the coach journeys.

Quite a cold day today...windy with showers is the forecast...will miss the weather here!! Almost everyone I chatted to over MSN who're in SG have told me how HOT the weather is back home...arghhhsss...2+ more weeks n I've to face reality!

many blessings

Feeling a sense of 依依不舍 coz my church members bade farewell to me with Pastor Peter praying for me (and another congregational member who's relocating to Melb) during service. I was feeling okay till I saw tears in Elsa's (a church member whom I talk to almost every week and whose husband n she sits behind me at church) eyes when we shared peace and she said she cried when Pastor prayed for us. I didn't really expect this special order of service but it was really a great feeling. It shows that I've left a good impression or "legacy" behind. Stayed for some time during refreshments catching up with people and Pastor's wife, Carolyn, hugged me one last time and she held back her tears. Never been hugged so many times within 2 hours or even in a day before! Of cuz I felt a little affected after that as I drove to rented car to return in the city esp while walking the streets alone. Just thought back of how God has provided for me n how far I've been since I first came...i just had no words to truly describe except BLESSED. My experiences here will definitely be the greatest testimony ever in my life.

Prob the next "hurdle" is on the day tt I leave but hopefully coz E will be here, it'll buffer it a little. This morning K made me pose coz she wanted to take a pic of me in my "gorgeous" (as what she has been calling it) boots. Quite funny..n paiseh coz I dun hv the knack to pose like a model! Hahahaha!

Prob do laundry tmr (oh..we hv a new washing machine!) coz the clothes lines were all used and maybe some baking too. Haven't started packing so maybe tmr also..

Tour guide-cum-driver

And 2 days after mum, yi, uncle D and ah ma left, I was the tour guide-cum-driver again for Rach n her friends who flew in from SG...dun like the fact tt i look like a giant among them!!! Anyway, photos below!

Family trip photos

Finally hv time to sort the photos, edit n post blog entry. As you may have already read, played host to my mum, aunt, uncle and Grandma when they came over the previous Monday morning...here are some photos we took! I had a great time though tiring. Glad all of them enjoyed themselves!

tmr's THE DAY!

Finally the day's tomorrow!!!

Anyway, went out with two of the PT girls on fri...and we had Red Rooster..haha..the sides were a bit horrible lah..I can cook better..as for the chicken, so-so..still prefer Oporto! Anyway Germ gave me a treat to return my chicken rice treat n olive oil...so it was v nice of her coz invited 4 of them over the other day..only she decide to return my treat..haha! Not tt i'm expecting anything lah..

Been watching "巴黎恋人". My assignments are almost done..just to reconfirm a part of the qns in stats and waiting for both submissions to be opened. K will be off to Darwin tmr for interview and will only be back on wed.

Oh..we celebrated Pastor's 50th birthday today in church...and he made a joke saying tt his wife will be older than him this year coz she'll be 50 too (read 52)! So funny...anyway, i got invited to Elsa's place for dinner at the end of the mth...her hubby is an retired Pastor, btw..haha..v lovely lady!! Gonna miss my church members!

In today's bulletin there's a notice saying a 18yo girl from Tanunda (country town in Barossa) looking for week day accomm till end of the year and I was like "hmm..maybe can let K know" so she can rent my room out. And so I came home n showed her and she contacted the girl's mum. Sounds like a good potential..Anyway think she's brought up in a Lutheran family....great spreading the word through churches! And the more coincidental thing is the girl's name is Kathy. Haha...

Hv to wake up bright and early tomorrow but I'll get a lift from K..so qiao tt she's gg Darwin in the morning too! Think I'll be quite sad to see my ah ma with walking aids...sigh..but will spend the most time with them while they're here!!

done packing

Yup, K came back today! Quite excited seeing her again! Anyway she seems to like the new addition (read: turtle).

Finished packing stuff for mum they all to bring back and gosh..I seem to be packing more and more stuff!! Good for me but also scared means they can't buy much stuff n end up bringing my stuff home. Room is in quite a mess now with many bags lying on the floor. It was quite funny..I didn't realise I brought my pair of pink HP heels and I only saw it when I was packing my stuff!! Sure will kena nagged by mum and dad..hahah..oh well..anyway hope all can fit else will ask E to bring some back for me since she's leaving on same day as me...or come to worse, just pay for excess baggage.

My cousin just forwarded me tigerairways $1 fare promo...make me itch to go hol when I'm back in SG!!!! But I haven't even started working...grrr...

Chicken Rice and more

Think I haven't posted the pic of the vermicelli salad I made for church's Family Fun Day. Forgot to take a pic after I added the lemongrass chicken strips.




