Things You Must Do in Melbourne

Don't worry I am not about to run a live commentary on the tourist spots in Melbourne. Besides, it is too time consuming for me to type everything out and information is readily available via the Melbourne Tourism Board anyway.

1. Phillip Island
Yes, this is the penguin-land. Very ridiculously overpriced though. No cameras were allowed. You basically see these penguin wading their way up from the sea into their burrow on the beach. That's all. I heard you can see them for free in St. Kilda. Oh well .. it was an expensive experience. Only need to go once. :)


2. Conservation Park (or any animal place)
Of course, for first timers to AussieLand like myself it is good to get acquainted with the fellow furry friends of Australia.


This is very useful when your friends/colleagues asked if you have seen a kangaroo or a koala - you can always direct them to your Facebook account showing pictures of you feeding the animals as proof. Hand feeding, mind you! *ahem*





Actually I have a confession to make: I insisted that I be taken to see those animals. And I can be quite persuasive. Paiseh la.. if friends asked and I say I didn't see any. :p


3. Great Ocean Road
It was so worth the drive (although I slept aaaallllllllll the way there). The scenery was amazing! Straight out from the postcard.


Of course what else is there to do but to see the Twelve Apostles? FYI, there are only about 9 formations left and is going down fast due to the erosion of the waves from the sea. The view was breathtaking! Really really beautiful place.



We took a short drive and somehow found ourselves stranded stopping by another place called the Two Survivors.


The story came about that there was a ship which crashed into the rocks and a lone survivor was washed ashore. He took refuge in one of the caves to shelter himself from the cold. And lo and behold ... there was a woman stranded there as well. Jeng! Jeng! Jeng! So in order to keep themselves warm, they drank brandy which he somehow managed to salvage from the shipwreck. Hmmm.. wonder what else they did to 'keep themselves warm'? Hehehe..



4. Dandenong
This is a national park - if I am not mistaken it is a range (read: Banjaran in Malay). There are a lot of tall trees and again this place is beautiful with loads of greenery. We stopped by this place called Grants Picnic Ground where we were given food to feed the birds.


These are wild birds ok, not captive circus birds. All in all the experience was fun.



... save for the fact that I was bitten by this bird.


Stupid bird.

Love;
The-Bride-to-Be

Three Things I Hate About Melbourne

1. Weather

Now... before I proceed don't get me wrong the cooling weather was fantastic as oppose to our hot and humid weather here. Just that along with the onset of winter, everything feels dry. Humidity is close to nil. My lips chapped. The skin on my legs and arms was scaly (and still is). FYI, I am prone to skin allergies and this kinda aggravated it. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my steroid cream along and my skin is totally scarred due to my incessant scratching. :( The skin on my face and nose started peeling. I has been diligently applying moisturizer on my skin and loads of lip balm during the whole duration I was there. Of course, I gulped down loads of H2O as well ... but nothing helps. :( It feels the worst in the morning - immediately after you wake up. Urgh!

Freezing my ass off in Phillip Island

2. Parking
It was HORRIBLE in the city. Parking is a pain. Truly a scarce commodity, I tell you! Fortunately for us, our friend over there managed to secure us with a garage parking - 30 minutes walk away from our apartment. Unfortunately for Bear though, he had to walk and bring the car to us and park it back at the garage at the end of the day AND walk back again to the apartment. Let me educate you, kindly observe the picture below:

Confusing isn't it? Watch and learn

1/2 P means you can only park for 30 minutes. 1P means you can park for 1 hour and so on and forth. Notice that loading is only allowed up to 15 minutes. On top of the Ps, there are also time limit ya ... and it is only from 7:30 am up til 6:30 pm. This is applicable even on weekends for God's sake!!! And the authorities will NOT hesitate to tow away your car if any of the rules are breached ok! No such thing as a "Macam mana bang?" or a "Tolong la.. Please la.. Satu kali jer bang".

