Your wedding organiser

On Saturday, I went shopping. Not the usual shopping in town. Not the shopping in supermarkets. But the shopping for bridal package! Not mine, of course! The bride-to-be wanted to do some research on the bridal market. I accompanied her and found that doing "research" is not as simple as walking into one shop and getting a brochure. Let me share some tips and observations with you.

1) Get a shopping buddy
Before you embark on the arduous task of finding a suitable wedding package, think about who you want to accompany you on this shopping trip. Be warned that it can take quite long. So wear something comfortable, especially if you are thinking of trying on gowns. Your buddy should also consider bringing something along to keep them occupied in the event that you head for the fitting room. It does take some time to get into a gown.

Some people may like to bring their husbands along. Fair enough. Also take into account how the husband may have no opinion on the chosen gown. Most importantly, someone who is honest and knows you well is an appropriate shopping candidate. Please do not choose someone who will tell you your big behind becomes invisible in a fishtail gown.

2) Come up with a budget
Assuming you are going for the traditional wedding. You will have to pay for wedding dinner, wedding package, and those red packets for the sisterhood and brotherhood. The bill can extend from Singapore to Batam. Budgeting is one important issue to consider. How much are you willing to spend on a wedding package? Most packages start from $3000. However, be wary of hidden costs. Before you sign on the dotted line, be certain everything has been included and you will not be bombarded with bills to pay for transportation to the location for outdoor photography, and other miscellaneous fees.

3) Mark the places to go
At this point, a bridal magazine may be useful. Collect information on where bridal shops are located. Browse through magazines, preferably local ones. Word-of-mouth is another useful avenue to seek out.

In Singapore, the most popular street to go shopping for wedding packages will be Tanjong Pagar Road.

The road filled with happy going-to-wed couples.

There are about 20 or so bridal shops in the area. Looking at the shop windows can give an indication of the styles the shop carries. Nevertheless, if you have the time, visit more shops. More shops = more choices! :D Maybe you can also consider going for wedding exhibitions. I think there is one that is coming soon, end of March.

4) Look at packages
Many bridal shops do not start with showing you the packages they offer. Most will show you their albums. I found that it is a good idea to start by asking how many photographers they have. The average number seems to be three. Different photographers have different styles, so look at all their works. You may also want to consider whether you like to have artwork for your albums, which will be at additional charge. Inquire about the prices though, for they tend to vary.

While browsing the albums, also look at makeup and hair styles. Does the makeup artist favour a particular style? I saw one who seemed to adore blue eye-shadow with tons of blusher. +_+

Gowns are perhaps one of the most important considerations. There is a distinct style for each shop. Some prefer simplicity; others embrace beads and sequins. One bridal shop I found to have beautiful embroidery is Di Gio bridal. Their craftsmanship is amazing. However, it depends on what you’re looking for. I would recommend that you try as many gowns, in as many designs and styles as you can. Choose from halter, sweetheart, scalloped, high necklines; silk, satin, organza, tulle material; and fish-tail, straight, pickup, A-line skirts. Some bridal shops do not allow you to try the gowns until you have paid a deposit. For these, I suggest that you thumb your nose at them and spit on the ground. Pui!

Finally, it’s time to discuss the packages available. Look out for the fine print. Some provide car decorations but not the car. Other differences include photograph sizes, number of gowns provided, styles of makeup and hairstyles allowed, and the addition of actual day photography. One catch though: most shops do not allow you to take down information regarding the packages. You need to have very good memory. I suggest that you take namecards and write down your comments as soon as you leave the shop. A more interesting option would be to buy a diary, recording your thoughts as you go shopping. What's more is you can use the diary to keep other related information such as your wedding dinner reservations. Only once in a lifetime! :D

5) Choose a package
It all depends on what is important for you. Personally, I feel that the gowns and photography are the two most pertinent considerations. Gowns make you feel like the princess you are. Photographs are windows of memories. Budget is an important issue, as is the service. But as I told my friend; money you can earn, service you can bear with, but gowns appear in all photographs, and all photographs is a snapshot of your happiness. Heh heh. Got ink or not! One last tip: negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!

Do not wait for last minute to get a package! You need to alter your gowns and it takes time to fix the album.

Up to 7 or 8 months from what I heard. Start shopping now!

Do you remember?

Haven't blogged in the longest time. Must have good material then can blog, right? No! Haha...

