Leila's Blog

Holiday pic from Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

2011-01-13T00:42:00.001+11:00

Holiday pic from Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Sweet treats at Sugar Source in Rathdowne Street

2010-07-31T12:21:00.001+10:00

Sweet treats at Sugar Source in Rathdowne Street, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Richly-coloured sunset over Melbourne, as Spring slowly approaches

2010-07-27T17:47:00.001+10:00

Richly-coloured sunset over Melbourne, as Spring slowly approaches, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Waiting for trains

2010-07-27T17:26:00.001+10:00

Waiting for trains, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Start of the 5-course beer-matching dinner

2010-07-23T19:09:00.001+10:00

Start of the 5-course beer-matching dinner, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Tim Burton's Burton Lounge at ACMI

2010-07-22T22:43:00.001+10:00

Tim Burton's Burton Lounge at ACMI, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Tim Burton exhibition Melbourne

2010-07-22T19:18:00.001+10:00

Tim Burton exhibition Melbourne, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Stripey lamp

2010-07-21T23:22:00.001+10:00

Stripey lamp, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Afternoon espresso at Sparrow's Nest #coffee

2010-07-14T14:08:00.001+10:00

Afternoon espresso at Sparrow's Nest #coffee, originally uploaded by leila__m.

The Hermit's Church Roof

2010-06-25T01:07:00.001+10:00

The Hermit's Church Roof, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Spotswood street art

2010-06-19T12:04:00.001+10:00

Spotswood street art, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Little pony on the farm

2010-06-05T11:50:00.001+10:00

Little pony on the farm, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Crown Metropol sculptures

2010-05-22T13:59:00.001+10:00

Crown Metropol sculptures, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Grafitti in the alleyway behind St.Ali's - 2/2

2010-05-22T11:21:00.003+10:00

Grafitti in the alleyway behind St.Ali's - 2/2, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Grafitti in the alleyway behind St.Ali's - 1/2

2010-05-22T11:21:00.001+10:00

Grafitti in the alleyway behind St.Ali's - 1/2, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Happy Buddha Day

2010-05-15T13:31:00.001+10:00

Happy Buddha Day, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Tram stop

2010-04-08T08:28:00.001+10:00

Tram stop, originally uploaded by leila__m.

The Indian classical musicians' shrine

2010-02-03T20:08:00.001+11:00

The Indian classical musicians' shrine, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Friday lunch break from work, Fawkner Park

2010-01-17T20:15:00.001+11:00

Friday lunch break from work, Fawkner Park, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Friday lunch break in the park

2010-01-15T17:40:00.001+11:00

Friday lunch break in the park, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Friday work break

2010-01-15T14:11:00.001+11:00

Friday work break, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Shadows in the Boardroom

2010-01-15T10:17:00.001+11:00

Shadows in the Boardroom, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Open Day at Abbotsford Convent

2009-11-08T14:11:00.001+11:00

Open Day at Abbotsford Convent, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Up close with The Millenium Falcon

2009-09-27T18:00:00.001+10:00

Up close with The Millenium Falcon, originally uploaded by leila__m.

The Millennium Falcon from Star Wars

2009-09-26T16:49:00.001+10:00

The Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Cold & grey Spring morning in the park.

2009-09-07T10:19:00.001+10:00

Cold & grey Spring morning in the park., originally uploaded by leila__m.

M&M Minis Container

2009-09-06T18:53:00.001+10:00

M&M Minis Container, originally uploaded by leila__m.

The Pollywoodside

2009-08-26T17:34:00.001+10:00

The Pollywoodside, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Melbourne Convention Centre

2009-08-22T13:08:00.001+10:00

Melbourne Convention Centre, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Macbook Pro at home

2009-08-16T18:18:00.001+10:00

Macbook Pro at home, originally uploaded by leila__m.

