Lights! Camera! Action!

A new season begins! Looks like it's time for every fashion apparel to showcase their elaborate new designs; marking the start of a new look they bring to their pretty display windows.

In the 1st quarter of the year, I had the pleasure of attending Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)'s Fashion Week. Watched models strut down the runway donning new Spring/Summer collections of various brands!

My plus one and I 

We adjourned to the city on a rainy Thursday night to witness KLCC Fashion Week: Spring/Summer edition! 

When we arrived, the entire concourse was filled with guests and other shoppers/passers-by congregating around the concourse & even on all the floors above us!

Looks like everyone's all ready to watch this season's new collection from various high street brands!

TheJessicat wears:

Tribal motif dress by Miss Selfridge | Black Sheer Stockings by S O X W O R L D | 

Pig-skin stilettos by Pedro | Shoulder handbag by Burberry

Konzy and I at our seats

The dazzling stage set-up!

Invited to enthral invited guests, the very first Malaysia idol,

Jaclyn Victor took to the stage and belted out some fabulous renditions of popular songs

She ended her session with her winning song off Malaysian Idol, 'Gemilang'. 

For my non-Malaysian readers, this translates to 'Glory', 'victory' of that sort. How apt, ey?

The bevy of models made their appearance; and sashayed to the top of the stage

They the disappeared behind the stage and soon began their catwalk.

Ready for some swagger? 😀

A brightly coloured & casual piece by Timberland!

This smart-casual look by one of the GPS brands – Graffi Tee

A more flamboyant piece by GPS – Philosophy Men!

Lovin' the prints 

A demure & sweet get-up by another one of the GPS brands – Salabianca!

Check out this colourful, gorgeous pair of platform stiletto sling-backs by Steve Madden!

I fell head over HEELS upon seeing them 

Once a Skechers owner, always a Skechers owner!

These bright red runners are fit for every sporty occasion

Another pair of pretty casual chunky heels – by Nine West!

Bright green – perfect for making a statement 🙂

Here's something I found more floral and feminine – by Charles & Keith!

This brand is one of my favorites!

The last I checked, I have 10 pairs of Charles & Keiths already 

Here's a closer look!

So pretty, no? 

I'm digging this really fashionable & sporty wear by Reebok!

What I'd wear to the gym, for sure 

How can you miss a beachy-looking pair of boardshorts for summer?

Here's a look by TYR 🙂

How about this retro-hipster get up by Giordano?

Something out of the ordinary to spruce up the season! 

Wanna join the flock who flies for the summer?

The Travel Store can take you round the world in their comfy, snug travel gear!

Cute! Something funky by Cache Cache! 

Here's something a little more bold & rugged – by Replay!

I'm taking a liking towards this denim vest 

Attending a summer ball? or a summer event?

Marks & Spencer offers this lovely long block-coloured maxi dress 

Who says Ripcurl only prides themself on surfer-wear/swimwear?

He's looking pretty damn smart in this outfit. Hubba hubba! 

One of my all-time favorite brands – tattoo inspired & rocker fashion label, Ed Hardy!

Just throw in a Harley Davidson and it will be complete 

Go classy & formal during the summer with Banana Republic!

A staple in my own wardrobe, check out this smart-casual look by GAP!

Fancy something sporty & casual?

Check out PUMA's range of sports & lifestyle apparel

Something for every biker enthusiast out there,

Harley Davidson's range of biker-style clothing comes with a kick-ass attitude!

Speaking of Harley Davidsons, I've experienced a phenomenal afternoon with the wicked choppers & riders of Harley Davidson Malaysia that I have yet to blog about.

Expect the post to be published some time this week! 😀

Even kids aren't missing out in KLCC fashion week.

Look at this adorable & smart fashion get-up by Poney!

The crowd practically enthused so much over this little blonde lad 

Take a look at this fairy-inspired bright purple dress by Party Princess!

Great for all little aspiring fashionistas out there 😀

This brings me back in time – toddler/pre-teen/tween label, GIRLS!

I used to wear GIRLS in elementary school 

After 24 high-street label/fashion brands were paraded on the runway for the night, all the models catwalked in unison and showcased the brands one last time 🙂

Front View

Back View!

Couldn't help gushing about how adorable this looked 😀

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!

One final photo op! 😀

Tonight was a delightful display of various brands in KLCC for Spring/Summer season 

I had a wonderful time checking out what each brand had to offer. Bought some of my favorites too!

Was ushered to 'The Apartment' KLCC for some delicious refreshments after the fashion show

Thank you KLCC for a lovely evening!

