Whad TingTing Thinks Bout Everything

Valentine

2011-02-14T13:01:00.001+08:00

New year post

2011-01-04T12:25:00.000+08:00

This year's new year post came a bit late... was sick from the 31st to the 1st Jan. 2nd Jan was spent on the earliest bus back to KL. 2 - 3 Jan was spent sick... Thus, this post appear today - the 4th.
2010 has been the most memorable year of my life. there. Full Stop. =)

After what seemed like 4 months

2010-08-27T06:34:00.000+08:00

After what it seemed like 4 months, i finally had another entry to my lame blog page (as according to my sister). Guess that shows that there's nothing much going on in my life! LOL... Was actually kinda inspired by sis's entries... The past few months had been crazy! and still is going to... Will definitely update some Tassie pics soon...

ANZAC Day experience

2010-04-26T07:57:00.000+08:00

It was 2.45am when i woke up... and as usual, in the sleepy mode, i was contemplating to go or not to go... Finally, after a long battle which lasted for 2 minutes, i got up and went to brush my teeth, ate a few Anzac biscuits and started my day.
The feeling of waiting for the bus in the cold, dark morning reminded me of those schooling days back in Penang. The bus arrived at about 4 am and was in Anzac Square in 10 minutes.

The Dawn service was held in the at the Anzac square - The shrine of Remembrance. I was amazed at the attendance that sombre morning...It was packed with people who came to pay their respect to those who have fallen on the battleground. There were many smartly dressed gentleman and ladies with their medals pinned onto their suits and dresses.

All lights in the square was switched off for a few minutes.

Perhaps the most heart wrenching moment was when the public takes turn to place flowers in the shrine, while the choir sings a song ( i couldn't remember exactly what song, but it was a sad one)..

I could hear sniffing behind me and the middle-aged man beside me was wiping his tears away. It was then, I truly felt the price we pay for war. The service ended at 5 am. I then spent the next 5 hours wondering around the city.

It was a cold morning, and walking past the Victoria street, i caught a glimpse of one of SouthBank's best view (i reckon). There was a heavy mist that morning at 5 and Brisbane River looked like a haunted river setting. Several people who walked passed the bridge took pictures along the way... It looked eerie.

I stood there for almost an hour and by about 6, a city ferry made its way to the Sydney St stop... from far, it looked like a ghost ship, from 'Pirates of the Carribean'.

By 6.30, the mist was clearing off and the sky got brighter. I took a walk around southbank, taking pictures of the wheel... I was surprised how interested i was still, towards the wheel after being in Brisbane for 15 months... My stomach started to grumble so i decided to head back to the city for breakfast. Somehow i ended up at the shrine of remembrance again to take better photographs.

Was there for another 3o minutes before heading towards Hungry Jacks for convenient toilet facilities. I felt bad for using it for free so i bought Breakfast and sat there for an hour till 9am, with my crossword puzzle. Feeling ANZAC-y, i bought a poppy pin for the day.

The procession began at 10am with the

horse mounted soldiers

Bands

Bagpipes band

machine gun

and i was feeling a sudden surge of patriotism. I was standing first, at the barricade and got an awesome view of the whole parade. I learned that medals worn on the left are the ones earned by the wearer, while medals on the right are of their relatives' who has fallen at the battleground.

I realized that many of right-medal wearers are women and children... It saddens me to think that that those might have belonged to their mother or father. For every medal worn, it stood for a lost son, daughter, father, mother, siblings.

I couldn't imagine losing someone that close and how devastating it would be for the wearer.

I did some flashbacks of the MUN conference i have been to, and wondered what are the real leaders actually doing during the actual UN conference. There they are, in their expensive suits and their swelling ego, debating what's good for their countries, but the truth is that those who are actually realizing their words are the people. Innocent people who are sent to do such dangerous tasks. The worries among the troops which were sent for any reason - peacekeeping, to fight for their country, double (or triple) up with their family members fearing for their safety, wondering if they'll be seeing their wife,husband,mother,father,son,daughter again...
It might have been 95 years since the ANZAC landed in Galipoli, and what have we learned from these annual memorials? Personally, i felt that some of the world leaders have learn very little from it... How much have they learned? You tell me

Back to Uni!

2010-03-06T19:25:00.000+08:00

The first day of uni feels like the first day in grade 1... After the first 30 minutes in uni, i wanted to go home - BADLY. I kept looking out of the window to see if a familiar face whom i call mum would appear and take me home..

I was a lil late for my first class in the morning, partly due to the fact that i was lost in the sea of nomads travelling from one lecture hall to another... The hallway was so noisy, everyone's talking so excitedly, especially the girls - gosh! Anxiety sets in, the hallway seemed to be spinning... Thank god i managed to locate the tutorial room before i collapsed onto the floor, risking myself to a possible stampede...

After 3 months of almost completely out of touch with the academic world, it's a lil hard to get back to all these stuff... First 2 weeks was so hectic! Lectures, workshops, tutorials, meetings, social functions, so many things to do, so little time! I can't breathe! Just as some of our friends are recovering from their slight jet-lag before adjusting themselves to Brisbane's incredibly lunatic weather, we are all drenched to the bone with endless assignment descriptions and DEADLINES raining on us!! 3rd year is indeed proving itself to not being a honeymoon year...

NewYear, NewHouse

2010-01-03T07:07:00.001+08:00

I might not be a frequent blogger, but i made sure that every new year I publish a blog article... My 2010 New Year is the most not happening event of all new years, but because of this, it'll always be remembered as the loneliest, quietest, most peaceful New Year ever... While my friends in Sydney are watching awesome fireworks

displayed over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House with the many thousand of people, i was doing the dishes in my new house after a

lil dinner with Pavi and Morgan in my new house.
It never occurred to me that it's already 12 am, until i hear distant cheering from the nearby houses...That's when i went "Happy New Year, Ting"...

To Penang and Back

2009-07-24T00:39:00.000+08:00

Here I am, sitting in front of the laptop typing away on my fourth day of my first week back in Brisbane...It was a hectic week, but it's good to be back again, and fun to meet those friends again.

The journey back to Penang this time made me realize changes - myself and Penang. I felt uneasy during the first few days back in hometown... can't help but to keep on comparing everything in Brisbane and Penang. Then I realized what i was doing was not right - I'm being raised in Penang, and this is the place where my roots begin... how can i start to loathe this place only after 5 months of being in some other places? What will happen after 2 years when i'm back? I might not be able to live my life then! I gave myself a good scolding and an imaginary tight slap on both cheeks, and things we looking better then...
Being back at home, i saw that there were so many problems going on in the house..Very often, i feel like going back to Brisbane again so that i don't have to face these problems anymore.. Then i realized that avoidance is never the best way to solve a problem. I have to face them and find alternatives.. Nothing in life has the ultimate solutions to them, so what i could do was to wait and only time will tell when these problems will be overcome...With these difficulties arising, i understand that there are loads of responsibilities thrusted upon me although it's not stated.

Coming back home, i realized how much warmth is there in the family... Mum and dad are really supportive of what i'm doing all the time.. They're always there for me and made sure i get whatever food i wanted!!! It's really good to be back once again. By the end of first week, i am already loving Penang loads! What 'grass is greener on the other side' mentality?! Bah!
People in Brissie might be friendly, asking 'How're doing' (although at times you do question if they really mean it) , but Penangites are really sincere people although they look cold on the outside. This is just how culture shaped them. There's less hugging, kissing or close proximity for private space among the people. And where else can you find satay seller giving you extra satays to make it up, just because you bought his satay without wanting kuah kacang? I begin to appreciate the nosy-ness of my neighbours cos it shows that they care for you (well not all the time, but mostly!). They might be living only on a small island, and might not be as sophisticated as the people on the 'otherside of the world', but they sure gave me the warmth of being back at home once again...We can never compare cultures...that'll be ethnocentric. I'm proud to say that i take pride in the culture of my own people as this is what makes them so special...
I'm glad for the trip back to Penang as i opened my eyes to loads of things around me...

Also worth mentioning is my 21st bday... Always wanted to spend them with my family members and i did it! Although nothing fancy, but it was meaningful...

After 3 weeks in Penang, i don't feel like going back to Brissie. It feels so good to be mummy and daddy's pampered daughter, and also having my best sister around me to crap about stuffs, and doing shopping together... Before i know it, i was back in the cold Brisbane, starting my independent life once again...