House facing the park in South Yarra

2009-08-15T16:35:00.001+10:00

House facing the park in South Yarra, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Cheese through the (beer) looking glass at Richmond Hill Café & Larder

2009-08-13T20:30:00.001+10:00

Cheese through the (beer) looking glass at Richmond Hill Café & Larder, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Chalk Tally

2009-08-06T22:16:00.001+10:00

Chalk Tally, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Chalk tally on the mats at Crossfit Victoria...WOD was "Fight Gone Bad"

Fitzroy Street Art

2009-08-02T19:29:00.001+10:00

Fitzroy Street Art, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Too cool for school, this young man...

2009-08-02T19:28:00.003+10:00

Too cool for school, this young man..., originally uploaded by leila__m.

Long-necked types at weekend brunch

2009-08-02T19:28:00.001+10:00

Long-necked types at weekend brunch, originally uploaded by leila__m.

What floor pls?

2009-08-02T19:27:00.001+10:00

What floor pls?, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Conference room Chair, Sydney

2009-08-02T19:26:00.001+10:00

Conference room Chair, Sydney, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Furnace Warning - Huh?

2009-08-02T19:25:00.003+10:00

Furnace Warning - Huh?, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Ha Long - a little Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Street

2009-08-02T19:25:00.001+10:00

Ha Long - a little Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Street, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Roof Lights at The Good Guys

2009-08-02T12:17:00.001+10:00

Roof Lights at The Good Guys, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Shopping Feet

2009-08-02T10:53:00.001+10:00

Shopping Feet, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Vietnamese Pork Rolls

2009-08-02T10:47:00.003+10:00

Vietnamese Pork Rolls, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Good morning Clifton Hill

2009-08-02T10:47:00.001+10:00

Good morning Clifton Hill, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Melbourne Exhibition Buildings

2009-08-02T10:46:00.001+10:00

Melbourne Exhibition Buildings, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Melbourne Observatory

2009-08-02T10:43:00.001+10:00

Melbourne Observatory, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Antique cabinet at Schott's

2009-08-02T10:39:00.001+10:00

Antique cabinet at Schott's, originally uploaded by leila__m.

Flickr & New photo posting idea

2009-07-30T16:32:00.002+10:00

From now on, I will be using this Blog to post photos which I upload to , a fancy photo sharing thing.

These photos will be (mostly) taken using my BlackBerry and will be of random things which I see....it's my effort to become more tuned to my creative side!

Old and new friends and bloody kids

2009-02-02T13:38:00.004+11:00

Caught up with my old uni buddy Trisha over the weekend and her new clan - was great catching up with Jeremy and meeting the little man George but geez it becomes awfully clear why I'm not in a rush to have kids. Kids can be like mutant parasites that eat up your life and your livelihood. But I'm being too harsh on children when there are parents who allow this to happen to them!

I was lucky to have exchanged 15 minutes of conversation with Trish over the entire weekend - our chatting always being cut prematurely because the mutant needed a bath, attention, food, patting....

Made me really admire how Fleurbee raises her two boys - she's kinda tough with them but a damn good mother and always comfortable enough to ignore the little critters too from time to time. After all, they'll work it out on their own eventually.

Trish and Jezz - I hope you move (back) here really soon, I'm sure you'll find Melbourne's kaleidoscope of culture, food and sports a few steps (and decades) ahead of Townsville's....I'm secretly hoping that cyclone swept through last night so you can be stranded in Melbourne for a few extra days! :p

On other exciting news - HermitGirl and I received our pre-sale tickets for Cheech & Chong!!! Woohoo!!

Hot Hot Hot!

2009-01-29T19:29:00.002+11:00

43 degrees celsius / 104.5 degrees fahrenheit

it's friggin' hot here!

and i have only 3.5 hours to get the podcast finished and uploaded and i'm still yet to record the intro, outro and middle segments aRRRGHGHHH!!!!

mara and i are off to cheech and chong in april - makes missing out on dopestock not so bad after all...but looks like i'll miss out on going to the UK in June but again, at least that means i can hang onto the money instead and spend it on things like seeing cheech and chong!

i wonder if i should also get an i-inhale?

