A celebratory dinner

Today, I received a really good news leading Mr. C to take me out for dinner to celebrate. We usually try to eat at home during the weekdays as it's easier on the pockets.

And for those who are wondering, I AM NOT PREGGERS! Because if I was, I wouldn't be happy and excited to celebrate. It would be the opposite of that as I would be sobbing my heart and eyes out!

Not saying that I don't want any children - although the thought has occurred numerous times - BUT the timing just isn't right. We have so many obligations to settle and with a wedding coming up end year, a kid will just add to the mountain of obligations faced that we are not ready to have right at this point of time.

I know I know. It is said that it's in the child and mother's best interest to have one's child as early as possible. But it's pointless to have a baby when one just isn't ready.

Anyways, we referred to the Entertainment Book to see what 'buy one meal, free a meal' vouchers we have for eateries around our area and landed at Wantirna Hill Club. Entertainment Book is basically a book of vouchers with good deals on local restaurants, hotels and other activities.

Instead of buying those deals online from Scoopon, Cudo, Spreets and those from Malaysia's Milkadeal or MyDeal or DealMates, you can get pretty good deals from the Entertainment Book. Besides that, all proceeds go to charity!

It seems that in every suburb, there is a 'club'. Like the week before, we headed to Mulgrave Country Club to enjoy the 'buy a meal, free a meal' deal. Just 5-10 minutes drive from our place, there are several other Clubs, though I won't named them 'cos according to someone, I shouldn't divulge so many pertinent facts about myself and my whereabouts which leaves me vulnerable and exposed to potential stalkers or people with ill intentions. To which on hindsight, I must agree the validity of concern.

One thing I realised while patronising this club and the one at Mulgrave Country Club, it's filled with angmohs. Last round, there were only two other Asians besides Mr. C and I and today, we were the only ones! But this doesn't make us feel awkward or our dining experience any less enjoyable.

I must say the menu and pricing here is better than the one at Mulgrave. Not just that, the food here tastes better and seem more refine. After shown to our table, deciding what we both wanted to have, we ordered at the counter and sat back down at Table 20 to await our meal. We were each given a complimentary bun and boy was the butter lovely! Would have been better if soup was free to accompany the bun into my tummy! =p

Mr. C's Bees Neez beer... he doesn't usually drink this but ordered it so we both could share only to find out that I don't fancy it!

Liked how this picture turned out - toussled hair, not-so-large nose, decent picture of me!

Mr. C is a terrible photographer I tell you! He always manage to take horridly unflattering pictures of me - either with my eyes closed or a fat looking picture of me and yet, he'll quip that it's nice! *faint* Then again, there is a saying that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Mr. C's Beef Wellington - beef and liver wrapped with puff pastry and potato Rossetti

Our meal was delicious. Well, the start of the meal that is. We enjoyed our meals at first but towards the end, we were both feeling full and I felt like puking after wolfing down a disgusting portion of liver from Mr. C's meal!

The lamb chop for mine was pretty amazing but the beef was a tad tough and overcooked. The roasted tomato was just juicy and the veges were alright! Bacon tasted heavenly, then again, when has it ever tasted otherwise?

My Traditional something Mixed Grill

Sticky Date Pudding

We finished the meal with dessert, something that is out of the norm as Mr. C usually shuts me down on any food suggestions that are deemed fattening and unhealthy! It looked gorgeous. The cake with date dripped with cream was soaked and sitting in a pool of caramel looking sauce accompanied on a separate plate - whipped cream and a strawberry.

Mr. C definitely found it delectable as he slowly gets suck into my not-so-healthy eating habits and sweet tooth binging. LOL. This sticky date pudding was yum but the one at Mocha Jo's in Glen Waverly definitely trumps this one and is begging for me to go back for more!!

All in all, ambiance was alright and cozy. Food was ok. We chose the most pricey one to get value for our money. I reckon it's only worth it because of the 'buy one free one meal' deal. I wouldn't mind coming back to try the Chicken Parma for AUD14+ another time though.

