Mini Update

The sudden lack of updates on my blog give the impression that I might have fallen off the planet somewhere.

I am actually currently home in KL. Had an amazing time in Auckland and I hope to visit John and his family again some time next year. Spending Christmas with him and his family was a lovely experience. It was my first Christmas away from my family and they made me feel like part of theirs. :)

Tonsillitis did not have any effect on my travels and I managed the Auckland to Melbourne to Singapore to KL leg of my trip quite well. I must remember to send my fantastic doctor a thank you card. :)

Will give a more detailed update when I have time. Today is dad's birthday and it is going to be busy!

Tonsillitis

Dammit. I have tonsillitis.

Just got jabbed with a huge dose of antibiotics for it too. Also on antibiotics for the next 10 days. Worst thing is that I am infectious and I am due to go country hopping really soon!

On the upside, I sort of have a day and a half to sleep it off. Doc gave me 2 days off work.

Holiday season

In December 2006, I travelled NZ with my three best friends. It was the first time we had really spent time together after leaving high school. We had an awesome time and I still smile whenever I think about the trip. Imagine. Four girls doing random crazy things like rolling down a hill in a plastic ball with a bucketful of water, climbing a glacier in the pouring rain, bungy jumping 43 meters off a bridge, skydiving, exploring (and getting lost) in various towns and kayaking on a fjord.

Strangely enough, that adventure sort of started off another chapter of my life. While I was there, I suddenly wondered about a primary schoolmate that I hadn't seen since I was twelve. He migrated to NZ with his family a few years after primary school.

It gets more strange. To cut a long story short, he happened to be in KL on holiday when I returned from my NZ trip. We met for the first time in eleven years and got along so amazingly and unexpectedly well. It was as if there hadn't been that eleven year gap. We talked six hours straight. Funny thing was it felt so much shorter. The next day, he flew back to NZ.

He is now (it still awes me when I think about it) my boyfriend. Would you believe it? I am with the best man that I know. And I am spending Christmas with him and his family! I'm absolutely rapt!! It is the first time I'm visiting him. I even started packing last week though I'm not leaving for a few days. That and I haven't been able to sleep properly because I am bouncing-off-the-walls-type excited. :D

I am so going to pounce on him when he greets me at the airport!

Consider yourself warned, Mr P! :D

Harry Potter mania

One of my tasks at work is to place orders for name badges for a certain major telecommunications chain.

The other day some jokers put their names as "Wingardium" and "Leviosah".

Had a really good laugh when I saw it.

I put the requests through. I figured that if that was what they wanted, then that is what they will get.

I like people with a sense of humour. :)

Suburban Humour - Part 2

My neighbours are so funny. Just to give you the background on things, we have been having major issues with our increasingly vindictive body corporate manager.

One of my neighbours rang my doorbell this evening and handed me some forms. When I asked what they were for, he replied with uncharacteristic glee:

Its so we can get rid of the body corporate bitch.

*pause*

Wait.. I meant manager.




HAHAHAHHAHHAHA

Culinary adventures

I tried a green curry recipe out in a bout of late night cooking sometime last week. I was delighted with the result. The mushrooms were especially tasty because they absorb lots of the curry. Cooking is fun when you're in the mood.

From this:



To this:



I wonder what other recipes I should try next.

Life

Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think life is that we chase after things that are upon hindsight ephemeral and inconsequential.

We forget to be thankful for all that we have. We think that if only we attain more material things, like Wii Fit or a pair of nice shoes, we will be happier.

We live in a consumerist society. We buy temporary happiness. And perhaps decades of advertising has somewhat addled our perception of what brings us happiness.

I refer to real happiness. Not that airy fairy Oh-I-Got-Something-New euphoria.

Real happiness is not the latest thingamajig wrapped up in trendy packaging. Years from now, all that stuff is just going to be exactly that. Stuff. Gathering dust in some obscure part of the house.

Real happiness is Family. Friends. Health. Security.

And most of us have that. But we forget to be grateful for them because they always seem to be there. We take them all for granted when we should be living each day just being truly glad that they are in our lives.

My godmother was diagnosed with cancer a few days ago. We are in shock. I hope she beats it. I hope she gives it such a good thrashing that it never comes back.

Weekend

This morning when I found I could not reach my clothesline without getting dandelion fluff all over me, I realised it was time to do some serious weeding.

The weeds were close to a meter high.

The last time I actually ventured into my back garden was about a month or two ago. I prefer to hang my laundry in a sunny spot indoors because it eliminates the rain, pollen and dust factors.

Anyway, I started weeding at 9am. Gloves were essential. Most of those weeds either irritate the skin or have thorns. I managed half the garden and figured I would finish the job next weekend because I had to leave for church. Was later pleasantly surprised to find that my brother had done the rest of the weeding. :)

So now we have two big garbage bags full of weeds, which I am happily leaving in the sun to wilt.

I would say that it has been a relatively productive weekend. The floor is mopped, the clothes are washed, the ant invaders massacred (the credit goes to my brother), the library book returned, and I even managed to buy two peoples' Christmas presents. :D

Every weekend should be this productive!

On Plans

And so... the reason I haven't been blogging.

John has been visiting for the past week.

I'm on unpaid leave and we have been playing the role of trigger-happy tourists. 

Or to be more accurate, I've been trigger-happy and my camera-shy better half is the tourist. ♥

Poh Poh

My grandmother is amazing.

She is in her 80s and she is currently teaching herself to play the harmonica. She is so cool! She even played two songs for me over the phone just a few minutes ago!  My heart totally melted. *grin*.. She was so cute. She began by saying that she was teaching herself the harmonica and then she went "Wait ah.. I'll put the phone down for a while and play you a song. Don't hang up!" 

My grandmother is one of those people who sincerely believes that learning is a lifelong process.

She is Chinese-educated but she learned English just so that she could communicate with my brother and I. She was among the first women in Malaya to be educated. In her younger days, she even represented the state for a number of sports. 

She is not the average grandmother. She can read Japanese and write in Jawi. She even taught herself to play the piano when she was in her 60s. She is also very much up to date with current affairs. We talk about politics, the economy and the latest health news. She really is amazing. I am really looking forward to seeing her in two months' time.

Flat

It's been a long week. The antibiotics are not helping. Will be spending the weekend in hibernation. 

Still, I'm glad because I'd rather be sick now than fall ill in one week's time. 

Sick leave

I know I said that I wasn't going to use my MC. I had second thoughts when I woke up at 3am for Panadol and cough syrup though. So I'm spending the day at home, resting. It's been a while since I've actually used a MC. The last time I was sick enough to get one was in 2006. Even then, I still showed up to class to do my presentation. 

