The World Out There

Moo Moo....

2007-01-26T23:13:00.000+11:00

Forget the smell of cow dung and just think fragrant summer flowers...

Welcome to Yarra Valley. After a yummy sunny lunch with good company and a glassful of Chardonnay at Yerring Station, I was more than content. But I could not resist getting up close to the beautiful moo-moos at Dairy Farm...I could taste the full-fat dairy ice-cream just by looking at them. Mmmm....visual replacement for the desert I could not stomach that arvo.

Fantasies of a different kind...hahaha!

"A Return to Love"

2006-12-27T17:42:00.000+11:00

Sent to me by dear sister who is about to get hitched again. :)
Very happy for her and thus not surprising she sent me this quote
from Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask
ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing
small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about
shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make
manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of
us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others."

Simply said, and I love it.

Seeking reaffirmation from the untouchables.....

2006-12-18T21:31:00.000+11:00

Well, there will always be people around me who challenge my belief that "Destiny is about choice, not about chance". And that there are many colourful ways of telling our future and whether we are taking the right steps at the moment.

So in a moment of curiosity, and after a Tarot card reading by a good friend, you kinda expose yourself to the fact that there could be some truth. While browsing on the net, searching for tips and answers...(to help me get through that one day where I just could NOT do any work), I chanced upon my Life Path on a site where numerology is talked about.

I must say it befits me though....check it out :)

5 (5, 14/5, 23/5, 32/5)

The Life Path 5 suggests that you entered this plane with a highly progressive mindset, with the attitude and skills to make the world a better place. The key word for your Life Path is freedom. In the pursuit of freedom, you are naturally versatile, adventurous, and advanced in your thinking. You are one of those people who is always striving to find answers to the many questions that life poses. The byword for the positive Life Path 5 is constant change and improvement. You want to be totally unrestrained, as this is the number most often associated with the productive use of freedom.

You may be one of the most compassionate of people as the 5 is surely the most freedom-loving and compassionate Life Path. Your love of freedom extends to humanity at large, and concern for your fellow man, his freedom and his welfare, may be foremost in your mind. A great Life Path 5 American President, Abraham Lincoln, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and ended slavery in America. As the ultimate progressive thinker type, your potential in government, the law, and other positions of authority is unlimited.

You are a good communicator, and you know how to motivate people around you. This may be your strongest and most valuable trait. Because of this skill, and your amazing wit, you are a truly natural born salesman. This ability to sell and motivate extends to any sort of physical product all the way through to whatever ideas or concepts you may embrace.

You abhor routine and boring work, and you are not very good at staying with everyday tasks that must be finished on time. On the average, the number 5 personality is rather happy-go-lucky; living for today, and not worrying too much about tomorrow. It is also important for you to find a job that provides thought-provoking tasks rather than routine and redundant responsibilities. You do best dealing with people, but the important thing is that you have the flexibility to express yourself at all times. You have an innate ability to think through complex matters and analyze them quickly, but then be off to something new.

A love of adventure may dominate your life. This may take the form of mental or physical manifestation, but in either case, you thrill to the chance for exploration and blazing new trails. Surely you belong to a group considered the most worldly and traveled. Clearly you are not one to pass up a good venture. You have quite a lot of the risk-taker in your makeup. If you aren't putting your money at stake, you are surely open to a wide variety of risks in your everyday life. Taking the conservative approach is just not in your nature.

In romance, you hate to be tied down and restricted. This doesn't necessarily mean that you are unfaithful or promiscuous, but it does mean that a good partner for you needs to understand your nature. A relationship based on jealousy and having tight reigns is not going to work at all for you. A partner who understands your need to be free and trusted will find you trustworthy, even if you aren't constantly available and totally dutiful. It is important for you to mix with people of a like mind, and to try to avoid those that are too serious and demanding.

If you are living on the negative side of the Life Path 5, you are apt to be multitalented, but suffering from some lack of direction, and there is confusion surrounding your ambition. Restless, discontent, and impulsive, you may bounce from one job to the next without accomplishing much at all. A negative Life Path 5 can become very irresponsible in tasks and decisions concerning the home and business life. The total pursuit of sensation and adventure can result in your becoming self-indulgent and totally unaware of the feelings of those around you.

Gloop....

2006-12-07T08:32:00.000+11:00

Dun u sometimes wish something would just gobble you up?? The Black Hole, with its irresistably strong gravitational force reminds me of an overpowering force....like overwhelming emotions that just suck you in. When was the last time you felt like that?

Check this out http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061206/sc_nm/blackhole_dc

I think I am at a safe distance from the Black Hole at the moment :)
Not sure how long though before something creeps up on me. Ooh...scary.

First stop...Robbie Williams!!!

2006-11-23T21:15:00.000+11:00

Yes, I am a sucker for this one...oh, he's the MAN!
9th Dec it is, Aussie Stadium. Sadly it took me a while to find a kaki in Sydney to go see this show with me. The people I know here...ummm...are a little less spontaneous this time. So thank you Kelly!!

Letting him go...

2006-11-16T21:49:00.000+11:00

It is now time to say goodbye. I shall not remember the days, but the moments that we share. I finally have clarity...I feel the warm sunny glow and I can smile at life again. This one is for me.

Stash it....

2006-09-16T12:12:00.000+10:00

Work is coming up nicely. The opportunities and offers that have showed up confirmed that I have not completely lost the 'X' factor. Even after a heady past year.

I am just about to give up a chance. A chance to take myself into the corporate world, that will take me on whirlwind trip around the world. Away from the altruism. Away from all that I have known.

Yes...I know I can. And that is enough.

Self-consolation. It's a useful technique at times.

So stash it now. Put it away. Store it in the freezer.

Till next time. When the conditions are ripe.

Take a glimpse....into the world of Praha

2006-08-27T23:48:00.000+10:00

What's for a Swedish lunch?

2006-08-27T04:01:00.000+10:00

Can't go pass herring and meatballs? Yes, yes, that's the juicy bites. But check out the even JUICIER Swedes....ooh la la!! I must be in Gorgeous Town. Every corner you turn, you've got to be mesmerised by someone. And mind you, I am not just looking at Men. The Women make me fall over as well.

