Vapiano

I've always wanted to try this place since I like the novelty of food being cooked in front of you. The Olympics was a good chance to come, since every gold medal Aus won, they would give you a free pizza or pasta up to $17 (then they changed it to $16). Don't be like me and go straight up to the line and wait until you're at the front, then find out that you need a card. Probably the amount of people here at the time caused the confusion.

When you step in, they should give you a card, which you'll swipe when you order either pizza/pasta at the counters on different sides of the restaurant. You then eat and pay at the end, and give them the card so they know what you bought. They make their own pasta/pizza dough, and bread (I think).

I wasn't the only one lining up for free food...

making it in front of you

Pesto Rosso: Freshly made sun-dried tomato pesto with roasted pine nuts, chilli, ricotta + cherry tomatoes w/ tagliatelle-$17

Loved the sprinkle of ricotta on top. Pasta was al dente, and not overly tomatoey. Good amount of pine nuts throughout, and had a good chilli kick as well. Love how they serve it was bread and olive oil and balsamic vinegar (which wasn't too acidic) on the tables. There was basil in pot plants as well, but some of the leaves looked old...

Pesto Con Spinach-Baby spinach leaves, marinated tomatoes, with creamy pesto + mozzarella-$17

Added some garlic oil, oregano and herbs

Pizza was ok, still thin crust, but where's the cheese? There was a good amount of spinach, but not enough tomatoes or enough pesto flavour. It was free so can't really complain.

Pomodoro: Our signature homemade tomato sauce with onion + cherry tomatoes w/ linguini-$16

Pasta was a bit overcooked, but maybe it was from the heat since I left it in the take away bowl for a bit. They were busy that night, so after asking, only got 1 piece of breed. The parmesan helped add some flavour, but the sauce here was a bit too acidic for me. 

Aladdin The Musical

This was my fourth muscial, and I loved Aladdin! The sets, dancing, songs. and the genie was hilarious. They also made some references to Aus culture. There's less singing compared to Les Mis where they only had one spoken word. I think I prefer Les Mis since it's deeper, but I still love Disney and Aladdin. Probably on par with Lion King (although I don't remember much since I watched it in yr 2...)

I was planning to watch this when it was going to end, so tickets would be cheaper. Wasn't dying to watch it, but so glad I did. Bought cheap tickets so sat near the back. Their costumes were super sparkly and a lot of the props were super shiny. Could still see alright at the back, just can't see the detail of their make up.

It was quite full as well. Ended up getting an over priced tote bag, but I normally buy a souvenir after watching a musical.

I highly recommend if you don't normally like musicals, since this one had the least amount of singing,

Favourite scene was probably the genie when he first appeared, and the magic carpet. From the back, you can't even see the cables holding onto the carpet.

Was lovely having a nice dinner beforehand with friends, and more dessert afterwards.

standard ticket shot

at the back

they always decorate the foyer to match the musical

stairs

   

EyeBall 2016

It was a fun night at Four Season Hotel. First time tickets were 3 digits, and they were already sponsored, but I guess it's because of the location.

It was spring themed this year, so pretty easy to dress up. I actually bought a dress earlier this year which was super cheap, and coincidentally floral. The table centrepieces were on point, I think this year is the best so far, but also had the worst music/dj. When there was food, the music was alright, then once people started going on the dance floor, the music went down hill.

Everything felt really rushed this year. I think everyone was running late, and took forever to get seated. Entrees came out quickly, but waited a while for mains and desserts. Didn't get a lot of photos in the Photo Booth, but the lighting on it was better, and the space was also bigger. Before you know it, the lights were on and the dj just stopped abruptly, and the night was over.

Love the table setting

rosemary on name cards


Real flowers <3


menu (no time to type it up)


Scallops

Cooked well considering the large numbers of people. Pancetta wasn't really crispy, and not enough puree

Pork Belly

This was mine, and again not enough sauce. The pork wasn't too fatty which was a plus, but since it wasn't crackling, quite hard to cut the skin.

Salmon

Cooked well but wished there was crispy skin...again, probs hard to control for so many people. Wasn't much chorizo in the salad, 

Beef

Tried a bit of this, and yes, pink in the middle and quite soft. The potato gratin was also nicer than the mash, but the jus lacked flavour.

We got out desserts quite late when the lights were dimmer than before, and in a rush to eat dessert, didn't have time to take a good photo...

Cheesecake

Quite ordinary, tbh I think my baked cheesecake is better. The compote wasn't too sweet, and the twig is cute as well. Liked last year's desserts better

Praline and chocolate dessert

The praline ice cream was nice, wished my cheesecake had ice cream...

some friends who decided to make use of the decorations on the table

rare selfie with flowers

stole a leaf (?) crown

#eyeball2016 #flatlay

It was a really fun night with friends, and everyone looked so lovely! (:

From iPhone 5 to 7

Was not mentally prepared to get a new phone, but going out the whole week/group work/events/work etc means I need a phone. Life felt so disorganised without a phone. If I was staying at home the whole week, I would have tried to get my phone fixed or borrow someone's phone, or if it was stuvac then that's ok since I reduce procrastinating on my phone.

