Another mid-week shout out

I have been SO busy since I got back from Brisbane last Thursday it is starting to throw me off my tracks!

On top of my crazy never ending pile of work. And the getting frequent interstate travelling.

My weekly after office hour commitments are;

* Monday – Climbing
* Tuesday – Bible Study in the city
* Wednesday – Climbing
* Thursday – Dinners @ the mall + Grocery shopping
* Friday – NOTHING!!! Besides my monthly music practice for church
* Saturday – Clean the house. And supposedly another nothing day. But somehow we always have some errands to run!
* Sunday – Full day of ABM (Asian Bible Ministry) & ABC (Asian Bible Church) duties. Gorcery shopping for the week.

And of course the other mundane chores like planning and cooking our dinners for the week. Cleaning, washing and ironing. Writing in my blog. And attending to my garden.

Not including our social commitments of dinner parties, bbqs and catch up coffees. And lunches with the family!!

And consistently lurking in the back of my mind. Classes that I want to sign up for; Textile, Internet Design, Starting a small business, Moore College bible classes!! AH!!!

Where will I find the time!!!

For all those out there who needs an extra 24hrs a day and are still hanging on with a smile on your face. Especially those with babies!!

I salute you.

Catching up

The weather in Brisbane was nothing less than perfect!!

Just over an hour flight from Sydney and I am bathing in the glorious sunshine of a perfect spring day! I am in heaven. “sigh”

I met up with my friend [Zhi Ling] for lunch. We go way back to uni days. I met her while trashing out my stress and tension over a game of badminton at UWA. We insistently hit it off. And we have kept in touch ever since. =)

The only chance we get to catch up is when I take business trips up north. It was nice that we could always pick up from where we left off. Though I have to say. She has gotten a lot smarter. Must be because of the phD course she is doing.

After lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. We took a stroll down Southbank and visited the Southbank Craft Market.

Found Nelson Molloy! [AH!] And some of the pieces were on sale! [double AH!!]. Bought myself a couple of tops and a pair of crossroad pants.

And of course a couple of those delightful obi belts. HEHEHE…

What do I do?

I am flying off to the mother city of world-renowned Gold Coast, Brisbane.

Together with 5 other colleagues, we will be exhibiting at Australia’s largest trade show for the Power Utility market.

Now for those of you who do not have a single clue of what I actually do to make a living?! What THE…??

Let me see if I can explain. Simplified version of course….

I sell medium to high voltage connectivity to support the power distribution network, mostly govern by power utilities. So that is anything that is related to jointing and terminating a cable that transmit 11kV to 33kV [voltages] to transformer switchgears or distribution stations. That subsequently transmits power to your offices and homes!

So now you know.

I am the reason you could watch TV and take a warm shower.

Yes my friends. I have the POWER!!! WAH HA HA HA!!!
=p

See you all next week!

Shot glasses and Spoons

We had a US visitor from work flown in this afternoon. And to welcome him properly into Australia. We thought we’d bring him out to dinner at a nice restaurant down by The Rocks.

Choice of restaurant. Ocean Room.

We were seated at a cosy corner with high lounge seats facing the Opera House. It was truly breathtaking.

I love how the entrées were served in little shot glasses and spoons. So intricately garnished and intriguing! It feels almost wrong to touch them!!

I had to take a picture of it. Hehe… how embarrassing.

Something borrowed something ……..Turquoise??

I am utterly in love with the colour turquoise.

The radiance of its shade.

The way it lifts up a dull outfit.

The way it draws attention to the eye.

Its association with anything chic and funky.

AND the way it stands out against my skin.

Just a mid-week shout out

I have been so busy at work. The good sort of busy. No hang ups. No road blocks. A potential huge business hanging within reach.

You know. When not too many things are thrown your way. But just enough to distract you from time. And than miraculously. It is 6pm! And suddenly the week is almost over!

Great feeling isn’t it.

I hope you are all having a good week.

Happy mid-week everyone!

Comments

Hi all!

I know that some of you are finding it hard to leave comments on my blog. Well. I've edited my settings to allow everyone (yes, even non-members) to have your say!

Just click on Comments, than check Others when leaving your comments and click on Publish Your Comment.

Otherwise. Email works for me as well.

Thanks for the feedback!

Cheers!

Lord of the Rings

Mel bought the box set for Lord of the Rings. The EXTENDED version.

Boy is it long.

The Fellowship of the Ring has 48mins added on to its already long 3hrs.

I am not going to mention how long the other 2 are.

It took me almost 5 days to complete the 3 series.

I sat till my bums were sore. And it was STILL going!

Don’t think I’ll be watching it again anytime soon.

hmmm…. Salem does look awfully a lot like Gollum. eekk!

Japan journal - Published at last!

It is finally done! My Japan Journey!

Whilst my holiday in Japan (April / May of this year), I have kept a dairy of the things I got up to in the 2 & 1/2 weeks while traveling around Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. I wanted to capture the vibe and the moods of the places I visited, and also the thoughts and emotions that occupied my mind than. I wrote in placed like palaces, museums, cafes, on trains, restaurants, markets, even along side walks! All in hope to capture every precious moment of my unforgettable holiday.

It was a bit of a nightmare trying to decipher (weeks later) what I had scrabbled onto my tiny note pad (I have disgracefully huge handwriting that gets smaller and more illegible when I get excited) but writing these snippets has brought me back to my wonderful journey once more, so I am happy for the 2nd ride.

The result - a 1 & 1/2 month blog fully dedicated to my trip in mystical Japan (which you will find on my March and April archives).

