Back to School!

Fun Fun Fun

2008-03-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

I m having so much fun this year! Each week is always packed with things to do...fun and serious.
Pictures

Moomba Festival:

Cakes...ice choco...hot choco (pics not ready:p)

Cakes at Chapel st

Potluck at Poh Sun's place

Night market at Queen Victoria

2008-02-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was the last day for the night market at Queen Vict. That means it is the end of summer. Autumn will officially arrive in March.

We had a great time at the market. I missed the night market last year so I had to go this year. The many food stalls from different nationalities were simply amazing. Love the diversity. In Singapore we have four major racial groups...but in Melbourne...you get to see much more. Really love it here! They also had other stalls like handicraft and massage...but food is more appealing to me...heehee...

Anyway, Keiko, Hannah and I had yummy choco crepes with ice-cream. Lovely! And Hannah bought some veg rice and prata from India...yummy too.

Finally, we ended the night with dancing...something that I have never done (in public):p They had an African group performing on stage. The music was great! People were dancing and enjoying themselves...so did we!

Back in Melbourne again

2008-02-19T17:41:00.001-08:00

Have not been blogging for a long time. Was back in Singapore...too distracted to blog. Anyway, I am back in Melbourne. My last lapse in Melbourne. Check out my new room at grad house. Old, small and simple but comfortable!

Learn how to make dessert too:o)

Keiko introduced me to a new dessert...her own version of 'chocobanana' which is a very popular summer snack in Japan. Yummy!

Berry picking at last!

2007-12-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

Fun with Gloria in Melb

2007-12-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

Birthday!

2007-12-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

Tassie trip photos

2007-12-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

Tassie is beautiful...simply enchanting.

Great Ocean Road

2007-10-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

Yarra Valley

2007-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Nice scenery, great company, wine tasting and fine dining!!! What a perfect day!

Stressful October!!!!

2007-10-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

So many assignments...not enough time!!! Will not think about it now...haha:p Enjoy the photos we took during our semester break:o)

Williamstown

Tulip Festival

2007-09-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

It is SPRING!!!

2007-09-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Took some crazy photos on campus two weeks ago:p Spring is here!!!!

And I spent a day at Williamstown...a quiet but beautiful town. I even visited the Sciencework which is similar to our Science centre. Very educational...but I am too lazy to download the photos into my laptop. Btw the church will be going to the tulips festival after service on Sunday. So I will upload all the pictures at one shot...when I have time...heehee

Highlights for September

2007-09-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on the ethic committee approval which I need to submit by the 25th of this month and an assignment due in early October. After which, I have 3 assignments due in early November. But these are not the highlights for September! Heehee...

FOOD! GLORIOUS FOOD!
- Cell group outing on the 1st of sept
We had Malaysian food (Hainanese chicken, laska, beef hor fun, mee goreng, fried kway tiao and seafood noodle) followed by ice chocolate at Koko black (Lygon)...must try that...very nice:p
- another cell group outing today
We will be going to Springvale for dim sum. Heard it is very nice!!! Can't wait!

Kokoda Walk
- the church will be going for a 1000 steps walk after service this Sunday...hope all my gym workouts will pay off!

Great Ocean Road
- I will be going to GOR again but only for 2 days with my friends in Melbourne during the two weeks semester break. I figure that I need a break from all my assignments! A short break will be nice and it will be our last trip as a group. After that, we will all be busy with assignments and packing to go back to Singapore!

Berry picking
- the cell group is planning strawberry picking trip. Don't know where and when but I hope we will get to go:o)

My mini library

2007-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

I am on a "shopping spree" for books at the education library because it will be closed from 14 of sept to next year for renovation. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEMESTER >o( (angry face). We need books for assignments and research!!!! VERY UPSET!

Apparently there were two or more demonstrations by the students...but...sigh... . Anyway, I have got over it. See my mini library below...guess how many books have I borrowed? HAHA!!! Give a hint...we can borrow up to 100 books. BTW, this is not the end:p

Transformation?

2007-08-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

Just like to share a thought about my journey in Melbourne. As I go through each day, I feel that God is revealing His purpose for me in Melbourne. He wants me to look at myself...look at who I am and who He wants me to be.

