Jalan-Jalan Around KL

I've just realized that there are many public holidays in Malaysia. During my break this time, it seems there's atleast one public holiday each week. I'm not really complaining but I'm getting worried with my mama's visa application. The less working day means the longer it takes to process it. No use in dwelling, might as well just enjoy the holiday since Danial doesn't have to work.

Since both Danial and I hate travelling long distance, and Zade is not exactly thrill with sitting in his car seat for long duration of time, we decided not to go travel instead spending the holiday around KL. It's exciting to revisit our old hangouts and discover new ones along the way. We didn't do any shopping except for a few essentials, but we did found a lot of good eateries. After cooking each and every meal for the past couple of months, I just cannot take another bite of my own cooking. So the ability to buy food at any time and anywhere is such a welcome change. I think I was able to satisfy all my cravings.

We had a chance to visit a few favourites : TGIF - somehow it's not as good as I remembered, KLCC's Foodcourt - I love the Char Keow Teow at their new Penang stall and the teh ais is the best just like at my old high school canteen - Cafe Lavista and Palm Cafe. We also managed to try new ones : Victory Arab Street, Ayam Penyet, Tony Ramo's, Harrods, Austin Chase. I found both Victory and Ayam Penyet to be just so so. But Tony Ramo's is just simply fantastic. The best American food in KL. Harrods at KLCC has good food, but what makes it stands out is the excellent presentation and service. It's a great place to relax. And surprisingly, Austin Chase's choc chip frappe was out of this world!

Home Sweet Home

The time that both Zade and I've been waiting for is here again. It's already January, and Zade has been staying home with me ever since Christmas break which is almost a month now. I'm so relieved to be back home in Malaysia and I'm sure Zade feels exactly the same. We both miss Danial and crave to spend time with him. This time we'll be here for almost 2 months, and with Danial's new working hour, we should be able to get a lot more family time. Thanks to Air Asia for the free tickets. Another agenda on my list of things to do while I'm back in Malaysia is to apply a visa for mama to come back here with me. I pray that she'll get it cause I don't think I have the energy to go back to Melbourne and face another year on my own!

RA

I've been neglecting this blog for quite sometime now. Too busy with life i.e. Zade, research work, travelling home etc. Anyway, today I just got an official offer to be a part time resident assistant from Taryn, the manager of University Mews. She offered me the position for a couple of months till I go away for the summer holiday. I've accepted the offer, as if I don't have enough on my plate right now. It would be intersting to see how that will go.

Werribee Zoo

Despite the gloomy skies, Aileen and I decided to take the kids to Werribee Open Zoo. It took us about half an hour to get there and by the time we arrived it was already 10.30 am. I bought an adult ticket which costs AUD 23.60 but I didn't have to buy one for Zade as admission is free for kids under 4. The ticket price was not too bad as it includes the safari tour which lasted for almost an hour. The zoo has a huge ground but not too many animals. Too bad we couldn't get to see them up close. However, Zade and Keanne had a wonderful time, and the adults did too.


Zade and Keanne having fun


Zade waiting for the bus


The safari bus


With the walking zebra


The real deal


Giraffes


Camel


Lazy hippo


Cheeky meerkat


Sleeping lions


Zade on the trail


In Africa, most human deaths by animals are caused by hippos!

The Pressure's On

This week my supervisor has suddenly shown interest on my research work. He decided that my design needs to be changed as he doesn't think that the model that is currently being fabricated will give good results. He wants me to use ABS i.e. a type of plastic for the wing skin which I have been proposing in my last two papers that he had failed to read obviously. Now I need to change my whole design as the new model which does not require ribs will be manufactured using a rapid prototyping machine which comes with its own set of limitations. On top of that, I just found out today that he wants the wind tunnel test to be carried out in August which is 2 months away. This is due to the fact that the reasearch grant that is funding my project will expire in November and a report of the experimental results will be due at that time.

I'm not complaining about all the extra work that I need to do, I just wish that I was given some warning. I have two months to finalize my design, draw it up using CATIA, manufacture the model, install the SMA wire - which have yet to be purchased by RMIT, make sure that the model works and set it up for the testing. However there is silver lining. Another postgraduate student will be paid to help me with the assembly and testing. Phew! Atleast I had a good lunch today. Nasi lemak that I made for the first time. It turned out better than expected. Yummy.

Caterpillar on Zade's Face

This afternoon when I went to pick up Zade at Numdaji Kwei, I burst out laughing upon seeing him. Rose had painted a colorful caterpillar on his face. However Zade was not very amused. He refused to look at his face in the mirror. He was actually afraid. No worries. As soon as I wash it off, he was happy to look at his own face again.