Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2008

This morning, as I laid awake in bed still sleepless at 2am, a panic sprang to mind: I can't help and wonder, where has the last 12 months gone to?

Looking back, I have spent so much of this year working. All work and no play (with limited travel) made me such a boring person!

So we make choices everyday and no matter how good or bad these are, we have to live by it and its consequences. I hope you all have had a good year. If not, may 2008 be better.

May the Blessings of Christmas be with you and your loved ones,
no matter where you are,
Along with other joys, laughters, peace and hope
on Christmas Day and on every day of the year,
hope this is the beginning of wonderful new year 2008 ahead.

On holidays finally..

Yipppeee... The most anticipated event of the year has arrived: I am officially on leave, away from the dreaded and unhappy place called work! (Sorry Arpi - I will be thinking of you when I am on the beach!)

I am embarking on a 10 days Aussie roadtrip heading north towards Cairns with two English friends I haven't seen for almost 2 years. So it will be fun! (I hope, if we haven't fall out as friends by the 10th day!)

Melbourne Cup 2007

Melbourne Cup - the race that stops the nation... Out of the 24 horses, Master O'Reilly, Purple Moon & Zipping were tipped to be the favourites to win but to everyone's surprise, it was a horse named Efficient who won the race!

I didn't bet on the horses but my horse Mahler came in 3rd so I won $5.50 in the office sweepstakes. A whopping $3.50 profit!!!

The Melbourne Cup is a bit like the Royal Ascot in England where the ladies race-goers showed up in feathery and fluffy fascinators, glamourous hats, designer wears and those killer heels! The men may turn up in formal suits, waistcoat, top hat and/or cummerband. An excuse, just to get away from the daily grind of life to indulge in champers during the day!

Most workers in Australia (including ours) set up an office lunch and (on the one ocassion in the entire year), the employer actually allows their employees to watch the TV at work during business hours! Some even get dolled up for the event too.

Our office ran a competition for the best dressed. Sadly, I didn't win the competition as the prize went to Arpi who's just the epitome of Spring and Melbourne Cup for her fascinator and heels! I had one honourary mention about being the best dressed fire warden for Melbourne Cup! I didn't intend to dress up. Neither did I want to be an outcast. The only missing item was a hat. Walking past the reception, something red caught my attention. I put it on and pretended I was at the Melbourne Cup...

Voila!!! A perfect match to my blouse! Talk about creativity and originality! (I think they should have an award for Originality! Hahaha.. ... )

2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Cool Night Classic Run

I am a little sore tonight after participating in this year's last charity running event before summer hits Queensland! Just a minute... I think summer is here!!! Hooray or nay, depending who you have been speaking to! Don't change the topic, Jen.

Now where was I?? Yes, I remembered now. I am a little sore. This event is probably my personal best, completing 5.75km in under 60mins. I walked until I was braved enough to challenge my fellow walkers and picked up a jogging (slow but steady) speed. Then I slowed down to my walking pace again when I ran out of stamina. And stepped up in my jogging speed again. On and off, until I reach the finishing line (I didn't run the last 10m to the Finish Line because I was soooo out of puff!!!) Gosh... I was so unfit!

This time, there was no cheating. (Although cheating did cross my mind, somehow swimming across the Brisbane River from Kangaroo Point Cliffs to Riverside Centre would have just been a tad bit tricky if not wet!) I did the whole event in dignity (and no cheating) and I am rather pleased with my achievement. It felt sooo good that perhaps I should join my colleagues, Arpi & Nathan's Wednesday Night and Friday Morning running practice?

Today's event felt like a "The Hare and the Tortoise" story because Arpi & Nathan ran and I walked. I may not have been a winner but with some persistence, even the Tortoise can win the race (I mean my own personal race!)

Last Day in October - only 7 weeks to Christmas

Today's the last day of October. Where has the year gone to?

