Fantastic trip to Sydney & Melbourne

24 September 2005, Saturday-Australia...here i come

Early morning, a friend of mine fetched me to the KLIA airport-and that started my journey to Australia.Due to the flight delay, i reached Sydney at around 9pm. The weather was very cold and windy. Cheng Ying, my ex-primary mate picked me up from the airport and we had late dinner at a pizza restaurant, before going back to her place in Maroubra Beach.

25 September 2005, Sunday-One day tour at Sydney city

It was a wonderful day. Cheng Ying took me to the city and shown me many places of attractions. After having breakfast at a famous Dim Sum restaurant, we began to walk around the city. Among the places that we went to were Market City or Paddy Market, China Town, Queen Victoria Building (one fo the city's finest 19th century building), The Rocks Market, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden and Darling Harbour.
My favourite place was "The Rocks Market". It was more than just a stylish street market. Located at the Northern end of George Street in the shade of the Harbour Bridge, it is filled with around 145 stalls that offer a collection of arts and crafts, home wares, jewellery and antiques, collectibles, toys, puzzles and tasty aromatic.

26 September 2005, Monday-BLue Montain Wildlife Day Tour with Cruise

Early in the morning, i took the bus to the Central YHA Corner, where you could find lots of backpackers and students staying there, awaiting for the tour bus to pick me up.
We started the day to Featherdale Wildlife Park, the best wildlife park in Sydney. I got the chance to hand feed the kangaroos, pat koalas and see over 2,000 different types of Australian animals including crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, Wombats, Fairy penguins, Dingoes and Snakes, not fergetting the photo taken with a Koala. And i was told by the tour guide that "Koala" is an aboriginal name meaning "no drink", feeding exclusively on low-energy eucalyptus leaves and sleep up to twenty hours a day.
Next, The Three Sisters at Echo Point, the world most famous rock formation. The view on the Blur Mountain was fabulous. I learnt how to throw a boomerang and about the Aboriginal culture from the tour guide too..He is indeed very good..
The last stop for the day was Sydney Olympic Park. The place was beautiful and well maintained after the Sydney Olympic in year 2000.
The enjoyable day was finished by taking a cruise from Homebush Bay down the Parramatta River and into Sydney Harbour. I enjoyed the unique views as i went under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and beside the Sydney Opera House. it was GREAT!

27 September 2005, Tuesday-Tarooga Zoo & Sydney Aquarium

Again, i took the bus to Circular Quay, then ferry to the Tarooga Zoo. One thing about me is that wherever i go or visit, zoo is a "must see" place for me...my friends always teased me, like a small kid, that all zoos are the same, nothing special. But, to me, it is...
The zoo was big, 28 hectares of landscaped gardens and exhibits, displays more than 340 different species and 2,600 individual animals, some of whom are among the world's rarest and most beautiful.
The best things i enjoyed most are the keeper talks and animal shows..fantastic..loved it so much.
After spending almost 6 hours in the zoo, my next destination is the Sydney aquarium, one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world with over 11,500 Australian aquatic animals including platypus, huge sharks and rays, seals, fairy penguins, crocodiles and much more...as i was enjoying myself, looking at those animals, i just have to praise God for His wonderful creations..amazing

28 September 2005, Wednesday-Short trip to Melbourne

Yeah, today i would be going to Melbourne, by plane, to visit my uncle and also a friend, Songie.
Uncle's place was big and beautiful, near the beach too. Finally, i met aunt Paula (have not been seeing her for more than 10 years and she still looked the same, stunning.) and my cousins-Benjamin, Laura and Holly. Aunt Paula had prepared dinner and dessert to welcome me. Felt so lovely and sweet. We talked and share on things happening around us. Aunt Paula just came back from a mission trip to Uganda. Wow..Benjamin had grew taller and i hardly recognised him. In the pic, from left, Laura, me and Holly, together with thier dogs, Muffin and Cookie.I spent the night in their house.

29 September 2005, Thursday-Melbourne city one day tour

The next morning, aunt Paula, Holly and i went for a walk at the famous Brighton beach. So windy and cold but it was nice. I could see the city view far from the beach. Then, aunt Paula sent me to the railway station, as i would be meeting SOngie in the city today. I hope to spend more days with them during my next visit, probably next year.
Today's weather was good. Songie met me in the Melbourne Central. After lunch, she took me around the city. Among the places visited including St. Patrick's church (the pic is taken at a garden near the church), the Parliament, Melbourne Aquarium (just the building), Crown Casino...gosh..i can't recall already...been walking the whole day.
We had dinner buffet at the Crown Casino, AUD15.69 per person, which i considered it cheap and worthy. Yummy..great variety of food and delicious.
We went back to Songie's place very late at night, almost 11pm..taking train and cab..she stayed at Clayton, near to Monash University. Met her housemate, Neel, nice guy from Mauritius. We continued chatting till 1am..then dozed off...

30 September 2005, Friday-Back to Sydney

Due to Songie's place was far from the airport, i had to wake up at 6am to catch the bus and train. My flight was scheduled at 10am. Luckily, everything was under controlled anfd back safely to Sydney during noon.
I decided to go to the city myself before going back to Maroubra Beach. Thus, i went to the Paddy's Market again, to buy some souvenirs. As usual, i bought lots of Koalas soft toy for friends back in Malaysia. And shopped for clothes...hehe..enjoying myself.

