Missing HOME

Janet had lots of birthday presents today, unfortunately the son doesn't remember her birthday. She was quite sad actually. We all, Paul and Janet, Lily and bf, Rupert and gf and I went for a vietnamese dinner in some Victoria Street. A lot of people there. Though the food was not something different or extraordinary but it is just the same. I still think Chinese food is so much better. I miss spicy food.
I can't order spicy food last night cos none of them can eat spicy. Everyone ordered a dish and we share around and ate with rice. I ordered Sweet and Sour batter pork.

Chie, the one we had in DHL or the fat boy one is SO MUCH better. Even Maju Jaya is so much better. I have to admit it. I am missing DHL so much and the Nyonya corner. I miss Bak Kut Teh. I WANT TO GO HOME~!!! I miss soup. *sob sob*

Now i can understand why a lot of people choose to go home after completing their studies. I dont' speak for all cos i know of quite a number of people that prefer here than Malaysia. But it is not easy being so far away from home, missing all the good food, not being able to be with the family, no friends. I can now understand what it is like. I can see why Shieh Ling (cousin sister) was feeling so miserable here. Honestly, i am starting to understand how she feels.

When i was in the restaurant having dinner with my hostfamily and their partners, everybody had someone by their side. I felt so lonely and so left out. I miss my family. I miss my little niece. With her around, no matter how bad ur day, she can just brighten up ur day. She just needs to call me "Ee Ee." and use her little hand to grab my fingers and my heart will melt away. Looking at her, so fresh and young, so innocent and happy, so adorable. All stress, all tension, all worries are gone. I am sure my sister feels the same way and i think the daughter has a bigger impact on her than me.

I am here now, broadcasting to everyone, if ever any of you have the chance to come, PLEASE come visit me. Drop a line, email me, msg me, anything. I am really missing home.

Laundry

Finally i have done my laundry. All clothes - CLEAN. Rubbish, thrown out.

Class was cancelled today. Lecturer had a family emergency. The father has cancer and is very sick.

Today is Janet's birthday. I bought her a book as she is very fond of reading. Hopefully she'll like it. It's a book by Danielle Steel - Sisters. It seems interesting. I wanted the book for my own actually but i can borrow from her. She has borrowed me a book already - Sense and Sensibility. I tried looking for another book of Steel's but they don't have it - Johnny Angel. It is a very good book - touch hearts and shed tears.

Anyways, I have done some studying on Business thingy and now i have some 3D to do. I have to figure out what i want to do for my final project. A short animation. Any ideas, people?

Han Hong and some friends plan to go Phillip Island for 2 days next weekend. I am considering of going or not. As much as i want to see the Penguins but there are 2 things to consider - workload and finance. Hmmm.....

Blue

These pics are quite outdated. These were taken in Ian Potter Gallery in Feb. Han Hong took these pics and never remember to pass it to me till now.

Chie, the dress you bought for me remember? I bought one for myself and you bought one for me. Have not worn the other one yet.

Blue looks DAMN good on me. BLUE BLUE BLUE~!!!

Too good to be true

Apologies for not updating. Got carried away with some other portfolios.

Okay. Where do i start? First of all, Happy Birthday Vinny. Sorry i didn't wish you earlier but hey, i remembered. Happy belated bithday to my BIL. Sent you a card so don't complain. Haha. Let me wish Angel happy birthday in advance as well. Have a blast babe.

Wow. Seems like ages and too much to say. I really do not know where to start.

Hmm...back to busy life in Uni. It is coming towards the second half of the semester and all final projects are starting to kick in. GOing to be a rather hectic 7 weeks. Been building models, doing presentation boards and presenting my work.

Got a little break today. Attended Mei Sze's graduation. CONGRATS, Babe~!!! You were rocking the Melbourne Convention Centre. It was a great graduation and makes me want to graduate faster. There were quite a number of students with PHD's and makes me want to do that as well. Imagine having people calling you Doctor.

Imagine this: Dr. Thoong Soo Yee. The first doctor in the Thoong/Thong family. Intriguing.

I should start growing money tree. *laughs*

This week has been quite rough. It makes me wonder again if i am actually in the right path, doing design. I just can't find or see myself being all creative and innovative. As i have mentioned before to many, if you give me a blank piece of paper, i can't just think of something and sketch it out. I have to refer mags, books for ideas and from there, brainstorm. Even then sometimes i feel my design is so simple. Just like the way i am.
I had a design presentation on last Tues. The lecturer was quite intrigue with my design and how i execute my idea and concept but it was just a plain simple design. I reckon any Tom, Dick or Harry can think of such idea.