Dazzling Tulips on display - Toowoomba

A few weeks ago when I was absolutely stressed to the max, I took a weekend off and went down memory lane to a town called Toowoomba (strange name but real) where I spent 4 years of sweating buckets for exams and assignments and many innumerable sleepless nights studying for my uni qualification. The town hasn't changed that much, other than it's browner and more parched than the one I remembered due to the drought we are currently experiencing. My visit coincided with the annual Carnival of Flowers and at this time of the year, all the flowers seem to come alive, despite the water restrictions! Apparently, trucks of recycled sewer water were brought in to water the plants. Luckily it wasn't smelly!

Seeing the carpets of flowers, I came to reflect my last couple of weeks. Despite the water restrictions and the onset of drought, these flowers still fumbled its way out of the soil and fought for its survival to blossom. So, stresses at work are challenges we need to fight to get ahead and blossom in our role but damn those stresses - there is only so much my little mind can take before it feels like it's going to explode!!

Thought for the Day

Cranky Friday Morning

I may have awaken on the wrong side of bed this morning. Perhaps it was the lack of caffeine or the fact that I have to go work (again). Whatever the reason but I was really cranky especially at the driver who was tailing behind me on the way to work! The MANIAC driving a posh 4WD was tailing me real close for about 2 kms whilst I was on the right lane already speeding (slightly) above the speed limit. I was behind loads of cars in front me and there is just no more room to go any faster! Towards the end of the highway, he suddenly changed into the left lane trying to overtake me but the small van next to me wasn't going any faster either! F@*&%^$ driver. I really hate it when other drivers do that to me. Just because their car is slightly posher and bigger than mine, I don't give a hoot about that. Just be patient and don't be a bully will help tremendously so there won't be any roadrage on the road or in my car!! Then, everyone will be happy!

PS. Now, I am at work and I have been delegated lots of extra tasks to complete (on top of my current workload) because my colleague who works part time is not here on her day off... No wonder I am super cranky!!!!!!!!!

Dealing with stress...

I have never attended an AA meeting. Neither would I want to, as (a), I am not an alcoholic and (b) I don't have an addiction to alcohols (though I do enjoy my wine every now and then). At the moment however, I feel like I need to attend a SA (Stress-aholic Annonymous) meeting and shamelessly admit I don't deal with stress very well. Instead of calm, I get myself (although not deliberately) into all kinds of twists and knots...

It's been quite stressful at work in the last 2 weeks. I foresee a challenging road ahead and no way of getting better. On last Friday, I had a deadline to meet at 4:00pm. However, due to factors beyond my control, I couldn't complete the task at hand until 4:58pm. At 4:00, my insides were already trembling. I felt dizzy and nerve-wrecking and I feel I couldn't breathe. When the auditors dictated final changes to be made on the phone, I couldn't concentrate as my mind keeps telling me, "lodge the report at 4:00pm!" No matter how many times after that and at work today when I was told, "everything is alright" and "it's not your fault" - I felt I had failed. Trust me, at the time of the incident (ok... I may have exaggerated a little, slightly), it did feel a little like a life or death situation. Like your whole career is dependent on this deadline. On one occasion, I snapped at my poor colleague who is usually calm and collected whilst she was trying to help me to finalise my report. (Sorry AD!)

I am dying for a holiday, desperately...

River Run 2007

Dear Diary

Today, I participated in the River Run 2007. It was a long time since I last exercised - unless you count hiding in the kitchen pantry a form of hide and seek and thus an exercise or practice rolling your eyes on the tv! On the last count, the last time I did a 'proper' form of fitness exercise was the Bridge to Brisbane on 5 Aug 2007 and boy! It took me 6 weeks to recover from that! Talk about being fit!

The River Run event was held at the picturesque Southbank Parklands. YL was in 5km run, AD & NM in 10km run and superfit ME was enrolled in the 8km walk event. It was a good walk - very warm day. The walking route also meandered along Brisbane River so the view was quite pleasant to the eyes too!

It should have taken me 1.5 hours to do it but I did it in 52mins. I was trailing behind my colleagues doing 10km run. Imagine their surprises to see me not long after they pulled up to the finishing line. Why? Because I was the quickest 8km walker in my category!

