Nothing much
Nothing much has been happening lately for me to update it in my blog...think its now the quiet season for me just before heading off to Melbourne next weekend (which is a long weekend) ;). I guess you could say that it has settled down now into normal'cy (at least until my next adventure)...cannot really remember what I did last week (it was gone so fast and all a blur ;)...know I played volleyball on Saturday night, hmmmm....oh yeah watched almost the entire season 5 of 24 (thanks to Lil who was content just to keep me company and hang around the house), played some basketball at my place...
oh yeah! had dinner with Lil and her family at this Chinese resturant (had Singapore chilli crabs) in Kingsford...quality wise it wasn't that good (I should have known better :P) and the crabs were small and average...the mung tao was good tho with the sauce. However, just wait till I bring Lil to Jumbo seafood at ECP in Singapore later this year...haha...then I will show her what the real Singapore chilli crab should taste like :)
Other than meeting her family, playing sport and watching tv-series on my computer, that was pretty much it for the weekend. No plans yet for this coming weekend (except been called into play volleyball on Sat night again with training on Sunday morning)...see where that takes us :P haha
Ashleigh's 21st...
Last Saturday (19th), we had a full action packed day planned :) + the weather was perfect (again...). Firstly we had an archery session planned for the afternoon and then later Maz's cousin invited us to his 21st birthday party :) haha..good time good times ahead. Anyway the day started out kinda slowly because I mistook what was written on the email invite for archery for 11am start (when in actual fact it was scheduled to start at 12am)...so we both had an hour to spare. Since we were at Olympic Park (Newington) we had a walk around the 'neighbourhood'. Found this delightful exercise park surrounded by new apartment buildings just across the lake where I stay. Seeing if I still had it from my army days...I decided to try out the good old chin-up bars (which my Singapore friends can attest were your best friends in the army)...and here is photographic proof that I still got it ;) yupz I do.
Living in an area like this...you will definitely need a car (due to the lack of train/bus stops in that area), however the upside is that the apartments are all new and its quiet and peaceful type feel to it haha...there is also a long jogging track right beside the water :)
This is the view of my area from across the lake, I live somewhere at the end of the 4 aparment buildings on the right hand side of the photos (according to Lil, whom has driven past there on numerous times...I just take her word for it haha).
After procastinating for about an hour at the park and surrounding parklands, we finally headed back to the Archery Centre...where our friends had finally arrived :) it was quite a large group of us (about 12 people) and like last time we were given our bows and instructions on how to use them (see my previous post when I went here with Ant :) Everything was pretty much the same, except the guy who instructed us was like a PT comedian (am sure he has gone thru the same routine countless times for other groups :)
Bradley doing "the walk of shame" (ie. missed the target completely so had to go walk past the target to pick up his arrows) haha ;) j/k bradley! 
H and Lil at the target board...hmmm...no prizes for guessing who got the bullseye ;) Me. haha...(I think)
The girls firing...you can just make out Bradley's gf in the background
As mentioned before, we also had Maz's cousin (Ashleigh) 21st party to go to. Now we don't personally know him, but this being Sydney Australia, parties are meant to be full of people (as long as you know someone at the party = invitation ;) well we knew Maz so there is a family connection which is good. This being a Sydney party it was held in Ashleigh's house (a very nice and large one too...designed by Maz's brother, an architect) and there were tons of people there (lots of Asian chix too :P haha...) This picture was taken on my new hp (not too good despite it being 2MP :P oh well it was useful on the night as I'd forgotten my trusty Panasonic)... Anyway can you imagine this was a 21st...felt old (but still young at heart) being surrounded by those young 21 y.o or even younger. Played some drinking games with Ashleigh's sister (errr...won't mention her age in case I get into trouble haha) but his parent's were very good sports about it (allowing this 'rowdy' bunch or Asians into their house with free flow alcohol :P
The birthday boy, his sister and his father (with the cake and mango pudding)
JB was there too! He showed us how a Queenslander should drink! haha...notice the Bacardi Breezer in his hand (*wimp*) haha...all good fun!
