Salute!

Today was a beautiful day; with the sun up high on full blast, clear blue sky and the reduced level of turbine power. So I decided to grab my notes and Mom out for a nice walk at the park and naively thought of doing some readings. Even had Mom brought her story book along. The plan was to visit the Shrine of Remembrance and followed by a tour of the Royal Melbourne Botanical Garden. The Garden part did not work out in the end, and so was my reading. Anyhow there was a ceremony at the Shrine today and while we were sniffing around, we heard some gun shots. Here’s the funny part:

(After three gun shots.. BANG, BANG, BANG)

Mom: Hmm.. there must be sending someone off today. Three gun salute.

Ean: Yeah? Wow.. We are attending some soldier’s funeral! Cool! (thinking mom should know all these military stuff since Dad was in the Air Force last time)

(another gun shot)

Ean: eh.. Four? I thought you said three? Auz must be doing it different.

(still followed by subsequent gun shots.. By the time it reaches the seventh/eighth ones..)

Mom: Wah!! This fella must be some ‘big potato’ ya! So many gun shots for him. Usually Three only!

Ean: Wah!! So happy that we can attend big shot’s funeral.. =) May he rest in peace.

Later that evening, as we were skyping with Dad, we told him of the privilege of attending a ‘big shot’ funeral that had Twelve gun shots. He must be pretty high ranking since he has four times the usual Salute! Then dad said this:

Dad: Funeral usually only got 12 or 24 Salute la…. Don’t have three one.

………….. The end ……………

 

( If you squeeze your eye really small, you should be able to see Mom and I. )

Visitor from home.

Did I mention that my mom’s here for the month in conjunction to my exams which start in 4 days times? No? Well, now I have.

My dearest mommy had been here for 2 weeks now and she had done a fabulous job in fattening me up. After all, that IS her primary objective. Secondary objective, improve her beloved daughter’s health. In which, she is going on a highway speed with that. Mind you, Auz highway not Msian highway. Msian highway allows you to go as fast as 200 km/h without getting caught, Auz highway; the minute you exceeded 112 km/h you will get a bill in your post box the next week. But I do see signs of me getting healthier or rather so fat that my dark circles are covered by my cheek fats!! LOL! Mom’s tertiary objective is probably losing some weight herself. She had been walking a LOT and refuse to take the trams giving excuses that (i) the weather make it nice to walk even though its raining and would probably hail, (ii) its not worth to pay the $3 and (iii) I need to exercise! (yeap, she drag me along for afternoon walks).

But having her make this place felt so much more like home. Every time I come home from work/uni, I can smell that dinner is ready (complete with home cooked soup!). If I’m cold, I can always snuggle over. When I’ve headache or rather fake headaches, I can bermanja-manja and she would massage my head. I’m so blessed. =)

My Bday celebration!!

Best Birthday EVER! Started off on 30^th March, 11 pm when my homies and I were supposedly have a couple of shots to celebrate the coming of my 23^rd Birthday. Then suddenly the door bell buzzes… BUZZZ!! Terence went to have a look and told us that it was our irritating neighbours again. But then he walked over to the door and in comes two familiar faces; Tash and David! Yeap, I shrieked. How sweet of them to come over (with six of bottles of beer). No wonder Tika was busy cleaning the house in the evening. She’s just too adorable. *ku chi ku chi*

Near to 12 am, I decided to prepare a shot of tequila for everyone. But Terence kicked me out and asked me to stay in the living room instead. Innocently, I thought it was because of my birthday and he didn’t want me to do things myself. So I was chatting with David in the living room (should have notice that Tika and Tash was missing) when suddenly the birthday song started playing in Tika’s lappy. Then out of nowhere, my friends from DIS popped up from the front door singing the Birthday song for me!! There was a cake even! Owwwhhh~~~ Yeap, I shrieked again. It was so touching that I nearly cried. There were Shelley, Molly, Louise, Avnit, Siddharth, Rock and Jeremy. Love u guys!!

My Birth-Day was amazing as well. Met Jill Jill for lunch at this fancy pastry café nearby Mont Albert, accompanied by her mom and brother. It has been ages since I’ve catch up with her so meeting during this auspicious day was just perfect. Thanks for the treat! After lunch, went over to the Drop In Station for another surprise. I got a $100 MAC (the cosmetic) voucher from the team!! Muahahhahaha!!!!  How I love my colleague. Muackz! Oh yeah, Tika gave me pressie as well. A yacht trip for two down at Mornington Peninsular to see dolphins!!!!! Hohohohoohoho!!

Dinner was planned by Terence. Went to a Chinese restaurant on Smith St and I’m telling you, they serve the best Peking Duck in Victoria! The skin was crispy and tasteful. The meat was stir fry to perfection with the bean curds. YUMMY! After dinner, we head to Crown for a session in the arcade. Hehe. I’m still a kid.. but we also stopped by at the casino for 1 round of Roulette in which we lost $6 and got a $1 chip for a souvenir or rather a Birthday gift? Hehhehe.

 

I’ve no idea why Terence is not in this picture

Last trimester!

Work had been exhausting. I know I should not complain considering the hefty wages that they are generously paying me but seriously.. Auditing was tiring but this is a whole different thing. When I was in Audit, I was just a small potato. Its not like I am a big potato now, but just that I had to make more decisions and most of this decisions has ripple effects! But in any case I still like the job, especially when I get to make a video out of it in the coming week. Muahahhaa!!

