I have a twin - well not exactly a twin, but we were both born on the same day, same month and same year and are Hong Kong Chinese. I didn’t think we were that much alike until recently….

Every year we send each other birthday wishes, (it’s not hard to forget when you share the same birthday!), and in her last correspondence to me she mentioned that she will be tieing the knot later on the year.

Recently I got engaged, and was telling her of my news, informing her I’ll be tieing the knot later on the year also. In which she replied ‘When in December?’ The way she worded the question was a bit queer but I gave my reply informing her of my wedding date. At the back of my mind I was thinking surely she’s not thinking of the same day.

In the next email from her, I couldn’t believe my eyes. She’ll be getting married on the same day!! Admittedly there are only a selected few good dates to be married based on the Chinese lunar calendar (about one a month). But of all the dates in the year, we’ll both be getting married on the same day. We were both are bit freaked out about it.

We continue to exchange notes about wedding dresses and styles, and would you believe she’s been looking at dresses from the same designers as me, and she’s over in UK and I’m in Sydney Australia!

What would be even freakier would be if we both become mothers at the same time, where our kids are also ‘twins’.

Everyone taste buds are different - some people are just weirder than others.

Recently I have tried a vegemite and prawns sandwich (cold cooked prawns), being told by my boyfriend it tastes great. Admittedly the look and the sound of it weren’t all that appealing, but I’m someone that has to taste something before I go. “No thanks”. I took a bite, with friends around me seeing my facial expression, I exclaimed “It’s quite nice!” Because of the saltiness of the vegemite, it enhances the flavour of the prawn.

Another combo I have found in sandwiches was from a friend in primary school that used to always have peanut butter sandwiches topped with sultanas. I never did a sandwich swap with her to find out - guess I mustn’t been that adventurous as an 8 year old kid.

FYI: Vegemite is a famous Australian spread on toast. Its dark brown in colour and salty in taste.

How I hate buying shoes, especially work shoes. Thankfully I only need to buy it every couple of years, and I’ve reached that time again to look for work shoes. I don’t think I ask for that much in a pair of shoes, I just want a pair of closed, classic style, black, low heeled pair of shoes that would go with a skirt or pants. I want a pair of shoes that I can comfortably walk to and from the train station, and do a quick dash to the train if required, that doesn’t slip off my feet or cause me to twist my ankle. Now is that asking too much?

What I see on the market these days are either flat black shoes – great for walking, but looks a little odd in a business suit, or high stilettos – looks great in a business suit and those that have narrow feet, but not that great if you need to walk to places.

I think the problem lies here; I’m an average Asian about 160cm, and wear size 5.5 or size 6 shoes depending on the make. When I find the pair of shoes that meet the above requirements, I ask to try a size 5.5 and a size 6. Now usually the size 6 is brought out for me to try, and I am hoping that it would fit me. But no, it’s half a size too big, so I ask them if they have half a size smaller or it’s just the make. Either they don’t know or the smallest they make is a 6. Usually it’s the latter.

Now is it just me that has these problems, or are they other small feet women out that have similar problems?

I’m someone that only eats hamburgers once a while, but when I tried this place I had specially made a trip down to Paul’s Hamburgers at Sylvania to pick up one.

What makes this place so special; it’s the fresh ingredients used and the meat paddies. The regular ones have lettuce, tomatoes, onions and the meat paddy. Then others can include pineapple, bacon, egg, cheese. The sizes of these hamburgers are not small, bigger than your fast food chains, and the price is a little bit more expensive than your average fast food ones but personally I think it’s worth the price.

On some days there are long queues that go out the door, however the service is great. While you’re at the queue you have someone taking your order so you quickly progress through the line. While in the kitchen, there’s a production line, one in charge of cooking the paddies, another for the chips, and another toasting the buns, another with the tomatoes, and another with the lettuce, and another one with the sauces and packaging, and of course one at the cashier.
There are two locations, one at Sylvania, just off Tom Ugly’s Bridge on the left hand side if you’re heading south, and the other is at Engadine on Old Princes Highway. Note, the one at Sylvania is only open Thurs-Sun, and closes around 8pm. From what I have seen Saturday and Sunday lunch are the busiest days.
If you’re someone that likes beetroot in your hamburgers, remember to ask cause my recent trips to Pauls, the beetroot was in the regulars.