Meet up at Straits of Malacca

On Sunday, Mr. C and I met up with Nini and her fiance. It's been ages since we last met and I suggested Straits of Malacca in Glen Waverly. I went there with J & G last Thursday after our Phillip Island trip and I LOVED the food! It's pretty authentic and close to home food as in Malaysia home food!

No complains about the taste, that's for sure!

Nini ordered Yin Yong (approx AUD9) and was SUPER excited. She really loves loves loves this dish and claims that she has yet to find Yin Yong anywhere in Melbourne especially one that serves the crispy  noodles! She declares its yummy! Portion is good! And she was definitely satisfied!

 

Just like my first visit, I had the Nasi Pataya with Thai sauce fish fillet and spring rolls (approx AUD10). It was as good as the first time I had it. I love the tangy sweet and sour taste of the Thai Sauce offset by the simple tasting spring rolls. And the fried rice wrapped with egg had a nice burntish wok taste. Mr. C liked it and even Miss Cutesie and her fiance gave thumbs up.

Mr. C's seafood curry laksa wasn't anything fantastic worth raving. Portion was average and it tasted pretty bland, a bit like vegetarian curry. Even the colour of the laksa was a dull orange (duller than the picture). On our way to the cashier, we saw a more vibrant orange coloured, unfinished laksa left behind. Perhaps it was the chicken laksa and maybe, that one will taste better. 

Mr. C and I shared Cendol (AUD3.80) and it was slurpilicious. Forgot to take a picture though. Miss Cutesie ordered ABC and it arrived, looking good and tasted as good as it looked!

However, one bone to pick would be the looooooong queue. I think the waitresses probably needs to learn how to sort the table arrangements in order to seat customers more efficiently. Plus, the owners really need to keep the napkins etc at the back left somewhere else and utilise the spot for more tables and chairs or at least conceal the napkins and not leave it in the open. Rather sore looking.

Overall, we were pretty happy campers except Miss Cutesie's fiancé wasn't particularly fond of his own Nasi Lemak. He felt it was just so-so. All in all, it was satisfactory and we'll be back for more!

Sofia at Burwood Highway

Aussie beef and onion

Finally, Miss J and G, The Snail touchdown in Melbourne two Fridays ago. They've planned and booked their tickets since last year and we've been looking forward to this trip!

From the airport, I brought them home only to realise that I locked us out of the house and my keys were IN the house sitting at the counter top. ;( First time ever and feeling like a doofus. Yet again. Sigh...

Instead of moping around, I decided to bring them to Dandenong Ranges. From the Tullamarine Airport to CBD, it takes about 20minutes to half an hour where else from CBD to our home is about the same amount of time. AND it takes about 20minutes from our place to Dandenong Ranges (btw, Dandenong Ranges and Dandenong, the suburb are TWO different places and direction!).

We headed to Pie in the Sky in Olinda as I had a generally pleasant experience the last time I was there with the Ding boys. Funny thing is the GPS took me a totally different route from the one I was familiar with. It felt like we were being taken into the dark jungle on a never ending journey. LOL.

The difference is... this time, I sampled the scones! It was only average. I really don't get  it. Some of the reviews were saying how yum the scones were. Hence, I wanted to try it. To see if it was any good or perhaps, better than Miss Marples. It felt a tad ordinary with absolutely nothing much positive to talk about. 

Despite what many feel about Miss Marples scones that look more like cakes, I'd go back there and pay a bit more 'cos it feels worth it at the end of the day. I gather it isn't really the scones that tastes superb but  more so the jam and cream. Just can't get enough of them.

And IF you're lucky, you'll get a nice waitress with sunny disposition. Otherwise, steel yourself against abrupt and borderline grouchy lady serving.

Main reason for this post wasn't really about the pies nor the scones but about Sofia's at Burwood Highway. You see, Sofia USED to be famous for their tasty pizzas and pastas with added bonus of reasonable pricing. However, in recent years, it would seem that the food doesn't taste as good as it used to. You still see a crowd made up mostly of families 'cos for the portion and price you pay, it's still pretty darn worth it!

