In Dreams, a set on Flickr.

I went to the Melbourne Museum today. Not enough time was spent at Floor One, methinks.
There, they displayed many history, descriptive videos, artifacts, demo sets and whatnot about our MINDS. It was fascinating and I really wanted to read/view/try all of them!

I am v interested in the history of psychology.
Maybe I’ll visit there again some other time. Will be worth it!

Via Flickr:
35mm f/5.6 ISO200
mid air of Java Sea

“My name is Jamal, but you can call me Jimmy.”, a photo by michellewychan on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
35mm f/1.4 ISO280
Southern Cross Railway Station, Melbourne

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I talk to strangers a lot.
My theory is that everyone is as afraid of you as you are of them.
I think I told this to a lot of people. & I think it’s true.

I like to discover, and make friends k?

It rained from early morning to late evening. Apparently it hailed in many areas too (esp the suburbs neighbouring the city) and seeing the fist-sized hailstones showering from above, nobody should go out.
I was freaking scared for my camera (whose name is Sesame, btw heh)! I mean, wooaw! those hail break through windscreens! *pats lenses*

Hopefully everything clears out at least by the end of tomorrow (Boxing Day) since many businesses resumes the day after.

Since I’m cooked up at home with sesame rice and kimchi now (yummy), I’m not sure if I should review the handful of films I watched while I was being insomnious the last couple of nights……NAH another day.

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Something I wanna share:

I live the gay lifestyle, the gay lifestyle that is often mentioned by some Republican candidates for president. For those who are unfamiliar with the lifestyle, this is a typical day:

Originally from My Gay Lifestyle, Huffington Post by Domenick Scudera

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I was just telling a friend at the ungodly hour of 5 o’clock in the morning (Melbourne’s time T___T) that I find people here so much more accepting of others.
It doesn’t matter what religion, sexuality or personality you have (or not! hah!),
it is OKAY.
And people are able to ACCEPT YOU as an individual. That’s all.
No questions asked.

rainbow umbrella, a photo by lomokev on Flickr.

And since I’ve been here, I’ve heard much about unpleasant events back home that discriminates.
Towards religion and sexuality.
Politicians sinking their teeth into matters only make things . They (think they) profit on (what they think is) ‘political support’ from anti-this or anti-that. Idiots.

We study Sejarah to learn how we compromised and how much more we can compromise. To develop towards civilisation.
Future generations will study ‘us’ and I just won’t accept it if Malaysians were concluded to be ‘stubborn’ like Mao, or ‘ruthless’ like Shi Huang Di.

Not only is sex education lacking severely in Malaysia,
many people are not privileged the opportunity to feel and learn about their own rights and freedoms.
If they haven’t realise them, how do they know what to support? how to love?

Many people do not understand what is gay. (What more LGBTIQ……)
(What more accepting…………)

That said, there are people, too, who support the freedom to love whomever you want to love.

Much love,
Merry Christmas.

This eve was: coffee in Brunswick East followed by tottering in Fitzroy, taking the wrong tram, watching Drug Polices catching drunks at 2pm, yada yada, and then we (Dan & myself) went restaurant hopping (to my hips’ horror!). That said, the charred lamb rib was very to the point of my liking but gravy lacked oomph and substantial place in making the dish complete. Mehhh.

Me is free as a bird!

That is, until my flight back to Malaysia is due.

I am becoming so spoilt by Melbourne’s hospitality and I am worried that I will find myself a complete ass whining about everything back home. There are really things that I always wanted for home that I find them all here;

greener ways to travel,
actual practices of separating trash and recyclables,
bike-friendly roads,
greater DEMAND for quality,
greater demand and SUPPLY of quality service,
the incredibly low price for good ice-cream, and
……the belief to uphold the laws that are ruled (which is why I got fined haha).

Sure, there will be corruption somewhere in the government, something wrong SOMEwhere, but at least they are wary and it isn’t trickled down to society’s everyday lives.