1 October 2005, Saturday-Last day in Sydney

Happy moments usually passed quickly. Today is the last day for me to tour around Sydney. Cheng Ying took me to the Fish Market for frsh seafoods..yummy..THe place is crowded with tourists. We had brunch there. I ate lobster, prawns, oysters, fish etc...delicious...
Next, we went to Sydney University. Beautiful ancient building, very big indeed..it took you at least 2 hours to walk around the whole area. We got to see a pair of newly wed couples taking pictures in the uni..so lovely and romantic..hehe
Maybe because of the heavy brunch and the cheese i took, my tummy felt uncomfortable..so we had to go back early to rest...and start packing for tomorrow..ready to be back home, Malaysia

2 October 2005, Sunday-Bye bye Sydney

Time to say farewell...today i woke up very late, almost 11am...friend said as if i had fainted..haha..maybe too tired...
After light breakfast, she sent me off to the airport...and there..bye bye..

I am grateful to God for this wonderful trip and also His protection..i enjoyed it very much.

A New Challenge

Yesterday i attended a seminar, conducted by 3 successful women, as National Senior Director for a beauty products. Their sharing and experiences really inspired me. For the past few years, my life is just so simple and plain..as compared to other friends of mine. I want to add 'colours' into it..so i decided to sign up as one of the beauty consultant for MARY KAY skin care (a Christianity based company). The lady u saw in the picture was the founder of MAry Kay skin care ~ Ms. Mary Kay Ash
During the seminar, i was captivated with the idea of moving up the career path based on own efforts. Success is about feeling happy with what you have and with what you do. It is about becoming a positive woman and finding the determination to achieve your goals. And the statement of "God first, Family second and Career third" is the main reason that i joined in as part of the team.
Last time when my friends around me involved in direct selling, i didn't give my full support to them. But now, seeing myself starting to be like them, i am expecting the same treament from people around me too. I am very thankful to my mentor who has given me so much of supports and courage. Most importantly is not how people treat you, but is how you treat yourself. No doubts that in the beginning i will face many difiiculties, but if this is God's plan for me, to be part of the team and be a good testimony for Him, He will definitely lead me and overcome all fears. i am confident that if i put my efforts in it, i will certainly learn a lot from this business and at the same time, enriching my life.

Busy + Tension + Stress

Gosh...today is superb busy at work...overloaded with things and assignments to be completed..i could hardly breathe...after completing one job, then come another...felt like screaming...
During my days working as an auditor, it was pretty easy in the sense that everyone had been allocated with an amount of jobs to be completed and we just need to report to seniors and managers. But now, i have to deal with different people from different departments and it gets harder when they do not co-operate with you. Many a time, i told myself "it's alright, maybe give them some time to come back to me". however, people take things for granted. Often, i had to finish their jobs. (this is one of my weakness-soft heartened and i knew it)..Yesterday, as i had shared, there was an argument between operation & finance department. I knew it was not my fault but then i apologised to the Head of department...having said that, i 'scolded' myself for apologising something which had nothing got to do with me...
I guessed sometimes, we could not always be the "Mr Nice" or "Miss Nice" person...(unless you are appreciated/respected by others) because most of the time, we will be the 'victim'...and no one will pity us...Thus, from now onwards, i want to be tough and learn how to say "NO" when necessary...even others might criticise or speak behind your back...as long as i am standing on the right side, i have to protect and stressed on my believes/principle...
Lastly, two quotes of the day to share:-
"Never confuse motion with action." ~Benjamin Franklin
"Without changing our patterns of thought, we will not be able to solve the problems that we created with our current patterns of thought." ~Albert Einstein

What a bad morning

Early in the morning today, the accounts department staff had an argument with the Head operation department, over a small matter...and the sad part is that, everyone think that i am the one that sparked up the "fire"..and my mood was spoilt immediately..
I really did not understand why can't both departments compromise with each other...we are all working for the same company, same employer and work for the best for the company as well...is this what they meant by "office politics" ..everyone trying to protect themselves from mistakes/being scolded for nothing...i guessed this is the reality of life...
it had been 4 months working in this Company and i am very happy to have an early confirmation (with salary increment also) from the management..it showed that the management appreciated and valued my work performances..
this year is my 3rd year of working life..i must say there are still lots to learn, especially dealing with people...sometimes, WORDS could either hurt one's feeling or encourage ones to move on...often arguments happened due to misunderstandings between 2 or more parties...and i would say that the 'scar of hurting feelings' could not be mended by just a word of "sorry"..i prayed that in my daily life, God is beside me and teach me to be more like HIm, to be a good testimony to others...
Though this morning was really bad for me, but then there are so many happy things awaiting for me next week...my trip to Australia...really looking forward and hope that it will turn out to be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience..yippie..

A New Beginning

at last, i had time to start up my own blog...i am so grateful to God for guiding me through the past 8 months...been through lots of ups and downs but God never failed me...He answered my prayer and accompanied me the whole journey...
i hope to share all my life experiences with all the people i loved here...