Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Hand
This PostSecret postcard reminded me of that day. That fateful day I sat on the toilet seat, in a shopping centre. Sobbing my heart out, unable to curb the tears, the grief, the shuddering. To Cynthia, the stranger who spoke to me through the door, offering hope, kindness, an outstretched hand when I needed it the most, thank you. Thank you for your words, your time, for the fingers you ran through my hair, for the hip you let me rest my head on. And you're right, it did become alright. I'm more alright now than I have been in the longest time. So now, to all those out there, I extend the same message. It will become alright. Have a little faith.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The long Easter weekend
The weekend I had expected to spend quietly catching up on reading, blogging and running errands exploded into a hectic buzz of social activity. Unfortunately, I failed to capture many other interesting moments due to general scatterbrained-ness.
Friday was spent with RR, having brunch at Dead Man Espresso (pork belly BLT, mmm) and the yummiest gelato from this place on Brunswick St (I forget the name again, but I returned the next day), before heading to SL's for dinner. Monday will be spent fishing and possibly catching up with the twins from KL.
Easter was spent at Planetshakers, Brunswick. John Bevere was a very charismatic guest speaker. I instantly developed a massive crush on him. This was my first visit to this infamous church, which had a reputation for being "jumpy". The rock concert-like atmosphere was invigorating and the sermon ("Do not repay evil for evil, God is waiting to give you a blessing") was very apt. We had dim sum at West Lake for lunch (great food, atrocious service). I was fined $58 for parking 3 hours at a 1P zone (note to self: Open thy eyes!).
Haha. My adolescent nickname.
The extremely kampung-like external loo at the Korean restaurant on Victoria St (I forget the name). I normally detest Korean cuisine, but agreed as I hadn't met BY since college days. It was a lovely catch up. The food was surprisingly edible, though not outstanding. I later attempted to send Sherlyn home, which had us driving around aimlessly for ages before I then got lost/ stuck in a traffic accident-induced jam/ got approached by a cop for not switching my headlights on (doh!).
Saturday was spent with EH and AK, furniture-hunting in IKEA. I spent a few hundred on storage and lighting for my new room, which is slowing looking less like a refugee detention centre and more like a bedroom. It was a fruitful morning/ afternoon. We also wound up on Bridge Rd and Smith St, a worthwhile recommendation by EH. AK and I got pretty decent deals at Tony Bianco.
The toilet bowl on our street. I have no idea why it's there (it's been there for more than a month, at least to my knowledge), but it reminds me of that episode of Scrubs where the Janitor (Dr Jan Itor, haha) installed a loo on the hospital roof.
French Earl Grey with SL. SL is currently feeding me, both spiritually and physically. So far, her Leftovers Pasta and Leftovers Fried Rice have been very yummy comfort food. And the Maggie Beer fig and caramel ice cream tastes uncannily like cendol, only about 70 times dearer.
Friday was spent with RR, having brunch at Dead Man Espresso (pork belly BLT, mmm) and the yummiest gelato from this place on Brunswick St (I forget the name again, but I returned the next day), before heading to SL's for dinner. Monday will be spent fishing and possibly catching up with the twins from KL.
Easter was spent at Planetshakers, Brunswick. John Bevere was a very charismatic guest speaker. I instantly developed a massive crush on him. This was my first visit to this infamous church, which had a reputation for being "jumpy". The rock concert-like atmosphere was invigorating and the sermon ("Do not repay evil for evil, God is waiting to give you a blessing") was very apt. We had dim sum at West Lake for lunch (great food, atrocious service). I was fined $58 for parking 3 hours at a 1P zone (note to self: Open thy eyes!).
Haha. My adolescent nickname.
The extremely kampung-like external loo at the Korean restaurant on Victoria St (I forget the name). I normally detest Korean cuisine, but agreed as I hadn't met BY since college days. It was a lovely catch up. The food was surprisingly edible, though not outstanding. I later attempted to send Sherlyn home, which had us driving around aimlessly for ages before I then got lost/ stuck in a traffic accident-induced jam/ got approached by a cop for not switching my headlights on (doh!).
Saturday was spent with EH and AK, furniture-hunting in IKEA. I spent a few hundred on storage and lighting for my new room, which is slowing looking less like a refugee detention centre and more like a bedroom. It was a fruitful morning/ afternoon. We also wound up on Bridge Rd and Smith St, a worthwhile recommendation by EH. AK and I got pretty decent deals at Tony Bianco.
The toilet bowl on our street. I have no idea why it's there (it's been there for more than a month, at least to my knowledge), but it reminds me of that episode of Scrubs where the Janitor (Dr Jan Itor, haha) installed a loo on the hospital roof.
