...simply said...

*Blinkie of the Day*




*Yawn*

It's 3 am.. 3.30 actually.. and today has been a long, hard day. (heheh.. ok, not so hard) Woke up early early this morning to get my house in a sort-of-order before the party at night, then continued my delivery job for 2 hours. After that, went back, took nice cold shower (today was 36 friggin degrees!) and headed off for BEACH PARTY!!

Went to Brighton beach, had a barbeque at a park overlooking the ocean. Was organized by and for my lil first year pharm buddies. Because the ocean is between 2 peninsulars, it's crystal clear and v calm. Me, used to ugly brown Malaysian beaches, thought it was absolutely gorgeous!! But it was!! The BBQs are provided free by the eh.. government(?) and are at almost all parks.

Flies galore! There must have been at least a hundred big dumb flies that try to go in your mouth and up ur nose!! Good thing they were only 'hanging out' at the barbie.. so we had peace when we sat down.

The water was actually quite warm, but it sorta came in waves of cold and warm, so it was quite refreshing. Played volleyball and soccer. Got hit right between the legs right *there* (good thing I'm not a guy) and beautiful pink marks now colour my thighs.

Then, another BBQ at night! Actually, was organized by my housemate to celebrate the start of cricket season tomorrow (and excuse for a party) but all the rest of us brought our friends along as well so it ended up being one huge party. Got thrown in my pool 2 times, and the 2nd time, Housemate (name changed to protect privacy, although undeserved) was trying to pretend to throw me in the pool but pull me away at the last moment, but he is too un-strong and my inertia is apparently more than he could handle so I ended up falling in grazing the whole side of my leg. *cue for everyone to go AWWWWWWWWW* Really tired now so I can't be bothered putting up a pic. Plus I'm not sure anyone would be too interested anyway.. hehe..

We also got to watch the progress of 'something blooming' between a certain Aussie guy and a certain Malaysian girl from my course. Haha.. it is kinda obvious there is SOME attraction between them, as there has been all year, but denial + 'language barrier' (manglish + aussie) sorta made it difficult. (excuses!) BUT tonight, somebody's head went on somebody's lap and somebody's arm went around somebody's shoulders. hehe.. this is so fun. =)


*Question of the Day*

Where does the line between jealous bee-yatch and yeah-I-have-a-blardi-good-reason-to-be-jealous-that's-why-I'm-making-a-big-fuss exist?

Your Beauty liesin Plain Sight. Plain, simple and the girl nextdoor. People tend overlook you as you are the "normal girl", but you're actuallyvery beautiful. And you have plenty about you to
set you apart, but more thatlets you blend. People love the stability you have because as others may comeand go, you will always be there and you may always be the same. You like simplethings and that's what people like about you. You most likely enjoy things mostconsider normal, like movies, shopping, that sort of thing and are very friendlyand probably have many friends. You are sweet and kind and that shows on you,but you're also strong and not very naive. You're a rather well-roundedindividual. Even though some people pass you off as
just another girl , shrug itoff because they don't know what they're missing.

Some ThingsThat Represent You:

Element:Earth, Light Animal: Cat Color:
Pinks, Blues, Browns Song:Girl Next Door by Pilot Expression: Simple Smile

Gemstone:Alexandrite Mythological Creature: Fox
Demon, Hobbit Sign:Tauros Planet: Jupiter Hair Color: Light Brown Eye Color:Brown

Quote:"To the world you may be one person, but to
one person you may be the world."

Why does my butt always look big.. even in this pic??!!

*Blinkie of the Day*



So.... holidays have officially started! Signed up for gym membership with Svenja today and we will 'inspire' each other to go at least every other day (or so we plan) They have really nice classes there.. Pilates is new and hehe.. they have Taekwondo as well... Not that I'm in a big rush to sign up for THAT. Body Combat would be better and Step Moves (dance class) look interesting.

Gee .. I feel kinda lost. So used to sitting at my little desk hoping information will get sucked up my eyes into my brain (and stay there) but now I have so much time! Work, shopping and travel will keep me occupied. =D Yesterday, went to Matt's house to celebrate the exams. Can't believe non of the other internationals except Steven went! How disappointing! But it was so fun.. and Matt's house was GORGEOUS. His bedroom, the outdoor lounge and the pool and garden were all linked. Saw a 'beer bong' for the first time ever! It looks like this...

