Someone took off my.....

I was looking for a housemate so I decided to post it on the notice board with genuine approval from Client Services. Well, okay the first time I didn’t so I would have expected it to vanished. So I printed out a second copy and just towards the weekend, I found out it was gone. My blood started boiling but I thought maybe I didn’t put the exact date. Somehow I just thought people started to copy my way of advertising (talking about PLAGIARISM). I expressed my anger to my mates instead (ranting about the whole thing)…..if you guys reading this thank you for lending those lovely times and ears.

So for the third time, I had to print it out and again have to face the client services for approval. The good thing is they were kinda on shift (different faces…every time) so what a relief. So for the third time I posted it on the board without disturbing others ads. Few days gone by and I have checked…..sweet…it was still there. I had few people calling but they were still in the brink of making that final decision….which what I supposedly be doing at the first place counting every dollars before taking this expensive decision that slowly depleting my saving.

My mind was congested with alternative just to ensure someone stay in and help me paying half of the expenses that I chose to bear….unintentionally. I almost hit by a taxi (my mind was lost in space), I almost get tickets from Mr. policeman for illegally crossing the road just so that I can catch my bus to check emails update and…..I missed my bus stop few times that forced me to walked further distance. Luckily I still manage to concentrate during exams. “Doing extremely well under pressure” …that is definitely goes to my resume.

Anyhow back to the reason why I write this stuff. I was on my way to the library that was Thursday when I had a quick look on the board and I couldn’t find my ads anywhere….seriously. You tell me how am I suppose to feel? What will your reaction be?

I should be feeling infuriated but you know what I was calmed (in tranquility)...totally. Oh well I talked a little how frustrated I was but not boiling with anger as the first time.

I prayed that I will somehow find my own place and…yay..I got it. Then I prayed for a housemate….never happen. One thing I believe (and always will) that everything will be put into places…God’s will be done and if things not happening, something tells me that I may have done wrong. So by not getting a housemate I manage to cancel my tenancy agreement by helping the landlord to find replacement and that I did. Just few hours from clicking that button POST YOUR ADD in gumtree…I manage to get dozen respondents. Wow talking about blessing in disguise.

Now I know what I have done wrong because I specifically told what I want (so typical of me) before giving the chance to values whoever potential housemate that I may found and that I just don’t have enough fund to cater such privilege. By now I can start searching for another room that matches my income….LESSON LEARNED!

But million thanks to that someone who took off my ads. I can finally smile again and escape another burden of paying such ridiculous amount.

Pocket full of sunshine

Lots of thing happened these past few months and by now I shouldn't say it out loud before I know it's going to happen. I spoke too soon previously. The wonderful thing is I can accept the truth without even questioning "why me?". I started to feel like a matured person who is willing to accept things as it is and had belief everything happens for a reason. It's not what happens to you that count; it's how you respond to what happened. If things aren't improving, then we are living without learning.

I also learned that whenever we cease to judge and analyze people, we get closer to them but when we analyze and criticize others, we create distance. I'm more flexible now and let others be...it surely save me a lot of unnecessary stress. I believe peace of mind comes from a change of attitude not circumstances.

Besides, who am I really to demand what others people should be doing? when truth be told that their interest doesn't includes me (regardless of what I did to make it happen).

As Deepak was saying "One of the most positive ways to live is to look on every obstacle as a hidden opportunity"....

I'm beginning to pictured myself having a pocket full of sunshine.
Sing along now....

WIIFM

I have just done assisting my brother with the survey pertaining on the Dairy Products. He was conducting it with the helps of his third year students.

As we all know that doing survey is not an easy job (let alone having to do it in shopping malls) since we need to have the grit to ask any bystander should they wish to participate. With the existence of sales people around, we were somehow mistakenly presumed to be part of the gang.

We were to distribute the questionnaire consist of 12 pages which is by standard not that easy amongst the public. Some will thumbs the pages just to verify (afraid they might stumble in the midst) , some jokingly said it was like sitting for the exam but ultimately the only attraction that encouraged them to participate was the free gift (goodies) given upon completion.

We did it for 4 consecutive days but the first day was always the hardest because your expectation somewhat vague. By the second day, we prosper confidently and the number of numerator thrived. But our team begins to shrink, by the third days only 9 of us left out of 16. That did not yield us from the main purpose because each outlet (somehow looks like competing with each other) keeps on surprising us with their goodies nicely packed. Thus, it does keep our spirits going. On the final day, we were getting remarkable respondents because the manager placed us in a spot that attracts public to approach us instead of the other way around. So it does make our task easier and printed smile on our face.

To all the students participated KUDOS to you guys, its worth to celebrate.....BBQ :)!

The survey was a great success; having a full supportive leader with the helps of very determination team in alliance with well known outstanding chain of outlets. And not forgetting our respondents...the Public which eventually most of them will tune into WIIFM...(What's In It For Me)....isn't that's the way it is...all the time!

silly!

