Cute baby!

At church, we have only one baby at the moment. He's Allen and he's the son of Brian (Aussie dad) and Serena (Filipino mum). Allen is a really funny baby and loves responding to people when he is spoken to. He loves eating too (see above pics). I think he's not only a cute baby but a handsome one too.

An inspirational tale

I had to interview a heart transplant patient this morning. It was one of the stories and moments in my job where I go, "that's why I love this job", which is a nice change to my current unmotivated mood.... =P

This patient, Russell, was only the 4th in our state of Victoria and 47th in Australia to undergo the heart transplant back in 1986. In order to qualify for the heart transplant, he had to be on the verge of death. Yet, his wife, Anne, and him recounted their tale of how they were watching "Crocodile Dundee" (when it was first released) and went back to their temporary apartment (while waiting for a donor heart) that they were told the hospital was looking for them cos the donor heart was on its way and he had to be prepared for the operation. They said everything happened so fast that when the nurse came with a wheelchair to push Russell to get x-rayed and all, Anne and him were running towards the x-ray room. The nurse didn't realise that and when she looked up from reading her magazine, she realised they were running! She said judging from his report results, he couldn't possibly be able to run. He should be too weak to run but he did.

It's been 20 years since and as we talked, they told me they are Christians. Anne wasn't when they got married but after a routine check-up after Russell had his transplant, a doctor said that things aren't looking as good as they think. This made Anne very troubled and increasingly depressed and after some time, she couldn't take it anymore and confided in a doctor who said she was happy to introduce Anne to a Christian friend to speak to, if Anne wanted. She did and spoke to the doctor's friend immediately who explained to her what Christianity was, prayed with her and asked if she would accept Jesus as her Saviour.

It was so good to talk to them and be able to relate to each other in our beliefs that our lives do not end here and we have heaven to look forward to because of Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection for the atonement of our sins.

Raise

I got a raise this week. I didn't know about it til I saw it in my payslip. It was a raise of $1.60 more per hour which was nice although I was hoping for a higher raise in my earlier request to my general manager. However, I didn't state how much more I wanted, so too bad. Now I know...I hope they'll pay me adequately one day...

Bernasconi's

Phill suggested 2 days ago that we eat out at a restaurant and I was a little taken aback cos he's very thrifty and unless it's for a special occasion, we don't eat out that often, maybe 3-4 a year, unless we go out to Melbourne then we have to eat out.

So, I asked him what the occasion was.
"Nothing, I thought it'll be nice to go out," he said.

We usually have fish and chips or chicken and chips takeaway on Friday nights although we try and limit it to once fortnightly but sometimes, it's difficult after a week's worth of work, we don't really want to do anything else.

Bernasconi is a local restaurant that serves good steak although I'm told another restaurant, Magnolia, is the best restaurant for steaks but it's pricier. I had porterhouse steak and Phill had rack of lamb but it was so small that the waitress said she'll give him a discount cos usually, it isn't that small. The steak was really huge so I gave Phill quite abit and he preferred my steak over his lamb. I always choose steak when we go out. I love them....yum! And we shared a tiramisu...yum, yum, but I thought quite pricey ($11) for a small piece.

It was a great night but over all too soon....

Nerds FC?

This was a photo that was given to Phill earlier this week when he mentioned to a parent from his school that he used to play soccer in Benalla. This was taken some 15 years ago and I really like his hairstyle then. No kidding! I thought he looked like a real spunk! =O)

If you don't know which one is Phill, he's standing, 2nd from left.

Nerds FC is also the name of one TV program that we enjoy watching each week. It's like a reality TV show that trace over 10 geeky guys from nerds to sporty, soccer guys. The slow transformation is amazing cos initially the guys come across as rather soft/ sissy. But they're really smart with computer, science and technology stuff. I was really impressed on the various projects that they work on.

But it's funny and both Phill and I love it. We laugh so much at their antics and I reckon one of the guys there may have been an ex-Singaporean cos sometimes, some of the words or phrases he uses sound very Singaporean but he has a slight Aussie twang. I think he may have migrated to Australia some years ago but not so many years ago that he took on an Aussie accent.

New haircut

I had my hair trimmed on Tuesday by a local hairdresser, Lindy, who was so booked out I could only get hold of one out of 2 available slots 2 weeks later.

It costs me $39!!! I was abit shocked cos it was only a trim, albeit a 3 inches trim all around and I had her layer my hair again. When I was at the hairdressers, I quite like it but after washing it several times and letting it free rein to fall whichever way, I'm not sure if I like it. At least, it's lighter and looks like it had some shape. Previously, it was messy.

And it was about time I had to find a local hairdresser and not run to my Singapore hairdresser (Summer from Northpoint's Kimage), whom I think does the best layering cut I've ever had. In a country town, it's important to be seen patronising local businesses rather than running to the city or other towns and spending your money there. Of course, for things you can't get in your town, it's okay but for stuff like mechanics, grocery, haircuts, beauty stuff, it's best to have them done locally.

