Oh Susana

I saw this when I was on my Tasmania trip. Susana, that was purposely snapped down for you...haha!

I suddenly heard a song, ~Oh, Susanna,Oh don't you cry for me....~~

Someone crossed my mind at this moment. My housemate, Susana! Talking about her, the very first thing come to my mind is her smile =) She has a very sweet smile (even my aunt also said so) and that is why I always call her ~sweetie~. Well, I think she is not only sweetie, but also jokie (she likes to joke), auntie (whe she was with me, lol~), smartie (she is always smart for me), "walkie-talkie" (haha, she always has topic to talk about), my breakfast kaki....etc.

At home in Australia, she was the one who I talked the most with, who I share the most with and who I enjoyed doing things with the most. We had breakfast every morning together, we went to Paddy market together every weekend, and after Paddy, we would try different restaurants near Chinatown. We talked non-stop, whatever topics eg food, friends, gossips, jokes etc.

Although just half a year to know her, we seem to be very close like old friends. There were many things that we did together and instead of saying she always scared to be alone, I would say she was the one who kicked off my loneliness.

Thanks to her that brought me her DIY bouquet of flowers on my graduation photographing session. Thank you, my friend!

Thank you

One week in Melbourne staying in my aunt’s house, I had my time mostly spent in the little and warm house, walked around the neighbourhood and the park nearby and visited my other aunt nearby. Though it was not what I really wanted to be initially (I thought I would have time to hang around city area and perhaps some tourist spots in Melbourne), I think I really appreciate my aunt for taking good care of me. Because of serious and uncontrollable condition of swine flu in Melbourne, she was very worried about me getting sick and kept asking me to take supplement to boost my immune system.

It was so thoughtful of her to prepare so many sweaters and pyjamas for me, worrying that I might catch cold. Sweet~

But the dressing gown might be too big for my size =p

She got everything ready for me including sweaters, healthy food and fruits etc. She made sure I have healthy meals every day. Guess what, I have six meals a day. Breakfast would be oat porridge with nuts and fruits in it and a slice of bread. Lunch and dinner would be rice, one veggie and one meat. Yogurt was served in between breakfast and lunch. Tea break served with tea and bun in between lunch and dinner. See, how can I not get fatter here? In just a week, I have already gained 2 kg!!!!

It was too relax and comfortable to stay at aunt's house.

Every time when we were back from outside, she would never forget to ask me to wash my hands and nose. She said virus is everywhere outside. It is better to take precautions rather than sorry later on.

Worrying that I might get bored staying at home for the whole week, she reluctantly agreed to bring me to city on Sunday. I really appreciate her efforts to find the ways to some nice places in city while at the same time kept asking me if I was too tired. She brought me to a nice restaurant for buffet just to make sure I had enough to eat. I guess that was more than enough! Haha!

Awsome dessert in New Quay Buffet restaurant at Dockland, Melboune.

I felt bad that I still kept complaining to my family and friend that I was like a prisoner being quarantined at home, yet I was actually so well taken care by my aunt. It was very thoughtful of her. I felt so guilty now when I looked at my aunt busy in the kitchen preparing meal for me and washed all the dishes for me just worried I might dirty myself again after shower. I know I should not complain but to appreciate what she had done for me. I should be more understanding to her for being alone most of the time at home and need someone to talk to.

I just want to say, Thank you, aunt! I really appreciate it!

Goodbye Sydney

Finally, I finished my one year study journey in Sydney. One year is not long but I do learn and grow (both physically-gain on weight and mentally- more matured, haha!) a lot here.

First came to Sydney, I was so homesick and not used to be alone most of the time. The house condition when I first arrived made me so upset and miserable. Slowly, I adjusted myself to new language and people, different culture, different environment (climate and food), different educational system and different status (from working adult to poor student again). I should be blessed that I still have brother’s friends here that they always gave their very best to help me whenever I was in need. Sometimes, they invited me to stay overnight at their place, “fed” me with good food etc….that really warmed my heart and healed my homesickness.

I'm grateful to have them that made me feel being at home.

Second semester, old housemates went and new housemates came. My life started to fill with laughters and noise at home. We always have meal gathering at home, catch up “The Biggest Looser” and “ MasterChef” together, etc. Stephanie- my TV kaki; Susana- my breakfast, dinner and paddy (market) kaki; Selina- my shopping kaki (though not many times, she introduced a lot of good restaurants to me); Yi-Fen- the youngest and the prettiest housemate at home, my ‘baking advisor’. I’m grateful and glad that I know them even though just half a year that made me starting to enjoy life in Australia.

