Heh... I guess I must be pretty tired...

I woke up this morning and the sky was bright. I was thinking... ohh! It must be Saturday.. can sleep in...

Then I looked at my phone ... 7.43am... WEDNESDAY ......

WTF!!!!! I jumped out of my bed, pulled down my pants, took off my jumper... and stood there for like 10 seconds...... and then I started walking around my room like a headless chicken (or pant-less person in my case).....

calculating how long it will take me to get to work and how late I will be.... I'm gonna be like SUPER LATE

LOL! I'm still laughing at my initial reaction when I realized I'm definitely going to be late for a work. You see, I usually leave the house at 6.55am!!!

And so, I reached work at 9.15am instead of 8.30.... thank goodness for the time off in lieu policy and i've already stayed back late MANY times so I definitely have made up for it.. haha!!

I'm setting two alarms from now on!!!!

Of Saturday work, Mexican party, dragon boat and wonderful brunch :)

The past two weekends, dragon boat was cancelled. First weekend was because it was raining, second weekend was because they had the end of season party on saturday night and hence no dragon boating the following day. I woke up early on both weekends looking forward to it but only to have received a call from Lucas 15 mins before 9 saying it's not on. Because of that, I thought to myself... hmmnn... i guess it's over. So much for my new sport.

But today, today... it was ON!! I'm so glad I went despite it being freaking 7 degrees this morning. I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I got out of the boat today and wasn't feeling sore in my arms. It was more like my thighs that felt like jelly because I was glueing my legs down on the boat and shifting my weight over my legs. The endurance and timing is not exactly there yet, but in terms of the technique, the coach said I'm getting the basics right already. I won't need to sit at the back of the boat next week! Wooohooooooooo!!!

This weekend have been pretty full on with no sleep in. Woke up yesterday at 6 as I took on a weekend shift at work. It was only half day and it was awesome!! Of all weekends though, they just HAVE to have trackworks going on and hence I had to catch a bus halfway, making me late for work. It was full on seeing patients in the gym but the physio aid brings them in and we need not go to their rooms to get them. All I had to do was show them their exercises. And one of my patient who could barely walk, or even stand last week, walked with me from the gym back to her room ~ 50m!!! So happy!!!!!! OMG!!! It felt just so good man..... I almost not she won't make it la but now i'm starting to see some hope in her to walk again. Ahhhhhhh!!! Plus plus, weekend documentation for the patients is so easy!! Really a no brainer. Just one or two sentences instead of like nearly half a page of weekdays. Wahahahahha! Lovin' it! I'm gna try to get more weekend slots now. Alternate weekend perhaps so I can sleep in on alternate weekends.

After work, went and do some shopping before going to Carlo's place for a Mexican pot luck/party. Drank less this time because dragon boat was confirmed ON! 3 tequila shots and 2 punch.... followed by lots of water. And thank goodness one of his friend, Kyle, who stays north of the bridge have to go back early too as he have soccer the next morning so we left the party at 10-ish to catch the bus then the train. Had quite an interesting conversation with him, who happens to be Ivan's coursemate. Small world huh?

Got home at 11-ish and went to bed at 1. And then woke up early again this morning for dragon boat followed by a good brunch with my cousin - eggs benedict and a large cappucino. Sooo good!!!!! Pretty tired now but it was a productive weekend. But I'm looking forward to next weekend and not do anything and sleep in! Perhaps go for a run as I haven't got time to run this weekend too!

Now i just have to get through this week and finally have my sleep in next Saturday!!!

Ever since I started earning some moolah

I got hooked onto online shopping....

Warning: Cam-whoring ahead

$39 haircut voucher @ Darling Hair, Darling Harbour 
Includes 2 x conditioning treatment, colour, professional style cut, blow dry

This was after the first haircut. Still yet to use the 2nd visit. Will keep it till it almost expire and use it. Had heaps of positive comments on facebook :) This was the most expensive haircut I've paid for ($19.50). My haircuts in NZ was $15 at some hair salon in Panmure or RM 25 in Malaysia. It was $39 well-spent I reckon'. First time colouring my hair too. The comments on facebook made it even more worth it :) 

$15 Imazine Ionic Sports Watch

Bought it because my Timex Ironman watch strap is a bit loose. I think I pressed the metal against something at work and then now it always comes loose. So sad. And so, I bought this simple watch just for the time. Not too sure if all the health benefits is actually true but I just needed a watch. I'm still looking out at 1-day to see if I can get the same timex watch again.

