BIGprawnHEAD

Matthew West - My Own Little World

2011-01-13T19:36:00.000+08:00

What is it worth to you?

2010-02-07T18:55:00.008+08:00

After a tiring day at work, looking at these photos sent by my friend (documentation for our recent gift), my heart just leapt with joy :) It will be something that I will remember and cherish.

It was back when we were in cambodia, during our daily visits to the rural villages that we witnessed the lack of basic necessities in some villages. Some of the better off villages actually had water pumps and water filters donated by foreigners. I wondered in my heart how much would it be to give them one of those?

I later discovered that everyone else in the team had the same burning question. We had the heart to give, but wasn't sure how to do it. So the local pastor was approached and asked as to how we can contribute. They indeed needed those pipes and filter.

Pipes installed to transport water into paddy fields

Rice planting

Clay filter to purify water. Shared amongst community in one village.

How much is clean water worth? Priceless!!

Psalms 84

2010-01-24T21:50:00.002+08:00

10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,

blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Afterthoughts part 2

2010-01-24T20:48:00.009+08:00

Throughout the whole trip, we only had one day of R & R before heading back. The afternoon was spent at Angkor Wat. I had wished for the day to pass at snail pace. But when you have a good time, it never seems to slow down.

Time is almost up. Time to go and back and face the music.

Perth is a different battleground. And of course there is every possibility that I might slip back to my old ways.

For the last leg of the tour, we were brought to a different temple to watch the sunset. It was jam packed with tourist. I am one too, one that is supposed to go home ultimately.

As I watch the sun slowly cross the horizon, I was praying that God will give me the peace to go back, and to not fall back into the dullness of life, but rather adopt the fullness of life that He can offer.

As the sun disappears, with certainty it will rise again. Though I will be seeing sunrise and sunset in a different land, but for sure, just like the sun, our God is there!!

Afterthoughts

2010-01-24T19:43:00.004+08:00

It was almost a trip that was not meant to be. As the date neared, my friend was unable to give me an answer whether there is vacancy available. At that point of time, I had actually given up waiting. Not much of faith I guess.

But deep down I knew I needed a new lease of life, I wanted to get away. My last resort, I told God, " Please show me something that is worth living for. If it is meant to be, You will open the way for me." Finally, on the last day of my exams, my friend delivered the good news. I am glad He made a way and that I was able to take a leap into the outside world.

Cambodia is the total opposite of Australia. Australia is truly the land overflowing with milk and honey. Though it is in the midst of poverty and development, it's ppl are just charming and life is simple.

When we arrived, we touched base with the local churches who prepared interpretors and brought us to the villages. Cambodia is heavily influenced by Buddhism. But in the midst of it, you can see that the local churches are growing and sending their members into villages to hold cell groups or meetings. Their passion is fierce and commitment strong. Our services are merely providing them with assistance in terms of health care, and also at the same time providing a platform to share Christ with those who have not accepted Him.

I went thinking that we have lot's to give. In hindsight, I have received so much as well. There are times that the hardness in my heart would just dissolve when I understood how stubborn I had been. Many are still unsaved, much work needs to be done. Instead of playing down the courts, I have been living my life at the sidelines.

There so much that I wanted to write, but I know that my writing is inadequate to express it all. It is inked in my memory. Of course in pictures too. Tedious uploading of pictures on facebook, checked! Tagging, checked!

Take heart, take flight

2009-12-28T19:15:00.003+08:00

I don't think one can remain static in one phase for too long. Boredom sets in and it feels like one's been painted into a dead corner.

Once in a while, it would be nice to see how the world is on the outside. To look outward to know that one does indeed live in utopia.

I need a breather from perth.

Toodles, I'm off to cam ... booo ... dee .... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Usher in the new year pls!!!

2009-12-23T19:21:00.003+08:00

Next month marks the decade that I have been here in Perth. A decade ..... sounds really long, but feels just like yesterday. Perth is also the place that I have taken residence for the longest time. 8 years in KL, 4 years in a puny town in Sabah, 6 years in another town in Sabah, 10 years here. Where next??

Sure, I have had my gripes with life here. But seriously, I cannot fathom living elsewhere now.

I wished that it wasn't so hot here ..... and I saw on the news the other half of the globe being snowed in .... ahem no thanks.

I wished that there are no traffic jams here ........ and I saw Bangkok ....... enough to make me shuddup.

I wished that ppl don't drive like a lunatic ........ but who doesn't now?

Etc etc etc ..... I think you get the idea.

Until the day Utopia is created, I think this is where I will call home for the time being.

I like kids (who I can hand back to their parents afterwards)

2009-12-23T17:47:00.007+08:00

" Everyone should have kids", declared my friend.

Short of sputtering my food, I asked for an explanation.

" It is biblical, and why not?", she replied. And she continued on to describe how some women are unwilling to have children because they don't want their bodies to go out of shape and considers it unreasonable.

" But some ppl are just not meant to have kids. Isn't it better that they don't have kids if they don't have the intention (example as above)?", I shot back.

Obviously saying that is not going to work on a persistent mum to be. Her stance remains.

Just for the record, I am not a kid hater, but I am more inclined towards the "no kids" camp. Till this day, I'm still baffled by how ppl can have one kid after another and how they can adore a kid who is kicking and screaming till they are red in the face.

Just wait till another few more years when they grow up. That's when they will treat going home as a monthly if not yearly pilgrimage. Calling their parents when they have done something wrong and needs to be rescued/ spent their whole inheritance. I kid you not, that this may happen even when your child is well into their second decade of being born.

Having a kid maybe the most expensive investment one can ever make....... and not guaranteed with returns. You will still have to live with it when they treat outsiders better than they do the family. Run to their friends instead of you. Will you swallow your disappointment and move on or wish that you didn't give birth to one in the first place?

Parenthood is one tough journey. I really can't think of one good reason that everyone should be one, just like how some are pet owners while others are not. Think really carefully before you have kids, and when you do have them, there is no turning back!!

It's the christmas rush. I think I have seen enough annoying kiddies today. Santa pls take them away :p

The arrival of the all important piece of "paper"

2009-12-17T19:16:00.006+08:00

They have finally unleashed us to the unsuspecting world!!! Hur hur!!!!

What kind of mixed up world is this??

2009-12-08T14:46:00.004+08:00

You can rub your eyes a thousand times, and I can tell you that your eyes ain't fooling you. She is indeed a pastor's wife. Or should I say a pastor's wife indeed???!!!!!

Strange thing is that the husband supports and even defends her. How does a pastor do that??

Watching the mtv, I was kinda in disbelief.

Years ago when she was here in Perth as part of a mega out reach event for the Asian Churches Network, I already had my reservations about her. I remember I even had a disagreement with a leader of mine with regards to my unwillingness to follow through instructions as a cell leader to get everyone excited about the event. I just could not act nor appear supportive. " She is just trying to be relevant to today's young ppl", someone explained to me.

Well, all of that should be buried in the past. Truth is, I never liked her, never will like her.

That is the problem with christians nowadays. They can have everything and anything under the sky to justify why they are what they are doing. Myself included. But is it justifiable in god's eyes?? I think we have forgotten the sovereignity and holiness of the god we serve. He did not send lightning to strike me now, but that doesn't mean that I can escape from the truth that I have used my own excuse to serve my own purpose.

The great escape artist

2009-12-08T09:33:00.007+08:00

Oi cheeky bugger! Your home is next door lar ......

He is Houdini wannabe, king of the street -_-'''

I just hope that he doesn't get himself hurt. The owners should dragged to RSPCA!!

When you've grown wings to fly, don't forget who gave it to you

2009-11-24T08:25:00.004+08:00

I watched the whole saga unfold, spanning over months and months.

I have a few thoughts. One, idiocracy can ruin one's life, especially when the person is both ignorant and arrogant, thinking that it is other's fault. Two, LOVE is really blind. Three, 20 over years of relationship can't beat a 2 year relationship (sad but true).

Girl, you think you can outsmart others by hiding in your hidey hole. One day, I assure you, your real ugly face will be exposed.

Boy, you think what you have in your hands is a priceless gem. One day, you will discover it is a vial of poison, a pile of dung.

I remember the story of Icarus of the greek mythology. You think you are soaring high, but a fall may be the very thing that awaits you.

At snail pace

2009-11-13T10:52:00.004+08:00

Snail .......................

.................. to mush in 5 seconds flat. RIP!!!

It was after a long awaited drizzle of rain. Snails started to appear out of nowhere. Yucks.

I still cannot comprehend why ppl actually have the guts to eat escargot. Yucks yucks yucks!