To begin with I need to work on my perception...who I believe myself to be...my self-beliefs! I am not going in detail but what I mean is I know that I am victorious in God...but I never really believe in it. It is just head knowledge. I don't really believe that I am "significant, accepted, safe and secure" (quoting from the Beta series that we are doing in cg). I feel that in order to believe in all that, I have to let go of myself, my background, my past, my identity...which is quite scary (even though they are bad qualities) because I have to come out of my comfort zone. I mean it is so difficult to let go of my identity...the identity that is in me for so many years...in fact all my life and just give it to God so that He can transform me. Actually, I feel that I am my own hurdle. I hinder myself almost of the time.

Well, it is about time to think about it and work on it. No more escaping...it has always been parked at the back of my head all this while but there are always so many things to do that I never really dealt with myself...I guess God brought me here so that I cannot run away anymore...I have to build myself to be more effective for Him. I have to move on and change! Don't know if I can do it...but with God all things are possible!

Better get serious!

2007-08-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't notice, I have been enjoying myself since my return from Singapore. Can't snap out of my holiday mood...oh no!!! I told my supervisor that I will finish my Literature review by the end of the month (btw I found a supervisor and currently working on my thesis). Guess what? I am not even 10% done! Oh No!!! I better get going! On top of the thesis, I have 4 assignments this semester. OH NO! Ok, don't fret! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!!! Stop PROCRASTINATING and START WORKING!!!!

August events

2007-08-15T22:42:00.001-07:00

National Day Celebration 2007 in Melbourne

See how red we are!!!

Yong Tau Foo Outing

We are outside the yong tau foo shop. Just look at our bags and faces! Heehee...so satisfied with what we brought :o)

Ballarat

2007-08-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

I went to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat today. Ballarat was a mining town in the 1850s. Soverign Hill is a recreation of the goldfields at that time. It was educational and fun. I enjoyed myself and learnt more about the "gold diggers".

National Day

2007-08-11T03:21:00.001-07:00

National Day was a disappointment! A few of us went to the National Day celebration organised by Uni Melb's SSS (Singapore Student Society). They promised big screen for NDP but the screen was small and the computer hang all the time. In the end, we did not get to watch it at all:o( The event was held in a pub and we had to pay $12...but we had fun anyway. We were entertaining ourselves...fooling around, playing silly games and taking photos:o)

Will show you the photos will my friends pass them to me on Tues.

Mount Buller Trip

2007-08-07T19:08:00.001-07:00

I went to Mt Buller last Saturday. Told myself that I must experience snowing. I mean I have seen and touched snow in New Zealand but not snowing! Heehee...God granted my wish!!! In fact, it was snowing the WHOLE DAY! It was so cold that I wished it would stop. Haha!

The view up in the mountain was...SPECTACULAR. I had a great time with Li Nah and Jenny (2 Singaporeans who just arrived). We took the chairlift which is around AU$19 and I love toboggan!!! SO FUN!!!

As I was reflecting on the trip, I have so many things to give thanks. Besides, the snow, fun and good company. Most of all, I want to thank God for safety. We booked a day trip to Mt Buller and there were 2 pick-up point, one at the city and the other at boxhill. I am the only one staying in the city which means I need to be in the city as early as 5.50am...alone. I checked the tram schedule and apparently there were no tram at that time.

To be honest, I was very worried because it can be quite dangerous walking early in the morning. It is so dark and quiet and there may drunkards and homeless in the city. I pray...very hard for God to provide me with a solution. However, I was still worried after praying. In fact, I was so scared...heehee...that I could not sleep that night.

Anyway, I woke up at 4.30am and left the house at 5.05am as it will take me around 40min to walk. The moment I stepped out of my apartment...lo and behold...there was a tram...waiting (I would like to think it was waiting for me:p). Thank God! I did not have to walk to town and I got there on time. I felt so silly for worrying!

My new boots

2007-07-24T21:55:00.001-07:00

I bought a new pair of boots some time ago. Nice?

Pre cell group meeting

2007-07-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

I will be having a cell group soon in Melbourne. There are a few newcomers in church and they happen to stay in the city. So one of them suggested that we should form a cell group. So we have a pre cell group meeting at our place last sunday. We had steamboat!!! Yum yum...love it especially in winter.

Back in Melbourne

2007-07-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed myself back in Singapore. All the food...yumyum...I had all kind of crabs (black pepper, chilli, stream,...) not forgeting bak gua, hokkien mee, fried carrot cake, lor mee, chicken rice...heehee...I am hungry now!!! Actually what I miss most about Singapore is my family and friends...the moment I reached Changi Airport...I felt it...when I stepped into the departure gate and waved goodbye to my family...I was crying already...when I was on the plane, I was thinking of my parents, little Syn Yee and Nathan...sigh...then my thesis!!!! Oops! I have not done much...Better start working on it soon!

