teen no more, part #3

O8O811 - Marina 姐姐's 26th Birthday.

Last Sunday, I went to a family birthday celebration dinner for my cousin, Marina, and I. We went to Zilver Seafood Restaurant for dinner. I'm sorry to say but their services wasn't that good. It may be because of the event that was held that night but seriously, Can they be so busy that they made us serve our own food and stuff? The carpet floor was stained with various types wines, drinks, food and sauce. They were slow with their services, and when we finally receive our food, that pretty much just dropped it onto the round  glass spinner. Heck! We even have to ask for a round glass spinner, rather them having already provided us one. They may have had quite a few Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrities visit their restaurant, but that doesn't make them a 5 star restaurant. 

For once, rather than just being satisfied with the food, I enjoyed my company. I sat next to Andrew, so I was able to talk to him more. It was nice getting to know him more since I've barely talked to him in the past, even if he was a family friend. I guess we connect in a way that we both sometimes feel that we're outsiders from the family. Well, for my part, I am part of the family, but I guess sometimes I don't really feel connected at family dinners because I just didn't really find interest or understanding in their conversations. I guess I talked particularly more than usual since half the dinner conversation was about me and Tae LOL. I didn't ask Tae along because I felt it was too early and he had work as well. May be he can join us next time =).

I gave Marina these cute doggie patterned PJs, which she quite like, and Marina and William chipped in a got me a GPS =D !!! I'm very happy !!! Now I'll won't get lost again when I'm driving !!! They bought the Navman GPS from JB Hi-5, and they've also given me the receipt in case something happens. The warrant's for 2 years =D. Thank you !!!

 

Unfortunately, they forgot to order chili pipis with XO sauce. When they did order it, the restaurant ran out =(. So, to make up for it,William took me to Passionflower for ice cream =). I had 2 scoops of sesame and green tea ice cream =). We all went our separate ways home after that. I had a wonderful night =). Unfortunately, my aunt ran through a red light and the security camera caught her. The lights were yellow/orange (whatever colour you want to call it) and my aunt thought she could make it. She passed the line, but the lights turned red before she crossed to the other side. Yeah... it's best not to speed past a yellow light. 

teen no more, part #1

Yes. Unfortunately, I am not a teenage anymore as I have now hit my 20s. So good bye teens and welcome twenties *sigh*. Even though I've turned 20 *cringe* I've received a couple of pleasant surprises and experienced a couple of touching moments =). Many thanks to my friends for those sweet and touching birthday messages via emails, text messages and facebook =). It means a lot to me that you remembered =). Rather than just celebrating it once, I celebrated it a couple of times. Hence, I'll just post each of those celebrations on a different blog post, rather than having it all in one long post =).

On my actual birthday, last Thursday, Tae came over to my house to hang out until around 5:30PM. By then, we went out to Mounties for buffet as my birthday dinner =). It's been a while since I last went to a buffet, and it's still one of my favourite styles of eating hahaha =D. I drove us there and back that night =) though I guess I still need to learn to read the road signs or remember how to get to places lol. Tae stayed over for a couple more hours before he left. Although I believed that he didn't get me anything, he bought me a souvenir when he wen to the Gold Coast the other week. He bought me a dessert wine; a rose flavoured Moseato from the Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery. The wine was sweet and the smell of rose was quite light, I quite like it. Though, I think it's best to sip it rather than gulp it down because I gulped it down once and I thought I was going to get a sugar rush O_o lol. 

He also bought me a Ralph Lauren gift box with the blue coloured Ralph Lauren perfume, a shimmering body lotion and a shower gel. He said that he liked the smell of that perfume, so he got it for me =). I quite like it to even though it's not the type of smell I usually preferred wearing; I usually like a slightly sweet, fruity type of smell, but this one had more of a musky type of smell? I can't really explain it. It does have this hint of sweetness in this smell, but it's just more musky or something lol. I can't really explain the scent, but I can describe what it makes me feel like - mature, womanly and sophisticated =P. Either way, I love it, so thanks Tae =).

I felt really happy that Tae was there with me on my birthday. I'm really grateful and thankful towards him, it meant a lot to me that he was there to celebrate my birthday with me =).

dog eat dog world in the game of monopoly deal

27O711 - Tae's 23rd Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY =D !!!

28O711 - 妈妈's 59th Birthday.

