Monday, October 01, 2007
~ 1:48 PM ~
For those of you who don't know, I resigned from my current position 2 weeks ago which means i have exactly 9 working days left until I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (yes Hao, free like youuuuu!). It's not that I dislike my job - quite the contrary actually - but it has come to a point in my life and career where I had to make decisions about my career and my person life. Since giving notice, it has been a very long two weeks of waiting and i'm sure it'll be an even longer two weeks extra of countdown.
I do have three more assignments left on my postgrad before I finish up and am done and dusted with postgrad education for the time being (I know, for some reason I feel I should continue to subject myself to the torture of going on and doing a Masters) but besides that, I'm just looking forward to doing nothing, to lounging around and to catching up on all that I have neglected of late. My room is a mess, my body is aching and needs a break, i'm constantly tired, and I just need to spring clean for awhile - but until those 9 days are over, I'll have to wait patiently.
But anyways, last night I went to see Varekai, the latest Cirque du Soleil show to come to town. I have previously seen Alegria, and while I did enjoy Varekai, I just didnt feel the same "wow" as I did when I saw Alegria. I think a lot of it had to do with the story - the fallen angel was beautiful and the forest creatures interesting, but the story didn't seem to conclude the way I would've liked it to.
We also went to eat at Villa Rustica where I ordered Chilli Mussels and Quan had the Chicken Risotto. The Risotto was disgusting, and the mussels were "okay but a bit too salty". The service was tardy - a waiter came up to us 10 minutes after being seated asking for our order to which I replied "we haven't even gotten menus", the food came out slow given the restaurant was quite empty last night, and the till lady was very abrupt. Not recommended.
Okay, hope you're enjoying your long weekend :0Labels: life, work
.. 4 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, September 23, 2007
~ 1:24 PM ~
Last night, Quan and I went to see Snow Patrol at Burswood Dome and I thought it was great! The venue took a little while to fill up while Snow Patrol's support acts came on - Iain Archer, and Silversun Pickups. I myself LOVED Iain Archer's music - very mellow, folkish rock, just the way I like it. But once Snow Patrol came on, they put on a great show and played all the necessary songs that HAD to be included, and they knew how to interact with the crowd. I would have liked to have a longer show given the support acts were a 1.5 hour show and snow patrol a 1.5 hour show as well, but nonetheless enjoyed it. Some piccies (I promise they won't give you epilepsy this time, unlike my photos from Kylie last year).
Labels: life
.. 2 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, September 16, 2007
~ 8:56 AM ~
I spent the last few days mainly confined to my bedroom, or when hungry/needing to go the toilet/needing to clean , I spent it hobbling around on a pair of crutches. Some people might say that it was bound to happen. Some people might've even said that it was way overdue. But regardless, it has neither been a fun nor convenient way to get around :(
While I worked from home on Thursday, I needed to go in on Friday because I had a whole day blocked out for a media training course. Because it's confined to my left foot, I was able to drive my car to work (automatic) without too much hassle. The hassle however came when I had to cross the road from the Perth Concert Hall Parking Lot (underground) to my workplace across the road on St Georges Tce. Usually it takes 2 minutes. This took 22 minutes.
Then when I drove home, I needed to fill up on petrol. Unfortunately, motorists driving home in peak our traffic are not the most patient or understanding. This particular petrol station in East Perth is under going some work at the moment, so the exit is limited to one lane. Unfortunately for me, my car was the very first one there and also, the one at the front of that "one lane". Getting petrol, hobbling on crutches to go pay, and then coming out to see all the other drivers in their cars waiting with grumpy faces is not a rewarding experience :S
It's been 4 days now and my ankle is much better. I can now hobble without my crutches though my ankle is in its least stable condition.
Labels: life
.. 3 Comments Left Behind
Saturday, September 08, 2007
~ 9:05 AM ~
So. It's been awhile. I've had to make some decisions about what I want to do, and where I want to go. I think for now they're settled. Done and dusted. But 3 months down the track, i'm pretty sure they'll come back and ask me the question "what now". But we'll answer them when they come around.
So... what's been happening?