Silver lining

On a lighter note, my brother went all the way to Chinatown to buy me Chinese cough syrup. I feel so loved. Never mind that under the Kesan-Kesan Sampingan heading on the box, it says Tidak Diketahui. Pei Pa Kou is godsent I tell you!

Also the person who invented anaesthetic Strepsils is a genius. Because of him/her/them, I can survive the week without using my MC. I don't want sick leave for reasons that will become apparent... say... twelve days from now. 

*grumble*

I'm not a very pleasant sick person. In fact, I'm a grouch when under the weather. 

However when made to wait almost an hour after the time of my scheduled appointment at the doctor's (especially on an empty stomach and while still in my work clothes at 8 o'clock on a Monday night), one might consider me bordering on malevolent.

I am so not going to that doctor again. He can eat my stinky socks.

Hmph.

Change

This week has been eventful.

On Tuesday, I finished working at the financial planning firm that I had been with for the past few months. I brought a tiramisu cake to work as a gesture of gratitude. I also wrote my boss and colleagues a card thanking them for the kindness that they had shown me during my time with them. Would you believe that they were so sweet that they even gave me a lovely pen and 2009 planner? I didn't expect it at all because they had already done so much for me. 

On Wednesday, I started my new job in a marketing company. My new boss and colleagues are really nice and I am settling in well. This company has a different atmosphere compared to my previous work place. It is more informal. The radio is always on, I get to wear sneakers and we even have casual Fridays! There are lots of interesting things to learn and while change is always a little daunting, I am looking forward to the experience with great anticipation. 

By Friday I was already feeling comfortable in my new work place. I will be bringing my own cutlery and chocolate stash on Monday to keep in my desk drawer.. hehee.. Also wondering what odds and ends to stick on my side of the wall. *grin* Oooh! I have this desk calendar-like thing from Furry Logic. It is so cute!

Check this out.

There are more like it. *grin*

Gleeee!

My best friend just reminded me about how I used to deal with prank callers when we were in high school.

I used to read chapters from my Sejarah (History) text book aloud to them until they got bored and hung up.

The chapters about the Sultans and Tamadun Islam (Islamic civilization) were always hot favourites.

*GRIN*

But since I no longer have my History text books with me, weird callers will just have to listen to bits from God, Actually because that's what I'm reading at the moment. 

I'm sure hearing about why God probably exists will thrill them to no end. 

*GRIN*

Comeback

Remember my coriander plant? 

• Despite being manhandled by the cashier at the supermarket

• Despite being left on the kitchen window sill in strong afternoon sunlight 

• Despite being left outside in gale force winds (this was accidental. i didn't check the weather forecast)

• Despite being plucked to garnish dinner (after being written off as a goner)

It's alive!

And here's proof! 

Something fishy

I am seething.

Something fishy is going on.

Last week I received a call at 11.34pm on a week night from a guy with an Aussie accent saying that he was calling in response to an advertisement. As I was already sleeping by then, I groggily answered the phone and asked him what he was going on about. When he still wasn't making any sense, I hung up and went back to sleep. 

That thing he said about an advertisement bothered me though. 

Then today I received an unsettling call when I was having dinner. Some sleazy guy with an Indian accent called me saying that he wants to "meet for some fun" and that I "gave him my number last week". 

Bullshit.

I don't give my phone number to strangers and I certainly didn't give anyone my phone number last week.

This call bothered me more than the first because he knew my name.

Something is going on. I'm not quite sure what but I am keeping a log of their numbers.

Any ideas about what I should do? 

Mishmash

Haven't had much to blog about recently.

Then again, that's not entirely true. I've been doing more out of the ordinary things.

Like roll my rubbish bin in from the kerb at one o'clock in the morning... only to roll it back out the driveway about fifteen minutes later.

To cut a long story short, I panicked when I thought I threw a pair of earrings of great sentimental value out with the trash so I rolled my bin in. I later found the earrings in my handbag and subsequently rolled the bin back out. My neighbours now probably think I'm a little loony. *sheepish look* 

I drove to the airport for the third time. My cousin navigated. I was very touched that he woke up at six-ish on a Sunday morning just to accompany me and make sure I was all right. I am well loved. Thanks, cuz. :)

Also adopted a coriander plant. It led a brief existence. I shall stick to hardier plants from now on. Maybe a nice potted plant. With flowers. 

On a more sombre note, last week I learned that people do change over the course of nine years.

Philosophizing

It frustrates me sometimes how so many of life's dramas are self-inflicted.  

For every action, there is a reaction. If you smoke, chances are you will develop some form of respiratory disease. If you indulge in too many sugary foods, you will develop diabetes. If you spend beyond your means, you will be in debt. If you are undiscerning about the friends you make or the partner you take, you are likely to get hurt. 

Everything boils down to the choices that we make. We can choose to pursue fleeting, short-term happiness. Or we could choose to seriously consider the long-term things that are most important to us and work towards them. We choose how we want to live our lives. 

Perhaps this is a simplistic view of the world. But maybe life isn't as complicated as we have been led to believe.

Back!

There have been so many things that happened in the past two weeks. So many reasons to celebrate. :)

My parents came to visit and that in itself is always cause for celebration. We don't often live under same roof so its nice whenever we have that opportunity. Oh! It gets even better. John came to stay! Random conversations, laughter, lots of teasing, mischieveous grins, big bear hugs. :) 

We celebrated my parents' wedding anniversary, my birthday, my getting a permanent full-time job yup! I start on the 1st of October! and Father's Day! So many celebrations rolled into two weeks. Its been absolutely brilliant!

On a random note that does not need to make sense, I discovered that I have guardian angels... people who I will be forever grateful to. I hope that someday, I will be able to help others the way they helped me. 

PS- I know you have been praying for me. Thank you. :)

*grin*

My parents are here! *GRIN* That means great company and plenty of good food! Oh!! And John is coming next week! Very excited. I'm impatiently counting the days! 

On a random note, I just realised how utterly smitten I am. Today someone mentioned NZ and I immediately associated it with John. Consequently spent the next few minutes trying to conceal my dopey grin.

Hahhaha.. gone case. :D

Division of duties

I cook dinner Monday to Thursday, do the laundry (the washing, drying and folding), mop the floor, deal with the garbage and do very once in a blue moon gardening.

My brother washes the dishes, vacuums, cleans the bathrooms and deals with anything car-related. 

Lately I've been feeling frazzled about the housework. It probably has to do with moving from an apartment into a house. More space, more to clean. 

Ugh. May I never be a housewife. 

On another note, my maid back in Malaysia is a domestic goddess.

