farewell

People come and go, both in terms of friendship and physical distance.

Ever since graduation of secondary school back in Malaysia, I have experienced countless times of separation. Till now, I couldn't bare not to feel emotional on it. 

I could still remember vividly when I decided to pursue my pre-university studies in KL, and my best friend (shay phing) is gonna stay back for Form 6, I was so emotionally affected by the thought of not able to see her. We had been seeing each other almost everyday in school and tuition, tell me how not to be sad over that kind of friendship! We had a hang out for my belated birthday and farewell, and both of us couldn't contain ourselves and cried out at the restaurant. Well it was really hard for us to be apart!

After that I have learnt to understand that's life as we have our different destiny. And also thanks for the convenience of internet nowadays to help all of us stay connected despite the distance. Recently, I have came to an acknowledgement that in my situation, I couldn't fully blend myself in Australian's group. By that I mean not being able to grow further into a very close friendship, but I am happy to social and mix around with them. It's just the interests and activities that I couldn't see myself indulge in. 

However, I have recently met someone, that touched my heart. She cares for me like no one else (locals)  I've met, smile to me genuinely and welcome me so much. I would see her 3 days a week as she work next door. But she left. I am so used to look over next door to say hi, but I know she's not there anymore. I did some butter cookies for her on the last day, to thank her, for being such a great person. Sigh I miss her.

The reason that I started this post, is a good friend that I met during my university years came back for graduation, and now is leaving, again. But this time is for good. We had so much moments together, good and bad that strengthened our friendship. Since I moved to Melbourne, I went back to Adelaide a few times and he came over for travel as well. But after this time, there will be no such travel moments anymore. The next time we meet, will probably be back in Malaysia, and the date is unknown. I wish him all the best with his undertakings and hopefully we will meet again very soon.

I hate this part right here....

Coin laundry cafe

Coin laundry is located at Armadale, just right off the train stop. very very convenient for us that don't own any vehicles. The cafe is the busiest part surrounding it. We took a short walk around and it's all residential. It is a quiet and lovely area, which encourages us to snap some pictures around.   

This cafe has the cutest name ever! But the interior totally lives up to the name! There are cloths hanging on top of the ceiling, reminding me of how people used to hang damp clothes on wooden rack. And oh look at the wall, there are little pieces of paper cut into miniature clothes, hanging on the rope! How adorable! 

Elaine and my usuals, capuccino and flat white :) I always love how cafes here are so into the deco details, and one thing that is always there regardless of various themes is flowers. There will always be flowers on the table. It is just a matter of which flower type. This cafe had its pick on orchid. I suspect that this unwritten rule of flower deco among all cafes in Australia has planted a special indescribable feeling in my heart. I do realise that I am liking flowers deeply, totally not the way I would to feel in the past.

The all-white walls paired up with some rustic feel has had me falling in love. Not to mention, the extensive use of wooden materials in furnitures. And the huge glass window/ door that allows all the sunlight to shin in, brighten up the whole cafe. It is the sun rays that could always cheer and brighten me up!As you can see from the picture below, they have some specials written on the brownish papers like a scroll that is fixed on top of the door.

I was torn between a few choices but ended up with French toast with bacon. I love French Toast, madly deeply, of course only the good ones. My favourites are from Galleon cafe, followed by Fandango. This plate of goodness could be one of my favourites too! At first glace of the portion, the 2 pieces of French Toast looked abit smaller in size compared to others. But, it is so filling, I could not tell how many eggs they've used in this plate! The presentation is pretty attractive too! the bacons were presented in the way of skewers.

Elaine had this Omelette with smoked salmon. They put in pretty generous portion of salmon in the omelette. To be honest, omelette is a pretty old school dish, but this is nonetheless a yummy dish. Given the big portion of salmon tucked in it, it couldn't go wrong in any way haha...

While we were savouring our dishes, some new customers came in and ordered what seemed to me like baked eggs, something in ramekins which looks delicious. I would love to try that the next time round. Highly recommend this cafe and would love to go back again.

