Reflecting...

As year approaches an end, guess it's natural to reflect on the year...

2008 has been rather significant for me coz I
1) was involved in the very-successful OT Day at my workplace
2) got my driver's licence
3) baked almost every weekend
4) discovered places in SG with beautiful scenery
5) attended my sec sch tcher's wedding
6) had a great time in Macau with my dear aunt
7) was granted no-pay leave for my studies
8) stepped into an unfamiliar environment for studies
9) saw the most flowers in my whole life!
10) experienced God's works of nature I never seen before
11) made some memorable friendships
12) realised I enjoyed giving tuition
13) became more independent as a result of coming to Adelaide
14) built stronger relationships while away
15) realised how it is like to miss friends and family
16) joined a church congregation which made me feel at home
17) scored high distinctions for my assignments (which I never had in NYP!)

For the coming year, I just pray that
1) my family and friends will be healthy and happy
2) I'll continue to be blessed by His richness
3) I'll be able to go NZ with Elain
4) I will score better results esp for my PCP
5) I'll be a good host to my friends/family who are thinking of coming over to visit me
6) I'll hv a good housemate
7) I'll leave beautiful memories with those who blessed me here in Adelaide
8) I'll have a safe trip home
9) whichever team or place I'm allocated to, that I'll be able to cope
10) I can continue to build stronger friendships and relationships
11) I can share my ADL experience and take on lessons I've learnt into life
12) Deb n her fiance and Cel n Kelvin will hv a blissful marriage

Woo hoo! I managed to finish a video of my family's (minus mum) trip! Think record time! Haha..so happy now..email me if u want to view it!

I miss SG's healthcare system

In the morning was trying to get appt to see Dr abt my foot but the clinics were either full or they only reopen next mon! Can't imagine if really sick how lor..sick still hv to make appt to see Dr...I miss SG's healthcare system!!! So I decided to self-treat and see how it is next week.

Went out today...went to Red Cross's store...didn't get anything..then "stupidly" took the Circle line and took 1.25hrs to get to Arndale (according to K is a Vietnamese suburb here)..didn't get anything from there either..went back to city to get my garlic n borrow DVDs...managed to borrow "Must Love Dogs", "Big Fish", "Juneburg", "Analyze that", "Apres Vous", "握手" n "Before Sunset".

Min's taking the plane to Melb tonight, arriving tmr and arriving in Adl via GOR on Sunday evening...then we'll be heading to KI if all goes as planned (coz I haven't booked! Hehe).

Oh..finally my bro gave me link for the photos with ppl...asked him to remove some ugly shots but he won't...arghsss...throw face...anyway, was happily seeing the photos from Christmas eve gathering, including a video of my naughty nephew crying n peeping...hah..n him taking drink cans out of the cooler box and goodies out from the basket. Of all, I particularly like this shot..v nostalgic...haha

boring day

Was kinda bored today...stopped myself from watching too many episodes of "妙手人心III" at a go else later on I won't hv much to do. Only left the hse for 30mins to jog/walk. Oh...called my dear ah ma too...finally managed to get her..coz she was out yday..she said nothing to do then bake or cook lor..then I say cannot else I'll gain more weight..already my relatives said can tell I gained weight! Arghss!

Looked at k's previous tenant (a jap guy)'s hol VCD and wedding photos...quite interesting to see Jap wedding..also saw the gifts her jap friends sent over..

Anyway, I decided to make pizza for dinner coz there was offer for pizza base on Sat while I was out...ingredients are fritz (aka luncheon meat), leftover lamb (auntie LF packed for me), carrots and olives. Don't ask why there's carrot...haha..coz I wanted some veggies in my meal...wanted to add broccoli but thot it may seem strange..ha! So here it is!

Will head out tomorrow to go to the bank (wish me luck), get garlic from central market, explore some suburbs and borrow some DVDs...

fruits fruits

Forgot to mention abt my tomato plant!! K told me it's bearing fruits so I went to snap pics of it n found 3 green tomatoes..haha...so funny coz I brought my dad and bro to see the plant n tell them the story on Mon....yet all of us didn't spot the fruits!