I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I have writing them.

Happy exploring!

Don't let the cat out of the bag

My little cat has a HUGE fetish for paper bags.









The minute the contents of the bag are cleared. He will be right in there.

Jumping in. Leaping out. Pulling and chasing it around. AND his little tug of war with the strings.

I managed to get a couple of shots of his silly little contented face. Growling away at his victory.

How cute.

Back home

The flight back to Sydney was really quick. It only took us 3 & ½ hrs instead of the usual 4 & ½. Don’t you just love the tail winds.

I took a picture of the right wing and finished reading my book. The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon.

Mel was at the airport waiting for me. I miss his smile.

I was so looking forward to climb into my warm and comfy bed. There is nothing quite like sleeping on your own bed now is there…..

Boy did it feel good.

Singapore National Day

Today is the national day of Singapore.

Yearly celebrations alternate between venues like the Padang and the National Stadium. This year it is to be held at the scenic grounds of the foreshore of Padang.



I miss the fire works, the cheers of camaraderie, the feeling of celebrating together as one nation.

To all my friends back home. Happy National Day to you’all.

Happy 40th birthday Singapore.

Fish and Chips

Tonight’s dinner was the old good fish and chips. I have not had them for a while. Forgotten how good they taste!

The beer battered deep fried fillets, the $2 bag of chips, the lemon slices. Wrapped up neatly in crisp brown paper sheets.

I especially love the smell of freshly fried chips oozing through the paper. Makes your mouth water.

Yuummm.

If only Mel was with me. I miss our fish and chips take outs and eating them at the foreshore with the sun setting before our eyes. What good memories we have around fish and chips. sigh....

My Perth Saturday - Two

I'm back in Perth! YAY! I met up with a friend that I have not seen for a long while over breakfast.

Just a quick insight: I enjoy catching up over breakfast for the following reasons:

1) It forces you to get out of bed early.
2) I would have never eaten more than a bowl of cereal or a slice of bread at home.
3) I get to eat a hearty meal and not worry about what to eat for lunch.
4) The morning air is lots fresher.
5) I love café style cooked poached eggs!
6) And you still have the rest of the day in front of you. Thus a nice fuzzy accomplished good feeling. Yah!

My [only other Singaporean friend] Sarah and I met at Cottesloe Beach for morning tea at John’s St Café.

It’s a lovely unassuming little café on a pleasant residential street with bright blue walls. I have a picture of it [the blue café] in my wedding album with me and my 2 bride’s maid spinning around with our skirts spread out wide. It was a lovely shot.

Anyway. Very popular stop for morning joggers and local residents. I love now suburban it feels to eat there.

I always enjoy our yearly catch-ups. It was nice to be able to practise my rapidly diminishing “Singlish”[Got to love the “lahs” and “lors”. Oh and of course the “leis”.] And also talk about old times.

After 2 hours of laughs, giggles, and gossips. I bid her farewell at noon and headed off to the beach.

Took some pictures of Indiana tea house [and myself…. very sad.]. And started reminiscing about my good old uni days when I used to frequent the beach during Sundays at sunset to write in my diary.

Sigh. It sure feels a lot different now.

I decided to drive to Fremantle for a quick visit. It has been years since I have been there.

I always enjoy the drive along Stirling hwy. The view of the ocean. The sun in my face. It feels so good.

Apparently Fremantle is THE birthplace to many young aspiring WA designers. So besides taking in the sights and the beautiful weather. My eyes were on the look out for good cheap buys.

Got myself a skirt priced down from $260 to $80! And a pair of bronzy gold ring earrings to go with. Yay!

I know what I will be wearing to the dinner party tonight. hehehe..

Darlot Gold Mine

Thought I'd post some of the pictures I took at the mine.

Kalgoorlie

I was to spend 4 days and 3 nights in a Gold Mine out in the rich desert grounds of outback Kalgoorlie. I have not even boarded the 18-seater passenger plane and already I am feeling home sick.

We were to conduct training to a group of electricians on how to joint and terminate a cable. The electrical superintendent of the mine received us at the airport [which basically is a dirt runway]. And packed into a pick up truck like sardines. We were whisked off to the campsite.

I was very impressed with the living quarters. I actually had my own room and ensuite bathroom!

After unpacking my things [electric blanket, pillow covers, fashion magazines, a good book, chocolate biscuits and Pringles bought by my sweet sister-in-law]. The bucker suddenly appears livable after all.

The camp is very well equipped. It has facilities like a gym, a dinning mast, bar, games room, a cable TV room, mini movie theatre. AND unlimited Internet access! Not bad considering we ARE in the middle of nowhere.

We were given a quick tour around the mine site. It is quite amazing looking at the open pit where miners actually go down to dig for gold. And the huge machinery on the ground. Impressive.

Dinner was all you can eat buffet. I was expecting big chunks of meat, slabs of greasy sausages, bread rolls and a mountain pile of creamy mash potato. Instead, we had a selection of roast beef, boiled carrots, broccoli, a salad bar [with the usual pasta, egg, and green salad. Cheeze platter!], bread and yes, the creamy mash. AND my favourite bread pudding with custard sauce for dessert. Ice cream, cakes and fruits.

Apparently, you get your eggs cooked in whatever ways you want for breakfast! It is not gourmet. But I am liking it.

Working hours at the mines are from 6am to 6pm. So after dinner. Most of us retreated back to our rooms for an early shuteye.

Walking back to my room. I ran into a Kangaroo, a little rabbit running its cute furry ass off, and goats.

That I think, is good enough reason for me to hang around for another 3 days.