First day in mussel factory
Hola! The much anticipated job of the year wtf. Yeah, I have been WAITING for this job since October 2012. And finally, FINALLY on the 7th of January 2013 I started working as a mussel opener (wtf at my attempt of making the job sound glamourous)
Actually not to say this job is like that nice to work also. Just that it’s stable; weather proof & it is paid hourly. Why do I say it’s weather proof is because it’s an indoor job. Unlike working in the orchard, job availability is depends on the weather. If it rains, usually there won’t be any work (boss dowan you to be sick mah). So no work –> no pay.
Plus point is that the job is paid hourly. $13.50 for the first 40 hours, $16.00 for the subsequent hours worked in a week. I work 8 hours/ day, 6 days/ week. So woohoo! $16.00/ hour for my work on Saturday.
Job is rather easy. Just use a knife and twist it open. But the tough part is you gotta open like 5,000 mussels a day if not you’ll be fired *evil voice*. So best is to open like 20 mussels/ minute which means 1 mussels = 3 seconds. Crazy! I think right now I take like 5 seconds to open a mussel. But the final 1 hour i was like fuck it i’m so bloody tired i just wana go home and lie on my bed #siewjie
For a few weeks, I’ve been having neck pain. When I was working in the vineyard, I consistently need to look down. Then when I worked in the kiwi orchard, I consistently need to look up. And that now I’m opening mussels, my job requires me to look down all the time. Seriously, one day my neck will just putus liddat wtf.
My back also ache. Don’t know if it’s because of my height but we are in a stationary position for 8 hours (except 3x 20 minutes smoko time) Can die i tell you.
PLUS NO MUSIC!!! However there were some songs playing over and over again in my head.
Ok here’s my silent playlist wtf.
1. Lana Del Ray – Born to Die
Ok it’s 10.40pm now. I gotta wake up at 4.45am tomorrow so I better go to bed now. Toodles people!
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さよなら 2012
Another fantastic year has came and gone. It was a year filled with ups and downs with major personal growth.
I’ve been very bad at keeping up with my blog. Thus, imma take this opportunity to recap all the good & bad of 2012 
January
1. Started the year with HTC Sensation XL
Got it for winning the grand prize in McCann X’mas party. Lucky me!
2. Bloggers Lousang
With the people who didn’t attend Foster the People‘s concert. This has been an annual occasion for the bloggers to meet up. Kudos to the organizers for the effort
3. 新年快乐
It was the bestest CNY to date with my family and friends!
A new tradition in the family – to wish grandma properly “not just saying xin nian kuai le, hong pau na lai wtf”.
I learnt:
Fu ru dong hai,
Shou bi nan san.
Okay I forgotten what does it means but whatevs #failed
February
1. Hello Chiang Mai
Photo credit to Jenn
My first company trip with Mccann! An exhausting trip, really. When i came home, i literally KO-ed till noon.
First concert of 2012! Was working with Ticket Pro as a ticket checker/ wrist band girl wtf. Worked for 3 hours, bro kidnapped us to the concert (front section yo!) and best of all, we were being paid.
Being able to watch her live is so surreal. I used to watch her on MTV from her Complicated days and now she’s totally matured musically. Super love the Pumped Up Kids cover that she did that night <3
March
1. Went to Chiling waterfall with the colleagues!
HAHAHAH i caption this picture as “Pulling the walruses up” cos I can feel that i’m damn fat here sumore need 2 people to push my ass up.
Yay, we made it! It was quite a feat actually. After that, we dived into the water from the top. Very exhilarating
Photo credit to Jenn (again)
2. My childhood friend Nem Nem got hitched!
Mata sepet amongst the pretty eyes girls.
Love this picture! The newly weds looked so blissfully happy, Pey Tsei also smile until very 开心 here and my belly is hanging wtf.
Wedding is also the best time to have reunion. Friends scattered all around came together for that one precious night.
Sister’s wedding deserves 3 pictures in this post
April
1. LMFAO yo!
Went with Michael but picture taken with my lengchai bro because… Michael is damn shy :X
It was the bestest concert I’ve ever been too! Love the atmosphere, love the showmanship, a night i’ll never forget <3
Went there solo in the VIP area but still i had tonnes of fun. They played all the songs except for my fav “Pieces” T3T
3. Odor Fighter launched!
It was my first Kinect game project launched. MRM MY was working on this project for Libresse. It was the fruit of the team’s sweat, blood & tears. And to see it come to life is just so… priceless. Even when it was launched, we were facing some complications but due to the event and tech team’s dedication & perseverance, bugs were fixed promptly and everything went smooth sailing.
May
1. Matthias graduated yo!
So proud of my baby bro (okay la he’s not a baby anymore). Initially i took half day leave to attend his convocation but because he hadn’t walked by noon time thus I extended it to full day. Time spent with them was so worth it. Seeing him walked, had celebratory lunch & dinner session with my bros are just irreplaceable.
Spent 5 days in the longhouse. There are major improvements in the village i.e. got electricity already and… that’s all i think XD. Actually, the more ulu (deserted) it is, the more i’ll love it So I hope it won’t become too modernize that it loses the authentic feelings of staying in a traditional longhouse.
It was also the last time i see my parents before embarking on my adventure.
This face was actually my baru finish cry face wtf. Throughout the day I was holding back, reminding myself constantly “don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry in the airport”. Just when I was about to leave, dad was like, “Don’t cry ahh” and tears started falling like waterfall and i hugged dad to cover my crying face haha.
Photo credit to one of the lomographers :X
With the super creative & cool Kuching lomographers. I am so honoured to join them for a session. I can’t wait to see them when i’m back for Gawai!
