Trials And Tribulations Of A Dreamer

I Don't Like Mondeys

2007-10-30T13:20:00.000+11:00

Stupid people drive me nuts. The world is never short of stupid heads.

I can tolerate a whole lotta of crap but stupid heads love to test my limits.

How much do I have to dumb things down?

I've said the same thing in a million different ways and doodled stick men and you still don't get it!

And you tell me my approach is wrong.

And and AND you have the cheek to double check everything I say when YOUR knowledge of everything is questionable!

Someone please find a cure for the stupids!

Candy Floss

2007-10-20T15:17:00.000+10:00

My head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton balls.

Neurons struggling to weave their way through white fluff masquerading as grey matter.

Reality lost in translation. Lucidity eludes. Maddening hysteria envelopes.

Hello ... is anyone home?

A Serving Of Life

2007-10-14T14:11:00.000+10:00

When did we all change? No time to laugh no time to stop and smell the roses.

Suddenly, life IS work. And when did work become so depressing? I guess there's a reason why it's called work.

What about family? friends? art? culture? fresh air and sunshine? summer fruits and winter warmers?

Living?

Balance is everything ...

5 Means I Love You

2007-09-28T13:21:00.000+10:00

You're not just anyone. You're The One ...

Happy Anniversary, darl!

P/S: Where's the pedicure you promised me?

Ugly Betty Syndrome

2007-09-02T02:09:00.000+10:00

Starting a new job is pretty daunting.

Sort of like starting in a new school ... in the middle of a school term ... as a teenager ... and as if that is not a screamorama in itself - in geeky glasses, braces and full blown acne.

"Boys and girls, please welcome your new friend, TheDreamer." ...... *ducks flying toilet roll*

But instead of blockhead jocks and airhead bimbos I have power suit donning, stiletto heeled office bitches to deal with.

Repeat after me ... I am an attractive, intelligent, confident businesswoman!

What Did I Come In Here For?

2007-09-01T00:30:00.000+10:00

At what point do you go "This isn't right. This has got to stop."?

At what point do you stop denying there is a problem and bury it behind a joke like you always do?

First a memory of a classmate you've never really gotten to know and then you dismiss it and tell yourself - "Wasn't a big part of my life. No big deal".

And then whole chunks start to disappear and you start making stuff up to fill the void.

I have a memory problem. Lately not just the forget-your-keys kind. The what-did-I-say-a-moment-ago? kind. The memory-like-a-sieve kind.

Soon I'll have to scribble everything down in a grubby old notebook and wear a sign that has my address on it in case I get lost on the streets.

I fear the day I wake up and look into the mirror and see the reflection of a toothless Crypt Keeper and scream in horror upon realising that it's me - "But I was only 25 yesterday!!!". And then I'd have a video play back the highlights of my life like they did for Lucy back in 50 First Dates only I'm not kissing the man of my dreams but locked up in an institution.

Ok so I might be a little young to be considered for early onset Alzheimer's but still the amount I forget is frightening!

Gingko biloba! Pronto!

Hired!

2007-08-29T15:55:00.000+10:00

D-Day is fast approaching and the days of freedom are quickly coming to an end.

I've sold my soul and bade farewell to my couch potato self.

That's right. I'm a grown up and I'm joining the troops in the real world.

Goodbye social life.

Hello office drone.

Au revoir liberté!

Hocus Pocus

2007-08-28T15:09:00.000+10:00

I L-O-V-E Witchery!

Classic lines, sophisticated and takes on the latest fashion trends without making you look like a total fashion douche .... what's not to love?

This season they have the cutest, girliest pieces ever!!

Lookie here!

How pretty are they? I wish they ship internationally for nothing!

Resolutions Recap

2007-08-21T14:11:00.000+10:00

Having taken such a long break I've become a major couch potato, a fact my mother can attest to. I've watched countless movies and tv dramas (back to back episodes), read a million blogs and surfed for hundreds of hours to fill my lazy days.

I've taken the liberty to do a little stocktake of my life since it sounds a lot better than cleaning the floors or doing the laundry and maybe find out if I've achieved anything so far - I have a slight inkling that my 8 month old nephew has more to show than myself.

Firstly, let it be known that I am really not THAT lazy or that big a sloth ... ok with that disclaimer I think it's pretty clear now how well my 2007 resolutions really went.

1. Be Nice - Not so much the delicate oriental flower that I had hoped to be but I reckon I've done pretty alright. I haven't been throwing hissy fits or tantrums unless you count the time my internet connection was taken away from me.

2. Be A Literary Snob - wow I think I did really well here. While I could count all the books I've read last year on 1 hand and still have a couple of fingers left over, I can proudly say I can use up all of the fingers in one hand this time! *pats self on back*

3. Buy Less Trashy Mags - Seriously, I'm actually doing really well! Because of my non-existant income at this point in time, trashy mags have not been bought but shamelessly read at the bookstores. Talk about being economical! *high five!*

4. Be Brave - um ... due to lack of employment I can't say very much about this apart from the fact that I've yet to master interviews.

5. Be A Gym Junkie - omg FAIL! I've gone on reverse gear and become the biggest couch potato ever.

6. Save $$$ - ok, I suppose I'm doing pretty well considering I've had no income for the past couple of months I've been forced to save. Otherwise, I'm sure I'll be blowing all my cash on shoes.

7. Be a Domestic Goddess - emm no comment.

8. Be The Best Goddamn Aunty In The World - if my NephewChubbyCheeks can talk right now he'd tell you I'm the best ... muahahahaha

9. Be A Style Guru - pffttt ... why did I even put this on my list!? I'm fabulous either way!

10. Enjoy Life - I'm grateful for the people and the things that I have in my life. Life is good .... but someone hire me please?

I did ok didn't I?

