Feel Fresh with Air Wick Filter & Fresh and Multicolor Black Edition Candle

First of all, "Gong Xi Fa Cai" and "Happy Chinese New Year" to everyone who's celebrating CNY out there!!! It was 年初七 aka 人日 (literally means Human Day) yesterday. How's everyone going? Still in holiday mood and feeling reluctant to go back to where you're supposed to be doing I guess.

I pigged out a lot recently. Not because of the new year cookies or snacks I tried hard to avoid, but during my two-week stay in Sydney. Mr. Choo fed me too much potatoes, way too much potatoes!!! Damn those delicious potatoes =______________=

Sydney was awesome! I could image myself settling down in a city like that. Bondi Junction, Darling Harbour... Not to mention, Bella. I missed that little furball a lot *sniff sniff* She makes me wanna keep a pet dog even more.

When I was in Sydney, I received a parcel from Air Wick Australia a couple of days just after my arrival. Surprise, surprise! It's the newly launched Air Wick Filter & Fresh air freshener and Multicolor Black Edition candle which I will talk about in my blog post today.

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Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge

Just got back from SOH (Sydney Opera House) not long ago, tired, tired. I'm all flat out after touring the city all day by foot. My gorgeous pair of new boots definitely ain't helping at all. Well, I should be thankful actually, because despite their weight, they were not hurting my feet when walking.

*Looks at the system time on desktop* Oh crap, it's 12.39 already and I still haven't taken my shower yet!!! Sorry guys, I'm gonna make this a real quick one. Shall I just skip to the pictures and let them speak for themselves? Hehe, enjoy =)

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Echo Point Lookout, The Three Sisters and Blue Mountains

We made a quick stop at Echo Point after visiting Jenolan Caves the other day, the very same day that Adelaide confirmed as the hottest city on the planet Earth.

It was a devilish hot day indeed here in New South Wales. We woke up super early in the morning, 6 a.m. to be precise (3 a.m. MYT) to get ourselves ready for the almost 3 hours road trip. With barely 5 hours sleep I survived, but tired to the max!

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On Ramen Haymarket and Ichi-ban Boshi Bondi Junction

Been actively blogging these few days. Yeah, I'm trying my best to write as much while the memory is still fresh in my mind, and before the photos start piling up on my hard drive.

When I was in Malaysia, I tend to skip breakfast to have brunch instead in the afternoon. It's a bad habit, I know, but I just couldn't help sleeping late at night and waking up late the next morning. I was struggling... Blame my sleeping disorder.

Miraculously, I sort of getting back into the habit of having breakfast again since I came back to Australia. I would say it's the environment and weather which affect me. Our room has plenty of sunlight, specially now in the summer when days are longer than nights. It wakes me up early every morning like an alarm clock without fail.

For breakfast, I've been making toast and fruits (bananas / strawberries / blueberries / mangoes) and vanilla yogurt for myself after workout. Sounds healthy huh?

There are times we cook lunch or dinner at home, grilled chicken, barramundi, salmon, banana prawns, pork belly and oven-baked veggies like sweet corns, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes with olive oil and herbs. But there are also times we enjoy dining out in the local restaurants. Well, most times actually. Below are just two out of the many we visited in a week.

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Bondi Beach Sydney: Beachwalking Bella

So, we revisited Bondi Beach again this afternoon, took Bella out for a beachwalk. The little white fur ball was all over the moon when Mr. Choo hooked her up with a dog leash. She looked absolutely adorable standing by the front door, ears up, tail wagging, patiently waited for our instruction. "Come on, Bella! Let's go!!!" we cheered, and there she went rushing down the stairway and into the car.

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Bondi Beach / Bondi Bay Sydney

Woohoo, I made it to Bondi Beach, F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!!! How exciting!!! *hops around the room*

We got there a quarter to 5 in the afternoon (yesterday's afternoon). Everything was heavenly beautiful by the beach. Blue skies, white sandy beaches and turquoise sea under the wonderful warm and breezy summer weather.

Guys, if you're expecting to see me in sexy two-piece bikinis, then I'm sorry to disappoint you. Hahaha~ I've got nothing flashy on but a cheap piece of casual dress I picked up from Darling Harbor the day before. Only $9.99 that cheap! =p

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A Walk to Darling Harbour Sydney

Hey, hey! How's everyone been doing in the past two weeks? As most of you know, I'm in Sydney and it's my 5th day here already. Jetlagged. It was plain exhausting and I didn't sleep well although the time difference between Sydney and Malaysia is only three hours, three hours ahead of Malaysia time.

Anyway, my intention today is just to make a quick post to update you on the happenings yesterday. Nothing wordy or too fabulous. Despite the fact that it is summer now down under, it still gets a bit chilly in the evening and at night when the temperature drops.

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Alma Park Zoo Brisbane: Kangroos and Koalas

Alma Park Zoo - Part 2!!! You never miss the water till the well runs dry. Indeed! I really miss the chilly winter days in Australia now. Malaysia's warm and humid climate drives me nuts, overly warm and humid if you were to ask me. It's annoying how much it reminded me of the sweaty and sticky feel every time I come back, feeding my delicious blood to those nasty mosquitoes everyday. Grrr!!! I wish all creatures on the planet Earth could be as harmless as kangaroos and koalas *daydreams*

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Meringandan Pub: Farewell with Besties

It feels like months since I left Toowoomba, even though it's been barely more than a week until now. I really miss my friends and everything back in Queensland. In fact, I missed living and working in a small town very much. Not the job but the friendliest people I worked with. Haha! Can't blame me as I'm already so used to the lifestyle there =p

On the weekend after I had farewell gatherings with my workmates, we dragged our feet to Meringandan Pub once again for another farewell lunch. It's a popular country pub located in the middle of nowhere. Well, not nowhere but 19 kilometres somewhere out Highfields.

