Did you know...#3

'Siam Park' is NOT in Thailand. It is actually in Tenerife, which happens to be a Spanish island.

The website mentions that "Siam Park Tenerife is the newest and most exciting water park in Europe!". It is apparently set to reflect the ancient kingdom of Thailand.

What's mine is yours and what's your's is mine... I guess.

Crying Babies and Noisy Old Ladies

I went on a Virgin Atlantic flight for the first time last friday. Luckily, the flight wasn't full so I grabbed a whole row to lie down. My plan was obviously to get some sleep, at least for a couple of hours through the 9 hours flight. But I just couldn't sleep. Why? Babies!! Ok, all I'm going to say is that I don't think kids should be on a long-haul flight unless they've learnt how to shut up.

So in the end, I stayed up watching Sex and the City movie (which I proceed to cry my eyes out... don't judge me... I was in a sentimental mood), and Made of Honor (again, crying my eyes out).

On the flight back, not only were the babies crying, there was a bunch of old ladies talking and laughing loudly throughout most the flight. GRRRRRR. But I actually got more sleep on the flight back to Sydney. I guess I was more tired than I thought.

OOH! ok... did you know that they serve 'Virgin Cola' on the flight?

What does it taste like, you ask?
It tastes similar to the normal, un-virginized cola, but fizzier and sweeter. HEHEHE

Did you know...#2

William Willett invented daylight savings time because he doesn't want to cut his golfing time short?

He made a proposal of his idea in 1907 but sadly passed away in 1914 before the bill was passed in 1916.

How old am I?

ok.. so i was trying to win myself an LG 42" High Definition LCD TV from Dick Smith Electronics, and on the page to submit in my entry, this is what i see...

as of today (October 1, 2008) i am 9532 days old!!! O_O

* Peter Russell's website can calculate your age in days, if you want to know. Although, he is not to be mistaken for Russell Peters, who is a comedian.

Penguin Lover

i LOVE books. i love reading. i love it even more if the authors that i follow use the same publisher.. because the front cover illustration always match... and they're so pretty when lined up together.

anyway, a few weeks ago i had 3 hours to kill waiting for SOMEONE to finish work. so i went to Dymocks to browse around and guess what i saw.......

glorious Penguin books!!! they're popular, classic titles published by Penguin. they're in their most simplest Penguin front cover style. i want them... but i also know that if i get one, i would need all... and i think its a bit much... i don't think i can finish reading all of the books because i always want more new release books, and in the end if i were to get them, the main reason would be because i want to see a replica of that bookshelf in my room

M.U.S.T S.H.A.R.E

i've been waiting all day to share this URL with all you nice people who reads my blog. it's a promotional work between youtube and nintendo wii called

"Experience Wii"

you've GOT TO check it out.

*shouts out to Betty for sharing the URL with me*

i am NOT a PC

ok... so i was watching 'The Hills'... and there are always these short commercial breaks showcasing the show's sponsors.

today, the sponsor for the show is Windows... so then they show the new Windows commercial with the slogan 'Life Without Walls'. there were actually quite a few celebrities featured in the 30 seconds commercial, although they only appear for less than 5 seconds.


the thing is... after watching 3 different 30 seconds commercial, i still don't get the message. it's a bit of a weak attempt to try to say 'PC is for everybody'. anyway, i'll let you all judge for yourself.

Kayaking On A Sunday

so... today i went kayaking... it was a spur of the moment thing.  we were supposed to go fishing but while driving around looking for the right place to plant our bait, we passed a kayak rental shop and since the weather is so nice... why not?

well... if any reason should be given to the question 'why not?' it's because i can't swim, even if my life depended on it... which means that i've developed a mild aversion to water sports.  but... we went anyway.. and it was a good thing we did... the view was really nice... sunny with clear blue sky.  it was a little bit difficult to paddle though, because doggy was with us.  before we rented the kayak, we tested his swimming ability and he was fine.

half an hour later, doggy proved that he is not a strong swimmer after all.  he struggled a bit after we put him in the water... so he had to be hoisted up, soaking the cold sea water along with him. 

