15 Nov 2007 – It’s been a week, how time flies… I didn’t have high hopes for my birthday. It’s the first I’ve celebrated “on my own” in a long time, and to top it off, Yukiko who left a few days before for her vacation was not even around to celebrate it with me. Not that I’m the sort that makes a big deal of these things anyway. So yep, the day arrived and still I had no plans, save to dive.

And dive I did. It was a lovely day too, perfect weather.

This time my dive master was Bobo.

And Yoshi was there too.
Read more »

14 Oct 2007 — Haha! Finally yesterday I received my FedEx package from Billie, after several days of custom-related dramas and woes. Fine, fine, I’ll pay your bloody duty already, just give me my freaking parcel! Happy thoughts, happy thoughts… so yes, of late, I have been showered! Absolutely showered with gifts from all directions – haha, even if much of it was prompted by myself – making me feel both blessed and very very rich!

So as mentioned, first of all, Billie’s FedEx parcel: what goes there? Eeeks, so exciting!

My Anthropologie dress, which is now in the right size. The US’s liberal exchange policies is sooo darling!
Read more »

29 Mar 2007 — Oh man, wow… I can’t believe how many of you wrote in to comfort me after reading my “Moonshine” entry. Geez… thanks guys, I’m really so so touched by all of you. I mean, being “stranded” here on an island isn’t really easy, but knowing I have the love and support of so many people out there sure lightens the load.

I must clarify though that it’s not every day that’s tough. Tiring yes, but tough, no. On the whole, I am doing well, and I still love, love, love my job to death. Of course too my whole mood has lifted with E being away; at least the little spark I have left at the end of the day is not being sapped dry the moment I walk through the door. As Rachael puts it, “she is damn high maintenance siah”. But no, that freak of a week was a bit of an aberration, a rarity more than a norm. I did hesitate ever so slightly before penning it down cause exactly I didn’t want to alarm anyone, least of all, my parents.

But I thought, to be authentic, I should also blog about the sad, frustrating moments, not just the happy perky instances, which admittedly are more typical of my entries. I wanted you to know that in reality, it’s not just fun and games here. As life is, there are of course “trying” times. But not to worry too much, like one of those ti-gam-ti-gam rubber balls, I do usually bounce back quite readily. And on the whole, I know this is just a passing phase, a minor hiccup along the way to fame, fortune and glory. Yah right. And just in case you were wondering… No, I’m definitely not about to throw in the towel again. Nopididoo, this time I’m going to stay put and stick it out — good, bad and the downright hideous. Human politics — it’s a tricky game, but if played well, the rewards could be rather gratifying.

14 March 2007 — I know I know, I haven’t blogged. Thing is, Yukiko and I have been put in charge of this huge project of seting up a mini “spa” if you can call it that, at the Hilton lounge at the MAT seaplane “airport”. So not only have I been tied up with that, the last five days I was also in Male with no internet access. So I promise you’ll hear and see all about it, but in the meantime, I just wanted to share the good news that I received my very first tip!

Yep, US$20 from a lovely (well, anyone who’s gonna tip me has got to be lovely) British couple, David and Joy. They came for my nutrition workshop, and apparently they got so much out of it they felt compelled to present me with a “gratuity”, if it did not offend me that is. I reassured them that I had absolutely no qualms whatsoever with accepting monetary gifts. Haha, but seriously, it felt really good to be appreciated.

Ok, ok I promise I’d tell you all about my Male trip. Later!

15 Dec 2006 — The view was gorgeous that last night in Sydney. The picture above has not been manipulated in any way. I wanted to remember it just as it was. The moon shone big and bright, illuminating the earth and waters with its light. The sky was just slightly cloudy, and I loved the spooky effect it created. I only wish I could also have captured the cool summer night breeze. Nonetheless, it was perfect.

I was so sad to let go of that view, that bedroom. It’s a magical place. Just ask anyone who’s ever slept in there, Peiling, Weiling, Admund, Elbson, Adrian, my parents… I’m sure they’ll all agree. In fact, I was sad to let go of that house, that neighbourhood, Sydney and Australia itself. Never thought I’d say this, but indeed I have grown quite fond of the place, and have unknowingly become rather attached. Afterall, it has been our home for the last five and a half years. It has seen us through tough and gruelling times, and exactly because of those times, we now better appreciate the present which we have arduously carved out together. It has in many ways moulded us into the adults we are today, having given us our first real taste of freedom and the responsibilities that come with that.

Yes, as much as I whinge and gripe about it at times, I must admit that Australia has been very good to us. It had welcomed Billie and myself with open arms, provided us with education in areas that we both love, and ultimately even granted us both permanent residency status. It had in so many ways opened up our eyes and our world to things we had previously not encountered, and had we remained in Singapore, might still not have. There were those initial days where we both worked as cleaners at a clinic after opening hours, where Billie delivered Chinese takeaway, where we sold sarongs at the Glebe fleamarket, and I set up my own massage practice from home. Haha, then there were those off the beaten track adventures — full-moon party on a farm with a bunch of strangers (and no, it’s not the music and booze kind but rather the astrological signs and organic vegetarian food type), meditation in the mountains, sand-boarding in Port Stephens, ballooning in Cairns, swatting flies in Uluru, swimming in gorges, tunneling through coalmines, meeting Jose Carreras in person(!), chestnut and magic mushroom picking in the orchards, diving in the Great Barrier Reef and hugging a wombat in Victoria but to name a few. Wow, lots of memories indeed.

