C'est LA viE

Penang indeed had changed a lot, the city had become cleaner and safer.

In this 3 days n 3 nights trip, we had eaten so much food. I actually tried so hard to browse online hunting for the infamous street food.

Dad was telling me how he missed the 'apom' which he got to taste long time ago when he travelled penang with my cousin.

To not dissapointing my dad's appetite, i sacrified my sleep and woke up early these 2 days to locate the apom stall where my cousin visited before.

We were quite lucky as the stall is very close to our hotel, and we finally got it!

Well, it is really yummy i must agree =) No wonder dad was so excited everytime he mentioned about apom.

FYI- the stall is located at the kopitiam right opposite the police station at Jln Burma. Please be early to get them, there are 2 types: a plain one, and with filling (banana) one.

After meeting with yongwah on 2nd day, i got to meet my other old fren - huey tyng on the 3rd day.

Old time memories at Inti just come across my mind, we must admit that time pass really soon. =)

That's all for my raya trip, well shame of me as i was too excited about the good food and dint really border taking most of the photos. =P

Ok, I am on my track reblogging the key dates happened to me since i back home.

I am starting it with the Raya trip which happened in early August - 3 months ago, 2 wks after i back home.

So i went to Penang with family, as Raya fall on Thurs and Fri, totally gained a long weekend (i guess no point for me, bcz everyday is weekend to me now =))

But it is a good time for family trip then! I had booked the accommodation before returned home, i had been tip-toeing about visiting penang since i left home to NZ

well, every Malaysian knew what happened to this beautiful city in terms of political view, which truly what i supported (ok no politics talk)

So i am anticipating on stepping penang island, especially to discover the world herritage chew jetty area.

Tada!:

Basically chew jetty just similar as pulau ketam (an island close to port klang), everything is down to earth,  due to the well-preserved old villages with population who had different surnames, the place had successfully enlisted as world heritage site.

I did feel a bit sorry as a traveller, because i do understand the locals must be annoyed by us as we by passed their corridors, and pipping their house all time

well perhaps for some locals, they were using their advantages to sell something, see what we got:

a very yummy bubur cha cha, this is my favourite malaysian dessert after all

Well another reason of chew jetty getting so popular is because of this artistic, creative artist - Ernest Zacharevic

This great Lithunian artist had produced a few amazing street art works around chew jetty, as well as at the old-colonial building/shops area right opposite the jetties.

unfortunately due to the nature power, some of the brilliant art work had been faded as times goes by. But I was told that Ernest is heading back penang to 'repair' his former pieces.

Then we walked to the old-penang town area (old colonial buildings area) to discover other creative art works. Too bad we were running out of time, and there wasnt any map/instruction leading us where we would able to find those amazing art pieces, everything is about 'exploring'!

But we still managed to find some of the greatest work.

Besides the famous Ernest's work, the 101 Lost kitten project is also the main highlight of this unique old george town

I really appreciated how this group of artists brought out the msg saving those stray animals by using their creative skills/ideas.

Well, for Ernest, definitely undeniable he is really talented, he really understand the good use of those abandoned items on street to create such amazing piece of work

 This perhaps is one of the famous work he produced, and too bad it was public holiday, lines were everywhere, we just couldnt border lining up for photos.

I would like to revisit here again sometimes, in a normal working day. I believe i am able to spend more time viewing the artwork, but not just simply photoshooting.

same as the evil but abdorable minions, they really attacked malaysia market so crazily....i still think it is abit over for the trend, but indeed they stayed popular for a reason....

Well there are what i could summarize for the street art, please, if u are planning to go penang...NEVER MISS this place!

If possible, try to explore every single corner, u will be surprised for what u going to encounter, and definitely get amazed by their effort...(suddenly felt really sad about the Malaysia banksy happened in Johor). FYI, if u are too tired for walking around, just hire a bicycle, there's plenty ways to get one.

