Staying in Dayre for now

Hosted CNY lunch for first time and it was a success.... I think.

I mean no one got food poisoning right?😅😅😅

After that went for a walk to digest the food baby. @wilda said must walk on grass once a week to discharge negative energy.

Also somehow sprained my ankle. It's not swollen. Sunday was niggling pain and today limited movement 😷😷😷😷 (read : limping)

Also get to see the best and worst of humanity.

👍A guy readily gave up his seat when he saw limping into the train.

👎Took 3 attempts the board my company lift. Our lift has no buttons and it's controlled by access card.

You tap card on the console and it will call the lift down and send you to the right floor.

There are a couple of console and naturally I tap on the one closest to me. And FML the lift furthest away from me opened. I limped as fast as I can and still the door closed before I can get in. The folks inside just stare at me trying to limp my way in. 

OK 😬😬, so I tap the console nearest to the lift that left without me and FML the lift that came was furthest away from my new location again 😠😠. I tried to limp faster across. Unfortunately the lifts in between opened and emptied a ton

of people. Not enough I had to limped my way to the furthest lift, I had to pass through a lunch crowd ~ flips table. 

Of course I missed the second lift lor- with people inside starring at me and not helping.

So had to repeat the process again and third time lucky, the lift closest to me open and I got in safely.

I told my team mate about my experience and she went into a tirade on heartless strangers until I told her our mutual colleagues are in the lift as well.

Talk about awkward....😅😅

 We never truly appreciate what is around us until it's no longer available 

Put pork on fork

Betrayed by weather forecast! Said it won't rain but now it's drizzling. It is already hard enough in winter for anything to dry. Now doubt it can dry without the help of heater. Ugh!!!

Had Korean food with @cubie (thanks girl) at Chinatown. We got craving for Korean food as my pig Bro is there at the moment. Brings back a lot of good memories and food cravings like Bossam. @cubie found a place in Chinatown and off we go.

Unfortunately the Bossam was subpar. There is no special kimchi and the pork had a strong porky smell. The BBQ meat is OK but they did not serve the codiments until I asked them. 

Halfway through our meal we realise there is a strange cliental. Hardly a Korean in sight. Alarm bells rang. If we had any Korean friends they will ask us not to come as this is a tourist trap.

There is nothing more reassuring than seeing natives dining as only they can judge the authenticity. In fact we are often used by our friends as food compass. Food is more authentic with our stamp of approval. Though my stamp doesn't earn big bucks like the halal stamp.

 There is speculation that halal stamp money is used to fund terrorism. 

Uprooting

My god....fingers almost froze off my hand hanging laundry. How I hate doing laundry in winter. Yes I don't have a dryer - they are for the weak. Hahaha.... lucky I only need to do this once a week.

Today I finally saw a western rock. So solid until she displaces 2 Asian rocks. No surprises as we all know the west has more power. I am also reporting this to prove I am not bias in terms of bad train ettiqute.

Facebook reminded me that tomorrow is my migration anniversary or it is today? Hahaha....

My....how fast 4 years fly. Now I can officially apply for citizenship. The first of our kin migrated in the 1970s and the government begged for her to join. They gave her instant citizenship, money and first class air ticket. It could partly be due to her medical occupation.

When the second generation i.e my uncle generation decided to join the first settlers, it is still pretty easy. My uncle said he arrived with RM12k. Exchange rate was about 2 times. My cousins become 2nd generation migrants. Later they convert to citizens.

Now my turn and I think I was at the tail end of the era where the criteria is still achievable. After GFC it has gotten very tough to come in. Citizenship also requires exam now. Uncle urged me to consider converting before they make it even harder.

I just hope they don't give the Singapore ultimatum.

 Citizenship or back to work visa 

Winter bug

This is the time of the year when i don't look forward to going to the toilet. Freaking cold!!!!!

Wishing for the Japan/Korea toilet seat. The only way the toilet seat is heated here is leftover body heat from previous occupant. Geli to think about it. Like pubic hair on toilet seat.

Rush hour now is extra cramped from the winter gear. Everybody is at least 1.5 times bigger. Night come so fast that it feels like you are doing OT even though it is just 5pm.

You'd think Melbourne and Tassie are the coldest city but Canberra often records lower temperature. Mountains' snowing so ski season is on. Dandenongs have light snow too. Unfortunately doesn't extend to the foothills. We only get hail. Tsk...

Keep feeling sleepy and hungry all the time and not much mood to do anything. It is a fact that people put on weight during winter. 