$5.90 Armband for my phone from Ebay

It ended up being $5.90 for two of this armband plus 4 screen protectors for my phone. Was meant to be just one armband and 2 screen protector but somehow they sent the item twice!! Haha! Bonus!!! Not too sure what to do with the extra armband though. Any takers? Got this because I was sick of carrying my phone around with me when I run and have sweat all over it. Only thing is it's a wee bit big for my arm. I had to put it on my right arm because my left arm is slightly smaller. And hence, the NEED to get bigger biceps and triceps! I now not only use RunKeeper on my phone when I run but it doubles as an MP3 player ever since my trusty china-made ipod-shuffle look-alike that has been with me for 4.5 years died on me. And hence, the armband is definitely a good investment.

$20 Compression running tights from Ebay

Loving how the Aussie dollar is stronger than the US dollar. Bought this from Ebay USA. The seller also listed this item on Ebay Australia but the price on Ebay Australia was higher dollar to dollar. And so I bought it from the US website and because Aussie dollar is stronger, I got it even cheaper! Wahahahahaha!! It ain't Skins but I do not know how far off this quality is from Skins but I'm not gonna attempt to compare just yet. Ignorance afterall... is bliss :D Plus, it's Made in Korea so how bad can it be right? With regards to whether it promotes faster recovery and better performance, I have no say in this. I'm not at that level to notice a difference. For what I know, it's keeping me warm initially at the start of my run and does not make me hot later part of my run.

Mother's Day flower bouquet from 1-dayout

Not saying the price just in case my mum reads my blog. Let's just say it's almost the combined value of the other items purchased. But it was delivered right on time on Mother's Day and a mother's love is priceless. And ... the colour is gorgeous!!!!

And then there's food vouchers that I purchased - 3 vouchers to St.Moritz chocolate cafe in Darling Harbour for $15 in total. Used one voucher already when Pei Yun was here and it wasn't impressive at all. 2 hot chocolate drink and churros with chocolate dipping sauce (supposedly worth $26). It was only two sticks of Churros and the chocolate sauce isn't even nice. Sigh... a disappointment. But ohh well.... it's only $5 anyway.  So Ah Swan, I will not take you there when u get here. Hahaha!!! Rather go to St.Churros!

And so, I'm guilty as charged. Made all these purchases in March, April and May. The spending hasn't ended yet though. I'm finding myself spending more on outside food, I bought coffee everyday this week...and I plan to go shopping tomorrow as I want to get myself a pair of black runners for work. My black Bata shoes is dying on me. haha!! And I want comfortable shoes seeing that I am on my feet the whole day.

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! When will this spending stop?? So much for wanting to save up for a car.....

Another one....

Another earthquake in Christchurch today....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10731991

Stay strong christchurch!!!! I really wonder when this will all stop..... 

After all the waiting and the spending....

IELTS test: AUD 160
Postage of IELTS application to Malaysia: AUD 48
Health check : AUD 303
Australian police check  + bank cheque + postage: AUD 49.20
Postage fees for NZ police check: AUD 2.50 (i love how you do not need to pay anything to get a NZ police check!!!)
Malaysian police check: AUD 11
Accommodation at Canberra for police check: AUD 93
Academic transcript: AUD 22
Skills assessment: AUD 330
Health insurance: AUD 66.30
Application fees for Australian PR: AUD 2575

Total spending to obtain an australian PR: AUD 3660


To know that the wait is now all over: Priceless :)

Obtaining this PR was by far the most grueling process ever!!! Didn't know there was so much to do, so much to spend, so long to wait. I hope this will be the end of all applications and that I do not need to go through this anymore. I HATE paperwork. I first encountered it when I had to apply for my student exchange to Canada. So many deadlines to meet in such short period of time.

I then had to go through the whole process again for my application to do my masters in Sydney. It is getting the other required documents together, finding a justice of peace part that was such a pain. I thought that will be the last of all paperwork as I do not intend to study anymore after this.

And then...... I had to apply for my physio registration in Australia. So much paperwork as well. And the wait was freaking darn long which affected my job applications. I couldn't get some positions because I didn't have my physiotherapy license yet. I submitted my application way back in November 2010 and only got it at the end of February 2011. I remembered walking into the AHPRA office 6 freaking times to ask about my registration. They claimed that I needed to send in my IELTS results for proof of english but I actually didn't need to because I sent it my NZ high school results. But because my cert said University of Cambridge (i did A levels back in high school), they claimed it's not a school in NZ. Seriously WTF... I was so mad then.

And whilst I was chasing up for my physio registration and also looking for a job, I was also applying for my PR. It all started on jan 14th. The day after I landed in sydney. I had to get all of the above listed ready along with reference letters from my clinical educators before submitting my PR application. I took me 1.5 months to get those documents ready I tell you. A lot of waiting. Waited for the reference letters to come in before I can get my skills assessment done, waited for the skills assessment to be done, waited for my nz and australia police check, travelled far and waited one whole morning for my msian police check, waited for the results of my medical check up.... wait wait wait wait wait. After all those waiting,  I then submitted my application on the 7th of March. And from then on, it was one last final waiting game.

