Laurent Cafe Brekkie

This is the only morning we didn't have brekkie at home but the nice cafe in Ivanhoe. The coffee is amazing as usual, also ordered the almond croissant, totally inferior when compared with the one close to office, also a chicken focaccia, yum...

City v Chinese New Year

Didn't plan much but we're at city in the first day of Chinese New Year 年初一, it's all packed near Chinatown and Dragon Dance is all around. You can really feel the festival here, nice... We also walked around a bit taking some 'classic Melbourne photos'.

St.Kilda Festival

Stayed long enough in city, we get on a tram and went to St. Kilda. It's really a big festival, packed with people, shows, food stalls, amusement game and drinking areas. We watched some shows, ate lot of food, burned by sun seriously and laughed a lot. Really enjoy that. The firey show, silly men Packed St.Kilda under nice weather Love this pancake A LOT! Will bought this everytime I saw it A motorbike show Food again! This time is mini pancake, love it! Yep it is a dry zone, therefore every corner that allow drinking is WELL PACKED

We stayed at the festival for around 4 hours, very tired and hot. Taking tram back to Hawthorn Petaling Street Restaurant for dinner, we didn't take any photos for that meal, everyone is just tired... Love the food here, always is my favourite in Hawthorn. We're having yoghurt and fruit as dessert after back home.

20100214 (Sun)

Further readings 陳氏家族遊 Melbourne:

• Family in Melb [1] - my home
• Family in Melb [2] - City
• Family in Melb [3] - City (Eureka Skydeck, RBG), Prahran
• Family in Melb [4] - Brighton, Mornington Peninsula, Philip Isd
• Family in Melb [5] - St.Kilda Festival

After 2 days of city hunting, back to the most precious part of Melbourne - it's all about nature, beautiful scenery, nice weather and good food, also interesting people. Though we're still lack of a nice weather to go out today... Anyway let's start our trip.

Brighton Beach

Not very far from home we've been to the beautiful Brighton Beach, with lots and lots of colourful beach houses here, fun... Did a bit walking on the beach.

Frankston waterfront

Schnappers Point at Mornington

After all the freezing winds and sushi, we need something warm and yummy to fill our stomach, therefore we went to Schnappers Point - for their fabulous fish and chips. This actually become the reason visiting the Mornington Peninsula for me... Some "black and red" couples are taking wedding pictures there, mmmm... not a good day to do so, it's just too overcasted. But the pier here is more calm and warm than the one in Frankston, everyone seems recharged a bit.

Arthur Seats

Weather is crapped when we're driving to the scenic Arthur Seats, definitely can see NOTHING there, we're on top of the clouds... Once again, my car is roaring when taking 5 people when climbing up the hill. Good work little Jazz. Much appreciated it.

Philip Island

Time is not enough Arthurs Seats will be our last stop in Mornington Peninsula. And then we headed to Philip Island for the little penguins. Some issues happened on the way, such as my car is nearly out of fuel therefore we stopped at a patrol station for some fuel and snacks. As I left my mobile in the car boot, can't tell the car in front to stop and had a bit of communication fail on the way. Alright I owe you an apology.

After the ice cream break we entered Philip Island shortly. Silly me drove north to the Cowes but we supposed heading west to the Nobbies... Anyway, we still have some time to walk around after all the mess up on the way...

Closer to sunset we entered the Penguin Parade Centre for more penguins, they're heading home only when the sun is all set.

Our luck is not too bad did see a lot of penguins walking around, really adorable! Head back home after that. On the way we hardly found a McDonalds and we had dinner there. Everyone is so tired we reached home near midnight.

20100213 (Sat)

Further readings 陳氏家族遊 Melbourne:

• Family in Melb [1] - my home
• Family in Melb [2] - City
• Family in Melb [3] - City (Eureka Skydeck, RBG), Prahran
• Family in Melb [4] - Brighton, Mornington Peninsula, Philip Isd

鼠

老鼠就是財神!
在無量劫之前, 多聞天王終於按捺不住, 往佛陀面前, 告老鼠一狀, 衪說, 在大庫之中, "吐寶鼠" 經常偷吃黃財神的珠寶... 佛陀了解事件後, 有這樣的表示. 佛陀說: "這樣吧! 你就把吐寶鼠抓起來, 送牠往凡間, 凡以後地上眾生需要財富的時候, 就往吐寶鼠肚臍壓下去, 牠曾經偷過多少東西, 就要吐回多少出來." 所以, 現在 "密宗" 的圖騰上, 有看見黃財神手執吐寶鼠, 並把寶物送給世間眾生.
另外, 傳說中, 軒轅黃帝要挑選十二個皇宮侍衞, 貓知道這件事, 就委託老鼠代為報名, 但老鼠不知道是有意還是無意, 竟然忘記貓的委託, 貓知道後, 怒不可遏, 與老鼠反了臉, 從此成為世仇. 至於老鼠成為十二生肖之首, 也是老鼠在搬弄手段, 軒轅黃帝說過, 在報名後, 誰在指定日期內到達宗廟報到, 誰就是生肖王, 但老鼠為了省力, 一直騎在牛的背上, 而牛亦是在途中, 遇到最少障礙的一個, 亦是最先到達宗廟前的生肖, 只是進入宗廟前一刻, 老鼠忽然從牛的背上跳下來, 第一個衝入宗廟, 因為, 老鼠就成為十二生肖之首.