H and Lish...awwww...now as we have found out in our drinking game '7' - H cannot make it past 28...haha...and neither can I actually...stupid multiples of 7 :(
Mango pudding...lots of it! 
Part of the birthday cake..oh btw...there was also sooo much food (a mixture of delicious BBQ and catered Italian, like risotto, spagetti, yummm....ate sooo much again) looks like I won't get to lose weight whilst I am in Sydney :P
View of the kitchen area...I quite like the long counter in the kitchen, very convenient to sit down and eat, read the papers, etc
Now this is the 'Hommy' shot...its blurry because these dudes are jumping up and down and rapping (they are Asians trying to be African-American :P *) and smoking a Shashika Pipe (spelling?). It was really quite funny hearing them trying to rap and make stuff up whilst huddling in a circle together (hmmmm ;) got to be there to laugh at it...think by that time (11.35pm everyone including yours truely was quite high from the free flow of alcohol (and good quality stuff too!) and the moment of celebration. Even the birthday boy and his father were praying to the 'ceramic gods' (translation: they were sick in the toilet from too much alcohol :P) ahaha...
A fun night :)
On Sunday...we went to a picnic BBQ *(yes another BBQ...it is the Aussie culture...all that BBQ steaks and sausages!) at a park near my place organised by Quyhn (who actually took the whole of Sat to prepare the food)...it was delicious and the weather was spectacular!
So that is all for me from my weekend...don't think I would want to go to another BBQ again for awhile. Melbourne in a couple of weeks! (Leo, Mich, Yish...get ready!!! haha cya then :)
Nepal Anyone?
For my friends in Singapore (or even in Australia) who is reading my blog...is anyone interested in going to Nepal in December? Lil and myself are very interested and are looking at doing a stop-over in Singapore (civilisation) before heading to Nepal. After some preliminary research (a little early on my part I know...but you know thats just normal for me whenever I get to organise a trip ;)...we found out that there is a 15D land package tour of Nepal for AUD900++ (its pretty much a roughing it out sort of tour with hikes and rafting and all...no 5 star stuff) now its only a question of whether we want to fly there direct or have a stop-over in Singapore. More research to come! :) http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/NXA
Tom Tom 2/2
Tah dah!!!! Let me introduce to you the second half of Tom Tom...I got a new smartphone (O2 Graphite) which can interact with the GPS system (see very old post a long time ago when I got the GPS receiver) as well as being my replacement phone ;). Now will not need to look at another street directory again whilst in Australia...endless long road trips here we come! :). It also has a 2MP camera and a 2GB memory card!!!...only downside is that it consumes power very very quickly :P but for my purposes I already have a car charger for it so shouldn't be a problem :P
Thanks Ant for the installation!
The Beauty of Singlish
Why Singlish is better than English?When going shopping...Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we dont seem to have the sweater you want in ur size, but if you give me a moment, i can call the other outlet for u.
Sporean: No Stock!
When returning a call...Britons: Hello, this is Mr Bean. Did anyone page for me a few moments ago?
Sporean: Hello, who page?
When someone is in the way...Britons: Excuse me, i'll like to get by. Would u pls make way?
Sporean: Lai, Siam! / Siam hor! / Skius
When someone offers to pay...Britons: Hey, put ur wallet away, this drink is on me.
Sporean: No nid.
When asking for permission...Britons: Excuse me, do u think it's possible for me to enter through this door?
Sporean: (While pointing at the door) Can or not?
When asking to be excused...Britons: If u would excuse me for a moment, i have to go to the gents/ladies. Please carry on without me, it would only take a moment.
Sporean: Go toilet. Cannot tahan oreddy.
When entertaining...Britons: Please make yourself right at home
Sporean: Dun shy leh!
When doubting someone...
Britons: I dun recall u giving me the money.
Sporean: Where got?/Sure or not?
When declining an offer...Britons: I'd prefer not to do that if u dun mind.
Sporean: Do'waaaaaan
When deciding on a plan of action...
Britons: Wat do u propose we do now that the movie's sold out and all the restaurants are closed?