Stressed Bunny

2007-08-08T14:04:00.000+10:00

Sure. I get it.

Working in Asia is nothing like how they work in Australia.

Yes, I know. No overtime pay but plenty of overtime. Third world wages and next to nothing social security. Slave drivers are your bosses and back stabbers your peers.

I totally get it.

Can I take it? Sure, I can take it like your mother can.

I'm prepared for the onslaught. Just be gentle ok?

I've Been Had!

2007-08-02T17:33:00.000+10:00

I was played!

I thought by now I'd be making some serious moolah for fancy dresses and shoes. Company A cheated me out of all my girly indulgences!

How can you promise me a job and do a back flip at the last minute?!

Now I'm back to square one.

This will only happen to me *sob*

Omitsu Koshi

2007-07-08T00:09:00.000+10:00

I can wax lyrical about the japanese all day long - Hiro Nakamura "Yatta!! Herrooo, New York!!", Ken Watanabe, sashimi, vending machines, anime, harajuku girls ... but screw that, let's EAT!!

It's hard enough to find great Japanese restaurants and even harder to find a place to satisfy your sushi cravings for less dosh. Good thing we live near one.

This is my second visit to Omitsu Koshi and they've yet to disappoint with plenty of bento sets and a la carte items ... ahhh choices choices choices!

I chose my perennial favourites, California Rolls and Gyozas. The rolls were pretty good though they substituted the avocado for lettuce ... cheapos!

OCDMom ordered a Sashimi Zen set that came with a combination of salmon, tuna and yellowtail sashimi and a bowl of hot rice. And we had a Kaki Fry to share ... mmm deepfried goodness.

Dad ordered an Ebi Tempura set that looked pretty tasty though I thought they could've thrown in a couple more prawns.

California Roll : RM6
Gyoza : RM 9
Sashimi Zen set : RM 19
Kaki Fry : RM 25
Ebi Tempura set : RM 18

Omitsu Koshi
No 17 & 19, Jalan SS 22/23
Damansara Jaya
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

Ahhh ... satisfying. I could eat Japanese everyday.

Note: Photo quality is terrible when uploaded in blogger. I have no idea what is up!

Robots In Disguise

2007-07-06T14:23:00.000+10:00

Ahh ... the sweet sweet lullaby of Optimus Prime transforming sooths the soul like cootchie coos and chocolate ice cream.

Nothing like non-stop big screen CG warfare for 2 hours to bring a smile on my face ... or The Boy's for that matter.

But why oh why oh why did they only have, I swear, 10 seconds of the Prime and Megatron showdown? And Prime got his arse kicked while Megatron had nary a superficial scratch on him! Did they run out of budget?! Did they run out of film reels?! We deserved MORE!

And now like a proper fangirl, I'm dedicating all my bandwidth to downloading every single Transformers episode.

"Autobots, roll out!"

Mmm Blueberries

2007-07-04T13:52:00.000+10:00

Blueberries were going for cheap + new oven = blueberry muffins!

While I do not profess to being a top chef, I can follow recipes. So I put on my apron and grab my trusty whisk.

mmm ... blueberry goodness

Is The Floor Clean Clean Clean?

2007-07-03T19:47:00.000+10:00

My mother is an obsessive compulsive cleaner. She is the vacuum wielding mistress of the house and will stop at nothing to suck the bejesus out of every nook and cranny in the house - if you're dust, you're dead to her.

While normal people would perhaps gape in shock and horror when they see a pint sized lady scrubbing floors like a cracked out hamster at 10pm, my family would shake our heads in mock annoyance and say "Oh look ... she's at it again".

Last night perhaps her OCD went on yet another overdrive, she dragged out the poor weary hoover and started filling up the dust bag at waitaminute ... *rubs eyes* 1 AM!!!

No it can't be! Who are you and where have you taken my mother?! Oh wait ... you ARE my mother.

Good thing we all sleep like logs.

Contrary to my mother's rationale, while we all appreciate having a floor clean enough to lick off, I'm sure sleeping through the night with a layer of idle dust will not result in all of us dying from asphyxia by dust.

Even after the late night vacuuming session didn't successfully end the cleaning hysteria.

My mother turned into a full blown sadistic dust destroyer, cruel and ruthless.

OCDMom: Suck it up, Private and let me see some elbow in that scrub!!
Me: Yes, Drill Sargeant! *whimper*
OCDMom: I DIDN'T HEAR YA!
Me: YES, DRILL SARGEANT!! *scrubs floor vigorously*

Ok so there was a slight exaggeration ... I didn't call her drill sargeant.

I Suck

2007-06-30T13:11:00.000+10:00

At interviews that is.

How does one go from puffed up chest in power suit to a stuttering log of turd in 5 mins? I have such an innate knack for pulling that off.

How I got all my jobs has got to be by pure dumb luck OR they were desperate OR they thought 'special' kids deserve a chance in life too.

I think I might be unemployed for a while ...

Net Withdrawal

2007-06-28T16:41:00.000+10:00

My broadband decided to die on me for a couple of days.

Do they not know the repercussions of taking away what has become my sustenance?

Even people in rehab get weaned off their substances and have their twelve-step programs to work through recovery and sponsors to call when they feel like they're losing the plot.

I got no twelve-step program, no sympathy and a rather harrowing experience with Screwmyx's 'technical support' assistance.

I wanted to punch out the doors, chomp on computer cables, throw a chair out the window and stomp on little furry animals to ease the jitters and cold sweats.

Thank god for ice-cream and chocolates.

Protecting Myself

2007-06-19T16:58:00.000+10:00

Am finding some rather geeky ways to protect the posts I don't want the world to see ... teehee

Decode it

Insomniac

2007-06-16T12:32:00.000+10:00

Can't seem to stay asleep these days - eyes wide open kind of sleeplessness.