 

despite getting my clothes all wet, and now having a sore left arm, it was a really fun activity.

the cost of renting a double kayak for 1 hour = AUD $40

enjoying the sunny clear blue sky, seeing doggy swim (and later seeing him accidentally fall into the water and almost losing him with the waves) = PRICELESS

 

...i want...#2

... to try

Arctic Spa

Apparently, it's a spa with heated seat and "mint-infused" air with a temperature of 12.7 degrees celsius O_O. Not only that, there are also crystal snowflakes made out of water and soap falling from the ceiling O_O. I know it'll probably be really cold in there, but .. look at it!!! Don't you just want to try it????

The chances of me actually getting there is slimmer than seeing actual snow though. The QUA Bath & Spa is exclusive to Caesars (Las Vegas & Atlantic City).

...i want...#1

... to see

Aurora Borealis
(aka. Northern Lights)

Did you know...#1

... that KitKats sold in America is produced under license by Hershey's while KitKats sold everywhere else is produced by Nestle???

Red Mango vs. Red Mango

When I went back home in July, Jane was only too happy to take me to Red Mango to try their frozen yogurt. I thought the name was familiar but I didn't think too much of it.

And when I came back to work, I realised why the name was so familiar. There's a patisserie on my way to work with the same name.

------ VS. ------

So there you go... Korean frozen yogurt vs. Sydney patisserie...

Who will win in this battle of brand names?? Fyi, Wikipedia is on the frozen yogurt side...

Mr. Weather Needs An Attitude Change

This is the weather outlook for the next couple of days in Sydney:

This is supposed to be spring, and yet it feels like extreme winter in some tropical countries.  I mean, look at Tuesday - lowest = 3 degrees - does that sound like 'spring' temperature to you???

Life In Reality TV Mode

Is anyone else addicted to 'The Hills'??

Ok, for those who doesn't know what 'The Hills' is, and are too lazy to follow through the link to find out what it is, I'll give you a brief description.

'The Hills' is a reality TV show that follows the lives of Lauren Conrad and her friends as she ventured into the glamorous world of fashion. The show documents the ups and downs of relationships. It is apparently un-scripted, but every episode made me question the truth in that. There is just too much drama!!

BUT.. that said... this past week, I've started to see my life as a reality TV show. It had been one of the most frustrating and drama filled week I've had for a while (and I'm hoping that it would never happen again). Then I start to wonder, if my life was documented the same way that Lauren's life is document, would I have as high a rating as she does? Probably not, because

1. I'm not in hollywood
2. I'm not rich enough to be a fashion role model that she has now become
3. I don't have an exciting job (Lauren works in fashion and gets to go on fashion shows and photoshoots and such. I don't see how anyone could enjoy watching me sit in front of the computer all day)

but, hey! at least the past week had confirmed that at times, my life can be as stuffed with drama as all those other reality TV personalities.

i *heart* Apple

trying to sound less geeky than it seems, i have to admit i went to the opening of the new Apple flagship store in Sydney. how could i not, when it's the second largest Apple store in the world!!!

initially i planned to go to the store after work, but, getting closer to the store, i realise that it would be near impossible to get in because the trail of people lining up ran down to two blocks. some people camped infront of the store since the day before the opening, so they can be the first to get into the store and receive their commemorable t-shirt.

the store boasts a massive glass window that covers the whole of the street-facing end. the see-through glass means you are able to see all displayed products inside the store... which also means people can salivate over the glorious Apple products. each floor of the store is dedicated to a different section of the Apple products and services. the first floor is dedicated to MacBooks, the second floor is dedicated to iPods and accessories, and the third floor is dedicated to iMacs and the "Genius Bar" where Apple experts teaches and trains you in various Apple applications. it was such a thrill to walk through the glass staircase to the different floors. there's something futuristic about the contrast between the metal walls and the translucent staircase that is so inviting.

