Ku ingin bicara soal hati..

Aiseh.. Aku geli lepas taip title itu..

Anyway.. This is how I am as the month of December checks in... All sentimental and wistful.. Ngeh! A month full of past memories.. A month that marks my existence too..

I just realized I'm entering the late 20's this month.. I haven't thought much about my age; I'm more focused of living my life to the fullest... Every time I look at that huge surgical scar on my left knee, I'm reminded of how I was once deprived from doing the things I love to do and how I've to struggle to even pick up a fallen object on the floor.. There were days when I buried my face in my pillow and cried but stood strong and tall with my crutches minutes after that just to tell those around me that I'm actually accepting it, know that it's temporary and you don't have to worry. I never got a proper physiotherapy due to the long queue. Since my practical exam needed me to stand and move about to conduct an individual experiment, I was determined to walk.. What my friends didn't know, I told myself, "I will never waste each and every moment of my breath starting from now" that evening when I hand both my crutches to my roommate and walked for the first time without my crutches after 4 months..


That scar also reminds me of how hard it was to put the fragments of a broken heart back together.. Reminds me of shattered dreams.. And most of all reminds of pain.. An unbearable pain that takes years to heal... I've forgotten and I've forgave.. I've forgotten so well that I can't even recall clearly how he looked like though I used to notice every mole and every wrinkle that appear every time he smiled. I've forgave that I'm willing to maintain good ties with his families but the pain... It's not something that I want to go through again... You know that song by Christina Perri? That part that says "I learn to live half alive..."; that was how I live as I try to pick up pieces by pieces of my severed heart and put them back together...

I got lots of comments from friends about me not having a replacement after all these years. Close friends were more understanding since they know what I've been through; saw me cried to sleep and walk into class with baggy eyes. "Irreplaceable???" some asked. HELL NO! haha "You are too choosy.." is the most common one.. Though I am hoping to find someone like Hugh Jackman, I am actually not at all choosy..

Who wouldn't want someone like Hugh Jackman; good looking, hot body, family guy etc. But  who  am I to put such high expectations? It's never about taste.. It has always been about not wanting to feel the pain ever again.. When it comes to relationship, there are two things that I can't fathom..

 1. How can someone fall in love so easily?   2. How can someone heal from a heartbreak so quickly?

I just don't get it...

For the past few years, there were some who came knocking on the door. When  there was no answer from inside, they left without knowing that the door was actually unlocked. They were never determined enough to get what's inside that they left without even trying to twist the knob. Or in another situation, lets put this in another analogy, they bargained with the goods not the merchant.

After all these years, I learnt to stand again. I manage to collect love, trust and hope from where I've dropped them and placed them along with honesty, loyalty, patience and respect in a small box. I wrapped it and tied a nice pink ribbon to it.. It's a small gift but very dear to me that I don't want it to be in the wrong hands. I'm waiting for that someone who can accept me for who I am, who has the urge to go extra mile and get what's behind the door. I'll hand him the gift in hope that what's inside can grow and grow while they're in his hands. I'll be patiently waiting.. And while I wait, I won't waste my time feeling sorry for myself and fret. I have the whole world to explore! I want to see the small, medium size and big wonders of the world while I am still able to and given the chance to because I'll never know when it'll be taken away from me again...

Some might ask, why am I am making a 4 months of handicap such a big deal that it changed my life so much? Not only the hardship of the 4 months ordeal has led me to my conscience.. There was something that  the paramedic said to me while attending me that ever so frequently rung in my ear..

"Adik, adik tau tak adik dan kawan adik la yang pertama kami bawak keluar dari terowong tu hidup-hidup..."

(^^)

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Melbourne trip: Philip Island

We were in a hurry that evening because we have to check in at our campsite before 6pm. There was the Grand Prix in Philip Island that week so most of the accommodation were full but we manage to book a campsite in Anchor Belle Holiday Park. We brought 2 tents with us; one was mine and the other was MR's. We were also rushing to catch the Penguin parade which starts at sunset so we decided to set our tents first and then drive to the Penguin parade.

This is my tent... (^^)

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The campsite

The welcome signage to the Penguin Parade at the entrance

We bought the 3 parks pass so we paid $37.50; that's for entry to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island. Or was it cheaper.. Hurm.. I can't quite remember.. Anyway..

Unfortunately, photo taking was not allowed during the penguin parade. And no touching the penguins too. So I just describe to you how things were.. The entrance was opened at around 6.50 pm so we walked our way to the seating area that faces the ocean. It's quite huge and we don't know where the  penguin will be parading so to be safe we sat at the middle.. But actually they'll walk towards their nest at both ends of the seat. They come in groups. So some of them will be walking on your right side and some on the left side. But it was too dark when they came back from the sea and there were few spotlights so we can't see them clearly. Plus there were extremely small!! CUTE!!!!!!!

