Aussie Life

Instagram is such a happy place where sharing photos with friends and new-found friends in the blogosphere is so easy.  How I wish this app is available to other phones (exclusive for iPhone) so that I’ll get to see the wonderful photos of all my snap-happy friends.

I may not be able to blog about stuff that happens in my daily life these days but I get to document the little things that make my everyday significant thru instagram and twitter.

It’s been awhile since I shared some daily happenings in my life (although I try to incorporate something personal in every blog post I write, whether it be a food blog or a travel blog) so here’s a few photos that described my past week.

Monday was a hot day and as the temperature when up to 34 degree Celsius in the city, I decided to refresh myself as I walk from work to the train station when I passed by the Happy Lemon store.  I’ve received a few recommendations to try their beverage because I’m fond of Chatime, so I gave it a go.  I ordered a regular cup of their Green Tea with Rock Salt and Cheese and the staff was friendly enough to teach me how to drink it.  He said that patrons usually drink the cheese on top of the drink first before they close the lid.  So that’s what I did.  The cheese had a bit of sweetness and it tasted alright.  However, I didn’t like the drink as a whole.  It didn’t taste right to me so I threw it way after just a few sips. 

My Week in Instagram


My plant bloomed a flower this week. I’ve had this plant as a gift from one of my workmates four years ago.  The plant sits on top of a shelf above me so every time I get stressed, I look up and my plant is there to give me a little cheering up.  My plant has bloomed flower(s) since I took care of it but it’s only now that it bloomed again since I came back from vacation in April.

My Week in Instagram


I received the final stuff to complete my phone needs.  The Husband ordered tons of screen protectors which I received on Wednesday morning.  On Thursday, I received the black cables I wanted to use when I’m at the officeThe white cables of the iPhone gets dirty easily so I wanted a black one which I can leave connected to my office computer. It also saves me from forgetting to charge when I’m at work.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


Once a week, I get to stop by at my barista friend’s cafe and everytime I visit him, he gives me a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of Caramel Kiss.  I think one of “life’s must-haves” is to have a barista friend who knows how you like your coffee or hot chocolate for you.  My barista friend knows that I like my hot chocolate with less sugar and piece of marshmallow in it.  And he also knows that I love their cafe’s Caramel Kiss so he packs a piece for me to go with my Hot Chocolate.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


The Husband was in his sweet tooth mood on Thursday night and came home with a slice of Double Chocolate Cake. I only had two little bites of this sinfully delicious chocolate cake and downed it with a cup of Peppermint Tea.

My Week in Instagram


I was on a 5-day work week this week and I’m glad I made it to Friday.  I was in no mood to dress up so I was in a rugged/sports ensemble: sneakers, jeans and shirt.  To make my Friday at work happier, I brought packs of Swiss Miss and gave some to my friends.  They loved it!  It sort of my treat to us for being at work on Friday.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


We’re all in a festive mood this week as we prepare to celebrate Melbourne Cup on the 1st November.  Melbourne Cup is the race the stops the nation every 3:00pm of the first Tuesday of November.  It is the biggest and most celebrated horse race in the country.  At work, we have the Melbourne Cup Sweeps where we place bets on the $1. $2. $5 and $10 sweeps.  We will have a Melbourne Cup barbeque lunch and afternoon tea this coming Tuesday. 

My Week in Instagram


As I was about to go home on Friday afternoon, I received a sweet email from one of my trainees.  Like I said in instagram, I’m grateful and blessed to have a job that I love.  I’ve always believed that one must love what they do for their job to love them back.  When it comes to what I do everyday, it’s all about being generous with time and details; it’s about having the patience to deal and listen to people.  My job entails having a big heart for SERVICE without expecting anything in return.  When I see my trainees finish their trainings and be able to do their job efficiently, I feel very fulfilled.  To hear from them and receive appreciation from them is always a big bonus.

My Week in Instagram


To take away my Happy Lemon nightmare, I just had to end my week with my favourite beverage from Chatime: Brown Rice Green Milk Tea with Pearls.

My Week in Instagram


Our little pigeons (they’re not babies anymore) celebrated their two-week old on Friday.  To friends, tweetmates and instagram mates who have been following my shared photos, they have seen our daily adventures with these cute ones since Day 1 (from being eggs to hatchlings).  I plan to share a separate post on their growth.  I’m just waiting for them to grow up and fly away so my story will be complete.  According to google, they will be able to fly on their first month.  I’m excited for them but I know I will be a bit sad not seeing them in our balcony at the end of the day.

My Week in Instagram


Korean BBQ night on a Friday night!  This week we decided to not eat out so on Friday, we had a quiet night in and had Korean BBQ in our balcony.  We found this electric smokeless grill in the shops on sale a week ago so we bought it.  Korean cuisine has been a part of our home now that I even learned how to cook Korean dishes (that’s how much we love the cuisine) and having a smokeless BBQ grill is just the icing on the cake.  So there, no need to go out for Korean BBQ plus the Husband and I enjoy our dining experience and bonding inside the comforts of our home.  It was a perfect way to end our busy and productive week as we get to have good and fun conversations over a delicious meal.

