Jitin - My British Doctorboy!!!

We had a great day with Jitin in Ivanhoe!!!  He arrived from UK to work here as one of many Emergency Doctors at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg.

 

I have been busy travelling and he has been busy settling in and finding his feet, and he has been on night shift too, so we finally met up yesterday and went to Lips Café to have brunch. 

 

 

 

It was a nice meet up and both Becky and I were "impressed" with Jitin ... he seems like a nice lad and Becky is even going to introduce Jitin to her friends and I could not believe it when she invited Jitin to join her and friends to a concert in December down by the winery.

 

Jitin is a friend of one of my good friends in the UK, Chandra and if he is Chandra's friend, he is my friend!!!! Yesssssss its like this:):)

 

Well, let's hope and wish Jitin all the best for his future undertakings.  I am sure once he gets into a routine at the Austin, make a few more friends ... he might not want to go back to the UK again!?!? 

 

Obviously, Jitin had to be Chandra's courier .... she sent a small gift for me through Jitin and looks like I will be smelling nice very soon!!!

 

 

 

REDEMPTION DAY @ Chuan Spa - Langham, Melbourne

Looks like today is REDEMPTION day at Chuan Spa, Langham Hotel (Melbourrne) :)

After our "sub-standard" treatment last month, today we had an amazing massage again - as today  we had the same therapists Karen and Lisa who worked on us the first time and I can highly recommend them.

Even Becky had a super fantastic rub down today and she booked again for a couple of week's time.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to join Becks as I will be away on my travels.

For the records, it was a "nice touch" that today's session was "complimentary" and even if I had to pay for it, I was more than happy to do so as we both walked out feeling like on "Cloud 9".  This is what I expect from Chuan Spa, Melbourne ... and I am glad they delivered again.  Keep up the good work ladies!!!

Last Cookup for 2013

Today, my girlies are home for dinner and a sleepover for the weekend.  It's the last cooked meal at home by me!!! 

Prepping dinner for my girlies ...

Well, if you have not guessed by now, I will be travelling extensively and will not be back in Ozland till some time in 2014.

 

Sambal fish/calamari/prawns with ladyfingers ...

This is one of my favourites, but somehow my mom cooks it way better and its never the same when I cook it!!!  I guess, near enough is good enough... besides, the girlies don't know any better!!!

 

I know this might sound crazy, but I think I will miss my cooking as nowadays I am eating "healthy and clean" and it has done wonders for my liver!  Yesssssss go roquette ... you have sparked back some life into me:):):)

 

 

Como Shambhala, Ubud (Bali) Indonesia

We wanted to spend some quality time together "bonding" and my daughter did all the research online looking for the "perfect" place. She suggested Como Shambhala Estate (CSE) to me, but I was not sold on the idea and definitely not convinced that a "jungle" would cut it for me.

Whilst I was in NZ the week before, she sent me a text to say that she has made an executive decision and that we are booked into CSE for a whole week. A whole week??? I was dreading coming to CSE even though I have read all the good reviews on TripAdvisor.

When we arrived, it was close to midnight, so everything was in darkness and being tired and sleepy does not help. We were allocated the Wanakasa Residence, in a terrace suite so it made it even worse as I am recovering from a fractured femur and the stairs leading to our room would be a nightmare to climb up and down everyday for the next 7 days.



"Mt Agung" @ Como - stairs leading down to our terrace suite in the Wanakasa residence


However, once we entered the room, I had a good vibe that I was in for a treat for the next few days to come. I could not wait for the break of dawn. When I drew the curtains one by one, I was mesmerised by the jungle!!!

Our jungle treehouse @ Como Shambhala

It got better as the hours and days went by .... the estate grounds are immaculate, the staff are super friendly and helpful, and who needs a PA/Butler when on holidays??? Martini organised us so well that even we surprised ourselves that we want to wake up at 6am to get ready for an estate walk. I hardly ever walk much especially after I broke my leg ..... but there is something "magical" about CSE .... it must be in the jungle air .... it makes you do a lot of unexpected things!!!

Although my leg is not the best, I managed to do the estate walk.  There are steps/stairs everywhere and easily more than 1000s of them all over the property.  The Spring pool area is out of this world. It is so tranquil and breathtaking and the inviting water in the Spring pools are very invigorating.