Well, last weekend, we went to watch the Eagles last normal season game against the Essendon Bombers. For those that have known me for a long time, they will know that Essendon was my team of choice.. back before they started losing. And most people know that i'm quite competitive, so with a losing team came lost hopes.. and eventually, i jumped the bandwagon and started to support the team that I *should've* supported from the start - my home team.
But that did not stop me from farewelling the great man of the match - Brownlow medallist James Hird, and of course, coach Kevin Sheedy. *wipes a tear*
And in more recent games, we got together at Larry's place and watched the Eagles lose to Port Adelaide. You could definitely sense the feeling of loss in the room at the end of the match, and ESPECIALLY when Cousins went down. Ohhhh the calamity....
Anyways, i'll leave it at a footy post for now - will update on the 'decisions' later :D have a great weekend.Labels: friends, life
.. 4 Comments Left Behind
Thursday, August 09, 2007
~ 8:23 PM ~
As you can tell, I've been neglecting my blog.. and I probably will for awhile. Life is hectic, crazy, stressful and full on necessarily "important" decisions and pathways to choose. So, rather than disappearing forever, I just thought i'd let you know i'm taking a break and when everything's clear, i'll blog again.Labels: life
.. 1 Comments Left Behind
Saturday, July 28, 2007
~ 3:57 PM ~
Last weekend, Mish, Jess and I were supposed to go to Tarts Cafe on Lake Street but Mish was struck down by the dreaded food poisoning bug so we weren't able to go.
So... being curious and incredibly excited by the Tarts Cafe website, Quan and I ventured to Tarts for a little lunch/coffee today.
My thoughts? I thought it was a bit pricey for what it was - you get a tiny slice of Quiche and Salad for about $13-$15 and you can get a little Patty and Salad for about $15-$17.
Anyways, we opted for a little Lemon Tart, Quiche, and being the boy that he is , Quan picked out the most sickening looking cupcake - a vanilla cupcake frosted with pink icing, nerds, and chico babies :S Enjoy ;)
Labels: life
.. 1 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, July 15, 2007
~ 8:12 PM ~
.. Apologies again for the lacklustre posting of late - work has been hectic as always and not so fun lately, and life has taken a bit of a slippery slope but we'll deal with that away from the public domain of blogging eh ;)
Anyways, Quan came back for the weekend (and is back out tomorrow morning). Yesterday, we were dying for some good sushi - especially Quan since there is no sushi in Kalgoorlie - and so we discovered Edo Shiki in the City. Well, I lie a little - I have been there in the past and didnt find it so good, but we decided to give it a shot again since I wanted some dimsum and he wanted some sushi.
All in all, I think the food is below average, if not average at best. I say that because the sushi was not cold, and the dimsum wasn't as warm/hot as it normally is. There wasn't much range in both the sushi and the dimsum , and the sushi was fairly dry and lacked flavour. The service was also questionable as we were greeted with a girl who obviously hated her job, and a waiter who didn't think to give us any chopstix to eat with.
However, in terms of kaiten sushi, I think it is reasonably priced, and I like that you can get the two (oddly matched) varieties in one place.
At night, we also headed out to Lanna Thai in Subi with Quan's family. I really enjoyed the tom kha soup, and found the rest of the food quite enjoyable although not amazing. The service was very patient with our millions of questions, although at one stage, the waiter took away ALL our cutlery before we had finished and we were left to ponder how to eat the rice. When I eventually did ask for new cutlery, he came back with one set for me and I politely asked if we could get a set for everyone and he looked completely puzzled as he noticed that NONE of us had cutlery. He must've had a pretty blur moment. The restaurant itself is quite thai styled with the traditional gold cutlery, buddha statues and lots of intricate carvings. Conclusion? An enjoyable thai restaurant tucked away from the busyness of mainstream Subi.
And today? I headed off to the WA Kung Fu Championships where Chinwoo did some amazing Wushu and Yaolin took out a bunch of medals.