in terms of the 7P's of marketing (YES! there are 7!! and YES! i am using a marketing concept), Apple truly excelled in 2P's. doesn't mean that they don't excel in the other P's, it's just i wanted to pick 2 because it's Apple. (Get it? a-P-P-l-e?? 2P's???)

anyway.. the first of the two P's is "product". no need to dwell too much here. we all know that Apple products are great. both in style and functionality. i was a reluctant MacBook user, but since the doggy broke my computer, i got a MacBook and i've been in love with Apple products ever since. now i'm just as enthusiastic about Apple products as all the other advocates.

the second P i would like to mention is "people". one of the other reasons that i love Apple is their customer service. when i was in the process of getting the MacBook, i've contacted the customer service representative quite a bit. everytime i rang or email them, they always are extremely helpful and friendly, and they made me feel great to be their customer. since i was born, i think they're the only customer service center that made me want to give them a big hug rather than wishing a meteorite fell on their house. the high level of customer service is clearly shown at the store. the salesperson were very helpful, friendly and welcoming. the guard and the staffs even offered to look after musashi so we can go in the store.

this little thing is probably the first doggy to get in the Apple store!! although he had to walk straight out because obviously no pets allowed in high-tech arena. once again, a wave of gratitude to the guard and the staff members who looked after musashi and allowed us to bask in the glory of the Apple store on opening day.

i confirm: i *heart* Apple

Watery Eyed

although it's impossible, but sometimes i wish that the water in the harbour rises up to the pedestrian walkway.

there's something so serene about seeing the water that high.

nostalgia

nos-tal-gia : a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

--------------------------------------

i met up with a high school friend over coffee + dinner today.  it was so weird seeing her again. i haven't seen her for 12 years!! we went to shatin college together, but i was there for only a few months before she had to move back to new zealand with her family.  ever since, we haven't been in contact at all.  until facebook came into the picture.  

it was really great meeting her and chit chatting about how things are with everyone that we've been in touch with.  seeing her reminds me of life in high school and how carefree everyone thing was.  

~the joy of being young~

I'm legal again!!

It's not that I was here illegally.  But you see... my visa expired since the end of April.  And I was on a 'bridging' visa since then.  It's legal, but it's just not a real visa.  It's a visa for people who are waiting for their application to get approved.  And I hate being on it because 

1. it still doesn't feel like it's legal, although it is. 

2. while on that visa, I can't travel anywhere.  Although it's not like I have the moolah to travel anywhere but I don't like the restriction.

So now I finally have peace of mind that I am here legally.

WooHoo for me!!!!!

A Chocolate-y World

It was less than a couple of months ago that the world went ga-ga for chocolate, with it being Valentine's day and all. And just over a month after that it went ga-ga again.. this time it's Easter.

Maybe it's just the lack of creativity, or the fact that after all the chocolate related holidays, I'm still sitting at my work desk, munching on peanut M&M's.

I've just come to a realization that we live in a pretty sweet world (technically speaking). When I was young, living in an Asian country, there wasn't alot of nice chocolate going around. So when my dad starts to travel the world on his numerous meetings and conferences, he always bring back tasty chocolate (which my mom proceed to hiding in her bedside table and occasionally place some in the fridge for me and my brother). But now, chocolate seems to appear in all types and sizes. There are chocolate bars (the actual sweets, not the place you go for drinks), chocolate fountain, chocolate scented orchids, and even chocolate hotel rooms. It's EVERYWHERE.

There was a time when I got bored of eating chocolate and it all seems so mundane. Now I wonder... would the brown beans loss their charm? Or would it continue to be a chocolate-(in)fest(ed) world?

The Doggy Broke My Computer!!!

The old 'the dog ate my homework' excuse just doesn't cut it for today's technologically "driven" world anymore does it? (I use the word "driven" lightly because it feels more like "controlled" than "driven", but feel free to argue...)

Here's a new excuse for you...