Yesterday was the first time I've ever driven the car all by myself =D YAY !!! That was because i was just driving around Cabramatta. Anyways, I went to visit Kelly at around 11:30AM to catch up and hang out since we haven't done that in a while. And we did. I even helped fold her clothes =D. At around the afternoon, we went to pick Sarina up and drove back to Kelly's house. We made some fried rice, which was quite good =D (that's because Sarina was the one who did most of the cooking, and she's definitely a better cook than Kelly and I put together hahaha =D). We even made sausages in the shame of octopuses, like what the Japanese do for their bento boxes =D. 

After lunch, Emma and Wendy came over for a visit. To kill time, we played the Monopoly Deal card game. Tracy couldn't join us because she was busy doing her homework lol how studious of her =). Anyways, for the first couple of rounds, everyone was friendly and all, but then after a while, everyone pretty much stopped playing nice and were fighting for themselves in the game LOL! I guess we were all so determined to win that we all won at least once =) so I guess it was fair. We played until 6PM before Sarina and I had to go. I drove her home before going to Linh's house.

We decided to go eat Pancakes On The Rocks at North Mead as a celebration for Linh's safe trip home from Vietnam =). It was another great time to catch up with everyone, though when our food came, everyone barely talked. I guess we were all too hungry to say much lol. After dinner, Linda and Linh decided to have pancakes as well for dessert. Before we left, Linda decided to play with her food and made a concoction with the remaining raspberry custard, syrup, ice-cream and butter (I actually helped too lol ...). Kenny dared someone to drink it for $5. I said I would if Kenny was to pay for the drink I had earlier with my meal. I had a couple of sips; it smelt nice, but the taste was quite sweet... and thick =S I even made Linda want to vomit ROFLS! I didn't regret it though, I got $3.95 off my bill =D. Well, many thanks to Linda for driving us home =). 

PS. I quite admire Linda for her independence =D she has her own car, a good job and she's even planning to invest in a house too =D.

3 years and 120 hours later

I FINALLY GOT MY RED Ps =D !!!

Yep, last Thursday, the 21st of July, I finally did my driving test for my red Ps and I passed =D. Besides the couple of mistakes that I made during the test, the fact that it was raining and a school day and I was extremely nervous made me think I would fail the test. I know most of my friends got it on the first go, but some people said that the testers now were more strict on younger drivers and that they usually fail them on their first go. But I was determined to pass the test! I even made small talk with my tester to make it less awkward and to make it seem I'm not that nervous. And guess what? All my hard work paid off =D.

After 3 years and 120 legit driving hours, I'm officially a red P-plater now, no longer an L-plater =D. Look out world, another red P-plater on the loose, so you better get off the road quick! No, I jest. I mean, I can't be that bad if I can do a reverse parking in one go, right? I mean, mum continuously said how lucky I was to get my Ps and to do so well, but I would've need skills as well as luck in order to pass my driving test right? Yeah, I guess I was pretty lucky =) I had a middle-aged man as my tester and fortunately, he didn't see some of my mistakes. You know how I knew? because he didn't write those mistakes down =). Then again... I don't really know how to read my test paper =S all I know was that I scored 95+ lol.            

Also, when I was waiting for my test, I met another girl who was also doing the test the same time I was. Like me, she didn't live that area but just heard that they were easier testers, she's also in 2nd year of uni, she's from university of Sydney and we both have a mutual friend =D. What a small world, aye? Unfortunately, she didn't pass because of one mistake =(. Well, I wish her luck on her next test though =).

Though, even though I did finally get my Ps, my mum's still reluctant on letting me drive. Seriously, what's the point of getting my license if I can't drive myself home, drive my friends home or get to places easier *sigh*. Okay, because I'm under the age of 25 years, it's $1600 insurance if I crash into another car. But seriously! She really needs to have more faith in me. I feel like I just wasted 3 years of my life. Can't believe I can be so happy one day, and so sad the next. I feel like I'm bipolar =.=. 

2 times the cake and a broken egg-whisker

26O611 - Linh's 20th Birthday.

On Sunday, 26th of June, it was the day where we were going to celebrate my aunt's and my mum's birthdays that night at dinner. It was also Linh's birthday too. Rather than buying my mum, aunt and Linh something, I decided to make home-made tiramisu cakes, one for Linh and one for my mum and aunt. My mum helped me buy the ingredients and helped me out with making the cakes. Many thanks to her =). Unfortunately, before I could even complete one cake, I broke mum's electrical egg-whisker... I guess I pressed it too hard against the bowl. We ended up chucking out the mixing bowl as well *sigh*. 