So my verdict on Sweden?? Ahh....HEAVEN.

Back with a vengeance

2006-08-27T02:50:00.000+10:00

Yes. I almost didn't make it back.

Maybe because Europe (and her men) were getting so enticing. Maybe because I was getting so toasted and parched in the hot summers of Stockholm, Prague and London.
Or maybe because I was ready to give up.

Just give in to the path of least resistance. The easy way out. Collapse in a heap and let someone else pick me up. But a nagging thought repeatedly occured to me,
" What if no one cares? What if no one comes pick me up?"
The "What ifs" got frequent enough to jolt me back to reality. And because I did not want to be left rotting.

But the inertia. They explain in Physics that it is the initial resistance before something starts and continues in motion. Man, it was hard to beat Mr Inertia once you have stopped. I am finally picking up speed now. Taking off...back to my flight path after a making an emergency landing few months ago.

I am glad the Monsoon season is now over. And what lies ahead is the beautiful clear blue skies of Ozzieland. But the clouds willl form. They will float innocently into my flight path again. But have no fear! I am now an improved version of Boeing-747. With a tough new exterior. With brand new windshields and spiritually-charged fuel. Oh, and don't forget the QC manager gave the OK.

Hahaha....enough of this shit.

Just watch my next move.

It's all falling into place....

2006-06-18T02:28:00.000+10:00

Someone is obviously getting their act together....Finally!!

I am saying this because I have just recieved a call from the nurse agency who have employed me, that I can go into the office on Monday to collect my ID badge and be able to start work the following day. I have arrived in the UK more than 2 weeks ago now, and yesterday was the timeline for them. If I had gotten another wishy-washy answer about when I could start work, I was going to give them the "Up Yours!" and move on to someone else.

Even if I ended up selling scoops and scoops of Ben n Jerry's ice-cream at a fantabulous location at the bottom of Tower Bridge, I would have been happier. Because the dough is so badly needed !! Not to mention the little scoops of cookie dough I could pinch between serving customers to satisfy my own cravings! Haha!

Go on...feast on the sights at http://www.benjerry.com/
You know you want it....:)

Not being greedy here, but just need the means to carry on living a fulfilling life.

My kind of fulfillment that is. :)

The 100 year-old man of my life

2006-06-13T07:06:00.000+10:00

He is 100 years old. And he thinks about cooking me 2 hard boiled eggs for my birthday breakfast. And a roast duck for dinner that night. How sweet can one get?

He is my dear Grandpa.

:)

Child's play

2006-06-13T06:19:00.000+10:00

Who ever said one cannot go to Sentosa and have a great day out even though it's raining cats and dogs??

Well, we did and we had a ball! I volunteered an early school holiday trip to Sentosa with my two young cousins, and I loved it!

We checked out the Underwater World and then once the rain stopped, we got outside.
Strolling along the beaches, we found the Chairlift and the Luge! But ask Jang Yuan , my 11 yr old cousin, how much time I spent convincing him to take the chairlift with us??!! A full hour of persuasion and support that he will not fall SPLAT on the ground below. Of course, I kept the rare possibilities to myself.

And we did go up, in the end, all 3 of us. For 2 rounds!! And he told me afterwards that he had "conquered his fear" ! What better reward for the day! Hahaha!

It turned out to be such a therapeautic day out for me. :)

2006-06-13T06:04:00.000+10:00

Your Birthdate: June 10

Independent and dominant, you tend to be the alpha dog in most situations.You're very confident, and hardly anything ever shakes you.Mundane tasks tend to drain you - you prefer to be making great plans.You are quite original. When people don't "get" you, it bothers you a lot.
Your strength: Your ability to gain respect
Your weakness: Caring too much what others think
Your power color: Orange-red
Your power symbol: Letter X
Your power month: October

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/">What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Come get me!

2006-06-03T02:00:00.000+10:00

Hi again...

Indeed the ozzies are well travelled. There is this dedicated website called www.gumtree.com that is SO SO good. I have spent 24hrs since i arrived in london trying to find apts through the local paper. And forgot previous travellers have already told me to try this website called GUMTREE.

Because on this site, there are rooms in apts for pple like us, who have no fixed plans but need a place to stay comfortably with internet access, and bills included and no fuss.And of course, safe and warm. And that page has places that suits ALL my needs.

So hopefully, I can find a good place soon. Even if it means moving every month, i wouldn't mind because i only have the one suitcase. And the rent suits my budget and the location is always good. PLUS, i get to meet loads of new people....so networking! Wow...hopefully i will meet so many people from around the world, i can go bunk in whenever we go travelling! And hear about all these interesting things that people do!

So far , quite a few people have thought I am from America....hmmm....they all say I have an American accent. Where did that come from?? Where's my Ozzie accent?? Or at least some Singlish present??? Hahaha.

Hee...anyway, I am feeling fine. And am looking forward to every day.

Patzy :)

Going Going Gone....

2006-05-22T14:51:00.000+10:00

Sending signals out to all my telepathic mates out there....

Waiting to board at Sydney International Airport onwards to Singapore. And it is indeed a very calm day. Or maybe it's just this wing of the airport that is such. Little noise, few people, not even a single announcement over the PA system.

Hmmm.....I could be meditating standing up. :) Ohhhmmmmm.....

Regular bloggers (and you know who you are), make time to la-kopi with me ya?

Be kind to your souls and each other. It sure feels damn good.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

What a night!

2006-05-10T03:55:00.000+10:00

I've just come back from an awesome musical "Soracco - Opening the Door to your Heart".

It was with good fortune that I got invited to the show as a VIP together with my dad. We sat next to the Sri Lankan High Commisioner and his wife, and the Minister of State Mr Chan Soo Sen. But rubbing shoulders with high-profiled guests was the least best part.

Being the final night of this fund-raising event, the encore time was used to get the invited guests and any audience to come onto stage to sing and dance with the cast. And everyone was so sporting! My dad, Mr Chan and myself all went up and danced and sang to familiar tunes like "Thank you for the Music". Gosh, it sure was as much girlie fun as Mamma Mia (featuring ABBA's music) in Sydney!