牛

"牛軋糖" 是大家喜愛的糖果. 明朝期間, 一個名叫 "商輅" 的浙江考生, 在某天晚上, 夢見自己跪在文昌廟內, 向文昌帝君祈福, 祈求京試順利, 這時擺放在佛像的案枱上, 供奉了紙筆墨硯, 和一盤麥芽糖和花生. 忽然間, 文昌帝君顯靈, 一陣狂風把花生全部自動去了殼, 並自動一一飛入麥芽糖中, 成為了花生糖, 而花生糖又於瞬間化為十數隻牝牛, 朝著 "商輅" 奔來. 而這一刻, "商輅" 驟然夢醒過來.
後來的智慧大儒為此夢作出解釋, 紙筆墨硯再加上花生, 有生花妙筆之意, 對科考來說, 是大吉大利的預兆. 至於花生糖變為牛, 兼向他直奔而來, "牝牛" 代表智慧, 代表天地之母的保護, 是徹頭徹尾的好預兆. 
商輅聞言大喜, 回家後, 命人依照此配方做了大批牛形的花生糖, 送給莘莘學子. 其後, 商輅參加鄉試, 會試, 殿試, 三試中都全為第一名, 之後成為一品官, 是正宗的三元及第.

虎

"虎跑泉" 與 "龍井茶" 堪稱杭州雙絕. 考據由來, 傳說中有兩兄弟, 人稱大虎和二虎, 兩人天生神力, 威猛過人. 某年, 二人想安家於寺院 (現今的虎跑泉), 但和尚告訴他們, 水源不足, 要翻山越嶺才有水喝; 大虎二虎為了能安家, 也甘願負起每天挑水的工作. 某年, 夏天極度乾旱, 喝水比前更困難, 這時候兩兄弟想起以前路過的衡山 "童子泉", 希望能引水到寺中. 兄弟兩人有了決定後, 果然坐言起行. 大虎二虎一路奔波, 但到了衡山卻遇上狂風暴雨, 並一起昏倒在山腳下. 這時候一眾和尚和村民, 齊齊在夢境中, 看見一個小仙人用柳枝上的水, 灑向大虎二人身上, 而兩人立刻變成兩隻斑斕的老虎, 帶著 "童子泉" 直奔杭州. 第二天, 材民看見兩隻老虎在寺院的竹林旁, 用前爪刨出一個深坑, 忽然間暴兩大作, 坑內亦冒出清泉, 因此大家深信眼前的泉水, 是大虎二虎為大家的貢獻, 故改名 "虎跑泉" 以作紀念.

兔

大約在一千五百年前, 一條 "雞兔同籠" 的數學問題, 就表現了中國人的智慧, 其 "砍足法", 令中外數家讚嘆不已. "孫子算經" 內容是這樣題問: "今有雞兔同籠, 上有三十五個頭, 下有九十四足, 求籠中雞和兔各有多少隻?" "孫子算經" 的解答構思是這樣的: 假如砍去每隻雞, 每隻兔一半的腳, 則每隻雞就變成獨腳雞, 每隻兔就變成雙腳兔. 這樣, (一) 雞和兔的腳, 總數變為四十七隻. (二) 如果籠子內有一隻兔子, 則腳的總數比頭的總數多一; 由於這樣, 腳的總隻數四十七與總頭數三十五的差, 就是兔子的隻數. 即是兔子的計算是47-35=12隻兔子. 雞的隻數是35-12=23隻. 這種思維方式稱為 "化歸法", 是面對問題時, 不對問題採用直接分拆, 而是將問題進行實際的變形, 再轉化還原己解決的問題.

龍

一直以來, 龍是蛇演化而來. 在恆久以前的傳統中, 人類的神先女媧, 伏羲, 神農及黃帝等等都是人面蛇身, 民國初期, 聞一多先生更有驚人的論據, 他說在中國的氏族公社時代, 以蛇為主體意念的圖騰比比皆是: 當中以大蛇為主體, 兼有馬的頭, 鱟的尾, 鹿的角, 狗的爪, 魚的鱗, 七併八湊合成龍的圖騰.
到了漢代, 大家對龍的特徵有了九個相似的結論: 其角以鹿, 頭以駝島, 眼似鬼, 身項似蛇, 腹蜃, 鱗似魚, 爪似鷹, 掌似虎, 耳似牛.
中國人, 尤其是明清兩代的皇帝, 對龍的超然地位已到了瘋癲狀態, 更將龍據為己有, 並頒布法令不准百姓使用龍的圖案. 明代畫家戴進畫了一幅 "水母騎龍圖", 因此而掉了性命. 依據歷史記載, 一件由皇陵出土的龍袍, 其身上繡滿大大小小的龍, 竟多達一百九十條.