Keep up the spirit of bringing fashion-forward apparels  

Sorry for the tardiness of this post!

It was stuck in my drafts for a couple of months now

Yes, as the title mentioned, I did something I didn't even expect myself to do!

What, go visit an abandoned Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine existing since the year 1865 (which I assume is now somewhat haunted), play with fire  there and almost detoured to a cemetery? Geez. Sometimes I shock myself silly.

—————-

BUT FIRST!

I just had to tell you something, especially to all the artsy-fartsy freaks and creative heads out there!

I spotted a campaign about Nescafe Chill Lah on ChurpChurp and….. *drumroll*

Nescafe is giving away 10,000 bucks to someone who best designs their Nescafe tin-can! 

On top of getting that mighty ten grand, the winner will get their design featured on limited edition Nescafe cans nationwide! Finally know how it's like to have your own design on a tin can that everyone across the country will drink from, ey? 

Pretty damn cool, if I say so myself. I'd be so proud! So get your creative juices flowing & submit your designs.

Check out their Facebook page here for more deets 

—————–

So it all began with an impromptu picnic trip my mates and I decided to make on a sunny afternoon

Roadtrip, babeh!

With the days and nights always being less than 10°C everyday, it was such a rare occurrence that we *actually* had full-blown sunshine! So excited. But it was still cold as ever, despite the sun!

Ranga quickly suggested a picnic trip and we were all hey ho, let's go! 

Clear blue skies ahead!

Geez it's so sunny!

And of all days, I forgot all about my sunglasses 🙁 Sigh!

Yes I'm trying hard not to squint.  >____<

Konzy took the easy way out; he shut his eyes instead! 😀

En route to Wallhalla!

How much further?

Our hungry tummies decided we stop by Bert Christensen Reserve in La Trobe City to eat.

If I recall correctly, t'was already 4pm at the time.

Lush green blanket of grass!

But no, we're not sitting on it.

We had KFC to-go, mashed potatoes, popcorn chicken, fries and coke

Yeah yeah, I know it wasn't what you would expect of a conventional picnic.

With the checked tablecloth to lay on the grass, woven baskets containing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, apples, a jar of lemonade and homemade muffins. Oh and a pet dog.

So it wasn't like this

Nor was it like this

AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT LIKE THIS

Although we ate the same KFC Bucket 

So anyway! After eating, we continued our journey up to Walhalla's famous Gold Mine

We're driving along the top of the hill now!

At the end of this post, you'll see a night view taken from the exact same spot

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.

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Okay I changed my mind. What? I'm a woman; I'm entitled to change my mind.

 I couldn't wait. I'll show it to you now LOL 😛 😛

I shot this while we were on our way home after everything was over!

Okay, pause right there. Back on rewind.

Where was I?

Oh, right. In the car on the way to Walhalla.

Roadtrip was kinda long, so we all spent our time chatting and camwhoring 😀

And we had arrived our destination! It was pretty damn quiet; just as I expected.

It's an abandoned Gold Mine after all, standing as one of the richest mines in the early 19th century.

Although quiet, it wasn't deserted.

Whee! I went up there to check out the view

In the background : Walhalla Star Hotel

Quite a peaceful little town

There was a creek right below the bridge too

I turned around and Konzy was taking piccies of the stream

And he took a piccie of me too! 

We were all curious and began to explore Walhalla's grounds; reading about its history too.

Here's a tiny cottage bearing words from the Walhalla Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine management.

Read if you can. If not, don't bother squinting your eyes.

It's just some information on its tourism and slight bit of history.

Before we knew it, the sun had already set.

Spooky trees. Melikes.

 hoodies.

When it was dark, we all congregated by our cars and began talking a whole load of crap.

Oddly enough, we fooled around suggesting that we do something daring.

Such as visiting a graveyard or climbing over zinc barricades into the Gold Mine.

Har har har. Funny? Just you wait.

Little did I know that they *actually* meant what they said

T__________T

So off we went into the deep dark terrains of the abandoned mine.

I ain't no wuss or anything but seriously? Going to creepy places in the dead of the night? Geez! 

Don't remind me.

They even scared themselves silly! There was this inanimate mannequin placed right at the opening of those iron bars. The moment you flash your torchlight, that mannequin will flash before your eyes.

Yikes. Nasty, I'm lucky I wasn't the one who saw it lest I shit myself!!! 

BOOOOOOO YAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! 

Hahhahhaa. Naw. That's not an apparition. It's an actual person 😛

It's Alex coming outta the mine because as far as they went inside, there were metal bars there.