The sacred Spring water supply .... so clean, so fresh, so out of this world!

 On our last day at Como, we had a picnic there and then on the way up, we stopped over at the "jungle pavilion" again for our last warm mud/muscle treatment. 

I also thoroughly enjoyed the facilities of the aqua therapy pool which is of world class standards.

 

Aqua therapy pool - truly relaxing

Tucking into my picnic basket ...

 

Our colourful healthy and satisfying picnic basket

We had a spa treatment every single day alternating sessions of 1hr and 2hr sessions daily. Some days we had it down by the "jungle pavilion" a very special set up with views to the mountains and river. 

Soaking in our frangipani outdoor spa pool after our warm wraps!

We love to indulge and pamper ourselves, and if you love massages/facials/warm wraps as much as we do, this is the best place to be!!! Everyday, we walk out feeling like we are on "cloud 9'' and every masseuse performs well here. 

 

I class myself as a "foodie" and both restaurants produced food of fine dining standards. Preparation was very consistent as I ordered some of my favourite dishes a few times over the 7 days and the kitchen even made "grass" aka salads taste amazing! Guilt free indulgence at its best!!!

One of my many favourite desserts from the Como menu



Grilled Salmon with Pesto

 

Grilled lobster Balinese style

Back in Melbourne now after a week in "jungle paradise". What can I say except that CSE does live up to all the hype you read in TripAdvisor and it has certainly ticked all the boxes for me!!! I highly recommend CSE to all my family and friends and hope to return again soon.

I cannot remember all the names, but everyone was excellent, even Dr D, the Ayurvedic doctor. .... but special thanks to Ferry, Martini, Made for showing us his family home, and the ever so smiling and friendly Redana.  I cannot commend their wonderful service enough!!!   

My special doggie bag ...

It is not just the Estate itself, but all the staff in CSE that made our 7 days in the jungle feel like we were in paradise! Absolutely loved it and it was a wonderful experience!!!

 

Two happy glampers having a swinging time in the jungle paradise!

I am very happy my daughter chose Como Shambhala Estate for us as we both had an amazing time together and for anyone thinking of going to CSE, it is a no brainer.... just do it!!!

 

Take 2 - Chuan Spa -Langham Hotel, Melbourne

As we were just duty free shopping before our flight to Bali, Chuan Spa, Melbourne rang me to say that they will give me a complimentary treatment with Karen, the Therapist I wanted on my last visit but she was not available and that is happening this Sunday!!! 

 

Am I looking forward to it??? Yessssss and it better be worth my while and time making the trip down to Langham Hotel.

 

Will update in here again after Sunday. 

 

In any case, Como Shambhala in Ubud not only made up for the bad experience at Chuan Spa the 2nd time round, but they totally satisfied me every day consistently for 7 days!!!!  Just amazing and I cannot highly commend them enough.

 

I did not have to ask for the same Therapist each time.  As a matter of fact, for the records, every day the different Therapists got better and better and yesssssss that is why you pay premium to be at Como Shambhala and everyday I was in bliss and after 7 days, I was totally blissed out!!!! 

 

If only other resorts/hotels/spas can maintain consistent high standards and Como sets a perfect example, there would be no need for disgruntled customers especially when they are charging an arm and a leg!!!

 

Chuan Spa - Langham Hotel, Melbourne

Paradise or Hell?  Well, our first experience was amazingballs (25/8/2013) .... but sadly I cannot say the same of our 2nd visit yesterday (29/9/2013)



First visit ... Chuan Spa, Langham - Melbourne

In a nutshell, we paid PREMIUM but they delivered SUB-STANDARD experience and I am still not completely over this matter and its still not resolved!

I was soooooo worked up yesterday, I plastered my bad experience all over Facebook and before you know it, Langham International responded to me.  Well, today the Assistant Manager tried to contact me but I was having an arvo nap, so I missed her call, but when I woke up and returned her call, she was off work ... so let's see what she has to say when and if I hear back from her.

Deep Tissue Massage - Fail

Facial -------------------- Major Fail

Overall experience = was in HELL Spa and not a Health Spa and walked out a dissatisfied client.