Along the routes, there were many sign post markings for 10km and 5km but not 8km! Not only were these confusing, there was no 8km sign so I panicked and opted for 5km route instead and arrived at the finishing line FIRST in my category! Suffice to say, I was a little embarrassed I cheated. Whilst I should blame the event organisers for the embarrassment, I should in fact thank them. If it wasn't for the unclear sign posts, I wouldn't come first?!

PS. I now need another 6 weeks to recover!!

More new members

For those who will be visiting me in November, here is a sneak peek at what awaits you in our own backyard, if you are lucky...



These pictures were courtesy of our Canadian guests, Ben & Sharon who visited us earlier this year. They were very lucky a Mama Possum and her young baby were living in our staghorn. The Rainbow lorikeets are regular guests who come for a feed whenever they are hungry.

Free viewing of Kangaroos and Wallabies are available nearby upon special requests but koalas will be harder to spot.

Don't worry. For those who have a big love for snakes and spiders, I am sorry to disappoint you as I haven't got any! No doubt, you will still need to pack your anti-venoms and mozzies & other repellents for the Aussie great outdoor. Be super-perpared for any surprises. You never know who awaits you in the wild...

Newly adopted member of the Lo Family

Now now, the Lo's family offers a very reputable hospitality in Brisbane - as testified by many who's stopped by our way. Even remembering once Mum befriended a Swiss backpacker enroute to Brisbane from Brunei who came to live with us on-off for almost a year whilst she travels in Australia. Luckily she wasn't an axe-murderer!

Before you start to think the Lo's family accepts any homeless people just off the street, just meet our new resident.

She's decided to call us home - sometimes even sleep here overnight in a little snug box we have given her. We don't know where she lives - certainly doesn't belong to any of our neighbours, on either sides or behind us. She's got a collar without any tags. She's even been taught by my dad to sit!

Unfortunately she won't be able to replace my sister's beloved Mousie who were ran over by a car outside our house about 3 months ago. Naturally we (yeah, including me - the unlikely ally of the family pet) were all very saddened by its passing especially for my sister.

Cats are great company but many who knows me, will know I dislike having pets indoor because I don't like cat furs on my clothes and on the carpets. Later on, I have also come to dislike canned tunas because it smells like cat food.

I don't mind it, as long as it doesn't come indoor...

Chihuahua with a big HEART

Recent news reported a chihuahua puppy named "Heart-kun" was born with a big love-heart pattern on his coat in Japan. Doesn't seeing one like this make you go Awwww and wish you have a dog? Apparently he is not for sale.

Losing a few pounds

Now, if only the weighing scale starts moving its dial towards 0, I am sure anything, just about anything will look fabulous on me!! :-) Now Jen, please come out of the pantry cupboards...

Weighing issues

Ever have the weighing scales issues? Where the pointer always move further and further towards infinity but never the opposite? Well, I don't think mine is functioning properly. It stays at one particular spot whenever I am on it.

Well, it's been a cold winter and beside the 12km walk I did a month ago, I have been hiding behind the winter blues, more like in the pantry cupboard so far. All those imaginative exercises I have been doing has not quite worked its magic. Also, you know the saying, cold contracts but heat expands? With such cold winter and raining at the moment, no wonder my clothes have shrunk a few sizes?!

At the moment, I struggled to find anything decent and comfortable to wear to work. Oopsy-daisy.. time to go shopping again.. *siGh#.. Not only do I dislike shopping, I dislike it with a passion because the fashion seems to only look attractive on those teensy weeny people. When I go shopping, I can never find anything nice or at least look good on me?

Hooray... Midweek is here

Thank goodness midweek is here. Already I feel I have had a whole week without a break! Guess the weekend wasn't enough.

After my outburst last week about no news from my friends, it's quite an uneventful last few days. I have decided to be unselfish and keep a low profile instead. Anyway, most of them have lives to live except the sad and lonely me :-(

Also, working life is no better. My boss has resigned. I have unhappy colleagues at work. Just feeling like..