No, wait. Scratch that.

She is THE domestic goddess. She is an amazing cook and an even better gardener. She can plant anything! Okra, chilli, tomatoes, ginger, banana trees, dragon fruit, lime, pandan, cucumber, bittergourd... if you name it, she can probably plant it. Oh, and she finds time to vacuum, mop, wash the clothes, manja the pets, wash the cars and everything else in between. She's the best and she is such a blessing to my family. 

Oink

The other day, I spoke to one of my oldest, dearest friends. Its always a treat to speak to her since we don't talk half as often as we should since I'm in Melbourne and she's in Perth. Anyway, here's how the conversation went. 

A: Anything planned for your birthday?

Me: Well, my mom and dad will be visiting this week and John will be arriving the week after. 

A: You piiiiig! You lucky pig! You must be as happy as a pig in mud! Have you any idea when I last saw my mom?! 

I know that I am very lucky to have my parents, brother and boyfriend celebrate my birthday with me.

Lucky. Blessed. Fortunate. Whichever you wish to call it. :)

So to my Addy, OINK! be my reply.

*grin*

:)

Daffodil Day 2008

Daffodil Day is this Friday!

I'm volunteering again this year. :) It is such a rewarding feeling to be involved in the fight against cancer. 

May we be a step closer to finding a cure. 

Suburban Humour

Classic quotes from the body corporate meeting

Neighbour 1: "Let's put it this way. If our road was suddenly made of gold and we were able to cart it home, she'd complain that its too heavy"

Neighbour 1: "She's crazy! ... But she's nice"

said of Neighbour 1's tenant who is currently living next door. She rings him every week to complain. 

Chairperson: "I thought you (residents) were supposed to top up the pool with buckets"

Neighbour 2: "It does get topped up ... Its called rain"

said of the communal pool

Library

I joined my local library!

My boyfriend comes up with the best ideas. :)

Now all I have to do is pick up my library card, which I might do tomorrow morning when I go for a walk. Then again, I just signed up five minutes ago via the internet so it might not be ready yet... but I'll try my luck anyway. 

Oh, and I've already placed a reservation for the God Actually!! *beams* Also discovered that The Last Lecture is available too!

I reckon this library and I are going to have a very happy relationship. 

Non-Fiction

I never thought I'd be saying this... but I think I've overdosed on fiction.

Right now what I want is a few solid, thought-provoking non-fiction reads.

I've been eyeing God Actually, The Last Lecture, Anti Cancer: A New Way Of Life and a book about the impact of GM food though the book's title currently eludes me. 

God Actually is the most tempting of the lot at the moment. I reckon I'll wait a month or two before getting it though.

 

Practice

My eyesight has deteriorated somewhat. Its become a bit more pronounced now that I realise that I can't see the pastor's face during sermon. 

After a few months of procrastination, I've decided to start using the contact lenses I bought. 

Its my third time putting them on. Okay.. second, if I don't count the day the optometrist taught me how to use contacts.

It took me about 3 and a half hours for me to get them in today. Also had a minor mishap where I thought I dropped one down the sink. Opened another packet only to realise the original one I dropped had fallen and was resting on the tap. Now I have two contacts for my left eye. -__- *le sigh*

I'm not sure how I'm going to put my contacts on in time for work. Maybe I'll stick to glasses in the mean time and practice with contacts over the weekend. 

Right.

Now the next major question. How long will I take to get them out?

Update: Answer to question above. 30 minutes. *beam* 

Strangers

I like Melbourne. There are so many friendly, colourful characters. You can strike up a conversation with anyone. 

• The intercom repairman. He holds another job in a supermarket and works seven days a week to support his wife and two young daughters. I quite liked him. He was earnest. He also gave me some insight into why some people enjoy getting drunk. He said that it gives him the opportunity to be someone else for a night. I thought that it was an interesting observation.

• Anna, the administrator from the counselling company across from my office. I shared my umbrella with her one evening as we were making a run for the train station after work in the pouring rain. It turned out that we were catching the same train. She's been to China more times than I have. I've only seen her once since that day. I think she's the one that has been kind enough to leave our newspapers outside our office door before we arrive at work. 

• Whenever I go to work in the morning, I talk to the same man on the train. We happen to take the same train at the same time every day and we always make that mad dash to our connecting train together. I don't even know his name. We just talk. He is from Sri Lanka and he works as the CFO for a nearby educational institution. He had his car repaired over the weekend. Something about his car consuming more petrol than it should. He has a dragon for a boss.

• I spoke to a lady while volunteering for Daffodil Day last year. She had bought some daffodils from the stall I was manning and as she was leaving, I wished her a good day. She looked me in the eye, smiled and told me that she was a cancer survivor and that every day she lives cancer-free is a good day. What she said really affected me because its true. It was a poignant reminder of life's fragility and how we so often take health for granted.

Wicked (Part 2)

I watched a documentary about the Australian making of Wicked and the lead actress Amanda Harrison (who plays Elphaba) said that the singers were required to practice singing while running on a treadmill to build stamina for the performance. How awesome! 

Oooh! Guess what I bought today? Now that my pay has come in.*beams*

I had been thinking of buying the CD ever since watching the musical... so I was very excited when I chanced upon it today in JB Hi-Fi. Bought it for $19. Later on, I saw that it was selling in Borders and Readings for $29.90 so I was even more gleeful. 

I love the song Defying Gravity best. Highly recommend it.

*sigh* Happy endings are ever so addictive. :)

Technology

Got to love technology. :)

PS- John taught me how to take screenshots. Now he's probably thinking it wasn't such a good idea... hehhehheh.. no webcam session is safe!

No drama

*beam* All's good. Went to the doc this morning and she said its nothing major.

Something to do with a combination of poor blood circulation, arteries constricting in cold weather and low blood pressure. 

So basically all I need to do is keep myself warm and toasty and exercise to get my blood circulation going. Oh, and maybe take it as an excuse to become an alcoholic! Alcohol = better blood circulation. Hahahah... kidding!!

John also went to the doc today. He's on antibiotics and he sounds heaps better. Was so glad to hear his voice and see his grin on the webcam. Highlight of my day. :)

Fingers

My fingers are swollen. They have been for about a month. Not sure why. It might have to do with the cold.

Ordinarily in winter my fingernails turn blue and my fingers are always cold. Sometimes they go numb.

This is the first time they've swelled up though.

Strange. 

I've got to work tomorrow so I'm heading to the doctor's on Tuesday. Oddly enough, John is going to the doctor on the same day too. He has a terrible cold, the poor thing. Our sense of humour is still thriving though. We were laughing about reporting back to each other on Tuesday night about what our respective doctors have to say. :) 

On marriage and surnames

I had a very heated debate with an Aussie colleague the other day.