Strange but maybe not

2009-11-12T05:45:00.003+08:00

A few houses away, the road was sealed off with blue/white tape, flanked by a couple of police cars. Add on to that, a throng of tv station vehicles. Sound like a normal day to you?

Got down from my car and went to suss it out. My dad was already there watching. Apparently somebody was stabbed in a domestic dispute and probably had died from it. Oh dear.

This is the first time I ever witness filming near a crime site. Too close for comfort, may it never happen again. Out of curiousity we stood there waiting for the newscaster to do his thing and tell us what is going on. Actually, I don't think anyone knew the exact detail, coz the news came out all mixed up later on. Some say heart attack, some say stabbing. So who's right?

Being a newscaster isn't exactly all glamour and adventure. There is a lot of waiting around for the right moment to start cameras rolling. Poor dude stood under the hot sun, wearing a full suit, with flies buzzing around his face. At one point, he just took the can of insect repellent and sprayed his face, hehe.

And the stuff that you see on CSI, takes gazillion of hours to work the murder cases out I reckon. It took the forensic team a good half a day to process the evidence, they were still at work till the wee hours.

Strange enough, that was how we got to know a new neighbour. Poor girl couldn't go home coz her house was sealed off as well. Stood there chatting with her, and eventually invited her over for dinner, coz by the looks of it, the police wasn't leaving anytime soon.

A newfound friend from hong kong!! How strange to meet under such circumstances.

Memories for next time (the last day of uni.)

2009-10-30T06:20:00.004+08:00

Feeling: Happy, sad, anxious

Listening to: Patch Adams soundtrack

Thoughts: It really is the last day of uni, this is the last time I am wearing that uniform (didn't like it anyway)!!!!

Today will be the day that we say goodbye to quite a few ppl, say goodbye to our patients, giving back our lockers, clear out our cubicles, hand in all assignments. Can't help it, feels nostalgic.

Ho ho ho....... we are almost there!!!

Exploring my own backyard

2009-10-18T14:25:00.003+08:00

Council employees congregating and in deep discussion around the park bin

As you can see it is not all talk and no action. Phew!!! Glad to know that the council fee paid is put into good use. This photo was taken few weeks ago when roaming around the park near my house. I have to say I am very impressed with the maintainence of the park.

Well, the area that I am staying is more well known for its industrial offices and hoonish kind of driving. In the beginning I had no idea why this area had such high council fee for such an area, I can gladly say now it is worth every penny. The parks around this area is fabulous, the library constantly stocked with new books (love it!!!) and huge bins that one can order.

After I had shifted from Murdoch area, I had always missed the places that I used to go for walks. But obviously I wasn't motivated enough to drag my arse down there anymore because it is out of the way.

One day, after a few months of moving here, I finally convinced myself to go for a walk at a park five minutes drive away. I should have visited earlier. It is a piece of gem. Not just a normal park, comes with a huge lake teeming with all sorts of birds feeding at sundown. Awesome!!

Today, I found another piece of haven. Although I don't live next to the river, unlike some of the posher burbs, I am indeed within walking distance to the Swan. I cheated by driving to one of the boat ramps, from there I walked towards the city direction. I can't believe I hadn't done this earlier!! Walked past the backyards of some luxury apartments, and now I geddit why ppl are willing to fork out more than half a million (crazy right!!) for one these babies. You get a bird's eye view of the Swan from here. This riverfront walkway sprawls for 11km, takes 2 hour from one end to the other (i merely did one third), with plenty of picnic spots. There were a lot of keen anglers and hardly any bicycles, which is a plus point coz it can get annoying having to avoid the crazy bikers travelling at top speed (you get a lot of this at mount henry bridge).

Oh yay!!! The grass is no longer greener on the other side :)

The dreamer in us

2009-09-15T08:05:00.003+08:00

" Build your castle in the air before you build it on earth", heard this from a wise person.

Within each of us, we are a dreamer. Some dream more than others.

The sad thing is most of us don't put it into actions, and it remains what it is .... a dream.

Nevertheless, having dreams and wishes provides a solace in this world that tries and stifle creativity. We are mostly to conform to a pattern, for efficiency sake and no rooms for mistakes.

That is the frustration that I sometimes face during prac sessions at uni. Do it my way..... my way is the best ..... the tutor subtly tells you. Well, as much as annoyance kicks in, still gotta be humble enough to learn from them, they have the experience that I lack. Hopefully, would be able to fleece out the necessary knowledge and be able to apply it with wisdom. 7 more weeks to go before emancipation.

I know I have a paper coming my way, but stuff it for tonight, I'm gonna go up, UP and away!!!

So excited!!!!! A movie about dreamers made by dreamers :)

Don't forget to dream, my friends!!

Up to scratch??

2009-08-30T16:25:00.003+08:00

I do wonder, are restaurants in Perth really up to scratch with their cooking?? Maybe just the ones that I went to aren't??

I have to admit, these last two years I have not been eating out much at all (couldn't afford to do that too much). Most of the time, eating out left me scratching my head wondering why they are just so full with customers when the food that they serve ain't top notch or anything to rave about. Some would be a hit and miss experience, their inconsistency is as scary as mcdonald's consistency at serving up sloppy burgers.

I am not too fussed about food, me not a foodie. I would eat it anyway even if it wasn't fantastic. What really makes me unsatisfied would be the exorbitant price that one has to pay and the expectations not met.

Yesterday's dining out experience made me want to warn ppl.

We wanted a quick dinner. Hence went to the restaurants that were next to the Roe St. CPP. There are two rows of restaurants to choose from. I have not visited that lot of restaurants for yonks. Was very surprised to see that outside almost all of the eateries stood a waiter trying to entice you to go in to their restaurant. Business must have been very competitive. Run for your life!! Kidding. My advice - have a thick hide.

Eventually settled for a HK styled eatery. Food was so so, needs improvement. That wasn't the issue as I knew not to expect too much. It was all fine and dandy until I went to pay the bill. The amount they charged was much higher than what I had calculated, even if extras were charged .
Asked to see the bill. My gosh, they actually charged me around 5 dollars more for each dishes. The price did not match what was on the menu!! Daylight robbery in real life :(

I understand that they have nicely laminted menus. But that doesn't justify not letting your customers know that the pricing is from a DECADE ago.

I know, I should have kicked up a fuss. But I didn't. Just very disappointed. My passive way of dealing with it is never returning again.

So, beware, always check your bills and menu pricing !!!!

It's a huge big world out there!

2009-08-09T19:00:00.005+08:00

Handed over $130, waited for almost four months. Now, 30 empty pages waiting to be filled :)

So niceeeeee

2009-08-06T18:57:00.007+08:00

It is fun to discover a new genre of music or new artist to like.

Listening to the usual stuff on radio is fine, but it can get boring after a while, and some are just wayyyyyyyy overplayed. One doesn't need James Blunt's " You are beautiful" to be playing every other hour of the day.

Having a mix of music just makes life a tad more interesting. There are so many talents out there, of course not to mention the oldies.

My newfound genre (of course this genre has existed long before i knew what it is called):

Samba + Jazz = Bossa Nova!!!!

Anyone has any favourite music or artist to share?

Greeeen is a beaut color!!!!

2009-07-19T17:41:00.008+08:00

Addictively brilliant : )

2009-07-12T14:41:00.009+08:00

Kimura is back again ........ with a side splittingly hilarious personality :)

Forensics with a human touch .... tissues please ......

Bizarre piece of news

2009-06-26T11:21:00.003+08:00

I was kinda puzzled why the radio station was playing Micheal Jackson's song non stop. Unmistakable, it was his voice that hovered the cool chilly air. Perhaps it's to promote his come back tour (hmmm... didn't think he was coming to australia though). Weird.

I probably had missed the big piece of news that broke before they played all these songs.

It wasn't until 11am, when the new round of news came around that I heard that he had passed on.

So sad, so weird and bizarre, that he was to die of a cardiac arrest. I thought he would probably have his last laugh during a plastic surgery procedure, but no, it was his heart that gave out.

I am no firm fan of his, but I did remember religiously watching his "Thriller" and "Bad" MTV that had been played at least once everyday on tv when i was still a kid. He was the king of pop that reigned supreme. Even when he went from jacko to wacko, he still had fans that cried during his concert (ppl crying during pop concerts still puzzles me till this day).

The king is no longer here, I wonder whose heart is going to be broken today??

A night of miracle

2009-06-16T08:37:00.004+08:00

Never have I seen so many preggies in one building.

An evening that started so casually turned into a bit of a frenzy.

A few hours of waiting for the news to come. Hopefully everything is going to be ok.

