Festival Indonesia 2010, Melbourne

Event: Festival Indonesia 2010, 23-24 October 2010

Location : Federation Square, Melbourne

Some of the performances on the 24 October 2010. The show started at about 10 am.  This year performances were totally different than last year. Interesting. Always enjoyed watching cultural performances. 

Here are some of the performances...

Very colourful and entertaining....

Drastic Changes

I still can remember last week when I was not feeling well. I don't really enjoyed much lying in bed can't even got up. I will felt dizzy with sore throat and no appetite which was not comfortable at all. A week past same day much fitter compared to last week. Even I went to Uni walking in the morning. Glad, and I felt I  am back on track. 

No body want to get sick but you can't avoid it at times and do your best to get well as soon as you can.

Tony's new hobby

Even at his current age, 78yo he still keep on active. Which is good. He is still independent and still driving. When I went to his place last Saturday, he really wanted to show me his new hobby. Building a famous miniature buildings/things. :-) 

He had completed the sphinx and now his current project is Tower Bridge of London.

 Cool 

Kookaburra

One of  the popular and commonly native bird in Australia, Kookaburra , an Australian Kingfisher . 

Even there is a popular Australian Nursery Rhyme about Kookaburra on the gum three. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kookaburra Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
Gay your life must be

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
Leave some gums for me

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Counting all the monkeys he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
That's no monkey, that's ME!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Make a Wish

Antique 'Aladdin Genie Lamp'

Trying to make a wish, I rub and rub the lamp no genie came out 

:-), 

just kidding

Creative Food Decorations

Event      :       Festival Indonesia 2010, 23-24 October 2010

Location :       Federation Square

One of the attraction I found that was really interesting. I like arts and decoration very much. So this was one of those did caught my attention. 

Guess from what this decoration made off. :-) 

A pumpkin 

An Indonesian Master Chef  gave a demonstration on how to make a flower from onion

My favorite Scones I

I called it The Mills' Scones. This is how they Dianna and Lenora Mills made their scones. Lenora made it look so effortless.

2 cups of Cream

2 cups of Lemonade with 2 teaspoon of vanilla essence

Add all the above ingredients to mixing bowl with 6 cups of Self Raising  flour.

Mixed all the ingredients.

The big d'oh before start cutting into small pieces

The small cutting d'oh

Slightly shaping the d'oh. Then bake all the scones in the oven which already been preheated earlier at 200C for 15-20 Min

The baked scones

Soft and yummy end product 

My favorite Scone II

Better Condition

The last few days I have been trying to go out from the house and it seems that my effort did not work. In the end I am still ending up spending my time lying on couch or bed the rest of the day. Yeah blame for my sickness and I feel lethargic most of the time. The other reason was my appetite was not so good too even I made nice beef soup but I can't finish it or even eat it. Today I told myself I must go out get fresh air and do bit of socialising.

I almost called Tony to cancel my trip to his house. Even though I have good reason but if I want to cancel, I should call him yesterday or the day earlier. He might already made some kind of preparation before hand which he and his family did. The whole family really expecting me to come. OMG,  Glad I didn't cancel it, looking at the time, effort and preparation and I am glad I came. I had a great time too. A personal demonstration (3 to 1) just for me the making of scone. I know it easy to make. I made it twice but I couldn't find why mine is not as soft as what Dianna (Tony's wife) and Lenora (Tony's daughter) scone or should I say The Mills' Scone. Really really soft and yummy. At the same time when I had the scone today it  helps improving my appetite. In my next entry I will tell the whole detail of The Mills' Scone. Check it out. :-)

I need to do more to improve my appetite today other than scone especially for dinner, I decided to make rice porridge with salted fish and anchovies , then I made 'Mee Udang'/Prawn Noodle. 


At last now I had my appetite back. I don't mind eating to much today. Now it shows good progress of my recovery. I want to get back to my 100% fitness level at soon as I can. Alhamdullilah I am almost there.  

