To people I love.

In pursuit of different aims in life. Different fields and interests but one motive in common: the future. Though we are apart, we dealt with distance knowing that we would meet up again someday. For eons I thought of going back to Melbourne: put it simple a good stressful getaway. I thought: I don't want to study and nobody would possibly employ me. Then I thought of how I would adapt, and I thought some more about how I would live, thought even longer how I would part.

Gippsland is not boring.

The first one to graduate.

The graduate's kick-ass uncle.

A year with best friend.

Unhealthy indulgence.


Equally unhealthy.

My canadian tutor I had a crush on.

Second most unhealthy indulgence.

Now that I different aim, I think again. Because to me I know this aim would take more than just my emotional investment to achieve. It takes a lot of balls too.

Perhaps the way I romanticize my final year in Melbourne disallows for closure. I know someday I want to return, it's just that: I wouldn't know what for.


*

People say I'm far-sighted. But the thickness of my glasses says otherwise =D

Walking Advertisement.

With no offence to Monash Malaysia (and the fact that they're the ones making me 30 bucks richer by employing me as a student helper yesterday during the open day), I found it difficult to wholeheartedly promote 'journalism' as a major because of a pretty obvious lacking.

I was in charge of the Journalism Lab with another girl. We both feel the pride in arts, we were really keen to watch the gleaming eyes of the unsuspecting 'victim' of Freud and Foucault. LOL. There were a couple, which was good. BUT Of course, there's also a couple of kids who were skeptical about the Arts. They take a peek in the room and don't even step in to hear what we have to say. Some families who leave halfway during the session and well, is Arts really at the bottom of the heap? For those who weren't interested, we still promoted our cool subjects as an elective. Come try our subjects and die and see if you think it's 'easy'. nyehehe.

On my part, I thought it was difficult to promote something that someone had a vague idea on. So half way through everything I say seemed scripted and insincere or I run out of things to say... Bleah. I liked watching those kids go gawk excitedly at what we do though. And some parents who were impressed with what we learnt. There was one mother and another family who was very accommodating. Eee. Nice people DO exist!

But it was at lunch, when I randomly met a peer who suddenly brought up the topic about Gippsland, with a look almost close to 'dread' on his face, which I have to admit, I had before going to Gippsland. Munching my food half way I thought to myself. "omg what are you talking about! Gippsland is awesome!" and whatever I enthused after that literally gave me a body lift, if not my body at least the corners of my mouth. In a split second, I become a walking Gippy advertisement. Gippsland should pay me. :)

I miss Gippsland still. The long vline train rides and the scenery. Unlike the Melbourne city or Malaysia, I left Gippsland wondering when I will come back. Because of it so far off and once the people I've got to know has left, will I ever have a reason to return to the little cow country town of Churchill?

This came late.

My coursemates. Jacqui far left followed by Natasha, Neneng, Belinda and Marina. Jacqui and Marina happened to be the first few people I spoke to during my first few days in Monash in orientation. X)

Joyce, the person who could balance up the atmosphere with some gilarness, Gippy people with fellow Zeming, Myii, Alva, Andrew and Kanina always up to some thing at the south houses. LOL. Much loves. Awesome company.

Not your average lecturer monash father-figure Dr. Yeoh, someone to look up to and know that I am in good hands.

Alex, the buddy who keeps my feet very firmly to the ground when I'm hovering up there somewhere and made difficult times easier. The one who came when many couldn't to hand me my graduation bear. Thankew. =)

My family, Dad, mum and Sze Wei, the ones who made this all possible. Thank you for your love and support and believing in me when I chose this path.

A non sequitur.

My chancelor looks like Dr. House.

To people who couldn't make it, it doesn't make me love you all any less. HAHA. =)

Yay.

And so I survived the day. Lazily. Hehe. But still productive. Totally missed out on packing I don't know how to continue. Definitely didn't miss out on the proposal I was supposed to work on. Yes. I don't care what you say. I am going to write on Pixars even if it kills me for my Honours dissertation.

Yes. Decision's been made. I will return home to do a 4th year. I thought about it over and over again. I can't see myself doing anything else. Of course the decision wasn't made solely on my own. =) Which makes me feel that perhaps, making a decision solely on your own asking what YOU want will only have you stuck. It's just impossible to ignore the people around you.

