last update of the year

It feels like forever since I last blogged :P

Graduation is a funny thing. We work hard out for years (4 years, in my case) for a piece of certificate with name + degree printed on it. Worry about the dress, shoes, and grad photos a few days before. Then on the day itself, put on makeup, get ready to slip on those 3-inch heels (not that I normally wear them), and put on regalia, hood, and mortar board (it's a challenge by itself on how to properly wear those).

10am- headed down to the micro department morning tea, took a few photos and had breakfast. 11.30am- have professional photos taken at Knox College. Quick lunch, touchup on makeup. 1.15pm- off to gather in front of the dentistry school for the graduation march. Try not to fall while wearing these killer heels. 1.45pm- finally reached the town hall, basement (phew!), line up in order of how we will walk up the stage. 2.00pm- walk into town hall with all the friends and families of graduands looking at us. eeks. Sit down again. Speeches and songs before they start calling out names, starting with those graduating with PhD and Masters.

It's a looooooong list. But finally, it's TIME. I didn't slip, managed to walk very fast still in those heels, and it was over in a split second. Just like that. Bought a photo of the capping from the official photographers for $12 after the ceremony. heh. Took more photos with friends and family. Received my presents later on: 1 graduation bear with the colour of my hood and another snoopy graduation bear :) and of course, pretty purple flowers all the way from Napier from the awesome Pancakes, Alex and Sam.

Walked back home barefeet (blisters from shoes, ouch!) and had time to rest before having the grad casual dinner with friends and parents. Left for Wanaka-Fox Glacier-Lake Tekapo-Christchurch the next day and came back only a week later. TIRING is the word to describe those 7 days of travel; though the beauty of the places we had been to and the fact that I got to spend quality time with my parents made it all worth it :)

Photos will show up here once I settle down at my new place for next year, due to move on the 1st of Jan. woohoo. Can't wait to move, though I'll miss being able to flat with friends and make a lot of noise at the flat whenever we can. But having graduated and starting work soon means greater responsibility; soon I'm hoping to apply for permanent residency, get a car (and actually learn how to drive hehe), and make plans for the future :P

Meanwhile, I'm stuck here packing and labeling boxes. And looking at prices of Xbox 360 :P

2009, what a year you've been :) The year of accomplishments and when the impossible became possible. 

Mum and dad arriving in 1 hour! :D :D :D

People should smile more

More photos to come. Just a few for now from the hundreds I'd taken the past few weeks.

Davina's birthday & graduation party at Ron's place. Purple and white balloons! We got her a new camera :) Panasonic I think.

group photo!

Yummy food from Wellington

This one's from Wagamama restaurant (a food chain)- sort of like a fusion of east (Japanese) + west dining; price is reasonable since the food is soooooo good.

more of Welly's artsy harbour

Nothing beats this: Alone with a good book by the harbour (with no wind)

We all need a little bit more colours sometimes

You may/may not know already: I have (informally) said YES to working at the university for an extra year after being offered an additional 6 months on top of the initial 6 month-offer. Not sure about official job title: research technician or research assistant? Would be the same project that I've been working on since November, but summer studentship is still on till the end of February, so it's safe to say I'll officially start working at March 2010 :D It's too good of an offer to turn down: a job guarantee when it's so hard to find one out there; plus it's just perfect for me to use that as an advantage while applying for permanent residence (PR) here in NZ.

Been stressing out about finding a good accommodation for next year, but AMEN I have found one. Signed the lease this afternoon for a studio at George Street (5 mins walk to uni, YUSSS). Costs $170 a week including power and unlimited broadband. Big enough space to put all my stuffs HEHE including Waszowski. The landlady is super nice as well, which is a major plus.

So yes, everything's slowly (but surely) falling into place. Even if I do get a scholarship, plan would be to defer it until 2011. Now all I need to do is pack, find a graduation dress, finalise itinerary for parents' trip here, and submit a mini-report to supervisor tomorrow!

overview

Where shall I start?

I've missed my own comfy bed so much for the past 3 weeks, but had some pretty incredible memories doing random activities and just catching up with May and Janice, and of course touring around with Becky hehe.

Spots on the art gallery is supposedly to promote an ongoing exhibition at the time. I still like Welly despite the crazy wind meh. Not too fond of the head colds from the wind, though.

and of course, no trip is complete without good food.

Introducing Wholly Bagels- yummy bagels with different fillings of choice. They should open a franchise here!

Went on a Kapiti Coast tour and had fun posing with odd/interesting cars at the transport museum

May couldn't join us to Auckland as she's too busy with her research :(

Anyway, we took a 2-day trip down to Rotorua then to Taupo. Weather was sooooo warm then. Rotorua DOES smell of rotten eggs due to sulphur everywhere. Gosh. But it does get better with time

Went to one of the geothermal 'wonderland's- funky colours and smells

 And Janice zorb-ed! So much fun from just watching her do it. The people working there are just so crazy and fun-loving haha! That's next on my to-do-list the next time I visit Rotorua.

We also pampered ourselves at the Polynesian Spa & hot spring pools at Rotorua. BLISS

Took a 1 hour bus ride down to Lake Taupo, and went to the Huka prawn farm to catch some prawns! Random, I know. Becky was the only one who managed to catch any (3), which were then cooked at the restaurant. Wished we had more time there though, never thought prawn-fishing could be this challenging and fun!

Auckland- the city of sails and where I bought my Karen Walker top *teehee*

Met up with Tao and William at Auckland, had dinner at the famous KK Malaysian restaurant at Epsom. The kangkong belacan is to die for. I'm definitely going back for more next time.

Then they drove us to the lookout at Devonport for beautiful views and lots of phototaking ;) A group pic (bless that person who invented self-timers) for remembrance

Also, we attended Michelle and Davina's graduation ceremony yesterday afternoon. Oh, Sarah and Yan who did pharmacy had their ceremony as well. Beautiful day for graduation; even better when we stumbled upon this great secret place to take photos- they look like they've been taken in the studio!

My personal favourite: Xander (about 6 weeks old) drooled while this photo was taken hehe. He has gotten so much bigger since I last saw him: heard that he's already outgrown many of his Ralph Lauren and Gap baby clothes :P He's sooooooooo cute it's impossible not to coo and make baby noises at him. Also, yesterday was the first time I had held a baby ever- feels really good actually :)

So apart from still recovering from the 3-week holiday, I'm getting ready to be back at the lab tomorrow :( Been busy the last few days planning the itinerary for a South Island tour that's happening in a few days. Can't wait for mum and dad to arrive in 10 days! :D

What's more, my own graduation in 12 days! eeks. It feels surreal. And not having a dress yet is a dreadful feeling. The desperate hunt shall begin very soon. Also, time is running out in finding a place to live for next year. I'm not even thinking about packing all my things yet.

But all in all, I'm grateful :) For a safe and awesome trip, for first class honours WOOHOO (who would have thought?! well, I didn't), for parents coming over to see me graduate soon yay, for having the whole flat to myself (just kidding, Sharon hurry come back home!), and for the tv series GLEE :D

Will Schuester is the cutest when he sings/dances *sigh*