The reason we were rushing was because i had planned to meet my NZ fren - Yong wah on the same day.

It was a good time that we able to meet at the charlie brown's cafe at the newly developed Quay Straights.

It was my first time spending on these types of themed cafes, but i dont mind as long as it is not hello kitty...lol....(ok, i am sorry to kitty fans)

Indeed, snoopy is cute, and we were having fun with the interior and exterior design of the cafe.

Kiss me please?...

haha, my bro is waiting for school bus as well...

It was a good catch-up with yongwah, happy to know that she got a great job and also wish her all the best in her future.

Well, I am sorry for my followers who had been waiting for my updates for so long....

I've been back to my sweet home - Malaysia for nearly 4 months....how well I am adapting??

Hmmm, basically i am adapting very well, but not completely settled down yet

I guess as long as I am still jobless, i couldnt consider myself settling down back home

I kinda used to the humid and hot weather, but still not able to wear long sleeves, as well as jeans..

Apart from that, I guess I am getting familiar with Malaysia culture (born with it , come on!), perhaps nt the working culture/environment yet

alright, time to explain what i've been doing since i back

1. meeting frens and relax - went to Penang and Malacca for trips, been to places around Selangor for frens outing activities (sing k, movies etc)

2. house-working - officially become a maid at home, cleaning house no longer become a rejection to me as I am too free to turn it down

3. watching heaps of dramas, movies, video clips, variety shows, youtubes...well, they kill time easily, i had known so many shows these days

4. endless job-hunting - ok, i am still working hard on it, i dint mean to become a jobless person who just spend my parent's money at this age, however i couldnt deny i cant help with it atm, but i actually spending on my own peny which i earned from my previous job back in NZ everytime i went out with frens/trips.

5. Helping dad at his shop - yes, i believe this is the best i could do currently which is really good for my dad. I felt grateful i am able to give a hand in his business though i am not that skillful and strong to do labor work (fyi, my dad sell car batteries, and indeed need a muscle to help). So what i basically doing is answering phones, typing invoice/delivery orders, do cash receipt, deal with customer (partly, as i still at stage understanding types of battery and functions)

6. learning to drive - putting in my greatest effort in it....i am able to drive on road under dad's supervision now! I had improved a lot, and every sunday i am fetching my family out for lunch =)

7. Started developing a new hobby - reading! Yea, I am overcoming what i hated doing before, i bought 2 books from Popular book stores last month, and also renewed my membership card, which means i am truly thinking to enlasting this good hobby. So far i ald finished the first book, and on the track to the last chapter of my second book - the five people u meet in heaven (Mitch Albom). I am in the process borrowing books from others too =)

8. Badminton - i try to do it with my brother every tuesday, following my dad's badminton activities which he joined with his frens at a local court

9. Family time! Of cz not to mention, i am enjoying the every single moment i spent with family, well quarrels and fight was unavoidable sometimes, but we still loving and caring each other, and truly had a great time and continue doing it.

10. Things to do next :

(i) building up my nutrition knowledge: researched other nutrients/ingredients which i dunno and write on a manual

(ii) diet: yes this must be get back on track, i couldnt believe i gained weight instantly!! Malaysia indeed a food heaven which ruined yr diet plan...I am very struggling to lose weight as there are too less non-fatty food around, plus i am no longer by myself, family will get influenced with my diet plan.

p/s: I will update some of the key events in the past after i back home on blog =P

Back to the topic i created on top, yes, i just went to my first ever interview this morning. I am thankful that i got this opportunity at least to be able to have an interview with such big company. Well, no matter what's the end result, i had learnt so much today. Besides, so grateful that dad sent me to the factory and waited me for 2 hrs regardless of his busy work. I am still feeling very sorry for all the troublesomes i caused since i back home. Love u, dad.