Kaiser Chiefs @ Festival Hall (6th August 2007)

2007-08-08T11:09:00.000+10:00

The Kaiser Chiefs played Festival Hall on Monday night in Melbourne. And they absolutely rocked.

Support acts Operator Please and Wolf & Cub got the crowd warmed up then they came on and played a good (but short) set then came back and did a few more songs for the 'encore'. (Not sure whey they still call it that, *of course* they're going to come back on stage for a few more songs!)

I am hoping to go see The Killers in November when they're out....

I Hate Mondays

2007-06-25T09:26:00.000+10:00

I Hate Mondays.

Even if I started work on a Thursday, I think I would still hate Mondays.

Save Jericho!

2007-05-25T12:54:00.000+10:00

JERICHO CANCELLED!

At 2 p.m. on May 16, 2007, CBS announced its 2007-2008 primetime slate. Jericho was not on it. The network has decided that it wasn't worth the fight to relaunch it for a second season.

Jericho's fans think differently. Over the past season Jericho, Kansas has become
the place we faithfully visit every Wednesday night (and for some - on several additional nights during the week). It has become our second home.

This is where we make our stand!

We are tired of the networks (not just CBS) tossing aside quality programming. Most of us have never tried to fight for a TV show. But some thing is different about this one - It is like no show that has been on TV before. Throughout the year it has made us think - now it has made us stand up and say - ENOUGH! We're going to fight for this one.

Why nuts? In the final episode Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich) borrowed the historic phrase "NUTS" in response to a final offer of surrender from a hostile neighboring town. CBS decided to cancel the show, and fans are uprising to save Jericho by sending, you got it, NUTS to CBS executives.

Bring back Jericho, CBS!! And Channel Ten are now bringing back the rest of Season 1 just to disappoint further masses of viewers in Oz, by simply deciding not to air a Season 2! (In fact, I think it lost against that 'Kidstown' cheap-reality-cereal-box crap they call reality-tv!)

Well enough ranting. I decided to make a small contribution to the huge shipment of NUTS going to CBS offices - it's currently at just over 17,000 lbs (just under 8 tonnes) so far!!

Click on the Jericho pickets and new Jericho flag below for more information including videos of the nuts being delivered, photos, press-links and live blog entries!!

Back from Amsterdam & London!

2007-05-03T23:33:00.000+10:00

Will

post

more

pics

soon!

2 sleeps to go

2007-04-16T22:51:00.000+10:00

Well in 2 days time I will be well and truly on my way to Amsterdam for Dopestock 2007 this 420 (April 20th). After 3 nights, it's off to London for a couple of nights then back to Amsterdam for a couple of nights.

I can't wait!!

Jung Personality Test: My Results

2007-03-09T15:33:00.000+11:00

Well, here are the results:

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Educate Yourself | www.jackherer.com

2007-02-09T09:49:00.000+11:00

Jack Herer.com

The sun is shining...but clouds hang low...

2007-01-23T15:45:00.001+11:00

Well 2006 has gone and another year is at our feet once again.

The trip to Indonesia to see my mother's family in November was very therapeutic and humbling. I am making a promise to go and visit more regularly as this time was the first time in 18 years that I had gone there. Unfortunately this time, without my mother although she was with me every step of the way in spirit.

My trip to Kupang has made me understand more about where my mum has come from - not only geographically speaking but also in terms of the challenges she faced in her country as well as when she arrived in Australia. What a culture shock that must have been at the young age of only 26! And she had me at the age of 27.

I am now 29 and turning 30 this year. I wish that mum was here to see me turn 30 and see me enjoying my job. I wish she was here to invite over so that M can cook for her and I can look after her for once.

