Is this fair?

Phill is a Maths specialist teacher at school and being the nice and good teacher he is, he sometimes likes to share personal stories with his students.

Today, after work, he told me he had told his students about the question we asked each other, a pertinent question most newlywed couples ask themselves.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

I have always said I wanted an ipod video, since last year, and this year, I was really keen on having it. And Phill finally agreed to buy it for me. And I asked him what he wanted and while he was flipping through his military tank modelling magazine, he said he wanted a French tank which costs $30.

So he asked his students, "do you think it's fair that Victoria gets an almost $400 ipod video while I get a $30 tank model?"

All of his students, except 7 of them (they must be on my side!), said it wasn't fair.

Then one student, one of the 7, had this to say:
"But Mr Brown, you're married. It's all about the love!"

I broke down laughing. He was so sweet and really put things into perspective!!! It really is about the love but it's easy for me to say cos I'm getting the more expensive present...hahaha!

Praise The Lord!

I received wonderful news today from a job interview I attended on Tuesday!!! The manager who interviewed me told me that they have given me the job!!!! Arrghhhh! I am deliriously happy! Can it be? I couldn't believe it! This is one of the rare times I am so happy I wanna jump so high I can hit my head on the roof! (Alas, I'm not tall enough but I tried...)

This is the second interview I've attended with the same department and manager. The first interview was for an admin position and I almost made it but was finally beaten by another candidate. I was pretty devastated then cos I really wanted that job and had thought that it was the best one for me. But this job that I've been offered has so many more learning opportunities and prospects. I am so happy! Thank God!

The interview was actually for 2 positions on higher grades than I'm eligible for. But I don't have the relevant qualifications. So the manager did say they can consider employing me on a grade 3 (cos that's my equivalent grade) and train me up to qualify in that profession!!! But if there were 2 strong candidates for the levels they were looking for, he'll call me straightaway to say I'm not successful. But I am! He said after I left the interview room, the other 2 panelists were talking excitedly about me. Considering I don't have the relevant qualifications (but am waiting to hear if I've been accepted for my studies), I am really thankful they took the leap of faith and are employing me!!

I'll be working in the same town where Phill works, some 45 minutes drive from where we live/ rent now.

I haven't received their letter of offer yet. The manager told me to tender my resignation when I received the letter of offer so I'll be waiting... =O)

YEAH!!!!!!

Gerry

A friend of mine, Gerry, recently wrote to me. Incidentally, I have been thinking of her but more so during this week that she wrote to me - what can I say? Great minds think alike. Whenever we remember how we re-established contact, we really thank God for His hand in our friendship.

I knew Gerry from primary school and even though we were classmates, we were not close. She belonged to a different group of friends and she was studious and quiet, I was talkative and not as nice a gal (immature, I think) as I hope I am now.

We met again in junior college and by then, whenever we saw each other, we said hi and all, but that was about it, I think.

Then after I finished my uni studies, I was shopping in Marina Square and to this day I have no idea why, but I went up to her and greeted her enthusiastically and thankfully for me, she was just as excited to see me (a few days ago, I had enthusiastically greeted 2 friends from junior college I saw at Wisma Atria and we were fairly close at school but they gave me an icy reception and a weird look).

From then on, we never lost touch. We may not have spoken to each other for weeks or even months but we never ever lost this friendship. And what is even more precious and remarkable to me is that while we were working after our university studies, one year, we resolved to pray for each other weekly and used to send each other our prayer requests. That really cemented our friendship.

And I can be this obnoxious, irritable person sometimes, but Gerry accepts me nonetheless. And her gentleness and encouragement gives me a different perspective in life. It helps our friendship too that we're pretty crazy over the Japanese food at Tamako (128 Casuarina Road).

Besides Gerry, I have friends from work, school and church (I realise I better not list names cos I seem to leave out someone's name!!! Thank God for the many friends I have!!!) whose friendships I'm thankful for because no matter where we are or how long we haven't spoken, we are never strangers when we meet again.