We decided that Christmas this year will be spent OUT. ALL DAY.
So we are going out now and thus the end of this entry.

This is an irrelevant photo of my big fat face because Mom is complaining that there isn’t photos of myself. Well, Ma, here you go!

Merry Christmas.

And since participating with climate change activism years back, I really commend Glen Eira (area/district where I currently reside)
for its efforts. I appreciate the CSR work in Malaysia for going forward in greener direction, but it really isn’t enough to sustain the purpose when it’s done half-heartedly. We need to make it mandatory people! I don’t know if Malaysian corporations realise it, but this is a question of survival…

I’m in a pretty chatty mood right now, so I’m going to do a review!

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After learning how to make coffee and had a hindsight of a barista’s life in busy CBD cafés, I have a different level of respect for the line of people who worked for perfect servings of coffee – growers, roasters, makers.
So much precision is needed to really bring everything together for a good cuppa, I don’t know how to say it.

Also, since learning the making of the types of coffee and all, I vow to never buy another Starbucks/commercial coffee again. You heard it first from here, yes.

#1 Muffin which I did not get to taste because Dan gobbled it down!

#2 Latte no sugar, which was too bitter for Dan’s liking but I was fine with it because I have short black pretty often.

#3 The iced coffee that saved my day! It was one scorching hot day and we were wandering around city. Plus, we were being all hero, not taking the trams. But then again, the trams are always like sardine cans, so it’s pretty much the same.

#4 A lot of water to really stop the thirst! Our water bottles were already empty way earlier and were thirsty for hours…

#5 The most amazing part of this café (it’s quite wholly amazing) is the Slayers on their counter. Customised for this café’s purpose and size, and colour! If I were to ever find myself making coffee for a living, I’d like to be partnering up with a Slayer to make that happen. *dreams* HAHA

#6

#7 I thought the interiors were very clever. The big open spaces and sunlight that shone through helped with the mood and complimented the wooden decorations and shelves. It really is better to have a corner lot!

Also, there were two large-sized tables that looked just SO. COSY! It felt like the island you’d have in your home kitchen where you’d sit while Mom makes pancakes at the stove haha. And the dark wood colour made it look more welcoming. If it was any lighter, perhaps the mood will be different and less homey. Colour, spot on.

Despite spacious, the café was welcoming. The tables were distanced enough to maintain the privacy but at the same time, it felt like we were all sharing SOMETHING in common. Something good.

THE LEAGUE OF HONEST COFFEE, MELBOURNE CBD
8 Exploration Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
(61) 3 9654 0169

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Photos from earlier that day when we were in North Melbourne:

#8

#9

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Photos from later that day when we were in the city:

#10

#11 Dan & I always go to the State Library…because of Readings. I would just go there to read (the THICK book in the photo!) for however long it might take before the person on-duty comes over to ask if I need any help. I feel so kiam…

#12

#13 Somewhere in Mentone. (We mistook the express train, haih.)

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#14 TA DA! My homemade iced chocolate from scratch!
I used Cadbury chocolatesssss… YUMMMS bye-bye hips! and Bulla ice-cream!
(CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW CHEAP BULLA IS HERE? 4$ FOR 4L!)

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Alright I’m a stop away from Flinders Street. Ciao!

Anyway,
our thoughts are that:

1. World population needs to be half of where we are now (7bil) to survive as a SPECIES.
2. Politics will shift from representative democracy to participatory democracy.
3. Internet is the best invention EVER!
4. The most efficient way for societies to benefit is that if big corporations put People first instead of having small groups of people to fight for everyone else.
5. Small groups of people (generally) need stronger alliances with each other to survive. Start talking to the person next to you!

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So a few days ago, we were at the movies to catch something new since all we’ve been watching are old 2011 films and…Fight Club.
I chose the Ides of March (2011).
I thought about ‘Julius Caesar’ at first but I thought nahhh, it was just coincidence.
It turns out that Clooney’s film WAS initially going to be released as the original play but ‘the Ides of March’ was finalised!