Dad is doing well and is heading to South India in just under 2 weeks time. This is something he (and I, although I won't be going this time) have always wanted to do in our lives. I pray that he will have a safe journey and return with many wonderful stories and enlightening experiences.

On a lighter note however, I was privileged to be a guest on Dopefiend's weekly Podcast show! A must-listen for all 420-ers out there! If you like music, I highly recommend listening to The Sounds of World Wide Weed too!

The episode (filesize: 39mb) can be downloaded by clicking here.

It's nearly October...mum's (other) birthday

2006-09-25T13:48:00.000+10:00

Here is where ibu manis rests in peace (in Melbourne, the other half of the ashes lay next to nenek in Kupang):

Only another 5-6 weeks until M and I will be visiting ibu's family in Kupang, Indonesia.

Life has been busy for me - just came back from a business trip to Singapore and have a lot going on between work, kickboxing, my father and other friends. I am really loving our new place but just wish mum could be here to enjoy it too.

M is taking good care of me and helping me get through my bouts of high's and low's....dad loved all the Tamil CDs that I brought back for him from Little India too!

Well that's about it from me (for now)....

Aaaaahhh....it's good to be home

2006-07-28T13:58:00.001+10:00

10 Home
20 Sweet
30 Go to 10

Pretty funny eh? I saw it on an old episode of Futurama. Gotta love that show. And everyone calls me 'Lady Leila'.

Well, the house move went well. Thanks to family and friends who help M and I out with the shifting, driving and unpacking...the new place is great. I am loving it. Not only am I loving coming home to M at night but I love being able to sit in my own loungeroom and relax...or anywhere in the house for that matter!

I still have some boxes awaiting to be unpacked and because of this, my exercise/meditation room is lagging slightly in it's progress. We also have quite a lot of things to give away to the op. shops because we simply have too much between the two of us to keep it all. The kitchen does not have a lot of storage space hence buying a beautiful, huge Ikea bookcase. We also purchased a Japanese dining table this week which is gorgeous with it's 6 stools rather than chairs or benches.

Meanwhile, dad is flying to Indonesia this Sunday to take half of mum's ashes to Kupang. They are holding a big prayer/memorial service for her next Wednesday. I hope to get to Indonesia in early November to also visit the family and pay my respects. With any luck, M will join me too.

Kickboxing is going very well, just got to watch what I eat a bit more (damn the chef!) as well as incorporating more cardio into my week - perhaps 4-5 times a week instead of the current 2-3 times. With all the challenges that 2006 has brought me, it is proving difficult to get back to my goal weight. Over lunch at work today, we were talking about morbidly obese people like the guy who died in Singapore and needed a permit to dig and be buried into an ultra-deep, ultra-wide grave. I suppose it's a reminder for me not to take my current weight too seriously and just enjoy what I do have. I mean, I am not 300kg. Nor am I my previous 98kg.

In response to me sending a URL of my weight loss transformation to a work colleague, shortly after he shared this quote with me:

I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult.... I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.

- Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World

Simple yet valuable words for battling through hard times or achieving a goal.

On that note, be happy. Even if the wolves are biting.

Grief > Anger > Stress > Depression

2006-06-26T16:57:00.000+10:00

They say depression is frozen anger....

Ajarn Brahm also says multi-tasking is the worst for getting stressed in busy situations. That being 'busy' is about your present awareness of mind while doing a task rather than the number of tasks you have to do. So, although I might be busy, I must try to do it with a one-pointed mind ie., not be 'busy'.

But what is this queen of multi-tasking to do??!!

This place is crazy

2006-06-10T23:08:00.000+10:00

Picture this - Chapel Street meets Lygon Street, minus the wogs, add the Maoris...now put them all in the heart of Croydon (okay, so I'll leave Ringwood out of it!). You have Queen Street, Auckland on a Saturday night. In the few hours I was out in that madness, I saw two hummers (one was a limo), over a hundred done-up, loud-exhaust cars including a super-charged Kingswood and Supra, both driving with no bonnet to show off their chrome-laden goods. Add to that way too many mini-skirts and shorts for 4 degree weather, a fair share of bad dress sense and a general lack of 'decorum'. Or perhaps I'm just getting old.

