Making the most of it

Random: taken in a restaurant in Auckland.

3 days of holiday left and I still haven't had my haircut yet!!!

I wish there were more Korean hair salons in Dunedin. Apparently they're not keen on starting up businesses here as with more than half of the population gone during summer, business would be bad for 4 months. Which means for a good, reasonably priced haircut, I'll still head up Christchurch for one.

I'm so tempted to just trim off the ends myself, buy DIY dye kit and dye my hair black.

***

I've finally had CounterStrike installed on my computer, but somehow lost the "kick" to play. I'm still too engrossed in reading the Left Behind series =) Up to my 3rd book now since last Saturday- "Nicolae- rise of the antichrist". Walao super intense, definitely unputdownable. Highly recommended to all!

No work today, but went around town running errands and lunched with Jaq, Miss Claus for the day. She went around town "distributing" presents she bought in Auckland, how thoughtful! I'd be broke if I do that every time I travel somewhere.

Speaking of which, I still have the terrible urge to travel. Which is bad, since lectures are starting again this Monday and the next break is not till end of August. No chance to travel then too, as Shine '08 camp is on that week. End of year- time to do work placement, so limited time to travel! =(

I still don't believe in working, earning money THEN travel. When you start work, don't you get less holiday and even less chances of getting leave? Then there are other priorities too.. and the list goes on and on until people just give up the idea of traveling around the world.

I'm rambling.


Better stop now.

Back to the books.

A longer holiday, pretty please?

I'm quite surprised 1000Minds is only NOW used for the "Otago Choice"- it's a program/software whatever you want to call it designed to help students decide what to major/minor in uni. Try it here.

I tried, just out of curiosity (not expecting to find biotech as the 1st choice). Lo and behold, my first choice was MEDICINE. (!!!) Genetics was in the top 10 choices, but medicine?! Then again, if I don't tend to have a panic attack when showed blood, I would definitely consider it. FYI dentistry was the 2nd "choice". Funny how the top 2 most expensive courses in Otago showed up as the top 2 choices of study. Ahem.

Anyway, the first time I heard about this software was during a MANT201 lecture; my lecturer had been talking about his colleague designing this apparently million-dollar software designed to help us fussy decision-makers decide based on the factors we feel are important. Such a simple idea, but took quite a long time before someone actually came up with one such as this one. I remembered my lecturer telling us its popularity- being used by Boeing, and even the NZ ministry of health eg. to decide who gets the heart transplant first etc. important decisions.

Our class, was one of the first who ever got to use the software itself early last year; that time was to see what factors we value most in a lecturer, e.g. how smart, easy to approach, teaching style, etc he/she is. The software was certainly really simple to use, and straight to the point with its results- little analysis was needed.

I also remembered him saying one of the creators of the software, though most probably now a millionaire, still rides a yellow bike and parks it ride under a big tree just behind the commerce building. If you happen to pass by the bridge just before the psychology department, go have a look- you can't miss the yellow bike.

***

Only less than a week of holiday left. So sad.

My "real" holiday only lasted for less than a week- during the Auckland trip. Before and after that was all work and work. I'm supposed to work 20 hours this week, but got home earlier yesterday as was feeling hayfeverish again. Teary/tired eyes not good for data entry. Plus, it was so freaking cold at the office- especially when people went to the toilet and the cold wind rushes in whenever the door opens/closes. I have a feeling I might to change workstations once again. Oh well, another few months to go before I can stop working and focus fully on studies again, not that I'm looking forward to that.

Results are out- not perfect but not too bad either. I'm grateful the dreadful C wasn't there- but still means I have to do extra hard to get a B+ average by the end of this year to guarantee a good research project next year.

***

Last night during cell group, Ramon made us his famous laksa again. Can't even remember the last time I had it. Spicy but so yummy. Great for winter. Speaking of which, the highest the temperature will get today is 7 degrees. Winter's always a time when I feel (just a little) homesick- almost everyone from youth is back in Kuching, and I'm reminded of the hot & humid weather back home. But then again, I'm comforted by the fact that winter will be gone in 2 months' time. Spring, I shall count the days till you're here again.