蛇

除了人類之外, 在這個世界出現的第一種動物, "似乎" 就是蛇! 舊約聖經 "創世紀", 亞當和夏娃就是受到蛇的誘惑, 吃了禁果, 被上帝趕出了伊甸園. 恒久以來, 古人甚喜歡以動物為方位之神. 東方青龍, 西方白虎, 南方朱雀, 北方玄武; 玄武就是由蛇與龜所組成. 例如北京的故宮, 各個大門都有方位之神的外稱, 但北方的朝山門, 通常都稱之謂 "玄武門".
蛇在民間的傳說亦有很多, 最著名的是 "白蛇傳" 和 "馬蘭花". "白蛇傳" 是描述婀娜多姿的白蛇精與青蛇精嚮往凡間, 到了杭州後遇上書生許仙, 二人互生情愫, 後更結為夫婦. 不過, 好景不常碰著金山寺的法海和尚破壞好事, 鬥爭遂起. "馬蘭花" 是描述一個擁有這朵奇花的蛇郎, 無意中救了一名墮下山崖的老漢, 老漢遂把二女下嫁蛇郎, 但黑貓精暗中施計並挑撥大蘭冒妹偷花, 並把小蘭推下深谷...

馬

由古至今, 馬代表生產力, 是財富與身份的象徵. 中國人自古以來, 對馬都有一份特別情感. 相傳 "伯樂" 在一條宮道遇上一匹千里馬, 在拉著沉重的鹽車, 伯樂不禁大哭. 千里馬見伯樂也悲鳴不已, 後來伯樂以重金購下此馬, 之後馬終於大器.
漢武帝劉徹, 為了得到西域的名種馬, 不惜與夷族發動一場戰爭, 他命大將軍李廣遠征大宛, 為的只是十來匹的 "汗血馬". 因為此馬有天馬之稱, 在陽光下, 馬的鬃毛呈現紅色, 此馬日行千里, 是馬中之極品.
戰國期間, 馬匹的多與寡就是代表國力, "千乘之國" 與 "萬乘之國" 是暗示一等國與二等國的分別. 四隻馬連在一輛馬車上, 為之一乘, 萬乘是多少就可想而知了.

羊

"三羊啟泰"  與 "三陽啟泰" 都是如出一轍, 代表春天來臨, 生機重現.
羊肉畢竟是一種美味的食物, 羊肉質甘美, 所以美字是從羊而來, 另一個 "鮮" 字, 魚與羊並列, 都是表示少有和美味的意思. 古時的交通並不便利, 從大海渾載鮮魚往內陸, 是非常吃力, 所以在盛宴中能見魚和羊, 是一件歡欣喜慶事. 中國內陸, 由上海以北區, 普遍喜歡吃 "涮羊肉", 紅燒羊架子, 據說都是禦寒強身的補品, 是非常地道的美食.
論地域的典故, 廣州又稱 "五羊城". 傳說在三千年前周夷王時期, 廣州仍稱為 "楚庭". 當是聚集的人, 大多是南越人與楚人. 據聞, 某年南海來了五位仙人, 他們騎著五色羊, 身穿五色衣, 各人帶著每莖六穗的稻穀, 並為 "楚庭" 祈福, 依野史記載, 當時漫天彩雲, 有天籟之聲, 天花瑞雨從天而落. 所以後來廣州稱為 "五羊城",  簡稱 "穗"

猴

相信很多國人都不知道, 猴子曾經當過圖騰的主角. 但據郭沫若先生的考證, 早在殷人時代, 猴子被視為吉祥物, 因為猴與 "侯" 音相同. 古代封爵位, "侯" 是其中的品位. "禮記": 王者之爵祿, 公, 侯, 伯, 子, 男凡五等. 古人以猴作為封侯的寓意, 所以創作很多寓意吉祥的圖案, 例如猴子騎在馬背上, 稱為 "馬上封侯", 又例如獼猴提金印於樹上, 稱為 "封侯掛印", 母猴背上小猴的圖案, 稱為 "輩立封侯", 而這些圖案, 通當掛在大宅的中堂畫壁上, 或繪於書卷, 或玉器中.
古時文獻亦有記載, 很久以前的馬幫行商, 驅趕馬匹遠行時, 很喜歡攜帶一猴子同行, 因為猴子對騾驢的患病會特別敏感, 能及早向行商提出預告, 每當到達一個新客店, 先讓猴子四周嗅一嗅, 若無瘟疫等症, 才安心寄養馬匹. 其實, 孫悟空的 "弼馬溫", 真正意思是 "避馬瘟". 好聽的官銜只是一個稱謂.

