On one of my voyages to Melbourne city during my first week in Australia, I hit up the ever-popular Southbank aka Crown Entertainment Complex.

Heard so much about it prior to my arrival, and now, I'm right in the heart of its vicinity.

The sights are even prettier at night all lit up!

 

I could still remember being like a little kid lost in the big city on my first day in Melbs.

But thankfully, a few awesome people showed me around…

 

Aunt Ket included! She brought me ALL around Melb city 

 

At Melbourne Central.

 

It had a Metro Train beneath the mall! Wait a sec — I shouldn't be surprised. There's an LRT Train underneath our famed KLCC Twin Towers too.

 

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Shopping at FCUK. Gawd I love this brand. Nice play of the acronym too

 

Always works for me! (Besides the gym, of course)

 

We kept walking and Aunt Ket wanted to bring me to a picturesque spot on top of Burke Street Mall (or was it still Melbourne Central? I don't recall) to take pretty photos of the city from an aerial view.

And so we went to this rooftop garden!

 

So pretty!

 

I also reckon it's a place where heat is conserved at an optimum temperature for the plants.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt so warm! Almost like in Malaysia hehe.

 

Part of the city on a Saturday afternoon

 

We just kept exploring the city until evening. 

Oh and, funny how the sun begins to set around 5.30pm in Australia!

 

And by the time it hits 6.30pm, it'll be dark already

 

Nawwww horses along the streets of Melbourne!

 

There were horse carriages around. Just like the olden days.

I didn't ride it for some reason; reckon it probably costs a bomb 

 

Liquor shop!

 

Oh sorry, I forgot to warn you about this PG-13 photo,

Too bad you've already seen it!

 

Shotbuckets on sale! Perfect for parties.

 

Tried on a coat with busy motifs. Liked it. Didn't like it

Liked it again. Changed my mind. Liked it again. But didn't buy it

 

Stopped to grab a lunch break!

 

Continued walking till we reached Southbank.

So pretty, right? T'was a great idea to go just before sunset.

 

Breathtaking

 

 

 

 

By the time we crossed the bridge to the other side, we were greeted by lots of buskers!

Some were singing, dancing, painting, juggling and all sorts of different things

 

Impressive street art!

 

Sat down inside Crown Entertainment Complex to have dinner

 

Yes, if you're wondering, that's all I'm having for dinner

 

Can't help that the Australian currency is triple times that of mine. 

How sad! It sucks always feeling like a pauper overseas. I finally how it feels like to be poor. 

 

Artsy shot

 

 

 

And before we realized it, it was nightfall

 

We were just in time for the fire flamethrower show!

 

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Southbank boasts a display of flames every weekend at a specific time. I think I was there at 8pm? It lasts for about 10 minutes, tops.

Yeah, if you're ever in town, try to catch it with your very own eyes!

 

Here's a short snippet of it.

 

The heat was so intense at some points that you can feel a very mild burning sensation!

Everybody (especially tourists) stopped and watched it in awe

 

Just a nice silhouette

 

Southbank was buzzing with people even late at night!

Now that's what I'm talking about

 

Lovely sights!

 

Stopped by the bridge to take picture but was constantly photobombed by drunk boys 

OMG leave me alone! They insisted a picture anyhow. Reminds me of what one of my readers once commented, "You always seem to attract weird men huh" LOL. That made me laugh!!! 

 

ZOMG! Trying not to ruin my smile.

Ok photo over. You can go now kthxbai

 

Gave up trying to take a solo picture as they wouldn't leave me alone unless I joined their nightly drunken crusades or left the spot.

Obviously, I politely declined their offer with an awkward smile and chose the latter. We adjourned home soon after. Phew.

 

Back at Flinders Street Station

 

So that was my 12 hour day out at the city.

Didn't feel so lost anymore when I went downtown again the following weekend!

 

Can't wait to go back. Countdown: 55 days! 

 

Couldn't help but to blog this unfortunate "incident" which happened to us this afternoon.