I didn't really mind the final waiting game. I was told a minimum of 3 months from the 21st of March. And hence, I wasn't really waiting. I mean, I will only REALLY start 'waiting' from the 21st of june. That was the plan. My parents and aunt kept on asking me.. when are you getting your PR? Have you heard anything from them yet? I think you should contact them and chase them. When? When? When? That was the part that bugged me. It was like... Hello? It's a minimum of 3 months, so don't ask me yet till that 3 months is over. I will only start chasing them after 3 months because the letter did say - minimum 3 months!

Come 6th of June... I checked my email and Voila! Your visa have been granted!!! I was so shocked to see that. I didn't expect it to be approved so soon. As the email said, minimum 3 months from the 21st of March. No case officer contacted me prior to that or anything. No interview, nothing. It was so unexpected. In a good way of course :) Hehehehe.... and so, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

I feel quite complete right now. Got a job that I'm enjoying and got my PR. I can start making plans now. Holiday plans...before that, I had to put all plans on hold. For the past few months, I felt trapped. Like a prisoner here. Because I had no idea when I can leave the country. Now.. I can!!!!! The only uncertainty is what happens after the 14th of November..... but no biggie right now... I got my PR! I can apply for public hospital jobs if my contract doesn't get renewed.... Wooooohooooooooo!!!!!!

i deprived an old lady from her frame :p

I need to learn cantonese. So there's this old lady in the hospital who only speaks cantonese. she's been in australia for over 20 years but knows hardly any english. it's so bad trying to communicate with her. and because i'm asian, she automatically spoke cantonese to me right away and as i understood a little, i couldn't ignore what she was saying. The few words I know in cantonese is " kay chek di (stand up straight)", "dai bou di (bigger steps)", "cho, hei san, cho, hei san (sit, stand, sit, stand)", " tong ma (is it painful)?", "tak mm tak (can or not)?" .... other than that..... i am pretty much useless. It's been quite ok for the last two weeks as i was able to improve the way she walks and getting her to do the exercises. But today, as I gave her walking sticks instead of a walking frame, she was so reluctant. I wanted to tell her that she has to progress, she has to improve, she can't rely on the walking frame all the time if she wants to get better. But I have NO IDEA how to say that. I tried explaining to her but she doesn't seem to get the idea and kept insisting she wants the walking frame. And so... when she was in the toilet today, I sneaked into her room, took her frame away and replaced it with two walking sticks. So, I pretty much stole a frame from an old lady :S And when she saw me in the afternoon, she asked where's her frame.. and due to my limited cantonese.. i answered "mo zho, ngo mm chi (no more, i don't know) ".... I feel so bad lying to her... she could so tell that i'm lying to her because there's like a few frames lying around the gym when she walked in.. ohhh well...............

I really need to learn cantonese!!!

The wait is over...

My residence visa is granted :) Today :D

Have I found a new sport this year?

So despite my sore calves from my run yesterday, I agreed to trying dragon boating this morning. Afterall, it's my calves that hurt, not my arm. Was dragged by Lucas simply because he didn't want to be the only new one so he called me along.

The place was at Pyrmont just by the waters which is really close to where I stay. 5-10 min walk. Met lucas there at 9.  Lucas's friend who introduced him to dragon boat have really nice looking arms. Hey, I still can stare OK! Lol!! I just appreciate nice bodies, that's all. Hehehe....

There were quite a lot of people there as dragon boating is a team sport. The boat fits 22 people. 20 paddlers, a steerer and a caller. There were 18 people this morning and quite a few new ones so we didn't feel that left out. We were quickly briefed on how to hold the paddle, how it should enter and exit the water and how the body position should be. They didn't overload us with too much information because they know we would forget it anyway once we get into the boat and start paddling.