It was my first time seeing a woman being wheeled out post giving birth, baby peacefully asleep in her arms and husband towing her luggages. Serenity.

Another woman walked out with her husband in tow, trying to calm her newborn who is crying away.

Within the span of a few hours, a few mothers had already given birth.

Will we hear good news?? We all want good news. Miracle needed.

Miracle indeed had happened. Mum and bub is safe and stable. A special little boy has arrived... albeit a wee bit early.

Praise god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Hisaishi 久石譲

2009-06-08T18:19:00.006+08:00

I am losing my marblessssssssssss......................... soon soon soon.

WE all agree, we need a break :)

Came across this while procrastinating from work

If you like soundtracks, here is a good one. He did quite a fair bit of film scores for japanese anime and films. Best known for his collaboration with animator Hayao Miyazaki.

Take a break and listen to this awesomeness!!!!

Wow!!

2009-05-31T07:37:00.006+08:00

Medical dramas are a genre of their own. Imagine the expenses, the props, the acting, the dialogue. If you are going to make an easy movie, you'd probably not choose to do a medical drama.

Medical drama is nothing new. We had ER since yonks ago, now there is House (wicked!!), we have Grey's anatomy, we have Private Practice. But all these span across seasons after seasons, one must got to be long suffering to be following all these through and through, so I had given up watching all of the above. And it does get boring after a while.

Few days ago, purely by chance did I find this really AWESOME medical drama. Surprising thing is, it is korean drama which I don't normally watch (way too draggy and long suffering). I didn't have high expectations for it, being bias I know.

I was hooked!!! Till the very end..... so sad that it had to come to an end.

A heroic leader, a cheeky monkey, a stubborn girl, plus emotions packed to the rafters. You will be hooked too!!

With all good things, share the goodness of it right??

Go watch it for yourself at http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/New_Heart

Uhmmmm.... word of caution, if you are phobic about blood, brace yourself!

If you like New Heart, you will like this japanese medical drama "Tomorrow"

Food for thought

2009-05-13T23:20:00.002+08:00

Am writing this while waiting for the curtin server to recover..... murphy's law I tell ya. Always happens when you need it.

Have you ever had a good look at the food that you are eating??

Since the beginning of this semester, we never really had a proper break on most days. Running late from seeing patients, scoffing down food seems to be norm. Have you tried finishing your lunch, 3 minutes flat?? Thanks to my parents, I get proper lunch. But with all that stuffing of food down the pipe, seems to be just another meal.

Today, I watched a show that featured a celebrity chef showing how to cook at home. Amongst of all the things that he taught, he has this to say "Cooking seems to be a lost art. We need to cook and eat as a family."

I have to admit, I need to have an appreciation for food.

Would really like to learn from the beginning, from growing of the food, to appreciating the taste, texture, smell. Some chefs are so passionate about their food, they go to they extent of going to farms and orchards to learn about produce. Wow!

Maybe this planting and appreciating things gotta be on hold for the moment. At least till I'm done with this course. The scoffing continues ...........

But I did flip open my sandwich today .... I saw cherry tomatoes, ham, fish floss ( i kid you not) and cheese. Yum!!

Have a good look at your plate of food. Go on! Smell it! Taste it! Savour it! Bon apetit :)

I think I can still count my blessings

2009-04-28T00:04:00.004+08:00

Thank god for parents! You truly opened my eyes to what it means to be through "thick and thin" together.

Thank god for friends. Your kindness, generosity, tolerance. When I sat down and thought about it, life would have been so different without some of you :)

2009-04-27T23:45:00.003+08:00

An incident this morning just threw my day out of whack. Just when I was thinking to myself, what a great weekend it has been.

It is shocking that so many mishaps had happened since the start of this year, I wonder whether my brains, ears, eyes have already aged to the extent that they can qualify to be disposed.

Disheartened?? No doubt, I truly am. I'm sick of "incidents", "accidents", "careless moments"....."crap, it happened again". Geez, I am lost at what to do. No matter how many times I said it won't happened again, it does!! Lock me up in an assylum pls!

Are You trying to teach me a lesson?? What are You trying to get at??

I think a break is needed from mishaps :(

RAC Chia turns a year older

2009-04-21T00:30:00.000+08:00

You earned yourself that nickname by locking the key in the car. Actually that nickname suits you pretty darn well.

You are Mr fix it, Mr I think I can fix it, Mr I will try and fix it.

Don't grow old too fast ya, although I know you want to get your pension fast :)

You learn something new everyday .....

2009-04-20T23:37:00.002+08:00

The word "plastic surgeon" doesn't conjure up much of a positive image in my mind.

Superficial, obnoxious and most of them would look as if they had "work" done on themselves (wouldn't be surprised). If you didn't try it on yourself, you wouldn't know how well it works right?? That explains why we try gazillion tubes of different brands of toothpaste and mouthrinse on ourselves.

Plastic, it's fantastic!!! At least according to Barbie.

Well, that thought kinda shifted today.

Actually plastic surgery is not all bad stuff. I've actually forgotten some of the unsung heroes. Ppl who saves lives by performing plastic surgery.

My clinic rotation for today was at Princess Margaret Hospital's dental department. It was a very interesting aspect of dentistry that outsiders like us rarely come across. The dental department there work very closely with oral surgeons and plastic surgeons. Perth is very fortunate to have a facility as such, because babies who have cleft lip (ie. hare lip), cleft palate gets early intervention so that they can lead life as per normal. All these surgeries are done by plastic surgeons and oral surgeons. Not to forget that they are also involved with emergency and accident cases. We were shown some case studies, I was speechless.

When I came home, I heard on the news that Dr Fiona Woods is still busy treating burns patients. She is a plastic surgeon too!!!

And another channel was showing Celebrity Plastic Surgery -.-'''

Three accounts of plastic surgery in one day.

I think i need some rhinoplasty now!!! Kidding. But I really want a higher nose :p

If my dad conquered the world ..........

2009-04-14T07:51:00.005+08:00

Impressive Cup - a - soup collection???

................................................................. no one will go hungry!

He reckons it ought to be in the Guiness Book of Records

2009-04-14T07:04:00.005+08:00

Yoooo hoooo, ahhahahaha, does anyone still visit this plot of blog?? * Crickets chirping*

Doesn't matter. Sporadic blog entries are because I think I'm going hysterics studying and you wouldn't want a share of my misery on here, would you?

Anyhooooooos, this is meant for memory keeping.

Yesterday's lunch was a mish mash but very balanced meal of protein (fried dace, fried eggs), carbs (white rice) and veg (lettuce, tomato).

Rewind the story ...... in the morning I asked what was for lunch. Mum jokingly said " ask your dad to cook". Suffice to say, cookery is not one of dad's interest. Much to our surprise dad said he'll take care of it!!!???????????

He said to leave the whole kitchen to him, no one allowed to help. Good lordy, my dad who never cooks anything (other than making sandwiches and instant noodles), doesn't need help?? Wonder what kind of storm is he gonna cook up.

Hhahahah, nothing blew up, nothing burnt. In fact, I didn't even hear any sizzling. Wonder whether he really was cooking.

Glad to say that lunch was served in under an hour, hungryyyyyyyyyy. Nom nom nom.......

Quite an achievement for him really.

Super power needed!!!!

2009-04-03T07:42:00.002+08:00

Some dayzzzzzzzZZZZZZ, you feel like you need super powers to wake up. ZzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZ

TGIF! :)

2009-01-22T10:03:00.001+09:00

It all started with American Pie (if memory serves me right). Do you remember the hand gesture of forming an L sign on your forehead for LOSER?? Wow, it caught on like fire. Every boy, every girl, every cat and dog was using the "L" sign.

But mum, being mum, would not have any of this nonsense in the household. To her, it was downright rude and degrading. Hahaha, we were banned from doing it. And we had to stop adding "man" to the end of every sentence!!! Classic signs that your kids might be spending too much time with TV.

A few days ago, when I got home from work and parked the car into the garage, she was standing there holding up an "L" sign with her fingers. I was surprised.

"Mom, how could you do that sign. You didn't allow us to do that!!"

"L is for L license, coz you park too far to the right" was mum's reply -.-'''

AHahahh, for a moment I really thought she meant something else.

An educated choice or continuation of ignorance??

2009-01-06T12:21:00.005+09:00

Today, I made the switch to another company for my car insurance. Knowing that the call might be ardous one with lot's of waiting for the other end to pick up the line, I was determined to find out once and for all whether I have been making the right choice all along.

My current insurer raised the policy price for the second year in a row. This doesn't make sense at all, my car value is depreciating yet my policy went up when I did not make a single claim (what happened to the no claim bonus that you so eagerly mentioned to me??). Last year when the first raise occured, I called them up to ask for an explanation. Prices of materials have gone up.... that was their explanation.

