Choc-co-lates are so sweeeet...

2012 - whatever it takes

2012-01-07T16:35:00.000+13:00

"Shake It Out" - Florence + The Machine

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around

All of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone
It's always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah...

And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

new found hobby

2011-11-10T01:45:00.006+13:00

2010-09-11T17:33:00.000+12:00

"The Reason" (Hoobastank)

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

and the reason is You

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

West Coast

2010-01-06T22:17:00.020+13:00

With sis and bro-in-law around (the Aussies), we decided to take them to the West Coast to see the glacier and the pancakes. Dad, G, BgMn, SmMn, C and J took 2 cars and set off to Hokitika.

Checked into the Jade Factory backpackers (good deal thanks to MF). It was shitting rain when we arrived but happily, it cleared up after we checked in, and we moved on to Franz Josef for the 1 and half hr return trek to the glaciers. It was a long walk indeed especially in the inconsistent weather and the fact that it seems so near yet so far .. all the time... The glaciers itself was erm.. ok...as expected I guess. I was more interested in the colours the moss and the 'oxidised' rocks contrasted against each other. Another 30 mins return to Peter's Pool which was quite serene.

After dinner at the Stumpers bar, we went to the glow-worm den (it is free) and enjoyed a good 15 mins there mesmorised by the glowy things. Off to bed with dad taking a whole room to himself due to his snoring. ;p

The next day saw us heading to Hokitika Gorge. We nearly decided to forego this destination but thank goodness we stuck to it. We had a great time trekking down to the gorge - we walked down this long pinewood bridge-like thing which made me feel as though I am in a bird-house. The swingbridge was so cool and the colour of the water is similar to that of Lake Tekapo's. Turquoise but somewhat chalky framed by white cliff rocks.

Pancake rocks in Punakaiki was next. Dad turned back half way through as the weather turned from fine to blastery piss. Pancakes are just pancakes to me as I have been there before, and somehow this time round, it was not as spectacular as I thought I remembered them to be.. hmm.. weather might be the factor.

We heard the chopper on our way out, as a motorist crashed himself onto a power pole and all the hoo hah...finally the roads were cleared again, and we were off once more. Stopping by at the cafe in Arthur's Pass, wondering at how come The Knobbly Kea cafe across the road (albeit being the more sunnier cafe) attracts less than 1/6 of the patrons of the cafe we were in. Business tactics? Most probably.

Saw some mischievous but slow Keas wobbling around and trying to peck on car aeriels, cell phones etc.. they have beautiful orange underwings and funny feet. No wonder they can only survive in NZ with no other predators apart from perhaps...possums?

All in all, a fantastic trip which covered what we wanted to cover. Home sweet home.

Bob the lamb and co.

2009-12-31T14:17:00.020+13:00

'Tis the Christmas season, the slaughtering of our lambs, good Christmas bread and ham, old friend, the BBQ and the Christchurch man name Stan.

It was our first time owning lambs, and have them slaughtered by T a few days before Christmas. Dad, Boi and I helped round them up (with one actually tackled rubgy-style by Boi) and T efficiently slaughtered, gutted, hung and skinned them for us. Trust a West Coast Maori to be able to do that for us.

Then the BBQ - the weather was not fantastic as forecasted so the atmosphere was not as great. Plus, there ain't beer/cheese mussels so that took the joy away a little bit. Vowed to do this better next time. However, the gathering of the family was good and Zion enjoyed the bones.

YL was in town for the night last Sunday and boy, we haven't really seen each other for 9 years since I first came to NZ. The night was great catching up with good stories of when we were 14 and young and being school prefects etc.. I think we didn't change much which is good :) Core Assuntarians will always be loud, jovial and straight-to-the-point. These are much missed traits here in ChCh, so thanks YL for the reminder that sincere friendship still exist!

We visited Stan and chatted with him for awhile. A lively old man indeed with a strong love for his wife. Am sure many of the hundreds that has visited his home and lights really appreciated the joy Stan created.

Let us leave the presents, the West Coast trip to the next time round, eh?

In preparation for Christmas...

2009-12-06T14:16:00.009+13:00

Featuring food from Auckland - yups, all the Asian food which most of them we can't seem to find in Christchurch PLUS the great snowy durian, first introduced to it by Yean. The soft cold durian with cream are wrapped in powdery rice flour and it just melts in the mouth. Mmmmmm...

Then the preparation, or rather trial for Christmas cookies. Dad got some nice second-hand cookie cutters from the Sunday market, and I baked away. I tried out 3 recipes and decided the first was the best. Anyway, mom and I managed to sneak in a shortbread tranny onto the baking tray and baked that poor thing which turned out yummy.

Then the cockle-picking in Dunedin turned out well. Was there right at the very middle of low tide, hence managed to rummage into the black sand for huge cockles. Thanks to DA and AB for the trip. :) At least this time, it was not as cold as when we went in May.

Nyum, Nyum,

2009-10-31T17:39:00.014+13:00

Just a post on some great food - and some bad ones.

Great ones include:

*ahem - my homemade Apam Balik (from the packet bought in Auckland). All I need to do to this magic mixture is whack them all together with water and eggs, and lala~ fresh hot Apam Balik complete with crushed kacang and all.

Also *ahem - my waffle complete with French vanilla ice-cream and dad's homemade boysenberry jam.

The berry tart in Copenhagen Bakery right in town... $4.80 is everything I would pay for this with subtle custard and fresh berries glazed all over. Definitely juicy and it reminded me of all the beautiful tarts I kept eating when I was in Paris. Probably about the same price if you convert the Euros. Double thumbs UP!

There is also the Tea Salad and the Green Papaya Salad from the famous one and only Burmese restaurant in Christchurch - The Bodhi Tree. Ahhh.. the lentils and the exquisite taste is so hard to describe. Since I was introduced to that place, I have been back 3 times - all with different bunch of friends. However, the portions are entree size and it can be quite a dear place to eat if you are a hungry man. Technique is then to go with half your stomach full, then order the above-mentioned salads, the curry chicken and/or the skewered lamb....Perfecto! The technique works and it would be sufficient if you order 3 dishes among 2 people. Plus rice of course.

Then the downside of the food offered to the public in Christchurch overrated restaurant up in Cashmere Hills - Sign of the Takahe. I was there end of Sept for a friend's bday. The setting was wonderful with old stone walls, armoured men, white crisp linen, old wooden tables, fireplace, expansive gardens etc etc.. I ordered the Canterbury lamb which was like shite* - refer to the photo above. On the menu, it stated it would come with red wine jus or something like that. I expect all sauces to be sparingly dribbled onto my meat with extra (if any) at the side. NO - my lamb came drenched in tomato puree-like jus (as opposed to red wine?) with one crude asparagus sticking right across my plate. The taste? Don't even mention. Not wanting to spoil the otherwise pleasant evening, I just silently think to myself I probably will not be a repeat guest of this restaurant.

Giv' me the curls, giv' me, oh giv' me, oh giv' me the curls~

2009-10-18T12:27:00.009+13:00

It all started from LN. She mentioned they were giving out free perms to short-haired females in Reuben Blades so that the hairdressing students can pass their assessments. She was going, and heck why not I go along too? I have never seen myself in permed short hair anyway.

Truthfully, I had a shock when the perm was done as it looked so ...wet and stringy....and realllllyy curly.. then I told myself if it is ugly, I shall at least pass it off as "stylish". So I squared up my shoulders, bought myself a takeaway latte and marched back to my office.

It is a "hate it", "like it", "love it" or "get used to it" kinda deal. For me, it was more like a "get used to it" and hopefully it will turn into a "like it" asap.

Boi's first remark "Who are you???"

Castle Hill, Canterbury.

2009-09-21T21:52:00.015+12:00

It was a random decision to go Castle Hill especially after seeing Dodiak's photos of that place. So 7 of us (RA, RA, H, C, S, Y and ZL) trooped off - 2 cars - approx. 1 hr drive from Christchurch. It was a great day indeed. In fact, we were still civil to each other even after too much sun and fun, surprisingly non-lumpy egg sandwiches (*ahem), insufficient water and non-stop walking. We had lunch boys arguing who should carry ZE green bag consisting of our lunch, and too much V drink for Y. I will let the photos speak for themselves as there are already too many of them.

*Photos courtesy of Ronald, Roderick, and myself of course.. hehehe

Experiments

2009-09-05T14:07:00.012+12:00

The past few months have been me, the oven, and the kitchen. Been experimenting with food that can be done in the oven. No frying whatsoever.

First up is the Hong Kong styled egg tarts, which ended up more like the Rasa Malaysia Portugese egg tarts. No complaints there. I thought it tasted better sweeter and with a dash of Benedictine D.O.M. which I like to use in every piece of my work from cheesecakes to tiramisu.

Next up was the beef lasagne. How this came about was when mom and I were talking about Garfield and how he likes lasagne so much. So I thought it would be a lasagne weekend. Ended up that dad didn't like the taco seasoning used in lasagne, and mom didn't like the cheese so much. What do you expect of a lasagne - d.u.hhhh...
I myself, frankly loved it and didnt realise it is so easy to make! So will definitely make it again for myself. Note* to meself ONLY.

6 years and still going strong

2009-08-13T00:30:00.005+12:00

August 12 marks the 6th year Boi and I got together. Still going strong.

It was a good celebration as our families got together and had a sumptuous dinner dad cooked. The house was neat thanks to mom....hehe... (the greatness of parents)
The below was the menu in basic description:

Aussie prawns with bok choy
Free-range kidney with capsicums
Herbal free-range chicken
Curry lamb
Crackling pork (tapau from Joyful restaurant) with cranberry & plum sauce
Aunty Doreen's Umai
Baked nectarine with French Vanilla ice-cream and homemade butterscotch sauce topping for dessert.

