Nuffnang : Animal People

I love to read. From an early age, I'd read Enid Blyton's book one after another and eventually, I graduated to the Nancy Drew, the Jupiter Jones series and Sweet Valley High followed by Harlequin romances, John Grisham and what not.

In Melbourne, you'll see me going in the library and coming out with 20 over books much to Mr. C's fascination. He truly does find it interesting that I can actually finish reading a 300 - 500 pages book a day. If it is a page turner, you'll see me dying to finish the novel and in three hours or less, I'd be flipping to the last page. However, some books, each line can be a real drag and it feels like it will take forever just to reach the end of the book!

When Nuffnang Australia was giving an opportunity to read and review a book, I jump to the opportunity. And to my delight, I was one of the few bloggers who were given the privilege to do a Product Talk post courtesy of Nuffnang Australia.

This isn't exactly my typical kind of book to read which is good. Of late, I find myself looking for a change in my reading materials. Reading romance novels doesn't do much for my dwindling intellect.

To be honest, it took me awhile to get into the rhythm of Animal People by Charlotte Wood.

I read a couple of pages whilst I was in the midst busy packing for my trip back to Malaysia. The beginning was a bit slow for me, at first. But as you read on, you feel compelled to keep reading to see how it all ends.

This book tells the story of Stephen's ordinary journey in life on an ordinary day and how he intends to call it quits with his girlfriend. With that decision in hand, we are shown how miserable Stephen is with his life, which many of us can relate to, such as his poor relationship with his family and unfulfilled job satisfaction. If his life wasn't dismissal enough, his day goes from bad to worse.

As to how all this relates to the book title, 'Animal People', I shall leave it to you to grab a copy of the book to discover it for yourself. No one likes a spoiler. ;p

And for one lucky reader, here is a chance to win yourself a free copy of Charlotte Wood's Animal People courtesy of Nuffnang Australia. All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment telling me if you are an animal person and why you are. And if you are not, tell me why not.

It is that simple. So, what are you waiting for??!

Entries will close on 24th November 2011, 11pm Malaysian Time. This competition is open to residents in Australia and Malaysia only. Winners will be announced on this blog. Do make sure you leave an email I can contact you with in the event you win. :)

11.10.11 Sal and I

TOKYO DELI

click the link to go to the site

Life is funny at times. You never know where you will find yourself say in a weeks' time, a month's time, a year's time or even five years to ten years time. My pen pal relationship with Sal commenced when she left Malaysia for Melbourne when we were only 14 year olds. She started out as a friend's friend.

Who knew that after 13 years of her moving and our frequent correspondence would see me moving here permanently to Melbourne this year. And who knew that we would be able to hang out every once in awhile and go traipsing about indulging in coffee and fattening cakes!! ;p

Sal brought me to Tokyo Deli at Elsternwick. This suburb is pretty far from where I live but near to where she lives. I've been here once before and LOVED the Japanese food that we had; she had a bento set and I had the beef terriyaki.

This shop is interesting as part of the shop serves as an eatery with tables and chairs for patrons to order food, sit and eat. The other part is like a grocery shop that sells Japanese and Korean food. I had the same dish as before.

My delicious beef terriyaki that cost AUD8.50.

Sal's pork burger with rice going for AUD8.50.

Sal's white and newly bought Samsung Galaxy S2 looking sleek!

The beef terriyaki was as delicious as I remembered it to be. Tasty and came in good portion. There was meat, some vege, overall a well balanced meal!

Next up, after our meal, we adjourned a few shops down to Aviv, an awesome bakery shop that is just filled with lots of lovely puffs and pastries to satiate ones sweet tooth.

This is my second time coming here and you know how sometimes you step into a shop and you are spoilt for choices; everything you see just looks yummy and screaming to be eaten, well, this shop brought about those guilty feelings.

I know I should resist temptation and not eat more than I should especially sweet stuff. So much for losing weight for my big day. LOL. As you can see, the battle was lost the moment I stepped into the shop.

Sal wanted her Orange cake whilst I wanted the Vanilla Slice. The Vanilla Slice was just as good as the first time I had it and definitely WAYYY better than the one I tried at Gloria Jeans. The top puff pastry was nice and fluffy topped off with icing sugar which complimented the slice. I reckon it is custard filling that sits in between the top and the bottom waiting to be devoured.

