haunting and precious.

full

Fri 23 July

5-course meal and dessert by Chef Byron

Tonight I had a small "post-French students reunion" dinner with Melody and Byron (and J) at Byron's place in Kensington. It was also a farewell dinner for B as he was only two weeks away from a 2-year stint in Paris studying at Le Cordon Bleu, the famous culinary school.

It was fascinating to see B cooking - the kitchen was filled with pots and pans and dishes and bowls, but it was all under control (with all of us helping out on the easy bits) and the results said it all.

Dinner was delicious! We started with dumplings in soup, followed by raw beef salad ("yook-hwe" in Korean), then roast duck and finally beef steaks in a creamy mushroom and onion sauce with rice, with oysters throughout the meal. Dessert was a very professional looking and yummy tiramisu style cake, also made by Byron. To top it off, Mel had bought some tasty pastries from a shop in Surry Hills which we also enjoyed.

The conversation was good fun, and we were entertained with plenty of Korean pop songs and music videos throughout the evening. I was so happy to be seeing my French-class uni friends again - when I think about it, it's probably been close to 12 months since I'd seen them last, if not longer.

Sat 24 July

Lebanese banquet at Al Aseel

J and I had a pleasantly long walk to Al Aseel in Surry Hills for a dinner with Dave and Rebecca. It was my first time meeting them, and as far as my memory goes it was also the first time I'd been to a Lebanese restaurant. Funnily enough we also bumped into Byron on the way, who was running late to a karaoke date with friends. We were running late too, so we said a quick hello and parted ways.

The food was great - we had all kinds of dips, meats, felafels and salads. I don't remember any of the names, but the tabouleh and fattoush salads were quite tasty. There was so much on the table that even with a combined effort we weren't able to finish all the dishes. We definitely gave it a good try though - I knew there was a reason I didn't want to wear a belt tonight!

It was a night of good food and good company, just like Friday night, but different. There was even a belly dancer performing throughout the restaurant!

After dinner I also had a chance to meet Dani at the Sanctuary Hotel... well almost. There was a huge queue outside and of course there was no way I'd be getting into the venue. Sadly they wouldn't let out Dani either, so we had a phone conversation whilst waving and laughing at each other through the glass wall. Shortly after we'd started chatting on the phone, a bouncer rudely told us to line up or keep moving, so I waved goodbye to Dani while still being on the phone. That was a strange feeling, but despite the distance it was great to see her again.

Sun 25 July

Glorious dumplings and desserts at Din Tai Fung

Friday was a dinner with my friends, Saturday was a dinner with his friends, and tonight was a dinner with unknown friends. By this, I mean that we were seated at a round table with various other customers because the restaurant was so busy.

The walk in the rain was worth it. J and I had dumplings, a spicy wonton noodle soup and tasty hot desserts to finish off what had strangely become a very food-focused weekend. (To backtrack a little, we'd also had lunch at Baia earlier today where we sat outside and did a bit of seagull-, toddler- and people-spotting.)

The golden taro bread was as good as I remembered it. I feel lucky to have been to Din Tai Fung twice in the space of a couple of months. Maybe it's because of the constantly long queues, or maybe it's the efficient service of the bustling waiters and waitresses, but it feels like a special treat to be at the restaurant.

don't stop!

a little bedtime ditty

Don't want to wake you up,

But you're running through my head.

I'd prefer it if you walked,

So that I can go to bed... X

---

Ok. Taking it slow now. I will behave. ;)

See you in my dreams. x x x

a bit of backtracking

Tues 18 May

Had a great chat with Mat over coffee. Ooh that rhymes. It's nice to find somebody who you can talk to and you know the other person understands you, even though you never really hang out together or do anything together besides catch up over coffee. I have unusual friendships like that, but they feel like the most rewarding ones because you end up talking about some interesting subjects!

What a lovely dinner! Perfect company of course, and even better conversation. Serious topics, light topics, love and laughter. Went out to Baia San Marco with Joao for some yummy Italian food. Followed it up with a rich chocolate mud cake and ice cream... indulgence. Mmm.