The white rose for the 6th year, and chocolate with truffles to sweeten me up. :) Love you Boi~

ZE Arc Saber 9

2009-07-26T12:30:00.004+12:00

Photo I got off the Internet.

When it comes to surprises, I think I can see through Boi quite well after all these years... :)

What happened yesterday - I was feeling abit tired and decided not to go for badminton practice + dad's arm is not mint so I didn't want dad to drive me there. Boi went home after dropping me off at my place early evening, only to turn back and said he will take me to badminton.

Suspicion no.1* Boi never insisted on me going for badminton if I said I want to rest. I suggested we bum around instead, and he said he thinks I should go for badminton. Suspicion no.2* Reject my suggestion of spending time together???

Out comes the truth in the car on the way to St. Thom - ArcSaber 9!

Immediately I perked up, and I don't seem to be so tired afterall and hey, maybe badminton is not a bad idea ~ It is bright pink and white, with a white grip (courtesy of MH) and thanks to B & YT, it was restrung with black strings as well. It is absolutely gurrrrrrrlllyyy and I felt it has always been MINE.

It is the most practical anniversary gift ever. Totally what I need....and want.
Yay~ thanx loads BoiBoi ~ muax.

Happiest ad ever!

2009-06-14T13:55:00.003+12:00

Recently, PY sent me this link that he knew I would totally fall in love with. Hence I shall share if you haven't already know, you have to check it out!

http://www.uniqlo.jp/uniqlock/

The trick is that once you see them repeating the same moves over and over again, then it is time to close that window and re-open it again, to see other funny movements.

*Hint - keep your volume on as it is part of the happy ad. Enjoy~

Attitudeline.com

2009-06-06T13:25:00.006+12:00

If anyone wants to ruffle my legal feathers, it is simple. Read below.

As everyone filed into the new Westfield Riccarton Mall, so did I. When people got sucked into this beauty cosmetic stall (ATTITUDE LINE) promoting organic facial products, so did I. The sales girl was mesmerising with red hair, beautiful smile and electrifying touch as she put samples onto my inner wrist.

Salesgirl - "It is normally NZ$130 but because we are new, we are selling it at half price!"

Now, I am not normally someone that buy things impulsively or a gutter for all these salesmen's talk. But something about her made me took the box of Organic Cucumber Facial Peel, flipped it round to see it was made in the USA and with confidence brimming that this is the best money spent on my face for a long long time, I forked the $ out and went home.

Opening the box at home, saw the jar with strong printings - Made in ISRAEL, filled in the USA. I reeled back and decided I am not having the product. I have never used Israeli cosmetic products on my face, and I don't think I will if I knew. Being a consumer, I have the right of preference when it comes to my product consumption. Things I put on my face is either made in France, USA or Australasia. China... uh-uh....Israel? Never heard of it..

I marched up to the stall the next day and asked (*very nicely I must say) for my money back, and to return the product. They said their standard box prints everything is Made in USA because most of their products are. Except for this Organic Facial Peel which is in fact made in Israel and filled in USA. Irrelevant.

They then indicate that their manager will contact me in a few days regarding the refund. Few days came, no call from manager. So I whipped up my phone, rang manager up, and told her what I wanted.

Manager: "Why don't you use the product, and if you don't like it, I will refund you."

Me: " That is not the point. I DON"T want to use it, I have no confidence in it since I knew it is made in Israel. It is like.. buying a BMW with the expectations that it is made in Germany, only to find out that it is made in South Africa, instead of merely being assembled in South Africa."

Manager: " I think you are silly. I am giving you the chance to use it prior to a refund. And besides, my staff and the printing were wrong, ALL our products are made in USA."

Me: "You do not call your customer "silly" and it is totally false representation on your product's box!"

Manager: "Ok Ok, text me your bank details and I will refund to you tomorrow."

2 days later, refund came and I returned the product to the stall. I saw other customers buying from them and I wondered whether they were all informed consumers. If ATTITUDE LINE didn't give me the refund, I will definitely take this up to the Dispute Tribunal and/or media despite such a trivial matter. Seriously. Them being in a new market has all the more to lose.

ANZAC tourney

2009-05-16T15:12:00.020+12:00

ANZAC badminton tourney came and went. It's been 2 years since I last played the same tournament with Mark. I must say, he is the most patient person ever in terms of accepting my flaws on court. We got bye-ed and ended up in quarterfinals. Or so I was told as I am always someone who just hop on and off court when required. Good fun and as what I have expected. Although there are always lots of room for improvements. Just wondering whether I might be hitting the wall when it comes to getting better in badminton?

I need a new racquet btw. Mine is broken and now am using one of Mark's on long-term loan.. ;p The pics showed the emotions of players during different sets of games. Any objections let me know.

FOOD

2009-04-05T14:22:00.017+12:00

As they say - home-cooked food is always the best. Of course this is not a blanket statement to all, however for me, the statement is 99% true unless dad decides to concoct up some sour-ish paste/sauce which has non- identifiable ingredients in it.

A few friends and acquaintances came and gave us some free-range hunted meat.

Two months back, from down South came 8 huge-size fresh abalones, a huge salmon, 6 blue cods and half a bag of mussels. Recently, from the Westcoast came half a lamb (yearling) and half a deer. Also from another farmer in the Westcoast, came his free-range pork and bacon. Dad took about 2 hours to chop up the lamb and deer to be packed into our freezer and some to be given away to other friends.

The abalones were cooked with shitake mushrooms and above-said pork, stewed to tenderness.
The lamb and venison was of course, roasted. I have to admit the venison has a very strong flavour to it considering it was wild. But hey, at least it is fresh meat and with more wine and herbs and grilling on the top, it is no wonder I heart RED meat.

The new ZORB~

2009-02-11T17:51:00.008+13:00

Been a while since I wanted to do something about my hair. Ever since my cheap JPY700 hairstyle back in July last year, I was never really satisfied with the way my hair is growing and the compromising trims and cuts to my Nelly Furtado wannabe hair.

I had the urge. The urge to chop off all my hair so what better way to do it than to have a stylish BOB. Then you see all the media frenzy on Posh Beckham and her "POB" - Posh's bob. So I thought it would be nice to have the Victoria Beckham wannabe hair this time round.

Resulting the below ZORB - Zan's bob (get it?? hahahahah)

Down Down South

2009-01-02T14:49:00.028+13:00

Sis and Gav came to NZ for Christmas.
Sis, Gav, Ronald, Calvin & I went down to Queenstown:

Te Anau glowworm caves
Cromwell for fruits
Managed to check out sis great butt
Cottage ALL to ourselves on Fernhill
White water rafting in Shotover river
Sandflies' bites which itch all over
Gav wanting to vomit due to too tight a life jacket PLUS heat
Luge from Queenstown gondola
Practised expressions for photos sake
Gas stove with no gas
Dish-washer that does not dish wash, but spewed soap all over
Baked chips for supper while watching Transformers
Ice-cream, gelato, ice-cream!
Arrowtown, Chinese settlements
Wanaka for lunch and no eels in lake
Heat rashes
Black and bruised bananas forced eaten by Gav
Dad's turkey, lamb, pork ribs and chicken drums for the trip
Lake Tekapo
Bought cheap cheap fresh salmon from salmon farm
Shitting in the public toilet with own toilet paper
Calvin pee-ing on a pile of rocks by the roadside, creating a champagne flow
Road kill with no maggots
Road trip game that involves smelling poo and picking up road kill (operation failed)
Plant stuck to the side of the car door

All in all, I think it was an ok trip. Queenstown still looks its best in autumn/winter. Awwww....too bad.

2008-12-21T12:56:00.015+13:00

On World Jandals' Day, we had the 1st BBQ in Ronald's new place in Royal Court.

Mark has already painstakingly started cleaning the mussels Hock brought. 15 kgs worth of them in the bag. We couldn't wait for some late arrivals coz most of us were hungry. So the BBQ was started, the food put on. Cheong started skewing the tofus, capsicums, onions, bacon etc.

Due to Cheong's special dietary needs, Mark brought some gurnard to pacify Cheong as the rest of us dig into the beer-cooked mussels, chicken wings, beef etc.. nyuummm nyuummm.... However, I do have to stress that the fish, when sprinkled with garlic salt and freshly squeeze lemon, was yummy. Not to mentioned peri-peri sauce from Nandos.

A certain individual which I haven't met until this BBQ day came and ate mussels... and more mussels....and then more mussels... and he cooked ONCE (when there were no more cooked mussels on the table). Obviously this certain individual didn't make a very good impression on me especially since Mark has cleaned those mussels for perhaps 2 hours. We gently reminded this certain individual that there are other food in store, and his good friend even chuck some potatoes his way, all to not much avail as he help himself to more mussels. Sigh, never mind the manners.

Christmas-do at work, as well as a Citizenship team BBQ out in Heathcote came and went too. All I am looking forward now is the arrival of my sis and Gav, as well as the opening of my Christmas presents. Although I already know what they are. Hahahha!

Admission

2008-11-30T00:26:00.016+13:00

Finally. Finally admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Hight Court of New Zealand after missing so many ceremonies since I left for Japan. Somehow, I see admission as a meeting point of a closure of one chapter of my life, and a start to another one.

All dressed up in gown, wig, barrister's band etc. 12 of us were admitted that day with Justice Fogarty as the presiding judge. Mom and Dad were there of course, as well as Anna and Barry. My first address to the Court was quite emotional for me I don't know why. Therefore, it didn't sound too good.. darn!

Anyway, photos were taken around the High Court after the ceremony and obviously I have to pose in the Judge's seat as well as in the dock because who knows, these are the seats I may well end up in one day. Preferably in the former, than in the latter.

Oh, watched QUANTUM of SOLACE just before.
Summary - I didn't understand it.
Conclusion - I still don't.
Opinion - How can a Bond movie be so deep and emo? It's almost like the heroes these days needs to be a bit dark and struggling with their inner self in order for the society to accept them (i.e., similar to Spiderman). It is a freaking movie, so much so, it is a Bond movie. So make it as it is suppose to be - action - that's it. I don't want to think.