3. Currency
Everything is times with 3!!! Need I say more??? ARGH!

Mind you... that's RM181.05

Apart from that, I SO HEART MELBOURNE TO BITS AND PIECES OK!!! Amazing country. Amazing scenery. Amazing people. Amazing infrastructure. Amazing government. Amazing quality of life ... *droning on and on ... *

Love;
The-Bride-who-Wants-to-Migrate-to-Melbourne.
Anyone with me? :p

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane

Bye-bye hot and humid Malaysian weather! Helloooo cold windy winter weather! (uh.. it rhymes!)

And all my bags are packed!!!!! Woots!

Brought my bantal busuk along too :)

Do you think I will get stoned if I wore this t-shirt walking around Bukit Bintang?

The wet hair look was unintentional.
Finished bathing and suddenly had this 'brilliant' idea of
taking this picture and blogging bout it. :p

Signing Off,
G'DAY MATE!!!!!
woooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhooooooooooo

I think I am a Drama Queen

No.. I didn't slit my arms in case if you are wondering. Went for my first ever full blood test (and urine test) with my parents. And no, I don't have any terminal diseases (thank God) in case if you are wondering too.


Just that for my own knowledge and health reasons, I always wanted to do a full test and to make sure that it's being done annually - like they say prevention is better than cure right? Moreover, my family has a history of heart, cholesterol, and cancer problems so yeah that explains why I take this test quite seriously.


After months of procrastination, I finally dropped by Path Lab in Old Klang Road with my parents today to have my blood sucked out taken. Both my parents also were due for their tests. Remember ya, you would have to fast the day before ok. And for ladies, make sure you don't have your menses at that time (if you intend to do a urine test).

Unfortunately, I was the first one being called in. And when the needle was poked in I screamed yelped a little. Thank God my parents were there to give moral support. :p I think I am quite brave lo ... volunteer myself to do a blood test knowing full well that I am TERRIFIED of needles. *pat myself on the back* :)

The death chair place where your blood sample is taken

The torture tools equipment

I took the full package and it costs me a whooping RM230 bucks!! Sigh.. never mind la, these are necessity stuff that needs to be spent on right? When the lady took my blood, she was saying that my blood is too thick - a sign of either I am not drinking enough water or I have cholesterol problem. I would know the results by Friday. Thank you Jesus for perfect health!!!!! :)

My Mum getting pricked

Me and my Mum's package also covers Bone Density Scans. It is basically an indication of osteoporosis, brittle bone, arthritis and the likes of it. Mum was way below the threshold level, and me at such a young age is at the borderline. Dad gave me a lecture on not taking care of my health.. of being at such a young age and not pregnant, yet having such low bone density. :(

Ok la.. I know la. I will be vigilant in taking my calcium pills, drinking more milk, and consuming more cheese. Seriously! I want to take care of my health while I am still young.

Bone Density Scan

And to end this post ...
SAY YES TO BLOOD TEST!
Ahem .. Wei Shin don't delay anymore ya! :p


Love;
The-Bride-Who-Needs-Calcium-Pills

To Favour or Not to Favour?

The question has been playing in my mind on and off. Of course providing favours for guests is a really nice gesture and some favours can be pretty too. But on the other hand, it also means additional costs - something that guests sometimes will end up throwing away or leaving behind in the reception area.


Initally, when we had intended to host a garden wedding ceremony, I thought of giving away sandalwood fans which can be placed on each chair. It serves as a quint decor too. It would be practical as guests can fan themselves in the humid weather.

I was also toying with the idea of giving each guests a paper parasol to shield themselves from the heat. Also, it would really make pretty favours as well. And for the walk-in march, my bridesmaids can each hold a paper parasol. Beautiful right?

Then, the garden wedding concept was abandoned. For the church ceremony, since the theme is Spring with green and pink as the colour theme I had decided to give out green apples as favours. Practical, cheap, healthy, doubles up as decor, environmental friendly, and eco-green friendly (if there is such word). I intend (if time permits) to tie them up with pink ribbons and arrange them artistically (?!) on the reception table. Good and economical idea, yes? :)

As for the hotel, they will be providing us with boxes of chocs for each guest (typical). Initially, I wanted to give out chopsticks as favours cos knowing Asians ... they will definately take them back home and probably take their neighbours' and the next table's one as well. But after attending a few weddings, it is becoming quite common.

