local dinner

Birthday shout outs: 26O411 - Lisa L.'s 19th Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA =); 3OO411 - Fianna's 19th; O1O511 - Kit's 19th; O2O511 - Christina L.'s 19th; 11O511 - Kenneth's 19th.

Hanh invited us all to dinner at Cabramatta.The restaurant we were supposed to go to was closed today. Of all days, it closed today *sigh*. So we went to Iron Chef instead. It was an expensive restaurant, but the bill ended up not being so expensive =). I think Derek ended up choosing most of the dishes for us, and anyone who wanted to have desserts paid for themselves. I actually always wanted to eat with everyone like how we did today; we'd sit around a round table and order many dishes and rice, and share the food around. 

I had an enjoyable night, and the food was quite delicious =). I had fun talking to people who I haven't seen in a while too. I also felt like I've gotten a bit closer to people as well =) which I'm quite happy about. We started goofing around a bit more when the fruits and biscuits came; the boys had fun spinning the glass tray thing while we tried to eat the food. Thanh and Minhky also mocked how Vicky and I flirt. Why they think I'd walk back and start drooling, or how they think Vicky tickles her ears (they said play with hair around her ears, but it looked more like playing with her ears instead), I have no idea but it was a hilarious sight to behold LOL!

Group photo.

After dinner, we ended up loitering around. It starting to become a habit of ours LOL. But I didn't mind it at all. Even though the weather was a bit cool, I felt happy, laughing and talking away with the others =). Though, I do hope nobody got sick, or gotten more sick anyways. Many thanks to Mimi's older brother for driving me home =). I have GOT to get my Ps soon =/.

PS. Thanks Hanh for the photos and home-made cupcakes =). The cupcake was delicious =).

Hanh's home-made cupcake =D.

ANZAC Day Movie Marathon

23O411 - Minhky's 19th Birthday.

Happy ANZAC DAY Everyone=).

Let us remember those who have fought bravely in the war; let us respect the soldiers who made use of their courage to help their country; let us think fondly of those who kept the country safe. May they rest in peace.

To celebrate ANZAC Day, Thanh decided to hold a BBQ and movie marathon at his house. Since Mimi offered to drive me there, I was one of the people who arrived later to the house. Not wanting to be useless, I helped out with the preparations of the food. It wasn't much, but I tried. I still don't understand why we needed so many onions for ... I don't think we finished it =.= So much for slaving away at the stove to fry it for like 10 - 15 minutes =.='. Anyways, the food was great: the smash potato salad, with ham and herbs, was delicious, the brownies were yummy and the meat was juicy (even though half the time it was burnt pitch black ...). 

 Washing the dishes was a mess... Well, actually I was the cause of it ^_^'. I wasn't used to the lack of space because my own sink was slightly bigger and I kept forgetting not to plug the drain *sigh*. My apologies to Kelvin, Maxine and Shirley. Shirley ended up cleaning the rest of the dishes while I went to blow dry my jumper and socks. Thanks Thanh, for letting me borrow your hair dryer =). The people who were waiting ended up playing pinball on the computer hahaha.

We ended up watching the movies inside the house, rather than outside against his neighbor's wall, because it got a bit too chilly. It got a bit crowded but it was warm =). We had Mimi's box of Favourites (chocolate variety), popcorn and some brownies. It was a shame that the jelly didn't set fast enough =(. 

The first movie we watched was Gnomeo and Juliet, directed by Kelly Asbury, with James McAvoy as Gnomeo and Emily Blunt as Juliet. The movie was your typical fairytale story; a parody of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Though, even though it's predictable, it still brought a smile upon my face; I'd choose a sappy, happy ending over a dramatic, sad ending any day =). I think I'd rate it a 7 out of 10 =).