For CNY, I wanted to scan some photos to put into this nifty digital photo frame my dad brought home. Somehow, my dad is always bringing home things from different places. I think that's the return you get from playing charity golf games. After looking through old photos, I realise I don't have a lot of photos when I was young. Mum said that was because we were at our poorest then. Once, my brother was sick and my mum had to borrow money from my aunt in order to bring him to the doctor. Being the baby I was, I had no recollection. Am I glad that things are better now.

From the photos, I remembered things from childhood. Mainly that I like this top or that dress. Haha... Vain since young. What to do. But I suspect in some photos, you can also recall your own childhood. Unless, we are from different generations.

I think this was the earliest photo of me. Showing off my muscle of course.

My brother was standing behind me, rather unhappily. The rocking thing I was in was around until my youngest brother was born (mum had two more after me). Do you think it was because things in the past tended to last longer? For instance, older models of Nokia phones were said to be more reliable and did not spoil as easily after being dropped. Those 3210 and 8250 models I think. Now, I'm using a Nokia phone and I don't even know the model number. Hahaha... After some point, you don't bother anymore. So long as it rings and you can SMS, all other functions don't matter much.

The cabinet behind us was our childhood toy. In it, there were many fascinating things. I am not sure where they are now; I think most of them are gone. I remember a chess set made from marble, a set of hawaiian dancing dolls, multiple medals and that's about it. Obviously, you can see there are many more barang barang in it but most were on the upper shelf, which we could not reach. When I had only my elder brother for company, we used to look at the lower shelf, especially at the chess set. We longed to play with it (although we did not know how to play English chess). Dad's command was not to be taken lightly though. He forbade us from touching anything in the cabinet. I hope he still believes it was "fated" that one of the chess pieces broke by itself.

A little older but still as adorable.

These walker things are not quite the same now, are they? Many have in-built toys that actually make sounds, rattle, or play a tune. Back in my time, they merely came with four castors and a seat. If you were lucky, the seat would be cushioned. Kids have it good these days. *sniffs*

My arsenal of toys to throw at my brother.

I saw the red doll at my friend's place some 5 years ago. It was her childhood toy. I am sad to say that I do not have anything left from my childhood. The earliest memorabilia I still possess is most likely something from secondary school. That's not too long ago, no matter what you think. I remember biting on the spotted blue ball and thinking it tasted foul. Rubber is not a favourite flavour of mine.

My birthday! Can drink Vitagen! Yay~

Did your parents give you cold drinks whenever you ask for it? Mine didn't. It was a treat to get iced beverages. For that I am now thankful. They are full of sugar only!

I was in one of my favourite dresses. Many, many layers and the innermost one was actually from an eyelet material. Ain't it sweet? (:

Kindergarten zoo excursion.

I remember the ladies standing at the back. On the left is 郭老师, in the middle is the school's principal, and on the right is Mrs. Morris (who later became the principal). I think my school uniform is the best. No other kindergarten, then or now, has a cuter uniform. The frills on the suspenders are absolute joy.

Do you see yourself in the photo? Are you my long lost classmate? I was in Toa Payoh Methodist Church from 1988 to 1989. Kindergarten one and two only. One of the girls I still see around my block and one of the guys turned out to be my secondary school classmate. It was hilarious actually. There was no love lost between me and this guy. In secondary three, after I was streamed to a pure science class, we became classmates. One morning, he suddenly called me bitch. I think my look made many people wondered why I was in pure science; I didn't look like I could study I suppose. What prompted him to call me bitch I could only guess. Neverthless, I confronted him, asking him what right he had to give me names. He looked shocked when I spoke to him in perfect english. Weirdo!

We became Malays.

I think at this age, I looked like a Malay. In fact, some people even addressed me in Malay. This was taken with my youngest brother, who was very fat. He is the skinniest in the house now. I was wearing yet another one of my favourite dresses. This piece had several squares of cloth sewn onto the bodice. They were actually pockets. My mum warned me against putting my hands into the pockets. In fact, she told me not to put anything into the pockets for they were very thin fabric and likely to go out of shape after carrying any weight. Their numbers soon dwindled from three to two and finally the dress was discarded. ):

This set of sofa also held fond memories. Actually, not so fond memories. The cushion covers had to be stripped and washed every so often. We, the two older children, had to do it. Imagine trying to wrestle the lumps of foam into smaller sizes and using your tiny, tiny fingers to unzip the covers. A real workout. Besides, the covers were made of very scratchy materials. Not good at all. ):

Day before CNY

The car park in my estate has never been so full! Every year, many people flock to my old estate to visit their families for reunion dinner. I like!