So basically the beer goes in the top and down the sides. v messy!!

Hair dressers was packed out today! And all the way till Monday. Gee! Well they're really cheap cause it's a training academy. This is gonna be fun. And comments if I say I wanna go wavy-curly?

In a day's time....

1. I will be done with exams and uni till next March
2. Mark will be back from Brissie


Plans for Wed...
1. Go to gym with Svenja and Sofia.
2. Begin healthy eating + exercise 'plan'
3. Get haircut. (any suggestions?) with same 2 housemates
4. Go to Power Gen (youth church), again with them.

Housemates day out!!

*Blinkie of the Day*




One morning, when I was about 10, and still dressed in my blue cheesecloth nightie, my mom brought home a girl. Her name was Penina and she was the daughter of my mother's at-that-time boss. She was Jewish American, skinny and fun. Yes, at 10 it wasn't very difficult to invent your own fun and memories of swimming, cut-out animals and tattoos abound. Then she went home. We remained pen-pals for ages.. up till I was about 14.

I've just 'remembered' her and I am so curious what she is like now. What she is doing, how she looks... I don't have her contacts anymore. Time goes by and things disappear. So, I do what any modern person would do: Search 'Penina Finkel' on the net. I learn that she is now studying in Tuffts Uni, Massacchussets, and is an active member in her Jewish community. I only manage to get hold of her father's e-mail address, which I am not sure is still valid. I try, anyway. I tell him our history, and hope that he remembers the chubby Asian girl who used to come to his house and play with his daughter and ask him to please let Penina know I want to catch up.

No reply.

When I was 14, I had a love affair. Haha.. ok, what seemed like it then anyway. (I was just a kid!) I was very much into writing to pen-pals and 'collecting' them. one of them was James, a Canadian bloke who was 18 at that time. (very old when you are 14) He wrote to me every single day, regardless of whether I wrote back or not. I fantasized of proms and love and fireside talks amidst snow-storms. In my 14 year old mind, I was in love, and he was with me. Mellie was very amused, especially of a certain 'I had a dream of you...' email.

Again, I am curious of where he is and what he has become. 23 doesn't seem as far away now as 18 did when I was 14. Not that I am looking for anything to happen - no, definetely not. I am just curious bout what has happened to this curly-haired stranger that stole a piece of my heart when I was 14. I have no way of contacting him, I do not remember his last name. On top of that, my black-dawn85 e-mail address, my last hope, has been shut down and any physical trace of him is physically erased. Forever.


Life is sad sometimes.

*Blinkie of the Day*




Sometimes I think university isn't as great as it's made out to be. Now and again, I get pangs of missing home and 'my past life' in Malaysia, and now is one of those times.

OK, it's not really that strong .. it's not like i'm reduced to tears or anything like that, just been thinking and musing about it. I managed to read 3 pages of Advanced Organic Chemistry notes without an inkling of what I've just read due to random thoughts coming to my mind.


Going overseas to study can be quite a heroic task. Think about this : You're going to a foriegn country with different streets, shops, culture, people, cars, language, weather, etc. Unlike studying in a local uni, it is highly unlikely you'll be with people with whom you share any sort of history with. (Oh! I sat next to you in Std 2.. Wah! You look so different...) Yes, there will be the smittering of people who come from the same uni / hometown / country as you, but for the most part of it, you are thrown in a whole new world.

Of course this is not something I'm really complaining about. Cause I think that if you are prepared and embrace the experience, then it can be really interesting. After all.. ADVENTURE!!!

I never felt remotely homesick for the 1st semester I was here. I have undying gratitude to Mark for this, because he showed me all around Adelaide, and i'm sure i've seen almost all its crevices, and also he introduced me to so many Aussie things that I might never have thought of doing if a local wasn't by my side. Of course it's a win-win situation ... he got the honour of my company. hehe..

Back to Today's Musings, I suppose I also am quite disappointed at the social structure, if you can call it that, of my course. The pharmacy school is a pretty big one and I can't complain of its diversity; my coursemates are from all over the world (sort of) But maybe that diversity has caused the class to be segregated into many distinct cliques. the M'sian, the ABVs (Australian-Born Vietnamese), the Aussies, the *ahem* mature students, etc.. After a year of G3 where the whole class was so synonymous, this is kinda difficult. Yes, maybe outsiders could see groups in G3, but we definetely were not clique-y. Which 'clique' am I in, you ask? Well, seeing this happening right from the start, I vowed not to stick to a group of ppl, and just sit anywhere with random ppl, to get to know more people. While this, I think, is probably the right thing to do, it definetely wasn't the easier path. I don't regret this choice, though. I think I've gotten to know a lot more ppl than I would have by sticking with only a selected few.

