Congratulations!

There you go. So I may not have said it to you at the time and you asked me if all I had to say was "OMG" but what were you expecting? You didn't even tell me and I had to hear it from Mum. I feel indifferent but I'm happy for you. It's a whole new ballgame now. I hope it's what you've always wanted and that you'll be happy with this path you take.

A wedding in a castle (if that's what you decide) will indeed be unique and something special, even if I have to travel 10,000kms, or there abouts, to be a part of it.

Wonder what the relos will think about it all... I can already hazard a guess.

My sister rung home last nite from the UK where she's been working for almost two years now to say shes getting married next year in May. Can anyone say "SUPRISE!"?

I just realised how harsh that first paragraph may sound but I duno how else to put it. I'm happy for you. Really.

---

I feel old already and there's only 7 days to go. Funny how people think I'm 21 cos I don't look as if I'm 25! Young at heart, always.

---

I just realised I had a draft post of the Harbour Bridgewalk saved from a month ago. I'll finish that off later. Maybe.

---

Happy Belated Birthday Wishes to Christine and Sheryl!

Labels: birthday, life, weddings

It's Been A Long Time Coming

The time is almost here... I'm flying off to Europe tomorrow for six
weeks, with the folks. (I can't seem to get away from em!) Stopover in
HK for few days then off to the UK.

Trouble seems to follow us whenever we go on holidays. Last time it
was the tsunami, the time before that was the bird flu. This time its
the UK terrorists. Luckily for me, the terror alert has lowered so
less restrictions when we fly out.

I'll be glad to get away from this place after such a long period of
time. I think its the longest time I've ever gone away - but I'll
still be stuck with the oldies. I wanna see if I can catch up with a
friend who just left for Europe by herself yesterday. When my tour
ends she'll be on a tour of Spain, although we'll be in amsterdam on
the same day - that would be a blast if it happens!

Maybe this will be a life changing experience for me. Couple of
friends have thought twice about their current situations at work when
they returned back from their holidays... I'll see what happens when I
get back.. In December it will be 3 years for my time here. Doesn't
seem like long but when you say it aloud 3 years really is a long
time. What have I done? What have I achieved? ...

au revoir.
bon voyage.

Labels: holiday, life

Quarter of a Century
Hello World.

It's been a while since the last post, I just haven't been motivated enough to blog about anything. There have been some things I've been meaning to post but they just never made it here.

Obviously I've returned from my trip to the HK. It was a chance to visit the relos and cousins I haven't seen for 8 years and of course to farewell the passing of my gramps. It's sad to say that I don't think there'll be another chance where all of us will gather together again .. only in death.

On more happier(? :) note, I have reached that dreaded quarter of a century mark. Yes indeed, the big two five.
Thanks to the people who came out to celebrate with me on Thursday night, witnessing my drunken festivities. Well.... I was not that drunk I only looked it. Time flies when you're having fun. If only I was 21 again..

Labels: birthday, holiday, life

Leaving Sydney in 10 hours time for my first trip to HK in almost 8
years. Before the new airport was even opened. Ironically, that time
the H5N1 bird flu was around and I wasn't able to eat any poultry.
Looks like I've done it again.. My favourite meat too darnit.

It will be good to be back, although I wish it was under different
circumstances. Hopefully see the cousins I haven't seen for 15 years
and the new ones I once held in my arms the last time around and see
how much they've grown!

It's gonna be weird staying at my grandfather's place. The people I
say this to ask me if I think he'll come and visit me. I don't really
believe that kinda stuff but if he does visit I sure ain't gonna miss
out on the chance of saying goodbye again.

Will be back in 2 weeks..

Labels: holiday, life

Roller coaster ride..
I've been meaning to post for a while now but just couldn't get myself around to doing it. The past 4-5 weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me – in love, life, work and everything in between. They say you can't experience the high emotions without experiencing the lowest of the lows (or something like that..). I guess I've pretty much been through those ups and downs during this time.