June
1. My birthday month y’all
Since my birthday coincide with my farewell week thus we make it 2-in-1. Had a very nice dinner with the bloggers
I told you Chingy but imma tell you again. Hair parting salah la 
2. Farewell McCann!
After driving in and out of LYL for 18 months, I bid adieu to my second home. It was a bittersweet memory for me as I really did enjoy working in advertising industry plus it’s McCann!
With the coolest client on earth:)
I started in McCann managing Libresse’s digital advertising area, fell in love and nurtured the brand. It’s a bit sad to leave the baby that you’ve been taking care before seeing it grow full-fetched. But I was very privileged to start off my digital advertising career with the brand. Libresse has widen my perspective and knowledge in digital advertising and I hope to be working with them again in the future.
Nothing represents Sydney better than the Opera House.
I absolutely love this photograph. It has the calm, old skool feeling to it. Would be great to print and made it into a postcard.
July
1. Hello NZ!
Safely landed in Christchurch on the 5th of July. I had slight complication getting out of Australia for my flight to NZ. The Aussie immigration love me too much that they didn’t want to let me out of the country wtf.
2. Dunedin!
I actually have a hard time pronouncing Dunedin. I used to pronounced it Doo-nee-din but actual pronunciation is Deh-nee-din. Picture taken at the second most photographer building in the southern hemisphere – Dunedin Railway Station (first is of course the Sydney Opera House).
Managed to catch Cadbury Jaffa race which was SO COOL! I officially went up the steepest street on the planet – Baldwin Street.
ZOMG I was also lucky enough to catch New Zealand Got Talent. Thanks to Li Kee for reserving tickets! What a way to kick-start my adventures here!
3. Goodbye friend.
Didn’t take picture with him before he leaves because I was bawling my eyes out. Looking back, I am SO GLAD that he decided to return home.
Without him, I learnt to stand on my own two feet.
Without him, I have grown into a much stronger person – mentally & spiritually.
Without him, I picked up cooking and baking (and loving it!)
Without him, the universe has blessed me with tonnes of love from people all around the world.
Without him, I have learnt to enjoy my freedom.
4. Hello Hector!
Initially, I signed up for swimming with the dolphin but because of bad weather + it’s winter… who swims during the winter? Thus, I decided to go see Hector swimming. I was in awe the entire time. Hector dolphins are the smallest dolphin in the world and they are just so playful. They kept swimming around the boat as if we were playing “spot the dolphin” game.
August – September
1. Vineyard in Blenheim (bleh)
Malaysian NZ Working Holiday visa is valid for 6 months thus to prolong my stay here, I’d need to work in the agriculture sector for 12 weeks. Was in hell (okay la to be honest it wasn’t that bad) for 8 weeks. Income was sufficient only for survival (no savings).
Yeah, basically, I worked my butts off for 2 months. Nothing interesting happened #sadlife but I have to thank my supervisors, Thomas & Lim for teaching me how to cook. Like seriously, this girl who has never fry an egg prior coming to NZ and now she can cook BKT and awesome curry and bake the world most delicious muffin (according to my housemates ah, i’m not that buay pai seh 1)
2. Snowwwww! Skiiiiiiiiiii!
Ok i hate skiing. I fucking hate skiing. And snow? Meh it’s not that interesting also. Nothing fancy about it except that it smells like pee. But it’s white snow ah, i’ve checked the color wtf.
But i gotta say that it’s really an experience. I was the slowest learner in the group. I lost count on the number of times I fall. And little kids coming up and comforting me to try harder.
I was supposed to write a post on this but I didn’t get to retrieve the pictures from my friend’s camera 
So imma just go straight to the most funny/ embarrassing part (depends on how you look at it)
Since I don’t think I’d go skiing anytime soon (fucking expensive okay… $150 for 5 hours) so I went up the hill. Mustered the courage from every fiber on my body, took a deep breathe and down I went.
I was doing slightly okay for about 5 seconds then I lost balanced and after that I all remembered was me tumbling down, my vision was snow –> sky –> snowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. It hurt so badly I was afraid that I might break a bone. A lady came by and helped me up. Then I tried again. Instead of going down, I went horizontally and almost went off on the other side of the hill wtf.
Because I was running outta time I told myself to fuck it and walked down.
October
1. 2nd familia
After all the ups & downs and drama in Blenheim, I escaped to Picton for a woofing job (work in exchange for accommodation) in Sequoia Lodge.
These amazing people were my support system away in a foreign country. The best thing about hanging out with the westerners is that you can just be yourself. They do not take things too seriously thus you can say just do anything; speak out your mind, the truth and they will respect you for your honesty.
I’ve stayed in an Asian home for about 2 months. Unlike our Asian counterpart we actually need to “act” a certain way to be accepted into the social group. Which is kinda sad la… went to a different continent and all you wana do is hang out with your own kind? Might as well just do that in your home country right?
No, I didn’t experience that when I was in Picton. The Malaysians I met there is lovely and i’m so excited for our dimsum session when I’m back.
In mid-October, I headed to Motueka for a kiwi thinning job (TQ Liew for your help in getting me the job. I tell you, the people I meet here are unbelievably nice) Am here for like almost 3 months already. And I remember during my 4th month in NZ, I tweeted, “I’m at the happiest point of my life.” I had the most awesome friends I could ever asked for, my job was super easy, fantastic and it paid well and I found a new excitement haha.
If you read my previous post, I was pretty close to Ozias & Mok.
Anyway, the excitement that i found was him I haven’t blogged about how it happened etc (i have drafts of it! i’m still fine-tuning it) but seriously, it was the most out-of-the-world in a sweet romantic way experience haha.
Somehow in NZ, the speed of courtship is faster by 10x thus every day I would come back with a smile on my face and heart attack. Heart attack as in… the OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!
November
1. Meet the baker.
I’ve always wanted to learn to cook proper meal and bake. Back in the days, I grew up being more in touch with my Chinese side. My grandma was the one cooking for us and the kitchen is her territory. Whenever my mom/ grandma asked for help like peel of the taugeh’s tail or tumbuk the belacan, I would sulk and be unhappy that I was forced to do something that I despise.