3 days ago I decided to crashed in Mel and family's privacy and I'm still having a blast as I typed ....here in Mel's lovely house. They asked me if I want to go anywhere but not feeling like cruising because today is the day of rest as even Jesus is taking rest on the 7th day. Tonight I will be heading to KL before settling down in KK. Last night Mel invited her friends over and introduced them to me....Flo and Trish. I was in bed when they came....had a bad headache:(....and was my intention to just stayed still.....me being a shy monster!....but ended up cracking the laugh out loud when Trish...the one with "she's gonna hate me but I don't care" attitude came into the room and woke me up as if I was one of the soldier that was left behind. I like her by the way......she couldn't even bother WTF is going around and "pleasing everyone" is just not in her vocabulary which is fine with me because I'm pretty flexible. Now what I've learned during my conversation with them that they tends to say b.i.t.c.h or silly amongs each other and it was actually a compliment. Being Asian we were always reminded not to say bad things and stuff and last night was such an eye opener that it was just a bloody word....c'mon get over it.....BTW, we either sulked or join 'em. Life on earth are extremely brief and if it's the word makes your life miserable and depressed.....oh you're soo not loving your life or living your life as you should. We should be at least searching for the truth but definitely not fishing for compliments. I had once called silly by someone and I went beserk in silent but now whenever Aanica called me "silly aunty" ....it's like music in my ears. Ooooh it's just a word.....silly!

Renting the house.....

I wonder what happen to the particular house that parents rented out?hmmmmm......

I'm currently staying with my brother here in Australia and life can be tough sometimes when you don't have enough to sustain...but fortunately we managed.

We rented a house here obviously because we are not permanent resident. Brother will only be here for another 1 year or so. So the contract for this particular house lasted for a year and next year yet another house searching activity is essential.

It is a good business to embark on but most of it goes through agent. I'm not surprised because of the demand in time and rules restriction best is left with the expert. In our scenario, we have to maintain the house as if it's our own. Every 3 months, the agent will come to inspect just to make sure that the house is in order or else....breach contract. We (I mean my brother) have to pay the rental every week without fail otherwise....breach contract!. I know I'm paraphrasing here but breach contract is one thing that they don't take lightly so you should read the contract before signing....period!

In my recollection, we have been moving from one district to another because of Dad's position as a teacher. If I'm not mistaken, we have been staying in 6 different houses until to this one that we finally can call a house of our own. Dad bought the land which comes with a house. Quite a small old house but because of insufficient fund, Dad only managed to renovate and make it bigger for all of us. The place is strategic and the neighbors are great and welcoming. Times gone by and most of my siblings are married so they moved out which left my parents and the youngest one.....me!. I know I should be getting out and living my independent life but I don't mind the distance going to work because I have my own car and I don't have to pay rent...(the witty and frugality thing to do.....smiled wickedly).

There we were just chilling out (way back then), my sister and I...yapping about the good old days ....at my brother's house (by then my brother was already in Australia)....where my parents are staying at present. Reminiscing the time when we were talking about how we wished to have a house so we don't have to move again. When we ultimately found one, it was left empty...how lonely was that!.....my heart goes deeply to that old house which embraced all our memories growing up together; it is a long list to share nonetheless. Part of it was the 'Gold" moment which held venue of my sibling's weddings celebration with full of merriment. After moved out, parents will pay a visit once a week. Then it was once a month when time is not permitted until someone put interest in renting. The fundamental idea was to demolish the house because of flash flood occur during monsoon but nothing seems to come to a final verdict; since everybody are deemed with their own schedule.....(not seriously budgeted for)

With brother's last experienced, renting a house is just exhausted. He had to deal with obstinate tenants just to demand monthly rental fee and eventually he sold the house after 3 times changing tenant and none is paying full.....how tragic!.

The problem with us is that we are so lenient and altruistic; which makes all sort of contract agreement became inadequate.

Now back to this old house which was eagerly rented by this particular tenant with promises utterance. Again my parents are merciful, God bless their amorous heart. I am not sure until when it will end but I just do hope someone will.....talk the talk and walk the walk. I probably could be that someone......which opposed the idea of renting the house at the first place.

It was a great feelin.....

Last Friday was the beginning of yet another remarkable weekend. I was voluntarily looking after this beautiful baby name Francisco. I was a so-called mummy for the weekend :D

He stayed over the weekend together with his brother Juan who is charmingly talkative.
We were getting ready to Adelaide Aquatic Center to free the kids from the sauna ambiance inside the house.

I was happily feeding the baby while they were gone swimming.
There were also bystander glance at me and the baby in the cradle with massive wonders in their mind nonetheless. How awesome was that!!

He was sleeping peacefully in his cradle. It's the state of bliss make me thinking I'm dreaming.
I have seen peace and I have seen pain but through the weekend I have experienced serenity. Resting on my shoulder, the moment was so perfect.
Baby will never see the world through troubled eyes.

Waking up to see that everything is bearable
Another one of the time in my life that feels so great
Slowing down I look around and I am speechless
It's so beautiful it makes me wanna cry

It was indeed a great feelin.....

