The past few days have been somewhat a blur. We've anticipated this trip for a while and now, where do we begin? It's like being in front of a buffet table and wondering which dish to start with.
We've had quite a number of good food - japanese food at tamako (casuarina road), mee rebus, carrot cake....yum!
And we watched a movie, Merry Christmas, which I liked and Phill did too. Except he said it was a half-truth in that it showed as if it was only that particular German, English and French unit who had a ceasefire and celebrated together. In fact, there were many units down the line who celebrated because the war was so unreal to them having only entered it several months prior. The following year though, their superiors made sure there was no ceasefire by keeping up with the bombing raids.
One of the things I really look forward to in this trip was catching up with friends and tonight, we did. Xiujuan, Christina, Shir Ee and I met and ate at the hawker centre at the Youth Park in Orchard. The quality of food was okay but the conversations were great. I realised, sitting there, that I miss having friends when I'm in Australia. Friends who know you, your bad and good side, and love you anyway. Friends whom you can be yourself. We talked/ gossiped quite abit about our lives, our opinions the state of art in Singapore (erm, very intellectual, yah), and our future plans. Then it was time to head home and it was almost midnight...
Friday, December 30, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Heading Home
Phill and I were fairly early at the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne waiting for our flight to Singapore. As we passed through customs, suddenly, the lights all went off. So instead of walking through the shops like I'd like to, we ended up sitting at some seats waiting for the lights to come on. Perhaps, it was more me than Phill since he was happy just sitting and reading. In the meantime, a lady came up to me to ask for my comments about the airport. Phill had the same experience when we were in Hongkong and someone asked for his feedback on Hongkong and the airport. We gave good reviews. For Melbourne, I thought of good things to say about the airport which was abit difficult when I was tempted to say how could a blackout happened for so long, that I've never experienced such an incident when I'm at Changi Airport.
About 45 mins-1 hour later, the power came back on and Phill and I went to browse the books at the only bookshop there. When we boarded the flight, we were pleased to see that we were leaving 5 mins earlier than scheduled. That's the difference between SIA and other airlines, at least there's a chance of arriving earlier. For most other airlines I've been on, its only fortunate if they're not too late by 20-30 minutes.
However, I'm not sure if its the plane or the weather, once we took off, the plane was shaking pretty hard and I had to grip Phill's hands fairly tightly. I sure was glad he was on the flight with me. I was worried cos I've never experienced turbulence that bad. It made everything shake from side to side instead of up and down, which would have made me want to throw up. That took place for about an hour or more.
Finally, it settled and we watched some movies, tried to sleep and the last 4 hours went by slowly for me. I think I get restless after about 3 hours of being in the air. Finally, we were on Singapore soil and it was good to see my parents again. I even noticed my mum lost weight!
About 45 mins-1 hour later, the power came back on and Phill and I went to browse the books at the only bookshop there. When we boarded the flight, we were pleased to see that we were leaving 5 mins earlier than scheduled. That's the difference between SIA and other airlines, at least there's a chance of arriving earlier. For most other airlines I've been on, its only fortunate if they're not too late by 20-30 minutes.
However, I'm not sure if its the plane or the weather, once we took off, the plane was shaking pretty hard and I had to grip Phill's hands fairly tightly. I sure was glad he was on the flight with me. I was worried cos I've never experienced turbulence that bad. It made everything shake from side to side instead of up and down, which would have made me want to throw up. That took place for about an hour or more.
Finally, it settled and we watched some movies, tried to sleep and the last 4 hours went by slowly for me. I think I get restless after about 3 hours of being in the air. Finally, we were on Singapore soil and it was good to see my parents again. I even noticed my mum lost weight!
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Phill's Christmas Party
Phill and I attended his school's Christmas party earlier this evening at one of his colleague's house in Glenrowan (around the Wangaratta area). We got lost though cos Phill forgot to bring the map. He thought he did but I searched his bag and didn't find it. He almost wanted to give up and head home (after driving from home for 75 mins) when he decided to try a certain route and we finally found the place - phew!
When we arrived, we realised there was not going to be a bbq. Phill thought it was going to be one and we had brought sausages but fortunately, we brought KFC coleslaw and a teacake too. It was actually sort of potluck and everyone brought either a main dish, appetiser or dessert. Everyone made something though, except us. We brought take away....hahaha!