Everyone did super well in keeping up their energies throughout the entire day, continuing if there was a stuff up, and getting fantastic high scores. Special mention to Small Alan for taking out "State Champion" and to Jason who was the day's overall highest scorer and winner of many medals. Great job guys!Labels: life
.. 2 Comments Left Behind
Monday, July 02, 2007
~ 12:34 PM ~
Taking a leaf out of Michelle's Blog:
Three things I would sell a limb for:
- To be able to drink even one glass of alcohol without passing out (a necessity in the corporate world!)
- To be an effective public speaker (damn that red face, girly high pitched voice and random hand movements)
- To have more annual leave without having to sacrifice career development and salary
Three things I am eternally grateful for:
- Family , friends and a great bf and their good health
- A relatively smooth life so far
- Living in Perth - I would never have had the same opportunities if my parents had decided to stay in Malaysia
Labels: life
.. 2 Comments Left Behind
Monday, June 25, 2007
~ 7:50 PM ~
I've always been a bit of a floater - never really knowing what I wanted, always happy to take life as it comes. I floated through uni - switching degrees numerous times and ending up with four different majors, only to then work in an industry and role that took me somewhere else and to a post-graduate qualification in something different.
But life at the moment has frozen. I am at a stage in my life where I am ready to take on the world, and I have been househunting, and I have also just bought myself a little car. Despite these general goals, I don't have the certainty to which I had always been quite adverse to.
You see, most of you know that I am planning to move at the end of this year. But because I am not planning to move for at least another six months, I cannot buy that house that I want (because I want to buy a house in the area that I am moving to), I cannot apply for other jobs (what's the point of staying in a role for 6 months only to move again?), I cannot join the gym (well I can, but I'd have to pay exorbitant 6 month rates over nice 1 year rates), I cannot do a lot of things.
Life is in slow motion and I'm floating at the moment, but I just want to fast forward it and take on that certainty that I never used to want.Labels: life
.. 3 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, June 03, 2007
~ 1:27 PM ~
My good friend Tuan turned 25 last night (well technically, today, but we counted down to midnight last night) and looking at what everyone else had written on his birthday card, it was all of the "you're halfway to 50" "you're quarter way to a century" and even a stab at miss Jessica Simpson with her "halfway to 30" comment.
While 25 is by no means old in the larger scheme of things, it seemed that the conversation at some points in the evening were bordering on "omg we're so old" and "i dont want to turn any older" and "what's next in life".
[ The birthday boy - sufficiently drunk by midnight, loving the microphone, and too oblivious too care... Happy Birthday buddy!]
It seems that as children, we were all conditioned to come up with our checklist of life, and if you were anything like me, this checklist all had to be done by 25. The checklist went something like this:
- Go to university and graduate (Tick, done that)
- Fall in love (Tick, done that)
- Get a good job (Tick, done that)
- Get married by 25 (well.. that's not a tick.. haha but i'm only 23 so that's okay lol *no pressure*)
- Buy a house (well.. i'm looking, and i'm pretty sure i'll have one by this time next year if not earlier and i'm not 25 so that's okay)
- Travel (I have travelled, but haven't done as much as I hoped I would've done by now but that's okay)
Now for some of us, we're quite lucky to have ticked quite a few of these checkboxes. But for others that haven't, it seems that there is a rush to get all these done by the time we're 25.
- Not in a relationship? *panic - gotta get a girlfriend, ANY girlfriend*
- Not buying a house? *panic - gotta buy before i reach old age*
- Not married ? *demand a ring - even though u dont want to get married*
.. While I'm quite lucky in that I've ticked most of my checkboxes or will be able to, there are some that seem to take the checkbox thing too seriously, and who feel as if they've achieved nothing if they haven't checked those boxes.
When did it become illegal for us to not to reach these milestones? Can we not just take life as it comes and see where it gets us?
Tell me - do you have your checkboxes, and do you put pressure on yourselves to tick those boxes by a certain age?
Labels: life
.. 7 Comments Left Behind
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
~ 7:07 PM ~
Following on from my last post, I went to buy some boxing gloves today for fear of having to use those awful smelly ones at the Academy again this Saturday. Bumbling into Jim Kidd Sports, Rebel Sports and A-Mart All Sports, I was excited and confused by the myriad of red boxing gloves there was... bag gloves, competition gloves, sparring gloves, open mitts, you name it!