Would I ever go back again???  It all depends on what "compensation", if any is forthcoming as I am a frequent sucker for health spas and for what I paid at the Chuan Spa, I am sure there are a lot of other places I can visit and come out satisfied, relaxed and rejuvenated!!!

Am off to Como Shambhala in Ubud, Bali in a couple of days.  More treatments in store for me.  Hopefully, they will make up for the bad experience I had at Chuan Spa, Langham - Melbourne!!!

Multi Cash Currency Travel Card

Shuffling different currencies on line!  It's never been easier and safer to travel with this card.

 

It will be super convenient and don't have to worry about carrying various currencies and bulging the wallet or getting confused!!!

 

Although I am still "new" to it, but am loving it already.  You can also use it like a credit card to purchase items in whatever currency you wish in whatever country you are in.

 

Safe travels and flex that card - don't leave home without it!!!

Severe Fibrosis of the Liver

I was diagnosed with this condition back in June this year and since then, my life has taken a 360o turn!

In plain English, it means that my liver is packing up!!!  What exactly does it mean??? Well, give or take +/-1.7% I will have cirrhosis of the liver.  When I get to this point, it means that I am at the point of no return and my time bomb will start ticking.  If I am lucky I might have 12 months, if not, and if cancer gets the better of me, it might be just a few months ... so who knows!?!

So after I left the Gastroenterologist, I went back to work and quit my job on the spot!!! Yesssssss, time for me to go travelling and smell the roses.  My leg has healed and I have made a couple of "trial runs" travelling solo so I will be fine if I take things slowly.  I know its never going to be the same ever again.  Since the leg did not kill me, now some other part of me will and I am ready for it!?! 

Who is ever ready for death???  I guess being the "carefree" person I am, I can still joke about this and laugh it off.  Trust me, I was devastated when I found out and have cried me a river or two.  Tears are not going to save me ... so with whatever time I have for now, I will try to change my diet, lose weight, eat healthier etc and do what it takes to prolong my days. 

I have lived a good life ... ate in the best restaurants, travelled extensively, done a lot of things I have always wanted to do so I guess I am ready to go when my time is up???  The only thing missing is that I might not be around to become a grandmother!!!  I know GK will be fine but I only worry about Becky ... she is my everything!!!  Am glad she has Ray now and I know he will take good care of her ...he better, or I will come back and haunt him!!! lol

Quick fix changes ... drastic measures:

     1) Quit my job

     2) Drastic diet change

     3) Extensive travelling

     4) Quality time with family and friends

     5) Enjoy everyday to the max!

Well, let's see how many more blogs I can post until I meet my maker!!!

Never take your body parts for granted!!

Keep well everybody!! Keep smiling and have a great life and make the most of it :):):)

PS - also dedicating this blog "The Monkey In Me" to my future grandchild or children so that they can see what their grandma has been up to #winks
and also to my Becky the best gift of my life!!!

Top of NZ

It all started after KM's family dropped me off after spending the day together when her mom was visiting & holidaying here.  KM mentioned she will be going to Auckland for a work stint and in conversation jokingly invited me to go over and crash with her as her accommodation is paid by Lion:)

Well, before KM could reach home .... from the time she left here and before she got down to the city, I jumped onto the internet and booked my Qantas flights, and behold, I am off to NZ!!!  Also another good excuse to visit bro and his family.  All done within 15 mins!!!



Bro and family at the Crab Shack

I had a window of 10 days (as I had to come home for mom's 2nd anni - cant believe how time has flown by and we still miss her!) so I really packed in it and did as much as I could/we could fit in as KM was joining me to the BOI in between her busy work schedule.

In a nutshell, I hired a car, drove to Rotorua, had my mud treatment/massage at Hell's Gate (pics all lost in my u/w camera as I decided to "default all my settings" and this may be the reason why they were lost???)

Great Natural Spa Treatments

KM joined me on Thursday and we drove from Auckland all along the coast to the Bay of Islands (Paihia)  and cruised overnight on the Ipipiri and the next day we took in Russell, etc along the way and ended up at Cape Reinga and drove back to Auckland on Sunday nite so that KM could go to work on Monday!!! 

I would also like to add that KM is one of the best travelling companions anyone could have asked for and credit should also be given to her as she chauffeured me every inch of the way during our time together!!!