What did you have for your dinner? I think for many people, the easiest to prepare is steamboat. But having eaten steamboats at my friends', I have come to realise that steamboats have characters of their own. A trip to Liang Seah St near Bugis Junction will make you realise that. Firstly, there are different kinds of stocks. Fish, herbs, chicken, spicy, tom yam, vegetable, ikan bilis or just plain water! I don't know who will use the last one. Probably someone who is so busy cutting up the ingredients that they forgot to make the soup. I'm not sure what's the stock at my place but I sure like it! I think Dad added the abalone "juice" from the can. Hmm...

Anyhoo! This is the first year that we are having the hot plate version as well. Courtesy of my Australian education, which introduced me (and subsequently, my family) to Nandos! Peri-peri sauces from Nandos cannot be added to the soup. I think it will be like added tobasco sauce to soups. So we had to marinate our chicken and use the hot plate! Also, something special this year is mushroom! Not your usual chinese variety or the Japanese Enoki. Gracing our tables and our stomachs are portobello mushrooms and white button mushrooms! Considering that we are using the BBQ function, we might as well add salmon slices.

Throw in our usual ingredient, and this is the steamboat from heaven:

Click on the picture to see all the stuff we had!

Short interval over. Back to packing. +_+

A little thought goes a long way

I think many people must be showing off the flowers they had received for Valentine's Day. Surely it must be one of the most commercialised "celebration" in the world. Half a dozen roses for $158, I overheard. Nevertheless, in the spirit of "showing offness", I think my presents win. Hands down.

Anyone with the dough can jump into Google, type in "flowers" and hey pesto! A bunch of soon-to-be-dead plants will be delivered at the doorstep, with a card wishing you a "Happy Valentine's Day!!11! From: Your Darling". How very. Very. Very. R.O.M.A.N.T.I.C. I'm swooning... From disgust that is.

Flower as present on VDay is the most boring and predictable gift you can give someone you proclaim to love. I find it a waste of money. On the other hand, maybe that's why some like it: if you love me enough to get me something useless and expensive, you must really love me. Why! I heard that you cannot even request the florist to write mushy verses. No "hunny pumpkin baby pie", no "yours till London Bridge really falls down". Just "To: XXX. Happy Valentine's Day. From: YYY". Wow!

On the other hand, my first gift is infinitely more thoughtful than thorny roses. And just as sweet as sugary chocolate.

Doughnuts from S.J! You have or not?!

What? Stupid doughnuts, I hear you exclaim? Ladies and gentlemen, you CANNOT get these doughnuts without first queuing 2 hours for them! Heh! These babies will put your 5-minute online order of 6 roses to shame.

Present no. 2 is just as power. Sometimes you casually mention to a friend that you like their stuff. And it just happens that that stuff is not easy to find and is certainly out of the way enough to make you sigh and mutter "it's not that nice. However! Said friend will have taken note of your comment, and, despite the famous fact that all girls hate to have friends who go and buy stuff they had bought first (otherwise known as the "me first" syndrome), they will buy you the exact stuff just because they are what they are: friends.

J.T got me these darling earrings when I mentioned that I love them to death and would perish without getting my grubby paws on them. And that I am too lazy to brave the crowds at the busy stall.

Surely a winner over standard off-the-shelves Valentine's Day cards. Pui!

Something rare is something treasured, no? Although no. 3 is nothing terribly expensive (actually, it's almost free), the fact that an anti-Valentine's day-er bothered to give you something because he believes it would make you happy is worth many times more than $6000-a-night hotel rooms. Anyway, I don't mind if you want to sponsor me such a room. Or two. Or three. Or as many as you can afford.

S.K cared enough to move his mouse over the (f) icon in MSN to send me an e-rose.

Something that won't die like real flowers and does not take up any space shall emerge triumphant over your readily-purchased "branded" chocolate that tastes just like generic brands.

Even more amazing is how someone took care to give you a present despite being from a generation that hardly celebrates VDay. If you want love, this is it. Someone who does not want you to feel left out (even if you don't care one way or the other whether a bouquet drops on your lap), and is ever ready to seek out what you like and offer to buy it at the drop of a pin.

Dried mango from Mama. Not cheap ok. $40/kg. You go imagine how heavy one piece is already. I just mentioned that it's nice and she got it.

Mummy dearest heard me exclaim over a stuffed toy at a shop and picked it up immediately, telling me she was going to get it for me. Very touching.

Some days, I had to remind her that I'm over 2 decades old. In spite of my outwards childishness and liking for cute things, I rather just appreciate the thought that comes with the offer. You cannot have any present greater in value than that.

