Early Winter in Autumn....Confused Weather

It was freezing cold this morning. When I woke up at 3 am, it was already 5 C and later at 6 am it went down to 3 C. The cold front had made Melbourne temperature drop. Just imagine if Melbourne CBD temperature drop to 3C, I am sure the out skirt region and other parts of Victoria state might having temperature less than zero. Urghhhhh...... Thought of going for a jog at 6 but I wit hold for a while till the sun rise. When I left for jog it was 4 C but it was sunny. I wore 2 layers of cloths with hoody, a thick track bottom and a pair of glove. After a while I getting warm and it felt nice even the temperature was still at 4 C.

The coldest morning in April (which suppose to be still in Autumn) since 1957, that what I heard from the radio news. Which meant it an early Winter this year. So we can plan out trip to the mountain now for snow. So what do you think Zainah and Adel???

'Nahar Power' Product.

I just received this picture from Ju. I was amazed. Food product with my name on it. I suppose who ever produced this product has same name with me.

Dah lah tuu, product dari Johor lagi. :-)
Kira glamour lah kita ekkk.. hehe.

Bagus bagus. Sila sila beli lah 'Nahar Power'

Fresh from the Oven

A home made sweet potato bun. I am using the usual recipe, just added mash potato while mixing the bun. Smells nice once took out from the oven and tasty too. :-)

Purposely made it for my everyday breakfast and for a week supply. Nice, I only need to warm it up before I ate the bun.

ANZAC DAY PARADE 2009

ANZAC day: the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for the country.

Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration

This year ANZAC day falls on Saturday. I thought of going to watch the dawn service at the shrine, but.......

:-). May be next year.

There was also a parade. I thought It will start at 10.00am but I was wrong. It was much earlier than that. Still able to watch the parade because it finish at noon.

Not really sure from where the parade started, but it finished at the shrine.

Just to make it a little bit different and since the E-620 has an art filter, I used black and white format as if the parade was taken during the 60's. :-)

Nasi Lemak daun pisang from Melbourne

Finally I had the chance to make Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice) Daun Pisang (Banana Leaf). I bought banana leaf from an asian groceries shop near by. The price was 7.00 dollar per kilo. Expensive, but anyway I could use the remaining for some other thing later on as long as I keep it well.

I having Breakfast with "Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang". :-) Bonn apatite.....

:-)

Capati for Lunch

Today's weather since morning was not so good, even though went for a jog early in the morning. Most of the time I am at home did groceries, washing, cleaning and cooking. Yea cooking :-)

First menu, made myself chapati for lunch. Had chapati with 'Ayam masak merah'.

Arrival New Gadget

Met Zul and Adam at Camera Action House at about 4.30 pm. First thing first. I want my camera. :-). He smile and went back to the store to get the camera while me and Zul playing with the display unit.

I have been eyeing Olympus camera for quite sometime and wait for the right time.

I like the model because of It’s small size, the smallest DSLR with Image Stabilizer, the flippy screen, Art filters, double cross focusing point and the back lit buttons and most important thing fast focus live view which other camera brand can't beat this.

I trade in my Pentax with all the lenses and get E-620 with Olympus lenses.

Extremely excited. Once done we went to have our dinner at our usual place, Nelayan. Had few tempe.....

and soto betawi....

After dinner, went to our usual Starbucks. Had my usual Chai Tea Latte while playing around with my new gadget and Zul give few tips on how to operate Olympus camera.

Weather Change

Cold change arrive, since Thursday night. From then onward till Monday it going to be bit chilly with the lowest predicted temperature 6-7 C. Hail and some part of high level in Victoria might have snow on Sunday.

I suddenly woke up because of the strong wind hitting my window and made loud noise. The sound of the wind a little bit freaky and frightening at time. Try to get back to bed and get myself warm with three layers of blanket for tonight.

Fantastic News From Adam

I read a reply email in the morning from Adam (my photography mentor and camera sales person). News I have been waiting for quite a while. " YOUR NEW E-620 JUST TURNED UP. GIVE US HALF AN HOUR TO GET THEM UNPACKED. SEE YOU SOON." A while later he called me and told me the good news. "I thought you told me it will come only next month?" "Well it here now come and get it". I told him, will come over after work. I was surprised initially but so excited about it too. I have decided to trade in my Pentax and all the lenses with E-620 and it lenses, by doing this at least I am not spending too much and could save a little bit. By the way I have planned this for months since heard the news months before.

Called Zul about the news. Later he text message me to inform Adam did called him too. And so we planned to meet at Camera House later. Excellent

Trash Day

Every Thursday morning is our neighbourhood trash day. For the past 6 months I have been staying here all of us (not all actually) in this apartment will take turn to push all the big trash bin line up in front of our apartment. 6 apartment unit with 6 trash bin and 6 recycle bin. I realise that most of the time only one guys from this unit will arrange all the bin the night before and all most all the time I will arrange and put it back after all the trash has been taken. what happen to the rest of the tenant???