I've been spoilt the past week. I had my facial done last Wednesday, an IPL treatment last Friday to remove underarm hair, and now, my haircut! I love my facial the most!!!!

How You Know When It's TOO cold!

1. 
   

1. When you wake up in the morning, you can't look out of your windows cos its all condensed.
2. You get cold very quickly after jumping out of a hot shower.
3. When you open the fridge, there is no gust of cold wind cos the room is colder than the temperature in the fridge.
4. When you forget to keep dinner leftovers in the fridge, it's okay (read pt 2).
5. Even after wearing a T-shirt and a jacket and track pants, and you're wondering why you still feel cold....oh yes, the heater is not switched on...but it's not EVEN winter!
6. You hate the idea of hopping into a cold bed cos you're already feeling rather cool...brrrr.
7. You hate the idea of hopping out of bed in the morning cos you're warm and toasty under your 7 sheets made up of blankets, sleeping bag and doona.
8. If you had a hot drink or a meal, it's best to consume them within 5-10 minutes cos it cools really quickly.
9. And you need hot water all the time, to wash your hands, to wash the dishes, to have a shower, such that at the end of the day, when you want to have another shower, you realise you've run out of hot water! Aarrgghh!
10. And you realise that perhaps you should have switched on the heater rather than grumbling about the above points...

Mother's Day

Phill and I took my in laws to Mooroopna Golf Club (1.5 hours drive away, one-way) for lunch today, instead of tomorrow, to avoid the crowd.

My mum-in-law and I had beef and black bean sauce, my dad-in-law had chicken schnitzel and Phill had honey chicken (his favourite!). It was a good and delicious lunch and after it, my in laws went and played the jackpot but when they play, which is infrequently, they limit themselves to only $5. They returned after only a short while. $5 doesn't last very long at the pokies (what they call the jackpot places).

We shopped around abit and bought a mattress protector, my supply of Coca Cola, and donuts from Donut King. I hadn't eaten donuts for a while so I bought the Aussie Pack which included 6 cinnamon and 6 chocolate donuts. Yum!

On the drive home, I was so sleepy I slept abit in the car and again when I went back to my in-laws place. For dinner, they had bought KFC on the way home from Benalla. Yummy!

We left my in-laws place at about 8pm and it was a cold....brrrr.....night! It was good to go home and dream of my bed again...... =P

Cystic Fibrosis

I interviewed a 12 year old girl today for a cystic fibrosis story I was working on. I didn't really know very much about the disease but the dictionary's definition is:
A hereditary disease of the exocrine glands, usually developing during early childhood and affecting mainly the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands. It is characterized by the production of abnormally viscous mucus by the affected glands, usually resulting in chronic respiratory infections and impaired pancreatic function.

There is no cure for the disease and there is a limited life span for sufferers. On average, they live to their 30s.

After speaking to the 12 year girl, whose 10 year sister also has the disease but to a lesser degree, I finally asked her one last question - What is your ambition in life?
"To grow old and be a grandmother."
These are the 2 things that are most likely not to happen because of the disease which for females, affects their reproductive organs. When I heard her reply, I had to stop my tears from falling.

I pray there'll be a miracle for her and her family and her ambition will come true.

What will you do?

I found out from a staff member of the rival paper today, when the 2 of us were covering a story, that a friend of ours who is 5 months pregnant is getting rid of her baby tomorrow. Because she is past the deadline for abortion, she will have to give birth to the baby naturally. The baby has Down Syndrome and her family has a history of abnormalities (her own mum apparently had 6 miscarriages). I was told she is being very brave about it. It is her first child and she is only in her early 20s.

What will I do? I will cry heaps and wonder what to do? My religious beliefs will stop me from getting rid of the child but my fear of the looks I'll get and inability to care for such a child will allow abortion to cross my mind. I wish and pray never to be put in such a position. It's so difficult and heart-wrenching.

What a great day to wake up to!

Phill and I woke up to our radio alarm this morning to news that the 2 trapped miners at Beaconsfield, Tasmania, has finally walked out. It was exhilarating news!!! I thought it'll take another day cos last week, they have been saying it'll be this day and then it'll be delayed day after day until I got exasperated and don't believe it anymore when they set a date.

The past week though have been a week of bad news.

A veteran journalist died on Sunday covering the miners' rescue at Beasconsfield. He was only in his 60s and had a heart bypass and was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. He was seen puffing up a hill to a press conference at the mine site when shortly after he asked his first question, he was seen walking away from the media pack and then collapsing.