But compare this to school days where you are 'stuck' in a class of 40-odd peers. Even if you didn't know any of them to start of with, it's quite guaranteed you will by the end of the year (unless you're completely anti-social). Plus, every year you most probably will get a new mix, so in the end, you know a whole lot of people.

Something like living in a house of people. I love living in a sharehouse. I really hated my days in Unihouse, where I had a hotel-like 1 bedroom apartment, with my own mini-kitchen and bathroom, but I was LONELY. You see, i've always had a noisy house, with things happening all the time (2 brothers = no peace) so living alone was often quite scary for me. Now in a house with 3 other people, I feel like they're almost family. Sharing a bathroom is definetely worth it. Again, being 'stuck' with people isn't a bad thing at all. I've not only found true friends in my housemates, I also have learnt so much about other cultures and languages. I also have Mark's parents to thank for this - they've been my Aussie family and even boarded me for the month I was 'homeless' inbetween shifting. (haha.. i feel like this is some gratitude speech)

But this is a serious post, nonetheless. What is the point? Well, I don't really know. It's the end of the semester, and the end of the year with my last exam on tuesday. Am just thinking about all that has happened this year.

Men are like... Bank Accounts. Without a lot of money, they don't generate much interest.
Men are like... Blenders. You need one, but you're not quite sure why.
Men are like... Chocolate Bars. Sweet, smooth, and they usually head right for your hips.
Men are like... Coffee. The best ones are rich, warm, and can keep you up all night long.
Men are like... Commercials. You can't believe a word they say.
Men are like... Computers. Hard to figure out and never have enough memory.
Men are like... Coolers. Load them with beer and you can take them anywhere.
Men are like... Copiers. You need them for reproduction, but that's about it.
Men are like... Curling irons. They're always hot, and they're always in your hair.
Men are like... Placemats. They only show up when there's food on the table.
Men are like... Mascara. They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
Men are like... Bike helmets. Handy in an emergency, but otherwise they just look silly.
Men are like... Government bonds. They take so long to mature.
Men are like... Parking spots. The good ones are taken, and the rest are too small.
Men are like... Lava lamps. Fun to look at, but not all that bright.
Men are like... High heels. They're easy to walk on once you get the hang of it.
Men are like... Mini skirts. If you're not careful, they'll creep up your legs.


My apologies to all my male friends. =)

*Blinkie of the Day*


Aduh.. sakitnya kepalaku.

hehe.. tried to type that sentence about 10 times. My brain and fingers don't seem to be connected.

Tonight has been a big night out. Kristina had a party at her place, which was more like a get-together and we had a great night followed by dancing to work off the alcohol at a bar near our house.

Too much Rose. Darn.. can't do that funny comma thing on the top of the e. It's Ro-Say. Something like sweet-ish white wine but a pinkish colour. Definetely my favourite kind of wine.

I was calling cauliflower 'California' all night. I still can't seem to say cauliflower.

I don't wanna go to sleep. I don't wanna get a hangover. My brain hurts. Maybe it's
1. Drying up from the alcohol
2. Getting preserved (also from the alcohol)
3. Both.

Bad that i get teased by my wonderful housemates for getting dizzy and ditzy after a glass of wine . Worse that it's actually true.

Anyway, i've discovered that under the influence of flavoured ethanol I
1. Am louder.
2. Am happier. / More saw-saw-teh?
3. Talk faster.
4. Think everything is funny.
5. Have a lot to say.
6. Can walk without bumping into anything with real good concentration.
7. Pee heaps.
8. Can't wipe my grin off my face.
9. Amuse my housemates a lot.
10. Dread the morning after.


G'night folks!

Oh! Now it seems my whole family will be here!!!! That'll be the same time that Reichi and family will be here!

Gawsh..