I am glad that I made the SWITCH and shaved almost 200 dollars off my car insurance and at the same time added my dad to the driver's list.

No more being an ignorant consumer, that is my one of my resolution this year.

Being a consumer is no easy feat. The small prints are getting smaller, more complicated. Instruction manuals, product disclosure booklets are thick as my textbooks. Who would seriously read through the whole bunch of them?? And sales people sometimes do not disclose the real big hidden clauses. Very eager to sell their products, but yet when things go haywire, good luck trying to find help.

From now onwards, even if I have to annoy the sales person with tons of questions, they will just have to endure it.

Do you think when you purchase something?? Do you really know what you are buying into?? Do you know what you are covered for??

Don't let ppl make the mickey out of you. Think, research, evaluate, ask questions, read the booklet (even if it kills you).

Now..... I just need to figure out superannuation. A deadly word i reckon. I need help!!!!!

Point and shoot 2009

2009-01-02T17:19:00.002+09:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigprawnhead/

I wonder how much pics I would have by the end of this year.

This shall be an attempt. Ho ho ho hoo....

The tasty messiah

2009-01-02T16:55:00.003+09:00

Found this while reading today's news.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-collectables/Food-drink/Other/auction-195642530.htm

For the funniest parts ever, scroll down to the questions and answers part and have a good laugh =)

The ironies in life

2009-01-01T16:48:00.001+09:00

While being bombarded by advertisement prior to start of a movie, I noticed that there are a lot of adverts that focuses on teenage drinking. Creative, straight in your face commercials. However in the same seating of time, they were promoting Bacardi Vodka and other beers. What is the point really?? I think the regulation board must be pretty confused.

To be in control of something, doesn't mean that you have to hold on to the reins all the time. You want to hold the reins, but the horse may not want to obey. Sometimes you have to let go, so that you can be in control of your sanity. Let go ..... horse go free. But then, don't come running back to me, because you wanted the freedom in the first place.

People would pay for a cup of coffee and blame the person serving it that the price is disgustingly high. Take a number, get in the queue and speak to my boss please. I wonder as well, why does my salary not rise together with the increase of price??

Employers would rather risk a youngster (whom they can pay less) play them out than give the shifts to the oldies who are much more reliable. And then getting upset when you are understaffed. Tsk tsk ..... the irony of it is laughable.

There is always a first time to everything

2008-12-26T21:27:00.009+09:00

Hope you all had a great christmas day. Probably burping turkey now?? That's the beauty of festive season .... the eating. Don't waste your food kay.

Although I haven't had any turkey, I had my fair share of fishballs and beef. The sight of leftover lamb, ham and turkey brought home by my siblings from a party was already enough to trigger the meat overload signal. Maybe, detoxing doesn't seem like such a grouse idea now.

This year is the first time I've ever eaten a fruit mince pie (10 out of 10 for diabetically sweetness level), the first time going to carols by candlelight, the first time whipping up roast beef and the first time us siblings actually sat down and ate a christmas meal!!

No roast birds, we go for the real MEAT!!

Undentifiable pile of delicious carbs. Ho ho hoooo, I reckon this is the star

And some salad to balance out all the fats :)

It was eating marathon all the way. After resting our bellies for a few hours, we went to a steamboat session hosted by friends. Fishballs .... I dig it more than the roast beef.

Next year, hopefully our folks would be here to join us. Maybe get our first christmas tree and try some egg nog??

Drama series and reality

2008-12-26T21:04:00.006+09:00

Ho ho hoooo, currently watching TVB dramas and realised something disturbing. It was just a coincidence that I happen to be watching these two dramas one after the other.

In one series, A and B are lovers. And in the next series, same actor and actress, but they are brothers and sisters. Euuuwww !!!

TVB, you need more actors and actresses to recycle :p

But anyways, I still heart cantonese dramas. Bring it on!!

To throw or not to throw??

2008-12-25T06:24:00.003+09:00

The moving date is inching closer, and I've began the painful process of sorting out my personal belongings. Slowly day by day, bit by bit.

Boy!! It is a tough job!!! Don't believe me?? Try cleaning out your room/house really thoroughly during the hols. Ahahha, that would give ya something to do.

I think there is a "hoarder" in every one of us :p

This time round, the cleaning doesn't just involve this current house I'm staying in. Mum and dad are also rounding up things back home before the house is due to be handed over to the new owner. 18 years worth of stuff (before I came to Perth) translates to 18 years of memories, memories of the days that I was still in Malaysia. My prized possesions consisting mostly books and an enormous collection of stamps (nerdy me), have been safely packed away. Some of the items in the house is as old as me, or older than me, but unfortunately it is time to part with them. They have stood the test of time and served us well.

This is a historical move. Will we ever return to the soil we were born?? Tanah tumpahnya darahku ......

Mum and dad has taken a huge gamble to be here with us. What awaits our family??

P.S: Writing this is making me hungry. Sambung sebentar lagi ya!!

2008-12-23T00:06:00.004+09:00

"Fail to plan, plan to fail"...... forgot who said that.

With the end of the year in view, I thought I had better get on to work with planning and setting goals for next year. Hence, the quest for the perfect 2009 planner began two weeks ago. In vain, I couldn't find anything cutesy or appealing in any manner

Today, my predicament was solved when I opened up the envelope to find a bright yellow planner sent by the Australian Dental and Oral Health Association. Not cute, but it's FREE!! Kidding.

Now the problem is, I don't know how to make up my 2009 "bucket list".

Change is absolutely needed. But how? Why? Can I? Would I?

The planner awaits to be written. And by the time its pages are filled, the year is over. Would I fill it with joy?? purpose?? love?? patience??

Let me sleep on it.

Ho ho ho?? No no no NOOOO??

2008-12-22T23:56:00.002+09:00

Questions:

1) Who is sure that Santa actually said "Ho ho ho". Maybe what he meant to say was "No no no"??

2) Who actually thought that staying under the same roof as the person meant that we would know details about that person?? Heck, I don't even know who I am.

3) Would the "Marley and Me" movie be as good as the book? Would someone go watch it and tell me please.

Internet is not just for facebook and friendster..... muahahah

2008-12-13T22:34:00.004+09:00

Warning: Only read ahead if you are NERDY!!!!

This webbie reminds me very much of the picture books that I used to read as a kid. Pictures makes learning so much more interesting, don't you think??

Boy I am getting a kick out of this :p

Presenting ......... the anatomy of a cigar
and for more useful information, go to http://visual.merriam-webster.com/

The RETURN!!!

2008-12-12T12:39:00.000+09:00

Upon my parents return to Malaysia, I was told that our dog has been missing for the past two weeks they were here. Thunder had struck and caused the gate to open. So this mutt wandered off probably out of fear. Poor boy, he must have been so scared and confused.

It was sad, really sad. He is a part of the family. When mum and dad are doing stuff downstairs, he is always nearby watching. When dad was sick, he'd always know something is wrong. He is also the one who watches after the house.

When it was night time, we wondered where did he sleep? When it was raining, we wondered whether he was under a shelter? Did he get knocked down by a car? Did he get bullied by other stray dogs? What if someone chains him up?

Fortunately, he was found today after missing for 3 weeks. Thank goodness he is still alive!! One eye or one leg, we want him back safe and sound. Thank god!!

2008-11-20T14:35:00.003+09:00

"The Toilet ROLL CHoir" - undisputedly the cutest :)

Christmas is coming to town!!!!

There are so many generic christmasy stuff on sale now. I think the only way to escape the usual stuff is to make your own things.

Anyone seen any interesting christmassy novelties around??

2008-11-20T13:43:00.003+09:00

Finito! FInito! FINito! FINIto!FINITo! FINITO!!!!!!!!!

Ahahahhahahah, actually no euphoria of excitement.

Just a lil' tired and a surreal feeling.

But yes, indeed we have survive the first year, and we'll be the Seniors next year.

P.S: Our bin was found sitting on the pavement on monday morning. SO indeed it had gone for a walkie by mistake. Fishie, luckily i did not hijack somebody's bin and thanks to ~g~ for the good advice. The council rules the BINS!!!

Wheeeeeeeeeelie bin. Wheeeeeeelie?

2008-11-11T07:36:00.003+09:00

It is not as if my rubbish bin is made of gold. So why on earth would someone take it???????

I hope someone took it by "mistake". Because there's definitely a number on it.

Now i feel like hijacking somebody's bin.

I need a BINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNnnnnnnn!!!!!