Top of NZ - Cape Reinga

As for the seafood .... particularly the oysters & kina ... out of this world!!!  The Puhoi Valley yogurt especially the Feijoa is tops!!!  Freshly smoked fish was sooooo yummz too!  We dined at the famous Duke of Marlborough in Russell, the Worlds Most Famous Fish & Chips in Mangonui and did the 90 mile beach drive etc etc.  You name it, we tried to do it!!!



Freshest KINA ever aka Uni or Sea Urchin & TF4 Pacific oysters



So on Monday when KM returned to work, I was off to Wellington.  Bro came and picked me up in style in his BMW 5 Series - a flying start for my next 5 days to come ...... ate loads more of oysters, and NZ seafood was fresher than daisies!!!

I am so glad I did the catch up with family and thoroughly enjoyed doing stuff together - eating, walking museums, discovering gourmet chocolate outlets, driving all over or just relaxing at home with their 2 dogs!!!  It all came to an end all too soon but I had the best time possible in the short 10 days I was there.  Definitely will try to find more time next year when I return from my "big trip" and try to make it there for Bluff Oyster season in May 2014.

Taken more than 100's of scenery shots, but here are a few teasers ....

Picturesque ... Bluestone Store

The Meeting Point - Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean aka the CLASH

Mystical Rotorua

 Well, if you have not been to NZ, often there are promo flights offered by Jetstar!  Give yourself a treat and go over the Tasman!   Discover Kiwiland as she has something to offer everyone and is not just over populated by sheeps!!!

Roadtrip - The Grand Pacific Highway Drive

Last week, I just packed up the car filled her up with a full tank and off we went .... driving along the south eastern coast ... we drove more than 2000kms over one week with my BBF, SF from Singapore.

 

If I did not have to come back to attend JW's graduation, more than likely, I will still be on the road today - driving!!! lol

 

We stopped all over the coast for eats (yummy scallops in Lakes Entrance), toilet stops, snapping photos etc  but put down our heads the lst 2 nites in Eden.  We went out on the Cat Balou on the 2nd day and we even managed to see whales which was a bonus as it is still early for them to be in the Bay.

Then we stopped at Batemans Bay, Jervis Bay --- yessss this is where bugs bit me ... am soooooo itchy its not funny even a week later now it is still looking "hot/fierce/itchy" but its all worth it!?!

 

The night at Kiama was great - one of the best Thai dinners --- soooo tasty and cheap!!! definitely great value for money!!!  I misplaced my specs and was lucky to find them at the restaurant the next morning!  Silly me, am getting so forgetful nowadays but I guess with old age its acceptable?!?

 

By now we have had enough of beaches and the coastline!!! so we decided we needed to be on land and land we did land up in loads of land .... like 1000 acres of land on a farm.  Yessssss we opted for a farm stay and had the best time although the weather was not the kindest to us.  We stayed on Hillview in Gundagai along the Hume Highway so we did not have to drive extra kilometres on the way home.

 

The lady owner that ran the farm, Jan was so nice to us ... she drove us in her 4WD and took us in of one paddock and out of another till we were up on the highest point of her 1000 acre property.  It was soooooo fun as we were "mudding" and chasing alpacas and being with the mountain goats (cross between sheep and goat) was breath taking at the highest point on top of the hill looking down on creation/cows etc.

My S3 packed up and will be blogging about it soon! so I have lost a lot of priceless photos that I am unable to load here.

After the farm we headed inland and went to Beechworth and then spent a night in Rutherglen and the next morning after ticking off the wineries and having a scrumptious meal at All Saints, we headed back to Melbourne.

It was a lot of crazy tiring driving, but it was fun fun fun and I had a great travelling companion!  This made the trip totally awesome!!!


 

 

 

The Move

The move was pretty sudden ... but we did it!!!  I am glad I got "pushed into it" ... much sooner than I had anticipated - although I had my reservations, but now I am happy we have downsized.

 

Becky was moving out ... so we do not need a tri-level home - too big for 2 plus a "time sharing" dog, and the dog and I do not have the best of legs, so moving to one level of living now is just great!!!