What great spirit I felt tonight!

The cast was made up of Singapore talent with so much energy and buzz. And people of such varied backgrounds - SIA IT Vice President, SIA stewardess, doctors, lawyers, professional artistes, a monk and brave children, just to touch on a few.

Putting aside the fact that this was an event organised by Buddhist Fellowship ( in celebration for Vesak Day and also as a fund-raising event), it was such an insightful musical. Not to mention it was performed by a cast from different religious backgrounds. All for the same cause. What a superb display of tolerance and harmony!

The script centred around stories about love, greed, fame and wealth. And what it can do to destroy our lives if we let them rule us. You might be asking why would love destroy us? Well, too much of anything is never good. Even the good stuff. Remember the saying "Love is blind"? Well, we lose clarity of the mind if we have too much of any of the above too.

Think about it. Take time to contemplate. It's those simple things. That when we are not mindful, the consequences are hard to bear. Not to mention the physical, emotional, social and psychological suffering that comes along with it.

I hope this musical has the opportunity to become a formal production. And take off like any other Broadway musicals in the future.

So here's to the great effort of the cast tonight! Gambate!!!!!

PS: Oh and I forgot to add that the party afterwards at the Singapore Cricket Club was good fun too! You know, meeting liked-minded people, making new friends, and of course , the free food and drinks lah .... :)

Beautiful smiles, Beautiful people

2006-05-06T15:05:00.000+10:00

***Look out for more pictures of other smiling people in my life in future entries***

By the power of friendship and smiles, anyone can get through a difficult time.

I am a fortunate soul to have family who are like friends to me. And friends who are like family to me. It's not the good things you want to hear all the time, but also the critical perspectives they offer.

About myself. What I am and how I look at this life I have.

It does not matter what I discover at the end. Just as long as I am at peace with what I discover.

Be at peace with myself.

Regrets?

2006-05-02T20:54:00.000+10:00

Ever felt why in the world did we do what we did? And feel full of regrets?

Try not to feel this way. Because then we just end up backtracking to fix things and thus make things worse! (Yes , yes, look who's talking here. )

And get rid of all those guilty feelings. They are not only harmful but can make you do and think stupid things during these emotional times.

So buck up. Fear not. And move on.

Fear of the Unknown

2006-05-01T18:39:00.000+10:00

Everyone's probably faced one of these situations before.

What do you do?

There's no way you can run away from it. Not forever at least. So what then?
Face it with courage or face it with tears? Face it with loving kindness or face it with deep anger and hatred?

Steadfastness in the midst of fear. That's what I will do.

Wish me luck.

Pendulum

2006-04-29T03:11:00.000+10:00

Like a swinging pendulum, I have finally come to a halt.

Stay tuned.

Bits n Pieces of the UK

2006-04-22T01:05:00.000+10:00

At the Cotswolds

Something's gotta give!

2006-04-15T22:04:00.000+10:00

My head is heavy, very heavy. The cerebral hemispheres I am carrying on my neck are packed with so much thoughts and worry, it is on the verge of spontaneously short-circuiting. Why is adult living so HARD??!! Aaaarrrggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am stressed. Big time. About what? I can't even pinpoint it to one damn thing. I shut my eyes, the thoughts are there. I open my eyes, the thoughts are still there. The only time they were in my subconscious was when I was watching Ice Age 2 yesterday. But that light-headedness was short-lived.

I ask, "How? How?" And my husband will say, "Ask the cow." Not funny.

Maybe I need one of those life-saving surgeries where the neurosurgeons crack open the skull to allow the brain to expand. It sure feels like something's gotta give at the moment, before my face goes into a contorted knot and I collapse face down onto the ground. Thud!

Aaaaaarrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Mr Pancake, save me !!

2006-04-11T22:05:00.000+10:00

I've just had a crappy start to a new position. Arrgghh. My poor brother has been at the mercy of my whinge-ing since we started work last Friday. Today was quite the ultimate though. I could not tolerate anymore noise and talk and snapped at everyone once I got home.

Until I read Tygertyger's (http://www.patsianlow.net/blog/) entry on Flirty Pancakes. And had a good chuckle. Hee...we did have a good time. Good old sisterly times.

But Tygertyger forgot to add that it was SHE who went,

"Oh, ooh, I like the pancake!!"
Glowing with satisfaction and grinning ear to ear.

Mr Pancake then went, " You like my pancakes? I like you very much! "
And gestured to me as if asking me to go away.

So, here's one more photo. The signs of affection are pretty obvious. Hmmmm....

Dis-Orientation

2006-04-05T22:52:00.000+10:00

I am in the midst of attending the longest orientation session ever. A 4-day long programme and I am so glad it is the last day tomorrow. I have never been more keen to start work.

It started off very positive with what was called Corporate Orientation. An on-the-beat speaker, loud and clear for the first half hr then losing steam soon after. Then a taped executive welcome by an ex-CEO who speaks at a rate slower than the crawling 1000 year old sea turtle. We choked back the giggles as we tried unsuccessfully to slow our brains down to that pace.

W.....e.......l.....c..........o........m.........e........

The big bosses say it is important to put a face to each department. Then they add that they are in the midst of amalgamation and the names of each head of department changes as soon as they are being displayed on powerpoint.

Duh.

The second day follows with information overload sessions that only see many of us sink lower and lower into our chairs, almost disappearing onto the ground. I swear many of us were eyeing the 3 fire exits in the room. Maybe hoping to make a dash while the speaker had her back to us.

Yawn.....Zzzzz....

Then came the Facility Orientation. Fortunately, there were multiple short and spiffy sessions, which was a great pickup after the second day's yawn-yawn sessions. But it ended with a Splat! because the last session was presented in a most ineffective manner. Did it matter that it was one of the most important sessions in an orientation? What a slap in the face!

Boo Boo!

It is the last day of Orientation tomorrow - specifically for nurses. I am not hopeful. And I haven't been too reserved with my comments on the evaluation forms either.