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When in Sydney: Dining Out

Driving in the city of Sydney could be traumatic. It drives new-to-town people like us insane as we really have no idea where to park. Parking in the malls are expensive!!! We spent more than $50 just for parking alone on our first day. Absolutely no clue which routes to take or avoid. No left turn here, no right turn there, blah, blah, blah... It makes you feel like abandoning your car and walk to the destination instead! *pulls hair and screams*

Mr. Choo and I always wanted to try out Noggi Frozen Yogurt, when its first branch opened in Brisbane CBD, the Myer Centre opposite Queen Street Mall. In the afternoon, after having Japanese cuisine at the Sushi Roll Japanese Restaurant in World Square, we made space in our stomachs for some icy-cold desserts.

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Alma Park Zoo Brisbane: Wombat and More

Gloomy day with periods of rain and drizzle sounded like the worst time to do any sight seeing or touristy things, especially visiting the Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin, north of Brisbane. We arrived before midday with our pre-purchased half-price entrance tickets. $52 in total for 3 adults, $18 for a single pass and $34 for a double pass.

If you haven't been to Australia or any of the zoos down under. Get yourself ready as I'm about to take you on a virtual tour to see some Australia's native animals =)

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Fiveways Hotel: Farewell Dinner with Smorgasboard

We had a reunion cum farewell dinner with a long-lost friend last Monday. Finally! I mean, after trying to accommodate each other's schedule for months. It's always been, mainly because of me as I was a "devoted" shift worker (very much devoted to money =p) who worked 6 days a week. My bad, I feel terribly sorry, and sad that we are parting to fulfill our own destinies.

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Farewell Lunch at the Meringandan Pub

 

Chan kinda planned a farewell gathering for me and few other workmates last week. Well, it was a last minute thingy and I carried on to invite more people, pretty much most of the people I worked with on my last day to join us.

I've made a booking for a table of 20 at the Meringandan Pub. On Sunday, I managed to find my way there (thanks to the GPS on my iPhone). More than half of them actually turned up, which is good enough. Thanks to those who came. Thank you guys so, so much for your time and effort! *joyful tears*

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Farewell Dinner at Ni Hao Chinese Restaurant

My last two weeks in Queensland have been insanely hectic and fun. A lot of catching-up to do besides exploring more of the Sunshine State before we move. YES, WE'RE MOVING DOWN TO SYDNEY!!! How exciting! Yet sad at the same time, as I'll be leaving my job and friends here *sniff sniff*

Yesterday, after a plentiful lunch at the Meringandan Pub with a bunch of workmates (former workmates I mean), I attended another farewell gathering at the Ni Hao Chinese Restaurant for dinner. Smaller in size, but definitely crazier and more intimate than the one in the afternoon.

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Korean BBQ at Hong Depot West End

After shopping in Harbour Town, mainly shopped for Mr. Choo's work attire *ahem* We came to join in the fun of having Korean BBQ with the rest. We walked in, sat down on a table, a friendly wait staff later approached us to briefly introduce their menus.

I, well, basically everyone of us had no clue that the minimum order for Wagyu Combination ($30 per person) is at least two serves per table, according to the wait staff (possibly the manager) who rejected our first round order. The so-called "policy" was no where written on the menu! And her explanation could be a lot more precise I thought.

We felt very much like being compelled to be honest. Eventually, we picked something from the Main BBQ and a Tapas to satisfy our hunger.

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Spirit Of Gold Coast Whale Watching

Last weekend was a bless. On Friday, we spent a night at Bestie's, then left for Mariner's Cove Marina the next early morning. Thanks my dearie for the awesome hospitality ♥ The weather was beautifully sunny with light blue skies after few rainy days, absolutely perfect for a whale watching cruise on the Gold Coast.

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Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead

I've been feeling very sick since the past few days. Sore throat, blocked nose, headache, sneezing and coughing constantly *rubs sore nose with tissue* I'm down with a terribly bad cold!!! Or flu I'm not even sure. Aww, how I hate all these pains I'm feeling right now. The flu shot I had earlier this year is obviously no help in protecting my body against influenza virus *frown* I miss looking fresh and healthy like weeks ago, happily enjoying mouth-watering Nyonya cuisine in a restaurant with besties ='(

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Rydges Southbank: Buffet Breakfast at Bacchus Bar and Restaurant

We received complimentary buffet breakfast meals during our two-night stay at the Rydges Southbank, available between 6 to 10 a.m. at the podium level. As we made our way into the restaurant, there was this friendly wait staff standing by at the counter, ready to allocate table for us in its warm and cozy dining area.

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Pre-Birthday Trip: Tsuru Sushi Cafe West End

On the same day after we checked in into Rydges, we took a short walk around the South Bank area in search of a decent Japanese restaurant to dine in. Apparently, the walk didn't turn out to be as fruitful as we thought it would be. We found no restaurant that interests us, and thus, had to drive ourselves to this Tsuru Sushi Cafe in West End, which Mr. Choo came across while google-ing for restaurant recommendations.

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Sunday Afternoon's Picnic

I'm gonna keep this post real short today, as I have a few errands to run in the city. You know, it's one of those days when time is at a premium and there are so many other things to be done. Alright, alright, just stay calm and keep writing, Christina. What I'm about to show you now is the lovely picnic we had with friends last Sunday afternoon.

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