Capoeira

2008-11-09T20:09:00.004+13:00

Ever since I knew of the existence of this martial art/dance, I have been quite interested in watching it. Capoeira moves somehow look a bit flimsy yet deadly, seems less to-the-target as compared to Chinese or Thai martial arts.

Dance-like moves seem capable of confusing the opponent, perhaps before a sweep or a lash on the opponent takes place? Check it out.

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=51q1VB_dDik

Wedding

2008-10-08T13:35:00.010+13:00

The much anticipated family affair finally unfurled on September 27, 2008.
Sis and Gavin tied the knot in Brisbane.

I woke up at 6am that morning and soon after, the professional make-up artists were over at sis (and Gav's) place. At first, when I saw one of the make-up artists, I was like.. riiightt... she has no pants/bottoms whatsoever on, but a pink large oversized shirt with a black vest over it if I am not mistaken. With her stilettos, and coffee balancing precariously on her hands (her other hand dragging a zebra print luggage full of gear)....I was a bit skeptical.

Professional make-up artist curled my already curled hair, sweeping it to the side. She then dusted my face, powdered it 4 inches thick, brushed on eye shadow and with great accuracy she completed my Chinese eyes.

Ta-da! Look like from the 70s Shanghai era or not?

Enough about me...

I have never seen sis so beautiful.. don’t get me wrong, she has always been charming with that priceless smile of hers, but when we finally put her bridal gown on her, fixed up her jewellery etc, with her hair all swooped up....I am so proud to tell everyone THAT is my sis..

The professional photographers took ten million photos of sis and the bridal party, as well as our side of the family. Nearer the time, the rest of our family went off to the church, leaving only Dad, Sis and the Bridal Party in the house..

We (the starving gurls) took the moment to munch on the salmon rolls, fruit tarts, guava paste on crackers etc (food prepared courtesy from our sweet Aunty Gerry). As the time got nearer to 1pm, our drivers appeared looking much like mafia members (with sunglasses, earphones, constant calls, gold chains and rings). We then trooped off to the church.

I was nervous.. Fark, it’s not even my marriage. Michelle’s and Aimee’s singing filled the church, everyone rise to welcome the bride, and I am the first to walk in during the bridal procession... Perfect. Do not trip.

I managed to “glide” on the aisle in time with the beat of the song. Managed a smile and doing a quick scan for familiar faces. Do not trip.

I reached the end, smiled at Gav who then has the EXACT same expression he had when he bungy jump in Hanmer nearly 2 years ago. Was he that nervous? As the rest of the bridesmaids follow suit, Sis finally appeared at the entrance on Dad’s arm. Absolutely breathtaking.

Jono (the best man) shot me a glance and silently motion to his packet of tissues.. I declined with a great big smile. BUT unfortunately, Mr. Gavin Lai decided to start sniffling, then tears, then THAT set me off....I started crying as well... GREAT! Did my 4 inches thick worth of make-up run? Apparently not. Jono managed to pass his tissues to me through the pastor standing between the groomsmen and the bridesmaids. How come he thought in advance?

Dad helped Sis up to the “stage” and the pastor begin...the love, the bonding, God, the couple, the vows (which Sis was tongue-tied a little), the rings (due to heat, Gav had to pushed the ring into Sis’s finger.. ehhehe), the signing of the marriage certificate.....THE KISS OF THE BRIDE..awww..I nearly started crying again....

Recession – out onto the church steps, honks from public cars passing by, huge group photo and I have to fuss round Sis making sure no one is stepping on her train. At the same time, Do not trip.

Photo-taking in the botanical gardens during the afternoon.. By then, I was totally STARVING. The groomsmen got some sushi for us gurls which was nice. Anything for my empty stomach then was bliss. Hours of photography and we went off to Victoria Golf Complex for the Reception.

A little bit of poem

2008-09-18T12:38:00.004+12:00

I was packing my room and organising my photo albums the other day. I found this whole album consisting photos of me and sis during my Aussie trip in 2003. On the front of the album, there is a poem I wrote, inspired by the Aussie green tree frog. It was accompanied by my copied sketch of a frog.

Here goes:

"If aim was high
But leap was low
Fret not, my friend,
for the greatest things were once small.

Believe in the ultimate
For it was once insignificant.

Be determine for progress
As life cannot be held captive
Like moments frozen on frames.

I, the green tree frog,
One day you will be like me.
He who leaps high
Will find his very own tree!"

(10th Jan 2003)

Malam Malaysia 2008 - 'Home'

2008-09-02T21:06:00.032+12:00

It was on August 30th, a day prior to Merdeka.

This is also the first time that I am attending Malam without being involved in its preparations.
Frankly, after the successful 2006 'Secrets' - Pleasure, Ego, Passion - what with the fantastic deco team I had, I was quite skeptical for this 2008's. Furthermore, due to some inside information, I went to this year's Malam with low expectations.

I was not disappointed.

The night was relaxing, with a few genuine laughs. Although I had to wait until near 10pm for my food, the organisers were really friendly and the N-sync dance by Alif and gang blew the stage.

Ping-Yuen's Tiramisu Recipe

2008-08-13T14:42:00.010+12:00

I saw Japan's sunset on the day I flew off. The 'Land of the Rising Sun' is indeed setting for me.

The past year working and traveling Japan had me realised that I managed to pluck meself out of my comfortable-zone of Christchurch, and tried out a country in which I neither speak its language nor embrace its culture.

Nonetheless, I am back to where I first started, albeit with more experiences to share and stories to tell when I catch up with friends and family once again. Have been slowly watering meself with sports since I came back. Sweet sports... (one year sitting on a rollie blue office chair facing a computer 14-15 hours a day is not the most ideal exercise whilst working in Japan).

Other than that, me and Boi got some ingredients from Countdown last night, and I made some Tiramisu using Ping-Yuen's recipe. Although the recipe was originally provided by his sister, I will just call it PY's recipe anyway for short. By the way, I forgot what type of cream I should buy when shopping in Countdown so I took the liberty to call dear PY in Singapore while he is at work, demanding whether I should get normal cream, lite cream, thickened cream or whipped cream to make the Tiramisu.

Yes, I am THAT demanding while PY patiently described to me what type of cream I should get, and each consequence of using the different types of creams.

HISTORY

I learned my first tiramisu-making with Ping-Yuen end of 2004 (my closest male friend if I could put him in that category). In fact, I would say that we are more than friends, as we have attained a higher level than mere friendship. Since then, I have only made it twice (once for my parents, the other time for my sis).

This time round, I am determine that Boi has some share of this wonderful recipe. So I made 8 crystal glasses of Tiramisu, full bodied in coffee and D.O.M. liquor, Mascarpone cheese and cream as well as the soaked biscotti. Photos as above.

Thanks again PY!

Hokkaido Flower Power

2008-08-02T22:56:00.027+12:00

Got a ferry (return - for JPY17,400 - SWEEEEET... normally it would have cost JPY60,000 return flight).

I was set to spend 20 hours to Hokkaido in a ferry each way, considering it will save me more than 400 bucks. With my imagination that the "ferry" would be the Penang-style type of open-aired thingies where passengers are sort of lump together with the vehicles.. I was surprised when the "ferry" turned out to be a small cruise ship (Shin-Nihonkai) minus the swimming pool and casino.. but with restaurants, cafes, spa and bath, theatre room...I was stoked. Chucking up on board was no longer a problem.

My sole purpose visiting Hokkaido was for the flower fields. Went with MM (a Louisiana dude met through a mutual friend) who so happened want to visit Hokkaido too. With my talkative travel companion in tow (whom I have learnt how to tune him out when I am tired of listening to him ... hehehe.. sorry, Mike, but I am sure you must have think that I am a very rude person), I managed to fulfil my purpose with 5 days out of 6 raining when we were there.

The gorgeous laid-back country-side was a sharp contrast to ugly Osaka, and it was also 10 degrees cooler as compared to Osaka, ranging between 16-24 degree Celcius.

I have never seen so much flowers in such a short span of time. Poppies being my favourite.

HIGHLIGHTS:

When Mike and I asked for directions, people tend to tell me in Japanese, thinking I am one of their kind. I have to point to the white dude next to me, and politely request that they speak to him instead.

The Ditch Crawler - I HAVE to take this photo as evidence that my travel companion happily crossed a 2-feet ditch by crawling on 2 logs. No one will believe me if I didn't take that photo.

Yes, yes.. he is American.

Photos of down South

2008-07-25T17:37:00.015+12:00

Caught a flight with my temp flatmate to Miyazaki - SouthEast of Kyushu, Japan 2 weeks ago, and rented a car driving to Aoshima island...although the weather was HOT, burning through my slippers and all, we saw the horizontal rocks with little craters on them, formed by volcanic lava whatever you want to call it. I actually thought they were fake man-made cement stuff at first.

Drove the coastal Phoenix and Horikiri Pass...almost looked like some sort of place in America with the white souvenir shops and palm trees, blue skies...along to Nichinan.

Returned the car, caught a train to Kagoshima. It was prob more than a 3 hr train ride...I napped away happily with the occasional sleepy glance at the scenery through the train window. Then suddenly, my flatmate went "SHIT!"

I awoke with a start, and we realized that our last ferry is at 4 pm leaving Kagoshima port to Yakushima, and not 6.45 pm (the latter being the ARRIVAL time in Yakushima). Well, since we have missed it, we might as well enjoy Kagoshima and take the first ferry the next day instead.

YAKUSHIMA
One word - Awesome!

The skies so clear, the locals are so nice (i.e., our minshuku Habu-san made us tea and send us coffee in the morning despite us not having that need)... ahhhh we have the whole minshuku to ourselves since no one else were there. The local eatery (Hiro) which we somehow found, hidden in some corner serves the best Ikan Bakar I have ever eaten...