Ok, who knows what to do when wheelie goes missing??

Are you as confused as you think?

2008-11-08T18:54:00.000+09:00

Remembering 03/11/09

2008-11-08T18:02:00.000+09:00

I was at work. Usually, I don't even bring my phone to work. But when one is playing the " waiting" game, can't help checking the phone.

Eventually the answer came, in the form of an SMS. The answer is YES. Overwhelming moment. Surreal almost.

A brand new beginning. God's blessing. God's timing (I know my timing is way out). Like my dad said, it is not something we deserve, but He gave it anyway.

And ...... there are heaps of lessons to be learnt ahead. Will I be humble enough?? I hope so. I have to.

Remembering 02/10/09

2008-11-08T08:02:00.000+09:00

If memory serves me right, dad planted these trees after I have left for Perth. 9 years and moving on.

Yesterday, mum and dad made a huge decision. We all knew that this day would come, just not that soon. Really didn't think that soon.

Thank god for the outcome. And only god knows what is going to happen next ( literally).

An old soul

2008-10-24T06:38:00.004+08:00

I don't know how well it was publicised. But anyways, just in case any of you didn't hear it.

For some of you, it might bring back some fond memories :)

Doulos, the floating bookshop has been here for about two weeks, and will be finishing this coming monday. It will be decomissioned in 2010, hence this is the last time it will be making it's voyage to Australia. So don't miss it! If you are curious, go have a peep, you will never see anything like this elsewhere.

Guided tours are available for $10 (very worthwhile), entry is by gold coin donations, parking is FREE. And......... please don't wear high heels, it will make it difficult to board the ship (don't say I didn't warn ya!)

For more info:

http://www.doulosdownunder.org.au/Page.aspx?pid=197

Red, ripe and juicy

2008-10-04T16:39:00.016+08:00

Out of the blue......
Classmate J: I wonder how a strawberry tree looks like?
Myself, classmate R and classmate M: -_-'''

This guy obviously needs to see for himself how it looks like, so off we went for an excursion.
HEeheh, strawberry TREES do not exist my friend........

The star today: the strawberry plant

You want a piece of me??

More strawberries .........

Hairy babies

My catch of the day :)

Don't be misled, this is not a strawberry buffet. Uncle very kiasu. The strawberries are not cheap, in fact more expensive than the shops. Not to mention the petrol $$$

Thriftiness die hard, my classmate who claims to be one quarter chinese. Plucking the stems off, so that she can save a few cents

-_-'''

Classmate J's cute guinea pig

The perfect window

2008-09-26T18:57:00.004+08:00

I still remember this place. And hopefully will be revisiting it this coming summer. Nature's window, wait for me!!!!

Phewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..........

2008-09-26T17:36:00.003+08:00

Let me just breathe a sigh of relief, even if it is just for a while.

Upcoming is a week of reprieve that we have all waited for too long. Finally, I can actually have lunch and eat in peace, without thinking of what to catch up on.

After 10 weeks of torturing each other in the chair (actually not that bad lar), have had a taste of what it really feels like to be the one receiving treatment. It was less pleasant that I had imagined. I haven't had a needle since I was five (too young to remember how the pain was), and boy was my mouth numb after we jabbed each other on Wednesday. Feels like half of my face has had a stroke. So yes ...... in future I will be more sympathetic towards my patients.

Say YAY to one week break!!! Still got lotsa stuff to do. But I do hope to be able to catch up with some of you :)

I can tell you, it feels wonderful to be able to sit in front of the TV and just lazeeeeeeeeee.

TOday is the day .....

2008-09-24T07:13:00.003+08:00

.......................... that I'll be shish - kebabing a real person. Everybody is pretty nervous.

Chair buddy, plesase forgive me :p

Clothes line + hooks + dad's ingenious idea equals ....

2008-09-16T20:45:00.010+08:00

AHahah, I know, it may be WAYyyyyyy pass my appropriate age to be playing with these stuff.

Mum said that it was hard to get paper lanterns. The owner of the shop even forgotten that he had some, until mum asked about it. Nowadays the kiddies prefer the battery operated, musical plasticky lantern. Come on!!!! Where has childhood fled to? What is childhood if one has not experienced their paper lanterns burnt? Tsk tsk.

Choice is pretty limited to the kidddy cartoons. What to do, relive childhood lor......

Pika, pika..... chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Who can ever forget Doraemon?

Still....... the classical style looks the best :)

Tom Yam paste has lotsa MSG!!!

2008-09-06T21:09:00.006+08:00

The ugliest looking piece of fish tofu. With eyes so big, it looks like an alien. Boooooooo!!!

Don't mess with me, or risk having your eyes POKED!!! Muahahahhaha

S......t......R........E........s.S.........E................d

2008-09-04T15:37:00.006+08:00

This used to be an effective form of bribery. Couldn't care less for the biscuit sticks, the molten chocolate was more appealing :p

The kawaii biscuit sticks. "Squirrel - Your best friend"??? ..... "Rhinocerous - Think big"??

Haizzzzzz .............. I wish these can function as 'memory sticks' (remember Doraemon??). Write down my lecture notes on the bikkies, gobble it up and it will be in my memory. Wishful thinking, hehe.

Back to school book mugging.

Awaiting the full moon

2008-08-26T23:09:00.000+08:00

It just struck me that mid autumn festival is coming when bro brought home two piggies. How did I not notice the mooncakes at the oriental shop??

They are too cute to be eaten!! Moral of the story, don't buy me any cutesy food stuff, it may end up turning moldy instead of going down my gastrointestinal tract (which was what happened last year). This time round it is gonna be different, I resolute to eat it!! Too full now, let's leave it for tomorrow's snack.

Be warned when you are buying piggies, check that there are no moldy bits.

Heheheh, I am excited about mid autumn festival this year coz we haven't celebrated this together as a family for more than a decade. Hopefully my request for laterns wasn't too late.

Think thank thunk

2008-08-26T17:36:00.000+08:00

Thinking out loud: Really LIVING a life or merely EXISTING??

Really????????????????????????????????

2008-08-21T16:22:00.002+08:00

Is it really???

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=618463

What a treat!!

2008-08-19T20:03:00.003+08:00

Our microbiology lab has been pushed forward, and boy am I glad to get out school earlier :) Tuesday is usually the longest day, finishing close to 6pm. Checked my mobile for messages. Sis has gone home early, needn't pick her up. Bro messaged to say he's cooking dinner.

Perfect!! I shall escape reality for a while. While walking to the car, in my head was figuring out which old haunt to visit. Desperately need to clear my congested head.

Back then when I was still living further south of the river, it was one of the things in life that I enjoyed. There is heaps of places to have a stroll. Walking in the cool of the evening just makes a person feel alive.

There were moments where stifling happenings in the world didn't matter anymore (albeit for a while), moments where pressing questions in life were being thought through, moments where it was just me and God, moments where it was just so quiet that you could hear yourself think, moments that you paused and witnessed life in action and of course there were also moments that anger needed to be exhausted to avoid manifestation of it :p

I haven't do so for a very long time. Life runs like a clockwork everyday. School. Work. School. Work. When end of the day meant having to figure out what to cook for dinner or what assignments to rush, the desire to walk had diminised to nil.

The evening air was cool but not too chilly (the thick clouds above were like insulation blankets). Sunset meant feeding time for the critters out there. The pelican swam alone as usual, gliding along the river bank and ducking its head in water at intervals. Walking side by side to it, I was waiting to see fishies wriggling in its pouch like beak (just like the cartoons). Seems like it's not having any luck with dinner tonight or maybe it had swallowed so fast that I didn't get to see it?

Tailing it for quite a distance, I started to head back as the skylight dimmed a fair bit. Time to head back to reality.

Wait a minute!! What is that?? Something was bobbing in the water. Something that resembled a fin. It was a dolphin!!!

For a moment I wanted to shout to the passerbys that there is a dolphin in the water (so suaku!). In the end I just kept the excitement to myself, coz they'd probably think I am lunatic. Spandex psychos cycled past, joggers ran past, but nobody seemed to notice that there is this live animal in the water. Or maybe they see this everyday till it doesn't seem to bother them anymore.

Of course it is not the first time I've seen a dolphin, but but but but but ............ I have never seen one that swam so close to the river banks!!! It was so close, I could literally touch it (had it been stationary). In the remnants of the daylight, I could see it cut through the water like a blade (about 5/6 foot long). Occassionally surfacing to catch a breath, which sounded like humans gasping for air (really!!). I wished I had a camera with me, but maybe it is better that I didn't coz I would be too distracted snapping away than watching the real thing.