While everyone drifts off to slumberland, my weary body stuck is with a head doing mental gymnastics.

Sometimes I think about my day - "I should have done that" or "Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that apple crumble" - to what I should do with my time tomorrow - finally finishing that book or having coffee with a friend.

And then I almost always find myself thinking about 1 or more of these 3 things:

1. Food
2. Death
3. Not-so-friendly monsters lurking under my bed

The top chef in me dreams about whipping up chocolate brownies in our new oven and cooking up a pasta storm. And then deluded enough to think that everyone will be falling all over themselves trying to get copies of my fabulous secret recipe.

And then sometimes I strangely think about mortality - mine and everyone else's. Maybe not so much the death part since death is pretty much a given the moment you are born. It's the how and when - shot by a crazed gunman while valiantly protecting an innocent or get my neck slashed by some random shard of glass ... yes, I'm morbid that way.

I also stupidly think about spectres and ghouls and souls with unfinished business at the most unsavoury of times. Why oh why do I do this to myself?! And it's usually at this point where my bladder starts overworking and I daren't make that journey to the bathroom for fear of meeting any unfriendly creatures of the night.

Then when I finally convince myself that I'm stupid and summon the courage to go, I silently remind myself not to respond if I hear my name being called or suddenly feel a tap on my shoulder or look in the mirror for fear of catching a reflection of some ... thing.

But remember, I am stupid ... and vain - so I look in the mirror. And there she was, a face white as sheet with hollow lifeless eyes, grey bloodless lips and hair in violent tangles.

So this is how insomniacs look like huh? I need sleep.

I Have An Owie

2007-06-14T04:57:00.000+10:00

** Warning distressing pictures ahead. Scroll at your own risk**

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Look what my super human reflexes got me into ...

uh-huh that's right

ow ow ow!

How on earth was I supposed to know that blurry blue thing falling from its holder was a shaver with unprotected blades?! Who puts unprotected shavers on shaky holders?!

Apparently my mother does ...

Now I have a real REASON not to wash up, clean the floors or cook .... oh the pain!

No You Don't!

2007-06-13T14:33:00.000+10:00

No, you do NOT get to tell us how we choose to spend our money or how we make our own personal choices.

No, you do NOT get to tell us that we could have been more prudent and it will be to our detriment when you assume that you know everything that goes on in our lives.

We have never asked you for anything and YOU HAVE. And yet you sit high up on your throne audaciously lecturing us about our choices and our lives when you have yet to set an example for the rest of us.

Do you think somehow by being our predecessor gives you the priviledge of superiority over us? And we should throw in our towels and submit to your demands and your rationale?

We know you love your power trips and your constant name dropping. Well, I for one will not "oohh" and "ahhh" over who you know or what they can do or even think "Wow! He is a really powerful man!".

I keep my cool in front of you because my parents taught me manners and I smile and nod at your never ending audacities because of the respect I have for my partner.

But do not treat us like silly children if you do not want us to treat you like an arrogant prick.

Idiot Box

2007-06-05T15:52:00.000+10:00

I've become a full time couch potato and a web addict.

I need to get out more ...

let sleeping dogs lie

My New Look

2007-06-05T02:43:00.000+10:00

Well, it's about time for a new blog facelift.

Here it is in all it's glory!

My Big Break

2007-06-01T16:06:00.000+10:00

I guess being a lady of leisure isn't all it's cracked up to be.

My brains have turned into mush

Reflexes have delayed

My arse seems bigger

Depleting bank balance

I can't believe I'm saying this - I'm dying for a job *gasp*

In between

2007-05-08T19:08:00.000+10:00

Suddenly I started to miss work. Well ... more like missing the money really. I could be a full-time bum if they paid me well enough.

Don't you just hate feeling guilty everytime you walk into a shop and buy a dress not knowing when your next paycheck is coming in? Or hold out on buying that pretty pair of shoes that's been calling your name everytime you walk by? Or ordering the cheapest thing on a menu?

Although bumming around has it's perks. Late nights and no early mornings. No need to brave the horrendous traffic or slave-driving bosses.

But I want shoes! Dresses! Holidays! Me wants lots of things!

*slaps self into reality*

Lazy Bones

2007-05-04T17:11:00.000+10:00

Guess what I've been up to the last 4 weeks?

NOTHING! Wheee!!!

This bumming around thing seriously ROCKS! I wish I could do this a lot more often. Although living on your reserves and resisting going into shops and fancy-schmancy meals is not so fun.

I know I should continue looking for work ... but I've just decided to place all my eggs into one basket and hope to god that they think I'm a fantastic candidate and pay me gazillions to work there. I'm sure reality is not so sweet ... *purty please call me!*

Starting Over

2007-04-26T14:16:00.000+10:00

Ok I think I've left my blog alone long enough!

Lots has happened since the last post.

New nephew! Quit my job in Sydney! Moved back to Kuala Lumpur! Now a poor unemployed sistah ...

Have been thinking about doing this space up a little but have never had enough follow-through to finish it ... maybe this is a good time to do it.

New Year's Eve Shindig

2007-01-02T22:07:00.000+11:00

Work - there's nothing more anti-climatic than this after all the buzz from Chrissie and New Year.

I think we all still need a couple more days to recover from the shock from realising that we are back into the daily grind for the next 11 1/2 months and then we do it all over again ... depressing but true.

Apart from doing a bit of ruminating on the past year, we trudged our arses down to Circular Quay on NYE to catch the 3 million dollar pyrotechnics on display at the harbour.

The Boy and I took the train down to the city and met up with The Boy's Brother, his Sweetie Pie & her Sis (and I shall refer to them as The Crew for lack of a better moniker) down at the wharf.

