reflect.

Step back . Clear your mind and remind yourself who you are and where you wanna be.

Blessed

                                         

Never felt so contented with my family, friends and things that I have right now. I guess this is one of the benefits of studying abroad? Heh. . Being away from home make you realized all the matters that you've taken for granted. Do u hate your mom nagging you to eat more during dinner time? What about    her waking you up in the morning so that you aren't late for class? Well.. all these will do be the same when you're 3955 miles away. You've gotta stay strong even though you're tired. You have to cook, wash clothes, do assignments.. what not... EVEN THOUGH deep in your heart you're not freaking willing to. 

That's life. ;')  

But luckily, you still can call home. I can still remember 10 months ago when home sick first strike me..  Just normal conversation with my mom makes me felt so loved. Yes, indeed.  When i'm talking to her.. I secretly cried over the phone.. Sometimes she might noticed. But deep in my heart.. I hope she didnt find out. Not wanting her to worried..  

And now! Im back! oh gosh! loving every single bit of being at home. 

If you wonder what do I miss the most from Malaysia.

I reckon that would be 'mamak'! 

The best hang out place you could find. *for me*

Well, imagine sitting with a bunch of close friends, eating the best food you could find *cheese naan* 

and talk your lung out about everything you could possibly think of. Ahhhhhhh.... that's life.

It's relaxing, it's entertaining, it's part of me. :)

Of course, in fact, the most important element in the experience is your FRIENDS. :) 

Volcano trip

                         

I went for a mini getaway out to Bandung, Indonesia last weekend. I definitely love the place! It's about 3 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandung. Once me and my parents landed the airport, the weather ain't that kind to us. :( it started to pour a little..
Luckily the hotel that we suppose to stay in  offer transport from the local airport to hotel for free!!!! 
I personally think that it's a very good service one hotel could provide. Imagine when you're new to a country. You wouldn't know where to go and for me I'm rather not brave enough to explore the local taxi.  U know, being worried for extra charges safety and etc.. however, if u really need a cab in Indonesia. Try taking Blue Bird taxi company. It's one of the top taxi company that's safe and renowned for the polite taxi drivers! :) 

I stayed for 2 nights in Padma Hotel. I'm amazed myself by the spectacular view this hotel offer. Mind you it may not be one of those international hotels like Hilton, Grand Hyatt. Sometimes I prefer locally owned hotels. One of the reason is to experience authentic cultures and secondly, it is comparably cheaper! Travelling on budget sometimes gives you opportunity to explore further! 

The hotel pool and the exterior of the building 

zomg! i love glass staircase! 

I camp in this egg for quite sometime.. *relax while reading a book and sip a cup of peach tea* *ahhhhh* 

A panorama view of zhe resort. :) 

while waiting for zhe bus... beware of the traffic in Bandung and Jakarta on Saturday.. It's terrible! Literally not moving at all.... 

*can i bring zhe egg nest back home??*  0.0 

         

                                        The bewildering view from level 1 


                     

                                                         spot me!! :p 

*white pony with pink crest!! *

*yours truly* 

*enjoying my breakfast. There's two section in the restaurant: Indonesian cuisine and Western cuisine. Spoiled with choices!!*  

Kampung Daun 

This restaurant is soooooo fun! It's literally build in the forest! There's 30 over pondok (small houses) along the path stretch. So close to nature and greens, eating never been so relaxing before!

*not so mainstream grass like Christmas tree*

 

*spot cotton candy and kue putu!*

*kue putu, similar with Malaysian putu mayam, it's filled with gula melaka and topped with coconut flakes YUM!* 

*Along the path. Look at the greens!*

*kerak telor, this is a local Betawi street food. Contain duck egg, fried scallop, tiny prawn and glutinuous rice.*

*Teh Poci, similar with jasmine tea or scented tea we drink in Malaysia. :) *

*made of different sizes of bamboo. simply artistic! *

*spot Santa!!! too cute! * 

Counting down

Hello!
In another 48 hours I will be on board and home sweet home! That means.. finally I'm going back to Malaysia!!! There's so much to anticipate! I'm excited, worried, anxious at the same time. Mixed feeling, as much as a bigger part of me wanted to go home. Lil did I know that I might wanna stay in Melbourne for a little longer. I've just met some new friends here and I felt there's a lot to catch up with them! Most of the new friends I've meet are either from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, Italy.

It's really fun to learn cultures from different country and constantly asking how to I say that in your language sort of thing! Haha..   I had picnic in royal botanical garden with them last Sunday. It was divine to relax in the midst of the park with lakes and beautiful weather. The warm sun shines through and I just love to see the people around me! Everyone was having a good time! Now, I've realized in life, you don't have to spend a lot of money to gain happiness. Most of the time, it's free! Look around, friendships, environment, ambience. It depends on you to look deeper and search for higher levels of happiness apart from materials that make you feel good! :)

I always wonder will it be the same if I go back home. I've seen people changed, and to be honest. I'm paranoid of changes. Coz it makes me feels uneasy when things are out of control.
When I'm home, I know that my family would be glad to have me home. I know that my friends would welcome either..  but, it feels like everyone else have got their own stuff to do. It didn't seems to be.. together any more! Worse still! Kenneth is working!! :( meh. .
So I planned to work part time when I'm back home.. :) 
Besides, there's so many food and things I wanted to do when I'm back!
However, talking about food..  ever since I've came to Melbourne. . I've gained so much weight. I never thought I will end uo being so fat! Pwft!  I hate people judging me and  comment on how much weight I've gain! *enough of that*  I just wanna hide behind my parents and not face the world.. despite any matters..   baha. . Til then! Tata! 

dream list!

yeppo!! :)

While i was talking with my housemate today, i realized there are plenty of places and things that i want to do before i die. Thus, here goes the list! 

