Swinging at Manly

On Saturday, the Young Adult Fellowship spent the morning together playing putt putt at Manly. We split into groups of four and tried to conquer the nine holes. I thought at first that it would be a piece of cake but I sure was wrong about that. Turned out some holes weren’t as simple as they looked because the slopes made them really tricky. Especially this one...

Mic, Fong, Rev Alexis and YC strategising their next move

After putt putt and a few more swings at the driving range, we went to Manly Harbour Village for lunch. It was my first visit there and I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the place looked. There were heaps of boats and yachts anchored at the quay and rows of coffee shops and fish and chips takeaways located along the water. Very picture-perfect indeed.

Manly Village - overlooking the water

Had lunch at this fish and chips takeaway

Waiting for our food!

Just as we were leaving, I was suddenly reminded of the times (yes, plural!) when Ally and Hui took the wrong train and landed up at Manly instead of home. The first time it happened, I was worried. Second time, it started to get funny. Can’t remember if there was a third time. Ahh, those were the days.

A Trip to the Fashion Capital

Day 1

Pen and I flew down to Melbourne for the Anzac Day long weekend. It was my first trip to the shopping and fashion capital of Australia so I was really excited to embark on my three-day retail (and sight-seeing) adventure.

Our trip started off slightly rocky – I had to drag myself out of bed at 4am because we were catching a 6:15am flight. Why so early you ask? Because we were on standby and the previous night’s flights were all fully booked due to the long weekend, so in order to guarantee ourselves seats, we had to get on a “less popular” flight. It was still a very full flight nonetheless and we were very blessed to get onboard. In fact, they only allowed four standby people on the flight.

Upon arrival, we realised that not only were we on standby, so was our baggage! They left my bag and the 7kg of longans (from Uncle Albert to Lou) back in Brisbane. Good one. My resentment was soon appeased at the sight of our friends Kev and Lou who so kindly came to pick us up for breakfast.

They took us to Retro Cafe at Fitzroy, a picturesque nostalgic coffee shop with furniture that looked like they had been around since the 70s. I had an Eggs Benedict and Pen ordered a massive hangover meal. It was soooo yummy and I knew we were off to a good start. Lou didn’t waste any time and immediately helped me plan my shopping route for the next two days.

Breakfast at Retro Cafe

After breakfast, we had a quick Underbelly tour around North Melbourne and also stopped by Lygon Street for gelati. Setting foot on Lygon Street is like stepping into little Italy. There were rows and rows of Italian cafes and restaurants, alternating with a heap of Gelato shops.

We finally checked-in at our hotel Holiday Inn at 1pm. Still no sign of my bag. Arrrgh. We rested for a while and then jetted off to DFO (Direct Factory Outlet), just across the road. We didn’t stay there long as the shops were all similar to the ones in Brisbane. We wandered around the city streets, albeit a little quiet due to Anzac Day, taking photos and soaking in Melbourne’s old-town sights.

Our hotel

Melbourne tram

In the heart of Melbourne Central

Venturing into Chinatown

Dinner at Sambal Kampung - a Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown

In the evening, Pen took me to Crown Casino along Southbank. He was really keen on showing me the “fire” at Crown. The whole time, I thought it was just a small area of burning flames. Turned out there were actually six tall towers with flames going off every half hour or hour. Think Lord of the Rings, Return of the King’s lighting of the beacons.

Walking towards Southbank Crown Casino

Big flames!

Day 2

We met up with Nick and Lou for brunch at Collingwood Children’s Farm. It’s a “city” farm located just 5km from the CBD, specially established so kids could experience rural life without driving miles from home. Yes yes, people in Melbourne are BIG on breakfasts and brunches. A weekend with friends is almost never complete without one of those.

We ate at The Farm Cafe, a country-side eatery owned by one of Nick’s friends. The cafe is famous for using only produce from the farm – so you’ve got your free-range eggs, organic cereal, goat’s milk, etc. You’ve also got some other “organic things” left behind by the farm animals at the door so patrons have been warned to watch where they walk.