If I had more space in my already filled up tummy from lunch at Tokyo Deli's, I would have had another slice. LOL. The pastries here are lovely but the coffee isn't much to shout about.

Everytime when I am out with Sal, I notice that all we do is eat and shop. Bad combination especially when I am NOT supposed to be doing either! Lol. Despite arranging to go for swim, we've yet to actually step into any pool as she fell ill.

It's nice to have a good chum to hang out with every once in awhile for some girl time. Wonder how are we going to hang out next time once I get a job and am not able to meet her for 'time out' sessions during the weekdays... :(

Sneak Preview :: KC and Chik ::

Last Sunday, I helped with some pre-wedding shots for Mr. C's colleague, Chik and his lovely fiance, KC. The skies were pretty much gloomy and threatened to pour. Based on weather forecast, sunny skies were promising from 1pm-3pm.

In the morning, Chik and KC had their more formal pre-wedding shoot at Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Centre taken by a professional photographer recommended by their make up artiste. Then, they had their lunch.

After lunch, I met up with them and another two friend of theirs, the designated photographers of the day who were equipped with their DSLRs. My self-appointed role was to assist with the props and to take some photos, if I could as I really wanted to practice photo taking and utilise whatever skills I learnt from my Street Photography tour that I participated in, one month ago.

The location was at Melbourne Uni as the couple pursued their different degrees in this beautiful, filled with heritage building. At first, it was tough taking pictures as we were all sort of noobs.

I, then resorted to browsing at wedding photographers' portfolio's like Jenny Sun, Stories, Lighted Pixel and Axioo, that I had saved on my hand phone for such an occasion, for inspiration.

As I didn't ask the couple for permission to post this pictures and most couples wouldn't want their pre-wedding photos up before their BIG day, I am only sneaking in pictures that you can't really see their faces.

I don't even know if they will use my photos but apparently, they were pretty happy with my work. :) Yea!

Here are some personal tips for your own pre-wedding or any shoot, for the matter.

Photo taking tips #1

Props are not necessarily everything but they are still important. It adds to the character and story of the photos taken. Try to get props that tells us your story, your history which other.

If you met in high school or college/uni years, you can take it in a library or a school/uni set up with books, geeky specs and outfit. If you're a doctor and he/she's an engineer or accountant, for example, bring along a stethoscope and calculators with rulers. If you both love to cook, have the photo shoot in a classy looking kitchen, could be yours, could be a friends or some where quaint.

Other props couples love to use are balloons, teddy bears, pinic baskets etc.

Photo taking tips #2

Make up and hairdo are plus points and so does dressing up for a shoot even if it is a casual one. Vibrant dress/outfits for the ladies makes them pop and stand out from the background. Guys clothing will be picked to match the girls outfit.

Photo taking tips #3

Bring your winning smile. Practice your poses and smiles before hand to get a rough idea on angles that showcase you in a better light. Perhaps your right side features better than your right. Bending your shoulders forward a bit makes your arms look slimmer and lends a sexier look to the pose.

Where you put your hands and how you stand or point your feet matters. Attention to detail matters even the smallest details show. The height you hold your flowers, the angle of your gaze, all makes a difference between a crappy photo to a mediocre one and even a great photo!

Photo taking tips #4

Research, research, research! Make sure to do some homework before hand on what kind of photos you would like. Do you like the touchy feely kind? The 'I stare at you, you stare at me, let's smell each other' kind? Let's gaze off into the sunset?

If your have parents or relatives that frown upon kissing or too much contact photos, you could always do cheeky ones. Instead of a photo showing you both smooching, you could 'kiss' behind balloons or an umbrella with your silhouette showing through.

Photo taking tips #5

It's good to have a couple of friends along to help you carry the props and setting it up for each scene. I was going crazy running around setting the props, blowing bubbles and trying to take some photos in between but I felt, my main job for the day was prop lady first, photographer last.

In Melbourne, the weather might have been gloomy that day but boy was it cold. We had to rush to the bride-to-be and drape her with her jacket whenever the photographer was taking a break. Poor lady. You could see her goosebumps!

In Malaysia, with the heat and humidity, make sure you bring LOTS of tissues or even better, bring towels along. Mr. C and I forgot to bring towels and we ran out of tissues within half hour into the shoot and we didn't have any friends along, hence, we had to lug our props about ourselves.