And also forgot to mention in the previous entry...I was blessed with homegrown apricots!! They're soooo sweet! THanks to Auntie LF who gave me a big bag! Save $ n time of gg Central Market to buy..she gave me homegrown plums too...looking forward to persimmon season..hehe..*eyeing persimmon tree!*

Christmas!

Just back from Auntie LF and Uncle Jason's place not long ago...last min got invited to their place for dinner..they were v paiseh coz they kinda forgot about me..haha..but I also wasn't expecting them to coz they're also pretty busy.



Church today was pretty good...took some photos of the Nativity Scene...got to see friendly church members and pastor's wife, Carolyn again...realised some of them missed me..haha! I was away for a few weeks..

Auntie A and Uncle J...my lovely church members who gave me pandan chiffon cake, kaya, hei bee hiam, sambal, rendang n invited me over for homecooked dinner once...

Went back and helped with lunch preparations...K's two sisters, J and S (K's sons) and their gfs came...

lunch spread: Roast turkey breast roll (v healthy!), roast chicken, roast vege, boiled broccoli, ham, smoked salmon, fruit punch, plum pudding with brandy custard and my apple pie (unpictured)

Found it a bit strange coz they opened presents before lunch and they sure have positive comments abt the presents! Ohh..I played with opening crackers twice! Finally I know what's in those crackers they sell at the store! I got a notepad from Perth (from K's sis who stays in Perth), a beautiful terrier cookie tin with shortbread cookies (from K's sis, M, who stays near us) and a DVD "Looking for Alibrandi" (from K). I really liked the tin I got and it was so apt coz I told my bro when we were looking at the Christmas gift sets tt I want to buy the tins home but will wait till after Christmas when they're marked down...they have lovely-designed metal tins here! As for the DVD, K said it's Aussie film n is quite nice..it'll be a souvenir for me. Glad K liked the brooch my mum got for her, the pedometer and the magnet I got for her, J liked the Nike cap I got for him, S liked the dark chocolates and K's sis (M) liked the compact mirror...

Oh..the funny part was coz the Fan family (mx's church coordinators and the family I stayed with when I was in Melb) gave me a box of 30s Ferrero Rocher, I decided to share it with everyone over lunch coz I don't intend to finish eating all...then I opened Auntie A and Uncle Jerry's present then realised it's another box of Rocher! My god..haha..so brought over to Auntie LF and Uncle Jason's place to share coz I really dun wanna end up eating too many chocs. My grandma and cel said looks like I gained weight already!! Arghs!! Got a shoe-shaped notepad n pen set from Auntie LF and Uncle Jason.

Christmas Dinner spread at Auntie LF and Uncle JY's place: Roast pork shoulder, roast veal, roast lamb, achar, roasted mushrooms, roasted potatoes and pumpkin, boiled prawns, salad, boiled vegetables and my apple and nectarine tart (not pictured here)

me with Auntie LF, Uncle J's sister, Ivy and her family

I learnt how to play mahjong!!! Haha..so funny...come ADL n learn...hah..and v nice of auntie LF and family to invite me for their CNY reunion dinner!

Felt a bit out of place at lunch (dun quite get their slangs n conversations..haha) so did chores instead...better than standing ard not knowing what to do..haha..helping ard is always a safe thing to do! Felt more at home at dinner..haha..looking forward to CNY now. Felt a bit homesick after lunch coz it's nothing like spending Christmas with my own family...is my first Christmas away from home and it'll be my 1st CNY away from home too...but felt much better after dinner..Just glad that one of my church member wanted to invite me for lunch if I wasn't spending Christmas with anyone...

Updates from family trip

Here's an update of what we did when my dad and bro came over...
Day 1: Collected the car and headed to the apartment only to find out that the person didn't leave anything..spotted many motorcycles decorated v beautifully coz of the toy run event and also spotted the old tram at Glenelg! Hurried snapped a pic of it from the car. Carried on with the Dolphin Cruise at Port Adelaide (lunch on board)...came home to find last min deals for motels and found one along Glen Osmond Rd. Then headed to Elder Park where they so happen were having this Spirit Festival event. Then went Hog's Breath Cafe for dinner - had yummy 18hr slow cooked Prime Ribs.