This sport actually involves more of the shoulders and the torso rather than the arms. The leg position is also very important and it has to be really glued to the ground. Timing is key in this sport because if you're not in sync with the rest, you would actually be creating resistance and also you would be hitting the paddle of the person in front of you (which is what I was doing most of the time.. lol!). We started with long strokes and then later on with fast and short strokes. The caller was like shouting  85%, 95%, 100% in terms of the power we should put in but to me, I find myself pretty much going 100% all the way. Lol! My shoulders and my bum were so sore!!! Halfway through, I was so tired I just took my paddle out of the water and just enjoyed the view. We went around Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, just under the Anzac Bridge. It was a sunny morning and the view was just awesome. The boat was still moving of course because not like I make any contributions anyway. Haha! The boat probably moved faster without me paddling and creating the resistance. Lol! Towards the end, we did like sprints, i.e. fast and short strokes and omg!!! My whole body was rocking forward and back at one point and I almost flew off my seat because I didn't glue my feet into the ground. Your whole body moves in dragon boating, not just your arms as you use your trunk. OoooOoooO!! perhaps I could get some abs with this sport? Hehehehe.....And also maybe I can get some biceps n triceps too.... I need them ok!! I need to get bigger arms because my arm band keeps sliding down when I run... lol!

I find this sport quite like swimming. For swimming, the angle your arm enters and exit the water is important. The stroke is important. We will forever be corrected with our strokes and it takes lots of time and practice to get it right. Your body position is crucial to maintain streamline and reduce the resistance. Dragon boating is just like this...except it has the timing component and it's a team sport. It is usually done during summer when the weather is warmer and now is actually the end of the season and they are just doing it socially and perhaps getting more people into it.

Would I do it again? For now, it's a yes.....provided Lucas still goes because I do not really know anyone there that well. They are all quite friendly though and we all went for breakfast after. I do not know how long I would stick to it tho but it would be nice to make it a new sport for me this year. Hehehe... It's a good opportunity to get some upper body strength. Arms and back. Good sport to get stronger back muscles too. And.....think lean, toned, muscular arms on me.... hehehehe... I used to have it during my swimming days but now it's no longer there. Well, it is but smaller... lol! My arms are still my favourite part of my body. Hahahaha!!! Yes, I know. I am probably the only girl who wants muscular arms. Just hope it doesn't make my shoulders broader since it does involve the shoulder quite a bit. Plus, it's so near my place and I still can sleep in till 8.30 on Sundays. And... at least my weekends will be a tad more interesting rather than just being a couch potato and running.

So... dragon boating... my new sport this year? Perhaps.. very well perhaps....:p

Looking forward to next weekend!!!

Guilty as charged

It has arrived!!!!! It has arrived!!!!! After 2.5 weeks of waiting..... hehehehe...

Details of my recent online spending will be up soon!!! Oh gosh.. I need to stop myself!!!!!

Friday the 13th!

The very first time I heard of Friday the 13th was back in college. Everyone was so afraid of this day. I think I was too. But then I remembered a lot of good things happened to me on that very day. I can't remember what exactly and I was searching through my old posts and I couldn't find anything about it. I didn't blog about it because it wasn't really a big deal I guess.

On Thursday, the new physio was telling me the following day is Friday the 13th and asked if I was worried and superstitious. And I was like.. nahhhh.. I always have good luck on Friday the 13th. If I recall back, I am always happy on Friday the 13th.

Come Friday, it was my last day working at the two facilities in Wahroonga as I handed over everything to the new physio and return back to Manly and Narraweena next week. The big boss that owns several facilities was there as well as the manager. I wanted to talk to them to tell them what we have done and so to help them with the funding stuff because they don't seem to have a clue on what we have been doing so far. (eventhough I seriously don't give a shit about it) But they shut me off because they were busy with other stuff as they are in quite a big trouble and in some sort of deadline. They freaking LITERALLY slammed the door on me. How rude. I even knocked the door and they opened it and just said "We're busy" and wham!!! I didn't even get to say anything. Far out! It just made me even happier that I'm leaving Wahroonga. I pity the new physio though... he's also in my position.. new grad, international student and awaiting PR and hence not easy to get a job in the public sector.

In the afternoon, we went to the facility next door. The staff there are way friendlier and they even said goodbye to me and thanked me for what I have done in the past 4 weeks. How nice of them. I enjoyed my time there and was a little sad to leave. But what happened this morning with the big boss just pissed me off so much.

So as I was doing the usual, seeing patients and working my miracle hands.... I had a missed call and a voice mail. It was regarding my interview last week and I had to ring back. Did not know if I got it or not but my heart was beating really fast. It was the same feeling I had when I got a call from Lady Davidson Hospital at the start of the year. I called back, and I was told I wasn't successful. And hence, this time, I wasn't putting too high hopes in it. I was telling myself to calm down and expect to get rejected.

I rang back. But he was busy.

So I went to see another patient. Was so happy she finally let me go near her shoulders after 4 weeks!! She felt better after the treatment and she had more range in it.

And then my phone rang....

him: "thank you for coming for the interview last week. unfortunately...*as i heard this, i was shattered....* the permanent full-time position has been taken up" *in my head, great...just.. great....*

him: "However, we would like to offer you a 6 months locum position for now and with a possibility of extending if the staff numbers change and if you perform well"

*screams in my head... WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!*

I asked about the pay...He gave me a number but then and there, I didn't realize it was way less than what I am currently getting. But ... I just accepted the job.