The species found in this island is the smallest of the penguins. They're called the Little Penguins or Blue Penguins or also Fairy Penguins. They spent the whole day swimming in the sea and only return to their nest at dusk. Macam mana mau describe the size..? O maybe about the size of 2/3 of the A4 paper! Very small! And they look exactly like the plush toy SJ is holding in the pic.

Actually we didn't see much when they were walking on the beach. But we got to see them close enough at the walking area but we were bordered by the fence, of course. As close as, if it is allowed, you could actually reach to touch or grab them with you hands. They're very tame. They don't seem to be intimidated by the presence of visitors at all.

I say, this is actually a must go place. You only get to see penguins in the southern hemisphere so going to this Penguin Parade is an opportunity to watch them at their natural habitat. Although, the building and the parking lot are there, still it is their natural habitat kan.. heee You don't have to go if you're planning to go to antartica, galapagos island (dream destination!) or if you don't like penguins :p

After the Parade, we went straight to our campsite to have dinner at the camp kitchen. It has a microwave, an electric kettle, a grilling stove and some power points that we used to charge our cameras. Sadly, we have to eat quickly too because the kitchen is closed at 9pm. Semua pon rushing that day..

It was super windy and freezing that night! My sleeping bag is meant for 7C but still the cold penetrate through it.. Deym! So the next morning we head to the Nobbies Centre

(^^)

The Nobbies Centre is located at the tip of the island. There's a boardwalk where you can stroll on to enjoy the spectacular view of the coast. The Seal Rocks can be viewed from here but I didn't see it.  

The network of the boardwalk might look like it's a long way to the end (well, it is quite a long way but definitely less than 1 km) but to me walking to the end is worth it because a reward awaits you there.

Wahaaaa!! Jaw dropped!!  My  camera is just an ordinary digicam thus this is all I can show to you. But seriously, all of us just stood there in awe. 

That's the famous blow hole. It gave out this distinctive blowing sound when a wave came crashing in that hole. 

Next was the Koala Conservation Centre

The building has this informative display inside which I think were actually neatly arranged. Meaning, it start off with what people usually thought about Koala; the misconception that they are bears and then followed by the basics like as you can see what's in a name there, then the life cycle, then the diet, then the habits, then the mating etc. Very helpful for someone who is Koala naive like me (^^)v I don't even know that they have pouch like Kangaroos (-_-") Do you know..?? Please don't make me feel stewpeed (oz accent d ctu)

Anyway, the grounds of the conservation centre is actually at the back of this building. We exited a door and there were walkways there and actually there were other animals too. But since we were there for the koalas, so we just focus on them.

There were wise-looking koalas snoozing on the trees but our closest encounter were these two adorable ibu dan anak! There was a mesh wire fence that prevented us from getting any closer but they were very close. Like if you stand right in front of the fence, they were like about a meter from you. O tengok la buah yang terlekat di atas mata joey itu!! COMEYL!!

Our next destination Churchill Island Heritage Farm!

It's actually a very small Island but I consider it as a big piece of land for a farm. When you first enter the entrance, you'll be driving on a narrow road sandwiched between tall bushes that you can't see what else is there behind the bushes. Then as we exited that road, we found ourselves driving on a gravel road on the sea and straight ahead was a narrow bridge that connects Phillip Island with Churchill Island. We were stunned by the beauty and were greeted by these Cattle

RA: Wah! Ni kalau bawak balik raya haji memang sebenar2 korban nih!

In this farm they let all the animals loose so they were wandering about and coincidentally, this beautiful  peacock was opening its feathers! So I stood close to it and "SJ cepat snap!" 

There were farm activities too. When we were there, it was time for sheep shearing. The guy demonstrated how it's done and after that we could touch the sheared coat but there were no session for visitors to try it :(. Sheep tu nampak pasrah jak bha masa tu.. It'll be living without it's fleece for a year because that's how long it'll take to make the fleece to grow again. Kesiannya sejuk la dia malam tu... haha And after that was the whip cracking and boomerang throwing activity. We'd wanted to try both but we only tried the whip cracking. O aku telah meng'whip' diriku sendiri on few attempts (-_-")

So the above is our group picture at one part of the farm. It was so cloudy so we can't get a nice pic. I'm not good with camera setting and I think the others' cameras battery were depleted because I can't find many pictures in their albums too. (-_-") Anyway serious bha cantik Churchill Island and we enjoyed out time there (^^) Should go!!!!!!!