I gave Linh her birthday cake before I went out for dinner. At around 7:30PM we went out to Canley Vale for dinner. I can't really say it was particular delicious, but the meal was still pretty nice. After dinner, we went home and ate the cake that I made however; because everyone was already so full, they only had one piece and hence, 3/4 of the cake remained. Since my aunt and uncle doesn't really eat dessert and my cousins live in the city, so they couldn't bring it with them, I end up keeping the rest of the cake myself. Unfortunately, I only managed to eat 1/4 of the cake before it needed to be chucked away because it couldn't last that long =/.  

two down, none to go =)

NO MORE EXAMS!!! Well, for this semester anyways =). 

I had an exam in the morning, which was Biological Aspects of Ageing, which wasn't too bad. I would like to thank the nice girl and librarian who directed me to the building =). I was seriously lost =S. So before the exam, I met Lisa, Cathleen and Carly again. Lisa actually waved to me in the library when I was asking for directions to T block but because she wasn't wearing her glasses and her hair looked different, I couldn't recognise her. So I waved back, but in an awkward way and pointed to the door to indicate I was leaving. When I was alone I was wondering who that person was and was hoping that maybe the girl mistook me for someone else instead. When I saw them outside the exam room, Lisa was jokingly saying how I don't know her and realised it was her that waved to me. My apologies to Lisa xD. I was happy to see them again since it's been a semester since I last saw them =). They were doing the same exam as me =). 

Anyways, I tried to stick with my routine of staying until the end of the exam duration as some sort of hope that I'll be more likely to have better marks that way, but after it strike 11AM, I decided to leave. I waited for about 15 - 20 minutes already after all. My next exam was Health Informatics. I felt like I made up most of the answers up because I really didn't know much. I studied the lectures, read some of the recommended readings and read the tutorial work, but still I couldn't grasp the objectives of the subject properly. Hence, increase of nonsense occurred in my answers. Oh wells, the point was I finished my exams xD !!! 

We are going to celebrate it officially tomorrow, but Paz, MG and I decided to do something together as a mini celebration for us finishing our exams together at the same time. Since we all lived in different places and we didn't have myMulti tickets, we decided to head to Lidcombe's RSL club, Dooley's, for dinner. After dinner, we met an old couple that Paz knew and we talked for a while. I wish we were sitting down instead to have a bit more comfort while listening to them lol. We were standing because we were in the middle of going to the toilets when we met them while they were at a table eating. They told some pretty interesting stories that was pretty much all over the place hahaha. Apparently, they were married for about 51 years xO !!! I envy them =) We asked for advice and the secret to their success in marriage was open discussions on everything and good planning for the future =). I shall take that advice on board and hope for the best =).

After talking, and the trip to the lady's room, we went to the game's room and played air hockey =D. The puck kept on getting stuck on one side because someone was stupid enough to use those cardboard glass stoppers (or whatever they're called) as a replacement and got it stuck inside the whole. Majority of the time, I was the one who had to try to get it out again *sigh*. It was pretty funny to watch each other play and overact when losing xD. I guess I was especially loud hahaha! MG was really funny =D she did so many funny things that was cheating that she didn't know LOL! And she played so hard that she accidentally threw her mallet across the floor! We were so surprised that we didn't realise when the puck went into the goal! We had to leave after 2 games because a family was waiting to play after us. I felt a bit bad for taking so long xD.

We were about to leave when we passed the pool table room. We got intrigued and went in. I asked if we need to pay for it but we don't, so we just played =D. We all sucked... but Paz seemed to be the most skilled out of the three of us =). While we were playing, an employee came in and asked us if we were eighteen and we said yes. I guess he still didn't believe us because he asked us for our ID hahaha. I guess we looked like kids since we were short girls and every other table were filled with tall young looking adults. It took a while before we all got the balls in and at the end, we each consecutively got a ball in and as Paz suggested, "it was an epic ending!" To me, it was quite a surprise but I don't know if I'd call it epic, but to her it was definitely epic =). I guess it was pretty awesome =). I think us three girls have some sort of fate between us all =) just because of all the things we experienced since we started university and knew each other =).

We all went home after that. For me, I had a D'n'M with mum in the car and at home. We didn't have one for a long time and this one kind of helped cleared some misunderstandings that occurred in the last couple of days. I'm glad mum's feeling okay now =). My apologies for making her sad in the first place (it wasn't intentional!).

