Bye My Beloved...

My beloved Orh-Ni passed away liao.
He's a tough guy. No one believed that he is nearly 4 years old.

Nearly a "centurion"...considering that most hamsters live for 2 plus years.



We named him Orh-Ni (the sumptous teochew yam dessert) because he looked so "sweet" with his big eyes and that lovely ash-grey fur.

Well. He fought like a hero, considering that he was diagnosed to have a cancerous tumour since March. I cried when Bro told me. But at least he needn't suffer anymore.


I will always remember him.

Make Time..for a Laugh

A laughter a day keeps the blues away.

I thank God I am able to laugh everyday. Small laughs, big laughs.
Laughing at hubby..who's forever making me laugh.
Laughing at comedies on TV.
Laughing at stupid mr brown podcasts.
Laughing at my own silly-ness, which happens everyday.
Laughing at emails, messages that brings me real joy.

I can laugh alone, but it's always nicer to have someone to laugh with.

Make someone laugh today. It may just make that difference in their lives.

So, what makes you laugh and have you laughed today?

Day Out

We spent the day at John's place yesterday.
I finally got to meet his darling gals - Holly, Faith and Amba.

It's nice to be back in Ipswich..with the beautiful fields and mountains. It's spring..and flowers are in bloom everywhere.

This is Holly the Horse. She's so gentle and beautiful! See..she's eating out of my hands!

This is Amba (yes, the dog). She super friendly lah. Pounced on me even before I stepped out of the car. And she loves tummy rubs. In fact, she loved me so much that she left a few "scratches" on my hands to bring home. Hee....

This is Faith the donkey. She's a loud gal and she eats "ferociously". I was fearful for my fingers when I fed her the carrots!

"Blank Cheques"

It hurts more when things have been said and promised, but cannot be fulfilled now.

Well, less disappointment if there's less expectations. Whatever happens, I will trust God in His plans and provision.

Maybe it's better this way. Maybe God is telling me to move on.

SWOT Vac

It's SWOT Vac (Study WithOut Teaching Vacation) this week. OZs have all sorts of acronyms. But I think SG has more. Hee...

Anyway, it's a week for students to prepare for exams that's coming in about 4 weeks time. But many make use of this week for holidays. I would too...since me no exams. But no lah...better start on my assignments...I know I will be in my lazy streak again once term starts.

I went school just now. Sigh..can't find the library books I want for my assignment. Guess I'll have to rely on the journals for the literature review liao. It's a nice ride to school though. There were few people on the ferry and the sun came out to say hello.

And...me coming home on 15 Nov. Changed my flight so that I can be on same flight as Boss. I don't like to travel alone. And I guess with people around, I will not flood the airport this time. Hubby's only coming home in Dec...so that's 1 month separation again. It's a terribly mixed feeling. I can't wait to go home....but I hate the separation. Shucks.

Breaking Out of the System

MOE say they are going to scrap the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). For so many years, we have lived by this system that distinguishes us in terms of academic performance. But there are shining examples out there who were so-called "rejected" by the system, but are now doing very well, due to their hard work and determination.

Hubby and I know a fren. He's pursuing a doctorate now. In a science field that is new to him, since he was trained in IT. The thing about him is that he did not give up when the system labelled him as a failure. He went VITB (now ITE), did part-time studies for poly, degree and masters. Who would have thought years ago that he was able to acheive all these?

We have no choice but to accept the education system. It does has its merits, but there are also limitations that can't cater for each of us. We have our own strengths and in God's timing, we will discover these strengths and excel in the things that we do. We are pressurized now because we need to match up to the system requirements, to the expectations of our peers, teachers and parents. But the most important thing is not about the achievements now. It's about how we don't give up believing in ourselves and use what God has given us to live. If we give up, no one, no system can help us.

So, it's our choice.

Agapao?

Last night's CF was on studying the bible more effectively.
The tool is "Inductive Bible Study" (IBS). We had a good time asking alot of questions. That's part of the practise for the tool.....

One of the passages we studied was John 21:15-17, where Jesus asked Simon Peter 3 times whether he loved Him. We looked up on the original Greek word for "love" that was used in the passage.

