Its been a while since I've blogged. Work has been hectic. Besides, I have been way too busy having fun exploring Melbourne with John to be blogging about our exploits. :) We watched our first live rugby game (Melbourne Storm VS NZ Warriors) and AFL game (Western Bulldogs VS St Kilda), discovered the fabulously addictive Vietnamese baguette rolls in Richmond and went for our first live comedy show (Russell Peters). It has been a blast. :)
A couple of things have changed. I have started going to the gym three times a week and am actually enjoying it. It is nice to have something to look forward to after work. My coordination (the lack thereof, that is) is a tad worrying but it is good to know that I still have it in me to walk long distances. I have been known to happily wander six kilometers from home on lazy Saturday mornings.
Another big change is that I have finally decided to get baptized. It has taken me a while but I figure that the time is right. Also after some thought, it is not practical for me to get baptized in KL (which is what I really wanted)... mainly because classes take a couple of weeks and I no longer spend that sort of time back home. So yes. I am getting baptized this Sunday by full immersion (something else I never thought I would consider but there you have it).
Work has been getting busier. I am now working across three departments. Sales, Production and Accounts. Our only Production guy has gone on a four month hiatus to rescue bears in Romania so I have taken on half his workload. It is going to be an interesting four months.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Mayhem in Melbourne
Yesterday started off normal enough. John and I moved his things into his new home and then we went to the city for a nice lamb souvlaki lunch. We then went to the Spencer St Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) to buy some work shirts for John. We were waiting for coffee at Starbucks after shopping when we heard what sounded like trolleys being trundled past us. We looked around but couldn't see any trolleys. It turned out to be hail pummeling the zinc roof of DFO.
The Starbucks we were in was just at the entrance of DFO so we got a good view of the heavy hail flying diagonally. In DFO we saw the water pouring in through the roof and running down one of the pillars. The lights were then switched off because water was even coming through the light fixtures. Ironically, just less than half an hour before the storm hit I remarked to John "I wonder if this place leaks when it rains".
DFO was evacuated so we made our way to Southern Cross Station to take the train home. When we got there we realised that the station had been closed and commuters were being evacuated. We only saw why when we were trying to wait for the rain to abate. The storm had been so violent that part of the roof of the station had collapsed under the weight of the hail. Hail was scattered across a few platforms and even spilled onto the rail tracks.
I was enthusiastically taking photos when John pointed to the roof and dragged me away. Southern Cross Station's roof is architecturally unique in that it has a wavy shape and is translucent. The hail had gathered in one of the roof's dips and I happened to be standing right beneath it. I took a photo of it from a safer spot.
When the rain was not as heavy, we thought we would try to catch a tram to one of the other train stations. The screens at the tram stops usually indicate the estimated arrival of the trams. This time all that was shown next to the name of the tram routes were dashes so we decided to walk to Flinders St Station.
The streets were strewn with hail and bits of leaves and tree branches. The hail had literally shredded the leaves off the trees. It was surreal walking up Bourke St at the time. Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars were racing in all directions with sirens blaring. Alarms on some of the buildings were also going off.
As we got to the shops along Elizabeth St, we realized that a number of the shops roofs had given way too. Shopkeepers were sweeping the water out their front doors and cleaning up the best they could.
We finally made it to Flinders St and were about to take the Degraves entrance only to find the underground path was flooded. It is a good thing that the main entrance was all right. We were so relieved to get a train home. From the train we got a good view of the extent of the flooding. The Yarra river had risen at least two feet, if not more and was lapping at the base of the benches on its banks.
My brother was home throughout the storm and said that the hail in our area was the size of golf balls. I never expected to see this much hail on our deck ever.
We were considerably lucky. Apart from one or two leaking windows, we were all right. Our neighbours were not so lucky. The hail broke their window.
Apparently there is going to be a similar storm today. My brother, his girlfriend, John and I are all hiding indoors. Yesterday was an adventure but I don't think we want to repeat the experience for a while.
The Starbucks we were in was just at the entrance of DFO so we got a good view of the heavy hail flying diagonally. In DFO we saw the water pouring in through the roof and running down one of the pillars. The lights were then switched off because water was even coming through the light fixtures. Ironically, just less than half an hour before the storm hit I remarked to John "I wonder if this place leaks when it rains".
DFO was evacuated so we made our way to Southern Cross Station to take the train home. When we got there we realised that the station had been closed and commuters were being evacuated. We only saw why when we were trying to wait for the rain to abate. The storm had been so violent that part of the roof of the station had collapsed under the weight of the hail. Hail was scattered across a few platforms and even spilled onto the rail tracks.