I don't recall, as far as my memory will allow me to, having been in such a happy-high emotional state like the moment I was in at the beginning of last month, only to have it dramatically turn upside down a couple of weeks later. For me, it's not an everyday occurrence to be in that situation and I figure I won’t put myself out there again to only be cut down by one big blow. For now anyway. Although you never know, like this time, things just happen so quickly without you knowing and it’s a feeling you can't ignore. Doubt I'd forget the moment even if I said I would.

To make this roller coaster ride even worse is the news I received this morning that my grandfather had passed away. I just hope it was pain free even though the drugs weren't doing him any good and the doctors didn't know what was wrong with him. I probably should've fought harder to get the leave intended for two weeks ago that I talked to my manager about taking off at the beginning of October but wasn't able to due to various reasons. In hindsight, that would have been the best time to visit him in HK as he was out of hospital before his readmission and his health took a turn for the worse.

These situations, even though you're expecting it to happen and mentally prepared for it, still hits you hard. I've recovered from the news but I doubt that will stay long. Until I go overseas and face the reality will it only hit home.
May you rest in peace.

Labels: death, life

Bon Voyage
My sister's leaving this Friday to work in the UK for a year. Seems to be a rite of passage for a lotta people these days. Work and/or travel around UK for 3-12 months or even more.. Lucky for her shes on an exchange like role within her company, so the only thing she needs to do is find a place to live.

My parents, as would most others, didn't want to see her leave, but this time she stuck her ground and went with it and lucky for her they didn't get in her way. Now she can have the independence she wants, and there are no parents around to nag her all the time!
Am I suppose to feel any different that she is leaving soon? Should I feel that I would miss her? Not any time soon. Maybe on those special occasions where she usually comes up with the ideas of presents to buy for birthdays and anniversaries and stuff. Not that I have much of a brother-sister relationship with her these days. Years even. ah well. I shall enjoy the peace and quiet, as I do nowadays, when she has left.

What is the attraction of the UK anyway? I've never been before, but I don't think I could work there for so long, if at all. Whoknows, maybe if I travel over there I'll get the work n travel bug too. Europe and US is still on one of my travel wishlists. Some time in the future... I'll give myself 10 years. Very optimistic, mm yes I am.

Labels: life

counting the days
It's taken almost two weeks but I think my body clock's back to normal after my holiday. Going to sleep before midnight ever since I've been back as I was too tired to do anything else but now I'm back to my pre-holiday sleeping pattern of post-midnight.

To finish off the previous post, since there was no net access after that, Mt Fuji never eventuated - we got screwed over yet again. The day we were suppose to go to Mt Fuji, the tour guide said we will go the next day since it was late. The next day she says we wont be able to go cos its in the opposite direction! I mean, its on the bloody itinerary so you'd have expected it to be organised a bit better. argh! wasnt happy. The only thing I was looking forward to over in Japan was Mt Fuji and the cherry blossoms, neither of which occurred since they were blooming late this year!
The onsen never happened either. Unless you count the public spa in the hotel as one, which we were led to believe was it! BLAH! (not that I was looking forward to getting wet and naked with other strange men around.....)

Walked through Shinjuku at night after having sushi train for dinner (I ate even less than I usually do here surprisingly..), and I don't think the X in Sydney compares. Didn't think I'd ever see gigolos walking the streets of Japan and sandwich board advertisers for massage parlours..

All in all it was o--kay, as it was a rush of a trip since it was a tightly scheduled tour with no time to do anything of your own. Only managed to get half an hour to go shopping for my (sis') digicam and that was it. Better than nothing I spose.
I'd really like to go back and travel around by myself without being on a tour. More things to see and do, and no restrictions. Some time.... Time and money is what I need.

----------

And another year goes by. 12 months later, it hasn't been a total waste, although I haven't achieved as much as I would have liked. I don't know where I want to be or what I really want to be doing, but I'm content for the time being. I think I should re-evaluate this in a few months time as the stuff I'm doing now wouldn't do much good elsewhere.

Let's see how it pans out. Well maybe not for you to see but definately for me.

Labels: birthday, life

Time flies
It's been 12 months already. This day 12 months ago was the beginning of the end of my freedom. Not knowing what to expect or what I'd end up doing, but here I am.

