Skipped morning Sunday Service to go up Mount Wellington today with Gunns20. It is a fundraising effort to help these regular blokes that were being sued by the Tasmanian logging company Gunns Ltd.. You can read all about it from the link.

It started to drizzle abit as I walked downhill to the pickup point, I just hope that the weather will hold up till the trip is over... Anyway, met Leigh (lee) - the nature guide, who drove the van to pick us up. In the van sat - Jenny, Joseph, and another two guys (sorry bad memory forgotten the names). I remember what they're all doing (working or studying etc), but it'll be abit too long winded to write. So let's get back to the trip yeah.. So we picked up Trish after me - the event co-ordinator/fundraiser lady who's working for Gunns20 while studying at the uni.

The ride there was pretty quick and we passed by the Cascade Brewery. Leigh told us a really interesting history about the company. But the thing that striked me the most was the fact that the brewery got such a huge plot of land back then was because the piece of land is uneven, no one wants uneven lands! Spring water flows down the cascade, which is used to make the beer and other bottled waters, that's why it's named Cascade Brewery.

There's lots of cool stories, just too many to remember. Ask Leigh, he'll be most willing to give you a tour and tell the stories all over again. By the way, he's a really dedicated guide, carried a 60L pack full of food, mats, first aid, and equipments (see pic1). Poor chap was walking slowly behind us, but he really made sure that we're all safe and good, making this a great and informed tour!

Good thing was the rain had started to stop when we stopped at the Sphinx Rock lookout for morning tea. The view is fantastic. And Trish dished out the hot drinks, some homemade cookies, muffins and chocolate balls that are simply YUMMY. I'm gonna try make some myself next time.

After the good break, we began to walk back to the van and Leigh drove us all the way up to the submit. It's really windy up there and bloody cold. As I was taking some pictures of the breathtaking views, I thought I saw some tiny flies swirling around me. Then Joseph who was with me pointed out to me that it's snow! Wowowo... No, I did not make a fool out of myself, despite the fact that it's my first time experiencing snow fall...

As we got back inside the warm van, more snow poured as we make our way back. When we got back in town, it was all gloomy and wet. But, it had been such a great day that it does not matter anymore.

Bumped into Henry, Kelvin and Jo-a after that, so we had lunch at Mac-ers. And attended the evening service with Melissa after that..

What a fantastic Sunday! :-)

This was all turely timely, as I was pretty upset about my subject results. I needed some happy moments, someone to talk to and something that will cheer me up.

So it was great that I have finally made some new friends. I met Mel and Anna in church and they are such angels. This is Anna from Malaysia. A very cute girl that everybody loves. In the midst of our exam blues and assignment stresses, it was great to chill out with friends like Anna that just makes life rich again... Anna came to my place to visit and I made her Hainanese Chicken Rice. Dad will be so proud of me! We stayed over at each other's place for a night each, cause we have just too much things to do together! lol ...

Then, yeap! I went to the Cadbury chocolate factory with Stacey and Elyse. We've been talking about it for such a long time, but we're too occupied with exams and assignments. So, it was really fantastic to finally make the trip. For Stacey and Elyse, the last time they've been there was aeons ago, on a school field trip. I suppose all the kids here must have at least one field trip to the Factory! :P

For hygine purposes, our belongings are being kept away and we have to wear the funny cap. My ears had to be taped too, cause of my ear-rings. By the way, they have caps for man's facial hairs too! They look kindda silly, but yeah, man who love their beards will not mind that. I gave mine to Teddy at the end of the day. Anyway, visitors are no longer allowed to take pictures of the process and no chocolate sampling during the tour. Thus, I have no picies to post. Little appetiser chocolates were given before the trip. Right after the tour, the guide opens a huge chest and we got a box of chocolate each instead. At every floor, you can just breathe chocolate. From milk to orange and dark chocolate! Yumm... I bought heaps more at the factory retail outlet before we headed home. Think they should be able to last me till next summer.

But what the heck, I needed the caffine, phenlyethylamine and something to curb my andrealine and depression. Exams are drawing near. My art major assignment's due soon too and I still don't have much material to write on.

Just when I'm worried out of my wits, I saw Mav online, and I was desperate enough to do anything to get some information on the artist that I am writing about. And sweet Mav, agreed to help me hunt down some books and send them to me ASAP. What a pal! I owe you a big one, Mav!

Sincerely, I'm really grateful for you people out there that had been in my life.
It's during these moments of anguish that one will see true friendships...