I was enthusiastically taking photos when John pointed to the roof and dragged me away. Southern Cross Station's roof is architecturally unique in that it has a wavy shape and is translucent. The hail had gathered in one of the roof's dips and I happened to be standing right beneath it. I took a photo of it from a safer spot.
When the rain was not as heavy, we thought we would try to catch a tram to one of the other train stations. The screens at the tram stops usually indicate the estimated arrival of the trams. This time all that was shown next to the name of the tram routes were dashes so we decided to walk to Flinders St Station.
The streets were strewn with hail and bits of leaves and tree branches. The hail had literally shredded the leaves off the trees. It was surreal walking up Bourke St at the time. Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars were racing in all directions with sirens blaring. Alarms on some of the buildings were also going off.
As we got to the shops along Elizabeth St, we realized that a number of the shops roofs had given way too. Shopkeepers were sweeping the water out their front doors and cleaning up the best they could.
We finally made it to Flinders St and were about to take the Degraves entrance only to find the underground path was flooded. It is a good thing that the main entrance was all right. We were so relieved to get a train home. From the train we got a good view of the extent of the flooding. The Yarra river had risen at least two feet, if not more and was lapping at the base of the benches on its banks.
My brother was home throughout the storm and said that the hail in our area was the size of golf balls. I never expected to see this much hail on our deck ever.
We were considerably lucky. Apart from one or two leaking windows, we were all right. Our neighbours were not so lucky. The hail broke their window.
Apparently there is going to be a similar storm today. My brother, his girlfriend, John and I are all hiding indoors. Yesterday was an adventure but I don't think we want to repeat the experience for a while.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
GRIN
My parents and John are here. I am most distracted. You will not be hearing from me for a while. :D
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Lent
Lent starts in about a week plus and I'm thinking about what to give up.
It is probably going to be either sushi or bubble tea since I consume both in copious amounts as part of my celebrating-the-weekend routine.
Or.. maybe I should give up both.
Sushi Sushi and TenRen are going to cry. :p
It is probably going to be either sushi or bubble tea since I consume both in copious amounts as part of my celebrating-the-weekend routine.
Or.. maybe I should give up both.
Sushi Sushi and TenRen are going to cry. :p
Friday, February 5, 2010
Weekend! ♥
I love weekends! I live for that post-working week euphoria. Friday afternoons are the best. They always have a festive air of anticipation. :)
Sometimes I feel like squishing and hugging the weekend the way people greet an old friend. I would if I could. Really.
*squish! squish! squish!*
Was wandering around the city after work and heard St Paul cathedral's bells ringing. Such a wonderful, joyful sound. It was as if it was welcoming the weekend too. I wonder what the occasion was.
Been randomly wondering about how many people have named their cat Moses after the cat in the song Jessie by Joshua Kadison. I know of a couple of people that did. I'm sure there must be more out there.
I once met a cat named Armadeus. A rather unusual name for a cat, I thought.
Sometimes I feel like squishing and hugging the weekend the way people greet an old friend. I would if I could. Really.
*squish! squish! squish!*
Was wandering around the city after work and heard St Paul cathedral's bells ringing. Such a wonderful, joyful sound. It was as if it was welcoming the weekend too. I wonder what the occasion was.
Been randomly wondering about how many people have named their cat Moses after the cat in the song Jessie by Joshua Kadison. I know of a couple of people that did. I'm sure there must be more out there.
I once met a cat named Armadeus. A rather unusual name for a cat, I thought.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Minor Gripe
If I could tell the architect that built this house one thing, it would be
EAVES ARE NOT A PASSING FAD.
Not being able to keep the windows open whenever it rains is silly.
*Dings dumbass architect around the ears*
EAVES ARE NOT A PASSING FAD.
Not being able to keep the windows open whenever it rains is silly.
*Dings dumbass architect around the ears*
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Flying Laptop
Today my colleague was complaining to our boss about how the CRM program was showing different information on different computers. He had our boss join him at his desk to see for himself. In his haste to get to another colleague's computer, my colleague's leg caught on his laptop cable and the entire thing flew and flipped through the air before landing with a heavy, noisy (expensive) thud on the floor.
There were a few seconds of stunned silence.
Our boss looked at the larger screen to which the laptop is usually hooked up and back at my colleague.
