Happy Easter!

(Can't let the rabbit getaway during Easter even though I don't know why the rabbit plays a role on this day. We should be remembering the true reason behind Easter, the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection and a new life for all sinners)

Been indulging in wayyyyyy too much chocolates..

I'm loving these chocolates nowadays:

- E-Royce's Chocolate Amande (especially the dark choc coated)

- Valrhona 70% Grand Cru (thx u Yi for the luxurious chocs!)

 

Eggs are used on Easter as a symbol of new life...and I was given free eggs from my butcher! Yayness to the max! It was no ordinary egg...it was Kangaroo Island Free Range Eggs. They cost $6.20 doz. I usually either buy these or the South Gippsland Free Range Eggs. I know there's always the debate on whether to buy Free Range or not.... Cost is a big issue...and also the animal cruelty part... but these Kangaroo Island eggs are HUGE, their shells are a paler shade...and their yolk are really orangey! 

The butcher cut off half the carton cos he gave me 1/2 a doz eggs

Check out these eggs!!! Can you spot which is the odd egg (none Kangaroo Island)

 

To finish off, this came in the mail the other day from Yi....

My Easter package! Filled with gourmet chocolates (Valhrona and Simon & Johnson)

- the lego dog is so cute....

- pity the wrapping paper tore (bad postman)

Happy Easter everyone....

Melbourne International 

Flower & Garden Show

It was a rainy day and three girls ventured to the Carlton gardens..

We walked about looking at displays..

Laughing and giggling at silly things..

Got 3 pots of free flowers from the Mitre 10 man..

They are currently living in my kitchen sink..

Will get them a potted home soon..

 

Had to satisfy my corn craving..

I knew I had to get them after bypassing 2 stalls

Even though it was $4 each!!!

Another Year Older, another year wiser? 

(cake from my dental buddies from Brunneti's)

Turned 28!! What more can I say? Time is cruel...but it hasn't been that bad towards me. Changes I've noticed since I'm no longer 21 (i.e getting OLD) include:

1) Lower metabolic rate 

    (i.e get chubby faster)

2) Need to sleep earlier 

    (battery runs out after midnight)

3) Liking the colour red

    (i use to complain to mum why she likes red so much...think when u get older, the cells in  your brain 

   tells you to pick RED stuff) Hence the recent purchase of the red chicken, the red laptop case, 

    red pencil case, hmm i should stop here)

4) Enjoying going for walks with the dog after dinner 

    (ease digestion)

5) Going to the butcher on weekends 

    (and becoming friends with the guy that sells me meat)

6) Nagging the husband about leaving his socks everywhere except in the laundry basket

7) Remembering the price of fruits at different supermarkets

8) Loving to have fresh flowers at home

9) Getting excited about Kitchen gadgets

10) I shall stop here...

So what did Van do on her birthday?

- went up to Colac on Friday (day before before) to visit the hubby (bringing some Koko Black chocolates for him, but i ate 50% of the chocs while waiting for him in the library). I can't believe I ate in the library. Such a rebel! All those years being the school librarian and eventually the Head Librarian in primary school has taught me nothing... I guess all i wanted was just to wear that Gold badge. Can't believe I thought it was COOL to be a librarian then.... Now that I think back, its so geeky, nerdy... and so me :)

- drove back to Melbourne on birthday and spent the night at cousin David's engagement dinner. We didn't do anything because the hubby is busy preparing for his GP exams.

- Sunday, the day after my birthday. The hubby said he'll take me to my favourite breakfast place (Porgies and Mr Jones). 

I said, "OK, but I bought Ricotta and was going to make us some ricotta hotcakes. Lets just eat home, don't need to waste money laaa"

Hubby replied, "Its your birthday!!! I'll take you there."

I answered, "I'll get changed then"

My phone rang 10 mins later, and it was from a friend in Sydney and below are our conversation. (Stef, Joe, Me)

"Hey Missy, happy belated birthday. R u there yet?"

"What do you mean am I there yet? I'm at home la. Where am I supposed to be?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at Porgies?"

"How did you know?" .... "OHHHHHHHHH"

"OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....... I thought you'd be there by now"

"JOEEEEEEEEEEE, i think you might want to speak to Stef"

"STEFFFFFFFFFFF!!!! Ok, now I can tell her to hurry up since its no longer a surprise"

"Fai Di La.... people are waiting!"

"Thank you lou gungggg... I Heart You"

Surprise Numbah 2 came yesterday, three days after my birthday.

