Happy Birthday

...to Pei Wen and to Malaysia!

May joy come in abundance for Pei Wen and for Malaysia (kamu suka hati, saya pun suka hati, dia juga suka hati)!

**

Thank you Olgs + Andrew for helping me out and for having so much confidence in me!


I hope you can see me shine.

You know you bombed an interview when

..you say $400,000 * 100 = $4 million

and was praised for your "high level of academic achievements"

5 minutes before.



PS: Current status - hysterical.
PSS: BYGONES MS BYGONES.

And so..

Facebook, to a certain extent, provides me with relaxation - or rather the platform to meet like-minded people trying to avoid work. Even so, with Facebook out of the way, my productivity has increased disproportionately by a small amount, considering the massive time spent on facebook.

That's because if you have the will to shirk, there are 10,000 more ways to do it. A good rationalisation to shirk is thru reading the news be it the live hostage updates in Manila, the fresh flood in Pakistan, or even Osama's true identity as a CIA agent (what a confusing world). Or laugh at the "Latham effect" on voters drawing penises on ballots to avoid voting for any parties (we're talking the amount of voters that could actually break the deal). At least I'm doing something "intelligent", you'd say.

Or you could apply for more jobs because CAPM taught you that the best porfolio to hold is a fully-diversified one.

Or you could marvel over the "How to join us" on NGO sites on the volunteering career you dream to pursue one day alongside your own mainstream career (or is it the other way round).

Or you could always entertain yourself on YouTube watching Taiwanese men making dirty jokes
and salivating over attractive young women. And wonder why on earth would women willingly subject themselves to such sexually-charged discussions.

Or read blogs of people unknown to you. You'll be rewarded with a heated conflict between a newly-separated couple and be tempted to take sides although you know, it's none of your business. And enjoy two scoops of Nestle ice-cream while you're at it.

**

And when you realise you have barely prepared for an upcoming test, or have almost given up on preparing for the daunting case study interview the next day, and the day after next - you wonder, where have all the time gone?

You think about the upcoming tests and assignments, uncertain job outcomes, somewhat demoralising recruitment processes, cash outflows etc. That's when you know, while most people work well under stress, you don't.

Because you let go of everything altogether. You become so indifferent - you're scaring yourself.

**

Time for a 360 degree turn in attitude.

I'M SO ENJOYING THIS!

As a chirpy friend pointed out

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!

As the mother pointed out

WHY THINK SO MUCH?

As a buddy would have pointed out

NA YOU ZHEN ME YANG? (conveniently in purple)

**

Take it easy yo!

Okay for starters I shall go iron my suit for tomorrow.

Then I will revise abit of schoolwork.

Then I will do some more case studies and experience-reviews.

Then I will have a good night sleep.

**

The harshest person on earth is yourself, so correct your perception

and look at the bigger, brighter picture.

**

Funny how I need to talk myself thru things like that.

On my blog.

**

Gambateh la.

Saturday

Daffodil Day has been eventful - sheer joy :) Though there were skeptics ("So... how much of this goes into research? How can I know it will?), donors were generally very generous - with their heart that is. Students, to put generousity in context, contributed a fair amount. Nadee joked that Arts students were the most generous, and Medical, the least. As indicated from our however unrepresentative samples of observation that day + assumptions (e.g. Students in the Brownless Medical Library are medical students), no offence lol.

Had a good catch-up dinner with the girls at Oriental Spoon, always a pleasure to exchange stories! Top it with yummy food!

**

On another note, I'm going to Adelaide with Sara during Spring break! We'll meet in Adelaide airport - Sara from Queensland and me from Victoria. Talk about geographical compromise lol.

Thanks so much for booking and planning everything. Counting down the days!

**

Just got back from tutoring, joy again albeit my embarrassing attempt with Quadratics. Must say my math knowledge has deteriorated in uni.

Here's a quote from the bus driver on the way home:

"It's funny I worry about everything when I was younger. But now I'm 64, and I can't remember anything to keep me worrying!"

:)

**

Ok back to work! Meaning preps for 2 interviews + 1 mid-sem. Whatever the results, I'm sure I'll gain something from it. *mantra to maintain sanity*

To gain from it, enjoy it!

To all you hardworkers out there, stay positive!

Bye!

Daffodil Day 2010

"If you have a mother, father, sister, brother or best friend, there’s every chance your life will be touched by cancer. No matter who you are, Daffodil Day is for you. "

**
Daffodil Day is a national event to
support those touched by cancer
and bring hope for a cancer free future.

In 2009 Daffodil Day raised an outstanding $1.8 million
in Victoria which helped fund life saving cancer research,
prevention campaigns and support programs.


**

Tomorrow, there will be stalls all over Melbourne CBD,
as well as metropolitan and outer suburbs:
tram stops, university, shopping malls, train stations.

Come along and support Daffodil Day!

**
If you think the one in two who gets cancer is one two many,
then please buy a daffodil
for Daffodil Day,
Friday 27 August.

**
Thank you. :)


PS:


Daffodil Day merchandise is on sale throughout August,
and you can donate to Daffodil Day at anytime.

Quantity vs quality

Quantity of time or quality of time?

Can't have both, it's a trade-off thing.

Optimal balance - it's tough, they come with varying levels of importance at various times.

Esp when there are more than one quality priority (ambition/relationship/commitment) to spend quality time on.

