Cold and chilly

Happy Sunday morning! The weather has been playing up a bit over here in Melbourne. Yesterday it practically poured all day, which kind of dampened my weekend spirits! Grumpy and I have already planned a beach getaway here in January while we are in Malaysia, and this is the only thing I am looking forward to. I just want some warm weather! I have been feeling so cold and chilly lately, I might develop SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) soon enough! Okay okay maybe that is being a bit ridiculous considering SAD mainly affects people in very cold countries with very little daylight.

Work has been very busy for me. I just get thrown the crappiest projects in the world, it is just not funny. Why? Why? Why is it always me taking bites of shitburgers? Hoping that with Christmas approaching, things will be less hectic with people being away. I am working through out Christmas, instead saving my holidays for Chinese New Year.

The reason I am up so bright and early on a Sunday morning is because I have a once a month Skype sessions with my friends from Dublin. It is Saturday night for them, but its fine. The good news is that I just found out that this friend will be in Malaysia in January for work... which is perfect because I will be back home at that time too. I have not seen them since I left Ireland, but we still keep in touch over the years. Another thing to look forward to now, apart from my beach holiday!

To end the note, I want to share with you this video. My friend Sydney Boy (he is so dear to me) is gay and he posted this on Facebook. Being close friends with him has made me realised how I want him to be happy, and to be able to share a life with someone he loves, even if that means it is with another man. Enjoy!

Christmas Toy Store

On Friday, Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch and I took part in a volunteer opportunity as part of work. We picked Anglicare Victoria and our task involved working in the Christmas Toy Store. It was kind of a day off work, but for a good cause. Back in June, I took part in tree planting for the areas affected by the bush fires. But this time round, I wanted to try something slightly different, and anything Christmas sounded fun!

We arrived at Fitzroy by 9am and were immediately greeted by two Aboriginal women, looking a bit drunk at the tram stop. We noticed how the area was surrounded with many government housing blocks. Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch, already a bit nervous, looks around and says to me "Jules, I'm so glad you are doing this with me, and I'm not here alone" hehe

Finally, we walked to the Anglicare office, and a nice man, who manages the site, gives us a tour around the building, and explained to us what they do, how they do it, and why. He was very grateful that we have offered our help for the day, and soon enough, we headed upstairs to the Toy Store to start work.

There are four rooms at the Toy Store. We started off at the boys section:

Hehe as you can see, the room was a bit of a mess.

And this is what it looked like after we tidied things up.

We were shown an itinerary, and starting from 10am, there were social workers from different places, foster homes etc dropping by at the Toy Store to collect the toys. Our job was to sort the toys, stack them up neatly on shelves and help these people pick out toys. They had a list of the different age groups, boys/girls and unique requirements.

The second group that came in, I had a strong feeling... were picking up toys for children from war-torn countries like Afghanistan, or even countries from Africa. As I was helping them pick toys, the lady says to me, "strictly no guns or war toys for the children".

As each group dropped by, collected toys and left, the shelves were empty again and needed to be re-stocked before the next group arrived. In between all that, we had random people stopping by, dropping off boxes of donations - toys, basic amenities, food and coffee. 90% of the donated items are all brand new. Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch and I would have to quickly unpack the boxes, sort them around the different places and tidy up the Toy Store.

The last group that came by, around 2pm, was a foster home for Aboriginal children. So they wanted more 'Australian' toys, sporting goods like cricket bats, boomerangs, books about Australia, etc.

Here are some photos of the various rooms in the Toy Store:

Little-Miss-Whats-For-Lunch at the book room. There were plenty of books for different age groups, craft packs and jigsaw puzzles.

This is the nursery room. Lots of stuffed toys for babies.

The girls room. We started off with plenty of Barbie dolls, but by the end of the day, they were all gone. The boys room had a much bigger supply of toys than the girls room.

Finally, before heading home, I could not resist taking a picture with a Teletubby! haha I used to like Teletubbies back in high school (weird, I know) 

Overall, it was a very fulfilling day, and definitely an eye-opening experience. We get so caught up with Christmas festivities, buying expensive presents for our loved ones, that we forget how the less fortunate, or the homeless are coping. I will be supporting Anglicare Victoria from now, and doing my part to give back to the community. 