I wish

I wish I am a simple kind of girl
Someone who smiles at strangers
Never suspecting their motives

I wish I can embrace hot drinks
Something to warm cold nights and heart
Never complaining the lack of ice

I wish I laugh more often
Sometimes at everything and anything
Never at everyone and anyone

I wish I can stop wishing
Somewhere out there is a joy
A joy so deep that makes me embrace me

For I am not sorry
That I am me

What's on your list?

Since I returned to my dearest motherland, I have been singing. Look ma! I got a membership to KBox! That's right. I dragged my mum along (and my aunt, on another occasion) to karaoke! Then I marvelled at the linguistic ability of my mum because she can sing in Taiwanese/Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. How many people you know can see the same Chinese characters and be able to sing in dialect? I think I went no less than 7 times. So, so enjoyable to scream.

Someone complained that we always sing the same songs. But some songs are just suitable for our vocal ranges what! Here's a list of the most commonly sang songs. Please remember that we are old ladies. Here goes:

- Jolin Tsai: 倒带 (can act cutie pie)
- Wan Fang: 新不了情 (nice mtv!)
- Jay Chou: 安静, 借口, 简单爱 (the only ones we can keep up with the lyrics)
- Coco Lee: 真情人 (shake, shake, shake)
- Phantom of the Opera (challenge, man)
- Faye Wong: 百年孤寡, 我愿意 (to pretend)
- A-mei: 听海, 解脱 (more challenges)
- Harlem Yu: 戒不掉, 情非得意[?] (happy, happy)
- Dream a Little Dream (a little jazzy, a little husky, a lot performing)
- Stefanie Sun: 遇见 (almost monotonous)
- Chen Jie Yi: 喜欢你 (just for nostalgia)
- Sandy Lam: 伤痕 (old lady song)
- 信乐团: 死了都要爱 (this is power!)
- F.I.R: 把爱放开, 我们的爱
- 五佰: 浪人情歌, 痛哭的人
- 动力火车: 无情的情书

I think there's a lot more but I cannot remember. Haha!

Even if don't sing, also have other things to do. For instance:

Camwhoring!

A love affair

I am happy. It has been a long time since I feel this way. The moment I saw you, I didn't like you much. You weren't even with me. In fact, she got to you first.

The first time we met, I didn't think a lot of you. You were arrogant about your brilliance because those around you paled in comparison. I stood there observing you while you were involved in her. Slowly, I began to see your good side. You were unwavering even in times of peril. She wasn't used to someone like you but you showed her you will always be there to support her and not let her fall. This is what makes you unique, special. I have met no other like you.

Once, I wanted to seek you out but I felt that I would be betraying her, my best friend. Besides, I didn't like you, remember?

On another occasion, I went out with her. I knew she was going to meet you. In fact, I encouraged her to. This would be the only chance for me to get close to you, to see you again. I had been dreaming of you since I last saw you. Although I had someone else on the very day we first met each other, you were never far from my mind. Without much prompting, she said she was going to look for you. I resolved not to be blown away by the glow that surrounds you, by the comfort I feel when we were together.

When I watched you with her, a bolt of jealousy surged through my being. I was willing to risk it all. She and I, we have been friends for over a decade. Would you be worth the risk? Would she allow me to have you? I didn't care anymore.



"Can I buy the same pair of shoes as you?"

We are finally together.

周杰伦《借口》

翻着我们的照片,想念若隐若现,
去年的冬天,我们笑得很甜,
看着你哭泣的脸,对着我说再见,
来不及听见,你已走得很远,
也许你已经放弃我,也许已经很难回头,
我知道自己错过,请再给我一个理由,说你不爱我,
就算是我不懂,能不能原谅我,
请不要把分手当作你的请求,
我知道坚持要走是你受伤的藉口,
请你回头,我会陪你一直走到最后,
就算没有结果,我也能够随,
我知道你的痛,是我给的承诺,
你说给过我笑容,沉默是因为包容,
如果要走,请你记得我,
如果难过,请你忘了我

周杰伦《借口》

翻着我们的照片,想念若隐若现,
去年的冬天,我们笑得很甜,
看着你哭泣的脸,对着我说再见,
来不及听见,你已走得很远,
也许你已经放弃我,也许已经很难回头,
我知道自己错过,请再给我一个理由,说你不爱我,
就算是我不懂,能不能原谅我,
请不要把分手当作你的请求,
我知道坚持要走是你受伤的藉口,
请你回头,我会陪你一直走到最后,
就算没有结果,我也能够随,
我知道你的痛,是我给的承诺,
你说给过我笑容,沉默是因为包容,
如果要走,请你记得我,
如果难过,请你忘了我

周杰伦《安静》


只剩下钢琴陪我谈了一天
睡着的大提琴 安静的旧旧的
我想你已表现的非常明白
我懂我也知道 你没有舍不得
你说你也会难过我不相信
牵着你陪着我 也只是曾经
希望他是真的比我还要爱你
我才会逼自己离开
你要我说多难堪 我根本不想分开
为什么还要我用微笑来带过
我没有这种天份 包容你也接受他
不用担心的太多 我会一直好好过
你已经远远离开 我也会慢慢走开
为什么我连分开都迁就着你
我真的没有天份 安静的没这么快
我会学着放弃你 是因为我太爱你....