Of course, whilst not many, we have also made some very good friends like Clare, Hazel, Sumie, Amy, Kate, Mark, Satoko, Bill, Sean, Ivy, Alvin, Mich and for Wil, Raymond, Rudd and Nadia. And unlike kakis from back home who are typically Singaporeans, almost everyone from the list above is of a different nationality. In fact, I daresay that other than Antarctica, we’ve had friends spanning every continent. I used to think that Singapore was pretty cosmo, but coming to Sydney has really exposed us to a myriad of different cultures and peoples. Without sounding like some Miss Universe wannabe, I might add that it’s great, cause you really come to appreciate how colourful the world is, haha, especially with regards to food. 原来世界上还有这么多好吃的东西!

In big and small ways, I guess I have come to love downunder. And yep, it certainly wasn’t easy to pack up my bags and leave knowing it might well be the last time I’m there as a resident as opposed to a visitor. Sure I might return for a holiday someday, but it wouldn’t really be the same hey? That night, as William drove us around the city one last time, I couldn’t help but burst into tears several times, especially when we passed through places that triggered memories of our earliest days in Sydney. I knew I would miss the people, but geez… didn’t think I could also get so hung up on the place itself. I guess that’s a good sign.

But that was a week ago. Now I’m sitted at my desk in Bukit Batok, and yep, tonight’s also my last night here. In a few hours I’ll be headed to Maldives. I can’t say that I’m excited. Not really, not yet. But neither am I apprehensive. I feel kinda calm actually, albeit a bit irritated that I’ll be missing the repeat telecast of Sunday’s Star Awards, didn’t manage to catch the first run either. I don’t know, maybe this time I’m just a bit more cautious. Or perhaps I know I’m in for the long haul this time, so I’m just pacing myself. In any case, I’m ready. Bring it on… 141.

11 Nov 05 — Just a few pieces of fantastic news both for ourselves and a couple of our friends.

Firstly: Hooray! After close to a year, William and I just received the news that our application for Aussie PR has been approved! Yay! Now we’re eligible for Medicare, and if I apply for Uni, I pay local rates, not international ones, plus I get to enjoy local student fares for public transport (half price)! Wowee!

Also on our homefront: after 12 years, Billie has finally got his rotten tooth fixed.

He broke it when he was 17, in some roller-blading accident. Over the years, it got blacker and blacker, and he’s been rather conscious about it, never really smiling wide for the cameras. Well, now he can! I was so moved when I first saw the “new” him that I couldn’t help but cry. It’s good that he’s finally done something for himself.

And now on to our friends.

Over in Japan, Sumie’s son, Shunsuke, has just passed the exam to qualify as a public accountant, which is considered a very prestigious vocation there. Both for him and Sumie, it has been a long, arduous and stressful period, so heartfelt congrats indeed!

And in the US, lo and behold, Sherry (my colleague from the days at Be. magazine) has just gotten married! Here’s what she said about George, her partner: …The gist of it all is that I met someone wonderful, fell in love and it’s turned my world upside down, more or less, in a happy crazy sort of way… It’s one of those things that people tell you that I’ve never believed till I met him - that you’ll know you’ve met the right one when it feels really right. I finally understand what it was that they were talking about – this knowing that this is someone you’re happy to spend the rest of your life with. Aww… isn’t that wonderful? I’ve found mine, hopefully those of you who haven’t will meet your “right one” soon too!

And some pictures of course:

L: The joyous couple
R: That crazy 6-layer chocolate cake they served as their wedding cake!

17 August 2005 — Of late, my Pipi hasn’t had much time for me. He tries to make time on Saturdays and Sundays, but during the week I’m pretty much left to my own defences. The restlessness within me stirs, and a week later, I’ve booked myself on a plane to Shanghai. Yes folks, I’m heading for the land of Mao and giant pandas! In the next 5 weeks, I’ll be meeting up with Weiling, Shihui, Peiling and Tommy in various places in China before heading back to Singapore for a week in late Sep. How fantastic is that?!? I’m calling this my “Saturn Return” trip, but that’s another story. Read more »

11 August 2005 — Last Sunday I attended a crystal healing workshop, one that I’ve been waiting for for years. It’s conducted by my own crystal healer, Janine, whom I’ve regularly seen these last 4 years for all sorts of conditions, or just when I’m feeling a bit out of whack and needed a tune-up. Words can’t describe the deep respect and gratitude I have for her, she has not only been my healer but also spiritual teacher and guide. So it was with much anticipation that I attended the class. I didn’t take any pictures that day, nor make any mental notes to blog about it later. No, I decided it was going to be my day, a day where I can just relax and be fully present in the moment of whatever is happening.
Read more »

2 August 2005 - So much to be thankful for. Whereas 1 month back, all I seem to be receiving was “bad” news surrounding friends, seasons have changed and tides have turned. Now all I’m hearing is good happy positive news! Yay! That’s better. When good things happen to good friends, you can’t help but be happy and excited for them, so congrats everyone!

- Peiling finally got the transfer she wanted and will soon be jet-setting!
- Jeff won a 2 minute video competition by National Geographic, and got to go to Tokyo with Serene! (so jealous!)
- Tommy’s partner is moving in with him!
- Mich got herself a scholarship!
- Basic Essence turned 5!
- Kate got promoted and now runs the Parramatta store!
- Wendy’s baby is happy and well, and Wendy herself sounds like she’s really enjoying motherhood!

Isn’t life wonderful and perfect?