Breakfast at The Farm Cafe

At noon, we went to Bridge Road at Richmond, a street well-known for its warehouse-type shopping. Think Stones Corner but bigger, longer and definitely livelier! We visited shop after shop, with Pen cheerfully tagging along. My poor husband must have been so bored but he didn’t say a word, just stuffed himself with Subway cookies and whatever else he could find in between boutiques. After three hours, I only bought a cardigan, a long-sleeved top and a belt. The shopping was great but there weren’t many things that really caught my eye.

We headed down on a tram to Queen Victoria Markets next, determined to find some bargains for ourselves. Comically enough, the moment we stepped into the market’s compounds, an announcement was made over the PA system telling shoppers they were closed! Arggh! Pen and I scurried through the aisles and aisles of stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, chickens, eggs, etc. It felt just like my Eunos market in Singapore, only much drier. The retail part of the market was exactly like a pasar malam, from the set up right down to the products! Fake Hello Kitty stuff, cheap-looking bags and This Fashion-type clothes. Cheh! They don’t fool us.

On the tram

Deli at Queen Victoria Market

Chickens for sale

After another fruitless shopping trip, we walked to Lygon Street for dinner. The Italian food was so authentic and Pen’s pasta was exceptionally good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. After that, we had a pear and cheese crumble at Brunetti, a dessert wonderland! It was so delicious that I totally forgot to take photos!

Pillow-filled pasta with pumpkin and ricotti

Pen's yummy pasta

At 9:30pm, back at the hotel, we got a call from Lou inviting us for dessert at Max Brenner. So off we went again for more food! Seeing it was raining and cold as, it was definitely appropriate weather for a nice cup of hot chocolate. We also shared some chocolate fondue and dark and milk chocolate suckao. Yes, Melbourne is also a food capital.

L to R: me, Kev, Nick, Lou and Pen

Day 3

The temperature went down to about 14 degrees topped with cold wind chills. Time to layer up!

We strolled to Southbank, had breakfast at the Southgate food court and visited the markets. The markets were somewhat disappointing - I had expected it to be better than Brisbane Southbank's but it wasn't.

Walking to Southbank from another bridge

Southbank Markets

Walking back to the city

We went back to the city centre after that and explored Flinders Lane, a small street in the heart of Melbourne's CBD with a rustic feel and boasting numerous quaint little boutiques. Now we're talking! In the thick of atmospheric cafes and bars, there were fabulous shops selling fun and quirky fashion imports. This old alley is really a treasure cove for shopaholics! Times like these, you'd wished you had really deep pockets. What a pity we only discovered this street on our last day - but we certainly shopped till the very last minute.

Old church building

Standing at Federation Square with my shopping bags

Pen looking terrified of the haunted bookshop

It was definitely good to get away for the weekend. Melbourne is such a vibrant and trendy city compared to sleepy town Brisbane. Now that we've conquered shopping, we'll do the Great Ocean Road drive the next time we visit.

There and Back Again

Time certainly flies when you’re on vacation. My holiday to Singapore is over and I’m back in Brisbane again. It was heart-warming to spend time with my family, hang out with the girls and catch up with the LEWIS gang. I managed to check off everything on my shopping list, snapping up bargains from Raffles Place, Chinatown, City Plaza and other suburban malls.

One of the main highlights of my trip was definitely meeting my niece E-Yan. She’s so lovable and I really dread the day she turns two and doesn’t recognise me. :( Hopefully frequent visits and toys will prevent that. Going on the Singapore Flyer with Pen and my family was also an eye-opener. Oh and I also added two new items to my Tiffany collection.

I meant to blog much sooner but was waiting to resize all my holiday photos first. Two weeks have gone by and I still haven't done that. Yes yes, I will put them up soon so you can see how much fun I had. Fingers crossed.

