Melbourne Part 2

Day 3 (Saturday, 3 May 2014)

I've been super busy lately I have totally forgotten about my Melbourne trip. Continuing from part 1, our touristy journey continues to the Yarra Wine Valley on day 3. It took us an hour to reach the place - suburban area of Melbourne.

The overview of the wine yard

Wine testing - definitely not for me

Closer look at the wine yard

We had our lunch at the wine yard too. It was a three course meals and I had teh scrumptious grilled Salmon with a mouthwatering chocolate cake.

We had a lompat-lompat photo session after our lunch which you can view it on my Facebook account. Too lazy to post it here. 

We continue our journey to the chocolate valley nearby the wine yard. I was expecting a chocolate factory like a real chocolate factory where they process and make the chocolate. Sadly, it wasn't. And again, most photos taken at the chocolate factory are saved in my phone. And since I have no access to my phone, I'll post it when I can.

Not to disappoint myself, though I wasn't really into their chocolates, I decided to have a cone of coffee ice-cream on a very cold rainy weather. Super cold that I think my brain just freeze.

After spending half a day at the wine and chocolate yard, we continue our trip back to the city. We had a quick city tour before heading for dinner. This trip memang banyak makan-makan and I actually gained few kilos. Seluar jeans obviously jadi ketat.

St. Patrick Cathadral

Capt. Crooks Cottage

The Fritzroy Garden

We had our dinner at an Italian restaurant and to tell the truth, the food was very disappointing. The spaghetti was tasteless that I had to modify it myself.

We (me and the usual gang) decided to have a night walk around the city as this is our final night at Melbourne. We actually walked the entire streets just to look for the McDonald's to have a cup of coffee. Sekali, bila dah jumpa, the McCafe dah tutup. Sedih betol!

Melbourne City at night

Future Uni perhaps?

That's a wrap for day 3. I'll continue with day 4 - our final stay at Melbourne soon. Hopefully, soon means very soon!

Have a nice weekend lovers!

Makan Babi haram, ambik duit orang tak haram ke?

There have been a lot of tensions going on over the recent news of two Cadbury chocolate products that were found containing pig DNA in it.

Some of the Muslim NGOs have expressed their disappointments with making irrelevant and ridiculous comments and feedback over the matter.

1. One suggested that Cadbury factory to be burned down for their reckless mistakes.
2. A lady from one of the organizations hosted a press conference saying that the Muslim consumers have to change their blood due to the consumption. Ini paling bodoh pernah di dengar
3. One suggested that the Muslim consumers need to wash their mouth with sand (Samak).

For a person who have a very little knowledge on Islam, I have to admit that I do not have the rights to comment on it. Takut apa yang dikatakan akan mengudang kekeliruan. But I do believe that Islam is not a complicated religion. It teaches its followers to live a simple life and the rules and regulations that we, Muslims have to follow, generally are very simple and easy to adapt to ones daily life. 

It is so embarrassing to hear bad comments coming from my non-Muslims friends over the ridiculous video that went viral over the "change of blood" statement made by one of the NGO people. It really gives a bad impression to Islam. The non-Muslims will think that Islam is nothing but full of restrictions. Hence, they will never want to learn or understand the beauty of Islam.

What Dr. Asri mentioned on his Facebook is very much true. Taken from Malaysian Insider portal, he made it very clear in what's haram and what's forgiven in Islam. Click here for the article or read it.

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Former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin expressed disappointment with Muslims in the country who were more concerned over the consumption of pork, but kept silent over bigger crimes such as corruption.
 He said it is as though the Muslim community does not realise the sin and harm in matters that are clearly illegal, such as interest-taking and corruption, both far greater sins compared to consuming pork.
 "Unfortunately, we are not making enough noise over things that are clearly haram.
 "This is the understanding of Islam, which only regards consuming pork as unlawful, but do not view gambling, interest-taking and corruption in the same way when clearly they are much bigger sins and cause greater harm," he wrote on his Facebook page today.
 He added that it was not a sin when followers of Islam accidentally consumed pork, and that Allah would not punish anyone if it was done unknowingly.
 Asri was commenting on the pig DNA that was found in Cadbury chocolates and lashed out at the reaction of some quarters, which he deemed as an overreaction.
 He added that Islam did not require such reactions which brings about difficulty.
 "Objecting on consumer rights is a good thing so that the purchasing public is not deceived.
 "But excessiveness, such as asking to wash the mouth with sand (samak mulut) or change the blood is considered overreacting in Islam, he said.
 According to recent reports, tests conducted by the Health Ministry on two chocolate products, Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut, with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on November 13, 2014, and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond, with batch number 221013N01R I1, that expires on January 15, 2015, found they had pig DNA in them.
 Following this, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) immediately suspended the products' halal certification, while Cadbury said it would recall the chocolates from stores.
 Malay group Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) said it planned to sue Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia following the reports on traces of pig DNA.
 JMM president Azwanddin Hamzah had accused Cadbury of misleading Muslims by producing products with porcine DNA.
 Cadbury's biggest consumer, he said, were Muslims and Malays. – May 28, 2014.

