This is by far the most photo-packed “Looking back” post. Continue at your bandwidth’s risk.

1st August 2011, Monday

Kath said to me (while she was closing our front door), “Come and have a look!”
Have you ever seen such a contraption? I don’t even know what it’s called – basically it goes around the tree, opens up like an upside down umbrella and shakes the trees of its dry leaves. Save some time raking them at the side of the street. But hey! Never seen them in operation before. This is a first.

3rd August 2011, Wednesday

Honey haul from Arataki.
Bumped into HollyD there and whose baby is still unwilling to say “Hello world!” Apparently Arataki is her daughter’s favourite place.

5th August 2011, Friday

First ACC claim.
My toe looked a bit swollen yesterday and it hurts a little when I put pressure on it. I’ve had this pain before but I never bothered checking my toes because I put the pain down to occupational hazard – being on my feet for too long in closed-toe shoes. It was definitely swollen yesterday (so glad I took a photo) but of course it looked like nothing is wrong with it today when I went to see David. So I showed him the photo I took yesterday…

6th August 2011, Saturday

Jantina got me a big cookie from Westerman’s. Look at the size of that choc chip cookie!
We were talking about BK’s doughnuts for breakfast and was so disappointed when she went there and BK was closed for their renovation.

9th August 2011, Tuesday

Went for my appointment at the orthodontist today and guess what? Dual colour ligatures – oooo!

I was craving, really. The next best thing? Doughnuts from Countdown.
Not as soft, fluffy as I’d imagined them to be but hey! Beggars can’t be choosers.

13th August 2011, Saturday

Can you guess which eye is more “made-up”?

We had Samantha’s farewell dinner at Off the Track – more photos here. Next time? Don’t order any starters (that you don’t intend to share – like piggy me) because you won’t be able to finish everything.

15th August 2011, Monday

Hmmm…so what does that mean? Q6-8H?

18th August 2011, Thursday
My holiday semi-starts here, flying off to Whangarei for the wedding preparation

20th August 2011, Saturday
LiMay and Grant gets hitched today!

21st August 2011, Sunday
Now, this would be the start of my holiday…

22nd August 2011, Monday
This is surreal – I’m back in Malaysia.

Finally got to taste my 姐’s cupcakes! This is the baby hummingbirds.
She is based in Seremban, so you can place your orders through her website here.

Yes, hummingbird cupcakes.

Sprinkles make for beautiful finishing touches.

My first meal at JJKwan’s place consists of Korean instant noodles!

Sitting in the new car!

So happy to see this message! It means my microSIM has been activated and I am back online!

The downside to being back (just for the initial few days), swollen feet! Is it due to travel? Humidity? Change in weather?
*shrugs*

23rd August 2011, Tuesday
Today is my dad’s 60th birthday. I missed out on his celebration last Saturday so today I thought of taking him out for breakfast. Since it was his birthday, I let it slide when he poked fun of me in front of his friends whom we invited along (I wasn’t impressed but I wasn’t going to be angry at him…”give face”).

We went all the way to Nilai for 點心 because the birthday boy insist that Seremban has no good 點心 place…

My favourite porridge – funny how I never liked century egg and now I CRAVE for the porridge.

Your regular picks.

Those shiny mini buns are the 天下第一包 – they are nice as it’s not made out of your regular bun (it’s like those bakery “egg buns”), but as for the name…uhm, a bit of an oversell.

Fluffy egg tarts.

The 點心 was nice but honestly, I don’t think it’s that much better than MinKok – you’re talking to someone who has been deprived of any kind of 點心 in the past year!

After dinner, I got some bb cupcakes from 姐 as dad’s birthday “cake” – he seems to like the hummingbird ones.

I’m surprised that the lamp still works – after being out of action for…2002? Same bulb, too!

24th August 2011, Wednesday

客家麵 for breakfast!

經濟米粉 and 糖水 for dinner.

25th August 2011, Thursday

Thanks to Winne for helping me out even though she was busy at work!

Lunch with my 姐 at PapaRich – also got her to help out with some decorating ideas.

Nasi Lemak – ah!

26th August 2011, Friday

Hokkien noodles.
Gone were the days that a good plate of “黑麵” can only be found when we go to PJ.

I was craving for vegetables but for this to cost more than my plate of noodles (which is an all-in-one meal on its own) is silly!

Ugh! This is something I do NOT miss – traffic jams. More importantly, why is it all jammed up at this time of the night in Seremban?!