Well, it happened to Alex's car, to be exact. I was glad I filmed the entire rescue process, because whilst I was editing and piecing the video together, it was actually a bunch of very funny moments.

 

We went to Cleefy's house for a barbeque-cum-houseparty yesterday, stayed the night…

and this was what we saw the next morning

 

Holy smokes. Car tyres stuck in the mud. It was bogged!

What are we gonna do??? 

 

Here's a funny video I made. You MUST watch it till the end!

How to Rescue or Get Your Car Out When it is Stuck in Mud 101

 

Funny thing is, why does this always happen to Aussies?

My other mate Deanna had almost the entire front of her car dipped in mud and it was stuck in it overnight, last month.

 

Thankfully, a bunch of strong men helped her get it out.

 

So, now you know what to do when it is stuck in mud, okay?

Wait for a random old man to appear and adhere to his wise words.

 

Kidding! Just make sure you have a strong nylon rope/cord with you. For you never know when your car is ever going to get stuck in mud.

Or wear a sexy blue underwear for added masculinity while rescuing the car.

 

Hey, it works both ways

 

Being here in Australia for the past half a year (well, almost) and considerably one of the only Asians within my bunch of mates had led me to see Asian stereotypes in a much clearer picture.

Try being a "victim" of their racist jokes LOL. But rest assure, my mates mean well, after all we do occasionally throw racist remarks around at each other anyway.

 

I never really understood Asian stereotypes previously, but now I do – at my expense, of course! -__-"

So I've compiled a list for no good reason. Here's the ones I recall :

1. You can afford to be cute, 'cos you're Asian.

 

 

So one evening when I was taking a break from final exam revisions, I decided to procrastinate to do something a little more interesting.

Which somehow, led me to play with my hair and I tied up 2 tiny pigtail buns at the top of my head.

The moment I came out to the lounge room looking like that my mates were gushing about how "cute" I looked tonight and one of them said, "Yeah, she can afford to be cute, she's Asian".

 

Right. Thanks.

2. You know the exact moment when the rice is cooked, 'cos you're Asian

 

 

My mates were trying to cook rice for dinner and couldn't tell whether or not if the rice was cooked or ready to be eaten yet.

"Why don't you as ask Jess? She's Asian; she will know"

 

Thanks again.

Try putting it in your mouth instead of asking Jess?

 

3. You must have some herbal remedies/medicines, 'cos you're Asian

 

One of my mates was having a splitting headache and/or cough-flu-fever if I remember correctly

"Go ask Jess for some herbal remedy for your sore throat, she's Asian, she would know"

 

Sorry wrong number, no I don't.

Go swallow a bucket of Strepsils kthxbai.

 

 

4. You might kill me with your kung-fu, 'cos you're Asian

 

 

We were all fooling around one day and were talking about self-defense and martial arts

"Don't piss Jess off, she's Asian and she might kill you with her kung-fu"

 

I may not know kung-fu, but I jolly well know Imma kick you in

the groins if I hear another Asian stereotype

 

 

5. Your eyes must be small and slitty-slanty, 'cos you're Asian.

Long, long time ago when I first arrived all dressed up and fashionably dolled up .. etc, I overheard someone say, "I don't think she's Asian. Asians have black hair… hers is red and her eyes are huge". Firstly, haven't you heard of hair dye?

 

What a wanker. If I don't look Asian, what do I look like? Dumbfug.

 

Also, many a time when my mates and I were randomly talking, about racial heritages, languages or countries and such, I usually get a random remark like this, "You know, Jess. Your eyes are pretty huge for an Asian" Right… thanks a lot.

 

Konzy trying to make me look more Asian than I already am

But but…. I'm NOT your slitty-slanty eyed Asian girl

 

 

6. You must be good at Math, 'cos you're Asian

 

 

My mates and I were at a restaurant eating dinner and we each wanted to calculate how much we were supposed to pay, per person.

What's $78.95 divided by 6? Don't know… "Ask Jess to count, she should be good at it 'cos she's Asian"

 

Look, try a calculator next time?