I remembered clearly my grandma asked me to do something. I reluctantly helped out and did it half-heartedly. Grandma boh song then she said, “GO WATCH YOU TV LAA!” I immediately left and glued myself to the idiot box wtf.
People do grow up! So one fine day, I was 38-ing and observed my roommate. She was baking banana cake so I volunteered to help out and the following week, I baked for the first time.
With no practise beforehand, no supervision by my si fu, I baked with love and it was successful!!! Mommy would be so proud of me. Heheh.
In NZ, I hold by this saying, “It’s New Zealand. You have to try something new!” and fishing is one of the things I tried.
It was SO MUCH FUN!!! I am kinda addicted to fishing wtf. Though at times it can be as boring as hell but when a fish bites your bait, you just couldn’t contain the excitement 
3. Single no more.
Actually, he didn’t like really ask me to be his gf wan wtf haha. It just sort of… happened. I mean, while working he will make his move from casual conversation about my life back in Malaysia to light physical brushes to uhm… :X A lady doesn’t kiss and tell 
Sometimes I was a bit confused also la cos during work we’re like inseparable but once we’re back home, we do not keep the feelings alive. Sometimes I’ll be like, “YAY, i found a guy who gives me my space when I’m back home. I’m so happyyy!” but some days I’ll be like, “WTF why he didn’t choi me wannn!” Usually, I’ll brush it off, comforting myself by saying he’s not the texting type.
Anyway, things kinda confirmed after our 3.5 days of not seeing each other at work. The boys were placed in a different orchard doing kiwi pruning and when they came back, he just gave me this long i-don’t-want-to-let-you-go hug. But still to me, it might be just physical. It doesn’t confirm that we’re in a relationship also. To my perspective, if a guy tells his friend that you’re his gf then it’s onz wtf. So that weekend, the barbecue weekend, it was onz haha.
December
As you guys had known, i played netball in NZ. Once. And maybe… just maybe I will train with them in January.
2. Kayak!!
On le first day of summer, we went kayaking!! My first time so i was very excited!!
My biggest fear is the kayak capsized. But the kayak instructor gave us a detailed instructions, guidance and we even have an SOS firework if the worst thing happened. It costed us $50 for 3 hours (4 hours for $55)
3. NYE
I didn’t wana spend unnecessary amount of money for NYE (HEY I forego that $50 top during boxing day ok. i iz awesome) My ideal way to end 2012 is to have a home-cooked meal.
I was dying for a picnic and he was very nice to do this heheh. I kinda like picnic. It gives the warmth, cute, romantic feeling without the overly cheesy-trying-too-hard stuffs.
Personally, 2012 is a year which I learn about myself. I understand myself better and I know where I stand and how to move forward. Traveling especially puts me out of my comfort zone and when you’re standing at the edge, the decision you make will reflect the person that you are.
Ironically, I don’t believe in making new year resolution (‘cos let’s face it. we tend to forget by Valentine’s). So, I just go with the flow. I don’t have the discipline to improve myself based on the list written. I am far more free-spirited than that haha. Thus, I try to improve myself whenever I can and in every aspect possible.
Guess what? Guess what people?! I have been living in NZ for 6 months already. So fast right?!!! I feel like I just got here. It’s amazing that I made it through so long. Out of the 6 months, I was 5.5 months happy 0.5 unhappy hahaha.
Always stay positive. As cliche as it may sound, life IS short. Whenever I face difficult situation, I try to look at it in the most positive way. I believe that you can control your emotion – you can choose to be sad or happy. Why waste your time dwelling in sadness when you can be brimming in happiness. Thus, whenever complication arises or things do not go my way, smile, move on and better things will definitely come your way.
Relationship wise, being with a Korean is not all roses. It’s cool in a way that I get to learn about the culture first hand but our upbringing is TOTALLY OPPOSITE. He was brought up rather traditionally and conservatively. Whereas I was brought up to MTV and the western values that come together with it wtf. There are a couple of hiccups throughout the relationship but I believe toleration, communication and compromising are the key to keeping the fire alive.
Apart from the differences, we complement each other perfectly. I wanted to share something funny happened recently however i can’t think of it at the moment >.<
One thing I must mention in this “self-reflecting” post is how much I *heart* cooking now. Previously I wasn’t cooking much because I think it’s so mafan to cook a nice meal for just a person. Somehow, moving in with him played a role in that transition. It makes me wana play the housewife role, the doting and understanding girlfriend.
The other day, I talked to my mom about cooking for full 30 minutes. Can see my mom’s contented smile. She must be thinking, “Oh finally my daughter has grown up!”.
OK I have been writing this post for a week already. I’m just going to click “Publish” and concentrate on Shrek 2. Tomorrow I shall start the first day of my “hell” period. 6 days a week, I work from 6am till 3.30pm in a factory. A mussel factory. With no music, fun and freedom. I am so going to be bored to death. Wish me luck.
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1/1/13
Hello people! As much as 31/12 is important, how didja make history on the 1/1?
I had pretty much a day that is so me – simple & lazy wtf haha.
I woke up at sharp 10. Usually I’m awakened by the sound of airplanes wan (got airport nearby) but not this time. Went out from the room a.k.a. garage, the sun was beaming its rays so giddily. Sync-ing to its rhythm, i skipped happily to the toilet wtf.
Baby the pig was still asleep. Did my usual stuffs on the internet – read blogs. All my fav bloggers also didn’t update 1 (because they have a life wtf). As usual, only QQ didn’t disappoint. She always have something for me to read one.
While editing this picture, I was like… let’s edit the colors a bit crazy. And this is the craziest wtf.