Source: Malaysian Insider 

Wahai umat Islam. Cubalah belajar untuk lebih bertenang dalam menerima sesuatu perkara. Tak semuanya buruk dan tidak semuanya indah. Islam tidak mengajar kita untuk membenci. Analisa dahulu sesuatu perkara dan jangan cepat malatah, waAllah hualam.

ABC: Acme Bar and Coffee

I finally step foot at this ever famous cafe yesterday for breakfast with the girls. This cafe is listed among those must-go cafe for coffee. I have been pestering the girls to have coffee at the cafe and we finally made it there yesterday.

We were quite early - reached at 10am and the place was already full.

For your information, if you want to dine here for breakfast over the weekend, kindly call in for reservation as the place is usually full during the weekends and public holidays.

This was what I had yesterday - their big breakfast set.

There are variety of selections to pick for your plate from the choices of eggs to your bread, the meat of your choice and side dishes.

And I had it with my long black.

Desserts are served after 11.30am and we had the ever famous sizzling brownies.

Although there has been a lot of good reviews of this desserts but I personally don't like it. I just don't like it! It has this weird taste and I don't like it.

Make yourself to Troika building opposite of PNB Park where Acme is and experience the food. Enjoy!

Because... we're the generation of idiots!

Guilty as charge! I couldn't agree more.

We are all at fault for such behavior but that doesn't mean I want to shut my desktop/smartphone just to communicate with my surroundings.

Yes, it's annoying sometimes to sit with people who doesn't want to put his/her phone down. It is as if the phone is glued to his/her hand. But not all of us are like that. I keep my phone on so that I can keep communicating with my close friends. We hardly meet each other. Thanks to technology, we are able to update each other on our whereabouts, latest gossips or just some crappy messages.

Technology can be annoying sometimes. But if you know your limit on how to use it and where to use it, it won't kill! It's YOU that is having the problem to let the phone go NOT the technology.

Use the technology wisely friends. The technology was built to help you to make your life easier NOT the other way round.

What's goes around comes around

I went to visit a relative last weekend. He went through a major right leg surgery couple of weeks ago and he's now walking supported by the crutches. He's recovery fast, Alhamdulillah but he needs to go through the physiotherapy treatment to ensure that the leg is OK, Insya Allah.

And it made me realized that nothing in this world is permanent. One can be very successful, be at the highest achievement level that he/she can be, recognised by the world, known by thousands of people and very influential. But when the time comes, the time where Allah takes everything that you have, you are nothing! 

Bumi ini bulat. Ada kala kita di atas dan ada kala kita di bawah. Kita tak tahu berapa lama kita akan berada di atas dan kita tak akan tahu bila kita akan di tarik ke bawah. Jadi, kita kena senantiasa beringat bahawa everything that we have/own are all temporary.

Arrogant kills! Selalunya, bila kita berada di atas, kita mula menjadi bongkak and angkuh dengan segala yang kita miliki. Kita lupa orang-orang di sekeliling kita. Kita lupa asal usul kita. Kita mula rasa apa yang orang lain buat semuanya salah which leads to one being uncontrollable over other people's opinion. And we started to hurt people especially the ones closest to our heart.

It's a norm for parents to want to give everything to their children. They want nothing but the best for their children - the best education, the best environment, the best life possible and I'm included. I work hard so that I can give the best life to my children. But nothing in life comes for free. Though I want the best for my children, but I do not want to spoil them with luxurious life. I learned life the hardest way and I want them to experience life the same way as I was so that they will appreciate their life and surroundings more. They will understand the value of life and being more appreciative towards the people that matters the most.

It's heart breaking to see the people that you love the most were not there when you needed them. You have showered them with a good life and yet, they were not there when you needed them.

I know I can be a little bit ignorant sometimes (and stubborn too). Being ignorant just to show how much I hated them for things that they have done and to show my protest which I know is wrong. I have no rights to show such attitude and it's not fair for them the receive such treatment. Though what they did was wrong, it is not my position to punish them. In fact, I should forgive them and pray and hope that one day they'll come clean. 

This visit taught me a new meaning in life. I really need to put aside my ego and learn to forgive more. Because I do not want to loose the people who I love the most. Everything is temporary but family stays forever. Appreciate them more. 

Melbourne Part 1

Last week, my company hosted a company trip to the country down under. There were two groups departing on 30th April and 1st May 2014 and it was a 6 days 5 nights trip to Melbourne. I was in the second group so, my travelling dates were from 1st May to 5th May 2014. Well in total, it was actually a 3 full day spent in Melbourne. The other two days were spent solely on travelling to Melbourne.