It only hit me I am less than a month away from a new year and less than a week to go home. I cannot believe 2009 is over. It just felt like I was rushing to get my visa approved, rushing up to KL to attend the Exchange breifing, rushing here and there. Everything is so rushed this year and now I'm in my final week, with exactly 7 days to hop on a plane home, time starts to creep. LOL.

Come now, I don't see myself returning next year. I really don't have a reason to go through the hassle going through my limited options of what to do over here, forking out the money, looking for a new place to live and tons of paperwork for this so-called happiness that I can only imagine. I know what's for me.

For good times in Melbourne, I will cherish. And the bad, I will learn. For people I want to meet again, I will. For things I want to forget, I will. For wishes I want granted, I hope it will. :)

Gippy and Melbourne will forever have a special place in my heart, romanticized in my reverie.

I want to do this. Over and over and over again.

A couple of kids rolling down the hill over the lake. =)

_______________________

It might be a little late to blog about my return to Gippsland during the semester break. But I've got to, pictures just got posted out yesterday. =) I attended Jem's graduation. Oddly, there were alot of Kids there. Lol. Some crying halfway through the ceremony. Then others yelling on purpose just to see a panic stricken look on their parent's face. It's quite funny to see.

I used to get kicks for making my parents panic (I still do it now and then sometimes - "You're gonna be a grandma!", "I ran out of money can send me some??"), so i know where they come from. For them, it lasts forever because the best part is, they don't get spanked. But for me, I deal with a set of stereotypical Asian parents who:

1. Will not hesitate to spank/scold/yell at me if I did something grave.
2. Who expects me to find a nice chinese boy, and not a blond watery eyed heartthrob.
3. Always asks me to budget. Which I do try, but still blow it anyway. :(

But I guess parents all have one thing in common. They have this second layer which only we as kids can see. =)

***

The world's coolest uncle in history.

The world's biggest nature+people lover Photographer. HEHEHEE.

The most bipolar girl in the world.

Ok. Now not so bipolar.

Bipolar again! woohoo! (nahh it's just picture arrangements)

Indebted to their goodwill. Jem and his parents who let me hitch a ride back to the city (and around Gippsland, back from verve, to dinner omgzomg) on their way back to the airport.

CHEESEEE (ok this shouldn't be here but hell) at Wild dogs winery, Warragul. Triple cream cheese.

________________________

In my head I've always had this perception of people that if I gone back, things will be better, I'll get along better and really enjoy myself during my rather 'unlucky' second semester. I know now, it's not necessarily the case.

After returning from the country side, I know that for every Vline train that passes Armadale and Caulfield, that urge for me to hop on hasn't gone away. It is not the place that I miss but the word 'Gippsland' is a referent to the company I gained and loved over there which resounds every time I am reminded of grassy plains along the mountains and low grounds.

Towering buildings arching over every corner can be daunting. I remember standing in the junction of Swantston and La Trobe looking up at Melbourne Central and the state library during my little CBD hide-and-seek thinking to myself "Where in the world are they? Who do I look for help? I have friends staying in QV and Verve. Why don't I buzz their unit? They can help me call them. But what are their unit numbers? Been there ten thousand times, how could I not remember."

The irony here is that, can one feel lonelier in such a crowded space and feel so entertained in a land where there are more cows than people? =)

Time I've spent in the City hasn't been all downs either. I've never been to the movies alone. I don't study alone. Then we call for pizza and binge in the midst of the stress. Have ice cream in the cold. Picked up Guitar Hero. Went for prom ON A BOAT! Times when I'm ever alone in the city is often by choice or either because I got lost or somebody overslept. LOL.

And now that my stay is nearing an end, it's high-time I try to push my thoughts away from my 172 dollar fine, things that changed, looming clouds of separation from people I just got to know, and my overzealous, uber-talkative JRN classmates. Those are merely, silver-linings to my cloud. There's more to it than what I believe. I came here planning to experience the two sides of Australia. So now I have. =)

To the people that I've met in Gippsland and Melbourne and also people who have stuck through my ordeal, I really can't say this enough. Thank you. You have my love for eternity.

Simply the best.