Thennnnnnnnnnnn he woke up like after 2 hours. I decided to shower. But he kept pulling me to the bed to manja :X (why am i writing this out wtf)
Yesterday he bought a second hand bicycle for $30 (mad cheap i tell you & he can really bargain lor. salute!) So today he gave it a facelift and even drew some designs on it.
Lunch was great! Had pasta & marinated chicken.
Dessert was pineapples (Super cheap. 1 for $3. Don’t know whether it’s cheap or not in MYR)
China doll once said, “Guys who can cut pineapples are so SEXAY.” So ladies, if you wana pick your man, please get them to cut pineapple. If he successfully cut it, then you’re in good hands
Was lazying around when I thought to myself, “Eh this angle quite cute leh!”
Psst. Does anybody know MSI comes from which country ma?
Then I also wana #actcute
Don’t you just love his puppy dog eyes *melts*
But it was quickly interrupted by the sista!
(Okay la picture was actually taken on our NYE session 1 #cheat)
Dinner was great too! Had homecooked steak (again! yums) & dried/ fried cheesy potato wedges.
Was watching The Ugly Truth when miao missed me hahah.
Jian dengan lajunya showing off the length of his goatee don’t know for what. Movember is over la brother. Haha.
Chatting with him really cracks me up.
Before Video Call
Mel: Wait ah, i go to toilet sin.
Jian: Ok i comb hair first.
During Video Call
Mel: Eh where are you toilet ah?
Jian: No… my room.
Mel: Why your room sound like toilet wan. Thought you pangsai wtf.
And then he told me one of his readers read my blog but commented on his blogpost (tsk) and sounded angry sumore which really freaks me out.
Anyways, I always enjoy chatting with you, miao. Can’t wait for our next session. With kolo mee & teh tarik please (sorry, sudden urge of teh tarik out of nowhere)
Well, despite my so-called very nice life in NZ, I am sometimes frustrated over things that are bothering me wtf. Chatting with you guys are the only way to keep me sane. So please, if you wana catch up, don’t hesitate to be in touch with me via whatsapp/ FB/ Skype. I’m married to my phone one.
Stay in touch on the relevant things la ha. I must warn you first. Topics off limits are Malaysian food. I’m sorry. You can take the girl out of Malaysia but you can’t take Malaysia out of the girl. Sumore I 24/7 hungry 1.
I’m in NZ for almost 6 months and although i keep telling people how much I enjoy my life here/ how much I don’t wana go back, I do miss home actually. I miss being with my friends and family. I MISS SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH OMG (when you are abroad, you’d notice that actually a lot of nationalities cannot speak proper English one even the angmohs. Our English is actually pretty good wan)
I also miss traveling laa. I’ve been stuck in Motueka for almost 3 months now. And it’s all because of work.
Seriously, i really can’t wait to travel and spend money. I’ve been a good girl for so long, the devil in me just can’t wait to get out and have fun
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Merry Belated X’mas
Hello people! How was your X’mas? I had a great one! As you would know, I celebrated X’mas in Picton with my dearest European friends and ehem cough a new Korean bf. If you didn’t know that, (how can!!!) then do follow me on Twitter & Instagram for real-time updates
Woke up like super duper early (5.30am) to get ready for our bus at 7am. In NZ, bus services leave super damn early one. The earliest one I went on was at 6.30am or so from Christchurch to Blenheim.
Though I was grumpy for starting the day early,a part of me was squealing with joy. Yay, a proper getaway after 2 months of working non-stop (kinda).
See so happy. Wake up early still semangat can dress up & make up.
I used to be the girl who is happy wearing PJs while looking like shit wtf. But now I take extra care of how I look. I think the vain pot in the Koreans has spread onto me.
And because baby was a model, he knows his camera angle – which resulting in my never-ending long legs *smirk* #jackpot
We were in Nelson for an hour to kill so we went to church to elope wtf.
Since I have been to a super grand & nice church in Sydney, any other church in NZ fails in comparison *yawn*. Yet I will still take touristy pictures.
Attempt to be artsy fartsy.
Baby damn manja with the cat. Me on the other hand would never layan a stray cat.
X’mas Eve
Had a lovely dinner with the ex-Sequoia woofers + newly found friends + newly found bf. See how ecstatic I looked in the picture Sumore can see the tan on my cleavage *slurps*
Can you spot the hottie Italian? Rachel (not in picture) is an Italian and has all the sharp features and effortless beauty that girls would envy. Then I self-made the conclusion that if she can look hot that means Italian guys would have more or less the same feature as her.
When I spot Lorenzo from afar, I promptly asked Kevin “Who is he? Is he one of the woofers?” And when I went to talk to him (yes, I am that bold nyeh) he asked me to guess where is he from. I am terrible at identifying accent (except for American & British) and I asked if he speaks Spanish. He said something similar to it. So i was like Portuguese? Spanish? French? All no. And he was giving me geographic location of his country. And all i can think back-to-back is those 3 countries WTF why am i so lousy one. At last he revealed, Italy and I quickly tweeted it out LOL.
Sweet ganster picture with John.
HAHAHAHA everytime i looked at John, I’m reminded by one of the video chats I had with my mom a couple of weeks back. And every time she video chat with me, I get a bit nervous. Cos she’d like to pry on my life and that I can never lie my way out wtf.
Mom: (Stern look) SO. Do you have a boyfriend now or not.
Me: Heheh. Where did you hear about it wtf.
Mom: (Giggles cos I gancheong wtf) So answer me la. Yes or No.
Me: Hah why the sudden? Where did you get the idea of whether I have a bf? Why suddenly suspect wan?
Mom: See your pictures ma.
Me: Hah which pictures? I took picture with so many people.
(Not like I have any kissing/ racy pictures with anyone also. The most also hugging nia. And I hug everyone wtf)
Mom: So tell me la. You got boyfriend or not.