Ha, who knows, I may not even see the light of day at my first shift at the Intensive Care Unit. You know, with the new changes in the Industrial Relation laws by John Howard, they could put me away for a very long time :P

Sigh.

Tootsie PottySquirt

2006-03-31T17:48:00.000+11:00

Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day.
Here is your dose of humor for the end of the work week...FRIDAY! Yippee!!

And don't go all adult - a senior manager is now known far and wide as Dorky Gizzardsniffer.

The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot
Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume
new names...

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine our new first name:

a = snickle b = doombah c = goober d = cheesey
e = crusty f = greasy g = dumbo h = farcus
i = dorky j = doofus k = funky l = boobie
m = sleezy n = sloopy o = fluffy p = stinky
q = slimy r = dorfus s = snooty t = tootsie
u = dipsy v = sneezy w = liver x = skippy
y = dinky z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last
name:

a = dippin b = feather c = batty d = burger
e = chicken f = barfy g = lizard h = waffle
i = farkle j = monkey k = flippin l = fricken
m = bubble n = rhino o = potty p = hamster
q = buckle r = gizzard s = lickin t = snickle
u = chuckle v = pickle w = hubble x = dingle
y = gorilla z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last
name:

a = butt b = boob c = face d = nose e = hump
f = breath g = pants h = shorts i = lips j = honker
k = head l = tush m = chunks n = dunkin o = brains
p = biscuits q = toes r = doodle s = fanny t = sniffer
u = sprinkles v = frack w = squirt x = humperdinck
y = hiney z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.

Remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day; adults laugh an average of 4 times a day. Put more laughter in your day.

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.

PS: Patzy Low aka Tootsie PottySquirt

GLOOMY BEAR

2006-03-31T14:09:00.000+11:00

Heeeaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!
Take that &%#$@, and that @$# and that &*%$^%#@ !!

Thanks to my cousin, I have been introduced to a new bear-on-the-block.
Round of applause for GLOOMY BEAR! (Clap, clap, clap, clap!!!)

Check it out. You're bound to love it!

English:
http://markcity.blogspot.com/gloomy.htm

Japanese:
http://www.chax.net/
http://www.gloomybear.net/

STINKY SMILE

2006-03-30T23:35:00.000+11:00

Imagine smells of the sewerage wafting past me at the very moment this picture was taken. Couldn't tell right? God knows how I managed to put on that smile.

That's what you get when you spent most of your savings in Korea even before getting to the UK. But Daewon Inn was in prime location. In the heart of the Seoul CBD . And the owner sure displayed personalised service. He rode his cranky bicycle out to meet me in front of the Koreana Hotel and walked me to the backpacker's. He could have gotten the extra thumbs up if only he had offered to lug my backpak on his bike though.

I had extended my trip in Seoul for one more week. And I was pushing my luck with the finances. It was a tiny little room, all set in cubicles raised about 50 cm from the ground. My room came with a TV and clean bed linen. At least there weren't cobwebs and cockroaches in the room. (Look out for post on 2 night stay in backpacker's near Hongik University.) And of course, there were heated floors or best known in Korea as Ondol. I was pleasantly surprised that the shared bathroom and toilet were conveniently located just one step away from my room. Of course, all good thoughts flew out the window when the ammonia stench jolted me up from my sleep on my very first night.

Breakfast was included as do most backpackers around the world now. And the breakfast table was set in the middle of the Inn among lots of potted plants, giving you the feeling of a tropical resort. This was where you chat up new travellers and friends. I met some very cute bunch of Japanese guys, 2 Frenchmen, another young bunch of Korean students and a Brazillian Jazz musician. Funnily, they were all male.

This room was the most interesting of the lot in Daewon Inn. It was IN the wall of the kitchen. It belonged to the Brazillian musician and he had been there for 2 months already!

Actually I didn't manage to get a picture of the room while I was there. This picture's copied from http://berclo.net, a man who stayed at Daewon Inn in 1994 and this was his room.

I lasted 3 nights there before plonking myself onto a Heavenly Series bed at the Westin Chosun. All thanks to my sister of course. Oh for the price of fresh air! Haaaaa....

MY GUTS INSIDE OUT

2006-03-30T01:16:00.000+11:00

I was a having a great day in Sydney, blue skies, warm day and everything was going my way. Until this couple in front of me tried to display their tricks of the trade. It was an Aussie girl and Asian boy, trying their luck at pickpocketing a Japanese girl's schoolbag, right under my nose. Instinctively, I semi-shouted, " Hey, Hey!" amidst all the noise as we were crossing George Street in Chinatown. I realised 5 secs later what I had got myself into.

She turned around and gave me THE look, telling me to mind my own business and keep walking. Now that she's got me started, I lugged myself (with both hands full of grocery bags) towards the 2 targeted Japanese girls, trying to keep up with them. I was only hoping to deter the predators.

But neither of us were giving up.

The Aussie pickpocketer came up next to me, repeatedly warning me to get lost and mind my own business. After a 100 metre walk, the Japanase girls who were busy chatting, finally noticed me. I said Hi and they thought I was just being friendly.

The pickpocketer got so pissed at me she whispered in my ear:
Don't you dare say anything to them. If you don't f***ing keep walking, I am going to f***ing STAB you!

By this point, adrenaline was pumping well through my system, and I was starting to feel freaked out. I continued to walk with the Japanese girls, trying to hint to them that her bag was open but they just could not understand my body language. In fact, they thought I was just being friendly! Desperate to get the message out to them, I stupidly said something in Mandarin. Ineffective obviously. Duh.

The devil on my left side said:
Stop being an idiot! Keep walking if not you'll be dragged into some dark corner and beaten up !

The angel on my right side said:
Don't let these criminals get their way. Foil their plan! Besides they're just teenagers, they won't dare to do anything to you.

In the end, this pickpocketting couple got so caught up with trying to get rid of me, they didn't realise the Japanese girls had gone into a building. They were both harrassing and threatening me now, and one of them decided to call for help to get rid of me. I had stopped in my tracks by this time and also picked up my phone trying to call the police. I was scared shitless and ended up calling my husband.