He said that all women should take on their husband's surnames when they marry.

When I disagreed, he said that I should conform to the Australian culture and traditions since I'm in Australia. He also argued that I would make things less confusing for society if I took on my husband's surname. He stated de facto relationships as an example.

When I get married, people are going to refer to me as Mrs so-and-so. That's fine. 

But I absolutely refuse to change my name on all my legal paperwork (e.g passport, driving license, bank documentation, Medicare, tax and superannuation details, etc). I don't want to have to provide documentation to prove that I am me as well as Mrs so-and-so. It's a pain in the gluteus maximus. I like my name the way it is and I will keep it.

Chinese culture does not require the woman to legally change her name when she gets married. Why should I bow to an antiquated Anglo-Saxon tradition that doesn't apply to me?

Here is how I see it. If this society can accept an astronomically high divorce rate, casual sex, and de facto and gay and lesbian relationships as the norm, it can very well get used to the idea of me keeping my name.

Oh, and another thing. This person I was arguing with says that the Stolen Generation is a lie.

I never thought I'd hear anyone I know say that.

The Stolen Generation was cultural genocide. It was the forceful removal of Aboriginal children from their parents to be placed into white Australian homes. It not only tore families apart. It wiped out entire dialects, customs and beliefs that were integral to the Aboriginal culture. Saying that it didn't exist is like disputing the Holocaust ever happened. 

Gawd. 

And you know what? Despite his strange notions, this colleague of mine is actually quite a nice guy.

Totally Wicked!

Wicked was fabulous!!! It is the best musical I've watched to date. The performance was awesome! I loved every bit of it. The brilliant cast, the catchy songs, the talented orchestra, the incredibly elaborate set, the colourfully unique costumes and the lighting... it was all so perfect!

It was everything I hoped it would be. *huge grin*

Oh! And I just discovered that Wicked will still be playing in September when John comes to visit. *beam* Yay! Hopefully we can watch it together. 

141.10

That’s the amount of money I have to last me till the end of the month, after having paid the electricity and the gas bills.

Minus the usual $50 for my phone bill, I’m left with $91.10. That means I will survive on a grand sum of $8.28 a day till August.

That means no more eating out.

Not till August, anyway.

-___-


Update (22/7/2008): Oh drat. I forgot that I need to make allowance for transport. Okay a 5 x Daily Metcard costs $28.00. So that really means that I have $6.31 to live on every day till the end of July.

Wicked!

Guess who is going to see Wicked next week?

*beam*

Its been ages since I've seen a musical and I'm absolutely craving the thrill of live performance. The last musical I saw was Cats, which was ages ago.

I love live performance! It is so much more entertaining than just going to the cinema.


YAY! I'm off to see the witches~ the wonderful witches of OZ!

Just because

Since most people seem to know, anyway.

:)



On a random note, I find the button title "Add John As Your Boyfriend" very amusing.

What not to do

If a girl is alone happily nibbling on her sushi while waiting for the train, don't try to pick her up.  

Don't talk to her for thirty minutes straight when she is clearly more interested in her food than patronising conversation.

Don't tell her about how bored you get in the suburbs and how you'd like company.

*shudder*

And don't ask her for her number.

Oh, and please don't try to offer her yours either.

DRAGON!

*GRIN*

Aren't they cute?!

I've been eyeing the blue dragon for a few months now and today, I bought it for my baby nephew as a full moon present!

He's the latest, gorgeous little addition to our family and all his doting uncles, aunts, granduncles and grandaunts are happily shopping for baby clothes and toys before Saturday.

I can so picture the dragon in his cosy nursery. *beam*


On a random note, nowadays when I'm talking to someone and want to say 'dragon', the word 'dinosaur' elbows its way out instead. My boyfriend would know. It happened thrice in the same conversation! I theorise it has to do with the abundance of dinosaur characters' presence in the media during my childhood. i.e.

• Denver The Last Dinosaur (who can forget that theme song?)
• Land Before Time
  
• Dinosaurs (the American sitcom)
  
• the Power Rangers' robots that transformed into dinosaurs
  
• the Transformers dinobots
• the Flintstones (with their dinosaur-operated technology)

Even the Doraemon series had a book about a dinosaur adventure.

I'm trying to think of cartoons that had dragons in them. Good, nice, friendly dragons. Not the Dungeons and Dragons type.

Let me know if you think of any. 

:)

Crossroads

I envy people who are sure about what they want to do career-wise.

It's a wonderful thing to be passionate and absolutely certain about what you want to do... to find your niche in this world, know where you belong and have a sense of purpose.

Things were easier as a student because my objectives were simple; Do well academically and graduate.

Now that I've completed the student phase of my life, I'm thinking "What now? Where to from here?"

Baffled

I am baffled.

I accidentally pressed a few keys on my computer this morning and now everything on the screen looks stretched.

Drat.

Now everyone in the photos I view look like they need to diet.


Update: Yay!!! Everything is back to normal!!! :D Apparently it had something to do with screen resolution. Thanks, PT!! *GRIN*

Beauty

There is beauty in words. They capture the essence of emotion and truth.


Haiku.

I never thought much about it until Connex started putting up people's haiku entries in trains. It is a project by the Committee for Melbourne. 

They call it 'Moving Melbourne Through Art'.

I love reading the posters and whenever I'm on the train, I take a stealthy look around to see if there are any.

Most of the time, they make me smile while others are poignant and food for thought. Here are a couple of the nice ones. :)

bonfire at the party
people wave away smoke
holding cigarettes
[Emilie Zoey Baker]



a sign
at the Melbourne Cemetery:

Beware of Wildlife
[Anon]



2050
nursing home full of senior citizens
with eyebrow piercings
[Andrew Bromage]



occasional furniture -
what are you
the rest of the time?
[Ian McBryde]



busker -
your talent is too big
for that little street corner
[Lauren Dalman]



And my favourite is this. :)



Athenaeum Library
I shelve romance
& turn to crime
[Mary Hind]


If you like this poetry project, check out Moving Galleries.

Milestone

We're past the halfway mark!



In a year and a half, you won't just be a tourist. *happy grin*

Sinking school

Apparently part of my former high school is sinking.

One of the double storey buildings and the Hall have been placed off limits.

There are cracks in the walls and there are sink holes, the biggest of which is 3 meters in diameter and 3-4 meters deep.

No thanks to the Malaysian Education Ministry who has warned the school against alerting the media.

They might as well wait till the whole blinking place colapses.

Imagine the publicity then.

