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12°C Summer Night

January 13, 2012 by Michelle Chan

Remember when I complained about the scorching weather here and probably some sprinkles over Twitter? Well, everything changed after that day. I KID YOU NOT. The weather became so different after the complaint, I should probably complain more to fix other things like poverty gap, climate change, my constant lack of balance in the bank account……

Anyway, last night was 12°C with probably 18-21 km/h wind. In Summer!

white t-shirt Zara
checkered boyfriend’s shirt Topman MY
denim jacket vintage
denim shorts Cotton On AU
leather belt vintage
watch Casio US
tights Topshop UK
shoes Dr Martens UK
shoulder bag Esprit MY
scarf G2000
stiff face Melbourne’s 12°C summer night

It’s also pretty chilly today. One of my last days here and it is the best to curl up on bed/couch with wild mushroom soup and some very well-buttered garlic bread…

Posted in Australia, Australian Things, Daily Dress, Environment, Everyday Things, Fashion & Beauty, Odd & Unusual, Places | Tagged Melbourne | Leave a Comment »

Just happen to be, friends.

January 12, 2012 by Michelle Chan

This morning, I woke really early, to find myself reminiscing on the trip to Phnom Penh with people from CPU back in 2009. It seems so long ago, and friends I used to laugh out loud and share ‘happy pizza’ (perhaps memory of Phnom Penh only occurred because I’m hungry for some pizza now haha) with are now scattered all over the world. If we met today, we’d probably not laugh at all nor finish our lunches.

I had a lot of fun on that trip. I didn’t particularly fancy the entire busload of CPU students, to be honest. It’s a pain to go on trips with people you dislike.
NEVER TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU CANNOT TOLERATE but ignorance is bliss.
I kept close to just a few people.

We climb mountains,
visited the dead,
learned about the Khmer Rouge communist regime at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP FOR ME!),
clubbed,
strolled the Cambodian streets,
played with kids,
bargained at the markets, and a shitload more of things I’d probably regret now but selective memory treats me well.

Photos of Phnom Penh, Cambodia (October ’09)

The only people I keep up consistently with are really a handful. I know what’s going on in their lives, who they’re dating, which part of the Earth they relocated to, et cetera. Are these enough? Why does everything ever has to be enough? Is it the human tendency to just fill the glass till it spills over? And MAYBE! it is just my own shortcoming of not being good at keeping up with more friends. ~~I will work on that.~~ ~~OK, I lied.~~

The thing about people coming and going is that you will miss them. Sometimes. And most of the time, I don’t. Really, I don’t. I guess it’ll depend on the depth of the friendship but who are we kidding? not everyone you meet is a friend alright? And I’ve got a life to live.

My secondary school would be the best exemplary. I remember the most of Form 4 and 5, my last two years spent with a handful of people I really wished we remained in touch, but it’s difficult when growing up, in some circumstances means, growing apart.
I don’t recall much of my secondary school time before that but I found it to be a great challenge back when I was 15 to have less and lesser friends and growing doubts in people. Something happened between me and another classmate which I honestly will never know what exactly it was; something just happened. Thereon, a partisanship developed, which actually serves as the biggest explanation as to why I do not miss secondary school, at all. Thankfully things got WAY better after that year.

I miss some people, sometimes. Just some. I had many acquaintances from clubs and events, but friends are different; friends are weird. Sometimes you really don’t need to have any common interests or background, spend your day talking complete garbage and still enjoy it, get lost in a city together and instead of panic, laugh!
- I’m grateful for those and I that just happen to be, friends.

Posted in Cambodia, Education, Friends, Growing Up, Self-Reflections | Tagged Canadian Pre-University, Phnom Penh, Seafield | 5 Comments »

Healthy Home-Cooked Brunch With F-Awesome Music

January 10, 2012 by Michelle Chan

#1 On the rustic white loaf (toasted for 1 min X 2) is melted cheddar cheese on rind bacon slices atop a fried XL egg.

#2 Add baby leaves with Italian and tomato sauce. Then top it off with another loaf (toasted for 1 min).

#3 Complete meal with kimchi and salted squid in ramequins for added Asian sauciness! To be all washed down with a glass of Nudie.

This is what I’d have on a regular basis for brunch because home-cooking ingredients found at the super here is just so fresh! Breakfast, minus the ramequin sides. But Nudie, yes, Nudie is just too good. If it was any cheaper, I might have it all day long! My favourite is apple banana chia seeds and cinnamon it’s really amazingly yummeh! I’m having my third glass as I write this.

Music is always in the house, by the way. What we listened to this morn:

Both Dan and I likes Sungha Jung because really, he’s godly with the taaabs!!!!!!!!!!
Best example is this song (Sweet Child O’Mine by Guns N’ Roses) because he arranged the multiple instruments into his single guitar! It is out of this world. I can only imagine how WOW his tabs look like.
And I like the way he hasn’t changed since I started watching him in Form 3? that’s 2006? ~~I’m old.~~ He probably squeezes in half a smile here and there to satisfy the fellow ladies audiences.