Sporean: So how? Go where?
When disagreeing a topic of conversation...
Britons: Err... Tom, i have to stop u there. I understand where u 're coming from, but i really have to disagree with wat u said abt the policy.
Sporean: Talk cock la, you!
When asking someone to lower their voice...Britons: Excuse me, but could u pls lower ur voice, i'm trying to concentrate over here.
Sporean: Eh, Tiam can or not?
When asking someone if he knows u...Britons: Excuse me, but i noticed u staring at me for some time. Do i know u?
Sporean: See wat?
Haha :) all familiar sounds and phrases I hear...miss Singapore :P
Emotional Volleyball game
Last night, one of my volleyball teams (Netrix) played one of the toughest games so far at Broadway (if that was possible)...we played one of the top teams in the comp...and unfortunately lost :( in the short 1 hour game time, we could only play one set (33-31)...yes up to 33 points :P (normally volleyball sets are only up to 25 points...what a marathon game). Both teams were equally pumped up...but what was frustrating for me is that in that close set, we were serving for the match at least 4 times (and in all 4 times, we lost the point ourselves...mishits, service errors, etc soooo f%$^^@# frustrating..especially since the oppostion needed only one opportunity/advantage to win the set)
And what an important set it was...because due to the time limitations, the second set could only be played out to 18-19 (yes another close one, and in their favour :P) meaning that it was a drawn set (didn't reach the required 25 points)...so the other team 'won' because of the first set advantage.
Besides the score...it was a highly intense game and me being my passionate self was probably putting too much pressure on the rest of my team mates to perform at the next level (but I cannot help it when silly errors are made and we lose the point...arrrrgh..so frustrating esp since we had a chance of winning coming from behind too!). Feeling guilty now :P but you know the saying: "play hard...or go home" (ok...I may have modified it a little :P). In the second set, I was stuffed! I was playing in the outside hitter position (no. 4) and well...was spiking the ball well and winning the points ('on fire' ;) and my setter kept setting me up for the kills :P. Well I never jumped so much continuously before (we were getting back into the second set)...and at the end of it all was covered in sweat and pretty exhausted (a good feeling after a good workout..in this case volleyball game :) hehe)
The result was still a lost but the experience for the team in playing a tight long game was good:
"its better to play a tight game and lose than to play easy games and win" I say...
Lys's Engagement
Last Saturday, was a special day for Lil...it was one of her best friend's engagement party :) at her house. But before that, during the day, we both went to the famous Bondi beach for breakfast and a walk/jog along the costal path (didn't take too many pictures, as I have already got too many pictures of Bondi beach). The skies were blue and the weather cooling...a typically perfect Sydney weather :). There were surfers and plenty of foot traffic about. The costal walk goes from Bondi beach to Bronte beach and its about 3.5km long...oh and for those who like cute dogs, there were plenty of them...like a cute dog show...all being shown off by their proud owners...haha... Along the walk we saw plenty of houses and apartments...some were really nice but others well, just looked like crap (having said that...I still don't mind having one of those crappy looking/old apartments or houses, facing the beach...they would be worth millions to anyone wanting to sell it) Sigh...can only dream and wish that I had bought property 30 years ago when it was soo cheap for beach front properties :P Other than the relaxing walk, there was nothing else worth noting, except the good weather and the relaxing scenary of both beaches :). A nice (abeit early morning) start to the weekend ;) 
I wonder what Lil is so scared about??
It was this giant spider!! ;) haha..creepy
That night, we went to Kev and Lys's engagement party. It was a house party and thinking it was going to be one of those small affairs (you know dinner with a bunch of close friends, some alcohol and lots of talk)...how wrong I was :P...it was one of those no holds barred sort of parties, with tons and tons of food (catered as well as home cooked...took weeks to prepare the massive quantities of food); a professional photographer; a large marquee with tables and chairs set out in the backyard; even a DJ with strobe lights; and multiple brands of beer, and wine ;). Shall not bore you with the photos of people (see slide show below for a selection of the more interesting pictures), instead will show you the highlights:
Lys is the one in the bottom left...in red
Lil and me : )
Food table 1...so much food :P mixture of BBQ and chinese style food (Lys's parents/family really have been slaving away in the kitchen this past week)
Food table 2 - see the mountain of prawn crackers!!!