Spring cleaning and winter holidays

2009-06-12T11:19:00.000+08:00

Yesterday marked the last academic days for the first semester...Out of the sudden, i felt so free that i do not know what to do with myself.. I started cooking to drown my little misery (that majority of my friends are going off for holidays in a few days time and will be only back when the new semester starts). I cooked for Pavi's house and it was really fun to be with the boys... There's always endless joke for everyone!

And today, i woke up, had my breakfast and started cleaning most part of the house - the kitchen and the living room.. People say girls are cleaner than boys , I beg to differ!!! We are almost at the same level, if not some are worse... Anyway, i sorta enjoyed the whole process, cos i made me feel productive and not just a block of wood. Then back to checking my webmail again (for the hundredth time!!) It's so torturing to wait for the response for a job... What if i don't get any of them? i'll probably die of boredom during this holiday... And with so many things i want to do, without a job, i think i'll just have to burn my plannings over here in Brissie... Man, life's miserable!!! And starting tomorrow, i'll be living alone in this huge place...

I'll be stucked in a duplex in the beautiful city of Brisbane, Australia for a month...with so much free time during the holidays, without working and living on gov's scholarship... Ah, what a wonderful world! [-_-]

Superb Sydney!

2009-06-04T18:49:00.000+08:00

The final few weeks passed hastily as everyone was taken up by endless assignments and tests before the first semester ends... Ah, how time flies! It's now almost the end of the semester, marking (almost) the first half of my year in Brisbane! During these time, i had the best moments of my life, and Sydney marked the final awesome moments in this first semester before i begin my slavery to earn more cash for future travelling...!

My trip to Sydney lasted only for 5 days 4 nights. Our accommodation was in Kings Cross - the most happening red district area in Sydney, i reckon!

The first few places visited was the market at Paddington

the reservoir...

and saw some rainbows as well!

We kicked off the first night with attending a Jazz concert by famous Australian Jazzman - James Morrison who played tribute to Louis Armstrong, accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra...

We were late for the concert and was rushing up the steps with the rest of the late comers... At that time, i wasn't thinking of anything except for "Shit, we're late, i cant believe we're late!!!" When i finally arrived in the concert hall, my first reaction was just a gasp. Yup. A GASP.

I was overwhelmed and appalled by the huge concert hall... and i really didn't know what to say... It was something which was totally out of what i thought of the opera house (well, i didn't have any thoughts at all actually...)But it was just amazing! I took my seat, and enjoyed the concert with the rest of the 2,678 audiences in the hall that night.

A lil rewind, back to the moments before the concert...Partly the cause of us being late for the concert - Vivid Sydney!

The sails of the Opera House was lighted up by lazer lights from far and it was impossible to not take any pictures at all.. although i was shivering really badly due to the ultra cold weather (well, it wasn't that cold, but i'm no abominable snow-woman!).

The night scene of the city was fantastic! Due to my shaky hands, the pics were mostly blur... sadlah.. but overall, it was good!!!

Fast forward to the later of the night after the concert, well, my friends and i went to checkout this pub, Ivy... apparently it was the IN club in Sydney and true enough, it was packed!!!

The place was nice, no doubt... but besides that, it was just another club which is super packed...Perhaps that was why i think it's the best club i've ever been to, so far... better than Brissie...

2nd day was spent exploring the city, mostly on foot... We walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the next time when i visit Sydney again, i'm determined to climb the Bridge!

There were several nice place to visit in the city, the architecture of the buildings were historical!

Unlike Brisbane, Sydney has more aesthetic values from all the buildings and houses...

The night was spent in a pub which sells $5 pizza and cocktails from 8-10pm..

Had a hell of a spinning night, and woke up blur + slight hangover the next day... Phew...

3rd day was exploration of the beaches, cliffs and sea! We traveled to Watson bay, then hike up the lil national park,

ended up at the cliffs where the scenery was really breath-taking!

It was so freaking high but still, i refused to let my phobia get hold of me, not during those great moments for photos!! On the way to the cliffs, we passed by Lady Bay beach - a nude beach.. but it was empty, probably cos it was a Monday...But i was lucky (or unlucky) to catch a glimpse of a naked man - could only see his back, butt, which is a good thing as I do not wish to see more..!
Then we took a bus to Bondi beach.

It was empty once again, only with some surfers who were probably on a surf lesson... Besides that, there was nothing much... The beach was broad, that's all... Maybe i should come back in summer... There should be a feast to my eye then!!!

Tried apple strudel - my new addiction!!!! I'm gonna hunt them down in Brisbane!!!

The 4th day was the second highlight of the trip, i should say - The Blue Mountains to see the 3 sisters!!! The 2 hours of train journey was spent with writing loads of postcards, reflection of life, and talking to a group of chinese high school students. We walked all the way (passed some woods) to the scenic world (the place for the cableway, skyway, railway, walkway of Blue Mountains).

The railway was the first ride taken.

It was like some rollercoaster with Indiana Jones background music down the steep hill and i was freaked out... seriously... I was so scared that i'll be flung out of the car!
Upon reaching the station, we were pretty disappointed to see that it was and will be a foggy day - nothing to see then!

We then took the walkway in the rainforest, and tried the adventurous trail for a little thrill...! We took the road not taken, climbing up the rocks...

It was so slippery and for a moment, i thought i couldn't make it anymore and was to give up. My hands were covered with dirt, my jeans, my sweater and my shoes as well! But i was really glad that i pushed myself all the way up there!

It was worth it!!!

Not forgetting, marking my name one the rock!!
The whole journey up the mountainous and back to the starting trail too us about 2 hours. After that, we proceeded to the cableway, which will take us up to the main centre.

Once again, from there, we couldn't really see much cos it was so foggy. At the centre, we filled out stomachs before continuing our journey.
Next - the skyway... It took us through the valley where the 3 sisters is situated. On the way, we could see the Katoomba falls...

It was one of the most beautiful falls i've ever seen! We continue to hike up the mountains after getting off the station, towards the echo point to see the famous 3 Sisters. I was beginning to get really excited as the scenery was already breath-taking... I was shrieking and talking excitedly all the way (the hot chocolate i took earlier should probably be blamed for my misconduct)!
Finally, we reached the echo point. The fog finally cleared away, leaving the clear view of the valley and everything which are in it.

It was magnificent! The 3 sisters and everything in the valley was just so amazing..! *As i'm recounting my memories, i could still see the picture in my mind, something which the camera couldn't capture...* After some pictures, we were even more determined to hike all the way to the Giant stairway which leads us to one of the 3 Sisters... I couldn't control my excitement once we reached there...

At that moment, all i felt was just peace and serenity...

The next day, we managed to get onto the earlier flight (again!!Yay!) Upon landing, the first thing which greeted me was a beautiful broad rainbow... Looking out of the window, i felt really glad to be back in Brisbane again to continue with more adventures to come!!!

LONG LIVE ART!

2009-05-12T20:15:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday was an art experience for me... I finally got the chance to catch STOMP!! I've missed so many opportunity to watch it so i'm not letting it go this time! Well, i went an hour in advance to collect my ticket and after that, i was wondering around, looking for something to kill the time...
I was just walking aimlessly before arriving at the entrance of the modern gallery.. There i saw the words " China Project"... It was so familiar... then i recalled seeing those in TIME mag... so i went in... It was really cool.. There was even a chinese convenience shop there!!!

I suddenly found myself to be so proud to be a chinese!! =)I guess those wondering around must've taken a lot of my body liquid, cos i was feeling sooo thirsty!! I took out my purse and headed to the convenience store... When i went in, there was no one at the cashier.. Then i realized that i was actually in an ARTWORK!!! True enough, i saw some description which i must've missed during my mad rush to quench my thirst!!! I did felt sooo foolish!! I mean, i was with my purse out, the eagerness to get some water was obvious!! Luckily no one saw me i think..!!

Apparently i wasn't the only one!! As i was snapping these pics, there were two ladies, tricked by the artwork itself too! Talking about CREATIVITY!!!

Finally it was time to catch STOMP... i was feeling really excited.. Queensland Performing Art Centre (QPAC) was sorta packed as compared to an hour ago...
The setting looked normal, but the performance was awesome!!!

The stage settings...
I did bought a keychain as a memory of the show!! Woo hoo! A dream came true!

