its the same everywhere...

when's my last entry?

I can't even remember. Should have been more than a month I supposed.

Lately, life had not been treating me good....its not critically bad, but its not smooth sailing either...its bump after bumps...

First, its the mother of all flu ...my first flu in Adelaide and its crap. And to top it all off, I've got a flu vaccine early March. That pretty much gets me down....blown out for 2 whole day, and on the 3rd day I find the energy to get up and go to work in a groggy state. Which is not exactly a good idea to go back to work, but then audit being audit, there's a deadline.

Then its the week at Melbourne...and a boss from the previous job who called and reminded that its my responsibility as the team leader , regardless of where I am located, to get the cashflow checked, financial statement out by next morning. It didn't help that she didn't bother listening and won't take NO for an answer. So much for the work-life balance. I wouldn't be as much as angry, if I don't hear from the Partners claiming that they are doing some planning to reduce overtime and to spread work evenly, and hence no overtime is required. Well, at that point in time, when my Senior Manager insist I work through the night to meet the deadline, regardless that I'm also working on another client in Melbourne....all I can think is...BS..really , so much of BS....

All this time, I'm still struggling with the remaining of the flu that refuse to go.....

ITs good that I have Sumita in Melbourne. Its good to have someone you can just walk into and tell, "Sum..I have the worst day ever, and i'm homesick and i seriously need company and some TLC"......and to top it all off, my period decide to come and wreck havoc with my hormones...

And the sisters arrived in Melbourne and that did cheer me up heaps.

Then back to work in Adelaide......busy week, on a superannuation audit. Rush and rush, half the time I don't know what I'm doing.......my boss is super busy ..not exactly accessible so its hard to get any coaching. It didn't help that client is on the presumption that they have superannuation experts on the audit team. Seriously, auditors should take some acting class.....that'll help them do their job better.....

and then the sisters arrived in Adelaide. Spend the weekend in Hahndorf and then Barossa valley over the weekend. And back to work while sisters take care of the house and do a bit of traveling.......rushing back home everyday to bring them out for dinners....they cooked me, Elaine, Shane and Sue Ann a dinner at home too...which is lovely. Its really tiring and busy for me......and viola, the flu came back...

Initially, I thought its just me being tired and probably a little bit of sore throat and of course, constantly in a groggy state......a cross between a headache and inability to focus. Went to see the doctor, hoping that he'll give me a medical certificate so I can rest at home for a day (officially - the bossess have no right to ask me to work when I'm sick here...its a big no no here). Well, ended up, I'm actually down with fever, a slightly infected throat and right ear and the doctor reckoned I have another viral infection (i think that's a flu...)

So....spend the long weekend recuperating.....a lot of sleep..and rests. NO work at all....since Thursday. And now, I'm dreading the mountain of work...accumulated from last Thursday till now.........

Well, it will be a great Tuesday.....it have to be great.......a big big day......

~mh is glad to get this off her chest....and pray hard that she will come back a human (not a zombie) tomorrow!~

sniffy flu

I hate flu or any sort of cold. Whatever flu virus is made of....its out there to wreck you day..or for some, days.

Suddenly, you have no control of your mind, on your snot can't stop leaking from your nose....running nose is not even close.....and then, you get to sneeze like every 10-15 mins....till your neck and back hurts....

But I'm just glad that the doctor don't think that the flu is exactly the swine version of it....though he say any indication of going hot and cold (like to the extreme of cold and hot) then I'll have to start worrying.......

And meanwhile, I have snuggle up in my room...brain totally in Groggo-land .....and crash....

crashy crashy in groggy mode....with stick some tissue up my nose to stop any leakage.....but then i can't breathe....but hey, the stupid nose of mine is so clogged up that it doesn't matter....

*suddenly i miss my mama very much....thinking of pork ribs porridge, or just plain white porridge with salted duck egg..........* sniff sniff....*

A thought...or a memory ..

Once upon a time.....

MH took a road trip down to Malacca....with 2 friends. Both originated from Malacca.......but one is obviously handicapped when it comes to roads and directions, and thank god we have the other one who serve as , I'll say..a rather satisfying guide...

ANyway...I just remembered a MH moment during that trip.

I was to be shown the "good stuff" ....when it comes to cendol. But it was a Monday and the cendol stall is not open. So we head off to another one, located at the Tan Kim Hock building.

I had durian chendol...which is rather good. But the MH moment during this chendol search.....is that the 2 malaccan got all excited that they see Mr Tan Kim Hock at the Tan Kim Hock building.

I'm like ....errr....what's so special about that leh? Tan Kim Hock face is plaster high up at the building........a huge poster of him!

