01 Apr 08
04.01.08 (3:50 am) [edit]Its April Fools today, but no time and no mood for April jokes, better not have any1 come and fool around with me.
I woke up rather late today, as I only Zzz at 0600 doing up my notes for the assignment, now is 0245 here and I'm still trying to finish up my 2nd article, still got 2 more... maybe I'm really stupid haha can't help saying myself since I have never done something for like 1 week and its not even half way done.
Its been about 1 month plus since I've arrived here, I will find 1 day where I can post pictures to summarized my stay here so far =) like a tour of the house, gold coast surfers' paradise, underwater world, weekend market trips, and maybe my Zoo trip as well =D o well got to get back to my assignment, I can't wait for this to end and start on my next assignment and start my running and exercises.
Photobucket testing (360x270)
03.30.08 (4:57 am) [edit]
This is the picture we took during our send off at Changi T3
From Left to Right:
Teresa, Denny, Gary, My Baobei, Me, Boss (Yonghao), Siling, Allen, Brandon, & Karen
30 Mar 08
03.30.08 (4:49 am) [edit]Its 300330 MAR 08, I've just managed to finish filling up 1 table for that 1 article. I've actually started on my 2nd article but after trying to fill up the table columns, I realized that it was not suitable since I'm not able to identify all the fields required. Am I stupid or really that article is not suitable at all, sometimes I question myself am I really the study type that can study and score well if I want to.
Set aside the 2nd piece and went on to the 3rd piece, its almost similar but at least this time I'm able to draw relations to the fields in the table. 1 article really takes me forever, Baobei told me it will be easier once I'm through with the 1st piece but that does not happen all the time as its not a practice I'm doing here, not like I get better doing after doing. Every piece of article is different and the way they present the research is different and so I've got to read everything and try to draw relevance to the fields in the table. Its not mission impossible but just need more time. Btw did I mention the tables are just part of the assignment, I need to write this 1000-2000 words report regarding all these 4 articles with the tables as appendixes.
Later as in a few hours time they will be going for this paint ball game, I would not be joining them this time, I hope there will be a next time. I really need to finish up this piece of assignment b4 end of this week so I can have time to improve on it before 7 Apr 08 and also I've got another assignment due on 14 Apr 08, that one I've higher confident I can get it done as the topics are similar to those I've taken in poly days, just a head start for me so... but still it does not mean I don't have to spend time doing it. =)
My baobei has been encouraging me to do my best now and then for my assignment but sometimes I just cannot take it, I get headaches and then I need rest, its like I need to get the right amount of rest and the right timing to wake up and then the condition of my body will be in perfect for study condition. Bullshit right, but its me I know, I wake up by forced I will feel tired and head will pain and if at night I don't zzz well then my body will ache and neck will pain, head will follow etc, then I will not be able to study.
Sometimes after reading my Baobei's OD I want to answer her those questions just that I also don't know how, like how i missed "her" sometimes and that I'm sure I don't have to repeat this "she is always here in my heart now and then so ya I miss her from time to time" =) I know sometimes we thought of her and then... I don't know the atmosphere just get dreamy hehe... alright time to zzz I've got to rush my article later... I don't want to miss the paint ball for nothing...
29 Mar 08
03.29.08 (4:41 pm) [edit]Been 3 days, waking up to almost a whole morning gone, been zzzing very late since I trying to rush my assignment.
All these research paper to read and understand what all these theories, hypotheses, constructs, concepts, variables means in each paper and understand the statistic results they received and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each paper and how it can be better.
Its only 4 papers and I have spent like 1 whole day just to collect them from internet sources and ensuring they meet the required criteria of published after 2000, must be scientific method of research, relevant to Corporate Social Responsibility. Is this so difficult? I guess it is for me now, getting into the study mood is almost there but then to study and then reapply all the things I ought to remember since my poly days are not easy (Statistics, Economics, Referencing etc) and I've got to get used to this no copy and paste thing in Uni where I've got to write everything in my own words and even so got to cite everything =( that is if I know are these things actually said by someone.
