The place I call home.

Reminds me of that Peter Allen song used by Qantas - 'I Call Australia Home.' Kick-ass song that never failed to give me goosebumps. Think it's the essence of it all backed by the kid's choir plus the scenery (in the Qantas TV ad).

I have to admit I do miss home. Guess it sinks in after almost five years of being based 'elsewhere.' But then maybe sometimes 'home' becomes a characteristic that can be found in more places than one.

Yahoo! Mail has a beta that copies a lot of Outlook/Lotus Notes functions and all. It's excellent. Now I'm in business!

Still trying to juggle things around. Glad I managed to put in 8 plus hours towards the volunteer work. Sweet. Hope it goes on smoothly. A nervous breakdown is certainly unacceptable at this stage.

A couple of girls' last day at work today. Such is life. I'm getting the hang of things as it was. Can't believe I dreamt of my old workplace. I had to keep reminding myself en route to work this morning that change is good. It is. The difficult part (at least for yours truly) is settling in. And not looking back. Me thinks I take longer than the average joe to declare one place a comfort zone.

Had dinner at good ol' Newtown with some friends. Viet dinner followed by coffee and cake. Good dose of catching up and all in between and all around. I love Newtown.

Long weekend kicks off. I wish I booked a holiday. But then gotta allocate the resources for the big one in a few months' time. Should lock in the annual leave next week.

McCann, let me know what's happening, will ya!?!

I'm bracing myself for what the future holds. Can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.

after all's been said and done...

so what's next? that's my ultimate question.

been a crazy week. it's time to rest NOW. i am trying to make up my mind as to whether i should go to the gym or not. there's a long weekend coming up. not that i couldn't care less but i just don't feel it's coming up in two days.

i've hardly spoken to the brother i share a room with.

i'm tired. i need new flat shoes, new stuff... i swear they're stuff that i need to replace my current ones that are dying.

went to watch Friends wiht Money last night with Annfen. i was telling her how indie films tend to show real people and real lives. i love 'em. :)

ok, i'm going to the gym.

Tough Times

The situations that have toughened me up big time have included those where I cringe the whole way through, perhaps taking a break from the 'cringe face' when in my silent chamber (The Loo) where I imagine all of life's rosyness.

Whether I am once again in such a situation, I cannot 100% tell. However, life has, by far, provided little pockets of comfort here and there.

It is amazing how despite the fact that people in Sydney do come and go, there has always been a support group around to comprise my A-list.

Saw The Devil Wears Prada yesterday in the exquisite Cremorne Cinemas. Quite grand, attracts a good handful of middle-aged people and beyond.

The movie itself was entertaining, at least for me who adores magazines, fashion (sans attutude) and Manhattan.

Headed off to a friend's house for a dinner/birthday celebration/get-together thang. Really yummy home-made cooked with the sort of standard you'd pay 20, even 30 bucks for.

I'd say the company was tops, too, which made it all the more worth the evening.

so much for dreaming, so much for living (but hey, such is life).

Took half a day off work. For valid reasons, of course.

I was due for that annual body scan in two months. I just can't believe it's been almost a year since I had the surgery. My scar still looks fresh and I still get a tingling sensation every now and then. I wouldn't say it's a horrible feeling. It reminds me more of everything that took place around that time.

Fingers crossed I won't have to go through another radioactive iodine session. I just don't like the hassle. But perhaps some days off would be good. Pros and cons, you see. My life will have to take another pause just in case.

Just in case.

scratch where there's an itch.

another crossroad. really, it is a bit vague but after some cranal work-out, i've just come to that conclusion, which is to be followed by other conclusions, all of which will be subject to an overall conclusion.

i failed to comment on what went on at the beginning of the month. the dreaded birthday went by with not much dread, but with annoyance over the fact that for the second time in the season and for the second month in a row, i was down with the flu - and i was down for a few days complete with pale everything and a 2-day sickie.

mind you, i just started my job a month ago and i've already clocked in two sickies. good-o!

speaking of the job, i daresay i did not make a mistake making the transition as it proved to me several things including but not limited to the following:
a. i am not a finance person
b. i do not like monotonous tasks comprising my jobs, which i have to do every single day. i do not like monotonous tasks. period.
c. i am not much of a 9 to 5, all day in the office person.
d. i am not scared of losing my job. my job is not everything to me. it does not define me.

those things being said, i still do my best. one day, though, i'd like to be putting a bit of heart into what i will be doing, for obvious reasons.

the good thing is, i've got more motivation to save now and perhaps i have grown tired of shopping for nice things and all the cool stuff, more because i do not see the point anymore...err... or for the time being.

if only volunteer works come with more perks than a bunch of intangibles.

... or if only those intangibles can make the world go round, round and round. come to think of it, maybe they do.

The Day I Parted With My Kick-Ass 200-dollar Black Boots

Nine West, I hate you. Why make ever-so-fragile high heeled black boots that cost a bomb and fool suckers like yours truly into investing in such crap?

It took two winters, a hundred plus dollars per winter, not to mention the aching feet and the callouses. Was it all worth it? I don't think so.

I loved you, my Nine West Black Boots, and parting was indeed sorrowful, sans sweetness. I could have kept you until the end of spring but I couldn't take your squeaking anymore. Next up, I think you will be causing me a fatal fall.

I hope you enjoy living in the bin until Tuesday night. Come Wednesday, you'll have a new home in the dumps.

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I've got the fever! I did last night. Had to chuck a sickie two weeks into my new job. Classic.

The weakling that I am. I do not think I am made for such full-time jobs. A test of patience for the time being, perhaps? Here forth is a life lesson I keep failing to learn.

Deep breath. February, can't you come any sooner?

I love you, Adobe Premiere 7.0. Fujitsu, please hang in there. I cannot yet afford an iMac so you can't retire just yet.