Things i need to learn to do...

I always get inspired with the chicken soup articles that i subscribe to, and for months i have been just hitting the delete button without reading them because i simply didn't have time.
Today, i read one which entitled" If I Were Lucky". I didn't think it has nothing to do with the subject lucky at all but it does have a list of things i think are the things i need to learn to do . I need to learn

the art of letting go
not to look at the watch and keep rigid rituals and joyless appointments
not to ask for Perfection
not to worry
to travel the world ( the three months around the world tour that we are planning )
to sit outside the house and look at the sky and the people who goes by
to turn up the music loud and dance or shut my eyes to enjoy the moment
to spend time doing nothing
to sit back and relax....

The most well earnt $500 dollars

I have been teaching for a 5 weeks vacation swim program at a local pool. I started doing it because i needed my 20 hours practical experience in order to sit for an exam and qualify being a swim teacher. But i didn't know what i was into until today. It made the whole experience so much more meaningful and enjoyable.

Essentially , this vac swim program is organised by Royal Life Saving Society of Australia in Canberra. Every lesson only cost $3.50 for each child. Over 5 weekends, the kids will be taught how to swim and survive in the aquatic environment. What impress me most is the cost of each lesson. Usually, with programs like this, each lesson will cost about $ 10 to $ 12 dollars. In short, it is like a charity but for kids to learn to swim.

I heard from my co-ordinator that this program helps those family who don't have spare money for their kids to learn swimming. She saw that some families who came last year are here again this year. I am happy that i am part of a great cause and i am happy to see that so many other instructors are so dedicated to teach kids to swim without getting paid much.

I love love love the kids. I also started to learn some of the kids related syndromes that are affecting our kids today - ADHD, Cystic fibrosis, Austism, Asperges, Asthma etc. It is very rewarding when they progress in their lessons each week.

The kids make me feel really happy. They are so pure and angelic. And they make me smile with their funny stories and behaviours.

I don't earn a lot out of this but i think it is one of the most meaningful $500 dollars i have ever earnt.

Its not because i am different, its because i am special.

The moment when a human cry because of architecture is the time when u know the architect has succeeded. That's how i feel after watching " My Architect" - the documentary about Louis I Khan, ( known as Lou in this film )

" Very sad" is the emotion that Malcolm has for both Lou and his son. He also thinks Lou's buildings are very solemn and melancholic.

I wonder how he managed to keep three " wives " ( live four lives ) and has three kids, without the wives knowing each other's existence until he passed away. It also puzzles me why he kept his private lifes so secretive. Did he know that it was very disrespectful of women? I think that's the way he keeps himself sane; by having many women in his life while keeping himself ever so inspired in architecture. Wait... could it be the other way around?? arrghhhh....

In another perspecitive, this film also reminds me of the relationship i had with my dad. I never really knew my dad. He passed away when i was as young as Nathaniel Khan when Lou passed away. Well, my dad is no architect but i think he is as close to one as can be. Over the years, i have learnt quite a bit of him from the stories i heard from relatives and friends of him. I know i am living his shadow eventhough he has been gone for 16 years now.

One of the few most vivid memory i had with my dad was him teaching me the dos and don'ts about being a human. He emphasized a lot on being morally right and respectful of others. Other memories of him was sadly about him suffering through the last few months of his life. Funny enough, I think i am learning more about him now as i draw and draw on paper, sketching and finding the solution to a construction and architecture problem. ( He used to sketched on a piece of napkin in a restaurant whenever he can )

I think the best thing about watching this film to me is i finally understood something very important about myself, One of the reason why this blog is kept " alive".

I have finally understood my existence.

It answered my questions about why i am so different, why i can' be like the people at work, why i tried so hard yet i can't be what the society needs or wants me to be?

The asnwer lies in this simple equation : Its not because i am different, its because i am special.

I just need to keep working hard on what i love to do... be it architecture or not.

Our Reliable Canon G2

It has gone through its life with us for 4 years now. Pretty much gone through our courtship since 2002. Been to a few big and small holidays with us. Also went through a major operation to resurrect its lense when i accidentally drop it in Vic Market while doing my assignment. And now, when both Malcolm and I are still very much in the Post-Wedding mode, looking at wedding photos, figuring out how the pro do their blurring shots, we have come to rediscover our faithful camera and the wonder it can bring us in the future.

Here are a few beautiful tests.

Our Wedding Favours : Handmade Chocolate

Unfortunately, this is the only picture i have of the chocolates i made. ( with a little help with some friends and my mom) They are pretty similar to this http://sookyan.blogspot.com/2006/07/chocolate-chocolate-chocolate.html. But the amount of work and effort i put in is definitely more than i imagined. It is by far the most challenging project i have ever put myself in ( well except for my stupid architecture degree ).