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

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.

a picky family?

Last Sunday, the family went out to celebrate my cousins' grandma's birthday at Cabramatta. Initially, we were going to eat at Super Dish, the newly opened restaurant, but they were really packed, so we decided to eat at this other restaurant on John St.; a restaurant we haven't eaten at in years. It was a Vietnamese restaurant near a cake shop; I forgot the name ^_^', 

Anyways, apparently, one of the conversation topics was about the family being a bit too picky, either with the food or the services, and have pissed quite a few restaurants off. I have a feeling that it was my uncle who did most of the complaining since he's the most meticulous with things *sigh*. On a happier note, I felt that I bonded with Andrew a bit more that day. I guess he's just trying to get along with my cousin's family; he's her boyfriend after all. Oh, and I also had fun listening to aunt talk about Marina's old habits when she was a child hahaha =D.

The food was good, as usual. The service was good too, but according my cousins, the head manager looked as though she was forcing a smile, but she gradually became happier. I guess it was because we weren't that picky that day. Aunt and I shared a 'banh hoi nam neng,' which is kind of like a wrapping your own Asian wrap. I ate majority of it because aunt didn't feel like eating that much. I also had this 3-choices drink. It was odd, because it would've been one of the last drinks I would've ordered because of the red beans - I don't really like beans or nuts in general, besides bean sprout =). 

Maybe because I'm not a teenager anymore, maybe I became more talkative or maybe I learned to be closer to my family but I find family dinners more enjoying than before =).

Diary Entry #16: Finally home (14O211)

Dear Diary,

Happy 19th Birthday Thanh =) . 

It was also Valentines Day. I thought to myself, "great, I'll be home; single, family-less, a garage full of termites and hungry." I guess it wasn't that bad. Again, I had some assistance to help me through the check-out and all. It took longer than I thought because the other people that were with me were having a bit of trouble finding their luggage. Though, it was okay. We get to go into the express lines and all =). When I got out, I met up with Mun uncle and aunt. Mum have asked them to pick me up from the airport. They were her table-tennis and tafe buddies =). Thankfully, the parking fees weren't that expensive, though I did feel bad for making them wait for me for so long. It took a while to find the car because they seemed to have forgotten where they parked it. On the way home, they offered to take me out to lunch, but I was too exhausted and I wasn't feeling too hungry. 

When I got home, Toby was really happy to see me =D. He was so happy and scared that he cried every time I moved away from him, forcing me to let him be close to me. Every time I let go of him, he would cry and try to jump onto me again. Even if I did let him sit on my lap, he still continued to cry. I guess he felt extremely lonely without mum and I there. Uncle looked after him for us, but his presence was brief every day. I felt really bad for leaving him home alone. It went on for  ~30 minutes before he finally settled down. Uncle came over to check up on me and all. I'm really grateful that he had looked after Toby, looked after our mails and looked after our house well. I felt bad when I realized I didn't really buy him a souvenir =/. Hence, I decided to give him one of my fridge magnets =). At least it's something, right?

For the rest of the day, and night, I slept, read and went on the computer. I felt too tired and too lazy to make instant noodles and hence, I starved that night =/. But I'm glad to be home again =). 

On a side note, I'm very grateful and thankful for my relatives hospitality in Malaysia. They looked after me and took care of every thing for me; they even paid for most of my stuff over there. They made me feel right at home, even though it's been years since I last saw them; they made me feel comfortable =). I can't wait to go back there again. I love them =).

Love,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #15: Farewell family, farewell Malaysia

Dear Diary,

That morning, the whole family, except cousin Mun Loong (he was working), went to Levain again for breakfast. And again, I ordered more bread than I could handle. I didn't even finish the bread from last time. I wonder if it's overdue now =/. We went shopping after breakfast. The main purpose was to buy my Super Junior merchandises MWUAHAHA >=D The shop that we went to was more expensive than the ones we usually went to, but they had majority of their CDs/DVDs and had other Super Junior merchandises as well. I went crazy. I wish I bought the whole shop ^_^ but I didn't have enough money. I was crazy enough to buy a t-shirt with their faces on it =P. I planned on going to sleep with it >=D. My relatives laughed at me because I was squealing so much ^_^". I really wish I could stay until March because Super Junior was having a concert in the middle of March in Malaysia T_T. I spent over ~ RM $300, which was ~ AU $100 ... I must've been out of my mind. Well, at least it's only $100, if it was in Australia, I would've been only able to buy 1 or 2 CD/DVD for $100 =P. I don't regret it. 