My interviewer was generous and kind enough to share the job functions/barriers that challenged me a lot in my shoes.

well, i will just stay open under any circumstances, and not giving up on hunting for other job opportunities. I was indeed crashed down after i back, and emotion had been flowing up and down, felt anxious and inconfident not having any response from jobs applied, felt the world is ending soon....kept thinking the days i was in NZ...being negative and hidden myself from the world...

but thanks to family and frens who kept on supporting me, and pulling me up from the dark hole..I am still able to recover, and will continue keeping my head up. I understand i have to just move forward, and be positive. So vivian, good luck and please dont forget the reason u back home and never give up!

today is all by myself, but went to so many places today.

From the Fitzroy garden opposite my hotel to the beautiful church nearby, then lost in the complicated multi-lanes city centre.

Fitzroy garden is very big, i guess the concept is like the Central park at NY city, and it will be improved into a better scaled and beautiful garden

i specifically like the model tudor village, is like a mini village, so cute!

the fairy tree also very unique...

And i saw some unique bird in the garden, look at this, is it a bigger version of kiwi bird?? lol

And parrots also are the most easily spotted birds in Aussie

for the church located nearby, i was hesistated to visit initially, but i was thinking since i was ald in Melbourne, why not?

luckily i had gone there! Is the magnificent St Patrick Cathedral church~

i really impressed with ppl at old days, they are real talented to build such an amazing architecture!

just like last time when i was at Sydney, the St Mary Cathedral is also very beautiful, especially inside the church, however photos were prohibited there

but i am grateful that St Patrick church is allowed for cameras! And i also donated a candle for wishes. =)

then i had a nice Spanich breakfast at the cafe in the Fitzroy garden

it was real yummy, so much better than the breakfast i had yesterday at Hopetoun tearoom.

After this, i went to yarra river for more artistic sculpture~

I really in love with such an artistic city....

but then when i was so lost at the multiple lanes city centre!!

i was holding the complicated map in my hand, and confused with the direction i was standing at, wondering around the lanes, looking for the sign of streets, and struggling to go where i should visit.

anyways, i passed by so many unique lanes and arcades which Melbourne famous for~

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I also visited Laurent! And order this special patisserie with a hot tea.

i sat at a beautiful corner, where i was able to see the ppl passed by in the narrow lane through the window in front of me.

too bad i was full from my good breakfast and unable to shout for macarons~ but i do have a small square shaped macaron on top of my dessert =D

however i still bought other macarons from a shop named La Belle Mitte, but the service was real rude and the macarons were just alright.

for lunch, i gone to a greek cafe! I was kinda sticked with Greek cuisine when i am in AUssie since i got chance to have awesome greek dinner at Sydney last year.

especially i realized there's a greek precinct in the city centre, but at last i went in to this cafe which is not located in the precinct (and ended up i wasnt able to go there)

while last time i had a proper fine Greek meal, this time i tried Greek style street food!

It is at Kalamaki Greek Street food at Londale St.

I got a virgin tzatziki, which is kinda like Greek kebab, pita bread wrapped with slow roasted lamb with tomato, chips and red onion.

The portion size was big enough tho i ordered just a small one, and the lamb given really generous! A lot~

the chips are so crispy, and good for combination with the lamb, salad and pita bread...

i passed by the china town after lunch, and took the bus to Melbourne museum and the World heritage site - Royal exhibition building at Carlton

i dont think it is so special, even tho it is world heritage site. Well, building is indeed beautiful...

After taken the free shuttle bus to city suburb, i decided hopped on the free city circle tram to Docklands, where is another water wharf in Melbourne city 

but apparently i missed the stop while i was in the public free tram

and it was super crowded inside the small compartment (tram) so i just couldnt border taking another loop and stepped out from the tram

but then, i was lost after i got out from the tram!

and walked for so long only arrived at Docklands...

i dint visit much attraction at Docklands bt walked across the beautiful bridge~

then also just walked along the pedestrian beside the Yarra river and went back to city centre

worst was my stomach started cramp and pain! I couldnt even find a good restaurant for dinner because my stomach started hurt when i walked

i was real pissed that time and really hate Melbourne at that moment! lol

but then, i was calming down myself and back to hotel at the end. I just simply had a dinner at the restaurant inside the hotel.

