...simply said...

All the happenings in the world lately have sort of been causing me to think. 2 major earthquakes have happened now. I vaguely remember the days of PJEFC when I was younger, and I remember the time the pastor (can’t remember his name now) went through revelations. My young mind was quite uninterested, but I do remember him saying that something will happen in South East Asia that has never happened before. That’s probably the only thing I remember from that sermon, probably because I AM from South East Asia. I also know that if you study the Bible, you will recognize a certain pattern that involves earthquakes and resurrection. There was an earthquake when Jesus rose at Easter, when the saints rose when Jesus was still alive, there was an earthquake, and of course, there are a lot of earthquakes mentioned in Revelations. During rapture, the dead in Christ will be snatched out of their graves. Interesting.

A few weeks ago, I was lying in bed, almost asleep when a thought came into my head. ‘If rapture were to happen now, will you still be here?’ That caused my eyes to widen and I could not sleep for a while after. I am not suggesting or denying it is the voice of God, but it is something that has caused me to think a lot. I am not trying to preach, in fact I have many, many questions myself. But with all that is happening, one cannot deny that it is unusual. And of course, this is my space, where I can pour out my thoughts and feelings. As a bible-believing Christian, I know that there IS an end of the world (things can only get so bad), and that it is not going to be pretty. Some cults and religious organizations have been ‘predicting’ the end since forever. I don’t think that is right at all. Of course I always assume it won’t happen in my lifetime, but the Bible says that it will happen in a twinkle of an eye, when no one suspects anything.

Questions, questions. What next. Maybe it’s time to examine the mysterious book of Revelations again.

"I always thought that love was an emotion or an impulse. Now I understand that it's a decision. It is to decide to be selfless in any situation. Love is Joy. It is happiness that is not affected by circumstance. Love is Peace. It is the utter lack of contention within a relationship. Love is Patient. It is contentment while waiting. Love is Gentle. It never intends harm. Love is Good. Its intentions are morally perfect. Love is Faith. It trusts no matter what the appearance of a situation. Love is Meek. It surrenders and serves. Love is Temperate. It does not have a selfish appetite. I Love by seeking to be Joyful, Peaceful, Patient, Gentle, Good, Faithful, Meek, and Temperate in every interaction in every situation (Galatians 5:16-26)."

- A Personal Testimony

Famous quotes by Mrs K. Jeffery regarding the movie 'The Forgotten'

" How do you explain the all the people who go missing each year? They must all be in a spaceship somewhere. "

When Mark couldn't understand the movie: " You need a lot of high sci fi to understand it "


????

This is not good. I have been eating too much. I think there is a traffic jam in my gut. Been enjoying the long weekend with food and movies. This is the life.

Sandy's dad popped over for a couple of days and we did the classic Hahndorf and wineries tour topped with Grumpy's pizza - the best in the world! And more food later on in the night. Of course, where there are Malaysians, there is lots of food. Taking in to account the Roast lunches at Mark and Phil's house, I can conclude that I have not eaten so much in such a short period of time.

*Quin rolls to the other end of the room to take a bite of Rum and Raisin fudge from the Hahndorf fudge shop*

So much for my plans to actually study Mandarin again. Almost a quarter of the year has gone by and there's no sign of any planning of Chinese classes. Might be taking up ballroom dancing though ($10 per year!) and Phil's dad asked if anyone was interested in exercising his friend's horses. ("What? You mean I can ride the horsies? Does he have a purple horse?")


This could be my dream come true.


Speaking of dreams, it's time to drool onto the pillow. Maybe I'll dream about galloping into the sunset on a white steed with Prince Charming. Ok. Am I mixing up my fairytales? I'm a confused person.

Last post was about nice people. Now let's bitch about rude ppl. Not someone who doesn't realise he/she is rude, but ppl who think they are the coolest ever just because they 'can' be rude. Makes sense? Probably not. Not to me, anyway.

So. I went to Miss X's (let's just call her that) birthday party. Miss X is one of Mark's course mates and a supposed 'friend'. Hrmmpphh!

Let's fast forward to the later part of the party. I notice the absence of music, the CD has ended. So, not doing much, I hop over to the CD player and after going through the stacks of CDs, I choose the Chunky Custard CD. Most of you probably don't know who they are - they are an Australian entertainment band that plays catchy, upbeat, dancey songs from the 70s and 80s. I worked at one of their gigs and they are fantastica! Of course, I figure it's good party music and better than Kylie Minogue and Jewel so I pop it in, and I get a few smiles of approval and a few bopping heads.