We went home and I officially finished packing up. I spent rest of the afternoon on the computer, watching things and all. Everyone else was sleeping, watching television or relaxing. 

At around 5PM, we left to aunt's brother's place of Zhi Lun's 7th birthday party. We brought my luggage as well since we were going straight to the airport afterward. Unfortunately, I was stupid enough to forget my camera charger, so my uncle drove back home to get it for me. I felt bad and thankful toward my uncle; bad because I made him go back, and thankful because he did.

Other cousins of Zhi Lun were already there. They were all my second cousins since they were my cousins' cousins. It was a party for close friends and family only. The food was pretty nice, buffet-styled. Auntie, my aunt's brother's wife, was into Korean shows =D YAY she was also into 2PM for their muscular physique. Strange to know a middle-aged married woman into the Korean Wave hahaha. But I'm happy to know I'm not alone. On television, there was this Korean show that was kind of emotional; it was able these workers from 3rd world countries who went to Korea to work and have been away from their family for years. The producer of the shower actually went to each of their families and made a video for them. One of them actually even get to see his family again. Maybe the sense of longing, sadness, yearning and unity got to me because I ended up shedding a few tears. Many things went through my head at the time and I couldn't help but feel upset for a while. But because it was my last day there, and I was at a birthday party, I tried to get over it, and I did =). I hand fun playing with my cousins and second cousins. I don't think Zhi Lun liked my present as much as the plane. It was a stationary set, and he was a little boy... of course I'd like the plane as well. But hopefully, he'll use the set once he starts school. We took a couple of family photos before finally leaving at around 8PM. Strange how when I arrived to Malaysia it rained, and now that I was leaving, it also rained. Though, this time the rain was a bit heavier; there was even thunder and lightning.

To kill time, I was singing throughout half the trip to the airport =P. My cousins sometimes joined in. We also played around a bit too, like tickling each other and all. Somehow, I feel like it's their way of reassuring me; like some kind of affectionate display that meant 'I had fun with you around;''I'll miss you' and 'take care'. Before we made it to the airport, cousin San San called cousin Mun Loong for me so that i could bid him farewell since he couldn't see me off.

When we got to the airport, we checked in. Luckily, they allowed me to check in 2 bags instead of one, even though it was just over 20 KGs (I wasn't suppose to have more than 20KGs checked in). And again, my cousin asked if I could have some assistance to help me throughout the process. How embarrassing T_T. But I'm grateful too =). 

We went to a near by cafe to rest a bit. We were also waiting for cousin Mun Hong and his girlfriend. I felt grateful but sorry at the same time; grateful because they could make it to see me off, but sorry because I'm sure I interfered with their plans for that day =(. I apologize. The girlfriend was nice enough to buy me a toy before I left. It was some kind of M&Ms chocolate machine where I put chocolate inside and press some stuff for chocolate to come out. Unfortunately, the chocolate wasn't already in it, but I'm still thankful =D. We took a couple of family photos before we said our goodbyes. I gave them all a hug and said goodbye, but stupidly, I forgot to thank them for every thing. Not that I wasn't thankful, but it just slipped out of my mind. The assistance lady was waiting and all, and things felt like a rush. That was my only regret =(. Though I did message my cousin later to tell everyone 'thank you' on my stead =) hopefully she did.

Again, I was sitting next to the aisle. This time, I was sitting next to a family with a young boy. He was cute =). Anyways, throughout the whole trip, I didn't sleep at all. I was too busy reading 'Angel' that I completely forgot. When I was just about to have a quick nap, someone opened their windows up and it was daylight. Seriously, I was 'WTHing' because I seriously didn't expect time to fly that quickly. For ~8 hours, I spent it reading a book, and i didn't even get to half way either. Not only was I lost in time, but I was an extremely slow reader too. I knew i was slow, but I didn't know I was THAT slow >.>. To be honest, the food wasn't as great as the first trip I made, to Malaysia, so end up not eating much. I honestly tried, but I really couldn't. I also felt a bit dizzy as well, unlike the first trip. I guess I was still feeling a bit sick. 

Fowati Koten,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #14: Initiate the 'Pack Up' plan

Dear Diary,

Happy 19th Birthday to Rebecca C. =).