The Apple Store was already full at 9am. What even. Had to line up to pick up my phone, then line up again to see if my phone can be fixed. No hope. The computer still can't detect my iPhone. Apparently out of warranty replacement is $380. Not worth it, it's only worth $75 ($100 before the 7 was released). Rather use that to the new phone. Impulse choice going with the rose gold.

iOS 10 feels so different, and plus a bigger phone, touch ID plus those force stuff touch. Finally can take more infocus pictures in dim lighting, but there's quite a few new features on camera. There's too many new features, and ended up deleting most of them (because now you can delete preinstalled apps). Oh, also have missed a vibrating phone (since the vibration stopped working over a year ago...) What I don't like is now on the mail app you can't select all and delete all. It's like how when they changed to El Capitan on OS X on preview, you press the text box and it pops up in the middle rather than you selecting where the box goes by clicking anywhere on the page. The simple things that they change really annoys me, but I still love Apple.

I guess I finally have memory space rather than running on 200mb for over the past year for photos and apps, and battery that can last me for over a day, plus doesn't lag and is waterproof.

Just my phone doesn't fit into my pockets, and handbag pockets properly...

Phone problem took up all of Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The stress is real.

Tonight marks the night my phone died. Used every day, almost 4 years old. ))))))))))))))))):

I don't know what happened, it was low on battery, charged it, then it stuffed up, and restarting it won't work, and both my Macs don't recognise the iPhone. What also doesn't help is that there's no stock of iPhone 7 in Aus. Why did my phone have to die now, why not a few weeks later when the new iPhones are in stock. Not even mentally prepared to buy a new iPhone, and it takes 2-3weeks availability, but can't last without a phone for even a day...

I was also going to back my iPhone up this week, but haven't backed anything up since July. Goodbye forever lost birthday photos ))):

And why are there almost no appointments available for the Genius Bar for iPhones?

Trying to find old phones at home to use. Too bad my iPhone 3 doesn't turn on anymore ):

 

Also, apparently it was the Optom School who decided to give us a night exam before contact lenses the next day, 90% sure they are trying to further sabotage us and fail more of us.

today is not my day. whole night wasted D=

Wk 9: The Week of Eating Stress

This has been a whirlwind week. From my uncle visiting, to mum's birthday, to going out one too many times to eat out, and of course, uni.

Let me first start by saying this whole semester I've been relatively not stressed, even for my thera mid sem I didn't really care this much. It was until Thursday night that the stress really got to me. Sooooo much stuff to do, and not enough time to even start studying for finals, mainly because of assignments, and I don't understand the concept of everything I've learnt this whole sem (hence I've been telling people it feels like I've learnt nothing so far...)

Actually, I wouldn't be so stressed if they didn't change our provisional timetable. They've never changed our provisional exam timetable, until this sem, which didn't change back and is now our final timetable. 6 exams in 13 days rather than 15. That is pretty much a repeat a 2nd yr when we had 8 exams. What I am most angry about, and the rest of the grade, is that we have a frikken night exam with super heavy content that finishes at 8pm, followed by another heavy content subject next day. I JUST WANT TO STRANGLE SOMEONE. Don't even know if there are buses back home. And by the time you get home and wake up, you head out for the exam the next day which is contact lenses. We all have a hunch that the Professor put thera before CL to ensure some of us fails. At least 3 times this sem she hinted that she is going to fail people, mainly because people didn't turn up to lectures. I turned up to all of them, but why didn't other people, just makes her pissed off and she said she's going to make the exam hard. Whyyyy night exam and an exam the day after, whyyyyy

The main cause of my stress, and haven't even started studying.

At least 4 assignments to do before finals, and again we have a shorted 4 day STUVAC since we start exams on Friday. What doesn't help is that my mum is going overseas during exam period, and so is my manager, so have to work more and can't take days off. Small store problems, other people covering the manager, so no one can cover me. 

It was nice knowing you all...

So much planned in this mid sem break, and it's not even study related. So screwed. Already know I'm running out of time. Need to start waking up earlier.

Apart from that, this week has been pretty good (and ate out a bit too much). My uncle came so could bring back stuff from overseas which other relatives bought stuff from Korea and HK.

The neighbours made a Japanese style cheesecake for my Mum's bday, it's even packaged up and everything-super cute.

It was a tad bit crumbly, and more sour than sweet. It was a super healthy version, since I guess more cream cheese would make it not as crumbly, but then not healthy...

Pistachio Lemon Zen Cake from Black Star Pastry

Bought for Mum's bday (and also I wanted to try it). Dinner that night at Bowery Lane. Also had a burger from Milk Bar by Cafe Ish earlier since I was at Redfern for a half day placement, and the only time I would be there the whole yr...

Thursday involved yum cha at Rouse Hill on a super rare day off. Dinner at home plus with the cousin, and mum cooked at least 8 dishes (i.e. more food coma).

oysters (:

Friday work dinner at Biviano's.