Then, Bear had this brilliant idea of giving away salt-and-pepper shaker - the embracing type, which is a darn good idea! Unfortunately, we found out in Malaysia it costs about RM3.00+ per piece. Times that with 600 and our costs will escalate!

Since the gang is heading to Bangkok (ahem!), I hope they will be able to survey the pricing (I heard it's really cheap there) and if ngam can buy in bulk and ship back home. But on the other hand, we may not also want to spend additional on favours since the hotel is already providing albeit being typical and boring urgh!

See how it goes la ... but I am still going on with my green apple idea! :)

Love;
The-Bride-To-Be

First Online Purchase

I am so excited!! I have recently made my first. online. purchase!!! Shiok! It is a custom-made necklace with my name - I've always wanted one like that and at one point in time, I was seriously considering making one in the goldsmith shop. :)

Here is how it's done. You pick the base metal that you want - in my case I picked Rose Gold (classy babe!) and then you give your details eg. your name, address, tel number etc etc. So Eefee (yes a very strange name) will create a few designs using suitable fonts that matches your name. For me, I opted my shortened name Geri, instead of my full 9-letters long name. I don't want to end up looking like a ghetto-wannabe with blings hanging round my neck.

Once you have settled on the design, you may add some icons - in my case I added a butterfly (typical me). Then you picked the size - I picked M.

I picked Design #9.
And now you know how much it costs!

So, after a very brief (3 to be exact) exhange of emails, I transferred the money and am waiting excited for my necklace - suppose to be delivered on the 17th of May (the day before I fly off to AussieLand). Can wear for my first ever overseas trip to AngMoh Land *double shiok!*

I think it makes perfect gift for friends... and I have selected a few candidates who will be receiving them as their bithday pressie! :)

p/s: Today is 10/05/2010 !!! Which means exactly 5 months away from THE BIG DAY!! 0_O"

Love;

The-Bride-To-Be

Home sweet home :)

Remember the last time I've posted on the renovation works of our new love nest place? After a period of 3 months (I think) our condo is almost done! Am so amazed and happy at the almost final outcome! Everything is all done up except for the painting, cabinets, carpentry works, and the fittings of lights and sanitary.

It was really way beyond what I've expected it to be and I am pleasantly surprised! Really I am! Of course, I am not ashamed to admit that all these are not possible without the help of Bear's dad and my own dad. So heart them both ok!

Allow me take you on a tour to our place. :)

Our front grill repainted. Also done plaster ceiling to
cover the exhaust pipes.

Tilling works done at the front foyer.

Our makeshift store room, an absolute necessity as the
condo in itself does not have a storage space. Makes a good
alternative to a maid's room (if we do get one in the future).

View of the living hall from the main entrance.
Love the overall concept - very contemporary. :)

Our plaster ceiling really nicely done up. Seriously, not to
boast but our place looks like those high-end units in
Mont Kiara / Hartamas area man! Really really
nice, warm, and cosy ambiance.

Our spacious hall. Can play catching. :p

The kitchen area without the cabinets and door/window fittings.
We intend to incorporate wood and glass into the kitchen design.
Looks like I would be doing a lot of cooking at home,
hopefully would be able to improve my 'skills'.

I especially love the tilings done in the washyard area.
This is basically our laundry area - the washing machine and
dryer will be placed here. And of course we have a wash basin as well.

Here is the Master Toilet. We realigned the toilet bowl, wash basin,
and the shower area cos Bear had a problem due to his size and
the toilet is very very small. We spent the longest time here trying to figure
out how to maximized the space and it turned out GREAT!
We would use glass to separate the shower area.

Did I mentioned that ALL of the toilets will be installed with rain shower?

Here is the Second Room toilet - for our children :)

And here is our Powder Room. Noticed that the color concept
of the three baths is almost similar. Very nice!

And that's it! Beautiful, isn't it? Now what we need is to put in the furniture and accentuate the look of the place by placing appropriate decorations. Flo need to go shopping soon ya for interior decor! Cheap cheap bargains will do! *wink*

Love;
The-Bride-To-Be