It was such a good evening - after the ridiculous mood swings of last week, today I finally felt like I was back to normal again. I think I need to consciously maintain a healthy combination of spending time with friends and boyfriend respectively, and that's what keeps me as my happy self.

Wed 19 May

Had lunch with Eszter and Endre. Always have a good laugh and a chat with them - discovered Endre got engaged! Exciting stuff! It's all happening this year. I really enjoy hanging out with the two of them, the conversation is always fun and even though it's been so long since we last saw each other, there's no awkwardness. I function much better in small groups - even in a larger group I'm easier with one-on-one conversations.

Dinner at Takeru and dessert at the Chocolate Room with Joao, Mig, Dani, Kat, Diana, and cameo appearances by Colin, Calista and Ian Wang. As usual the conversation was nothing short of hilarious, and although half the group hadn't met each other before, the combination worked surprisingly well. It was such a fun evening, I was really glad that everybody was able to make it at such short notice.

Mon 19 July

Tonight's salsa class was great fun. Having not seen the class for two weeks made me realise how much I enjoy everybody's company. It's an hour of social refreshment for me. I feel familiar enough with the group to be able to crack jokes or make light conversation, and at the same time I know little enough that I still have plenty of questions I could ask everybody to get to know them better.

I feel like I don't often end up dancing with our instructor Oren, but it's always a good chance for me to refine my developing technique. Instead of having to reiterate the moves we're learning, he gives advice that according to him is 'just nitpicking'. It's a nice feeling to know that I'm progressing well. Having said that, I'm starting to feel sufficiently challenged by the moves we've been learning recently, so I know I've definitely got a lot of practising to do!

crazy monday!

Yesterday was one of those days where it feels like everything, really EVERYTHING is going on and you have so much in your to-do pile that it looks like a mess in your head. But the great thing about yesterday's nuttiness was that it energized me in an excited, happy way. I got so flustered at one point that I was shaking with adrenalin/nervous energy.

a good weekend in july

Sometimes I have some really nice weekends. These days, they are usually prefaced with beautiful winter sunlight and a productive train ride into the city, meaning I'm completing some work, an email, or some study. Or it's a peaceful ride where I'm listening to some great music that makes me want to sing or dance, or smile uncontrollably.

Highlights from the weekend that just passed...

* Home-made improvised lunch courtesy of J (don't know how it was made but I think I know what went into it.... oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced meat, onion, wholegrain bread, diced olives), followed by yummy ice cream (not home-made)

* Enjoying a post-lunch movie - Disney's Hercules. Good fun!

* Actually getting some study done!

* Being wowed by some professional couples at the Australian Salsa Open and also getting some dance time in between, not to mention bumping into some old friends from high school who were performing that night!

* Lazy Sunday morning in bed, followed by a nice brunch at Jet Caffe... smoked ham & cheese croissant with peppermint tea to accompany. Delish!

* Getting a little bit more study done :)

* Late lunch at The Watershed in Darling Harbour... a small share plate for two, plus nachos. We were stuffed by the end of it!

* Interesting conversations on dog and baby names :)

* Another post-lunch movie - Disney's Pocahontas, which was made a little funnier than usual thanks to the added sound effects of J!

I'm exhausted but what a fun couple of days. As usual. :)

what's in a...

Charlotte is a beautiful name.

hehe.

‎"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind, that I put down in words, how wonderful life is, now you're in world..." ♥

just ducky

What did one stressed duck say to the other?


"I think I'm going to quack!"


... I made that one myself :)

it's all you need.

Who knew that I could love so much
Your scent, your smile, your lips, your touch?

I've never been the steady kind
Where the heart came into play
But I know for sure, as you do too
This love is here to stay.

Fly with me, like lovers do
Into the night, so dark and blue
Let's dance amongst the stars tonight
Until the break of morning light.

thanks :)

You kiss my cheek, you make me smile,
So of course I want to stay awhile.
Forever and two days it's true,
That's how long I'll be loving you.
To look into your eyes each day,
Is a pleasure greater than I can say...*