What I miss about Chinese New Year

Hello guys! Chinese New Year is approaching and sad to say I won’t be celebrating CNY with my family and friends this year. I have placement to do so I have to fly back earlier than usual. As much as I wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year with my family and friends, the atmosphere and everything has changed. I understand that change is inevitable but sometimes, you just wish things were how it used to be right?  Or sometimes, you just wish you could experience it once again after so long. There will always be times when you wish you were younger or that time would slow down. I am not saying that I regretted anything, but sometimes, and sometimes, I just longed for those bitter sweet memories spent with families and friends especially during Chinese New Year.

Today, I will write the 4 things I miss about Chinese New Year.

1. Chinese New Year delicacies

Don’t you just love Chinese New Year delicacies? From pineapple tart to kuih bangkit to bak gua. What is Chinese New Year without those high-calories-but-oh-so-yummy delicacies? Since young, both my grandmothers would make CNY cookies for the families. I would watch them make those delicious delicacies and sometimes, help them if possible. But I was still young; so I merely sit there and watch them do their magic. Hehe. But after my dad’s mum passed away more than 10 years ago, I never tasted the much-requested archa made by her, kuih sepit and all those delicacies. My mum’s mum would make different delicacies just for Chinese New Year and each time, my mum and aunties would go over to my grandma’s house to help out. They would spend hours and hours during weekends making the cookies. Sadly to say, after my grandma fell down and is incapable of making those cookies anymore, the quantity and types of delicacies decreases each year. We would just buy some of the delicacies outside and not make them anymore. They will only make some delicacies such as pineapple tart and in small quantity.

2. Fireworks

Who’s excited for fireworks during Chinese New Year?! To be honest, I am not a hardcore fan of fireworks, but it does make Chinese New Year that more happening with all those sounds and smoky smell. When my dad’s mum is still alive, each year, the day before Chinese New Year, dad’s side of the family would come over to our house and we would put the fireworks. Since my grandma’s passing, things like these stop. As time goes by and as we grew older, fireworks are seen less. The guys would prepare the fireworks and when the clock strikes 12, they would light up those fireworks and the little ones would watch with amusement. This so called tradition ends after my grandma passed away. There’s neither fireworks the day before Chinese New Year nor gathering. How I miss those times.

3. Family gathering

Who loves family gathering?! I know I do. I just love family gathering, catching up with the times lost spent busy with our own life. Festive seasons are the times when families gather together after losing contact with each other for almost a year. All those laughter and teasing, how I miss them. These are some of the precious times that will happen during family gathering. As we get older, family gathering seems to occur less. Some family might have migrated elsewhere and some might be studying abroad. Do cherish the moments spent during Chinese New Year, especially those family gatherings that are hard to come by. This brings me to my next point – Precious moments spent with families.

4. Precious times spent with immediate and extended family

You know how people always say – time waits for no one. That is so true. If you missed that one time, you will never get it back. Unless someone invents a time machine or time travel so that you can travel back in time. But hey, pigs don’t fly okay. That will never happen. Well at least it’s not happening now. Until then, time will always be ticking away.  Chinese New Year is the festive time where family members gather to catch up on the times lost that are spent on working and what not. I really miss those times! Family members just get together and talk and take lots of pictures together! With all the elders and younger ones. I love how the elders talk about their funny moments of the past to the younger ones. I remember laughing so hard that my abs is showing! Oh how funny! Do remember those times cause they are now the sweet memories you have with your family.

 What are some of the things you miss about Chinese New Year? I would love to know!

Till then.

Xoxo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!

Hey guys, this is going to be my first blog post of the year! I can't believe how time flies. In a blink of an eye, 2014 has come to an end, with 2015 approaching. To be honest, 2014 did not end smoothly as I wish it would be. But fret not, cause I have faith that 2015 will be better. 

As I am writing this blog post, I am going to write some resolutions for the year of 2015!

I want to be a better person in general. 

I want to do better than I did the year before. 

I want to eat healthier, have a healthier lifestyle. 