Jesus asked if Simon loved Him. The Greek word used was "Agapao". When we all tried to pronounce it, we just started laughing. It was 9pm and we were all hungry. Since majority of us were SG-reans and M-sians, we all had the same thought: "pao"!!! Hee...jokes aside, the word is the one we know as "agape" - unconditional love.

The Greek word used in Simon's reply was "Phileo" - brotherly love. Simon understood then that he was not able to love like Jesus, unconditionally - so he used a different version of love.

So interesting hor?

Let's Talk About Evolution

A skeleton of a 3-million year old child was discovered in Ethiopia.

All the talk about human evolution started again - how we started as a distinct species and slowly evolved to what we are today. The closest of our ancestors? According to the findings so far, they will have to be the homosapiens ("sapiens" means wise or intelligent).

Then I started to think - if we truly evolved from apes, why did the evolution stopped? I mean, why don't we see the gorillas, the chimpanzees and the orang utans slowly learn the human ways nowadays?

Can everything be explained by science?

Questions of life, if you do care about it, is it that difficult to just believe in faith?

Believe that each of us is a unique creation of the One above.....

Today is Happi Day

First happi thing - morning class
We turned out to be the only group who presented our prelim results for the assignment. That big-headed ah pek apologised that he could not present today coz his teammate was in Egypt. What excuse. Anyway, if you want to know the history between us and this ah-pek, read this.
It just felt soooooo good.

But our effort over the week turned out to be worthwhile. Got alot of good comments from J and the class, since ours was the only presentation..alot of time to spare. We need to do more in-depth analysis..but thank God this means we have 2 more weeks to work on it.

Second happi thing - afternoon class
Afternoon's presentation rocks! We had sooooo much fun at the presentation and thank God the class enjoyed it too. Think B liked it too.....Hee....now just need to pray that he will give us the grade to reflect the fun we had. =)

Guest Starring in....

Yoyo (my supermario) was one of the guest stars in Julia's Runty and Woolloo's Adventures.

See what they were up to today.

Hello Sunshine!!

These 2 little buddies saw their first glimpse of sunshine 2 days ago. Doing well, they are! Even the white one with extremely bended stalk!

Beautiful, ain't they?

It's is always better!

Yup, today is a MUCH nicer day.
In fact, enjoyed it.

Had a mini debate in class today. Haha...it was fun.

Then joined some classmates as Hawken Drive for lunch...yaking about Jap and Korean serials. Haha...so girls' talk.

Then interviewed my classmate for my assignment. So different, doing this type of interview, from the usual recruitment interviews I do. Hee....I cannot "tekan" my respondent in these interviews. Instead have to listen carefully and pick things up to ask follow-up questions. Hmm...I still enjoy grilling the job candidates better.

Next I was off for project meeting. We finalised (most of ) of assignment outline and had wonderful strawberry smoothie. Yum!

The best was yet to come. My 3-hour afternoon nap. Decadent huh????
But oooooooooo.....felt so good.

I Hate Tue Mornings!!

God help me.
I just detest Tue's morning class.
First, the theories bore me.
Second, the students irritate me.
Third, the lecturer's accent exasperates me.

Today J went around the class to ask on our progress for our 2nd assignment. Well, we told him the truth: we haven't started. To be fair, most groups are at their starting stage. I don't think any group already finished all the interviews and are into their analysis stage. J, being nice, proposed that we could postpone our presentation on our assignment from next week till 3 Oct (after term break).

Then this big-headed one commented that he would like to have to presentation go on as scheduled. Though he is "sympathtic" (note the sceptical tone) that some groups have not started (us), he wants more time to review his report if it turns out that he is on the wrong track (our assignments due on 9 Oct). Yah. So clever, then why worry you will be on the wrong track??

Well, in the end, to accomodate everyone (i think everyone else is happy to have the presentation postponed, except one), J said he will discuss our progress next week. Those who are ready to present, can do so.

And guess what. We WILL present next week. Even if it means not sleeping this week. This just gets on my nerves. I was fuming all the way home from school. I need some anger management today. Arghhh!!!!

More Visitors....