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And finally, we shared this tasty hot mocha before heading to Sorrento; the place where I will settle down if I'm given the chance to choose.. (ya la tu.. Aritu ko bilang mo settle down di Jeju!)

So lesson from this part of our trip..

Yeah~ So next will be the place where I will settle down.. Sorrento.. And will combine it with Queenscliff if it's not too long hehe

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Melbourne Trip: A lil' bit of the city

We were back in our hostel at 11.00 am and it was already time for check out. AM and SN did all the packing for us because we thought we'll make it in time but then we were back late huhu Thank you AM and Sn *HUGS!* After that we went out and separate in 2 groups. MR and I went to find rental car and the rest went to get food.

This is the free City Circle tram. It only goes around the Central Business District (CBD) but it is nonetheless very convenient because all the stops are close to all the city attractions and halal eateries. And only by hopping onto this tram, you get to see every nook and cranny of the city. And as we go by one by one of the streets, there was a man's voice on the speaker telling us what are the attractions found in a particular street and some quick facts and histories of the place of interest.

The rest alighted at La Trobe. MR and I chose to hop off at Flinders because there's one big tourist info centre there

This  is where you can get lots of useful brochures that have discount coupons in them. You can also make tour and flight bookings here. You just tell them where you want to go or what you want to do then they'll make an itinerary for you and contact the necessary people and voilla the next thing you know, you're in a tour bus (^^)/ ok.. but we were there to get a car.. but then, we actually have to deal directly with the car rental company.. Yeah.. Tidak booking awal adalah suatu yang dinamakan STUPIDITY.. (-_-")/

Though we were slightly off schedule with no car guaranteed for our trip to Philip Island, MR and I just can't resist to snap some pictures. The weather was so fine and the view around us was so beautiful.. So.. Why not..

Yah! Berusaha mo blend in~

A very ancient-looking church in front of Federation Square. Not that ancient la.. Just I think from the architectural features (macam la aku tau sangat), it could be one built in early 1900 hehe 

Modern architecture.. I think it's unique.. Not ugly hehe

Excited shadows (^^)v

Federation wharf just behind Federation Square.. Thank you burung2 yang bertebangan.. 

Melbourne City.. I mish uuuuu~

Lepas tu, kami makan Lord of the Fries!!! With Italian sauce (^^)/

Xpa la add $ 2 for the tasty Italian sauce pon..

O ya, Actually I ordered the small size.. But then they sort of  skipped my order by mistake and I've to wait a little longer than I should.. And they upgraded my fries to LARGE!!! \(^^) yeehaw! Ini bukan konspirasi menggemokan aku.. Bukan...

Office workers having lunch.. Kalo di Malaysia, basah lencun dengan peloh suda kalo lunch outdoor begini

Jogging di tengah kota at 12 noon... Apakah?? Gaya hidup sehat yang sebenar..

So then, we actually went to Swanston street where all the car rental companies are located lalu kami panick sebab every company was fully booked for the week and we need the car for 3 days! (-_-") Dada penuh dengan penyesalan masa tu.. MR and I were chanting.. 

"Back up plan.. Back up plan.. Back up plan.."

..as we roam the street with despair. We don't have any back up plans! Aaaargh and then from a T-juction I was slightly elated to see the indoor climbing gym and then we saw Avis, Europecar and Budget; the three remaining companies that we haven't check. We chose to try Budget first because Europecar and Avis are known as being a little bit pricey..

"Kalau Budget takde, Avis takde, kite amek je la Europecar walaupon mahal.."

And Alhamdulillah \\(",) tadah tangan tinggi2.. There is one 8-seaters still free for that evening \(^^)/

MR maintained her composure as she usually does. Aku suda sedikit terlompat di depan kaunter.. Dan kami mengesyaki orang di kaunter itu Malaysian sebenarnya though he continued to converse in English...

Soooo.... Bermulalah journey kami ke pulau yang indah itu...

Philip Island map.. Not that big.. But bigger than Labuan hehe

Our 8-seater.. I never drive a vehicle this big so I wasn't that confident at first. But I enjoy driving there. The drivers were ethical and I can just relax and not be surprised by the sudden appearance of a zooming car like reckless drivers in you-know-where does

A meadow overlooking the sea as we enter Philip Island.. Yah.. driver yang baru menelan Dhamotil beberapa jam sebelom perjalanan. Luckily I didn't get drowsiness (^^)

Dan ini plate yang membuat an mpv full of singles menjerit "OMG!!!!!!!!!!!"

Macam menyindir kan.. hahaha ok next post will be Philip Island.. (^^)/ Yosh!

So pengajarannya: BOOK KERETA SEWA AWAL2 YAW!!

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