Trivial But True

About Me

I am not keen on the same kind of retail outlets in most Australian shopping centres (we need variety and uniqueness!); individuals not communciating when they can - and should; global warming;  racists who dare not speak their mind but operate behind our backs; baggy jeans; people asking how are you but do not really want to know; the FOX News channel; sex tourists;  people without compassion; politicians who benefit themselves more than the voters who put them in the first place; vehicle drivers who belch exhaust and think they are cool; sludge snow; haughty persons; working too hard for nothing; hairy backs; loud mouthed women and men with attitude; cheap perfume (you can smell it!); individuals who take credit for things they did not do; double standards; plastic Christmas trees; people who stab you in the back (okay, not literally, and actually much worse); people who take you for granted; being singled out for extra security checks just for being an East Asian male, when I have not broached any thing required; team leaders who exclude you from celebrations and only include you for problems; restaurant owners who have three sesions an evening and restrict your dining time at the table; not being able to window shop after hours; and people who make a show of forgetting that you have treated them well.

and I love:
lying on my back and take in the view of clouds rolling by on a big blue canvas sky; looking at swimming goldfish; discovering budlings springing out of the moist soil; making the most out of a challenge; reading a book on a dark and stormy night; cooking with whatever I have in the kitchen while the rain pours outside; the blue of the ocean and sky; chatting with mates; discovering new places; re-arranging things; once in a while, being caught in a time warp with nothing planned; watering plants, wherever they are; celebrating festivals; surprising someone special, and more; getting out of the comfort zone and testing unnatural limits; sharing, doing and giving something without expecting anything in return; giving my time and resources to make someone happy or grow, when I do not need to: special individuals who do not say much but whom you know love you in the only way they can, under the circumstances; meeting pro-active leaders and operators, whether on an airflight or with a innovative acting guy or woman in retail anywhere; talking with individuals with experience (aka elderly people); talking with individuals who have fresh-eyed perspectives (aka youngsters); taking the less travelled road; spending time with family; being drawn into laughter by humorous mates; eating Mum's home cooked food; house parties; and getting things done.

Straits Chinese Curry

My Wine List for the Holidays

Thank You For The Music

The start of the Millennium is but a distant memory. The commencement of 2009 is more recent, but as we approach the second decade of the 21st century, here are some of the individuals who have energised me in such positive ways on my life’s journey this past year, mentioned in no particular order:


Mum – Madam Foo Gaik Hwa

Mr Dylan Smith

Uncle Jimmy Foo and Aunty Winnie

First Cousins Mu Lan and Susan Chan

Second Cousin Roy Lim

The Campbell Family of Woonoona, NSW

Mdm Roma and Mr Peter Karak

Niece Adelyn Yong

Aunty Foo Gaik Keow

Ms Lim Bee Keok

Mr Yap Boo Ann

Ms Lillian Ong

Mrs Janice Tinham

Mrs Charmaine Wan and her daughters Ashleigh and Caitlin

Mr Lim Yew Ting and family

Mrs Rosanne Humble

Ms Tan Mui Na

Mr Pete Cusack

Uncle Hong Beng and family

Mr Richard Bennison

Mr Robert Sim

Ms Joyce Cheam

Mr David Mason

Mr Dane and Mr Nathan

Mrs Nicky Bishop

Mr Andrew Mulligan

and more

Easy Sydney Sunday - 20 December 2009

Start with brunch at Spice I Am, a modest Thai cafe providing food with a kick at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Sydney CBD.

Here is a lime flavoured twist with grounded peanuts over the Hong Kong egg noodles served with char siew pork cuts and garnished with fresh herbs.  It may be best complimented by a cool iced longan-flavoured drink.

Chill out and hot up at Swiss Bakerz in Darlinghurst - brioche and latte, with posters of Swiss inspiration and a friendly face at the front.

Eel (unagi) dinner serving at On Ramen in Sydney's Chinatown, a narrowly spaced ramen bar with but with flexible combinations in meal choices

Slurping hot Japanese noodles to wind up or start the last Sunday evening before Christmas.

Home On The Range: Prawn Soup Noodles in Balgownie

Allow tender pork neck cuts to rest before slicing them into thins or bite-sized pieces.

The prawn stock and chilli paste simmer with the pork bites.

Boiled thin rice vermicelli with garnishings like hard boiled eggs. According to preference and taste, crunchy stuff like fishcake slices and light fresh vegetables like bean sprouts can also be added.

The finished product, bon apettit

Return to Wollongong

The Beach House Restaurant is located at a scenic corner of North Beach in Wollongong.  Its first storey venue offers panaromic views of the surf and the ever present container ships on the far horizon of the Tasman Sea. The service that we had was efficient friendly, despite it being the last Thursday before Christmas Eve.  As we sat down, our attention were captivated by the sight of the green and tall Norfolk pines trees that line up on the beach only across the road. I thought of both Cronulla and Manly Beaches not too far up north.