THE DOGGY BROKE MY COMPUTER!!!!

oh yeah! it did!!! my computer screen broke because he jumped on it. Granted it was my fault for leaving it on the floor, but I've left it on the floor before for months and he doesn't touch it, why now?????

It's a sign...URG! was annoyed but now ok... or at least getting there... I thought of getting the screen fix but it costs almost as much as getting a new one -_-' ...

Can you not squash my donut, PLEASE???

I walk pass a Krispy Kreme store every morning on my way to the train station. And since I don't usually have breakfast, the scent and sight of the donuts make my stomach growl. I give in from time to time... today is one of those times.

For some reason, today's train was extremely packed. I was pushed into the train and I didn't have to hold on to the poles or anything to stand up straight. This is bad on 2 accounts. One, I am push against strangers I would never elected to be pushed against. Two, not only am I pushed against those strangers, my donut is being harassed as well. O_O
Before boarding the train, I put the bag of donut in my handbag because.. well... it feels kind of sad holding a bag of a single donut while others are holding big boxes of them. This also means that the single donut is more vulnerable to being squish than the ones in the box. So.. please please rush hour train commuters... be gentle to my donut. I don't want to eat flatten dough in the morning :(

Note: I just found out the reason why the train was extremely packed this morning. There was an accident near one of the stations that caused a delay to the city bound trains. Even so, that is not an excuse to squash my donut. Yah, I'm talking to you, BIG, tall lady!!!

A Kind Heart in a Crowded Train

This post was originally in my "new" blog... but since that went off in flames, I thought I shouldn't let my words go to waste... so... here's that entry... the only one I wrote for that blog -_-'

---------------------------------------------------------

A Kind Heart in a Crowded Train

I was touched this morning (emotionally, not physically -_-).

Everyone knows that morning peak hours are full of people who (probably) woke up late and trying to push themselves on the train so they won't get to the office later than they already are. I anticipated this morning to be no different.

Oh, how wrong I can be!!!

Upon boarding the train, I was standing right behind an old lady. One look at her tells me this: Her mission - to get in the train unharmed Destination - an empty seat She courageously pushed her way inside the train but was blocked by people who got in before her. She seeped in between the people looking for an empty seat. When she was about to walk up (or down) the stairs to continue her search, a man in shorts and a t-shirt got up and offered her his seat...

I was touched~ I saw it all happen... there is still goodness in the world!!! When the world starts to look darker than muddy water, a small act of kindness like this erased all that is wrong with the world in my eyes. I was overwhelmed by a sense of serenity, an intense calmness washes over me and transports me to a perfect world...............


...............until someone elbowed me on the back and i was brought back to reality -_-

Over and over again

After tweaking with the new blog, once again, I decided to come back to Blogger. It's exactly what Jupperz said, "I only like (name eliminated on purpose) for the pretty templates". I never learn! I mean, this is probably the 4th time I've been trying to migrate to another blog without success. Also (if you're not blind), you'll probably notice the cute template I am using to re-launch (yet again) my blog. It's sooooo adorable, no? It's designed by Gisele Jaquenod. Her work are so cuuuuuuuuuute!!!

PS. if you're reading this after April 3, 2008, I have already changed the blog template again. So if you want to see the cuuuuuuuuuute blog templates by Gisele, you can always visit her blog. :)

I'm still alive

Due to a number of requests to update my blog (ONE, to be exact), here it is....

Now that I have more time... ok.. that's a hint to people who knows me... when I say that I have 'more time', it usually means I am working and thus needing some distraction... notice how I blog more when I was still in uni, but not so much after I graduated? (oh, by the way, I graduated last December). So... now that I have more time, I shall start blogging again... in fact, I have so much time that I created another blog... just for the sake of having it. I will let you all know the URL for the new blog as soon as I've tweaked around with it.

So, yes, I am alive, and yes, I am working now, and yes, I am still in Sydney. Thanks for all the concerns people (person). I'm still alive.

:)