P.S: I'm fully aware that this post sucks... but i guess my creative cells are now at the verge of exhaustion... been working really hard lately... and furthermore, i'm super sleepy... i promise a better post in future =)

The Man who fell off the building

2009-05-07T18:39:00.000+08:00

The Man Who Fell off the building
~this is dedicated to you, Nuut~
~Rest in peace~

There were people crowding
crowding at the corner of the street,
the street where scaffolds were built
built against another ugly, incomplete block of bricks in the city.
they were looking at the man,
The Man who fell off the building,

Lying on the hard cold concrete floor,
paralyzed,
with his mouth agape,
wide open,
collecting raindrops,
as the tears of heaven starts to pour,
pouring on another common tragedy,
tragedy of
The Man who fell off the building

A lady was crying,
the man beside her was reassuring her,
reassuring that it was just another sequence of life,
there’s no need to cry about it…
hush, hush..
the man opposite was looking up the scaffolds,
wondering where did it went wrong
wondering where are the safety measures
wondering what to write in the editorial tomorrow
the woman next to him was calling
calling the paramedics
one casualty, at the corner of the road,
no, she doesn’t know him,
no one knows him
they only know him
as
The Man who fell off the building.

As more passer-by crowds around,
more emotions goes around,
grieves were expressed,
tears were shed
fears were fed
to the words hurled at the councils.
the people were having a small conference,
a conference about
The Man who fell off the building

So much has been said,
as the people crowd around,
it is as if
as if it was just like any ordinary habit
the habit of providing sympathy,
but do they know,
do they really know,
that he was named after his grandfather?
do they really know,
that he came a long way from home?
do they really know,
that he keeps his savings in his biscuit box?
do they really know,
that he is building a dream of reuniting?
do they really know,
that he will be leaving behind 5 children and his wife?
No, they don’t know
they don’t know anything about
The Man who fell off the building

The sirens broke the silence of the grievances,
broke the silence of the pouring rain,
people stood aside,
make way,
they saw him for the last time,
before turning away,
before walking away,
resuming to their own lives again,
not remembering who he was,
but only as,
The Man who fell off the building.

Sunshine Coast

2009-05-03T07:24:00.000+08:00

An excursion to Sunshine Coast was held yesterday... It was specially organized for the Malaysian students from IPBA! We were accompanied by 4 lovely lecturers - Jo, Jan, Erica and Lynn. The journey was about 1hourplus.

Our first stop was the Saturday morning market at Edmundi... It was super huge and for the first time i felt that individual's artistic skills are being appreciated over here... There were arts and crafts in display.. It is a must go destination for people with loads of passion for arts and crafts.. Most of the stalls were selling crafts and food...Due to the overwhelming excitement, i forgot to snap pictures of the place.. But it's ok... i'm sure i'm going to that place again..!

Next stop will be the Maroochydore beach.. Well, it wasn't that nice as the Whitsunday but it was not bad... I love the rock formations over there..!

We were there for about 2 hours... While most of the guys went to bathe in the sea.. i just enjoyed myself by reading...

Sunshine coast to me is about the beaches... and i was thinking to myself, since we're on the beach now, where the wack are we gonna head to next?? Home? Isn't it too soon?? Later i found out that we're going to this place called the Glasshouse Mountain.. And i was just thinking "Aww man... how good could a trip to the mountain be??" I WAS DEAD WRONG! The journey up the mountain had already proved me WRONG!! I had the best view of the valley in my life! It was just a glace as the bus was moving up really fast.. But it was splendid..! I was awed by the scenery... it was just something which i thought i'd only see in pictures... We got to the top finally...

I decided to pamper myself with some calories so i ordered a chocolate mousse blackforest... it was delicious! It was served in a wine glass. When the waitress served it to me, she told me "Becareful with the glass... be gentle with it".. I was seriously puzzled with that reminder.. i was just thinking to myself what on earth could i do with that glass?? Hmm, maybe the glass is a lil cold.. that's why it might be fragile.. whatever..! I shared those calories with friends who don't mind indulging in this new found 'happiness'...!!! I was really tempted to eat those chocolate around the rim of the wine glass... So i started to scrape them off with my teeth.. lose control of my strong jaw and before i knew it, i bit off a piece of the glass... I was freaked out!!!! I bring to to the counter and apologized the waitress. She was pretty cool about it and said "Yeah, no worries.. I expected that to happen" Now i get what she meant... (-_-')

Memorable moments

2009-04-22T12:50:00.000+08:00

Exactly a fortnight ago, i was dumb-strucked by the news of my grandmother died in a car crash...Exactly at this time, I was feeling hollow, lifeless, most of the time just looking through the thin air... Exactly a fortnight ago, i got a high distinction for my first assignment done in Australia...Still, that wouldn't bring my grandmother back...

Life is full of surprises. It catches you off guard... You'll never know what to expect... Exactly a week ago, i was sleeping in the tent in Airlie Beach, while waiting for the rain to stop... I spent the whole week of my Easter holiday at the airlie beach... It was something i needed..to overcome my griefs and sorta like rejuvenate my cells after some time of struggling with things in life - KLIA departure, new life in Brisbane etc..

The journey started with a 3 hour bus journey.. Due to the Easter Holiday, there were some changes in the train schedule.. We took the train from Gymsie North, a quiet town somewhere north of Brisbane...

Initially we booked business class seats.. but due to the delays, switch of trains causing 'great inconveniences' to travellers like us, we were upgraded to a business class private cabin!!! It was super nice!!!! I have the whole small room to myself!!! I really felt like Rose in Titanic (before it sunk)!! First class, baybeh!!!!

The aisle... only meant for normal-sized passenger... Bigger than that? Sorry lah, have to sleep at the storage carriages... LOL

Welcome to my Private Cabin...

Sitting by the window, it was really nice to see the Australian countryside.. Saw wild kangaroos!!!

After about 16 hours of train journey, we finally reached Prosepine (i still can't get the name right!!)A shuttle bus was waiting for us by the time i reached the train station and it took us another 30 minutes to get to where we're heading - Airlie Beach.

Wanna see where we stay?? It was a campsite like accommodation.. Very Australian!

We got a lil creative when we couldn't find any clothes line...

We did some sightseeing...

Airlie Beach... There's a man-made beach just near the beach...Shows how much Australians love beaches..!

Then to Shute Harbour...
First time i went there, it was rainy...

The weather was better when i went there the second time...

Then, we hiked up to Mount Rooper... It was really a long hike... And i was beginning to give up halfway when all i could see around me were trees and bushes... But when i went to the top, all the hardwork, sweat, mosquito bites were worth it!! I remembered the first thing i did when i saw the paranomic view from the watch tower i went crazy!!!

The best part about my trip to the Great Barrier Reef would be the cruises!!! Being a student backpacker indeed has its own benefits! I saved about 200+... So back to the cruises.. There were 2 cruises included - The Great Barrier Reef experience and the Camira.
The Great Barrier Reef experience includes unlimited time of snorkeling, underwater observation (or smth like that) and water slides.. Our breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea were all provided! The snorkeling experience was priceless... It was beyond description...

This is the underwater observation.. there are window screens at the sides of the boat where the passengers could have a clear look at the corals which appear on both sides...

Next, the Camira...
The Camira is a sailboat... It can take about 50 ppl at one time i think...similar to the cruise earlier, we ate to our heart's content.. And for most of the people on board, they were exhilarated cos there were free alcohol provided!! We sailed around some islands of the Whitsundays... There are 74 islands in total..

The Whitehaven beach!!! From far, the 7.1km stretch of beach was visible... I was estatic!!

Sailing back from Whitehaven, there was a mixed feeling... I was feeling tired, at the same time reluctant to leave the place... I watched my first sunset... How i wish i could have someone real special to share those moments with me...

The train ride back was not as good... We were not that lucky to be upgraded again (although we seriously wished for that). Economy class was really economy... I was fidgeting all the way back... 15 hours of journey!!!

The sight of Brisbane Buildings was really welcoming and i was pretty happy to be back in the city..

Our stay in Airlie Beach was extended from 5 days to a week... It was good in a way that i could unwind myself.. I felt much more energized when i got back. I learnt a few travelling tips:
1) If you'll be spending a night on train/plane, remember to bring along your toothbrush and toothpaste
2) When packing, it's good to pack some rope along... you'll never know when it might comes in handy..!
3) Notepads are comes in handy when you need to take down important info in the particular place.
4) My personal recommendation: top to toe wash!
5) When you get to a new place, grab the info pamphlets! You'll need it.. Bus routes and schedules too..

Overall, this trip was really good...A very memorable one.

Stradbroke Island

2009-03-28T20:09:00.000+08:00

Earth Hour was just over!! I finally got the chance to witness some real effort to save the earth. Talking about the earth, i came across the beauty of this planet i've been living on for 20 years! The ISS organized an excursion to Stradbroke Island. I'm so tired to type now... so i'll just let the pictures do the talking yeah...

Waiting for the ferry to Stradbroke Island...