Wantirna Hill Club

715 Boronia Rd

Wantirna 3152

03 9887 2855

Kooky Pics #445 Grapes of my life

Fatty me

Pic taken from HERE

Yesterday, I was on a junk food binge. I had yummy Smith's Sour Cream and Chives' chips, a few M&Ms, half a Boost chocolate and a cup of Pepsi!

And this is said with my constant complaining I am fat and it's so hard to lose weight. Yada yada yada... Now, we all know why.

Not only did it all go to my tummy and thighs, I had a bad headache. Don't ask me what's the connection. Maybe too much 'fats' and not much water intake, clogged up oxygen somewhere up there? Ok. Going to stop before I sound more bimbo.

'Fats' because I obviously didn't work out, instead I watched 10 episodes of Castle from Season 3. I've put off finishing this series 'cos I don't want it to end, plus I hear the ending leaves one hanging and screaming, "NOOOooooo..... Why?!!".

Oh well, at episode 23. The second last episode of the season.

Then again, all good things must come to and end. Aaahhh.. reality bites!

Kooky Pics #445 Dennis the Menace ...

... in the house!

Kooky Pics #444 Peculiar fruit

BERSIH Rally vs Home

Saturday, 9th of July was a memorable day for Malaysians in Malaysia and also all over the world. Instead of being in Federation Square, Melbourne for the 2.0 BERSIH Rally, I was home, preparing meal for potluck at Chen Boy's house that night.

Did some grocery shopping at Shirley's in Scoresby followed by a quick trip to Woolworths! Headed home after that to make 'Spanish' salad and Konnyaku Jellies, which was both a huge success! Food was good, company was good, it was definitely a pleasant Saturday evening.

And that was how I spend 9th of July 2011.

Christina Perri sings Jar of Hearts

I reckon Christina Perri is MORE awesome than Adele. Then again, it's just my humble opinion, so no need to bash me up over my opinion that no one probably gives two hoots about. LOL.

I know that Mr. C is a great fan of Adele's music. Keeps asking me to play her songs on the music player! Bleh. Yup. Sometimes, the little green monster rears its head unnecessarily.

No, I can't take one more step towards you

‘Cause all that's waiting is regret

Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore

You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live, half alive

And now you want me one more time

[Chorus:]

Who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

So don't come back for me

Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around

If I am anywhere to be found

But I have grown too strong

To ever fall back in your arms

I've learned to live, half alive

And now you want me one more time

[Chorus]

It took so long just to feel alright

Remember how to put back the light in my eyes

I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed

‘Cause you broke all your promises

And now you're back

You don't get to get me back

Who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

Don't come back for me

Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

Don't come back for me

Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?

BERSIH 2.0 on 9 July 2011

9 July 2011 was a historic moment, however small it may be or the aftermath that followed. BERSIH 2.0 is being widely tweeted, facebooked, blogged and talked about nationwide and even on an international level!

Of course, like everything else in life, there is the good and the bad. The bad was that many were detained or hurt, apparently, there was even a death. More bad points are the way this whole debacle is being handled by the PM and his cohorts. Instead of doing damage control, he's just shooting empty blanks and casting blame on other's shoulders.

Despite the bad, thank God for the good. Read Khee Tuan Chye's Good things that came our of the BERSIH 2.0 rally.

I watched the clip and tears threaten to spill. Why? Maybe I was just so moved by the brave souls that walked that day. Perhaps it was the atrocious way civilians were treated and manhandled. If this shabby treatment were to happen in Australia or some other developed country, the police that administered the rough treatment would be sued.

Read more BERSIH updates HERE.

AND this is not about taking sides with whatever race or political party. Reading some certain races' comments on Facebook tells you how bias they are and which political party they are rooting for. It is true that those who were not there that day, don't know the absolute truth as to what happened but looking at Youtube clips and reading many accounts of what went down that day, it is plain for all to see who is the instigator, who, the bully.