Thought I feel much better

I had a good rest last night after I had a course of antibiotics. No more feverish but very lethargic. I thought I could go to Uni today which I did, but couldn't do much. I still feel bit lethargic. It is a warm day today too bad If I have to spend whole day at home.

Recovering

I was not feeling well since yesterday. But I am feeling much better now. Just need a rest that all I need and I spent the whole day at home, resting.

Been So Lazy

One of those day, wake up early in the morning feeling  so lethargic and moody. But I have to force myself and get ready to 'work', which I did. I was thinking 'working' from home earlier but I don't think I will work well at home so much distraction. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Forcing myself at least read and write something rather than feeling regret later on. I will be much better through out the day. 

Restaurants, Melbourne Alley

There are lot of Restaurants in the Alley around Melbourne CBD area and this is One of the famous place. Had been to one of the shop/restaurants. Interesting environment. Had a cup of coffee with an egg and toast for breakfast. 

Blessing with Resposibility

Good news which I have never expected. May be it is a blessing in someway which I am really need it at this point onward until finishing my PhD study. 

I received an email from my Dean Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. The email not just only for me though but to about 51 of use whom had qualified for promotion. I thought when I had received this email early last week I might not in it even though from the back of my mind I was hoping for it. So I didn't read the email. Then my colleague, Shariff asked me have I read the email? Which of course I didn't. He asked me to read the email and so I did on Saturday. 

As I read the email detail I was hoping I will get it which I was included in the promotion exercise. I knew the exercise promotion had begun in the Ministry of Health for all specialist in March 2010 which all the specialist will be promoted to an upper scale because they what to prevent the specialist from leaving the Ministry of Health to private hospital. As we are also in government sector we the clinical academician automatically included with this promotion exercise. The University only just implemented it this month. The promotion scale for the specialist who work in Ministry of Health Hospital is  U54  which is equivalent to DU54 as we are the Clinical Academician in the University and which is also equivalent to AP post (Associate Professor).  Basically I was so happy with the promotion which will help me a little bit for me. Not much thinking of the AP post because I think the exercise is only meant for upgrading the paying scale and because I still need to attend a special course required to get promotion as an AP and also I need to have 1 ISI publication at least which I will at minimum of 2  I hope before I will submit my thesis next year in March.    

Alhamdulillah it is a blessing as from this month onwards I will not receiving any monthly elauns from my scholarship until I finish my study but I will still received my monthly full salary payment . The extra bit of increment will help me to survive here in Melbourne. A Blessing but I will take with full responsibility.

Shukran, Alhamdulillah. Thanks to Allah ALmighty, gave me blessing and the need at this crucial time. 

2 Weather

A Wintry Spring.

It winter again in spring though. Some places having hail and snow. Since the last few days it feels like winter again. Cold southerly wind. 

The strong wind today made the weather changing in few minutes. Cloudy with rain then sunny and again cloudy with rain then sunny.....

While walking along the river, I stopped then look on my right it was nice a sunny but.....

When I look on my left it cloudy

My New Low Calorie Snack

It is my current type of snack if I feel like to munch. Trying to avoid having chips then I found this at the supermarket. ( Macam rengginang lah lebih kurang). Low calorie: 22 cal/slice and Low sodium: 13mg/slice. 1 slice = 5.6g. I usually will take 2/3 and that it . I won't take much though. It is only sometime if I have the urge to munch, rather munching the most favourite chips better I much this or non at all. 

Mushrooms

Saw lot of mushrooms on my way to Uni on the field. 

Snacking Time the Temptation

I used to eat a lot of this chips. I used to buy a packet of 200g or 250g and finished it all and have it everyday or every other days. Just imagine how much the calories and sodium intake I had. The temptation of having this kind of chips is too much and each time when I go to the supermarket/shop, I will definitely buy one or two. Once you have started, it will be difficult to stop eating it until you have finished the whole packet. I still have then temptation with this sorts of chips nowadays but I will have it in moderation. 

