The Year that was MMX

I have always found new year's unbelievable. After 23 years of breathing, it amazes me how fast time can fly and it seems to be flying by faster year by year. The year that was MMX (aka 2-0-1-0)..

Achievements:
1. I started my career, the great love/hate affair that it is.
2. Bought an apartment.
3. Have a job I'm currently enjoying.
4. Social life, Love life, Life, all in all ticked.
5. Family - despite the ups and downs I love them.
6. Did a Barista course, am now officially qualified to make coffee (not necessary epic ones but is willing to practise to become epic - must buy an espresso machine).
7. Learnt/still learning to sail.
8. Started going to the gym/exercising
9. Appreciating wines
10. Learning to appreciate my family for everything they do for me.

Down falls:
1. Being a brat to my parents at times
2. Failing to cook or bake more
3. Unable to cut down on food
4. Reducing the number of outings I make to restaurants (epically failed to decrease restaurant eating)
5. Unmotivated to study
6. Not being able to travel overseas
7. Not being able to shop less (although compared to last year I did rather well I thought)
8. Not losing weight

The year of movies: (movies I've seen.. it's keeping the cinemas alive ok!)
1.  Valentine's Day
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Green Zone
4. How to Train Your Dragon
5. Date Night
6. Kick Ass the movie
7. Iron Man II
8. Robin Hood
9. Inception
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
11. Avatar
12. Avatar: THE LAST AIRBENDER
13. Prince of Persia - The Sands of Time
14. Sex and the City II
15. Get Him to the Greek
16. Toy Story 3
17. Despicable Me
18. Salt
19. Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief
20. The Expendables
21. Wall Street II - Money Never Sleeps
22. Red
23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1
24. The King's Speech
25. Summer Wars

I think there may have been more. I'm pretty sure I spent most of this year going to the cinemas and watching movies.

Concerts:
1. Big Day Out
2. Lost Prophets
3. On the Bright Side
4. Birds of Tokyo
5. Bon Jovi
6. U2

Theatre:
1. Chicago
2. Mamma Mia
3. West Side Story

Comedians:
1. Will Anderson
2. Frank Woodley
3. Russell Peters
4. A mixture of comedians at Melbourne Comedy Festival

Holidays: 
1. Melbourne trip (10 days)
2. Sydney (4 days)
3. Rottnest (3 days)

Attended weddings, hen's party, housewarming, birthdays, high teas, girls nights, home dinner parties, homemade pizza making, cranium competition, laughed, cried too much, and is still learning to survive and kick my demons.

Mezza Tapas Bar

This post is long over due. In fact, to be honest, at least 3 months over due. A couple of my girlfriends and I had a catch up dinner at Mezza Tapas in early September, a month after it opened, just because it's new, it's tapas and it's in Mount Lawley, central to all of us. The decoration and the interior design of this place is a little awkward with the stairs right in the centre of the building, which happens to lead to the bar. This just calls for a little OHS and a lot of potential drunken incidences. Apart from that the seats were comfortable, granted we were on the massive couch, service was friendly, knowledgable and helpful. The wine list wasn't extensive but we did discover a beautiful spanish red wine.

Between the 3 of us we opted for over-indulgence and full face-stuffing resulting in ordering 5 delicious tapas, one bread, and 2 desserts. All of which were pretty good. Although the highlight of the evening is most definately the pork belly, very well cooked, the crackling was well crackled, the pork tender and juicy. And the dessert? the creme brulee had real vanilla beans through it and the huge slab of chocolate was frozen and a little hard to cut, definately something none of us had before.

Salmon croquette - which according to Michelle looks like fish fingers, and I have to agree with her on that, but trust me it didn't taste like fish fingers!!

 

This was goats cheese something, it was an interesting texture, very yummy

 

our "healthy" dish for the evening, grilled eggplant, capsicium and zucchini

 

salsa beef balls

 

our bread and olive oil

 

crackling pork!

 

creme brulee with almost like fairy floss and  tequilla ice-cream!

 

our chunk of chocolate thing with fried bread slices.

 

Overall, we quite liked the ambience of the place, even though we were somewhat in the centre of the room, it was cosy, felt like we were the only ones there and the service was attentive, although it can be a little slow at times, prossibly because it seemed to be understaffed, I only ever saw 2 girls running around serving everyone, a little ridiculous?!? The food, it wasn't mind-blowing, but it wasn't tragic, definately a good catch up location with the girls.