For brunch, since aunt didn't make any food for us, cousin San San took me outside to eat. The food was nice; I especially liked the strawberry-banana shake. I prefer to just eat banana by itself, but the drink was actually really delicious =D. I didn't think I would ever like something with blended banana in it, but now I do =D. Even cousin San San thought it was good because she ordered it to take away for cousin Mun Fei. She ordered other things too because aunt and cousin Mun Fei didn't have anything to eat and they weren't bothered to go out to eat with us. 

For half of the afternoon, we spent it on packing my things up. Cousin San San suggest that I rolled up my clothes to make more room. She was right; there was more room =D. For the other half of the afternoon, we went out to do a bit of shopping.Auntie and cousin San San was at the hair dressers while cousin Mun Fei took me to a book store. I was deciding whether I should by a beginner Chinese book to teach myself some Chinese, but I ended up choosing 2 novels instead; 'Fallen' by Lauren Kate and 'Angel' by L.A. Weatherly. Cousin Mun Fei bought me the books. I wasn't being serious, but he bought them anyways =D I'm very grateful =D I haven't bought books in ages. I bought a stationary set for Zhi Lun because tomorrow was his 7th birthday party. Cousin Mun Fei and San San combined to buy him a small electrical toy plane instead. 

Later at night, we invited cousin Mun Hong and 3rd auntie to eat dinner with us. We went to the same restaurant where we had crabs. That night, I was the one who treated everyone =). It was my way of thanking them for looking after me and all =). It was also the first time I've treated people to dinner =). I hope they enjoyed it =). We took a couple of family photos before we left. After all, it was my last night being there =(. 

After dinner, uncle drove cousin Mun Hong, to the cinemas, and 3rd aunt home. Cousin Mun Loong went home. Cousin Mun Fei, San San, aunt and I went to eat desserts. Cousin Mun Fei was having fun playing with my camera =P. He was interested in photography himself and was saving up for a DSLR =). I need to save up for one myself =P. 

When we got home, my aunt and uncle suggested that we light up the lanterns. There were 3 lanterns' I got one all to myself =). After writing all our messages down, we lit it up. I hope they'll fly really high =). I also hope all our wishes would come true. My first ever wish lantern. I don't know when the next time I'll be able to do that again. Again, I've accomplished another activity that would've been illegal in Australia =P. Technically, it was still illegal in Malaysia, but as long as we didn't light it up near the airport, it was fine xD. 

Later that night, I had a long and half serious, half not conversation with cousin Mun Hong =). I never realised how fun talking to cousins on the fun was =P. Then again, maybe because they're closer to my age than the cousins in Australia. Speaking of cousins, cousin Mun Loong gave me RM $100 to spend on my Super Junior things AHAHAHA =D !!! HOW NICE OF HIM xD !!! Yes, I did intend to spend the rest of my money on Super Junior merchandise >=D. After all, the ones in Australia are expensive =/. That was also why the bill for the dinner that night wasn't as expensive as I thought =P. I told my relatives to go easy on me hahaha. They did, an I'm very grateful =). Of course, I didn't purposely tell them to go cheap on me just so that I can buy my Super Junior merchandise; I said that I would use the left over money (if I did have any left) to buy them. I really didn't mind if it was expensive, just not TOO expensive lol =). Another day gone.

Oriti,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #13: I ATE SMELLY TOFU >=D !!!

Dear Diary,

Happy 19th Birthday to Raymond T. =).

I had brunch with 2nd uncle, 2nd aunt and 3rd aunt before visiting Grandma for the last time. We spent some time there talking with Grandma, Gu Ma and Gu Jeong (my father's eldest sister and her husband). My 4th uncle and aunt were working and cousin Yong Xian went back to boarding school. And again, Grandma and Gu Ma gave me more money (RM $3OO) hahaha! How lucky of me =D. 

Later that night, uncle, aunt and cousin Mun Fei took me out for dinner. Cousin San San and Mun Loong were working that day, so they couldn't join us. We went to a Nyonya-styled restaurant, which is a combination of Malaysian and Chinese cuisine (it's also what they called females that were Chinese-Malays; males were known as baba). The restaurant was located at The Curve a shopping district where there were streets of restaurants; I guess the place was mostly designated for restaurants. There were vegetables called lady-fingers and smelly beans. The lady-fingers tasted and looked kind of like normal beans and in my opinion, the smelly beans weren't that smelly either =/. Either way, the meal was quite delicious =D. They displayed various ancient artifacts like pages of this ancient Chinese book. I don't really know how to explain it, it was kind of like a book of wisdom or something ... =S I took photos of it anyways; my aunt told me to show it to my mum so that she could read it.