Friends - Cont'd

There’s nothing like a good friend to make the bumpy road of life feel smoother. Friends encourage one another, laugh together, tell each other the truth, and lighten the load by sharing life’s burdens. You double your joys and halve your sorrows when you share them with friends.

Have you been a good friend to others lately? Avoid being too involved in your own life to nurture friendship. Reach out and be a true friend. Take time, get involved, and cultivate caring friendships. Don’t become so busy that you don’t have time for friends.

I came across this on a beautiful website - which pretty much sums up how I feel. It's been a long day at work today (I nearly had an arguement with someone at work) and it's just one of those days where I feel I just need a hug.. I am glad Friday's almost over in time for two days of respite and R&R..

Friends?

So how many friends do you have? Are you one of those social bees who have lots of friends - you know - those who can't help being so popular because everybody just loves her/his company? I know someone just like that and I'm glad she turns out alright (just kidding - you know who you are!) Actually she is very bubbly and nice - one of very few I could count on to stay sane at work!

Or are you on the opposite end of the scale with no or few friends than you can count with your fingers and/or toes?

Judging on my Facebook, I don't have many friends - only 20! Sad isn't it? Actually I could have more but some of my friends refuse to register for fear of "Big Brother" surveillance or so they say!

I guess I am in between. Only a handful I could rely on and scattered around the world at the moment. Which makes me rather sad because I miss them terribly.

Just last night for example, I upset one of my closest allied of friends because I selfishly expected her to be on beckoned calls to my sms texts/emails. The trouble is, she has been busy jetsetting between 2 countries to have meetings all day long. By the time she goes home to her two little kids, she is exhausted with just enough energy to entertain the little ones before promptly fallen asleep.

But I can't help it. Sometimes life in Oz feel so lonely because all my friends are soooo far away. So naturally, I long to hear from them..

Boredom at work

Oops.. This is a little awkward but I have a small confession to make: I am extremely bored at work lately. Finance should be at the height of its busyness as we just had a financial year end on 30.06.07. Everyone at work seems to be busy except me... Maybe it's because I am not doing anything exciting at the moment. Looking at the calendar, darn! It's another month-end approaching. Month-end again?

My Financial Controller has resigned end of last week and my poor colleague who's just returned from maternity leave has unfortunately been designated our new leader for the timebeing. Both are busy with the preparation of our Annual Reports. Both busy, except me. What am I doing wrong?

So what does one do when one is bored at work? Surf the net? Probably a little surfing is productive because you "exercise" your mind and your fingers - though can't exactly make you lose weight! Read a book? Hello? They actually pay you to work or the least you can do is pretend to read the financials instead of a trashy romantic novel?!

During these surfing exercises, I did manage to come across some suggestions on the internet to ease your boredom at work:

1. Send emails to the rest of the company telling what you're doing to do eg. "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom."
2. Put a chair facing a printer, sit there all day and tell people you're waiting for your documents to print
3. Put decaf in the coffeemaker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addiction, switch back to espresso :-)
   
4. Send emails to colleagues (other bored losers!) who will respond
   
5. Drink stupid amount of water - it makes you pee more often
6. Fill desks with papers - warning: papers overload can be a dead giveaway though...
7. Wear the confused look - that's probably how you look when you are working!
   

Alternatively, you can do things which are productive using all the brain and office have to offer while you waste time eg.

• Perk up your documents using clip arts to sparkle up dry (cough) documents making it more interesting read
• Set up Outlook to receive your personal mails too!
  
• Use speech recognition and never be lonely again
• Practice your powerpoint techniques
• Create new email signatures
• Consider a career change using the Resume templates to jumpstart your career?

I am not trying to promote a better use of boredom - honestly! I do love month-ends because that's my busiest and the most productive time of the month (excuse the pun and no - it's not that time of the month) . I have my slow days too - sometimes, some are harder to get through than others.

Well, when all the above fail, I have one more possible solution: Eat. The only action that doesn't arouse the boss's suspiscions that you are not doing at any work! Well, if they notice if you have put on weight, I guess that's a sure sign that

• (a) under tremendous level of stress makes you eat a lot more therefore you could be doing lots of work or
• (b) you are not working to your full potential because you spent too much time eating!