Cohabiting

If you had the option to live together with your boyfriend/girlfriend before you get married, would you?

I've been getting rather mixed views on the topic so I'm curious to know what the general sentiment is like.


If you're family, don't get excited. I have no plans to cohabit.

Book binge

Nine new Terry Pratchett books in one month.

Oh wait. Make that ten. I'm reading The Colour of Magic so it's not in the photo.

Best thing is they were all half price.

*gleeful grin*

Experiment

If you know me personally, you'll know how much of a chocolate addict I am. I consume it on a daily basis in quantities that horrify friends and scandalize family.

To list a few; Tim Tams, Toblerone, Crunchie and Pods are among my favourites.

And they are sweeeet.

Just thinking about them makes me crave that sugary, divine creamy goodness.

*cough*

Well, actually I shouldn't be using the word "goodness" because it really isn't all that healthy. In fact I'm trying to cut down on my sugar intake.

The way I figure it is this. 

If I control what I eat now, I'll still be able to eat sugary treats in future. 

No point in gorging on sugar-laden food now and getting diabetes some time down the line.

So my solution?

I've started consuming dark chocolate in place of the milk chocolate I usually eat. There's a lot less sugar in dark chocolate. Compared to usual stuff I eat, 85% cocoa with 14 grams of sugar per 100 grams of chocolate is hardcore. I sought out the chocolate with the highest cocoa content on purpose. The more the cocoa content, the more bitter it is and the less likely I am to eat a lot. 

 

This is my second week on it and the funny thing is that dark chocolate is actually becoming palatable. So yes. I'm re-programming my taste buds.. and I'm winning. :)

PS- Apparently there is one with a 99% cocoa content but I haven't seen it. Just as well because I'm not sure if I can handle something that bitter. My first bite of  the 85% cocoa chocolate already had me cringing.

Randomness

Vegetarian.

The one thing I'll never be.

Relief

I spent much of the weekend in a tussle with my conscience over something I thought I did wrong.

And after much angst, reflection, deliberation and discussion, I've discovered that what I did was right after all. 


These things are probably best left unsaid but its been bothering me for three days and I feel like I'd just burst if I didn't say what I need to.


You should know better. You've known me almost all my life. 

I have always respected you and treated you accordingly.

I can't imagine why you'd think I'd suddenly want to snub you.

Give me the benefit of the doubt.

I deserve that much.


I am hurt that you think so little of me... and after this episode, I will never be able to see you in the same way again. 

Parenting

I saw the most ill behaved child while in a crowded tram today.

She was probably about five and was kicking, hitting and shouting at her mother.

Mind you, in a packed tram with nowhere to go, this can be really nerve-grating...

And all the mother did was say:



"Please don't do that"

"Tell me, are you angry or sad? You seem to be very frustrated"


That style of parenting might work on some children. Not all.

Some children need to be smacked. This was one of them.



Come to think of it, that mother deserved the smacking more than the child.

What kind of lousy parent would ask their brat of a child "Tell me, are you angry or sad? You seem to be very frustrated"?

It just sounds so... textbook-ish.

Lost and found

I found my pen!!!

*GRIN*

On a particularly busy day, one of the enormous client files ate it while I was busy with the filing.

I was quite mournful when it went missing. I tried looking through as many files as possible in the days and weeks after… but as there are hundreds of files; it was like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.

And now, two and a half months later, I find it behind some of the files in the back of the cupboard. It must have fallen out of the file at some point in time.

Its an old, ordinary blue Faber-Castell fine ballpoint pen and people might laugh at me for being so happy over something so small.. but its mine and I'm so glad I found it again. :)

Joy~!

Book love

Four new Terry Pratchett books.. all half price! *GRIN*

My collection is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Oh Borders, you bring me such joy! *jump skip twirl*

What an excellent start to a wonderful, relaxing, long weekend! <3



Update (18 June 2008): I'm currently reading The Colour of Magic. I bought The Truth a week earlier but since I have yet to read it, I included it in the photo anyway. :)

Yay! The reader in me will be satiated for a while. 

Political drivel

Headline as seen in The Sun:

Zero-death target for NS


OH? And it wasn't a priority before?!


Shouldn't it be the intention of every national service program from the outset that none of the trainees die?

Those whose duty it was to ensure the well-being of those trainees should be held accountable.

Heads should roll.

But this is Malaysia.

What should happen never does.

Baptism

Baptism. Its a public affirmation of the Christian faith.

I have yet to be baptised though. I know this may sound odd but I just never got around to it. Recently I've been giving it some serious thought.

Ideally I'd like to be baptised in my church back in KL because I grew up there. However, that means I'll have to attend classes for three months... which is not possible as I am now in Melb.

I do attend church in Melb but I'm a smidgen hesitant to get baptised in this particular church. 

It is usual practice for those people getting baptised to testify in front of the congregation about how they came to know God.

Most people have a coherent story about their walk with God.

Mine is somewhat disjointed and it incredibly random.

I can't tell you when I first came to know God.

I know that He is with me, always has been and always will be.

There was however, a period of about three or four years where I couldn't bring myself to speak to Him.

I suppose I needed time to find myself again.

It took a long while but I did eventually make my peace with God.

Strangely enough, a month after that I met my better half... and it was under such an elaborate set of circumstances ... that we can't help but be absolutely certain that God had a hand in it.



So... I'm not entirely sure what sort of testimony that is going to make...

Or whether it constitutes a testimony at all.

I'm planning to get baptised in 2010. That's when someone I really want at my baptism will be in Melb.



On a random note, my Communications lecturer used to tell us that narratives (e.g. stories) are unnatural constructs. We force incidents and occurences into a set, rigid order to make sense of the world around us.

Winter

We are three days into winter.

News reports say that this is going to be the coldest winter in ten years.

I'm inclined to believe them.

The past few mornings have been very foggy and temperatures have ranged between 2 and 7 degrees.

*grin* I love winter.

Currently sleeping with two duvets and a blanket. Its so nice to be able to lie warm and snug in bed while its cold outside.

Ah yes, and the best news I received today is that our newspaper subscription will expire on the 22nd of this month, thank God. No more waking up first thing in the morning every day to hurry out to get the newspaper before somebody swipes it.

Just The Way You Are

I love the song Just The Way You Are.

Despite being about twelve or younger when I first heard it, it remains the sweetest song I've heard to date.

Its also shaped my take on love somewhat.

Love is simple, accepting and undemanding. You're happy when the person you love is happy. 

I've always believed that if a person truly loves someone, he/she would love that someone unconditionally and would never consider changing him/her in any way.

People are not bonsai. It is not fair to contort and twist them into something that they're not... to fulfil a selfish personal ideal of "the perfect partner".

