2012 - whatever it takes

"Shake It Out" - Florence + The Machine

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around

All of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone
It's always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah...

And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

new found hobby

"The Reason" (Hoobastank)

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

and the reason is You

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

West Coast

With sis and bro-in-law around (the Aussies), we decided to take them to the West Coast to see the glacier and the pancakes. Dad, G, BgMn, SmMn, C and J took 2 cars and set off to Hokitika.

Checked into the Jade Factory backpackers (good deal thanks to MF). It was shitting rain when we arrived but happily, it cleared up after we checked in, and we moved on to Franz Josef for the 1 and half hr return trek to the glaciers. It was a long walk indeed especially in the inconsistent weather and the fact that it seems so near yet so far .. all the time... The glaciers itself was erm.. ok...as expected I guess. I was more interested in the colours the moss and the 'oxidised' rocks contrasted against each other. Another 30 mins return to Peter's Pool which was quite serene.

After dinner at the Stumpers bar, we went to the glow-worm den (it is free) and enjoyed a good 15 mins there mesmorised by the glowy things. Off to bed with dad taking a whole room to himself due to his snoring. ;p

The next day saw us heading to Hokitika Gorge. We nearly decided to forego this destination but thank goodness we stuck to it. We had a great time trekking down to the gorge - we walked down this long pinewood bridge-like thing which made me feel as though I am in a bird-house. The swingbridge was so cool and the colour of the water is similar to that of Lake Tekapo's. Turquoise but somewhat chalky framed by white cliff rocks.

Pancake rocks in Punakaiki was next. Dad turned back half way through as the weather turned from fine to blastery piss. Pancakes are just pancakes to me as I have been there before, and somehow this time round, it was not as spectacular as I thought I remembered them to be.. hmm.. weather might be the factor.

We heard the chopper on our way out, as a motorist crashed himself onto a power pole and all the hoo hah...finally the roads were cleared again, and we were off once more. Stopping by at the cafe in Arthur's Pass, wondering at how come The Knobbly Kea cafe across the road (albeit being the more sunnier cafe) attracts less than 1/6 of the patrons of the cafe we were in. Business tactics? Most probably.

Saw some mischievous but slow Keas wobbling around and trying to peck on car aeriels, cell phones etc.. they have beautiful orange underwings and funny feet. No wonder they can only survive in NZ with no other predators apart from perhaps...possums?

All in all, a fantastic trip which covered what we wanted to cover. Home sweet home.

Bob the lamb and co.

'Tis the Christmas season, the slaughtering of our lambs, good Christmas bread and ham, old friend, the BBQ and the Christchurch man name Stan.

It was our first time owning lambs, and have them slaughtered by T a few days before Christmas. Dad, Boi and I helped round them up (with one actually tackled rubgy-style by Boi) and T efficiently slaughtered, gutted, hung and skinned them for us. Trust a West Coast Maori to be able to do that for us.

Then the BBQ - the weather was not fantastic as forecasted so the atmosphere was not as great. Plus, there ain't beer/cheese mussels so that took the joy away a little bit. Vowed to do this better next time. However, the gathering of the family was good and Zion enjoyed the bones.

YL was in town for the night last Sunday and boy, we haven't really seen each other for 9 years since I first came to NZ. The night was great catching up with good stories of when we were 14 and young and being school prefects etc.. I think we didn't change much which is good :) Core Assuntarians will always be loud, jovial and straight-to-the-point. These are much missed traits here in ChCh, so thanks YL for the reminder that sincere friendship still exist!

We visited Stan and chatted with him for awhile. A lively old man indeed with a strong love for his wife. Am sure many of the hundreds that has visited his home and lights really appreciated the joy Stan created.

Let us leave the presents, the West Coast trip to the next time round, eh?

In preparation for Christmas...

Featuring food from Auckland - yups, all the Asian food which most of them we can't seem to find in Christchurch PLUS the great snowy durian, first introduced to it by Yean. The soft cold durian with cream are wrapped in powdery rice flour and it just melts in the mouth. Mmmmmm...

Then the preparation, or rather trial for Christmas cookies. Dad got some nice second-hand cookie cutters from the Sunday market, and I baked away. I tried out 3 recipes and decided the first was the best. Anyway, mom and I managed to sneak in a shortbread tranny onto the baking tray and baked that poor thing which turned out yummy.

Then the cockle-picking in Dunedin turned out well. Was there right at the very middle of low tide, hence managed to rummage into the black sand for huge cockles. Thanks to DA and AB for the trip. :) At least this time, it was not as cold as when we went in May.

Nyum, Nyum,

Just a post on some great food - and some bad ones.

Great ones include:

• *ahem - my homemade Apam Balik (from the packet bought in Auckland). All I need to do to this magic mixture is whack them all together with water and eggs, and lala~ fresh hot Apam Balik complete with crushed kacang and all.

• Also *ahem - my waffle complete with French vanilla ice-cream and dad's homemade boysenberry jam.

• The berry tart in Copenhagen Bakery right in town... $4.80 is everything I would pay for this with subtle custard and fresh berries glazed all over. Definitely juicy and it reminded me of all the beautiful tarts I kept eating when I was in Paris. Probably about the same price if you convert the Euros. Double thumbs UP!

• There is also the Tea Salad and the Green Papaya Salad from the famous one and only Burmese restaurant in Christchurch - The Bodhi Tree. Ahhh.. the lentils and the exquisite taste is so hard to describe. Since I was introduced to that place, I have been back 3 times - all with different bunch of friends. However, the portions are entree size and it can be quite a dear place to eat if you are a hungry man. Technique is then to go with half your stomach full, then order the above-mentioned salads, the curry chicken and/or the skewered lamb....Perfecto! The technique works and it would be sufficient if you order 3 dishes among 2 people. Plus rice of course.
  

Then the downside of the food offered to the public in Christchurch overrated restaurant up in Cashmere Hills - Sign of the Takahe. I was there end of Sept for a friend's bday. The setting was wonderful with old stone walls, armoured men, white crisp linen, old wooden tables, fireplace, expansive gardens etc etc.. I ordered the Canterbury lamb which was like shite* - refer to the photo above. On the menu, it stated it would come with red wine jus or something like that. I expect all sauces to be sparingly dribbled onto my meat with extra (if any) at the side. NO - my lamb came drenched in tomato puree-like jus (as opposed to red wine?) with one crude asparagus sticking right across my plate. The taste? Don't even mention. Not wanting to spoil the otherwise pleasant evening, I just silently think to myself I probably will not be a repeat guest of this restaurant.