The cedar forest (Mononoke (?)) was so mossy and green, with creeks and waterfalls, wild deers and monkeys in families as well....we took the baby trek being 3 hr return, and I havent's sweat so much in the past month until now...

The beaches were so gorgeous!! Yups. In Japan. The water is so clear and the bead-like sand glistens in the sun....no wonder the turtles find Yakushima one of their spots to lay eggs. Too bad we didn't have more time on this fantastic island though.

Yakushima being the climax of our trip, the rest of it (driving north of Kagoshima to Takachiho Gorge) was kinda like... yeah.. whatever... hehehe. Dropped by at Marc Chagall cafe in Yufuin, drove round Beppu and Oita....Somehow, Yufuin, Beppu and Oita weren't as beautiful as when I visited them last year during fall with MdM and Nancy.

All in all, the highlight of the trip down South is definitely Yakushima.. HIGHLY recommended.

Peace out.

The continuation of my trip 2 weekends ago...

2008-07-17T19:31:00.018+12:00

En route to MATSUE (the highlights) –

The coastal drive passing through many fishing villages, seeing the community gathered for BBQs, the waiting of the sunset in our rented car with MdM. Our sunset watch ended with both of us being interviewed by “Japanese media” with questions as below:

Q1: “Where are you from?”
A1: “New Zealand”

Q2: “What do you think of the sunset?”
A2: “It’s very beautiful. I have never seen something like that before”

Q3: “Would you come back again?”
A3: “Probably. If I have the time.”

Q4: “Why would you want to come back again?”
A4: “Cause erm...it is very beautiful??... erm.. yeah... it’s fantastic.”

HIROSHIMA (the highlights) –

Stopping the car with the intention to U-turn in order to find some accommodation back from where we drove from. However, we realised there was a dodgy hotel just next to where we have just stopped our car. Asked the rate, checked in, and crashed to bed.

The next morning, MdM and I drove round the Peace Memorial Park at least 3 times trying to find a park.

Round 1 – Here are some carparks.. but let’s see whether there are others.

Round 2 – Ok, I think these are the nearest carparks near the Peace Memorial...100 Yen for 20 mins? Let’s see whether they have cheaper ones further down...There’s no more la... I think they are all 100 yen.... (and just as MdM signalled and wanting to make a right turn into the last 100 Yen carpark along the road.... I yelled: “It’s 100 Yen for 15 mins! Previously was 100 Yen for 20 mins!”).....MdM stopped immediately from turning, and instead, head for our third round the block.

Round 3 – Parked our car in a 100 yen for 20 mins park. Didn’t really know how to work the parking machine... whatever.

SAYOCHI - the search for the sunflowers begins (the highlights) –

How to set the GPS? Hmmm dunno...as we try fiddling around to get onto the IC roads heading towards Okayama, then to Sayochi to find these infamous sunflower fields...

1 hr later, we were FINALLY on the IC roads. Reached Okayama, and changed into a country road to Sayochi....followed trucks after trucks in daytime traffic....Gawd....it was a long ride but at least I was the passenger. ThanX M for driving!

We finally reached Sayochi, asked for directions to the sunflower fields... after 3 tries; we got the accurate directions from the petrol station dudes whom laughed at us.... we wondered why....upon arriving to the fields, we realised why...there were no sunflowers in bloom!!! We were one week early, and only the buds stared at us in their closed, almost mocking faces.

Oh well....the buds were cute anyway. Self-comfort with vivid imagination of the beautiful countryside filled with sunflowers...I have no doubt it would be amazing.

my NEW hair!

2008-07-12T23:25:00.008+12:00

I have always wanted to cut my hair before I go back to NZ. The other day, I was walking past this hair school whereby people can get their hair cut for JPY700 (approx. NZ$8.65) by students.

Since I am in my last leg residing in Japan, and traveling quite a bit, I am tight in money and decided it is a good try. I mean how hard is cutting fringes right?

As i entered into the school with a friend (HH), 18 students and 3 senseis crowded around us, eager to chop our hair into pieces as they experiment and learn on us guinea pigs. As we signed away the "liability/disclaimer" forms, me and HH sold our hair to them.

Firstly - shampoo...turned out as a "not so good" standard (and by that I mean Japanese standard which is very high in the service industry).

Secondly - he sat me down in my seat, dropped his comb.. uh...ok...by now, I wasn't sure whether I should jus flee when I still have the chance.. but my trainee hairdresser gave me his 19 year old look, and I said, heck, hair can be sacrificed.. his experience is worth more... (man, felt so self-sacrificial). However, I couldn't help noticing that the "customers" there were mostly old ladies going for a trim.

Thirdly - HH and I tried to communicate in our broken Japanese and our respective trainees' broken English to indicate what hairstyle we want...Fortunately, I brought a pic of Nelly Furtado in her "Say it Right" videoclip and merely pointed at her fringe.

Fourthly - the scissors went snipping. Half an hour later, some fringes appeared on me, and he started blowdrying my hair which took like 1 and 1/2 hours...and something went into my eye and I started tear-ing. He got nervous and kept asking whether I was all right, and rushed for the tissue box.

Anyway, I parted with my JPY700 happily and even took a pic with my hairdresser. As HH and I leave the place, all the students and the senseis bowed at us, walked us to the door and shook our hands, and bow some more.

All in all, I didn't manage to look like a sexy Canadian Nelly, but turned very Jap doll instead. Who am I to kid with my Asian features huh? :)

Tottori Beach Party & the Coastal Dr.

2008-07-08T18:56:00.017+12:00

What a fantastic weekend it was!

Friday night, we rented a car with MdM driving us (us being LC, MM, me and T) to Tottori.

We reached there near midnight, chucked the guys and LC on the beach while me and MdM checked into our Golf Course Lodge.. whoppie!! It was such a spacious lodge with air-cond, CLEAN TOILET and BATH (emphasis added). Mind you, when I saw the toilet by the beach, I was kinda glad I took the lodge instead of doing the whole beach party real deal by camping on the beach itself for the weekend.

Met some Japanese dudes, Americans, Jamaicans, Aussies and best of all, Kiwis! Basically, I would say it is a gaijin party. The music was good, atmosphere was great for dancing....and when we sat by the wooden "balcony" area overlooking the beach, the 1/4 moon with the islands' silhouette, the flickering of candles on the beach, the breeze, the people, the laughter....man, I felt so relaxed just sitting there.

RC, one of the Kiwi dude I met lived a few streets away from me in Christchurch, near Captain Ben's. And the most surprising thing I've heard that weekend was "nyamuk" coming out from his mouth when I talked about mosquitoes...as I then found out that he does have some link to/in Malaysia, specifically Kuching. Wow. Talk about the world being small. Of all places, we met in Tottori, Japan!

The other highlight in Tottori was the coastal drive MdM, me, MM, T and R took on Saturday. I have to say, every coast has its own unique beauty despite it being "just another coastal drive"....We found a secluded "cove" and went dipping into the clear torquoise water. MM and R had a great time jumping off rocks into the water, while I made it exceptionally clear that no one is to flick sea water into my eyes while I went for a quick dip. Hehe.. contact lenses.

MdM sat there enjoying the sun and looking pretty.
T just stayed in the shade in his pretty pink shirt and hat. Very British indeed.

Anyway, the beach party ended on Sunday morning. Then it was just me and MdM taking a slow drive back to Osaka, BUT FIRST, to Matsue where MdM and I were interviewed by the Japanese media, Hiroshima to see some piece of history, and Sayochi for the search of the sunflowers. I will post those the next time. Adios!

mummy dearest!

2008-06-24T00:40:00.011+12:00

She came and she went.
One week of tender loving care.
One week of talking into the night before we both fell asleep.
One week of sharing the same clothes.
One week of introducing her to Japan.
One week of layan-ing her.
One week of her packing my stuff.
One week of fun.

See you soon, mom!

A cruisey cruisey weekend indeed

2008-06-05T00:35:00.013+12:00

Saturday night was spent having a "Cheesecake Night" with DVDs, with the balcony door open, nice breeze, great company and laughter. I am beginning to wonder if I am at all that welcome around the neighbourhood with such disastrous laughter.

The movie we watched was SILK (please do not even waste 5 mins of your life to watch this). JH, MdM and I pounced on it in the DVD shop thinking that hey, Keira is acting in it.. and the DVD cover looked so good with lilies and all that "it will be a great drama" look to it.

The Plot - wait.. there is one?? Oohh.. the credits started to roll...oh man, we must have missed the plot, or was there any??

Basically, the Lady (aka Keira) just tend to her garden in the entire movie, stating that she want white lilies.. loads of them in the garden. Husband got Lady her garden. Husband went to Japan in search for silk worm eggs to bring back to Britain (the town has a silk factory). Husband was seduced by a Japanese lady whom does not talk, just stares at Husband all the time. Husband went back to Britain. Lady showed Husband her lilies...Eggs had problems. Husband went back to Japan to get more eggs. Japanese lady did the hand thing, dribbling water on Husband when Husband was bathing in one of those Japanese tubs. Husband went back to Britain with 2nd batch of eggs.. Lady showed Husband her lilies. Husband went to Japan the 3rd time to get more eggs and for other reasons.. but unfortunately Japanese lady can't be seen anymore due to civil war. Husband went home disappointed with more lousy batch of eggs, and Lady died. -- Tada --

Sunday - free concert thanks to Mdm being friends with one of the performers. Although I had a general idea how this friend of hers KAT looks like through MdM's blog and youtube, when i saw her. it was knee-buckling for me.. she looked ABSOLUTELY beautiful!! Not to mentioned she had a good voice too. With those expressive eyes, I reckon she will go far more in years to come, selling her music.. I am proud to say she is HALF Kiwi!