My Week in Instagram

If you have instagram and care to find me (my instagram ID is @ibyang) and let’s share good vibes over captured photographs.

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A friend on mine based in Singapore visited Sydney two weeks ago.  She was vacationing in Gold Coast with friends then so I invited her to wander around Sydney even for just a day.  Her schedule was pretty tight so we had to make the most of her stay.

Sydney is a big city so that it’s impossible to see all the beautiful places here in just one day.  I had to choose well on where to take her, taking into consideration time, location and things she would like to do.  It was already a given that we will hang out in the city but other than that, I wanted to take her somewhere she haven’t been to before (she already vacationed in Sydney four years ago). 

Our first and major itinerary for the day was a trip to Manly Beach.  It is one of Sydney’s beautiful beaches only 30 minutes away from the CBD.  In order to get to Manly, one has to take the ferry in Circular Quay. 


When in Circular Quay, one will get to see the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.  So while we wait to get on a ferry, my friend and I were able to take lots of photos.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)

While on the ferry, one will also get to view the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.  My friend enjoyed the short ride and sights while we were on board the ferry.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)

Personally, I love Manly Beach that’s why I like bringing family and friends to this place.  On the way to the beach, one will walk along an avenue of shops and restaurants.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)

When you see an abundance of pine trees (yes, pine trees by the beach), you know that the beach is just nearby.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)
PWanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)

We hung out by the beach for about two hours.  I was so grateful that the weather that day was sunny and windy.  It was such a lovely day to be at the beach.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)

Before we headed back to the City, we had a very late lunch at Bavarian Bier Cafe (will share on another post).  Manly Wharf has numerous restaurants with a good view and Bavarian Bier Cafe was one of them.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Manly Beach (NSW, Australia)


How to Get to Manly:
Sydney Ferries’ famous Manly Ferry is a “must do” for visitors and makes the 30 minute trip regularly, day and night. Manly Ferry timetables and information about fares, passes and attractions are available from www.sydneyferries.info

Also departing from Manly Wharf and Pier 2 are high speed ferry services operated by Sydney Fast Ferries and Manly Fast Ferries. Manly Fast Ferry offer an hourly service through the day, to Manly, Monday to Friday, along with extra services on the weekend.
Sydney Fast Ferries operates between Manly and Circular Quay from Monday through to Friday in the Morning and returning to service in the afternoon. The journey takes approximately 15 – 30 minutes.
Water Taxis
Sydney Water Taxis – 1300 666 484
Peninsula Water Taxis 0415 408 831
Yellow Water Taxis. Phone 1300 138 840

By road, Manly Warringah Cabs has been servicing the Northern Beaches since 1953 and can be booked by phoning 131668.

Bus services connect Manly with the City, the Northern Beaches and to the west, St Leonards and Epping and Manly Hospital. Please see Manly Wharf Bus Stop Guide

Manly Airport Bus transfers visitors to and from the Manly region, they can be booked on 9981 1453 . Travel time to Sydney Airport is approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic. {source}

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Passed by the Apple Store tonight after we had dinner and saw flowers, notes, bitten apples and an iPod Classic at the entrance of the store.
At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney


Even if it was raining, people stop by and have a look at flowers and letters and take photographs.

At The Apple Store in Sydney

At The Apple Store in Sydney

All photos taken by the iPhone 4

On my way to meet up with the Husband after work, I saw the TIME Magazine featuring Steve Jobs’ life so I bought and surprised the Husband with it.
We got ourselves the TIME magazine today

I have a collection links to tributes and articles on Steve Jobs, please click here.

Received this on the mail today:
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
If you’re wondering who “Avigail ” is…yes, that is me!

The New Sydney Tower Eye

Perfectly timed for September school holidays, and coinciding with Sydney Tower’s 30th birthday the new Sydney Tower Eye viewing experience is set to re-launch on September 23. The new Sydney Tower Eye is bringing the best views in Sydney to brand new heights.

Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
Starting from the base level of Sydney Tower the new Sydney Tower Eye offers guests breathtaking views of one of the world’s most beautiful and captivating cities and provides the ultimate introduction, or reintroduction, to Sydney.

Each visitor will begin their Sydney Tower Eye experience with a prelude to the amazing views they’ll experience above – a preshow of fascinating facts and history about Sydney Tower’s construction and Australia, coupled by sweeping images of iconic Sydney.

Next, visitors will enter the new 4D cinema – featuring the first 4D film ever produced in Australia. The 4D cinema experience uncovers a new dimension to Sydney with spectacular footage transporting you across Sydney Harbour, its famous coastline, iconic landmarks and events that are integral to the city. The engaging film experience is taken to the fourth dimension with evocative in-theatre effects including wind, bubbles and fire – a perfect way to get to know the inspiring city of Sydney.

