Sunday, May 27, 2012

Summer is finally here!


Hi Anna

YAY happea days you are loved too :) I'm glad you found The Alchemist so inspiring and everything that you wrote was exactly how I felt after reading it too which was why I wanted to share the book with you.

Yesterday I went to Borough Markets with Chrissy and Alex. It was a splendid sunny Saturday and it had to be spent outdoors. On Friday I tried to organise picnic at Hampstead Heath but the only confirmation I got was from Chrissy so we thought we'd go to Borough Markets and for a walk along the Thames instead.


With our apple/orange cranberry juice


Along Thames River. Such a sweet couple aww!
Where we were walking. I wish London was like this everyday!!!
What a grand idea! Socialising, exercising and drinking all in one.Would love to do this. Maybe someone in Perth can start a barcycle?

It was truly a beautiful day and there was so many people around you could really feel the change of mood. I was infinitely happier to have direct contact with the sunshine rays although I came back home a little sunburned.

About a couple of weeks ago I found out some exciting news and I went celebrating with Benny for a Mexican meal and we watched American Pie Reunion. I have to say it was very funny to start off with, but I fell asleep towards the end. I cannot stay up after 10pm! I've  really enjoyed having him around although we have our little bickers. Currently he is somewhere in Italy doing his first ever backpacking trip by himself. I'm a little worried for him being his first time and all but I am sure he will come back with a few good stories.



Green rice, beans and shredded pork

We also spent the next day wandering through town and visiting Chinatown to have some dumplings that I've been meaning to try. I have been buying all sorts of things to bring back with me including the cutest pair of salt and pepper shaker.  They will remind me of London and I love how the rabbits are facing in different directions.


I made oven baked chicken nuggets coated in cornflakes (which I had fun crushing) and herbs and invited Lauren over. I love cooking for other people and it was lovely to have my brother and Lauren try my first attempt of this recipe from Lauren's CSIRO recipe book.
Can't figure out how to rotate it on blogger!


I've been covering a reception class (5 year olds) and the students have been making Mr Grass Heads using stockings, grass seeds, and packing it in with sawdust. I think it's hilarious that they are multicultural. We forgot the mouths though.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Ha pea day!

How this made me smile and grow warm fuzzies in my chest!!!





Love you Chia!!! :))

Monday, May 21, 2012

The Alchemist

Hi Chia!

I finished The Alchemist! The first novel I've finished in years! I love love love it. Thank you for recommending it to me!

The thing that I love about The Alchemist is the encouragement to listen to the signs and omens, which I interpret it as 'intuition.' All the things that Paulo Coelho said about when you want something the whole universe helps you get it, I totally understand and believe in.

I remember back in high school that I wanted to do law. That was my dream. I remember going to a law talk at the University with Dad and sitting in the Hall thinking 'man... it would be impossible to get into law here.' However, I was determined. I wanted it. And even though I had some huge set backs, I eventually got there. The journey getting into law revealed opportunities which I took because I was open to seeing and accepting the 'signs'.

I am beginning to realize that I've lost something. That joy, happiness and carefree enthusiasm that I used to feel has been stomped out by practicality, reasonableness, doubt and the seriousness of life. I started playing safe, and deep down I think I always knew that I was consciously staying on the line, as I've never felt completely content. However, it was only when I was read the Alchemist, that I realized that somewhere down the track, I chose to ignore my intuition, and I probably started doing so because I got hurt following it.

But, I think my intuition has ultimately served me right. By following it I have addressed the pain of the past and I do not regret any decision I have made. It's the present situation that I am in, the current issues which have been around for a couple of years, that I have been ignoring the signs and pushing away what my heart is trying to tell me.

My life has been so fast paced with work, unplanned trips, continuous sport, being what people want me to be, and I have realized that I now have trouble sifting through all of the information, daily events, emotions, ideas and expectations to find out what I really want.

But that's going to change. I am taking a step back to breathe.

I am so glad that I have read The Alchemist to help me return back to myself.

What a gift Chia... Thank you so much :)

Monday, May 14, 2012

The spark of inspiration

Morning Chia!

I just saw that we cross posted yesterday! YAY!

I'll try and blog later tonight, but I just wanted to say that I decided to do something new today, and I brought a book onto the train this morning. The Alchemist.

Thank you so much for recommending it to me! I am already feeling the spark of inspiration to reassess things in my life! I am saddened that I must stop now to start working.  I am looking forward to lunch time now.

I'll keep you posted!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

The things that count

Hi Chia

Sorry it has been a while since I've posted. It's been a particularly low month for me, and so I haven't been inspired to write anything inspiring for our blog.

But since our blog is about the small things in life that make us happy, I'll give you a quick snap shot of the things that have been the burst of sunlight in the past few weeks of stormy times.

1.Sunny flowers from a sunny person :)


Kev surprised me at work with a special delivery of beautiful happy yellow flowers to keep me company at work. They lasted a week! Here is a photo of them after 3/4 days.


2. Yummy snacks


While I stayed at Kev's place for a week, we had random yummy snacks on the weekend.



Our 'clearskin' wine was yummier after using an aerator that we got when we went to Yallingyup.


International sweets are always yummy, especially when you just so happen to find them unexpectedly!
The Mammer reminded me of Salzburg... Awwwwww how I wish to return to Europe!