French Earl Grey with SL. SL is currently feeding me, both spiritually and physically. So far, her Leftovers Pasta and Leftovers Fried Rice have been very yummy comfort food. And the Maggie Beer fig and caramel ice cream tastes uncannily like cendol, only about 70 times dearer.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The dilemma of a tiny analyst
Okay, so I've finally started work. The last 2 jobs I held before, truthfully speaking, were less than ideal. The first one too far and too much office politics going on, amongst other more pressing issues. The second could not contribute to my career goals.For now at least, I'm quite happy with my job. I struggled the first week - for the first time in my spoilt little life, I had to use the Alarm function in my cellphone. I'm still not very good with directions or public transport, so for almost every single day that week, I was either late or too early. My feet were blistered from wearing heels all day. My body ached from lugging the laptop around.
After the initial shock, I settled into a comfortable routine. Wearing flats to work, before switching to my 4 inch heels. Leaving the laptop locked in the office. Giving myself at least 20 minutes to stroll to the train station. My colleagues have been awesome too. Non of that bitchy, gossipy, competitive nonsense I've had to put up with before. They're incredibly supportive and professional.
My one and only issue at the moment, is the fact that as a professional, I'm required to wear suits. Thankfully, shirts aren't necessary (how I loath ironing). But here comes the double whammy - inexpensive suits either look cheap or come in sizes too large for me; the ones that do fit, cost $500-600 a pop.
On my meagre (though adequate) salary, neither is an option.
I am so envious of this girl here. Why can't we have reasonably priced, mass produced, well made office clothing here too?
Thankfully, I was reminded about the existence of G2000 by an equally petite colleague. Unfortunately, this only occurred a day after this phone call from Hong Kong.
KG: Do you want anything from here?
Jan: No, thanks! Have a safe flight tomorrow.
SIGH.
So now I'm relying on BE's impeccable fashion sense to guide me through. (Most girls would run to their mothers for this sort of thing. Not me. My mother always buys everything in L for me, in some misguided optimism that I'm still growing.)
Yet another successful story of a Facebook initiated friendship. I is happy.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Grand Prix weekend
X surprised me with a weekend room booking at The Alto Hotel on Bourke St. The room was little larger than a prison cell, but everything was so done with so much thought, I was completely charmed. Free flowing hot chocolate in the lounge, as well as free books (for taking) too!
The velociraptor at Harbourtown, Docklands. Surprisingly realistic and freaky, in spite of the elfin limbs.
Fitzroy Gardens. Breathtaking.
The Goof at the Fitzroy Conservatorium.
Tudor Model Village.
My gorgeous Seafood Linguine at Tiamo, Lygon St. Beautiful ambience and service, very reasonable.
Shafertelli (?). X meant to get the Meatball Maccherroni but accidentally ordered this instead. All the fancy Italian names confused him.We then watched The Men Who Stare At Goats. The nonsensical hilarity is only second to my all-time favourite, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Gold Coast to Melbourne
X, The Bestest Ex Ever, took 10 days' leave and accompanied me on a 3 day, 2,000km journey shipping my 7 boxes of Clothes, Shoes and Junk in my 22 year old car. Like the old days, we spent most of the time making scatological jokes, getting diarrhea and keeping each other in companionable silence. Pictures in reverse order (sorry, am having a really bad day).
I drove most of the third day. When I was a kid, I could never imagine how adults could stay awake, drive crazy distances and manage their own lives and sometimes, others' too. Yet I somehow managed to do 420km on my own on the third day, after dropping X off to meet his sister at Traralgon, after a yummy lunch at The Lakes Entrance (I forget the name of the shop, but it's Slippery-something).
The view from Idlewilde Motel in Pambula where we stopped for our second night, a tiny little town of 1,000 in NSW. Lovely little place. X and I have observed that *every* town, no matter the size, has at least one Chinese restaurant. You know how the RACQ caravan park guides depict the locations by its proximity to the local Post Office (PO)? Well they should change it to CR (Chinese Restaurant). Unbelievable how ubiquitous my people are.
The coastal front in Kiama, NSW. I am in love with this town. When I'm 50 and semi-retired, I'll live here with my dogs, cats and husband.
The Kiama Blowhole: When The Ocean Farts and Tourists Gasp. I should so be a copywriter.
The town itself - not overdeveloped but still pretty happening.
The view of Wollongong (note the concentrated pollution) from the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, somewhere along the Princes Highway. We had takeaway calamari and chips. Note to self: Chewing rubbery seafood whilst driving at 110kmph is a bad idea. Thank God for the rubbery painted lines.
The sunrise at Hawks Nest Beach. I recorded a video of it too.