It sure knows the exact amount, but it isn't Asian.

 

 

7. You must be a spy from Beijing, 'cos you're Asian.

 

Yes because I'm out to get White Capitalist scumbags like you.

 

Watch out, I can see you with my small slit eyes! I will throw chopsticks at you and bury you alive with my MahJong tiles.

All in all, it's funny actually, in the name of a good laugh! Stereotypes are meant to be funny, so laugh at yourselves and think up some White stereotypes to poke back at them the next time you're made fun of

In the meantime, make me a cup of Chinese Tea. Also…

 

BRING HONOUR TO YOUR FAMILY AND MARRY A RICH TYCOON!

Why? Well, simply because… you're Asian.

 

As you fabulous peeps would've already known, I've been in Sydney for the Easter break

Took a million photos throughout the week -as usual,  I hope I won't take forever again to blog the whole thing!

 

Walked by the Queen Victoria Building early in the morning

 

Was supposed to wait for my cousins to meet me but couldn't seem to find them anywhere!

 

So I walked and walked the streets of Sydney… taking in all that this city has to offer.

It was huge and busy for such an early hour! I had to drag meself outta bed to even make my way to the city this morning.

 

T'was a slightly wet morning, with the pitter-patter of the drizzle from above

 

I've noticed how certain city centers like Melbourne, Singapore and Sydney has immense volume of pedestrians crossing every other street. Especially when the lights at the zebra crossing turns green, a human stampede will follow thereafter.

Unlike Kuala Lumpur back at home, where everyone pretty much cross the roads anytime they want LOL

 

The city dwellers scurrying for shelter!

 

I soon got tired of roaming around aimlessly after taking pictures of random things and talking to random people.

So I retreated back to where I was supposed to meet my couzzies -

 

At the famous Town Hall steps! (it kinda looks like an ancient temple from this angle LOL)

Apparently, that's the common meeting place for everyone

 

 

So I waited for a bit and finally found them!

Couldn't recognize them at first. Bear in mind that I've not seen them in AGES. Like, really… in 16 years!

 

And they're already in their 30s while I'm still in my 20s. But we clicked instantly

Bernice & Kenneth are my eldest cousins btw (and I'm the youngest!)

 

They took me to where Uncle Shen and Auntie Julie were waiting for us.

As we walked, I couldn't help but to take more pictures of the sights I saw!

 

Ohhh lookie! It's the statue of Queen Victoria!

She was the longest serving monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the 17th century

 

Right behind her, I saw a tiny statue of a dog by a fountain.

And that's when I met Ivan. Yes, say hello to Ivan the talking dog.

 

Make a wish & throw a coin in the well after talking to him

 

When the couzzies told me that he was a talking dog, I scoffed and took it with a pinch of salt.

So I went right up to him and said, "HELLLLOOO" for no reason

 

 

but had a shock of my life when that solitary statue responded to my greeting

Hence, the expression.

 

So Ivan told me his name, introduced himself to me and

went on about something which I don't quite recall anymore.

 

What can I say? I was still flabbergasted with what hit me, as I didn't expect it at all.

So yeah, the poor dog went on talking to someone who wasn't exactly listening LOL

 

Guilty as charged But if you wanna listen to Ivan talk, he can be found along George Street

 

I soon found out that my uncle and aunt were waiting for us inside Queen Victoria Building.

Grrrr. I walked past that place agazillion times earlier just then; could've just gone inside!

 

Here I am again!

 

it was very, very pretty inside… and humongous too!

Lotsa boutiques, novelty shops, deli's and the like

 

I smell…. shopping!

Haha. No time for that now, for we're about to go sight-seeing immediately after meeting up. It's off to the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Darling Habour, Chinatown and more!

More of that in the next blog-episode of this Sydney trip.

 

Oh but before I go, imma leave you with a fairly interesting (but offensive to some)

street art behind a STOP sign in the city.

 

And no, Christ, your penis won't be able to fit in the nail-hole of your palm unless you're well… diminutive in size.

Not that I would know, but hey, I'm just saying