And yday had the PT girls over for Chicken Rice (and brown rice salad for the vegetarian) lunch. Had heaps of food/desserts coz the girls brought ice cream and store-bought mudcake and I actually made a green apple caramel trifle (using my unsuccessful nougat) and pear konnyaku jelly. So seems like chicken rice was appetiser and desserts was our main meal..haha! Anyway really had a great time...watched Bedtime Stories after lunch. Is such simple pleasures in life that I enjoy! Hope to still appreciate such simple joys when I go back SG...

Anyway yday morning I got a shock when there was a fish tank (with a turtle inside) ON the DINING TABLE. Was quite pissed actually. I had to move it to the side table coz was having friends over and hello?! It's a dining table, for goodness sake! Dunno if she asked K for permission or she assumes she's fine with it. Anyway K will be back tomorrow so see what's her reaction like.

After I came home after grocery shopping, there was a note stuck to my door thanking me for finding a better spot to put the tank. DUH...as if I have a choice. I hate clearing up after others...in the end those dishes she put on the rack to dry (which dried long time ago), I had to put them into the dishwasher and pack them up. Doesn't look nice when ppl come over or when K comes home. Left bangle and facial foam in places they're nt supposed to be at in the shower room. Not gg to clear up. Anyway the other day also found contact lenses on the shower floor. Why can't she throw in the bin???? ARGHS. I'm totally pissed tt I'm nt intending to talk to her at all (ate my dinner in my room tonight and missed Masterchef). So looking forward to tmr coz K's coming back and also VERY looking forward to mum, yiyi, uncle D and ah ma coming over coz I'll be staying with them and haven't seen them for 11 mths!!! Hope k's presence and my absence "buffer" things between hsemate and I. I'm leaving ADL soon anyway.

It rained quite a lot today...the best part, I saw a few rainbows today and I thought I saw one in the carpark in town..haha..I love seeing rainbows!

5 more days!! Woo hoo! Shall start packing my clothes and stuff tmr..heh

dinner out

just back from dinner with some of my Asian OT coursemates at Kopi Tim. I must say their food is one of the more authentic ones I've tried so far (not tt I've tried many). It boasts to serve Malaysian food...I must say if someone misses SGrean food, can go there..their chicken rice is not too bad..we ordered 3 dishes (didn't take a pic of Ipoh Hor Fun) coz it didn't resemble it at all...looked more like our normal hor fun. All the dishes were ard $14.90-$16.90 which seems cheaper than eating out at zi char places but for tt price for the horfun nt tt cheap...and veges were also $10+!

Ayam Kadazan (aka fried chicken)

Claypot Seafood Tofu

the 4 of us..2 on the left are frm HK but attended high sch here and the girl beside me came here since she was 7yo..aussiefied already..she reminds me of min...and she might be my colleague in SG - got recruited by NHG

Have invited the PT girls over for chicken rice..see which day suits them before K comes back and I guess A also won't be home over the weekend. Got to do some cleaning and packing over the weekend and I'm looking forward to Sun's Family Fun Day in church...will be reminded how blessed I've been since i came here with the warmth and love from my church members...

fennel

Went out for some fresh air today...and thought I should try fennel since I don't see this in SG! I only heard of fennel seeds...haha..n here is quite common. Have always wondered how it tastes like and K doesn't really know either coz she doesn't cook it. So since it was on offer, I bought to try...then went online to see how it is usually cooked. It has a mild licorice or star anise flavour..interesting...here's a pic of it

and I just cooked fennel and onion (with pieces of lemongrass-marinated chicken breast) rice. It turned out quite okay...not very strong flavour.

Think I didn't mention but K's coming back next wed!! And in the meantime she also helped me check out Annie's Place at Alice Springs coz we're thinking of staying there and book the tour soon.

And yday read tt SG has 1st confirmed case of H1N1 virus. Aust has a surge of new confirmed cases too..and now SA has 6...hmm..hope travel plans are going as planned...

cooking up a feast

Invited Rach over for lunch today coz of this!

Can you make out what this is?? Hint: one of my faves..hehe..

It's Sambal Sotong! Haha..it turned out quite nice (yummy sambal and spiciness!) but coz the squid is frozen (and not fresh, so dun taste as good as fresh ones...oh well..better than nothing. Anyway kind of made a feast today coz I also made roast pumpkins, carrots, onions, capsicums and white mushrooms (with garlic margarine),rice and an Apple Tarte Tatin for dessert. The funny thing was that most of the roasts I cooked were stuff tt Rach didn't really eat BUT she thought the carrots and pumpkins were nice! Hehe..so I'm glad she liked them!

And so inspired by an episode in Masterchef, I decided to make Apple Tarte Tatin (aka upside-down apple tart) but coz I switched from pan to baking dish, the tart wasn't as successful in appearance as the contestants'...the apples turned out too sweet (I should've known better when using ang moh recipe) but on the whole, nt bad..but I still prefer my apple strudel...we ended up enjoying the toffee that was stuck to the dish which was yummy! I wanna make my own toffee! Super easy..hahaha..anyway, pictures!