From left: Yi-Fen, me, Selina, Susana, Stephanie

That day on my way to airport, I had mixed feeling of leaving. When I think about going home, I feel excited to see my family and friends in hometown again. When I think about going home, I feel worried about my future career. When I think about going home, I feel sad about leaving my friends in Sydney and I will definitely miss the good weather and nice food here. Again, I am back to the so-called the process of adjustment just like when I first came here.

If you ask me which part of my experience here do I value most, I would answer you I value every moment I had gone through here, be it happy or sad. If you ask me how have I changed, I would answer you I am still the previous Susan, but improving myself to another level of professional knowledge and skills, some social behaviours and being more independent and adaptable to new environment.

Yes! I made it!

"Golden" hair

The thing that I did the second day upon my arrival in Penang was HAIRCUT. After a year not doing any hairdo, my hair is long and out of shape already. I am sick of straight hair and this time I decided to give it a perm again.


From 2.30p.m onwards, I started to sit in the salon. It was a long long process from cutting, washing, perming, colouring till treatment. During the hairdo, I slept, woke up and read some megazines, slept again and until they called me to wash my hair. By the time I finished the hairdo, it was already evening time around 7p.m. It always take half a day to do hair. That is why I seldom go salon, four times a year the maximum.


I looked at the mirror, wondering who is this in it? Haha! I looked so much different!

Before

After

Guess how much does it cost? I bet you won’t guess the right figure. It was RM810!!!! I got a shock when the lady told me the price. This is the most expensive hairdo I have ever done! What a "golden" hair! Thank God that my brother was willing to pay for me. Thanks ah Ko, I love you! Haha!

Home sweet home

Finally, I have safely touched down Penang! What a relieved! It has been a long long journey since my departure day from Melbourne.


First I took Jetstar from Melbourne and transit at Darwin. My luggage was one kilo overweight when checking-in my luggage in Melbourne. I thought I would be as lucky as when I was in Sydney to get through baggage overweight issue. Who knows the lady at the counter didn't allow me and asked if I want to take out things from luggage or be charged for AUD40. Of course I was not willing to pay for that just a kilo, so I reluctantly took out a box with six small container of lotion creams. Ok, at this stage, I managed to pass through custom.


After 4-5 hours flight, I reached Darwin. Here, I need to go through custom again to screen my hand luggage before getting in the boarding room. As required, I took out all my toiletries in transparent bag and I was actually a bit worried if I could get through with my lotion creams. Guess what, the staff threw all my face cleanser, toner and toothpaste. He said I should not bring more than 100ml but actually the volume was less than 100ml in a more than 100ml of container only! Arrghhh... Okay, nevermind, guess what next? They asked me to open my bag and take out the lotions. I was asked either put into my toiletries together or check in the bag. For sure, six containers couldn't fit into one small transparent bag. So I decided to check in my luggage. Who knows it was so so long queue and I only had one hour left to get on board. Sigh, I had no choice but gave up to check-in and proceed to screening session again. I only managed to put four creams in the transparent bag. The other two was thrown away by the staff. Luckily the creams were not very expensive, else I would get heart pain =(


By the time everything was done, it was time to get on board. I had no time to have dinner at airport and I was so so hungry. Anyway, I had my dinner on the plane.


It was another 4-5 hours flight to Singapore. I safely touched down destination at about 10.05p.m Singapore time. I straight headed to Ambassador Transit Hotel inside airport lounge without claiming my luggage. I was so glad that there was this hotel in airport. Save my time and money to travel to other hotel outside. I was totally exhausted after this long long trip home. Gosh, if not because of financially tight, I won't take transit flight anymore.


Next day morning, I woke up at 7a.m, checked-out of hotel, claimed my heavy luggage at lost and found session and took a flight back Penang at 10.15a.m. Thank God, I FINALLY reached home! I was so excited to see my brother again after one year. Home sweet home~

This is the budget single occupancy room in Ambassador Transit Hotel. It was clean and tidy.What a smart and great idea to have a hotel inside airport! It enables those transit passengers who need to spend a long waiting time at airport, to have a good rest and sleep. Furthermore, the rate is reasonable. Budget single occupancy room is just SG40+ per 6 hours. Every extension hour is SG15+ per hour. Budget room means no bathroom attached but sharing the common bathroom. Don't worry, the shared bathroom is very clean and body shampoo is provided. I strongly recommend this hotel if you happen to stay at Changi airport and wish to get a good rest before your next destination.

Have you seen this before?

Can you clearly see what are hanging up there on the lamp-post wire? Yes, bingo! (Ok, I know this question sounds stupid. LOL~) Shoes!!!! I saw this when I was on my way to public library at Ultimo. Ten pairs of them and all of them were branded shoes-Nike, Puma etc. Wow…I wonder is this a new trend of drying shoes? Or is it a new way of decorating the street instead of using fancy colourful bulbs?? Anyway, what a waste!