                                               1) Travel to Tibet!!! 

This is one of the few places that i die to go! I mean. The scenery, energy of the place and the OHMness! Every single person who went to Tibet told me that, you will feel the sense of calmness, the peace in mind after the trip. I am certainly looking forward to sit in the corner of the wooden house in Tibet, relax and sip in some tibetan milk tea! 

This is the famous Lhasa temple. Look at the sacred, magnificent view! 

2) Sky diving! 

Although I'm not acrophobia.. yet i think anyone will takes a lot  of courage to be able to do this! jumping out of the plane from an average 14,000 ft high up?! WTF!!!!!!!!! I definitely will record it down and make it as my life achievements. Anyone care to accompany me? Although they do offer it in quite a number of locations in Melbourne. But i thought of doing it in somewhere, special? Some places with impeccable view and... even if i die.. i still see  some.. breathtaking view *at least* 

Perhaps.. i will have this sort of reaction when i first jump? lol... 

As for the venue.. Im hoping to go either New Zealand Taupo or Hawaii? These are few of the best places to skydive i reckon! 

3) Bungee jump 

For this, it's pretty similar with skydiving.. And probably i will accomplish this before proceeding to skydiving for a pre-acknowledgment for myself! 

Woohoo!!! here we go!!!  Life need to have some trill, to prove that you're living in this world. To be amazed how wonderful the world is. And i believe by doing these exciting activities. it gives me motivation to live a better life. To be positive everyday and wanting to strive better for work and personal goals!  

4) Swim with dolphins! 

Since young i find dolphins as  an amazing creature. They are the smartest animal in the world! Besides, I have been watching too many movies about dolphins! Hence I fantasize to be able to swim with them one day!! :) 

Kisses!!! <3 

5) Ride on a Hot air balloon!!

Have you guys watched UP? 

That's one of the cutest, romantic cartoon that I fond to. It's one of the few cartoon movie that caught me in tears.. *sniff*   From there, I was determined to go UP UP in the sky and look down the world while hugging my love one looking down the world. *day dreaming* 

Well.. i guess. if no one wants to go with me. I might just go myself! #foreveralone.

This it is! BLUE SKY, cotton candy fluffy clouds, green hills.. ahhh~ 

Well, I'm pretty sure i will have more as day past. Let's hope I'm able to do these first! :) 

Have a good day everyone! Put a smile on your face before leaving your house! 

Emo nemo

I just don't feel good today. When I'm in work. I put my game face on and smile to everyone I see. When people asked how's my day. What do they expect actually? How do I really feel for real? ARE YOU SURE? Sometimes I find this really funny. Why would you ask something that you aren't really interested to know? What if I really do tell u I had a bad day!? What if I tell you I'm really upset? Will there be people who will be concern and talk about it? Not much I guess..  I'm just mentally exhausted... I've tried to go for spiritual classes during the weekend and hope my negative emotions will be lessen. Yes, on that day... but after a couple of days.. the negative feelings will be back again! I'm not sure if it's from my work or its just me personally.. I need people. To comfort me. I need. To talk.. I need hugs..  perhaps..

dream.

Good night world. It's been utterly exhausting. It's been long since I felt soulless like this. How could kindergarten kids be drenching yourself so much? Please help!

Away.

When I finally decided to study abroad during January 2012. I have gone all excited and emotional. There's so many things going on in my mind and i definitely find it overwhelming. I tried to find out more information to prepare myself for studying abroad. And guess what? there's seriously VERY LIMITED HELP in the net. Yeah, im sure you will say there's helps from article, education services and the list go down. But, here, I mean matters that are slightly more practical.. You know.. things that you are expected to experience when you are 3988166183km away from home!

Well, it is confronting! i bet you not! I guess im either too naive. OR ive not been thinking too much when i make this decision to studying overseas. YES, I made the decisions all by myself . and NO, my mom did not force me to do so.. :) 

So, shall we start the survival guide of being home away?

First thing first! 

Choose the course that is matching with your interest. It might be tough but trust me! it's better to follow your heart in what you want to study than listening to what your parents told you to do. Well.. I'm not telling you to go against your parents.. Just discuss with them what you really want! I'm pretty sure they will listen to you. By the end of the day, you are the one that's doing it, not them. :)

 I'm very lucky to have family who support what i want to do. Hence, i felt confident in pursing my course.  Wanna know what I'm studying? Hah! it's quite.. rare..  for people to study this i reckon..  It's Early Childhood Education! :) well.. what's it about? A lot of people think that why do u need to study to be a nanny??! Well, excuse me.. it's not nanny.. We call ourselves as Early Childhood Educator! :) 

I love kids and i want to know how kids 'function'.. i always find kids are pure and innocent and would like to explore more about them. Thus, I have chosen this course!

See, find your interest and pursue it!!!  One good example isn't it?

Have a lovely day!!

Xoxo,
Trozic. 

hello there!!

ah-hem! Hi there! Im Carmen Yong...  and I'm starting this new blog for a couple of reasons. 

1) To record my 'new' life in melbourne, Australia. 

2) To introduce people how study abroad feels like, what do you need to prepare in terms of mental, physical and skills (literally) heh.. 

3) I need to improve my english as well! So, please correct me if you spot any grammar mistakes or so.. 

Well, Im gonna start to right soon! :) Please stay tune! 

Xoxo,

Carmen.