- my uni buddies Hannah and Chrystella made a pact to go watch Slumdog Millionaire at the Moonlight Cinemas @ The Botanical

- Hannah mentioned during lunch

" Lets catch dinner before watching Slumdog, ok?"

" Ok, I feel like having Pho"

" Hmm Lets have pizza at this place on Faraday St called D.O.C, Chrystella said its pretty good"

" Ok, whatever"

When we got there,

"How did Lincoln know we're here for dinner? And even Noor is here!!"

"I booked a table for 8 people"

"Hannah, you booked a table???"

"Its your Birthday Dinner!!!!"

I heart you all!!!!

Thank you everyone for giving me such a fantastic birthday! 

And there are my lovely lovely lovely presents. Think I'm spoilt now..... 

 

Hanna's Homemade Rumballs (without any rum)

 

The beautifully wrapped present form Yi (weighed a few kilos!!) and contained a library of cookbooks

Sweet smelling Lychee flower body butter from Louise

 

Romantic vintage roses and an inspirational book from Stef. 

(Stef, if you're reading this, You being in Melbourne was the surprise)

(Stef, Enjoy Italy, send us a postcard ok?)

Fragrant Eucalypt serving board from the Khoos

(You didn't forget that we wanted one after we saw yours!)

So what did the hubby get me?

He got me my MacBook Air Yay!!!!! It was a combined Valentine's and Birthday pressie. I am such a spoilt wifey.... Who doesn't like being spoilt by your loved one? I don't mind at all..... :)

Valentine's @ the Khoo's

 

I look like a horse in this pic... and a bit red from the wine

Celebrating the 'Day of Love' won't be complete without some mischief from Muffin

   

Muffin's nose on the bottom right corner

Then I decided to let him pose with the Heart Shaped Icing

In 2 seconds, he launches an attack 

The food we had were catered by Porgie's and Mr Jones @ Auburn Rd

- French Baguettes

- Brownies, raspberry tarts, portugese tarts, scones, muffins

- Fritatas

- Osyters - not from Porgies - Joe had a craving so we ran down to get some from South Melb Market

And flowers for our lovely hostess....my buddy...adriana...

My current craze....Go Team Edward!!!!!

. 

(image from google images)

How much hairspray did he use? I lurrve his hair! Gravity defying!

No. of trips to bookstores to look for the 4th book  Breaking Dawn:

Camberwell - Dymocks - 4 times

     - Angus & Robertson - 3 times

- Borders - 4 times

- Targey (Target) - 2 times

Westfield Doncaster - Borders - 3 times

 - Myers - 3 times

 - David Jones - 3 times

- Big W - 1 time

Chadstone - Borders - 2 times

   - Myers - 2 times

- David Jones - 2 times

Colac - Newsagency - 2 times 

- Targey (Target) - 2 times

BUT FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Alex and Adriana got the book for me!!!!!!!!!! OMG I can't wait for it to reach my hands this weekend.. It'll be my inflight reading....

Hope I won't suffer from Withdrawal sydnrome like Alex...hehehee

The books are really good but the movie kinda sucks...except the eye-candy part which i enjoyed. And for those who know the stories well.... I'm on team Edward!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apollo Bay

 

About a 2 weeks after my exams I was in Apollo Bay with Joe. He was having a GP conference/get-together with the other docs from the region. It was a really nice place except the chilly wind...and the occasional shower. We didn't get to do much there due to time restrctions and also the weather....but we did manage to take a short stroll along the beach..

    

I spent most of my time reading in the room or the lounge area..... reading the current HYPE book....the Stephanie Meyer vampire series..Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon and Breaking Dawn (which I am yet to get!)

Its been a while since I picked up a book and read it with great speed! I went out and bought the 2nd book soon after....cos i needed to know what happened next! I think i even got a few of my friends addicted to it too... Its almost like when I was a teenager...reading all those Sweet Valley books....  

New kitchen gadget (borrowed!!!!)

Introducing the newest addition to my kitchen.....da KITCHEN AID MIXER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aint it the bestest looking thing ever? It whips up the best egg whites....solid....and everything is so even..so pro.....

This cool gadget belongs to one of my bestie...Yi...she has decided to let her mixer stay at my house......(obviously I don't charge the mixer any rent! hehhee)......

Now that I've seen the wonders it can do....I want one too......

We baked Yi's famous Orange/Chocolate Flourless cake (recipe tried and tried and tried and edited 30 times to perfection)...and guess what? We were probably too distracted by the handsome-ness of the mixer that we forgot to double the butter............but the cake turned out pretty good too..a little spongier than usual....but it was still BLISSFUL eating it... (i forgot to take the picture of the finished product!!!!)