Worth the MILES...

Last Friday...the day finally arrived. This notion will never occur to me if I'm living in tranquility in my own country...with my work schedule, my own world.

At 8.50pm Brother and I (with our complete attire to make us warm) left home with this "reliable transport" to pick up Romi and his family (Wife Augustine, Jason and Jane. This reliable transport refers to an old van brother trade-in just two months ago with this car I used to drive the kids to school.

Back in my mind I misses my Kembara . While brother wished he's driving his Ford Ranger.

At 9.00pm we arrived at Romi's house. It was rather a hot night and the mind can be deceitful to be thinking every place would be the same and determined the decision of choosing one's attire.

At 9.15pm after the necessary things were loaded in the van, off we go to.....'Parham'...rather unfamiliar location. This is the thing about 'hear say' we could end up in a road to nowhere. The sign - just look for a signboard with a crab picture on it (so much for a clue). At 10pm we have gone further north...still eagerly looking for the sign...but the unsure feeling clouds our mind and judgment can be restless. About 500 meter we passed by Thompson beach, suddenly Romi ordered to make a U turn and just settle in Thompson beach. When brother was about to do so, we saw "PARHAM" about 100m away (Oh well hindsight is always twenty-twenty). Decided to continue with the maneuver, we entered the junction and went further in only to locate a Bar (lol...in frustrated mood). Thus, made U turn and back to Thompson beach. Disappointment welcomed us after reaching the place only to find beach trails. Lesson of the day - never embark on a journey without proper plan or assured direction.

Therefore we are heading to Ardrossan.

Now, after the long journey we finally made it to a place that creates stories of few. Everybody so excited to go out from the van but it getting bloody damn cold. To make matter worst - key for the ignition parted into two...WHAT?!!..How do we go back?!! (Panicky attacked). Still the purpose for crabbing overcome it since we cannot do anything straight away, we might as well enjoy the moment. Romi- the experienced man who had been crabbing for few times ended up feeling cold with attire fits for clubbing except for the track pants (grins).

When we were on the wharf and found our comfy spot, Romi's pants makes a clapping sound (imagined the speed of the wind) to portray the feelings we had - overexcited joy and miserably cold. Second time experienced, brother hooked the bait thoroughly and throw the net in the air and down into the water - Splash!!. As we waited patiently, I have the moment to myself while brother and Romi having conversation which sometimes forced me to join into laughter. Romi's wife and kids were staying inside the van sleeping. There I was standing almost at the edge for the first time in the middle of the night- crabbing. 20 minutes later (after I have covered half of my childhood playback) I decided to pull out the net. Well well what do you know two crabs were trapped inside - the smallest and the biggest. The rules says we have to throw back if it less than the recommended size. Hmmm....it made me thinking do we have such rules in our country...ooopppss!

Time gone by instantly when we having so much things to reflect on. It was almost 4.25 am...what?!...it feels like a moment just by looking at the current that mesmerized me. Within those 5 hours, I saw a guy caught a shark, bunch of people continuously caught squids every 5 minutes, a smoked came out from one of the property over the hill resulted to fire blaze, brother made few phone calls related to the 'key' issue. By the end of the hour we caught 10 crabs.

By 5am we decided to take our nap and headed to the van. So preoccupied with crabbing, we became oblivion to challenge our mind for the solution of the problem we encountered-broken key!!. I supposed we get used to 'just hit the button' mode made the 'handling key' to be such hassle. Point to ponder- prepare for the unprepared because when we do come out from our 'comfort zone' at least we are ready to face the deadly ugly truth!!

Inside the van, the kids are sleeping peacefully and left the grownups to indulge in serious talk for solution to get home. Since RAA can only unlock the steering wheel but not to tamper the wire which is illegal. Hence, Romi called his friend Rollan. Now picture this, Rollan is staying 45km down south from our house location. He has to drive alone at dawn about 150km to Ardrasson from our house just to hand over the spare key. Would you go?! Well he did arrive with a smile on his face with the key in his hand. Brother thanked him profusely and offered him money for fuel, which he wouldn't accept. Love leaves a legacy..."How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishment, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth". KUDOS to Rollan!!

Awaken by the sunrise, we glad to witness the breathtaking scenery.

While waiting for the rescue, we caught another 4 crabs which bring 14 crabs altogether. We took 6 crabs and left the rest to Romi.


Along the way back, as tradition the passenger in front has to stay awake to accompany the driver. I kept my eyes open the whole time even though hard. There were times I pretentiously enjoying the outside views just to develop conversation with brother.

Once we reached home feeling sleepy, I gathered the energy to cook the crabs before paying back my sleep debt. After completing the task, I took a cold shower and Good night everyone - it was 2 in the afternoon. Resulted to this experienced, I had my fingers blister from pulling the rope, sleep deprive, backache after standing for hours, gastritis for insufficient food but out of all these it is worth the MILES....

Me, Jane, Bridget, Augustine, Jason and Doreen feeling overjoyed after crackin the crabs :)