These pics are all taken at Point Lookout... It's really really really fantastic!!!

Some beetles i saw there on the way back...

We then went to Cylinder Beach...

In the ladies, i saw...

Hmm... it's either the washroom's too nature friendly... OR the ladies are just freakin dirty.!!! Eeewww...

The excursion was good overall... =) Looking forward to another one!!

THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!!!!

2009-03-23T12:29:00.000+08:00

I'm gonna start this post with a super loud WOOOO HOOOO!!!!! I've just came back from a surf camp and it was really the best time of my life there!!! The surfs, the kayaking, the beaches, and the shooting stars as well!!! OH MY GWAD!!! I can't help but to let out a lil scream of excitement as i'm typing this...!!!!! There's some really fantastic pics i'm gonna post here:

This was the bus which took us to the surf place - Arrawarra beach in New South Wales (another state in Aus). It was a 7-hour journey (one way only).

This is my cabin... It accommodates 4 person at one time... There's a kitchen, and a bathroom as well...

So everytime we go out for surf, we have to pass this linking bridge to the beach..

For the first timers, there will be briefing on how to surf actually ... Real useful... if you miss it, i think you'll find it hard to learn how to surf..

Heh, don't i look real cool in this pic... as if i'm real casual, walking around with a surf board?? This is just part of the picture. To be honest, the surfboard was really heavy... and there was actually another person in front who was carrying the nose of the board..

We had 3 surfs all together..2 on sat, 1 on sunday.. I took me sometime to get the hang of it... Since i was a slow learner, the photographer didn't have that many opportunity to take my pics... so i have to live with these real sucky pics of me surfing lor... Hmm... i should've let my hair down and wore a wet suit instead.. Although i won't look like a hot surf babe, at least i don't look that messy!!! AArrgh! Can see all the lemak lemak somemore...

After the first surf, we had sometime to go kayak, and let me tell you, it was super nice!! The place used to be a natural settlement for the aborigines and it's now a protected area..

There were trees blocking the way so the only way to kayak pass is by going underneath the branches.. just like Limbo dance la.. hehe..

Then, before we left, we went for a swim at the river... And it was my FIRST time jumping into the river.. There was a rope tied onto the tree, and each of us just swung like a tarzan before ending into the river!!!! Super fun!!!

Then on sat night, after dinner, we took a walk down the beach and the sky was like .... there's no words which could describe the sky... It was really starry night, and it just look like god had just put loads of glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling that night! It was so beautiful that it looked almost fake! That night, i saw my FIRST shooting star!!! I was stunned.. i didn't know what to say!!! Then later that night, i saw 3 more!!!! I was super excited!!

The next day, my friend and i did some walking and discovering around the cliff nearby.. Take a look at the pics... super awesome right?? =)

Then after lunch, it's time to go back... Before reaching Brisbane, we stopped by Byron Bay.. a famous beach for surfing and beach-ing.. =)Take a look at the pics!

Well, i'm sure you've noticed how many times i used the word 'super' in this post..Yeah, i think it's the only way i could express how i felt -SUPERB! I experienced a lot of things for the first time in my life in these 3 days - Surfing, kayaking in the river, tarzan swing and jumping into the river, shooting stars, experiencing the way of life of westerners... it was just real exciting experience for me!

Btw, just some extra info - today, i cooked curry (potato curry)for the first time of my life too!! My housemates said they're not bad!! hoothOOTSS!!!!

Want some? =P

Jibbitz-ed

2009-03-14T20:09:00.000+08:00

In one of PussycatDoll's hitz 'When I Grow Up', they sang about smth about "....becareful of what you wish for, cos you just might get it.." or maybe at times you hear ppl saying something like "Becareful what you wish for.."? It's actually very true! I used to wish for classes to resume asap cos i'm getting sooo bored with my life... Now, after Uni started, i'm soooooo busy till i've no time for blogging!! M y entries are getting more and more inconsistent.

Anyway, i'm just gonna post some pics of what i did this week... not much.. only cooking...

Just in case i haven't mentioned it, this was what i cooked on monday... My dinner!

Then on Tuesday, i went for Slumdog Millionaire (check out the blog for more info). I cooked brinjal on Friday (yday)

Terung tumis sambal!

Today, i went for my seniors' house warming... Then went to the city to get Azhani (my housemate)'s bday present. Got hera pair of crocs.. And i couldn't help myself with the Jibbitz! Some are cheap!!

So i went Jibbitz frenzy!! Heh, my friends said that it looks 'meriah'(happening)!! Woohoo!!

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-03-11T11:15:00.000+08:00

Y'day i went for a movie at Southbank Cinema... It's only about 8 minutes walk from the cultural centre busway... I really wanted to snap many many pictures, but since it was my first time going out with some new friends, i didn't wanna act like some "deer enter village".. hehehe...

My friends and i were there to catch Slumdog Millionaire... The winner for a few 2009 Oscar Awards.. The ticket for students price is only $5.50.. not bad la...

Well, i shan't post too many stuffs over here, just in case there are still some out there who hasn't watched the movie yet.. But, Slumdog Millionaire's really rich in culture... Those things and places which we might heard, but never seen... So it sorta like brings out the different faces of India...

After the movie, i had to walk all the way back cos the bus service was over... so it took me an hour to reach my place... Thankfully , i have this really nice friend of mine who walked me back... So, the journey back didn't feel that long...

Hmm... looking forward for another movie someday!!

Saturday.

2009-03-09T13:12:00.000+08:00

Last Sat, we had to attend some talk in University of Queensland, and to meet the representative of Malaysian Student Department (MSD) as well... So, below are some pictures which i've taken... the way there as well as when i'm there...

We were waiting at the quay (pronounced as 'ki')for the city cat (boat to take us across the river)

So here we are.. down the river... There are many houses located just by the river bank, and they have this little dock in front of their houses... pretty cool right.? There were also ppl riding jet ski along the river...

and boating or canoeing as well...

We reached UQ finally.. We were supposed to meet up with some representatives from the Malaysian society at UQ Lake but we were sorta lost cos there are soooo many lakes there!!! not to mention birds tooo... man..!

But in the end, we managed to find the place... and after everything, i left that place to proceed to Kangaroo Point for the Cliff Hangers skills day... It was no doubt a long walk but since the weather's nice, i dun mind lah..

Half-way through, i saw a lizard standing in my way, but since this is Australia, i decided to let the fella cross first... As i venture on, to my horror, i saw many more lizards on the rocks (which were like 1 meter from the footway) sun bathing.. And i mean YES, THEY WERE SUNBATHING!!!!

Check it out!

Anyway, i finally reached the cliff, but the crews were packing up d, so i'm just gonna follow them to one of the fella(name is Adam)'s place where he's having a BBQ. I got to experience the Australian BBQ finally, and got to know a German friend =) After that, Bjoern (my new found German friend) and i walked all the way back to SouthBank (where i saw those lizards again!). I tried not to shriek or do anything stupid in front of this gentleman... which was very hard indeed... after that, we just walked all the way to the bus stop, where i catch a bus back to my place, and he proceeds to some place to play soccer...

After such a long day, it's time for me to relax back at home... and i had the privilege to taste Niza (my housemate)'s Chocolate Mousse with Crumbs which she secretly made in her room...! It was so secretive that she prohibit us from entering her room as well as checking out the fridge after she had placed her creation into the fridge..! But it was surely nice!

Man.. Andi's sooo gonna be proud of her..!

RA-TA-TOU-ILLE

2009-03-04T10:50:00.000+08:00

Y'know, at times junks can turn into really superb stuff..? Well, i think this metaphor of mine doesn't really suit my post for today.. but it's somewhere there la... And here's how the story goes...

I bought about 3 eggplants (or brinjals) and some tomatoes last sat and from then on, the sat on the bottom shelf of the fridge until today.. So, finally, i went online to look up for some recipes so clear them off..and guess what i saw - Ratatouille!

Yea, many of you will immediately have the vision of a grey animated mouse in Paris with this passion to cook... Yeah, you're right! But it's not the Mouse i'm cooking - it's THE DISH which Remy prepared to please Ego... Remember now...? hmmmm... aahh...? Can see the picture now...??

RATATOUILLE (or its full name : ratatouille niçoise), according to Wikipedia, it's pronounced as "reh-teh-tui" or smth like that.. and it is a traditional French stew vegetables dish originated from a place called Nice.

