Recreating Msia....
I miss Malaysian food very much. My heaven on earth is the Asian shops run by rich Chinese family members....the older ones barely speaking English and the younger generation speaking with an Aussie accent. It is amazing and mysterious at the same time...and devoid of whites walking around. The only whites you do see in there...rarely...is obviously married to an Asian who craves durian, fish keropok and pickled mango.
Malaysians love food. Being a Malaysian in Perth is torture. You pay $8-$12 bucks for a plate of char keuy teow. So depressing. You can't get a genuinely good tasting hokkien noodles KL style. But the worst of all is I miss my Ramly burgers. It is hard enough to find a good one in Malaysia...but one in Perth. Dream on! Took me 2.5years to discover hawker style food here....which each visit is worth $50 bucks. *scream*
Anyway, in the next few days, I will try to re-create Ramly burgers Aussie style...my darling hubby is practically drooling awaiting it. Baked beans, cheese, succulent beef burger patties, lettuce and buttered burger buns...YUM! Wonder how these whiteys would take to it...will post pics soon...
Weird coincidence...!!
It has been a weird week. Graduating, bringing my family around, catching up with a high school friend and her brand new graduated bf and watching life just pass by me in motion. I have been feeling slightly down since my beloved mother and brother walked on the plane off back to the beloved land of 'char kuey teow' & 'curry mee'. Never missed family as much as today.
Time just seem to swoosh by. We sometimes keep forgetting to celebrate the small things and the big things. I have been so busy working I even forgot to congratulate myself for slogging through a 2 year masters and working 7 days a week to somehow pay for it.
Then I received a e-card from my sister which almost brought me to tears in while trying to shove indo mee into my mouth. Telling me about how my hard work is hopefully an inspiration for her to finish her medical degree. How can we compare...a measly boring masters by coursework and the goal of saving lives. Not comparable what-so-ever yet today she makes me her inspiration.
Even on graduation day, my proud beaming husband-to-be, who can't seem to stop kissing me proudly on the forehead, brought new meaning to the day. As I stare at the double chin so evident on my graduation photos, for once I am not mocking myself for putting on weight and being so super duper ugly, I am thanking God for the wonderful family who supported me through it all...and my silly hubby who stayed up with me past his bedtime so that I would have company finishing my assignment.
Ironically today....my affirmation talks about....
October 5, 2009
I witness God’s beauty everywhere
Recognizing beauty in everything and knowing that God is the very essence of this beauty, I include myself, my personality, my individuality, my whole being in this beauty.
I am some part of an infinite harmony, an all-encompassing loveliness, a universal flow of warmth and color and givingness.
In this infinite warmth and color I live and have my being. Beauty flows through every act, its charm and grace manifest in every movement, in every thought, imparting itself in love to everyone I meet.
Today I see this beauty in others—the charm, the grace, the presence of the living Spirit.Because today, I finally opened my eyes wide enough to see the wonders and beauty He put in my life and sobbed as I thanked him driving home singing to the radio, "There is None like You".
Super upset!!
My hubby and I have been looking at property to rent or buy. As we look around, a dark cloud settles above our heads. Our mood really dampens when all the pretty, nice, so US houses are not affordable.
As we look in a area...and see beautiful houses that we think is affordable...like a character home...quite old but in a good location...it costs almost 1mil AUSSIE DOLLARS to purchase....by gosh...then we see another sweet looking home....not that grand but looks affordable.....we look it up and it is SOLD.
Never before in my 24 years have I even thought I would get upset over something like this. I used to dream of growing up...worrying about getting a boyfriend, getting married, getting a job, having kids, setting up my business and crap along that line.....(yes yes I know I am a worrier! -sigh- )
Here I am staring at an Acton online ad for the house I saw...which I was not entirely fond of...but thought, "Hey I'll just check out the price!" then saw the SOLD sign yet still clicked on the pictures of the house. Then start cursing under my breath at the new owners of the house that beat me to it...NOT EVEN knowing how much they paid for it.......Talk bout KIASU
What have I turned into? A domesticated wifey? Gosh...how times change doesn't it.
Gladly, I am not that insane yet. We will just pray that God sends us the right house at the right time at the right price. I.E. for now we rent!!!! YEE HEEEEEEE....
Nothing wrong with that right? Phobia be gone....!!!! Amen
On the other hand, I am so excited about being married in April that I started calling myself a Ms. rather than then the usual Miss. The company just got me to apply for a new credit card and I whole-heartedly decided I would like to be a Ms on the card. Not to avoid people hitting on me (Gosh I will be extremely flattered but I know that I am that hot), but that it was just one indication that I am not a 14 year old kid. Here, in Aus, it is embarrassing for me to shoe shop. With a size 4 shoe size in Msia that actually converts to a size 3-4 kids in Aussie land...I try to find every way possible to make myself feel older and less like a kid....