Next year, Circular Quay will be a no-no. The crowd was massive and not short of drunkards pushing their way through the already heaving wharf. There was barely any space to walk let alone breathe. The Crew had already been standing there for at least 4 hours by the time we got there ... egads!

the happy but tired couple

sharing some sister love

how long do we have to wait again?!

welcoming the new year with a kiss

The fireworks were a bit of a disappointment for us only because 3/4 of the time they were going off at The Rocks and The Opera House. We had full view of the Harbour Bridge but I reckon it was way too much work getting down there for 5 mins of fireworks on the bridge itself.

The trek back was a lot more bearable and we had some Bollywood Bhangra erupt nearby with lots of very EXCITED indians ushering the new year well ... Bollywood style.

Anyway, The Boy wasn't really a happy chappy that night having worked double shifts and was cranky as hell about the crowds and stressing over having to "get out of there" as quickly as possible ... lovely. At least he put on a happier face in his pictures but then promptly declared 2007 a write-off.

the not so happy chappy

Ok I'm exaggerating but you get the point. Anyway, The New Year Grouch got his beer and a ride home and plonked his sorry arse in bed and was knocked out until midday. A bit of alcohol and sleep and suddenly the bright and chirpy boy was back again.

Till next new year's eve!

The 2007 Saga Begins

2007-01-01T15:36:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year everyone! May the coming year bring plenty of joy and good fortune.

Reflecting upon last year, there were some memorable highs and lows.

Some of the highs are flying back home for my brother's marriage and of course the impending birth of my nephew got me into some crazed shopping spree for baby clothes and accessories!

And then The Boy and I are 4 years into our blissful life together and aiming for the next 50 or until I find a younger, perkier toy boy .... just kidding, hunny!

Work has helped padded up my résumé and given me some confidence to take on some of the challenges thrown at me on a daily basis. I've come to realise that people believe in me more than I believe in myself.

One of the biggest lows of 2006 has got to be losing my grandfather so soon after my brother's marriage. Today would have been his 84th birthday. I will miss him always.

I could say my spirit took a turn for the worst after the whirlwind trip home and I became a little unreasonable and moody. I think I left that sunny disposition back in Malaysia.

Undoubtedly, every new year also means making resolutions and turning into a new leaf. As much as I KNOW by June every year, the resolutions I've made were either long forgotten or too far-fetched for THIS year I still make them every single new year.

My 2007 Resolutions:

1. Be Nice! - seeing that I've turned into quite a grouch lately, I'm resolving to be a delicate oriental flower (with 1 or 2 thorns ... for when I need some TLC) for most of the year and try not to be such a meanie to The Boy.

2. Be a Literary Snob - ok, what I should have really written is, try NOT to be a literary SLOB that I am today but I'm aiming high ok. I've been such a freaking lazy lump the past year that I've bought all these books really meaning to read them but they're lost under my giant pile of trashy magazines (more on this later). Maybe not so snobbish ... I still like the occasional chick lit.

3. Buy Less Trashy Mags - see this for reference

4. Be Brave - try not to be a complete stuttering nervous wreck everytime I'm given something new to do at work.

5. Be a Gym Junkie - losing weight is a perennial favourite when it comes to resolutions ... so I HAVE to have it on my list. But really, I had this last year and I think I gained 2kgs instead of losing the 5 that I said I would ... oh god I need to work on this.

6. Save $$$ - also another perennial favourite but at least this one is sort of underway since I've been making my own brekkie and lunch at work and trying to cook at home as much as possible.

7. Be a Domestic Goddess - in the kitchen I mean. I have an obligation to The Boy's tummy as well as Resolution #6.

8. Be The Best Goddamn Aunty In The World - my nephew, the first child of our next generation deserves the best and hello ... I AM the best muahahaha

9. Be A Style Guru - I don't know how I'm going to do this seeing that Resolution #6 takes precedence but I'm going to do it. I will be better dressed than Rachel Zoe by the end of the year ... well at least I hope I will be.

10. Enjoy Life - Last but not least, enjoying the year will be something I look forward to doing. Sydney is such a picturesque city and I'm never making the most out of it. This year will be the year to stop and smell the roses and take in the city.

Bring it on.

A Day In The Life Of A Pen Pusher During Chrissie

2006-12-29T22:08:00.000+11:00

Am loving the late starts, long lunches and early ends at work during the holiday period!

Am partly beating myself up for not taking time off during this quiet period but am also partly glad I'm bludging on company time muahahaha!

The year is rapidly coming to an end and I just quickly reflected on the past year and it doesn't seem like I've done or achieved much.

Maybe this weekend will give me a clearer picture ...

Santa Didn't Leave Me Any Presents

2006-12-26T15:50:00.000+11:00

Christmas was spent stuffing our faces and soaking in the sun in our yard with family and friends.

Armed with thongs in one hand and a beer in another, The Boy cooked up a storm on the barbie.

The weather was pretty bleak in the morning so we shelved our plans to head to the beach. Had a nice long sleep in the morning before we we amped up the energy and fired up the barbie while people started filing in for the food and grog.

Whiled away Chrissie afternoon with food, drinks, card games, more food, karaoke (as asians do), more food and the baking in the sun.

All in all, it was noice!

Now I'm hit with a little Christmas blues. The thought of going back to work tomorrow makes me wish I took some time off so the festivities can continue. Ah well ... maybe next year.

chrissie barbeque in our yard

Big Man & Barbie

mucking around

I AM not!

Merry Christmas from us!!

Tis The Silly Season!

2006-12-25T11:16:00.000+11:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

May the season bring lots of joy and renewed confidence for next year!

Eat, drink up and be merry!

Mission Impossible

2006-12-18T20:43:00.000+11:00

Last Friday at our management training we talked about mission statements. Our facilitator, who by the way is an amazing woman who has like 5 degrees under her belt and juggles motherhood AND a career that takes her around the world, asked us to write our own mission statement.