The pearler was watching a van of cops pull up a car full of young kids. The kids were removing cartons of beer from their car and the cops looked on as they were made to empty each and every bottle in the gutter...!! M later said I should have put my hand up and volunteered my 'services' as I am of legal drinking age....hehehehe...

I made a new friend today at the East Day Spa where I had a 1 hour Vedic massage and manicure (I'm sporting sparkly pink nails!) My new friend's name is Ketut and she is from Bali. Ketut had a chance to practise her English, while I had a good chance to practise my Indonesian!!

I started the day off with a ferry trip and tour of Rangitoto Island - a relatively young volcano (600 years old) with it's unique plantlife and terrain. Then moved onto the DFS Galleria where I did some duty free shopping for a few hours, including an Anna Sui/Christian Dior makeup consultation :)

I wish mum were here to join me, but I know she is sharing in all the fun anyhow....

Aaaah all this fresh air is making me swoon!

2006-06-06T15:32:00.000+10:00

The view from the office....

....and I'm only located 15-20 minutes drive from the city (in peak-hour!)

NZ Pies at the Honey Centre and Breathtaking Views at Sandspit

2006-06-05T20:49:00.000+10:00

Well, a half day of work wasn't too bad considering it was also a public holiday today. I managed to drive okay on the roads in both a monster of a luxury car (with no heating) as well as a little gutless Nissan Sunny (didn't they stop making those back in the Datto days?!)....

I've uploaded a stack of photos to an album on Ofoto if you'd like to check 'em out (click on View Photos without signing in so you don't have to sign up for an account).

Full day of work tomorrow and will try to plan the rest of my week in Auckland to get in some shopping, drinking and a day trip. I'm thinking of choosing the wineries trip over the volcano tour because I'd rather do the volcano tour with Michael when he joins me next time.

Perhaps I will also ask my father to join me next time...

Auckland is beautiful

2006-06-05T10:03:00.000+10:00

What a beautiful city, apart from some annoying rain it is sunny and the city is so green.

The Mercedes Benz I drove this morning was so white. And so wide. Gotta get used to always giving way to any cars on my right.

The Columbard rooms are tiny but I'm getting used to it. If in future I stay any longer than a week, I would pay for my own place but try to stay in the city. Picked up lots of brochures at the Car Rentals place today and will look into some cool day trips to do on Saturday.

Half day at work today as it is Queen's Birthday public holiday in NZ today. Australia's is next Monday.

Yesterday we visited the Art of Cheese cheese farm and I bought some lovely blue cheese, gouda and camembert. Hopefully I'll be able to bring it back to Melbourne to enjoy with Michael (after I declare it)....

Today I'm off to a honey farm and more touring of this beautiful country side.

Gotta catch a flight to Auckland

2006-06-03T21:34:00.000+10:00

Am getting picked up just before 5am (7am Auckland time so better get used to it) for the flight to Auckland for work.

Dad is doing well, I'm going to swap him a Tamil TV subscription for his Foxtel one :) Won't MK be happy! We now both have a pooja area to pray to and spend time with Ibu Manis...

Apparently the outer world can fit in a small corner of the inner world...I am still just catching glimpses on my journey

The rollercoaster ride....

2006-06-02T13:49:00.000+10:00

It's been how many days since April 19th at 3:15pm?

I've been having more downs than ups recently but yoga and meditation are helping me deal with the grief and anger which builds up inside.

I am off to Auckland this Sunday for work and will be gone until just after the Queen's Birthday weekend. I'll also be taking a couple extra days for myself. Unfortunately I'll be going on my own this time and leaving my boyfriend slaving in a kitchen in Melbourne.