There's nothing on the screen, mate
And punctuated the sentence with a grin.
Talk about coming from the left field. We were convulsing with laughter for the next few minutes.
Oh, and the laptop survived.
There were a few seconds of stunned silence.
Our boss looked at the larger screen to which the laptop is usually hooked up and back at my colleague.
There's nothing on the screen, mate
And punctuated the sentence with a grin.
Talk about coming from the left field. We were convulsing with laughter for the next few minutes.
Oh, and the laptop survived.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Emo
Completely emo at the moment. Perhaps going through the photos on my external hard drive was not the best thing to do.
I miss my parents and don't know if I can stand living in Melbourne long term. My homesickness has been getting increasingly worse over the years, especially after graduating. I am seized by panic at the thought that I may not be able to go home every year.
At the same time, I can't imagine going back to KL for good. I hardly know the place. But maybe all I need to do is make the effort to get to know KL better... to give it the same chance I gave Melbourne.
It doesn't feel right being so far from my family... I know I have relatives here, which is better off than those who are all alone in a foreign land ... but somehow it is just different.
The truth is when I left KL this time, I had to force myself to board that plane. I'm scared that someday when I find myself in that situation again, I will make the split decision to stay and just leave everything in Melbourne.
But maybe I will feel differently about Melbourne when John arrives. We are so close to being together that it is almost unreal.
I miss my parents and don't know if I can stand living in Melbourne long term. My homesickness has been getting increasingly worse over the years, especially after graduating. I am seized by panic at the thought that I may not be able to go home every year.
At the same time, I can't imagine going back to KL for good. I hardly know the place. But maybe all I need to do is make the effort to get to know KL better... to give it the same chance I gave Melbourne.
It doesn't feel right being so far from my family... I know I have relatives here, which is better off than those who are all alone in a foreign land ... but somehow it is just different.
The truth is when I left KL this time, I had to force myself to board that plane. I'm scared that someday when I find myself in that situation again, I will make the split decision to stay and just leave everything in Melbourne.
But maybe I will feel differently about Melbourne when John arrives. We are so close to being together that it is almost unreal.
Possum and party
The weather was a bit warmer last night. Was reading in bed when I realised I had an observer.
Looked out the window and saw this little guy watching me.
Framed by the window, I must be its version of tv.
Spent this morning at my nephew's birthday party. :) He turns 3 tomorrow. Also learned he has a mean swing. Just watch him go at that pinata!
Looked out the window and saw this little guy watching me.
Framed by the window, I must be its version of tv.
Spent this morning at my nephew's birthday party. :) He turns 3 tomorrow. Also learned he has a mean swing. Just watch him go at that pinata!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Quirks
I sure hope you guys survive tomorrow...
That's exactly what I told my plants after watering them to prepare them for the upcoming 46 degree day.
Only to turn around and realise that my neighbour had been standing behind me all the while.
My neighbours probably think I'm weird.
That's exactly what I told my plants after watering them to prepare them for the upcoming 46 degree day.
Only to turn around and realise that my neighbour had been standing behind me all the while.
My neighbours probably think I'm weird.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
2010
2010 is a special year for us.
We close the chapter on three years of long distance next month.
:)
We close the chapter on three years of long distance next month.
:)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Gila
I don't understand all this religious intolerance. Churches in the Klang Valley being set on fire?
I could hardly believe the news.
Looking at the big picture, it is even more ridiculous to think that it was all over the use of the term "Allah".
I mean, we use the word every time we sing the Selangor state anthem. So is it wrong for non-Muslims to sing "Allah" in the "Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku" line?
If these loony misguided extremist folks had it their way, we would probably have two versions of the state anthem: one for Muslims and one for non-Muslims.
Utter nonsense.
We are Malaysians. We are supposed to be united.
I could hardly believe the news.
Looking at the big picture, it is even more ridiculous to think that it was all over the use of the term "Allah".
I mean, we use the word every time we sing the Selangor state anthem. So is it wrong for non-Muslims to sing "Allah" in the "Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku" line?
If these loony misguided extremist folks had it their way, we would probably have two versions of the state anthem: one for Muslims and one for non-Muslims.
Utter nonsense.
We are Malaysians. We are supposed to be united.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Aww..
I have the world's best boyfriend.
Who else would cheerfully volunteer to create a step-by-step guide inclusive of screenshots for my parents on how to Check In online?
:)
Who else would cheerfully volunteer to create a step-by-step guide inclusive of screenshots for my parents on how to Check In online?
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)