Phill's Birthday!

It's Phill's birthday, which is also Malaysia's Independence Day! He's 33 now, although I thought he was going to turn 32.... =P But no sweat, one of his karate friends thought he was only 26! So, what is age? It's only how we look that matters or is that self-consolation....heehee!

I gave Phill a birthday card in the morning and one of the things he did was to take out the birthday present from my parents, a tank model which he's going to build one day. It wasn't even yet sold in Australia when my parents took it over during their visit in July. He absolutely loves that present and kept talking about it.

After work, I gave him a really big parcel (had no idea who it was from) and told him to open it. When he did and I saw his football club emblem, I wished him happy birthday cos it was the present I had ordered for him. I had only ordered them 2 days ago so I was surprised they delivered it so quickly! They were both books, one on the history of the premiership team in 1927-1930 who won the championship 4 years in a row, and the other were on stories from fans and well-known celebrities talking about their love for Collingwood.

In the evening, together with his parents, we had a lovely meal at Magnolia Restaurant. It's the first time we were there and Phill's mum and him had steak, I had venison and his dad had chicken. Everyone loved their meal, so did i, but my venison was abit tough. Phill's steak was literally "melt in your mouth".....really yummy! I regretted not having a steak.

After dinner, we had cappuccino and latte (except Phill) and then the waitress brought out the blackforest cake I had ordered from a bakery. We proceeded home to have a slice of the cake! Yummy!

Book Club

I was interviewing a local volunteer for her involvement with the garden club and got talking about a show on the ABC Channel hosted by Jennifer Byrne, Book Club, and how one gardening guru, Peter Cundall, was featured.

Anyway, I asked her if there was any book club in Mansfield and she said yes. In fact, we have 3 book clubs - 2 met at nite and 1 met in the day (won't work for me cos I'm working). And she said one of the book clubs is linked with CAE (Centre of Adult Education). At the beginning of each year, the book club members will be given a list of books and they will tick 11 books that they will like to read (the group meets from Feb-Dec only). The lists are collated and the books which are selected most frequently will be read by the book club. The books will also be allocated to be read on a monthly basis so we don't go reading the wrong book in the wrong month.

I've always had this fantasy about being part of a book club. Almost sounds so toffy and self-important.

(with a plummy accent) "Oh, I'm with a book club. We discuss intellectual things of the day." --- pffttt! sure, amidst yummy goodies, tea, coffee and wonderful conversation too!!!

Boy from Oz

The "Boy from Oz" musical last night at the Rod Laver Arena was simply brilliant! Phill and I paid $99 each for the tickets, which were the cheapest we could get. The seats were not bad at all but angled in such a way we were seated at the sides and couldn't see the action straight on but there was a big screen so we saw the close-ups there. Hugh Jackman was great - acting, dancing and singing! The musical basically retold the life story of Peter Allen, a much loved Aussie artist, who was mentored by Judy Garland, married Liza Minnelli, divorced her, came out of the closet and finally passed away due to AIDS (apparently, that's what people said) in the early 1990s.

The songs they used were mainly those that Peter Allen composed and sang himself. It was especially touching when the ensemble and Hugh Jackman sang "I Still Call Australia Home" (theme of a Qantas ad a few years ago).