3. Cooking with Kev


Kev and I really enjoy cooking together. We divide the jobs and then go for it together! There is a lot of experimenting and lots of surprise results.


Prata with Butter Chicken and Vegetable Soup


Chicken Udon Soup


Juicy Chicken Wings

Kev and I had a 'chicken-wings-&-Edward-Norton' night. We perfected the chicken wings making them extra juicy and tasty with a crispy skin. We enjoyed hoovering them down and licking our finger tips while watching The Hulk and American History X. Kev and I decided to do an Edward Norton night as we had just watched the Avengers (which is awesome by the way!!!!) and he had told me that Edward Norton had played The Hulk previously. I couldn't imagine it. Kev also had neer seen American History X, so it only made sense to have an Edward Norton night :)


4. Support from the UK

You being 100% supportive and just wonderful! I can't thank you enough! Especially with you being in a different time zone! With the frequency that we sms or email each other, it is almost as if you were still here. You have definitely been something that has kept me sane :)
I totally laughed at our pillow fighting in Ibiza photos. I made me miss you so much! It also made me remember that I was in Spain with you last year. Spain. 'The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain,' and 'Woah! We're going to Ibiza!' - oh how I miss you!


5. The appearance of loosing weight

Recently I've had comments from people saying that I have lost weight. Yay! I am happy! But then confused because I have decreased my exercise significantly in the past month! If anything I'd expect to have gained weight. Nevertheless, I am going to take that complement! Hooray for being thinner!


How are you doing Chia?

To market! Two markets!

Dear Anna

Another week post from me :)

I can't believe it's been a week since my short post and my brother is here in London! As I type he is downstairs googling  and looking up accomodation. It's so strange to think that he is going through what I went through except of course he has a lovely sister to look after him!

I've been taking a lot of photos for you. Last Sunday I went to Shoreditch and the markets around Brick Lane including the Sunday Upmarket. I forget how much I LOVE secondhand shopping and looking through other people's junk. Something beautiful about old worn things that bears memories of the owner over the years. There were other things for sale and I searched high and low for something I liked but I only came out with a pair of vintage cute patent bow ballet flats with a tiny heel.

Bikes you can hire to cycle around London

Bags!
Lots of secondhand and new clothes sold
After you said the pic of me in Brighton with the lobster reminded you of Simpsons, it stuck in my mind and this knitted prawn brooch reminded me of you mentioning it! I love the dog brooch too and I thought of you. This store had really cool designer jewellery but they were so expensive :(

I had the chicken one and they were delicious! Very similar to the Malaysian curry puffs.

Some of the newer items for sale
Section of the market
Street performer with ball
East side. Plenty of Indian restaurants on Brick Lane.
The crowd
Ta da! Haven't worn them out yet!

 On Thursday morning I woke up nice and early to meet my brother at the airport. Turns out he was there before I was. I have a bad habit of being late to airports and making people wait! Yikes! He brought 3 boxes of SHAPES for me. I miss these biscuits the most and I can't justify paying £4 a box here from Selfridges. BBQ shapes were devoured first :)

Happy? YES!
My Venus fly trap has not been able to catch any insects but it is still alive! In fact, I allowed it to flower by mistake resulting in this strange looking singe stalk. After googling I found out that I shouldn't let that happen as it prevents the fly traps from growing.
My cacti and odd looking flower stalk of venus fly trap
Yesterday I felt a bit lonely and it was nice that Pene was free and she even made me lunch! I love being cooked for. On my way there I walked past my old place. Big sigh!

Pene made pan fried mackerel and salad with a delicious onion soya dressing that I must get off her :)
Do you notice something about these photos?
Shops I took for granted when I lived in Hampstead
Miss it all the time!
I want to live in one of these mansions
Like the three colours of my shoes, book and bag. I picked up this old book filled with English/ Irish proverbs from Oxfam.Was a lot of fun to read and I love how it's cloth bound embossed with gold lettering.
Finally, today I went to Portobello Market. My brother went and explored south London and I met up with Chrissy! I don't know about her but I had a lot of fun looking at bric a brac and all sorts. It was funny hearing her tell me about her morning experience cycling in London on the Barclay's bikes you saw in the pic above. There are crazy drivers out there and I have to praise anyone that is gutsy enough to have a go on the road.


Tourists everywhere
Avoided going in there in case I leave with a pet fish or something like that.
Lost soles/souls haha!
Found this fantastic secondhand shop on my way home.
I went home with this old suitcase for £25 . It's the cutest and the lining has pink areoplanes all over it. Will take a picture of me carrying it and also to show you the lining.


Chrissy helped me pick this one out. £5 It's a French fashion magazine cover. that I'm going to frame one day. Can you spot something peculiar about this? It was the reason why I bought it! A talking piece.
 Nautical tin and rabbit for £3. My mantel is looking a little crowded.
 I suddenly have this impulse to buy all things vintage, decorative and pretty. I think after talking to Pene and her secondhand/ opshopping has brought up my old habits once again. I don't know how I am going to cart all these items back with me. One thing I love about London is that there are so many beautiful old items to be had!

That's all for now.
Enjoy :)



Monday, May 7, 2012

Nothing

Hi Anna


I miss your blogs. But that's ok :) I haven't felt like blogging either. Maybe because I feel like this is our blog and it's strange to be blogging on my own.

Maybe tomorrow I will blog about my day today.

Miss you!