The couple realised I wasn't going to let them off and decided to chase after the Japanese girls. I decided not to follow them into the building lest I got ambushed.

Paranoid by now, I kept watching my back as I walked to my car. And then to make a police report at Central Station. Hopefully, the time lag while they were hassling me, gave the Japanese girls an opportunity to slip away from these predators.

Ironically, the Aussie girl had a tattoo on the back of her neck, Chinese character "Xing" (4th sound) or trust. Little does she realise it's a dead give-away because I gave the police a very detailed description of her, especially this tattoo.

I've had a few bad runs in Sydney recently. Hmm...better watch my back now.

The NOT-SO-AMAZING Human Body Exhibition

2006-03-30T00:25:00.000+11:00

I wasn't too impressed after all that hype. And I thought it was over-priced. A$20 for a single entry to see some beef jerkies. Unlike the beautiful one on the poster, the bodies were not in techni-colour. And my goodness, they were skinny. I suppose it was the process of plastination which included defatting and dehydration.

Hmm....I do quite like the idea of defatting though. Wonder how it was done? Like liposuction? Or cutting the fat off layer by layer? Or does it just drop off once you are dead? Ok, ok...I'll stop now.

So I give this exhibition a 2 -star rating. **

WHY ME ?

2006-03-19T11:18:00.000+11:00

(Taken from VicRoads http://www.vplates.com.au/index.htm)

What's the first thing you look at when you go to your car? Your tyres? Your windscreen? Your windows? Or your precious licence plates?

Me? I just look at the keyhole and my way home. That probably explained why I didn't even notice my licence plates were GONE. After a 13 hour shift at work and been up since 0400hrs in the morning, you DO NOT notice such things at 2030hrs at night. Not to mention the dodgy feeling walking around this part of Sydney after dark. I just wanted to get into my car and lock the doors.

So it was the next morning before anyone mentioned to me about my missing licence plates. Both front and back ones. And by the time I am writing this, someone's probably used them on some stolen car to rob a bank. Funny how no one stopped me during the almost 2 hour long drive from work to home that night. Not even the police on major freeways. Strange.

3 years ago, I had my car tyres slashed when I first moved to Melbourne from Sydney. Probably just because I had my NSW licence plates in the Victorian state. This time, I had my Victorian licence plates stolen in the NSW state.

What's with these people???!! I am a true victim of the NSW-VIC rivalry.

FISH N CHIPS ANYONE?

2006-03-12T12:20:00.000+11:00

(courtesy of http://bcm05.blogspot.com/)

2006-03-12T02:46:00.000+11:00

Can't wait to go to this exhibition!

NO BRAINER

2006-03-12T02:29:00.000+11:00

Literally - no kidding!

Check this out...

http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=2009

DO I LOOK LIKE A BOWLING PIN?

2006-03-11T23:24:00.000+11:00

What a shocker today.

I had the best greeting this morning by the RESIDENT MONSTER. He's the resident scooby-doo on good days. I am talking about our 2 year old Staffordshire Cross Bull Terrier named Skippy. Because he's peanut butter brown. And mum thought the peanut butter brand Skippy was just the right one. He was one of several puppies being lined up to be put to sleep because there were no homes for them. So Ray brought him home one day afer work to become the 3rd member of a gang of brothers. In chronological order, Big Brother was Taco, a Chihuahua, followed by Dexter, the Border Collie, then Skippy.

So that's Skippy's little intro. What he did to me this morning was potentially fatal. And I mean seriously fatal, like head injury, unconscious, laying in Intensive Care type fatal. Skippy in his own doggie wisdom had figured I was also in a playful mood and decided to run into me from behind at full charge. As if he was the bowling ball and I was the bowling pin. By the time I heard him and turned around, it was too late to dodge him! He had run me over in front of the water tank and my head had missed the metal water pipes by millimetres. Not to mention the brick-laden garden floors. Imagine Gay Focker in "Meet the Parents" and his slow motion "Rrrooooaarrrr!!!" as he spiked the volleyball and broke his girlfriend's sister's nose . That was my exact expression. I went "Nnnnoooooooo!!!!" and before I knew it, I was flung up into the air, face up, and wham, back onto the floor. Miraculously, I kept my head up and my 60kg frame meant Newton's law of gravity made me fall with great speed. So I fell partially onto Skippy, saving my back.

You....you....you bloody dog!!!!!!

I had a go at punishing him afterwards by trying to smack him. But he thought I was playing with him!! Ohhhh...I give up!!! I threw my hands up in the air and took the nearest escape into the house.

Skippy is going to miss out on the Shmackos (doggie snacks that make dogs go wacko!) for a very looong time. Hmmph.

PAPARAZZI PATZY

2006-03-08T18:36:00.000+11:00

Just got back from a speedy trip to Melbourne.
Just to pick up the last of our belongings. And a quick catch up with my girlfriends....oh I missed them. Good to see them all. All glowing !

There is a trick we learnt about long distance driving though. Drive an hour each and swap. Doesn't matter if you are not tired. It turned out to be the most effective way to keep the journey going. Of course, unless you have 2 people who simply couldn't time their nature calls very well. We had to make toilet stops every half an hour at one stage ! Hahaha!

And I risked getting a speeding ticket on the notorious Hume Highway chasing after a pink Beetle. I mean seriously, full-on PINK man. Just like the yellow hello-kitty one but in pink. There I was, coming so close behind it, Jitian camera in one hand, head out the window, all ready to snap a picture. Imagine that, we were like PAPARAZZIs....hahahaha!

I swear the driver must have known. It kept teasing us....slowing down, speeding up. Eventually, it eluded us by swerving out to a filter lane only to disappear into the bushes, away from my reach. :(

OH WHAT A FEELING!

2006-02-22T23:18:00.000+11:00

Most of you may know that I am back in NSW after a very short stint in the UK. Many have asked why, and most also know why. The discreet "Thank God!" and the stark reminder by my dear cousin on MSN "Show him some love". I do feel very good. And everyone's smiling. Now that I am home physically and emotionally.