I want to make myself proud this year. 

I want to do something different and unique this year. 

I want to accomplish all those resolutions this year RAWR.

I guess I'll update more next time.

Xoxo.

Mid semester break! [ 25.8 - 8.9.2014 ]

Hello people! 

I am back for another blog post! I went to Melbourne again during my mid-semester break! It was a good two weeks there, spending quality time with the boyfie. I only had a week break but because I only have classes on Monday and Tuesday, I gave myself an earlier break! So I had two weeks break! Yeah for longer break! 

25th of August 2014

Had a hurdle task that morning, couldn't wait for that to get out of my way and just spend my semester break with boyfie! Friend was kind enough to drop me off at the airport (yes! save on the shuttle bus fee, hehehhee - the perks of having friends who own a car) Reached Melbourne earlier than expected! Yes! Quickly make my way out, sadly I saw the star bus shuttle bus driving away. No more shuttle bus o.o Called boyfie and he told me to use sky bus. Sky bus brought me to the Southern Cross station and I will meet boyfie there. Got off the bus and boyfie came from behind surprising me! I was shocked lol. I was happy to meet him! 

The first thing that I ate that night was sushi! Hehehehehe! Sushi sushi is closed already but there's a sushi place that is still open. So we went and bought some sushi! It was so good! 

I spend the next three days going to Starbucks for Mocha frap! My unconditional love for Mocha frap, I love you so much you're so yummy. I can't wait for my next trip to Melbourne and just chill out at Starbucks, drinking my all time favourite Mocha frap! 

Spent the next few days doing my assignment which is due on the 28th and 29th of August. :O Thank god I am halfway through my assignment, just need to do some adjustments. 

I did not meet up with Chia Yi when I went to Melbourne the last time, so I told myself that I must meet her this time round! We went dinner at Mook Ji bar (near Melbourne Central) together with Chris and boyfie! Food was awesome! I love it because it's Korean food! The fried chicken was awesome! It's so freaking good. I am so going back the next time I go Melbourne. 

Boyfie and I also went to Big Ma Ma for the second time! Second time was bad, the food is not as good as the first time I went. I am not sure if it's because I am unwell, or because it's late already and the chef just cincai cook out food. But I did not enjoy our dinner. 

2nd of September 2014

Boyfie and I decided to try the buffet at China Bar. It is quite expensive, 59 per pax. But for the unlimited seafood and salmon that I can get, I don't mind paying that much amount of money for food! We went there with boyfie's sisters. 

Food :D

Us :)

Food! :D

Us :D

3rd September 2014

Had brunch at Food Addict with boyfie and his sisters! I ordered pulled pork burger with fries! Ohmy it was so good! Trust me when I say it's good, IT IS GOOD. Wise choice of food for brunch there! Ohmy, I am craving for it right now! The ambience there is good too! Took some photos of the place and our food too! 

Our food :D

Pulled pork burger with fries :D

4th September 2014

Boyfie bought groupon deal for two on Groupon! He called to reserve a place for us the next day and we went! Dinner date with love! Wore the dress that I bought at Factorie and the necklace I bought at Lovisa! Food was good! It was a good deal because the steak itself costs 33 dollar! And boyfie paid only 49 dollar for two people! The food was good! :D We ordered steak and pizza, had bruschetta for our entree and tiramisu for desserts! Tiramisu was good! It was so good I want some now! We took lots and lots of photos! Love boyfie's sister's camera! I want one too!

After dinner, we headed to San Churro. We ordered ice cream and boyfie ordered Spanish Hot Chocolate! Took more photos! 

5th September 2014

We got ourselves free coupon at Frozen! It's really good, but kinda pricey. Since we got ourselves 10 dollar, we got ourselves some frozen yoghurt! If you're Malaysian, this is something like Tutti Frutti, everything counts by grams. 

We went there twice! Awesome! We tried the plain ones, chocs and almond milk or something. I don't really remember. Topped with almond flakes! Delicious! 