Went to CM after tt and only bought a few red apples and pears since I still had some green apples and corella pears at home. Oh ya..picked up a credit card at the teller today so went to NAB to return it...here's the conversation:

me: "Hi, I picked up this card at the ATM teller along Rundle Mall"

Indian staff: "this card is not yours?"

me: "no..it was left in the ATM teller at Rundle"

staff: "oh..from the teller (pointing to the one outside the bank)?"

me: "no..along Rundle. "

I passed it to her and she looked at it and I left. No thank you at all. And I thot Asians are able to understand Asians better...hmmm..

Anyway yday's workshops were quite interesting...the home mod one made me realise how studying in Aussie and then working back home can be quite a "culture shock" and I'm glad that I did my dip in NYP and then degree here. And more so coz I've working experience, I know what to "filter" out that can be irrelevant in our context.

Working on my Stats assignment at the moment while awaiting the online submission to open for my Critical Thinking assignments.

2 more weeks..hope trip goes well despite 2 confirmed cases of H1N1...

great lunch!

Had lovely lunch today at Pastor Peter's (and Carolyn) place. There was chicken breast with gravy, potato gratin, bread, bread rolls baked by Karri (Tom's wife), salad, yummy violet crumble cheesecake tart and trifle (which I was too full to have unfortunately!). Tom and Josh (or Joshua) are seminary students - Tom is in his final year and Josh is in his 1st year. Had quite a good time listening and sharing with them abt stuff. Not the first time ppl ask if Singapore noodles here originated from Singapore! Hahaha..and I was sharing with them the slangs that Aussies hv...so it was quite nice. Think Ps's gg to get me a Balfours Custard Tart coz it's his favourite and he found out tt I haven't tried it (not tt I'm a fan of custards..haha..and I try to cut down on desserts here coz they're often too sweet for me). Thank God for these wonderful people!


And when I came home and checked my mail, saw WJ's email reply (had earlier sent him a pic of the street sign with his ang moh name) and he sent photos of my 2 cute nephews! Coz I had bought a pair of shoes for the Jayden before he was born and seems tt he can fit now though it was meant for 6-9months (oh! he's exactly 4 months today!) so they thought they better take pic of him wearing it for me to see...so chubby! Hehee..can't wait to go back n carry (if I can manage!) him..hah

Anyway just a note, my apple cakes turned out rather ugly in appearance so no photos..haha..no photos of the apple scones as well coz from the pics they'll look ordinary. But rest assured, the cakes and scones are quite yummy though the cake is too sweet for me. Was just telling my mum I seem to always end up with different results whenever I bake something another time...haha..the beauty of baking huh? Hah!

Spent some time packing last night..and only of stuff for ppl back home and it's already sooo heavy...gosh..I still have clothes, shoes, notes to pack! Hope won't exceed when I'm gg home..but hope E can help share some weight too since we're gg Alice before tt.

Tmr have 2 workshops - 1 on Environmental Ax and Mod (which is OT-based) and another is for the critical thinking one. My stats lect finally posted the final assignment so I should be working on it from tonight but the deadline is 22nd June..so it isn't tt bad. The other 2 critical thinking ones are more or less done..shall wait for AssignIT to be open for submission then check through again before submitting.

great day yday!

Had a great day yesterday...in the morning went to Menz factory and got quite a lot of stuff..haha..then went to the fruit n vege stall along St Bernard's Rd (which is so near by car yet so far by bus from my place). Ended up walking from my place to Menz factory (abt 2.6km according to google maps) then to the fruit n vege stall (which was 1.7km from the factory) and next door Foodland. Got abt 1+kg of corella pears (only 89cents/kg!), quarter blue skin pumpkin (only 49cents/kg!!), eggs, onions and from foodland, I got a 2kg bag of granny smith apples for only 99cents! WAH..was so happy with my "loot"...but coz it was super heavy, had to take bus home and if you don't already know, the transport system here is not as good as SG's..waited v long for the bus and had to connect to another one to minimise walking. And I had planned to go to Coles after the fruit n vege stall but coz it was too heavy, decided to go home first.

On the bus, this middle-aged guy sat beside me..could tell he had some disability..and he started to strike a conversation with me..asked me where I'm from..if is China. Wah...it's not the first time i get that...not all chinese come from China ok! But anyway I told him Singapore then he seemingly know..then coz my stop reached so I had to get off and he wished me a good journey back home to M'sia. I can't help but laugh in my heart.