The next one was The Notebook, directed by Nick Cassavetes, with Ryan Gosling as Noah and Rachel McAdams as Allie. It's a sweet and romantic movie, but if you add the guys' commentary to the mix, you get innuendos, hilarity and romance scenes becoming a joke. One word: ROFLMAOS !!! For example, during the scene where they taking their clothes off and were about to make love, the guys mentioned how disappointed the girl looked ROFLS! I knew what they were implying but I don't think that was what they were trying to act out. Even so, it was hilarious xD. Maxine, Mimi and I couldn't finish the movie off because of Mimi's brother's time restriction but I've watched the movie before. I remembered it was a sad movie but I didn't remember if I cried or not. Speaking of crying, Stephanie did end up crying a bit awww =). I think I'd rate this movie an 8 out of 10 =). 

For the rest of the ride home, we some how changed the topic from romance to ghosts. How that happened, I don't really know - oh wait, it was because we passed a 'ghost house' on the way home. Apparently, a truck drove into a house and killed a girl, and she was now haunting the house, but then a new family came in and they were suppressing her because they were people who dealt with voodoos and supernatural related issues. Or so they say anyways. But rather than feeling scared, I felt comfortable and okay with talking about it. We ended up laughing as well =). I think it was Nathan C.'s influence =). He believes in ghosts too but he managed to make me believe that not all ghosts are vengeful ones; they can be just nice, harmless ghosts with regret and that they may be observing people rather than planning to harm them. I'm quite grateful towards Nathan because if it wasn't for him, I'd still believe that all ghosts hold grudges. Watching Ghost Whisperer also helped me with my fear of ghosts =). Anyways, I also mentioned about my incidents when I was home alone; about My Linh's dream and me waking up in my dark house with the radio playing a ghost story. Anyways, many thanks to Andrew for driving me home and I hope they don't have nightmares tonight LOL!

ums, choco-whip and pies

17O411 - San San 姐姐's 23rd Birthday.

Last Saturday, we held a surprise dinner for Eric's 19th at Red Sichuan, Canley Vale, at around 6 PM, but we didn't start eating until 7 PM when Vicky, Stanley, Thanh and Eric finally arrived; we couldn't start eating without the birthday boy, now can we? Though, it WAS very tempting ... I don't think he was that surprised though. He looked happy, but not really surprised. I guess someone gave it away along the way there *sigh*. Surprises are sure hard to throw =/.

I was having trouble keeping warm, but eating hot pot while you're wearing shorts, a light dress and wet hair is a FANTASTIC way to warm up =D especially eating on the chilli side =D !!! We ordered all sorts of side dishes, well Derek and Kenny made most of the choices, but they were all very delicious. I wasn't particularly fond of the taro balls though, but the quail eggs were delicious. Then again, after having about 20 of them can kind of turn you off of them =S. I didn't want to waste anything food so I scavenged as much food as possible in the hot pot and halved it with Mimi. Mimi did the same thing. I feel like I ended up with more food than her though, but I think it was because half my bowl was soup so you couldn't really see what was underneath. Majority of the hot pots still had food remaining. I felt like just, I don't know ... eating it all just to not waste it =/. But I think I'll just vomit again =.=.

So apparently, Vicky and Stanley was late picking Eric and Thanh up because they had to go to Campsie to get the apple pie because Merrylands' bakery shop was closed LOL. How dedicated are they?! Well, the pie was pretty big, so we end up sharing a slice between 2-3 people =). I was kind of full so I just had crusts and a bit of the apple pie =) it was delicious, but I think it would've tasted nicer if it was heated up. Eric got his BIG container of protein powder; 'Banana Perfection' flavoured or something. I don't like banana ... I would've liked strawberry or chocolate myself, but then again, I don't digest protein powder myself ... Not that kind of person hahaha =).

After dinner, we decided to go back to Thanh's house. So we did; via 3 cars. The only one who didn't go was Kelly, who was driven home by Kenny. What a shame =( I didn't even get to say goodbye to her =(. I got to Thanh's house via Derek's car =) many thanks Derek =).