I calculated how much less it was....so much for saving up on a car now. But I was still over the moon. That was how bad I wanted out on my current job. That was how much I wanted this position, this opportunity.

And so, I am now proud to say I am no longer driven by money. I'd trade in money for knowledge. Me crossing my fingers on the 5th and 6th of May paid off. I got what I wanted. The opportunity to learn and grow.

Handed in my resignation letter last night. One more week with the oldies. I would miss them actually. But I am not going to miss how I am being treated by the company. I am not going to miss running around the whole like a crazy woman, seeing 30 patients a day.

One more week of buses, trains and ferries. Soon, it will just be trains and buses. One more week of not learning and soon I will have to start turning on my brain.

Soon... you will hear me ranting about presentations that I will have to prep for. Soon, you will hear me whining about the amount of revision I have to do after work. I'd probably whine about getting less pay but doing more homework.

But... it is for my own good. It is work that is going to help me improve myself as a physiotherapist. I am ready to face the challenges ahead... I have asked for it. And I know... it will pay off. Suffer now and enjoy the rewards later. It's what I call, GOOD suffering. Just like how there's good pain and bad pain. Hehehe...

And so, Friday the 13th... Another good day for me :D woooottttt!!!

Old people are like little kids

I think this is very true. They do not listen and you need to bribe them, praise them, before you can get them to do anything. You sometimes need to trick them so that you can get things done. They are probably even more stubborn than little kids. 

Despite all the negativity, there is one part of them that are like little kids that makes you smile. The bond they create with you in such a short amount of time even though they do not know you that well...

As I walked into my patient's room today... his eyes lit up ...

Patient: You!!!!! I thought you weren't coming back anymore!! Why didn't you come yesterday??

Me: Sorry. I was very busy. I promise I'll see you today and the next two days.

Patient: What about next week?

Me: Next week you will get a new physio. I'm going to a different nursing home next week. 

Patient: No!! Why?? 

Me: Because that's where they put me. Don't worry, the other physio is very good.

Patient: No. You stay, he go...

Me: No no, I can't. He is very good. He'll give you really good massage.

Patient: No, it won't be as good as yours. You stay, he go! I pay you more.

Me: Sorry. I will give you a longer treatment time today and I promise to see you on Thursday and Friday.

Patient: Ok, you PWOMISE!! See you tomowoww....

And then he tries to reach for my hands but because of the limited range he has in his shoulder and the weak strength in his hands, he couldn't. He looked a bit disturbed and sad throughout the treatment. I felt touched... and at that point, I do feel a little sad that I have to leave by the end of this week. Because initially, I was happy I do not need to travel to two different workplaces anymore and can be permanent in one. But now... I am a little sad....

I have a soft spot in my heart for kids... and now, I guess I do have a soft spot for the oldies too :S

Happy Mother's Day

To my beautiful mother,

I want you to know

I'll just love you more

Every year that I grow

You're an amazing mother

You show that you care

There's no better mom

On earth anywhere!

Happy Mummy's Day to the best Mummy in the 

Whole Wide World!

I miss my mom so much. Called her today and the first thing she said was she missed my iced coffee and mother's day breakfast. I felt a little sad as I wasn't there to celebrate it with her. None of us are. They both ended up going out for yum cha but it was fully packed because of this day. So they ended up eating Japanese. Sometimes I do wish I can just fly over and give her a big hug. Last night, as I wrote her an email, I got a bit teary too. Funny huh? Really really wish I can just go back to Auckland now. 

I love you Mummy!!!!

Fingers cross on Friday

Turns out Monday at home did pay off... a little for now...

If I have to stay up tomorrow night to prepare for Friday, I will!!

I really want this but sighhhh... I mustn't keep my hopes up too soon.

No No! Believe in yourself Sher Mayne!!!

Go for the experience anyway. Training in progress. Training in progress...

At least I can say I've tried and I won't regret.

More on this later if it turns out well.

Thank goodness for sick leaves!

Usually when I'm sick, I will down heaps of honey and lemon juice, hot tea, water, gargle salt water, and pray hard I can drag myself up the next day to get to class or to the hospitals during my placement. And even if I don't get better, I would still drag myself out of bed and head into uni, irregardless of how bad I can't breathe or how itchy my throat is. That is what I call.. commitment!! I've had friends who simply took a day off during their placements just because they were too tired or simply want a break from everything. I always wanted to do that but never had the guts.