It was a GREAT afternoon, lying in the shade with JH, MdM, JC and C, with colourfully garbed attendees and with live music although I do not know the performers until that day. I have to say, I finally found some appreciation for J-music when CARAVAN performed. A mixture of Jap. and Eng. lyrics, harmonica whistling and guitar playing, drums in the background....where else do you find such wonderful Sunday?

Club Noon, OSAKA

2008-05-24T05:10:00.004+12:00

I have never club to rock songs much, and to my surprise, although I still find it hard to club to, I had a great time having myself being introduced to rock songs last weekend in CLUB NOON... a fantastic recommendation by Mason.. thanx babe!

I liked some of the songs so much, that I searched versions and versions of them on youtube, and yes, I finally found ONE> This is my fav version of one of the rock songs I fell in love to:

I FOUGHT THE LAW

WHIRLWIND trip back home

2008-05-11T23:20:00.018+12:00

Well, that was specifically 4 and a half days back in Christchurch to have a quick red meat fix.
First dinner - dad's medium rare beef, veges, potatoes.

Second dinner - dad's roast lamb, (me having the extra bone that was meant for the dog), veges, potatoes.

Third dinner - Oysters, dad's scallops fried with veges, more beef.

Fourth dinner - Lone Star with some close friends.

Last dinner - Pork legs in vinegar and chilli, stir fried beef with mushrooms, scallops with veges.

Yes, I am carnivorous, although I also love my veges. Man, I love my parents! Took a drive with them to Akaroa and ate the lousy fish&chips which was once the best, went yum cha with them, went to Sumner for ice-cream...Basically, I tried to spend as much time as I have with them. Its funny how they are the ones I miss most when I am away from home.

The trip was so short it is almost surreal. It was great to be back though! Muax to you all!

When the Boss invites you to a party, the answer is to always say "yes"...

2008-04-12T03:12:00.007+12:00

Well there.... since I came back to Osaka, I've been having a string of serious affairs with trademark files .. Most of them in pink, but some in yellow.

Crazily looking for flats as well because of the rent increase in LeoPalace. Argh... been shifting around like nomad ever since arriving in Japan. Although I have to say without the company sending me off to the branch offices, I would probably not have that much time/opportunities to experience round Japan.

Last weekend was the MAN's cherry blossom party. It was the first time I was at his place. THAT, is what I call a proper house which I have not the chance to see much these days ever since arriving in Japan. Food was excellent with Kyushu beef, scallops, organic bamboo shoots, free flowing alcoholic drinks (which everyone knows that I can't drink), thus the free flowing orange juice and ice coffee for me...dessert..... nyum nyum nyum.....

The weather was fantastic, and everyone had a great time lazing around and chatting away, although we cannot totally avoiding talking about work.

Here are the photos with some cherry blossom.

Tokyo

2008-03-02T06:24:00.023+13:00

Man, it has been ages since I last updated this thing. Life working in the Tokyo branch office has been good. Met loads of people whom I never would have thought I would meet.

Ronald arrived in Japan 21st Jan. It was a much anticipated trip of his for both of us, I actually didn't felt as though he left in the first place since we parted in September last year.

Since then, we spent the weekends making day trips out of the crazy city of Tokyo, went to Tsukuji fish market as well as early as we could wake up, trying to catch the fishermen's fish auction.

Yean from Auckland, NZ visited so we met up as well.

Ronald and I met a Malaysian dude, Zadli from Ampang, when we had dinner at a Malaysian restaurant called Mahathir, run by an Ipoh couple. Man, I miss Malaysian food!!! Food was absolutely fantastic with total original Malaysian taste to every single dish I tried there -- claypot rice, char keoy teow, nasi lemak, kari ayam mee, pak cham gai rice, roti canai, satay, teh tarik.... it was HEAVENLY...

The food in Mahathir was so great, and the Aunty and Uncle Wong are so friendly we went back there the day after.

Ronald and I met up with Zadli, Yuen and Cuscini for KTV session the weekend after (KTV in the afternoons in Japan cost near to nothing -- 79yen (95Cents NZD) PER HOUR! Trust a Malaysian to take us to places where there is a good deal.

We then stayed out until clubbing time in Alife.... As clubbing was not originally in our agenda, we were all underdressed...

Hey, I was in my jeans and Adidas shoes, and a hoodie!

..... Oh my god.. totally underdressed as I shrink tinier and tinier around those hot Japanese chicks (which are like.. errr.. 80% of those in the club). To compensate for that, only a handful of them can dance, unfortunately. Did not managed to take any photos of the Jap Chicks as after 2 shots in the club, the security threatened to take my camera away.. Darn!!!

Beijing in Winter

2008-01-08T01:12:00.000+13:00

Well, 1 week holiday in Beijing has confirmed certain stereotypical images in my mind about Chinese, but it has also "humbled" ( as Mark puts it that way) me in many sense when I visited those historical sites that could only portray the greatness of the race. So I should be proud to be a Chinese? Although not a purebred one.

Met up with Aaron, a long-time close friend of mine, we met way back in the tropics of Malaysia -- now residing in Beijing after his life in Boston. It was 6 years ago since we last saw each other. Other than the fact that we both look older now, but hot as always, hehe, everything was fantastic as we caught up, and he brought me to:

Yong He Gong (Lama temple)

Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven)

Forbidden City

Lu Gou Qiao (Marco Polo Bridge) -- I took pictures of every single lion on one side of the bridge. Couldn't take the other side as my memory card was running out.

Bei Hai park -- gorgeous scenery with a serenity combining history.

Wang Fu Jing nightmarket where I ate "a" silk worm. Did not manage to eat more than one, as the worm juice spewed out from its crust...and my mind was sending messages to my body to reject it.

Dong Hua Men nightmarket - whereby I ate Tau Foo Fa, Popiah-like thing, and a bowl of what seems to be similar to Char Kui Kak.

Summer Palace -- by far my favourite spot. The lake was frozen, Aaron and I played on it, the sunset was absolutely stunning, and I saw sceneries which I thought could only exist in photoshop and Chinese dramas.

Last but not least, of course the Great Wall of China. Funny how I was not crazy over it when Aaron and I climbed it.. The climb was good, we went to the part of the wall where no other tourists in their large, loud tour group go. Looking at the wall, I actually said "it is just another wall" to Aaron, and we both burst out laughing. Its like the Eiffel Tower when I visited it 2 years back. It's just the Tower. I think the more I see something on advertisement, and the more I hear people talk about it, my interest in that "something" will wane. Yeah, so the wall.

Other than that, food was excellent, cheap and cost near to nothing. I ate much of my missed Chinese food which includes Cantonese Dim Sum, Peking duck, chinese kuih etc.. even had Malaysian Char Kuew Teow on my last night there.

Watch loads of DvDs as well. I watched more English movies in China throughout my 9 days there, as compared to my 5 months in Japan.

Taxi drivers are honest. People are rude, loud, and they spit everywhere.. yups.. every time I hear someone clearing their throat, I quickly heighten my sense to see where the spit is coming from. Hell, they even squish the spit after spitting it, as though they are extinguishing a ciggi butt...
Oh yeah, pollution is horrible too.

But all in all, it was a fantastic trip. No regrets, highly recommended place to visit.
Now, as I sit in my little LeoPalace in Tokyo, I felt the trip was too fast, and I am back to reality, working in Japan...wonder when is the next time I will see Aaron again....maybe in another 6-7 years?

2007

2007-12-27T02:26:00.000+13:00

It's the time of the year where most people sit and reflect on what this year means to them, what they have achieve, what they have gone through etc etc..

For me, this year is almost surreal. So many things came and gone, wham wham wham...one by one events unfold to the extent my calendar cannot even keep up. This is how it goes:

JANUARY
Finally finished uni, my last lecture in my entire life (most probably) as I walked out into a hot summer day.

MARCH
Had the urge to take out all my wisdom teeth all in one go. That was a great feeling! The feeling of being anesthetized, not feeling a thing, and being so drowsy to the extent I can't remember I actually got up from the dentist chair, paid with my own hands, and been driven home.

APRIL
Road-trip around South Island with 3 aunties and a granny, whereby we need to hunt for Chinese food most of the time in order to satisfy them. But all in all, it was fabulous as I had fun with Ronald, and when the Pajero overheated and broke down in the middle of nowhere, a Kiwi mechanic on holiday stopped to help us out. Makes me realised why I love New Zealand so much. Small town folks are great!
Then it was my graduation. 4 years in Law School and this is it....dad took so many photos of me, still feel good that the older generation Kiwis couldn't believe that an Asian can come out of Law School in conservative Canterbury. Yes, believe it or not, the mentality still exists.

MAY
Profs started, and met a whole bunch of law-school friends. For 3 months, 12 of us see each other from 8.30am to 4pm average Monday to Friday, coped in a small room. We laughed at everything, shared bread, made coffee for each other, sat assessments together, discussed and complained about the stuff we were studying.. especially Legal Ethics.. hahaha.. good days, good days...had wine and cheese gatherings to de-brief. Fond memories indeed.

JUNE
Met a friend, lost the friend. Thought I found another friend, but lost that friend as well. This whole month made me realised that no one can ever replace PY, and my gurlfrens (7 of you gurls, you know who you are) from back home. Miss u all.. Muah muah!

JULY
Bersatu games -- didn't participate this year due to Profs. But managed to go and support CMSA whenever I got off Profs early.

AUGUST
Profs ended. Packed for Japan. Left behind everyone, friends, boyfriend, family, foes. I was a bit unsure to be frank, but then I knew I needed the change, I needed the break, otherwise I will be stagnant.

Until now, Japan has treated me well, although I was plucked out from my comfortable zone for the 2nd time now (first from Osaka, then from Fukuoka) to be posted to a branch office....Met so many new people from the company and from the streets alike. Great colleagues, great ex-colleagues, friendly people, weird fashion, good food though I have to say I miss my beef at reasonable price. It's definitely the warm Gaijins and JP that make this place easier to settle in.