Mandy Patinkin

Mandy Patinkin

I enjoy watching "Criminal Minds" and am so happy it's now twice a week. Phill didn't watch it with me previously cos there was another show he preferred watching over this. So, we ended up taping Criminal Minds and I didn't have time to watch it all. But in the last few weeks, he actually sat down and watched it with me and enjoyed it. So, no more taping, we watch it now. And for me, I am really happy when Criminal Minds is screening - how tv-crazy am I?!

Mandy Patinkin plays the leading role of Gideon who leads his team of FBI behavioural analysts. The main reason I was first drawn to the show was cos of Mandy but I had no idea where I had seen him from. Then recently, I heard the show "Chicago Hope" and something clicked. He acted in that series (which unfortunately for me didn't run for long) and I had a good feeling about that show. The doctors and nurses were passionate about their patients and I remember feeling all positive and hopeful about the medical profession after every episode.

Criminal Minds is of course darker but I enjoy understanding how they conduct profiling of criminals, serial killers, etc. While they put them into categories, they have to be smart enough to know when a criminal may deviate and fall into another category. I just love it!

Let It Snow!

Crazy but true - it's snowing up in the mountains today (photo of Mt Buller above), in November!!!

We've been going through a terrible drought, an accumulation of the past few years. And some farmers have lost their farms, which they've cultivated for many years. Imagining losing your source of income from a terrible drought. And so, we've been hoping and praying for rain (the condition of the land is so real here). And these two weeks, there has been a healthy dose of rain and we're praying for more.

Costs of Living: Australia vs Singapore

I read the Singapore newspapers online yesterday and realised the GST there will be increased from 5% to 7%. Some friends I spoke to were unhappy about the rise, understandably.

However, having moved to Australia for 1.5 years, I am beginning to realise the Singapore government manages the money of its people far better than the Australian government. In Australia, prior to implementing the 10% GST, the government promised that all other taxes will be abolished. In actual fact, some items are taxed twice over, leading the tax to be more than the 10% promised.

But what really irks me is the way the superannuation scheme (in Singapore, it's CPF) is handled here . In Australia, companies (not government) handle your superannuation funds (and there are thousands of different funds to choose from) and despite us paying income tax, we are charged three times when our money goes into a superannuation fund - first, when we deposit our money, second, a regular fee while our money is still in the fund, and third, when you want to take it out (only from 60, I think).

So, it's not a matter of seeing your funds increase, it's hoping it doesn't decrease too much cos how much interest does one have to earn in order to cover all the taxes, charges and fees? In Singapore, interest is a minimum guarantee of 2.5%. There are no charges and fees (are there?). And including your own contribution (20%) and employers' contribution (16%), some 36% of your salary goes into your retirement fund each month. In Australia, as employees, it's not compulsory for us to contribute (cos after the taxes and all, how much net income will you have left if they made superannuation contribution compulsory). But the employers contribute 9%. Imagine how long it'll take to grow the fund the way it grows in Singapore...slowly.

And income taxes are so high here, compared to Singapore. I pay about 20% income tax, while Phill pays more, leaving us with lower disposable incomes. And my pay here is so bad, I earned the same amount of pay in my 2nd year in government service in Singapore!

If I came here with the idea of having a better (financial) life, I think I might already be making plans to head back to Singapore. But I came here for Phill and won't be moving back.

Over the weekend, we were also casually discussing that when we turn 60, we may retire several months a year in Singapore, and then the remaining months in Australia. Otherwise, we won't be able to afford to retire. This prompted one of my friends to say, "Singaporeans go to Australia to retire, you heading back to retire". Things are more affordable in Singapore. If I want to head out and watch a movie, my transport cost in Singapore will be a couple of dollars (MRT train) and a movie costs S$7-S$9.50 (A$6.25-$8). And I can have a meal at the hawker centre (including 1 drink) for about S$6 (A$5). In Australia, to drive out to the next town (where there's shopping) takes 45 minutes and costs more than A$10 on fuel. A movie ticket costs at least A$11 (in the country) or A$15 (in the city). A meal with a drink (lunch) costs at least A$12 - $15. So, even if I wanted to take a break and just have an outing, thinking about the costs will prevent me from doing so.