The Cutest Baby

Yesterday afternoon, I saw baby E-Ann for the first time. I’ve been looking forward to meeting her ever since she was born six months ago so you can imagine how excited I felt the entire morning.

She was sleeping when I arrived at my Grandma’s and she looked exactly like a little precious cherub. She’s got the best complexion, the tiniest toes and the roundest little body! Soooo cute! She was all smiles when she finally woke up and had absolutely no qualms about me carrying her although it was her encounter with me, her aunt.

Naturally I couldn’t resist taking heaps of photos and videos of her. Have a look!

Huh what's happening? I just got up from my nap and suddenly there's cameras and flashes everywhere...

*Yawns* Still sleepy
Playing on her mat
Dazed and confused - E-Ann and her granduncle

Feels Good to Be Home

It's my second day in Singapore and I’m having a great time so far. I’ve missed home so much that even the heat here couldn’t dampen my spirits.

I already started my shopping spree yesterday when I went to Parkway with my mum. Clothes and shoes are so cheap here compared to Brisbane – so really, by buying things in bulk now, I’m actually saving money. Riii-ght? Yes.

Today, I met up with the Ally, Dia and Nessa for lunch at Foo House in Simpang Bedok. One thing about being away for so long is that I get my personal guide to take me around. Dia so kindly volunteered to meet me at a bus stop near her house where she then walked with me under the sweltering heat to take number 10 all the way to Bedok. All this trouble when I could have taken number 2 straight from Eunos. My guide was a bit misguided I think.

Anyhoo, it was soooo good to see the girls again. I know I always say this but it feels like I haven’t left at all. One thing I love best about us is that we can always pick up where we’d left off no matter how long or short I’ve been away. We still laugh over the same jokes and amuse ourselves with each other’s quirky habits.

I’ll blog more over the next few days I’m sure. For now, I’ll leave you with some pictures we took today.

The girls and I at Foo House

Our entree - Beef Goulash and Pumpkin Soup

My beef burger

Dia's roast duck

The Count Down

Countdown to my Singapore holiday: 1 day!

Yay! I’m going back to Singapore tomorrow! I am so excited, I can hardly wait till tomorrow night to jump on the plane. Here’s a list of reasons why.

1. I get to see my family.

2. I can hang out with my friends again.

3. I’ll get to see my baby niece E-Ann for the very first time.

4. I can go on a shopping spree. BIG one. Need I say more?

5. I’ll be 165m above ground on the Singapore Flyer. (I lurrrrve ferris wheels.)

6. I could use a holiday.

7. I miss my bed.

I’ll see you guys really soon! Bring on the par-taay.

A Farewell Dinner

Pen and I met up with Chris on Monday evening for a fare dinner at Hanaichi in the city. Chris used to be from LEWIS Sydney and I had worked with him on a couple of accounts when I was still in Singapore. We become friends over the years, “bonded” by the fact that he’s a Brisbanite and I used to live there. But there’s more!

Till this day, I still can’t get over how bizarre it is. When Pen met him for the “first” time over lunch at West End, Chris stopped dead in his tracks. They know each other! Turned out they used to work at Big W together. Oh my gosh, how uncanny! So yes, I told everyone at LEWIS about it and they couldn’t believe it either.

Anyhoo, Chris is leaving for Japan very soon. His girlfriend is Japanese so they’re moving to get married there. She doesn’t know this yet but he has this grand plan of proposing to her when the cherry blossoms bloom in Kyoto. Awww...

Pen, me and Chris at the sushi bar in Hanaichi. Yes that’s right, Pen actually ate sushi that day!

Head and Neck Talk

Pen is finally back from yet another one of his business trips. The best thing is he has returned bearing gifts for me! Erm, I mean next best thing to actually seeing him of course.

On another note, I came across a saying from wise old Lydia, which made a huge impression on me. We were on the topic of mandarin oranges and how Pen peels the skin off for me every time. And to that, the !Kung bushwoman says...