雞

傳說中, 盤古天地初開, 人頭蛇身的女媧用泥創造萬物, 在第一天, 女媧以泥做出的, 就是雞, 到了第七天才做出人類, 到了第八天才做出百穀. 所以正月初一被稱為 "雞日", 初七是是 "人日". 有著風俗的轉變, 人們有 "元日畫雞於戶", "七日貼人於帳", 這就成為日後的新春習俗. 至於畫雞於戶, 有福來滿滿的意思 , 有人說初一殺雞 (吉) 不吉利, 因為有初茹素的傳統.
"雞鳴狗盜" 是馳名古今的成語. 話說戰國時期, 齊國的 "孟嘗君" 喜納人才, 門下食客眾多. 某次, 秦昭王聽信讒言, 想要扣押孟嘗君. 此時孟賞君門下有一異人, 偷來一件珍貴的孤裘, 獻給秦昭王的寵姬, 並得以脫身, 而孟嘗君連夜逃往函谷關. 不過, 孟嘗君等人估計, 泰昭王早晚會反口, 但關後後規定在雞鳴才會開關. 其時, 門客中有人學雞叫, 並引得四周雞啼共鳴, 關吏就開門放行, 孟嘗君因此而脫臉, 秦人也呼奈何.

狗

狗, 公認是聰明的動物. 狗, 公認是忠心的動物. "黃耳", 是一隻名震古今的一代名犬, 牠是 一隻聰慧能解人意, 忠心不阿的家犬, 此犬的主人, 就為西晉文學家陸機所有. 某天, 陸機自感與家人久無通信, 思念日深, 戲謔問黃耳能否傳信, 並行文於書簡中, 緊繫於頸頸, 黃耳似明其意, 怱怱朝家鄉方向出發. 其間, 黃耳沿驛道而行, 飢餓時自行捕食, 見溪而飲, 遇水驛之時向艇家搖尾乞憐, 渡水過江, 盡歷千辛萬苦後, 終回吳縣陸家, 抬頭以竹簡示家人. 陸府家人看罷, 黃耳又懂得以吠聲通知作簡回覆, 其後, 黃耳又再飛奔洛陽. 當其時的社會, 交通不甚便利, 由洛陽至吳縣, 人的步行速度, 大約需時接近兩個月, 但黃耳往返才半個月. 由於黃耳為陸家立下汗馬功勞, 深得陸家上下的寵愛, 黃耳死後, 更獲得陸家風光大葬.

豬

一項重要考古新發現, 為農業耕織的理念起了重大的震盪, 和面對嚴重的挑戰. 一九九一年, 考古學家羅森伯格與其團隊, 在土其其東南部哈南賽米, 發掘出一萬至一萬一千年前的豬體化石, 有關出土的豬骨上顎和臼齒是明顯比野豬為少, 當中還有些證據, 證明有大把野豬逐步轉向家豬之演變.
自古以來, 豬亦與皇族扯上千絲萬摟的關係. (一) 元順帝見豬就特別驚恐.  因為大約在一千三百餘年前, 朱元璋率領農民兵臨城下; 當其時元順帝曾發惡夢, 一隻獠牙凸出, 身塗異彩, 目露兇光的大豬向他猛衝而來. 夢醒後, 他下詔嚴禁人民養豬, 但最終仍逃不過亡國的命運. (二) 漢景帝的妃子, 身懷龍種的時候, 在某天晚上, 景帝在夢中見到一隻紅色, 身外有光環的神豬, 由雲端飄逸而下, 降至崇芳閣, 景帝夢醒後, 見虹氣紫霞籠罩大殿, 遂把崇芳閣改名為猗蘭殿, 其後漢武帝劉徹在致祥中出生.

監製: Edmond Tsang．許創基

口通向腹通向心 通向彼此憶記 每幕都這麼美
他邀約他邀約他 吃著早餐等你 我在餐廳識你

記住溶化的距離 記住相通的天地
BA DA BA BA BA 伴隨痛快歷奇
記住完美的假期 記住一起的滋味
BA DA BA BA BA 耳目心腹手口鼻 (每啖都想分給你)
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一餐歡宴 熟人要有吧 送暖遞茶
一口小吃 會值通心嗎
一番體貼一點親切 未來也有吧(至老掉牙)

給我一個包你一個包 你跟我不結交也可吃飽
最好笑的笑話卻不會飽 最好你跟我可以緊靠
說著笑著吃包 包你逐條味蕾沒收
馬上化做快樂氣泡 飛上月球造巢

口通向腹通向心 通向彼此憶記 以食譜寫週記

記住年少的好奇　記住青春的品味
BA DA BA BA BA (i’m loving it)
記住時間的詭秘　記住光陰的旖旎
BA DA BA BA BA 帶著雙方心觸地
每日分享色香味
I’m loving it