An the Malaccan girl goes like " NO!!!!!!!!!!!! MH....not the poster....the real thing la. Tan Kim Hock just walked to his white mercedes and chaffeured off.....!"

I gave them the blank face and blurted this " But...i thought Tan Kim Hock is no longer here (aka deceased)? That's why they put his picture up at the building........"

Well, the 2 malaccan were laughing all the way when we got down from the parking lot and head off for our durian chendol.

*BLUSH*

~MH would like to apologise to Mr. Tan Kim Hock. No offence intended........!~

Away from Home : I missed my Malaysian Sundays...

Malaysian are just born to complain. Because...being a Malaysian, I know I can complain very very well.....

So now I'm complaining that I missed my Malaysian Sundays....

A typical Sunday will be start with a rude awakening by Mom/Dad. Usually Dad....where he'll know on our doors and shout that its brekky time. Every one will snooze a bit (coz its prolly blardy 9am)....until the next round of knocking came...

then everyone will climb up to Daddy's car and we'll drive all the way from Kepong to Imbi or Klang for Bakuteh.

That'll take away half the day. After brekky, its either shopping or we'll head off back home, where Mom n Dad will join Grandma and my aunts/uncles for mahjong. Me ? I'll take a drive in my beloved Civic....just to check out new cafes/dessert places.....catch a movie with my sister, or we'll join the crowds at one of the shopping malls, before the family adjourned for dinner.

Ah...the days of lazing in a cafe...sipping tea and coffee....nibbling of cakes/scones/biscuits/ waffles/ice cream and etc.....so nice!!!

Oooh..and it'll be even nicer if we manage to round up the Musketeers and head up to La Bodega for a lazy afternoon catch up, had a game of scrabbles....and yea, we need updates on gossips and all. Haih......those were the days.


~MH slowly counting the days that she'll be back where she belongs.....silently praying that Malaysia working culture will improves (i.e more $$$$ + less working hours), so she can earn a decent living and still have life, and can go back to her nice and lovely room back at home!!~ I miss my butter crab....Greenview Butter Crab (the dry variant), roti kaya , roti pisang, nescafe special........goreng pisang, keropok lekor.......damn!!! ~

What is your type?

Was having lunch at Noodlelicious, at the Renaissance Arcade (between Rundle Mall n Pulteney St) with Crystal and Elaine sometime last week. Randomly, Crystal was asking me...what kind of guys am I looking for? And for awhile.....my mind was blank.


You know what. I think being in Audit just ruined everything. Lets see, my last relationship...I'll say the guy was a good match (come on, it almost lasted for 5 years). And it ended when I started working for the 2nd year. It didn't even hurt that much when it ended, because I'm just too busy to hurt. Sometimes, I don't even remember to breathe........so, hurting is not something I can really feel.

And I let it drag for about 2 years, and now...i don't know what kind of guy I'm looking for. And that's quite a big problem, ok. I mean, even if I decide to sign up at some dating agency, at the very least, I have to know what I want right??? I think I'm in big big trouble.....how can I not know???



So, if i'm to work out a list....:



- Guy have to be a guy in the first place. That's important

- Guy have to be funny, or at least have a sence of humour. That's more important than looks (i'm serious).

- Guy and I, on the same channel. That is, enjoy trying out new places to eat, random road trips,
don't mind hanging out with the Musketeers.

- Guy shall have no say in the no. of shoes, clothes, books and beauty products that I have. I
mean, if I'm not questioning bout his addiction to football/tennis/or watever sports or the no. of
hours he have to hang out with his gang...he shall not question bout my "personal" favs.

- Guy have to be a gentleman......not only for the first few weeks or months, I mean gentleman
for life. That's important.

- Guy have to love my cooking. Don't worry...its good. I won't say its superbly good, but its good
enuff.

- Guy need to love me. Preferably more than me- him.



Now, this is the tricky part. As much as I want Guy to love me...I can't stand sticky guys. Calling and checking on me every few hours, you'll probably see a very ugly side of me and get snapped at all the time. That's a big NO-NO. Guy shall be self sufficient, I mean....Guy have to have a life of his own to exist as a person and not tag on to me just because we are a couple.



And very important...GUY SHALL NOT HAVE OCD....if Guy is a neat freak....and nags me....I can't help but feel like I have a male-version of my Mom. Not very bf material, if you behave like my mom.



Optional stuff :

1.Preferably taller than me, and bigger than me....coz I'll don't want to feel like I'm a giant next to Guy.