Christmas came and went. Nothing eventful. Although pre-Christmas was fun and unexpected moments happened when I headed back to Osaka for the long weekend. Now all I can say is that I am looking forward to my Beijing trip which should be the start of a wonderful 2008. Fingers crossed.

Pictures of my weekends in the past 3 months when I was in Fukuoka

2007-12-20T02:10:00.001+13:00

Well.. 3 months being posted to Fukuoka branch office came and went by in a blink of an eye.

Last weekend, I took the 6.30am Shinkansen from Fukuoka to Tokyo. As I stepped out into Tokyo Station, the place looks old and dirty, reminds me of London indeed. After meeting Nick (we are to exchange our posts in the branch offices -- we exchanged apartment keys and train passes, working information in respective branches etc), I took the train to my Apartment in Higashi-Chiba....
That night, I met up with Laura (who came up from Osaka for the weekend), Yuma (whom was heading up to the mountains soon), Aaron Ling (whom also came into Tokyo for that weekend), and a couple of Yuma's friends. The night's event aside, I hereby post some pics of my good old day-tripping while I was down South, Kyushu region when I was working in Fukuoka:

Passionate product for Passionate people

2007-12-01T02:48:00.000+13:00

I seldom use facial cleanser because I always believe in cleaning my precious face by using natural substance --
i.e. h20

Then, I thought I better get some blackhead remover cleanser.. so Clearasil it is. But then, Clearasil seems to make things worse.. no kidding, everytime I used it, a pimple will mysteriously start to form itself on my face.

Solution?

BodyShop Passion face cleanser! It is like light whipped cream when you squirt it out, has meeeeneeemum smell. Yes, smells au naturale. Fantastic! And the best thing is? They support Community Trade too! Fair price, fair product, fair origins...
and no, BodyShop is not paying me to write this. It is just pure customer satisfaction. 100% recommendation from mua!

Daily life in Fuk

2007-11-14T00:53:00.000+13:00

It's amazing how when I was first transferred to work in Fukuoka, I felt sort of lonely and out-of-touch with my English-speaking colleagues back in Osaka.

Now, nearly 2 months have gone by, and I was told that I will be transferring to the Tokyo branch in mid-Dec.

Feeling? Sort of reluctant to move now, considering I have accustomed to Fuk's way of living and working, and the office colleagues, the lunch talks..the apartment I am living in, my neighbourhood, my neighbours, my neighbours' gardens, people I see everyday on the train, people I see on the way walking to the train station every morning, which supermarket sells cheaper food than which, and if one sells cheaper raw food doesn't mean it sells cheaper fruits and bakery.... the list is endless....

Not to mention the train is pack in the morning with people rushing to work (yeah, my office is strategically right in the middle of the city where everyone works too) -- see above pic.
Oh my god.. I cannot imagine in Tokyo!!! I will be definitely squash by human stampede!

These are photos of my neighbourhood and what I see everyday
(For Mark)

Those orange hanging bits in the above pic are my neighbours' garden-grown persimmons. Yeah.. they hang them dry. Now I know how my favourite dried fruit is preserved.

Trippy trip to Saga...

2007-11-09T02:29:00.000+13:00

Saga -- a prefecture just next to Fukuoka.

Why? To see the International Hot Air Balloon Festival/Competition... There were hundreds of them!

Went there -- last Saturday night, stayed over at Yukiyo's house, as we needed to get the first 5.45am train on Sunday, to the paddy fields for the festival.

How many people were there? According to the announcer, half a million. Well, this is Japan after all, paddy fields or not.

Experience in a typical Japanese house -- I tried to push the thoughts of The Grudge out of my mind, but I cannot help it. The house is beautiful, large, Japanese garden, but very similar to the Grudge style in the inside. Part parquet flooring, part tatami flooring. I had a room to myself. I was spooked before I went to bed as many thoughts flown through my head as I lie there.. silence was eery. In the middle of the night, I experienced what the olden Chinese believe it as the Spirit/Ghost crushing you as you lie in bed..

I was fully awake, my mind was so conscious and all but I cannot open my eyes, I cannot move, I cannot speak...it just felt as though something very heavy is pushing me back down. But I refuse to believe such Spirit/Ghost explanation. If any of you out there who can give me a logical one, please feel free to enlighten me.

Photos:

Just when I thought inspiration is down~

2007-10-30T01:03:00.000+13:00

I don't know whether it is meant to be, or that everything turns out right just as they are suppose to...

As I wrote in my entry yesterday on how I have lost some part in me due to routine, I received a heart-warming text from Mark, early this morning (Japan Time) as I was walking to my office. The text reminded me that there are friends out there that I love and believe in.

Just as I thought lunch is another lunch today, I received 2 parcels. One from my parents, one from Boi. Both contained cards which lifted my spirit like nothing else. Parents sent me some blackcurrent supplement pills to save my eyesight from the evilness of the computer screen and work stress; Boi sent me an ENGLISH book to read, burned DVDs of ENGLISH movies and series (yes, I have to stress on the "English" bit as I have been deprived of them), some herbal mix and spices for cooking, plus a badly written snail mail, which clearly reminds me of him. Hahaha.. man, I love everyone!

Just as I was reading my horoscope on Friendster -- I don't usually believe in them, but they seem to hit home at most times which is quite scary.

It says:

The Bottom Line

Having a routine might get boring from time to time, but uncertainty is worse.

In Detail

Despite the fact that having a routine in your life might get boring from time to time, you will find a great deal of comfort in knowing just what is going on in your daily life for the next few days. There are few (if any) mysteries for you to solve right now, and that should suit you just fine! You need a period of stability right now -- it will give you the firm foundation you need to let your mind wander and figure out what next big task you should tackle.

Could anything else be more coincidental? After all these encouragement, I will definitely fly outside the box because I am a butterfly of FREEDOM!

Running out of ideas

2007-10-28T20:22:00.000+13:00

Sometimes, when we are in a place that we have to just do what is required of us, we lose our own selves in that process and in that place, we lose the abstract beauty in us, and we forget how to show that part of the beauty to the world and to those around us that matters.

Make sense?

What I am trying to say is, as this applies to me, I just work and work and work. Getting up at 7.50am, take the 8.32am train, reach the office at 8.58am, and work til whenever that is required out of me that day. Monday - Friday, routine...

No one I know likes work. But we all have to do it, now or sometime in our future. I am talking about general public anyway.

I am losing my abstract self, and I need to gain it back by smelling the neighbour's jasmine flowers in the weekend, or just sit by myself in a train platform, not going anyway, just sitting there and observe people.

I need to write, I need to paint, I need to play sports...By the way, I can't find acrylic paint here, they only seem to sell watercolours... sucks! Anyway, made myself a new pair of glasses, and I look totally like a librarian. Perfect.

New toy!

2007-10-14T00:47:00.000+13:00

After nearly 2 months, I finally got my hp in Japan! Yeah, one of those funky coloured ones. I have to go to a certain SoftBank shop in order to catch the only English speaking staff to set up my contract. After fixing on the leather strap which Ronald bought for me before he left, onto this vivid pink baby of mine, viola! its ready to go. But somehow, I feel as though I am not using it to its full potential....not being a tech-savvy person is, at times like this, a pain to oneself. And the fact that despite the phone being bi-lingual, it does prompt me in Japanese once and again .. errr ... I don't understand you, new toy...

My life is like a Jellyfish...

2007-09-30T22:56:00.000+13:00

These are some pictures I took when I went to the Osaka Kaiyukan (Aquarium) with Boi a month ago.

If I ever want to come back onto this Earth, it will be as a JellyFish..... My mind is made up... the jellyfishes are so mysterious, floating about, silently, gently and gracefully....and then it can WHAM! sting the hell outta you. That's the way it should be : my life as a JellyFish.

My baby Boi is gone...for the 2nd time...this time for REAL!

2007-09-23T14:19:00.000+12:00

Boi conveniently sitting on my newly bought 2nd-hand couch I got from Mason.

Boi carrying my couch through the commuter.

My pig door rug/mat which Boi got me.

Us in Tennjinbashi.. errr, I think that is what it is called anyway.

He left Japan at 8am today. Seriously, I never felt so sad in a parting before, and today I felt it tearing into me. All throughout my life, I was the one leaving, maybe that is why partings were never sad for me.... until now. In my secondary school years, I was the one that left behind my friends and my bf-then to go NZ. In the past, I was always the one traveling to visit my sister, my friends, and then I leave after my holiday...And then for this Japan trip, I was the one who left my comfortable-zone behind as I yearn to experience more, to see more, to travel more... I left him behind.

Yes, I cried as we ate breakfast in the airport. Yes, I cried when we hugged and kissed goodbye. Yes, I cried as I make my way up to the observatory deck and waved at the airplane he was on. Yes, I cried on my train home all alone, scaring every damn Japanese sitting near me. Yes, I am crying now as I type this... And I always thought I was emotionally strong, dismissive and dominant in a relationship. If I could change this feeling, it would be this. I can't describe it.

Looking back in the past month:
He arrived as a surprise on the 26th August Sunday.

We spent nearly a month together. He meets me for lunch at 12. Most of the time, meets me for my evening breaks at 7, and when I reached home, he will try to have cooked a great simple meal...

And then I was posted to Fukuoka (down south from Osaka) -- He shifted with me, settled me nicely again in my new home for the next 3 months....He waited for me in McDees below my office to go for lunch together, he meet me after work to take a walk around the city before going home...

Then he was to leave on Tuesday (18th Sept) but he missed his flight, even after we ran, luggage and all to the check-in counter -- frankly speaking, I never experience anyone who misses a flight before when I send them off. So my heart beat stopped for 10 minutes before he sorted out everything with reasonable costs...