地球很危險 - 古巨基

作曲,編曲: John Laudono 填詞：林夕 監製：古巨基

很想代你 面對世間瘋狂和混亂 這地球 喜歡恩怨
巴不得跟你在太空取暖 讓你平靜造個美夢 躲開這個失樂園
天高地厚 就快也不夠日爭夜鬥 已不適合情侶暢聚漫遊
當小溫馨偉大到像虛構 在我懷內願你當綠洲
我用風箏攜著你走

很危險 下秒將 地老天荒
當千紙鶴難以伴妳飛 就擲向星光

只想可跟你同住天幕裡
流浪太虛 別了地球 留下壯舉
只得你我莫問誰和誰 只需一寸赤地團聚
星海 隨便去寄居 足印 熔在隕石裡

烏煙俗氣　就快看不見甚麼是愛 那七宗罪便夠殺掉未來
心比起空氣受更大污染 就算逃入夢裡去渡海
怕幸幅之門被炸開

不管 來或去
火星踏碎 若你覺得已住不下去 哪個星球你想去

Get off train at Southern Cross Station and walked to the Southband passing Aquarium as part of the city sightseeing.

We entered the Crown Casino without Bo as he didn't have any identification and with a backpack that can't bring in. Spent $2 on playing so many games in different slot machines, it's too complicated for us to understand what's happening there.... Leaving the casino we walked around the many kiosks on Southband for celebrating Chinese New Year the day after. Not much of them opened yet.

Eureka Skydeck

And then we went to the Eureka Skydeck, a new attraction built in the recent years. Haven't been there before it's really high enough, buildings and cars look too much like toys. Kind of fun, though the entrance fee is a bit much

Royal Botanic Gardens

Passing the ugly NGV, caught a tram on St.Kilda Rd and get off next to the Shrine of Remembrance. Had a walk around it though we all feel that it is too dark and terrible inside. Relaxing in the gardens, and have a break in the Tea Room inside RBG, food is below average. We ordered a Chai Latte for trying, the sweet taste of tea is not for us...

Prahran and Chapel St, Richmond

We took another tram and rushed to Prahran Market just before it close. Seems everyone love Chapel St far more than the city, an interesting area I agree. We're so tired after all the walking, took tram (again!) and get to Richmond to have vietnamese noodles at Pho Dzung 勇記, we also ordered 2 sets of spring rolls, very yum :)

After dinner they did another shopping at the fruit and veg store at Richmond, we back home by train (no more tram again...)

20100210 (Thur)

Further readings 陳氏家族遊 Melbourne:

• Family in Melb [1] - my home
• Family in Melb [2] - City
• Family in Melb [3] - City (Eureka Skydeck, RBG), Prahran

Something fun after a whole day tidying up the messy home.... The more I'm tidying the messier it becomes, oops

Walked to the train station, the ticket machine keep rejecting the notes therefore all the tickets bought using Eftpos... Silly me should buy the ticket first. Get off at Flinders St Station and walked thru Swanstons St and Bourke St Mall. Entered the GPO the first time.

Entered the State Library, La Trobe Reading Room is always amazing! Hang around the exhibition upstair too.

Leaving the library, slightly walked pass the interesting RMIT green vege building and Melbourne Central. Then had lunch and QV food court, ordered 3 claypots with rice, 2 soups and a Oportto burger for sharing, yum :) (too hungry didn't take any photos...)

Next stop is the foreign country classic - China Town at Little Bourke St (發現 '中國國民黨駐域多利支部' 旁竟開著 '毛家菜', 夠諷刺), too boring for me no photos taken at all. Then walked uphill to Parliament House, passed its door and had a short break at Hudsons Coffee, heavy rain started pouring...

Weather is getting worse we jumped on the tram 96 hoping the sky will clear out soon. At last found out that we didn't stand a chance to get off as thunderstorm and severe rain outside, the road is flooded... therefore we're taking the same tram back and get off in the same stop again (didn't it sounds stupid?) Mum is getting sick and threw out, we decided to head back home by train. The entrance of Parliament Station is flooded, water depth closed to 10cm, out feet all soaked...

Back to Alphington, bought some vege and tomatoes for cooking soup for dinner at a fruit shop closed to the station (everyone fall in love with that shop very soon...), and went to Ivanhoe Coles buying meat and some yoghurt for dessert. Nice and warm dinner tonight.