Anyone else wanna come visit??? =D

*Blinkie of the Day*


I'm so happy... Reichi is coming to visit!!!!! =)) Talked to her today after AGES of us not hearing from each other. It just brings back so many happy memories and I feel so much like I was back home and the whole past 10 months had not happened. It's amazing how much can happen and yet nothing really changes.

Got the same feeling when Chris and I were e-mailing and doing a bit of reminiscing on those good ol' Form 5 days. I sorta went into a day dream and by thinking about those fun times albeit SPM, I found myself feeling the way I felt back then, and the memories were even more real. Doing that, I could almost watch myself growing up and learning the game of Life.

I don't think there is a single year of my life I would ever liked to have not lived.


I will definetely look into organizing some sort of small reunion for 5 Azam and G3 in Feb.

Why does lactose-intolerance exist.
Why do I have to be lactose-intolerant.
Why do I have to be lactose-intolerant and still love milk.
Why do I drink milk and face the consequences of being lactose-intolerant.
Why do I drink milk just before an exam.

Self-inflicted torture.

4.30pm: lunchner (lunch / dinner) with a milo with milk.
5.00pm: leave for exam
5.30pm: reach exam place, rush to toilet.
5.55pm: rush out, drop bag off, rush to hall.
6.00pm: Exam!!
8.20pm: Exam finishes, rush to get bag, rush to toilet.
8.35pm: Leave toilet, and head home
8.50pm: Rush into house, slam door, rush past housemates, slam bathroom door. *relief that no one is in toilet*

Surprisingly, exam went pretty well. *fiingers crossed* Thank God I didn't have to rush (again) to toilet during the exam. Maybe cause all my blood was in my brain. (I hope) Or maybe it was all the extra concentrated crashing i did in the toilet. Was quiet you know....

Ok, i've sorta been AWOL from blogging for about a semester. I think i stopped blogging just before my last sem exams, and i wanted to fix it up during the hols, but never got around to doing it.

Here's a sorta photo-style entry bout what's been going on...


Pharmacy Pubcrawl!

Pics courtesy of Danny. (I forgot to bring my camera)

The Malaysian bunch. Except for Magna - long haired chinese girl behind me.


Our pharm prez, Cat. she's about 6 feet tall!


More pics...


Cuttlefish Trip @ Whyalla

Organized by my Bio Lecturer, Dr Kokkinn just because he was fascinated with the Australian Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia Apama) and the middle of winter is their mating season, where they come right up to the shores of the rocky Whyalla beaches to mate. Water was freeeezing!!
Only 3 firsties went; Steve, Dave and I. The rest were research students and staff members.


Ok.. so maybe they don't seem to be the prettiest animals ever.. BUT.. did you know that cuttlefish have the intelligence of a cat? Think of that the next time you eat sambal squid.. =D


A washed up cuttlefish. I swear they look soooooooo much better in the sea!!


Like this!


Crazy Matt didn't have a wet suit!! His theory was that he knew he was going to get cold anyway, so...


My bio lecturer, Dr Kokkinn, a.k.a. Captain Cuddle (thanks to Steve who thought we were going to see cuddlefish) looking very professional.


That's us! I'm wearing a sweater with the top part of my wet suit hanging down. Didn't realise it matched so well!


Me generously sharing my lunch with the seagulls


While watching this.............


Then doing what i do best on the way back


Camping @ Deep Creek


Mark's mom, Karen. No, that is not her real hair!! She is so cute, no?


See what I mean? We're playing some snake and ladders drinking game.. with Tequilla


Sour!!! Btw, I, with the lowest alcohol tolerance (by far) had to drink the most cause my snake kept sliding down!!!


The campsite


Blowhole creek. Gorgeous!! The water was crystal clear and the boys went fishing. Didn't catch anything though.


Burfdei Partay..,

I had a surprise party!!! *sniff sniff* Hugs and kisses for Mark who planned the whole thing. Yes, i was really surprised. I only have one pic because *duh* i didn't have my camera.


Going around: Lisa, AJ, Mark, me, Karen, Gary, Stella, Line, Svenja, Danny, Remi.


The Great House Search - Houses that didn't make the cut

I saw about 15 houses and many, many rooms before settling. *whew*

OK, i fell in love with this house. But apparently they didn't want students living in it.


it had a pool too!


An all white house. That guy looks kinda murderous, duncha think?