So his next flight is on Sunday (23rd Sept. i.e. TODAY!!!!)....

During his stay here, we fought, we argued, we forgave, we shopped, we had fun, we watched Japanese movie (Sukiyaki Western), we ate by the river, we watch fishes swim in the river, we checked chicks out, we didn't check guys out as there weren't any, we cycled tandem, we talked about our ideas for our Cafe, we paid extra for good French coffee and not Jap can coffee sold in convenient stores, we walked endless of miles, sweat and still laugh about it.

We even took an unclaimed nice black umbrella on the train only to lose it in a Chinese restaurant few hours later --

Lesson to be learnt: What is not yours will NEVER be yours despite you may have possession of it for the briefest moments.

Here are some pictures, this entry is for you. Have a safe flight back to Christchurch. Love u!

Physical pain never felt so great!

2007-08-25T02:55:00.000+12:00

View from my desk -- Overlooking Osaka Business Park.. Always got helicopter flying around as the Osaka Castle is there as well (not in this pic). The castle is this horrendous green and white thingy..

My Company -- I am on the 15th floor, Crystal Tower.

The view from my workplace is gorgeous.. Just yesterday, there is this red dust thingy that according to Mike (an old staff), Osaka tends to have this yellow or red dust that occasionally gets blown over by the wind from don't know which desert... the sky was entirely red but I didn't have my camera with me then, so no pics.. :(

Will be expecting to work late next week onwards. My team leader stays til 11pm. And he expects us all to do the same. Sigh. Whoever says working life is fun??? Only the $$ bit is motivating me right now. I love the people in the company though.. Maybe that shall be my new motivation? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Ok this is totally random, but thought I would share my wound on my heel with everyone. That, was caused by my shoes which did not contain my expanded feet in the heat properly.. Enjoy... I didn't know which medicine to buy coz they were in Japanese.. so I do the home-DIY style.. put salt.. Yes, my temporary threshold for pain is very high! It healed a bit. By the next day, the pain is totally gone. Viola!

Japan

2007-08-23T01:02:00.000+12:00

My Green tea ice-kacang.. But I still prefer the Green Tea ice-cream from Minami, Dunedin though...

The gurls in Kobe -- Mabelle taking the pic.

China town in Kobe..

CCC New Zealand!!! Awwww I miss home!!

My Loft that I am suppose to sleep in. But I really cannot bring myself to sleep in there.. so claustrophobic...

The height is only 90 cm.. I can hardly sit up if I were to sleep in it.

Ladder climbing up to my Loft.

As you can see, I now sleep on the floor in my "spacious lounge"!

Arrived in Kansai, Osaka on Friday morning.. surprisingly the flight didn't seem long at all despite the 8 hours I have to wait in Singapore airport... perhaps I have lots of things on my mind....I still hear Mark's soft voice when he sang for me in the airport, and I still hear Ronald's guitar strumming, and I still hear Cheong's soft whisper of : "At least one of us is getting outta here.." when he hugged me goodbye...

The guy (Aaron Koh -- profile- born in Perak, Moved to Singapore, and migrated to Perth) that picked me up didn't hold the company's sign in the airport as he thinks he looks foolish doing so.. and because of that, I waited (didn't know how this Aaron dude looked like) and after waiting for about half hour, I finally rang the office and spoke to J.Tessensohn, our superior (the man that hires the foreign staff), JT then rang Aaron to confirm he is actually in the airport...and scolded Aaron as well... errr whoops.. Sorry Koh, didn't mean to get you into trouble..Thought it would be awkward silence all the way from the airport to my residence.. but no, we talked non-stopped which was good.

This Aaron dude compensate well by at least lugging my 25 kgs worth of luggage through the heat, onto commuters, and finally to my apartment whereby he fix my air-cond and TV as well upon checking in. He also spent me lunch... hmmm... I am beginning to think all the foreign staff are friendly in Japan based only on one dude...And he took me to places to shop for essentials. AND even gave his advice on which toilet paper to buy (those with "groove" so it feels better)... errr.. ok..

It's so hot here 36 degrees heat wave.... sweat like shite man!
Dinner was planned with most of the foreign staff, to welcome me and Laura (Scottish chick) at this place call 280 whereby all dishes are 280 Yen. Cheap! Food is so cheap and gorgeous here if you really know where to go... And it is a pleasure to get to know all these foreign colleagues. Mostly Canadian Asians (dual citizenship I think, from HK and Taiwan) and One Irish, and majority of Aussies though, and some Americans.

The next day, went to Kobe for a day trip with the female colleagues... 5 of us had a blast even though we hardly knew each other.. I think when every one is on foreign soil, everyone tend to look out for each other, and stick to each other... the gurls treated me and Laura well, and took us sightseeing.. :)

One of the Singaporean chick is called Mabelle... and the Irish dude is Mark.. hmmmm....According to Mabelle, her apartment was broken into when she first arrived 9 months ago, and the burglar stole her underwears and bras... scary....So after hearing her story, I leave my not-so-nice bras on chairs in my apartment, and safely stow my sexy ones away so if anyone breaks in, they will go for the ones they can see on the chair.. ahhahahaha

Oh, according to those foreign staff that has been here for about 2 years now, they hardly speak any Japanese and they can get by... I will tell more about my experience in shopping for groceries and my observation of Japanese people in my next post. :) What can I say? The shopping was eventful and the people are damn colourful. Haha. Tune on... I need sleep now..

Left on a jetplane. whee~

2007-08-16T23:21:00.001+12:00

a) My parents.

b) Those that sent me off .. no, I didn't cry.

c) Bunch of islands near Indonesia I think.. I took it for you Mich, kept thinking of you when I saw them. Hahhaa. Love you babe!

d) NZ just as I leave..

Yay~ my video!

2007-08-14T14:36:00.000+12:00

Its amazing how much love I can give to my friends especially my gurlfrens!!! muakss... been so long that we are far apart but I will never forget our schooling days, the best of all!

CLei -- partner in class
Pei -- erm.. I love that nose stud man! How new is that?
Put -- You look gorgeous in the video!
Farah D -- I still can't link anything else but boobs to you. Sorry, didn't mean to sound so shallow when I talk about you.
Pris -- The vagina walk production was funny... although I would prefer live shows from you?
Mich -- Can't hear much from that video snippet of yours....I just heard Wood, Cat and Sunny day in Bristol and of course, I heard that wet kiss.
Feli -- Miss you lar!

As for Seong, PY and Rafiq, huGss and know that you have a space in my small box-liked apartment in Japan.

Love to my darling who compiled the video. Yeah yeah, Pris, I know it is hard work for him to do that. Bweks~

Profs party at Jesses'

2007-08-13T23:13:00.000+12:00

It was at Redcliffs.... Ronald and I picked up Julian, Jason and his wife Chong Lei before heading over.. as usual because it is a "law" gathering, the nibbles for the night would be wine and cheese, grapes, olives, sundried tomatoes.. but this time other than wine, we had White Russian, kudos to Hadley and also rum, kudos to Julian.

We talked non-stop about how we barely knew each other from the first day of Profs and how we blend into a nice little cosy group at the end of this training.

We bitched about the bad times, laughed about how we would never ever need to take another assessment in our lives etc.. good times good times people.... basically we de-briefed very well and by the end of the night, wine was spill on the cream carpet and yellow couch, people were drunk and talking non-sense, and at some part, there was some actions on breast-touching.. hmmm.

To start of with, Boss started touching Tim's and Julian's chests.. whoa.. turning on.. hehe. Here are the photos!

fare meself well...

2007-08-13T12:58:00.000+12:00

And we all wonder why I am always late.. this time is not my fault.. sorry guys.. but seriously, my darling D cup friend was literally drunk when Ronald, Roderick and I went to pick her up. Partly because she just finished her legal training so she was drinking personally, and partly because the we (legal training people) had an "end of legal prof training party" as well.
Loads of apologies again for keeping people waiting!!

Other than that, Mabel's blog covers pretty much everything. Thanks for the gifts guys! Will try to make space in my luggage for them, or I will just hug them in the attempt to bring them over to Japan with me!

I will definitely miss this bunch of frens! Took me a while to find you all and get use to you all, but definitely worth keeping all of you...Muaks muaks!

Missing in action that night with valid reasons -- Denise and Ah Boo, Ben Yong, Deborah, Ellen and Justin.

The final of all assessment!

2007-08-09T14:36:00.000+12:00

That's it, last day of Prof Legal Studies' assessments! Advocacy came and went. The trial lasted shorter than all the hours of preparation I've put in. Stressful, stressful morning!

To start off with, my trial is to start at 9am *ahem - as prosecution counsel... I am supposed to be at High Court 3 at 8.45am to meet my witnesses and to be let into the Court before the normal doors open at 9am. BUT: 8.20am, still at home putting make up on, then my left contact lense decide to drop on the floor then.... looked around for it, can't find it at 8.30am, I still can't find it so heck, put on my spare left eye contacts with the eye power that doesn't suit well. Jumped into the car and was just about to reach the city, when I realised I forgot to bring my Exhibit which is to be an item of evidence in my trial later (the Exhibit so happened to be dog meat which I left in the fridge at home). Rushed all the way home -- 8.45am-- morning traffic jam on both Fendalton rd and Riccarton rd.

OH my god, I will be late for my trial!! Judge won't be pleased...BUT, thankfully, I reached the courts 2 minutes to 9am, I kept pointing to my Prof Legal Studies' file to the guard inside so that he knows I am part of the Profs class and I have the privilege to go in before the doors open at 9... but he couldn't be bothered, kept shaking his head and indicated that the doors will open in 2 minutes time... FARK you!! I need to be in there!

Rang my witness (she is already in High Court 3 with everyone else waiting for me), and she got my instructor to come down to get me in.. by then, the public doors were already opened and the guard put me through the metal detector!! whoa.. more time wasted.. kept apologising to everyone when I finally got into HC3.

