Sunday, August 31, 2008

Training.

Surprisingly, I still remember my chinese. Speaking is one thing. Writing is another. Although some words were wrong but they were kept to bare minimum. It wasn't as bad as somebody who wrote a postcard back from the States and Canada a couple years ago. Haha.

Whenever people who heard of me waking up early for training, they all gave me the 'Are-you-crazy' kind of look. Yes, its a torture waking up at 5.30am but what kept many of us going is this...

















The sun-rise.... and this...


















Last Friday I brought Dae Hun along for the morning training. It was confused at first. The way it looked at me with its tilted head as I took its leash was so cute. Having him around was fun and could tell that it had lots of fun. It wrestled another dog to the ground, had its doggie treats and basicly, had fun with everyone who was there. We had a breakkie BBQ by the beach after training and all was good. What a way to spend the public holiday~















Dae-Hun with me...

By the time I brought it home, it was very tired. Such a nice day at the beach with friends and a dog. That night I went back to their place again. This time, it was to drink and be merry and just normal chit chat. I also brought up a silly dream I had the night before. It brought back certain memories. I guess I drank too much. Finished three quart bottle of a Chivas alone while the rest had small amount of it and some baileys. We stopped at 2am and I went to my favourite corner and slept there the whole night.

Came across this phrase as I was reading a good friend's blog...

i know 'we can be extraordinary together, rather than ordinary apart'.

I know things do not work out the way you want them to sometimes. However, take things easy. You are not alone. Its not that tough but do know that you have friends around you as well. Take care.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

26 Aug 2008. I miss you.

As you all know, I normally do not have the time to write on a weekday. I filled my days with so much activities that I only have time for myself on weekend. However, its a special day today and I think its best I write something about it before the clock strikes 12.

Part of it is in Chinese, just so she can read it.

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My mum had been a very special and wonderful person to me. I am sure those who know me well will agree. I try my best to make her happy as I always believe in being filial to one's parents is the best repayment one could give back for them bringing you up.

我一向来都觉得我妈非常特别。认识我的朋友都会同意。我认为唯一对父母把我养大的回报,是孝顺他们。 您一点都不老。反而我觉得你越来越可爱,不信的话,问你的三个干儿子;Melvin, 志忠,BingXi.















In Sydney, Blue Mountains..

She had taught me all the basic things about life. She was the one who taught me most of dishes which I nowadays perfected it according to my friends. However, I believe no matter how hard I try, I still am unable to match her standard. I simply miss her cooking.

妈教过我很多东西。烹饪,厨房料理全都是她教的。虽然朋友们都认为我煮的已经很好吃了,可是我总觉得妈煮的,还是最好。我非常相恋她的烹饪。















Marine Parade, Southport...

No doubt as her son, I had made her cry before for things that I did. I only wish for her to be happy from then on. I try my best to accommodate her most of the time. People did ask me before, if your mum and girlfriend were to drop into the ocean and you can only save one. Who would it be. My answer had always been to save my mum. Reason being, you will only have 1 mum.

我们这一身只有你这一个妈,所以我们都很珍惜你。好相恋每天都买早餐给你,好相恋陪你看香港连续剧,好相恋跟你一起出去逛街。















Marine Parade, Southport..

She has always been very cute. So much that I actually miss her blurness at times too~.

你有时非常糊涂。我想起时,都会自己跟自己笑。















Dinner together...

So, before the day ends, I would like to say once again...
Happy Birthday Mum. I love you. I miss you. Muack!~


在今天还没过之前,我想再次跟你说声。。。
亲爱的妈妈,生日快乐,我爱你。我想你。

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Week 4.

I cut myself last night while preparing dinner. Was careless and ended up with a deep cut on my left pinkie. Blood kept flowing for 45mins and we were all hoping it would stop bleeding.

I had been cooking and writing carefully today. It was tough trying not to get my little pinkie wet. Sigh. Then there were talks on getting stitches if it does not recover soon especially since its a deep cut with so much blood lost.

Recently had been kinda tough for me. Alot of things had not been working out the way I had wanted it to. Sigh. Its very frustrating sometimes. For example, having signed up to be one of the tutor for Foundation Year Health students, we had to assure our students are fully sponsored by the school before we can even start our tutoring.

Just today alone, I have got 3 emails from different students asking for private tutoring. However, there is no way I can agree to tutor them as long as they don't have permission from the lecturer in charge. It doesn't help that the fella had been trying to cut cost, resulting in reduction of my classes from 4 to 1. At least I still have 1 private student and 1 lab class to conduct.

Shall see if I managed to get more students over the next week. Hopefully I can get more money from the lost income. Cause I do need the money as well.

Sigh. Limited choices for so many students...

Sunday, August 17, 2008

End of Wk 3.

It had been a hectic 2 weeks. Aside from studies alone, activities were packed with driving a bus up to Brissie to watch the NDP with 200 other Singaporeans, working and training. Only the 3rd week and already had a test and 2 lab quizs. More to come in the following weeks. I will survive.