For a moment there, i am lost. I love what i am doing. I enjoy what i am doing but is this Interior Design for me?

There is a comment from Teng, a thai friend saying that i dress all so grown up. And i was like, WHAT? I am almost 24. Am i suppose to dress like a little girl? Or short, skimpy skirts? So not me. Then he was shocked that i am so OLD. Yeah, everyone is.

I have been pondering. Am i trying to score and get distinctions or am i trying please my father? Am i really enjoying my course or am i too busy thinking of being the best? Am i trying to be somebody i am not?

Back to LIFE

Classes commence tomorrow.

Should i be happy?

Anyways, let me tell you about this awesome dish Janet cooked on Tuesday night. I think it is the BEST meal ever since my arrival here. She cooked this lamb dish from Kylie Kwong's recipe book. Some moroccan style lamb. She was suppose to bake it for about 1 hour and 45 minutes but that is way too long. So she decided to start a small fire outside in the garden and cook it. It will only take half the time.

Paul was furious about it cos he said open burning is illegal and tried to talk Janet out of it but to no avail. Janet has prepared everything since afternoon. She went on with it of course. As usual, nobody bothers about what she does, as long as they have food in their tummy.

I helped Janet prepare the lamb and the gravy. A lot of spices were added in this dish. The aroma itself is enough to make me hungry and drool. After preparing the dish, we took it out. We had a glass of wine, with some chips and sat on the chair in the garden and had a good chat. We enjoyed the weather and the night breeze. It wasn't so cold that night and there were clusters of stars. It was indeed a beautiful night. I was hungry of course.

After almost an hour, it was done. Went inside and ate it. The lamb was so tender and the sauce was just SUPERB. It was really good. I enjoyed that meal very much. Rupert, who had his dinner outside, tried a little. For the first time, he said that the meal was good and had more of it. The gravy was the best. We had bread with the gravy too.

After a good meal, Janet decided to take a break and only had spaghetti the next day for dinner. And everytime she makes that, it is never salty enough. I don't know why. I think she never added salt at all. But it was okay.

Today, she made Jamie Oliver vegetable curry and it was not something i'll want to remember. It is not salty, it is so coconutty and it's just not right. I am hardly full. The only thing i enjoyed was the papadum. Haha.

Enough of food already. I manage to finish my the draft of my business plan yesterday. I went to the library today to return the books and scan some pages. I wanted to borrow more but i still have a number of books at home. Don't want to carry too many. I did look for Pride and Prejudice. It wasn't the version i wanted. I could only get the Level 4 version but good enough. I just want to read the story and see how it varies from the movie.

I got my nose stucked to it and finished the entire book even before dinner. I couldn't put it down. And i told Janet about it and she dug up another Jane Austen book, Sense and Sensibility for me. I am not going to start now. I may not get enough sleep tonight if i do. Haha.

Oh well, it has been hot for the past few days but today was a little cooler.

Early to bed tonight. Early day tomorrow.

Cheers.

Malaysian food

Hmm... I woke up late today. At about 10:15am and just remembered i need to get some fruits for Aunty Jenny and Uncle Peter. I actually wanted to buy then berries, just like the ones i had but safeway was CLOSED!!!

So i ended up buying chocolates instead. It's Easter anyway. And i saw Janet pack a box of choc for me cos it's Easter. I had to buy one back for her as well and let me tell you this. The chocs here are not cheap. They cost me a bomb. But no choice. I actually bought truffles and i seriously have no idea what truffles are nor do i know the difference. This incident really reminds me a lot of the movie Meet Joe Black. The eldest daughter was organising the party of the century for the father's birthday and she has to meet these cooks. One of them hate truffles, the other doesn't even know what truffles are. Haha. I fit in that category.
Yes they look different but what are the difference?

Anyway, that shop is famous for their truffles so what the heck.

I came back at about 11.30am and rushed like hell to get ready before Peter and Jenny come to pick me up. Well, my mom asked me to look good and be good. So i decided to wear this white dress i bought here for $10. And Janet thought it was very pretty and sweet. I was trying to give a good impression.

Peter and Jenny really came at 12pm sharp as they promised. They're very nice people. They came into the garden and wanted to meet Paul and Janet but they were too busy in the kitchen. Peter and Jenny thought they will come out to meet them and see who are actually bringing me out for lunch. But they didn't. Janet was busy preparing for the Easter Lunch they're having at a friend's place.