But it is nice to be back in Melbourne. I enjoy the weather more than hot Singapore even it is winter now. I went to Chadston today with Sing Ee and Keiko. It is huge! More like our Vivio City. So big that we did not buy anything...hee... But it is nice to go to the suburb. I enjoyed looking at the houses which reminded me of my NZ days. Nice:)

Great Ocen Road with Eddie & family

2007-06-13T16:45:00.001-07:00

Winter Hol!!!

2007-06-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

It has been so long...I have been missing in action due to my ASSIGNMENTS!!! Whoever says masters is a breeze...is a liar!!! I almost "died" doing my assignments! I have four assignments, each is a killer! There are so many books, journals, articles...to read...and I have to make sense of all these within two to three weeks and concise them into a 4000 words essay. Imagine doing that for four assignments...non-stop...no break!!! After Audrey left...no more hol for me! My life revolves around assignments...lessons...assignments...Haha...at except for gym and occasional potluck and movies...heehee...and my brother visited me in May...

But I enjoy the process. I have learnt a lot. From discipline to time management to understanding scholarly literature to writing a report or essay to mastering grammar and language...(grasping for air)... So many things to learn!!! Hmm...all in all - I have no regrets! It is good to be out of the system (work) and see things in a different perspective.

Anyway, the first semester is over! I am having my winter break now. The weather is really cold...3 degrees this morning...but it is ok because I am going back to Singapore in two days! Haha...I miss my family especially my cute little nephew and niece:o)

Can't wait! See ya!

Pictures of Audrey and Eunice in Melb:)

2007-03-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Audrey came to visit me from the 11th to 17th of March. Each day was so eventful:o) There were so much to do and so little time. On the first day, she cooked dinner for me. The menu: Laska, potato salad and soya bean chicken. Very NICE!

The next highlight is the trip to Philip Island...the penguins are so cute. Unfortunately, we can't take photos because it will blind the penguins. But I can show you the yummy dinner we had - Fish and chips:o)

We also met up with Mdm Poon on Friday. So good to meet up with my friends in Melbourne! Forgot to take picture...we were too busy eating and talking...

On the last day, we went to Botanic Garden...Beautiful...see for yourselves.

We really enjoyed ourselves.

My brother and his family will be coming next...have to work hard finishing all my assignments before I can enjoy myself again:o)

Busy Busy Busy

2007-03-10T03:31:00.000-08:00

Have not been blogging for the past few days because I was busy at school. Have been in school most of the time and my classes are from 9pm to 4pm or 9pm to 815pm. By the time I got home, I was too tired to do anything. But I really enjoyed my lessons. I have learnt a lot from counselling to understanding students. The only thing I don't enjoy is assignments!! I have 3 due in May. Hmm...better start working on them soon...no more last min work! Haha...hope I can do it:p

I have also joined fitness first. I am feeling really guilty because I am very tight...but I guess I really need to exercise...must have a healthy lifestyle esp in winter and for sanity...when I am stress!!! So gym is good. Keep telling myself that it is worth it...but somehow I feel very guilty for spending the money...sigh...will have to cut on food and transport. So far I have been walking to school. I like walking in the morning because it is quiet and the air is fresh. BTW, I tried body attack on Fri and almost DIED!!! So tough...I am really weak! Must build my stamina! I did plump and step on Thurs too and I could not tahan towards the end...bec I did not have my breakfast or lunch. I only had some potato chips:p My face was so pale towards the end...even I got a shock! Must remember to eat 2 hours before I exercise...don't want to faint...not a pretty sight:p The other thing is the instructors are not as good as Singapore. They are not ready for the new release! They did not practice hard enough! I really miss Mr Woh's lesson!

Btw, I have finally finished writing my thesis proposal after the long struggle with the topic. I changed my mind almost every other day. It is not a perfect piece of work but at least I am moving on. I have a lot of people to thank. Karen, for vetting it for me, Jenny and Florence for encouragement and prayer. And of course God for seeing me through. The next step is to find a supervisor! There is still a long way to go. But at least I have taken the first step! Pray hard that I will find a supervisor. I will be seeing one of my lecturers this wed. Hopefully, she will like my proposal and agree to be my supervisor.