This super large styrofoam container of fresh tiger prawns...they tasted as good as it looks hehe...
Look at the size of them (and colour)!!! Prawn heaven :P
There was so much delicious food (of course being in an Asian family house where there are guests and stuff)...really did have a good time that night. On and the BBQ pork was also delicious and to die for ah.... :). Next was the desserts...and there were the traditional chinese cookies, fruits, biscuits, jelly desserts...again enough to feed an army...but by that time I was pretty much stuffed :P Oh, I did save some space for...
A profitero swan cake! with custard in the middle and chocolate icing as the base of each swan...so sweet and nice...very impressive :)
Another custard strawberry cream and chocolate eclairs type of dessert - like the swan cake, it was massive - love is sweet :P
After dessert, customary thank you speaches we then cleared the tables and used the hired DJ (yes they even hired a DJ with his own equipment like strobes for the event!) and danced around to pretty good music in the outdoor marquee :)...even the groom and bride-to-be's parents got involved and there was even a little limbo to the Maccarena :P haha..all good fun :). The alcohol was free flow (although no one really got trashed...of course...there were adults there :P mah) and a good variety :). Kev and Lys are having their wedding next year in October, so judging by the high standard of their engagement party...I can hardly wait :P. It really sets the standards now hehe...
Please see below for the rest of the pictures of the day...
Resturant Balzac
Last Fri, Maz's cousin (who is a SIA air steward) from Singapore! :) Jonathan came to visit, actually Sydney was one of his stops...he hadn't been to Sydney for almost 6 months (pretty exciting life...flying everywhere for 'free' and getting allowances and accomodation in different destinations). I was pretty excited...got to speak to a Singaporean about the latest goss and developments in the homeland ;). Found out that Jono is quite a clubber in Singapore and he offered to take us out to all the clubbing spots
(MOS, Zouk, St James) possibly with all his other (good looking) female SIA colleagues ;) when we visit possibly in Dec later this year (will be going to Perth before that for my good friend's wedding)...got his handphone number so can co-ordinate and tie down a date...yeah!!! party time in Dec here we come :) so excited...Oh and btw...you may have seen Jono on some billboards and tv ads in Singapore (truely!)..another celebrity in our midst!
As you can see...I was dressed for the occassion..haha (not really as I had just finished work :P)
Anyway to 'celebrate' Jono's arrival in Sydney we (Maz, Lil, JY and myself) brought him to this really nice fine dining (Australian/French) resturant in Randwick called:
Resturant Balzac...reviews:
http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/restaurant_balzac.htm this is one of the highly rated resturants in Sydney and very reasonably priced ;) would recommend it to anyone (as the reviews says). Here are some pictures of the dishes we had :) (the Asian in me haha):
Some pea type of soup in a little cup (meant to neutralise all the acids and stuff in your mouth so the taste of the food is emphasised)..a detaster?
Forgot what this was..but it was good...
Rabbit sausages..my choice (seem to always pick the rabbit/hare dishes whenever I come to these French resturants hammmmm..
Quail pie...Jono's choice...this was really really good!
Oysters! Maz just loves her Oysters... unfortunately considering the time, there were only half a dozen left :(
Lamb dish...with a sort of potatoe cake
My main dish...Coq au vu! (yes I managed to remember it...its sort of like a chicken stew where the meat just falls off the bone) was served with mash potatoe, onions and bacon chunks for saltiness...good stuff...
Now, Lil ordered a beef dish, it looked good and the beef was so tender
Balzac's famous...bread and butter pudding with honeycomb ice-cream...delicious...very sweet tho :)
Chocolate fondant
And the total cost of it all? (a very reasonable $60 per person)...me and Jono had some champagne with our meals ;)...cannot wait to try the degustation menu next time :)
