Elmo: The Collections

Elmo: The Collections, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Not my collections, but it is Lenore, Tony's daughter had lot of them. The most recent was last year Xmas.

Scones Party

I think I have been to Tony's house more frequent compared to my other research volunteers. Don't know why,  I like going to his place and meet the rest of his family so friendly and they have such a nice cosy place. Other than their antiques and arts collections which I would like to see, I always like to have freshly made homemade scones. They made the best scone ever. :-) . So soft and melt in your mouth., mmmmmm :-) . As usual, Lenora their daughter will made the scone. Today she made the scone with a different flavour. It was so so good, I had 6 or may be more big scones. I purposely break my diet routine today just for the scone. :-)

Chilli Padi Mamak Kopitiam : Racecourse Road, Flemington :Chee Cheong Fun

Chilli Padi Mamak Kopitiam : Racecourse Road, Flemington :Chee Cheong Fun, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Went to Chilli Padi Mamak Kopitiam not far from my house. Just open recently on the 19th January 2011. Noticed it on their opening day, and have a look for the menu and make sure it is HALAL. It is owned by a Malaysian. I went there with Adel and Amanda. I ordered Chee Cheong Fun, Yummy. Haven't had this for such a long time. This gave me an idea to make this myself at home. Had the opportunity to talk with the cashier and the cook, Faizal. The cashier suggested us to try Faizal famous Asam Laksa next time. I will, lot of other menu and variety too.The prices for each dishes are reasonably ok. By the way Faizal (the cook) born in Kedah raised in Penang and stay in Ampang for a while and now live in Flemington Melbourne.

Spinella's Pizza Restaurant, Mooney Ponds: Strawberry Swan

Spinella's Pizza Restaurant, Mooney Ponds, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Interesting and yummy desert. Mika had this at the restaurant for desert few days back.

Dinner with Ken

Ken was one of my ex-participants in my research study. Catching up with him , Mika (his partner) and Nic (student whom had help me in my study, his now working full time at the Austin Health. Good on him) at one of the restaurant near Ken's house. His going to be 86 soon and still look strong. :-)

The Candle Light

Candle Light , originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Maintaining the motivation is the hardest thing to do. Hope the eagerness to get things done will still remain until I finish. Will do my very best. As long as the candle still flaming and continuing brightening the dark room till the end

Lunch at Sharon's 'Palace'

Lovely day and beautiful place where Sharon's lives with her husband, John. Had the opportunity and been invited to come over at her and her husband's 'palace' today during lunch time. Sharon had been arranging and try finding the best time to invite me to have  lunch at their place. Her son, also had  joined  and had lunch with us. Had enjoyed the company and food. :-)

entrée

smoked salmon 

The main : salad with grilled prawn and calamari.

desert 

Thank you for inviting me to come over. :-)

Chef Greg and Asian Delicacy for dinner

Gregory is a chef whom participated in my study research. He had been bringing me cakes, foods to the session on some occasions. Gregory is a mix Chinese and Irish, so imagine the wide range of Asian influences in his cooking. He had promised to invite me to come over to his place for so so long and only able to make it happen last weekend in the evening, while I was at Austin that day (A day after I went to Mr. riachi house). As usual he pick me up from the Hospital and going towards his place. Supposedly his daughter and his neighbour will join us but at the last minute they had something else to do. The neighbour had an urgent work appointment and his daughter (a chef too) had to work.

Anyhow, three of us me, Greg and his wife had a wonderful evening, enjoying the food and chatting. I watched Greg cooking. This was an opportunity to learn something from an experienced chef. Everything is on his finger tips. The dinner theme was all about Asian influence. A lot of cooking tips from him. It really made me so excited to implement some of his technique in my cooking from now on. Cool isn't it learning straight from the  chef. :-)



Garlic prawn

 

Tofu

There were two others dishes, shitaki mushroom and steam barrumandi. It was rally nice..:-). He will invite me again in march and will cook diffent menu.

Lunch Invitation

I am going to get busy other than my writing starting from last weekend trying to full filling all invitation from my patients whom had participated in my study before leaving Melbourne in few weeks time. Trying to avoid weekdays if possible.

Anyhow, first house was Mr. Riachi with Lebanese background. I am always looking forward to try homemade Lebanese food. Himself and his wife are a good cook. These were some of the meals which they had prepared that day.



Grill fish

Hammus (Main ingredient grind chick peas)

Egg Plant

 

Walnut dipping

This is the famous Kibbeh, grind meat mix with few others ingredients

Lebanese coffee

I was really full, everything was really yummy. I did eat at all in the morning just for this. :-) . And I didn't had dinner too, just a small bowl of black rice for supper. I asked them all the recipes and will try and make them someday.



My New Office

At first I was a little bit sceptical moving to a new building and a new office. Not sure if I could get enough privacy since I was told it is an office setting, open space with tables for working area with no divider. Hmmm. Then when I came in on Monday, it was totally different from what I had imagine. Instead, I have plenty of space, big table with a cupboard as a divider and shelves. No one can invade my space and using my computer comparing to last time. Nice, love it even though I only have 6 weeks more to occupy this place.

Sheila Majid - Dengarkanlah (Music Video)

My favorite female artist. Love all her songs since the beginning of her carrier. At 46 yo she still look outstanding. Her latest  song so calm and easy listing, could listen to this song all day long. It typical Shiela Majid songs. Love it. :-)

My Recipe My Invention

Guess what I have made 'Keropok Lekor' (fish sausage) last weekend. Bought a kilo of fresh Barramundi Fish Fillet at Woolworth. I couldn't find mackerel fish  at Woolworth may be next time when I go to Fresh Market at footscray, I  will get Mackerel Fish. Grind/Blend it until it fine then mix it with Tapioca flour. Total of 1.5 kg dough can get enough supply of 'Keropok Lekor' for a week. Boil it first and let it set for a while.

and fried it in hot boiling oil.