But I suppose nothing ever beats the thrill of anticipation that I always get on going to some place new. The high....of planning and packing. Taking off. I must say it is very addicitive. But I can't really take off as and when I wished now. Because I can't bear to inflict the same pain on my loved ones by my wilfulness.

Luckily, I found that being home, there is the same ability to get the same thrill. How ?? Hee hee.... from working in different hospitals. New environments and new faces....it stimulates me. And my upcoming interviews? Oh that bit of nervy-ness. HaHa! Cheap thrill?! It works for me.

IRRESISTABLE!! MEOW !!

2006-02-21T23:28:00.000+11:00

I admit I am one of those "I hate Hello Kitty with a passion" type person. But strangely enough, I did the most imcomprehensible thing by allowing myself to be drawn to the above object, so much so that I had to take a picture with it! Call it a selfless act because in my defense, this picture was taken for my "I love Hello Kitty with a passion" friends. It did look like I enjoyed that brief moment with the cat though. Oh no.

Where has TIME gone?

2006-02-15T00:52:00.000+11:00

Your Brain is 73.33% Female, 26.67% Male

Your brain leans female

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Ha! Picked this out from a girlfriend's blog....

Isn't it funny how we are always drawn to things like that? Of course this one was a quick 5 min before I got to the answer. But u know, some "know your inner self" surveys can take up to 20 mins to complete just to arrive at an answer to convince myself I am heterosexual, love money $$ more than family and will not die a miserable death.

And then claim we do not have time to exercise. Too lame huh?

TOASTIES

2006-01-17T11:56:00.000+11:00

It was my last shift at the John Radcliffe Adult Intensive Care Unit (JR AICU) last night. And it was one of those "end-with-a-bang" type shift again. Funny, I always seem to get those. Was the same at the Royal Melbourne Hospital too. At that moment, a fleeting thought would enter my head about how I should have gone with the devil in my head to take a sickie or be a no-show on my last shift. Where's the angel in my head when I need it most?

Working a row of 3 nights, I was all chirpy thinking it was my last weekend of work and the flight home was drawing so much closer. By the middle of the Saturday night shift, almost everyone in the unit knew I was leaving for warmer pastures down under.

It's funny how it's always at times like these, that everyone starts to feel they quite enjoy each other's company and will actually miss each other. Even the patients were well-behaved. The same patient who went mad on me for 5 nights in a row every time the nights went down, actually went all sweety-pie with me too. Awww.... :)

So I whipped out my camera and snapped a few pictures of the Saturday night gang. I planned it well. Pictures of us, looking unglamourous at 0500hrs in the morning, and having our "Toasties".

Definition of "Toasties" :-

Thick triangular cuts of white toast, toasted to perfect crispiness and spread with fragrant melting butter. Not just "I can't believe it's not Butter"- type spread or margarine but REAL SALTY, CREAMY, BUTTERY BUTTER. (I think I have made a big enough emphasis on the importance of butter).

"Toasties" are a real pick-me-up at that ungodly hour where we all wished we were snuggled up in bed with our patients. Accompanied with cups of tea and coffee, we chit-chat till it's time to wake our patients up for their bedbaths. ( Yes, in the UK, they insist on bedbaths at 0530hrs in the morning. )

So here's to the JR AICU gang! Thanks for a great time!

THAT DAMNED BIRD !

2006-01-13T05:08:00.000+11:00

Talk about 180 degrees change overnight. Second day out driving through the Cotswolds was even more beautiful. Sunny, clear blue skies with a few patchy white fluffs....oh it was gorgeous. I could not wipe the smile off my face the whole morning.

Until the bird appeared and made me all paranoid.

There I was, cruising down at 50 miles/hr and enjoying the scenery on the way to Stratford-upon-Avon...this exotic looking red-feathered animal darts out of the bush and headed straight for my wheels! Kamikazi! Aaahhhhhhh! I let out a scream in the car but continued to drive at 50 miles/hr. With my heart pounding in my ears, I looked back at the rear mirror and the darn thing was running back into the bush, back the same way it came from. Maybe it decided there were too many cars behind me that it would die a miserable, messy death being run over so many times. Eewww. Not nice.

I had a sudden impulse to stop the car and go back and pick the darn thing up by the neck and scream down its throat, "What the hell did you think you were doing?" Then I thought I must have been really bird-brained to have even thought about stopping the car. Sigh.

So about the darn thing. It was a lovely animal. I said it looked exotic? It was a bit of a chicken, a bit of a turkey and a bit of a peacock. Shiny red feathers and a long neck. Yes, I found out later today that it could have been a PHEASANT. The car hire receptionist added with a chuckle that I could have had myself a nice dinner. Hmmm. Game anyone?

Now I am on a mission to find a picture of this pheasant-looking animal to show yas. :)

MY OWN SET OF WHEELS

2006-01-11T13:40:00.000+11:00

Hired a car today to squeeze in some last minute sight-seeing before I leave the UK temporarily on Thursday next week. And boy, what have I been missing !!

Drove to the Cotswolds today and the English countryside is indeed beautiful. Here's a glimpse of what I saw but imagine foggier weather and freaking cold winds. And the atmosphere of traditional English pubs was very nice. Going back for more tomorrow....to cover Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace and other villages of the Cotswolds.

Can't wait!

LIFE'S A MESS?

2006-01-10T12:21:00.000+11:00

Dun u get some days where u feel like being messy, unkept, slouchy, and just plain lazy....I do.

And today is one of them. Feel like I have lost my vrrrooom power. Out of gas. Probably because I've just done 4 x12 hr night shifts. Enough to drain the living daylights out of me. Especially when I've spent the 4 x 12 hrs at work dealing with a patient that goes into panic attacks every alternate hour. He turns blue in the face and gets into a hypoxic state before becoming acutely confused. Then it is the Missy's job to try and make him pink again. (Blue - holding breath; Pink - breathing normally). I swear I exhausted the stash of chemical restraints I had at the start of the shift, plus a lifetime's worth of psychic calming powers.

