We've moved!!

This past week has been a busy one for us. We moved houses. From a spacious house with a lake behind our house to a street named Lakeview ironicially named without a view of any lake. It's a smaller house but with a really big backyard. 

Mr. C's colleagues are already planning to tape the grass with badminton court lines. This house initially looked a tad drabby and icky but after a fresh coat of paint and change in carpets, my, the transformation lightens up my opinion of the house.

Last Tuesday saw Mr. C and I moving ALL our things from the old place to the current humble abode. It took the movers from 1.30pm till 5ish pm to pack everything, transport and unload our junk at the new place. And for that, it burnt a hole in our pockets of $400!

And we definitely needed the movers because we had washing machine, dryer, couch, dining table set, bed frames, mattresses and what not to move over. 

My first time being part of the moving process. 

In Malaysia, when we moved house in 2009, it was my peak period at work, hence, I couldn't take leave to help my parents but they managed well. 

And in 2011, I was in Malaysia for Chinese New Year when Mr. C was offered a job in Melbourne seeing him packing and moving everything over from Brisbane on his own.

I was expecting to be stressed out by this whole move from the way people make it sound. But I find packing and moving was rather alright. It's the unpacking that I find a hassle. 

I have to wipe down the cupboards and be grossed out by creepy crawlies and dirt and reorganised everything. See, I am feeling so lazy by it that I am here, blogging about it. LOLs.

Alright.. just some pictures and I got to get back to unpacking the plates, cups, bowls and utensils before Mr. C comes home and finds out I've been slacking. *hehe*

Ensuite (room and bathroom) with new carpets before blinds were installed

Mini walk in wardrobe BEFORE the clutter of clothes and what not

Awwwww.. what a helpful hubby who insisted taking on vacuum duties!

Our first accommodation in Melbourne for the past 1 year and 6 months!

Day of move... busy and yet, I found time to take pics of self. Lols.

You never realise how much junk you have till it's time to pack and move

Goodbye tv room with a backyard view of the lake

The organised movers and my jewellery cupboard on the left

Ensuite with our mattress inside with bed frames and side tables brought over

Living room with our nonsense temporarily placed whilst the walls get a make over

Boxes after boxes of our stuff waiting to be sorted outside dining room area

Went flower and plant hunting at Carribean Market 

Not that pretty flowers ;p

Did you know you can't eat olives straight off the tree?? 
You have to soak them in water and salt first

Sweet little blooms

After I vacuumed and tidied up the old house

Adieu house for 1 year and 6 months... you will be remembered.

Dandenong Market with the Mothership

I've really been re-missed in my postings. The in-laws left mid week and now, part of my family are here. Today, I brought my mother to Dandenong Market. It was bigger and definitely more interesting than Carribean Market! I find that Carribean Market is over run with Asians and with them as stall holders, the things sold are pretty much similar to the kinds you can see in a pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia. Somehow, I find the non-Asians sell more interesting stuff.

Dandenong Market is pretty huge. Pretty much similar to Queen Victoria Market that is situated in the city but smaller in size, I reckon. There were rows and rows of stalls and in sections; Meat and Fish, Produce Hall, Fruits and Veges etc.

The rest of this post will be pretty much self-explanatory in the photos.

#1 Fruits and veges section, near the place we parked our car
30cents per hour and maximum 3 hour parking!

#2 Amused by the words on the notice
You tend to see this kind of signs at predominantly Asian inhabited areas.

 \
#3 Curry leaves

#4 Okra, otherwise known as ladies finger in Malaysia

#5 Love the plants and flowers in pots! 
Wonder which to buy and plant.

#6 My love affair with this dainty pretty things

#7 Relatively cheap too! Some for only AUD2...

#8 Flowers or veges??

#9 My mum spent a loooong time here going nuts buying nuts
LOL. Couldn't resist the pun.

#10 Clear signs to point the way

#11 nuts, raisins, prunes

#12 Whole Afghan Apricots... interesting

#13 Had a hot cup of mocha here
Apparently, everything is perfect... they had Perfect Latte, Perfect Mocha etc.

#14 I adore these amazing handmade soap that smell heavenly
Bought the Mognolia & Green Tea, Hibiscus and Rose scented ones.

#15 The Asian looking stallholders

#16 Toys... probably China made

#17 Souvenirs such as these Aussie named jackets

#18 Cutesie removable wallpapers

#19 Wall stickers

#20 All sorts of party stuff can be found here

After Dandenong Market, we went to visit Sal's mother who runs an Asian eatery, Borneo Cafe that is situated at Shop16/450 Nepean Highway in Chelsea. I have tried the Fish Ball noodle soup and Fried Rice in the past and liked it.

I brought my mother here to try the food but our tummies were full from the hot dog she insisted having  earlier in Dandenong Market. In the end, we just had a latte and mocha thoughtfully made by aunty followed by a pleasant hour and a half of chatting.

My mother decided to order curry puffs for takeaway before we left. The pastry was nice and fluffy with the filling being flavoursome though not spicy. 

And that was that for the day.

I only get to go places when I have friends and family visiting. Otherwise, I stay  home. Now, I get to explore a bit more of Melbourne and familiarise with my surroundings.

Wheee.... time to go to bed. Tomorrow, we (uncle and aunty with my mother and sister) are all going to St. Kilda Bathouse for a swim early in the morning.

Hope I can wake up.