 

 

Tagliatelle Sofia

Pizza Capricciosa

Initially, I wanted to bring J & G to Cafe Notturno or Cafe Cavallino on Lygon St in Carlton (north Melbourne CBD) but J's friend says the food there isn't great much to my surprise. Whereelse her friend recommended Sofia and say it's the place to go. 

I thought I'd go with an open mind plus, I didn't want J to regret not going there in the end.  Anyways, sadly, at the end of the night, Sofia really didn't deliver just like the last two times I went there.

The food wasn't horrible or indigestable. In fact, it looked presentable and delicious right? But it was just.... alright. Pasta was a bit bland and the pizza was too dry, lacking in tomato base. I reckon, we would have been happier if we had follow my original plan. Oh well.

Perhaps it is a different Sofia branch that J's friend was referring to. The Preston and Glen Waverly branch has closed down. One can only guess what that means. 

If you're looking for affordable pricing pizza and pasta for a big group, then this would be it. But don't expect anything spectacular tasting and you should do fine. ;)

Smith St at Collingwood

I brought J & G to Smith St., the junction between Collingwood and Fitzroy in Melbourne this morning. 

Smith St. is known for it's factory outlets especially Nike and Adidas to fellow Malaysians. This two brands are not popular with Australians as it is not really considered a branded brand here like it is in Malaysia. I remember from high school years, my peers would come to school sporting Nike bags and shoes even in Uni Years like it's Gucci or Prada. Lol.

Besides it's factory outlets of shopping, there are lots of cafes and other eateries especially along Johnston St. which is just near Smith St. We had a wonderful breakfast (which I'll blog at another time) at Bluebird Expresso along Johnston St. that I found on Urbanspoon followed by walks thereafter.

 

Smith St. was really quiet today. According to the cashier guy at Nike, "people are staying in today as the weather forcast states the day to be cold and possibly rainy." It drizzled slightly when we first arrived and parked our car but despite the grey skies, it was nice and relatively rain free.

Parking was crazy pricey costing us AUD3.60, I think, for each hour we parked. Later on, I managed to find a 2P (2 hour parking) for free at the housing areas off the road where Nike is situated. See in the above picture, where there is a lane on the right side of the picture? That's the lane.

 

I saw this pretty heels at Tony Bianco for ONLY AUD15 and it was such a buy!! Plus, I slipped it on and ohmygosh!! It was super comfy and stable to walk in!! G, one moment the devil claimed "it looks really good on you, you should get it" to the next moment, my conscience and angel saying "nah... you better not buy it. Save your money. It's only a pair of shoes." Well, that's what I think he said.

So, despite my wanting to get it BADLY - Come on!! It's AUD15, red in colour and my legs look really long and good in it! Plus, it's comfortable and that's my #1 priority in shoes especially heels! - I didn't. I stayed true to my objective of NOT spending unnecessarily (though I think it was a necessity) with G's help. 

But I can't help thinking about it. The picture doesn't do the shoes ANY justice. Trust me, it looks better in real life. Lol. It was cheap 'cos it was on the clearance rack. Doubt it'll be there when I go there next. If it is, I am getting it. 

The unassuming looking shop

Next up, we headed to St. Kilda for a walk and a cuppa of coffee! To be continued...

Nuffnang : Streetdance 2 in 3D

Remember how I joined a Nuffnang competition regarding the movie, OUR IDIOT BROTHER many Thursdays ago? Well, good news is that I cinched myself and Mr. C a pair of Gold tickets.  Bad news? Anticipated like crazy over the upcoming Gold Class experience only to get the dates mixed up with us both missing the whole thing altogether! Bummer right?

Well, fret not. Nuffnang Australia is back once again with yet another private, pre-release movie screening courtesy of Hoyts Distribution for their Melbourne and Sydney bloggers!

And guess what movie it is????

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STREETDANCE 2 in 3D!! 

And have I ever mentioned before how much I LOOOOOVE dance movies??!! Honey 1 & 2. Step up 1, 2 and 3. Footloose. Save the last dance. Stomp the yard. Coyote Ugly. You got Served. You name it, chances are, I've seen it, and if I haven't, I will! ;)

In a nutshell, Streetdance 2 is about a streetdancer Ash (Falk Hentshel) who goes all over Europe, rounding up the greatest streetdancers in a bid to beat the world's best dance crew. Add in his new found friend, Eddie (George Sampson) and gorgeous love interest, Eva (Sofia Boutella), a salsa dancer.... you have a must watch movie!!