That said, I still managed to spend my hours out of bed just one "plonk" over to the chair next to me. To get online to chat on MSN with friends about yet another trip. One for tomorrow - The Cotswolds. Two for next week - a toss between Cambodia or Penang. And I have been online ever since. Bed to chair. Chair to bed. And all my travel brochures and material strewn all over the room.

Haaaa....it's the can't-be-bothered day. :P

I think I've done enough today. Back to bed. Zzzzzzz...... :)

LET IT SNOW

2005-12-31T07:00:00.000+11:00

Christmas night at work is always fun.
Not only do patients go mad, a fire breaks out on the 4th floor kitchen, the staff also get fed with so much goodies we eat ourselves sick! But we must end the shift with a little festive song, compliments of my coordinator.
Music please! A one, a two, a one-two-three-four......

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW !

Oh the nurses are elated
All the patients are sedated
And as they've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

The monitors are a bleeping
While the Dr's are a sleeping
But because they'll never know
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Enteral feeding may be delightful
But bowel motions are frightful
We've boxes of wipes to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

The unit outside is frightful
Yet the nurses are delightful
But because we're working X'mas Day
Let it pay! Let it pay! Let it pay!

When we finally go off shift
With hopefully a X'mas gift
We'll go home with such a glow
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

SNIFFLES

2005-12-31T05:22:00.000+11:00

Oh, kinda regretting I didn't get the flu vaccine this year. It's bad , really bad this time. Haven't been this sick since a loooong time ago. Copious amounts of yellow and green snort (even some blood strains), headache, fever, hacking cough. Ok, ok...far too much detail.

I attribute this partly to the heatiness of the churros and thick hot chocolate I had in Spain? My coughing and sneezing roommate? If not, it must just be the darn winter.

But I am going to get better. Because it's New Year's Eve tomorrow ! And I have made plans to be in London for a great night out. Good thing I lost some of that tummy in the last 2 days. Not much of an appetite so only had minimal food and drink. Hee. Sickness works on our side sometimes.

Oooohhhh....but I am so sick of lying in bed. Tossing and turning. Need to rest but body's aching. And hair's pulling. You know, those irritating symptoms. I've cancelled 2 night shifts, meaning 500 pounds gone. Ouch! Will make that up after the New Year's, I think.

Tried to watch "The Nightmare Before Christmas" but fell asleep. Woke up now to "Chicken Run" on TV. Maybe I'll go borrow Solomon's (the 2 year old I live with) "Finding Nemo" or "The Magic Roundabout". Oh I am getting desperate.

I want my Korean Drama Series !!!!!

SEOUL

2005-12-30T10:23:00.000+11:00

Oct 13^th – In Seoul

At the airport, I thought I’ll be proactive and do the right thing by declaring I had some crysanthemums on me. My mum had packed them (together with all her love and concern) and told me to make sure I finished drinking them by the time I arrived in London. Piece of cake. They didn’t have a clue what it was but yet didn’t seem to be bothered. Customs with a smile…that’s how I like it.

The transit from getting a shuttle bus ticket to the backpackers in the city was also a breeze. The ride on the bus cost 8000 Won. Cheap. Comfortable. Safe. Took only 45 minutes.

All way from the airport, I thought some parts of the city in the night light resembled Taiwan, with the many shops and lights. Also a little like HongKong, with the tall apartment buildings and mountains. And of course the haze reminded me of Beijing. But surprisingly, the Seoul air wasn’t as choking as those in Beijing. Maybe I am just biased.

Bus driver was helpful. Made sure I got off at the right stop. Easy walk to Seoul Backpackers. Follow the road, see SK petrol, turn right, cross road, walk into dark alley… But the weight of my bags were really weighing down on me by that time. The final stretch of road to accomodation was a little dodgy. Dark with men in suits staring at me. Eh, I just realised what I have just said. Did I expect something else other than men walking along those streets? Like ghosts? Duh! But on the bright side of things, I haven't had any hiccups since I left Oz. Goody!

Of course, it's never this good. Something had to sort of go wrong. After I plonked my heavy backpack down and heaved a sigh at Seoul Backpacker’s reception, the people at Seoul backpackers said to me that they thought “Patzy Low” was a male name. Meaning a female dorm room had NOT been reserved for me. Hmmm…I suppose I had made the booking by e-mail. They didn’t ask if I was male or female when I made the booking anyway. But still…Patzy sounds male?? That is a first for me.

First Encounters

So I got put up at the Deluxe section. Short 10sec walk round the corner. Past another motel. The nice receptionist, probably a student, spoke good English and nicely helped me with my backpack. He asked me why I had so much stuff!

The Deluxe Dorm room was excellent. Ensuite and rooms were clean. First impression: good customer service and rooms were good value for money. There was even cable TV and a video player in there! And this is a backpacker's man! The other backpacker's are going to be rated miserably by me after this.

Being nosey, my first instinct was to look around the room. I could only see one other bag in the room. Good, not crowded, I thought. It was a regular sized backpack and some European brand. My mind started to wonder where the person might be from…and whether she would be friendly….and whether we would end up traveling together. Seriously, this was my very first backpacking trip on my own. So I was raring to meet new people on my first trip.

I sat for a while and had a shower. They provided bathroom slippers, bath gel and shampoo! Wow, this is very unexpected. For a backpackers place??!! This is really good!

Got out of the bathroom without my glasses and met my new roommate. She looked a blur until I put on my glasses. She turned out to be Japanese. Not surprising. But the surprising thing is she’s a nurse too. Very friendly and cheerful. She was visiting Korea and her friend. Found out that she had recently been to the UK but couldn’t work as an RN so took up home aide work. Cool.

I then ventured outside to reception to ask if there were shops nearby because I was hungry. Of course I really wanted to get out and see what’s happening in Korea at 2100hrs. I was very keen. And I met a black American chatting to the male receptionist. When he found out I was heading out to look for shops, he offered to show me. I agreed. Come to think of it, being a naïve traveler, I probably shouldn’t have. But I place full trust in everything and anything. So off we went.