I saw my junior there too! She works there :)

6th September 2014

Boyfie brought me to this place. It's near Queen Victoria Market. Doughnuts! It's pricey, but it's good! Try some if you are around that area! 

Wonder pao after lunch at Rose Garden! 

Us :D At RMIT basketball court :P

7th September 2014

My last day in Melbourne! I'm gonna miss boyfie so much! I wanted to drink Starbucks for the last time before heading back to Launceston. So we did, and here I were, drinking my favourite Mocha frap. 

Told boyfie that I want to try Charlie and Co this time round because I did not try it the other time. So we did! But I prefer this pho! It might be cause I was not me that day. So no for burger and yes for pho. The pho is so freaking good. I am so gonna go back for this! Wait for me pho! I'll be back for you! Soon enough!

We had a feast the last night! Tapao food from Gami - famous for it's fried chicken! Definitely go back there for their fried chicken and lots of food! 

I bought a dress at Dotti! It was love at first sight! Let me show you a picture of me in it!

I never own a maxi dress. Lol. Well except when my cousin got married, I did have one, as I was her bridesmaid. But other than that, I had none. So this will be my first one! I love the aztec design! I am so madly deeply in love with the dress! 

Bought four necklaces at Lovisa! If you know me long enough, you'll know that I am not that girly kinda girl. But I don't know what got me that day, I went into Lovisa, saw the sale of buy one get one free and two necklaces for 20 dollar, I just spend my quality time looking for the one that I think suits me. I ended up getting four necklaces! Haha! It was a really good deal! I save more than half the price that I paid for! No pictures of the necklaces because I did not take any pictures of them. Next time!

I also bought a dress at cotton on! It was on sale for 15 dollar. Haha. 

Ever since I joined gym, I have been wearing my high school class tees, I had two. Haha. Shows how much I love my class :D I decided to get sports tee for gym. I went to HandM, tried on few clothes and ended up buying one. One is not enough if I want to attend more classes! So boyfie and I went to Nike and tried on one that I really like. Boyfie said her sisters bought them cheaper online. So I went home and searched from the exact same clothes that I want to get. In the end, I got myself three sports tees because I don't want to pay for the shipping fees. Hehe. 

A young lady persuaded me to buy this organic facial thingy. Haha. I don't use toner and stuffs for my face and I think the need to buy some cleanser stuff for my face. I did try Simply when I was back in Malaysia, just the cleansing ones. Not toner, no others. I don't know why, I just don't. But after the lady showed me this product, I want to get it for myself! I went there twice! Twice! I hesitated at first, because it's quite pricey. But it can last me for a year. So I was like, why not. Invest this money into this cleansing product, and if it works, I will continue using it. And it's organic! With manuka honey and some other organic stuffs. So why not give it a try. No harm trying. I ended up buying it. Haha. 

I want to get Toms shoes so badly!! I like the idea of buying a pari of shoes, and they will give one pair to those unfortunate people. Although it is just a pair of shoes, it's still something. I saw one that I really really like! But it doesn't have my size! I went there this time, and it's gone. It's okie, wait till I get a part time job (finger crossed that I'll get one), I will definitely get one! 

Before signing off, I want to take this opportunity to thank boyfie and his sisters! I had a great time there! We laughed so much, especially the last night! We talked about our memories during childhood and it was hilarious! Cant wait too see you guys again! :D

Xoxo.

Happy 6th monthsary!

Hello people,

Yes, it's our 6th monthsary! I can't believe it's been six months! It felt surreal the past few months!

Thanks dear for these wonderful six months. 

It has been a wonderful six months together!

I still remember how nervous you were when you pooped the question, 

Your heart was pumping faster than usual.

Mine was too darling.

I was over the moon when you asked me to be your girlfriend.

It was the best day of my life!

I couldn't ask for me.

I was so happy!

I cherish every moment I spent with you. 

May it be good or bad.

I just want to be by your side. 

Although we're far apart, I'll always be there for you :)

no matter what. 

I can't be there for you physically, but I can be there for you mentally.

Thanks for putting up with my crazy-rollercoaster-behaviours.