It may sound predictable and a tad too mundane for some of you action/horror/thriller/twisty plot loving people but check out the trailer and tell me if the dance moves are AMAZING!! I watched the trailer and it sink the deal for me. I just have to watch this show. 

Excited now aren't you after watching the trailer? Even if you're not, admit it, the dance moves are pretty smooth and awesome. Streetdance 2 will be released in Australian theatres on 19th April 2012. Don't forget to catch the movie at your nearest Hoyts and check out their Xtremescreen, Director's Suite and the Bean Bag Cinema!

So, thank you (in advance) Nuffnang Australia and Hoyts Distribution for giving me, and Mr. C (my plus one... poor guy, not his kind of movie but for me and free tickets, he'll come along and enjoy it.. LOL) this wonderful opportunity to watch a FREE, dance movie at Hoyt's Director's Suite in Melbourne Central!

Hello Eeyore

Something silly happened earlier in the afternoon. Small matter but yet, silly.Leading to something within me to snap. Tears trickled down my cheek bones and for the life of me, I have no idea why. It can't be because of the silly thing now, can it? I just got my days mixed up and missed out on a good deal but that's it. Nothing major worth tears over.

Funny thing is that, since then, I feel so low. My emotions are in turmoil. I feel aimless, lost and dejected. 

Went out to Stud Park Shopping Centre for a walk but it didn't lift my spirits. Not one bit. 

Instead, it felt like I was walking without an aim. Then again, my days have been just that, aimless. My body was walking but I wasn't there. Even to walk was a trial. 

Headed to the library and found some books. Perhaps, reading might do me some good. I went to the library thinking to borrow some Accounting/Finance books to brush up but look what I walked out with... books that don't benefit my redundant brain.

Today is probably the lowest I've ever felt this year and I hope the feeling isn't here to stay. Wouldn't want to be a wet blanket when my friends are here for a visit.

Food Review : Eggs Benedict at Sambal Kampung

The same Saturday Mr. C and I met YC for coffee at Brother Baba Budan, we went to Sambal Kampung for breakfast. We were in the city by half past eight in the morning as our ex-Brisbane Korean housemate, Jay - who was visiting from Queensland before heading back to Korea for good - had booked to join a tour to Great Ocean Road and the meeting point was in the CBD.

After dropping him off, we headed to Sambal Kampung with the hopes of sampling some tasty Malaysian food. Unfortunately, lady luck wasn't with us that morning. Sambal Kampung's kitchen only opens after 11am... or was it 10am. Anyways, at that time, there was (we think Italians) coffee and breakfast perhaps by people who only rent the place in the morning.

 

 

 

 

As I tried Eggs Benedict the week before at a different shop on Degraves St. and it was good, Mr. C decided to give it a go. In fact, it was cheaper here. We each had a slice of bread/muffin topped with ham and poached egg with splashes of yum creamy Hollandaise sauce (mixture of egg yolk and butter seasoned with some lemon juice, salt and pepper).

Mr. C who was an acknowledged barista (by his company, Freedom and later on Villa and Hut's patrons) was delighted with the lovely tasting coffee. We were disappointed upon learning that there'll be no Malaysian food breakfast but breakfast was still lovely at the end; simple, delicious eggs benedict washed down by beautiful Latte.

Besides that, the eggs benedict here only costs AUD7.50 where else the ones on Degrave St costs a whopping AUD 13-17++ and it's nothing much fancier. Mr. C and I will definitely come back here again for the breakfast or hopefully to try the Malaysian cuisine.

PMS strikes again

It's that awesome time of the month again where I feel down and cry at the drop of a hat. If not, I'd feel irritable or mad out of the blue. Apparently, these days, I get mad and easily irritable BEFORE my monthly but sad and melancholic AFTER. It's crazy, right? Tell me about it.