After dinner, we went to a night market. Not everyone was open; I guess it's because they were still celebrating the CNY or we just came a bit too earlier. Our purpose there was to find lanterns and smelly tofu. We found the lanterns, but we couldn't find the smelly tofu. Uncle bought me sunny-side up quail eggs instead. Apparently, eating one quail egg is like eating 2 chicken eggs. That's how high of cholesterol they are... That night I had about 3 or 4; cousin San San ate the rest for me. Just when we were about to leave, cousin Mun Fei found the smelly tofu store due to it's foul smell. Indeed, it stunk. The smell was similar to sewage smell. Cousin Mun Hong once told me that they actually fry it with sewage water or something. Aunt said that it wasn't true. To be honest, it wasn't that different to normal fried tofu; the smell was also not as bad once you've tasted it. I think what made it different than normal fried tofu was the sauce - sweet and spicy sauce. Oh, they also added some kind of cabbage salad with it as well. Either way, I was happy that I tried it, but I don't think I'll be trying it again any time soon. Cousin Mun Fei helped me finish the rest off. When we got back, I tried to annoy cousin San San with my breathe, but she wasn't afraid ... Oh wells =P. 

Cousin San San was actually taking me out to a club that night. Hence, I made sure to brush my teeth before I left. I didn't want her friends to feel disgusted with me. It was a private family party that her rich friend's parents organized. To be honest, it wasn't that interesting. There were a combination of old and young people, so I guess the meaning of 'fun' varied a bit. I had half a bottle of beer, and that's about it. Beer wasn't really my thing. To reduce the chances of being pulled over, I was ordered to sit in one of the guy's car instead. Apparently, having a girl and a guy, in a car, on a club night, was less obvious for the police to think we drunk. Oh, speaking of clubbing, girls actually had a night where everything they drank was on the house, at a club. It's a Thursday night. How lucky is that? Anyways, I digress. The guy and my cousin actually raced each other to the house... I was quite surprise; he went up to ~ 140KM =S He was a smooth driver, so i wasn't that scared. But seeing my cousin race off like that was unexpected. She told me that she didn't speed that often. Apparently, Jason, who was sitting in her car, told her to not let the guy who I was with beat them. Jason was another friend of my cousin. In the end, they won. We were stuck between cars, that's why we couldn't speed much. But when there was space, the guy was very good an maneuvering, very smooth O_O. They were right; if you drive in Malaysia long enough, when you go back to your own country, you would be a pro. 

We went back to the rich guy's friend to hang out instead. One of the friends was so drunk that... actually, I'm not going to say. It wasn't a pretty sight. He ended up sleeping outside. Alone. On the floor. We played a game of cards called 'King.' It was kind of a game of dare and cards mixed together. There would be the King card, and then 1 to any amount of number, depending on how many people playing, minus one because the 'King' would also be included. Then we would all pick a card; the person with the 'King' card would make up a dare and then call out 2 numbers so that they would be the ones doing the dare. The night turned out pretty interesting ... I won't say what the dares were; the dares were more wild and daring than what I usually played. Then again, that's because the people I play wasn't that openly perverted and wild >.> ... I felt sorry for David because for the majority of games, he was always one of the victims. It was so freakishly consistent that he almost wanted to just volunteer himself for every dare. We all couldn't help but laugh =P. Also, it was the first time I saw my cousin so... daring. I knew she's outgoing and open but i didn't know she could be this... wild xP.  

Again, we left home at around ~4:30AM. Unfortunately, on the way back, uncle called cousin San San to ask where she was. We got busted. Cousin San San was right, uncle really does wake up really early. Luckily, we weren't scold or anything. Uncle did lecture us for a minute or two, but that was it. Also, I wasn't drunk at all =). I only had half a bottle of beer after all =P. Another day over.

 

Aju,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #12: Hokkien praying

Dear Diary,

Happy 19th Birthday to Mark =). 

In the morning, cousin San San, aunt and I went to a fancy looking restaurant called the Levain. Although it looked quite fancy, the price wasn't. Except for the bakery and desserts. I wish I didn't pick out so much bread because I didn't get to finish it all. I just picked them out to take photos of it =P. And again, the parking was ridiculous; they even parked right in front of the entrance of the restaurant ... 