A young five year old girl, Sophie, who lost some fingers, both her feet and was badly burnt in 80% of her body in December 2003, cos a wayward driver drove into her childcare centre, was involved in another accident. This time, an 80 year old car driver did not stop at a pedestrain crossing and crashed into her. I couldn't believe it when I read the news and I had tears brimming. She showed such courage when she had her first accident and never stopped smiling. I thought she was amazing at such a young age to show such optimism. Now, she's currently sedated and doctors are monitoring her. Injuries she is suffering from this 2nd accident are broken jaw and shoulder bone, bruised head, rib fractures and bleeding around her left lung.

I know people ask why God allows these things to happen to people like Sophie. I wonder why too. But I know He loves us all and doesn't like when this happens but I'm not sure what his good and eventual purpose will be but I know it will be revealed in good time.

Art and Caricature

Fairly laidback that we are, we decided to make a trip to the Benalla Art Gallery to see an exhibition on its last day. It was the Gallipolli war (WWI) from the Turkish perspective.

Cos we had the bump out for our play at 12pm and I was there to help out a little with clearing out the CWA (Country Women Association) hall we had used for the performances, we didn't leave for Benalla til 1pm under an overcast sky. Fortunately, the gallery doesn't close til 5pm daily.

On arrival, we headed to the local noodle house owned by a Malaysian and had 2 bowls of laksa. For $9.80, it was yummy and there was lots of good stuff. We ate as best we could and couldn't finish it so we asked for the rest to take away (it'll be a good for one of our lunches).

Then we went to the gallery and we couldn't have chose a better time cos the rain just fell. It rained non-stop and the scene from the gallery was just beautiful with the rain falling. Below is a pic I took but I don't think it quite captured the fleeting moment cos the rain stopped about 10 mins later. But you may be able to see the puddles on the surface of the water.



















When the rain stopped a while later, 2 young boys came out with their fishing rods in hand, eager to continue the day's fishing.

The exhibitions at the gallery was good but even though we were there to see the Gallipolli war exhibition, I preferred the exhibition on caricatures drawn by one of Australia's famous political cartoonists, John Firth. Some of his cartoons were satiric and I realised it takes alot of intellect to be a political cartoonist. Some were also funny, creative and beautiful! I love it! I find caricature and cartooning, artforms to be marvelled at, cos I can't do it although I wish I could.

Curtain Call

Finally, the last day of our play. A much anticipated, or not really, end to 5 fabulous performances. We may have fluffed up some of our lines over those performancesbut we covered for each other, laughed about it, were natural and most importantly, love every moment of it. We had fun!

This is a photo we took backstage, during the interval, just before our play was about to begin. I'm standing next to my director, Cathie. Behind me (left to right) is Di, Graham, Steve, Vanessa and Christian.















And the final performance, I think, is my best too. My castmates said I seemed to have nailed everything tonight. So, I'm pleased. There were some fluffed lines from another actor in my play and I didn't know he had a funny expression on his face cos he said a line wrongly until I looked at him, wondering why there was a pause, and I couldn't help but laugh. It was funny and for a moment, I was out of character. =P

I had friends from work, church friends and the town mayor, watch the play last night and they said they'll be careful of making me angry from now on cos my character was supposed to be very fierce in the play and I was. And Phill and his colleague, Steve, and his wife, Tania, came to watch the play tonight and thankfully, they love it. Phill initially wasn't interested in watching it again but he enjoyed it cos he said it was funny to be able to pick out who had fluffed their lines and he said quite abit of that happened tonight.

At the end of our play, after taking our bows and all, we called our director, Cathie Smith to stage and gave her a big bunch of flowers we had bought for her. We just think she's wonderful cos of the freedom she gave us in developing our character. She wasn't dictatorial nor did she force her impression of the character on us. She gave pointers but also encouraged our own development of the character.

We had a cast party after that of snacks, wine and beer and people standing around and talking. It was nice to catch-up rather than just recite our lines. Phill and I finally arrived home at 11.30pm.....zzzz!

Shave-off

I covered the first of several shave-offs happening in the next few days to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation under the event World's Greatest Shave. Many locals, both men and women, shaved their heads and some coloured their hair to encourage people to donate towards the foundation.

One of my colleagues, she's a part-time journalist with us, shaved her head for the charity cos she reached her target of $1000. I thought she really looked cool with her new haircut and she must be one of few people who look good with a shaven head.

Names we could possibly have for our kid (in future)

I'm not pregnant but sometimes I like getting into the mood of choosing potential names for our future kids.

Cos Phill and I are both fans of this Amercian drama, NCIS, I suggested 2 names from 2 characters in the show that we thought may be potential names for sons (just cos we agree on more female names than male. We have no male names we agree on).

For the moment, we think Jethro (Mark Harmon's character in the show. nick: Jet) and Tobias (nick: Toby) sounds pretty cool. In Australia, we have to think of what the kid's name may be called as a nick too or it may turn up sounding awful. Hardly anyone here in Australia calls people by their full name. If your name is Mary, it may be Mars or whatever your friends come up with or whatever that can be shortened to one syllable.