2. Guy is well read/travelled, so he can show me stuff.........

3. Guy shall love dogs. Particulary wrinkly and amazingly adorable dogs....like Pugs. Oooh..retrievers, beagles, and labradors too.

4. Guy is self sufficient, not sticky and do not need 24 hr attention. Coz Girl need to have her own space. I think I mentioned this already.

5. If Guy is not driving, he shall not comment on Girl's driving skills. Else, Guy shall be default driver at all times...and not complain at all.

6. Guy shall be a guy and take care of all the guy stuff....like fixing electrical stuff, deal with all things to do with cars, oooh..very important, pest control (I'm no fan of cockroaches and lizards...). Preferably manages the finances too.....my job is to spend my own money (I don't mind helping spending his money too, if he has too much of it.......hahahaahah).

7. Guy is adventurous in terms of food and travel.




I shall not list anymore....the more I list, the more it seems that there's no such person.



Sigh.....that's sad!!! Remember the BJ's scene???

Watch this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zfB1l1x0

Steamed Barramundi Fillet

I'm so disappointed with myself. I don't understand how I can let myself be so vulnerable....how can I succumb to homesickness?? I'm disgusted with the fact that I feel like breaking into tears at the mere mention of going home, the word "mom and dad", family...or if I see a pug, I might just burst into tears in the middle of the road.

The fact is, this experience makes me realise a lot of things :

1) I love my mom and dad a lot. My mom is the greatest mom....she take all the shits from me and still love me the same. My dad? He's the hero of the family. He pays for everything, he's the savior when I have car problem....but I have to admit, he have some problems with giving proper directions when I'm lost....

2) My Musketeers are my pillar of strength. They have been really supportive all these years, and the last few days are one of my lowest point in life todate, and they kept the email messages coming, giving me tips and advice on how to deal with it. I really don't know what I'll do without them.

3) Its normal to feel homesick, because I have feelings, I'm capable of loving my friends and family as much as they love me.

and last but not least ?

4) I need to keep myself focused.....I need focus on things.....

For example, I delayed the homesickness by mopping the floor (but not sure why there's still abit of stickiness).....and I can watch HOUSE now..and have my steamed barramundi :

I steamed it with supreme soy sauce, lemongrass (sliced and flattened with chopping knife) and generous slices of ginger.

Served with rice. Actually, that's left over rice from yesterday porkchop dinner with Elaine and Shane. Too sick of fried rice....so thought I'll make steam fish...

Last bit...crispy browned shallots in rice bran oil (apparently its healthier?), and pour the boiling hot oil together with the browned shallots on top of the fish......

You see and you feel...

"I see your true colours, that's why I love you" - True Colours by Cyndi Lauper

Its all about being comfortable in your own skin. As simple as it sounds, how many of us can say that honestly, that we are always comfortable being just ourself?

~thanks, K....will love myself more, and like you say, that'll help me "radiate"....~

Honestly, can u use another word other than "radiate" ar?? Makes me sound like some atom/neutron thingy....something more human? :P

Just joking...thanks for those pretty words!

randomness is pretty cool

Sum brought along her "random" vibe when she came for a visit in Adelaide...because, together with Sum.....i had the most random encounter tonight.....

A stranger had sort of ask aloud from the carpark , asking if we know the carpark will closed at a certain hours, and from there on, we walked to Rymill Park together.....once it was ascertained that we are all going to the Fringe's Garden of Unearthly Delights....the stranger who introduced himself as Michael, start to walk with us. And well.....the three of us ended spending the night hanging out at the Garden of Unearthly Delights.....watched a funny puppet show called "Goth" of Punch n Judy....

and yea....my first time hanging out with a stranger, talking about stuff that I'll only chat about wiht friends...to a stranger, and watching a puppet show..that's a first time too!

i dunno what i'm talking now......i'm tired ...coz its almost 1 am....had a wonderful day hanging out with Sum at Handorf...........i'm not even talking coherently......but this just to random, to not put it down in words on my blog.

nitey

I'm feel so honoured!!!

She's known as Lyrical Lemongrass
Her abode, aptly named = A Whiff of Lemongrass.....

The Round Table of Honourable Bloggers know her as the Queen of DSLRs
And you can see the beautiful pictures posted on her blogs...

She's spicy, she's gutsy, and most of all.....she have a wicked sense of humour....

And I'm just glad I did not shout out in the Audit Room amidst serious looking team members and say " OMG!.....Lyrical Lemongrass comment on my blog!!!!"

kakakakak....well my team mates won't know what I'm talking about anyway....they are Aussies...in Adelaide...not too sure if they will be familiar with the Malaysia blogging scene....