K 歌必唱

新不了情 (万芳)


心若倦了 泪也干了
这份深情 难舍难了
曾经拥有 天荒地老
已不见你 暮暮与朝朝

这一份情 永远难了
愿来生还能 再度拥抱
爱一个人 如何廝守到老
怎样面对一切 我不知道

回忆过去 痛苦的相思忘不了
为何你还来 拨动我心跳

爱你怎么能了
今夜的你应该明膫
缘难了
情难了

The absolute cutest

And it sings too! A wonderful, wonderful welcome back gift from my brother. :D

Melbourne 2006 - Day 4 (251106)

What is synonymous with Melbourne? Good-looking guys? Tick. Good food? Tick (sorta). Cosmopolitan city? Tick. Queen Victoria Market? Tick. Twelve Apostles? Hmm... Wasn't on our list!

Seeing how Chapel Street had shops like anywhere else in Australia, on day 4, the day meant for shopping at Chapel Street, we decided to change plans and go on a day tour to the Twelve, Eleven, Ten, Nine, Eight Apostles instead. Well, before they all fall into ruins.

Despite the brochure claiming that the tour agency have 24-hour service, it was but a miscommunication. What they had meant by 24-hour service was that you get hooked up to a machine where you are to state your business and their 'friendly representatives' will get back to you asap. No good. We thought that since we would have to wake up early if we were to hop onto the tour bus that lumbers all the way on the Great Ocean Road, we might as well make our tour reservation in the morning. I think we were the last pair allowed onto the big, useless (you will see why later) tour bus because it was packed.

We couldn't have chosen a worse day to embark on a sightseeing tour. It was cloudy and gloomy.

Note the fake smile. Witness the lack of emotions in my beady, sleepless eyes.

And it was not a cheap tour. At over $130 per pax, we were mostly kept on the bus, sitting on our asses or nodding our heads violently over the lullaby sang by the bus.

Nevertheless, we managed to do something else besides napping and sitting, such as:

Having a seafood platter where an insect decided to investigate the crack in my ass and luckily I was sensitive enough to know it dropped there and I went to the toilet to investigate its inevitable death;

Noting how poor the artisan of this signboard must be in mathematics for 12 - 4 = 8;

Snatching a photograph with the rocks themselves, all the while cursing the overcast skies;

Trying to calculate when this particular arch will join its demised siblings in The Hell of Collapsed Apostles;

Wondering, along with PY, how long it would take to run across these hills, whilst singing The Sound of Music and getting bitten by the poisonous, poisonous snakes of Down Under;

Exclaiming at the beauty of this gorge when really, the star(s) of the Great Ocean Road should have been the Apostles;

Adding more beauty to the gorge with our presence;

Wowing over this lovely piece of secluded and deadly paradise because it was said to have very, very, very strong undercurrents;

- Waiting over 30 minutes for the bus to get over its tantrum because the driver could not start the engine after we paused for a mini photo session;

- Waddling in the soft sands of the gorge, using all the energy we gained from the seafood platter; and

- Buying raisin biscuits and nuts to eat on the bus despite warnings from our not-too-friendly driver that none is allowed aboard. Pah!

How was the Great Ocean Road/Eight Apostles? At least we've been there, done that. I discovered that I was happier looking at the green hills than at the multiple beaches (which all looked the same) and rock formations. If you cannot stand road trips, it's not for you. The journey took a whole day, I think up to 12 hours. So take that into consideration before signing on the dotted line!

On a happier note, we had our best dinner in Melbourne.

Greek food at Lt Lonsdale Street. Open 24 hours. Simply amazing!!! For the BBQ lovers!

Oh! Did I mention that we stay at one the prettiest hotels?

Hotel Rendezvous!

I hope I can finish blogging about this trip and my Gold Coast trip before I forget everything. x:

Just for fun

Thought this was quite interesting:










How accurate! Smokin'!