I borrowed some moulds from the place where i learnt how to make this. The lady was very nice. She was even asnwering my calls on a weekend when i had problems with making them.
My kitchen was a total chocolaty mess for two weeks. Malcolm was giving me " THE LOOK". He was not happy at all.

To make each and everyone chocolate, I have to
1. Temper http://sallys-place.com/food/columns/williams/choc_tempering.htm the chocolate buds to the correct temperature with the help of a kitchen themometer.
2. Use a paper piping bag to make a nice motif on the mould.
3. Pour in the melted chocolate into the mould and quickly tip them out again to make the shell.
4. Fill in the chocolate ganache, premade before.
5. Fill up the mould to cover the filling.
6. Wait for them to set
7. Turn over the chocolate to reveal the shiny chocolates ( if they are made correctly )

Also Thanks to my aunties who made the lovely yellow decorations for the boxes.

Mellow Yellow - Am i a trend setter or what?

Taken from Canberra Times. Thursday.12th October 2006.

I didn't know that the " yellow" theme of my wedding will turn out to be loved by so many. I got comments from friends saying that they love the yellow, the flowers, the cake, the tissue balls etc. I wanted yellow because i thought the farm will be green in spring, and yellow will go well with it. I wanted yellow because its a happy colour. Happy colour for happy occassion. I wanted yellow because its a spring colour. The wedding is in spring and spring is a good beginning to everything beautiful. Above all else, i wanted yellow because i didn't want red, purple and pink.

I was surpised myself when i saw how stunning my bouquet of yellow ranunculus was when the florist delivered it. The slightly green petals in the middle of each flower matched perfectly with the green berries. Yellow and green, match made in heaven. I was even more stunt when i saw each table centre pieces. They were so "perfect". And of course, the array of yellows scattered on the bridal table decorated with dodger vines made me speechless. I don't think i have seen so many yellow flowers gathered at one place before, perfectly matching the yellow tissue balls at the backdrop and the tables.

No, my favourite colour is not yellow. Perhaps, i should change my mind from now on.

Another favourite

I just love the angles that the photographer took this picture from. Can't be any better than this two pair of hands holding each other, forever.

Excellent Food

Many thanks to the staff at winehouse for catering for our wedding. I love the seafood and absolutely love the dessert. Well done guys!

My ever so elegant gown

The blue sash and the brooch made me looked like i am one of those princess from the royal family. I would not say this is my favourite gown. I still think i could have done better if not because of the limited choices in Canberra.

Moments like this.....

No, its not one of those deliberate poses that i wanted the photographer to take. She captured Malcolm rubbing my sprained thumb in between meals. ( clumsy me, twisted my thumb while i was trying to push the car door opened ) She was really fast and sharp. I am really happy with those "moments" that she managed to capture. She even took the photo of Malcolm taking the ring from Andrew which happened in a split second!

Another of my favourite - my cutest niece in the world!

Aint she cute? She's really really cute now. And she talk really well too. Her ABC could be better than yours !!

My careful selection of decorations

Believe it or not, all decorations, colour scheme , menu, name settings etc were done by ME, the bride. No wonder i looked so wrecked that day!

Our uninvited guests - the sheep

I know you can't see them but they are the tiny beige dot at the far end of the lake. Oh well, also wanted to show you how loving our kiss were!

Best expression for the greatest reason

My father-in-law, the first person who came forward to congratulate us.

The man i am going to spend the rest of my life with

Of course, without this handsome young man, the wedding would not had happened.

My all time favourite

I know it doesn't show any of our faces, but to us, its a very meaningful photo. Hand in hand, we look to the future with love and confidence.

I am married!

30th September 2006 came and went away quickly. It was a beautiful day despite all the "behind the scene" problems that we encountered. Apparently none of the guests noticed the mess and the last minute program changes that we made. I can't complain too much because even the sheep came out to be our guests. A wedding can't be any better with the blessing of great weather. The sun only peeped out at noon, when our ceremony were held. I am glad that its all over now. I could relax a little before i continue my chinese wedding planning at the end of this year. Here's some of my favourite photos to share.

Vi & Michi's Wedding

Congratulations, Vi & Michi !