I hope this was a helpful post to all couples preparing for their pre-wedding shoot and also for photographer wannabes.

Cinta Raya at Scoresby

Despite how I always say Mr. C and I are as different as day and night, the sun and the moon, with opposite personalities and what not, I like it how we sometimes have the same craving for the food from a particular eatery.

Today in the afternoon was no different, we both felt like satiating our hunger at Cinta Raya, a Malaysian shop near our area.

You see, we frequent this Malaysian aunt's grocery shop nearby, Shirley's Grocer. She is a really delightful lady with lots of great advise on what to cook and how to cook it. She has been promoting Cinta Raya supportively to help spread by word of mouth about her nephew's shop.

We've been there once and really liked the Mee Goreng (Fried Noodle) and Chow Hor Fan (Fried flat noodles) also known as Wah Tan Hor. The portion is huge that two people can share one dish. Now, you know why Mr. C and I struggle to lose weight. We both greedily order a dish each.

Look at #10. A dish named after me. LOL.

If the food looks as good as it's presented in the menu, then everything is yummy!!

We ordered the Chow Hor Fan as Mr. C wanted a wet dish since I ordered the Mee Siam for a change. Wanted to order Char Koay Teow but since I had that at Glen Waverly few days back, Mr. C reckons I should just try this for a change.

I like the burnt wok taste. To cook this dish well, one needs to really have high fire which is hard to achieve cooking it at home. It was as good as the first time we had it. Nice to know that quality is there.

The Mee Siam was a tad more wet than the usual Mee Siam's I've tried in the past. And I found it odd that nuts were sprinkled on top. Perhaps it is the style of North Malaysia? It was nice and tasty but I would have personally preferred it to be more tangy (tom yam ish) and the mee less wet.

If you dine in, you get complimentary desserts! The last time, we had red bean and I loved it! If you know me, you know I am not a fan of red bean soup. But the one at Cinta Raya, it wasn't too thick and neither was it diluted. I liked the texture whereby consuming the red beans doesn't leave a thick, yucky after taste in one's mouth.

And today's green bean and gandum (wheat) was lovely! Not a fan of green bean either but the gandum offsets the beany taste. I can't wait to see what the next complimentary desert of the day would be, would love to try bubur cha cha.

 

So, if you are ever around Scoresby, craving for Malaysian food or you just feel like trying a new place, check out Cinta Raya!! You definitely won't regret it! :) IF you're thinking of visiting during the weekends, best to call ahead and make reservations as Aunt Shirley mentioned, it gets VERY packed on weekends especially dinner time!

It's just right next to Woolies, in case you can't find the shop. Daniel, the owner wanted to offer a cosy, dark lit ambiance. Hence, from the outside, the shop looks dark ish and might looked like it's closed BUT it usually isn't! So, make sure you walk up to the shop to be sure.

CINTA RAYA ( Asian Cuisine)
Shop 1, Scoresby Village Shopping Cenre,
1381 Ferntree Gully Road,
Scoresby 3179.
[Map.72 H7 next to Woolworths]
Contact : 9763 3378

04.10.11 Pizza Tuesdays

Today I don't feel like doing anything

"Today I don't feel like doing anything
I just want to lay in my bed..."

Woke up at one. Half the day gone. Laptop on my tummy. Surfing my time away.

Dragged myself for a shower. Had two pieces of toast. With a cup of tea. More calories stored.

Hacking. Coughing. Sniffling. Choking.

Aches and sores. Heartaches and headaches. Confusion and clarity. Denial and oblivion.

Tremors. Flashes of lightning. Grey skies. Doom and gloom.

Feeling forlorn. Feeling alone. Feeling anti-social. Feeling crappy.

Two more Dream High. New beginnings of White Collar. Old walk down Greys Anatomy. And now, it's back to Castle.

Call me Doofus

Today, I am reminded again how idiotic and dumb I can be. Sure, sure. It's a common oversight according to Mr. Landlord. Then again, on hindsight, something did prompt me to look at the oven before I went out to talk to the mechanic but I figured that it'll be alright, that I wouldn't be gone long.

It's once again about me shutting off the 'voice' in myself. You'd think I would learn from my past, my mistakes, my 'nah it's alright' complacent attitude. But nope. Apparently, today, I didn't.