Now, it's lovely and all to write your own personal mission statement in 5 minutes and share it with a classroom of your colleagues. It is not so great when suddenly, I'm hit with a stark realisation *bing!!* that after having millions of goals and must-dos written down as a child, I've only very vague impressions of what my personal purpose is.

My personal mission statement that I wrote ... "To take chances and be the best I can be" - short and horribly cliché *shyness* Well, that was all I could come up with in 5 minutes! Coupled with the fact that I was sweating over the humiliation I was going to have to face reading this out in front of everyone. I survived the ordeal and then I got to seriously thinking.

As a child, I had a list of things I HAD to do before I turned 30.

Travel the world (still on the cards), meet the man of my dreams (check!), ~~be a successful doctor~~ (I was 10!), own a nice big house by the beach (before 30 sounds impossible), have billions of dollars in the bank (also impossible), have a degree (check! obviously I didn't realise being a doctor meant you had to have some sort of a degree. Again...I was 10!) etc. That list is probably still buried along with my Enid Blyton books. That is to say - these goals were made by a child.

As I am much more ahem ... mature now, I think it's time to re-evaluate that list.

My aspirations are a lot less tangible now compared to my 10 year-old self's. Needless to say, I was more or less a selfish, ambitious, incorrigible twat back then. That said, I think I'm still allowed a couple of material things on my list if I want to!

I rejigged my mission statement and this time I decided to put more thought and quality time into it. Yep ... I decided to sacrifice 10 minutes of TV time to write this:

"To live life with child-like wonder. To find happiness and contentment within myself through love, family and friends. To find my strength and wisdom from opportunities presented."

Not as deep or profound as I would like but who gives a crap? I'm sure I shall revisit this in 5 years (or maybe less) and still think I was such a selfish, ambitious, incorrigible twat.

Cupcakes!

2006-12-13T22:29:00.000+11:00

I'm turning into quite a cooking monster. Just whipped up a couple of maple syrup cupcakes as a spur of a moment thing.

The kitchen is warm and smells heavenly ... just like every home should be.

Wolfed down 2 cupcakes fresh out of the oven ... yeeks! It's no wonder my waistline isn't shrinking as quickly as I want it to!

Movie By Moonlight

2006-12-11T23:09:00.000+11:00

So I decided to organise a mini surprise for The Boy and take him out for a movie under the stars.

After ordering the boy off to the gym, I whipped up some dinner in record time and frantically packed it all in the esky. Amazing I didn't forget anything. We had typical picnic food - salad, chicken wings, mashed potatoes, baked pasta & cold drinks.

Rolled up our beach towels and a trusty blanket and whisked The Boy off to Centennial Park for a date night ... every girl needs a date night with her man once in a while!

I reckon I pulled off the whole shindig surprisingly well. He didn't know where we were going or what we were doing until midway to the city when he made a few educated guesses.

We managed to pick a nice little cosy spot and hired a bean bed so that yours truly could watch in comfort =D

The verdict?

Miami Vice was so-so but the company was fantastic! Next date night is yours, hon!

happiness under the stars

Belvedere Amphitheatre @ Centennial Park

i was too cheap to buy these premium seats ...

the boy posing for an obligatory pic

yours truly enjoying her bean bed

tucking in

Fun In The Sun

2006-12-10T22:13:00.000+11:00

Had a team chrissie party with my colleagues at Coogee Beach on Friday.

I am, albeit a little fried, so relaxed at the moment.

We headed off to Coogee at 1pm from work. I thought Friday was practically a write-off since the beach seemed to be the ONLY thing on everyone's mind.

The rest of the afternoon was about a lot of sun, booze and chit-chat.

No pics to post since we all drank ourselves silly and erm ... what happened at Coogee stays in Coogee.

My New Toy

2006-12-02T23:07:00.000+11:00

My new baby has arrived!!

Introducing the lovely Sony Cybershot N2!

10.1 Megapixels, 3-inch touchscreen panel and kick arse features wrapped up deliciously in a super sleek champagne gold casing *drool*

I'm going to be the biggest camwhore on earth very soon ...

Here Or There

2006-11-27T22:59:00.000+11:00

A couple of months have since passed when I last saw my family. As much as it was a sad circumstance in which we had gathered for I was still nonetheless happy to be back home. It was almost felt like a relief. A relief from a sense of detachment and loneliness I have felt that I had suppressed.

In that short week and a half I felt like I belong again. Once again I felt comfortable and wanted and free. Things were familiar and comforting.

But I was happy and miserable all at once. Happy that I was in the company of my cherished loved ones. Miserable that I couldn't share the experience with the one I love who was thousands of miles away.

Mum tells me I have a sunny disposition - what she does not see is the longing and the tears when I'm away from them. And yet when I'm with them, my heart is pining for my dearest.

Over here I have love. I have independence and I have a career ahead of me. And yet there'll always be a void that can only be filled by kinship.

This here is my dilemma - my heart torn in separate directions. This here is my heartache - my saviours are my tormentors.

The One About The Train

2006-11-24T23:03:00.000+11:00

*WARNING* Weak stomaches keep away. Hazard ahead.

I had a pretty crappy morning today ... literally.

As my train pulled into the station today I was scanning the seats from the platform as usual and thought - hey lots of seats today! No need to fight for a seat!

Stepped into the train to grab a seat and lo and behold - someone freaking SHAT all over the seats!

Chunks of HUMAN waste littered on the seats and floor. Some smeared artistically across those VERY AVAILABLE seats like peanut butter on toast.

And what is that big wet trail on the carriage floor??

I suppose Number 1 does come before Number 2 ...

O_o

Oh my lord ... the ~SMELL~ permeated practically the entire carriage.