It's un productive season

 That is why bears hibernate in winter. 

Autumn or winter

Fell into an impromptu debate with swim mate about seasons. I was sure it's winter already but she said we are still in autumn. Okay.... if you quarter the calendar evenly, then we are at the tail end of autumn. But look at the crazy temperature. ... tell me this is not winter.

Mother nature has her own schedule but this winter is pretty full on judging from current trend. Luckily my poor car is in the garage now and happier I am sure. No more frosty car to thaw, only frosty breathe.

I have also taken out my little heater and turned it on last night instead of my big heater. I guess electricity will go up for me these 3 months sigh

Was trying to promote saving money via home cooked food and Cousin was curious about my a-week-same meal strategy and I showed her this is my weekday meal of stir fry celery with water chestnut + mushrooms and steamed mince pork with pickled lettuce. 

The first thing she said was your celery already turned colour. I guess some compromise is inevitable. Who doesn't want freshly prepared meals everyday.

Quite hard to comprehend when you are used to eating out. But then one has to do what one has to do.

 What are willing to sacrifice to achieve your objective? 

We are equal....except for the onion

Have you see an onion this freaking big? If you can't find any big onions in Malaysia, they are all here. Haha.

Today got company town hall and they book a hall in Sofitel. My spidey senses tingled. Management usually don't book official event grounds for a town hall. True enough, there was major restructure. Our GM was transferred elsewhere and a new GM is appointed. There is also a new diversity panel. That sounds like business speak for get those China people business. They pay cash!

Actually we are not legally allowed to be racist or sexist or anything. Everyone has equal opportunity regardless of back ground, beliefs, skin color, medical condition and gender.

That's right. You don't need to declare your gender, race and religion in your resume nor would you be subject to medical examination upon hire.

 Guess that's why people migrate here. 

Fruitful

It's so cold outside, water is condensing on my window sill and I didn't even turn on the heater. Frosty breathe on my way to and fro the station but I am still wearing my trench coat. Maybe it is time to break out my winter gear. Already put in 2 layers of flannel. Now sleeping like ham between two cheese.

Today is a fruitful day - literally. Bits came bearing fruits compliments from papa and mama Bits. They are really good people, always making sure I have good bowel moments and vitamins.

Then my grand aunt called me over to take some soup that she made and when she wants something done, it must be immediately! It's no wonder she was very successful in her career. I would not want to work under her.

So we interrupt our dating session with a fast visit to aunt's. Luckily not far - good thing that migrant families tend to stay together.

As usual when I arrive, there's more than soup. She wanted me to fix her phone - accidentally deleted some apps. So I got to work while she entertained Bits. When we left, we took away fejoas, persimmon, apples, soup, belated birthday present and 2 pots of orchids. As a result fruit tray is over leaden with fruits.

This is fejoa, another fruit I learned when I arrived on this island. Taste like guava.

 Feel like I've been living in a well in the past. 

Organic bagpipes

This is a fennel. It looks like a bagpipe. I only know about this veggie after I migrate to Australia. It taste like an intense celery. It is a very versatile ingredient. You can eat it raw, boil, braise, stew, make puree and even ice cream according to Masterchef. The fronds can be saved for garnishing.

Aunt never cooks with it because it's a western veggie and she can't cook with it confidently. 

She was quite surprised and impressed that I dare to cook with it. I was surprised that my aunt who can cook so many things is intimidated by it. 

The first time I cooked the lamb shank, it was so so and after that I never touched the fennel again until today. It's cold rainy winter and I wanted hot soup. The second time I cooked it?

 Purrrr-fection 

Weekends again

Almost ploughed into a family of rocks - this time middle eastern variety hugging and kissing each other at the the foot of the escalators. With kids no less!

Obviously I don't cut an intimidating figure but I almost send one of the baby rocks onto the train tracks. 

This is how tragedy happens people. Be aware!

Winter is truly here and it's me against the elements. Trying very hard not to turn heater on. So far double glazed windows with blinds are still doing a good job keeping out the cold. But it takes the longest time warming up my bolster. But once warmed up my goose feather doona does a good job keeping the heat in. 

Tonight I am thinking of lining my bed with flannel sheets as I am not as efficient as @cubie in producing heat. Once I got under the blanket, I generally stay very still in one location cause it's cold haha.

Will be attempting lamb shank stew tomorrow with my pressure cooker.

 Reading recipe books makes me wanna bake cakes 

Cronuts

What do you get when you mix doughnut with crossaint? 