Peter drives a Mazda 6. Grey colour. Just like the one Perng had. The stay at Vermont South, which is a few suburbs away. Quite far. It is bouat 30mins on a Sunday drive. One straight road but it is a LONG road. If i were to take public transport it can take me up to 2 hours to reach. SO imagine the distance.

They talked to me and Jenny started to ask me if i know this lady Thoong Lay Chooi. I was like "WHAT?" That is my aunty in Subang, KL. My father's youngest sister. It seems that Peter is from Penang Free School and he know Uncle Hoy Yuen. My aunty's husband. So they met up with my aunty and they know each other. They even know my cousin sister, Shieh Ling. They met up last year in KL too. What a small world. Jenny saw my mom's name when Aunty Goo See forwarded mails to her. Aunty Goo See is Peter's sister and my mom's friend. She also saw the same name, Goh Sai Hong in the mails forwarded by my aunty. And with the same surname, rare surname, she had a hunch we're connected. So she asked. True enough, we are relatives.

I reached their house. It looks really nice, clean, cozy and quite big. They have a dog in the house, i m not sure what breed but it's the same as Lassie. The dog's name is Barney from the Flintstones. They thought that the dog looks like Barney. The dog is really cute and very friendly. I met up with all the children. Nick is the eldest, Sara the second and Becca the third. They're all working now. Becca is one year younger than me and Sara is my bro's age. I also met Sara's fiance, also Peter and Sam, Becca's bf. They're both OZs. Peter is actually very friendly and he is the one joking most of the time.

Peter and Jenny graduated from Swinburne as well. So did Sara. But all of them were in the Hawthorn campus. Small world.

They asked about me, what school i went to, my friends, my family, how my mom got to know Aunty Goo See. We talked about a lot of things.

I went to their house first, sat a while, talked then we went for Yum Cha. The dimsum was quite good. It wasn't that bad. After lunch, went back and talked again. Jenny started to cook but cos i was wearing white, she didn't allow me to help. She cooked curry chicken. She is so scared i'll get my dress dirty. They have a piano at home, so i asked who play. Sara learnt til Grade 4 then quit. Becca played a little. Then she asked if i do play. I said yes. She wanted me to play and entertain her but i have not played for so long and i can't remember that many songs. So was too shy to play. Hahahaha.

Jenny cooked chicken curry and Popiah. My fav. So dinner is popiah and curry chicken with roti canai. She even make Pulut Tai Tai. And Kaya. She is quite a good cook. She asked me what food i miss. I told her Laksa and she actually said she'll cook it for me the next time.

She finished her cooking early, so we sat down and watch movie. We watched the Banquet. It was quite a good movie but i had no idea who killed her in the end. We're both in suspense. I really like the song too. So did Peter. He didn't watch it with us but he heard the song and thinks it is a nice song.

Anybody has the song? Send it to me.

Dinner time. The popiah was good. The curry chicken was good too. I just miss Malaysian food and most of all....CHILLY~!!! Then she made some Japanese jelly called Konnyaku. It was very nice too. Dessert was Konnyaku, Apples, and Pulut Tai Tai. The Pulut is a bit soft but i like it that way. It was really good. I enjoyed dinner very much and she gave me 3 piece of popiah to take home. My lunch and breakfast tomorrow. Eat and Tapao back. How nice are they?

She even showed me the Konnyaku packing cos i love it so much. I must go find and make. Haha. They're really nice.

After dinner, we sat and talked talked talked. Pete, Sara's bf, was joking and telling us stories. He is taking up training and lessons to be an instructor in Kung Fu and Kick Boxing. He goes to Bangkok for training and other places too. He was telling us about his experience in Bangkok. He has been to Thailand a couple of times and he can speak quite good Thai. He was just telling us some of the terms he learnt and what happened there.

He was wearing this shirt with these words, " Faghedda bout it." Peter said it was from a movie. Anyway, when i say Pete, it's Sara's bf. That is what they call him. And Peter is actually the father and Jenny's husband.

Later, they left and Becca was out the whole time. She came back to change then went out again. I had a small chat with Nick and then Peter and Jenny sent me home.

They are really nice. They told me to ring them up if i need anything. If i have anything to ask or any trouble, just give them a call. Jenny is actually from Ipoh and they met in Swinburne. They have been staying in Melbourne for 37 years. Long time, huh?

Summary: I enjoyed both lunch and dinner, i enjoyed meeting them and i had a great day.

I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday too.

Cheers.

Oscar for Australia

Albert pretending to hold the oscar. Haha. Hilarious.

This is what the man designed to win that oscar.