It doesn't seem that long since I started work. Looking back, I think how I ended up where I am today. Never would I expect to land a job in a company like this, and to now see all the change that's taking place from within. Corporate restructure is a part of life but I'd never imagined it would turn out the way it has. 3 direct managers all gone by the end of the year, re-titled roles (pay rise???), no longer considered a graduate although that had meant jack in the first place.

Funnily enough, its only 12 months later that I'm just halfway through a training course to learn the programming language that our system is built with, and that also means I will end up being rostered as part of the support team next year. FUN!

Who knows what is in store for the next 12 months. I don't know what I want to be doing, just get a feel for what's out there and not get dug into a hole I can't get out of later, which seems a few people there have done.


On another note, it appears we may get another dog. I don't see how we can't cos its just damn quiet without her around. I always have the urge to yell out JACKIEEE when I come home, and stare blankly out the rear door expecting her to be running about and looking in. *sigh*

Labels: life, work

My new plaything
Weeee. Bought one of these babies today.

Can't wait to play with it after the batteries finally charge up, however long that may be since they dont tell you! And gotta clean this PC up so Dad can have one to play with after my old computer's motherboard died a while ago.

*twiddles thumbs in excitement* :D


And xtn if you still read this, Happy Birthday! :)

Labels: life, shopping

Meeting Room with a view
How many people believe in "signs"? I don't really. No signs to look out for.
Except if today was anything to go by, I think there were some mighty big signs...

Originally, there was a lunch schedule with a few friends (yes you know who you's are... :) and due to the fact some were late *cough*Aja*cough* I had to stick around in the office a lil while longer. Suppose that isn't too bad, but when some people are starving and can't wait.. it's really not good for you. Anyhow, around the time that they were all suppose to arrive for lunch, my manager receives a call from another manager in another department, saying they had a few tickets spare to Bridge Climb that was to start in 45minutes. So he goes around the office asking who would want to go climb... and everyone seem to turn him down. I had to think long and hard on that one (really, I did! :) and of course, who is stupid enough to turn down a free offer to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge? I think my workmates were filled with glee inside that they could get rid of our manager for the rest of the day, and were all pushing for him to go. And yes, me and him were the only ones that went, even though there were 2 tickets to spare. This meant that I was to miss out on lunch, which ended up being no lunch and dinner til 14 hours after I had breakfast. This was very noticable in the lack of energy whilst walking up those arches on an empty stomach. Not that I'm complaining.

The weather today was perfect for the Bridge Climb. Compared to the last few days of chilly winds, today was only a good 9 degrees wind chill at the top, and perfectly sunny, with a few clouds. Damn good photo opps too. The view was magnificent, better than a postcard you could buy in a shop. I'd highly recommend to anyone who is interested in walking it, although its around $160-180pp. I, however, probably wouldn't have done it for the sake of doing it... :)

Now to go back to work on Monday and wonder what I should fill in my timesheet for the 4 hours I was gone. "Meeting" perhaps. Afterall, the photo we ended up with had our company logo plastered along the bottom with another global phone manufacturer's logo... No blatant corporate branding there.

Now if some people hadn't been late or if I had left the office by then, I guess I would have missed this once in a lifetime opportunity. Or not. Show me the way.

Labels: life, work

Wham Bam
No thank you m'am

My old computer I think has almost had it. I don't think its fully dead yet, but just nothing seems to be working. Replaced the original monitor a few months ago with a 2nd hand one since the old one's CRT tube was kinda dying and this one was heaps better. But now nothing even shows. The CPU tower is kinda quiet, not its usual whirring self. A soft reboot and hard shutdown restart didnt do anything. The harddisk activity light went solid for a lil longer than it should when starting up but nothing. Zip. Nadda. Monitor light green ready but nothing to display. Hopefully its just the monitor again. I should really learn to backup my data. Never backed up a thing on that computer. If its the hard drives maybe I could live with that, majority of my files was on the second hard disk that was installed. All those logs from way back when. Ever since I been online.... as Ajamedor would know :)

Now I'm just trying to remember which hard drive ended up being the primary master and the secondary. ack. Better not have been the newer one that died.