1.02.33

If you are wondering how I went with my 10km run during the Melbourne Marathon earlier this month, the answer is that I did really well! I was very happy with my time. This has got to be one of my favourite running photos of me taken by Grumpy.

As mentioned in the previous post, I was nervous the entire week. We are usually out on Friday and Saturday nights, wining and dining. But during that weekend, I stayed home both nights, went to bed early. Most marathon runners eat heaps of pasta the night before the run, to load up on carbs. I decided on pizza and garlic bread instead. Greasy and cheesy.. hehe it was so yummy, but it got my spirits up as I was determined to burn all the calories away the next morning.

Finally the Sunday morning came. I woke up at 4am, only to discover Grumpy still awake, watching Foxtel. Oh my.. I sent him off to bed, for at least a 2 hour sleep. I needed him to drive me to the run, and to cheer for me at the finish line! It was pouring rain, NOT A GOOD SIGN. But it was still early in the morning... I had two slices of toast with peanut butter, a cup of tea, and then drank plenty of H2O. After breakfast, I took a hot shower, got changed.. and then pretty much just waited til 6.30am. In the mean time, I started doing yoga, to relax myself and stretch my muscles. Even the dog chose to stay in bed and sleep in the entire time.

By 6.30am, I was able to get Grumpy up and ready, we headed out to my old boss' apartment in the city. Belgian Chocolates. The rain stopped by 7am.. but even Belgian Chocolates complained it was cold. I reminded him that he was European (i.e. should be able to tolerate extremely cold weather). Belgian Chocolates and I started to walk towards the MCG. Grumpy decided to get the car washed instead and assured me he will be waiting for me at the finish line. The run starts at 7.30am. 

Grumpy asked "So what time do you think you will finish?" I said.. "Hmm... 8.30am?" 

He went "Are you sure?!? How about I meet you at 8.45am?". Clearly, he did not think I could finish the 10kms in an hour :(

FINE, 8.45am it is!!!

The full marathon runners started at 7am. The 10km runners at 7.30am, and the half marathon runners at 8am. There were tens of thousands of runners. When the 10km race started, I was running at a very fast pace, just going along with the rest of the crowd. By the 2nd and 3rd km, I was struggling. But I did not stop. Belgian Chocolates fed me some energy tablets, in between... we hardly even stopped at the water kiosks, we just kept going. I was better by the 5km mark, slowing down a little bit, but still at a pace faster than my usual speed. At the 8th or 9th km, there was a bit of an incline, and I struggled even more. Still did not stop, just kept going. And finally, light at the end of the tunnel, I see the finish line! This photo here, is Belgian Chocolates yelling at me to run even faster, we were nearly done! I increased my speed, sprinted all the way to the end of the line, with the little energy left in me.

I could see the clock. '1.02.33'. 1 hour, 2 minutes and 33 seconds! Even though the goal was to do it in an hour, I went 2 minutes over, but I am not going to give myself shit for the extra 2 minutes. Hehe This is my best time ever for the 10kms. 

When Belgian Chocolates started training with a friend/mentor for the marathon a few years ago, at the finish line during his first marathon, his friend/mentor gave him the opportunity to finish first at the finish line. And so, as he was training me this time round, he did the same for me. He made sure that I went across the finish line before he did. I told Grumpy that his goal was not to beat me, but to make sure I finished the run in a decent time. Belgian Chocolates could easily do a 10km run in 50 minutes or less on any normal day, but since he was running with me, he ran at my pace. 

After I crossed the finish line, I was looking out for Grumpy. I could not see him. I was worried that he was still out somewhere, missing all the action. DAMNIT, he would have missed taking my photos too :( 

But little did I know, he did wait for me at the finish line. He was early. He took some awesome photos for me. Yay! Even he was happy that I finished it in an hour! And two minutes....

Training for the 10km run

Two years ago I took part in the Melbourne marathon, running the 5kms. It was really good fun, a bunch of us at work did it together, so there was a social aspect to the run. This year, I decided it was time to take it one step up, so I signed up for the 10km run for the Melbourne marathon. A friend who agreed to do the run with me this year pulled out just three days after signing up, citing the advice of her podiatrist. Instead, I found another running partner. Belgian Chocolates. Yes, my ex-boss. He has four full marathons under his belt, but because of an injury, he is unable to run the marathon this year. He will run the 10kms with me. In a decent time. The goal is to do it in less than an hour.