I have very romanticized feelings for Gippsland etched in my reverie.

It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me. All I've learnt to love, learn to laugh and things I learn to overcome. Possibilities, impossibilities, the rights, the wrongs, the good, the not so good...

This is the time where I have gone through the greatest amount of adventure and self-discovery. Gippsland has made me see the finer things in life.

People are too caught up with the rush. I am one of them.

Before coming to Australia, I was so bent on joining Alex in the city. Complaining to my Dad about how boring Gippsland will be and why I had to be forced to take the subjects that I took. Kevin, our course coordinator, convinced me that it wasn't going to be so bad. I was skeptical once. However, Kevin didn't lie.

I remember my first impression of Gippsland. When Kai was saying, Gippsland was going to be one of the places where you will remember for life. A place you will miss. I remember I responded to him with a weird look half munching on a smoked salmon sandwich he offered.

Midway through the semester, I get it.

I finally get it now.

Exchanging to Gippsland is one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Battle scar.

Loop Me

This time its done
It’ll never feel the same
But we had some good times
Guess it’s sad just the same

__________


This is every lefty's problem.

To the question that I didn't manage to answer...
I'm gonna throw rocks at you =P

CCP tmr. Not a very good time to start.

Love Me Tender.

It was a good evening when the sun had already set, me and my homies walked back from IGA to get some stuff for dinner.

Walking past the muddy road, over that miniature hill (you guys know what I'm talking about), I suddenly broke into a song. It was popularized by Elvis, covered by many many many other popular musical acts which came along even after Elvis was gone. Those acts did well, as for me, it sent my pals bubbling into laughter.

Good things get left behind. Good things live through time. Good things are eternal. Good things are remembered. :)

Your most unconventional sport.

L-R: Joyce and Pineapple, Gavin trying to be roadrunner, Nelson with bottle+bat.

Other baseball props that got smashed in half.

I forgotten how it feels.

And so, there was this free dinner.

And every time there is a gathering, there's a lucky draw.

My prize. =D


30 bucks worth!

MEI YII'S Grand prize.




50 bucks worth!

LETS GO MOVIE OUTING!

I love free stuff.<3

Say my name, say my name.

Been really Addicted to the song by Jessica Mouboy right now since Zem Dawgg sent it to me. (Highly recommended to keep you upbeat for the rest of the day.)

After coming to Australia, I noticed I've got a serious problem and it's going to be a stigma for life. A problem that will not disappear unless I take corrective action. Which I hesitate because I will need to risk sacrifice too much.


Zeming, Mei Yii and me are the only couple of the only Chinese kids that names are hard to remember. But people like us just sit back and relax and get the priviledge of not being called out in class.

For somebody's (heh heh,i wonderwho) 21st birthday party, we invited Gavin and his friends over. Gavin, is the most cracked kuai lou anyone could ever meet. From that moment he yelled out into the loud speaker "YOU MUST EVACUATE YOUR HOUSES! YOU HOUSE WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN 10 SECONDS, UP UP UP!" (something along those lines) at 8.00am in the morning for Rez breakfast organized at the start of the semester in Churchill, I know this guy was whack. XD

So, at that house party, the birthday girl got wasted. Joyce accompanied her. And I got first hand experience watching them hover. One kept giggling and falling off chairs, the other one hopping around like an energizer bunny announcing her marriage to the world.

Thoroughly amused, Gavin invited us over to his place for a little get together the week after. In which, he gave us nicknames for the fun of it and also to ease the little bonding process.

Zeming was Zem Dawg or Zem-ing (like Jam, with a Z in front), Mei Yii was Mee-eee which sounded like Meeeee (lol) and for some weird reason he decided this.

"but because the letters s-z-e dont actually go together in english, we have decided Sze's new name is zipper"

Which I accept. Because I'm not a melon (sticks out tongue to Cantaloupe Karina). Haha~


Hi Ya'll. My name is Zipper, what's yours?

*


Happy Belated Zeming! (oops?)



Homies, Neighbours and VB.

I rock Beer Pong.

Beer pong.

I'm finally good at a sport. ;)

Happy Anzac day!

It's getting colder ;(

There's a red tree outside my window.


It's Autumn.
It's cold.
Brrr...