Smile, it's summer

These past few weeks have been... hard to describe, really. That (and my laziness in updating) has left this blog quite miserable-looking :P oopsy.

Random: I love love love the movie "500 days of summer"- the perfect "not-so-love" story with a quirky/nostalgic feel throughout the movie with awesome music by Regina Spektor and The Smiths (mmmm brit pop is awesome).

I love this one in particular. It screams "SUMMER!!!"

Anyway.

This week marks the 2nd week of summer studentship at the lab. Same lab as honours, with same supervisor, so it's all familiar faces. One thing that's different though, is it feels more like a JOB now than just a project I have to score at. Well mainly because instead of having to pay tuition fees before, now I get paid. :) No more studying at night, though to familiarise myself with the new project I do need to constantly read a lot of literature and get the techniques right. Thank God for commercial biotech companies who come up with genius kits to make our lives much easier. The project is basically based on using genetically modified bugs in to generate biofuel woohoo!

Feeling pretty bummed today and yesterday as Amy, my flatmate this year, has left for Christchurch yesterday morning :( She's been such an AMAZING flatmate- from the late study nights during winter at the lounge with the heatpump on, the yummilicious seafood chowder and ciabatta that she makes, daily routine of putting away the dishes at night, to paying the bills on time hehe. I'm the oldest of the gang, but I do feel like she's the big sister of the flat, and keeps Sharon and I from killing each other :P Amy, I know you don't read my blog, but hey miss future doctor, you're just an amazing person to be with and I miss you already!

 Group photo taken at Amy's farewell/end of exams dessert night last Friday

Oh, and you all (especially May May) would be proud to know that I baked cream puffs with custard fillings for that night! First time ever attempting to bake that, and it was YUM :D I also just made kacangma (a green herby chicken soup) last night, mainly for Michelle. It's crazy how west Malaysians have never heard of it before.

Val's post-it notes & crumpets for Amy, sitting on the front porch one beautiful morning.

awwww... isn't she the sweetest?

The baking talent runs in the flat, what can I say? :P :P :P

The latest below are Sharon's creations: cute little sheep/roses made for Jackie's baby shower about 2 weeks ago

Aren't they just TOOOOOO cute?

Pink roses oh-so-pretty

October/November- the months of crazy amount of birthday celebrations.

The latest was last Saturday: Hsiu Ping turns a year older! We all hid in her room while she showered and surprised her when she walks in (with a towel in her glorious self teehee), had lots of junk/good food :)

Late October: Glenn our Filipino/American-BK manager-silver lining leader's birthday.

Surprised him by filling up his room with 200 balloons (one of them filled with Influenza as claimed by Ron) and had dinner at JRS restaurant.

Last but not least, Alexander Ethan Yeo was born on the 17th of October, 2009 :) Fondly known to us as Xander. He's a heavy boy (almost 4kgs!). Gave us a scare last week as he was admitted to ICU for serious jaundice, but all good now. He's been keeping Mich awake at night, naughty boy. See that cheeky little smile? I can just imagine him growing up to be a charming, beautiful boy.

This photo was taken just before he dozed off. It was luck, really, so hard to catch him smiling to the camera!

The "I know I'm cute" look :)

So there is definitely a lot of things happening (even if it's summer in Dunedin), yea shocking right? Chyi, have a blast in Singapore/Brunei (as you most definitely will) I AM JEAAAALOUS! It's nervewrecking waiting for results, knowing that it will also determine my scholarship result, which will only be out just before Christmas GAH! 

Tonight's going to be a good night *cue music*- we're celebrating Ron's 21st at the posh & fancy Luna Bar. Also, I can't wait till Sunday when I leave on a plane to Welly (again)- I can't say I will get sick of that place. Yeah it's windy but gosh, have those people that complained ever been to Dunedin before? :P