You see, I left two wholemeal bread in the oven to 'toast' as I went about tidying the house. Then, the mechanic beckoned me out for a chat. On my way towards the door, just like the time my bag was snatched in early 2009, something - some call it instinct, some hails it as a woman's intuition, some go far as to say it's God's prompting - prompted me to look towards the oven and I was reminded of my toasts but I thought all will be fine.

So, whilst chatting outside, loud beeping sounds wailed through out the house. I ran in to see heaps of smoke billowing from the oven towards the ceiling where the smoke detectors sit and mock me.

And the smoke detectors just kept ringing and wailing assaulting my senses and rendering me partially deaf. When you're in this kind of situation, you either take charge or panic. Seeing how I was by myself, I had to collect my wits and think fast. 

Before I could do anything, the phone rang and I hurriedly answered it. It was the security company asking me the situation in the house. I told them amidst embarrassment that it was just toast left in the oven till it burnt black and crisp. 

They asked for the security code - which I had to call and ask my landlord for - as a measurement of precaution that it wasn't a break in related incident or what not in order to authorise them to shut off the annoyingly deafening alarm.

Once the password was conveyed, whilst clarifying that they'll shut off the alarm asap, we were disconnected. I thought, alright, the stupid sounds will shut off in a bit, no worries. But after a few minutes, the stupid sirens were still driving me nuts and causing further damage to my partial hearing impairment. 

Had to trouble Mr. Landlord with a call again to get the security people to off the alarm. He gave the necessary directions on what to do next. I felt awfully paiseh for disturbing him during working hours for such a trivial matter.

I think he sensed it because he said firmly through the phone, 'Esther, if there is ever any trouble, just give a ring and it's alright. No worries about it. Things like that happen all the time to us. So don't fret about it.' Have I ever mentioned how awesome Mr. Landlord is? He is a real sweetie!

Anyways, that was the end of the whole debacle but the self deprecation doesn't end there. I still felt like a real doofus for leaving the toast in the oven and for ignoring my own gut! So, perhaps what people say about woman's intuition is true! If only, I'd pay heed to mine!

Lesson for the day : 

#1 Am blessed with an awesome landlord! 

Remember to make awesome fruit juice for him later.

#2 Don't be a doofus and listen to my instincts.

To remember this for the next time I get a prompting!

#3 God is always watching over me and out for me! 

Remember, be thankful and not take God forgranted!! Thank you! *beams* 

Something borrowed and cheating

Watched this on my Sammie 2 on the flight home from Malaysia. Some scenes just made me tear much to Mr. C's chagrin. He really can't bear to see me in tears. Not that he is embarrassed by me but that he can't stand to see me sad. Then again, I doubt he understand my tears.

The story is basically about Rachel (the brunette) who has always loved Dex from law school, whom she inadvertently introduced to her best friend, Darcy (blondie Kate Hudson) and now, after six years of being together, they are engaged to be married. 

What is sad is that it was obvious that Dex and Rachel had feelings for each other from day one but they both just never did expressed them. She, thinking how can a guy like him fall for a girl like her and him? God and him only knows what was going on in his mind.

And because he thought that she had no feelings for him, he moved on... to Darcy. After all, who can blame him? Darcy is vivacious and full of life. If you don't try, you'll never know what you might be missing out on... right? 

So, Dex and Darcy dates and progresses to the next step after six years - marriage. However, after Rachel's 30th 'surprised' birthday thrown by Darcy - despite knowing that Rachel doesn't like this kind of surprises - Rachel off handedly mentions her law school crush on Dex over drinks with just the two of them, leading to them getting involved (you know what I mean, I don't have to spell it out) and complicating things.

It's a messy thing to be in. Cheating on your best friend's fiancé? Even if that is the person you had dibs. Even if that person is the love of your life. Cheating on your fiancé's best friend? Even if she was the one you first loved but never had the courage to say anything. 

I won't tell you how that works out in the end but I am sure many of you have been in similar boats as this or know people who are or was in such situation. It confounds the mind what situations we put ourselves in, at times. Misery does love company and so, we sink into such depths.

But at the end of it all, does reality works out like in the movies? You tell me.

23.07.11 My Saturday and Mr. C washing his baby