Initially, I was feeling a little out of place cos I didn't really know many of his colleagues but 2 of them made the effort to talk to me, Rebecca and Steve, and his wife, Tania. After we had our meal, a few of us sat around and talked and that was good. And we had a tour of the one-acre block of garden the house sat on and then an internal house tour later on. The house is in an odd-shape but unusual and nice. The garden was huge and I told Phill later on there was no way I could manage such a big space. We laughed about it and admitted we had problems tidying up our little house at the moment, much less a garden!
We finally left the place at about 10.15pm, all full and happy, but tired. Towards the end of the car trip, I was getting really sleepy. And it was cold. Suppose to be summer but it was freezing. And then by the time we arrived home, I was real grumpy. As soon as I hit the pillow, I was dead to the world.
When we arrived, we realised there was not going to be a bbq. Phill thought it was going to be one and we had brought sausages but fortunately, we brought KFC coleslaw and a teacake too. It was actually sort of potluck and everyone brought either a main dish, appetiser or dessert. Everyone made something though, except us. We brought take away....hahaha!
Initially, I was feeling a little out of place cos I didn't really know many of his colleagues but 2 of them made the effort to talk to me, Rebecca and Steve, and his wife, Tania. After we had our meal, a few of us sat around and talked and that was good. And we had a tour of the one-acre block of garden the house sat on and then an internal house tour later on. The house is in an odd-shape but unusual and nice. The garden was huge and I told Phill later on there was no way I could manage such a big space. We laughed about it and admitted we had problems tidying up our little house at the moment, much less a garden!
We finally left the place at about 10.15pm, all full and happy, but tired. Towards the end of the car trip, I was getting really sleepy. And it was cold. Suppose to be summer but it was freezing. And then by the time we arrived home, I was real grumpy. As soon as I hit the pillow, I was dead to the world.
Hail?!
I know its supposed to be summer here but boy, the spate of rain and hail for about 15 minutes at 12.45pm today made me feel like it was winter.
Just look at the pictures here of what happened:
Now, I have an idea of what it must be like to have a white Christmas!!!!
COLD!!! brrrrrr....... =O)
Just look at the pictures here of what happened:
Now, I have an idea of what it must be like to have a white Christmas!!!!
COLD!!! brrrrrr....... =O)
Thursday, December 15, 2005
What?!
I bought some Santa hats from a local shop today and at the end of the transaction, wished the lady a Merry Christmas. Instead, she waved her hand and said, "I'm not going to say anything about that". Reason being, some people in Australia don't celebrate Christmas. However, even if you don't celebrate, others do, so what's wrong with wishing someone Merry Christmas? As my friend says, she makes enough money from Christmas products even though she doesn't celebrate it.
This behaviour has gone crazy to the point that some people don't celebrate it cos they are afraid it will offend others. And as it has been in successive years, Christmas is no longer remembered as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer who loved us so much, he came to earth to forgive our sins, die for us, rise again and in turn, give us hope and eternal life.
Even some Christians are afraid of celebrating Christmas, it seems. People are more cautious about wishing each other Merry Christmas, preferring to wish each other happy holidays and calling the Christmas tree a holiday tree. That's fine but it'll be no different than wishing each other happy holidays when its some other public holidays or when they go off on a vacation. So if you only wish each other happy holidays during Christmas, why can't you say Merry Christmas instead? Why not call a spade a spade?
This behaviour has gone crazy to the point that some people don't celebrate it cos they are afraid it will offend others. And as it has been in successive years, Christmas is no longer remembered as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer who loved us so much, he came to earth to forgive our sins, die for us, rise again and in turn, give us hope and eternal life.
Even some Christians are afraid of celebrating Christmas, it seems. People are more cautious about wishing each other Merry Christmas, preferring to wish each other happy holidays and calling the Christmas tree a holiday tree. That's fine but it'll be no different than wishing each other happy holidays when its some other public holidays or when they go off on a vacation. So if you only wish each other happy holidays during Christmas, why can't you say Merry Christmas instead? Why not call a spade a spade?
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Violet Town Market
My in-laws, phill and I went to the Violet Town market today. It's the last one for this year and supposedly, the best. There were definitely more stalls there than usual but most were of the same thing. The only difference were the variety of food stalls there.
Phill and I had a banana smoothie and a sausage and we were quite satisfied. We bought some garden tools for my dad in law and also a bed for my brother's dog whom we love, altho I think Phill loves her more than I do. We spent about an hour there - there were so many people! - and made the trip back home.