At the end of the production, which was almost 3 hours (including a 25 min break), Phill and I looked at each other and remarked that it was worth every cent we paid for. And we agreed that if we had the money, we'll love to watch it again the next day.

~~~

Before we took the coach ride at 1pm back to Mansfield, Phill and I fitted in another dim sum lunch (we had one on Friday afternoon). When we arrived, there was a long queue snaking outside the restaurant. And I enquired if we still had to queue even though we had a reservation and yes, we had to. It took us about 25 minutes before we finally got our table. And fighting for time, we ate our favorite dishes - sticky rice, century egg porridge, sweet soya beancurd soup, etc - fairly quickly and asked for the bill at 12.10pm. It took a while cos it was full house and by the time we got out, it was 12.25pm and we hurriedly went to pick up our bags and to the train station.

Time really flies when you're having fun.....I look forward to our next trip to Melbourne, which may be next year instead.

Pie

My colleague, Sian, gave me half of a really yummy chicken pie she made. She uses free range chicken which is like double/ triple the usual price of a caged chicken and the meat was so sweet and tender. It really makes a difference both to the taste and pocket..... =P

Melbourne!!!

For the first time, Phill and I took the 3 hours coach trip from Mansfield to Melbourne. It costs about 50% more to take the coach from Mansfield rather than the train from Benalla. But the thing is, we have to drive to Benalla (45 mins away) and it's not safe to park your car at the train station overnight cos you can bet your bottom dollar it's going to be (a) stolen, (b) vandalised, (c) all of the above.

And the beautiful thing is, Phill took a day off school to have a break so we can truly enjoy our weekend in Melbourne. I took that was a sweet thing for my husband to do and I was beaming from ear to ear after he told me that last week.

We've got a fairly packed weekend ahead of us. Footy game tonight and then Oz from Boy tomorrow night - Hugh Jackman - woohoo!!!

When we arrived in Melbourne, it was about 11am and we took the tram to our motel City Square Motel and managed to check in even though the official time wasn't until 2pm. The room had a certain smell, when we entered, like it hadn't been occupied in a while and when we looked out of the window, we faced another apartment building. Bleah! But it's okay, the furnishings may be old and simple but the bed looks comfy and the toilets are clean.

We spent the rest of the day shopping and mostly, buying books and looking at tank modelling shops and bought a bag of chocolate chip and macademia nut Famous Amos cookies....yum!

After a short afternoon nap, we were going to get dinner and then go to footy but the queues at all the fast food places were so loooong. I think it's cos there are 3 major events happening one one night - Boy From Oz's opening night, Melbourne Film Festival & Footy (Collingwood vs Essendon). We finally settled on Subway which was a great choice cos the queues moved really fast.

As we were walking to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), we saw this HUGE crowd of people in front of Flinders St Station.
















There was a protest by the city cab drivers asking for better work conditions and protection cos a cab driver from Pakistan was stabbed and died a few days ago. He was a student here and had been working to finance his Masters and send money back to his family. I believe the cabs need to be fitted with a guard around the driver. I hope it'll be implemented soon.















Some pics of what it looked like when the players ran onto the ground at the start of the game.

It's always nice to watch an Aussie Rules football game but what I didn't know is sometimes, it's not at all that pleasant. Because we decided only last week that we wanted to watch a footy game, we could only get tickets behind the goal square where all the Collingwood fans (Phill and I support Collingwood) are seated and where things are rowdy.

There was a group of mostly guys and one girl in their 20s who were seated behind us. First half of the game was fine although they were abit too enthusiastic to the point where the girl was kicking my chair and leaning over me when she was shouting out to the football players. However, in the second half when Collingwood was losing, she took issue with an Essendon fan and kept abusing him. And one of her guy friends kept singing a little ditty about how Essendon fans sleep with each other (tune from Adamms family), which was irritating. At the end of the match, we left quickly cos the girl looked like she was going over to the fan and start a fight.

We were sad Collingwood finally lost cos we expected them to win. They are like 4th on the ladder and Essendon is last, so logically, it should be easy. Alas, it was not. But it was a good trip out and it was safe walking back to our motel cos there was still a huge group of people around.