An australian actually won an oscar award for some animation work. I don't remember his name nor the award he won but it was actually exhibited in ACMI, Federation Square. They have his profile printed and hung on the wall. What an honour. I think Malaysia will do that too if someone won the Oscar award. Hmmm....

Cathedral

I don't recall the name of this cathedral but it is located in CBD. I really like the architecture of it. I find all these old, ancient cathedral rather fascinating. I was hoping to find a high school or a university which has the old architecture with huge columns and massive facade. Disappointed.

The universities here look very modern and huge of course. I am liking it here in Melbourne. But i have not really found a place that i really love. I have not seen something i really like other than FASHION. hahaha. Even the residential area here are not very amusing. I like the chimney and the fire place but there is nothing extra ordinary. Nothing different. Maybe i have not seen enough of Melbourne quite yet to start judging.

Explore....

Winter Garden

This is one part of the Federation Square known as The Atrium @ Winter Garden. This is how it looks like at night. Beautiful isn't it? Some sight.

May Yee, look at the ceiling. Fantastic isn't it?

Federation Square is really a piece of art. If you know the story behind it, you will come to appreciate the architecture more and more. I have to say this is the best piece of architecture in Melbourne. A landmark not to be missed.

Day After

Goodbye to Good Friday and Welcome Easter Sunday.

Last night was quite a night. We went to Kelvin's house for dinner and he made us steamboat. 2 kinds of soup - szechuan style and the plain one. It was good. I really enjoyed the steamboat. Had a lot of prawns. Haha. One of his friend brought Red wine. It was good. Dinner was fantastic.

Then as usual, looking for trouble, i asked to watch Exorcism of Emily Rose. We didn't manage to complete the whole movie but memories are flashing back. Kelvin blew his candles, made a wish, took pics (i didn't) and of course the eating. He is a fan of karaoke and has been doing that for all his birthdays. So he invited us all to karaoke in the city in this place K-Box. The reservation was made at 10pm.

Reached there, got a room, and Kelvin kept singing. NO....more like SHOUTING~!!! he sang his lungs out. Then the guys drank JD with coke or green tea. The "angel" of course only had green tea and ice lemon tea. They sang and played liar? Some chinese dies games we always watch in serials. The guys can really drink. They're crazy and they smoke like chimneys. It was suffocating. Honestly, it s was quite boring. The girls all want to sing chinese songs, there were 2 thai guy who want to sing thai song, Kelvin will sing all the oldies or alternative songs, and i didn't have much opportunity but just sing along together gether.

I have no idea how much it is for per pax but the total bill came up to AUD$485. No joke. Kelvin and some of the guys paid for everything. I wanted to pay but he said he invited and his treat. The others paid a little and Kelvin paid like $300.

This is something new but it was blood sucking. Way too expensive. I only got home at 4am last night.

Before i left, Paul (hostfather) actually asked me if i am staying over at my friend's place. I told him no. I will be home. Then he asked me by what time if i am not home, he should call the police. Then i laughed and said, i have to go missing for 24 hours minimum. He left a light for me last night. I came back, make the least noise to make sure i do not wake anyone.

And today, i woke up early to start my group business plan and manage to do my part. Meeting with my group members at 1pm. Discussed, planned, drew, designed and guess the name of our company. Haha. You're so not going to believe this.

MILK DESIGN.

Cool huh? We came up with MOO at first then went to milk. Then Kamil and Felix (group members) kept joking about cow Cow COW - MOO~!!!! they keep making the moo sound and acting like cows. Then we found our slogan. "The Freshest Moo"! Translate: the freshest design. "Moo" is our design. We're a design based company. We design for people, whether industrial or interior and we sell our design and join partnership with other companies. First target, either Motorola or Nokia.

Tomorrow i have to meet Peter and Jenny. Then Monday i have group meeting again with this crazy group.

My schedule is quite pack for now. Keep me entertained. Haha.

That's all folks.

Cheers.

HOT CROSS BUNS

What do you know? I helped Janet (hostmother) to make Hot Cross Buns. It was good. I tried them. She thinks it is really simple to make them so we made another round of it. It was GOOD. I hate bread and i hate fruits or anything in my bread. I don't even like wholemeal. I hate everything about bread. To my astonishment, i'm starting to like it now. I have wholemeal bread every morning for breakfast and sometimes lunch. I just ate hot cross buns for goodness sake. I don't like raisins or mix citrus. I don't like fruit cake because of the fruits but I ATE HOT CROSS BUNS. We had them fresh from the oven.