You'd understand, wouldn't you?


PS: Can only pray you would.

Move it!

Okay overwhelmed overwhelmed overwhelmed.

Apparently this weekend country-Eltham girl gonna come out of the woods

and be happening. haha how is that possible?

Birthday dinners, graduation ceremonies + luncheons (for two different people on two different days), cousin's meet up, tutoring etc etc

What does this spell?

CASH OUTFLOW *sakit sakit sakit*

DISASTER for studies, assignment due, job applications.


So much so that I decide to take on 3 hours extra of work on top of my usual commitment

to replenish my pocket.


So tired.

But no,

working around the clock - set an hourly-timetable for the week

and am already behind schedule.


Run, MS, Run!

ok bye.


PS: Need more discipline, say NO to facebook! (Fail)

Chance or Destiny

Tomorrow you'll be leaving for the USA.
I don't know what to say, take care?
It's been a relatively short time knowing you
but it's been good memories..

**

Isn't it amazing how life works
when two (or more) worlds collide
at a certain place
at a designated time?


What are the odds..
Astronomically small you would think
but at a certain point of time earlier on
you may have crossed paths - literally
as two everyday passerby
as two complete strangers..


How often when you meet someone new
and just within seconds
have an uncanny moment of familiarity
washed over you?
Deja-vu


Probably somewhere deep in your subconscious
his/her presence is registered
during the last unknowing encounter..


I guess all I'm trying to say is
believe in Destiny
for when the time clicks
you'll chance upon
personalities and lives so different from you
that you'll come to appreciate and treasure
and maybe decide later on that
you're not so different after all

**

Every passerby is a potential friend
a flowering friendship
awaiting the time flowing
through the Serendipity Funnel
to decide when..


**

Take care

and we shall meet again..



PS: In short, Yuan Fen. ;)

Weekend :D

Quick Snapshots!

Friday - Attended the Future Leaders Forum 2010. Theme was about overpopulation by 2035, its global effects; social cohesion and inclusion; and post-GFC/GEC effects. As usual, it opened up my perspective on many issues and served as an indication of my knowledge level of global issue, or rather, the lack of. Nonetheless, networking was good, met a couple of interesting people :D

Saturday - Attended Chao's graduation ceremony dinner at Kum Den, Chinatown. Her parents came all the way from China, and you could tell instantly, the pride in their eyes upon their only child's graduation. I was the only non-China Chinese there, and was certainly treated like a special guest, the "Gui Bin". There I observed the seemingly similar yet different Chinese culture surrounding the table topics (and table manners), the polite and courteous language (from parents-guest), their affinity to alcohol, pride for their orginins and all-so-merry attitude towards life. It's almost impossible to be uninfected by the warm and jolly spirits of the night.

ALL THE BEST CHAO, I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN WHEN YOU'RE BACK FOR MASTERS!

That night, I stayed over at JiaYen and PeiWen's. Always a pleasure, always a kind gesture, always welcomed (I think hahaah). Thank you girls!


Sunday - Resumed my tutoring role this semester. Student's mum gave me a pay rise today! Happy happy Money Money~ hehehe.


**


Okay I really need my study mojo back.. Done with playing MS!


PS: All the best to you, too.

Oh wells.

I just realised that my friends on facebook who are not friends of my Shanghai Industry Project, can't see the pictures I'm tagged in Shanghai. Ah =(..

Yay/nay for privacy?

PS: What you don't know does not hurt.

Of Celebrations and Toastmaster

A continuation of a birthday-thank-you-dedication:

Thanks SIP for the Sunday day out for Karaoke + Oriental Spoon Dinner! Thanks Johnson & Maddy for the bracelet from Thailand! Thanks Olga for Karen Millen jewelry and beautiful card, simply gorgeous! Thanks Eric & Jillian+ family for having me over that night!

Thanks Gloria for the gorgeous earrings - apparently with the Power of Charm! Hopefully it'll work its wonders by 2/8/2011 LOL!

Thanks Azy and Yee Von, for the striking blouse!

Thanks Daphne, for Max Brenner today, and for accompanying me all the way to Clarendon St!

And guess what, came home tonight to a surprise birthday cake from Kor!! Thanks so muchhhhhh *touched* xoxoxo it was such a scrumptious bread-pudding-cake, something new from the usual (but awesome nonetheless) cheese and choc!


**

Anyway tonight was a very special night. Will, Juliany and I went for a Toastmasters evening at a restaurant bar.

It was really interesting how it was a structured night, with agendas such as business talk, table topics, prepared speeches, evaluation and not to forget, good food (chicken parma for me) and red wine! I was impressed with the confidence exuded from the speakers and how eloquently they gave an impromptu speech about a topic as random as Take Away Food.

What really strucked me was the formalities during the evening. For instance, before a member express his/her opinion, he/she would stand up and say to the Chairman, "Your Honour Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that we are tight on the time and move on from the motions tonight?". And how when each toastmasters passed on the MC role, they would first shake hands . And not to forget, an award ceremony at the end of every toastmaster sessions where the best Table Topic, Speech and Evaluater are presented with an award, according to the votes that night. Nonetheless, formalities aside, the mood of the evening was really light-hearted and filled with a good sense of Aussie humour.

Definitely picked up some good tips on public speaking and will want to join more toastmasters sessions!

An eventful day.


***

Need to get back into action with studies!!!!

LMS!