Labels: life

phishy
omg. Didn't think it could happen and I would only read it in the papers.
The story where people ring you up saying you have won a mobile phone and want to get your credit card details or some crap like that. I just got one of those calls.

Hi this is Ryan from Telecom Australia". *flash bulb goess off* hmm thinking to myself - there is no such thing as Telecom Australia anymore, and the lag and background crackle on the phone tells me you're calling from overseas
Me: Sorry, who are you?
Ryan from Telecom Australia and you are eligible for a free mobile phone. Are you a mobile phone user?
Me: Er sorry nope not interested. see you.


Right. Guess removing my details from the phone directory didn't stop them getting my number. Maybe I should've stayed on the line and led him on. THen again, he would've known where I lived. Eeek.

Labels: life

Drive On!
I seemed to have a holden themed gift thing goin on this year. Friends bought me a Holden ceramic mug and a Holden autoart limited edition (7298 of 8004 - not that that really means much at such a high number... only if it was 8004 heh) model of Jason Bright's 2001 Holden Racing Team VX Commodore, which was nice of them.. since I am a Holden boy after all. Waiting for the day to get my HSV GTS300 (or the current days model...), another 10 years I'd say ;)
Coincidentally, driving into the city for dinner, I heard on the radio an ad for genuine Holden merchandise including T-shirts, models, caps, jackets, and.... G-Strings! Now, I don't think any rev head guy would want one for themselves.. I wonder what their partner would think if they got them one instead. A strategically placed lion perhaps?


The Newlyweds

Last night's dinner at Wagamama down at King Street Wharf was entertaining at the least. One of my friends (male) proposed to another whilst his girlfriend was in the bathroom. (Don't ask, I can't even remember why, the whole night I was in tears from the laughter.). One (the one that got proposed to) happily asked if we were having an Asian meal when we were eating. Not realising what he said nor realising the place we were at I think, the rest of us jus broke down. I'm sure he didn't notice the chopsticks on the tables or the noodles we were eating. It was quite Oriental indeed. The proposer decided to call the proposee "the blonde one" for the night, as is Jessica Simpson the blonde one in the Newlyweds. I don't think anyone else disagreed heh. The two were copping it both ways from each other throughout the night, some I just dont even want to repeat. The conversations we were having, does not go well when you are eating. I don't think the table of 12 behind us were happy that we were 'discussing' them so loud.

The service at Wagas' was a bit outta wack, with my friends who got the 'Happy Meal Deal', finished their mains before the entree even came out, and one of my other friends got his dish (the grilled salmon ramen) a good 20 minutes after everyone else had theirs (one or two had finished). When one of the waitpersons served my meal, he asked what the occasion was. My friends mentioned it was my birthday, and I asked him, so, do I get a free meal :c) (giving him that lovely smile too!), to which he replied, "um yeh I'll see what I can do".. turning around as fast as he could and walked away, not to be seen til he came and collected our plates when we were finished. He asked me what did I have for dinner. To which I replied, "erm the chicken ramen". Him: No you didnt. You don't have to pay for it, its on the house. *sweeet* shocked faces all around. Then I realised I ordered one of the cheapest dishes there was! We stayed around for a good 30minutes afterwards, til another waitperson asked if we wanted anything else, so we got the bill. It was at this point, one of my friends brought out his 3 Entertainment cards for discounts at Wagamamas. She then went ahead and consulted the aforementioned waitperson who gave me the free meal, pointing to us with the 3 cards in hand. I don't think he was too happy to see 3 of the cards. Our bill came, and the total ended up being over 50% off the actual price, so the seven of us ended up paying less than $10 each for our meal. LOL. In the end, it turns out the waitperson was the manager (or so it seemed with all the other tasks he was doin...). He was probably glad to see us go, and memorise our faces to put in his lil black book.

Labels: birthday, life

There goes another year..
I turn 21 23 today. Forever 21 I say.
It doesn't feel any different although I think my body says otherwise.