Despite how stubborn I am at times, hard to please and etc,

You are here,

Supporting me all the way, cheering me up :)

This post is dedicated to you my love :)

I can't wait to see you again,

Xoxo.

Updates.

Hello people!

I can't believe my first year of uni is ending soon. It is already the 8th week of the second semester. How time flies, I am going home soon.

I have been wanting to get a part time job here since I have the time (I only have classes on Monday and Tuesday - I don't know if I should be happy or sad). But because of my laziness (I am really good at procrastinating - oh god, please help me), I did not apply for any vacant positions elsewhere. Fortunately I attended a training back during my winter holiday, at least I have certificates, easier for me to look for a part-time job.

So I decided not to procrastinate more and googled for vacant positions. And I found some! I sent my resume yesterday, hoping to get a reply as soon as possible. It's best that I can get those jobs, but if I don't, it doesn't really matter too. At least I tried applying, better than nothing right. Wish me luck guys!

I received an email regarding student engagement leader for 2015. Uni is looking for people to organise activities such as Lazy Sundays, to get students to gather and interact with each others. One of the criteria is that students applying have to be in their second year. But I don't know if they meant next year or now. I want that job because it's 24 dollar per hour! I hope to be part of the student engagement leader next year because I really enjoy going to Lazy Sunday and the cooking classes. This is a great opportunity for me to expand my social life and meet new friends.

Sometimes, even if you put efforts in your work, if one does not appreciate it, it'll all be a waste. I am really bumped out. Oh so sad. But I believe that hard work will eventually pays off. It's just a matter of time.

Oh! I created an account of carousell. I knew about this app quite some time ago, but only created an account few days ago. I am selling some of my clothes (brand new and worn) because I am not going to wear those clothes/ don't really like those clothes anymore/ doesn't fit me anymore. I am going to use those money to buy a new camera. I really love boyfie's sister camera. Love it so much that I want to get one myself.

Username: camellia94

Do check them out!

Oh oh! We had steamboat last night (12.9.2014). Malaysia gang having steamboat. There's five of us (Malaysians) living under a roof. It used to be just me and Hubert. But now there's five people staying here!

I made tiramisu. Food. I hope it turns out alright.

I don't know why some people are so negative. I can't stand them. What should I do.

I don't even know why I am writing this blog post.

Till next time.

Xoxo.

Melbourne trip (Winter holiday) | 14.6.2014 - 29.6.2012

Hello people! Yes, my Melbourne trip during winter holiday!

Flew to Melbourne the next day after my exam! Yes! It's my first time (technically it's my second time cause I need to stop at Melbourne before flying over to Tasmania but that doesn't count cause I'm stuck at the airport) flying to Melbourne! It's also my first time flying alone! I never fly an airplane alone in my entire life. Lol. It was an experience. Haha. Not bad cause it's only for a short period of time. I was so excited because I never been to Melbourne before (except for the airport)! Landed in Melbourne earlier than expected and got onto the bus headed to Daryl's place! Yeah! Can't wait to see Daryl for the first time after we got together! So you can imagine how I felt that time - excited but at the same time nervous!

Reached Daryl's place and to my surprise Josh opened the door for me! I KNEW IT! I knew he's going to fly to Melbourne during his holiday! He told me he want to surprise Daryl but ended up telling me that he couldn't go. I knew something was wrong. Daryl and Josh! RAWR!

Melbourne is different! It is very very different from Tasmania. No joke. They are the total opposite from each other. Daryl stays near the city - where all the happenings are at. Although my uni is not far from the city - the happening is not as that much of happen as compared to Melbourne. The first thing I realised was that there were a lot of Asians. They are everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE!  It's like Asians dominated the place! I am not use to Melbourne when I first reach there because there were too many Asians, I am used to being the only few Asians in Tasmania. It took me some time to get used to Melbourne!