Anyways, in the corner of my eye I managed to spot what was unreservedly LADIES GLOVES. All bright
pastel pinks, pastel purples and baby blues.I asked the Sales Assistant whether I could get plain red ladies gloves, or if small normal gloves would be okay. He looked at my hands and told me I needed the ladies ones and no, they were all pastels.
Heartbroken, I went into the next shop.. and then the next.. and then the next.. only to be confronted by scores of pastels and only pastels.
Now, I'm all for colours and I especially love pastels, but in a sport like kickboxing, I just wanted plain red ones. It's enough that ladies have their own class, and that they're often excluded from many sports because of a perception of weakness, but do we really need to further distinguish ourselves by our pastel boxing gloves??? I'm appalled though by the stereotyping that is out there when it comes to simple things like colours. When it's mother's day, all you ever see is pink phones, pink toasters, pink pink pink. Granted, some of it is pink because it is for breast cancer, but the majority of the time, it's pink just because it's female. Why don't they offer the choice of pastels, AND normal colours. Why must it be one or the other??
In the end, I ended up with the baby blue ones because blue was the most "non-sexist" colour there was.
Labels: life
.. 7 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, May 27, 2007
~ 10:17 AM ~
I woke up this morning barely able to move. Like Shaz (hehe sorry babe), I had over exerted myself the day before with physical exercise and movement of muscles that I don't usually use. I rolled out of bed and fell on the floor, only to hit my arm on the side of my bed (which mind you, certainly woke me up) and I got up and limped around my room before deciding to sit just outside my door for a rest. haha yes, I had gotten all of 4 metres from my bed before I needed a "rest".
Why all this pain? I had my first kickboxing class yesterday. I have always loved body combat and sports that involved aerobic exercise. Oh, and I must admit, years ago they had a carefree ad where the girl was REALLY carefree and was kickboxing to lyrics about being free and doing whatever she wanted.. (that really was the catalyst for my kickboxing days). But yes, doing drills of 1 minute focus punches, 10 situps, 1 minute jabs, 10 pushups for a total of 10 minutes really kills.
Besides kickboxing, I am going to be signing up for fencing classes at the end of June.
Someone asked me the other day why I was signing up for all these things and trying to keep myself uber busy when I already am?
While I have always wanted to do the things I've signed up for, part of me is trying to fit it all in before the move intrastate, and part of me is just trying to keep up the achievements/"been there done that" list going.
Ever since I got back from Nepal, I've found myself flittering a litte. Wondering what I should do next. What great adventure beckons me. And while I'm still figuring that one out, why not go and do all those other things I've always wanted to do?
So yes, it's a busy week. *phew*Labels: life
.. 4 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, May 20, 2007
~ 10:46 AM ~
Dinner last night at (a)lure at Burswood for Shaz's farewell.. Yummy food, great atmosphere and decor, not so good service (just very busy that night I suppose).
Best wishes miss Shazza !
Labels: life
.. 3 Comments Left Behind
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
~ 9:00 PM ~
Yeah.. i've been slack :s but i've had a bit of a tough adjustment back to life in Perth. I miss the waking up and eating breakfast, then going for a walk (or shall we say trek) around the mountains, and then coming back for some cards, reading and worldly chatter..
Back here, I have experienced a bad haircut, an eye infection, a weekend in Kalgoorlie and a lot of decisions to be made about my future. I have also discovered that Shaz has decided to pack up and go join Kean over east, and that perhaps I can survive out away from the city.
So in between the things that have been happening, I've been too busy and too tired to blog. Apologies, but i promise to get back into the swing of things ASAP>Labels: life
.. 5 Comments Left Behind
Saturday, March 17, 2007
~ 6:52 AM ~
My dream of hospitalization dashed
For the last few days, I have been rather sick and have had to even spend a bout in hospital. Previous to this, the only time I had ever stayed in hospital was when I was a wee bub and was hospitalized for eating too many lychees. Almost 15 years later, I had to spend some time at Sir Charles Gairdner, where I was being treated for a virus/infection in my colorectal area. Basically, I spent my time nauseous, vomiting, and passing out blood.