Over this weekend, I fell sick. On Sunday night, I was at a very bad stage. Stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes. I was still doing the above hoping I can make it to work the next day. And then my cousin, the doctor, came back from work, saw me, and said.. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WORK TOMORROW.

And suddenly I remembered, oh yahh! It's not like I'm attending any class.. it's not like I'm going to miss anything... it's not like my attendance is counted...it's not like the oldies will get worst.... screw the nursing homes if residents don't get seen 4 times a week. They don't need 4 sessions in reality! Plus I've got sick leaves! I let out a huge sigh of relief and continued sipping my tea :) Besides, they have not bloody paid me yet!

I woke up this morning feeling tons better after a long sleep. Nose is still stuffy but much better. Checked my bank account..... And they haven't bloody paid me yet! Did some calls and they said payment will come in midday. Come midday, still not in, Thought I'd wait longer. Come 4 pm.. still have not bloody paid me! Called the company and found out I need to fill out all the tax forms all over again before they can pay me. Why didn't they send it to me earlier? Why didn't they tell me that when I asked about my pay?? Big idiots really. Dodgy. More dodgy....

On a brighter note... today, I spent my sick day applying for another job. Suckerss!!! Haha!! And I'm so much more relaxed and rejuvenated.

I think all I needed was a 3 day weekend this week :)

Hello May

Oh Gosh! I can't believe it's May already. Where did April went? It just feels like yesterday where I was so excited for April Fool's Day.. simply because it was April Fool's Day. Not like I fooled anyone but yea.... small things excites me.

I am currently procrastinating. Procrastinate you say? What do I have to procrastinate about? Well, job applications. No, I am not fired. Lol! I just want a better, more ethical job. I told myself when I started this job, the job hunt won't end yet. I will continue to look for better ones. My current one is just to keep me alive and let me enjoy the luxuries in life. But it will be almost 2 months now and I haven't made a single effort to apply for other jobs. Missed out on a few already just because I wasn't looking. I just get too tired when I get home everyday.

But the drama that just happened last week made me realize I need to find a way out, QUICK!! Simply put it, the company I am working for is ridiculous! It's not just the expectations of us seeing over 40 people a day (I am still having trouble to reach 30!), but also the amount of support they provide is little to nothing. The promise they make to nursing homes are close to impossible to fulfill and my pay has always been coming in late. The company just sounds dodgy. I am just thankful for the physio I am working with who's teaching me as much as he can when time permits but we are both finding a better alternative to this.

I don't mind the nursing homes nor the oldies. I am quite fond of them really. To see the joy on their faces and to hear the funny things they can come up with. I enjoy the working part of it. It's just what goes behind the scenes and what is expected of us by the company that disgust me. It's just the company that shocks me. No values, no common sense, unethical. All just driven by money. I have finally understand why money isn't everything, and "Money is the root of all evil".

So now I have 2 cover letters to right and submit by midnight today. Spent yesterday fixing my CV, contemplating whether to even put the company's name in my CV. I have decided against it. It's just a disgrace really. Wish me luck!!!

Day 3 and Day 4

Day 3
Stayed at home all day. Felt a wee bit bored today. Downloaded Angry Birds and have been sitting on the couch playing it all day and laughing to myself whenever I suicide. Too funny!!!!!

Day 4
- Met up with Andrea, Douglas and andrea's sister, michelle, at 10am at Chat Thai for breakfast. Bwahahahahaha... had yau char guai with yummy kaya jam. MmmmmMM!!

-Walked along George St to Circular Quay and the Anzac Parade was going on. Then off to Harbour Bridge and Opera House for them to snap photos. A bummer the weather was pretty sucky ....

- Had morning tea at La Renaissance at The Rocks. Creme brulee, coffee and macarons. Though I was too full from breakkie to eat any macarons

- First time ever walking into an LV shop... LOL!

- Caught the free bus to World Square. Was so looking forward to Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao but it was 3.30pm... it was closed :S

- Went to Mamak and it was close to. So went to Ramen Kan for Jap. Karaage Cheese Curry! MMMMmmmMM:)

- Ate till so full but man! andrea's sister can eat!!! still can go da bao Meet Fresh (taiwanese dessert) to eat on the way to the airport. LOL! crazyy!!! Said my farewell to them. So glad andrea came to sydney. She made my easter weekend eventful :) And I got to claim my other half's hug from her... heeheeee :D

The day isn't over....

- Met up with lucas after his work and went to his place to wait for the rest to come.

- Yu sheng, jenny and pauline showed up an hour after and went to nearby jap for dinner. Too full to eat so i just ordered green tea ice cream. Hehehe..

- Poker started after dinner. Not my luck that night. Played two rounds and then... we went to Chat Thai for supper!! and that was after midnight. LOL! OMG! three times this week.....