I love it that I'm able to be myself when I'm with my better half. I love the comfortable conversations we share... how we're always on the same wavelength. 

Its nice. 

Its nice to be loved for who I am.

And its natural for me to love him for the amazing person that he is.



Don't go changing, to try and please me,
You never let me down before,
Don't imagine you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.

I would not leave you, in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far,
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.

My cat

For the first time in fourteen years, she won't be there to greet me when I go home.

*SIGH*

*SIGH*

I'm not angry any more but it is obviously a normal response to be upset when:-

• I find myself locked out of my home (through no fault of my own)
  
• at 9ish at night
• in 10 degree temperature
• and I have to wait outside half an hour to get in

Anyway, I'm cold and I know it was unintentional so I'm going to have a hot shower and forget about it.

Besides, my new books are calling my name.

O.o

It won't be long before my entire extended family is on Facebook.

More than half of us cousins are already on it. Considering there's over twenty of us, that's a lot.


Oh, and my tech-savvy Tua Kor (eldest aunt) just added me.

Happy birthday, Ad!

People who knew me in Standard 6 knew me as this shy, quiet thing sitting in a corner happily reading away.

Once I went to Form One, it was a different story altogether.

Meet one of my closest, dearest and oldest friends. Adeliene. Spelt with an "e".



She's the reason why I'm the ever so chatty person I am today.  

For some odd reason that I have yet to put my finger on, she manages to convince me to do the craziest things that no one else ever could convince me to do.

Like this. This has Adeliene Wong written all over it. She talked me into jumping 43 meters off a bridge. Me. A person who got scared climbing a two-meter high firehose box. How she does it, I'm not quite sure. But she does and I'm kind of glad. :)



I think I've figured out a bit of her magic. Her enthusiasm, optimism, fun-loving nature and cheerful outlook is utterly infectious. *big grin*

Also she's bubbly, zany, witty, artistic and a fantastic writer that comes up with the most random thoughts ever. :) You're looking at a woman with a bright future in writing.



Anyway Ad, thanks for never judging me, for putting up with me when I'm being a brat and for always loving and accepting me as I am. You're a true friend. Happy 24th, babe. Gawd we're old. :p Love you!

Running in high heels

Had a very busy day at the office today. And even though I was literally running around the office half the time helping to organise the big seminar/dinner for tonight, I.actually.enjoyed.myself.

I prefer being busy. It helps the day go so much faster. 

Oh, and I've discovered that I -can- run in high heels. How's that for mobility? *grin*

Museums

I have a thing for museums. There's something magical about them. I love the quiet solitude and the fact that they give us insight into the past. History fascinates me. It always has. Reading about history is one thing... but actually seeing artifacts, things that real people used in their daily lives so long ago... is incredibly exciting. 

I also have a thing for ancient architecture. You have no idea how happy I was when I got to see and touch Roman ruins on my trip to Turkey. The amphitheatres were amazing! And Ephesus! Would you believe I went to Ephesus? The Ephesus mentioned in the Bible! How cool is that?

I suppose this makes me somewhat nerdy. But I digress.

As far as museums go, Melbourne's museum is especially nice. Its bright, airy and even has its own 'rainforest' with live birds and fish and all. I love it. Its one of my favourite places. 



I brought my favourite guy to there when he came to visit. We only went to the Discovery Centre this time though. We're saving the whole museum experience for October when we can spend at least half the day there. 

"Cool"

Good heavens. There are some very odd people out there.

Someone just tried to add me on Friendster, telling me that he is a "cool" person and therefore deserving of my attention.

-____-"

What the heck, right?

Poser.

What normal individual goes around describing himself as "cool"?

Work and other stuff

I'm enjoying working life. Granted, I'm not doing "change-the-world" type work but I'm loving it nonetheless.

Best thing is, I still get to walk around the office often, which suits my fidgety nature just fine. :D

Last week, I attended the one and only interview that left me filled with dread. It was advertised as a data entry position at a market research firm but it turned out to be a telemarketing-type job. The liars.

The thought of being forced to sit in one place while attempting to interview irate people over the phone was the biggest turn-off ever. During the interview itself, I felt stifled sitting there among the claustrophobic cubicles. It was such a suffocating environment.

Thank God the place I was already doing casual work for offered me a two-month contract. I may know little about financial planning but I'm loving the work culture. Its comfy.

Everyone is so kind. Also, most of the clients are retired couples and they are the sweetest people to speak to.

Oh, and I neglected to mention this because so many things were happening at the time... but I managed to treat my parents, uncle, aunt, brother and boyfriend to a nice Peking duck dinner with my first paycheck! *grin* It was great to be able to treat the people I love. I'm so glad I did!

Weekends

Now that I've started working, I've come to appreciate the weekend so much more.

Yesterday, I took a walk and managed to walk halfway to the city. I like going for walks. There's always so many interesting things to see. Come to think of it, I should have brought my camera along. I'll do that next week.

Apart from that, I managed to do a little bit of shopping. I bought an office shirt. Ooh, and my brother got me a pair of gloves. They'll definitely come in handy because my fingers are so cold that my nails turn blue in winter.

Other than that, I went with my brother to a music store to buy an electronic piano. He's been yearning to get a piano in Melbourne for about two years now. My brother is very much musically inclined. He plays the piano, trumpet and guitar. Once when we went to Vietnam, he even managed to play one of those traditional musical instruments fashioned out of bamboo.

I was very surprised that electronic pianos can sound exactly like normal pianos. Somehow whenever I think of the words "electronic" and "piano" in the same sentence, I think of my cousins' old organ that was back in Klang. I'm not even sure if they still have it. Technology really has come a long way.

Long distance

I miss him already. He's boarding the plane as I type. 

That's the thing about long distance relationships. You get used to not having him around.. and then when he comes to visit, its like you were never apart.. and then after that relatively short stint, you have to get used to being away from each other all over again.   



To be fair, we knew from the outset that ours would be a long distance relationship. It was either that or nothing.

We do miss one another. However, at the same time we're acutely aware of how blessed we are. In fact, we're ecstatically happy that things have worked out so well.

Also, we'll be seeing each other four or five times this year. That's much more than the average long distance couple could ever hope for. 


On a separate note, did you know that the Melbourne airport website has a Live Flight Radar function? Its so cool. You can monitor exactly where the plane is. I only just discovered it. 

Bliss

Been savouring my better half's company for the past few days.

Its nice not having the geographical distance and time difference for a change.

We're enjoying the hugs, face-to-face conversations and are making up for lost time.

Today we went indoor rock-climbing together.  