“Hence, the husband is the head of the household but truly, the wife is the neck.”

How true.

And in tribute to that, I have put together a little visual.

But of course, having said that, I'm still a firm believer of God's instructions - "Husbands, love your wives" and "Wives, respect your husbands".

Chocolate Eggs and a Class Full of Kids

I am officially “Auntie Karin”, a Sunday School teacher! Last Sunday, I taught my very first lesson to a class of Yr 2 and 3 kids and loved every single minute of it. It was technically my first teaching lesson because before that, I was just assisting Janet for the whole of February. It was a good way to start because by the time I began teaching proper, the kids were already familiar with me.

The days leading up to the lesson, I was stressing about how to get their attention and how to make the bible stories come alive for my kids. I mean, it wasn’t a piece of cake trying to decipher the Transfiguration of Jesus to a bunch of 7 and 8 year-olds. Even I had to read the passage a few times to understand the purpose behind the story.

In the end, I resorted to using heaps of colourful visuals, elaborate actions (from the ahem teacher) and chocolate eggs as incentives! Not only did they participate and listen attentively, they also remembered to raise their hands before answering my questions. Ooo they were adorable.

I won’t deny that a handful of them are a bit noisy and mischievous on the outside but if you take time to explain instructions to them, you’ll discover they are really sweet and obedient on the inside. And my heart melts whenever one of the kids tugs at my sleeves if he or she is stuck on a task and says, “Auntie Karin, can you help me?”

I’m definitely looking forward to my next lesson. Although I really wouldn’t mind if they dropped the “auntie”. Aaaargh. Wonder whose brilliant idea it was to ask the kids to address the teachers as aunties. Must be the principal, who turns out to be, oh my husband.

Can't Fake It

Today’s post is about a song which amused me silly this morning. You may not find it as interesting as I did, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. :P

I was getting ready for work this morning and had my radio tuned in to Nova 106.9fm. I normally have it switched on just to cut out the silence and I don’t pay too much attention to the songs. Not until this particular song came on – This Heart Attack by Faker - and I couldn’t help but listen closely to the lyrics.

Anyhoo, this was my first time hearing the song and when they got to the middle, I was more confused than anything. Not sure if you guys have heard it before but the lyrics go something like this:

I’m going away to be alone I’m coming back with answers
Don’t try to call my telephone it’s disconnected
And I don’t know where I’m going but can you guide me
But if I find love where I’m going will it survive me
‘Cause in your own space you’re disconnected and in your own mind you’re not affected
And in your own time you’re still attracted but in your own life

This heart attack I’ve gotta get away not coming back
I want some downtime so call me when you can and I’ll be fine
I’ve found the time to be alone I don’t know what you’re asking
I’m waiting by the telephone and you’re still barking
My heart stops it isn’t… going could you revive me
I think I’m lost without knowing so come and find me
‘Cause in the same space we’re disconnected and in your own mind you’re not attracted
But in your own life over reacted and in your own time

This heart attack I think I’ll go away not coming back
I’m off the line so call me when you can some other time
This heart attack I’ve gotta get away not coming back
I want some downtime so call me when you can and I’ll be fine

Sometimes if we don’t go sometimes you don’t know
You don’t go I don’t go I don’t go you don’t go
I’ve got your back but you don’t got mine
This heart attack then I’m feeling fine

This heart attack I’ve gotta get away I’m not coming back
I’m back to flying so call me when you can some other time
This heart attack I’ve gotta get away not coming back
I want some downtime so call me when and I'll be fine
I’m going away to be alone

Do you see it? Scroll back to the second line of the lyrics. He says “Don’t try to call my telephone it’s disconnected”. Fair enough. But then he goes on and laments for someone to guide him and call him. And then he wails to say he’s waiting by the telephone and then asking someone to call him again. And then of course, he ends the song again by asking someone to call him.