Early dawn at the caravan park. Very pleasant, full of holidaying young families. X and I meant to stay at Tea Gardens. Tea Gardens! What a name! It's as picturesque as it sounds. We also passed Hungry Head somewhere along the way. Australia is a land of funny names.
Spinach and feta quiche with yummilicious Caesars Salad (sans bacon) at the organic cafe in Kempsey. The capers perked the entire dish up.
Hehehe. The cafe had a wall-full of charming and nonsensical doodles. Sadly, it seems to be the only thing Kempsey has going for it. Unemployment is rife. I wandered about, receiving strange looks and got jeered at by a large group of very, very young Aboriginese girls (like 15 or younger), clearly drunk, by some back street cafe. You do see drunk people around Australia, but I certainly have never come across such young ones before, especially during school hours.
The house on the truck.
Sugar factory in Broadwater, NSW.
I drove most of the third day. When I was a kid, I could never imagine how adults could stay awake, drive crazy distances and manage their own lives and sometimes, others' too. Yet I somehow managed to do 420km on my own on the third day, after dropping X off to meet his sister at Traralgon, after a yummy lunch at The Lakes Entrance (I forget the name of the shop, but it's Slippery-something).
The view from Idlewilde Motel in Pambula where we stopped for our second night, a tiny little town of 1,000 in NSW. Lovely little place. X and I have observed that *every* town, no matter the size, has at least one Chinese restaurant. You know how the RACQ caravan park guides depict the locations by its proximity to the local Post Office (PO)? Well they should change it to CR (Chinese Restaurant). Unbelievable how ubiquitous my people are.
The coastal front in Kiama, NSW. I am in love with this town. When I'm 50 and semi-retired, I'll live here with my dogs, cats and husband.
The Kiama Blowhole: When The Ocean Farts and Tourists Gasp. I should so be a copywriter.
The town itself - not overdeveloped but still pretty happening.
The view of Wollongong (note the concentrated pollution) from the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, somewhere along the Princes Highway. We had takeaway calamari and chips. Note to self: Chewing rubbery seafood whilst driving at 110kmph is a bad idea. Thank God for the rubbery painted lines.
The sunrise at Hawks Nest Beach. I recorded a video of it too.
Early dawn at the caravan park. Very pleasant, full of holidaying young families. X and I meant to stay at Tea Gardens. Tea Gardens! What a name! It's as picturesque as it sounds. We also passed Hungry Head somewhere along the way. Australia is a land of funny names.
Spinach and feta quiche with yummilicious Caesars Salad (sans bacon) at the organic cafe in Kempsey. The capers perked the entire dish up.
Hehehe. The cafe had a wall-full of charming and nonsensical doodles. Sadly, it seems to be the only thing Kempsey has going for it. Unemployment is rife. I wandered about, receiving strange looks and got jeered at by a large group of very, very young Aboriginese girls (like 15 or younger), clearly drunk, by some back street cafe. You do see drunk people around Australia, but I certainly have never come across such young ones before, especially during school hours.
The house on the truck.
Sugar factory in Broadwater, NSW.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Pivots
Have you ever thought about the times you made a life changing decision? Per the Myer Briggs Type Indicator (I'm currently reading Gifts Differing, best book ever), I'm an INFP, with judgment as my weakest point. Meaning I'm one of those people who tend to take a lot of crap before I put my foot down (read: doormat). My desire to be tactful and peacemaker has led me into a lot of undesirable situations, in which I felt compromised.
It's always taken a fair bit to really push me over the edge. Below are some turning points, times where the proverbial straw broke the equally proverbial horse, when...
... you insisted on moving with no consideration for my input.
... you termed my attempt at efficiency 'lazy'.
... you dismissed all my effort summarily.
... you blew me off without even a semi-decent excuse.
... you lied to my face for the final time.
... you left me alone in a foreign country.
... I graduated.
... you became an asshole during that NYE trip.
... you posted that slanderous note about me publicly.
... you overreacted when my foot slipped.
... you sniffed deeply into my hair during that movie.
(Points deliberately vague as many of these people remain a part of my life, only much less important than they could have been.)
It's always taken a fair bit to really push me over the edge. Below are some turning points, times where the proverbial straw broke the equally proverbial horse, when...
... you insisted on moving with no consideration for my input.
... you termed my attempt at efficiency 'lazy'.
... you dismissed all my effort summarily.
... you blew me off without even a semi-decent excuse.
... you lied to my face for the final time.
... you left me alone in a foreign country.
... I graduated.
... you became an asshole during that NYE trip.
... you posted that slanderous note about me publicly.
... you overreacted when my foot slipped.
... you sniffed deeply into my hair during that movie.
(Points deliberately vague as many of these people remain a part of my life, only much less important than they could have been.)