For entrees, we both had pig cheeks with scallops.  Pig cheeks, you may wonder.  They turned out to be more tender and well done when served.  I could not help thinking of fish cheeks, a delicacy treasured in Chinese cuisine and proffered to the most honoured guest at a dining table. A good start to lunch, especially with the consistent stunning views of white caps of the ocean surf forming dramatically and increasing under emerging ocean winds.  Summer!

For the mains, I had the paella - Spanish-styled rice with seafood, but not as hard as those cooked in the Spanish quarter along Liverpool Street in Sydney CBD. What I was served, delightfully this time, was more rissotto like and definitely more to my preference. The mussel shells were carefully stuck out of the rice llike on the beach. The colour of the rice was off-white instead of the expected yellow, but the blend of flavours melted in my mouth and I forgot about the importance of colour.

Another  main dish that cuaght my eye was grilled barramundi, interestingly served with hard boiled eggs, opened in halves.

The lunch conversation was great - it struck me of how important family is, what sacrifices had been made by the parents and of how there was a gleam in the eye when grown up children were talked about. The years pass by quick, for now I can appreciate better the effect children can still have on the parents in a close knit family, even if they have already left home. It can be so meaningful when a father verbally appreciates the positive impact of a daughter-in-law on a son and of how a daughter has achieved a successful career in Canberra.

This enjoyable meal culminated for me with a dessert of panna cotta with water melon infused gelato.  We thoroughly enjoyed the accompanying wine from New Zealand, a white called the Heart of Stone.  The experience at the Beach House had been unique - like the speical yam soup cooked by Aunty Girly the following night.  This dish is rarely made these modern days and to have it home cooked made it even more tasty!

The Harbour Front Restaurant at Wollongong Harbour specialises in seafood.  The four of us naturally gyrated to fish in our meal choices, whether they be battered fish and chips or grilled salmon with spiced prawns on the side.The glass panes surrounding the ground floor venue did mitigate my doubts about being not able to be seated upstairs.  The marina-like ambience put us on eye level with yachts and fishing boats, the water was not too choppy and we couild even see the hill escarpment behind the Wollongong area. Despite another busy day in the restaurant, service was provided with a smile.   The two of us having entree chose the scallops with proscuitto, after our initial prefrence had run out and were not available, even for a noon start.  The light rain outside did not dampen our spirits and chatter - and maybe the Premium Hahn Dry helped.

Forever Summer

Shellharbour Beach Dec 12, 2009

Motif on the walkway

Charlotte slice, Green Poppy Cafe, Addison Road, Shellharbour

Sitting on the edge of the bay, watching the tide come in

What Really Matters

It is not how much you bring home in pay or reward, but how you spend it to not just take care of yourself, but how you utilise it to make a difference for the individuals for whom you care about.

We cross paths with various scenarios, attitudes and vibes. How we choose to respond and react to them reflects our strengths, insecurities and inner soul. In the end it does not matter the swipes of discomfort, hurtful words some blurt out without much thought or the temporary joys of insincere praise, for what is of value shall grow within our hearts and nurture our being without such distractions.

Material things provide the illusion of possession and temporal soothing.  We come to our individual existence without such acquisitions, but as we live out life's journey, we partake, accumulate and dispense more important things than the latest electronic gadget or an abode bigger than what we need. Real wealth goes beyond the material and is truly shown in what we do when facing challenges, how we share when we experience joy and what we actually do when we have the choice to ignore, be involved or be  a neutral observer or listener.

I love the reality of things being not permanent. How wise this teaching brought to me, so that when I suffer negative episodes, I know it will not last and look forward to better dimensions. Wheh things are really thrilling and satisfying, I am humbled to know that I better truly enjoy this positive sensation to the utmost.  As I understand that things will change, it dawns on me to not take anything for granted, whether it is pain or the lightest, happiest feeling in the world.  This helps me to better manage letting go, whether it is the clutter in the house or past friendships that have gone past its shelf life.

The seasons are the best signs to remind us to be one with the natural cycles of life, growth and renewal. This can be experienced not just physically but also mentally and within our inner soul. The universe can be paradoxical, but maybe it just wants to give us variety and change to feed our lives.

Diversions and expectations are fun tests to our heart and mind. Changing our way of thinking can be as refreshing as changing our directional steps when walking in a garden that we have not visited before.  We can never know what to expect and there is the thrill of absorbing new things and adding to our understanding and continuing learning.

Meeting new people and visiting hitherto unknown places involves risks, but also offers new vistas and different ways of thinking. Falling back on the ritual of tradition, whether of family, culture or region, provides a safe haven in times of changing weather, fortune and experience.