After breakfast, we went to pick up my glasses, and then had another trip to the shops. I bought more Super Junior CDs/DVDs =D YAY!!! This time, it was the 4th album and the 2nd concert video. After cousin San San picked up what she needed to pick up, we headed home.

Later that night, cousin San San and I joined her friends for a CNY dinner. What can I say about them... They were loud. Somehow, half of them acted like they were still in high school or something =P. They seem very nice though. We had 7 dishes all together. I didn't take any photos because I was feeling self-conscious ... So I just took a photo of the restaurant title instead =P.

After dinner, we went back to pick up aunt because we were going to watch a Hokkien style of praying for CNY that night. We arrived at a house who belonged to my aunt's ex restaurant partner. That night, it seemed more eventful and exciting than it was on the first night of CNY. There were fireworks, fire crackers and lanterns everywhere I turned; I had a time watching them all =P. There was even a guy extreme enough to climb up a roof to film it all xD. It was all very exciting =D. Uncle actually went overseas, the night before, for one day, for work so he joined us later that night. Since uncle was there, he took aunt home while cousin San San and I went back to join her friends at her rich friend's house. He actually dyed his white poodle (Timmy, although it's actually a female) with spots of brown and pink hahaha xD. I don't know what to say about it ... she looked ... peculiar? But adorable all the same =D.

That night, things got... interesting. I experienced I never experienced before; I saw things I never intend to see; I did things that I've never done before. I'm pretty sure that that night was the most drunk I've ever been. My eyesight wasn't blurred; I could still read fingers; I wasn't even talking that loudly either. But I actually vomited >.> . Twice, in fact. I think it was the beer; due to the gas, beer can be quite filling. ALSO, I didn't have a hangover the next day. Thank God. That just proved that I wasn't drunk off my head. So my face was really red, and I was feeling dizzy. But that was it, nothing else. Well, that's my opinion anyways. Maybe other people would think I was drunk because I vomited, but in my opinion, you're not completely drunk unless your eyesight's blurred, you vomited AND you have a hangover in the morning. We came home at ~4:30 AM that night. Luckily, everyone was still asleep. Another day gone.

Annyong-hi kyeshipshio,

FiONA =).

Diary Entry #11: Sunway Lagoon lost some of its awesomeness

Dear Diary,

Cousin San San, Mun Hong and I went to Sunway Lagoon. They didn't have tickets for just individual theme parks, it was either 3 or all theme parks (5). We bought the 3 theme parks ticket; I shouted my cousins because I felt bad for them having to shout me all the time. We headed to the water theme park. To be honest, it wasn't as fun as when I was younger. Maybe because I was younger back then. I would've went to the other rides, but my two cousins weren't as daring as I was. To be honest, I wasn't that daring either, but I have a sense of accomplishment if I did something I was afraid of. Self-satisfaction? Happiness of being able to achieve something? Being able to overcome something that I was afraid of? Being proud of myself for once? Whatever it is, I feel that if I let those fears get to me, I wouldn't be able to experience many things, and then I would regret it. I prefer to live my life with the least amount of regrets as possible =). 

 Curry chips that's only in Malaysia.

 Water theme park side of the amusement park.

 Picture of the entire amusement park =).

Permission to enter.

Do you see the golden koi fish?! How awesome is that?! =D 
 
A golden koi =D !!! 

After a couple of hours, we got changed and went to see the animals. There were a couple of animals that I haven't seen at our Australian zoo; I guess they were native animals or so. We couldn't stay long because the place was closing and we were meeting up with cousin Pui Yi and her friends afterward. 

We went to Klang to see some kind of light exhibition at a temple. The light exhibition happened every year as a celebration of CNY. The lights were all nicely displayed. I had fun taking photos =). I also did a bit of praying as well. After an hour of sight-seeing, we left to eat. We could've stayed longer but they were closing. I wish we went there earlier, but we were waiting for cousin Pui Yi to finish with work and all. Oh wells, there's always next time =). Cousin Mun Hong followed cousin Pui Yi home instead because he had work the next day =(. I wish we could've hanged out a couple more days. Another day gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night time snacks we had before we hit the road.

Tschau,

FiONA =).

PS. Thanks cousin Mun Hong and Pui Yi for the photos =).