- After chat thai, lucas jokingly asked for round 3 poker after supper.... and we all agreed! Hahahaha! and so, poker till 3am in the wee morning. Lost again. Haha! thank goodness it wasn't real money. Great fun....

And so.. the day ended... at 4am the next morning for me. What a long day.

And today's day 5 of 5... like a little kid dreading to go back to school, I am now dreading to go back to work tomorrow after 5 days of holiday .....

But we all have to grow up eventually... so tomorrow, work starts..... money money money!!!!

Day 2 of 5

-Slept early last night thinking I will wake up early this morning to go for a long run after bumming so much yesterday

-Woke up at 8 as planned. And it was raining. So I continued sleeping

-Woke up at 9.30 and it was still raining. Decided I should just get up.

-Had breakkie in front of the tele and continued re-runs of Glee. It amazes me how I can watch all those episodes over and over again and still not get bored of them.

- Then typed a super long email to my other half. Took me about 3 hours? Hahaha!!

- It was still drizzling after I sent off the email. But decided I NEED to run

- Put on my raincoat, wore my old runners as I didn't want to get my new ones wet... and off I go on my feet

- Did about 5ks and felt the blister on my feet building up but there's no turning back as I was near the rocks.

- Finished 10 k with a massive blister. Lesson learnt. I'm just gna get the new shoes dirty next time and then buy a new clean shoe so my currently new shoe can be the dirty shoe next time. Hahahaha! Sorry Ivan!!!

- Dinner at Chat thai with andrea, douglas and michelle, andrea's sister. Queue was long as usual but worth the wait. Good food as usual. Tried the curry fried snapper for the first time and it was YUMMMYYYYY!!!

MmMMMMMMmm.... day 2 of my 5 day weekend was awesome too.... :) No plans tmrw though... can't run now with my blister :( *sigh*

Day 1 of 5 day weekend

-Woke up after 10 hours sleep

-Had bagels and cream cheese for breakkie in front of the tele

-Watched re-runs of Glee and Greys till 1pm

-Nap from 1-3pm

-Walked to Chinatown with cousin to get some salad for dinner

-On the way home, borrowed some DVDs

-Had grilled lamb cutlets and salad for dinner whilst sitting in front of the tele AGAIN watching DVDs

-Magnum Big choc bikkie for dessert

And now.. still in front of the tele, sipping a cup of green tea watching tele and blogging this

I have never enjoyed Good Friday that much!

Need to do some reading tomorrow and then at night... Chat Thai with Andrea!!!! Woooohoooooooo!!!!

First time after such a long time....

I left the house yesterday at 2.30 pm. It is now Sunday 12.45pm and I just got back not long ago.

Yesterday was the first time after such a long time since I had such a great time. The last time was back in July when we were playing board games at Yin and Shaun's place back in Auckland. 

It was Carlo's housewarming yesterday as he moved in to his new place in Parramatta just a few weeks ago. I was a bit hesitant to go out yesterday. It was raining and I thought I can give the excuse that it was raining and I don't feel like going. Main reason was because I didn't know anyone except the him. I was thinking I'm going to be bored as I don't really like mixing around much. Just lazy. But now, I am not regretting a single bit and I am so glad I went.

 The hosts

Reached his place at about 4-ish and met his housemates - craig and alan, alan's gf, vanessa and two other people i don't remember what their name were. Haha! All except vanessa were previously from Auckland as well. They have already started drinking since 2. Lol! Had my bacardi breezer and chat with Vanessa who was pretty easy-going and easy to talk to. Played Wii and caught up with Carlo as I haven't met him since November. He gave me a tour of his new place. The place is kept so clean it was hard to believe it's an all guys apartment. Lol! It is at the very top floor and they call it the penthouse unit. Living the high life as what he claimed. They have their own personal BBQ space at the rooftop which was simply impressive. Too bad it was raining orelse the party would have been there. 

Yummmyyyy!!!! they were quite addictive....

Came 6pm, more and more people showed up. Prior to that, I was already given 1 bacardi breezer, two jello shots, and 1 punch. I guess in a good way, it made me more out-going and mixed around more and talked to strangers. Started feeding myself with meat pies, wedges, chicken and chips to bring my heart rate down. Majority of the people were previously from Auckland. Majority filipinos and indians. It's amazing to see so many moving from Auckland to Sydney. Met three girls - two taiwanese and a japanese who weren't from Auckland. Asked how they knew Carlo and apparently they met on the bus when Carlo first arrived Sydney and was asking for directions and they became friends. Lol!! Too random! Carlo o carlo, picking up chics on the bus right away. Lol! Then talked to another person from auckland and found out they met at IC level 0 in a pretty random way too. They were sitting on the same table and they greeted each other and asked each other if they were filipinos and then.... that's how they met. I still find the bus one the most interesting. Hahaha!! 

