In-Laws Place Got Burgled!

Last Wednesday evening we received a call from my inlaws telling us their place got burgled. It was only ~3 weeks ago that our neighbours two doors down got burgled. What is this quiet, previously country town, slow growing city coming to?

The police were called in and all losses accounted for. The forensics team ala CSI was brought in to dust for fingerprints and footprints. But as all domestic break ins go, the thieves were wearing gloves so no fingerprints were left behind. The police made enquiries and discovered that there were some eyewitnesses who saw 3 teenage looking boys with backpacks walking down the driveway and subsequently knocking on the front door. Their actions did not arouse suspicion because it was thought that they were fund raising or going door to door to sell stuff. No one was home to answer the door and its our conclusion that they then brazenly broke in.

Entry was via a window at the back of the house and the ransacking was quick. The house is currently in a mess and it will take roughly a week to sort things out. Drawers were pulled out of place and even the night table was turned upside down and tossed onto the bed. Packaged food and bottled drinks were left on the floor and no cabinet was left unsearched. They even went through the freezer, pantry plus pots and pans! They must have known that Asians tend to keep their earthly treasures in the oddest places.

My in-laws have been staying at our place since and hopefully all things will return to normal next week. A burglary/break in always changes the atmosphere in a home. The sense of security has been broken and it will take awhile before confidence in the 4 walls returns.

A total of 6 homes were burgled in the same suburb that day. Each house was on a different street. We figure it must have been the same 3 men.

We pray for security and for angels to look over us and our homes.


cheryl

Friday Work Lunch

We had a special lunch get together at work today. It was a quick yet warm lunch with flavours from India, Italy, Lebanon, Scotland and Australia - delicious meals cooked by fellow colleagues. Our work place is truly international :) I got snap happy and here are some of the pictures from the work place.

All in a row - plates full to the brim

Chocolate rum balls covered with dessicated coconut

Fresh home made tabouli

Fresh home made Italian Bread

Tomato chicken with feta cheese

Indian Onion rice

Indian Beef curry

Homemade strawberry tarts - very visually appealing!

Yummy chocolate cupcakes - also visually stimulating!

Quick shot while going 2 floors down in the lift

Our workplace Monday-Friday

cheryl

Avocado Obsession

I love avocados. Since settling down in Australia, that love has slowly become an obsession. Of late I have been eating an average of 3 avocados a week. I must admit I am a little concerned about my eating them so much because of the high fat content but I suppose since its good fat and since it decreases the LDLs I can eat them to my hearts content right? A single mid sized avocado contains 30g of fat.

Avocados are so much cheaper here than in Malaysia and readily available at any green grocers. I like to buy mine from the markets because I can get them at good prices there - usually AUD 2 for 3 avocados. Good eh? The guy at the markets will often pick them out for me according to their shelf life - ready to eat 3 days later or maybe a week after. Last week he sold me 5 for AUD 2! Hurrah for being friendly with the green grocer :)

How do I have my avocado?

1. Guacamole (the lighting in this shot doesn't do the green justice)

2. Just as it is on a bread roll

3. Tossed in my Caesar Salad

Oh avocado~~ :)

cheryl

Pharmacy Ball 2009

Last Friday was a night of celebrations for the Masters of Pharmacy students at UCanberra. The ball was held at the Hellenic Club and it was a pretty awesome night. It was a formal event themed Gold and Silver. Lecturers, students and their partners made up most of the participants that night but there were some specially invited guests who had kindly sponsored the big prizes of the raffle draw that night. The second prize were female products by SonFx while the biggest prize was two flight tickets with Qantas to select destinations within Australia. Too bad we didn't win it! Another short weekend away would fantastic :)

The dinner was organized by Caspa the pharmacy society at the university of which Alex was the out going president for 2009. I went as Alex's partner (naturally..) and we certainly enjoyed ourselves.

Here are some pictures of the night.

President and 'First Lady' :)

Alex making his speech for the night

A picture with the Andrew from Qantas Link - the sponsor for the main prize for the night

The bar from which drinks were served from that night.

Much action took place on the dance floor-everyone showcasing their moves and grooves

2nd year Master students

There was a guy taking photos for OutinCanberra. Out in Canberra is an independent restaurant, fashion, entertainment and bar website that offers news, offers and latest discounts of popular spots around Canberra. A part of the website holds social photos of people caught out and about in Canberra. We got our picture taken by the photographer and here it is :) Yay!

cheryl