AWWWWW. TOO BAD.

MIssion aborted.

But guess what we did instead???? 

Yup yup! Fire twirling 😀 😀 😀

I can proudly say I have did something beyond ordinary on my 22nd birthday.

Went to an abandoned Gold Mine, climbed into a restricted area and played pyromaniac for the night – fire twirling is fun (and dangerous!) I felt #likeaboss. 

The fire-twirling was all thanks to Mossy!

He's the fire-twirler among us.

I love his deft skills when he juggled and spun the flaming staff around effortlessly. Heck, he even took a gulp of petrol and fire-breathed into the air! Now, that's what I call wicked.

Me? Oh. Well. I'm no expert, I swear.

Just trollin' around & having fun 😀 Teehee.

Don't agitate me… or I'll set your house on fire.

 I be kidding!!

In the end, we finally climbed out from the forbidden zone and went back home.

And no, thankfully we did not end up going to the cemetary *wipes sweat* PHEWW!!!!!! 😛 😛

One of the most memorable birthday experiences, I daresay.

You only live once. So make sure you do the extreme 😉

Aight, I'm outta here! 

Yupyup, I haven't been updating for 3 days just because I've been too occupied!

But yeah, here's a recap on the stuff that I've been up to ever since my comeback.

1. Hennessy Artistry event at Sixty9ine Mansion @ Batu Fehringgi, Penang

Spent time with the homies and partied the skies down.

2. Being able to wear my summer clothes again after freezing myself silly during Australian winter

Just because it's ALWAYS SUMMER IN MALAYSIAAAAAAA!!! 😀 😀

No more being all wrapped up in thick jumpers, overcoats and woolly boots! 😀 

Spent time with thefockers at home & during mealtimes too!

3. Spent some girlytime and did heaps of catching up with the bestie Joyce

The BFFs reunites!  Best Friends since the beginning of college days and counting!

Chilling|Shopping|Starbucks|Hangin' out – Just like old times!

4. Spent time hangin' out with Konzylove

Being with each other all the time online; thank Science for technology! Countdown : 63 more days 

5. Ate so much local food you have no idea.

AND NOT HAVING TO PAY OVER 50 BUCKS IN MY CURRENCY FOR MY OWN LOCAL FOOD!

Nasi Lemak? Hell yeaaaaaaahh 

Feels great to be back; but still anticipating my return to Ozzie nonetheless 

I must admit that when I first arrived in Melbourne, I had a pretty hard time adapting to the weather.

It was temperamental and yet excruciatingly cold when the sun sets!

They say its very likely to experience 4 seasons in ONE DAY. That's how unpredictable it is.

The sun shines brightly during the day but the cold wind is enough to give you chills anytime

And you call that Summer? Yeah, I arrived in mid February – when it was in the middle of Summer.

I'm sorry, if ya think Australian Summer this year is anything remotely close to any other day in Malaysia, you're terribly wrong.

You would never want to be caught dead outdoors in the early mornings

it's FREEEEEEZING!

As mentioned, it's not too bad during the day but being typical Malaysian, I'm so used to wearing very

little clothes that I actually forget about how cold it is outside

A random mini green pinecone we found.

Whose palm is that btw?

 I spend the days indoors with my housies in the West

And my mates from the house next door!

Always up for a drink or two!

As fun as it is in the West, I spend more of my time in South now

I'm glad to have made an awesome bunch of friends there. Love them much!

The route between West rez & South rez

Sunny days for the Summer, but it never gets anything close to 25 degrees celcius

Chilling by South 9's porch

At the uni lounge deck with some of my mates!

From L-R : Levan, Todd, Devin and Deanna

Without realizing it, the days of Summer are over and we are now in the midst of Autumn.

The leaves on the trees has turned yellow in preparation to fall

Bright yellow, vermilion orange and deep, scarlet reds beautifully scattered on the ground

Different trees shed their leaves at different times.

This tree, for example, was a tad late in joining the rest of his kind, but boasts a beautiful, burgundy hue.

Walking by this tree after classes, I can't help but to stop in my tracks

and admire Mother Nature's wonder

One morning, as the sunlight peeped through my window and in the near distance, I spotted a tree with bright red leaves.

Seeing that red is my favorite colour and the fact that I never once noticed this tree just outside my rez, I whipped out my camera and bolted through the door in my pyjamas.

Excuse the straight-out-of-bed face and hair!

I just had to take a picture with it immediately 😀

Here it is again. The rare, bright red ones standing out from the crowd.

Be inspired. I know I am.

As of now, it is nearing towards the end of Autumn and we are expecting Winter to arrive soon.

