tired eyes

These holidays have gone so quickly... but I suppose everything does in retrospect. I have spent time in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

I spent just less than a month in Canberra, originally just to surprise my best friend on her 21st birthday and a dentist check-up but then staying longer because of comfort and friends. I went for many bike rides and often rode down hills with my hands waving in the air happily (kinda like an octopus on a bike) I loved the times I saw E and H, even by the third day we managed to find things to do, laugh and be silly. One afternoon, on our way to get pizza I looked up at the sky and saw crazy beautiful things happening. I didn't have my camera on me (which always makes me cry inside) but I made both E and H stare up at the sky with me. Clouds were red and wispy layered over a deep blue-grey heavy rain clouds.

botanical gardens

sky mirror

I went to Sydney for Chinese New Year to celebrate with my Dad's side of the family. Before heading to my relatives home, my parents and I took a walk around the botanic gardens. The cactus plants were huge and scared part of me. I went to MCA to take a look at Anish Kapoor's work and it was just amazing. I am glad I didn't miss it !

Celebrations were happy and delicious. I like seeing my extended family. We play majong and a monopoly card game every year (and I won for the first time ever whoo hoo) I took home a bag of my favourite tea egg and ate it for breakfast for the next couple of days. So yum.

apple pie in the making

ready for baking

While in Canberra, I cooked huge amounts of apple pie for my family and friends. The last batch was soooo much better than the first haha.

bubble-o-bill

I saw Zor a few times, we sat in random parks and talked mainly of her adventures. We are always aware of the "limits" of our relationship. We have learnt, after hectic times in high school, that we can only spend a certain amount of time with each other or we end up getting really cranky. Nowadays we aren't shy to say what we want to say and often mumble to each other, "errrarrghhh you are so crazy" - and though it can come off as rude to others, we know that is a form of endearment between us. We had our traditional indian food day and on Valentine's sent each other stilly messages like "Love you long time" and "I choo-choo-choose you".

Things we say to each other: "I mean... we could walk for a while... but then we would be walking for a while."

late night home

I returned to Melbourne for Gung Gung's 95th birthday dinner. (photos & writing in the next post)

I stayed up late each night, spending the majority of my time with friends and family. On the first day back Pandas' invited me over for an evening catch up. It had been almost a month since I had seen them so it was really lovely to be in their company again. We looked up videos of meteorites, rings, skyped with veev, reviewed my 'new' resume and as the evening came I saw a super awesome sunset. Also there was a random English pizza guy that came to the window.  I took a late train home - which is something I don't like doing often, but it was worth staying late just to be around the pandas.

The next day Sim came over and we painted and then visited Chi at her new place in South bank. Her apartment was so new and pretty. They had spas and a pool in the apartment complex too ! Sim and I stayed late into the night. Most of the time we all sat on Chi's bed listening to each other's stories while Chi and I sung and played the guitar. 

I watched Samsara again with the Pandas. I thought it was just as good as the first time. I kind of forced the Pandas back to my house and awkwardly made dinner. I was super happy they visited my home though ! I think my parent's are the ones that have made me stressed about having 'new' guests/hosting. They took turns helping me cook dinner and once it was done we relaxed in lounge room with the aircon on.

On the last day of being in Melbourne, I met with Rainbow in the city. When he first saw me he said, "Wow you look so refreshed compared to last year!"

He was so excited about his new coffee plunger that he made me a cup, even though I don't drink it much anymore. I went to see his new apartment and the whole time he was saying, "don't judge meee ahh sorry it is messy" I just found it funny. He shared some music and I gave him my old watch. He felt so obliged to give me something back, he treated me to lunch and promised to buy me alcohol (?) and some paintbrushes. It's always nice to hang out with Rainbow.

sunset at Pandas'

I'm back to Melbourne tomorrow and University will start soon. I'm not sure how I feel about it all... but I just hope this year will continue to be happy, that I will learn new things, meet nice random people and continue to find things awesome.

In the next post I will write about the 95th and my sister's engagement : )