The sceneries in Tasmania are amazing, it sure is. But food wise, there's no much choices you can find in Tasmania. Unlike Melbourne, food is everywhere you go! From Western food to Korean food. I would definitely go back to Melbourne for the food! It's so yummy I couldn't resist them! Went on a dinner date with boyfie to Big Ma Ma for Korean food! It was awesome! :D Went to Starbucks after :D Loving dinner dates like this! Food hunting hehehehhe. I wanted to try Korean BBQ too! So we went to Wooga, it's near Queen Victoria Market. Delicious food, ate so much that night!

Went for my first English breakfast - or the so-called brunch in Melbourne at Breakfast Thieves. Ohmy there were so many people, we waited for - more than an hour (if I'm not wrong). But I can tell you it's all worth it. The food was awesome! I had Egg Benedict's! Been wanting to try Egg Benedict's for the longest time! Almost tried when I was in Bangkok, but did not. I forgot what did the rest ordered, but they all look good! South of Johnston is the second place I went for brunch. We waited for quite some time too! It was on my birthday! I forgot what I ordered. But I think Breakfast Thieves is better - or maybe I ordered the wrong food.

There are few places where you can have gelato too! I went to Gelato Messina after Breakfast Thieves. They have a variety of flavours. They were all mouth-watering! It's like they are screaming for you! I ended up having their coffee gelato ice cream. Chocolate has always been my favourite since I was younger. But - every since I tried coffee ice cream at Hilton buffet in KL, I AM SO IN LOVE WITH COFFEE FLAVOUR ICE CREAM NOW. IT'S REALLY REALLY YUMMY. It's not as sweet as chocolate flavour too, which I really like. There's this place called N2, it's famous for their gelato too! We went there at night and there were so many people! People are everywhere is Melbourne! No joke! We had - I forgot what we ordered haha.

Oh you must try the oysters there! At South Melbourne Market. Or Queen Victoria Market! A dozen for 12 dollar! One per dollar! It's super delicioussssss! Get some churros from Queen Victoria Market too! And and what else? Donuts from the market too!

Where else? Hanaichi! It's good! Oh oh! Schnitz! The fries! It's so delicious! Hahahaha. There's too much food to eat in Melbourne! 

We were lucky because when I was there, there's this event where the organizers give free food every day! For lunch! They only give to 100 people daily! So if you want to get free food, you have to be there early and queue for the food! So we did. Haha. Almost every single day! Haha. It's to promote their own business by giving out free food. 

Boyfie had exams so josh and I went out for an adventure! Lol. This josh ar. He is too adventurous! We walked and walked and walked. 

After my birthday celebration, which you can read it here, we went on a road trip to great ocean road! Too bad the weather was bad. If not the sceneries would have been breath taking. It was a long long drive. Poor boyfie have to drive all the way from Melbourne and back to Melbourne. It was an experience, it really is.

It's sad that I did not meet up with my friends. Had too much going on :O I feel bad for not meeting my friends, but I did meet up with one.

This post is getting long. There's more to write about, but I'll stop here for now. Probably edit this post again and add in some photos! Stay tuned!

Xoxo.

20th Birthday Celebration!

After 2 months (yes, 2 months! I know this is a very late post! But - better late than never right? :P I can't believe it has been two months! How time flies), I am finally blogging about my birthday celebration.

I have not always been a fan of my birthday because I feel like it is just another normal day. But I am still grateful so have friends who celebrated my birthday with me :) Thank so much guys! I am really excited for my birthday this year because I get to celebrate it with my boyfriend! I am lucky enough that my birthday falls on the winter holiday! So I flew to Melbourne for my holiday and to celebrate my birthday too! :) Although I could not celebrate my birthday with my family because I am far away  from my hometown (Kuching), at least I can celebrate it with my boyfriend! I knew Josh is flying to Melbourne! How dare those two kept secrets from me! HAHAHAHA! Thanks Josh for flying over to Melbourne! Glad to have my best friend celebrating my birthday with me!