Hammer & Tong

Have been delaying this for so long now, has been weeks ago that I visited Hammer & Tong. Has been good fun weeks going for baking classes and celebrating birthday. Hammer & Tong is actually not on the main street of Brunswick, thus you will find the sign, or rather their logo that direct you to turn right into the lane where it is situated.

Hammer & Tong's interior is of a rectangular space that got divided into what seemed like 3 spaces, with main area is levelled slightly higher, and the third area is an all white room. The kitchen area is pretty small and quite open, as you could peeped through the front rectangular glass as well as from the side through the cashier.

Of course we made our research on the cafe's menu and reviews before heading over. I was specifically attracted by the soft shell crab burger. Between four of us, two of us ordered it and the other two ordered slow cooked bbq pork.

The pork belly dish turns out to be superb in both presentation and flavour. It was braised with full flavour, accompanied with some brussel sprouts, black beans and spring onion. In addition to the broth, there are avocado cream and what I suspected to be creme fraiche. I'm definitely not an avocado person but this is very acceptable to my standard, for it being pretty light in flavour. This dish scored it, even the brussel sprout tasted so good, one thing it missed was for the skin to be crispier.

And for the soft shell crab burger, it looked abit of a pity in comparison to the complex plating of the slow cooked pork. The soft shell crab was deep fried and served up with sriracha mayonnaise. To be honest, I couldn't remember the exact taste of the burger, but one thing for sure is it was too salty, way too salty for all of us. This a simple dish but it is always harder to resist soft shell crab. 

In overall, the food here is great except for the soft shell crab being too salty. I will not be getting the soft shell crab again for my next visit, will definitely go for something else instead. However, the slow cooked pork is definitely worth ordering!

Birthday in September

Officially a year older now, and wiser I hope heh... It actually don't hit on me much, everyone grows older anyway. 

I was given the freedom to choose my birthday gift from bf although he wanted to get me a Pandora. I have been thinking of other choices but eventually I couldn't come out with a thing that both of us agreed on. So we went in Pandora to check out a day before my birthday. And surprise surprise we got a Pandora bracelet and charms on the spot, and a sparkling love shaped charm from Elaine! I wasn't prepared to get it on the spot but somehow it happened. Grateful for the gorgeous gift.

On the actual date, there was a special "One day Shopping Sales" at Melbourne Central. How lucky eh?  So we have to be at the mall early.. And..And... that's when I got my flowers delivered to my doorstep by bf <3 a="" enough="" inside="" is="" joke="" lololol="" love="" major="" once="" p="" year="">

To make it more fun, we joined the competition held in accordance of the event, which explains spamming pictures on our Instagrams lol...  Unfortunately non of us won it but we had so much fun running around the mall for treasure hunt! I have never joined any such competition in a mall, a very special memory indeed. This was actually the second competition, there were a limit number of participants for the first game which we didn't get to join and changed the plan to breakfast at Pancake Parlour. 

After the game we went for shopping spree! So many offers at all the shops! Some are really cheap and worthy. Most of the stores have 20-30% off. It was then that I bought a pair of sneakers from Vans. Oh I don't shop for sneakers, really. But I have been wanting one pair to be on my shoe rack, ya' know, sometimes to change a little! Here's a picture of us in a slightly different style, trying on the caps in Vans store.

We shopped from the morning till evening @.@ Due to some delay at the queue to get in fitting room I would say, not sure if it even qualifies as an excuse lol But we got so tired of walking by the end of the day. Good thing that I stay so near by don't need to walk a far distant to get back to home. It was a full on fun filled and adventurous birthday.

We ended our day by going for a steak restaurant called City Grill Room. I am having this major major love for steak especially this year! And this is by far the best, most tender, right to the degree kind of steak! I am so gonna go back if I have the chance! I love my rib-eye on bone so much!

Rib-eye

Scotch

Now I have to backdate to about 5 days before. I had an advanced mini cupcake surprise session at home. Main reason being bf's brother was here travelling and another housemate of mine is travelling back home town  during my birthday. I am contented having them to share the joy with me.

On a side note, I miss my friends back home that would always celebrate it with me as well! Grateful that even all of us are thousand miles apart, you guys still put in effort to send your wishes accross! At the bright side, my relatives are coming over for a week in November! 2 more months :)