Hi guys! How’s it going?

Popping in to share my thoughts on a recent situation and habit I’ve decided to adopt.

I’ve been toying around with the idea of taking public transportation every day for work, to and fro. But alas, this thought never came to fruition. Whether it was procrastination, or being so pampered by the convenience of my car and ride sharing services, I simply never got round to it.

So last week, it finally happened.

Read on, to find out how this public transport newbie survived her first week!

Oh hey! It's the month of June already.

If you ask me, this year flew by really swiftly. Before I knew it, we're already almost halfway into the year 2013. 

Where did all the time go?

Hmmm… maybe getting starting my new job made me feel like time had fleeted by so fast.

Cold days at work. When the advertising industry debilitates me whole by the end of the day, all I can do is to curl up with my fave mug of hot chocolate

As keeping busy takes up most of my time, my days aren't as dreary and long as it would probably feel if I were to be jobless or bored at home with absolutely nothing to do. To be honest, I do miss being bored sometimes. 

I could only wish for more hours in my day. 

My life is so fast-paced, especially this year, that I don't even have the time to feel bored anymore! 

Masaku betul2 berlalu dengan laju sangat. Alangkah baiknya jika kita mempunyai lebih masa setiap hari? Katakanlah 30 jam sehari berbanding dengan hanya 24 jam. Lebih banyak kerja yang dapat diselesaikan dalam satu hari dan perkara akan dilakukan secara jauh lebih berkesan, kan?

Ahhh, wishful thinking at best. 

Anyway, this week was relatively mundane with a sprinkle of colour towards the weekend. Okay, recap! 

Daily trainings and awesome post-workout meals.

It was upper body: chest, shoulders, back and arm day

Made organic fusilli pasta bake with honey glazed eggplant, carrots & tomato,

tossed with grapeseed oil, basil and cottage cheese.

Rolled wholegrain oats with soy milk, banana slices and golden kiwi

Organic brown rice with chicken chunks, button mushrooms & flax seeds,

steamed in spring onion, garlic-ginger-onion-herb paste made from scratch! 

Tonight's outfit of the day.

Was invited to Longchamp Paris' Exclusive Preview of their Fall/Winter collection.

Full blog feature soon!

May 29, 2013 | Amazing new release by #Longchamp #Paris! Here are my favorites from their 2013 Fall/Winter collection! ❤ by imthejessicat on Keek.com

Randomly, just randomly, I'm vaguely aware of how my sense of dressing has mellowed so much. Ugh.

Although sexy tops, tight skirts, mini dresses and belly bearing tops still appeal to me, I noticed a paradigm shift in my taste in clothing as of late – probably since the beginning of the year. I have to admit, this "change" scares me a little.

I think this means I'm succumbing to the ravages of time and age. OH NO. 

Aku rase aku sekarang nih dah makin tua.  Jadi, tidak hairanlah apabila aku semakin berpaling kepada cara berpakaian yang lebih klasik ataupun sedikit sebanyak konservatif, jika berbanding dengan fesyen yang biasanya aku dilihat memakai.

Nowadays, classy high-cut tops, demure outfits, long dresses, classic, elegant pieces and the corporate OL (office lady) look strikes my fancy. Umm. really Jess, since when?

What happened to that wild, partygirl look you often portray? 

Date night out in the city. We chose El Cerdo KL Spanish Restaurant, Changkat Bukit Bintang

We had tapas. Gambas Al AjilloCalamares (above) and A La Plancha (below)

Loved its freshness and mild but delightful flavours!

★★★★★

May 30, 2013 | #Night outs! #Dinner in the #city. Drinks by the #bar ❤ by imthejessicat on Keek.com

We also met up with some friends for a bit of Wednesday night partying 

One person is missing from the picture! I guess I'll have to photoshop bestiePam's head in LOL

Bumped into an old friend, Anu, from Penang!

We were squash players back in high school

Excuse my vanity. I don't usually have the time to doll up 

Take two.

I have a new addition to my arsenal of gadgets now. Say hello to my new sexy white thing.

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Camera 

Fancy some cat pictures for the start of the week?

What you are about to see is my furkid, Chivas, in compromising positions

The weekends finally loomed closer; about time it did!

Friday night saw me packing my bags and heading up to Ipoh to spend some time with the family for the weekend.

We had a sumptous family feast. Japanese dinner at

Zento Sushi @ Festival Walk which left us full to the brim and beyond satisfied.

★★★★★

Full blog feature/review coming soon!

Being away for the weekend didn't deter me from carrying out my routines.

Here's a makeshift circuit I did at the porch of my home.

Oh, this Ipoh trip marked my first time boarding the Electric Train Service (ETS) from KL Sentral Railway Station.

I came to a conclusion that I didn't want to drive two hours to Ipoh and another two hours back. I just can't be bothered, really.

The train ride was incredibly smooth and gave me a pleasant experience!

It was punctual – arriving on the dot!

The carriages/coaches were clean, spacious, comfortable and had on-board entertainment (hurray for Mr. Bean!) to boot.