Here I was thinking I have to run home and have a shower and some brave and quite obviously mental souls were taking seats so close to the brown mess.

How on earth do you take a dump on the train?!

Colour Your Life

2006-11-11T09:53:00.000+11:00

So I decided to do the Colorgenics profiling that a friend sent to me.

Here's what it says about me:

Utmost in your mind is success. You are constantly seeking stimulation and a life full of experience. You are trying to 'grow' and above all you need to develop freely and to shake off the shackles of self-doubt. You are an enthusiastic individual, full of life with the desire to live intensely. You like contact with others and are enthusiastic by nature. You are receptive to anything new, modern or intriguing. Your interests are many and you are likely to expand your fields of activities. You are optimistic about the future and you deserve every success because deep down you are a 'winner'.

You are a very warm and emotional individual but unfortunately in the past too many people have taken advantage of this sensitive trait. You need aesthetic surroundings, or an equally sensitive and understanding partner with whom to share a warm understanding.

The way things are, you feel that you are stuck in a rut and there is not much you can do about it. You feel frustrated and inhibited but if you can find a way to let yourself go, you may find that things aren't quite so bad as perhaps you thought they were. One consolation is that since you are an extremely emotional individual, with the right person you may be able to release some of that frustration and tension with some mutual tender loving care.

You are being unduly influenced by the situation that is all around you. You do not like the feeling of loneliness and whatever it is that seems to separate you from others. You know that life can be wonderful and you are anxious to experience life in all its aspects, to live it to the full. You therefore resent any restriction or limitations that are being imposed on you and you insist on going it alone.

You don't like authority and you rebel against all forms of limitation. You are your own person and you intend to stay that way and to get on in the world simply by your hard work and determination.

I reckon this is mostly true except for the rebellion.

I've always been a somewhat docile individual and prefer some form of authority in terms of my career. However this may not be entirely true in my personal life. Outside of work, the more someone pushes me in a direction the more I resist. Maybe people should know that I will come in my own time ...

Care to do some colour profiling yourself?

When I Grow Up

2006-11-10T22:48:00.000+11:00

When I grow up I want to be a fairy and sprinkle my **fairy dust** upon unsuspecting sleeping children *teehee*

The little kid in me still believes I am invincible and still yearns to nuzzle into mum's tummy to hear her breathe and giggle over the funny sounds her tum tum is making.

The angsty teenager in me still believes the world is against her and is poised to rebel against anyone who stands in her way.

The young adult in me is chary of her surroundings and is constantly trying to prove herself.

The grown woman in me is recognising that her flaws and imperfections are nothing more than what god threw in to make us more interesting.

The old girl in me believes she's seen everything and misses the good ol' times sitting on the floor while mum tenderly runs a comb through her hair ... so so softly she could have fallen asleep.

When I grow up I want to be a time traveller.

Happy Birthday Munchkin!

2006-11-07T23:32:00.000+11:00

So my baby sister is 23, yo!

Big girl already so I promise I won't share anymore embarrassing stories about you with my friends.

You know like that story about how your head got stuck in between our stair railings until dad came home?

Or how you sendiri jalan-jalan and then fell into a drain at night after dinner?

Or how you pandai-pandai play with matchsticks and almost burnt the house down?

Don't worry my lips are forever sealed *fingers crossed*

the spastic sisters

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Mucho mucho love and kisses from your #1 sister!!

Castles

2006-11-06T23:29:00.000+11:00

I'm just skimming stones against the lake
While my dreams pass me by
Cos I've never known what to make of life
But I guess I'm willing to try

Sometimes it's better sometimes it's worse
Sometimes it heals sometimes it hurts ...

So hail to the morning wherever it dawns down on me
Cos it's now that I get to thinking
Some castles lie way beneath the sea

You always said that it would be such a long summer
And now its here and I can break the ice on this cold water

Sometimes it's better sometimes it's worse
Sometimes it heals sometimes it hurts ...

So hail to the morning wherever it dawns down on me
Cos it's now that I get to thinking
Some castles lie way beneath the sea

So hail to the morning wherever it dawns down on me
Cos it's now that I get to thinking this life's a mystery
So long live the moonlight wherever it dawns down on me
With the strength to part the ocean
I'll find my castle lies way beneath the sea

Castles - Sandi Thom

Beauty is beneath the surface ...

I'll Be Home Tonight

2006-11-03T21:29:00.000+11:00

I miss home.

Many things can trigger homesickness for people at certain times. For me - it was a song this time.

Ever heard a tune play and suddenly you're 8 again and sitting next to the stereo bopping your head with not a care in the world and singing to Kylie's "I Should Be So Lucky" with your crumpled lyric sheet in hand?

Or you're 20 and suddenly aware you don't have your parents eyeing your every move anymore and you're driving along with your friends singing "No Such Thing" and know that we have our whole lives ahead of us?

Or you hear Tony Bennett crooning away "The Way You Look Tonight" and you're reminded again of the reason you fell in love with the person you call your everything.

This time it was a song I know not the name or words but the melody takes me back home.

The place where you grew up always retains a certain charm that takes you back again and again.
I miss the familiar smells in the morning of freshly brewed kopi susu and I miss the taste of fresh kopitiam toast generously spread with kaya and topped with a cold slab of butter all dipped in perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs with soy sauce and pepper.

I miss the mornings in bed and hearing granny put on the kettle and make her cup of cereal and knowing that dawn is not too far away now and it's a brand new day again.

I miss the familiar faces and my mother calling the dog in mock anger and then catch her cooing scruffy when he's being his usual lovely self.

Home - when will I see you again?

Across Borders

2006-10-30T21:48:00.000+11:00

Borders is a BAD BAD place for people like me who exercise no self-control when it comes to books.