My usual running routine on any normal week is on a treadmill at the gym, 5kms, while watching the news, Two and A Half Men or listening to my iPod. Meanwhile, Belgian Chocolates made an executive decision (without my approval) to be my personal trainer for this 10km journey. The first change he decided for me, was to stop running on a treadmill, opting to run outside in a park. We both agreed to train together on Fridays after work at the Tan.

However, to ensure I did not disappoint him on Fridays, I started heading out to the Tan after work by myself, running, sometimes stopping.. so walking, then back running again. I did this on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Then came Fridays, which was with Belgian Chocolates.

The first Friday that we ran together was not too bad. He pushed me to run 8kms, without stopping, and even running the incline. Previously, when on my own, I normally walked the incline as it was just too hard. But he pushed me, and so I ran the incline, very slowly. It was a bit of an achievement for me, my first attempt running the incline! HAPPY!

The following week, I ran on Monday, Wednesday (in the friggin' rain) and Thursday alone... 8kms each time, up the incline as well, but I found myself struggling, stopping often, and walking back to the office most of the time. It seemed that the more I trained, the worse I became. The weather did not help, it was freezing cold, it rained, it was busy at work.. I was a wreck. The second Friday came, with Belgian Chocolates, and my legs failed me. I could not run at all. I swear, I nearly broke down in tears at the Tan, while running behind him, trying to keep up. I was able to hold my tears back, to avoid embarrassment. I just did not have the strength at all. It was such a bad week. Reading this article yesterday made me realise that I was not alone. Even Heather wanted to cry in front her personal trainer! I nearly did, too. Oh well, I was crying on the inside.

After that bad week, which was last week, I had a chat about it with Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot. She reminded me that I am in this to enjoy myself, enjoy the run.. being part of a big event. She told me not to stress myself out.. and so I took it easy this time, allowed my legs to recover. I went back to running on the treadmill, which is now much easier for me. I also realised that maybe I should try running outside with some music, since I have always done this on the treadmill. I dug out an ancient iPod Shuffle, and thank god, it still works. I wonder if they still sell this stuff. Haha.

Last Sunday, I told myself, since it was not a working day, I wasn't tired (like how I would feel after work)... I put some new songs on the iPod Shuffle, and I started running outside to my local park. I did 10 laps around the oval, and back. I ran at a very slow pace, but guess what? I was able to keep running without stopping at all. And this was over an hour. My legs felt okay, tired but at least still going. On my way home, Grumpy even drove past me, offering me a lift home in the car. Which I kindly declined! Hehehe. I was proud of myself. Maybe the music does help.

This week is the last week before the event. The run is on Sunday. My (current) boss was saying how empty the Tan was this week (it is normally packed with runners after work). This is because all the runners are resting, conserving energy. I only did one run this week, on Wednesday, alone, with music, 8kms at the Tan, no stopping, and even up two inclines. I really felt good after that. I am in better spirits this week!

I am now ready to take on this 10km challenge on Sunday. I feel like a Rabbid!! Watch this! IT IS SO CUTE!

Wish me luck!!

Nobu

I recently started watching Gossip Girl. I know, I know... I am the only person left in this world, that have not watched this popular and highly addictive TV show yet. Everyone started watching this about 4 or 5 years ago, and here I am.. at the 3rd quarter of 2011, only starting Season 1. I find myself having difficulties discussing this show with anyone at the moment, only because everyone else is now going on to Season 5 and they cannot remember the details of Season 1! Haha. Anyways, the good news is that I finally finished Season 2 today, and the finale was so good! I was nearly in tears when Chuck finally told Blair he loved her! They are by far, my two favourite characters. I texted my friends to say how happy I was by the end of Season 2, and.. my weekend is now complete! Oh god I am a hopeless romantic.

As promised, I wanted to share with you some pictures of when my BFF was here.

At Mamasita's. Straight from the airport.

This is us at Nobu in Crown casino. It was our first time there, and I had pretty high expectations of the place. Again, we are probably 4 years late in trying out this place.. hehe everyone raved about it back then when it first opened. We always found an excuse not to go, but finally when Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot came to visit, I thought 'hmm.. would be good to try Nobu'. 