PS - Joe, dun be jealous ya......I mean you are a friend ma...so you fall into different category, ok??? LL is like a celebrity food blogger thats so hard to reach...while you are a phone call/email/FB message away......haha.......

Wandering mind....I'm ranting about everything that comes into my mind....

I like to think. My grandma says that it shows in my palm....because there's many lines on it.
I don't really like my palms...because its not soft and smooth....you can feel the lines in it....and I don't have lady-like fingers...where its long and pointy...nice nails and all. I'm born with a typical stubby and thick palm...typical Hakka palm..or so my late-maternal grandma says...

Why the association with the Hakka-ness in me? Because I recently read this book ...I've mentioned it somewhere in my blog (Hakka Soul), and I began to understand that the quirkiness in me are normal...because I'm a 100% Hakka....:P

Hakka girls are known to be loud, resourceful, hardworking, and independent....and I think I have all the characteristics. I hate to ask for help.....especially if I think I can get the job done....I think its a pride thingy....and Shane Tan is right when I ask him how come all guys become my buddy instead of bf : He say I should be more like one of our friend....maybe that'll help.

Hahahaa....well, I just can't bring myself to be manja and as much as I enjoyed being treated like a lady, the independent part of me....feel useless when I'm being too taken care of!! Anyway, there's another episode where I discussed with Shane Tan on how "trust" plays an important factor, for someone (in this case, I'm talking about myself) to be able to feel secure enuff to be taken care by another person.....and its also a matter of whether you want to or not (yeah, so Sha-ne, if you read this, count yourself lucky that elaine let you take care of stuff at home, k! Nyek nyek)

Its that time of the year, where you'll want to take stock of what happened in 2008 and what you want in 2009....

2008 is a year of change for me....within a year, I've left a job that I love...because it has taken a toll on my family, my health and my sanity......for a job, that I think I can learn to love, but failed to do so....and in the end, I chosed to work in a different country and have a try at "growing up" on my own....

It was scary up to a point, I had to admit it.....I'm a human afterall. The first day I touched down in Adelaide...the cab dropped me off at the wrong apartments, and I stand outside the entrance of an apartment door that I can't open. Its only when 2 old couple who are enjoying their brekkie in the balcony pointed me to the right apartment block, that I found the serviced apartment's lobbly. It was only then that it struck me......this is a strange and foreign place.....i have no one (literally, because I don't have Shane Tan/Elaine's mobile no. then).....there's really no one to call for help if the cabby really dropped me off at the wrong place....

Of course, I didn't panic.....just feel a bit lost...and frustrated..because I have to drag 2 luggage (1 big one and 1 cabin luggage) to the right serviced apartment.....only to be greeted by a intercom button, because its freaking 8 am in the morning, and no one is on duty at the reception. Greeted by a grouchy attendant, that asked for my name after she finished lecturing me for not reading my booking confirmation letter properly......and guided me on how to retrieve my room key, before she finally grunted - "Your apartment is at level 2, room 32...."

That's the WELCOME I get upon arrival.....sigh! Tough luck huh????

What can I say? NO one asked me to move to Adelaide...no one asked me to leave my job in KL.......no one asked me to leave my family and friends in KL......I asked for this, didn't I??? Sometimes, I think I'm just too smart for my own liking.......

(Pic from Phil Sharp)

Yea...so as you can see, once again, I've wandered off topic..........

Did I mentioned in any other post that when I met a friend from KL...I'm so overjoyed that I feel like crying??? But of course I didn't cry la...i was totally cool about it............like Nic Ling, I think I'm too "macho" to cry...kekeke...plus, my friend is bringing me out for nice dinner ....i should be happy instead of crying rite??? Why ruin the mood of a nice outing ?

Well, my friend, who calls himself G for short, is a very stylo ex-colleague of mine, who happens to be in Adelaide. And its really good to catch up with him.....on how's life been so far....or did we just chat a bout life in general? Anyway, G is really the best person to enjoy a meal with.......because he always know what to order, what's good.....and you can just sit there and listen to him explain to you why the food is as such, why is it good, aiya...i dunno how to explain...you just want to sit there and listen la....coz he got a voice that makes you want to listen (don't get me wrong, its really smooth and sound great to the ears), and then hor......he speaks really good English....up to the extend, that he has to intentionally speak like a Malaysian, just to prove that he can speak like a Malaysian (though me and HY thinks he sounds more like Puah Chu Kang when he does that....kakakaka).

And when in Adelaide....its so easy to bond over food, because food is just everywhere!