These are the stuffs needed.. Actually, the way to prepare this simple dish varies according to how you want it to be... Ok, so let me do some brief intro bout the ingredients. Clockwise from left: Squash Button Gold(YELLOW), Tomato, Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Paste, Pepper, Herbs(Preferably Basil, Thyme),Onions, Garlic, Eggplant(DARK PURPLE), Zucchini(GREEN-the main thing!)

Cut the vege into thin slices and arrange them however you like.. or just dump everything into the bowl if you're lazy to do all those arranging k..After all, you're just gonna pop everything into your mouth...
So practically you just put everything in the bowl- the slices of vege, onions, garlic, pepper, a teaspoon of oil, salt to taste, and the tomato paste as well... I planned to put in some chic and mushrooms next time =)

Then just cover the bowl, put it into the microwave, let it go round for about 6 minutes under 'High'.
After that, take out, sprinkle Mozzarella and Parmesan onto it... then put it in the microwave again for 1 minute.

Voila! Serve it while it's hot..! It's not bad.. mayb it'll be a lil tasteless.. you can then add whatever which might suit your taste la... after all, it's your creation, your food! =)

Btw, i'd like to take this opportunity to wish Shogi Happy 21st Birthday!

My Tuesday....

2009-03-03T11:27:00.000+08:00

I woke up late today... Skipped my morning jog (btw, i think my stamina got better d...i could jog for a longer distance !! Woohoo!!) Rock climbing yesterday was not that nice... my knee got bruised again.. =( Anyway, after i woke up today, i brushed my teeth, then do my laundry.. After that, i took my breakfast... And then... i prepared my lunch (marinate the chic, cut up those veges) then went to Wooly's to get my stuffs (i missed the Sat market so i'm now running out of food to eat..) The journey in Wooly's was tough though... it was a lil torturing to venture into the hypermarket when your tummy's feeling hungry.. Then i stopped by the Rotary 2nd hand bookstore and picked up a few cookbooks... The lady at the cashier was nice though.. gave me some tips on western cuisine... Came back - cooked lunch, bathe, blog

(then eat my lunch) and after everything, i'm gonna start my preparation to get down to the battlefield of assignments!

GOLD COAST!

2009-02-28T20:11:00.000+08:00

We had an excursion today to the Gold Coast... It was organized by the International Student Society (ISS)...As I'm now too tired to type, i'll let the pictures do the talking...

As you can see behind, it's the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary... It's sorta like a zoo.. but they do research, rehabilitating sick and injured animals...

It's really a nice place...

Taking pics with the koala bear...

They're always lazing around...

Petting the kangaroos...

...and saw it pee-ed

Running with the emus...

Took pic with a 15 months-old baby...haih, my eyes lost to hers..So beautiful...

Saw Steve Irwin's interest..

Then, we were off to Coolangatta for lunch... I had Chicken schnitzel.. if you guys are wondering what it looks like, just imagine fish and chip.. but it's chicken la. Very filling lor. Sorry ya, i missed the pic cos i was so hungry that i feasted on it once the food arrived...

But i did take some really nice pics of the beach... Better than Surfer's paradise..

Finally, we went to Surfer's Paradise.. Didn't go down to the beach ler.. Went lepaking with some friends.. We went into this adult shop called 'Condom Kingdom'... Checked out a few things...There's this coupon for sale... But the redemption are stuffs like "Tie me up however you like and drip wax on my body" and other BDSM stuffs...Interesting..!

Then after that, we went home =) Tired lor... This trip was really nice ler...

We were also entertained by the fire brigade coming to our apartment quarters cos someone ignited the fire alarm.. It was cool though... Who ever was the culprit sure caused many of the residents in that particular block to be evacuated, and had to stand by the roadside for about 15 minutes... hehe.. LOL!

2009-02-24T19:46:00.000+08:00

When i woke up today, i felt as if my arm weighed 60kg each.. My legs too... And my abs too (it was from the pilates exercise i was trying to do a few days ago)...

In the afternoon, went to the city... I was craving for rice like siao so finally settled down for a bowl of pork katsudon...can't finish..!! Mayb if a few months ago, i could do it la... but now, cannot la... then went to 3 mobile to get a new prepaid plan.. Aih, i'm too disappointed with Vodafone d..

Came back in the evening, went to Wooly's for grocery shopping (again, i diverted to smth else..) then come back, cook dinner.. Wash clothes.. after that, sat down - blog.
Ah, can't wait for tmr to come.. I heard from friends that classes were pretty fun... Can't wait for my class tmr!!

My very interesting Monday =)

2009-02-23T19:25:00.001+08:00

Well well well... where shall we start... I woke up at 7 today, wanting to go for a jog... after the alarm went off, i woke up, lying on my bed trying to give myself a thousand and one reason why i shouldn't jog - " the weather is hot today, i'm going to have diarrhoea, i haven't eat.. blah blah blah". In the end i got up and went for my jog... =)

Then came back, took a shower, take my own sweet time mixing and matching my clothes - today we'll be going to Garden's Point ( the other campus of QUT, near Southbank) for the market day ( where society and clubs come out to promote themselves, what they have etc etc ) so have to wear nicer lah!

As i was preparing my breakfast, my housemates were discussing what time they have to get back cos they'll be meeting one of our lecturer and that's when i remembered - I have an appointment with her too, not just that, i put my name first on her list!!! At that time, i was about to cut some cucumbers and realizing that, i got panic and started waving the knife frantically in the air shouting "OMG, I'M LAAAAATTTTEEEE!!!!!" My appointment's supposed to be at 9, when i realized it, it was already 9.10.. Luckily my apartment is only like 2 minutes walk to the campus, so when i got there, there was still some time left.. Thank god for the jog this morning... worked out a lil stamina... hehehe

Yeah, so after that we went to GP, got lots of freebies including this :

Looks like some Nando's stuffs right? Yup, it's given by Nando's alright... At the first glance, i was thinking "My, why give ketchup and chili sauce also put so horny catch phrase wan.." and it turned our to be condom inside... hehe.. dunno whether to say cool or 'siau'!

This one pulak, is some greyhound dog race.. At first when i saw the banner, i thought it was some pet club.. yknow, those like SPCA...Mana tau, it's some dog racing club, where they watch dog racing and party or smth like that!

There were some other real cool stuffs like sailing club and rock climbing club... These two, i'm going to join someday...

Finally came back, took a nap, by 5 i woke up. Got changed, and ate my smoked salmon sandwich again... I've been having this for 3 meals consecutively... And this time's the last time.. I finished off the remaining salmons cos i didn't want them to lose the 'freshness'... Eeii, i think i won't be having salmons for the next 6 months.. After dinner , it's off to rock climbing! Took a bus to Garden's Point, trying to remember the directions given by the rock climbing club personnel... "Walk straight through Garden's Point, go down the stairs, pass the Goodwill Bridge, turn left, and just follow the walkway..." Sounds simple right? yeah, it's pretty simple, but took me sometime to walk all the way there cos the bridge is soooooooooo long! So was the walkway too!!! But on the way, my eyes feasted on the real tough and good looking guys jogging around.. There was this particular guy who jog with his shirt off... Man, I don't mind taking back his sweaty shirt which he tied around his waist!! Hehehehe...

Yeah, finally reached the cliff.. It's called the Kangaroo Point Cliff... The QUT Cliff Hangers (that's what the rock climbing club calls themselves) have free rock climbing sessions there every Monday and Wednesday...

Kangaroo Point Cliff... I didn't have my camera with me so i just snap random pics with my phone so it's not really clear lah..

Seeing so many ppl having fun there, i decided to gave it a try... as well as getting over my phobia of height... My instructor, Alex gave me instructions on the safety precautions, the do's and don'ts, some signal calls and then i was off! It was pretty hard to get up... but i got up after sometime.. I think looking at me doing those climbing is just like watching a hippopotamus do rock climbing... hehe... But anyway, i managed to get to the top, and landed safely...

After the climb.. Bad quality cam... that's why cant see me... No flash somemore..

In between the climb, i did slipped and knocked against the rocks... Got some bruises too..!

Overall the climb was nice.. Very challenging, both physically and mentally.. You gotta really plan your steps.. where to go next, so that you won't slip... As for my hands, they are really tired now... it's like they're not mine anymore..! I dunno if i can write tmr... Gosh! But what's certain, i'm gonna have a good night sleep tonight... thank god, i dun have class tmr!!!! Yay!

