Train Trip

I have decided few days back that I am going to a friend place at Malmsbury.

I took 12 noon V-line train from Southern Cross to Kyneton and took about 90 minutes to reach Kyneton.

The last time I took V-line train was on 31st December 2006 visiting Dr. Khairiah and Dr. Baha at Geelong.

This time round, travelling by train was not a bad idea at all. Instead of driving, I was able to enjoy the scenery and the weather was nice sunny day.

Reached Kyneton station at about 1.30pm

Waiting for few minutes before my friend arrived.

On our way to Malmsbury we Passed by Kyneton town area.

So quiet and peaceful town. Not much traffic for sure.

Malmsbury is about 15 minutes drive from Kyneton

The Day of Melbourne Cup

Walk from my house to Campus. It was a public holiday, 5 November 2008. Melbourne Cup Day. While I was walking, I could see so may ladies wear beautiful and colorful dress with hat or some flowers or feathers on their head. (Something like My Fair Lady)

While the guys wearing full suit with hat.

For some instead of wearing the 'dress' they rather be casual and having picnic while enjoying watching the horse race.

Supreme Coffee Shop

Sunday morning I had breakfast with Hayden at a Coffee shop near my place. Nice shop, looks urban and trendy. Had planned many times, but unsuccesful. The coffee shop called supreme. The capucino coffee was really nice.

BBQ at Birrarung Marr

It cloudy, cool and windy on Saturday morning. Still, the arrangement for BBQ party had been made and no turning back. But later Ii turn out to be a good weather after all.

I was told by Zul that I was also invited for the BBQ picnic party at Birrarung Mar, along the the Yarra River. We were ask to bring Sausages as part of contribution for the party. Birrarung Marr is a nice place to have this kind of activity. I met Zul at Federation Square at 10.00 am. Since the place is first come first serve, we have to come early and book the place.

As predicted and as Zul always said, we are the first to come. Later few others started to come.

Everybody was so excited. They were 16 of us with 2 children attended the BBQ party.

Busy preparing our main delicacy. Nice. Everybody take turn preparing the food.

Sea food, Chicken, Sausages and vegetables

Corn looks delicious.

Candid photos

Haha gotcha....Unnoticed Aliyah...looks yummy yeah.. :-)

Now the 'story telling' session start.bla bla bla.....said 'Ina Stress'

A Thai 'actor' also came. He introduced himself as "M"

Pictures of Umar.

He's always excited. Falls many times but never cry.

New family addition to Ina and Zairie, Imran. He is 3 months old.

Keep Fit

This is how I make myself fit. Walking and running with step counting device (Pedometer) and make sure minimum of 10 000 steps is achieved.

I am not to much into gym. Consistency and compliance with gym activity is my biggest issue.

I have been using pedometer for more than 6 months. It started when I attended Victoria University Diabetes Awareness and received free gift which is the pedometer. Since then I have addicted using the device and targeted 10 000 steps everyday. The device itself has been changing many times. This is the most current pedometer I have and more complicated which has more function. :-)

Easily I could reach more than 150 minutes per week by performing minimum of 10 000 steps. But nowadays I have been doing more than 12 000 steps. My target now is between 15 000 - 18 000 steps per day. Recent research published, where a group of researchers from few countries had came into a conclusion where for active person 10 000 steps is not enough. They suggested 12 000 steps or more.

Even though I make myself physically active I still look after my diet, balance and eat on time.

Precious Time

Clock Ticking
It has been 2 years
Still…
I am a middle of nowhere
Frustrated though
But
Only time will tell
Hoping
And Praying
For the best
May it will be going smoothly later
The sun

Will always shine…

The most precious watch I ever had. I only bought it recently.

Pancake Parlour

Had pancake with Ice-cream at Pancake Parlour Bourke Street. Not too bad.

House Curtain

Hyden help me on Sunday hanging the day curtain and night curtain in the living room and bed room. My place now look much nicer and much better. :-). Now I need to print some pictures which I took to hang on the wall.

House Warming Gifts

David Le and his wife brought a Chocolate for me. Yumm

Deidre gave me a flower for my new place. :-)

Beautiful. Like it very much

House Warming.

I just invited few friends and students come to my place. Initially I thought I don't want to have any kind of 'party' or what so ever but then I just decided to invite for lunch.

I didn't prepare much, only few Malaysian delicacy. I made Laksa Johor and Mee Rebus.

I also made 'Sambal Goreng Jawa', our family recipe.

Zainah, Huzaizi and their childrens and also Zul were the first few who came

Deidre, the research nurse who help me with my research also came. Thanks De. She asked me for the Laksa Johor and Mee Rebus recipe. :-)

Naguib, the medical student. Afiq, he is a Singaporean who already stays in Melbourne since the age of 9 also came with his sister. Afiq is helping me with my research. David Le the assistance laboratory manager also came with his wife.

How nice Afiq wore Batik and his sister with her 'Baju Kurung'.

Laksa Johor for Dinner

Since I couldn't accompany Ibez on his last day in Melbourne on Saturday, I invited him to come for dinner at my place.

I prepared Laksa Johor not only for dinner but for my next day House warming

My First Guest

Adel and Amanda were my first guest for my new place. Had arranged with her a week earlier.

Once they arrived, I immediately cooked 'Char Kwee Tiaw' for Adel. Within 15 minutes, it ready to eat.

Pity that Amanda could eat the 'Char Kwee Tiaw'. It so pedas for her. :-)

Faces of Amanda Khan

Not seen her for a while. Look how she's grown. So cute. :-)

And the most important thing is, she's not crying when she saw me or when I approached her. :-)

She even gave me 'flying kiss' when she's going back home.

My dear Amanda. Cute girl. :-)

Ibez....

Went and fetched Ibez ( Dr. Nazirah's Husband) at the airport. Came for a few days convention held at Crown Hotel, Melbourne. Showed him the hotel he stays in and places where he could get his lunch. I have to get back to hospital after that. But had made arrangement to have dinner once I finished my activity late afternoon.

Handy Man

Staying here in Melbourne , you have to do everything by yourself. Fixing your own things at home is a must. Other wise you have to pay for some services which is so so expensive. So, to save your money, do it yourself.

I have to fix the washing machine tap. It was leaking for few days and can't use the washing machine for a while.I went to 'Bunning' buy some 'washer' to replace the old 'washer' that warn off. Not so difficult at all, finally , I could used my washing machine again.

Dandenong 'Raya' Celebration

For the past 3 'Raya', Dandenong Eid Mubarak Celebration has been organized at the same place. The first two celebration the house host was Aznan, but this time round at the same house the host is Zainah.

I had been informed by Zainah even during Ramadan that the 'Open House' will be at her place and invited me to come. Definitely I will...

The 'Dream Girls' of Dandenong .... , :-)

Some of the guys help preparing the lamb BBQ. I only able to come after 1 pm since I am still settling and rearranging my new place.

There were a lot of foods, but as usual I just took a small portion. Have to take care myself not to eat too much and maintain my current figure. :-)

I like the chocolate cake very much....

I missed Ashraf birthday celebration. But the cake with Ashraf name on it still there....

Unfortunately Ashraf was not so well that day

Razak also came , there are some other guests which I have never seen before. I managed to have a chat with some of them.