And an all pink house. EVERYTHING was pink! how ironic that it was in the suburb called Rose Park. I was getting a pink-out! (you know, white-out with snow..) Ishita (in the pic) loved the house tho..


Not even the kitchen was spared!!! I'm surprised the oven wasn't pink.


This is a double decker bedroom in another house. Interesting concept................. but i don't really know what to make of it.


10, Clara St

*With pride* My house. =)

My room - Before


My room - after


The pool ...... OUR pool =)..


The housemates!
Svenja, Line, Sofia, me


We have a sort of prehistoric animal in our backyard that seems to be in the process of evolving. It has a straight body like a snake.. with the snake skin and all, but it has legs! Well, this is Australia...the land of strange animals...


Housewarming Party

We had a housewarming party (can't remember when). We invited too many ppl! There might have been 60 ppl in our house at one point. Surprised no one fell / got thrown in the pool ...


1st row - Danny, Sofia, me, Dave
Behind - Joa Kim (i dunno how to spell!) n I think Simon's there.


Silvio's friend, Silvio, Ern Chee, Andrew


Dave, Danny and Simon studying the Periodic Table... of Mixology


We were fascinated with Dave's nipple ring....


And Simon's lack of a sternum.


Mark's Basketball Accident

Mark plays social basketball, i am the scorekeeper. It is the last match of the season. Players are aggressive, Mark is playing well. Suddenly, i hear a yell. I see him on the ground clutching his ankle close to his body. I run over. I see a very deformed knee. Ambulance takes AGES to come. Mark has torn 3 out of 4 knee ligaments. Good thing this happened one day AFTER my birthday.

Disclaimer: Not for the faint-hearted!


How his knee normally looks


Not so normal!

Line's Bday


Us in the kitchen. Josephina striking a very sexy pose.
Front: Illona, Svenja, me, Josephina
Middle: Sofia, Mark
Back: Frank, Jose


Line getting smoothered by hugs and kisses. Josephina looking sexy again.


Awwww.. Svenja and I. Love this pic!

International Night


Me, Vi Vien, Charmaine, Laura


Vi Vien The Performer. She did some modern fan dance. Very chunted. Self-chorographed summore!


Some of my kawan-kawans that didn't realised they were being snapped.

Other performances: Lion dance, Brazillian martial arts (forgot what it's called), singing.... and lots and lots of food!


Mark's dad's bday


The Jeffery (& Ballard) family.
Corey (Lisa's husband), Mark, sister Lisa, daddy Gary and mommy Karen.


This was a triple chocolate mud cake. Hurry up and cut it!!


Nice pic of Mark & I. How chinky are my eyes??!!!


Melbourne trip


Me and cuz Mei


Greedy thing!! It was digging its claws into my jacket and if i didn't hold the bag high enough, it would just stick its snout into that!


My teman of the day and new found friend, Bhani (His full name is about 100 characters long!) from Nepal.


The Conservatory. I have vague memories of this place when i last came about 10 years ago.


At the botanical gardens. Hmmm.. it seemed very obsessed with digging a hole.


Port Adelaide
We took a day trip to Port Adelaide where there were Fisherman's Wharf markets and all. Nothing too interesting........

The 'dolphin' cruise. It was absolutely a waste of time and a waste of 3 bucks. So we entertained ourselves eating and sitting in the sun and taking photos


Psych Society Winery Tour


The crippled organizer, Mark.
'Dear Santa, all i want for Christmas is a new leg....'


Our happy bus driver


At Penfolds, the first stop


The rolling hills of vines. It was winter - so no leaves or berries. In summer, the grass is brown and the vines lush and green.


Another Winery Tour

Just a walk from Mark's house...

Aww.. 'ickle ducky wuckies... and geese..


Stupid duck started chasing me... So what if i thought it looked delicious??!!


Aww.. Svenja and Frank looking very cosy


Parties..................


Little neighbourhood BBQ dinner


A strange pic. I didn't take this!!


Easter BBQ. Breakfast for two. No kidding.


Gary and one of his friends fighting over the barbie.


Mark's 'Halloween' party
L-> R Svenja, Bjorg, Anne-Louise, Peter


????...... At our Danish friends' party. I really don't know what Sofia is trying to do. But it's cute. =)


Random images


My name in Japanese


'Pie floater' (or sinker). A meat pie in mushy green pea soup. With pepper and ketcup on top. More tasty than it sounds.