Thankfully, yesterday was an easy day at work after meeting our project deadline a day ahead of schedule even though we still had a few bits here and there to do. Also organised yesterday was a lunch gathering for the new graduates at work (6 of us) that the General Manager of IT said would "sponsor" our first lunch to get to know one another. Given a $150 budget for lunch, so tempting was the $25 banquet on offer at Thai Tanic that we decided against it. Earlier in the morning, our team leader also shouted the team (4 of us) some 'coffee' (hot chocolate for me.) due to the hard work we put in for the last few weeks. So for the first day since I started work, I hadn't had to pay anything for eating out, which can get quite heavy on the hip pocket in the north of town.

Last night, was memorable. Caught up with another friend whos birthday celebrations it was as well, someone I've known from my first job 5 years ago. She didn't go to well. For me, with a few drinks here and there and no food to go down with it didn't do my stomach any good. Nor did it help my pool game. Trying to eat a hot dog at the end of the night was a bad idea. Luckily the contents of my stomach agreed to stay put.
Early in the morning, headed off to the GoodBar with my best mate (who I've known since kindy) for some ol school hiphop beatz. The atmosphere was aiiight, tight but a bit too loud. Ordering drinks at the bar -
Me: CC and dry and a lemonde thanks
Bartender: Sorry?
M: CC AND DRY and a LEMONADE!
B: bourbon and dry and a vodka lemonade?
M: NO! Double whiskey and dry and a lemonade!
B: OK!
so he goes off and pours a double whiskey and a vodka lemonade.
I gave up trying to correct the order. The vodka lemonade didnt even have any taste to it. It was just like water.
Left the place after an hour, my ears were ringing from bein under the speakers, I couldn't hear myself talk.

Surprisingly, I woke up early today. I think my body clock is trying to correct itself after all these years of sleeping in.

Another day, another year. I feel like my life is goin to waste.

Labels: birthday, life

Toyriffic
My sis returned home from her business trip to HK today and came back with some gooodies I got her to buy for me. After a lil fretting over the ipod, ipod mini, rio, zen, or the iriver digital music players, I settled for the iriver H140 which, like the ipod, has a 40 gigabyte hard disk but also has an FM tuner, voice recording, support for mp3, wav, wma, asf, and ogg... well, it just couldn't compete as much as the others. Even better, the store my sis bought it from threw in the iriver iFP-140 64mb flash music player in for free! bonus. What's good about the H140 is that I can use it as a portable hard disk, plug straight into USB and Windows automatically detects it as a mass storage device, with no software to be installed. Couldn't ask for any more. Now the big test is to see if the internal Lithium Polymer battery lasts longer and better than the ipod ones, which has reported a few problems lately....

Now if only my iriver came along with a few accessories such as this (not including him in the middle :), or these :D
I mean, what kinda homie wouldn't have an iriver or be seen driving one of these babies (and the hummer).


Talking about homies, I watched Starsky and Hutch tonight, and it was quite good indeed. Typical Stiller humour and 70s style action, nice mix.

Kill Bill volume 2 is out in a week. Can't wait til Bill is killed. Sis also bought Volume 1 on DVD from HK, hopefully its the Japanese uncensored version. Gotta love the gore.

Labels: life, movies, shopping

It ain't over til it's over
I didn't think it would happen so soon, but it did. After such long, hard work.. it finally came to this. After much heated debate and angst, I walked out the door and decided enough is enough. I fired off an email to the manager and let him know what I felt. Even though my 3 months had passed I decided to take the fast way out and leave straight away. So this is it. Back into reality where I belong. I won't be going back. Leaving everything as it is and let someone else sort out the mess. I'm not known as a quitter but sometimes you just gotta do, what you gotta do. I craved for this long lost feeling of freedom and now I have it back again, so soon. It was only a matter of time. Onto bigger and better things I say!
Here I tender my resignation to thee, effective immediately. Best Regards.

Labels: life

One Third
of the way through my probation period. Only seemed like yesterday that I first walked through the doors, wondering what lay ahead of me. First job, meeting new people, new faces, new life. I still wonder what I really should be doing in my role - I never really was certain what I was suppose to do, and I guess, I never will be. There will definately be more chances and opportunities to explore further down the track, after the next two thirds are over, and probably in another 12 months time, I will have figured it out. Hopefully.