The days are even colder than before and the nights bring frost to the grass and mist to our mouths.

Every night hits below 5 degrees celcius and I spend all my time right in front of the heater now.

The roaring warmth helps to keep me from freezing my arse off.

Branches are left bare and empty for Winter

No wonder it's so cold. You can actually feel the chill in the air. I soon found out that it was already snowing at Bendigo, some 4 hours away.

I can't wait for my snowboarding, skiing and tobogganing trip up Mount Baw Baw with my mates in late June when the blanket of snow are inches and inches thick!

Here's to hoping it will snow in Melbourne city or Gippsland too! 😀

Not that I intend to freeze or frostbite myself to death, but simply because I've never seen snow before in my entire life!

Okay this post was actually scheduled to be up 3 weeks ago!

But for some reason, it decided to go bonkers. So just imagine you are reading this like waaaayyyy before today.

You know how advertisements about universities always try to depict some form of "excellence" or "condusive study environment" and the like?

The usual pin-ups of students posing all-so-serious in the library, in the science lab or on the grass?

Looks like they weren't kidding.

Because here in Australia, it really is a real-life scenario

In Malaysia, to be honest, no one sits on the grass to study or even hang out.

Probably there will be a handful of white people doing so occasionally. But apart from that, people usually keep off our grass.

Not that there's anything wrong with our grass or that it is layered with pesticide or something.

It's just not our culture to sit on the grass – I presume. Most of us would just hang out at the uni cafe, uni lounge or even the library.

May the people who never had their asses on university grass before,

come sit and pose for an obligatory photo

Look ma, I'm sitting on the grass!

The university grass!

I gotta admit, we find it pretty queer to do that when there are plenty of vacant seats around.

But as they say – when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Australia, in this case.

During orientation break. Meet my new friend, Anne from Germany.

I can't pronounce her last name so just 'Anne' will do for now 🙂

Fellow Malaysians on exchange!

We were treated to a hot pancake breakfast, giant muffins and hot chocolate/coffee.

Hmm.. anything to make us feel welcome I guess? 🙂

At night, we all headed to the glorious Queen Victoria Market.

We were pretty lucky as it was summer when we arrived.

I hear that there was a night festival of food, culture and music ONLY during the summer nights.

It reminded of our 'pasar malam' back in Malaysia.

Our night markets often comprise food and cheap shopping

Here we are inside the night market!

Fellow exchange students from Malaysia, Canada, Germany and local Ozzies

I loved what I saw.

There were international food all over the place and so many things to buy!

Some form of Mediterranean food

A rather icky pig head on display.

If I didn't love meat so much, I'd turn vegan the moment I saw this photo

Okay here's a cute picture to erase any recollection of the pig head.

MUPPETS ON SALE!!! AWWWWWWWWW

Apart from eating and shopping, we even sampled Yellow Tail wine!

Yup, there was a free tasting session. And I must say, it's pretty damn good.

There were many flavours, but I loved 3 of it only.

They are Moscato, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

ommmnomnom wine.

The very next day!!

A short city tour – of which I have already explored in this post. Remember? 🙂

Excited exchange students from all over the world

Made some new friends, Lisa and Adam

Went to Federation Square and walked down some steps which I never knew existed beforehand!

Down down down to a scenic riverside bar.

Yarra River!

And the off to Chinatown for dinner!

Was pretty strange that I came all the way to Australia – to eat Asian food.

But hey, there were heaps!!

In most parts of the city or even suburbs like Glen Waverly or Boxhill, there are Asian food aplenty.

But when I'm here, I tend to avoid Asian food like the plague because it would feel so silly to eat something which I can easily have back home in Malaysia for a huge fraction of the price!! Like, one plate of noodles here would cost me 15 $AUD = 45 Ringgit Malaysia when I could pay 5 Ringgit Malaysia for the exact same thing.

YOU TELL ME. MY WALLET PAIN… OR NOT?

After dinner, we chilled out at Emerald Peacock

It's a really pretty rooftop bar! 🙂

Now, if only the view wasn't blocked by so many high-rise buildings, it would be perfect.

With Lina. She bought me this drink! Ommnomnom

On my way back home. I bought a pie from PieFace for supper because I thought the waiter was cute as! And also because I was hungry duh

So! Orientation Week in Monash Clayton campus went pretty swell for the international students.

They made sure we are well-informed of the culture and how to get around town before we all seperated into our campuses.

Oh and… I'M SITTING ON THE GRASS!

(which reminds me, the last time I sat on the grass was when this photograph was taken)