Two of my good friends are getting married today. A colleague and a sec sch friend. They are so dear to me. I am sad that I can't be there to celebrate with them...boohoo...how can I miss such an important event in their lives!!!!! All I can do is to wish them happiness. I am sure they will enjoy their special day:o)

One last piece of news is...I am so excited! Audrey will be here tomorrow. Can't wait to see her!!! I am really looking forward to see someone from home! We will have so much to talk about!

First Day of School

2007-02-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

First day of school! I feel like a student going to school and attending lessons for the first time. Hey! Wait! I am a student!!! Haha! Anyway, today was a fulfilling day. I walked to uni and it took me around an hour. But it was a good walk...want to save money mah! The tram ticket here is very expensive unlike Singapore. A day pass is around $6.10. But there are cheaper options like $2.67 for a 2hrs tram ride...but still...walking is more economical and I needed the exercise:o)

I was in school at 10.30am and went straight to the library to do my research for my thesis. Heehee, I am a model student:p I am still thinking of what to do...sigh...must think about what I am passionate about. I went for my first lesson at 1pm. The course is "Invitation to Critical Thinking". I signed up for it because it was free...but came out feeling very confused! Apparently, there is no definition for "critical thinking" because no matter how you try to define it, people will be critical about it...that means it will never be right. Do you get it? Critical thinking is...I better not try to define it or else the critics out there will try to question and correct me:p

Anyway, that was my first lesson...After that, I went to the library again to look at other people's theses to give me a rough idea on how to write a thesis. On top of that, I also borrowed 4 books and hopefully my inspiration will come...

My next and final lesson was at 5:15 to 8:15 on "Counselling in Educational Settings"...very interesting. I like it...today was only the orientation so we did not do much but played two games to get to know one another and do a case study. We learnt more about each other and how people reacted to situation through the games. As for the case study, we went into a group discussion and as usual...I was very quiet. Then all the sudden one of my group members asked "Eunice, do you have anything to say?" I was dumbfounded for awhile...didn't know what to say because they have said it all!!!! So I just went...blah blah blah...I don't even remember what I said! Must be something irrelevant or stupid...URGHHHHHHHHH! Nevermind, I will be thick skin and next time I will make sure I am the first to give my opinion. After lesson, I was thinking of walking home again but it was too dark and quiet. So I took tram home. That was my day...my typical day for the next 1.5 years! hmm...I can live with that...at least it is not the same from what I was doing for the past 7 years:o)

Bye bye to holiday...

2007-02-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Boohoo...my hol is over. I officially start school on Mon:( I am feeling the stress now!!! None of the Singaporean teachers I met here are doing thesis...I am beginning to doubt my decision! Why should I do it?!? It is so tough...I have not started and I am really lost! Don't know where to begin!!!! BTW it is not even approved by the faculty! I need to write my proposal, find a supervisor (which is VERY difficult according to a professor I spoke to during faculty orientation today) HOW??? I don't know where to start! God please help me. This is beyond me! I think I am having a panic attack! On top of that, I just bought my reading materials for one module...and it is SO SO SO thick! No more msn, no more emailing...it is time to get focus and STUDY! So i am sorry if it takes a long time for me to reply for your mail or if I dun response to your msn messages...please understand ok:o) It is now 12.26am...i think i better stop here and read my notes...boohoo...bye

BTW my sis corrected me that she did not make char siew in London, it was roasted duck...WOW! WOW! YUMYUM!

Photos

2007-02-18T03:19:00.000-08:00

We baked CNY cookies...very nice...they melt in your mouth!

Photos of Port Melbourne and St Kilda

Orientation

2007-02-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

I have been busy with orientation for the past few days. There are many sessions for us to attend but the good thing is they allow us to choose what we want. I have attended 3 sessions so far and the most important one is on Thursday where I will confirm my subjects. I will downloaded my photos soon, so please wait patiently:o)

The weather here is really killing me...so HOT!!! It was 38 degree yesterday and will be the same today:( It was CNY eve yesterday...so sad that I can't be with my family and friends. But thank God, My flatemate and I were invited to her friend's church for service and reunion dinner...so it was great! At least we do not have to spend New Year alone with no good food! One of them even baked pineapple tarts!!! HAHA! At least I get to eat some CNY goodies. After that, we went to Southgate which is very near my place for a CNY carnival! There were so many asian food there. I had bak gua...to be exact...one piece of honey pepper beef bak gua for $2.50. So expensive! The taste...hmm...cannot compare lah! So when you eat bak gua, please remember to appreciate every bite because poor Eunice here has NONE!!! HAHA

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year...so have a Blessed New Year and please remember to give me hongbao even though I am not in Singapore. My mum will safeguard them for me:p We will be going to St Kilda beach today with some other Singaporeans whom I got to meet during the orientation. Will update you on it soon:o)

Have fun collecting or giving out hongbao, eat more goodies and think of me when you do so...heehee...take care:o)

The LONGEST WALK...