Boss just emailed me.
Her daughter won first prize in a competition - a family trip to Sunshine Coast.
And Yes! We're meeting up!

So exciting! Boss' visit in Oct, MP's visit in Nov.

Now I understand the feeling that you TRULY wish for your family and friends to visit in your overseas abode. For my dear friends who were overseas last time and I failed to keep my promises to visit - sooooorrreeee! =)

No Protests Please!

I just had to blog this.
Coz I burst out laughing when I read the following news:
"3 PETA Activists deported from Singapore over planned protest"

Lesson 101 in planning a protest in Singapore: Do some homework first.

Rochor Road is not exactly the busiest place to get attention (yah, I know Bugis can be crowded..but compared to Orchard Road or Suntec?). Dunno why lah...the word Rochor Road just tickled me so much - coz I always associate that place with aunties and uncles on their way to that "Si Ma Lu" (4 horse road) temple. Why would these people care how chickens are tortured before they are turned into KFC fried chicken wings huh??? They will still arrive in throngs for - orginal? or crispy?

Bloom....Flower buds, Bloom..

Due to my incessant complaints that I've not been receiving flowers these days, Hubby picked up these 2 little "buddies" from a nursery today. The nursery tour was part of his plantscape elective. >_<

The "buddies" are now behind a pillar at the balcony (we think they are still too fragile to face the wind directly). Hubby better make sure they bloom....and bloom nicely. If not the complaints will start again. Hee.....

How to start?

I've battled with my first written assignment for the past 2 days.
All the drafts and notes are done.

I just need to get the FIRST SENTENCE going! Have been changing and changing that very sentence for upteen times. I have to murder the perfectionist mini-me inside that is creating all the havoc or else I will never move on.

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On a happier note, I'm looking forward to Nov already. MP's coming over for holiday. Should be spending some time in Brisbane, then maybe another state. Sydney? Or Melbourne? Even Fiji Island? Hehe...cannot play too long though. Have to get back in time for Bie's wedding. Year-end is nice...holidays, weddings and more holidays! Countdown party in Bintan! Crazy me...already getting excited about 1 Jan 2007.

This is what life without work should be.....Heee....
Let me enjoy for this 6 months. I promise I will find a part-time job when I start next semester. =)

Goodbye, Mate

Australia was hit by sad news yesterday.
Croc. hunter, Steve Irwin, passed away in an accident while filming in the waters near the Great Barrier Reef, after being struck by a sting ray.

I was shocked when I heard the news last night. Hubby and I have been to the Australia Zoo in Feb and we lamented then that we did not get to see him in person. I remembered watching his documentaries..and I enjoyed them. He is truly someone who loves wildlife and in his words, "he will fight to the death" to protect them.

He died doing something he loved and he will definitely be remembered fondly by Aussies and fans worldwide.

Crikey. Crocs rule!

Well Done Eileen!

Hehe...these were the exact words in the email from one of my lecturers.
I so happy that I read it at least 4 times. Really like a small kid.

I submitted my research topic to him last week and proposed a list of 20 readings..the dear man just replied that he likes my reading list and gave me the go-ahead to work on my assignment. Yipee! That's one big assignment getting along well...

Maybe it's because I like the topic lah (gossip mah! my specialty in office)...I must work hard for this assignment. Mustn't let the dear man down. Heee....

Directions please.....

Went to Uni for service today.

HopeBrisbane holds their services in UQ (very convenient for us!!). Everything like so familiar...felt like I was back home in youth service. Had a good time worshipping God...finally feel comfortable speaking in tongues, lifting my hands to God and clapping like there's no tomorrow. Not that NewHope don't do that...but the congregation at NewHope is mostly ang mos and mostly adults (older versions than us lah...hee....meany me).

After the service there was altar call...many responded to the various prayer items...leaders were out there praying for others..and I remembered the times when I went out front to pray for others...and now my froggies are doing the same....

So God, where do you want me to move on next? Which church shall I attend? Hope or NewHope? (hmmmm....why both got "hope" one??) Which ministry shall I serve in? You told me it's a season of change for me...but change to what, Dad? Please don't take too long to tell me...I don't wanna stray away from you nor be led by feelings of emotions. I wanna know for sure where you want me to go. So I'll be waiting here at the junction - waiting for the green man to flash..in the right direction. And yes, my ears and eyes are open for those directions.