I don't know, after this Nobu experience, Grumpy and I have come to this conclusion: most of the restaurants in Crown are completely overpriced, overrated and overcrowded. Yup, we are so OVER the restaurants in Crown. The Nobu signature black miso cod was good, but the rest of it was pretty average to me. 

Also, with the last picture, haha.. I must tell you how obsessed I am with miso soup since returning from Japan. I love love love miso soup. I have tried them in many places, and some restaurants do whip them up differently. The most expensive miso soup I had, was at Izakaya Den for $10. It was delisshh, a seafood broth miso, with clams. So when I opened up the menu at Nobu and saw a miso soup for $7.50, I said out loud "I must try the miso soup here!" Much to my disappointed, it was a very ordinary miso soup from a pre-made paste, with two tiny pieces of tofu, and that was IT! Even the complimentary miso soup from my regular sushi place (Sushi Monger) makes better miso soup than this. There goes my $7.50 that I will never get back! 

Okay, apart from the bad miso soup experience, it was still a good night, hanging out with two of my most favourite people. 

Low

Just a quick post to say that I have been caught up with various things, from painting my bedroom to catching up with close friends, to training for the 10km run next month at the Melbourne Marathon. Grumpy informed me about some news over the weekend, and it just annoys and frustrates me when he agrees or commits to things without checking with me first. He has a weakness of not having the ability to say No. I don't know. We have our highs and lows, and lately it has been a lot of lows. Yes its true, I am feeling low. Maybe I should make a trip to the Buddhist monastery this weekend.

On the flip side, I had BFF Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot visit two weekends ago, followed by Little-Miss-Bargain-Hunter here last weekend. Both weekends were awesome and so much fun!

Here is a sneak peek of Little-Miss-Drink-A-Lot and myself at Mamasita. We snacked on their popular chargrilled corns and sipped on margaritas. More photos to come...

Good night...! Tuesday-itis tomorrow!

Hello 29!

I finally celebrated my 29th birthday last Saturday. Unfortunately I had a fight with Grumpy, and so instead of being really happy about my special day, I was sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. Grumpy is pure genius at ruining important milestones. Despite all that, I still thank my lucky stars because I have family and friends wishing me well from everywhere and I know I am still loved... by someone out there. 

Fast forward all the sad stuff, I got some lovely gifts. Grumpy surprised me with an iPad 2. I kind of knew he was going to get me one, and when he handed me a box for my birthday present, and I opened it, it turned out to be a brown box?! I was worried for a minute there that it was not an iPad. But after the brown box, came the Apple box.... So that worked out fine, I guess. My friends the wombats gave me a gift voucher for Endota Spa, which is my all time favourite spa. My brother and his better half surprised me with this Yves Saint Laurent arty oval ring, which I absolutely love! 

                                         

When Grumpy and I were in Japan, I was hunting for a YSL boutique so that I could get one of their arty rings. It was quite a difficult search, because the address was in Japanese, we could hardly figure out where it was, and we were going round in circles. Finally on our last day in Japan, when we were not looking, we actually found a YSL store in Kobe by chance. I was so happy, and they sold the arty rings too! Unfortunately, after the FX conversion, the ring worked out to be really expensive. I did not end up buying the ring, much to Grumpy's annoyance. He insisted I get the ring, as we had travelled all the way to Japan and spent all that time searching for a YSL store, but no, I decided against it. Hey, I was disappointed at that time too. Hehe So when I opened up the little gift box last Saturday, I was very happy indeed!

My old boss Belgian Chocolates surprised me with a copy of my favourite Vogue magazine from France, the special edition for AW11. I also got a nice Helly Hansen polar fleece jumper, which is so nice and soft from Mr Happy. And some other friends gave me a David Jones gift voucher. 

Back to my iPad 2, Grumpy and I got a Telstra mobile broadband SIM card for the iPad so that I can use it in the train or when I travel, which is great! Today he got me this cover which looks kind of dull... but I am thinking this is just temporary, while I look for a nicer more girlie one. 

And tomorrow, I call it my belated birthday present, hehe my darling BFF Little Miss-Drink-A-Lot is coming to Melbourne for 2 nights and we are going to spend some quality time catching up! We have heaps of stuff planned, which includes Mamasita (LOVE!), running at the Tan, facial and massage at Endota Spa and dinner at Nobu. I am so excited!!