After 5 minutes or so, it swam off tangent and headed towards the city skyline. Watched till I could see its fin no more. Wow, what a sight!! What a treat!!

Definitely should do this more often. Definitely!!

Cutest Coke Ad :)

2008-08-10T21:49:00.001+08:00

Who is he??

2008-08-10T19:52:00.001+08:00

He is " The Waiter"!!! Finally, his true identity is revealed. The mastermind behind "The Waiter Rant" (www.waiterrant.net).

His identity has always been shrouded in mystery, until the recent release of his book. You've gotta read his blog. I have read all his archives, not a dull moment, I can promise you.

Humour, reality, heart warming stories, all meshed into one. The thought process that takes place in his mind is very very close to reality. I feel you waiter!!

My experience in waiting tables is nothing compared to the crap that he has to go through ( I bet I would have thrown in the towel ages ago if I were him). But like him, I don't believe in the theory " The customer is always right". There are psychopaths out there :p

I am glad that he has stepped up a notch. Though I do wonder what is next??

A blessing

2008-08-03T21:53:00.003+08:00

It is indeed a blessing to be able to sleep. Rest and forget all your worries for a little while. Sleep so that you will be ready for a brand new day.

I have learnt my lesson. Putting your immune system into overdrive has it's price to pay. Not funny!

Good and sleep tight everybody!

Labour of love

2008-08-03T21:28:00.007+08:00

An interesting lecturer

2008-07-31T23:46:00.003+08:00

Once in a century, there would be a teacher or lecturer that would make you sit up and listen with interest. Today, I have encountered such a rare species :)

His introduction was really witty, not the usual "Hello, i am Mr xxxx". Self confessed that he is left handed (meaning he has illegible handwriting), dyslexic (can't spell to save his life) and a dental school repeating student (failure doesn't mean the end of the world).

Bored with practising dentistry, he eventually went into research field and later on helped set up dental schools around Australia. The very facility that I am currently studying in, was set up by him as well. My goodness, he is a genius!!

I googled his name, and found endless things that he has contributed or participated in. He has such an inquisitive nature and very passionate about the field that he teaches. Does he even find time to sleep, I wonder?

I don't think I can ever pack my life as full as he does. But I do realise that it is important to continue to explore and be excited about life. Sometimes just gotta step back, observe and never stop being curious.

Now, let me think of crazy stuff to do. I am now comtemplating whether I should keep a fish. A fighting fish?

Raindrops keep falling on my head.... blop blop blop

2008-07-30T00:30:00.003+08:00

After days of having the legs of all my pants soaking wet, maybe wearing gum boots isn't such a crazy idea after all :p

The night was young, and now it's not. Good morning everybody!! YEs, it's pass my bedtime.

Sweet dreams my dear friend, may you still continue to believe that dreams do come true. As hard as it is to see it, one step at a time kay. May you look back at our conversation today and know that things DO happen for a reason ....... a good reason.

Hoon neighbourhood??

2008-07-24T23:36:00.003+08:00

Stepping into the soft feathery rain, felt so relieved that the night is over. At the same time quickening my steps, hoping that I don't get mugged.

My colleague did tell me before I started working the thursday shift (today is my first time) that there will a lot of youngsters hanging around. How wrong I was to think that they would be harmless. Today, with my own eyes, I actually witnessed how much disruption these high school kiddies are capable. Having to ask them to leave the tables at the cafe because they didn't order anything, I was hoping that they would just co - operate and migrate to another spot (wouldn't wanna pick a fight with them, they are taller and bigger than me).

Thankfully the shopping mall security guards were in full force tonight, and were patrolling the vicinity. And believe it or not, at one point of time when it gotten a bit more rowdy, the police actually turned up.

So there you go, the truth about late night shopping at C shopping centre. If you want a more civilised place to shop on thursday night, head to GC shopping centre instead.

After the kiddies have headed home (probably past their bedtime) and the shopping centre had closed for the day, the pub was still alive with loud live music. Geez, it is not even weekend yet and ppl are already starting to drink themselves silly. Don't they have to work tomorrow??

Running just to catch myself

2008-07-22T19:07:00.002+08:00

Lot's of stuff that I wanted to write. But since my butt might be stuck to the chair for the rest of the semester, just couldn't bear to spend remnants of my holiday blogging :)

The semester break was much needed, sanity has been regained for a while, though work has been crazily busy (thanks to the school holidays). Sleep is luxury, and what a difference it makes to sleep without having to worry about beating the jam the next day.

Class has just resumed today, and boy were we slapped left right centre with assessment dates, presentation and assignment deadlines. Looking at the unit outlines (six units this semester), I am seriously worried about the hoops and fires that we would have to jump through.

Knowing that it is going to be a crazy routine all over again, it is time as well to be reminded that in the midst of busyness, quiet moments are needed and would require effort. A friend was telling me that one of her resolution when she finished her holiday would be to "not rush". Let's work on that together!!

How bout you?? Have you always been rushing from one thing to the other??

I remembered this song written by Mark Schultz. Check it out and have a good laugh :)

P.S: I need some guinea pigs to be my patients for the month of October, 9am or 10:30am Thursdays. Anyone brave enough?? Muahahhaha.

2008-06-30T18:38:00.000+08:00

If this is not a sham, i don't know what is!!! Evil evil evil!!!!!!

2008-06-30T18:20:00.001+08:00

Radish. soup. Radish. pickle. Radish. "loh bak gou" (too much work). Pickleeeeeeeeeeeeee pls.

Resolution.......

2008-06-29T18:08:00.006+08:00

One of my weakness is failing to pick up the phone when somebody rings. And the lapse time between receiving the missed call and returning the call can be quite long. I think I can see some ppl nodding their heads in agreement.

Most of the time my phone is on silent mode, sometimes delibrately left so, sometimes i really had forgotten to switch it back to the normal mode.

It never quite bothered me, despite the annoyance it had caused others. That was until yesterday I realised that not picking up the phone has it's price. Twice these last two days I have failed to pick up the phone on the spot when i could have. One of the calls, i missed it and didn't see till the next morning. It was a call from a friend in dishevelled state and needed someone to talk to. If only ....... I had picked up the call. The second call was a cry for help to pick up a stranded girl in Fremantle. The damsel in distress was near to tears I heard.

There are moments in life where once you have missed it, it is too late. Darn it!!

Hence, for the next half of the year, resolution has been made to pay more attention to the phone. I will try!! Now what i need is a swanky ring tone :)

Remember, the phone call that you pick up may change a person's life.

Note: In the event that i do not pick up the phone, I may be in class or at work. So do not fret, I will call back.

An honest food review

2008-06-25T09:43:00.004+08:00

Post Lapsang Suchong saga, bought some Chai Tea (at last!!) yesterday. Everyone was eager to try some. Mum wanted to know what the fuss is about.

My review: Totally different from the cafe version.The reason why i went in search of Chai Tea is because i found out at work that chai lattes served at cafes are mostly made from chai flavoured syrup (yes, syrup!!!!), and wanted to convince myself that the real chai tea leaves should be nicer. I guess the chai syrup has already poisoned my bloodstream, the real leaves just doesn't do it for me.

Dad's review: Ehhhh...... i think the normal tea bag (referring to Boh tea) is nicer ler.

Also bought some Camembert cheese for them to try.

Mum's review: Tastes like cream cheese. I like the cheese from Royal Brunei (they smuggled pieces of cheese into Australia from the plane).

I think it is just better to trust our own taste buds when it comes to eating. The description on the labels can make something sound so out of this world but when you try it, it is nothing out of the ordinary. Powerful are the use of words, ordinary becomes extraordinary, yucky tea becomes adventurous tea.

But anyways, it is important that you love what you eat, eat what you love. Doesn't matter even if it just a simple packet of Indomee.

Stuck in my head

2008-06-25T09:21:00.003+08:00

Was in a merry mood during one of the work days, and had a song stuck in my head, a song that i couldn't complete the lyrics.

Do (doe), a dear a female deer
Re (ray), a drop of golden sun
Mi (me), a name i call myself
Fa (far), a long more way to go
So (sew), a needle pulling thread
La ............. ????????????
Ti (tea), a drink with jam and bread

That song had me at "la", what was it??? I asked my colleagues, they didn't know either. What was it??? Can't even make up something decent with "la".

Went to search the lyrics yesterday. When i saw what "la" was meant to be, LOL. No wonder i couldn't make up anything for it.

More flowers??

2008-06-23T14:42:00.006+08:00

The inside of the house is constantly brrrrrrrrrr........ccccolddddd, as if being in a fridge the whole day. The sun looks pretty inviting, any excuse would be good to get outside of the house, even weeding.