Reviews to come (probs in Dec tbh...). Definitely over ate this week, but birthdays are a time of celebrations, and when relatives come it's another excuse to go out and eat. Yes, was also stress eating.

Saturday working, and worked 1 hr overtime, and not getting paid for it. I was about to leave 2 hours beforehand then he called me back to stay (so couldn't even meet up with the G8s). Only get 45min time in lieu next time, which irks me, since manager going on leave, so if I leave 45min earlier, he'll pay me 45min less. He'll just follow what the computer says when I clock out, rather than paying me what I'm rostered and then I can't tell him I'm leaving 45min early since he'll be overseas. Argh, again small store problems. When you don't meet budget, don't get paid for an hour. Ay least I got shouted a coffee, but $2 still doesn't cut it....

Annoyed that I hardly progressed with any assignments/readings/study/video lectures etc etc.

My to do list for my super packed mid sem break is too long ): Need to force myself to wake up early.

Feeling the stresses.

Lorraine's Patisserie

I thought I've bought something here before, but actually haven't only walked past. I was here for the signature Date Tart that I had in Rockpool (which has reopened as Eleven Bridge) earlier this year, but unfortunately they don't make it anymore. Apparently they might make it later once the menu changes or something. You can see the whole kitchen once you walk in, but in terms of standing space inside the shops probably max 4 people. There's also no seating, but I do have to give credit on their better quality cake boxes and recyclable paper bags instead of plastic.

sweet treats to end a not so great week

look at that brûlée on top

Marscapone cake: Lightened mascarpone, layered with crisp coconut dacquoise, fresh strawberries-$9

One of their signature cakes, this was better than I expected. A good hit of coconut in the dacquouise and not as sweet as the almond dacquoisde in then Strawberry and Watermelon cake from Black star. This one was more dense and moisture didn't soak into it as easily. Loved the creaminess from the mascarpone and it wasn't too rich either. That brûlée top gave a subtle touch of bitterness. Probably on par with the Black Star cake. 

Rhubarb pie: Buttery pastry, rhubarb compote, crunchy demerera sugar-$9.50

inside

A friend recommended this, and I trust her judgement since she's eaten some of the best pastries in the world. It looked really sweet with all that brown sugar on top, but surprisingly it was really needed to help balance out the sourness from the rhubarb. The pastry had a harder texture and not too buttery. The crunch from the sugar on top made it fun to eat.

Lorraine cutting out a slice of my cake

They run out of things throughout the day, so they keep making more. Waited around 5mins for the cakes to be sliced and wrapped with plastic on the side. Will be back sometime to try the cheesecake, and hopefully they would start making the date tart again...

dessert cabinet

Mad Pizza E Bar

It's funny how two places with 'Mad' are next to each other-Mad Pizza E Bar and Mad Mex. I think this place is ideal for groups, since when we were there, there were also 2 other large groups.

Rocket & Parmesan: Salad Of Wild Baby Rocket w/ Pine Nuts, Parmesan & Balsamic Dressing-$12

Lamb, Chickpea & Feta: Light & Tasty Salad Of Braised Lamb Shank, Chickpea, Feta & Roast Pumpkin w/ Spinach & Lemon Dressing-$18.5

Was hoping for more pine nuts in the rocket and parmesan salad, and a bit more dressing. The lamb salad was surpassingly delicious, with tender bits of lamb, and quite a lot of toppings inside. More expensive for a salad, but the flavours work well and was well dressed.

Rigatoni Chicken Boscaiola: Rigatoni Pasta w/ Chicken Breast, Mushrooms, Bacon, Pea's & White Wine Cream Sauce-$18.5

Tagliatelle Siciliano: Tagiatelle Pasta w/ Sicilian Style Summer Eggplant & Tomato Sauce w/ Shaved Parmesan, Spinach & Basil-$16.5

The chicken pasta was recommended by a friend, and it was really nice! Not overly creamy like a typical white sauce pasta, but also had good bits of flavouring from the meat. The tomato sauce based pasta was a bit more bland, and there wasn't as much sauce. 

Fungi: Sliced Mushrooms, Rosemary & Feta On A White Sauce Base Topped w/ Rocket Leaves & White Truffle Oil (normal base)

$22.5

I really like the flavour of this, although some people had saltier bits of cheese. There was a good amount of flavour from the truffle oil, and decent bits of mushroom. Was hoping for a more cheese though. The pizza bas is thin enough without being floppy.

Tuscan: Shredded Lamb Shanks From Victoria, Baby Spinach, Red Onion, Garden Peas, Basil, Feta, Garlic & Lemon (Romano/herb base)-$23.5

The herbier base gave it some flavour, but the lamb as this was a bit drier and tender as the lamb from the salad. 

Chocolate brownie, espresso gelato, popcorn

Complimentary dessert for the table since I made a booking with Dimmi. I was worried about the chocolate being really heavy, but this dessert was surprisingly not sweet. The gelato had a really good depth of coffee flavour, and the dark choc in the brownie also helped halt the sweetness. Service throughout the night was pretty good.