Recommend, recommend!!!

I'm not usually an "idol" watcher, much less listener. In fact, while I was in Australia, I ran to my room when my friends tuned in to the show. 2006 proved different though. Ladies and gentlemen,

Damien!

He's amazing!!! My heart squeezed when I heard his version of "Hallelujah". +_+ This guy delivers.

Check out his amazing, soulful voice.

Love this song

倒带

曲：周杰伦 词：方文山 编：钟佐泓


我受够了等待你所谓的安排 说的未来到底多久才来
总是要来不及才知道我可爱 我想依赖而你却都不在
应该开心的地带 你给的全是空白 一个人假日发呆
找不到人陪我看海

我在幸福的门外 却一直都进不来 你累积给的伤害
我是真的很难释怀

终于看开爱回不来 而你总是太晚明白 最后才把话说开
哭着求我留下来 终于看开爱回不来 我们面前太多阻碍
你的手却放不开 宁愿没出息求我别离开

你总是要我乖慢慢计划将来 我的眼泪却一直掉下来
过去怎么交代你该给的信赖 被你亲手缓缓推入悬崖
从我脸上的苍白 看到记忆慢下来
过去甜蜜在倒带 只是感觉已经不在

而我对你的期待 被你一次次摔坏 已经碎成太多块
要怎么拼凑跟重来

终于看开爱回不来 而你总是太晚明白 最后才把话说开
哭着求我留下来 终于看开爱回不来 我们面前太多阻碍
你的手却放不开 宁愿没出息求我别离开

终于看开爱回不来 而你总是太晚明白 最后才把话说开
哭着求我留下来 终于看开爱回不来 我们面前太多阻碍
你的手却放不开 宁愿没出息求我别离开

Melbourne 2006 - Day 3 (241106)

Lesson from Day 3: Cabbage ain't my thing, baby.

Today we went to Queen Victoria Market. Actually, it's just a normal market. A lot cleaner than those markets we have in Singapore though. Mostly to get raw ingredients.

Would you like to have a market named after you? Look! Green skirt for the green billboard!

We were told to try the German sausages at the market. Queen Victoria market is located near the city and fairly walkable. When we ordered the sausage, we were asked whether we wanted cabbage to go with it. Why not? Turned out that the cabbage was pickled! Urgh! Eaten pickled cabbage before? It's sweet and sour! Not very me. A while back, S and I were talking about our experiences in Australia. She was telling me she feels that she has to be cautious when relating to others about her trips. Firstly, "relating" may be the wrong word because not everyone has been there and even fewer have spent an extended period there. Secondly, you might come across as trying to show off despite you being only excited at your trips and wanting to share with others. Anyway. I'm not trying to show off ok!

This I have to show off.

Fruits at Victoria Market can be a lot cheaper. Cherries were available at $5 per kilogram. But beware. Cheaper doesn't mean better. So look out for the quality. The 40 cents apples we bought were quite nice though.

We bought a kilogram of cherries (not bad), an apple each (unwaxed, cheap, and delicious), and one mango (oh.my.god!). Eat more fruits baby! With our load, we had to return to the hotel to put them down. Along the way, we spied a cafe with some good-looking people. Need to return there asap!

The iced coffee is good! And I think reasonably priced. Yum!

After the coffee, it was time for a trip to Smith Street. Smith Street is supposed to be filled with factory outlets. Imagine our surprise when we saw that Smith Street was largely filled with old shops selling dunowhats. So we popped into a convenience store to get daily tram tickets (again, we were told that daily tickets were not available on the tram. Wrong information!). As a by-the-way kind of thing, we asked the owners about the phantom factory outlets. Turned out that we were on the right street but the factory outlets were way way way down the other end of the street, further from the city. So if you go now, you know better than us and should take a tram!

It was quite interesting to see the shops on Smith Street. Because they were all the same as those in Harbourtown! Gah! At least I bought a bag, a skirt, and a pair of shorts. After a while, we realised we did not have lunch! We popped into a Thai eatery and was served the worst Thai food ever. I don't get sweet Tom Yam soup. BEWARE!

Tonight was going to be clubbing night. It was Friday after all! We asked the information counter at Melbourne Central for places to go and the guy recommended Chapel Street. Well, we don't. But more on that later.

We were also told that Lygon Street is the so-called Little Italy of Melbourne. Hmm.. It did serve the best green tea ice-cream. Oh. Green tea is from Japan. I guess we were there too late because no one bothered to come and grab us to go into their restaurant. The place was so much different from what I had expected. Go with no expectations is the best.