Tired enough for today, too much walking and really bad weather... Hey give me some sunlight please

After a bowl of not-tasting-very good Beef in Pho at Viet Stars Fairfield, I drove to the airport collecting the Chan's family incl my mum, bro and 2 aunts. Reached there a bit early, with a bit of loss finally I'm parking at the BP close to the airport. Airport parking is terrible especially you can't really find a free one around it, all the cars are randomly parked. Stayed there from 9:30pm for half an hour, then get into the normal Short Term Parking from 10pm as it's much closer to the airport, and wait there for extra half an hour. Feeling soooooooo excited when I saw them, hahahaha I'm always surprised how tal I am everytime with the family :)

Cool we're heading back home and had a small issues when leaving the airport parking, which it mentioned I'm still have $6 outstanding fee, kind of black luck as they charged $6 for every 20mins, and the time I paid the fees to getting out of the car park is just in-between the intervals. That's why I'm STILL HAVE OUTSTANDING FEES, god I stayed there for that short and it charged me $18, CRAZY!

Anyway reached home with a ease, 5 people stayed in a small house feel a bit crowd but very fun, with no chair or any extra furnitures at my home we managed sitting and sleeping on the carpet with some sheets covered. This have to be a BIG THANKS to Jo, Dean and Ken for lending me quilts and pillows and all the stuffs. After all the mess and cloth-scissor-rocks for who sleeping the bed we all settle down and rest at nearly 1.

Feel so tired and hot, headache...

陳氏墨爾本五人團今天成軍, 成員包括媽,弟,萍姨,芳姨. 晚上 10pm 在 airport 接到眾人, 沒有發生太多問題就只是出不了停車場, 票在付費後到出閘前再過期, 只停了半個多小時竟要付 $18 停車費, 不愧為澳洲停車費第二貴的機場... 當各人回到我家, 小小的家有快擠爆的感覺, 很熱鬧. 第一晚好多東西要 setup, 包括急需解決的梳洗地方行李放置還有睡床. 家裡什麼都沒多餘的: 一床一椅一桌一set碗筷, 無電視無飯桌無冷氣 (這間旅館還真是什麼都沒有...). 還好借到床單舖在地上作床, 這晚便猜個包剪桘來決定未來十天睡床的次序, 其餘輸家就只可睡地上, 還好是地毯, 說真的也挺舒服, 至少比睡車裡舒服就是. 但要眾人去旅行去到像露營, 怪不好意思的... 第一個晚上就這樣, 晚安.

20100209 (Wed)

昨天才見過你入黑回到家後又開始想你, 我到底怎麼了. 但願堆積如山的瑣事能暫時把我抽離, 平常心你在那裏, 腦海裏失控的分子又開始不安份了. 干擾著我的情緒, 控制著我的行動. 自制力, 回來. 好了, 游鴻明你還是暫避一下吧, 我轉聽武田雅治, 還是很 sad 的...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2010/02/01/2806296.htm

Paynesville

Paynesville is a very small town, when driving there it is so easy to miss the entrance (well i do...), the view is so great when getting close to the town as the road is surround by lakes and water, lovely! Grabbed the cordial in a wine store is the first and must-do thing when I reached, that's WHAT BOUGHT ME HERE! Had a short walk around and took lunch at a fish n chips store (not exciting).

Big fish at Paynesville

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria close next to Eagle Point is not long drive from Paynesville, had a short walk there, the lake is so beautiful and quiet. The weather is nice too.

Very quiet and crispy clean Lake Victoria

Though when I got bite by the mossi and it's like getting out of control, rushed back to Bairnsdale Priceline for sme stingose and bushman, maybe I had too much yummy food now myself transformed to a yummy food too...

Got bite here, 4 big spots within 30s!

Stingose Spray and Bushman, don't know it can repel fries too!

The QVM night market only open in summer Wednesday night, living in Melbourne for 6 years this is my first time there... As no one have ideas there're so many FOOD in the market we had dinner in China Town "Empress of China 大富貴食府", food are fine.

Entree and soup

Main courses

Prawn dumplings and a alcoholic drink bought from QVM

QVM

The market is crowded with people, most of them are drinking outside the market. There're lots of food in the market, smell very nice, and every store had a long queue... We started to regret not having dinner in the market... Walking around there're some interesting shops, met Emma and her friend. Bought a alcoholic drink in the market, not a very tasty one though, a bit tricky trying to take it outside the market as there're security guards. Fun night!

Outside the market

The really yummy soap (not a good photo though...)

People dancing next to the band

Getting excited

People all around

Whittlesea

Keep driving north I reached Whittlesea, not much here just a normal little town. It's quite a hot and humid day, walking inside the town is not very comfy especially not much stores opened as I reach there after 5pm...

Whittlesea old court house, now visitor centre

Kinglake

Leaving Whittlesea sky is getting a bit darker which really decreasing the mood of going further, drive towards east to the direction of Kinglake. Nearly a year after the Black Saturday that killed a lot. Never been to Kinglake before, when driving through the National Park everything is burnt out, the trees look awkward and the land is black... Look quite similar to the scene in Tarra-bulga National Park near Traralgon, as both of them are serious damaged by the bushfire last year. Feel so sad. Had a little stop at the entrance to the NP, they're having a sign describing the bushfire which damaged 98% of the national park, really terrible.