It's not about if we are pro najib, pro UMNO or pro Opposition. Honestly, I think many aren't too keen on Anwar being the next PM. Then again, many deemed him as the lesser of two evils. He may have promised certain things now but who knows, if he ever becomes PM, he might not fulfill his promises. But that's a risk people are willing to take! Why? Because, they're sick and tired of the current government and all it's corruption, pollution and blatant racial discrimination with the list growing long!

All we, the people want is a clean and fair election. Hence, BERSIH 2.0.

For the ignorant, BERSIH 2.0 isn't a call for chaos or rioting despite the word being thrown around loosely. It is basically a call for clean and fair elections as it is widely known (not as rumours but as facts) that every elections, if not, most are corrupted just so that a certain party continues to rule.

We don't want chaos. Why would any sane, logical people of rational mind want that? If there is chaos, country is deemed unstable which will then affect the country's economy what with foreign investors pulling out etc. With chaos, the country is not safe, people don't feel safe and aren't safe!

Honestly speaking, I may not be well versed in politics and what not, but even it's plain for all to see that Malaysia is not where it can be, where it should be after gaining independence for how many donkey years.

Look at our neighbouring country, Singapore. They thrive. Are we Malaysians any less better? No. In fact, many Malaysians ARE contributing to Singapore's workforce and economy. Malaysia government shouldn't be spouting blasphemy and complain about the brain drain. Not especially when THEY'RE the reason there's brain drain.

Even moving to Melbourne, Malaysia is still my home. COME ON! It's where I grew up! And it saddens my heart to hear about the disharmony going on. After all, my family and friends are still there!! Just because I moved here (though not necessarily my own wish to), it doesn't mean that I've forgotten all about Malaysia. Malaysia is still home and many Malaysians in Melbourne feel so too! No matter where we move and live in, Malaysia is still home.

"What I experienced on the 9th of July is Malaysia. We are decent people, we are a people of quality. Those in power who are selfish or bigots or who try to divide the people – that is not Malaysia, and they are not deserving of Malaysia. Those who try to taint and politicize the beautiful events of that day, are not deserving of Malaysia. We are a people who deserve much more than that."

That being said, many Malaysians of my generation are complacent. They feel, "why bother to vote when we all know who's going to rig it and win anyways?". And because of that, they don't bother registering to vote when they come of age ie 21 years old.

But after this rally, I think, many would be more keen to take part in future elections and start by registering. If you're over 21 years old and am a Malaysian who haven't registered to vote, what are you waiting for?

Even you, one individual can make a big change. All it takes is the first step and each person counts!

United we stand, divided we fall.

My perfect breakfast

This post was inspired after reading Cinnamon Pig's Breakfast Degustation.

Every morning about 7.10am, I'd wake up and make Mr. C's breakfast. Just like most things in our couple life, our ideas of breakfast differs. His idea of breakfast is coffee or tea with biscuits or cake and mine is a 'proper' one consisting of a more hearty meal, perhaps toast with eggs and tomato.

There is a saying that one should have breakfast like a King, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper!

I mean, I am not exactly complaining since it's easy for me to make his breakfast. =p Back in Malaysia when I was working, I couldn't even be bothered to wake up to make breakfast for myself, cherishing those precious minutes for my sleep!

Anyways, what would constitute an ideal or perfect breakfast??

Hmmm... it can be anything really, depending on ones mood, I supposed.

I can't think of only ONE ideal breakfast but instead, I came up with a few. LOL. Can't wait to go home to satiate my cravings!!

#1 - Nasi lemak with beef rendang topped off with fried egg.

Picture taken from HERE

#2 - Two roti canai with super yum and spicy curry mutton or fish with a cup of 'teh ais' (iced tea).

Picture taken from HERE

#3 - American styled breakfast - scrambled eggs with bacon, sausages and roasted tomato.

Picture taken from HERE

#4 - Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun at Sea View.

Picture taken from HERE

#5 - My favourite Wan Tan Mee from Restaurant Gembira in Taman Megah.

Picture taken from HERE

#6 - Koay Teow Tong from Sea Park's Soo Kee shop, or at least I think that's the name.

Picture taken from HERE

What's YOUR favourite or perfect breakfast?