Me: (After much persuasion and I kinda know I won’t be able to weasel my way out) GOT LA GOT LA wtf
Mom: *smiles* So your boyfriend is that Czech guy ah.
Me: *baffles* WOW I WISH LOR!!! But he has a girlfriend la.
Funny how my mom got it wrong. After that, I went to look at my pictures with John and it’s not her fault that she’d think it that way. John & I are always so close face-to-face with each other in almost all our pictures.
KEVINNNNNN! The guy that gives me tonnes of loving (not in the bed kind, mind you) We’re damn manja with each other 1. When I first arrived in Sequoia, I squealed in delight, “KEVIN YOU’RE SO FLUFFY I WANA DIEEEE” and hugs in the hallway. And he always sayang my cheeks and gives me sloppy kisses but this time in front of my bf. (Thank god he’s fine with it as long as it’s not on the lips) #boundaries
My X’mas present from them! This is so appropriate i tell you. I wish someone had taken a picture of me opening up the present cos I’m pretty sure I had the most OMGWTFBBQ face when I gently tear the wrappers.
Its name is Agnes. Yes, it’s after Despicable Me. A movie that we quote so frequently LOL.
And I learnt that the Europeans usually celebrate X’mas on the 24th. 25th December is a day to nurse hangovers haha i’m not even kidding.
X’mas Day
When I woke up, all the ang mohs were busy Skyping with their loved ones. Most of them are Europeans, the time difference was about 11-12 hours.
Best thing about celebrating X’mas in Sequoia is the managers took time to organize something special for all of us.
They organized an X’mas luncheon with well-thought X’mas deco.
They even have this thing call crackers on the table. Basically, you and a friend pull each side and whoever manages to hold the bigger portion of the crackers wins whatever is in it – which usually are something fun. Very British indeed.
And that’s all I have on X’mas wtf.
Actually there’s more wan. We went swimming by the beach (damn syiok ok. i never felt so happy being naked wtf) but because I spent too much time on my phone, John hid it and thus I have no pictures on the beach. Only took pictures with my LC-A+ and god knows by next year only it will see the light of day.
Other funny pictures wtf
KIELLLLLLLLL. So kesian la have to work during X’mas. He looks like a Santa Claus giving out gifts but in actual fact, it’s all trash inside HAHA.
Growing up with American pop culture – MTV, countless American movies & series I kinda get along with Kiel very quickly. Coming from an artsy family, his family custom was to place X’mas tree upside down which making hanging ornaments a little more fun.
The woofers girls painted his nails. It’s so funny how when he talks to me about something serious & when he flips his hair, I can’t help giggling looking at his girly nails on a manly fingers.
In one of the conversation, he did the cheerleading spirit fingers.
Kiel has left to Cromwell for a cherry-picking job and jokingly said he will try his best not to admire his fingers in the orchard. Oh, Kiel.
BEST THING IS! Kiel and Sebastian (A hot German guy. he reminds me of James Franco in 127 hours) are planning to come to Malaysia next year!! I was so excited I told them about my plans to celebrate my 27th (oh god why am i getting old) on top of Mount Kinabalu and they immediately said YESSS!!!
Just thinking about it makes me smile like an ass and I keep adopting backpackers to Malaysia.
I hate saying goodbye but I’m so looking forward to next year!! So many things to keep myself busy. In the mean time, I gotta work really hard in NZ to fund all my trips next year.
That’s all for now, peeps. It’s the final weekend of 2012. Have a memorable one!
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Moku san… :(
OMG this is another round of sad post #weekendofgoodbye
This time it’s my dearest Korean friend, Mok who decided to spread his wings to another place.
Koreans are known to be funny but he is one of the most comical person I’ve ever met. In fact, he kinda reminds me of Elias.
Mok with his never-ending pranks/ stupid antics.
Like this. He peed like 2-3 times by the roadside on the way to Golden Bay.
The first time Mok shaved off his mustache – i couldn’t stop laughing.
(Caption this)
Kayak-ed to Abel Tasman – We were chilling by the beach. Baby was tanning himself while Mei was acting pretty on the shore. Being the camera person…
Mok: Take a picture of what I’m going to do.
Mel: Uh-okay.
Mok: Does it look like I’m shitting?
Mel: -.-”
Mok & Ozias has this special bromance going on. See so manja. Lie down on each other/ inseparable.
The day before he leaves, he made Korean dinner for the housemates.
Mok: It’s ready. Come and eat.
Mel: OK but please say it in Korean. I wana listen.
Mok: Bap – Chouy – Mok – Go.
Mel: What does it mean?
Mok: Move your ass and eat, fucker.
(LOL. I’m writing it here so that I’ll never forget how to say it.)
Anyway, Mok is a really good cook. Every time he’s in the kitchen cooking, I’ll give him this *hehehe devil* smile and he’ll be like, “NO NO NO Get away *protects food*”
But because he sayangs me so he gave me a piece of whatever he was eating to shut me up LOL.
Mok is like my happy drug. When we were working, we developed this amazing talent of laughing from your kidney without saying a word.
Another funny incident was when I wanted to bake him my feh-mes banana muffin for him to bring during his travels.
Mel: Mok where’s the *make hand gestures*
Mok: HAHAHAHA… What?!!!!
Mel: Neh the *hand gesture – left hand covering my right index finger*
Mok: What…? Penis?!
Aww, Mok. What will I do without you. LOL.
But seriously, on his last day we laughed like mad. Actually, only Ozias & Mok can make me laugh like a graceful hyena wtf.
The best thing is although he is a few thousand km away now, we are still as close as ever!
I should have known he wanted to screen cap.
He did asked me to move the camera further one. Didn’t know he was going to screen cap. Sumore screen cap himself smiling like a girl wtf and then called me kingkong on FB. Hrmph.
