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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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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Gift Exchange Christmas Dinner 2013

Weeeeeeee, first post of 2014!!! Times flies, it sure does. Glad that I had been enjoying my freedom to the fullest since the very day I touched down in Malaysia. No regrets. Life's too short to live with any regrets.

I spent my emotional past few days reviewing my old blog entries, only 72 in total for year 2013. Yeah, a lot less productive compared to the year before. So much ups and downs to endure in the journey of finding myself and what I wanna do with my life. Forgive me, for not being able to share every single detail with you.

 2013 was a nightmare yet full of excitements and wonders.

• February: Dyed my hair brown for the first time.
• April: First golf experience.
• May: A luxurious birthday celebration in Brisbane.
• May: Had Dequervains Tenosynovitis aka repetitive injury on my left thumb.
• June: First whale watching experience on the Gold Coast.
• July: Farewell-ed friends in Queensland, moved down to Sydney.
• August: Family road trip to Tioman Island.
• September: Started using WeChat and got hooked up ever since. 
• October: Diagnosed with dengue and admitted days in the hospital.
• October: Met up with an old "new friend" and attended friend's wedding in KL.
• October: 23 hours train voyage to Bangkok.
• November: Experienced the worst food poisoning that lasted days with abdominal cramps.
• Months of never-ending exploring the Pearl of Orient.

I had three gift-exchange Christmas dinner last year. LOL, "last year" sounds far, far way but it was merely less than two weeks ago. One with newly met friends, one with family, one with badminton buddies. Gift exchange with family was indeed the most unforgettable as it was never our tradition to celebrate Christmas.

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Gala House Restaurant & Cafe: Girls Gathering

Gala House is one of the latest addition on Muntri Street downtown. On a not-so-busy Wednesday evening, we came with a bunch of girls, they're my sister's girlfriends, technically. With the intention to celebrate one of the girl's birthday. Eating, chit-chatting and exchanging lame jokes. LOL. It was fun indeed although I couldn't quite catch-up.

We walked in to be seated on this table outside the cafe, it was drizzling a bit and the acoustic duet version of Miley Cyrus's "We Can't Stop" was forever looping in the background. Grrrrrr, I guess they really do love that song A LOT. *pulls hair*

We later requested to move to a warmer spot after placing our order. I mean, I wouldn't mind sitting outside if it was warm and breezy but definitely not when it's chilly and rainy. Furthermore, it has better lighting and dining ambiance inside. Friendly staffs, and lovely presentation and plating are also a plus.

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Bangkok Trip: Chao Phraya Floating Market

Hey, hey! How's everyone been doing? I don't feel very good still. Been down with food poisoning since Monday. Vomiting, headache, nausea, diarrhea, fever, stomach cramp...

I AM SO GLAD I SURVIVED!!!

Apart from visiting palm sugar factory and orchid farm, our day 3's itinerary also consists of a trip to Chao Phraya Floating Market. It's a bit remote from the Bangkok city to my surprise, approximately two hours or more by car. Transportation fees, both land and water were all included in the day tour package, except meals. Why need it when food is just at the reach of our hands?
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Bangkok Trip: Chatuchak Weekend Market and Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Our first day in Bangkok was free and easy. We wanted it that way actually, so it wouldn't end up like our Hong Kong and Shen Zhen trip back in 2011, overly packed schedule that involved lots and lots of walking. I enjoy a leisure trip better, personally.

Upon arrival, we faced the dilemma to choose between train, tuk-tuk and taxi. Communication was really an issue in Bangkok. The people there don't speak foreign languages or dialects as good as those in Hatyai and Betong. After going through some discussion that required body language, LOL, we came to the conclusion that taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to deliver our exhausted bodies and baggage to where we stayed.  

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Ferringhi Garden Restaurant Penang

Times flies, it's been almost 10 weeks since we parted from each other. How badly I wish Mr. Choo was here by my side when we were at the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant last night. Sob *teary eyes*

The tranquil, friendly and warmth atmosphere the garden themed restaurant has to offer, apart from deliciously quality fusion western and Chinese cuisines. I would have complimented my dinner with a sweet bottle of fruity white wine but uh, I'm not much of a drinker to be honest, not even on a social level.

So just forget about the drinking part, since it's practically impossible without numbing myself and waking up with a hangover next morning =p Good food acts way much better in relieving stress and anxiety, don't you think?

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Kek Lok Si Temple and Sushi Zanmai Gurney Paragon

What?!! What?!! Happy Long Weekend to all my Malaysian readers out there!!! When I first heard about Malaysia Day I was like, "Oh, I never knew it ever existed!" and it's on this coming Monday! Yeah, the 16th of September, in case you haven't heard of it too. Haha.

It rained a bit today, just like last Sunday. There was a quick shower in the morning, then the sky swiftly shifted from grey towards light blue with wisps of white clouds. How fortunate we were, to be able to shoot some painting-like pictures at Kek Lok Si Temple that day. Thanks Kwan Yin for her blessings.

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Touring Around Ipoh

Back from holiday, back to reality. Our 3D2N trip to Tioman Island was indeed very fun and relaxing. Gosh, I already miss it so, so much!!! But I'm gonna have to repress and suppress my emotions and feelings right now, before I'm able to write about this road trip with my family.

A week ago, I visited few of the major towns in Perak with mum. Taiping, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar and several other small ones. Despite the tiring long drive, I was rewarded with absolutely delish meals and breath-taking discoveries around the state I grew up in.

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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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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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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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Bamboo Basket Chinese and Wagaya Japanese Restaurants

Last post of my pre-birthday trip of 2013.

Realizing it's the month of June already causes me to pause and acknowledge that time really does fly. Here I am, standing at the crossroad where there are life-changing decisions to be made. I hesitate, I panic, I feel utterly helpless and stressed. You know things got out of hand when you're having tough time to get a good night's sleep every night.

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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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