And the costs of a holiday can be depressing too. In Singapore, a few hundred dollars can take you to another country where the exchange rate is favourable and it's a great getaway. But in Australia, a few hundred dollars don't exactly pay for the entire trip (car/airticket, meals, accommodation) to the next state. The government protects their national air carrier so much that airfares are not competitive at all. Phill pays 50% more than I do (I buy my ticket from Singapore) to fly to Singapore.

For many Singaporeans who want to move to Australia, I can understand why. Over here, employers still respect 'family time' and people in my country town are nice and friendly. And things are believed to be less stressful. In the country, it is indeed less stressful most of the time, maybe about 10-20%, but not a whole lot. In the city, I find things to be equally or more stressful than Singapore. Seeing how people rush around, the level of politeness since the first time I was in Australia in 1996 has dipped rather dramatically - the bane of modern society?

To those who are considering the move, perhaps a temporary move to better understand the country you're moving to may be a wiser option than a permanent move (giving up your citizenship), cos you may realise that the country you left may not be that bad after all.

Happy Medicine

Phill was given a herbal pill by his mum to aid his sleep cos he hasn't slept as well in the past few weeks. She tried it and said it was really good. Phill had one on Sunday night and when he came home from school last night, he said he didn't feel as tired as he usually is, especially on Monday nights - the start of a work week.

And he had this huge grin on his face, which prompted me to call him "Happy Man". He couldn't stop talking about how good he felt too. I asked him if the effect was like feeling drowsy and he said no. I can't quite understand what he meant when he said he felt good so I'm going to have some myself too. He's going to buy a bottle today so he can be happy always (haha)!

I worry a little about the effects of being too reliant on medicines but since it's herbal, I suppose it's okay?

Survivor Crush

I've been watching Survivor: Cook Islands and have a crush on Yul Kwon, an American Korean. Initially, I was attracted to Brad but as the episodes got on, Phill said he was gay and then I realised it too - Brad is a fashion director (how many of them are not gay?). At first sight, Yul wasn't very attractive cos he looked abit nerdy. But then he had personality and when I read his bio, intelligence too!

Not only was he valedictorian at his high school, he went to Stanford University and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in symbolic systems (theoretical computer science) and while at Stanford, received the James Lyons Award for Service, attended officer candidates school for the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He also has Juris Doctor Degree from Yale Law School, where he had served on the editorial board of the Yale Law Journal. How smart is this guy?!

And as I observed Yul in the subsequent episodes, he was really nice not only to his teammates but to his competitors too. In one challenge which his team won, he went over and shook the other team members hands. What a gentleman!

So, I'm hooked on Survivor and eagerly anticipate each episode because of Yul...Phill knew I thought Brad was cute but I haven't fessed up about Yul...hahaha! =P I should try and stop drooling when Yul comes up on the screen.

Mansfield Races

This was some horse and cart prance around the track to advertise a brand of beer.
I went to the Mansfield Races with my parents-in-law today cos Phill is still sick with the cold. Initially, I wasn't going to go without Phill but since my mum-in-law still sounded keen, I thought we'll go anyway cos I haven't been there before.

We were there at about 11.30am, found a good spot, set up our chairs and sat down and talked.

There were quite alot of people there and more were still to come.