The wine was real good, very fruity, but the Tasmanian Salmon....omg, sucks!

It just ruined the whole fillet, and i think i could do a better job...this was the worst food i had for my trip and unbelievable it was my last supper in Melbourne =S

i was kinda bad luck too, because the hotel service ordered the wrong shuttle for me to airport, they called for a air bus! which a shuttle come to fetch me to the central station where i need to transfer to an airbus!

I was real mad! and helpless, because i have many things with me, i am leaving for good, not holiday!

so i was real panic and uneasy with carrying all things up to the bus by myself, and couldnt imagine for the troublesome i will have later on the bus

well it might be just an hour trip (yes the airport is far), but i just couldnt stand, perhaps i was quite impetuous too, i just walked like a mad lady, very embrassed, struggled to pull my bulky luggages to the taxi stand outside the station

the distance is actually very short, just 1mins walk, if u are not carrying anything....

it took me extra 2 mins because i had too much 'barriers', and the taxi driver was very unhelpful, he only started asked me do i need help innocently after i got my steps closer to his taxi while he actually had already seen me walking from far away!!

excuse me? do u still need to ask?!

anyways, the taxi fee was real expensive, but i arrived the airport safely and smoothly

i just couldnt wait to get on the plane and head back home soon....

p/s: Melbourne is still a very nice place, i was just having a bad night =S

Today is all about outdoor! Went to Brighton today for viewing the famous colorful bathing box along the beach, which is also the attrative point made me visit Melbourne before gone home.

But to make our trip more energertic, we had awesome breakies...Tada~

We bought these from a very cute macaron stall at Block Arcade yesterday.

We also made our first attempt on riding Melbourne train today! But before that, we finally walked in the Hopetoun tearoom at Block Arcade

We passed by this shop yesterday while walking around the lanes and road at the city centre, and there were so crowded with a long line waiting outside the cafe too

but the cakes at the exhibition window looked so yummy, and making us so tempted to try!

and this morning, we finally walked in with no line waiting outside (cause it was early)

We ordered a savoury green eggs and ham breakfast and a sweet strawberry roll cake for sharing

The roll cake is really yummy! It is so soft, and the cream is not greasy at all.

But the green egg is just a normal scrambled egg.

Then, we bought our myki card (a transport multi-use card in Melbourne) and gone on the train to Brighton beach

and we arrived after nearly 30mins! with an extra 15mins walk....

indeed colorful, indeed beautiful!

we stopped for almost 30mins, and continued our food hunt at somewhere at the St Kilda beach

we were lost on our way to this famous burger place for lunch because of the complicated tram route but we did arrive after nearly 2 hrs later

Lunch at NSHRY, facing the St Kilda Beach, we managed to arrive here 1 hr before the kitchen closed!

I ordered the soft shell crab burger, it comes with the seaweed salad which is very unique appearance for Western menu...

I guess this restaurant is more like a fushion rather than western dining cuisine.

I have a nice watermelon juice =)

The chips are super yummy, with the given 3 sauces, i specifically like the wasabi salad sauce =D

while for the burger, i love it a lot too, because the soft shell crab is so crispy and it matched with the burger very well!

Paeh leng chose the wagyu burger for lunch, i got a small bite, very juicy but i couldnt tell its difference with normal beef patties though

i preferred my soft shell crab haha.

We must be crazy, we got tempted to try the pork belly burger on the menu and tada!

We ordered another burger for sharing, and this grilled pork belly is definitely the best! Very Good!!!

Of cz we finished everything except for the chips and i took away for dinner tonight for myself because Paeh Leng is leaving back to Sydney tonight TT

Well, guess i will be just enjoying my lemon meringue by myself tonight =_=