Aaaah! A fulfilling day! =O)
Phill and I had a banana smoothie and a sausage and we were quite satisfied. We bought some garden tools for my dad in law and also a bed for my brother's dog whom we love, altho I think Phill loves her more than I do. We spent about an hour there - there were so many people! - and made the trip back home.
Aaaah! A fulfilling day! =O)
Friday, December 09, 2005
Company's Christmas Party
Phill and I went for my company's Christmas Party at Wangaratta earlier. We arrived at 7pm, thinking we were really late. However, the speeches that were supposed to kick off at 7pm didn't happen til about 7.45pm. In the meantime, we kept ourselves busy with appetisers such as oysters (didn't eat them), prawns, salad, and bread. It was yum!
I didn't know very many people there since they were all from head office although the few I knew did come over to my table and say hi. And I sat with some of them I've worked with previously so that was nice.
I saw Steve and his girlfriend there too and we ended spending the rest of the evening talking to each other. His girlfriend is really nice.
Our dinner was a buffet one of roast beef, pork, salads, spaghetti salad, more bread, and all you can drink beer, soft drink and wine. Dessert was a fruity cheesecake and the food was yum, yum, yum!
Phill said at least my company provides a nice Christmas meal for their staff cos his school's Christmas party which we're going to next Saturday is BYO (bring your own). But I guess being a country school, they don't have a budget for such activities.
Phill and I finally left at 10pm and we arrived home at about 11.10pm, exhausted. I didn't have to drive though but Phill has done quite abit of driving today - to school, from school, to party and back home.
I didn't know very many people there since they were all from head office although the few I knew did come over to my table and say hi. And I sat with some of them I've worked with previously so that was nice.
I saw Steve and his girlfriend there too and we ended spending the rest of the evening talking to each other. His girlfriend is really nice.
Our dinner was a buffet one of roast beef, pork, salads, spaghetti salad, more bread, and all you can drink beer, soft drink and wine. Dessert was a fruity cheesecake and the food was yum, yum, yum!
Phill said at least my company provides a nice Christmas meal for their staff cos his school's Christmas party which we're going to next Saturday is BYO (bring your own). But I guess being a country school, they don't have a budget for such activities.
Phill and I finally left at 10pm and we arrived home at about 11.10pm, exhausted. I didn't have to drive though but Phill has done quite abit of driving today - to school, from school, to party and back home.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Trip to the doctor's
I had to see the doctor today and was reading in the waiting room when my doctor came out to call for the next patient. When she called out my name, a little gal that had just walked into the clinic, raised her hand, jumping up and down and said "me, me". I had to laugh. The doctor told her gently that it was someone else she was calling out for as I had walked towards the doctor by then. Anyway, it was the little gal's mother that was seeing the doc, not her.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
BBQ at the in-laws
We had a BBQ dinner at my in laws place today. It was fun, especially when someone else does the cooking, and in this case, it was Phill. My in laws' old bbq worked well and we had a yummy and hot dinner. One thing I love about cooking steaks or meat over the bbq in Australia is that you don't need sauces to draw out some taste in the meat. They generally have a good taste on its own unless you've got a tomato sauce addiction like I do. =P
And yes, we had the bbq at the shed but then we were civilised and actually did our eating indoors, in the dining room.... =P
And yes, we had the bbq at the shed but then we were civilised and actually did our eating indoors, in the dining room.... =P
Friday, December 02, 2005
Nguyen
Van Thuong Nguyen was hanged today.
When I first knew of this case, I didn't pay very much attention to it, thinking it was another foolish act by another Australian. I only felt for his mother who sacrificed and worked so hard to bring him up.
In the weeks leading up to his execution date, the Australia media bombarded us with so much news of him.
At the end of it, I am still supportive of the death penalty and am disappointed with some very public critical comments by some people who I suspect don't know Singapore very well at all. Some people held the opinion that the death penalty does not lower the rates of drug trafficking. One conclusion that may be drawn from it is that there are still people willing to take the risk. It is difficult to collate statistics whether the penalty does deter or does not. No one is going to publicly say, for statistical purposes, that they initially thought of drug trafficking and then decided not to, cos of the death penalty. What we know is that drug trafficking still exists but the conclusions that can be drawn from there, are many.
