It comes too soon, and I haven’t gotten the list of what I want for my birthday done! But ultimately, that’s not important. I have surpass the stage where birthdays no longer come as a surprise package and something to look forward to anymore. The supposedly joyous occasion turns into yet another ordinary day, once again.

Been thinking much lately, and guess what I need most at this very moment is the warmth and comfort of home. I’m missing every one of you already. Counting down till December!

While it took more than several occasions for me to come up with a proper post, I just haven’t been bothered doing so every other time due to hectic schedule. Am already 5th week into my final semester, as we speak and so many things about TR application to deal with. Whatever it takes for me to stay here in Melbourne beyond 2008!

And I’m saying that only because I have to prioritize my own career. It’s been more than a year since I left home to pursue my degree course here in Melbourne and well, life has never been better. Or could it have been the fact that I needed a break so badly from all the series of unfortunate events back home that I find solace here in the windy state of Melbourne, Victoria.

I have come to like this place so much, it hurts to bid farewell when I eventually graduate this December. I can’t even bear thinking of going back home! Or perhaps not so soon? A job here would definitely benefit me so much more, considering the field that I have chosen to spend my entire life in. I have learnt so much more than I ever did throughout the 3 years spent in Limkokwing University of Creative Technoloshit.

Sister was around earlier this month so we were able to celebrate her birthday at VII. Could have been a really good night but drama unfolded so our intoxicated night was cut short and went to Chilli Padi for supper instead. Some family bonding session indeed but the fact that she had to leave came too soon and now I gotta wait for another 3 months till we meet again.

I meant to blog about the Falls Creek ski trip as well as the birthday celebration but that will come soon enough. Just have to offload these pictures taken at VII during the weekend before our ski trip.

VELVET@VII : 19 AUGUST 2008

Cinvin and Jin Yin.

Resh and I.

Matthew, myself and Ivan.

Jin Yin and I.

Together with Pinky, Kah Kit and Jin Yin.

Visitors from Sydney (or was it Perth?)!

Derek and I.

Some magic potion that goes by the name ‘ABC’.

Simon(?), Sara, Pinky, Kah Kit and I.

A group picture outside Chilli Padi before everyone calls it a day… HAH!

I meant to blog but been too busy with the new semester.. Plus I won’t be around throughout the weekend cause I will be heading up to Falls Creek for some snowboarding fun! Wowee! You people have fun and drink responsibly! Will come back with updates and bruises!

From what was supposed to be a proposed toilet break …

… to a durian eating fest! He who burped shan’t be named..

That is right! Barely has it been a month since the first road trip to Penang, we decided to endure the 362km of long windy road once again in return of yet another unforgettable journey! This time around, we had the same people with addition of the whole goatbrothers as part of the convoy. Oh, and how we missed you so, Brother Jit! Next time.. Next time..

After three hours of driving… The pay off!

The famous “family portrait” of Penang trip!

Having learnt the routes from the first Penang trip, we made our way to the island without hassle and Chin, who was already in Penang then led us to our stay of the trip, Stella Maris (again)! With a much bigger group, we had to rent the bungalow unit instead with three big bedrooms to accomodate all eleven of us! The place itself is so spacious and a balcony with the perfect view of the beach.. Yum!

This was where the goatbrothers conduct their “meetings” and … hibernate.

It was a tiring day after a rather long drive from ever so busy Kuala Lumpur, so we decided to retreat to our very own beach and unwound instead. Hehehe well sort of.. The guys were playing soccer beach, screaming their lungs out like retards while the girls just indulged in excessive exposure of vitamin D. And nothing beats a bloody good meal at Gurney Drive after sports! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Reminds you of a scene from the Saw trilogy, no?

It was an early day as we planned on hitting the Feringghi Beach for some water sports! We were dying to indulge in some Penang delicacy as Teng Hann, being the kind tour guide of the day who brought us to some place which serves really good Orh Chien (fried oysters with egg) and Wat Tan Hor (flat noodles with egg sauce)! So good, we wanted more but I think they were closing shop, so we adjourned to our next location for chicken rice! HOU LAN YES AH!

The chicken rice shop itself was quite a walking distance away, as being told but Teng Hann made good use of shortcut alleys that we had no idea of their existence and arrived at our destination in no time! We even passed by this club with the dodgiest name ever… Would you go there to PARTY? :D And of course, what’s a good meal without a fine dessert… CHENDOL somemore!! Daym, this food blogging must really stop cause it’s making me hungry!

The girls with the sand castle props…

… While the rest busy playing volleyball…

…And Vincent spying on foreign chicks! Looked like PIN TAI LOU! HAHAHAHAHA!

HahAHhaHAhaHA pardon the erm… anti-climax by the way. So it was the usual beach outing with lots of sunshine absorbed and salty sea water consumed through my nose. Cough cough.. Thank goodness the weather was perfect, sipping on ice cold beer and listening to favourite trance anthems on my PSP as we lied down by the beach. HOU LAN YES AH!

The ladies who never seem to shy away from the cameras!

Then there were the ones who shamelessly asked me to take picture of.

This picture never fails to crack me up. Some real Kodak moments.

Not all guys are always that manly.. Eugene and Vincent make a good couple, IMO.

Can I hear you people say, “AWWWWWWWW!” Joel playing sand castle all by himself..

Some thought they’d get away from their scandalous acts while everyone else was busy..

It’s fun to stay at the …. WHYYYYY-AMMMMM-SEEEE-EHHHH??

The blokes. Some available, some not. Please inquire within!

The ladies. SORRY, ALL NOT AVAILABLE! NO FURTHER QUESTIONS WELCOMED!

The Penang convoy. The ones who made this trip a very much enjoyable one!

And so came the night. William brought us to a place which reminded me much of our very own SS2 Wai Sik Kai but obviously, the food served was much better! Like hello? You’re stuffing yourself silly with food originated from the very same place itself! Everyone was too busy eating to even take pictures of our silly faces. Yums!

The mandatory picture of the Raining Trio!

ANCHOR STRONG! Where is my AH MAH LENG THONG!?

With only hours remaining till the next day we drive home, some probably thought they were spared from drinking after an initial proposal from one of the godbrothers. Boy, were they wrong cause the godbrothers came with almost a carton of beer! The very same night we were taught the “traditional” method of drinking off the bowl, hence the AH MAH LENG THONG (mommy’s great homemade soup).

Surely did sound like an easy task, but NO! As soon as your lips touches the bowl, that’s when you are suppose to GULP DOWN the whole bowl of beer in ONE single attempt! There’s no running away or second attempt, else fear the deadly wrath of the godbrothers with much worse tormenting drinking games. HOU LAN YES AH!

The last day actually came too soon and we weren’t ready to bid farewell for the second time in such a short time. William brought us to the nearby food court for one last time of sinful indulgence before taking the ferry back to the mainland. Hehehehe jakuns, we are.

I can firmly say that this Penang trip has got to be the BEST, ever! Probably for a very long time. Times like these make me realize how blessed I am having surrounded by such beautiful friends. Thank you so much for the kind hospitality, William and also the godbrothers! Couldn’t have asked for more! And what a PERFECT company I was together with throughout the trip.

Pardon me but I’m currently listening to Oceanlab’s debut album and this very particular track Ashes is making me feeling all emo! *Sob sob* Beautiful album indeed, just as expected from my trio idol, Above & Beyond!

So, that’s it! Another chapter closed! Penang, we shall come again this end year!!