Saturday seemed like any other normal day. Tagged along with The Boy since he needed a little spinal action at the chiro. I should have known better. I should have stayed at the clinic waiting room instead of wandering around the credit card hazard that Bondi Junction Westfield is *$kaching$*

The last thing I remembered was walking past Borders and I thinking - "Pffftt ... you're NOT going to make me buy anything this time!"

The next thing I remembered was looking down and I was holding a BIG bag with "Borders" splashed across it as if to mock me and what looked like 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... omigod 5IVE freaking books and 1 magazine!!

Damn you Borders! Damn you!! *shakes fist at Borders*

Here Comes The Sun!

2006-10-29T00:50:00.000+10:00

Daylight savings starts tonight which means longer days, more sunshine and lots of happy days ahead!

I love summer!

Celebrity Look Alikes

2006-10-20T19:38:00.000+10:00

I've always wondered which celebrity people think I look like ... now I know :)

fooyooh ... tyra banks 74%!

Floriade

2006-10-19T19:28:00.000+10:00

About 3 Saturdays ago, The Boy and I headed down to Canberra for Floriade, the annual flower show.

Really the only thing worth heading to the the capital city for if you're not looking to score some weed or firecrackers.

The drive there was pretty ordinary with a customary pit stop at macca's for brekkie on the way and then a change of drivers. And of course every road trip is never complete without some squabbling about how I drive - Shaddup now, you! *grumble grumble*

We got there in one piece and still very much together.

And of course the camera had to NOT work when you need it! Anyway we took pics using my trusty camera phone.

Floriade? - Beautiful. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Lunch was calamari and chips at an irish bar in the city and then The Boy drove back while I drifted off into Dreamland ... as I should be :)

Land Of The Rising Sun

2006-10-17T22:14:00.000+10:00

Land of the rising sun ... damn straight!

Saturday was a freaking scorcher and I dragged The Boy to the Japan Festival at Darling Harbour after the driving debacle.

konnichiwa!

I don't know what was wrong with people but 10 mins under that intense heat was enough to send me running for cover under trees, electric poles and even people.

People were sprawled out on the grass at Tumbalong Park happily bumping up their chances of getting melanoma. I saw plenty of little girls decked out in their colourful yukatas - are their parents nuts?! At least the boys were in their right frame of mind and wore shorts and t-shirts.

lady, you must be melting

choi! this uncle must be REALLY hot!

Me - furiously fanning myself and The Boy with complimentary fan collected at one of the booths. Damn PANAS!

I would have enjoyed their performances a lot more if I didn't feel like I was being baked alive.

The Boy and I managed to catch some drum action and part of the opening ceremony before escaping from the 42 degree weather.

what's with men and their drums?

The food was a little disappointing. There was a GRAND TOTAL of 5 food stalls ... not so great when you have 2 very hot and very hungry people who love their food. Okonomiyaki, fish cakes & yakisoba we had.

Left the festival, hopped into the car, turned up the air-conditioning.

The Boy: So where do you want to go now?
Me : Anywhere! Anywhere! Anywhere there's air-con! Westfield la! *fan fan fan*
The Boy: Hahaha

Don't know why he thought that was funny but I was serious ...

Headache Only!

2006-10-17T21:57:00.000+10:00

How did it happen?!

Everytime The Boy and I have an argument it's over something ridiculously petty and it just boils over and becomes bigger than it should have been.

Granted every relationshop has their highs and lows but it's frustrating that something trivial becomes something that could make or break a relationship.

What happened to laughing at yourself and laughing with each other? What happened to not taking things too seriously?

How could we spend an hour tearing our hairs out, screaming (in hopes that the louder we scream the more we'd understand) and end it just short of strangling each other?

Things would be so much easier if you realised that I'm always right and just let me win!

headache only

Licence To Kill

2006-10-14T19:28:00.000+10:00

I can't believe I failed the goddamn test! Over the stupidest thing.

No - I did NOT collide with another car.

No - I did NOT kill anyone.

And yes - I STOPPED at a stop sign.

see ... I stopped wert

I was flunked because I didn't go far out enough when turning right at the traffic lights. Argh!!

How do you fail someone with an overall driving score of +90%?! That can't be right ...

Another test in 3 weeks. Must. Not. Fail.

Attack Of The Alpha Male

2006-10-14T00:00:00.000+10:00

Help! I live with an alpha male!

Leader of the pack? Man of action? A man's man?

Incredibly desirable personality but can be highly frustrating at times especially when you're driving and he's on the passenger seat.

Situations requiring someone to step up and take the reigns? - Perfect! Love him!

Situations where the driver is already incredibly tense when driving and then continue to tell the driver what she is doing wrong and not telling her how to correct the problem? - Can someone please hand me a noose?

Breathe ... breathe - in with the love and out with the hate. No darl, I don't hate you but god you can be annoying sometimes!

My Secret

2006-10-07T15:51:00.000+10:00

The first step to overcoming addiction is admitting that you have a problem.

I have a problem.

I'm addicted to goss - no not gloss and no not floss either.

Yes - goss.

Lindsay, Jessica, Nicole, Ashlee, Paris, Brad & Ange - hello, I know them all.

Is that half a forest in my room?

Pick me up! Pick me up! You know you want me ...

Help me.

Gone

2006-10-02T22:03:00.000+10:00

Long weekend came and gone. Kill me now!!

4 Years

2006-09-28T10:52:00.000+10:00

Reflecting upon the past year, we've certainly had our share of ups and downs.

Petty arguments, cold shoulders, tantrums, random outbursts, moodiness, hissy fits - from me.

But we've also had long meaningful conversations, kisses and cuddles, foot massages, compromising, comforting when things aren't going our way and celebration when things are.