What do you think?

Reaching 60

On the weekend just gone, I went to a family friend's 60th birthday party put together by my friend, Seline. What her mother thought was a quiet dinner with the family at a Peking Duck restaurant turned out to be a suprise 30+ guests potluck dinner! Wow... 60 years and still going strong. This then sets my thinking wheels in motions.

In the Chinese culture, 60-years is a huge milestone to be celebrated grandly if possible because 60 years mark the end of a lifecycle and 61 is to be start of a new one to come. At this age, one is expected to be surrounded by grandchildren, if not great-grandchildren.

So, my dad is about to turn 65 end of this year and guess what, the Chinese tradition expectation of being a grandfather at 60 will not be upheld for him as none of his 3 daughters are yet to be married let alone bear him any grandchildren!!! Hmm…..There is no light - not even a glimmer of light at the end of tunnel, yet.

Well, on another note, to live to 60 is an achievement but to live to 60 without any ailments is indeed a blessing, with or without grandchildren! But my wise mum would say, it’s downhill from 60 onwards!! So fasten your seatbelt :-)

Hmm... I am halfway there and still no achievement to show off yet.. That's a real worry...

One stitch at a time

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. --Oliver Wendell Holmes

How to tell if your feet smell? Get a cat?

Monday Monday...

After having a loooong weekend recuperating from the dreadful sniffles, it was sure hard to get out of bed this morning. I miscalculated how heavy the rain was this morning so I had to wait an extra 45mins for my sister to get ready for work so I could catch a ride with her to the train station. Whilst the rain has brought relief to much of the drought stricken Brisbane populations, Queensland Rail (for the trains) just could not cope and most train lines went haywired. Trains were delayed due to technical malfunction and drivers on the road were being extra careful on the slippery roads causing heavy traffic and car accidents. Is it my imagination or there seems to be more cars on the road on a rainy day? On my way to work, I was nearly ran over by cars because I was busy crossing the road whilst trying to stay dry. I froze in the middle of the road. Needless to say, I wasn't all dry by the time I got to work! What a start to Monday. Let's hope it's only a little hiccup - the best is yet to come.... :-)

Weekend is almost here...

A week of hardwork is almost at an end.. Time to relax now...

2B or not 2B

Shakespeare's anyone?

Said Hamlet to Ophelia, I'll draw a sketch of thee,

What pencil should I use?

2B or not 2B.

Welcome, little Isil

Welcome to the world, Little Isil. Happy one-month old!

With Big Bro, Thane & Big Sis, Ezra

Pictures of Terrie's little kids - Isil is so cute. When will I get to see her, Terrie?

Dusting

As I am home resting and cleaning my hotmail inbox (yes, I could sit upright in front of the PC), I came across this inspiration a dear old friend once sent me (thanks Cynthia) and thought I would share it:

Dusting

"A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture."

I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING! I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - "in case someone came over". Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!

Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

PS. Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it.

Coffee is good for you

Believe it or not, coffee is a popular but good stimulant for us women out there! A recent finding published by the French National Institute of Medical Research surveyed more than 7000 men and women in 3 French cities concluded that drinking more than three cups of coffee or its caffeine equivalent in tea per day protect older women from the age-related memory decline in especially the verbal and visual memories. However there is a catch - this finding is held more beneficial for those women over 80 years in age than women 10-15 years younger surveyed. Unfortunately, apparently these benefits didn't apply to men.

I for one, love my coffee. Ever since I discovered how to use the antique espresso machine at work a year ago, I have been drinking making my latte a daily ritual at work ever since and somehow, instant coffee doesn't taste the same anymore.

So ladies coffee-drinkers out there, start drinking. Although we are still young and not aged 80 - we could pave our ways now to improve our memories retention before we turn 80!