The garden looks much better now, thanks to the downpour of rain. Unlike the struggling state experienced during the harsh summer months, the flowers are brighter, the leaves fresher, and the weeds growing all over the place.

Surprise, surprise. Remember the photo of the red flowers that i had put on the blog some time ago? Found patches of these sprouting out. Woo hoo, the backyard is not that bare after all.

Replanted some in the pot

Weeds or flowers??

Life for sale

2008-06-23T13:23:00.002+08:00

What might look like a wacky idea in the beginnning, now looks ingenious.

If you have been watching the news, you probably would have noticed this piece
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ALife4Sale-Life-For-Sale-Ian-Usher_W0QQitemZ250255442325QQihZ015QQcategoryZ149260QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I was curious how much money that would possibly fetch. Had a shock when i saw the current auction amount. Within one day, it had come up to a hefty amount of over 2 million!!!!! And 6 days more to go till the close of the auction.

Darn, i should have stolen his idea earlier.

Is it a true story about his divorce or is it just another easy peasy way to earn money?? Who knows?? Seems to me that this is a well planned gimmick. And i really scratch my head to fathom why the bidders are willing to shell out a few million dollars to buy his life, which i think doesn't add up to that sum??

With two million, one could have bought a better house in a posher surburb and nicer car etc.

Why huh??

I am for sale too!! No not my life, labour that is. House cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking. Bidding starts at $50/hour. Anyone up for it??

All in an animal's day

2008-06-20T10:22:00.004+08:00

Cat - napping

Welcome to my playroom.

"Come on, come play with me", Ashley waiting eagerly.

Who says pigs can't fly. This one did, all the way from Sabah. (Note: This ain't mine)

Tea time for a tea break

2008-06-16T21:39:00.002+08:00

When i usually do my groceries, it would be a race for time, go in, get the items in the list and then off I go. Since i had my last paper today (hurray!!!!), I went for a long mindless wandering around the shops, looking at grocery items. I know it's weird, but it is one of my favourite things to do when i have time.

The weather has been pretty good for coffee and tea drinking lately, so I thought I'd grab a box of Chai Tea to try. Instead I was distracted, I went on looking at the different tea leaves that were on sale for Twinings (that's the tea that you see Nigella Lawson sipping on tv). Lady Grey, Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast, Ceylon Orange, Lapsang Souchong.... etc.

Lapsang Souchong caught my interest, sounded so exotic. Have heard of it in some cafe's extensive tea list and some other occasion.

Label reads: " Lapsang Souchong tea comes from China's Fujian Province and Taiwan. The unique flavour of Lapsang Souchong is produced by laying the leaves on bamboo trays and allowing smoke from pinewood to permeate through them. Twinings Lapsang Souchong is an adventurous tea with a unique smoked flavour and dark rich colour. Drink it with or without milk."

To try or not to try?? 10 tea bags, what have I got to lose?? The tea comes from China, probably won't taste that bad. Maybe I would like it?? Okie dokes, i am getting it.

Wooooww............. the overpowering waft of smokyness was the first thing that hit me when opened the packaging. Blehhhhhh...... really smells like smoke. This has gotta be the most disgusting smelling tea ever. At this point, I was really regretting why I hadn't just gone for the Chai tea as I originally intended. Uh ohh...

Staring at the dark brown liquid, i braved myself to take a tiny sip. Smells like smoke, tastes like SMOKE! Yucks. Still not giving up, i doused some sugar and milk into it. Much better, i think the milk tamed the smoke smell. Still tastes a bit weird. But guess what, i still finished the whole cup of tea. The more you sip it, the more you get used to the weirdness of it. That's so WEIRD!

As a conclusion, I like this tea as much I like being in a room full of ppl smoking ciggies. Don't think I'll be trying any new teas for a long long time.

Sometimes when trying something new, you'll be disappointed and wishing you would have just done what you have usually done. Sometimes you get surprised and find something new to like.

I may not have fallen in love with Lapsang Souchong, but at least I know how it tastes and smells like. And....... i can tell you that Lapsang Souchong is definitely for the ADVENTUROUS ppl. No kidding.

Sigh..... 9 more tea bags to go. Anyone wants to give it a shot??

Archives of your life

2008-06-13T23:28:00.003+08:00

Hey my fellow bloggers, have you ever read your own blog's archives??

I just did, and had a good laugh and the photos sure brought back lot's of memories.

Gotta keep this blog going, precious memories to be recorded, happiness to be shared, frustrations to be vented.

And please please PLEASE keep your blogs going too. I love blog reading, and i do check on your blogs from time to time.

Home sweet home

2008-06-13T22:15:00.005+08:00

Mumsy, dis is your precious baby

It used to be that i was quite often homesick. Listening to Micheal Buble's "Home" would probably sprout tears in my eyes instantly.

Everyone of us has something, somewhere that we call HOME. You may like it, you may not like it, but undeniably you have one, or are wishing for one. After all, home is where we rest.

Where is home?? The place you were born?? The place that you had stayed the longest?? The place that you fell in love with?? The place you currently reside?? Heaven??

I have been living in so many different places in different phases of my life, it is quite confusing for someone to understand and quite a long story for me to tell.

Home is where the family is, in one piece, to me that is. I have been homesick since 15 years ago.
I am listening to Buble's crooning as I am typing this. But I don't feel sad anymore, because home is coming to me soon!! I can see the gap closing up.

5 more days!!! Woo hooooo!!!!

What can I say except that I am truly blessed :)

Jap fever

2008-06-13T17:59:00.005+08:00

Detective Galileo, brilliant from start till finish!!

福山雅治好帅!!!!

I admit, i was never the kind of person that can sit down and study for long periods. Never was, never will.

Watching tv is kinda like a way to keep my sanity, a reward (somewhat like the 'carrot dangling' method). However, the tv programme here is BLAND (blehhhhhhhhh), truthfully awful at times!!!!

The saving grace is jap dramas found online :) Ohhh i love it so!!!!

If only studying was this fun, ahahhahahahha.

Knock, knock .... is your skull empty inside ah??

2008-06-11T23:05:00.005+08:00

Tonight, when the two of you were giving me a sheepish smile while tip toeing on the wet floor, i did wish that you would fall flat on your face (evil i know, just so that you would learn a lesson for your idiocrasy). How dare you walk across when i am mopping right in front of you!!! There is still plenty of space that you could have walked around, yet you chose to cross the wet floor just to save you a few centimetres of walking.

And guess who gets sued if you do slip and have a head concussion huh?? Yours truly.

It is not the first time that i encountered such stupidity, as there are a lot of empty "coconut heads" roaming around nowadays.

Why oh why, why do ppl not use their brains and think for the sake of others and their own self

As Phua Chu Kang always say: "Use your blain, use your blain, use your blain!!!!"

Use your blardy brains pls!!!!

Check out the cow!!

2008-06-10T13:16:00.002+08:00

"Map out your future, but do it in pencil" - Jon Bon Jovi

Well said, jonny boy :)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2008-06-04T08:51:00.003+08:00

Sleepy Bear Cub

A little video to brighten your day :)

The sleep inducing effects of text books does the same thing to me. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

SATC

2008-06-04T07:28:00.002+08:00

The cafe was unusually quiet yesterday. Where has the usual movie night crowd gone to? Perhaps the students are busy mugging for exams at home?

Every Tuesday, there is this group of 3 girls that would meet to watch a movie and have coffee at the cafe. Without fail, they have turned up every single movie night!! So they are kinda like a walking living movie review bible. Occasionally i would get the "don't waste your money on this movie" warning from them :)

The girls came and had their usual order of things. They too noticed that things were a bit on the quiet side. Their deduction is that a lot of ppl are saving up their movie tics for the release of the SATC movie this thursday.

It is the "IT" movie at the moment. Splashed over magazines, radio and tv. I don't know about the male species, but i am pretty sure a lot of ladies are waiting eagerly for it. My colleague was poring over a magazine that had SATC as the feature story, oohing and aahing over the Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos.

I guess it is just fun to be imagining IF you can live that kind of life huh? Even if it is fictious.

Safe to drink

2008-06-02T12:24:00.003+08:00

Read this from my textbook today: "Urine excreted by healthy kidneys is sterile". (That is until it is hits the toilet bowl ler).

Sterile means that it is free from bacteria and. Wow, so it is safe to drink your pee then.

I'm not advocating pee drinking as some cultures do, but in case of desperation, yes it is safe to do so.

Cheers mate!!!

Can you tell which of the above is not beer??

The other side of the world

2008-05-26T20:04:00.003+08:00

Came across this pic while blog surfing. When i had a careful look, my heart felt the pain. I simply cannot imagine the loss.