We thought olive bread would be more interesting than the normal garlic bread we eat. Well, it was. Interestingly salty!

I could not make up my mind about what to eat because I was fast getting a flu. I asked the waitress for recommendations. Something creamy I said. When her recommended pasta came, it was tomato-based. Something else I could not understand was why no meat! I'm a carnivore!

Gnocchi just ain't my thing baby. What was it stuffed with?!

So we could not finish our pasta. The one I had in Adelaide was so much better! Luckily, green tea ice-cream saved the day.

Oh. I was wearing this black butterfly sleeves top, right? I did not know the armholes are so big! Rather airy. Good for summer but awful when you're walking in the middle of the night, holding a green tea ice-cream at about 10 degrees with only that single layer of cotton on your back. Brrr!!!

We waited for more than half hour for a tram to go to Chapel Street. There were very few people on the street! We could not see any clubs!!! Where are they!! In the end, we walked, and walked. And walked into a toilet. There you have it. We took tram all the way to Chapel Street to use the toilet.

In the end, we decided a trip to the casino might be more fruitful. So we waited for the tram again. I think you need good company on trips. Otherwise in between waiting for transport, you will be bored out of your skull.

Finally, we saw Melbourne after the sun had set.

If you look up at some of the taller buildings, you will realise some fireflies-like things flying around the summit. Not sure if they were really fireflies but they were gorgeous. Too bad my camera could not take a good photo. Try to take one and send me ok!

On the other side of the Yarra river is the city. Where our hotel is to be exact.

I think we lost some money at the casino. But never mind! The 24 hour casino and shops meant that we could go see look. We popped into this bar with a live band. Very very good band. I wonder how people can sing so much and sound so good. Tomorrow I'm going k. Yay! But got quantity no quality of course. Haha.. The bar was very hip ok! A more matured crowd with most people around their fourties. But it was amazing!

We saw this aunty with midriff-bearing top, this male half of a couple making a fool of himself on the dance floor just to entertain his girlfriend (aww!), and this guy who danced fabulously with all the ladies around him! Good, good vibe! We just stood there and smiled a lot. Eye-opener!

In the end, we did not club but we did watch! I love the fun crowd! Everyone must have won a lot of money. :D

Melbourne 2006 - Day 2 (231106)

Just remember that I forgotten all about Melbourne! Need to blog it down before my memory fails me forever. I think I can hear the pages of recollections flying out my brain. Old liao... Haiz...

Day Two was the day when we visited the Puffing Billy. It is one of those old steam trains. Remember steam trains? The ones that started the whole Industrial Revolution? You do? *gasps* You're that old?! Haha...

Took the half day package from one of the tour agencies in the city. Swanston Street is where you find the whole bunch. If you have no transportation or fancy quite a bit of commentary while you cruise along the highway, seek them out. Remember to compare prices of course. First stop was at one of the bird feeding area. Before I elaborate on that, I need to complain!

We were told to reach the agency at 8.20am. We were there at 8.10am. The lady at the counter told us we should wait outside for the green flag that says "Puffing Billy". We did as we were told and saw that it was for the full day tour! We went back in and the lady, with her sour face and not in the least apologetic, told us that we were right to wait there. When we pointed out that we were on the half-day tour, she gave a shrug and told us the tour had already left. What the fuck? Dumb ass couldn't read and pushed us away onto the street to wait for a bus that wasn't meant for us in the first place. We stood there looking at her. She asked if we would like to go on the full day tour instead. NO! Bloody hell. I wanted to either forget about the trip, make it on another day, or look for another agent. Fucking pissed. The more I write about this, the more I remember it. We did as instructed but were delivered a rude slap. ARGH!

In the end, we were told to get onto the full-day tour, which would later join with the half-day tour and we could switch then. Shit organisation. So on the tour we went. First stop was to feed birds and have morning tea. Morning tea was lamington cakes and billy tea. Had those before, in Sydney. But bird feeding is another thing. Where I stayed in Brisbane, one of the breeds of birds that caused a ruckus outside our house was amongst those to be fed at the stop! Shit! Feeding my unwanted alarm clock! But quite fun la. The big, fat, white ones are those you should avoid. They leave scars. +_+

This type quite cute.

We were off to take the steam train next. It's all very touristy actually. But if that's the way to make money, that's the way to go.

火车, 火车, 嘟嘟嘟, 请问你要去哪里?

You only can go one short ride la. We liked it though. Why?

Because you can sit like that!!! Happening hor!

Rest our feet but pain our asses. Bars and asses are not best friends.