You get cronut!

Thanks to @cubie for my first cronut experience. This is a maple syrup flavor. You can't go wrong with maple syrup.

I absolutely love the texture of the donut, not so much of the top layer. It felt soggy and drags the donut down.

Ok time for bed. Laundry nights and Nigella masterclass doesn't leave a lot of room for dayre. 

And for some annoying reason the dirty old man inside my phone keep auto correcting Nigella to Nigeria and cronut into crony.

 Nigeria crony anyone? 

The green button

Trains in Melbourne do not have automatic doors. It take some getting use to cause where I came from, rails have automatic doors.

I use to complain to my uncle at the inconvenience. Why doesn't a modern country metro invest in automatic doors? 

Uncle just grunted and looked away like the answer is there all along.

And it did on one freezing winter morning. You can't have automatic doors because the cold winter draft will blow in every time the door opens. 

Imagine how annoying it is when the doors open automatically for 20 times and let in cold draft but no commuters getting in or out.

However this presents a dilemma. Who should press the door button? The commuter getting in or the one getting out? 

Today came across a train door stand-off. When the train was coming to a halt, this guy inside the train move towards the train door. That is generally interpreted as he wants to alight.

And because he is in motion before us you would expect him to press the button. But no.... he stopped short of the train door and start checking his phone. 

The ones outside was a bit perplexed and we ended up staring at each other cause we all expect him to push the button. In the end I push the button because I don't want to miss my train. When the door opened, the guy walked out while still checking his phone.

 Feel like ripping the phone out of his hands and throwing it down the platform gap. 

Rocks and minerals

Modeled by our home girl Miranda Kerr, a very successful Ms Australia - every retailer wants to hop onto the fitness bandwagon huh. Maybe later will have Pandora Fit or something. The reason I noticed this is because I am on the lookout for an activity tracker for Bits 50th birthday. The last 50th I celebrated was my mum's. Don't even remember what I got her.

Encounter another rock today in tram standing in front of the tram entrance and refusing to budge. I might sound like a racist bitch but I seem to encounter a lot of rocks of the Asian variety. 

Today's rock looked like a thin student who hugged the entrance pole while trying to will herself to shrink. 

Sorry la no matter how thin you think you are, you are still fatter than that pole you are hugging.

So let go of your insecurities and get off the tram so that passengers can get down. 

Today's rock is particularly stubborn and refuse to budge even when I said excuse me a few times. In the end no choice, just elbow her with my swim bag and push her aside with my hip. A powerful move when you are 70kg.

I am sure she will be complaining on social media about this rude Asian aunty.

On the way home, my entry coincide with our famous singing clock. Nothing the scale of Prague 's astronomical clock and the engineer wasn't killed or blinded in the process.

I passed by this everyday and it amazes me to see the crowd filming it. It is really nothing special. I guess that's what the residents of Prague thinks as well. I am not surprise if the top of my head is featured in numerous vacation videos as our schedules coincides frequently.

 I could be a minor celebrity! 

Aesop

Ooh Aesop is doing it again. They hire artist/models to perform behind display windows. I guess they are trying to illustrate the effect of their products on skin. Some derma rumeration theme. 4 display windows, 4 actors pulling, mending and sewing a really long panty hose that I am sure represent the skin.

I appreciate and applaud Aesop's ingenuity. Very refreshing compare to just putting up bottles though I think they can achieve the same effect by having some people distribute free samples.

Bits said this concept is very adult theme. I told him only if they wear the apron and nothing else.

He quickly clarified that he meant the concept is too abstract for kids to understand and gave me a dirty look.

 I am the 'ham sup' girlfriend? 

Simple Sunday

Another lovely quiet Sunday doing soul nourishing stuff like cooking, exercise and doing it all with loved ones - in this case Bits.

I sprained my shoulder quite badly doing butterfly routines. Not the graceful ballet dancing type but the powerful water cutting swim stroke. If I can go back in time I will kill the person that invent this useless stroke. 

Anyway as a result of an aching shoulder decided to cook simple minestrone soup. Bought some simple greens and ask Bits to mix a salad. Pair it with rye bread toasted over my new sandwich press (thanks @cubie) and you have a well balanced healthy meal.

Told Bits proudly that this is an all veggies dish and it is so full of fiber his intestines will thank me later.

After he went home I realize I wasn't entirely truthful. Totally forgot the stock was chicken stock.