Singapore is a very safe place. I can still walk on the streets after a midnight movie and still feel safe. I can't say the same here in Australia. Usually in the cities, the advice is not to go out when it's dark or after 8pm. Tough laws in Singapore keep the streets safe. The same can't be said about Australia when certain rulings made in murder/ rape/ violent cases makes one wonder if life is so cheap. Becos the convicted can only be jailed for a couple of years for murdering someone.
The only issue I have from this case is the ban on physical contact between Nguyen and his family. They were eventually allowed to hold hands. But Shamugan's mother didn't even get that chance. At least, give the family and the convicted person a day or a few days to spend a good part of the day to embrace. They will not be seeing each other for a long time. I think that's the least that can be done. Those on death row should be treated differently than those imprisoned because for the latter, there is an expiry date and a chance to see and hug family members at a future date.
As I sat and watched the evening news, I couldn't help but cry a little. Nguyen sounds like a pretty decent bloke who made one serious mistake that cost him his life. He was only 25 years old.
When I first knew of this case, I didn't pay very much attention to it, thinking it was another foolish act by another Australian. I only felt for his mother who sacrificed and worked so hard to bring him up.
In the weeks leading up to his execution date, the Australia media bombarded us with so much news of him.
At the end of it, I am still supportive of the death penalty and am disappointed with some very public critical comments by some people who I suspect don't know Singapore very well at all. Some people held the opinion that the death penalty does not lower the rates of drug trafficking. One conclusion that may be drawn from it is that there are still people willing to take the risk. It is difficult to collate statistics whether the penalty does deter or does not. No one is going to publicly say, for statistical purposes, that they initially thought of drug trafficking and then decided not to, cos of the death penalty. What we know is that drug trafficking still exists but the conclusions that can be drawn from there, are many.
Singapore is a very safe place. I can still walk on the streets after a midnight movie and still feel safe. I can't say the same here in Australia. Usually in the cities, the advice is not to go out when it's dark or after 8pm. Tough laws in Singapore keep the streets safe. The same can't be said about Australia when certain rulings made in murder/ rape/ violent cases makes one wonder if life is so cheap. Becos the convicted can only be jailed for a couple of years for murdering someone.
The only issue I have from this case is the ban on physical contact between Nguyen and his family. They were eventually allowed to hold hands. But Shamugan's mother didn't even get that chance. At least, give the family and the convicted person a day or a few days to spend a good part of the day to embrace. They will not be seeing each other for a long time. I think that's the least that can be done. Those on death row should be treated differently than those imprisoned because for the latter, there is an expiry date and a chance to see and hug family members at a future date.
As I sat and watched the evening news, I couldn't help but cry a little. Nguyen sounds like a pretty decent bloke who made one serious mistake that cost him his life. He was only 25 years old.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
A wonderful day!
I received a call this morning from a recently retired local doctor whom I had interview several weeks ago about the spread of noxious weeds, Paterson's Curse, in our area. She said it showed through my article that I had done research on the subject and it was a well-written article. I was glowing from that call. But that was not the end of it.
Later in the morning, Steve showed me a letter written by the chairperson of Mansfield's Relay for Life event which I covered recently. She had addressed the letter to my group editor and said that my articles were well-written, timely, and accurate, something not seen in the local papers for the past few years. She also said I always had a smile wherever I went. What a letter!
And I asked Steve if I could photocopy that letter so I could pull it out to encourage myself on a bad day. He laughed and said I could have the original letter after he faxed it to my group editor.
Later that day, I also realised I hadn't thank Steve for his good feedback on my work that prompted my bosses to move me up to 2nd year cadet. His reply was that I should take 100% credit for it because of my approach to work and quality articles. I thought that was very nice of him!
What a wonderful and encouraging day! I was on a high for the entire day!
Later in the morning, Steve showed me a letter written by the chairperson of Mansfield's Relay for Life event which I covered recently. She had addressed the letter to my group editor and said that my articles were well-written, timely, and accurate, something not seen in the local papers for the past few years. She also said I always had a smile wherever I went. What a letter!
And I asked Steve if I could photocopy that letter so I could pull it out to encourage myself on a bad day. He laughed and said I could have the original letter after he faxed it to my group editor.
Later that day, I also realised I hadn't thank Steve for his good feedback on my work that prompted my bosses to move me up to 2nd year cadet. His reply was that I should take 100% credit for it because of my approach to work and quality articles. I thought that was very nice of him!
What a wonderful and encouraging day! I was on a high for the entire day!
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