Do you know there was a day I was at PayLess shoes...and they were having a sale...and I had to fight for shoes with a 11 year old girl who was also taller than me!!!ARGH! She won!! Her mom was scary...So no fair. Hmph~
Vanished...
I fell off the face of the earth. I got engulfed by a load of work related earth quakes. But now I am back...because it is 4:09 am...my stomach is grumbling and all I can think about is how to foster good relationships with other staff.
What happens to the brain after you turn 24? They should have warned me of this...BEWARE OF REACHING AGE 24: MIGHT CAUSE BRAIN DEAD-NESS & KILL JOY ATTITUDES. Wonder when was the last time I had fun.....I can't remember.
To celebrate my birthday, domesticated me decided it would be fun to go to Ikea....and educate my Ikea-virgin husband. Very wrong move! First thing he said when we walked into the showroom....followed from a long silence of wow was...."Dad can make this!" (WHAT??? Shake head in disbelief). Don't get me wrong...this is not a case of how talented my future father-in-law is. It is how insanely easy he thinks this is. F.I.L is a fire fighter and ranger for the local shire...he barely has time to fix up the backyard for his darling wife....why would he have the time to make his son & wife..A BED?
As we reach the end to pay for our many purchases for a non-existent house...he says the ultimate Ikea shopaholic phrase, " When we do get our own house, you bet-cha we gonna spend fortunes here". I almost wet myself in public from shock.
Tantrums and reality...
Mortgage loans, debt reconciliation, joint accounts, credit checks....the list goes on.
The endless list of growing up causes my heart to beat faster, my palms to grow sweaty and my head to pound painfully.
No wonder Vanessa told me to prolong the happy dating times. Less stress less worries.
But this is all part of growing up. I can't be shielded no longer.
A proposal doesn't mean a white wedding and happy days and just a commitment to another person. A marriage means a commitment to each other (to a man with tremendous debt and it becomes your problem too) to a commitment to the future (a house and stability and a full time job).
The last few weeks since the engagement has been filled with countless days in front of our money stash (or more like my money stash) and bank accounts trying to figure out money plans for the next year. All which includes a big loads of things to pay...and credit card-ing it is NOT...I repeat people...NOT an option.
Because buying a house option has no credit card tick box.
Sigh. Anyway, where were those days when young people could get married and live their lives happily without the stress of mortgages and fancy weddings.
Where are those care-free yesteryears?
By the way, how come no one ever told me weddings cost so much? Wait...or did you guys tell me and I didn't listen again? Sorry.....*blush*
Of books and rings....
He passed me a gold wrapped present, smiling so ever sheepishly.
He said, "Open it!" excitedly but reminded me several times to be cautious with it.
I was getting annoyed by his constant reminders, "Be careful!Be careful!" screamed right into my ears. If only men could be more like women...akkaka...but then again the world would be less fun that way.
I carefully unhooked the tape's grip off the wrapping paper as he looked on anxiously...urging me with his eyes to hurry up.
After several moments of held breaths, I finally reveal the present. It was my favourite book....The Time Traveller's Wife. The one I had lost and did not have the heart to buy another.
Here it was in my hand again. I was utterly happy. But the surprise did not end there.
Like a kid about to burst out of his seams of obedience, he almost squeals in delight, "Open it to the first page. HURRY!"
I turn the page...and a shiny object catches my eye. A ring, with a delicate diamond fitted on it.
The words read..."Will you do me the honour of being my wife?"
I turn and smile and said.....
NO.
His disappointed look and shocked gasp was too devastating for such a weak heart like mine.
I giggled and said...YES!
Of veils and rings...
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family. "Something blue" is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty.
Source: http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html
A tradition worthwhile carrying on...as you read many things out there...friends get taken forgranted as the wedding band is slipped onto the finger.
Because as we all know...the wedding day is about them...not you.
So, a bridemaid's job is as many say the most challenging ever...
1. Bridal magazine galore
2. Venue seeking and emailing and contacting
3. Bridesmaid's dress
4. Wax, pluck, hair do and dress up the day before
5. Make-up and early morning
6. Driver to family and friends while trying not to ram into another car manuvering the uncomfortable dress
7. At the receiving end of snapping and angry remarks
8. Running after a large dress
But it doesn't end there...
There is the holding the dress up to help her pee.....and even helping her dress in the morning and seeing things you just don't want to see at 7am in the morning.
Things no one else sees and no one else realises. A job much more than its mere description.
However, you see your friend's best day and get a nice little thank you card.
Ever felt so loved? You answer that for me.....