Day 2: Headed to Barossa Valley for wine tasting and visits..Lunch was at Kies and bought Domino's pizza coz not v hungry

Day 3: Drove to Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbour..on our way back stopped by Warrawong Wildlife sanctuary but coz its free entrance is till 4pm, we didn't hv much time to walk ard...too bad it's not v accessible by public transport. Stopped by Eagle on the Hill but it was nth much. Lunch was at Victor's Fish and Chips at Victor Harbor and Dinner was at XXX

Day 4: Returned the car and went to Central Market (to look see since it was still quite early) then went to Marion Shopping Centre, Glenelg beach and Harbourtown Shopping Centre. Lunch was Oporto (flame-grilled chicken) and dinner was roast chicken from Woolworths

Day 5: Mount Lofty Summit and Hahndorf. Lunch was yummy pot belly pie at Pot Belly Pie cafe and "A Taste of Germany" platter at Hahndorf Inn...

Day 6: Had coffee at Cibo Express then went to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Haigh's Visitor Centre (which we missed the tour coz of the "wonderful" public transport and bus driver) and then Chinatown/Central Market. Late lunch was at Dumpling House where we ordered the 大排卤蛋面, 台湾牛肉面 and 饺子...yums..then headed to Rundle Mall for late night shopping, went Central market to get wine and fruits (fruits were cheap that night) then went back to Rundle Mall coz bro wanted to take night scenery (and I finally got to see the display above Hungry Jacks.

Day 7: Went to Hahndorf for lunch (yummy pot belly pie! and German pork knuckle) then went Rundle Mall, stopped by for Hudsons Coffee and then went to the Museums

Day 8: Moved over to St Morris Apartment...we were all vvv pleased with the place coz it was vv homely! Went to Glenelg's Hog's Breath for lunch (but they didn't hv the 18hr prime ribs and serving was much lesser than the 1st time we had at Gouger St). After tt went to Harbourtown to buy some fruits (surprisingly fruits there is v cheap). Drank ice coffee at Gloria Jeans (it was a vvv warm day that day..max was 32deg!). Cooked pork chops for everyone for dinner...

Day 9: Went to Robern Menz (company tt sells Fruchocs and dried fruit products tt's exclusive to SA) factory outlet store. Late lunch was homecooked beef steaks and dinner was pork knuckle...ate a lot!!

Day 10: After some packing, went to airport. Plane for delayed...then I went to taxation office and was attended by a super rude woman who kept emphasising I'm NOT DEAD so I can't request for early Ax for tax return (which I was advised when I called their hotline). Super irritated with the system..then came home n did my chores..

Overall, ate a lot, drank a lot of wine for me in my entire life but I had a great time coz I got to try most things here I've been wanting to try but can't either coz of portion size or company...n dad complimented my cooking comparable to restaurant's! Hahaha...

Checked my results yday..9-unit project module got credit, 6-unit module got distinction and my 4.5-unit module got high distinction..so funny lor..those of higher weightage didn't get distinction. Hope my 9-unit module next yr..the same module but is the implementation phase can get distinction..

oh yes, thanks to yi and Ellen who sent me cards and Elain who sent me letter (which I think got delayed)!

Looking forward for my church service tmr (haven't been to church for quite some time coz went to Melb n bringing my dad n bro ard) and of course, Christmas lunch at my place..or rather k's place..missed k's and j's graduation during the time my dad n bro were here but saw the photos...quite nice..n I found out they dun rent gowns to go ard scenic places to take photos like in SG..haha!

Have quite a no. of things to do after Christmas/in Jan:
1) call for Dr appt
2) Enrol in modules for next year
3) Go to bank to get statement for the month tax was deducted from my interest
4) Settle the fund application for my project
5) Host min when she's over in Adl
6) Look through the tax return forms to claim back my tax

Melbourne update

Wishing all a Blessed Christmas!!

Haven't really updated since I came back from Melbourne. Anyway, shall probably just pen down the places I went in Melbourne.

