Oh how time flies by

Oh wow. I've been away from blogger long enough to not have yet seen the new design controls. Neat. About time, too, with Wordpress having the upper hand in producing cleaner, edgier templates for a while now.

The thought of never blogging again, ever, has crossed my mind, more than once actually. But I guess this is still a good platform in keeping in touch with those few that actually still read this blog. 

So, updates. 

I'm now a permanent resident of NZ! *big hooray* It wasn't THAT difficult as I'd imagine it would be; just a long and tedious process of getting all the documents, then getting them certified, filling out all the online forms and paperwork, posting and waiting. But thank God for my super kind case manager in both Christchurch and Wellington for making my life simpler by (1) not asking me to send another medical certificate as mine was about to expire soon aka past 3 months validity, (2) for speeding up my steps along the way, and (3) friendly and fast emails :)

But all that is still unofficial as I still have NOT received my new passport (which I applied like, 4 months ago!!!! darn the Malaysian Immigration) to get the stamp/resident visa on. They're certainly testing my patience. Again, I'm glad that airticket bookings online didn't require me to include my passport details.

Speaking of which, I've booked my flights back home! :D Airtickets are seriously overpriced! I've decided to stick to Singapore Airlines to collect those delicious Krisflyer points. For the first time ever, I used my own hard-earned money to buy the return tickets, costing me just under $2000. Ouch, says my bank balance. But all's good as today is pay day = $$$ = happy me :)

So I'll be heading back to Msia via SG on the 23rd of Dec, coming back here by end of January 2011. 4+ weeks, how precious they are, now that I'm at the mercy of annual leave. The big event is, of course, THE wedding. Not mine, but I think I'm more excited in planning than the actual bride herself. Agree? :P Then, if time and finances permit, a short trip somewhere to northern Asia.

I have to say, priorities have changed: from when I first started working to (now) 4 months after that. Going into the workforce, I set aside a separate "goals" savings account. Originally to save up for a grand DSLR camera + lenses (ahem) for which I was so passionate about I scoped its price fluctuation every month. Let's just say I didn't actually NEED so much as WANT that extra gadget in my possession, not right now anyway. I haven't quite figured out what to change the goal to yet, but I do want to invest in something that's going to give me reasonable return in the long run.

And that's how that (and my parents' opinion) it led to the subject of property investment. Not exactly my field of expertise, but oh well, it's never too late to learn. And to be frank, I've been thinking about venturing into that for a while now. Baby steps and more research to do for now, and we'll see where it leads from here.

I LOVE having a car to drive around (even if it's little ole' Dunedin). Ooh, especially during the uni holidays (like now) when there are no students around to steal take good parking spots. Not worrying about the weather changing from fine to hailing while I do my grocery shopping, being able to go to music practices every Thursday night without arranging a ride, not having to walk half an hour to go to church, ah well- it all leads to less exercise. Boohoo. I seriously need a knock in the head to get me motivated enough in going to the gym.

An unexpected income came as such a blessing late last week. :) I thought it would never happen. But it did! May, you know what I'm talking about. Of course that's going back into my savings account.

And of course, the World Cup. During times like these, I wish I was living in another time zone. Matches are generally 1.30am or 6.30am, and if I want to watch any game, I'd have to sleep at 10 the night before and wake up a few minutes before the match, then sleep again. Which I did, twice, to watch the All Whites games and the England vs Germany match. Bravo, All Whites for that never-say-never spirit! Now, if only the final is played during the weekend :( Another tired and caffeine-filled day at the lab it is, then.

*scrolls up* So there goes my rant (of the month?). Back to watching more LOST episodes (yeap, I'm a recent convert!)