We (the second group) departed from LCCT at 1330 hour (Malaysia time) and arrived Melbourne International Airport at 2345 hour (Melbourne time). The weather was freezing cold and finally arrived our hotel - Fraser Place at about 2 in the morning.

Memandangkan kami sampai di tengah-tengah pagi buta dan sangat kelaparan, we decided to have a walk down the streets nearby our hotel to look for food. Me and the rest of the gang punyalah jalan redah the town hoping to find a nice place to eat sekali semua dah tutup. Haruslah tutup dah pukul 2 pagi.

Melbourne Streets at 2am

We found a cafe nearby to have our coffee fixed and to makan supper alas perut sementara nak tunggu esok punya breakfast.

We walked a bit on the streets and I must say, it reminds me so much of Kuala Lumpur. The streets were dirty unlike Sydney. I guess maybe because it's China Town and hence why it's dirty, I don't know.

China Town entrance

We didn't do much on day 1 as most of our time were spent on the plane, a long hour journey to Melbourne. Amat memenatkan. Our activities started on day 2.

Day 2 (Friday, 2 May 2014)

Our schedule started at 10am with 12 degrees weather plus it was raining heavily that morning. Everyone was advised to wear thicker clothes as the weather is expected to be colder in the later day. 

We headed to Warrook Farm, about 2 hours away from the city to visit the sheeps, cows, kangaroos dan yang seangkatan dengannya. 

We were on a mini truck to see the farm

This farm was once a place where pengguguran bulu kambing di lakukan. The instructor was showing us how it was done from selecting the right sheep to the procedures on shaving off the wool. Agak menyedihkan tapi tengok sheep to relax je!

After that we were taken to see other parts of the farm to see how they train their dogs to ensure that the sheep in the farm were all being taken care off.

The smelly Kangaroos

The highlight of this visit was the lunch. A nice tender beef steak was served for lunch to all of us.

And it is certified halal too. This farm distributed halal meat to the Muslim butchers in Melbourne and other parts of Australia too hence the meat is halal. I can still taste the tenderness of this beef steak. Sungguh menyelerakan. 

We then headed to Phillip Island for its nicest view. The weather was extremely cold my cheek all became numb. Despite the coldness, the view was magnificent, MasyaAllah.

Tangkap gambar dengan kecanggihan camera baru! Keciwi namanya

The ocean to Tasmania.

Muka tengah tahan sejuk.

And at 6.30pm, we made our way to the Penguin World also at the Phillip Island to see the penguins. Ohh they are all so small and cute. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos or videos on these penguins. Too bad! Else, I would have shown it to Iman and I'm sure she's going like them so much.

Everyday, at this hour, the penguins will walk past the shore to go back to their homes in the jungle. Too bad, I don't have the pictures to show the cuteness of these penguins.

And our dinner was served at the Penguin World. Tapi, bukan makan penguin ye kawan-kawan!. We had a plate full of seafood!

Makanannya MasyaAllah banyak sangat! Sadly, I did not finish my meal. I guess due to the coldness of weather plus the oh-so-yummy beef steak I had earlier for lunch killed my appetite. I had most of it except for the crab. Sangat kecewa!

That's the end of our day 2. Shall continue soon.

Because... I want to travel more

One of the things I want to do before I die is to travel more. I wasn't fortunate enough to visit countries around the world during my younger days because my parents bukanlah dari golongan orang-orang yang berada. But having said that, I am so very fortunate as my parents always bring us to visit states in Malaysia. We have visited all the states in Malaysia except Sabah (because my mother thinks it is not a safe place to visit). Hence growing up, I have set my goal to visit as many countries as possible before I die and to bring my parents along.

I told my husband that even though we are married, that will not stop us from traveling. One of the reason why we got married in the first place was because we want to travel together. Kumpul duit dan kita pergi berjalan bersama. 

I guess Allah is fair to His ummah. I am very fortunate to be working with this company as they always plan for their annual company trip overseas. To date, I have traveled to Bangkok and Melbourne for the company trip. I missed Taiwan three years ago because I was pregnant and hopefully (if I am still with the company) I am able to visit other places during the company trip. 

I put a mark on places I have visited on my TripAdvisor account sebagai pemberi semangat untuk travel more.

Walaupun sedih melihat jumlah tempat yang telah di-visit (compared to other people), but I have to say that these visited places were all self-sponsored. 

Unlike others, they were fortunate to be able to visit other countries because their parents were able to bring them there or cukup pandai untuk belajar overseas (especially in the European countries allowing them to travel within the continent). My traveling plan becomes more personal because I work hard for it. Tak guna duit sponsorship or duit mak bapak. Jadi, sentimental value tu lebih sikit.

I hope I can travel more this year and the years to come sebelum membuat plan untuk menambah anak. Tambah anak expenses pon bertambah.