Talked to a few more people that I don't even remember their name. One of Carlo's workmate made really nice cocktails but then left quite early. I drank half of mine and then left it on the table and when I got back, it was gone :( I think quite a few people got quite tipsy and it was so funny just watching them. Thank goodness it was funny drunk and not aggressive drunk. Soon, the science-ish stuff came up. 

Using a feeding bag that's usually used in hospitals for patients who can't eat by mouth to transfer shots to test tubes. I guess that's what you get when one host is a medical engineer and the another one being a chemical engineer. Lol!! The thought of it sounds a bit disgusting but if you think about it, the bag is actually very clean as it's sterile. I just hope those test tubes are new :S

Throughout the night, drinks were just put into my hand non-stop. Had another bacardi, another fruit punch, 4 more jello shots and god knows how many test tubes. Lol! This is the most I've drank after awhile but I felt completely well after all the greasy food. Craig, who was already half tipsy when I reached at 4 was pretty wasted at night. He wanted to get the japanese and taiwanese girls drunk but when they refused his shots, he just drank them himself. He was going around hugging people. Too funny as when we asked him this morning, he doesn't remember a single thing. Carlo was also pretty tipsy and it was funny because all these while, I've only seem him playing sports. He was making the drinks to put into the feeding bag. One time it was nearly all vodka, wine and a little apple juice. Another round was just apple juice and water. He didn't even know. Until this morning when a few of us actually mentioned we drank a round of just diluted apple juice. Haha!

Played Wii Fit throughout the night, chit chat and got carried away as I missed my last train back to the city. Wanted to catch the bus but as I will be the only one on the bus as it was 1 in the morning, Carlo made me stay the night along with a few others who were not sober enough to drive back. He was so nice as I got his room all to myself whereas the others were sleeping in the living room on the couch. It's always good to be the young one and a girl :D 

Had a pretty good sleep last night but woke up at 7. We all helped to clean up the place and then went for big  breakfast and had a good laugh on last night. All in all, last night was awesome and I enjoyed myself despite not knowing anyone. I went there only knowing 1 person and left knowing at least 7 more. 

And so, somehow, I figured, I still bond better with people from Auckland compared to Sydney, irregardless if they are Malaysians or not. And so, I still miss Auckland :p. But at least, I like Sydney last night. Hehehe....

4 day working week ahead!!!!! 

Dear Diary.. I feel empty

Dear Diary, 

So I stepped out of the apartment this morning to get ready for a run. The weather was bright and sunny, not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. I did my stretches just so that I can run a little bit more as I had a very uncomfortable run last week and only lasted for 15 minutes. 

I was enjoying the view by the wharf overlooking the Anzac Bridge. My life now consists of a 8.30-4.30, Mon-Fri full-time job. Despite the 1.5 hour commute each way, at least there's no overtime, no weekends. I enjoy my weekends. Sleeping in, lazing around, doing nothing. And now, I have decided to run on weekends to add a little something to my weekends. Need to start getting healthy and hence I need to force myself out of the place. 

And then .. I felt a little down. I felt empty. Is this how I want to live my life? Forcing myself to actually do some physical activity instead of having fun doing it. I still miss Auckland. Because in Auckland, there's no forcing in that. No matter how tired I am, no matter how much assignments I had, I'd wake up on weekends for sports. Because I enjoy it, because I look forward to the friends, to the hanging out, to the eating. I envy those back there. Always have something planned for the weekend. I still miss the company, the friends. There's still no way I can find the same group of friends I had back there. I can't get them here. 

This is quite bad but.... I am still looking back. Still looking back at the best times I had during my 3 years as an undergrad. I can't seem to let go. I can't look forward. I tried. There's still nothing to look forward to. There's no plan really. I never had one. When I came back to Sydney after my holiday, all I had in mind was.. get a job. Get a job. Think about other things later. And now, I got a job. So... what's next? No idea. Easter is coming up. Any plans? Nope. If I were in Auckland, I'd be planning something to do on this long weekend. But over here, I've got nothing to do......

And then... I started my run.

Have I came up with a solution to my emptiness yet? Nope. I am just going with the flow. When a plan comes up, I will plan it. But for now, I am still lost. So in the mean time, I shall just enjoy earning the money, living life day by day, and enjoying the ME-time I have EVERY weekend. 

And so, Auckland, today, tonight, I miss you. And to Sydney, tonight, I don't think I have liked you an extra bit yet.