 And there were 4 slices of chopped bacon (rindless) 

The king of fruits

Jeng Jeng Jeng!!!!

Got the inspiration from aunt. She bought this really nice durian as a birthday gift for uncle. There is one thing my uncle cannot let go when he migrate is durian. 

Trust aunt to know all the lubang. There is some frozen D24 durian here but we all know they taste crap. But aunt said these are different. These are removed from husk prepacked vacuum.

Surprisingly sold in the Asian grocery that I frequent. Generally I don't trust prepacked durian but this comes with uncle and aunt endorsement so I decided this will be my own birthday present for myself. It's a staggering $28.00/pack.

OMG..... thought I'd died and gone to heaven. It is so yummy and just the right portion for a person. Aunt warned me that there might be a dud but this pack is just perfect. Small seed, creamy flesh, pungent fragrance!
I inhale it all while cooking. Can't wait.

 Thank God it didn't smell like Indian oil.

Too pungent

My nose has been disensitize since I moved here. But it's only been 4 years. Today i rode the lift with an Indian lady. Wah the smell of the oil they use made me want to gag. Lucky it is only 2 storeys to ground floor. Tahan and breathe into scarft. ..

Shit scarf also smell like the Indian oil.

The thing is, this kinda smell shouldn't bother me cause I grew up surrounded by this smell. Now the smell is stuck in my nose and everywhere I go the smell follows like i have that oil on my hair. 

Is this what durian haters feel when they smell durian?

Went to Din Tai Fung with Bits a/l PapaBits and had Indian oil dumplings.... I need coffee beans

Someone in train received a big beautiful bonquet of flowers.

 I bet it smells like Indian jasmine. 

OCD attack

Taking a walk with Bits when I suddenly halted and point to the ground.

Bits : What?

Me : Uneven width. Can't stand it.

Bits : OK, we don't take this shortcut anymore.

Someone must be drinking on the job. Apa ni? Where is the Aussie standard? If there's a bucket of yellow paint I will squat on the road and start touching it up.

Bits must have sense something. He quickly pulled me away to resume our after lunch walk.

When we reach his office, I spent a few futile minutes trying to capture twirling leaves. Unfortunately they all look dead here. Today's wind is super strong.

 That's mother nature running the vacuum. 

Feedbacks

This is now my permanent chocolate mug. They have been giving me this mug after I complimented that hot choc taste better in a mug. I am sure it is placebo but they take my feedback on board.

Guess I am upgraded to regular now. Bits always gets his coffee here and I tag along on Fridays for free breakfast. Shameless girlfriend. Haha

Speaking of feedbacks, today I kena flame from a user who felt I have mismanaged her feedback. Took me 45 minutes of he say she says before she accepted my explanation and calm down.

So exhausted after that and even missed my office monthly birthday morning tea. But my colleague got me 2 slices of cake and I topped it up with another 2 slices. I deserved it after putting out flames whole morning.

 I have leveled up in conflict management 

The Betty Challenge

Today opened my wallet and found four $5.00 notes. Reminds me of Betty challenge.

$5.00 notes are also called Betty because of this lady. Can you recognize? Yup it is the young Queen Elizabeth, who is celebrating her 90th now.

Aussies like to give nick names. When I first joined my boss immediately gave me an Aussie nickname which means sandwich. I know he wants people to accept me easily so I just roll with it. 

I think now people already forgotten my real name.

Anyway back to $5.00. Betty challenge is quite a popular money saving game. The idea is to save your $5.00 notes in your designated piggy bank and count when the bank is full. Quite a few members of my financial group do this and they like to post how much they managed to save and what are they doing with it.

This is actually a fun way to save sub consciously, very good for people that have no discipline with money.

Do you know...

 A $50.00 is called a pineapple? 

Uniform

This is what I called professionalism. Peking duck butcher also wear tie. Uncle took me to a peking duck restaurant and this guy is behind us, stripping ducks to carcass at an alarming speed.

Aunt has very high benchmark when it comes to food because she migrated before Asian restaurant becomes popular and she has learned to cook dishes that we can eat easily eat in Malaysia. Even now she still does her own roast pork belly.

So without saying the peking ducks in this restaurant is really yummy and generous.

Not just the butcher, tradesman here all got their own uniform. Taxi driver wear proper shirts and builders, plumbers and electricians have their trademark orange vests.

Actually I like the notion of uniform because 
1. You can claim income tax for uniform
2. No need 'fan' what to wear in the morning.

 Wear your colours proudly.