Lazy Sunday...zzzz

2009-02-22T18:21:00.000+08:00

Woke up to the ringing of my phone.. It was Naoki. I glanced at my watch, "ah shut! It's about 10 smth..." If i'm not mistaken, there's smth which is going on in the City Town Hall... Something about Brisbane welcoming the international students.. Naoki, hearing my sleepy voice apologized for waking me up.. Sorry man, I really can't wake up... Real tired..zzz

After i hung up, went back to sleep, but can't...The first thought that came into my mind - " What to eat ah?". Ehehe.. i guess it all goes back to last night.. I was starving for sometime before i went to bed.. Now, i badly want to have yogurt and milk... So, i got up, brush my teeth, changed and took a morning walk to Woolworths (or 'Wooly's' as the locals call it).

Well, as we all know, there's a massive difference between men and women's shopping pattern...

So instead of my mission - Get milk and yogurt, i went to get other stuffs - barbecue sauce, sausages then drop by the Rotary Club 2nd hand bookstore

Yknow, i'm always wondering what's so nice with the sniffing all those socialites do with wine in the movies... Esp Hong Kong series.. Exaggerating! Anyway, i got this book for only $2 so, with a couple of dollar I'm just gonna try and unveil the mystery behind the wine...

When i came back, i was starving... So what to cook?? I remembered the kangkung i bought yday at the market.. Have to cook by today, if not sure layu d.. So i took them out, cook with garlic, mushrooms... Then, wanna eat rice pulak.. Luckily there's some leftover rice in the fridge... Hmmm, can't wait to try the sausages too!
So, in the end, it was like some East-meet-West conference in my bowl...Kangkung tumis garlic meets western sausages..!

After lunch, i laze around... Went online to search for iPod shuffle...

Really want to buy em!!! Can engrave on it somemore...

Oh ya, i discovered this really cool fella who can imitate so many voices... Go check him out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5CmqC1E-Ag&feature=channel

After that, went to sleep again... My life today's really like "Bangun pagi, gosok gigi, cuci muka, pakai baju, pergi Wooly's, makan nasi, lepas makan, tidur lagi"... Really no life!!! Arrgghh, can't wait for classes to start!

When i woke up, my housemates came back d. Went to bathe, then prepare dinner.. Eat again!

Fruit muffin with smoked salmon!! No oil... just raw stuffs..I guess it's healthy. And a had blueberries+peach in low-fat vanilla yogurt for late appetizer...

I guess i'm gonna sleep earlier today...Been getting dark circles and droopy eyebags. Wanna start a new day tomorrow with a jog!

Beautiful Saturday =)

2009-02-21T11:08:00.000+08:00

Ah.. the weather today i just nice to walk around Brisbane... Just as it was scorching hot yday, it's windy and cloudy today... I guess we are expecting a lil downpour today..

I went to the market today at West Bank with Kelsey and her sis... Pretty nice place though... Got stuffs for the whole week for only about $25 dollars... Cheap eh!

The place it situated in a park-like place.. and there are like so many ppl walking around with their shopping bags.. Talking about shopping bags, the thing about Australian is that they're real environmental friendly ppl... Wherever you go (expecialy grocery shopping)you can see ppl carrying their own shopping bags...It's really cool to know that ppl here actually cares for the environment so much... I guess this will take Malaysia another 5 years (mayb) to be like this...
This is something i discovered at the market today... It's called cinnamon roll i think... Looks delicious, taste delicious, but will sure goes down to my butt! Heheh..

One thing i learned from the market trip is that ASIANS ARE SERIOUSLY BUSINESS MINDED!! Y'know, from all the stalls (let say there are 100 stalls there), about 78% belongs to Asians... And it is usually these stalls that ppl are flocking in to get their stuffs... VITAL stuffs! like veges and fruits...Very crowded yo.. Miley Cyrus can mock the all Asians she wants but she betta give a standing ovation to the Asians when it comes to running business.!! She'll just have to watch out where she'll be getting her veges & fruits...

On the way back, i saw this guy with real spikey mohawk hair... I curi curi took a pic of him...

I avoided eye contact with this guy cos i was freakin scared that he might poke me with his hair if the caught me staring at his artpiece on his head...
But, it was cool though... I mean, his hair's really long and when it's spiked up, it touches the bars in the bus once he got on... It was sort of like tangles with the bars... woo@

Although ppl here drinks (like almost everyday)and gets real wild and stuffs, looks creepy, french kiss everywhere, but it's pretty safe here compared to Malaysia... Before i came, i thought most western countries are very dangerous... But after arriving in Brisbane, i realized that all that 'practice' i got in Malaysia to keep myself safe is more than enough to live here... You don't have to worry so much about keeping your bags zipped, you don't have to fear at every motorcycle which is coming your way...

Arrgghhh!!! I think my migraine's getting worse... Probably the effect of not getting enough sleep... DAMN THOSE CROWS!!!! I forgot to add in my previous posts - Almost every morning i was awakened by the crows!! It goes "aarrk, aarrK, AAARRRKKK"!!!! I swear i'm gonna freaking kill those crows one day...!!!!

Fascinating Brisbane!

2009-02-19T17:52:00.000+08:00

I'm actually typing this while i'm doing a lil stationary jog... For all girls out there, you'll definitely know why - The 'you-shouldn't-be-sitting-down-30-mins-after-your-meal theory'...
Well, i just consumed a muffin with chic fillet plus tomato and cucumber combo

which i also had in the morning.. But after the long walk to the bank this afternoon, i considered all those calories burnt... But now since i had the same thing for my dinner, all i could do i to just do some jog and try not to land my butt on anything for the next 30 mins... hehe

As mentioned above - "Fascinating Brisbane", i'm sure you guys are not expecting my article to be some girly rules after meals.. This post was supposed to be posted like 2 days ago, but i was just too tired to write..

Some friends are i went to Gold Coast few days ago...We took a train there.. It was an hour plus journey

Creative eh =P

Brisbane City..

Breath-taking scenary

Finally we reach HARBOUR TOWN, the shopping heaven!!! Needless to say, i did my part as a female.. I shan't reveal much (in case my mum reads about this)..

It's Harbour Town baybeh!

Then, it's to Surfers Paradise!! Let the pictures do the talking!

I was pretty excited to see seagulls for the first time!

They look pretty graceful when they glide above our heads

But they can be quite a nuisance when it comes to food... Pretty glutton!

We left about 6, when the life guard stated calling out to the ppl at the sea... It was cloudy when we went that day, so it was really nice and the sea breeze was really strong.. If you look further on along the beach, it looks misty..I really would like to come to this place again.. Someday... Mayb with bikinis! *giggles*

My Second week in Brisbane

2009-02-16T19:27:00.001+08:00

My first Monday in Australia started off with so many orientations after orientations... At Garden's Point, the orientation started off with a performance by the Australia aborigine playing the Didjeridu.

The story of Didjeridu started off as a tree trunk which is then thrown into a termite nest. It'll be left there for about 3 - 4 months. At the end of the process, the tree trunk will be hollowed in the middle, all eaten away by the termites. If the maker is not satisfied with the sound quality of the Didjeridu, it'll be left there again for a few more months. The longer the Didjeridu is left in the termite's nest to be eaten away, the higher is the pitch of the Didjeridu. Once the maker is satisfied with the sound quality, the tree trunk will be taken out, slightly repaired and waxed. The Didjeridu is played during special occasions, and it will be disposed once the ceremony ends.
TAKE NOTE: Women are not allowed to play the instrument. If they're caught, the punishment will be P-R-E-G-N-A-N-C-Y..! What the heck! Whoever's punishing going to be so syok lah.. Ish, it's against women's right!!!

Our final orientation required all of us to wear our lounge suit... Heh, i haven't even washed them... This is when perfume comes in handy... hehehe

I cooked my dinner tonight... Chicken with grilled vege.. TA-DA!

Just sort of like mixed the herbs together... Just like my 'tasty chicken'!!hehe

In the midst of hurry-ness to prepare my dinner, i cut my finger =(. But i've spread my love to both Denish and Pavi and i'm sure my food's in their tummy right now... And so's the blood from my finger i think... *Evil Laughs*

FEB 15 - sunday

2009-02-15T19:49:00.000+08:00

- Gosh, it was freezing cold last night! Maklumlah i didn't have my blanket yet, so i was like wearing s many layers of clothes! Anyway, today started off ok.. Had my healthy breakfast - Yogurt with apricot, plum and grapes..

- Then went out... Today's Sunday and there are many street performers performing by the street.. Interesting! This fella stands on a stool and in front of the stool, he put a white donation box saying " Please donate $1 to make Charlie Chaplin come alive". And true enough...

Took this crazy pic with him =)

Trying to snatch the sweet from him... Tough job!