 

In many ways, this new home is comfortable and compact and serves us both well.  I am no longer a slave to home maintenance and I still have a good kitchen ... the heart of the home!!!  Have not cooked up a storm yet, but slowly and surely I am working my way around this new kitchen and hope someday soon before I leave on my long overseas trip, I will be brave enough to entertain some good friends before I leave this new home in the hands of hubby!!!

 

Right now, most of the unpacking has been done, and we are still waiting for Telstra to install cable to the premises.  It is only taking forever!!!!! and who knows how long more we have to wait before I can have limitless internet access again.

 

Otherwise, Snowy has free play outside!!!! .... to roam around in the backyard on her own as this home is surrounded by a fence.... Snowy has more time to sniff away and run around chasing butterflies etc and we can also keep an eye on her from the kitchen window.  Likewise, it is easier for Snowy to keep an eye on us too.  In the old home as we had 3 levels, Snowy will always be following us and leeching on to us whenever we make the slightest move, but now on one level, she is comfortable sitting in one spot where she can cast her eye on us and know that we are close by to her.

 

My leg is healing well now and being on just one floor has helped tremendously as I was beginning to feel my left leg starting to give way as it has supported my body weight for soooooo many months.

 

To sum it up, the move is the right choice for us!!!!!

The Piano

In the morning... The piano is leaving us...sooooo sad, and yet for the Swayns it will be exciting for them as they are a musically talented family and I am sure they will welcome our piano with joy!!!

All that matters is that we know its going to a good home ... Dont know why parts of me still has mixed feelings right now.  Becks and I had a last bang on it earlier tonite.  Played our duet!!!  Tears are even rolling too!!!

The piano came with us when we migrated to Oz... we have had it for more than 30 years and it took pride in our home.  It has made a few moves, but tomorrow it will be going down to the Peninsula to find its new home in Rye.   Least its going to be close to mom!  

Becky has never been keen learning the piano but she did it and gave up in high school.  I wanted her to learn so that she can entertain me in my old age... Guess that will never happen.  Our long time close family friend, Stephen plays very well and whenever he comes over, he entertains me.  

i love piano music!!!!  Kicking myself I never stuck to playing it when I was young myself and attempted learning it again shortly after Becky was born when I was back in Malaysia but gave up too!!!  I should have ...could have but now it's too late!!!

We are downsizing and when we move, Becky does not want the piano.  When we moved into this tri-level home Becky used to joke about throwing it over the balcony when we move out of this home!  So we are giving it to the Swayns.  Hopefully the grandchildren will take it up.. If not, the piano will be played more in Rye than in our home!!

Sweet Potato Leaves

 Nostalgic ... childhood vegetable readily available back in Malaysia, cheap as dirt and can be found growing wild and plentiful especially in the kampungs!

 

Have not had this vegetable since I was 22years old when I left for the UK.  A friend of mine in Melboune has planted some and he brought over a bag of the sweet potato leaves for me last night.

 

Am super excited ... am going to cook a blachan sambal with it.  Meantime, will try to soak the stalks and wait for them to root and plant my own?!?

 



Stalks I am going to soak for it to root so that I can plant it myself!

Watch out for my cooked version pixs when I get it cooked ... haha

For now ... just the green raw vegetable.  Cant wait to eat it !!!

 

hmmm ...might make half of it into a sambal stir fry and use the other half in a masak lemak with prawns.... #drools

 

Snowy has gone on an Easter Breakation!

Even a dog needs a holiday!



Snowy pretending to sleep ... she's listening to Doris Day!!!



Gives us human's a bit of a break from feeding them, fussing over them, and it gives the dog time away to appreciate its "family"?!?

 

Actually, we have to replace the shower base and the tradesman was going to take 2 days to do the job.  Imagine Snowy barking at him non stop for 2 days???  Well, its time to send Snowy on a little breakation to Chelsea.

 

At Evelyn's, Snowy has two other furry friends to play with and yummy chicken adobo for dinner!!! 

Snowy in her own room .... enjoying her breakation in Chelsea

Snowy has taken to human food and "My Dog" will only be eaten if she knows that we are not going to give her some of our table food.