Zensaki Noodle House

Replacing the very cheap Mr. Samurai on Barrack street we have Zensaki. As you may know (or may not but soon will discover) that I love my noodles and I particularly love GOOD ramen noodles made with love. 

I must say Zensaki's noodles are definately the best. It's authentic ramen noodles, not the substitute, almost egg noodle like one that is done at Arigataya. Not only are the noodles GREAT (even with in the traditional cold soba style - which they have this delicious sauce through it)  but they also offer three types of broth, shoyu (soy - which is my favourite), shio (salt), and miso (which according to my cousin is a little bitter?.. i had a taste i didn't think so, but it does taste a little strange, probably due to the miso particles through it!).


They also have a range of toppings available:

• Your choice of Chashu, Katsu Chicken, Tori Karaage, Sliced Beef, Tofu
• Egg
• Your choice of Cheese, Wakame, Beansprouts, Butter, Corn, Chilli, Nori

The number of ‘add-ons’ is totally up to the customer and what they would prefer to go with the Ramen this seemed to be very in tune with what was happening in Tokyo!

And I guess if you can't choose, like me, you can always have the works and have everything thrown in. And because I love a little bit of zang to my meal I ask for extra chilli. 

For approximately $8.50-$15 for noodles (or a set menu with noodles, salad - japanese style, miso soup and fried chicken that's around $18) that never seem to end with a broth and noodles that make me feel like I am in Japan. Zensaki is definately the best Ramen noodle house in Perth, beating Arigataya by a long stretch. 

Beef Ramen

 

Zensaki Ultimate (the works!)

 

Zensaki Cold Soba Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken 

(so simple yet so delicious!) 

Teriyaki Ramen Set Menu

 

Teriyaki Chicken Ramen

Tempura Prawn don

(rice with egg and tempura prawns)

OH I forgot to mention, they also provide cold soba noodles (which I've sort of mentioned and are really delish and light and perfect meal for hot summers!) , as well as sushi, gyozas, takoyaki, rice dishes like katsu don, donburi, teriyaki, katsu curries etc. for those who want something more than just noodles. But really, I recommend you try the noodles, they are the best in TOWN. REALLY AUTHENTIC. 

BIG SERVINGS, 

BIG TASTE

FAST SERVICE.

Got to just love it that Perth has places like with authenticity!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Christmas is almost here, and I spent the last Sunday before Christmas with friend's at JJ's place. He made a massive Christmas feast for us. It was absolutely delicious! Everything was cooked and made with love by JJ (including ALL THE DESSERTS AND WELL EVERYTHING REALLY). He's been slaving in the kitchen for three days. So impressed!

Half the table set..

a jug of hot mulled wine with brandy and slices of orange to be placed in each cup..
the perfect Germas Christmas drink to kick start the dinner
and for a toast to good friends and to JJ for making an epic dinner
 

Bread rolls, freshly re-heated in the oven,

can't have dinner without them!

Christmas Ham with pineapple and cloves 

Delicious! 

Fresh Oysters with mangoes and parsley and mango juice

- Totally refreshing and delish!

Beans, red onion and celary salad

Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without prawns!

Or STUFFED turkey - chorizo stuffed turkey..

this was sooooooooo delicious and yummy! and the stuffing was just amazing...

this was then poured with homemade cranberry sauce (that is if you chose to put it on top..

and why wouldn't you? it just made it perfect!)

A touch of German Christmas Markets with the famous bratwurst sausage..

this doesn't really need anything apart from just cooking it!

Have to balance all that protein with salads - 

L: fetta, cherry tomatoes and lettuce

R: baby spinach and pumpkin

Roast potatoes

And of course, dinner isn't complete without desserts!

L: saltanas baked pastry thingo and

R: short bread cookies 

White and dark chocolate truffles... *drools*

Gingerbread HOUSE!

Hazelnuts! Pity we couldn't eat them because there was no nutcrackers

and the highlight of the desserts...

DAMN YUMMY DELICIOUS BEST CHRISTMAS PUDDING EVER!!

and it came out of the oven when we were about to have dessert so it was sooo nice and warm..

and moist and just absolutely yummy..

oh I want more!