2 minutes later, Miss X stomps in, makes some disgusted noise, picks up her remote and presses EJECT.

Quin, the notorious blur, is stunned. And not so blur this time. (Slow though). Still sitting in front of the CD player, I look up and see confused / sympathetic faces.

BITCH.

I have never known anyone to be this openly rude and I have never called anyone a bitch. But hello. Not only do I bother to come to your stupid party where nothing really happens anyway, I was trying to create some PARTY ATMOSPHERE. Anything's better than BRITNEY anyway. And it's YOUR CD, for goodness sake. Plus, don't like what I chose? Say it. How rude are you?!! Yeah i know you think you are so cool with your perfect blonde-ness and your I-advertise-push-up-bras cleavage but once people see past your superficial saccharin niceness and realise how friggin RUDE and unsincere you are, hah! Nothing but an ugly cow. You think you are cool. I have no time for you and your kind.

Keep playing Britney for all I care.

Today I was riding my bike home as usual. There is this horrible part where I have to go from a stop at a traffic light uphill for about a hundred metres.

So, imagine Quin huffing and puffing stand-riding trying to make it up the hill minus any possible embarassment (wearing a helmet is enough embarassment).

Then, this old-ish (but quite fit and good looking) fellow bike rider first overtakes then sorta rides beside me. I thought 'Oh no. Not again.', especting some form of harrasment / mocking. Instead, he asks if my bike is new, and I said yes, sort of. Then he asked if i wanted him to fix the clicky noise my bike makes when i'm pedalling. So I pulled over.

He then proceeded to expain to me how the bike worked, and there was some screw thing that was coming loose, and the front chain had the controlling thing pressing aginst it, which was causing the clicky noise. And he taught me to use the dial to adjust the diameter of the front part of the chain (i usually just play with the back ones) so...

'...you don't have to struggle so much going up the hill'


I knew it was coming.


But long live nice ppl!

No!!! You can't sell the house!! I can't ask for a nicer student house - huge, equal bedrooms, pool.... Noooo..!!! Why else would you want a market evaluation?? Still! You can't sell the house for another 3 years till I'm done studying...!!

*whimper*

Don't sell......

Well OK here's a quick one cause i'm exhausted and feeling like crap...

After a great day, that is!!


Norwood Food, Wine and Music Festival today! it was fantastic! Especially cause it was right down the street from my house (chewah.. ppl coming to MY neighbourhood!) What is it about? Food, wine and music! The restaurants and wineries set up stalls all along the street (which is closed off) and you buy small versions of the meals and basically sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Sandy and friends and Mark's parents and Stella and Frank and Housemates and tons of others were all there. Pics up later.. gotta get them from Sandy. Yes, I got *ahem* just oh-so-slightly err.. lightheaded. What! It was really hot!! So what if i couldn't walk straight!! (which adds to my feeling like crap)

then..

Mark Knopfler concert at night. I'm not the biggest Dire Straits fan, but Mark is. (funny about the name thing) BUT after this concert, I have a much bigger appreciation for them. That guy makes the guitar SING!! And unlike many artists, he sounds so much better live.


OK this is where the blog ends cause
1. I have lectures all day starting at 9am and need my beauty sleep.
2. I woke up with a sore throat which has developed into a sore throat + runny nose and I know my head is not hurting cause of a hangover. All prac & tutes on this week with THE WEDDING.
3. No pics lah.. how boring.. =(

For mom:

Yorkshire pudding

Ingredients
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water

Method
1. Set oven at 200C
2. Brush / spray patty / muffin pans with oil
3. Sift flour and salt and make a well in the centre
4. Place eggs in well and gradually work in the flour and 1/2 of liquid
5. Beat 1 minute and stir in remainder of liquid
6. Pour into patty / muffin pan
7. Bake 20 mins until golden brown & crisp
8. Serve with Roast Beef & Gravy

Courtesy of Mrs Karen Jeffery aka Mark's mom. She said to add in extra baking powder if you want it extra fluffy.


Btw.. nye nyenye nye nye.. I'm having it for dinner along with roast beef and vegetables and tea cakes and mushy peas and my tummy is gonna be so ROUND after dinner that I can bounce on it. =)

OK, since pics speak more words then I'll ever write, here is a little photoblog of my time in Msia


Need I say more?