Dead line is 071600 APR 08, and I've yet to start on my 1st article. Got to go... "Its time to get the head into the game"
25 Mar 08
03.26.08 (1:29 am) [edit]Today we woke up late again, went to CBD only about 2plus in the afternoon and then we went to buy our things and then we bought something out of the blue... Magic Cards, well I guess I needed some games since my laptop does not support any new games. Initially I wanted to get the plug and play game that SG sells and you will be able to play with those lame games that people during the 90s like Pac man, Mario, some racing game that the car only need to go left or right to avoid other cars. haha but they don't sell those here or maybe I just haven't find it yet. Oh well bought the magic cards haha its just a simple deck of cards and we played them when we got home.
My Baobei actually went to school today to get her book that was ordered due to no stock and also to return her library book which was the same as the one she was going to buy. I did not go with her as the guys were going to CBD and its just going there to buy something and back so I don't see a need to all go while we can split up and head for our own directions and just come back. But she said I don't want to pei her and I don't want her to go with me... oh well...
Also bought DVDs again haha, High School Musical, the one she wanted to see for a long time, and Lake house. We watched the High School Musical during dinner and now its about time to study, I promised I will study for 3hrs a day and since this is the holidays I've actually enjoyed myself during the weekends so I guess its back to studying, got to start on my Assignment 1 for BRM, reading the PDF file I really don't know what the hell I'm reading here....
Back to reading...
23 Mar 08 - Trip to Sunnybank
03.24.08 (2:19 am) [edit]Today is the last day before we return our car at 1800 at Brisbane Transit Centre, before that we were suppose to head to CBD to buy my stuffs before heading down to Sunnybank. We woke up late but still made it in time, but after going to CBD, almost everything were closed due to the holiday so and it cost me $9 to park for 1st 1 hour. =S
Sunnybank was like Singapore to me haha =D very little ang mos there and mostly all asians, supposed to have Dim Sum there but the Q was very long so we just went to eat the usual stuffs then head down to Yuan's market place and bought our groceries. They say it was cheap there but somehow we managed to spend $200 there haha =P nothing much just head home after buying and went to try to see if the usual place where we went to buy meat was open but again due to holiday it was not......
Returning the car was the biggest shock of my life... Went to return the car and they say there was damage on the drivers side in front. So I had to pay for it... Then the shock of my life came... $3,310 WTF!!! They say it was my insurance coverage so ok... once they clear the cost I need the pay the rest will be refunded back to me.
The dulan part is here:
- When I collected the car they never walk me through the checks, partly my fault, so I admit it but then they should have to ensure its correct as I don't recall scratching the car.
- The way they work is like shit... they say trust here trust there, I don't trust them anymore, they cannot even do a service properly, freaking just like their Mcdonalds. I felt like they use trust so i trust them that the list was complete and then they back stab me with "there is a damage here, it was not marked on the list initially"
- I think its not the best deal around, they don'y even have a GPS for rental.
- And I asked for a Toyota Camry and they gave me a Nissan Latio, worst, I think they charged me for the Camry price. Again my fault I did not check but its the trust ma... Cannot even settle a simple paper work properly I must what read every single letter on the paper?
22 Mar 08 - 2nd day of Holiday - Gold Coast
03.23.08 (1:01 am) [edit]Suppose to set off by 0900 this morning but we only woke up at 0900 this morning haha =D
Nick, Brown and Sherman had planned to go Wet & Wild at Gold Coast today. Leaving me and my Baobei to decide where to go so I took the Gold Coast map which I've gotten during my parents stay with us from West End apartment. Today I'm not driving at all, sit behind ROC (relax one corner) while Nick and Sherman take turns to drive.
After reaching their fun land, they just zoom off leaving the car to me so we decided to go over to the Paradise Country to take a look since its just around the corner but then only reservation groups can enter so we head down to Surfers' Paradise instead.
Drove a long way as Baobei was not able to give me the directions as fast as I drove but still Baobei managed to get me there =) MUACKZ!! We parked in this $10/entry car park and took our little walk around Surfers' Paradise. It was not the first time there as during my parents' stay we actually went there once but I was not the one driving so... Well ok we decided to scare ourselves so we went into this Haunted House place and paid $23 each and went in... It was scary but still ok... Enjoyed though =D
After that we walked around did some shopping and then had lunch at Mcdonald's. I really hate the Mac here, they will just take your order and serve you your drinks and then "NEXT" so those waiting for their meals will be crowding around together with the Q just to wait for their food. When its ready, they will just shout "Big Mac any1?" then that person that ordered will just take from them. O right like no one will ever order something totally different from another person. Why can't they just do it like Singapore? Serve 1 at a time. And no sauce no nothing... AR!! forget it... they called and we were suppose to go pick them up by 1500 but as we were going to get the car, Baobei saw this farm animals so we went to take the pictures and they were so cute haha =D Sheeps, chickens, ducklings etc. By the time Baobei realized it was 1500 =S so we drove off back to Wet & Wild.