Living in this side of the world, we are pretty much sheltered from any disaster. Hearing about news like what recently happened in China and Burma, it didn't really sink into my head properly. It's just another piece of bad news and gotta move on with life, i thought.

Let this be a reminder that we can't continue being oblivious to the things that are happening around us. As important as it is to keep up in the rat race, it's more crucial that we don't lose our soul and go into the 'zombie' mode.

God is never in slumber, may His peace be with them.

milk your own cow :)

2008-05-24T22:12:00.003+08:00

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g4/index.htm

How long did it take you to fill your bucket??

My best record ..... 18:88 seconds .... after gazillion attempts .... now my wrists needs a good rest.

How to break the record of 1:1 seconds??

Wooo hoooo.... joy oh JOY!!!

2008-05-23T21:52:00.002+08:00

Just received super duper great news !!! Congrats to yous!!

Anyways shan't let the cat out of the bag, let yous tell the world yourself.

Gambateh neh!!

2008-05-19T19:46:00.003+08:00

Exams are looming, and my sense of urgency is not quite there yet. Scary eh!

I am already dreaming of the day i finish my papers.... muahahha. I am dreaming of a road trip, shall wait and see what happens.

To all that are having exams, ALL THE BEST!!! May you start studying early, sleep well, eat well and be merry :)

Especially Miss Yu, this may be your last exam for a very very long time, so JIA YOU! I want to attend your graduation.

Miss To, don't play too much ya. Remember that black panda eyes are not too attractive.

Okie dokes, for the rest of you, you have not seen the last of me. Shall see what kind of weird things i can think of to write. Fact: This blog started off during one of the days that i had my assessment.

Ice ice Baby!!!

2008-05-16T21:39:00.007+08:00

For as long as Icey Ice had been opened, i had never tried their stuff before. Probably equivalent to telling someone that i have not tried bubble tea since Utopia churned out their first cup of tea

On the way home, i drove past their new vic park branch, and decided that today is the day!!! I think thirst must have messed up my brains, icy stuff on such cold day?? Looking at all the pretty pictures, i was hopeful that it is going to be GREAT!!!! The mangoes look lucious and inviting, so mango shaved ice it is.

Well ..... to be honest there is nothing to rave about (blehhhh...... i am disappointed). Where is the consumer watch dog?? I want to report!!! Why is it that the product that i received is nothing near what i saw on the pictures??

Yes the ice was nicely shaved .... I would even go as far to say that it is so finely shaved that it looked more like cotton candy than your normal average shaved ice. But taste wise, it was bland, felt like i was eating plain ice, accompanied by a few stripes of ribbon syrup and a few pieces of measly frozen mango. In the moments i was having a brain freeze from the shaved ice, i told myself again and again, never waste money on ICE. Ahhahah.

Calories are not meant to be wasted on bad food. Which nowadays i find is quite common of outside food. Expensive, bland food (sometimes comes with bad service as well).

Oh well, the self made milk tea gave me more satisfaction in the end :)

Suprise in the backyard

2008-05-12T22:29:00.003+08:00

In the midst of the sandy patch in the backyard, i saw something pretty!!!

Leave me some face ya

2008-05-11T20:41:00.004+08:00

Knowing that today is Mother's Day, i prepared myself and headed off to work earlier than usual, expecting that today is gonna be a challenging day which would probably render me temporarily crippled after the shift.

As i was walking towards the cafe, there were already a few tables that were filled. Early birdies gets the best feed right? Well, one of my colleagues wasn't exactly feeling very chirpy, i can hear the clinging and clanging of dishes from the kitchen. Bumpy road ahead i fear.

After looking at the list of items not available for breakfast i knew why the cook (Colleague N) is extremely grumpy. The guy on the previous shift (Colleague P) did not defrost some of the items, did not stock up and on top of that there wasn't enough bread ordered (which is one of the staple ingredients).

P came in later in the morning, and of course there wasn't a warm welcome waiting for him. N was furious and gave him a huge dressing down. To be honest, she had gone a bit too far perhaps. After all, he is still a red - blooded male, and they have this thing called male EGO. Poor bugger, he was scolded right in front of everybody else, it was painful to watch, and the selection of words wasn't quite appropriate either. P was really quiet throughout the day. I hope that he learnt his lesson. Ouch, that was painful.

My dear friends, when you are so angry, pls remember to leave some face for the person that you are wagging your fingers at. After all, we are all capable being an idiot at times, agreed??

Don't hide your appreciation

2008-05-11T19:32:00.002+08:00

As usual i stopped by the oriental shop while doing my grocery runs.

"Bringing your wife out for dinner tonight?" asked one of the customers. The shop uncle chided:" What for?? No need to waste money lar. Every year also have MOther's Day."

The shop auntie just laughed.

Hmmmm..... i am wondering..... do the mums feel that it really is ok not to celebrate Mother's Day? Coz it is the same with my family, all dad did was cook instant noodles for mum (he is famous for his "not instant" noodle) today.

But of course i know that mum really doesn't care much about Mother's Day. Everyday is Mother's Day she said, so everyday the kids have to listen to her :)

I think it is just an asian thing..... appreciation is not really shown outright. I am sure my mum feels appreciated everyday (dad helps her out everyday), and the shop auntie as well (mum and dad said that they always see the uncle doing the heavy stuff in the shop).

Well..... there is always room for improvement right? If you love your mum, say you lub her ya!!!

MUMSY, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!! My dear mum and friend :)

2008-05-04T19:19:00.002+08:00

As of late i realise something, and it is something i observed from my parents. A person that is truly rich ...... is not someone that has everything ...... but it is is someone that knows how to enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life.

It is just a simple fact. No matter how much one has, if one doesn't treat it as something precious, it is just an OBJECT bought by money. In that aspect, i have much to learn.

HEheh, i think sometimes we just get too caught up with wanting to earn more money so we can buy better stuff. I know i am somewhat sucked into that idea.

Before i began the course, i asked myself and i asked god, what good can i do with it?? After some thought, I decided then in my heart that i want to be able to use my hands to help ppl. To help those that can't even afford basic dental care. To help my friends (yes you who are reading this) as well.

In the beginning, the course was quite alright. Despite warnings from the lecturers that it is going to be tough, i was thinking that it's not at all that bad.... he he. Halfway into the course, when the prac sessions went to the deeper end of the pool, i began to feel the heat. Truth to be said, a dental clinician requires a lot of precision and confidence, which is what i lack. Sometimes i don't understand what i am doing (well, not just me), sometimes my hands don't want to behave (don't worry, i am sure by the time you are my patient, my hands would have been tamed), sometimes the hands feel weak (easily tired). How to be a good clinician huh

On top of that assignments and assessments has rendered my mind numb. That isn't good, coz i start to have the thoughts of "oh dear, what have i gotten myself into".

Two days ago, i forced myself to sit down and rethink what i really want to achieve. Coz it has gotten to the point where i keep whining about work and school. HAhaha, who would want to be talking to someone that is whining all the time?? Sorry ppl, i hope i haven't scared you away

It is not a burden that is so heavy that it is beyond my ability to shoulder it. Coz i haven't come to the end of the road yet. Far from it. It is just that i have tunnel vision. Once i get sucked into something that stresses me out, i get caught in it. All i see is the black clouds looming.

I am hopeful now. I would like life to be a field of sunflowers instead of black clouds hanging over my head. Inheriting some my dad's behaviour and temperament, i must some how have inherited his resilience as well right?? My dad is a real toughie. So is mumsy

Well, i shall say no more. God, You are in this with me. I haven't forgotten what i have promised You. And my dear friends, thanks for your concern. Really appreciate that.

It is time to learn to stop and smell the roses as well as handling the things in life. Are you finding life tough at the moment?? Stop what you are doing for a while, take a walk and get a whiff of fresh air.

Heheheh, my dear camera, since i have recharged your batteries yesterday, it time you work your charm as a record keeper again.

Is there anything that one can't find online

2008-05-03T17:40:00.004+08:00

Guess who just recently joined the blogosphere???

http://www.chedet.com/

No doubt that this blog is written by the 'real deal' coz it was publicised in the newspaper. Tsk tsk.

His "About Me" column made me laugh. Basking on past glory ??

Why doesn't he write about cooking, or gardening or golfing instead ??

Now, i want to google for LKY's blog, hehe

Irony

2008-05-03T15:15:00.002+08:00

Gideon: The first recorded war was in 2700 BC.

Hotch: That is almost 5000 years of of killing each other.

Gideon: (sigh)That is one thing that humans have been consistently good at doing.