I am sick :-(

Having taken the flu shot a few months ago, I thought I was safe from the flu virus which seems to be rife in Brisbane during the last few weeks due to the change of weather. Many people are taking sick leave and alas, even I have fallen victim to it! So now, I have an excuse to take sick leave. For I am a person who's guilty to call in sick when I am not. So why is it so easy for some ?

Many people I know will take a sickie if they are having a hungover from the night before (I guess, a hangover is a kind of sickness even though it is self-induced.) Others simply can't be bothered to come to work so they say, why not take the day off? Chuck a sickie!

Anyway, I am not here to judge. I am simply just wondering...

I will need to take plenty of rest. Now, I have an excuse to be a couch-potato (not potato-couch as I was once corrected!) and catch up on loads of DVD movies which I have accumulated and write emails to people I haven't done so for ages (if I am fit enough to sit upright in front of the PC, that is.)

Hooray... It's Friday night Down-Under!

Finally, the week is ended and the weekend has just arrived here. The weather forecast is sunny and almost 30C - which is warm for our supposedly wintery day. Yet with this beautiful sunshiny weekend, I have no plans whatsoever..

The initial plan to watch a movie has now been scrapped as the family car decided it was time to rest its tired wheels since Tuesday (due to brake problem!) Then, there is just a few nagging chores I have to do such as the setting up of the new printer I bought a month ago which is still in the box unopened. A big basket of clean laundry is also waiting for me to iron. So as you can see, a boring weekend is coming right up. Luckily my muscle aches from last weekend's 12km walk have cleared up and now I don't have to walk like a penguin anymore.

I think I will take it easy this weekend and enjoy a good book in the great outdoor under my pergola sipping homemade latte!!

At the finishing line...

Here's me posing for a group photo in my Fun Run look with my fellow professional runners-colleagues! I was the slowest walker amongst them - 12km walk took me 2 hours and 3 mins!

Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run 2007 - August 5

On Sunday, I took part in the Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run 2007! Instead of fun run, I walked the 12km and now, I am now punished with a slight limp and muscle aches all over my body like an old woman wobbling with the aid of a walking stick :-) Oh, I am getting old and not as agile as I used to be!!!!

Whilst the run started on a chilly morning (under 10C) at 6:50am, it didn't stop the 30,000 participants including myself, in all forms of fitness from stepping on the start line with little half-opened eyes but with determinations! Perhaps it was the chill that morning that woke us all up?

The walk was full of colours as many matches their costumes with the sense of spirit. One walker in front of me had a top on with "feeling like shits". I certainly hope that wasn't a true reflection of her feelings on the day of the fun run? Others participated in corporate-sponsorships and therefore displayed clever slogans to promote their businesses such as "Simplicity Funeral - we are 'on the run' because we know where the bodies are hidden." Others merely showed up in Star Wars themes for reasons I can't fathom. Nonetheless, I applaud for the effort they put into the fun run. For others including myself, it's just ordinary plain t-shirts and shorts (turning up at 6am in a pair of shorts was a crazy idea but proven sensible as the day warms up!)

Nonetheless, it turned out to be a brilliant and sunny day finished with a sense of achievement and for being part of a good cause. Also, I thought after 12km walk, I deserve to reward myself with a yummy fried breakfast (albeit a little too unhealthy after all that hardwork!) I didn't care - I very well deserve it!

All entries fees paid go to Surf Life Saving Queensland which, as the name suggests, is an organisation who pride itself in surf rescue services and keeps our beaches safe.

Finally....

After much procrastinations, I've finally penned my very 1st entry in the wonderful-worldwide-web of blogs... Hooray! Now, what should I write in my blog? It's still in the early stages of the research for inspirations :-)

Well, it's been a year and a half since I left Oxford and swapped the land of wet and gloomy weather of England for sun, surf, sand and more sun in Aussie-land! Having said that, we are experiencing the worst drought and also the coldest winter months in history. I wonder if I should be here? Hmm.. It goes to show, the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Then again, I wouldn't want to be floating away in the floods currently sweeping across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. (My heart goes out to those who are affected by the floods.)

Life after Oxford is no way as exciting as Life in Oxford but that will be another story to tell another time. So watch this space...