Nasty Call

I received a really nasty call from a person who was offended I didn't interview for an article I did regarding planning issues. He said my article was unbalanced and went on and on to abuse me and tell me where I went wrong. I tried to explain to him and offered to write another article in the coming week on his angle but he refused. This went on for a while until I finally had to tell him I wished to end the call cos he was getting more threatening and he refuted that claim too. He talked for a little while longer and at some points, I kept silent at my end cos there was nothing else left for me to say. And finally, he hung up on me.

I was a little shaken by the call and yet, also angry, that this guy saw it fit to speak to me in such a tone.

I had discussed with my editor about the article before I wrote it and it wasn't a judgement piece about who was right or wrong just that this one person had a comment. But, on reflection, could I have done the article better? I sure can and I hope this will never happen again.

Another Rejection

I received a letter from the organisation who interviewed me last week to inform me I was unsuccessful.....i was crushed cos the people were very nice in the interview and I thought it'll be a great work environment.

Interesting thing was the letter was dated 4 August, which was the date of my interview. Was I that bad that they quickly drafted the letter after my interview and sent it off?

But then again, I was just grateful for the interview experience which I thought went pretty okay. I got stumped when they asked me to cite an example when I've used my initiative. I couldn't think of one although I'm sure I have initiative. I finally cited one but am not sure if they were convinced that was the right answer for the initiative question.

Good Dream

I woke up really happy this morning cos I dreamt of my favourite singer, David Tao last night. Strange since I wasn't thinking of him that much...hahaha! The dream was of me being in a cd shop and I saw him wearing a cap and walking out of the shop and some girls whispering that it was David Tao. And I ran after him to ask for his autograph and we got talking....I'm not sure I dare to do that in real life. But it was a nice dream....

And his album will be launched tomorrow! Yipppeee!

Rejection/ Interview

I received a call yesterday from the company who interviewed me on Tuesday to say I was unsuccessful for the site manager job I had applied for because they wanted the position to be a part-time one and didn't think I was interested it in - true, cos I didn't want low pay but high responsibility. I wasn't too disappointed cos I wasn't sure if I was qualified for the job but the lady said I was great and there might be another job in the office for me and she'll keep my information on records. I know some people might say that's some standard fare they repeat to everyone but I choose to believe her first and be corrected later on.

And today, while out on a job at Nillahcootie Estate, I received a call to say I've got an interview next Friday for a local government job I had applied. That made my day! I was thrilled, cos I think my skills set and experience can be closely applied in this job. I want this job!

Interview

I went for the interview today and left feeling like a bumbling idiot. I felt so unprepared for it. I had this vision of wow-ing them but don't think I quite succeeded. I said too many "uhms" and "I believe"....arrrgghhh! But at least, I was honest with my answers and I wore a pink skirt I recently bought which I love. Phill saw it and said it looked too sweet to wear to an interview. Going away from the interview, I realised that the job is a massive task, managing an entire office and the staff there. I think I may just be unqualified for it...

Shortlisted

I sent off my resume to a company on Monday (the submission deadline) and received a call today to say I've been shortlisted and they wanted to interview me! They made my day! Even if I don't get the job, I'm glad I was considered for the interview. I have been sending out several resumes lately but didn't get an interview and was starting to feel dejected.

Coffee after Church

I met up with some of my church members after church service today, including my pastor, at this new cafe that is owned by a Christian family. Nice environment, great food and reasonable prices.

Anyway, we got talking about current affairs and about the recent Israel bombing of Lebanon and I went away from that afternoon chat thinking about what my pastor had said. He mentioned that some Christians have the idea that because of our Jewish heritage in our beliefs, we should then become supporters of Israel. He said it should not be, and if anything, we should be pro-everybody, and not pro-Israel. And he said the pro-Israel mindset is one that is perpetuated by America. I thought about the Our Daily Bread materials I've which are from America and remember some pro-Israel messages they had like Israel being God's chosen one (my pastor explained that to be the ones who still looked towards God, just like us gentiles who look towards Him are also the chosen ones, and not just by simply being an Israeli). I still think it's a great resource material but it's also important to understand the context and writer's motivation in the devotionals they had written.