First thing that came into my mind this morning was, what the!? Didn’t he already say in the beginning that his phone was disconnected? Talk about inconsistency. I was so confused at the end of the song that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Perhaps it’s occupational hazard that I’m paying so much attention to words...

Here’s the music video if you’re interested.

A Greek Catchup

Pen and I met up with Nick and Jess yesterday evening at West End for a catchup over dinner. We picked Kafe Meze, a little eatery tucked away at a corner street, for some authentic Greek cuisine. The set-up of the place wasn’t impressive – at a glance, you might even mistake it for one of those old coffee shops in Malaysia selling Ipoh Hor Fun or Teh Tarik. But the food, oh man, was good, very good.

We were overwhelmed with the Greek words on the menu and wasn’t sure which dish to pick in order to savour the true taste of a Greek meal. So in the end we ordered an eight course meal for all four of us! It was $33 per person and we were treated to pita breads with an array of dips, a vegetarian platter with grilled mushrooms, eggplants, beans and vegetables, Souvlaki (lamb, chicken and pork skewers), Greek salad, to-die-for pan fried goat cheese, a giant mushroom, a pork sausage (can’t remember what it’s called) and a BBQ squid. Every single dish had its own unique and rich flavour. My favourite was the goat cheese. :p

The total bill is a bit pricey (would have been worse if we didn’t have our entertainment book voucher) but good food and company made up for it.

Here are some pictures taken with my new Canon Ixus 75. (Thank you Pen!)

Nick (with goat cheese) and Pen

Me and Jess with the pitas and dips

Pen tucking into the salad

Vegetarian platter - May not look too appetising here, but it really is yummy!

BBQ squid which I couldn't eat much of due to my allergic reaction to Aussie seafood

Wishes from Afar

新年快乐 (Xin Nian Kuai Lei) from Pen and me! I thought it might be good fun to pull out this photo we took during our wedding shoot. Haha. :p

I had to drag myself out of bed this morning. It sure feels strange to work on the first day of Chinese New Year. :( There are no lion dances, Chinese songs or red lanterns here, so it was up to me to surround myself with whatever Chinese New Year spirit I could muster.

Pen and I put up some simple decorations around the house which my mum had bought for us. We also have a bowl of mandarins on our kitchen table. All we’re lacking are some red and yellow pineapple thingys to hang on our front porch.

Hope you all have fun with visitations today! I miss you guys! *hugs*

Yearning for Tradition

Hello faithful readers of my blog – Can’t believe it’s already February, almost two months since my last entry. Where did the time go? Well, I never really liked “Januaries” very much anyway because it meant having to start everything all over again and I would usually still be recovering from my holiday mood and dragging my feet into the new year.

Nevertheless, I got through it yet again, this time with a visit from my brother and a memorable trip to Fraser Island. We took heaps of photos which I’ll post up really soon. Loong Loong went back to Singapore on Monday, leaving a tearful sister behind. :*( It is amazing what a few weeks can do to bond a relationship. We took him to the Australia Zoo, Sirromet Winery and the Gold Coast over the weekends while he roamed the city streets by himself during the weekdays. Poor thing must have got really sick of the city, South Bank, Cultural Centre and the Valley by the end of his trip! I was really glad he came – it was good to catch up and have some brother-sister time. At least I’ll get to see him again in March when I visit Singapore and before he goes for his National Service!

Today is the eve of Chinese New Year! I’m still in disbelief that I’m actually not spending it with my family back home, not having our traditional spread of Hakka cuisine and not eating mandarins with my mum! Most of you would already have heard that my leave wasn’t approved for February and I wasn’t able to go back home to celebrate Chinese New Year. I’m still nursing my disappointment as this would be my first ever year that I won’t be celebrating one of my favourite festive seasons. If you don’t already know, I’m a traditional girl who hates changes so this is really hard for me.