Snowy's playmate "old boy Fox" (and Jessie) .... missing Snowy

Somewhat, the house seems soooooo different without Snowy.  She wears a little "jingle bell" so we know when she is approaching and even the Postman misses her!!!  He gets barked at before he can make it to our front door.  Snowy is a really good guard dog and a great bed companion.  Snowy can "sleep" the whole day next to me if I stay in bed. 

 

Snowy is very lovable ... she checks up on everyone even in the middle of the night.  Have not had her fur flying all over the house on everything from our clothes, to furniture to my laptop keyboard etc etc .... but you get used to it .... well, I did ... so we are now waiting anxiously for Snowy to come home.

 

Yessssss we miss you Snowball ... and hope you miss us too!!!

Snowy ... look at those puppy eyes!

 



When Enough is Enough - What Do I Want to Eat!!!

Being confined to the bed, I get asked this question at least 3 times a day .... breakfast, lunch and dinner.  If not 3 times, it can be soooooo many times that I can sense GK is going to be mad if I do not decide soon!!!  He just asked me what I wanted for lunch and walked away ... to give me time to think what I want to eat!!!  Today its Hungry Jacks!!!  Yessssssss nothing like a bit of junk food to perk me up for the rest of the day:)

 

Trust me, it gets harder by the day ... if not by the meal ... as this household has been eating take out since November 2012 with the odd meal being cooked at home.  When GK cooks, its either BBQ or Konloe Noodles and this is only when he is in the mood!!! 

GK's Konloe Noodles - I rate it 8/10

Ocassionally, we have been spoilt by a few good friends too .... they have been cooking for us:)

 

Alice comes with nasi lemak & noodles ... food for 3 days

Since I can move around better now on crutches, I have been going out for lunches/dinners to break the "take out" routine.

 

I can't wait to be able to cook again standing on two good legs!!!  Never thought I will ever say it, but I must admit I miss my cooking and like Becky says ... there's nothing like mother's comfort food and we miss our stirred fried green leafy veggies :)

 

You know when enough is enough .... its when you are scratching your head and you are clueless as to what you want to eat!!!  So much for "takeaway" food!!!

Holidays Holidays Holidays

Eversince I went on my lst world tour back in 2000 for just under 6 months travelling solo, I have given my Travel Agent the flick upon my return!!!  She was going to book a flight for me from New York to Philadelphia!?!

Back then, I took the subway from the World Trade Centre and it costed me USD$1.00 to get across the Hudson River to Philly!!!

 

With technology and easy access to the internet searching for destinations, airfares, hotels etc, it has made it not only easy for me to organise my own holidays but this is the fun part which I enjoy most - building a trip from scratch.  For me, it is challenging, exciting and finding the most competitive airfares with the best possible connections and then phasing in hotels and activities gives me a real buzz. 

 

As my leg is still "unwalkable" ... I have given myself another good six months before I am off on my next holiday!!!  Regardless!!!

 

Been busy doing with what I do best ... booking holidays ... looking at hotels, etc etc and am now I am soooo pumped ... I am going to ensure that my leg will behave as I am going to will my leg to be "walkable" without aids come October.

 

I was in Tahiti 10 years ago, but back then although I had a great time, I think I did not do it "right"!?!  This time in the Maldives I am going to splurge out for an over the water bungalow, spa treatments, good food and do nothing but chill and soak up the expensive sun and water!  I hope I will not be disappointed as to me, Bora Bora has always been the dream water paradise destination.  Maldives???  Let's keep an open mind and compare later.

Bora Bora

Looks like I am back on track!!!  Now I have a few holidays planned in the pipeline, and I am just waiting for the day to roll around.

 

Soon .... I will be there to soak up the sun and water in the Maldives

As if not enough, now I find my friends are asking me to book holidays for them.  So in some ironic ways, I am a "Travel Agent".  I guess I could class myself in the "well travelled" category too and some days I do wonder why I have never done something with all my travel experience and knowledge I have gained over the years, as my passion definitely lies in this field.

 

Ready or not ...First up, I am going to Maldives for an indulgent holiday:)  Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Mabul & Sipadan will follow immediately after Maldives!!!  Simply cannot wait now:)

 

 

Amazon ... just one of zillion amazing online shopping sites!!!