Instead of spending a taxing two hours squinting into the distance when I drive at night and speeding (being me, admittedly) down the highway at 140km/h, all I had to do was to get to the railway station, board the train, pop up my laptop and do my work or leisure for the entire two hours.

Arriving with zero stress.

Sounds like a much better option, no doubt! 

Thumbs up to Malaysian public transportation! 

Architecture-wise, I was pretty impressed by how the railway station looked.

Fringing the railway tracks were high-rise horseshoe and orgee arches plastered in white. It had this British heritage look and feel to it.

You know the concept of crisp-looking whitewashed buildings of moorish designs, pairs of columned porches, symmetrical windows flanking the main, arched entrances?

Yeah the whole train station boasted that entire notion; and I loved it.

It felt as though I was stepping out of the Hogwarts Express train into London's King's Cross railway station.

Before I got too carried away in my reverie, I stopped myself from running into the wall in hopes of traversing into a secret, hidden platform to Hogwarts HAHAHA.

I'm deluded like that.

On our way to the Ipoh Railway Station

Jun 2, 2013 | Whilst on our way to the #Ipoh railway station to head back to #KL #city! by imthejessicat on Keek.com

Farewell, Ipoh Railway Station. I'll be back!

The sunset on the way back was breathtaking

This photo does no justice to the deep vermillion, purple and crimson hues that illuminated the evening sky

Theboyf and I decided to pig out and grab some Mexican cuisine for dinner upon arriving KL.

Actually, it was his idea. We were starving by the time we arrived the city.

Chilis Grill & Bar Restaurant, Bangsar Shopping Centre

★★★★★

The Chicken Club Tacos were superb! 

Wrapped inside the tacos were grilled mesquite chicken breast, ancho-chile ranch dressing, diced tomatoes, mixed cheeses and lettuce served with chopped beef bacon and black beans.

Eating it left me wanting more. It came so juicy, the chicken was tender and it was a perfect burst of Tex-Mex flavour with every bite.

We also tried their new starter, the Spinach Queso.

Those tostada chips were warm and crisp, to be dipped into a spinach-cheese dip and house-made salsa. Just heavenly! 

So that's a wrap! Here's to hoping your weekend was just as eventful as mine. 

Have a good seven days ahead 

I'm going to leave you with a song that's been stuck in my head for as long as ever. Sharing is caring 

Much love,

Jessicat

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The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

Some photos were posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & my Mini LIVE Blog

Do follow to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around me!

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.

.

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!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WWRLqEgil4

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! 

G'dday! Haven't been updating in a couple of days now as I've been pretty up to my neck with final, major assignments (I'm down to my last one!) and moving from the West rez to the South rez!

So yeah, packing and such… I never realized I had SO MUCH stuff.

Anyway, here's the next sequel to my Sydney trip as blogged here and here

All aboard the MyTrain towards Circular Quay where all the breathtaking landmarks are!

the Shens were nice enough to show me around 😀 😀

While walking along the sidewalk, I caught sight of the Harbour Bridge! OMG I'm that much closer to it.

Just keep walking, and walking…

Habour Bridge in the near distance

When we finally arrived at Circular Quay, the clouds began to loom over the already gloomy sky. A heavy downpour was expected when it started to drizzle 🙁 But never fear! Auntie Julie brought umbrellas for us.

Yay! couzzie Kenneth holding the umbrella while I camwhore 😛

It was rather a long walk, but I was enjoying every minute of it.

I passed so many boats, cargo ships, cruise ships, yachts along the harbour.

Friendship 🙂

Standing up high on the bench!

Passing by more ferries!

The architecture and landmarks weren't the only ones that caught my eye.

There were flocks and flocks of gulls around the harbour too. Take a look at this one!

Minding its own business; posing for my shot

And before I knew it… we have arrived our destination! A surge of exhilaration filled me whole as I spotted one of the finalists of the 7 New Wonders of the World – the Sydney Opera House *bigwidesmile*

It's like hearing/seeing so much about it and finally being able to see it – for real – with your very own eyes.

My excitement knew no boundaries

Lo and behold, what a magnificent sight!

We had to walk past the Harbour Bridge first, before getting into the Sydney Opera House.

I hear people can climb atop/across the bridge… for a hefty fee? I was totally game for it but didn't wanna waste extra money $$$ and time

……. ok fine. I'm somewhat afraid of heights. Just a tad 😛 😛

So I watched from afar

Photos or it never happened!!! 😛

Here I am by the Sydney Harbour Bridge

ze Shen family and I

As we approached the Opera House, I couldn't wait but to camwhore with it before we actually got inside.

So… are you ready for my most mostest-test favourite-test-test-test photo in this blogpost?

yay! Me + Sydney Opera House

You can tell that I was ecstatic.

Like ouumaiigawwwdddd I'm actually here! Ya know what, I aim to see ALL the 7 wonders of the world – new and old.