My only consolation is that my mum has promised to cook up a feast when Pen and I visit next month. But it’s not the same!!! My grandma (Nei Nei) has also “announced” to the family that she will not be cooking my favourite “Wu Dad Bun” (A Hakka dish – circular-sliced yam fried with mushrooms, cuttlefish, pork and dried shrimps) this year for their reunion dinner because she will be saving it for March when I return! Awww, she is so lovely.

On a happier note, the Thie family will attempt to have their first reunion dinner tonight with the likes of roast duck, steamed chicken and abalone on the menu. The Thie daughters-in-law are quite determined to bring the Chinese tradition into the family but I think it might prove to be a rather challenging journey. See below for my conversion with Pen this afternoon.

ME: We have to go buy some mandarins for tomorrow!
PEN: Okaaay...
ME: Maybe a box because we have to hand quite a few out.
PEN: Huh? How many people are you giving it to?
ME: Your parents, the pastors and all them!
PEN: But my parents won’t know what to do with them!
ME: Huh? Just eat them lah! And we can eat the extra mandarins too. We have to eat mandarins during Chinese New Year ok??
PEN: Okaay... Can we give rock melons too?

And another...

ME: Yay! We’re having a reunion dinner tonight! I can’t wait! It’s Chinese New Year!
PEN: Yeah...
ME: So exciting. We have to make sure we get to your mum’s on time tonight. We must be early, we have to eat together!
PEN: Huh? Eat together? That would be a bit hard, so many people.
ME: But that’s the whole point! It’s a REUNION dinner, you have to eat together as a family.
PEN: But it’s a reunion at my mum’s house every night!
ME: *thinks – this is quite true seeing all the Thie brothers and their wives eat there almost every night* YAH! But it’s Chinese New Year ok? CHINESE NEW YEAARRRR!!!
Pen: Uhh.

I hope you guys have a wonderful Chinese New Year with your family and friends, and for those of you who are not married yet – hope you get lots of ang baos too! I’ll be thinking of you guys (especially you Singapore people). Can’t wait to see you all in March.

On The First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me...

A heart tag charm bracelet from Tiffany!

My Christmas was off to a good start when Pen and I exchanged presents in the wee hours of Christmas Day. The sneaky husband had wrapped up the blue Tiffany box in wrapping paper (which I had bought) so I had no clue what it was. But as soon I peeked into the slit and saw that familiar blue, I yelled out in delight and gave him a huge hug. He tried to calm me down and cautioned that it might just be a box but I already knew he’d gotten me what I’ve been pining for for the past few years. Turned out he bought it for me while he was in Yokohama recently. OOooo...how sweet!

Here's a photo of us with our respective gifts. I got him a Canterbury jersey polo shirt (he's wearing it) and a pair of berms to match.

We had a lovely break over Christmas and spent some quality time with the family. On Christmas Day after church service, the Thie father and ladies made our way to the Gold Coast to visit Auntie Helen and family at Jacey’s house by the river while the Thie brothers went off to do their yearly tradition - play golf at Oxley golf course. We also met up with Uma and family at Surfers Paradise. Hui and I laid out a towel and sat on the beach with Daddy while Xiao Xiao amused herself with the sand. The boys finally tore themselves away from golf at 5 and met us at Jacey’s for dinner.

Over the next few days, Pen and I spent our time relaxing, sleeping in, Boxing-Day shopping, cleaning and gardening. We also watched heaps of movies in our home theatre. It was heavenly just being able to get out of our daily work routine and do pretty much whatever we felt like doing without having to stick to a plan.

Christmas is a true reflection of God’s love. The festive season brings with it so much joy, love and warmth and knits families and friends’ hearts together. I hope you guys had a blessed Christmas too!

More photos below:

Thie Christmas Party on 23rd - Thie newlyweds with Xiao Xiao, Jess and Nick.

EMP Christmas Drama Cast

Xiao Xiao and me at church after Christmas drama

Lights at Calamvale Neighbourhood

Thies out on a Light Adventure