You know what? I never gave much thought to PMS till recent years. All I know was that, every month, a girl (ok. most girls) will get their menstruation and all the aches, cramps and agony that comes with it. If you don't have any of those, good for you.

Oh yeah, don't forget, it is usually the time to thread carefully around us, girls unless you want  your head to roll.

It's only in recent years, whenever the time before my monthly approaches, Mr. C will exclaim,  "oh... it's that time of the month again.." to my sudden outbursts of anger or sudden for-no-rhyme-or-reason melancholia and I would ask him, "what time of the  month?" to which he'd simply just say,"PMS".

Initially, I used to get really annoyed when he places blame on PMS and do nothing about it. I remember saying countless times, 'You can't always blame everything on PMS!!'. And then, one day, it hit me that YES.. I do get cranky and YES my emotions take ride after rides on roller coasters just the week, or few days before 'Aunt Irma' comes, hence, PMS does happen in my case! 

Just the smallest thing can tick me off. Sometimes, even nothing can rub me the wrong way. One moment I can be laughing at Mr. C's comment and the next, stark mad at something he said. All, much to his bemusement (occasional) and befuddlement! LOL.

Once, I admitted that YES, I do PMS, whenever Mr. C tried to pin anything on PMS, I'd tell him that since he knew my monthly was approaching, he should shower me with tender loving care. Make sense, right? It isn't too much to ask. 

It's something like prevention is better than cure. Anticipate and be prepared. If you want to bake a certain food, you'd buy the ingredients beforehand. If you want to study a certain course in Uni, you'd find out and fill up the necessary applications. Right?

So, it's kind of the same thing. Whenever he knows my oh-so-wonderful-time-of-the-month is approaching, it's time to make me happy or give me less headache and things to get annoyed or angryabout. Easy peasy. That's what I think. Not him. Lol. 

He can be intelligent and have great general knowledge  but when it comes to relationships and me, he tanks. BIG TIME. Even after 10 years of being together in a relationship and a year plus of being married. 

Well, to be fair to him, it's not all failures. I'd give him points for trying. Can't find fault in that, you know. On rare occasions. He gets it right. And those days, I feel blessed to be loved and cared for. LOL. 

If not, I am just one, crabby or sobby woman to live with.

Brother Baba Budan

Mid February, Mr. C and I decided to spend the day in the city.

We don't always go into city 'cos we live out in the suburbs where we can get everything and have no need to venture out of the suburb. Don't get me wrong. We love being in the city and surrounded by all the culture, people and cafes!

But it costs money to find decent parking, it costs money eating out and especially having a cuppa for two! Just going to the city via highways, we have to pay toll. Lol. Tolls here are different. There isn't a booth you have to go through. Basically, there is a big metal like overhead 'bridge' and when you go pass it, it automatically detects your tag and amount left to be deducted something like Malaysia's Smart tag.

On this lovely Saturday, after walking about city, we met up with YC who took us toBrother Baba Budan. If you've been in Melbourne long enough, you'd have heard of Seven Seeds (if you haven't, just click on the link... pretty interesting info)  and according to cyberspace, owners of Seven Seeds used to run St. Ali's till they sold it off in 2008 and moved to Carlton to start out Seven Seeds.

Brother Baba Budan is part of the Seven Seeds family but accessible for all IN the city area unless one doesn't mind trudging or tramming to Carlton. Place was quaint but small. Overhead hanging chairs were a different deco concept but I fail to comprehend its aesthetic value as I was paranoid, wondering when one would fall on me and crush my pretty skull. 

This place is probably able to house about 15 people at one go. There isn't much offered on the menu except desserts and such. People usually come here mainly for the good, if not excellent coffee.

Where awesome coffee is made...

Love the fact that water is generally offered here at most eateries... and for FREE!!

Whilst waiting for our drinks...

Couldn't help myself snapping away

Sunny Sun Flower and glasses

I love it when my coffee and mocha comes with patterns at the top of the froth! Contrary to popular belief,  not all coffees here in Australia come with patterns at the top. Only certain coffee places does it and not ALL baristas know how to do it. To do a pretty one like this requires skill and practice. 