Another year in our relationship and we understand more and more about the complexities of life and what being in a committed relationship is about. It's about honesty and respect. It's about being there for each other even when you don't feel like it. It's about putting in the effort to make it work.

Without you I am lost. Without you I am nothing.

Happy 4th Anniversary, sweetness ...

Where's the money tree?

2006-09-27T22:56:00.000+10:00

I need to make some serious moolah!

Missing You

2006-09-24T23:51:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 22nd September 2006 10.34pm

I miss you even more now that you're gone
My heart is heavy and my soul forlorn
Last time I saw you I didn't realise
I will never again see those charming warm eyes

I wish we never had to say goodbye

While I'm surrounded by a world of lies and frustrations
Your raucous laughter echoes in my head

I'm shattered
The thought of never hearing you call my name again
I'm heartbroken
So many will never have their hearts touched by your soul
I'm proud
For the many souls you've saved

I never realised how much you meant to me before you left

Now I know

I miss you so ...

You bring joy into my life

In the arms of my love

Cooking Monster

2006-09-24T23:50:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 21st September 2006 2.23pm

Am in the mood for cooking!

Tuna pasta bake it is! Full of yummy cheesy goodness ... calcium mah :D

Hypothetically Speaking

2006-09-24T23:48:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 19th September 2006 1.01pm

Hypothetical question for the day.

Would you tell your friend/family that their partner was cheating on them?

Would you be willing to put your relationship with the cheatee on the chopping block? Risk many years of friendship or kinship to get the truth out? Many of us would balk at the thought of being the person who breaks the news. The messenger more than likely always gets shot when love is on the line.

But could you bear the thought of knowing and not being able to doing anything? I know I would be racked with guilt at the thought of keeping someone in the dark about the “extra-curricular” activities of their partner.

And what if you told them and they didn’t believe you? That could spell the end of a relationship. Or what if you told them and they feel like you’re humiliating them?

And when is the right time to tell? Is there ever a right time for bad news?

The question would be – would you want someone to tell you if your partner is cheating on you? Would you believe them if they told you?

Shiny Happy People

2006-09-24T23:47:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 19th September 2006 11.12pm

It's a beautiful day outside! I should be outside soaking in the sun and living it up!

Forget deadlines! Forget your brimming inbox!

On days like these, life should be about basking in the warmth of the sun while laying on the grass and getting lost in a book.

Oh how simple life would be ...

Working 9 to 5

2006-09-24T23:44:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 18th September 2006 4.13pm

Another start of a working week. These days I've been struggling to keep ahead and it's a daily battle to keep focused. I can't help but think I need to reevaluate the direction my career is heading seriously.

I've been lucky. The people I have worked with have been nothing but amazing. The support and encouragement I've received has been pivotal in getting as far as I have. There's always something missing. Perhaps it's the waking up and feeling like you WANT to go to work? I'm not exactly hoping to bounce out of bed every morning and skip to work but I suppose if only I had a bit more enthusiasm it would be make a difference.

I guess it's all about an attitude change ... or a career change!

But what would I do? What CAN I do?

Unfortunately I'm not particularly talented at anything. If only I was born with an aptitude for something extremely rare then I would just KNOW what I'm going to do. But then when you have a gift, it also means your life depends on it. Then being a jack of all trades would mean I'd never be the best I can be at something because basically I'm mediocre at everything.

What to do? What to do??

Lazy weekend blogging

2006-09-24T23:36:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 17th September 2006 5.42pm

It's on days like these that I wish that weekends were 3 days long and life doesn't revolve around work

It's on days like these that I wish we could return to a time when responsibility was a word adults used

It's on days like these that I wish we could while away the afternoons basking underneath the sun

It's on days like these that I wish tomorrow's reality is a long long long way away

enjoying the sun

Home is where the heart is

2006-09-24T23:33:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 16th September 2006 5.55pm

The hands of time stops when I'm with you
Suddenly the clouds part and the sun is shining through
Butterfly flutters - be still my beating heart
If only we could forever spend our days never apart

I see the sun dancing in your eyes
The gentle breeze filled with our lazy sighs
Your loving hands softly tracing my face
Where am I? Where is this place?

You are where you should be ... you are home
And here you will never be alone

Time Travelling

2006-09-24T23:31:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 15th September 2006 3.48pm

If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself? - "Follow you heart not your head"

Against All Odds

2006-09-24T23:27:00.000+10:00

Originally written on 14th September 2006 4.54pm

Do you ever feel like the odds are all stacked up against you? It's me against the world ... or God. Or no matter how hard you're trying, it feels a little bit like you're in your car and you're stuck in the mud and no matter how hard you step on the gas, you're not going anywhere but instead you're making a bigger mess.

Maybe the answer to getting out isn't stepping harder on the gas. Maybe I need to roll up my sleeves, get down and dirty and start shovelling.

If you had a choice to start over with a clean slate with everything that you know now, would you? ... I'm tempted to say Yes because why wouldn't you want to start over with everything that you know now? Why wouldn't you WANT to go back and fix everything in your life that you've done wrong? Why wouldn't you WANT to go back to get to know your loved ones better before they went so you won't feel as guilty as you do now because you took their presence for granted? Why wouldn't you WANT to go back and change every wrong answer you've ever written in your tests? Why wouldn't you WANT to go back rewrite your history?

But no, as much as having the opportunity to create the life I want now seems enticing I wouldn't want to do it. It would mean I may never meet the wonderful (and awful) people I know now and I may never fully appreciate the struggles of living life. Every mistake I made thus far is a testament to the person I am today. And that is (I hope) a person of integrity and a person who gives a damn and a person who tries and a person who has so much love to give and a person who finishes what she starts.

Not Satisfied

2006-09-24T23:23:00.000+10:00

I have 4 blogs to my name - only one which I do maintain. Time to consolidate!!