Leap Day 2008

Once every 4 years, lucky or annoying? For some, it means you save money on buying birthday presents and in case you don't like birthdays, thank goodness you only have to celebrate once every four years.

For many who are born on leap day, they are succumbed to many silly jokes about their age!

Yet for many others, it's just another day! Now ladies, I know, the tradition has it that women should propose on the leap year's extra day in February. So if you are dating a great guy, here's your big chance to secure the "deal" but if you are single like me, just get back to work and stop daydreaming!

P.S. In case you haven't noticed, you have gained one extra day in a leap year calendar. Here's your chance to leap at it and make the most of this rare but special day. Happy Leap Day 2008! :-)

Adieu 2007... Bienvenue New Year 2008

New Year 2008 is officially here... What's it going to be like?

Well, first of all, it's a Leap Year so one day down, 365 more to go!!!!!!!!!

Secondly, another year's gone and it should have made us a year wiser... Hmm.. I have the next 365 days to prove my theory right!

Thirdly, I am predicting it will be a fabulous year ahead.. It's been a tough but ok year. I have high hopes that 2008 will be better as it contains the prosperous number 8 in its sequence. Count your blessings that although another year may have flashed before you, you are not gone but still here reading my boring blog!!

Leave behind the sad memories and sorry mistakes as the new year beckons with bright lights of the fireworks, a favourite wish and new resolution(s) and brings with it, the sweet memories of times gone by to give another a year a fair go.

A new year is a reminder to celebrate all the things that are good in your world, places you are part of and the people you love. Close your eyes and breathe in life with a smile! Hope you have every reason to celebrate and dance like me!

Here's a toast to a Happy New Year 2008 - to happiness, fabulous times and the many joys and surprises yet to unfold!!!

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?