Checkout the amount of eggs we used.....(12!!!!!)

With this in my kitchen, I have to make good use of it....so be prepared to see more coming out of Van's Kitchen......

Mr Engineer was the best!

Went to watch Miss Saigon the musical on Friday. It wasn't that great afterall. I didn't enjoy the musical that much...as the story was kinda silly because how can someone fall in love with a prostitute after one night? and then supposingly got married in some vietnamese ceremony in a nite club and bring her back to his home country to live the American dream? HmmMmm... maybe things like that do happen.

I'll have to say the Engineer was the best performer of the night. His cabaret-style dance routines were entertaining and definately not OTT cheezy like the main leads (i.e Kim and Chris). Too much lovey dovey stuff....

I'll be watching Phantom of the Opera in August. Hopefully it will be better...actually I'm sure it will be much better. The music score and backdrop will be breathtaking (i hope).

Easter Greetings






Look at those cute little things Chloe made!!!!! Salivating Easter Eggs in baby socks.



I still haven't opened mine cos they look too cute to chomp. THANKS CHLOE and STeffie for throwing such a FABULOUS easter get-together. The food was great and most important photo sessions and chitty chatty times was the MOST BESTEST! I am yet to load the pics we took together because its in Joe's super mama camera and I dunno how to use it. Promise I will!

ROARRRRRRRRRR

I FINALLY made it to Lion King! Been waiting for TOO LONG!! Ticket sales were crazy... I actually almost forgot that I was going to watch it. Nearly went ahead to Dental Booze cruise..saved myself $40 bucks!

The musical was AWESOME!!!!! Everyone should go watch it..you get your money's worth! We got VIP tickets and for that you receive tickets(of course..most impt), lion king chocolate bar, free drinks from the VIP bar, complimentary parking at the Grand Hyatt and the program booklet. Sitting infront will also allow you to see the actors clearer and even see them walk pass you! Especially the elephant! WAY COOL! So peoples, I know the ticket sales are exhausted but try and cheat a friend's ticket or something....can't miss it! its leaving melbourne 3rd June.



Inside the Regent Theatre. Breathtaking!

Last Weekend

Miss Vanessa Chiew is engaged!!! Gonna be housewife/wannabe dentist soon. No plans have been made when and where the wedding will be..most likely it'll be at the end of 2007.

I won't write down how Joe proposed cos I'll let you know in person!

Here's the pic of the ring! Adriana insisted that I put it up on the web for her to see....

Must go Shopping

I love to shop around even in a teeny weeny town like Echuca. Thats the Victorian side of the Murray. There was this really cute but overpriced lolly store with a christmas tree decorated with candy canes. Can't do that in Malaysia...it will turn into a tree full of ANTS! Yikes! Nasty little buggers.

Christmas decor everywhere in that town. Wanted to buy the cinnamon sticks but can't carry it back to M'sia ( i wanted the HUGE one...its just me being greedy).

The little worms and cookie man are from Beechworth bakery... Yummmy looking. Didn't buy them (I don't need more visits to the dental clinic).

Boat Trip

I was away last weekend with some friends on the Murray on board the Bella Casa houseboat. The houseboat was GREAT! Didn't even felt like it was afloat. I got to drive the houseboat as well..not that hard. We had chinese, aussie BBQ, authentic Thai and saucy mexican food all in one weekend. It was a relaxing and Oh-too-much food getaway. Checkout the breathtaking sunset, MEAT galore and the houseboat (with a Jacuzzi on the top deck).

The Mighty Reunion

Finally the group is back together (we're missing Eelain and Jia Hui). Its been TOO LONG!!! The night was filled with great things...1) great companionship 2) great food from Iron Chef Alex Khoo 3) great champagne 4) crazy dog who can't hold bladder. SOrry ALex and Adriana!

Lets see...I forgot to take pictures of our cheese platter and dessert. But here's the main..Lavender + many many herbs baby chicken, potatoes and salad. This guy can COOK! We love u Alex! Thank u so much for making us feel like QUEENs

Sizzling Day 2
Strappy tops and shorts today.....31 degrees AGAIN. Did some cleaning in my closet..and dug out some flower clips. Bought them when i was in Year 11 which was yonks ago. Put them on my hair...aww PRINCESS...

Ate half a tub of frozen yoghurt.... Gotta cool down my brain before any more brain cells melt. Yummmy...

Received my monthly subscription of 'O' magazine and can't stop staring at Nate's pic.. He's so good looking. WHY IS HE GAY?