I was fine. He showed me the way to the convenience stores and we both bought stuff for supper. I had a red bean bun and a chocolate drink. And guess what? It was called IGA. Only tot that was in Australia. But the best part of that short walk was the number of mildly rowdy men, who were pissed drunk already at that time. Wasn’t even 2200hrs yet! And there seemed to be so many men around. Easily outnumbered the women I see on the streets. So this American tells me that this is common. They drink after work and it is considered rude not to drink with your mates if they are drinking. Meaning it is considered rude too if you dun get drunk with your mate. Anyway, I was a little wary when they wobbled past me. I later found out that they have been known to be quite well-behaved. I relaxed a little then. The American told me Korea was not that cheap. He had spent US$1000 in a week. Let’s see how I go then.

THE FLIGHT

2005-12-30T10:07:00.000+11:00

Oct 13^th – The Flight

Short delay in flight with Korean Air. Sat for further 45 minutes. Got an aisle seat next to some middle aged Korean man. He was traveling with some other behind him. Based on their stares and body language I came to the conclusion that they thought I was Korean. They must have thought I was rude or something. Anyway, all came to light when the food trolleys came and I told the heavily made-up stewardess, “ I am not Korean. Do not speak Korean. English please”.
And the man next to me gave me a smile finally. :)

Boy, it was strange in-flight food. For breakfast, we had a choice of omelette or Green Tea porridge. I picked the latter since it sounded more interesting. And it was served in one of those plastic convenience food containers that resembled stuff you buy from 7-eleven, stick in the microwave and then wait for it to go “TING” ! I suppose that's probably what they did anyway. But it tasted good! Plain porridge with pickles, and seaweed strips. Very “cheng”. Ideal food if Mama were to see it, especially when I hadn’t slept so must have a lot of “huo qi”. Liver fire, if you know what I mean.

Slept and then watched a Korean movie called The Big Scene. It was one of those criminal stories that had a twist. Even had exorcists. Good movie and of course, cute prosecutor made it even better. :)

When it came to lunch, it was even better! It was BiBimPap and it was so cute. They serve the shredded veg and meat in a bowl, nicely displayed in the traditional Korean way and again, a 7-eleven looking container with hot steaming rice in it. And check this out, the hot pepper paste comes in a tube like toothpaste. How cool! But they ran out of BiBimPap when it got to me. Shucks. Wonder if they could even serve Dolsot BiBimPap, hot-pot style on the plane, or steamboat but 7-eleven style….that would be really innovative. Hehehe.

Actually, the Japanese and the Koreans all eat the same way. Tokyo and Seoul are both such busy cities where no one has time for anything as mundane as food. That would explain why their convenience food look-a-likes still tastes so good! And to make the flight even better, the landing at Seoul Incheon Airport was so smooth and gentle. Credit to Korean Air pilots. Good job!

PS: I think you can sense the bias by now. I am pro anything Korean. :P

I'M REALLY GOING!

2005-12-30T08:20:00.000+11:00

My Travelogue in a Mass - In Retrospect
(just a lame way of saying I am 3 months late :P )

Oct 11^th – The Pre - Flight Day 1

Departed Melbourne. Said goodbyes to Ahying and friends.
I am always so touched by everyone's efforts. All the prezzies, farewell parties, long girly chats.
You all make me feel so special and on top of the world. Thank you all !! XXXOOO

Arrived in Sydney. Picked up by parents and Zee and went to Chinatown, Fo Guang Yuan for lunch. Had trouble getting Korean Won. Eventually Indian money changer got me some. Good rate too. Funny why he just said he didn’t have any 5 mins ago. Hmm...
Got 240000 Won for A$307. Not bad eh? Returned to Wollongong. Nice to be home!

Oct 12^th- The Pre - Flight Day 2

Spent day doing last minute errands like taking up hem of jeans, getting present for Zee’s birthday. Tried to get him a phone voucher from Optus but they didn’t have it. So a book voucher from Angus & Robertson it is then, since he reads these days. And got him a cake…tried to get an ice-cream for a change but too last minute. Wendy's only had Winnie the Pooh. Nah.

He’s 24 this year. Wow. My little brother has grown up so much ! Remembering those days when he acted as Prince Siddharta during kinder days, and mean sister like me who would yell him at him for being stupid at Maths….oh boy, I feel so guilty. And we used to go to school together….and I would see him at recess or go to class and give him his pocket money. I could recount so many more memories…

So we had Tiramisu cake at close to midnight after he got back from work. Oh, oh and Mama made Popiah that night. Yummmmy! Everyone went to bed…but I didn’t. Stayed on MSN and chatted with Kexin. Was afraid I couldn’t get up the next morning.

Oct 13^th – The Real Pre - Flight Day

Went for a shower at 3 AM. Hadn’t slept but not tired. Little nervous.
Airport limousine came at 4AM in the morning.

Pa, Ma and Zee all got up to say goodbye to me. How sweet…especially when they all went to bed after midnight. Said goodbyes to the doggies, Dexter, Skippy and Taco (though he’s now RIP).

The lady of the limousine service is German. She’s the second such airport shuttle in the Illawarra. We had a little chat in the beginning when I was all hyper, from all the mixed emotions. Then calmed down. Took a deep breathe and sorted all these thoughts in my head.

1. Leaving my husband behind for this wanderlust trip.
2. Leaving my family behind again for who knows how long?
3. Would I get to see my Korean drama stars in Seoul?? Yes yes yes....
4. The world out there is beckoning. I can see it, feel it, breathe it.

Eyes closing to doze and jolt! We arrived at Kingsford Smith. End of thoughts.

No problems checking in. Only 20 kg. Had McDonalds for breakfast. Sigh, Oz still has bad Mackers. Then tried to use my new WiFi card and realized it’s not free. Duh? Suppose I’m not a corporate user too. So I signed up with Optus as a casual user. A$13 per hour. Ouchly expensive but gave it a shot for about half hr. Then off I went….boarded the plane for Seoul.

Adios !

2005-12-29T23:15:00.000+11:00

chickedy friend

2005-12-03T03:33:00.000+11:00

Oh my friend is going to be pleased...i've finally started a page here!! Yoohoo...yiippee!

Now, what next? Click here, there...where?

Alright, research time...serious stuff. Shhh. Need to concentrate.

:)