On the 7th Octorber 2006, we attended Vi & Michi's wedding back in Melbourne. I have to admit that i felt strange to attend someone else's wedding one week after my own. Held in the park in front of the Exhibition Building, it was a short and touching ceremony. When vows were exchanged, i had tears at the corners of my eyes. Knowing Vi for so many years, i have never seen him so gentle and loving with a girl. lucky Michi! Whenver you see the two love birds togeher, they were always holding hands, whispering ( unlike me who always shout at Malcolm ) words of love to each other, as if they just fell in love yesterday. Of course, I have to give credit to Vi for finding such a sweet girl. I can see that she is the type who will go through happiness and sorrows by his side as long as they shall live. Congratulations once again, my friends!

ps: I am not professional photographer here, although i wish i have one of those cameras that the Pros were having on that day, but if you want any of these images, give me a yell.

A glimpse of the dress

The dress is hanging there
but how come i am not excited ?

The Bridge Part II

I think it is extremely good looking! I love that slot window!

Spring is here and so is the BIG day

Spring has come really early this year. At the begining of August, we already felt the heat coming in. Winter was bitter cold but short. I am liking the not so hot yet not so cold weather now. I have a feeling that 30th of September is going to be a lovely sun filled day down in Mornington Peninsula.

Perfect Match!

I think every girl should have a red dress. I recently acquired this red dress that is really outstanding among my existing wardrobe of black, grey and white. It is going to be part of my wedding dresses. Still not sure when or where i am going to wear it.

It is one of those love at first sight kinda dress which i bought without caring much of its price tag. ( hey, like Malcolm says, if a wedding is not the time when i can spend some money buying the things i like, when is? ) I have been looking for a dress like this for a while: pluging neckline, chiffon soft, a bow and pleated detail.

Here, i am matching it with the pendant and earrings that i am loving most at the moment and a pair of shoe i found at Ninashoes.com ( another one of those thing that i like but can not afford to buy).

What do u think?

Girls Night Out

One of the most unforgettable nights in life. 20060819. with Schani and Jovy.

Schani and me

Jovy and me

At some restaurant in Hardware Lane, sorry forgot the name, where they made me wear this incredibly huge blinking ring!

Sofitel's cafe. Our own version of Charlie's Angel.

Melbourne City

The refurbished GPO building on Bourke Street, taken at Dusk with the tram lines as backdrop.

I will forever remember this sign as this is probably the first few things that got etched into my mind when i first arrived in Melbourne.

Fairfield Boathouse, Fairfield, Melbourne

There's always interesting thing to discover about Melbourne. Be it a new tiny little cafe in one of the laneways or another funky new building in the suburb. That's what i like about Melbourne, never boring.

So, the last trip we made back to Melbourne, we discovered Fairfield Boathouse. Well, Malcolm's brother Lincoln drove us around there to look at houses and they told us about this cute little wooden structure. When i saw it i felt like i was transported to 100 years back when this building was built. Strangely, it also reminded me of this temple i went to somewhere in KL when i was little.

Joyz and i shared a hearty breakfast. We also went boat rowing. Such fun activity so close to the city.

Wish List No. 1

Imagine me wearing this set of vintage black rose earring and pendant from http://girlsmadethis.com for my wedding! I certainly would not spend 300 bucks on this. Plus i just got a speeding ticket of $133.00. I could not believe its so expensive. I got to learn how to do it.

Mountain Hike Week 3 - Nadmagi National Park - Booroomba

Toughness factor - 2
View - Magnificient

Its simply amazing. Just half an hour out of city and we got to Nadmagi National Park and discovered a whole new world of mountain walking tracks. Since we are amateur and didn't have much time we chose the easiest and shortest walk. It was 2.5 k return in about one and half hours. Was Steep enough that i was huffing and puffing climbing up even though Malcolm could not catch up with me while we were decending. These pictures below do no justice to the actual view up there. When we were almost at the top, there was these huge rocks and a sign saying " Don't throw rocks below the clift as they may be rock climbers below " Mmmm, interesting, rock climbers below, i thought... We continued climbing up and suddenly, there was this magnificient view in front of your eyes with this huge fall into a valley! My legs were shaking standing at the edge!


Looks easy but its not as simple as these few steps

Huge rock.. somehow the camera didn't capture the steepness of the rocks.
Malcolm looking down.
I think i might have to invest in some wide angle lense or something to capture the panoramic view.

Mountain Hike Week 2 - Issac's Ridge

Toughness factor - 2
View : Not much to see, all blocked by trees. Comment : I could not make it to the top after seeing the carcass. I fled!

There wasn't a single soul in sight. Although there was a proper walking path.
We were almost at the top, but i had to pull Malcolm to turn back after seeing the below....
I think it was a kangaroo. It has got a long tail bone.