I've read raving reviews about Brother Baba Budan about how awesome and great the coffee is. For me, I had the Mocha. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't mind blowing either. Not the best Mocha ever in Melbourne but it still tastes good. 

Would I go back there again? Yeah sure, if I was craving for coffee and if I was in the neighbourhood. If I go back there, I'd try the coffee this time. Then, I'll blog again and tell you if it really is as good as everyone says. ;p

Then again, Melbourne is forever teeming with lovely places offering coffee.

If I could be...

#1 A WRITER and pen my first novel... of course, a best seller that would open oh-so-many doors and lead to many more with raving reviews. I am alright if people don't recognised me off the streets but when they here my pen name, they'll know who I am. Now, how awesome that would be.

#2 A PHOTOGRAPHER and make a living out of capturing each and everyone's special occasion and moments may it be a wedding, a pregnancy, the birth of a firstborn, a family or just some random stranger of the street. Getting paid to capturing emotions and happy times whilst receiving praises for a job well done, now, how awesome that would be.

#3 A COOK/BAKER and make hoards and hoards of scrumptious and delectable dishes and desserts from the comforts of my own kitchen and who knows? Open my own shop. Now, how awesome that would be.

#4 A BLOGGER by profession and I get to stay home, go to events, get freebies to keep and/to  review, and all at my time and leisure. Now, how awesome that would be.

It is said that "A pessimist will see the difficulty in every opportunity and an Optimist will see an opportunity in every difficulty" and I find it true. Oh so very true. I may have come a long way from the super Eeyore me of two years ago but the fact that I seem to always think of the cons more than the pros, deluding myself that I am being pragmatic says a fair bit of my optimism, or lack of.

In actual fact, I can do any of the above if I put myself to it. All of us can but we tend to let the world's pressure cave us into decisions we feel we have to take 'cos we're 'responsible adults'. LOL. And if it is not the world, then it is family or friends with their strong and fixed opinions and comments on what one should do rather than what one could do.

So, the question that begs to be answered, as usual, is.. do I conform to what society and certain people think I should do or do I rebel and pursue what I think I would like to do? Follow my heart.. my dream? Then again, seeing how I have more than one dream, it is hard to focus solely on one and make it happen when I am thinking about the other dreams.

And up to this point of time, I still have yet to figure out what I am good at, really good at and what areas to pursue. Like I said, it appears that I am a Jack of all trades and master of none. If I knew what I would love to do, it'll make life decisions so much more easier.

In the later part of 2009, when I left my Audit job without another company's job offer, many said I was being impractical and irresponsible and yada yada yada. If you were not in my shoes, who were you then to judge or give your two cents worth? I knew that I was at a really unhealthy point in my life dwelling on really unhealthy thoughts and to save myself, I just had to get out, no matter the cost and consequences. Even then, I didn't just up and left.

I left my job AFTER my attempt to switch departments didn't materialised. If I couldn't do something other than audit in the same company, then, I had no choice but to leave. And in my heart of hearts, I trusted that God would give me a job; but whether I would like that job was a different question. 

True enough, in less than a month of unemployment, I was called in for an interview, given a job that was willing to let me start three months later in the new year and agreed to further increase my pay upon passing both required tests for the relevant role.

Then, I didn't trust God enough to give me a job that paid and that I'd love. Oh, I was of little faith. But now, I don't think it is too much to trust that God will give me a job that I would like, perhaps if asking to love my job is a little too much, and that the job will pay well. Needless to say, I am not expecting a CEO or MD position or the extremely ka-ching pay that comes with it. 

After all, God knows me best; He knows my innermost thoughts that perhaps, not even Mr. C knows. How can he when sometimes, I don't even know myself? And if God knows me well, then, he'd know what job will suit me the most and where I will thrive.

And that is what I prayed again last night. For Him to provide that job and preferably that I'd KNOW when the job opportunity does come. I am, of course, not expecting the job to just fall in my lap without lifting a single finger. For Him to do His part, I have to do my own too. Research, research, research and apply, apply and apply! 

So, to all other job hunters out there, all the best to you too! ;) 

Don't forget, we can be who we want to be and where we crave to be but are we willing to bear the cost and take the necessary measures to reach that desired place? Only you will know.