But I’m so glad that he’s doing well now. But a bit sad la because he didn’t give me a goodbye hug. Neh mind. Think we’ll defo will meet each other again 1.
OK imma stop emo-ing cos tomorrow I’m going to Picton!!! Gonna be meeting my lovely European friends OMG I so can’t wait!! And it’ll be our first X’mas together with Jay.
Here’s wishing you a very, merry, fatty X’mas. Indulge all the good food ahhh! Toodles x.
Related posts:
Goodbye Micah!
Hola! It’s me again. This time it’s another goodbye session with Micah.
Actually Micah and I are not that close 1. All I know about him is he loves fishing.
Even without a fishing rod, he always managed to figure a method to fish 1. We caught one fish but he said it was too small so I released it into the river *bummer*
We only hangout more often when we become work partners.
We were all jobless and Micah found Karen & I a job doing flower picking in the kiwi orchard.
Both of us have 1 similarity. We were both friggin’ desperate for money.
He was going back to HK soon thus he wana earn as much money as possible before leaving.
Me…? Back then my working holiday visa was expiring and my visa extension was still processing, I wasn’t sure how long I was able to stay in NZ. So whatever the outcome is, I need to earn as much money as possible.
We were so desperate that even when it was pouring cats and dogs, we were both working our ass out. Ok la. More like wondering why are we so crazy putting ourselves in that situation. Oh, because of money wtf.
I actually like flower picking job but it is SO HARD TO EARN MONEY. It is by contract meaning you’re paid by the weight. Different orchard/ contractor has different rate and so far the ones I worked with has the highest rate. 1kg for $9. Some can go as low as 1kg for $5.50. Big difference.
In the end, I didn’t earn much pun. My heaviest weight was only 8kg.
On our last day of work – Karen (China), Micah (HK), Yusuke (日本), Me! (Malaysia)
Anyway the job lasted for like 5-6 days or so then we were all jobless again *bummer*.
Actually, we went through a lot together lor for being jobless wtf. And we were SUPER lucky to have the nicest supervisor one could ever asked for, Ava.
She lives in a cool campervan but currently she rents a beach house for the summer (just like in all the ang moh movies i watched!!!). Yusuke stayed there for a couple of days before going off for his travels and she invited us over. I’m so tempted….
Whenever someone asked me, “What do you love about New Zealand”. My default answer is, “The people”. The Kiwis are so friendly I can’t even.
Ava is one of the kindest soul I’ve ever met. When she knew Micah & I were planning to go to an orchard to look for a job, she volunteered to bring us there and be our reference to the new boss. Like seriously, which supervisor will go to that extend lor. Then she said so many good things about us until we also feel paiseh.
Thank you Ava. Thank you for all your help. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to get a placement there.
I feel so blessed and thankful to meet so many great people here. While working in the new orchard, we saw so many backpackers came and asked the boss for jobs but he turned them down. So we were the last 2 person to be in the team. How lucky!
And because of Ava too, I got the chance to play a netball game in NZ.
Although I played in an unfamiliar position (usually I’m the GS) but still it was so awesome to be playing your childhood game in a foreign country. Plus netball is a national game for NZ (like how badminton is to Malaysia) so it’s nice to play a game that they are proud of.
So I conclude, miracles do happen. It all varies by the people that you meet . I am truly lucky and blessed and eternally grateful to every one that walked into my life. The experience I’m having is beyond words can describe – better than what I could ever wished for.
(Just realized this post was sidetracked to becoming thank you Ava post LOL)
OK back to Micah.
As I mentioned earlier, during his final week here, we became work partners. We shared stories of growing up, our life before NZ and *cough* love life.
We pinky promised not to tell a soul but all I can say is he is a romantic and his gf is in good hands
Our last dinner together <3
Randy commented why does the farewell person has to cook his own farewell one. Ironic but true. Here, if you want a farewell, you cook it wtf. #whatatradition
The next day when I went to work I was damn emo cos I’m not used to working alone. Nobody to talk to, nobody to laugh at me when I trip wtf and nobody to curi tulang with me haha.
Hope you’re having a great time in Australia and maybe someday we will meet in HK or Thailand woohoo!
Related posts:
The first to leave
Note: This was written few weeks ago. すみません for the delay cos I was busy hanging out with Jay living my life wtf.
Hola! This is an extremely sad/ depressing post wtf. It’s because…
1. Ozias left
Yeah, my Bahasa Malaysia/ laughing buddy has left Motueka.
I’m so bummed
The minute he went into the car, my eyes started to tear up but people thought I was sad for my phone. Then I quickly went into my bed, covered myself with the blanket and cried :’( #emotional
ANYWAY. I came up with the pros & cons of him leaving wtf.
Pro is:
a) I do not spend THAT much when he is not around.
Everytime I do grocery shopping with him, he’ll recommend me something new to try and of course I end up buying it la. Ozias is also the happy go lucky type de. So we do not mind spending a little more when it comes to things that makes us happy – FOOD. Be it KFC, that $25 fish & chips set meal (I feel like a man eating more than the boys haha)
Cons are:
a) Nobody to laugh at my cooking skill.
There was once when I was peeling potato skin and being a clutzy person, the potato flew, bounced and don’t know end up where wtf. Ozias just shook his head and his typical words are “I feel sorry for the guy who is going to marry you”.
b) Nobody to gossip with me in BM anymore.
The perks of knowing an unpopular language. We have tonnes of inside jokes shhhh cannot tell here wtf.
2. Ozias left me a present. A thunder on my phone wtf.
Yes. My phone screen cracked the minute Ozias walked out the door *dramatic*. It was actually cracked because of my silliness. Being the typical playful me I was jumping around like a monkey because I wana take picture with Ozias wtf.
Next thing I know, phone flew off.
Battery everything came undone.
When I quickly put them together, I gasped.
Showed Ozias, he gasped.