RiverFire

1-10 Sep is the RiverFestival for Brisbane.
So yesterday there was a grand opening at Southbank.

Haha...being us (crowd-phobic), we decided not to join the OCF group at Southbank, but found ourselves a little spot along the river between Toowong and City for the fireworks. Did not get as good view as those at Southbank, but guess was good enough for a start.

Next year we promise we will join the 0.5 million crowd at southbank, suffocate ourselves for a 30-min show and bring back nicer videos and photos.

The photos were not so well taken too...no tripod lah!! Hubby's hand and my head (yes, we tried to use my head as a substitute for tripod) not as steady...so photos were blur...abit artisitic though. Hee...

And here's a little video that showed the opening segment - 2 fighter jets with a blaze of fire behind them as they light up the city skyline..and some little fireworks.. we din capture the bigger ones though...hee....

Be A Singaporean. Stay Connected

I'm here to rant about national issues again.

PM recently announced in his national day rally speech that there will be efforts to make overseas Singaporeans feel connected. This means much to me, since now I AM an overseas Singaporean now. I went excitedly to the newly set-up website (why can't they think of a more creative name for heavens sake). To my disappointment, it's another standard pro-SG PR website. Sigh. Slap myself for having high hopes in the gahmen's creative men.

So? What connects me to SG? I really feel good when I view Mr Brown's blog. He talks more about what matters to me most compared to what CNA reports. I laugh at his podcasts and blogs - because they reflect how I really feel about SG matters.

I just watched a few video podcasts on an event organised by TalkingCock.com - the Talkingcock in Parliament. The speakers are all SG-reans and all talk about how they feel about SG. Most were hilarious. But everyone reflected the true SG heart. No pretences, no giving politically correct answers. I especially love Hossan Leong's song and Ruby Pan's Singlish thoughts.

There are many things we take for granted when living in SG. The convenience of everything - transport, food (i was telling hubby that i could have curry puffs for breakfast every morning 2 months ago - at 40 cents each. now, i have to spend 1 hour making them just to satisfy our craving), ammenities.....and family and friends are just a bus ride or a phone call away.

When you're overseas, you treasure all anything that bears connection to home. We all want to feel connected. Not through an official website..but through relationships.

Spring!

1 Sept - today is officially the first day of spring! Yeah!
Though still abit chilly coz it's been raining for the past 5 days...it's spring. Flowers will bloom soon!

There's going to be a flower carnival in 3 weeks time...I'll be expecting lotsa flowers there! But first, must work hard to finish all my assignments due that week first. Hehehe...

So happy! Spring is bright and cheery!

5 dreams in a row...

Woo-hoo!!! 1 Sept at last. Internet speed is finally back to normal. We exceeded our 10GB limit this month just to see how much it will slow down. Fact is - it did not only slow down. It CRAWLED. Imagine spending some agonising hours trying to do my research with that speed...Arghh....never again. We will be good and stick to our limit, which is more than enough actually, if we don't DL so many movies etc. Hahahahaha...

Had a sleepless night again. 5 dreams in a row....seldom that I remember my dreams..and so many at 1 go.

Dream 1 & 2 - My grandma was in these 2. She looked young..and we talked alot..in a restaurant, then at an outing. Totally no recollection what we talked about though.

Dream 3 - I'm in a hotair balloon! Dunno where is it..I just remembered going higher and higher...

Dream 4 - This is more adventurous. I'm in a helicopter (the battle type). It was like in a futuristic setting. A pilot was driving the helicopter, zig-zaging along the streets, think we were being chased. Then I think I asked the pilot to stop because I got "car"-sick. Hahaha..

Dream 5 - Wooooo.....this you will envy me. Brat Pitt and Matt Damon in my dreams. Why on earth did I dream of them? (hmm...maybe hubby showed me a taboloid on angelina jolie yesterday).

So...don't blame me for waking at 10am, when I wanted to wake up at 8am to work on my assignments. I did not sleep well...except for the last part. ;-)