Okay, that one photo wasn't enough. Couldn't decide which one looked nicer so…. here's another one 😛

You can see the Opera House much clearer in this piccie

And when I finally got closer, here's a full piccie of it.

It's just beautiful, with its shape that resemble either the sails of a ship or a cockle shell to me.

Ooooh. Ultimate jizz.

But hey, want me to be frank?

Apart from all the hoo-haa on the Sydney Opera House and its beauty, it only looks amazing from a distance. When you actually arrive directly in front of it, it looks like a boring, old, brown warehouse

Look, I'm not bagging it or anything, all I'm saying that it doesn't look as impressive as it does from afar.

But I still love it all the same; very glad that I got to witness it for myself for the very first time

Wheeeeeeeee

Sat on the steps leading up to the Opera House

There were agazillion steps, which makes me wonder if any elderly person can make it up there.

Then I remembered my granny who climbed the Great Wall of China – twice! Not bad.

Here I am against the glass windows of the Opera House

Here's something odd. I'm Chinese but I've never been to China.

I think it works that way for many other Chinese friends of mine too. Well, Imma make it a point to climb the Great Wall of China before I die!

Walked behind the Opera House and sat on another set of many, many steps again

An architectural beauty built by a Danish architect in 1973

Remember what  told you about the gulls?

They were everywhere!

And flocked right into my face LOL

Well, thankfully, I'm no bird prey

Much love and many thanks to the fabulous Shens who took time off their day

to spend this memorable moment with me!

Oh well, a short but priceless trip to the Sydney Opera House *beams*

Here's another piccie of it as I leave – one more for the road!

Adieu! *waves*

All the excitement suddenly fizzled out when I realized I hadn't had my lunch yet.

It was already almost 3pm and all I had for breakfast was a bowl of cereal and an avocado!

Walking towards The Rocks for Pancakes

I hear they are the best. Let's put it to test soon!

Passed by this beautiful flower garden

Look – it's the Harbour Bridge again in the background!

After lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks (review in the next sequel blogpost), we adjourned towards the carpark.

But but waaaiiit a sec –

It's the awesome-pawsome Sydney Opera House again!

This time, from across the clear, blue waters of Botany Bay

My jaw dropped at the wonder of its beauty; standing tall underneath the rays of the sun.

Thankfully, the cloudy skies had cleared up. I ran all the way to the edge of the barricade to photograph it

All in all, I had a brilliant, rockin time!

Although a tad too much gushing about the Opera House for one day, I'm certain you're only gonna hear it once!

Hope you enjoyed reading this just as much as I had writing it. Feel my adrenalin rush!

This is insane! Out from 9am – 11pm and at least 10 hours of non-stop walking has really taken its toll on me.

I'm maxed out tired to the bone now – resting while transferring photos and blogging this post.

Yeahyeah, I know I should probably hit the sack by now but being me, it is imperative that I blog an immediate snippet before the entire blogpost… because who knows, this might take another million years to be up LOL

I love my new prezzie! An adorable, furry, soft tigga hat to keep my head warm

So anyway! I was at the Melbourne Zoo in Royal Park for almost 5 hours; was impossible to cover every nook and cranny

I reckon it would be safe to say that almost the entire animal kingdom reside within the walls of that zoo

From the smallest of insects…..

…to the biggest of animals!

My whole afternoon was spent exploring the entire zoo hunting down the animals to take photos of.

I swear felt like Dora the Explorer LOL! But the fact that I'm lacking the binoculars and knapsack doesn't come in the way for I think I made up for it with a big-ass DSLR camera and a slingbag 😛 😛

And… the King of the Jungle! (yes, if you're wondering… I was THAT close to Simba here)

It was incredible, better than any zoo I've ever been! Melbourne Zoo is massive and the entire place was an extremely close-to-real-life makeshift rainforest dessert ocean underground grassland antartic tropics aviary all in one.

Unlike many *cough* places *cough* that my fellow Malaysians know….

There are certain zoos in particular who mistreat their animals, cooping them up in tiny cages with restricted space to exercise, not cleaning their already miserable cages and drugging them to ensure their benevolence during photo-opportunities.

Oh and yes, I know I owe everyone a photo of a kangaroo ever since I set foot in Australia

So… ta-daa! 😀 Here it is, shot in the zoo earlier today

Plenty more photos of the glorious (and even the unglorious, ugly, often overlooked) members of the animal kingdom to come! I did, as usual, took truckloads of photos.

And the most tedious part is filtering & batch processing them all. Bleh.

Headed to the Tutankhamun exhibition after that for another 3 hours!

On the right: a bag of Egyptian souvenirs I bought. On the left: a replica of Tutankhamun's skull

Verdict? It was magnificent and we were clearly in awe with everything they had to offer. Everyone was clearly enthused with the displays, footages, ancient relics, hieroglyphs, statues, fragile mummified skeletons,  and the like. More to come, I promise!

If you're an avid lover of Egyptian civilization like I am, you'll be star struck.

And now do you still wonder why I had the Eye of Horus tattooed on my left wrist? 😉