Anyway, after tt, I was deciding whether to go to the Coles within walking distance from my place or the one at Newton Village (abt 15mins bus ride from my place) and I decided to go to the latter coz it was woolworths too and bigger (but actually wanted to see if hv marked down bread lah). Didn't hv cheap bread but ended up buying those sharepacks and fresh mushrooms (yumss!). And coz either I missed the bus timing or bus was late, I decided to take another bus..at least out of where I was. Then I realised tt it doesn't stop anywhere near my place and being stingy, I decided to walk from the stop where I knew where I was. And so, I ended up walking past Menz factory again and it's abt 1.8km to the Coles near my place..went in to buy some more stuff and walked home..so tt journey was like 3.8km...so yesterday I walked for total of 8+km but can easily hit 9km if include walking within the places.

Took some pics along the way:

the street I live at...

Came home, heated up my scones and had iced coffee coz I knew I had to stay awake till quite late. Germaine n I decided to try our luck to see if we could get student rush tickets for ASO Plays ABBA concert. So met for dinner at a foodcourt..had korean food..bibimbap..so-so only leh..then after tt walked to the festival theatre. Luck was on our side!! We got the tickets for $18! Usual price for students is almost $39+ booking fee...and it was FANTASTIC! We didn't expect to have singing but Rajaton sang and their acapella was vvv impressive! It was a pity I didnt bring my mp3 player else could record a little. Was so happy and thankful to be able to watch it! Germ n I concluded tt we prob won't get such opportunities back home..haha! And coz of those encores and stuff, only ended ard 10.15pm and my bus was supposed to be arrive at 10.05pm so I knew I couldn't make it in time since I've to walk to the bus stop. And the next bus was an hr later...so no choice lor..had to wait for the next bus but thankfully the night wasn't as cold as I expected it to be (notice tt I wasn't wearing any leggings nor shoes) and I chose a safe spot in front of taxi stand and convenience store to wait for my bus..haha..saw some weird n rowdy crowd of cuz but just walked quicker to the stop and stay away lor..

And these were some pics of the roses I took a few days ago...at the front garden..going to send to K...

Oh..I can't believe Qantas is tt irresponsible in a sense...we happened to check our booking if we requested vegetarian food for ah ma and found out tt the flight is changed to a day later!!! So had to change accommodation dates and car rental..then found out tt the base rate for the car rental increased price (due to timing)...and I decided to try my luck to state reason why I had to change and the person replied saying he'll honour the initial base rate! Phew! And this turned out to be a blessing in disguise coz yiyi, uncle D and ah ma are all extending their stay to return tog with mum..which means more time with me!! So now just trying to work out places to go by car and by bus coz not renting car for the whole time.

Gg to bake apple cake later..prob baking 2..one for tmr's lunch (Pastor's wife invited me n some seminary students attached to our church over to their place for lunch tmr!) and another for my breakfast in case tmr no bread in church and give neighbours too..haha! Have to return the rod K borrowed from neighbour for my tomato plant (yes, tomato plant is dug out already) and also for my Italian neighbour coz I think the lawn mowing person came yday..saw tt the lawn is now neat and tidy! So I shld go over n thank her...

whisk whisk whisk

Went to return my lib bk at Magill campus this morning coz I didn't wanna lug the book ard and return at city campus..then when I reached the bus stop, realised I didnt bring my wallet out!! So I had to quickly run home from where I was (a bus stop away) and catch the bus. Heng I caught it...then met Rach n her hsemates at Whisk Patisserie. Rach has been telling me she quite like the stuff there and I kinda waited sooo long before we finally found common time to go..haha..the deco was all whisks..how I wish I can take one home (here)! hahahaa!


And coz I reached later, I only ordered cake..anyway I'm only keen to try cakes and desserts at cafes. I went for their Macadamia Mudcake...


and this pic I took of it made the lady come and ask what I'll use the photo for...first time ppl ask me leh!! So strange...then I said for personal use and asked if it's ok...then she kinda implied to make sure that it's for personal use. AIYOH...dunno what's the big deal leh...shouldn't they be glad ppl like their cake presentation or take pics of it?! Took Pat's errm..forgot the name but is like a swiss roll with egg white filling...


Later I felt a bit paiseh so didn't take Rach's (Pistachio with passionfruit layered cake) and Hanee's (blueberry cheesecake tart). And for the record, it costs $5/slice...what a rip off but it's much much more delicious than the OILY cake I had at Brighton. Worth the money I guess (once in a while). Seriously I think I should go and learn more about baking and start a business...seems to be quite a lucrative market...hahah..

After tt hung around the city so that I can buy fruits and vege from CM nearing closing time...was supposed to pass LT scones I packed for her but this girl..forgot all about it till after her lesson when she called me...anyway spent some time at the library looking at recipe books..haha..then got some snacks tt bro requested since it's on offer this week. And today managed to buy persimmons!! Woo hoo! Hope they'll still be in season when mum they all come.

Just now got a call from Uncle J and Auntie LF! So nice of them to call! They just called to say hi and see how I'm doing..then said wanna meet my mum they all up when they're here..and even offered portable heaters! HAHA!