2 orang Aussie dari dua unit ni pagi pagi sure dah keluar gi kerja or balik lambat so memang tak buat dah tau buat sampah jerr. Yang 2 penghuni unit lain tuu kaum pendatang yang dah dapat PR (actually 3 unit). Dah tau buang sampah tapi tak tau yang mana untuk 'rubbish bin' dan yang mana untuk 'recycle bin' main hentam jerr. Bangang betul, tapi nak jadi penduduk tetap kat sini perangai dari negera dia orang tuu di bawak ke sini. Tak nak lak cakap dari negara mana dia datang tapi sekarang ni kaum dia lah yang banyak sekali kat sini. Manalah mat mat salleh penduduk asal kat sini tak 'mengamuk'...

'Kamis' Blues

Bangun awal pagi lepas solat subuh bersiap siap dan terus joggoing pagi di waktu mentari yang baru mulai memperlihatkan dirinya sekitar jam 6.40 pagi. Kelihatan ramai yang sedang bergegas ke 'train station' dan kereta yang semakin banyak di jalan.

Segar sekali pagi ini. Kebiasannya aku yang akan bergegas ke 'stasion'. hehe (campur campur lak bahasa nii kejap melayu kejap Indonesia, jangan mere..)

Seperti biasanya hari kamis memang hari yang agak tenang, tak payah nak berebut-rebut. Sekembali dari jogging terus aku menyiapkan sarapan pagi.

Pagi ni ku buat lah cucur udang, oatmeal dan kopi. Memang ada Ummmmp......

Kebetulan malam tadi ada baki nasi yang tak habis so buat lah nasi goreng my style. Campur campur apa yang ada kat dalam 'refrigerator' tuu. Mengancam juga hasilnya. Sengaja sejak sebulan nii tengah ikat perut. Bukan ikat perut tak makan, tapi tak banyak makan luar dan beli yang bukan bukan sebab bulan depan nak beli barang baru...So berjimatlah.. Memang pun dua minggu ni rasanya tak banyak sangat belanja , hanya belanja dapur seminggu sekali dan hari jumaat minum kopi kat luar or makan malam luar tuu jerr. Apa barang yang nak dibeli .... tunggu...

Nasi goreng my style nii akan ku bawa makan siang bersama-sama teman se PhD nanti di Kampus. Gitu...

:-)

Weekdays routine

Since last November until to date, my weekdays are busy days and predictable. Except on Thursday.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday I will always wake up as early as 4 am or even earlier (Even sometime I accidentally woke up early during weekend). Get 'me' self ready shower etc.. (pagi pagi sejuk oiii apa lagi sekarang nii suhu pagi pagi 8 -9 C tapi masih mandi pagi juga. :-) .Tak macam sesetengah tuu...harap bau perfume jer). Since now no more day light saving, 'subuh' prayer will be around 5.20 am. Make breakfast and have tea. Leave home by 6.10 am and catch 6.21 am train. Usually I will reach office at Austin Hospital by 7.10 am. Then all my routine in Hospital will begin from that time onwards and finish by 6.00 pm. Usually I will reach home by 7.00 pm. Still continue some work or do a bit of reading till 10.00 pm or the latest by 10.30 and then get to bed. Hmmmm what a day.

It seems that, those 3 days the night time was too short. No complaint, this is what I want and it for my future too. I need to sacrifice.

Even though it seems so 'flat' and busy but I do enjoy my days at work very much. New experience with a lot of things to do and learn. Sometime I might have a bad day and somebody might dislike me (on rare occasion though). Well anyway you can't always win or pleased everybody. Just do what ever I could do one step at a time.

Thursday is by far the best day during my week days. I could relax a little bit and take time to start my 'work' since I could do my work at Uni or at home it depends. So no rushing to catch early train. I could walk or cycle to Uni too. Nice. :-)

Friday is another not a stressful whole day for me even I had to wake up early and catch early train. Coz I will finish my work by 12.30 pm, go for Friday prayer which will start at 1.30 pm. After that I am free get back home change and 'relax' me self in the city window shopping and lastly having 'kopi' at Starbucks near Burke Street.

A Better Person to be

It has been more than a year I am here at the Austin Hospital ( Since March 2008). I knew and close to almost all the staffs in this department even in another neighbouring department except for one. The one and only person who in our room. They were 4 of us me, Deidre, Jane and this nurse whom she never talk to me all. Even when I greeted her 'Good Morning' or etc, she never reply. I was upset initially, but after a while I never bother about it.

I could talk and make a jokes with the others or visa verse, but for this nurse even when she talked, she will talk as if I was not around. Feel so bad isn't it but anyway......

I just do what ever I could, just be myself. When ever she come to the office, I will greet her as usual, If I am going to make a cup of tea or coffee I will offer to everybody including her as usual but she will never respond.

I don't know why and what made she dislike me, I am not really sure. Just may be because I am not an official staff here but I got all the privileges, computer, stationary and so on, and may be I had all the attention more. I don't really know.......

Still I never give up. You wouldn't feel nice to work at the same place where you know someone don't like your presence in the office. At one time I was on my way back to the office, I heard she make jokes and everybody was laughing. Once I came in, she's kept quite and after a while she just left. Deidre knows about it, but I didn't told her. I just kept it to myself.