And for the GOD of Music Freddie Mercury,

I worship him, I do. I will admit that in public, too.
Songs by Queen has been such powerful influence to me. I cannot thank Queen enough for just making FAWESOME music. My fave OF ALL TIME! Back at home, I’d just play their albums and lie on the floor to pretend I am at their concert… I mean, c’mon! Freddie’s stage presence is
TO DIE FOR.
I love Freddie Mercury. No other words.

Queen’s songs are amazing, but I’ve heard HORRID covers (nobody in particular, so don’t be offended – especially you, Katy Perry).
The best cover I’ve heard is by P!nk during her Funhouse tour in Australia! She has good stage presence too. She has my respect for many things she does and doesn’t, but I love her. She and Lady Gaga alike.

Posted in Everyday Things, Food & Recipes, Homebody, Movies, Music & TV, Videos | Tagged Queen | 1 Comment »

Dolce far niente a Victoria

January 8, 2012 by Michelle Chan

Ever since I complained about the weather, it has really dialed down. It hasn’t been dry-hot in days. It also rained very heavily yesterday morning and cooled the air for Sunday morning at Camberwell!

And to everyone who bothered tweeting back, commenting – YES. Everybody is correct! I bought the Dr Martens! Am I so predictable? Hmmm
Note to Mom: Do not shake your head nor put me on a guilt trip. It’s a 1461 Made In England for far less than half the price!!! & more importantly, it’s my size! Tried to find a Dr Martens at their store once and the smallest was UK 5 1/2…

So,

#1 FORGIVE ME.

One of the best things to do in Victoria is just to do nothing. Il dolce far niente (the art of doing nothing! made popular by Eat, Pray, Love) at Brighton Bay (Brighton) on a Sunday evening:

#3 This is Dan being awed by the view!

#4 My I-am-enjoying-so-much-and-you-can’t-do-anything-about-it face.

#5 I feel like this image just came out of a Peter & Jane / Hallmark book. The bay was awesome for wind!!!

The rays so majestic and sun just kissing our skin lightly…mmhmmm! We sat to have OJ, read, take photos and just drinking the world with our eyes. I always like hearing the waves kiss the shores. I miss Pulau Langkawi so much! On that trip, I got to live right on the beach!!! It was wonderful. HAHA

There’s many places here that I just sit/lay there and enjoy my surroundings, be closer to the nature and it is definitely not outside State Library of Victoria. That place is good for meeting up with people and listening to the street performers. Relaxing? Too noisy!

A good non-beach place to just chill would be Gosch’s Paddock (Richmond). The abundance of greenery soothes the eyes and makes breathing so much more worthy haha! Or if that’s not green enough for you, go across the Yarra River for the Royal Botanic Garden; only a stone’s throw away! That place is HUGE! I always see weddings taken place there as well.
The greens, really is one of the biggest thing that gets me for Victoria. Me loves!

#6 Jump photo!

#7 Dan trumps my jump photo with a levitating photo! HMMMPH!

#8 He also tried his hand on my camera. He was kissing the ground for this one!!!

Sigh! I will really miss Victoria; having the opportunity to relax, to slow down my day, to read, to taste my drinks, to do nothing in the greens, yet the bustling city at my fingertips.

#9 Dan trying his hand on my film camera too!

#10 This and the above #9 are taken at Carlton Gardens (Carlton). I like to read there.

Carlton is north of the city, really really near! At walking distance. Yet, I find such a beautiful garden to relax and enjoy the greens! Carlton Gardens is also host to Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.

Malaysia, we have plenty to work on! And it’s not like we don’t have greens…we just keep on chopping ‘em down. There has to be more green works done in Malaysia, especially urban areas like Klang Valley. Too much pollution! People need to slow down their hectic lifestyles and give appreciation for all the barks and branches that survives our carbon.

As you’d understand, I’m big on treating the environment right. The things we do will come around. Whether you want a friendly back pat or a fat slap, you decide them with your actions. Learn how you can reduce use today!

Posted in Australia, Environment, Everyday Things, Photography, Places | Tagged bay, Brighton, Carlton, climate change, Langkawi, Michelle Visuals, Richmond, sustainability, Victoria | Leave a Comment »

Can you guess what I bought from Camberwell Sunday Market today?

January 8, 2012 by Michelle Chan

Figured that we just MUST go to the Camberwell Sunday Market since it’s my last Sunday here.
I’ll be leaving Melbourne in a week’s time back home to Malaysia. It’s been months, guys! but it feels like I’ve only been here for maybe a fortnight. Three weeks, tops. Time flies even quicker as we get older. Fact!

Sunday morning, rain is falling
Steal some covers, share some skin

Anyway, we got up really early to head over to Camberwell, but the rain was cramping our style. But it was generally smooth since it is really, just a train and a tram ride away. We managed to get some warm food when we’re there – HOTDOG! How New York…