Apparently, this was a prank but who were the culprits? The lamp-post was approximately 200 metre height and I think these people have the potential in putting the shot. Hats off to them!

Anyway, this is dangerous. A short circuit may happen anytime because of this. Those people should be more considerate to others’ safety. It might be fun but think twice before you do this.

French fries and mashed potato

Last few days, early in the morning, I was so excited to try something new that I haven’t done before – making French fries, my favorite! It is actually very easy to make and I learnt this from MasterChef (a TV programme all about cooking competition, just like IronChef)! Three easy main steps:

1. Cut the potatoes into long rectangular shape and boil in water for about 20 minutes.
2. Drain the water and put the boiled potatoes in fridge for at least half a day.
3. Fry the potatoes till they turn into golden colours and make sure they are covered by oil which is heated enough. Lastly, sprinkle salts on the potatoes or you can eat it on its own. That’s it! (Alternatively, you can bake them with less oil which is healthier than frying)

Steak with salad and french fries.

See, easy right? You can try to make it at home for your family especially the kids. Save money and healthier!

Another recipe for potatoes that I had tried before is mashed potato (learnt from MasterChef again). It is as easy as making French fries too! Three easy main steps:

1. Bake the potato without peeling off its skin with salts cover on it for about 8-10 minutes until it is cooked. Alternatively, boil it with water.
2. Cut the potato into half and mash it with spoon. Peel off the skin and mix with butter which is cut into small cubes.
3. Slightly boil the milk in fry pan with low heat and mix with mashed potato. Stir the mixture until it is soft.

Steak with salad and mashed potato

I feel it is kind of an achievement of knowing and cooking something that I love to eat and haven’t tried before even though it is a very easy recipe. Haha! I know you are laughing there…but I really enjoy cooking since I am here in Australia.

Nomad within the house

My bed sheet with pillows wrapped inside

Last two day since moving out from my room, I was busy moving up and down my bed sheet and pillows to and from the living room. Ok, I can start to imagine a lot of question marks above your head. Well, I supposed to stay in living room temporarily (after checked out) before flying off to Melbourne in next two weeks. However, I didn’t lock the door of my previous room when I checked out. So I was thinking , “Hmmm, since no one comes and inspects my room today (as I was told by the receptionist), perhaps I can still sleep on my bed for another night.” So I happily slept on my previous bed that night. However, I didn’t really sleep well, probably I am not used to do ‘illegal’ thing like this.

I woke up very early the next day morning and quickly moved down my whole set of ‘sleeping tools’ to living room. As expected, the management guy came BUT he just inspected the room downstairs which was my housemate’s room who will take over my room when she is back. So I was thinking again, “Hmmm, looks like he won’t be coming anymore since he has done the inspection.” Again, I happily moved up the things to the room in the afternoon. And guess what, I was shocked when two cleaners suddenly came while I was using the internet wire in the room! Gosh, I felt like I was being caught red-handed.

The cleaner asked, “Are you the new resident here?” Spontaneously, I lied,“ No, I’m from the room downstairs but I just came here to use the internet and my housemate asked me to move her things up.” The cleaner looked a bit doubtful but didn’t say anything. I wonder if I blinked my eyes while telling lies =p. Anyway, thank God that they didn’t lock the door as what I reminded them to do so before I left.

In order to have a better sleep, I decided to sleep in living room last night. So I moved my bed sheet and pillows down to living room again. I was like a nomad but an unusual nomad, just moving within the house!

My new 'bed' in living room

This morning, I woke up with a slight back pain due to the soft quality of the sofa. Again, I decided to move the ‘things’ up to my room and I think I will just sleep on my bed for the next 2 weeks. Praying hard that they won’t be coming anymore. *Finger-crossed*

Good bye 8105-3

Time flies. Here comes the end of my one year course in Sydney. It seems like it just happened yesterday! Oh my God, I finally finished my Master’s degree!

I was busy with farewell, packing and cooking for friends few days ago. It was even busier than preparing for exams and assignments =)

I thought I might not have a lot to pack and was confidently thinking that my luggage should be spacious enough for some local food and souvenirs. Who knows, after putting my things together, I just realized I was wrong. There are so much to bring home!!! Now I regret not getting the biggest luggage.

Look at my luggage, it is overflowed and defintely overweight!

This is before and after packing. Looks like I have not many things right? Hmmm...how come my luggage still can overflow? Packing skill problem?

I still have 2 more weeks to stay in Sydney. Hopefully I can fully utilize these 14 days to hang around Sydney and try all so called “specialties” here for my last chance ( I don’t think I may spend money to come back to the same country).