It seems that, nowadays I could see changes in her towards me. She still maintain the same attitude but now she a little bit more responsive to me. She even reply when I greet her or wouldn't mind if I offer to make tea for her etc....

I am happy, even it took me more than a year to soften her heart to like me. Patience and never give up. As long as you are sincere, never loose hope and make a good deed the rewards will come some day.

I have never regret, when I have decided to come here for my PhD. It a journey not only for gaining my knowledge but it more than that. One of them to know foreign people, their back ground, how to approach them, talk with them knowing their personality and so much more. It is an experience I would never get if I am still stick to my complaisant spot. I will definitely treasure this experience and journey to make me a better person.

As for this staff, I felt good what I had achieved. At least we made a better contact, communication and good working environment. I am at the winning end. Finally.

Melbourne Zoo: The Animals

From Newmarket to Marybirnong Park

I think it has becoming a regular exercise session with Adel. I have been indirectly 'in charge' her exercise training regime. :-)

Unofficial personal trainer for Adel for the last 2 weekend.

If last two weekend we have done running and brisk walking, so this week i have decided to do cycling.

Looks like Adel enjoying it and her fitness level improved. Good. :-)

We cycle from Newmarket to Marybirnong Park area. Nice place. Then I found this area where they have public gym in the park, peck fly, twister and stepper. Wish we could have this facilities at our place. ( Maybe Zainah could discuss this when she start back working at the ministry of youth and sports )

Let's go to the zoo.......Melbourne Zoo

Let's go to the zoo there are lot of thing to do....

:-) , Suddenly I remembered one of Malaysian TV add jingle; going to the zoo. Not sure which add belongs to, but I think one of the KFC add. ??*%$#@#

Anyway, went to Melbourne Zoo on Saturday with Zul to take pictures. We started at 9.30 am. The Zoo is not far from my house about 5 minutes by train.

Spent the whole morning and till late afternoon. I have been here twice. Last time was two years ago with Adel and family.

Nice relaxing day in the Zoo.

Post Black Saturday Bushfires Scene

On our way to Bright, we passes by few area which involved with Black Saturday Bushfire's incidence. Felt sympathy and empathy with all the victims.

Burnt trees all over the area. From far distance the hills look dark in color.

More than 2 months now. The memoir of Black Saturday is still there, but life must go on. Even some of the trees started to have new green leaves.

Tawonga Gap Lookout, Victoria

Tawonga Gap lookout is about 20 km from Bright. The lookout is at 880 metres above sea level provides incredible views. Looking over Mount Bogong (Victoria's highest mountain) and over the Kiewa Valley.

Initially when we arrived, there were nobody around. Nice weather, not too much clouds on the sky.

A Picturesque view

Dandenong Ranges - Forest Walks

Decided to go for a forest walk on Sunday. I have not done forest trail tracking for quite sometimes.

Good weather, for tracking on the Mountain.

First stop at Kalorama Park Forest Walk. I think I have seen this place and passed by many times. But never in my wildest dream to stop and spend time at this Park. It has a nice lookout.

Have a quick view. Could see the Silvan Reservoir from here. Beautiful.

The forest walk at Kalorama Park was not too long. Managed to complete the track within less than half an hour. Still challenging though, up hill and down hill with narrowed walking track.

Later I went to Skyhigh Forest walking track. More challenging compared to the previous walk. There were 3 walking track. Tried all of them.

Some of the track had steeper slope. I had to be careful when going down hill but the worst part was climbing back up the hill.

One of the track, led me to the another lookout called the Burke lookout. It took about between 30 - 35 minutes to reach the place. Really steep lookout. Could see part of Melbourne from another angle.

Finally, I spent more than 2 hours just walking through SkyHigh walking trail. Really nice workout for the day and my pedometer reading clocking at 25 000 steps.

Day out to Bright,Vic

It was Easter Saturday, we started early in the morning since we want to reach Bright before lunch time. Zul, Huzaizi, Zainah and the kids fetched me at about 7.15 in the morning. I have been to Bright before last year during the Bright Autumn Gala Festival, it was really nice and enjoyed Bright very much. I went there with visitors from Brunei.

By the way Bright is a nice place to stay if you want to go to any of the mountains during snow season; Mount Hotham, Mount Buffalo, Falls Creak and some others. Nice environment.

The only thing I hate was, travelling long distance, but no choice have to bare with it. It took us almost 4 hours to reach Bright. In between we stop few places for coffee and filling petrol.

We reached Bright just before 11.30 am. To our surprise the town was really full with tourists. It was busy. We parked the car and went to Saturday Easter Market.

It supposed to be autumn now, but it doesn't look that way. Not seen much of colorful tree yet a little bit disappointed though. It going to be a late autumn this year as well as what had happen to the summer.

Good trip for this two young lady. Insisted Zainah to have some money, one dollar each to play some games. We surprised and was laughing when both of them won prizes for each one of them. Lucky kids.

We decided to have our lunch near by a river side. Found a nice shade and we started unpacked all the foods. As usual Zainah prepared all the foods.

Nice scenery and so relaxing. Spending some time here before we started to move.