Then we went shopping, got our groceries.. Then, my bad luck struck when i reach home... I realized that i got only 1 pillowcase instead of 2 in the twin pack. Went down all the way to the bus stop, just to realized that the shop's closing early today.

Hmmm... nvm, got back, bathe...then cook dinner cos i'm starving. A hungry Mun Ting is an angry Mun Ting... Reheated my food...

Voila!!
Just in case you guys are trying your very best to figure out what's that... Let me tell you.. It's Melted Plastic Cover on Pasta with Tomato ans Basil Sauce...Cool right?

Thankfully, i have my really good friends who offered me their food, so me empty stomach was cured..

Ah.. beautiful sunset in Bribane...

2009-02-14T22:21:00.000+08:00

I almost forgot my password and email required to sign in... I guess this shows how long i haven't been bloggin. Well, i guess my blogs will be updated from time to time from now on as i've started livin a new life kat seberang laut!
Alright, here's my journey to seberang laut and what i found there:

FEB 10
- Boarded the plane to Brisbane at 9 after all the sad goodbyes and mad rush for the final call to board MH 141.
- Looks like a sunny and bright day...

...but i couldn't be bothered with that cos i'm starting to feel nausea and dizzy... I was tempted to call the stewardess to get me MY MUMMMY!!!!!!
- Entertained myself with the 96-channels device which is fixed onto the back of the chair in front me. Slept. Tired...
- Hours later, we saw...

Nonetheless, we were freakin excited to finnally see some deserted-mars-lookalike-without-any-single-inhabitant-land of Australia.. but not me though... I was busy praying, hoping that our plane wouldn't crash now, or else...
- Reach Sydney, felt sick again, this time worse!
- Transit for an hour. Then back to plane again... I was pratically draggin myself up the plane... Woke up from my nap.
Finally we saw it!

BEAUTIFUL CITY OF BRISBANE!!! WOOHOO!!!
- Got out of the airport.. it's hot! If i were knocked unconscious, kidnapped from KL and being dropped in front of the Brisbane airport, i'll be searching around thinking that i am still at KLIA, cos the vegetation, weather is just like KL! Tambah lagi, it was almost 10pm! Looks pretty much the same!
- My Room

From the nice door and really cool built-in-closet, you can guess how nice's my room in my Duplex apartment, Kevin Grove...It's fantastic, really.

FEB 11
- First morning in Brisbane. Still very hot... Ish!
- Walked to Uni to get my student card etc etc done...
- Talked to an Asian for the very first time! (don't call me racist, but i'm just missin my ppl)
- Did my first transaction in Aussie dollar.. $3.50 for a bottle of 1litre mineral water...
- Was mistakenly thought to be a friend of a Japanese student..
- Went to the city.
- First place known besides Kevin Grove- KING GEORGE SQUARE. Very important place lor!

We did the very outmost important thing as soon as we got there... Open the door for the Choy San Yeh to come in.. Bank accounts lor!

-Then, this is Queen St. It's stretch of pedestrian walkway with shops and really huge mall situated at the sides... This is the junction where the 4 walkways meet

How do you feel after looking at it..? Feels like in Petaling St right?? Hehehe... Somemore got this BurgerKing-lookalike HungryJack's, just like in Masjid Jamek...
- Went to get some groceries... Apparently there are shops which sells things at very low price, just like TESCO & CARREFOUR... mugs for 89cents, 6 toilet rolls for 1plus...

FEB 12
- Siau man! The weather suddenly changed. Super windy! Had to run upstairs to grab my shawl..
- Went to the city again. This time to get a phone line. There are many operators to choose from.. Vodafone, 3, YES OPTUS, CRAZY JOHN'S... all sort of names!! I got Vodafone prePAY. After getting my stuffs done, i took my seat the the bench along the walkway... And there i saw this stork-like bird...

Looks nice right? Did it escaped from the zoo?! NO! This bird which is called Ibis is the 'local' there... It goes around the place, looking for food, search for food... Just like those botanical gardens monkeys...but only they can fly...

There, tangkap basah!

- Meet up with Kelsey, had a nice time at the Korean Restaurant.

FEB 13
- It's Friday!! WooHoo!!
- Went to China Town. Man, i'm so proud to be a Chinese yoh! First, there's IP MAN, then Bruce Lee, now - CHINA TOWN! There're so many restaurants selling char siu fan, chicken rice...As i was walking along the shops, i was salivating like Ivan Pavlov's dog... But looking at the price kills my desire to eat.. So expensive! Like AdamJ always say, Chinese ppl memang knows how to handle business and reap the highest profit!
- Got left behind by friends... No one even realized that i wasn't following them =(
What to do...? Had to ask around lo, finally got back to the city again..phew...
- Since today's friday, a many high school students head down to the city to gather round and meet their friends... Heh, just like those CGL fridays@McD day with PFS+many more friends!

FEB 14
- Exactly a year ago, i was one of the many happy female on earth...
- woke up at 8, went to stock up food from the morning market below my place..
- Vege and fruits are everywhere and it's cheap. They are sold in individual small tents. Tambah with the light shower and the coldness, i can't help but to feel like i'm in Cameron Highlands! Is it me or it's the place which bears more and more similarities with Malaysia...?
- Went out with Naoki, my new found friend whom i met mistakenly on the first day at the cafeteria.
- Went to the museum, art gallery, and Southbank... Really very nice place!

By the Brisbane River

Brisbane at night... Yeah, that's the ferris wheel... I think they just call it the Southbank ferris wheel...Nothing close to "Eye of smth smth"
- Man, it's seriously awkward to walk around the parks and lepak place during valentine's day... Ppl were french kissing all over the park in bright day light! Dunno whether to say "eeewwwww..." or "whoaaaaaa..".
- Took the bus back at 9pm, didn't know we missed the stop. Got down at the later bus stop. Looked around, thought it's weird as i've never seen such road.
- Walk around, saw a car, flagged it down wanting to ask for direction (oh no, it's a taxi...). Taxi didn't stop until it came to an apartment's entrance, wind down the window, honked. We just turn away and walk. Taxi drove up to us, offer us a free ride to our QUT campus. Stop before a junction, told us to talk straight up, and we'll reach QUT. F*CK THAT INDIAN TAXI DRIVER! When we got there, it was a dead end! F*CK HIM! Again we asked for direction, and we were told to go all the way back to the road where we met that f*ckin taxi, and after some venturing, we finally got back to QUT. DAMN! Till now, i'm still wondering if the young driver really don't know the road, or he's just really got high on papadum and turned racist...

WHAT LIFE IS...

2007-12-09T23:05:00.000+08:00

WHAT LIFE IS... (PART 1)

The first time in my 19 years of life I spent a night by myself in the hospital, I witnessed a heart warming and touching scenario right in front of me. Opposite my bed lies an old lady who's probably at the verge of dying. From my bed, I could see her face, sunken cheek, and her skin pigmentation has some how fading to greyish balck and her breaths are shallow.
Upon hearing her condition, her relatives started pouring into the small 6 bedded room. Sons, daughters, and grandchildren came to see her for the last time. They tried in many ways to 'wake' her up between their sobs. Some tried phone conversation between her and other grandchildren who were unable to come. Finally, preparations were made to transfer her back to her house where she will be spending her final moments.
Despite her critical conditions of her illness, her loved ones never fail to accompany her, be by her side. I could see that this frail old lady was once part of the pillars that held the family together. She is so important and the loss of her brought much sorrow to those around her. She must've led a worthy life and her departure will be deeply missed by everyone around her. Her contributions and deeds done will be forever remembered and live on in the memories of those she had made an impact on.

WHAT LIFE IS... (PART 2)
After she had left the ward, I overheard some patients telling the nurses that they are afraid. The aged Indian lady held my hand and told me she was afraid to spend the night in the room. Well, maybe it is hard to believe that the person on the bed next to you who used to talk and share stories with you had suddenly collasped into a critical state and would be taken away by death himself.
Or maybe these people had lived through so much thick and thin of life that they are not willing to part with the new meaning of life which they had just found. As for me, I had never really tasted the flavours of life which made me want more of it. I had never felt the joy of sharing my life with my other half, I had never felt the satisfaction of seeing my parents all retired and be proud of what my sister and I ahd achieved, I had never felt the warmth and kindling bond with my baby during pregnancy, I had never felt the tears of joy hearing the first word uttered by my first child, I had never felt being proud of my children and lastly, retired knowing that I had lived a life that i had always wanted. All theseare just some of the many colours which made up one's life.
To me, spending a night in the hospital is just another night away from home, but for these people who had ventured so far in life, it might mean a possible eternal seperation from their portrait of life which has yet to be finished.