Up at the top, from the renovated Observation Deck, visitors will be completely surrounded with sky-high views that stretch more than 80km in any direction. They will be able to see from the Blue Mountains in the far west, to Botany Bay in the south, to Sydney Harbour in the north and the Pacific Ocean in the east, and everything in between.

Sydney Tower Eye visitors can take their experience to a higher level and join the SKYWALK. This premium experience allows visitors to soak up exhilarating, outdoor, open-air views 260m above ground level, on the roof of the Observation Deck. Visitors will be guided by experts who know the ins and outs of Sydney during a full 45 minute tour around the top of Sydney’s highest peak – Sydney Tower.

Price: Adult $25 and Child $15 for the SKYWALK premium experience add $40
Combo tickets also available combining entry to Sydney Tower Eye with Sydney Aquarium, and/or the new WILD LIFE Sydney experience, and/or Oceanworld Manly starting at $50 for an adult and $30 for a child.
Enquiries: +61 2 9333 9222


Meet the Bald Man!

Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!


Max Brenner is opening his 25th Chocolate Bar in Australia and will be in town to celebrate with all things chocolate! The Bald Man invites you to watch, smell, taste and feel his chocolate love story.
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!

Share the excitement, meet the Bald Man himself and celebrate in Max style with chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates on the opening day of 23 September, 6-8pm. 
Indulge in Max Brenner’s ultimate chocolate experience. Be careful though, you might find that the experience is highly addictive!
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
Date: 23 September
Time: 6 – 8pm
Location: Level 6, near Sky Pheonix
Thank you Westfield Sydney for the invite!
(Text and photos courtesy of Westfield Sydney)


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It has been crazy busy at work for both the Husband and I lately that we cannot afford to pack our bags and leave Sydney for a few days.  Going out of state would mean time to get things ready and travel back and forth.  At the moment, time for non-essentials are a scarcity.

So we decided to have a “staycation” (meaning: vacation at home or in the city you live in) in Sydney for two days and give ourselves a break from doing household chores and pretend to be tourists in our city.

The Husband's Birthday StaycationThe Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

Our home for two nights was near Chinatown.  We checked-in on Friday afternoon after work, dropped our bags and headed straight out to explore the lively streets of Haymarket and have dinner.

Dropped by World Square and checked out the shops there.  We saw our favourite Meiji Chocolates at Miracle Asian Supermarket.


Chinatown on a Friday night looks like this (see below) and how we love it!  It reminded us of Mongkok of Hongkong and Myeongdong of Seoul.  This main street in Chinatown becomes a street market from 5:00PM onwards every Friday. 

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


One of our usual hangouts in Chinatown is the DVD/CD store where we looked at DVDs or soundtracks of Korean Dramas.
The Husband captured my giddy reaction whenever I see a DVD or CD I like.

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

From our suking DVD store, we had dinner at Yummy Chinese BBQ Restaurant then went back to Chinatown and visited the biggest Morning Glory store I’ve ever seen.

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

Some of the stuff I got from Morning Glory:  Banana Case, telephone-inspired hair ties and a pair of Elmo earphones.


The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


Saturday, the Husband’s birthday, I took him to the Adriano Zumbo Lab at Rozelle.  The Husband has a very sweet tooth and he loves to bake so I thought that going to Zumbo’s Lab would be a great treat for him.


The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

I will write a separate post about our adventure at Zumbo’s Lab, in the mean time, feast your eyes on the hundreds of Macarons that we saw at the lab.

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


Went back to the hotel for a nap (we woke up at 6am just to be at Zumbo’s Lab before 8am), then went out around two in the afternoon.  This time, we hung out at Pitt Street area.  Very late lunch of Burritos from Guzman Y Gomez and Pad Thai from Thai Riffic at the Westfield Dining Precinct.

Followed by a good stroll outside Westfield.  Went in and out of shops, played at the Apple Store, took photos of street art and incidentally came across Mario and Luigi. 

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

A quick coffee break at Becasse Bakery (went back to Westfield Dining Precinct) before we attended mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)


We had plans of going to Darling Harbour or The Rocks for dinner but changed our minds.  Instead of going to some posh restaurant, we bought take away KFC and went back to the hotel and had a quiet dinner while watching TV and just enjoyed being together.  Indulged ourselves with dessert of Zumbo’s Macarons and green tea.

The Husband's Birthday Staycation (September 2011)

Our decision to stay in even on the night of Chris’ birthday has brought us to a few realizations. Nowadays, we do treasure moments being at home, just having quiet nights, occasion or no occasion.  We appreciate traveling as much as we appreciate being in the comforts of our home.  We love spending time with relatives and friends as much as we love having moments to ourselves.  It’s all about balance especially when life is hectic with things to do, people to see and goals to accomplish.

On Sunday morning, we went back home and immediately faced the chores that await us but the two-night break we had, even if short, was uplifting and precious.

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