It's as if scales fell from my eyes (as mentioned in the bible) when my pastor said that. I used to blindly think that there must be something right about Israel even though I didn't necessarily agree with their actions.

I'm not sure what the solution to the current conflict is but I know it's wrong to use Lebanon as a "playground" to settle the score....when will all this end?

Update owing

I have been neglectful of my blog in the past few weeks. In fact, I have been enjoying 3 weeks of leave taking my parents around the state and I just returned to work this week. I've been busy trying to get on top of things. So, i will be catching up on my updates and posting pics of my holidays soon. Thanks for your patience! =O)

p.s. I'll be filling up the lost moments between 22 June - 5 July so do check those from time to time. ;O)

Turning 30

Ha! And I thought the day will never come....

But I had a great birthday, spending lunch with friends and colleagues, getting gifts of chocolates, chocolates and a lottery ticket.

And thereafter, a dinner of prime steak with Phill.

Nothing more I can ask for....just the good company of friends and family.

In truth, I was quite worried about things going downhill from now on but I remember one acquaintance once said that her 30s were the best time of her life cos she knew where she was and where she wanted to go in life. And if being in my 30s mean babies, I say, "bring it on"!

London Bridge (is falling down, falling...fallen already)

Along the stretch at Great Ocean Road, around Port Campbell, we stopped at the London Bridge so called cos it did fall down, I think, in the 90s.
It's apparently now called the London Arch. A little spiel below from one website about the London Arch aka London Bridge.

The first formation you will see is London Arch, a natural arch formed through erosion. London Arch was previously called London Bridge, due to the close resemblance of it's double arches to the actual bridge. The name changed to London Arch in 1990 after the first arch collapsed, leaving two tourists stranded. The tourists were rescued by helicopter and fortunately nobody was injured.

































When we arrived at the platform, on our left was the London Bridge. Below is a pic of what the scenery on the right of the platform was.

Lunch @ Port Campbell

We intended to drive ahead to Port Fairy to have lunch (2 hours away) but I was really famished so we decided to stop at a town, Port Campbell (abt 15 mins from 12 Apostles), for lunch instead. Yum yum! And we continued shopping and picked up one Billabong shirt.

A pic of the pier at Port Campbell.

Twelve Apostles

We left Apollo Bay at about 10.30am this morning after our shopping jaunt purchasing various Billabong stuff. It was such a good shopping trip that I said I love Apollo Bay cos it has good shopping. And Phill's retort was "yah, forget abt the nice scenery, the shopping is good and that's all that matters." I had to laugh cos I was just being a true Singaporean! ;O)

More than halfway through the drive from Apollo Bay to Port Fairy, we stopped by at Twelve Apostles (still part of the Great Ocean Road) to take in the sights and have a breather. Phill had by then been driving for quite a few hours. There was a helicopter pad when we arrive offering helicopter rides. We were all looking wistfully at the helicopters taking off but didn't dare to ask the price cos we knew it was going to be expensive. Perhaps next time we'll take the helicopters when we can afford. Anyway, I didn't think it was that good to see the sights from a helicopter. I much prefer seeing it on the ground. But Phill said it should be a good ride.

Let the pics speak for itself. Below are some pics we took at 12 Apostles but at the rate they're falling, it's really more like 8 Apostles, than 12. One recently took a tumble....Phill said they may have to come by in the night and start constructing man made ones...hahaha!

Sorrento to Queenscliff Ferry

This morning, leaving Philip Island behind, we drove (rather, Phill drove) to Sorrento several hours away to catch the ferry to Queenscliff.

The ferry leaves hourly from 7am to 6pm everyday between Sorrento and Queenscliff. We were there just past 12pm and decided to explore the Sorrento beach and while our time away before the next ferry (at 1pm) arrive.

Pictured here, my mum enjoying the beautiful beach. In the background of the pic is the pier which the ferry operates from.

