Lying in bed, my laptop seems to be weighing a tonne on me and it was getting hot, to an extent that I was afraid that one day soon, it might even blow up and burn the house down if I am not at home, as I do not turn my laptop off unless I am away on holidays.

I have been relying more on my "fingers" lately to do all my walking .... and yessss my fingers have been busy as I have purchased a few things on line.  Give the fingers some freedom and its amazing what damage you can do to your bank account!

Letting my fingers do all the walking..... I have purchased a X5 Steamer, an Ipad, a Kitchenaid "Pink" Mixer amongst other things :)  

Customer Service Survey from Amazon

The Ipad has been a great buy as I have been busy playing games and exhausted "one word four pictures" and been busy on Facetime with my friends.  The Ipad is excellent!!! It is sooooo light and makes reading a breeze lying in bed and I have also been using it as my "entertainment" hub as I have been watching Crackle movies on it.

Who says, staying at home is "safe & cheap"???  Staying in bed, does not stop me from spending money on line!!!  Online shopping can be lazy, addictive, convenient, expensive ... whatever, but it has been good for me.  It gives me something to look forward to when the doorbell rings!!!! .... another arrival of my goods :)



Another purchase .... when the door bell rings!

Yayyyyy for online shopping! I forgot to mention, I even purchased a cooler fan to put under my laptop .... so now my laptop feels "normal" and it is cool all the time.  As an added bonus, the fan cooler's blue light also doubles up as a night light!

 



Laptop Cooler



 

Esther!

Esther, my 19 year old KIWI niece from Wellington, New Zealand.

 

Esther Tan - My Kiwi Neice

Well, she arrived on the 9th March and was to be a long term house guest as she decided she needed a change of environment, friends, job etc and in a nutshell, she is on an adventure and looking for a new beginning.  A  new fresh life in Melbourne where the grass is greener!?!

 

So we offered to put her up until she can stand on her own two feet and everything was rosy!!!  I had another companion at home, she was my "chauffer" and we were going places!!! hahaha.  Esther was happy, my brother and s-i-law could not be more thankful as I have an eye on Esther #winks

 

Not even into her 2nd week in Melbourne, her boyfriend is to be arriving .... obviously, when my brother and s-i-law found out, they started to freak out!!  Lots of time spent on Facetime, Skype, and before you know it, the BF is not coming over any more and Esther has purchased a ticket to go back home the day the BF was to be arriving!!!

 

So all good things came to an end ..... so much for a new start!!!  Good luck Esther with everything back home in Wellington.

 

If and when you ever need to come back to give Melbourne another go ... you know you always have a bed here waiting for you!!!

 

 

 

Time flies ... Where have I been the past 2 months???

Just looked back on my last blog ... and it was written back in January!!!

Where has all the time gone???  I had sooooo much of it!!!!  What have I been doing???  Yessssssss my leg is still "unwalkable" without aids, but I guess I have been keeping myself busy with something or other!!!

The low down .... Tuesdays, I have been going to the Doctors, Wednesdays I have hydrotherapy, Thursdays I have physio at the hospital and Mondays and Fridays if its not blood works, its something or other!!!  I also have appointments galore to see every Specialist under the sun... so I am doing something!!! ... looks like I am getting my bod in some kind of shape to an acceptable level that my old GP, Dr Lena will take me back!!!


My daily home physio exercises have been doing some good but it does leave me fatigued .... so most afternoons I have a baby nap!

March has seen a few visitors coming and going .... so I guess I have been busy with "entertaining" and playing "hostess" from bed!!!

Raymond & family from Penang

    
Sign language seems to have gone out of the window and its amazing, what you learn and don't put into use ... you tend to forget .... at least with me, I can blame it on old age!!!!



Johnny & Jelly

Now that I can move around more easily even with crutches, I have been going out for lunches/dinners, and the odd social gathering ... and it feels good not just confined to the bed, so I guess time has passed me by and there seems to be a marked improvement on my leg ... on the outside at least, but who knows about the bone on the inside!?!  Waiting for my next lot of x-rays on the 15/4 to determine my faith!!! 

I can even go upstairs now, but I have not taken on full swing of my domestic chores yet!!! ... just some light duties of folding clothes, to fill in the day on days that I am feeling "bothered" but otherwise, I am just "chilling"!!!