It was a belated anniversary present from him to me.  

Here's a snippet of a conversation we had while rock-climbing. I was the belayer and was keeping the rope taut as he climbed. When he wanted to come down, he looked down at me and asked whether it was safe for him to let go of the wall.

Having both hands in a firm grip on the rope, I answered in the affirmative rather cheerfully. I then wondered a split-second later why he was hesitating to abseil. 

I looked up at him questioningly and he said


"Dear, that's not how you hold the rope for the brake..."


I quickly held the rope the right way. 

We shared a good laugh about it afterwards. I'm so blessed to have such an observant, patient and loving other half.

To cut a long story short, he's safe and sound and presently asleep. Even though we still have four more days together, I'm already starting to miss him. Right now, I'm just storing up all the hugs, kisses and conversations as memories to last me through the coming months.

Hey..

Said to me with a grin as my colleague was leaving the office:

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

*pause*

"And if you do, don't get caught!"


Funny thing is that my driving instructor used to say the same thing to me too.

So I can only think of two possibilities. I either have a mischievous-looking face or its just an Australian thing.


All right. So there's a third possibility. They knew that my better half was visiting. *grin*

Break

Won't be blogging for a while for two reasons.

1) My mom and dad are visiting so we'll be busy going out and visiting family friends.

2) I have a temporary admin job and will be working 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday. So far its just going to be for this week but there's a possibility that it might be extended if there's more work to do.

Update: I've been asked to stay for another week on the admin job

Update (17/4/2008): I'm taking next week off for reasons I'll elaborate on later. The good news is that I've been asked to stay for the week after that. *grin*

Storm

Victoria was swept by gale-force winds yesterday.

The sky turned a worrying grayish colour by 2pm and was followed soon after by the wind.

The wind was so strong that it rattled windows, doors and the roof.

It even managed to force leaves under the door. Fresh, green leaves, mind you.

At its strongest, the wind was blowing in fine black dust through window gaps. I'll have to clean the house again...  -__-"

The power went out at 1pm.

It only just came back on and now is about 1am.

The entire neighbourhood was affected.

I cooked dinner by torchlight.

Even our local train line has stopped running indefinitely. Thank God my brother was home sick today. Otherwise, I really don't know how he would have gotten home.

Talk about drama.

On the bright side, I know Alex the possum survived. 
I saw him on the neighbour's wall. 

Also, I saw a gorgeous, full double rainbow after the wind and the rain died down. :)






Special mention goes to Yith, PT and PK. 

Thanks for checking on my bro and I. Yith and PT, thanks for offering to bring food. PK, thanks for checking on us even though you're all the way in KL. Love you heaps. *mwaaaah*


Update: As of Saturday (5/4/2008), 15,000 Victorian homes are still without power. Reports say that most will be without power till Monday or later.

Interview

I went for an interview with another company today. Its a book and database publishing firm that specializes in a very specific area. There were 2 interviewers (business editor and head of research) and the interview took 30 minutes. I think I did all right but I'll have to wait and see. 

They'll get back to me either later this week or beginning of next week. If I do make it to the second round of interviews, the group editor will be the one interviewing me.

Loved

I've just had the loveliest evening.

I was picked up from my house and treated to a trip to the Eureka Tower skydeck during Earth Hour. It’s the tallest building in Melbourne and has a spectacular view of the city. We even went on The Edge, which is a glass cube 88 stories above the ground and got our photos taken. The cube is opaque when you enter it but then the walls and floor suddenly become transparent and you can see all the way down to the pavement below. It was a bit unnerving but definitely fun.

He bought me dinner at a nice restaurant in Southgate where we enjoyed bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and the most amazing Italian cheese ever. For the main course I had ravioli stuffed with scallop and crabmeat. On top of that, I was treated to a cup of crème caramel and vanilla bean gelati. He then drove me home at around elevenish before I (in his words) turned into a pumpkin.

Who is this person to me? He babysat me when I was a toddler. He taught me to rollerblade. He pampers me every once in a while and knows how to make a girl feel like a princess.

I once cried on his shoulder while telling him about an emotionally abusive ex. When you’re that hurt, sometimes you need someone to be outraged for you. His reaction was all it took to remind me that my family will always have my back.

Loved? Definitely.

Yay!!

*grin* Was just looking at the calendar and realised that I'm seeing my better half in 3 weeks! Can't wait! 

Apart from our usual hangout spots, I've been thinking about where to take him. 

I'm going to take him to Koko Black, DFO, Gippsland, that Korean restaurant that Li Zie showed me, St Paul's (if he's interested)...

And most definitely this place in the pic below! I haven't been there yet but I know how much he loves ice-cream so I thought that it would be a good place to try together. :)



Oh, and on a random note, I'm looking forward to going rock climbing with him. *grin* Its going to be fun.

Checklist!

Everybody has a personal list of things they want to do in this lifetime... even if they don't tell anyone about it. Here's mine. It's still incomplete and in no particular order. Some I've already done and most, I haven't.

Skydive

Ride a roller coaster

Bungee jump (done)

Kayak on a fjord (wasn't on my list before but since I already did it, what the heck. done)


Learn to swim

Survive Math exams (done. Thank God)

Meet soul mate (yup!)

Go snorkeling

Visit my other half

Go rock climbing (done!)

Zorb (done)

Visit the Blue Mosque (done)

Drive around NZ

Learn Mandarin

See Egypt

Get baptized

Learn ballroom dancing

Eat Thai-fried insects and/or Aboriginal grubs

Go fishing

Play soccer preferably without stepping on the ball, falling over and rolling around on the grass laughing

On Shopping

Like any other woman, I like shopping. I only really began shopping when I was probably about eighteen though. Before that, I used to feel incredibly awkward about ambling around shopping malls aimlessly looking for something to buy.

I seldom impulse buy. If I want something, I'll think about the practicality of the item and whether or not I'd use it often enough to justify the cost. Also, I'm a picky shopper. So it sometimes takes me a year or more to find for instance, a pair of jeans that I really really like.

I suppose learning Economics helps after all. Needs are limited but wants are infinite. Most of the things I want to buy are just that. Wants. They aren't really necessary.

Modern Mechanix

I stumbled across this fascinating blog while I was looking for resources for my thesis. It contains many old articles from a magazine called Modern Mechanix.

These articles are of strange, antiquated inventions that never did quite make it to year 2008 for reasons you'll understand once you have a look at them.

One of the strangest (and most guaranteed to make RSPCA scream) inventions I've seen is this one.

Its ironic that it is titled "dog rides comfortably in sack on running board".

Imagine being shoved into a sack hanging off the side of a moving car with only your head sticking out. Comfortable is not how I would describe it.