Thanks Pals! :)

My first movie here with a bunch of church people.


http://www.missionimpossible.com/
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt
Keri Russell as Lindsey

If you've gone into the theatre with the impression or expectations of previous MIs, then you're in for disappointment. In this movie, Tom Cruise played a softy. And this time, they've made it more like a romantic comedy! Thoughout the show, it's just lots of laughs, especially when Tom Cruise shouted in Mandarin: "Rang Kai! Rang Kai!" (make way).. We just flipped... Nevertheless, their performance was superb.

Keri Russell - who played Felicity, a hit TV series of the same name, looked so different from her previous image. I thought that it was rather refreshing. Great actress. Love her talent.. Too bad she died even before we even reach halfway through the show.

Went for bible studies today. And there are sooo many Singaporeans. Okie... we're the minority here. There're more Malaysians. So that's great! I like it this way.. Still, one look, one conversation and you can tell distinctly that they are from the tiny island - Singapore. Wah.. It's not such a bad thing really. We have common subjects that others will not be able to fully comprehen.

But the funny thing was they all thought that I'm from Korea or Japan. Wahaha. Yeah, it's not the first, but none of them got it right even after 5 tries (after naming all the common asian countries that students here are from).

I am so drained by all the assignments. Then again, I feel that I'm doing too much, to a point that I feel that most of the readings are redundant... Anyway, I'm just super glad to have just had chatted with Mr. L my lecturer in Singapore. With his help, my major Arts paper will be so much easier.. Thank goodness for his kindness..

I suppose this is the kind of moment where you will feel a great sense of nationality. Where people from the same place stick together, and help one another. Ahh... what a sensation. Its a warm fuzzy feeling. Mmmm... I guess, I'd not had felt this way if not for being far from home for quite awhile.

I have officially crossed the quarter-life crisis and cripping towards mid-life today. Alot of thoughts went through my mind... lots. I wondered how God allowed me to live till today, to be fortunate enough to be where I am right now. To be so blessed. Makes me wonder what the hell am I doing here, shield and shelttered from the chaos that's happening all over the world. Guess, I'll write them in a seperate entry from this one :)

I made some Ondeh Ondeh to give away, but i don't really have anyone in mind to give to. Anyway, it was a slow and mild start as I've slept half the day away. But the journey was simple and starightfoward. It was purpose driven. To buy a birthday present for me. It's not an easy task though, as the shops are mostly closed by the time I woke up.

So I walked to the State Cinema at North Hobart to catch a good show instead. It is amongst the oldest cinema here with only one theatre. Still, it's a cool place. You can bring any food into the theatre to eat. They sell wine in glasses at the counter as well. I managed to catch a film at 4pm called Manual of Love (Italian - Manuale d'amore, 2005). Based in romantic Italy, four love stories were cleverly stitched together; about falling in love, about love crisis, betrayal and abandonment. Nevertheless, it is about love that needs no explainations and no particular reasons to love. Love is just too dynamic to be explained so plainly. Too profound...

This is also the second time that I've watched a movie all alone. I told myself I hate that feeling the first time, and I think that feeling's still the same. Reminds me to once again thank the Lord for all the good people that had came into my life all these years and had been such a significant blessing to my little life.

As the sun began to hide his face under the blanket of blue, I found myself walking towards the habourfront. So I've decided to treat myself to a good feast at the very famous Mures seafood resturant. I must say, they have really lived up to their name! The meal would not be complete without the ice cream that Henry highly praised about and the complimentary chocolate fudge at the end to finish the experience with a note of sweetness in your mouth.

The friendly taxi driver took me home within mintues from the resturant and what a pleasant surprise to see presents left at my door by my wonderful housemates... The Ondeh Ondehs were nicely wrapped and given to them, to thank them for completing this birthday.

Thank you too, to those that had sms-ed and had sent your kind wishes via email, prayers and any other means. Or even simply dropping by this site. They are sincerely felt and greatly appreciated.

Goodbye to the teenage label and hello to aging skin, brittle hair, and greater life principles and responsibilites... heh...

Anyway, Life sucks as usual... :P

Just went through my Arts presentation yesterday and had received tremendous feedback. It was really a golden moment for me as well as an acknowledgement for my level of knowledge and effort for the subject. I was so happy, I didn't mind getting caught in the cold and heavy downpour back home. I was warm and just overjoyed with gladness, that I was singing and taking pictures of my silly grin on my face.

Another one to go on Friday and 3 essays due next week. It's rush hours till study break in June... back to writing...