It was really hard for me to cut down then chips intake in the first place. It took  me a while, from once in three days with 200/250 g packet till once a week, once in two weeks, once a month then once in a while. From 200/250 g packet cut down to a small packet of 45/50 grams. Nowadays it didn't give me any temptation at all when I go to supermarket like last time. I will still buy though if I like to have it but will buy the small packet that it. Just to avoid craving and to give me a little bit of treat. 

Anyhow if you like to eat something, better to have in a small amount so you can appreciate what you have eaten other wise when you eat to much you will feel uneasy and nauseated. So stop before you start to get full. 

As part of my keep fit and keep healthy program this is one of those thing by cutting down the unnecessary unhealthy food intake.

Before Sunrise

Walking to Uni at about 6 am this morning just before sun rise. Fresh air. 

'Serunding' for my Supervisor

I have promised to bring him a container of Beef Rendang. Last week he missed (came late) for our Lunch get together on Tuesday. When he came in to the room he been talking about the Beef Rendang even though he still get the cheese cake but he keep on saying ' It would be lovely to have the Beef Rendang before the cake'. Oh my god....He keep on repeating it on and on and on. Then I told him I will make especially for him. He smiled, I knew he just teasing me but anyhow just to satisfy myself. I know he likes the Beef Rendang very much because on our day  out with the patients he finished all the Beef Rendang I have made. 

Instead of making him Beef Rendang, I have  decided to give him 'Serunding' which he like it too. I have made once last year and he did finished it all. So today I am giving  him the Beef 'Serunding'.  

Ashraf Birthday

Today, Monday, 11 October 2010 is Mohd Ashraf Birthday.

Zainah and Huzaizi youngest children 

He is now 5 years old, getting bigger. :-)

He had his birthday celebrated on Saturday, 9th October. Zainah told me he woke up early because he knows his going to have KFC for his birthday celebration. It is a long journey from their house though because the halal KFC  outlet is at my area.

So Uncle 'Tanar' (he called me Tanar instead of Nahar, :-) ) would like to wish you Happy Birthday, you can ask your Mom lot and lot of Toys...  :-) 

Home Cooking

My Sunday routine for today. Woke up early morning as usual. It  supposed to be warm which it did reached 24C today but early morning it was a little bit foggy but doesn't matter I went for a run for 15 km. I took about less than 1 hour to complete my 15 km run which is not bad. 

Then the whole morning until early afternoon made 3 dishes for the whole week. 

I made this 'Dendeng  Daging Berlada'

'Serunding Daging'  and Broad Beans Curry.

Balance Activity

To begin my day on Saturday beautiful spring day.

Laundry , house cleaning then breakfast. 

Then went to Austin Health, did  some of my 'working' stuff as usuall. 

Later met Zainah with her family and Zul in the afternoon in the city. Nice warm 19C weather. We done walking in the city for more than 2 hours ( interesting, burning lots of energy) :-)

After long long walk, had early dinner at our usual spot. What  a balance activity for me on Saturday. 

Active and Keep Moving

For me my First rule of thumb to keep me fit. Be active and keep on moving.

 Walking and running  are my daily routine and If I have a chance will do Cycling. 

Even I will in cooperate the daily physical activity as part of the exercise regime.

Keep fit and Stay Healthy

Everybody will have their ways and opinion about this matter. You may choose which ever ways or advises you can get but at the end of the day you have to choose which program really suits you well and may be you need to modified as it goes. Everybody is an individual. That what I have been telling most of my patients. Doesn't mean you didn't loose weight you are not healthy. 

I am actively involve in this area. It is part of my profession and my research study involve a lot of fitness activities, chronic illness, secondary prevention etc. Good that I am doing this as part of my PhD degree. Broaden my knowledge, meet people with diverse age group, ethnicity, background, way of life and with different medical problems. Interestingly people are individual. You can't generalise the same program to everybody. Knowing their medical history, current conditions and their current activity/activities are important and need to be taken on board before start telling people what to do. By knowing their limitations  will help me especially in prescribing what sorts of exercise program I need to design. I may used the same program template but a bit of modification for different patients. 