For the last 15 years, I had always thought it would be great for me to go to hospital. I wanted to have a nice little room, to have lots of visitors, lots of cards, flowers and bears, and lots of little gifts. Nope. I hated it. I spent all my time on my back, and when I was cold, the nurses wouldnt let me have extra blankets (I was running a bit of a fever, so they said it was so that I could cool down). I did gets lots of messages and lovely thoughts, but it just didnt feel the same as what I had imagined hospitals to be like. It was really boring more than anything.
Finally, I decided to pretend I was getting better. I told them I wasn't hungry (i was STARVING but the thought of waiting more hours for food just deterred me), I told them I could get up and about (despite the fact that each time I got back, I almost blacked out), and that I had no nausea or pains left (eek lie). Eventually I got discharged, only to be bedridden again at home because I was so iv-ed and doped up I couldnt do anything at home. *sigh*.
One thing good came out of it though! I met my mcDreamy. haha. His name is Mark, he was tall, rugged and an emergency department consultant. I pointed him out when my brother came to visit, but my brother shook his head,laughed at me and told me I must be really drugged up because Mark wasn't rugged at all. If anything, he was dirty. Oh well, happy to have the drugs lie to me at that instance. Hospital would've been an entire waste of time if my mcdreamy didnt surface.
Also, thanks to all those messages, phone calls and sms i got over the past few days. I was pretty doped up and spent most of my time sleeping so wasn't able to answer or call or sms everyone back. But I love that you love me *grins*Labels: life
.. 5 Comments Left Behind
Monday, March 05, 2007
~ 8:46 AM ~
When my boyfriend moved out to Kalgoorlie, there was always the comfort of knowing that he would be out there for a limited amount of time and would come back to Perth once that time was up. The plan was for him to come back, do a FIFO job, and we could live happily ever after.
Sometimes though, life throws you a few quirks along the way - quirks that force you to re-examine what you want and where you're going.
I always knew in the back of mind that him being a mining engineer would perhaps require me to make sacrifices on my behalf, as the scope of a mining engineer is limited to, well, a mine more or less.
But when I was asked if I would consider moving to Kalgoorlie (nothing confirmed, just a passing remark), I baulked at the thought. For one, I'd be giving up the life that I have here - great friends, an established job, my routine basically. But at the same time, I am not against moving to Kalgoorlie - I think it's a cute little town, but I just don't know how my city-girl influences will go living in a mining town. It's okay for me to go out there for work, but to live there?
I suppose i"m just scared - scared that I wont fit in, scared that I won't make any friends, scared that life for me there would consist of hermitting and not having a life outside...
So people that have moved or ever considered it , what was the defining criteria that tilted your answer? Was it hope of a more busier life (I suppose Melbournites differ here to Kalgoorlie-ites), was it a chance to start afresh, was it a move for love?Labels: life
.. 3 Comments Left Behind
Thursday, March 01, 2007
~ 8:10 PM ~
Well, I disappeared again - but for a good reason. The last few days have certainly been scary to say the least. My dad, as most of you know, is my only living parent. My mother passed away when I was but 12 , and really, my dad is the only one I have left. My closest older relatives are in Malaysia , Singapore, New Zealand - and while my makeshift uncles and aunties and close family friends , they're certainly no replacement for a parent.
My dad fell in on Tuesday. He woke me up with his vomiting, and after I tended to him, I left for work and my brother looked after him thinking it was just food poisoning. During the day, I called back home to ask how he was and my brother informed me that an ambulance had been called but they said he would be okay and didnt need to go to hospital.
So I settled a little after an initial panic, and then went on to play netball for James' team. Coming home, I noticed missed calls and sms' on my phone telling me that he was in hospital...
I didnt have my keys so I had to ask Jess and Stophe to drive me to Charlies... there, we waited for 6 hours till we got some news and he had to stay in..
Waiting for news on someone who has been admitted to hospital has to be one of the excrutiating waits there is... you have to wait hours, with others that are also worried and "in line" to find out info... the fact that other people are crying, yelling, or just worried makes u feel even worse...