It was such a wonderful dinner, with Christmas carols playing in the background (curtoesy of V) and of course nothing is complete without a Christmas tree, and great company.

It was just nice to see everyone and catching up over a nice traditional Christmas dinner. Couldn't ask for more. Homecooked dinner parties are definately the best ever. Should have more of them.

JJ did just a great job organising everything! All he now needs is a dishwasher... poor thing had to wash all the dirty dishes.. T_T feel sooo bad for it..sorry babe, if I wasn't working the next day would have totally stayed back to help clean!!

Next year Christmas dinner has a huge shoe to fill in! massive expectations now.

it's just amazing..

Wouldn't it be just amazing to have someone that's absolutely devoted to you, loves you until it hurts, makes you laugh, kisses your tears away when you're sad, gives you warm fuzzy hugs, covers you in kisses when you are hurt, tries to make you happy, ensures you always have a smile, is friends with your friends, makes an effort to know your parents and brothers/sisters.. in general your family, wants to give you everything they can, is your friend, your lover, your love....?

wouldn't it just?

 

happy 200 days.. 

'tis the season to be silly... to be busy.. and to probably end up negating all your hard work at the gym.......

Christmas season is taking its toll on me.

The parties..

Christmas party every second day/every weekend...

The food... way too much food...

The realisation that I need more dresses/skirts/pretty blouses in my wardrobe.

And of course..

It's taking a toll on my gym sessions. I have NOT been able to go at least TWICE a week. I have only been going once a week, it's horrible.

I WILL be making time to go THREE TIMES A WEEK this week, in hopes of making up for the last few weeks of craziness.

And the craziness is probably not going to be stopping anytime soon..

I'm missing writing on this, but I doubt I'll have time.

So excuse the season hiatus.

sometimes work can be awesome...

I love the current work place, I couldn't have been more blessed to have finally ended up where I am. After all the whinging, working at different places have given me so much experience and lessons I couldn't have found anywhere, and thus also bringing me to where I am. I guess, it's true what they say, everything happens for a reason, and when a door closes, a window opens... or something along those lines anyway.

So apart from having nice collegues, work being enjoyable as much as it can be, I have awesome venues for lunch not so far from work. One of those venues is the famous patisserie, La Galette de France.

They sell crepes, savoury and sweet, as well as croissants, homemade sauasage rolls, pies, macaroons, coffee etc. Unfortunately, I was so hungry I didn't take any photos of the crepes (besides, it wasn't very photogenic!)
However, I definately took photos of the almond croissant, which was just absolutely delish, I had a bite! It has custard in it!! And, the chocolate crossiant and macaroons. 

Almond Croissant..

 

Chocolate Croissant

 

Macaroons

 

Ham and Cheese Croissant

As far as I'm concerned, I shall go back on a weekend one day and actually try something more than the crepe (I had chicken and mushroom!), and maybe actually have proper brunch like meal/tea and enjoy it so much more instead of worrying about the time and having to get back to work!

Now I just need to find a weekend when I am free so I can go.

reaching quarter life crisis... (well close enough to quarter life...)

So my birthday was last Saturday, just turned 23, feeling like I've ticked off so many of life's milestones I feel rather old. I had an epic weekend of celebrations, starting on Friday, with dinner at C restaurant which offered great views of the city. Then a picnic at Floreat Beach with friends and my cousins on Saturday, a family dinner that night at Hyatt Hotel, before heading for High Tea at the George with the girls and a few guys on Sunday.

 Although on the day of the picnic, it was cloudy. Thank GOD that it wasn't too hot (like the days before werea) or cold, the water was beautiful and as usual I think I bought too much food, but I guess at least no one went hungry. And hey, I had the opportunity to wear my new swimsuit. I love it, so comfortable and ultra cute. Now to just keep committed with my workout lose those love handles. T_T

Me and my beautiful cousins with Floreat Beach and the skyline at the back

 

Chilling and eating at the park.

 

Hiding behind A to try be half the size I am.. T_T

 

T&J and Me with my boy..

I must say, thank you so much for celebrating my 23rd brithday, and for all the lovely presents, messages and wishes. I feel so privileged to have all of you in my life. In fact, without you I wouldn't have had such an awesome weekend, so thank you!

Lots and lots of love. xoxo