I did my laundry today and helped Emily (Rupert's gf) to do some of hers as well. It's just 3 piece of her clothes in there. She went out with Rupert yesterday and she lost her handbag. She just got herself a new hp and she has like AUD$400 cash. She lost them all. She really had a rough day, that poor girl. Her upbringing is also very devastating. That girl has been through quite a bit. She now has to make her ID again and report to the police. All the hassle. Oh dear. Hope she gets better.

Oh yes. Peter and Jenny, mom's friend's brother and sis-in-law just txt me and invited me for Easter Sunday. That is very thoughtful of them. She rang me up and told me that she will pick me up at noon on Sunday. We will all go for Yum Cha for lunch at Chinatown i think, then head to her place, and she'll make dinner. Isn't that lovely? By the way, Yum Cha here is actually eating Dim Sum. I am new to this too. Haha.

I actually have a group meeting on sunday but i have brought that forward to tomorrow. I have to meet my group for our business plan in QV tomorrow.

Tonight i'll be going over to Kelvin's place for dinner and his birthday celebration. He's turning 22. WOW. Makes me feel so OLD.

So i guess i there is nothing left to say except:-

"HOT CROSS BUNS! HOT CROSS BUNS FOR SALE!" (shouting on top of my lungs, selling my homemade Good Friday Hot Cross Buns)

Cheers.

Good Friday

What am i to do today? It is Good Friday. I certainly do not go to church. Well, we got Kelvin his birthday cake from Chinatown yesterday with Teng, Hong and Albert. Today will be homely day i guess. I will have to catch up on my laundry too. Maybe clean my room a little. I borrowed like 15 books from the library and they're everywhere. Library is closed for a week. Trying to be prepared. =)

I don't know what the host family is doing but i think Janet is going to the church and later make hot cross bun. Some traditional food during Good Friday. I got my work permit and looking for a job right now. It is bored staying at home doing nothing and not having the extra cash to go shopping or travelling. And working, i can meet new people. Learn some new stuff. I am thinking of being either a waitress or assistant chef. Help up in the kitchen since i do that here everyday. But i don't know. I'll keep my options open.

Has anyone ever had a dream and it really does come true? It may not be exactly what you dreamt but the gist of it is similar. Like some kind of deja vu.

Anyway, i heard from my mom there was a bomb scare in Penang. Yes, IN PENANG~!!! scary man. terrorism. in Malaysia. It is freaking crazy. Wow. Btw, how is everything now? Have they find out who did it? Or why he did it?

Fill me in people.

Cheers.

Picture Time

I pick it up and explore...

The process of CALLING~!

This, I have to post. The naughty girl exploring the Traders Hotel in Singapore in Dec. What a young receptionist. =) Naked too. Some job.

Chie, this is Uncle Boon Nee's daughter. Our very little cousin. Cute eh?

Sisters with the bride and the bride's sister. Of course the lonely guy there is my cousin bro, Tat.

Mother and Daughter

Family Photo. Find me? Haha...Damn. Tat is SO TALL~!!!

Mom during Aunty Su Ying's wedding

I have to say this. All these pictures are taken by my cousin brother Tat. Give credit to him. Not me. Except the last photo of course. He is in the picture. How can he have his own picture taken. Photography, his new hobby. Spent a bomb in this new hobby. But his photos are really good. Picking up fast that smart boy.

This is my adorable niece in Japan

Easter

Cheers to all. Easter break has started, autumn is here.

Not much of a break for me. Tonnes to do. However, I am still going to have a great holiday and a good break. Kelvin's birthday is this friday and he has invited us to his place for dinner. He is my senior in Lim Kok Wing and KC's friends from Heng Ee.

Just to keep everyone updated, KC has left for UK yesterday morning. That fella called me so early in the morning and woke me up from my beauty sleep. He just called to tell me he's leaving and that he is at the airport. How sweet. Gonna miss that fella for a while.

Homestay is going okay for me but i am getting very lonely there. But as usual, Paul (hostfather) is always trying to crack some jokes, Janet is the health conscious one, who wouldn't be after recovering from breast cancer, Rupert is the smart one in the family and Lily is the princess.

Uni life? It is goin quite fine. Work is starting to pile up. There are ups and downs, happy moments and frustrating moments. Life goes on, though.

I just started this blog and i have nothing much to say. Oh yes. If anybody is interested to see some pics, check out my flickr site - www.flickr.com/photos/sooyee. I have uploaded some new pictures. Do embrace and leave some comments if possible.

Till then, let me sign off by wishing everybody Happy Holidays and Happy Easter.

Cheers.