There’s nothing we can do. And he gave me a comforting hug. (Actually I was sadder that he’s leaving la. Phone crack so what. No sentimental value also as long as it is still working)
3. Talley’s
Remember that I mentioned I got a job in a mussel factory? Well, I was supposed to start on the 19th Nov but they delayed it to 26th and then I received a call and they said that the newcomers won’t start on the 26th and they cannot confirm when we can start wtf.
So basically I’m jobless until further notice wtf.
I am so disappointed with the management system. They took us in on the spot and then now they can’t confirm when we can start? I can’t go back to the kiwi orchard job because they have found replacement already.
Since I’m too free now, I’ve been editing pictures of my overdue posts/ trips. Been watching learning how to cook from Karen, also learn to bake banana cake (it’s so easy. i can’t wait to bake for y’all when i’m back)
Related posts:
Last Day at Kiwi Orchard
Howdy! Somehow I’m always motivated to update my blog on Monday/ Tuesday and then the rest of the week just zzz *collect dust*.
A few days ago was my last day working in the kiwi orchard. After working in the agriculture sector for 12 weeks, I CAN HAS EXTENDED VISA!!!
But I haven’t done any paperwork yet wtf/ damn lazy.
Anyway, my last day was not like how I imagined it to be.
It was gloomy. Rained. But something really funny happened.
Mok: *whisper* How do you spell ejaculation? *ready with iPhone* Me: E-J-A… Mok: OK got it. *iPhone speaker pronounced “Ejaculation” on maximum volume*
And we were actually together with the lady boss. Everyone instantly LOL. Lady boss fasten her pace and walk away from the group LOL.
Cheers to last day of work.
I am really bummed to leave this amazing/ cheerful/ fun team. They are the reason that I look forward to every morning. If not, I will die of boredom.
ANYWAYS. The 5 of us went salmon fishing again wtf. It was a rainy day and the view was pretty foggy. Visibility was down to less than 100m.
Upon arriving, it was still raining but we still went ahead and fish. For some reason, it took us a longggggg time to catch a fish. My fish is the best. I counted. 7 fishes actually bit my bait but they ran away wtf. So kek sim ahhh. When I was about to give up, then only I caught 1 zzz.
Here’s Mok photobomb me. Grrr.
Our smoked salmon. Damn worth it lor. Because we have coupon to smoke 4 fishes for FREE. 5 of us ate until jelak. But damn awesome to be eating fresh smoked salmon in the cold weather.
The boys I love/ Kawan seumur hidup.
I’m so bummed that Ozias is leaving on Wednesday He’s the only Malaysian that I click so well here. Always looking out for me & make me LOL almost every time. He’s like a big brother that I never have *hugs*
Thanks for sharing with me some traveling tips and believing in my dream of going to Brazil for WC2014
Kesian Mok. He was literally bored to death without us at work today LOL. He then surprised us with his presence by coming to our house. I was so happy that I squealed “I miss youuuuu” and he mocked me back with a squeaky “I miss you” and hugged. Mok is like Sheldon. He despises physical contact and I was touched when he hugged me aww.
And he’s cooking Korean dinner for us. Oh, the love!
SO currently I am unemployed for a week. It’s only the first day of being jobless and I’m so boreddddd. We’re cooking BKT for the Koreans tomorrow and on Wed Ozias will leave We’re already planning our road trip in Malaysia. Going to bring the gang home and show them what Malaysia is all about. Tentatively, the journey is Kuching –> KK –> Penang –> Sitiawan –> KL –> Malacca –> Johor. Gotta save up for an epic trip!
Till then!
Related posts:
Just because I worked half day for these 2 days, I damn semangat lor update my blog wtf.
We stayed in a backpacker called The Innlet. It’s located in a super ulu place and it has no mobile coverage at all. AT ALL! Well, not like anybody will text me anyway. Oh well.
Aside from that, it is actually a pretty cosy place to chill with your closest friends. We bought some booze + snacks, sat near the fireplace.
I was looking around the room and felt a little sense of touched. Here I am, with my co-workers enjoying each other company and best of all, KT Tunstall CD was playing woohoo. So you can imagine how lomantik the night was wtf.
BUT I tell you ahh! HK people tell the worst ghost story. We offed all the lights and only on 1 lamp to make the atmosphere eerie. The HK dudes volunteered to tell us ghost story. Mana tau it’s a different kind of ghost story where you have to guess the storyline wtf. Ozias and I got too bored we dozed off on the couch.
The next morning, all the sleepyheads woke up and before leaving, I just had to practise my piano skills.
Just gotta post a pic of him here wtf.
Let’s tour around The Innlet Backpacker.
(We stayed there for less than 12 hours, I didn’t get to look around at all. Pictures below are credited to Oscar/ Joy/ Mei etc)
The super cosy living room. I want my future house to be like this!
The spacious kitchen.
The boys dorm room.
We paid $27/ night which was a little pricey (considering no Wi-Fi, far from town) but still worth it. The next morning, the owner came in with a basket of freshly baked scones. The boys started their booze drinking session as early as 9am wtf.
Next we headed to Te Waikoropupu Spring. In short, we just call it Pupu Spring.
The candid group shot. See Mok. Tsk.
The whole gang minus Oscar and grandma Mei.
The place is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!
Water is crystal clear. I have not seen anything like this before! Lai, let the pictures do the talking.
Now can you believe how clear it is? It’s like looking into a see through water wtf.
We were standing on top of this. Crazy kan how clear spring water can be?
Since I seldom take picture of myself. Edit a bit differently wtf.
See Stupid Mok.
See Stupid Mok again.
He just gotta joke/ play around with people. Always come up with random answers, insensitive jokes (not for the cepat marah) and actually after splashing Karen (China), he wanted to throw me into the pond. Thank goodness the gang stopped him. Sumore I have camera leh wtf.