Day 1 was thai dinner in the city then back to mx's place to rest coz my plane was delayed.
Day 2 was City and Docklands (includes St Collector's Market where I bought yi's body scrub)
Day 3 was to Phillip Island with go west tours (which I found out there's other cheaper alternatives and reached home ard 12+am..heng hv tram home)
Day 4 was to City (including Queen Vic Market, Docklands and Parliament)
Day 5 was Bridge Road and then Suzuki Night Market (in Queen Vic)
Day 6 was to Brunswick area, Queen Vic Market n lastly Preston Market
Day 7 was to Boxhill (reminded me a lot of People's Park area) and Mt Dandenongs (morning to afternoon) and South Bank in the city (afternoon) then kinda "joined" mx's housemate's homegroup (aka cellgroup) for decoration of the hse
Day 8 was to Smith St then Docklands
Day 9 was Camberwell Market (morning/afternoon), sj's aunt's place to walk to dog (afternoon) and lastly to Lygon (at night)
Day 10 was to Footscray (mini Vietnam where I found the traditional vietnamese mini baguette) and Williamstown (beach area) and Melbourne Central
Day 11 was to city then Sugar Dough (where thick Italian hot chocolate is served and yummy pastries) and the nearby creek at mx's place
Day 12 was to Great Ocean Road (took the sunset tour so the view was spectacular!!)
Day 13 was to Sugar Dough again!

short update

Just a short update...

I'm back in Adelaide since thur evening. The sunset view at Great Ocean Road was BREATHTAKING! I wanna drive along GOR one day coz every spot is so scenic and can take loads of photos!! My online photo album is up and invited most of u to view...total of 288 photos..haha..happy viewing!

Oh yes, the assignment tt I was worried about..50% of the module and is a joint mark..we got C- and after I clarified stuff with my tutor, we got C+ so it isn't that bad as I expected.

Watched Juno last night with k and j. Quite a nice show...anyway, hv to try and settle accomm by today else our plans hv to change n I've to find alternative accomm! Arghs...owner of the hse and I playing hide n seek! Got to go airport soon...

Shall update about Melb trip later on...but just wanna say my last min frantic over accomm turned out as a blessing in disguise so I'm feeling vvv blessed from the trip!

update

Woo hoo! Got my final assignment back for EO...got HD for 15%..my splint got credit only..oh well..I reckon overall should be a Distinction. Still awaiting my PCP one...arghs..

Anyway yday went Camberwell Sunday Market and I was kinda awed at the no. of stalls and the prices the ppl sold their stuff for...got myself a pair of black wedges =) Had lunch (Calzone Rustico..which reminds me of quiche!) at Sofia, an Italian restaurant. Then went over sj's aunt's place n walked the husky..my god..fur dropped everywhere! Met mx at Lygon for dinner..italian again but this time I had pizza! After dinner tried Kokoblack (a chocolate boutique shop supposedly to be vvv famous) but we all felt the cake was quite dry and hot chocolate was a bit too milky. Mx will be bringing us to this quaint chocolate shop which she said serves thicker hot choc tmr afternoon so looking forward to it!

Today went Williamstown for the beach but it was so-so...had Gelato..yumss..oh ya, dropped by Footscray which I heard from mx is a mini Saigon and yessss! It reminded me of Vietnam except the shops are nicer, roads are more well-paved..had Pho and bought authentic mini baguettes!! Yumss! Kept smelling it while I carried it! Came back to city n got some groceries for apple pie tmr. Oh ya, cooking chicken rice for everyone in the hse tmr dinner and thought of making apple pie too...sj coming over too..so tmr prob will do a bit of sightseeing then do marketing and book Great Ocean Road tour for wed.

day 4 n 5

I knew God had better plans for me for this trip! The female owner of the hse actually packed a lunch box for me!! ARghs...so paiseh! Have to get something nice for them before I leave! Anyway, I cancelled my great ocean rd trip coz I found out hv cheaper prices..was quoted $75 when I called but $90 when I went down to book..will try n sort things out n prob gg next wed instead since sj is keen to join me.

Yesterday went Queen Vic Market...only bought fruits..the stuff like all similar..may go another market tmr morning..then went docklands area again for phototaking..had jap bento for lunch/dinner. Went DFO at city also but didn't get anything though timberland boots were gg for like $60-75 and crocs prima $29.95.

Got a call from sj earlier on saying she has to babysit so will only meet me in pm..so I'll be checking out salvos stores and the vicinity then head to city..depending on weather, may go gardens to hv my homecooked lunch =) After tt meeting sj to go Bridge Rd for shopping. Tmr planning to go beach in pm or elsewhere...see how..and Fri is to Chadstone Shopping Centre (heard it's like vivo) and Mt Dandenongs!