I had my first chance of driving a bus up to UQ last Sat. It wasn't as tough as I thought it might be given the fact that I had not driven a manual car for more than a year. My legs were to used to having only 2 peddles and with the additional one, it took me some time to get used to. As we had too many people, someone had to hire a car to follow my bus. However, for safety reasons, we placed all the newcomers in my bus as Sam and I are the only ones who know the roads in GC.
















My ride...

We went to Sunnybank for lunch as we all know the newcomers missed local delights alot. Then the whole night ended with a wonderful meal of 点心 at Mannors。As we had too many people, we had to be split into 2 tables and it was refreshing to have Bernie joining us for supper and our tables just couldn't stop laughing with Gavin and Bernie cracking jokes one after another.

Sam and I agreed that although the night had been long and we were both very tired, we have to send the newcomers back one by one as it was too late to expect them to go home themselves upon reaching GC. So by the time we sent everyone back, it was alrdy 3am. I went to Sam's place for tea before I go home to rest.

I had started working last week and it was good. I had been teaching in Uni. I applied to be a Biophysics tutor and had been teaching at tutorials and am conducting 1 lab session. The pay was alright for the stuff I am doing and it had been an easy job for the past 2 weeks. Never taught lab sessions before and it had not been as tough as I thought it might be. Hopefully in time to come, things would be the same and pose no difficulty to me.















The sun creeping out of the horizon at 6am...

The weekly trainings had started and going into the 3rd week now, we are all having fun and no doubt we all hope training will continue til end of semester. Hehe. The difficult part is always having to wake up at 5am but the reward is worth it. The sun rise is beautiful, beach and waves are out of this world. We did all sorts of training and the main motive was to boost our fitness after a sedentary first half of the year.















Preparing for training... Tom, Jess and Nathan.. Michelle and Kyla missing...















End of training.. Sun up and shining... 7am..

The pics here doesn't look that great, mainly because it was a cloudy day and yours truly was in no mood having pulled hamstrings of both legs. Hopefully more pics to come in the near future...

Sometimes its good that we are busy.. it keeps our mind off lotsa things doesn't it? Been so busy that there had been no time to call home and I was out of touch with my family for almost a month... but glad to know that Mum and Dad still misses me. They called for an hour chat last week. Although it shortens my sleep time before morning training, it was great knowing you are missed!~ *grin*

Sunday, August 3, 2008

End of Wk 1.

First week seems to have quite a couple of surprises installed. Everything is good. Deep down inside I am still trying to start the engine to study. It seems to have cool off too long during the winter break. So now the difficult part is getting it all started again. I guess the toughest sub for this semester would be Biochemistry of Exercise. This semester should be alot easier compared to the previous one I just had.

Dominic told me that sis came back to Sg. She surprised Dad and Mum as she had told them previously that she is only coming back next week. Cheeky girl. But that means that she would only see my birthday card only when she return end-Aug. Small issue. Miss that girl!~! Hope to see her soon~!

On the first day of Uni, one of our friends, Nathan, came up to us and announced that he is gonna be a father. That news certainly blew us away. Tom expected it, but Michelle, Jess and I were shocked. Well, hope everything would go smoothly for him.

My landlord, Gordon, signed a new contract for a brand new kitchen~! WoohOo~!! Its about time to change the kitchen after having the old one for so long. The whole process was rather painful actually. Having to empty all the contents in the cabinets and storing them in a room while they ripped out the old kitchen. Then having to put everything back again. However, the stripping and placing of new kitchen took only 2 days. So its not too bad. And with those couple days and nights with no kitchen, I went over to Michelle's to cook~! It was definitely fun and a joy, cooking for 4-5 pple. Pork chop with fried rice on one night, stir-fried beef spring onion and ginger on another night. All traditional dishes with oyster bak-choi and panfried mushroom-egg.

Then with my new kitchen now, I gonna cook here and they would have to come over. Alright, enough of reading.. will show you pple the pics~!















Old kitchen with a cannot-make-it stove..
















Old Kitchen... ugly green cabinets...



Behold...















New kitchen!~ WoohOO~
















Damn nice right?~!

Lately, I had been walking Gordon's dog, Dae Han. At times, I even brought it along for my runs. It seemed to enjoy the workout quite abit. So much so that even Gordon said that Dae Han sees me as a form of trainer than more of a snack-giver nowadays. Hehe.















Isnt't he cute?.. Hehehe..















Muscular as well...

Next week would be the start of our intensive training. Couple of us had decided to train up for all sorts of reasons. First training would be at 6am on Tues, followed by 6am Thurs morning. Die.. That means to wake up at 5.30am to drive to the beach. Yes. All training would be done at the beach! Hehe. Gonna see if we can all survive the boot-camp. Haha. Am tempted to bring Dae Han along but will see how it goes. Hehe. Hope to enjoy the sun-rise on the beach while training...

Monday, July 28, 2008

Start of Sem 2.