I thought the plot was very honest about how people get ‘lost’ in the political business.
Ryan Gosling played the ‘loss of innocence’ touch pretty damn convincing. It’s the eyes man. His eyes were speaking as much as his lines ran. That’s what I love about actors like him, they ACT.
The other few, George Clooney, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, were borderline okay because their airtime didn’t gave sufficient framing to their talents. None that were notably wowing.

Rating: 6.5/10

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Recent photos taken whilst wandering:

Nudie is my new favourite beverage!

When I did my political-esque Malaysian National Identity video assignment last semester, it was something very personal for myself. Which was why I put in more hours than I was needed to. I received a HD for that, but beyond the GPA and credits and all, I actually took in so much from my interviewees that I am carrying close to my heart now. Getting to have conversations with them was really something! They said things that inspired and touched me…

The brain drain is there because people generally don’t want to build, they want to enjoy. Zain

Stop talking about this and that, whatever whatever, I’m going to leave, when actually, you CAN do something. Bernice

What they said and the entirety of the video assignment replays in my mind every time I compare Malaysia to elsewhere and I sincerely wish for things to change around.

The Malaysian Studies lecturer I had in CPU, Elisa Tjuddin calls me politically ambitious but to me, what I want to achieve (for Malaysia) is just for it to be a healthy environment to build my life and for my parents to retire in. I don’t really want to be anywhere else ceteris paribus. I am proud of where I come from. I want Malaysia to not just grow, but to mature – no more bullshit politics, just a government that takes care of the people; not just Malaysians as well, y’know? Refugees in Malaysia needs to be treated with dignity too. We all have the same blood running in our veins.

There is so much potential, and it’s all a matter of leadership. If we have the wrong leadership, we’ll go down the drain. If we have the right leadership, we’ll achieve that potential. Marina

Also, read her latest post “Boogieing on My Own”.

People have questioned my ulterior motives for being ‘politically-inclined’ (and then they changed it to ‘matured’ -___-) at 20yo, but who are we kidding? I am just a 20yo whose Dad thinks she is too naïve and not cunning enough to survive even the labour force! Maybe I only sound different because I am a schemer; I make extensive plans for my life, 5-10 years ahead and so I think a lot. I don’t want to wound up to be a 30yo child. I want to be an independent person who acts responsibly. Be it as a daughter or sister, or student or whatever other roles that I will take on, I want things done right. It’s a personal ambition. That’s all, really.

I don’t plan to be a politician. I don’t think anyone does. Leaders become politicians to fight for their people but temptations become too convenient to make life easier, so they lose themselves. And for that, I feel sorry for them.

If you have a sense of purpose of what your life needs to achieve, you will just kind of go where that sense of purpose takes you. Steve

My political opinion is that we are all equal.

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One of the last few photos I took before taking off for Melbourne.
Yes, I’m a ‘daddy’s girl’. I’m also ‘mommy’s girl’. I also happen to be the elder sibling.
I don’t know how these things happen either, don’t ask……

I also recently read on Adam Levine’s Rock-Star Yoga.
How do we all not LOVE yoga?
But I can relate to what he said in the video. Not that we’re telepathic LOL.
It’s just really how yoga grounds us to be better persons. (I am sorry I missed Sun Salutation this morn. Was running late for Coffee School.)

On a related note: I perfected the ‘Heart’.
I just need to make sure I froth my milk perfectly at 65°C. No more nor less! 65°C!!!
It is really difficult…
Michelle Chan cannot feel her fingers tonight.

Next will be ‘Tulip’ and ‘Rosetta’.