But anyways, it's now Thursday and my dad has been discharged and is resting at home. It's been a relief because on Tuesday night he couldnt open his eyes without getting sick. He can now walk a little (but is still wobbly), and we are making sure someone is home to look after him.
So there's the rollercoaster few days that we call life.Labels: life
.. 2 Comments Left Behind
Sunday, February 25, 2007
~ 9:07 AM ~
Sorry for the Missing In Action week off from blogging. It's just been absolutely busy and life seems to have escaped me in the last week and a half.
I'm going to be lazy and just dot point what i've done! haha no photos either =D
- The boyfriend blew in on the Friday
- Family Dinner on Chinese New Years Eve
- Chinese New Year Festival and Festivities - a 15 lion bash is quite a sight!!
- Following the Yaolin Lion Dance troupe around on Chinese New Year
- Dinner at Jacksons Restaurant. We had the degustation menu and the 15 courses were all delicious (except maybe the cheese), and the service impeccable, but I dont think I'd go there again for the dego. Maybe for the a la carte'
- Going to see Hannibal Rising
- Going out to Greenbushes - a beautiful little town, and a lovely scenic 3 hour drive. If you're out that way, I recommend stopping in Donnybrook for some fruits and scenery before proceeding to Greenbushes / Bridgetown.
- Riding the Yaolin bus for 8 hours to all their liondancing spots yesterday (phew I'm exhausted from all the observing hehe)
- And i'm starting uni again tomorrow!! Well not really, I'm starting my postgrad course tomorrow - one year of full time work and part time study... EEK
And in other news, there's just 5 weeks left till i'm on way to an altitude of 5600 metres!!Labels: life, nepal, New Years
.. 3 Comments Left Behind
Monday, February 12, 2007
~ 7:59 PM ~
Following on from my previous post, I was told to send in a whole bunch of boring documents for pre-approval.. I had thought myself as pretty organised until now, and now i'm really struggling !!
- Pay slips showing YTD of last three months, and salary.
(I managed to find my last three payslips - all of which were unopened!!)
- Bank statements of last six months showing savings.
(The only statement I could find was September 2006, and June 2005).. HMMMM
- Passport or Birth Certificate
(Phew - lucky i'm going on holiday - at least I had ONE item on the list!!)
- Letter of employment stating salary and end of probation period.
(Yay, i got this!!)
- PAYG Certificate of last financial year, or Tax Assessment
(Found a tax assessment from 1999 HAHAHAH and a PAYG from 2000 - can't find anything else).
Gee, this is going to be tougher than I thought :SLabels: life, mortgage
.. 0 Comments Left Behind
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
~ 6:15 PM ~
At the moment, I am trying to decide whether or not now would be a good time to buy my own place and move out - and its a decision i'm both struggling, and excited about.
All perthies know that the situation for first time home buyers here in Perth is quite dire. The prices have skyrocketed in recent months, and most people are unable to afford anything decent (or anything at all).
I am fairly independent - I pay for all my expenses, I pay for all the bills in my family, and I don't rely on credit at all. The only thing missing is my own space and my own place to call my own.
I am however, caught in between that struggling "should i stay and save a bit more, or should i move out?" phase. I have been to a few mortgage brokers recently and have been given quotes for the max loans that I can take out. I could probably afford a decent apartment in the city, but if I do, my quality of life in terms of my penchant for life's luxuries and goodies would decrease.
But isn't that part of growing up? Learning to take that responsibility and putting money towards your own place... ?
Most people tell me to wait until Quan gets back then we can buy a place together.... but 1. I dont want to rely on anyone to buy my apartment or to be the reason I can afford something better.... and 2. It's not going to be for another 12-18months, and I really want my own place now..
So where does that leave me?
* 12 -18 months of more saving but a nicer place in the end..... ?
* Purchasing something quite decent and having a place to call my own.. but saying no to nice clothes and nice shoes?
* Renting - That's a no for me. It's money wasted and I wouldnt want that..
So friendly people - what are your opinions?Labels: life, Misc
.. 8 Comments Left Behind