I liked this article about chimneys though.

They were designed to make smoke come out in rings! Hehee.. it made me think of hobbits and the Shire from the Lord of the Rings. How cool is that?! :D

I am such a sucker for interesting architecture.

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter, take care and God bless. :)


Photo taken at the Church of the Good Shepherd in NZ

Good Friday

This Good Friday, I went for Stations of the Cross for the first time.

For those who don't know, its a spiritual pilgrimage where Christians remember Jesus's final hours.

We walked from church to church around the city as we sang hymns and prayed.

It was a great experience. My cousin Adrian went with me and it was his first time attending the event too. :)

I'd love to go for it again next year.




















Update: Li Zie just texted me although she's currently 3 hours away from Melbourne. Apparently I ended up on tv.. :)  Thanks for the heads up, Li Zie! See you on Tuesday. 

Contentment

It's nice to be so sure that I'm meant to be with my better half.

I'm in awe whenever I think about the circumstances under which we met. We never imagined that we'd fall in love with one another... or that everything would fit together so comfortably.

There's no mind games, no ulterior motives, no wanting to change each other. It's incredible how we understand each other so perfectly. We share the same values and sense of humour and never run out of things to talk about ... I love how we always have the most random conversations.

Above all, it astounds me that someone so perfect feels for me the way I do about him.

We're in this for the long-term.

And I'm glad we have our whole lives ahead to revel in each other's company. :)

Cognitive dissonance

In the first semester of my postgrad, I was simultaneously working on two very different assignments. One was in support of smokers' right to not be stigmatized by the rest of society. The other was an idea for a magazine for cancer patients, as something that would enable survivors to feel that they aren't alone.

Both were topics of my choice.

I've witnessed cancer's effects first hand. I know the suffering it brings to patients and to the ones who love them. That's why I'm passionate about the fight against cancer.  

However, I also feel that smokers should not be faulted for their choice to smoke. Society practices double standards. Why do we come down so heavily on smokers? We don't treat binge drinkers in the same manner. And these are the people that are most likely to drink and drive.

I confuse myself sometimes. I see life more in shades of gray than in black and white.

And I'm not sure whether that is a good or bad thing.  

Strange stuff

I just wrote in to a PR company telling them that my dream PR client would be a tobacco company.


It was part of a writing assessment and I could choose a client anywhere in the world from any industry. All I had to do was write up a Communications strategy to help them overcome an issue they are facing. I wrote about counterfeit cigarettes.

Do I really want to represent a tobacco company? Well for starters, it would present a unique challenge given the societal and legislative restrictions of today's society.

Ironically, I do not smoke, never have and never will.

I don't even particularly like cigarette smoke.

So why am I so interested in the tobacco industry?

I like it because it is in a sense, the underdog. Its surviving despite all the efforts by governments and anti-tobacco lobbies to stamp it out. I find its will to survive and its tenacity in the face of increasing adversity fascinating.

In fact, my thesis was about the huge shift in attitudes towards smoking over history.

I compared a 1946 Camel advertising campaign to one in 2007 to illustrate it.

The slogan of the 1946 campaign was "More Doctors Smoke Camels Than Any Other Cigarette". Cool, huh? We would never find anything like it in today's politically correct world.

I'll leave you with a couple of the ads to look at.















Compare these... to the ones from 2007 below. Immense difference, no? The ones in 2007 do not depict cigarettes or smokers and rely on the meanings brought to the ad by the visual images. These are products of the gradual legislative restrictions imposed on the tobacco industry. 

Weirdness

What the hell?

Facebook applications are getting weirder and weirder. Not only is there the When Will You Get Married application.. Now someone just sent me an invite for the What Is The Perfect Wife application. 

What kind of idiots come up with these things? 

Have they nothing better to do?

And why would anyone want to add such mindless nonsense?

*GRIN*

I got my first call for an interview!!!


And right now I look like this.. hehee..

Hm.

Was looking at a rather promising job ad. At least, it was promising until I checked out the location.

Its somewhere in a vineyard-growing valley that looks like this.



Do I really want to take a one and a half hour drive to work every day?

That's like more than halfway to Gippsland... on a daily basis. O.o

No, thank you. Not for a part-time position, anyway.

Moving on.

Exuberance!

The votes have been counted... and it resulted in...

An opposition win even bigger than the one in 1969!!! The opposition won 5 states! This is definitely one for the history books.

More importantly, it demonstrates that Malaysia's democracy works! Its a proud day for Malaysians all over the world. And for once, I'm going to say "Malaysia Boleh!" without the usual cynicism. I'm absolutely ecstatic! Well done, Malaysia! Well done!

BN can no longer re-write our Constitution as and when it strikes their fancy. Not without a two-third majority win, they can't.

This is going to take the wind out of BN's sails for a while.

Change?

Malaysia has voted. And now,we wait anxiously for the verdict. This could be the turning point in Malaysia's history... or it could be a mere sign of the changes to come.

Either way, Malaysians have sent the ruling coalition a clear message.

Randomness

Its funny... I was chatting over MSN a while back with this guy I really liked. We were talking about random things and then came to the topic of soulmates. At the end of that conversation, I told him "I hope we both find happiness". And I meant it with all my heart.

Well, we found happiness.




I just didn't know at the time that it would be with each other.



God has a great sense of humour, doesn't He?

Coolness

My brother will be doing a stock take in a freezer tomorrow. O.o

Who says that auditors don’t get to do interesting things?

Hope

I'm hoping to volunteer for Daffodil Day 2008. I've been volunteering for two years now. Its my little way of fighting cancer. According to the Cancer Council of Australia, 1 in 3 people will have cancer in their lifetime. But there is hope.

In 2006 just after Daffodil Day, it was announced that a vaccine (Gardasil) for cervical cancer had been created.

It demonstrates that with enough funding and research, the possibilities are endless.

I got vaccinated this year and strongly recommend other women to do the same.

If you're an Australian citizen or PR below the age of 26, even better. The Australian government is bearing the cost of the vaccine so you can get it for free.

The vaccine entails three doses which usually cost $AUD 150 per injection. That's $AUD 450 all in all. So if you do fall under the relevant category, there's no reason for you not to get vaccinated against cervical cancer.

Happiness

A Friendster message led to five days of texting, a phone call and a six hour face-to-face meet.

All this, despite having not met in eleven years and living in different countries.

We could easily have lived our lives apart, never knowing.

We could easily not have met.

But we did.

And I'm glad.

Walk with me

This blog is a patchwork quilt of random musings, questions, and ramblings. 

Take a walk with me if you like and I'll tell you a story or two.