Whilst She's Here...

Having my youngest sister, Limah here has been truly fantastic so far. First up, i made her read the Twilight series so that i have 'geng' to gush about Edward Cullen (driving Michael even more insane!). Secondly, altho being the youngest entitled her to be a bit spoilt, she's actually excellent with housework. She's been helping me with the laundry, vacuuming, stacking dishes in the dishwasher, help preparing meals, garbage duty etc.

She's also been very comfortable during the weekdays doing her own thing while Michael & I are both at work. Of course i can't help calling her every freaking time making sure she's all good. But she's fine & more than capable to take care of herself -catching the train to shop around the Shire, hanging out with my MIL, Imelda or even just entertaining herself at home with Wii, TV Shack, the many DVDs, the internet & Edward Cullen. I always hafta keep reminding myself that she's already 22 and not 12! I think i made some progress - i have stopped calling her every morning to know if she's up yet and interrogating her every move :p

The 1st weekend she's here, we went to the 24th Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair. Walking thru the many stalls, it really didn't feel like we're in Sydney. Almost all at the fair were muslims, with all women mostly wearing tudungs/veil. I was on the lookout for Malaysian stalls but i don't think there was any. There's a Bali traditional dance performance and a Pakistani food stall but others were mostly Turkish & Lebanese stalls, the majority muslims of Oz.

The best thing about the fair is that EVERYTHING's halal. There's lots of stalls offering food samples and that's where we would rush to. Different kinds of Turkish & Lebanese delicacies, all so good. We went crazy and bought different kinds of food, trying those Lebanese stuff that we haven't had before and getting food that we don't normally get to eat, from corn dogs (or pluto pup as the Aussie called it) to marshmallows & jelly candy (that normally contains non-halal gelatine). Michael is adjusting to having to share food with Limah, who eats almost as much as him. I had to hide the candy cos if it's up to them, the 4 boxes would be gone in no time.

Last weekend, even more food's involved. It was full & hectic but thoroughly fun. It started on Friday afternoon, Michael & Limah met me in the city and we stayed near the harbour bridge for the night. We have raya lunch at Azi's place in the city the next day so we thought we saved the journey in & out of the Shire to enjoy the beautiful city at night and do early morning shopping.

We've got a good deal with the hotel - rooftop pool, spa & BBQ with a magnificent view of the harbour bridge & the opera house that we enjoyed before walking around the city to catch a late movie.



Woke up early the next day, sightseeing & went to the Rocks Market after a delish pancake breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks.


Then off to our Raya lunch at Azi & Angus'.

Their place is so homely i love it! Azi did a great job decorating the place, it's got a feel of a Malay house. She prepared lots of food -roti canai, rice & curries, spring rolls & curry puffs, chicken & kuah satay and different types of lebanese sweets. They're all soo YUMM. Yuz made kuih ketayap - hebat sungguh! The hosts looking so cute & anggun in their Raya baju..we felt soo underdress!





After lunch, we headed down the coast to Kiama, about an hour 1/2 drive from the city. Michael has always wanted to take me down there. It's been his family's holiday destination every summer while they're growing up. He's got lots of wonderful memories there and hasn't been back since the family stopped holidaying there years ago.

Kiama is a cute lil town with beautiful beaches and lots to do. We stayed close to the beach and only walking distance to town.




Kiama is famous for the blowholes - big blowhole & small blowhole. I LOVE the little blowhole. We could sit really close by & wait for it to blow. Just to feel the after effect of the refreshing mist coming out of the hole and the thrill of not knowing when it will come, it's just magnificent! Could sit there and wait all day!!

Limah & I waiting for the blowhole to 'blow'. It's soo fascinating! THe oohs n aahs came about 5 seconds after it blows - the after effect of the mist sprinkling on us, it's one of the best feelings! Agak jakun..heheh








We all had a nice fish & chips picnic in the park before heading to the colorful Kiama craft market.






I did not however, enjoy the 2 hour walk to the Minamurra falls. Not when i wasnt mentally prepared and immediately after having too much fatty goodness - fish & chips & 2 scoops of ice cream. I didn't know about the long steep walk to the falls until after we paid for entrance to the national park. I know Limah dreaded the walk as much as i did but she was really trying to cheer me up by being cheery herself all the way to the top and in the end, i was sore, but i survived :p





After Kiama we headed to Loftus for a BBQ dinner with the family. More good food & great times.

We've got the weekends all planned for Limah whilst she's here. This coming weekend we're going down the caravan so Limah can play with the kangaroos :p The following weekend we're planning to go camping at Nelsons Bay and the weekend after that she's due to go home already. Urgh..time sure flies when ur having fun...

Oh..more pics in facebook!