My instructor and the judge was nice enough to give me 5 minutes to compose myself.. which was greatly appreciated. Then the trial began! Yay~ I have to admit everything went well, my witnesses didn't forget anything at all to screw my case up and feedback was positive! Muakss... all the stress for nothing, hehe.

Fooling around in the judge's seat, Emily (my learned friend)pretending to be "witness"

Compilation

2007-08-08T15:30:00.000+12:00

Bersatu Victory dinner came and went. Food was not too bad. My fav photo of that night:

Which reminds me, Ronald made me lunch the other day, with my help of clearing the kitchen beforehand, hehe.
Menu was:
Soft sesame buns holding fried pineapples, fried pears, bacon, runny eggs, lamb and mint sausages, mustard (tho not strong enough) honey lemon tea... fattening but gorgeous food.

Lunch

I love guys who can make good eggs. I know a few already although one can't love them all.

Quote of the day --
Was talking about facial - Someone said: "I won't pay $80 just for someone to wash my face!"

A pig scene

2007-07-29T12:49:00.000+12:00

Was re-watching Casanova, and in one of the scenes (as how I recall it), he took a cute pig to a lady's house with the intention to charm her.

When he arrived at the doorstep, the lady's maid opened the door and said:
"We do not allow animals into the house, but thank you for the pig."

With that, she took the pig from Casanova, and shuts the door, leaving him standing outside.
Everyone must watch Casanova!

Other than that, I recommend Domino's El Scorco which consists of special tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, beef, onion, fresh tomato, jalapeno chillies, pepperoni, chilli flakes... it is a total heaven and it cost NZ$9.90 if you don't order those fancy pizza base.. but then again, with cheese-filled base, you will find heaven even more heavenly.

The actual cost of ze pizza and...

The total cost paid

I have to cover Cheong!!!

2007-07-26T10:25:00.000+12:00

8pm Wednesday 25th July 07:
I texted Cheong -- "Where are you? Your bum ain't in St Thom."

He said he was coming.

Last game before the night ends -- its me and Cheong vs darling and Mabel.

Then, the shuttle whizzed past Cheong and his upstretched hands --

"Yours!" I shouted.

In response to that, he ducked...last minute.... argh!! I lunged at it, but didn't get it past the net.

Dejavu - somehow during that lunge, I feel like I am playing the Mark role in the games Mark and I played together. I apologise for all the times I made you cover for me, Mark! :) Promise I will not fake move you again and no last minute ducking.

"Once you raise your arms, commit!" -- Mark Hii

fRiendSs for lOve, for liFe...

2007-06-23T14:38:00.000+12:00

So much time has passed, so much memories to hold on to...
First off, graduation came and went. 4 years of studies all done, I will be one of those that look back into uni days and declare it as one of those best moments in life.. seriously..

Then came legal training with the most diverse bunch of people ever:

-- Anna (proper ex-Christchurch Girl's head girl)
-- Tim (well-traveled Kiwi with a hot cheerleader gf)
-- Cho Rong (hot NORTH Korean with the best dressing style ever)
-- Ben France-Hudson (somehow his last name suits him and his wide bunny tooth and English accent)
-- Luwana (someone who does training and work night shift.. how does she manage?)
-- Jason (30-year old kiwi with a Beijing wife)
-- Michelle (already pretty much settled in life with great job in a great law firm and fiancee)
-- Jeremy (the quiet one with black nail polish??!!??)
-- Emily (the sweet one who bakes cookies for us all and sew perfect skirts)
-- Jess (the loose canon that can disappear half way through training or consumes alcohol during our lunch break)
-- Last but not least, my favourite Julian (last name is a very sexy Sakarai -- pronouced as Zacharei -- half Nepalese, half South African, born and brought up in Brunei with the most perfect voice...)

Well, thats training. Absolutely fun despite the work due to these great people!

Then came my job application. What turned out to be "just an application" turned out to be "for real". Took some nights to think about it, talked about it with Ronald, BY and my sister and that's it, I am going off to Japan after accepting the job offer.

Feelings: Anxiety, Excitement, Happiness, Longing, Sadness.

enrolment week!

2007-02-28T13:20:00.000+13:00

Another year in uni but this time not as a student, but as someone just helping out the enrolment process. The pay is supplementary, although it is lots. It is sort of weird to feel stuck in this transitionary period where you don't know where eactly are you heading off next... UK seems a pretty well-illuminated dream. I have always loved that place, and will always continue to love it... the people, the madness, but also the solitude I can find there, the friends, ahhhh the list is endless... Maybe the call to UK is a second chance, a second beginning, a second love. I want to go, I want to go, I want to go!!!!! Soon, baby...

time fliesSsss

2006-10-10T15:37:00.000+13:00

As I sit in cold Law library trying to concentrate on an EU law book, but find it hard to do so due to previously 3 hours night's sleep (I normally require at least 9 hours) and also due to a hot afternoon outside.
And then Ronald just came up behind me, and told me he see a strand of white hair on meeeee!!! shocking shit as I always always pride myself not to have white hair when friends around me start to grow them even before we all hit the age of 30.
Sigh.. study until so stress meh, that God have to punish me with one strand of white hair? I don't even know when it started growing as Ronald plucked it out, the bottom tip of the hair is black..
Act for the day: keep the white hair as a treasured memory of my first "real" wisdom. Hehe.

God is a Girl

2006-09-25T13:06:00.000+12:00

I love God is a GIrl lorrr.. shit.. so addicted to only 1 song. What the heck man.. I am listening to a song with no quality but is Xtremely good at taking away my jiwang feeling.
Do you believe it? Can you receive this?

My cousin just recently killed a snake that was slithering up the tree in her garden.
I wonder what was the snake's last image on earth before its death. My cousin's face? Or its food it was attempting to get on the tree? When my cousin killed it, she probably recieved a negative point for karma purposes.. But then again, she saved the frog-thingy that was meant to be the snake's food. so it cancels off the negative point. Does life really works like this?
I guess we all will just fail once in a while just as we thought we get the optimum climax in life..hmm...
Maybe that's why God is a girl, whereby our life plan can just change suddenly depending on Her mood. Make sense?

Gold is really ours!

2006-07-12T13:12:00.000+12:00

Hello hello, see, I really could become a good fortune teller. I predicted gold didn't I? Hahaha.
Basketball = gold
Touch = gold
Sepak Takraw = gold
Men's Badminton Doubles = gold
Handball = gold
Futsal = gold
Watching Cheong cry = priceless
For everything else, there is the silvers and bronzes we collected along the way. Great job to us all that went down Bersatu.
EeEYeahhh!!!!!

arrived...

2006-07-03T00:57:00.000+12:00

Well, this is it guys..we are finally ready to kick some asses.. though I have to admit that it might be freaking cold down there so yups. dress warmly and red is our theme.. I did not manage to make the pom poms as I thought I could.. damn.. its ok...:) don't forget to bring your hp charger.. very important..
til then, gold is ours!

examssSs finisSss

2006-06-26T17:00:00.000+12:00

I feel the lightness in the air, the sweetness of noise, the sensational tingling feeling of happinessss.. exams is over and all I could look forward to is a good winter break. That means a good sporting event in Dunedin. :) Where's the rush of adrenalin? It pumps in my veins.
Parted with Olivia today in the corridors after the exams. Her smile lit up my whole afternoon and she was just so plesant to be in compnay with. Gosh, did i tell you her hands are so soft to touch? I found this out when I was developing photos with her in the darkroom.
:) I love Mondays. Did I tell you guys that?

antissssipation

2006-06-24T15:01:00.000+12:00

One more paper and I will be done.... :) I await it.. silently, anxiously...and then WHAM! Bersatu starts again..so fast? yupsss one year goes fast. Dunedin, here we come! I am feeling it.. so excited. dunno why. Maybe the fact that I will be sort-of in a domestic holiday once again. He is not feeling it. dunno why. Maybe the fact that he is not in his domestic holidaying mood... bwekssssss

favourite letter "s".

guppiesss

2006-06-21T17:54:00.000+12:00

Sigh. I lost the auction for 50-100 guppiessssssss.... should I moan because I really really wanted them but the price went out of control? no I shouldn't. the other person placed auto-bid and just won it by pure desire WITH the money.
Anyway, exams today didn't go well. But that was not unexpected. Its just law. Plus I think I didnt do well for this particular paper is because RKA shook my head the day before. so all the precious exam materials flew outta my head.. whee~ materials with ~wings~...just like the modern pads nowadays. Could tampons be better?

PaSsion

2006-06-18T16:25:00.000+12:00

I have a lot of paSsion in me which I like to spread it as much as I could so that the world may be a happier place. I admit that I am only one...but one could do something..couldn't they? at least I think they could if one has the passion...
BUT many, and I mean MANY times, I was accuse of being too passionate for what I believe in. I believe in love in friendships...friendship means so much to me that to some extent, I was accused of not knowing the difference between love and friendship.
Yups. I do not really know the difference. People from the "love" side gets jealous when I share closely with the "friendship" side. Sometimes, the friendship side gets confused as to whether the love I portray is really what they think.
Yups. I do not know the difference.
But what I do know is that it is not a sin to love, nor having such paSsion in me. Because only then, I know myself best, and to love people around me, can only be as naturale.

when the sun comes up tomorrow...

2006-06-17T21:27:00.000+12:00

It doesn't matter...
It is just another new day. I always give a sad smile when someone tries to cheer me up by saying a new day should bring new hope. For me, hope should be carried within myself, new day or not, whether the sun comes up or not. When I feel devastated, the sentence that a new day will bring a fresh start cannot comfort me.
As I feel such, let me cry. Do not try to talk to me. Just listen.
Just listen to my silent tears and I will be better. As long as I know you are there... I will be all right...