They took over the car and we set off for Harbor Town Shopping Center, I could see they like shopping there as they were carrying bags and bags, Baobei and I also bought things, just some clothes and gifts. I did not really bought anything much as the Nike Adidas did not really have things I wanted, the surfers shops also don't have my size.. its hard to get a size 28 anywhere especially in such countries. Headed down to Surfers' Paradise to get Nick his things, had dinner there as well. I could see Baobei was tired after a long day but then they were just walking and walking non stop haha... Guys...
There were also fireworks there during our dinner and Baobei took some pictures and a video of it hehe =) well we would not be getting to see the NDP fireworks for the next 3 years so why not now.
After dinner we went to Timezone, yes, go inside to play games to relax myself and to win a prize for my Baobei. I did play my games and tried the machines to get the toys for Baobei but I did not manged to do so =( It was so disappointing for my Baobei =( Sorry!! I spent $30 there and got nothing. Hai!!
Drove back, the journey was faster than yesterday as it was only about 60Km compared to yesterday. Got to go and bath see ya =)
21 Mar 08 - 1st Day of Holiday - Trip to Alma Park Zoo
03.23.08 (1:00 am) [edit]Today is the 1st day of holiday (Good Friday), we're set and ready to head out to our little adventure to Alma park Zoo near Sunshine Coast. Nick rented a car, it was a Toyota Camry 2.4, we need to be at the Brisbane Transit Centre by 1000 to collect the car, when we reached there it was so crowded with people and we only managed to get our car at 1030, but it was not a Camry, it was a Nissan Latio, they ran out of Camry and had to wait 2 days in order to get us our Camry so we just had to make do with our Latio =)
Set off to Sunshine Coast, I took the day 1 drive, had planned it all out where to head etc. The journey was long and everyone took a nap while I was driving.
ALMA PARK ZOO, finally we reached our destination and spent a whole afternoon there with the animals. It was not the typical zoo we see in Singapore more like a small animal farm, there were Koalas, Wallabies, Emu, Baboons, Lemur, Ostrich, Kangaroo, Camels, and farm animals. We spent most of the time there feeding the kangaroos and then some time with the farm animals, Baobei saw some 'pigs' similar to those she had at home and she wanted to cuddle them so much but because there were like caged up there were no way we could have went in to get a touch of them.
We still had time when we left the zoo so we drove down to beach nearby and had dinner there. Baobei and I went to pick some sea shells and i hurt my finger when my foot slipped into a hole and I fell, to break my fall i actually put my left hand down and coincidentally slipped into a hole and cut my finger. It was alright just abit pain. Baobei wanted to pick more beautiful shells but we only managed to find some and only 1 Cowie shell. After dinner we head back home. I drove all the way back, close to 100Km back to Brisbane and it took me more than 1 hour.
But we did not went back, we drove to eat as Brown needed food so we went into CBD and remembered there was this Pancake shop that opens 24hrs, only after that we went back home.
Baobei and I stayed at home while Nick and Brown went to do some driving on the car around the area. It was a long day and again I made my Baobei angry even till the end of the day. =(
20 Mar 08
03.20.08 (10:22 am) [edit]Now is 0920, I'm still at home. The alarm clock did not ring this morning, I think i off the volume to the buzz... can u imagine that the volume for the radio actually affects the ringing bell... OMG... I've missed the FMGT Tutorial this week, next lesson is at 1000 for the make up of another module. Got to go soon, will update this when I get back today evening.
I really hoped I've all the $$ I can spend
03.18.08 (7:27 pm) [edit]Well, sometimes after reading my Baobei's OD I would wonder if I should go back during Jun holidays with her so she can see whats going on at home but then she would not want to spend the money just to go back and come back, we are already here on a rather tight budget, not too tight but still its not like I can spend all I like. But I did, I bought a Crumpler bag for AUD250 =D but its a bag that I need though its costly but there aren't any bags around that caught my eyes so will do with it.
