Days in Aussie

Saturday, August 29, 2009

I'm done with my first mid-semester test of the term. The test was do-able and somehow or rather it didn't feel like we were doing a test at all. Not trying to sound complacent here but it's just the feel of taking tests in school now. We've gotten so used to it that I wouldn't get the pre-exam jitters anymore. Let's hope it will remain this way for my computing and much dreaded FM test as well =)

Graduation's day on the 9th December and I'm not anticipating it AT ALL.
Graduation = End of Schooling Life = Career Plans = Resume/Interview Process = Stepping into Working World. The thought of it's just horrifying!! Plain SCARY.

Winter feels like SUmmer at Queensland now. The temperature hits 30 over deg cel in the day and 20 over deg at night. It's attributed to the winter heatwave. Well at least winter will return from next week on.

Some photos from Ekka to share:

My FIRST 'ever carnival' toy =)

你敢买我就敢带!! - Quoted by Koh Yiwen!! Ended up buying the HOT PINK hat for her and we made her wear it around!! HAHAHHA!! Yes, we'll only do such kinda things in Aussieland

The GIRLS!!

{ 2:39 PM ; Ming Xian }

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Sunday, August 23, 2009

We know that Winter is coming to an end when:

- all the insects start visiting our house

- flowers are starting to bloom

- i perspire though i'm dressed in summerwear (note: tank top and shorts) to school

- winterwear's for sale

Hello Spring!!

{ 10:30 AM ; Ming Xian }

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Melbourne: 19 Jul - 25 Jul
Since I've visited Melbourne last September, I thought the second trip there would be more relaxing and less packed. Well, Mel being Mel, the many tours/activites/shopping areas/food called for a 7day-full of FUN!!

There was already 8 of us touring around Melbourne including Fab and the man who are residents there. Throughout the trip, the many meetings of other friends of the group often increased our group size to at least 10 ppl? Dinner on our second night was at Sophia, well known for their Italian food. Being Singaporeans, we ordered a FEAST and we were all bloated by dinner. ohh!! We stayed at this apartment near Lygon - Parkville Apartments.On our first night, shuk, YL, HA and I decided to venture to Lygon STreet for dinner/supper and the bummers/Harry Potter fans - xy and jenni headed back to watch Goblet of the Fire. It was a good 1 hr walk away but the Italian food was heavenly!! Garlic prawns pizza was SUPERB!!! And there's this yummylicious HOng Kong dessert house that serves Chinese food which is 100 times better than those we've tried in BNE.

Visited Uni of Mel where xy's friend brought us around. That very night, we headed to this ShangHainese place for dumplings buffet!! Yes!! More food! hahaha. Think we had 4/5 meals daily when were in Mel!!

And I've finally tried skiing!!!(Next up-surfing!!) Paid $178 for a beginner's skiing day trip to Mount Buller. It is a 3 hour drive away from Melbourne and even though we were given 7 different chairlift passes, we only managed to use 2 of it cuz there was too little time!! But it was definitely thrilling! I'm still awed by how the pros do it down those really steep hills! well, practice makes perfect!! We were blessed with nice weather as seen from the pictures!

Visited Phillip Island where it is known for their penguin march and wildlife. On our way there, we stopped by Brighton Beach where all the colourful 'houses' are located. In fact, they are personal changing rooms owned by people. The weather wasn't on our side that day and the gloomy clouds were a stark contrast to the loud colours of the pretty houses.

Second visit to the Great Ocean Road. Once again blessed with a pretty day. Jenni managed to drive 600km+ all by herself!! *salutes her!! hahaha. Oh!! and i didnt realized i could lick my own elbow until recently and what's more amazing is that most ppl cant do it. haha! james decided to challenge us. So whoever could lick his/her elbow, he would buy the person anything from the nearest convenience store. And i got a complimentary mint and chocolate chip icecream from him!! hahaha!!

Puffing Billy train ride was fun!And people from the town will definitely wave to passengers on the train vice versa. Took a trip up to Blue Dandenongs as well. I like how the name sounds. Had scones and tea up there and it kinda reminded me of Cameron Highlands.

Platform 1 2/3

{ 2:46 PM ; Ming Xian }

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Friday, August 14, 2009

Hobart, Tasmania: 14Jul - 18Jul
Since the Ipswich-ians were the ones who rented the cars and once again, we decided that we could go without a GPS. The many map-reading occasions in Australia has definitely honed my navigational skills! MUAHAHA!

The apartment that we rented at Hobart which is considered pretty decent. The ladies slept in both the rooms and the 2 guys slept in the living area.

Cascade Brewery where the renowned Cascade beer is produced.

On the same day, we stopped by Cadbury Chocolate Factory which was a dissapointment as we had hopes of viewing how the chocolate is being made. But all that was available was a video of how the chocs were being made. Something interesting at the retail shop is that they sell imperfect chocs and sweets like those not of the perfect shape, with expiry dates that are printed wrongly and those without packaging for less than half the usual price! Managed to squeeze in Wicked cheese factory as well on the same day.

Visited the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park and these devils are becoming extinct as there is a widespread disease which many of them suffer from. Once again, saw more kangaroos. And if you look carefully at the photo below, you'll spot a kookabaru bird!! My all time favourite!! I'm fascinated by their 'laughter'!!

Port Arthur's is a must visit attraction in Tasmania and it's a good 2 hours drive away from Hobart. Kudos to the drivers who've drove us through Hobart and Melbourne!! The long journeys!! Especially the Great Ocean Road drive!! Jennifer's known as the school bus driver now!! hahaha!! We also signed up for the Ghost Tour which wasn't as scary as expected though the guide tried hard to scare/shock us by stamping hard on the ground once in awhile.

Went on a day cruise along the rivers of Hobart and it reminded me of the sailing trip back than during my first year at TP. They brought oysters up the cruise and the tray of oysters was just one of the many they had throughout the trip. I'm sure PMJ will LOVE HOBART for their oysters!! hahaha. too bad i'm not a fan of oysters. but their F&C there are equally good and definitely better than those in Brisbane.

The rainbow below was one of the many spotted during the trip. Think we managed to see at least 7 of them? =)) We drove up to Mount Wellington where we attempted a round of Strip Poker which left me with my tank top/jeans/ shoe-less! hahah!! It didnt snow when we were up there but we saw icicles and mr snowman!!

{ 6:23 PM ; Ming Xian }

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