When we got to Thanh's house, there was a mattress on the floor =D it was his mum's but she went upstairs when we came in. Stanley's group also bought 2 bottles of choco-whip on the way back. After a couple of minutes of pillow fights, tackling and moving around furniture, we decided to play a drinking game. It was the game where we had to figure out the pattern, and if you didn't get it you had to drink a shot of choco-whip. It was funny how Wendy kept saying 'I GOT IT' after almost every round, but she really did end up getting it, just the not the first few times when she said she did hahaha. Rebecka managed to get most of it correct as well, even without knowing what the pattern was hahaha how lucky of her =). Thanh and Stanley's clue was 'think out loud' but half of us still couldn't get it. Vicky may have been the first to get it hahaha. They said that you needed to be drunk to get it, I wonder if they were implying on something about Vicky's alcohol behaviour >.> LOL ! By the end of the night, half of us got it while the other half didn't so they just told us the pattern. It was 'um _________' ... I don't know if I should call it a stupid rule or a smart rule; stupid because it was so simple, but smart because it's so simple people wouldn't usually get it because people think too hard for these games.I think I'm leaning more on the stupid side. I think Sarah and Derek were the only ones who were the least allowed in LOL oh wells. The others were saying that Sarah's too confident to say um LOL! She does seem like a confident person hahaha.

After half the group has left, the other half just laid around, relaxing. I don't know how it started but the boys started singing songs and replacing word with pies and cakes and all sorts of desserts; it was mostly pie though LOL. Hmms... I knew I was red from the alcohol; I was also laughing louder and more than usual LOL but that does NOT mean I'm drunk. I just get red easily because of my size and I'm a female. I could still walk straight, count, etc. Anyways, I had a fun time laughing my head off =).

Many thanks to Stanley for driving us (Vicky, Mimi, Shirley and I) all home even though you're just on your red Ps. That bump near Shirley's house gave me a scare, but the car was okay. I think we also bumped into another car... hopefully I'm wrong. It can't be helped, the windows were all fogged up.

安息吧，第四阿姨

我想我已经能够访问你搭腔。我希望访问在今年年底你左右。对不起没有跟你有更多的。

你是一个不错的阿姨给我。我听说你死了一个和平的死亡。请继续看在你的家人。我们将永远想着你。如果可以，妈妈和我会尽量来尽快访问你的坟墓。

我觉得不好的行为，因为我觉得这是我的错，妈妈部分是不能去你的葬礼。如果我不认为我们开车到我的校园我的任务在手，妈妈不会晚回家打电话给在使签证费用的家伙。然后，她就一直要与你的葬礼本周二姑姑那里。

我知道你对我妈妈很多的照顾。我会照顾她，你不要担心。你可以走了，但我还是希望你能快乐在那里。

第四阿姨

R.I.P 15/04/2011

making out with ox tongue

Or so Eric said =).

On Wednesday night, a small group of us (most UNSW students) went to celebrate Eric's birthday at Yummy Chinese BBQ at Central. Thanh and I were late. I thought it was fortunate that I waited for him at Lidcombe station because I was low on credit and travel with a friend is better than travelling by yourself =).

For $30 per person, with the exception of Eric since it was his birthday, we spent 2 hours eating our hearts out. Mimi and I were quite happy because there were quail eggs =D ! Though quail eggs are higher in cholestral than chicken eggs ... Apparently, Jenifer wasn't really a meat eater so I felt a bit bad for her since there weren't many vegetable side dishes =/. I also think I ate chicken since I'm hopeless at distinguishing one meat from another ahaha... well, like Vicky said 'what you don't know won't hurt you,' =D. Anyways, from what I remembered, we tried pork belly, pork intestine, ox tongue, crab meat, chicken gizzard (I really don't know what it is, nor do I remember eating it), ox back, prawns, chicken wings, frankfurt kebab sticks and many more. LOL there were a lot of insinuations about the ox tongue, eg. the title of my blog post.

Derek, Kenny and Stanley came by when we were about to cut the cake. I was quite content that most of the desserts were mango flavoured =D though, I must say that the pudding didn't really taste like mango. Anyways, the cake was a Michel's Patisserie cheesecake. I think it was some sort of berry flavour. It was funny watching Eric blow out the candle again after Thanh relit them, saying that the wish didn't come true. I'm assuming that they were implying that Vicky was still there LOL that was mean of them. I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake and in all honesty, I don't think I should eat anything dairy when I'm extremely full, and I was getting quite full =S. Either, I managed to finish my piece of the cake. 