It is challenging  prescribing an exercise program for patients especially people with Diabetes and  overt Cardiovascular disease (Heart Disease). I always observe and think what if I am in their shoes. Always listen when they said something is not right and need to change on day to day basis because their conditions are not the same every day. Never ignore what they said. That is an important rules for me.

But, what ever it is I have to practice what I am preaching. Don't just telling patients/people what to do but you yourself didn't do it. Then you will know what are the obstacles you will faced and how to tackle the problems.

Well next task is my version of how I keep myself fit and stay healthy.............. :-)

Say cheese........

We had a lunch get together again yesterday, the occasions were the boss belated birthday (my supervisor, Prof Hare)  the secretary birthday on this coming Friday (tomorrow) and Eid celebration (bit to late isn't it, anyhow...) . Everybody looking forward to it especially what food I am going to bring. Every time I will bring something different with my own twist. :-)

Orlinda Falls picnic

We went to Orlinda Falls last weekend for a picnic. 

Nice weather 

Some of the foods prepared by Su (Lajiman's wife)

Before we had our lunch, went for a walk to the falls

Walking in the forest, breathing fresh forest air. 

Month of Shawal ending

Back home, Eid celebrated the whole month of Shawal not exceptional some of us here in Melbourne. Had sort of Eid celebration small function at Zainah and Huzaizi place. Just among few of us as usual, me , Zul and Lajiman with his family. Nice good food and good company. 

The Winning Team

Australian Football League just completed yesterday. It an Australian Football rules and is the most popular sports in the state of Victoria. So not surprise if more than 70 % of the team coming from Victoria especially Melbourne base.  

Since I  first came to Melbourne it never came a cross my mine to have interest in these sport. It like a norm that everybody need to have a team of their choice to support. You will be surprised how fanatic some of them supporting their team. That including one of my patients, Margaret. :-). 

I have been here for four years and only this year I have take notice with AFL because of  Margaret. Just Imagine each time when she comes to the gym, she will never stop talking about it. :-) . It enjoyable though. SO each week I will make sure finding out the result of her team especially. Each first day of the week when she's coming to the gym I will ask her, 'How are you Margaret?' If her team had won on the weekend, she will answered 'Good thanks especially when Collingwood wining and there are lot of Magpies in my backyard.' I smiled. I already knew the result just to see her reaction and from that on she will start talking about it. :-)

Collingwood is her favourite team and Magpies is the logo for the team. She has this good omen when there are lots of Magpies at her backyard the team will win. Which the team did won. I will ask her if there were Magpies at her backyard  and she will answered " Yes there were and there were lot of them'.

Well this year is the year of Magpies . They won the Premiership yesterday by beating St. Kilda team. I am sure Margaret will definitely feel happy. They won back the Premiership cup after more than 20 years. 

Day Light Saving 2010 started

Today, 3rd October 2010 Melbourne started the Day Light saving by adding one hour forward at 2.00 am and make it 3.00  am. To make it easier I had forward one hour time just before bed for some of my time devices. We will start having longer day in state of Victoria time from now on.

A Brighter Day

It has been a long sleepless night for the past few days, just to make sure I could finish one part of my data today. What a relief, at last the results was so promising and with strong significant results value. My third supervisor was really happy with the outcome and he said I could start publish this data by next week. His trying to be funny.

Finally after such a long grueling journey, bit of light start to shine through out my darkest night. Still a long way to go though and a lot more to do but this bit of hope start to built up my confident after I had almost loosing my hope for these tormented journey of my life. Alhamdulillah.

As brighter as the day today hopefully, this will motivate me further and finish this unfinished business which those people (who had interviewed me last week) has doubt in me. I know it may be impossible but nothing is impossible and I still have faith in me.