Ely at the vineyards

The chef didn't receive the call he was expecting from work, so we thought of taking the day on a trip. Yeah, like a break-in of sorts for our Ely. And we took her where her kind would be a common sight.

We drove up north to the Yarra Valley, which is a vastness known for their vineyards. Earlier this morning, we rang up my former employer Angie to see whether we could drop by their vineyard in the area. Much to our surprise, she was going to hold a lunch party there for her husband's birthday. Not meaning to gate-crash, but that's where we ended up. Yum yum yum!

The views during the trip were just amazing. Great backdrop for Ely's first few shots. :) This one is at the cypress-lined driveway at Olsen Estate.

Winner!

Remember the Business Achiever's Awards where our pharmacy was nominated in three categories?

Well, a medical centre had outdone us for the Professional Services award, thank you. And a real estate agent was chosen over me as the Employee of the Year, which was like hello!? anyway. Up against a real estate agent and a travel agent finalist, why was I even there? Hahaha! But hey, Tamara won as Apprentice of the Year! Isn't that awesome?

At least we came home with one award, and even though it wasn't a personal achievement for either me or Bev, it felt like it was. And we're very proud of her.

Here's a glimpse from last night's event held at the Caulfield Racecourse.

And oh, Santucci's won the Restaurant-Cafe Award, too!

Time out

Warranties work, and today they worked for me.

The wrist watch I received on my birthday from the chef had been playing up the past few weeks. Last week, when we took it back to the shop, the technician had placed in a brand new battery to test whether it's the watch or the battery acting up. Then four days ago, it succumbed at one o'clock in the afternoon.

With the warranty and receipt shown as proof of purchase, we were off again to the shop. This time, to get a new replacement. Although there was an option of picking another design of the same value, or paying only the difference for a more expensive model, I chose to keep the design picked by the chef. And he was glad I did.

Here comes Ely

This morning was rush hour for both me and the chef. We've never really dressed up together for work, but then again, we weren't going to work anyway-- not until we finalised the contract signing with RACV. For weeks now, the chef had been keeping things under his nose-- and almost unbeknownst to me-- with the purchase of this car. Well, I did have a fair idea what we were buying, but the final result after the alterations and heaven knows what else, was going to be a surprise. Or a shock? Hehehe.

When I arrived home from work, the old car-- rather, the first car was parked at the port. Hmm, so things must have gone as he planned. It was almost 10pm when finally he arrived from his second job, coming home from which he'd usually be dragging his bag behind him and his tongue draped to his chin as if he just crossed the Sahara. But tonight, he looked like a kid with a new toy. Or, isn't that what it is?

"Wanna go out for a ride?" sounded like being asked on a first date. I wish he'd ask "What's for dinner?" with all that enthusiasm in his voice.

But nope. So anyway, I was carried away at the moment. The ride wasn't so bad, but my hands firmly gripped at my seat and the door at every pull of centrifugal force. Okay, okay. This is just something I had to get used to again. 4WDs are familiar to me, except that we didn't have them this tall, and we drove them in the country. As we reached the petrol station for its first official fill, he asked me to come out and behold its grandeur from the outside under the bright lights. I looked outside my window and a normal car had just parked beside ours. Looking down, I noticed the person in the other car was, what else, looking up. That felt good... somehow.

One thing I regret not having done during my trip to Sri Lanka, was riding an elephant. I guess, this must be the closest thing to it I'll get to for now. Then, ding! Like a lightbulb lit, I thought I'd give the new car a name that befits her: Ely.

Welcome home, Ely.

Another day to cope

Today was Bob's knee-replacement surgery. We had Freda filling in for Bev, who we thought just might be stressed about her husband's operation to be at work. Well, as I said, we just thought.

She was in and out a few times, even managing to go about town to borrow items we didn't have from other pharmacies. But at least, we got another day with Freda, since tomorrow will be her last Tuesday with us. The new pharmacist taking over next month will be working full-time.

Later this evening, Tamara and I attended a seminar on homeopathy products. I know we have about three of their products on our shelves and that Bev is not really keen on promoting such things. But of course, how can you resist free food? Hahah! Kidding aside, it was a night of much learning. Hmm, I wonder what the new owner thinks about homeopathics.

To my mom

i remember you. and i love you. for every remembrance.

Bombshell

Bev had asked for a meeting after work. It didn't quite cross my mind she had news of this nature, but I somehow knew it was big, because she closed the front door as we gathered at the dispensary. Normally, she keeps it open just in case we had last-minute customers.

Her news was a bombshell. With the bomb still in it.

She and Bob had just sold the business, and that the take-over would be first week next month. She went on telling us that the new owner was a partnership amongst three pharmacists but that only one of them would be in charge in the soon-to-be-called 'Murrumbeena Rd. Pharmacy', and that they were looking forward to meeting with us over drinks tomorrow night, and that they were interested to hear our side, plans, etc., and that because Bob was getting his knee replaced they didn't know what was going to happen next, and that they would like to do something else, and would we like a slice of the steaming pie she bought from Leovorno Pizza? under two minutes.

Sarah was slightly sobbing "Bev, I grew up here," as Tamara's eyes welled up as she picked up a napkin. Well, mine were dry, but you know how it grows big and kind of squints in bewilderment? I caught them staring at Bob's soon-to-be-replaced knee. But zero thoughts. I had wished though that I had Superman's laser eyes to fix that knee that started it all.

Emotions subsided after a while. Somehow in our minds, we were getting the answers to all the questionnable dramas Bev was going through-- and was letting us go through-- these past few weeks. We were full of oh's and ah's as we recalled them, and as we realised, it felt like a monkey off our backs. There was finally a light moment, showing more understanding to Bev and Bob. We wished them well, and Tamara even congratulated them. It was a weird feeling, like being told we were being sent off for adoption or something. But, hmm, let's just see how it goes.

***

Lashan flew back home today to visit his mum, who had recently undergone surgery. On lighter side, this is his first trip in nine long years. We wonder how he'll take the weather there. Hmmm.

All the best to your mum, Lashan.

Knackered

It's Independence Day somewhere at the other side of the world. And at this side, it's just the other kind of day. (Go figure. Hehehe.) Yesterday, I had almost forgotten that this is Tamara's week off. So, talk about prolonging the agony.

From Cup to Tour

Just when World Cup was coming to an end, here comes another reason to stay up late: Tour de France 2006. The chef doesn't look that enthusiastic though now that Lance Armstrong has retired from tours.