G brought me to Wasai at Field St (one of the lanes off Gouger St), a small and cozy Japanese restaurant. I've been there with Shane and Elaine, but I've ordered something really fool-proof = Chicken Katsu Don, so I've nothing to comment on that...because i think i had better katsu don in the past 26 years.

So, I let G order....because honestly, i dunno what to order and I don't want another Katsu don.....and that's when I tasted one of the nicer Soba Salad that i've tried (in KL, HK, and S'pore) . Its very appetizing....and the sauce is just superb. Shane, Elaine, Sue Ann and I went to Wasai the Friday before we are bound to fly back to Kuala Lumpur for Christmas break, and I ordered that again...on top of a Unagi Don (its called something else on the menu...i dun remember what it is). Unagi Don + Soba Salad....haih, i'm so full that I make myself vacumm the whole townhouse and pack my luggage till 2 am...before I dare to sleep.

Ok, back to dinner at Wasai with G. Aside from the Soba Salad, we had a platter of assorted sushi...very nice! I'm not a fan of raw food...so sashimi is not something I'll order, but then I'm always game to try..... plus, I did tell G to order and I'll eat whatever he ordered.....I can't go back on my words!! Well, God is usually very kind on me....coz I ended up enjoying eating the sushi plus the raw stuff on top of it!

*disrespect to raw food*

Ok..the raw stuff consist of....err...i think there's ebi , scallop, and etc....can't remember. IF you want to know, just visit the restaurant, and order the assorted sushi platter.....

Sorry, no pics.....a bit shy to snap photos in front of G.....plus, I'm not a food blogger, so its not really my job to snap photos and post and blog about it. I just like food....and love to try and enjoy dining with good company, though I've recently developed a liking of dining alone (yea rite....!)

We have a platter of tempura, and i think that's it.

Not sure how much is dinner, coz G insist that he'll pay for dinner...and I offered to pay for coffee and dessert later.

NExt, G took me to Cibo, South Australia's equivalent to Starbucks....only its much better, with more choices of dessert and food. They have arrays of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and ...gelatos!!! Scoot over Starbucks....you are not required in Adelaide...nyek nyek...

And then hor....G say I should sit down at the table, so we can have a table-la....and he'll get dessert and coffee. I only have to tell him what coffee I want....and of course I happily sat like a dungu, reading the menu....and totally forgot that I say I'll pay for coffee and dessert!!!!!

Oops! I fink I ate the whole thing! - 271
Originally uploaded by RoxandaBear

I feel exactly like the Panda........and am totally ashamed of myself.....like the beagle below :

But there's always next time...rite??? Kekekek.....until the next entry on lunch with G.

Btw, at CIbo, G intro me to this gelato....taste like hazelnut to me....very similar to one of the flavour that Lecka Lecka sells, only Cibo's taste much creamier! G says it taste like Ferraro Rocher's to him..or did he say that its called Ferraro Rocher?

Next we had Apricot Cheesecake....the toppings on the cheesecake is like the tiramisu's topping you get from Alexis Bistro/Su Chan's Deli, but I have to say, the texture of the cheesecake has the perfect consistency (compared to those that I've tried in Malaysia). Usually, its either toooooo cheesy and thick, or its too fluffy/spongy (i.e more flour than cream cheese)......

If only I wasn't too full from the dinner at Wasai...I would have eaten the whole thingy........feel like I wasted so much food! But then, I can't afford to eat anymore.....it takes more effort to lose the extra fats, hence I rather let the food go to waste......Sorry G, wasted your money....

Speaking of the Apricot Cheesecake.....I bought a slice of the cake (there's CIBO outled, just opposite my office) when I'm really down at work. And that definitely cheer me up a lot!!....



*side track a bit *

If I'm to tell someone about all of the above....my mouth will be so tired from ranting...........

*back to the CIBO*

I've just finished talking about the dessert at CIBO.....there's still the coffee......
I'm not a coffee junkie, but since I've arrived in Adelaide, I took an average of 1-2 cups of coffee per day. Most of the time, i'll stick with Cafe Mocha....coz I can't really stand too much coffee....but then when I need a perk-me-up, its a long black....... like black without milk (but with sugar of course).

The coffee is just....terribly good. Of course, I can't say that its the best, since I'm no expert on Coffee....but I'm a satisfied customer! That's all I've gotta say......

The other coffee place that I kinda like in Adelaide is Ricca Coffee at Thebarton. Its near my client's office....and its surprising good!

Btw, a nice cuppa of coffee only cost AUD3.50 - AUD6.00 depending on the size of the coffee that you order....so its relatively cheap compared to coffee from Starbucks/Coffeebean back home!