I started to read Empire of the Sun, like I said I might. Maybe I'll get into my bookworming days again. Been longing to get Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Trilogyto read for some time now, but it never appears to be on sale during the sales. Even though it is cheaper than the 3 separate books combined...I'd been hoping it would get discounted. Guess not. Some day I'll get it. Soon.

Labels: life, work

Merrimous New Year
As the clock ticks over, a new year begins. Can't believe a year has gone by already, time flies when you don't do much - it doesn't even feel like Christmas had just passed or the new year is upon us.

It has been duly noted it's been a while (not that long) since I last blogged, well my last effort to post got timed out after leaving it for so long and I forgot what I had written (it was a long post of mine) and I wasn't motivated enough to rewrite it, hence the fill-in for that days post.

Christmas was a week ago, and it was nothing more than the usual. Gift giving was null down to a bare minimum and receiving slightly better, although always gettin less and less, which I don't mind .. you give what you ge.

A week before that was my first week of work, the first week of the rest of the majority of my life. Nothing too exciting, nothing much has been happening really. Not what I was really expecting, but a learning experience none the less.

New years went by like a flash, as with the past five years, spending it at home after a hard nights work but this year the whole family was at home for a change. Ended up watching Empire of the Sun on tv after the fireworks, til 3am in the morning with nothing else to do. Might even read the book later on if I'm motivated enough to do anything else.

World Idol is on live 6:30am AEDST tomorrow morning. Go the 'fro!

Labels: life

it's almost time..
9 hours to go and that's it. The end of my freedom. Time to endure the RealWorld for the rest of my life.
And I'm dead beat and sunburnt. Gonna be a great first day I bet.

Only time remaining is the 6 odd hours of sleep I'll get. Fun!

adieu free world.

RealWorld here I come!

Labels: life, work

plantin a foot in the door
There ain't been much seriousness postings from me in a while, probably cos there hasn't been much to post about, so I've never bothered with any updates.

I've been looking for work for the past 20months or so (off and on during uni time) which may seem like a long time (and it is). Ever since I graduated from my Bachelor's end of 2001, right at the time of the internet crash, the bubble bursting, which didn't seem to be a good time to look for work. I initially managed to impress an employer with my skills during that time (early 2002), however never ended up getting it as he wanted someone with more commercial experience at that present time to work on projects they needed, so that meant I wasn't offered the role. Never fear, there would be plenty of other opportunities to come.

And come they did. Never to offer me any more than the first round interview. That goin on for about 6months, til I decided to enrol in my Master's degree, which I completed June this year. Not knowing what else to do at the time, doing the Masters degree seemed to be my only option (probably a little push and shove by my parents as well heh). Completing that, I don't know if it has helped. Still getting the same knockbacks as before, still hoping for a chance to come.

3 interviews last week (2 initial, 1 follow up) and all rejections. I've learnt never to get my hopes too high, as I once did, as it lessens the impact. I've learnt to deal with it all, easy come, easy go, nothing to worry about.

Til dad starts questioning you what is wrong.
Was doing the Master's the right choice?
Did you study the wrong subjects?
Is there something thats causing this to happen?
What other options are there for you to do? Study something else? when 10minutes before that hes telling me not to waste more money on study again (!)

He gave me that talk after I got rejected for a job last week. Ironically, he gave me that same talk 2 weeks before that when I told him I got a job interview for that same company, after being rejected by another one on that day.

I, as I always do, just sit there.. take it in .. and ignore it, not giving him the replies or just my typical I. don't. know.!
It's probably one of those asian parent worries, wanting to see the best for their child(ren). To succeed where they could not. To provide a better future for generations to come.

All these rejections stem from a catch 22.
Not enough experience
How is one, a fresh graduate, suppose to gain experience, when they don't give a chance to. ergh.


More news in a few hours hopefully.

[Update] (2hours later)
Call back from one of the telecommunication companies regarding a job I applied for a month and a half ago. One bad thing about applying to those big companies is that you dont know if you're still being considered for a position cos they take so bloody long to get through applications and reply to you (if you're lucky to get a reply that is!). Interview next week. Just hope theres not like another 3 rounds to do, cos .. that just sux even more.

Labels: job hunting, life, uni