2007-02-13T02:44:00.000-08:00

I went for a LONG walk today. I mean really LONG walk! I estimated..around 13km!!! Haha! What an achievement:o) My flatmate and I decided to walk because we did not have enough coins to take a tram. And we needed to exercise...so that was how we started walking. From my apartment to Port Melb which is about 2.4km. After lunch...I had roast chicken and big serving of chips (really yummy and extremely sinful) while Pesvien had one small slice of chocolate cake and latte...so we decided to walk along the coast to St Kilda beach. That is roughly 4km. After that we figured that since we have been walking for so long...might as well walk all the way home. Anyway, it is the best way to explore the place. So we walked from St Kilda to Albert Park and HOME!!! That is around 7km!!! HAHAHA!!! What an achievement! I have never walked so much at one go before. It was fun...looking at the scenic view and beautiful architectural along the way. We did some shopping too. I bought a pair of sunglasses and hat because the sun is really hot!!! Wait! This is not all, we went swimming too! HAHA!!! It was great! I feel so relax! But my legs hurt now...too much walking. I guess I will sleep very soundly tonight:o) Will download the photos tomorrow...too tired to do it now!

My first non-boiled meal

2007-02-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

HAHAHA...I am finally sick of boiled food. I have been eating very healthily since I arrived. Unlike my sis who is a very great cook (she can even make char siew in London), I can't cook:( So I had nothing but carrot, potato and onion soup or instant noodles since wed. And we are not going out today bec we need to clean up the apartment, I decided to fry bee hoon. HAHAHA...the result? See it for yourself. It is too blend so I need to add chilli sauce but apart from that...hmm...beef is not very cooked...bee hoon is too soft...cabbage is not very cooked but it is alright bec it can be eaten raw...on the whole...I finished it! It is my cooking so I have to be responsible for it. Heehee...it is a good experience though. Will do better next time:o)

The apartment

2007-02-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

My room

the view from my window

Living room and Kitchen

More pictures...

2007-02-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Hard Work!!!

Melbourne here I come...

2007-02-11T06:08:00.000-08:00

I AM HERE IN MELBOURNE! I just can't believe it. It all happened so fast...no time to digest. From the time I made up my mind to further my studies to the application and the long tedious preparation (getting approval from moe, finishing my work, buying and packing my luggage)...WOW! Time just flies! But I really want to take this time to give thanks. Thank you God for being there for me all the way and sending people to encourage, reassure and pray for me. I don't know how I can get through all these struggles and uncertainties without you. Thank you for blessing me with so many wonderful people...my family, friends, colleagues, cell group and students. Can't express how grateful and touched I am! Will not forget all the farewell lunches, dinners and the final farewell at the airport! I miss all of them.

Melb is great! I love this place. There is so much to do...so many places to go...I am simply lost...no idea what to do first. Thank God for Pesvien, my new flatmate. Thank God that I have someone to share this with. We do all the things together...buying furniture, fixing the furniture, buying phone cards, setting up the internet, exploring the neighbourhood and city, shopping for groceries, even exercise!!! I am so proud of myself, I swim and jog almost everyday! Hope this will last:p Agnes is not here to motivate me anymore...and no more Mr Woh:(

My apartment is too good to be true. I feel as if I am living in a hotel! Everything is so new and clean. It even has a swimming pool,gym, spa, tennis court and bbq pit! WOW! Thank God for sending Hannah (my the other flatmate) to look for the place and securing it. I love my neighbourhood too. It is not as noisy as the city, the tram is just across the road, South Melb Market and other eateries in walking distance, Crown Casino is just opposite...heehee...It is really a nice and safe environment! LOVE IT! It is just like living in Shenton Way...I feel like a rich lady living in a service apartment...unfortunately I am not:( The view from our windows is also great!

We went to North Richmond today and had some Chinese food...that was great too...after eating nothing but instant noodles and soup for the past few days...heehee...I am too lazy to cook...so just boiled stuff.

Check out the pictures that Pesvien and I took. Enjoy:o)