This is by far the best birthday celebration ever! It was filled with so much love! That no words can describe how blessed and grateful I feel. :)

The clock strikes 12 and I was looking for my laptop charger when I realise Daryl came into the room with a tiramisu cake and the rest singing Happy Birthday song! I was like - OMG!!!!!!! This has never happened to my in my whole life okay. Of course I OMG-ED. HAHA. I was on cloud nine! Never have I would thought this would happen to me! I have always wanted to eat homemade tiramisu so I told Daryl that I want tiramisu for my birthday! Haha. (Yes, I told Daryl what I want for my birthday cake. Hehe. He asked me ma, so I tell him lot :P I even told him I want red velvet cake!).   Thus - the birthday cake! Michelle and Cassandra (Daryl's sisters) and his cousins made the cake from scratch! Thank you guys! The tiramisu cake was awesome! It's so yummy! So I told Daryl that I wanted a red velvet cake right? But there's no red velvet cake to be seen but it's alright because the tiramisu is awesome enough!

To my surprise, he actually woke up at 4 something in the morning - just to bake a red velvet cake for me! People! TELL ME. WHERE CAN YOU FIND SUCH A BOYFRIEND?! I am truly blessed and grateful to have him in my life! FYI, we slept very late that night poor boyfie has to wake up just to bake a cake for me. It was suppose to be a surprise but it's a failed surprise. Haha. Cause I happened to wake up and I heard noise coming form the kitchen. My first instinct was that he must be baking a red velvet cake for me! I don't want to ruin his surprise so I continued sleeping haha.

Woke up and got ready for brunch! We went to South of Johnson! The food was okay - not bad :) There were a lot of people that morning! The ambience is good :) After brunch we went to Lindt! Daryl bought this groupon thingy from Groupon! There were so much sweetness! Chocolates desserts! We could not finish them because it was too sweet!

We then walked around his university and headed home. He told me that we will be having chicken rice for dinner. I was like - Okay, no problem! When we reach home, I was like - why are there so much food? Are those ingredients for the chicken rice? Lol. The answer is no! Haha. We had steamboat that night! Before dinner, we went to Laguna to buy sesame dressing and BWS to get some drinks! Steamboat was awesome! Love it so much! Too bad Nicole and Kimberly could not join us but Kimberly dropped by just to give me my birthday present! Thank you guys! Love it! Daryl's cousins bought cupcakes too!

All in all, my birthday celebration this year was awesome! I appreciate each and everyone who celebrated my birthday with me! I am really touched; no words could describe how I felt that night!

I also want to take this time to thank each and everyone of you who wished me on Whatsapp, Facebook messenger, called, messages and tweeted me! I have not been a good friend because I did not reply those messages :/ sorry friends! I feel bad, I really do. But it's too late for me to reply those messages now - since it's already two months since my birthday.

I want to thank Louis Ting! He wished me before my actual birthday! Thank you very much and see you soon!

I don't remember who was the second person to wish me but I want to thank the Lenians!

Jacq - Thanks Nuts! :D Dang, we're 20 already! I love you and miss you too!

Pik Ai - You called me cammie?! Haha. Thanks babe :) See you soon! Love you too

Freda - Freda Chen Qin Yi! Thank you! :) Yes, wait for my okay! I will collect my handmade gift! Haha. Love you too

Leonard - Hi Teo! Thank you! :) Haha. You don't have to call me :P I am happy that you wish me happy birthday!

Bi Qi - Bi Qi! Thank you! :D hehehe take care in Brisbane! :)

Kim Hao - Yo! Thank you! :D

Delia - Thank you!! Catch up when I am back in Kuching! And when you are too!

Suki - HAHAHAHAHA! Thank you! :D It's not awkward okay :P snowman hug for you too!

Lionel - Hi Lionel! HAHA. Thank you! :P Haven't talk to you for a long time! How are you?!

Adrian Chung - Thank you! :) Long time no see! Haha.

Matthew - Haha! Thank you! Yes, celebrate with my erhem erhem! Haha! Take care too and see you soon! :P

Abi - Hi Abi! Thank you!! Hehehe. You take care too! I miss you too

Asyraf - Thank you handsome!

Nahum - Thank you! :)




XOXO :)