My romance with coffee began for as long as I can remember.
When I used to live with my grandparents, Grandpa always made coffee in a BIG jug. I was a toddler whom everyone thought I just had Enercal but I always climb the cabinets and dining table to pour myself half a mug after half a mug’s.
It has to be before kindergarten
because I remember it to be the days I was ALWAYS at home wandering around…being a toddler.

My coffee addiction phase began when I was in 8 or 9 (Primary 3).
That’s after my family no longer lived with my grandparents. Urban migration to Klang Valley!
So it has been half my life haha.
As I grew older, Dad also made more coffee
and ordering coffee was more accessible to me at coffee shops.
(I was only allowed Milo when I was ‘Child’.)

As I pull all-nighter’s as a student, coffee came into greater influence.
I know it’s bad.
But besides that, I do enjoy coffee per se.
I enjoy the sound of the grounding, packing, tampering when I step into coffee joints
the sound of frothing milk,
learning the different types of coffee beans,
the different ways of drinking coffee, etc.

I did something I always wanted to do this week – Coffee School! 8D

It was what I expected of coffee classes to be
but came along with a lot of what I did not expect too.

At the end of Day 1, I felt like I had broken wrists and anything other than the smell coffee beans was bad air.
& I liked it.

Latte art is really difficult.
Which is why I will be returning for a lot of practicing and free coffee.

COFFEE ART SCHOOL
Suite 403 Level 4
220 Collins Street
Melbourne City VIC 3000
Australia
Steven (61) 401 646 953

I love dining in.
(I love eating in, too, but that’s for when the kitchen gets busy cooking up a storm.)
When I eat out, I believe in paying for the atmosphere too.
And it is also a skill (for the owner/staffs) to couple the ambiance to the menu.
Being in cafés also affords me my strange hobby of people-watching, which makes me wonder all the time about human behaviourism and of What, Why and How’s.

ANYWAY,
there is one nearby where I currently stay. It’s also where Jessie used to work at. She recommends everything on the menu. EVERYTHING.
Code for: I will be SO fat have to run so much!

The fawesome B.L.A.T. that I had on my first day upon arrival.
Bread crust was a little too hard for my liking and maybe one or two slices of tomato(es) less would be a better ratio with the bacon and avocado.

This is Dan’s. (Forgotten the dish’s name, oops?)
I would’ve preferred our food to be served HOT but it wasn’t. However, Dan says they are usually pretty hot when served. I guess it’s just my luck.

What I had today: Beef burger with fries. Fawesome with capital F.
It was difficult to down this monster burger but the taste was SO. Good.
Plus, instead of feeling like a pig after the meal, it is actually healthy because of the ratio of vege:meat. The patty is a killerrr I thank the person in the kitchen who made mine.

Flat white. (I’ve had so much coffee in Melbourne and counting!)
The coffee at Whyte are smooth and the texture is not bad, but they aren’t ‘to the point’. It doesn’t do that ‘digging into’ to your taste buds and unravel all the beautifully filthy sense of the beans, of earthy plantation grounds, of the sweat and blood of hardworking plantation workers…
∴ I prefer more solid and stronger tastes.
But then, coffee is art. So, whatever rocks your sampan.

Wooden furniture <3
I like wooden interiors a lot.

(Which is why I do not approve of the Starbucks sitting in between Monash (Sunway) and the Residence. I am against their 'new concept' of white tiles/paints which is pretty much office cubicles but made into a coffee joint.
I DIGRESS!)

The wooden interiors match the white wall on one side and dark olive green (good colour! ) wallpaper colour on the other. However, I'd suggest tweaking the lighting (pale yellow). It was functional, duh – but just not mashing everything together well.
IMHO it should either be white or yellow; fresh OR warm.
Pale yellow makes the lighting kind of redundant methinks. This will give plus points to dining on their outdoor walkway.
Nevertheless, will be back to try the rest of the menu haha.

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WHYTE CAFÉ
1122 Glen Huntly Road
Glen Huntly VIC 3163
Australia
(61) 3 9569 2212