Photoshoot - Time to get Vain!!!!

2007-08-20T15:20:00.001+08:00

The sun's shinning brightly outside just right after a small downpour. "Open the window, and sit right there on the stool", my sister directed. We just had our lunch and was feeling rather sleepy. While we were supposed to do some revision for my sis's upcoming PMR examination, we decided to fool around with my camera. My sister as the photographer, of course... and i, the outdated si-anak-dara-tua is soon to become the Vain-girl-next-door =P.

We started with the wind effect, with the fan blowing right in front of my face to create that hair-flying-and-looking-sexy effect. After looking at those pics taken i said, "Nah, Chian, i don't look nice with those.. more like pontianak!" We looked around, searching only to find an artificial rose lying somewhere behind the cupboard, long forgotten and so, we decided to bring life to it, making it the motive of our ' Vintage Call Collection' . Surprisingly, the photos turned out to be nice, as my professional photographer commented and we took more pics of lonely me and the rose... Emo pose + Seductive (or so she said)+ Cute + blah blah blah and the list goes on...
While we were getting pretty emo with those emo pics, Justin.T's song went on air and we (or rather only me) started dancing and was having a great time when my photographer went on with her work of burst pics of me. I was presented with really estatic /wild/energetic pics...

The photo shoot was indeed fun and i've learnt a lot from my sis about 'ethics and etiquette' of photo shoot!

My photographer and I =)

TESL CAMP - both sides of the coin

2007-08-19T21:50:00.001+08:00

"Other teaching institutions HATE US!!" These warnings by the seniors were still playing in my head while we were heading to IPIK. This camp no doubt, is going to be a waste of time, boring, and we are going to be deprived of our sleep...
After registration, i headed to the notice board to check my name for the treasure hunt activity which will be held the next day. Looking around, I'm sure i wasnt the only one who pretended to act 'slightly above the others' with our noses pointed to the sky. Most of us were just hanging around with our own people, while a few caught up with some old friends from other institute to rekindle the old times... About an hour or so later, i found myself looking at the dormitory where we will be spending the rest of the week. I was speechless. My supposed pillow had the world's map on it, and the mattresses looked really flat as if an elephant had spent a night on it... Next on, the toilets! There were 3 cubicles, one without a door, another without a latch, leaving only one in the 'perfect' condition but with the shower head so low that you can get yourself admitted into the hospital if you weren't careful... T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E !!!
The activities that followed for the next few days started off 'OK-lah...' but ended 'BEST Giler' at the end of the day! Language games had actually introduced us to one and another, Treasure hunt was enjoyable and has made the members of the group to work with one and another, TUNKU - THE MUSICAL was fantastic!!!!, The School Visit made me felt like a true teacher, Public Speaking freaked me out, but it has also showed how much my friends supported me (thanks my fellow IPBA-rians! AUM! AUM! AUM!), Putrajaya Tour left me feeling really blur... I forgot my script, but it was because of this tour that i gained new friendships with very very nice and wonderful people from Batu Lintang!!! and the last night's moral lesson was fun because it was then that we managed to witness the many talented actors and actresses in action! The last day was no doubt sad, as i thought we had only getting to know each other better, we had to part... Took loads of pictures and of course, numbers and email adds...
Some nice things worth mentioning will be meeting the band from IPIK who allowed this beginner drummer to play with professionals like them, the drama workshop really loosen us up and the various fantastic performance by the many institutes impressed my very much. Some not so nice things would be me not being able to read my own hand-writings in my script while mc-ing for the cultural performance... *damn embarrassing*
"Other institutes hate us"... well, i guess it depends on how we present ourselves and to carry the good name of the institute... The camp wasn't that bad after all, in fact, it rocks! (minus the water problem at the accommodation)

2007-08-19T21:49:00.000+08:00

Newfoundlife

2007-08-19T21:47:00.000+08:00

It's 2.02 am now, and what am i doing in this late hour of night? Normally at this hour, i'll be deep in la-la land... but this time, there are things that kept me awake.. Things that i've never felt before and it's eating me from the inside. I always thought i'm strong to handle all these , but not this time... whatever i'm experiencing has made me lose my rasionals many times and i began to act like someone whom i do not know anymore.

I used to take charge of my life completely, know my goals and nothing can bring me down easily.. but now, it seemed that, often i find my mind drifting away, and is always swept by a sea of confusion and uncertainties. Confidence is almost replaced with feelings of weariness as well as dilemmas..

Whatever happen to those days where there's only me , and me alone? Now that i have to share other problems, many times i had to put away mine and kept it within myself, just as long as the other is feeling alright...

Sacrifices had to be made to make ends meet, i guess... At the end of the day, what i am going to receive, well no one knows...

I'm thankful to be alive

2007-08-19T21:44:00.000+08:00

The sad sight of funeral a few blocks away from my house greeted me as my mum drove me back from the bus station. I asked her if the deceased is the middle aged lady whom we knew from that family and i told her it's a pity for that lady (if she was) to die at such young age. Later that night, i learned that the deceased is actually her 24-year old daughter who died of brain tumour. It was just only a month ago when she knew about it. Too late. 24! only 4 years my senior.

That night, i couldn't sleep...i can't help wondering when will my time arrives or those around me whom i deeply loved. Life is really unpredictable and short at times. I don't want to leave this world yet, i still have loads to do, loads of responsibilities. Images of my friends in college and my family flashed through my mind many times and i don't think i'm ready to leave this world yet.

It was then, i realize how lucky i am to be able to lie on the bed that night, with my heart still beating and count my blessings. I began to appreciate more of the things i received in my life. I'm thankful to have my mother nagging at me on the phone everyday, i'm thankful to have my sister fighting with me over the computer or to switch the tv channel, i'm thankful to have lost to my dad in the recent soccer match, i'm thankful that i have the chances to be loaded with more assignments, i'm thankful to have my friends who argue with me during our discussions, i'm thankful to have this very moment - sunday: 12.16pm, to blog.

I'm very thankful to know that i'll be able to see my parents again in a fortnight time, while the parents of the unfortunate young lady will be seeing their daughter for the last time before she's gone for eternity.

i'm a mass murderer!

2007-08-19T21:42:00.000+08:00

While i was doing my assignment the other night, i saw this colony of ants on the wall of my room , near the window.. They did nothing really, just marching up to their little place, somewhere under the window and down to some place behind the cupboard. Being a selfish human being, i was more concern about them being an 'eyesore' rather than special living creature created by the Almighty. SO, what i did was... i put some ant-icide on the path where they were 'marching'.. Soon, all the ants were moving towards the ant-icide.. i think that poison's suppose to attract the ants, but anyway the whole lot just move towards the yellow coloured killer that i 'sent'.. All the while thinking that they have found food, and was even sending more of their ants from their little place to bring back their 'fortune'... Eventually, as i sat there, i felt so guilty.. watching them killing themselves and the whole colony with the ant-icide just because they are an eyesore to me..

I never see those ants again, the next morning and the day after that.. I'm so sorry...

2006LookingBack - LookingFront2007

2007-08-19T21:41:00.000+08:00

5, 4, 3, 2, 1,...- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! It was the first day of year 2007!! About 2 hours ago, I was having fun and enjoying my first clubbing experience (thanks XY, JN, LYN, SQ, VERN, SJ, YJ!) and now having more fun as the crowd goes wildzzz!!

Looking back, 2006 was a memorable year for me - stepping into 'adulthood' and starting a new journey in another new chapter of my life. Learned even more in life and faced many challenges when i started to live on my own in another new place. It's great to get to know my friends who are in Leo's Club of Penang City ( Thanks for all the support for my community projects - ROAR!ROAR!ROAR!), fellow friends in Penang Free School, IPBA and not forgetting those old buddies from CGL as well as from other schs!

I hope year 2007 will be as memorable as the year before. No doubt, it'll get tougher this year as i'll be entering the 2nd year of my foundation course but with my new resolutions, i'll get through it!

Happy New Year y'all!!

Blogging culture

2007-08-19T21:15:00.001+08:00

The reason i created this blog account was because my sister asked me to... and also knowing that many of my friends already have an account in blogspot, me being a kiasu being didn't want to lose out too! Well, i guess i will be moving some posts from my current blog account in friendster to this account so to 'pretend' that i've actually blog-ed a lot... ( another act of kiasu, haih.. i'm not to be blamed, i guess being born in Singapore had its impact on me after 19 years) or thinking on the brighter side, i'm just trying to share my blogs and my views with the rest of you who are currently viewing my blogs =)