When being nice doesn't work... - At Imbi plaza


Just say it!


Quail @ Ming Tien. Cute in a sadistic sorta way...


Educating parents to.......... On the way to see eye surgeon @ Megamall.


Yeap, that would be the LASIK surgery room!


Farewell, glasses!


Uncle Lim's @ Ikano Power Centre! Did you know the founder's real name isn't Lim.. he just wanted to sound Hainanese because Hainanese are associated with good food *beams in pride*


A genuine Uncle Lim enjoying a cup of coffee. =)


new hair stuff! Thanks mommie...


G3 reunion: Ser Ley and Su Ching looking cute as ever!


The G3 guys who showed up: Shaun, Kelvin and Melvyn all in black (eh! sure pakat one..)


And the girls looking nice and colourful: Su Ching, Ser Ley and Sarah


Yee Sang!


Friggin snatch thieves.


5/7 of the Tigresses: back - Beat, Mimi, Kat front - Me, Wendy @ Pizza Hut


Spoons unite! - at Swenson's


Glasses too!


They're probably trying to kill me for not going for the Christmas reunion. +D


Reichi and Josh - Before Sepet movie session. ehehe... Josh bermata sepet!


And more experiments with my hair chopstick...


Neat!


This is my serendipity. It is a fantastic discovery. Looks quite interesting and really holds! But I dunno how i did it. =(


Ok, time to go to the gym. see yous later!

On a lighter note, it's great to be back, though I think I'm missing home more than I did when I came last year. Back to uni and bills and household chores and waking up early.

Had an absolutely fantastic time in Malaysia. THANK YOU to all my beloved kawans for a very memorable holiday!!!

Not been doing much yet.. mainly catching up on sleep and organizing my room - which is big, yet getting quite cluttered. Also trying to get my head around my classes and books and pracs and lecturers and notes.

Housemates are enjoying the 'strange' stuff I brought back (heong peah, sesame biscuits, sesame balls, peanut biscuits....) Went over to see my neighbours, the old Italian couple and gave them some yummies as well and got showered with kisses and fed lemonade and chocolate while being told more stories about Italy and migration and work and bingo and grandkids and Elliot's 'mits' (mates)... Oh I love my neighbours - they are the cutest couple ever!

Planning to go to the gym later on and need a nap now so.. later!

There you have it, my very first personal encounter with direct racism.

Just walking down to street to my bus stop, minding my own business, when I hear a loud whisper. Directed at me. It came from a fat middle aged guy coming in the opposite direction.

At first I was puzzled - I thought he said '...drink' cause I have been asked to have a drink with some random stranger on the street on a couple of occasions. But usually they hang around for an answer. This one obviously didn't.

By the time I realised what he said (Yes, blur Quin.) , he was too far for me to give him a slap and a kick in the balls.

Somehow, I do not feel as I thought I would. I thought I would be sad / hurt. I am not. I am Chinese and proud of it. Why discriminate me against something I was born to be?? I thought I would find it funny. I don't. I find it incredibly ignorant and annoying, especially in this day and age (and HIS age, for heaven's sake. Grow up!!) . I am also very embarassed. Embarassed on behalf of all my non-Asian friends who are anything but racist but might have to put up with the hostility of victims of racism.

It is quite strange that for the entire past year I have not felt discriminated in any way. In fact, I have not even given it much thought, even though I've heard many of such 'cases'.

But since I've been back, it's as if Adelaide has changed oh-so-slightly since the absense of most uni students during the long summer hols. Yesterday I observered a rather interesting conversation / argument on the bus. Some guy was apparently complaining about the bus service cause the bus was late due to some road works. The bus driver got pissed and that is about the time where I got on the bus. The driver was complaining that all people do is complain. And somewhere down the conversation, told that guy 'Go back to your own country'. To which, he retorted 'I am Australian, I was born in South Australia.....' and really gave it to the bus driver for being racist. (Dumb bus driver! Even I could tell he was Aussie.) In fact, he threatened to tell his boss of his racist comment and get him out of a job.

That was when ignorant ol' me started to wonder about whether ppl really are racist here. Least it sorta prepared me for today.


Warning - There is a piece of fat, white racist trash roaming the streets of Adelaide!