The National Park signed is burnt out...

The entrance is blocked

The awkward trees

All the black...

Yarra Glen

On the way home passed Yarra Glen, a nice little town in a flat area surround by the mountains. Didn't do much here only know there're not much restaurant here I'm so hungry... Heading back home on the way passed Eltham.

Standing here can feel a bit better after all the bad feeling bought by passing through Kinglake

Quiet town Yarra Glen

22/1 Friday after work drove to Whittlesea, Kinglake and Yarra Glen, more details in the next post.

23/1 been to Northcote and City to help selecting lens for Ken's new Sony DSLR. Dropped a glass bottle on floor when wandering around, I'm not shocked even quite curious at that moment the bottle is going to hit the floor, I'd better to hold any bottle like holding a beaker using in lab in the future...

24/1 I made a decisions, and spoke out what I'm thinking (sort of...) to someone important. Though it's always hard to guess what's in your mind but I'm trying behave myself and be more positive. Besides that, thanks for your big 'frankfurt' mattress.

25/1 Because of the gloomy weather or maybe I can't stop thinking or maybe I'm so nervous, heavy headache so unwell. Staying at home start sleeping from 6pm to next day 8am.

26/1 Australian Day practiced 3hrs piano, hands are so soared... Went to Torquay with D, actually not really where we want to go, anyway had a short walk around there and relax. On the way home dropped by at city office for a while for him to fix something. Had dinner at that very nice Thai restaurant in Ivanhoe, coconut rice, green curry chicken and pad thai, yummy! Thanks for the day.

Joined the crowd for the popular Aussie Open this year at 23/1. Rod Laver had all the famous player and main matches, with double priced ticket when compared with Hisense Arena next to it (around $5x in Hisense), we'd better see the matches holding in Hisense... For me all players are just the same except my favourite Federer or Nadal. I don't care anyway...

Get inside the arena at 6:30pm, here's some information I directly copied from my friend's FB: (i'm lazy and always confused about this kind of things...) We had two matches to see:

Men's Single 3rd Round

Legends' Doubles

Before the match

Tossing coin at the start of match.

Tommy Haas

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Hisense Arena and funny people singing and clapping

Tsonga's match is exciting, love the environment, the noise and the songs singing around. When both the player start producing some 'tired' sound in such a quiet environment, everyone start giggling... hehehehe... It's a good match. Though the arena is freezing after sunset.

Sunset at Hisense Arena

During the break rushed outside to buy cup of hot choc for warming up. The second match Legend's Doubles is a big joke, all players are playing around especially Henri the French guy. They are shouting and teasing each other, exchanged clothes with the boys and judges around, hiding in a storage box on the court. All the silly stuff but have some fun there.

On the way home at 11:45pm Flinders St stn

Dinner at Claypot

Dinner with Ginnie yesterday night (28/1) at St Kilda Claypot, amazing seafood. We arrived too early therefore had a bit of cocktail and a plate of Prawns with Tamarind at the bar next to the restaurant. The cocktail called Mojito is very nice, a bit sweet and fruity.

Ordered a Kerela and a Crispy Silver Dory as main, the fish is SO YUM, didn't had this kind of fish soooo long. Kerela is a rice dish with mussel, the sauce had some ginger tasted sweet, interesting.

Had some nice fresh prawn here, the bar next to Claypot Mojito Crispy silver dory, yum yum yum Kerela

Ice cream became our compulsory everytime we met :) We bought some drumsticks and back to Ginnie's beautiful home at Elwood. Her home is so new and beautiful. When I'm sitting on the comfy big sofa the only thing in my mind is, "SEE? HOME SHOULD REALLY LOOK LIKE THIS", but I don't have any budget to make my living area look even a bit similar to that... Ginnie's place actually quite different from my imagination, I guess it could be all pinky and all fluffy dolls and decoration around, like most of the girls room I know. But in fact it's quite stylish though the little fluffy dolls still occupied nearly the whole TV shelf... Anyway thanks for inviting me to your place.

All about food

How come my life start focus on food trialling? And yep D keep buying me tasty food that's good and I'll keep watching my weight, heheheh... Lime cordial is nice; Raspberry sport water is much better than Gatorade, Rum n Raisin choc is so yum; that Danish cheese and ham roll is good; also the Blood Orange drink, Mini Pattie, Christmas pudding, musk, dusted Jelly Babies, Bim Bam... and never can left out the yummy thai green curry chicken with rice. That's a lot, mmmm mouth started watering again...

Dad's call

At some point of time I'm very disappointed and unhappy about dad's decision of leaving everyone behind. Received his call a day before, seems he is having a much better life than before, although I'm also worrying about is he able to take care himself... We had a pleasant long chat that didn't happen in the past year. Hope he can keep contacting me in the future as I have no way to contact him... Hope I'm not hoping too much just want to keep contact, hear his voice and know he's well. Love you Dad.