Today is the first day of Sem 2. In a way, I am glad. At least there is something to occupy my mind for the next few months before I come back!~ Just a blink of an eye, and I am left with less than 4 months til I get back. Last week was pretty hectic. I spent 2 nights up in Sunnybank, staying at Bernie's and Linda's. Those few days were filled with plenty of good food and ended with a visit to NewFarm Market. Everything is so damn cheap there! Can you imagine 3 large Angus steak for $10 and a pack of half kilo of smoked salmon for $10 as well? Even special tea-tree honey was only $5. Think any visitors to Brisbane/Gold Coast would love to experience there.

Sorry Rine, the market only open on Sat mornings. So you had to miss it~. Next time maybe!!~

Dinner tonight had been wonderful!~ Matt and Leck Koon graduated today and dinner was at Versace!~ WooHoo~! Thanks Matt~! 12 Oysters and lotsa good food tonight!! As it was the big guy's graduation, his parents flew over. I was introduced to Leck Wee, Leck Koon's brother. It was great having dinner with them tonight and much thanks to Matt for the invite~!
















Matt's parents, Leck Wee, Matt, Me and Leck Koon.

I had been listening to some songs lately and cannot help but keep singing to this one. It is damn meaningful I feel. I can just imagine myself singing it when the right time comes.

Jason Mraz - I Am Yours

Well you done done me and you bet i felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that i melted
I fell right through the cracks
And i'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothin's going to stop me but devine intervention
I reckon its again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more
No more it cannot wait, i'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment maybe sing with me
Ah la peaceful melody
Its your godforsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So i won't hesitate no more
No more it cannot wait i'm sure
Theres no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, i'm yours

I been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bendin over backwards just to try to see it clearer
My breath fogged up the glass
So i drew a new face and laughed
I guess what i'm sayin is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
Its what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more
No more it cannot wait i'm sure
Theres no need to complicate
Our time is short
It cannot wait, i'm yours

Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A lá one big family (2nd time: A lá happy family; 3rd time: A lá peaceful melody)
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

No please, don't complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

No please, don't hesitate
No more, no more
It cannot wait
The sky is yours!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

16 days had passed..

I know its' been more than 2 weeks since I last updated. So this would be a long one i think.. but mind you it will be very very random.... here i go...

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Matt asked me out for dinner at Palazzo Versace with his relatives and friend. Thank god we managed to get half price for the buffet. Yours truly managed 18 fresh oysters and a couple of Kilpatricks. Dinner was good, but as usual, its the dessert and seafood section which stands out. The hot food could be better in my opinion.

Matt hold his birthday party and it was nice knowing many more pple. Thanks mate~ and the bak chang he made is really nice.. haha.. although i find the sweet bean paste abit weird initially, the rest were good.

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Was just asked to change my bedsheet again. Come on, its not like I bring a girl home every night right? Although its nice to have fresh sheets to sleep on but to change it EVERY WEEK?! Even back home, I help mum change it fortnightly at most!

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A few of us decided to have hotpot over at Linda's and boy was it fantastic. 2 nights of hotpot and we had so much food! Card games and Monopoly ensue and it was so darn good. Much thanks to Linda for putting me up that night as it was far too late to drive back. Hehe.

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Jess's birthday party was held last sat night. It was a blast. Theme was OP shop and got to be ugly, loud and outrageous. OP shop is the kind of shop whereby pple donate clothings to the shop and they sell it at cheap price. All proceeds go to a church. The birthday girl made huge glasses of mojito for everyone. I reckon its more like a pint given the size. Liking the drink very much, I had 2 pints of mojito, 3 pints of alcoholic fruit punch, 3 shots of baileys-tia maria, half a bottle of red-wine and half bottle of champagne. It was gooooood. Haha. I was actually asked by Jess's boyfriend to teach both of them salsa. That was funny. I danced alot that night as we had salsa music on for a long long time and there was no other guys who knew how to dance. Haha. I think I got pretty high on drinks that I started to drunk-dial pple. It does help with sitting at the verandah, staring at the ocean under the stars. Really soothing. I think its the first time it ever happened and am glad I can roughly remember what was said.

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To...

You..
Pick up the courage and learn how to drive!!
Have more faith as am sure all of us would want to sit in your car someday~

You..
Thanks for always being able to lend a listening ear and ever being so encouraging.
It was nice having those night coffee/hot choco while we chat.

You..
Although we seldom meet up, its still nice to see you are doing well.
Catching up in the restaurant in Sunnybank was good and am glad you are healthy.
Hope to catch you soon and I want your laksa/lasange!

You..
Am very happy that you are taking good care of the family.
Somehow I was not surprised that you took on Salsa.
Hopefully when I come back, you would still be dancing and we can go Salsa together.

You..
As I told you earlier, first impressions counts.
It was nice catching up with you and remember to put yourself in his shoe if you ever forget what to say.
Good luck in all and hope to hear good news from you soon!~

You..
I am happy that I would be seeing you in Dec~
Hopefully we can do things together and I had various ideas in mind.
Prata by the alleys and late night outings~!
I miss you!~

You..
Its been a long time since we last had a proper chat.
What happened to you? -sigh-

You..
I am sorry if I did say nonesense that night and its all the mojito's fault!!
Haha. Don't worry, will keep all conversations safe. *wink*

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Think am done writing for now. Will write more when I feel like it as I have not much mood to write recently.