Heloooooooooooooooo.
*blush*
Our first picture together.
I know I look very auntie here. That’s my default outfit btw. Jacket + Leggings + Flip flop. I wear this everywhere I go wtf. I look so zzz compared to my stylo Korean *cough cough*
Then we headed to Anatoki Salmon Farm.
Lucky us! They were having promotion.
So basically, you just go in, rent their fishing equipment for FREE and you will only be charged for the fish that you catch. Only $15/kg.
After you have catch your fish, you can choose if you wana smoke it or have it as sashimi!
Ni hao! My first time go fishing so must take picture.
Actually it was pretty easy to catch the fish one. Because in the lake there’s a lot of hungry salmon fish. I actually got some reaction within 5-10 minutes. But I quickly shake it off because I don’t want my fishing experience to end in just 10 minutes!!
You can actually fish for as long as you want as long as you have the money to pay $15/kg lor. Being the kiamsiap person, I’m only willing to pay for 1 fish.
But who knows after that no fish wana come to me jor wtf. Seeing all my friends 1 by 1 with their big catch, Micah and I then went to the opposite of the lake.
Still no catch until Ozias borrowed me his fishing rod then within 1-2 minutes I got something. Arghh don’t waste time la don’t care if it’s big or small just faster pull it out.
Tadah!
My first catch! So proud of myself heh.
And then Micah 先生 helped me to kill the fish. It looks a bit brutal here. Well, actually it is. You gotta use the sharp thing and poke on the fish head. They say can hear bones break sumore T3T.
Come to mama!
The love of my life.
Truth be told, it didn’t taste as good as I expected. Lose kao kao to the sashimi that I tasted in Fish Market, Sydney. When I post this on FB, my friend told me that the salmon fish in Mount Cook taste better. Maybe I will try to fish there. One day.
Must also post not-so-pretty pictures of me eating my own catch.
Although not that nice but feel so touched. It’s not easy to become fisherman lor wtf.
The Malaysian! Ozias and I developed this habit of speaking Bahasa Malaysia with each other. Never have I spoken so much of BM in a month before LOL. I feel a deep sense of appreciation towards the language now. And it’s so fun lor to poke fun at people in BM HAHA. And he’s super funny de. And he calls me perempuan. Aww <3
I had so much fun with them I’m so bummed I won’t be working in the kiwi orchard anymore after this. Got a job in Talley’s which pays better but that means I won’t be seeing the boys (and Jay) on a daily basis.
Le sigh. Nothing to look forward when I wake up in the morning jor.
No more watching him singing.
Nobody will affectionately call me babi.
No more laughter. No more chatters.
And worst of all, NO MUSIC.
I will die.
I think I’ll turn into a zombie after a week working in the factory.
Wish me luck
Related posts:
Weekend Getaway with 3rd Familia – Day 1
They say “When you’re away from home, your friends become your family.”
How true.
Right now I have 3 self-acclaimed families in NZ LOL.
1st one is Chez La Mer family. Together with Zack, Sara and the 2 bestest girl friends in the world, Jasmine & Kasia.
2nd family is the Sequoia family. With the gang – Phuong, Kevin, John, Micha and the Malaysian kaki – Kar Yee & Tai Lou.
(If you noticed, the first 2 families are the friends I made when I was woofing. Kinda miss woofing though.)
3rd family is the kiwi thinning family wtf. I’ll introduce the members later la. Too many of us wtf.
So 2 weekends ago, we went to Takaka/ Collingwood/ Farewell Pit. It is a 2 hours drive away from Motueka. Lai, Google Map will show you where is it wtf.
So the pictures below are the pics we took around the circled area.
Welcome to Farewell Pit. Sea view for as far as your eyes can see.
Picture of la familia. Somehow we always, always, ALWAYS forget to take a group picture. Except for the last day but those pics are in Oscar’s camera. So this will do. Oh well.
My colleagues are a bunch of funny people. Like the guy here Mok (Korean). Both of us can just sit in front of each other and started laughing for no reason at each other. My pictures are full of Mok’s stupid/ funny pictures. You’ll see more of him below.
Ozias (Malaysian) and Micah (Hong Kong) are not ashamed to show their bromance.
To be honest, I didn’t really think the beach was really nice. It was OK la but nothing spectacular. The only thing that I can remember of that place is HOW MUCH I HATE THE SAND WIND (if that word exists wtf)
I mengada. Go wear shorts. Mana tau OMG it was really windy that day and when the sand wind hits you, it feels like little red ants biting all over your leg. Damn painful ok can cry 1 T3T
Hello hot stuff.
Damn vain right this Korean. When I first saw him, I was like OMGWTFBBQ why is he so dressy to the beach and I’m only clad in my baggy shirt, shorts with flip flop wtf.
We then proceed back to Takaka to have our dinner. (Fish & Chips, what else). It was pretty bad though. The fish wasn’t fresh. Best part is we ate by the fence facing the road. Pretty hygienic considering there are very few cars on the street.
Stupid Mok.
It was such a chillaxing day. Beach –> Fish & Chips –> Crusing around town.
Whenever someone asks me, “How do you find NZ?” My reply is always the same – I love it here.
We were walking around the town to look for a place to stay for the night (bad planning, I know) and we were walking around when this kid came and said hi to us. So Micah asked if he can borrow a while and the kid (probably 5-6 years old) didn’t hesitate one bit.
Damn happy lor. I wana raise my kids in a free and easy environment. I think my kids’ generation wouldn’t have the freedom to ride bikes/ run/ play wherever they want anymore jor. Even now also, if my cousin steps out of the house, we will yell, “Come in ahhhh. Later people kidnap you baru tau.”
Ok it’s 11pm and I have work at 7am tomorrow. Gahhhhh. I’ll update 2nd day tomorrow. I promise!
Till then, toodles!