TV, Momo's Love

Too busy didn't watch any dramas and these days keeping sacrificing my sleeping hours watching the Taiwanese Dramas "Momo's Love". Plot is familiar and story is familiar too, but I love the concept of it, keep reminding family can be very close and can't be replaced by anything.

TR Celebration mini party

Another party hosted by the company at 29/1, taking place in Amora Hotel Richmond, which is same as place as last year's function. It became a mini party, with 30 accepted the invitation but only half them actually showed up... And some of us come here only because of the yummy food they have :) Enjoyed the nice chatting around, with very entertaining Mary... Keep laughing and drinking. Ended up finishing the 5.5 cups of beer, and the function ends at 7pm. D didn't make it as he and Tay need to fix something in city... Glad he came to pick me up later or otherwise it could be so tired to walk back home from the station...

the crowds at the party, Charmaine brought something interesting there...

A bit drunk waiting for pick up in McDonalds, freezing cold there... my head is so heavy ending up lying on the table...

Great door to door service really appreciate that, D. Got my first hangover at night, my head is going to explode and some how I want to throw out but didn't, take long to fall a sleep. Today wake up with slight headache, much better.

Together with the celebration we received a TR tee (which described as 'SO GAY' by someone), together with the cap received before, guess I will never wear like this outside...

Collingwood war

Little war in the little office between Carly and Scott. PS xmas party shots vs Well decorated Collingwood desk... I helped a bit on the PS things, haha very fun.

[HERE GOES THE ACTUAL CONTENT...]

Forcing myself to cook at the start of every week, then I can same some money for really good food... I'm easily get bored therefore choosing the 'weekly dish' become a very important and interesting task. Also depend on the mood, most of them are chosen because it is the first thing I'm eager to eat when I wake up in that morning... Let's see what I've cooked after moving out.

• Dec 09: Chinese Dumplings with pork and bak choy
• Dec 09: Taiwanese fried vermicelli with ham and spring sprout
• Jan 10: Japanese Curry with chicken and rice
• Jan 10: Caesar salad
• Jan 10: Fettuccine vongole (clams)

Caesar Salad (Cos Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Caesar Salad Dressing, Bacon) Preparation of the Fettuccine vongole Fettuccine vongole

Curry sauce Japanese curry

This is it.... all I've cooked for nearly 3 months excluding instant noodles and fried eggs.... Only 5 formal dishes with each of them will a week to finish (around 5-8 serves usually) And I've only have rice dishes for a week in 3 months since I moved out, BIG DIFFERENT with having rice 4 days a week back to the old days... That's why no rice cooker in my home :)

In order to add some interest to my daily meal, I bought two tools yesterday night at Good Guys: A blender and a steamer (still not a rice cooker, haha...) The reason behind buying a blender simply because I want to have fresh juice to drink... Especially eating too much salad make me sick. And I've made the first thing using the blender is this:

The blender, it looks nice but actually it's on special, very cheap only $35... Lettuce, apple, rockmelon and melon juice

I've never think of making or even try a lettuce juice before. It tastes quite nice, maybe because of the very sweek melons and apple. Making such a weird juice is because I bought a whole Cos Lettuce to make the Caesar salad.... Somehow having it for several meals really sick of it therefore juice them could be a good idea. Same reason can applied for the melons.

And steamer... Maybe I'm just lazy, once I notice I could fill all the food into the steamer and eat I start getting excited. Haven't try using it yet though.

And just an hour ago the maintenance guy of the real estate agent finally come to fix the rangehood. So silly is there're nothing to fix, it is working just a bit tricky to turn it on. He also taught me how to use the oven and show me the griller which I don't even know it's there! He also fixed the door hinge. THAT IS SO COOOOOOOL, now I have a fully functional kitchen. And seems I don't need a toaster if there is a griller, toasted a sandwich for lunch today.

Ciabatta (a italian bread) with fried egg and bacon, avocado, sliced cheese with cos lettuce as salad

Could the most yummy sandwich I ever made... See there is avocado in side? Finally finish the last bit of it after keep eating for a week... All the friends at work are suggesting ways eating it, such as...

• Avocado on sandwich
• Avocado with soy sauce (eat like a sashimi)
• Avocado with lots of pepper on toast
• Avocado with fresh lemon juice on toast

Avocado with soy sauce I know it look a bit disgusting...

Instead of the last one I've tried all this week as breakfast. Though a green spread on toast doesn't look nice, but it tastes quite good. And thanks for letting me know bread CAN STAY FRESH FOREVER in freezer. (And another one is banana can stay fresh in freezer for making cakes), now I can have sandwich at home anytime...

Also some almond croissant from the Sweet Friday Morning, we have a whole box of it!

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