Maybe I too should find a job here, will see how. I'm more interested in my GPA of 5.5 or more rather than working and earning money to help ease my budget. Will definitely go back for VA and try to save more money then to help me pay off some of my tuition fees for the next semesters I hope.
Hmmm... what about lottery tickets haha...
My Holiday Plans for Good Friday to Ester Day & Mid-semester Break
03.17.08 (3:10 pm) [edit]Ok, there is a Holiday coming up, its the Good Friday to Ester Day and that same week is also my mid semester break.
My Baobei had mentioned before that I've long to bring her out on dates anymore since we moved here and everyday is about studying and studying and going out exploring with the rest, there are many things she want to do and I know maybe I've neglected her that little bit, going to make it up this week and the holiday.
This is what I plan to do:
- This Wednesday, I might bring just bring my Baobei for a walk in the park nearby for a start.
- This Friday (Good Friday), I will figure out how to make way to Alma Park Zoo. Most likely rent a car for the week.
- Monday (Ester Day), I don't know what to do. Not sure if the Museum is open, if not it will be Tuesday then.
And I also need to use this Mid-Semester break to start and complete my BRM Assignment. If can work out then I will try to start on my MGW assignment as well.
Anyway my Baobei had been relatively happy mood recently, not sure why but I'm glad. Also she had this weird dream about me dropping her halfway through a drive and went to meet my ex-GF, and the car is full of my ex-GF's stuffs. Haha... what can I say, its a dream, it will never happen. I told her not possible as my ex-GF is already dead so unless we are all dead. She say ex-ex-GF loh, then I told her also not possible because ITS my car. You know how much can a car mean to a guy, its like its 2nd wife sometimes, especially if its a new car... NO one will put their things in my car less MYSELF HAHAH!!! And then she said she wants the seat... well I wouldn't mind anyway =) but its still MY car =P -- childish right, but that is how much a car mean to a guy, its a guy thing.
Anyway, planned a trip to the Australia Zoo, its about AUD 1100 for 2... its just for me and her during the end of semester break after my mum goes back to Singapore. =) but that is another story.
A New Australia Life Starts
03.15.08 (3:27 am) [edit]Beginning of a new chapter in my life, or rather 'our' life...
Hi, my name is J. Its been close to a month plus since I left Singapore to start a new chapter of my life here in Brisbane, Australia. I'm a Combat Officer with the RSN, after commission no choice since I did not get admitted into a local University, I choose to join my batchmates Nicholas & James for overseas studies here in University of Queensland (St Lucia) and of most people will envy me is that I did not come alone... My girlfriend came with me.
I have never really shown my appreciation for all the sacrifices she made and for all the things she gave up just to come here with me. But the thing is I have been a very bad boy, making her feel all these sacrifices are made in vain and she had doubts whether she had made the right choice to give up everything she had back home to be here with me. I know and yet I am not doing much about it people say, but then again sometimes I had also made sacrifices to come here and its not because I am rich and just want to spend some time away from work by coming all the way across ocean to study, its also because I want to be able to provide for her and our own little family in the future.
Many things have happened in just the past weeks. To her, I am still that mummy's boy and there are many things we should be settling ourselves instead of others settling for us, its a growing up experience for us and I agree, but sometimes its not exactly my choice. If I am still depending on my parents then how is she going to depend on me in future? I am sandwich between my mother and my baobei... Who can understand how I feel.
And now its been 1 month plus yet academically I felt I have not learn anything, I am still trying to get into the study mode but it seems like it needs more effort, I am here for my Hons and I really need to work hard, and I must say I not academically incline like my baobei yet I have so many other things on my mind, that is why i depend on others who can help me here and there for certain things so I don't have to shoulder everything myself but these made my baobei very unhappy.. I know she is unhappy but does she know I also need some people I can depend on so I can shift my focus to my studies?
"Baobei, no matter what I know you had made the choice of coming here with me and you love me, I love you too and I am not just someone who depends on my mother all the time, but then again I am not superman, I cannot one person handle every single detail in our lives, thats why sometimes I take the easy way out. These easy way out might have made you mad but its does not means I am dependent on others, maybe I have not achieve or been through something like you said others have, but still I had my fair share & experiences.
This Blog here is used as a tool of communication with my Baobei since she likes to read blogs and she just do not like to talk to me face to face, a need to improve our communications skills and I am trying hard. She ask me to write about her and tell others how much she loves me and how I bully her, but nevertheless I love you.