27th August 2011, Saturday

Can’t believe I’m here to squeeze with the Raya crowd.

Okay, start with a cuppa first.

The material for this plum coach is very plushy. Like the colour, too!

Meatballs anyone?

I just dropped my naked iPheR on the edge of this on the floor.
*cries!*
No cracks. Phew!

Getting to KL was still okay as I arrived before noon but it took me ONE hour to get from Nilai to Seremban. Should’ve stayed on the highway instead of going off track and take up the same time (or even more!).

Everything looks brown and they are probably bad for my throat – but I am blessed that dad made dinner for me.

Oh! Missed the parcel!

Went out for my first mamak session since I got back – 10pm meet up. That is SOOO late.

Winne’s very unique way of sitting…

Winne and FeR. Winne was sooooo kind to me to rip up the roti canai, so I could pick on the pieces.

28th August 2011, Sunday
I think I need to go shop for track pants – haven’t got any for baptism next week. Jeans would be too heavy when soaked. It was a speedy “baptism class” today lead by EstherTC.

Pleasantly surprised to find that I can get bubble tea from Jusco now!

29th August 2011, Monday

Senawang’s 老鼠粉 for breakfast – so that I can also go pick up my parcel.
Didn’t know that PosLaju has moved to a nook in Senaway so I am thankful dad took me there.

Hello Monkau#1!!! It’s been a while since I last saw you. Hope you’ve been good for JJKwan!

Seeing 姐 in action – orchestrating in her kitchen.

You know it’s bad when I voluntarily take medication. The cough is driving me nuts! Hoping the 15mg of pholcodeine would do the trick.

30th August 2011, Tuesday

Lunch at 415pm in peaceful solitude – how I miss you, Zinger burger (Malaysia)!

It doesn’t look that great but it’s pretty good – and you can’t find it in NZ!

My sore throat has progressed into a cough…this shall be known as The Cough of 2011
*dies coughing*

31st August 2011, Wednesday
Selamat Merdeka, Malaysia!!!

Excited with my 包!!!

This is the kind of 點心 that I miss – by the road, with good company of friends.

Nicole drove to Seremban to meet me, too. It was nice to catch up, despite finding out that it’s been a tough year for the both of us. I do wish you well! Thanks for making the time to come see me.

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I had some sort of difficulty sleeping the night before. It’s either because the bed is foregin or the place is too…empty/quiet. *shrugs* I could sleep anywhere – so it’s rather surprising. I dozed off around 2am or so? I don’t remember.

It was lovely waking up to their cuddles. *hehe!*

Not so good is that we have this neighbour who would park the car like this. No manners at all. Heh-lo? It’s okay if you want to park in front of our house, granted that technically it IS our side and we have the right to park there – but don’t so melampau to park blocking part of our gate right?! If I had a lorry…well…*heh!*

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Oh! I got the monkey I ordered from UK. Finally from Siow it was passed on to Sze-Mien and then to JoFo and finally into my arms!!! First reaction was, “Eik? Why so small one?!”
*sigh*
Kena tipu.
He’s cute anyway so it’s okay!

One big happy!
*haha*
Goodness. I’m associating self with apes.

This is when he was the only one.

A smaller-sized addition to the family.

All together now – see no evil!

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Happy Chinese New Year!!! Dad and I went over to U.Hong’s place for dinner yesterday – we had 8 dishes.
YUM! Somehow it doesn’t feel much like a reunion dinner because most of them are over in the States.

You hear me?!!!
*shakes fist at everyone in US*
Get your backsides back here in Malaysia!

Feeling pretty anti-social. Don’t know why…I guess the concept of “holiday” from JS rubbed off onto me.

Holiday means rest. So stay home only la!

Right.
That is just what I want to do – sleep or watch TV (all those silly Cantonese movies, only get them once a year!). Perhaps will get to work on new layout, motivated by sweet-tooth (he told me he’s working on site)
*hehe*
We’ll see.

Anyway, Gong Hei Fatt Choi!!!
Wishing everyone good health, good family reunions, successful careers/business and lots of joy & laughter!!!

The “Coming Soon” sign painted already. No doubt that Jusco is coming to Seremban, on the used-to-be driving range site.

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I didn’t want to go out today. I felt like lazing around. My monkey decided to test the my car. He said he’s doing me a favour – free QC check. *haha*

Okay, the bonnet’s sturdy enough to hold my weight.

Hmm…one hand drive also “steady”.

Seat’s a bit far though.

End verdict : Good!

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