See you soon

Me , Zainah, Huzaizi and Effi had sent Zul's for the Airport Saturday night. An emotional time, but yet in a good way. One of us had accomplished the journey. An inspiration for the rest.  

So long and farewell my dear friend till we meet again soon in Malaysia.

Farewell Gathering

It was Zul's last day in Melbourne yesterday. Zainah had organised a small gathering just among us. Me , Zainah, Huzaizi and Effi. That it, one of our group has gone back now left us. Zul had finally submitted his thesis last Friday and was a big relief for him. Huge burden had fell off his shoulder and it was a nice feeling after all those difficult years. Now it is my turn. Am getting anxious even more. I am trying my very best and hoping for the best.

A Million Love Songs : Take That...Love it

Been listening to this song each time before and during the start my work. Motivation song for me.

The Town I have been

The Greenwich, where the meridian line is. I remember and been here in Summer 2008

It Friday again.....

A Plant, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

How time fly really fast. Since I becoming so intense with my work , everyday, from morning till late night. I didn't realize, it already end of the week. Yet sill a lot to be done, and I felt I didn't do much.

Anyhow, I took a picture of a plant recently. Bet you can't tell me what it is. :-)

It Crunch Time not Macaroon's Time :-)

Macaroons, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

It really a crunch time now, not macaroon time. :-).

Since last week especially, I have started becoming more and more serious and focus . I am in my own world like a psycho/mad guy. Don't want any disturbance from anybody. Everybody at my Uni now knows, once I am at my workstation, with my headphone on. Don't disturb no noise. Even I will get our from the room an go to the library to have some peaceful time to concentrate on my work.

Time to get really serious, less than 2 months now. It Do or Die.

Coffee Break

Gregory (one of my patient) and his wife, had called and planned with me a week earlier to catch up and have a coffee break yesterday afternoon. We went to a  restaurant where their daughter's has been working as a chef, at Cafe Vue. I have never been to this place before. First time, Nice place, cosy and  have modern art gallery and park too.

Have my cappuccino

and a raspberry macaroon, just one. :-)

Red Bull for free

On my way back from dinner in the city  last weekend , few girls giving away red bull energy drink for promotion and managed to get 2 can. Cool.

New Menu at EsTeller 77 : Tofu Tek

EsTeller 77 Swanston Street Melbourne CBD : Tofu Tek, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Es teller77 added an additional menu from the beginning of this year. I have not been to the restaurant for a while, last was at end of last year. I tried one of those new menu and I had Tofu tek. Basically it is a tofu salad. It was really nice. Since I like tofu so so much I don't have any issue with it. Low in calorie, high in protein and lot of vegetables in the salad.

Nahar's Kitchen my style of cooking : Nasi Dagang

Halba / Fenugreek seeds

Nasi Dagang

I made 'Nasi Dagang' today for dinner. A mixture of normal rice (I used Basmati rice)  and glutinous rice with coconut milk, fenugreek (halba), shallot, garlic, ginger and bit of salts. I did change a little bit though I don't use coconut milk instead I used milk, skim milk  :-)

HAKA the warrior dance

HAKA the warrior dance, originally uploaded by mohdnaharazmi.

Suddenly, while I was waiting for Nazly ( one of my closest friend came to Melbourne with his wife and cousins for holiday) in front of MYERS Burke street, a group of guys did A HAKA dance. A performance out of nowhere. It was good. I have never seen live HAKA dance performance other than watching on TV especially when the New Zealanders do HAKA prior to their rugby matches. It was really cool.

A glass of Ice Teh Tarik

Iced Tea Tarik 

'Rojak Petis/Malaysian Style Salad'

What a week, exhausted stressful week as usual, wild weather even this morning the rain still keep pouring heavily. But nice morning to  sleep in though :-) and sleep a little bit more. I got up just before 6 for my morning prayer then in bed again for another hour. Feel more refreshing now after nice morning shower. 

Yesterday after 'work', stop by in the city for dinner.I had my dinner at the usual Nelayan Restaurant then a glass of Iced Teh Tarik, 'Rojak Petis'(Zul ordered this) and 'Roti John' (and Effie ordered this one) at Old Town Mamak Kopitiam.

Wild Weather

It was really humid today then heavy rain with thunder and strong wind. Even some part of Melbourne experiencing flash flood. The wild weather is partly caused by the after effect from Cyclone Yasi. 

My desert

I have never thought of it initially, but when I went to a friend's place he serve me with this black rice. Hmmm.... I should made one myself. Then, last night while making dinner I boil the black rice and made myself a nice desert. Kept the balance for next time. 

Memories; Windsor Castle

I am really bored this morning. After a sleepless night again, I got up bit late an trying to do some work but can't focus. I went and look through all my pictures collection when I was in UK in Summer 2008. Lot of them but I never had a chance to look at it and do post processing most of it.  Looking at the pictures which I took at Windsor and the Castle, I still can remembered precisely what had happened on that day. Nice weather and nice people. I have spoken with one of the police office at the castle, so friendly just before the guard changing ceremony. Pleasant memories...

Hot summer night

For the last two days, I couldn't sleep very well. It was warm, over 20s Celsius. even this morning at 5am  it was 27C.  Don't have air conditioning, just relying on fan. Got up and had a glass of water each time I woke up. Hopefully the cool change this afternoon will make a lot of different.