In our cabin was an Ah Pek, who's the "Head Conductor". We were given old skool tickets and the Ah Pek was dressed in old skool uniforms. Like the conductor in Noddy? Oh. I heard Noddy is gay? No idea. Haha.. We took photos with the Ah Pek but blurred. Too bad.

In the very hot coal room, where they really burnt coal to keep the train moving.

The ride was fun! Sitting on the side of the train and enjoying the breeze! It was off to the next stop too soon - a small village of the Dandenong Ranges.

Got toy shop! I bought something. Babushka dolls on a pin!

And I made a family.

Half-day tours are actually quite enough. Because they leave you time to explore other places. On the other hand, day tours are not as flexible as traveling by yourself. You cannot stop indefinitely at a place you have fallen in love with. Great to start from day tours and go back to places you would like to visit!

We were dropped back in the city again. Something that is different from the other day tours I went in Sydney and Adelaide is that this day tour was less personal. Largely because it was a big group. But I think the driver/tour guide could have made the effort to stand up and shake hands with everyone while we were alighting. Oh well.

Yesterday we took the free City Circle tram and noted that we wanted to take a closer look (ie. been-there-done-that photos) at the Parliament House.

Oh! What big crowns you have!

Today was on-foot day to the Gardens! If you look at the map of Melbourne, you will notice they have a few gardens. Time to visit them all! But first, we had sushi and a drink at Max Brenner's. Too chocolatey for my liking.

To find Cook's Cottage, we headed for Fitzroy Gardens. I like this garden the most. Because of the beautiful, beautiful elm trees. If you look at the garden from the air, you will see a red cross of Saint George, ala the flag of England. Gorgeous, gorgeous! Perfect for making out! Or simply strolling along, hand-in-hand. Awwww... *weeps tears of cheesiness*

To enter Cook's cottage, you need to pay a fee of $4. Flip through the tourist brochures. Some of them have discounted rates. 20 cents also money right?!

The post pillar outside the cottage. I don't know if it's really in use but it's cute anyway.

Inside Cook's cottage, you will see how people from Captain Cook's era lived. I think it's worth taking a look, trying to imagine how you can fit inside the narrow bed. Or how you can make soap using ashes from the fireplace. Let your imagination run wild!

We walked a super, super lot! Along the way, we asked for directions to Southbank and were greeted with looks of horror. "It's very, very far away!", "You should take tram!". But being the cheapskates we were, we didn't want to go on a paid tram. So we walked and walked and walked. And passed the Olympic Parks and reached the Royal Botanic Gardens. It's huge! Try walking there yourself and you will see how far we walked. Inside the gardens, we saw some families having picnics. That's the difference between Australia and Singapore I think. In Singapore, we seldom embrace the outdoors and brave the sun to have a picnic. Not my family anyway. In Australia, they love the sun and make time for their families.

We walked somemore along the Yarra River. Many schools were training their rowing teams there. The interesting thing was their coaches were on the banks while the students were in the river. The coaches cycled along the banks and used loudspeakers to communicate with their students. Imagine everyone on the river hearing how slowly you row. Gosh! An incentive to do better? Finally we reached Southbank.

There's a Southbank in Brisbane too. It is considered the cultural hub of Brisbane, where convention centres, theatres, and many cafes dot the streets. What's at Southbank, Melbourne then? More and more cafes and the famous Crown Casino!

One of the cafes that came highly recommended was Zampelis Cafe Greco. But we didn't know why because the food was disgusting. Disgustingly overpriced and disgustingly untasty. We ordered a pasta (tasted ok but more like ang moh hokkien mee) and two cakes. Strangely, we were not served iced water. Later we realised you have to pay for water. Stingy, stingy. I don't understand why there was the queue outside the restaurant. The cakes were expensive (about $9 each?); too expensive and too sweet. I don't think we finished them. Besides, the service was horrible. The waiters could not wait to send us on our way. The particular one who brought us to our table was sour-faced through out. BAH! I suspect people were taken in by this:

Remember: Looks are NOT everything!

Storage

My room is cluttered with many things. I found that I do not have enough space for everything.

Things, for me, carry memories. It is hard to part with them. The round tin with the baby angel is from primary school. The red and blue Roxy wallet is from friends. The black bag with the heart iron-on is more than 10 years old. They symbolise something more than what they are. They are rich with emotions, bursting with images, brimming with words, with many stories to tell.

Perhaps Salvation Army can help them create stories for someone who needs them more.

Back in the rain

How do you pack 1 year into two suitcases? And make them well under 30kg? You simply use 9 suitcases instead.

Hello Singapore!