They going to karaoke after dinner but I couldn't join them seeing that I had an assignment due soon and I had no ride back. Derek and Sarah joined me. Although Sarah took another line from us, fortunately Derek took the same line as me so I wasn't as lonely. My mum was extremely annoyed with me when I got back *sigh* I just kept quite for the rest of the ride back. Oh wells, like she said, either I find a ride home with I was go to home late or go home early if I wanted her to pick me up *sigh*.

PS. It was funny that Thanh was the only one who noticed the half naked portrait of a lady on the while, and after he pointed it out, we all automatically turn to look at it LOL.
PSS. Thanks Sarah for the photos =).
PSSS. I heard Jenifer was as good as Taylor Swift *gasps* !!! Whoa =D !!! I wish I was there to hear it =D.

rain another year

O2O411 - Jeffrey's 19th & Raymond D.'s 20th Birthday.

O7O411 - 爸爸's Birthday.

O8O411 - Jack's 20th Birthday. 

Last Sunday, I went to the Bring It On Festival, at the Fairfield Show ground, with Karen. It wasn't as crowded as last year, but it was nice to see how strongly they were advocating health amongst the community =); I, myself, managed to bring home half a bag full of them... well, kind of since I ate half of it before I brought it home ^_^'. I did the skipping rope challenge and only made it to 3 minutes and 21 seconds =(. If I made it to 5 minutes, i would've gotten a basket ball or a soccer ball. I was able to take home a skipping rope or a handball, but I already have both, so I just took extra peaches instead =D (which were free to begin with). By the way, I actually skipped barefooted because I was wearing platforms, and I don't think wearing platforms while skipping would've been very comfortable. Apparently, Karen said that I kept on moving up and down the place instead of staying in one spot hahaha I guess I unintentionally did that when I avoided stopping my skipping routine. 

I also had American churros (which is kind of like a stick version of a cinnamon donut, with filling inside), mango flavoured snow cone and hot dog. I kind of regretted ordering the hot dot after I saw all that oil on the frying pan =S. We went around collecting freebies as well, and even had a free hand massage =D it was like heaven *sigh*. Seeing that we couldn't decide what to get for our mothers for Mothers' Day, we decided to make them this smelling bath soap ourselves; they were giving free lessons in the Women's section. We also met and talked to Adrian a couple of times. I didn't see many ex-volunteers from the years before =/ I guess they didn't bother this year.

We went home at around 2:30 PM because it started raining. Unfortunately, my mum was busy at home so Karen's mum was nice enough to give me a lift home =). Maybe I should've said to drop me off at Stocklands instead so I could use my $20 voucher straight away =D. But it would've been lonely shopping by myself ... eh, it doesn't matter anymore =).

Later that night, at around 5:30 PM, we went to SuperDish, at Cabramatta to celebrate my uncle's birthday. Coincidentally, Vicky was working on that day. Well, actually, I half expected that, seeing that it was a weekend and all lol =). My cousin, Marina, and mum also noticed she was working that night too =). I thought I would feel awkward, eating with my family and having a friend working there, but it didn't feel awkward at all. Maybe it was because she was too busy, and I was just minding my own business with my family. I did kept a look out for her every now and then though =) and she did talk to me a bit when she got to our table =). The food wasn't bad, but the pipis/clams disappointed me =( half of them were just shells, and I'm sure we're supposed to have more than the amount that they gave us... well, in comparison to the bowl I saw another table had the last time I ate there >.> ... Ah, it didn't matter, I and an enjoyable night =). 

I joined my cousins to Woolworth after dinner and saw Carina =D. I wonder how long she's been working there already. I wish I worked there =(. Strangely enough, Marina asked me that I must not really like my mum because I followed them instead of my mum. Initially, I thought it was because I felt more comfortable, seeing that I was closer to their ages than my mum and my relatives' ages. Or am I just turning a blind eye to the distance between my mum and I? I thought it was decreasing, but now I don't know anymore. I'll just think about it another night.