It was a scenic and calm 45 mins ride from Sorrento to Queenscliff. We enjoyed the ferry ride and had our lunch of sandwiches, sausage roll and jam donuts. Yum! When we arrived at Queenscliff, we decided to proceed to Apollo Bay instead of stopping for lunch since we already had lunch on the ferry.

We drove along the Great Ocean Road (which had beautiful views but impossible to whip the camera out to take pics - better views ahead of us on the Great Ocean Road tomorrow) and finally arrived at Apollo Bay at 4pm. A long drive, especially so for Phill. zzzz!

We had a rest at our motel and then explored Apollo Bay, which is fairly small, a couple of shops (about 20) in the main street, a pub, a cinema and quite alot of accommodation places. Quite a nice, neat place but I prefer Lorne (we drove past it earlier today and Phill and I stayed there in our previous trip to Great Ocean Trip). Lorne looked like a more expensive, trendier spot with lots of good shopping. Phill prefers Apollo Bay cos it's quiet and scenic.

Penguins!!!

At the start of our 6 day trip around the Great Ocean Road, our first stop and sleep over was at Cowes, Philip Island. Our main purpose was to watch the penguin parade. And boy, was I in for a treat!

There were several categories of entry. General entry $17 where you are put in a large platform with 100s of other patrons, Penguin Plus $27 where it's an exclusive platform seating 150 people and you're close to the penguin's little houses (we took this one), and others that included a tour prior to the parade and an eagle's eye view of the parade which was high up and covered.

We wanted to go for a tour prior to the parade but by the time we arrived at the ticket booth, the tour had started so we paid for the parade and decided to kill time by looking out for some seals on a platform. But I didn't seem to see any and I wasn't willing to feed $2 into the binoculars stand.
















When we arrived at Penguin Parade, the only pic I could take was this.
















Beyond that point, we won't allowed to take any pics. I suspect it's to protect the centre's revenue cos they didn't allow video camera either. If lights were what they're concerned about, usually most tourist sites don't allow digital cameras but they do allow video cameras though.

As we were there at about 5pm, we walked around at the retail places, my dad ("the documentary man") was videotaping everything around and then we sat down for some drinks before the doors were open to the parade. The Penguin Plus ticket entitled us to a free drink each, which was good.

Initially, Phill was apprehensive about paying an extra $10 for Penguin Plus entry. But when the penguins did arrive in droves at close to 6pm and we could see them at a close distance of less than 2 metres, he ended up saying we got the best spot. The penguins were so small, cute and the way they wobble was so endearing. And they were calling out to each other and heading to their little homes. Some they had built and others were little wooden boxes built by conservationists at the centre that were similar to those the penguins built.

To me, this was the highlight of the trip and anyone heading to Australia should try and make a trip to the Penguin Parade!!! I absolutely love that night!

Deer hunt

Pic Caption: A public plot of land in Kevington overrun by blackberries which feeds and helps contribute to a growth of deers in the area which the hunter I interviewed said may, in the future, become a pest just like rabbits are at the moment.

I went with one local hunter to a deer hunting site about 45 mins drive away to research for a story I was working on regarding game management. I was initially cautious about following this hunter to the game site cos I didn't know him and I knew the site was really isolated but after talking to my friend, Kaye, who gave me the tip-off for this story, I wasn't too worried.

The trip turned out well. One of those in which I learnt a lot and was inspired in my article and my job as a journalist.

And I saw a deer but it was blocked by some bushes. So I sorta saw half of it and it bolted when it saw us walk near. Apparently, it was not a full-grown adult. We went to its habitat and I learnt how to recognise the hoof prints left by deers and how you find out if the prints are new, a day or a week old.

I also found out more about the behavior of hunters and that not all of them are bloodthirsty. The hunter who showed me around said he had not fired a shot in the past 2 years. And that his fellow hunters do not fire a shot unless they are very sure cos movements in the distance could be a dog, a person, and they didn't want to make a mistake so they have to be very sure before they fire. And the shots have to be accurate so that their target is killed instantly. He also said that if any hunter shoots a hunting dog, they can forget about hunting ever again because it's a grave mistake. I had a newfound respect for hunters and realise that there are some that just give the group a bad name.