And when my mum-in-law decide to place her bet on the Melbourne Cup (same day as Mansfield Race - both horse-racing events), I decided to tag along and look at the horses competing. I knew Efficient was the favourite until it was scratched and then Pop Rock and Tawqeet became current favourites. But looking down the list, I have no idea why but a thought came into my mind that a Japanese horse will win but not Pop Rock. So, I chose Delta Blues (the only other Japanese horse besides Pop Rock) and On A Jeune to bet on, $5 on each horse, each way (which meant if the horse was in any of the top 3 spots, I still win some money).

This was my first time betting and I had no idea of the horse-racing betting lingo. I just went up to the lady and said I wanted these 2 horses and only want to spend $10. She asked if I wanted it 'each way', and I had no idea what it meant but said yes. I would realise later that perhaps I should have picked 'on the nose' (for a win).

Anyway, we went back to the picnic area and sat down for a delicious meal which my mum-in-law prepared and we had to keep the flies and ants at bay. The weather was also more cool than hot, so we were wearing our jackets most of the time.

After 12pm, no horse race had started so I went and asked the lady at the betting counter and she said the first race was 1pm! So, we waited, and it was a three horse race! The next race was at 1.45pm, and it was a three horse race too. When we heard over the loudspeaker that the next race will be at 2.30pm, and 2 horses had been scratched so only one horse was in the race (it only had to run 100 metres for the owner to get his money), we decided then to pack up and go. There was hardly anything to watch and it just took so long to wait for a race. And with just the 3 of us, the conversation was abit difficult to get going. I also wanted to watch the Melbourne Cup race on television (at 3pm).

When we were leaving, my dad-in-law and I carrying the esky, we walked past these 2 young boys who said, "it's abit early, isn't it?" And I couldn't stop laughing. At the gate, we met a young mother and her daughter and my mum-in-law said it was boring so we were leaving. She explained that the race was about the drinking, not the races. But we don't drink. The next time might be better, cos hopefully, Phill will be there. He's usually the person that entertains the family, both his family and mine.

When Phill picked us up (cos it was difficult to find a parking spot), he couldn't stop laughing about how early we got out of the race. We got home and watched the Melbourne Cup Race and boy, was it exciting! In the last 30 metres, I had no idea which horse was in front until the horses had crossed the line and I realised Delta Blues won by just half a head in front of Pop Rock!

Yiipppeeee! Because the odds was $17, and I had placed my money each way, I won not only for the win but for the place too. But each way only pays half of my bet so my returns will be $2.50 x odds (instead of the $5 I had spent on the bet). My winnings was $57.50. Not bad at all. Before I sound like I'm advocating betting, I am not. I still don't like any form of gambling but may place a bet on the Melbourne Cup now, for fun, if I keep to the limit of $10? $20? I think I better stop the moment my bet increases... =O(

I didn't take any pics of my outfit til I got home and asked Phill to take pics of my outfit, which he liked too. So, here's 2 shots of it:

Beautiful Artwork

I had to write about our local hospital auxiliary art show, as part of Spring Arts Festival (an annual arts festival in our town), this evening and I waited around for nearly an hour for the prize winner to be announced.


Then I saw an artwork I liked and couldn't take my eyes off, until I saw the price tag - $500!
I couldn't afford it but I know they put their prices up cos the money will go towards our hospital. This is the second artwork I had seen from a local artist, Jenny Gibney. Another one of her works was hung at the secondary school and it was a much bigger artwork but that was donated to the school. I wanted to buy it but don't think at the moment I can afford it.

The 2 artworks by the artist spoke to me and made me want to look at it more and more. I remember reading an article recently that one has to buy an artwork because you like it not because someone else thinks it's a good investment. "There's nothing worse than having an artwork hang in your house that you eventually can't stand the sight of" was the statement I remember from the article. How true!

And then I was walking around looking at the various artworks and invariably overheard some conversations and heard one person say, "oh, I've told my husband that we should buy at least one artwork a year from this show." *rolls my eyes* Some people are really pretentious and so keen to flaunt their wealth and their ability to purchase the artworks. Perhaps I'm just being a sour grape. =P