Good Morning Sunshine

Frangipanis in Balgownie, December 2009

Display at Flower Haven, Wollongong

                                              Summer lilies along Crown Street, Wollongong

A Touch of Asian, Wollongong

Return To the Shire

The chocolate fondue is now served in a smaller container, but the slices of strawberry, banana and marshmellows remain.  The place is still a favourite of group meals, whether for work colleagues, birthday parties, families or teenagers in search of tasty pizza.  The front counter led into a packed hive of activity, passing on baked stuff, pasta concoctions and bowls of salad with fetta cheese or cooked chicken bits.
At the back, near the boys' room, I saw Indian guys carry in the heavy stiff of supplies and ingredients, even late in the evening.

What is this successful formula that encourages turnover in sales and sustains the return of repeat customers? Is it the location, the quick service or the generous amounts of food for a 30 dollar package?  I have always wanted to get those gelato containers sold from a fridge near the entrance. Personally, I like the pastas, with a light sauce, variety of flavours and servings more than any one can handle.  Parking is limited off the street and the restaurant lies between the Tom Ugly Bridge and Kirawee.

Friday evening, the first one  of December and I found myself on the main strip of Gymea.  The last time I was there I was on an auditing visit.  How long ago that seemed, and yet the experience is recollected with clarity.  I had found it a long way to drive down to Gymea from Sydney's northern suburbs at dawn, and to me then it was like being on the frontiers of the moon.  The Gymea Pub in 2009 has managed to find the right balance of informality, sufficient diversion and a generous amount of space for its patrons to scateer in groups or allow couples to settle in niche corners.  The main customer demographic wore thin light summery t shirts with tight fitting pants, mid-calf or long, and the most popular drink that night was the Bundaberg rum, mixed or straight.

Light and Easy

Ever since I was introduced to tea-infused cuisine in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year (refer to my posting "Catching Up, Three and More"), I have been eagerly looking forward to lighter, less oily and still tasty meals served with a kick to the palate. I recall the long beans and chicken servings, with the light aromatic infusion of oolong tea, with the refreshing feeling leaving the Purple Cane Restaurant in the heart of Kualla Lumpur's Chinatown.

It has not been easy to do so in Australia, with the summery barbeque stuff on the grill, the southern Chinese courses that can leave a certain thirst in the middle of the night and the bacon and egg blends of breakfasts at cafes here.

Then I remembered the unique Chinese and Korean dishes prepared at Towon along a quiet side of Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   I had a recent opportunity to partake some dishes there, which offered a change from the stereotypes of udon, sizzling beef plates and kimchi.   Instead my group of seven persons, from Carlingford, Auckland and Wollongong, dived into peppered chicken and pork fillets, seafood-laced tofu and Sichuan flavoured king prawns that stood apart from the normal perception - and taste of Chinese cooking.  Even the northern Chinese roast duck with wraps was a world apart from Beijing duck - it was afforded a different lean and mean twist.

There were two menus available, labelled simply as Chinese or Korean. Towon is no tea-infused place. However, the good taste was not accompanied by a dose of unhealthy ingredients and flavourings. What was rich admittedly is the dessert range, from deep fried ice cream to toffee bananas.

Festival Fridge

Festive Baubles

When in Wollongong

Tramps, the store for men on Crown Street Mall, offers unique branded underwear and footwear. It is not surprising to be able to pick up Bjorn Borg and Diesel wear priced in the AUD50 range on the ground floor.
The sales staff have an Italian background and flair about them, and my experience is that they are very attentive to detail when you speak to them about purchasing a suit.

Wollongong Waves - Ceiling of Crown Street Mall Centre

The Body Shop outlet at the same mall exudes the enthusiasm and consistency for customer experience from its UK headquarters. There is always a constant effort to provide new variety, not just in products, but also in packaging, combinations and display.  This time around, they offer Japanese themed cherry blossom flavours in not just bath room toiletries but also in an expanding range of aromatics.  You can consider buying in various combinations that can cost from ten to a hundred dollars - hence the greater fun in choice and shopping.

Surprising Wollongong

The David Jones store for clothing is just too packed out and seriously requires a move to bigger quarters. Sometimes an enterprising busker or two position themselves outside the dark wallls of this store - the last I saw was an engaging guy singing his rendtions on a guitar. The Cino Cafe, just across the lane. but also facing the mall, offers a respite from the outside elements, make available a range of delicious cakes and offers a cosy retreat from the everyday.  Its mostly young staff are lean and busy.  Try the flourless gluten-free orange cake in this cafe  if you are next on Crown Street Mall.

(The writer writes afar from his adopted town of Wollongong, and declares he has no shares or monetary benefit in any of the businesses mentioned in this article)

Gatherings

Penang style pohpiah (fresh veg cuts with chilli paste, bean flavoured garnish and hoi sin sauce all inside a thin

wrap)

From top, clockwise: Aussie Helliers choc lollies, news eason red nectarines, honey murcott mandarins,

Straits Chinbese angkoo (yellow bean filling in a red dough) and apricots.

Garden lights to celebrate the Mooncake Festival and 20 years in Australia

Vas and Krish - The Wedding at Helensburgh, NSW