Studies were even worse!! Bloody effing 13 assessments in a trimester. With online test, financial reports and an aim to publish my group’s journal! I’m speechless. I am so scared and fearful of my studies that I am starting to study in Week 2. Not to mention starting my assignment as well. I go to uni every single day at 8 am and comes back around 6 pm.. On Tuesday, I come home at 9 pm. What is happening to my honey-moon-and-totally-easy-student-life? Sigh... Oh oh!! Its not entirely bad news though. For my last trimester, I got a HD in my HRM!! I know for some folks out there it is an easy thing but trust me when I say that this HD was hard earned and entirely relied on my good karmas. Thank you Buddha!

The house is also an issue. Had been packed! Let’s leave it at that. =)

AND THEN.. there is this job application thing. I had been applying to Graduate Programs around the Big 4 for a week now. Aiming for Audit again.. I know a lot of my friends would say that I am crazy (including my sceptical boyfriend) but I cannot help it. Audit is my passion! At least for this few years. Do not ask why I love Audit coz I am not sure myself. I just felt happy auditing firms. Crazy eh? Anyway, this ‘filling up application thing’ and almost ‘begging to be hired’ is so stressful. Of course, the awareness that I am after all a foreigner here is not making it any easier. Sometimes it made me wonder that wouldn’t it be so much more easier if I just go straight back to Malaysia? But... one can’t give up without trying right?

And finally!! One of my favourite Darlings (you know who you are) is getting married! Yeap!! She’s finally tying the knots!!! I’m so absolutely happy for her. Although I did dropped a tear (or ten..) when I heard the news, I am really happy for her. HONEST!! Her fiancée is undoubtedly a loving one and he treasures her to bits. So I wish them the best of married life and may the fiancée allows me see my Darling when I am back in Malaysia.

See ya next time!!

Under the stars

As we reach the roof top, there are already rows of beach seats nicely arranged facing the stage while the sounds of waves crushing the beach and the heated game of volleyball is still audible. As the ‘egg yolk’ slowly sinks into the horizon, the band starts to play some of their signature songs. Eventually, the sounds from the beach fade away and replaced by the intriguing beats that moves our body.

Right in front of us is this huge white screen that shaped like a TV and far back is a stall selling nothing but the usual alcoholic drinks.

By 9 pm onwards, the seats are all filled up and the host went on stage to brief us on emergency exits, toilets and switching off the cellphone. As soon as that is over, the movie finally started. With the tiny stars shining above and sea gulls flying around causing a ‘shooting star’ effect, it was indeed a nice romantic evening to spent with my Honey. Though the temperature was a ridiculous 10C for summer and the seats are so far apart that snuggling was impossible, it was still absolutely sweet.

And yeap, I’m talking about the Open Air Cinema in St.Kilda. Definitely one of the attractions to try when you are in Melbourne.

Acquaintances

Sometimes you meet a person for a couple of hours and had absolutely great conversation. Both of you share many ideas in common and you had the best time ever. Yet, after the conversation finishes you never kept in touch. There was just no need.

While other times, you meet people that you don’t expect to be good friends. You hated them in the first instance and the conversation feels draggy and boring. But yet a couple of months or years later when you guys bump into each other again, it felt like you had been friends for ever and miraculously you felt this strong and old connection. As if you had been close for long.

Life is just so interesting isn’t it? Cherish every moment of it and try not to complain. You never know what will happen next. =)

Quotes:

~Love is weird. There’s actually a weird pleasure in loving someone who doesn’t love you back~

~A lesson I learned from toothache, even the sweetest thing on earth can hurt!~

~When the past calls, let it go to the voicemail. It has nothing new to say!~

Last week of 2010 (^^)

Before this beautiful 2011 goes any further, I just wanna wrap up bout the last week of 2010.

IT WAS AWESOOME !!!

omg... feel so American-o bimbo now.

But anyhow, it is good. The Christmas eve party at Tingting’s place had been accommodative. There were many more people than I expected and gosh... the presents.. are simply to fall for. I’ve never received sooo many presents before!! I just declared 2010 Xmas as the best I ever went through. I know I’m pretty much acting like a kid now.. yet since I’ve been deprived of Xmas celebration for 20 years of my life, acting like a kid is totally cool. And what is better than spending Christmas with company of close friends?

Christmas day was nothing less. Went out with Tika’s colleague for a family-work luncheon. Felt so homey being with them. Almost felt like I belong there although ironically I only got acquainted with them on that day itself. LOL! There were unlimited supply of food and lunch eventually dragged on to supper at midnight. Lots of cheery conversation and nothing emotional. I just love their style!! We were also crazy enough to join the last minute planned trip to Marysfield which had been the cherry on the icing. The sunset view had been absolutely heavenly. In fact, there was a point where I thought the heaven door did open for us! Halleluya~~

Few days before New Years were spent in Phillip Island with Tash, Samora, Lachy, David & Tash’s family. Lots of sun, tanning, freezing sea water and of course, drinks. It is the beach after all. Though there were some issues on those boys, I can’t say the same with the house. It is such a great place to have a group of crazy friends over to crash it. But the cleaning up next day would be a pain. Hehehe. But yeah, spent enough time with those fellas to ensure they wouldn’t complain again if I ever stood them up on the weekly drinks. =)

New Year Eve... Tika, Linda & I went down to Docklands Pier to enjoy the marvellous fireworks. I had to admit.. it is the best show so far! We were neither too near nor too close so we don’t have to tilt over head till it hurts. It was the right place to be for that 10 minutes show. (and its free too.. hohoho!)

New Year is not so good though. Just realised a cruel fact and beat myself up for being such a desperado bitch. I didn’t realise it had been so long and am making a fool of myself. But ain’t gonnna elaborate and ruin my whole year. We need to start a year with positive vibe to make sure it last the entire year!! Its like starting a day with a good breakfast and a hearty laugh. Yeap. That breakfast & laugh thing is what I will do for the rest of the 363 days.

Cheers!!

♥