Finally. Just a few of the many photos I grabbed from Davina last night. All are of events/activities of the bestest cell group in Dunedin- Lighthouse Fellowship! ;P

Encounter 1- at Warrington, a 30-min drive from Dunedin. So pretty the landscape!

May, jOSs, Sam, & Davina- Encounter 1.

Greg's bday (late May). Ron, careful when playing with sharp objects!
Rachel baked the lighthouse cake =)

Ice skating event- May looks like she's in the Olympics skating competition or something.

That's the whole of Lighthouse! (and growing)

Girls only event- slumber party at Rebekah's house.
Us pointing at Michelle- can't remember why, haha!

Ramon's bday surprise. Jaq, what were u pointing at?

All you people still in Auckland, quick quick come back! Missing you guys heaps already ;P

Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class!

Sigh. Isn't it he too cute?

I can't wait till Wall-E is released!!!

Which is on the 18th of Sept this year. *gasp* I'll be 21 already by then...

It's been hailed as one of the most anticipated PIXAR movies EVER, and not surprisingly, its biggest gamble. I'm quite surprised to find out most of the movie is void of dialogue. And that's its essentially a love story!

Have a read of a review here by TIME.

Who wants to watch the world premiere (yeap you've guessed it, in NZ!) with me? ;P

Auckland fun

I was in Auckland, the city of sails from last Wed to Monday. Had heaps of fun meeting up with Rebec and being the ultimate lightbulb during the Pancakes' pak-tohing sessions. haha! So lazy to type up everything we did, so here are a few photos to do the talking. 349 photos taken in total btw.

Meeting up with dear Rebec Lee at little high street. Her hair definitely looks much straighter. haha!

At her room; playing with her sophisticated (& presumably expensive) tool for opto. See I don't even know the name of that thing... Look at the EYE poster behind!

Rebec taught us how to play Gin Rummy, so fun!

and we went out to have oily, yet super yummy crispy duck on rice.

Yum char-ing; ordered a durian smoothie, which apparently is the specialty at the restaurant. Quite pricey though, it came to $80+ for the 4 of us.

Cool art on display along High St. Yeah, ouch.

Ah, the brand names.

Then we went off to Parnell after the trip to Mission Bay. Managed to catch the beautiful sunset. Everything just looks so much more picturesque there. Even the clock is classier.

Just a few of the silly pics we took at Parnell. Imitating the toilet sign.

Art on the floor! So cute right

Another sunset pic at Parnell.

Digging into the ice cream at a korean bbq restaurant at mid city. Had dinner with William W, Tao, and the pancake family.

Took a few pictures at the IMAX cinema (until we got told off haha!)
When will wallE be released?

Canai doing his thing.

The nut bag is MINE!!!

Planned on going kayaking, but couldn't due to strong winds.

mission bay. We look so happy

we're free!!! I like this shot a lot, ignoring my slightly weird expression

Lo and behold, Doulos MV stopped by at Auckand! Parked behind Hilton hotel some more, haha! Bought more than 12 books (most of the Left Behind series), and a couple cds (still yet to listen to). The books were so cheap! ($8 each for the left behind books, hard cover le!)

On doulos, looking over the harbour bridge.

Those 6 days of fun seemed so far away already, now that I'm back here in super cold Dunedin (it snowed for like, 10 minutes yesterday -__-), waking up to the cold, and going to work. Sometimes I wonder why I'm still working: I don't really NEED the money, I don't get enough study time, always rushing between work and lectures and labs, plus it's not related to my course, and work is a 30-min walk from home (5 mins by bus- $1.20 for bus fare); then again it looks good on my CV, gives me extra pocket money for traveling purposes, and err nothing more. Even the cons outweigh the pros.

I'm nervous about the exam results coming out.

I'm nervous about not being able to get the internship in A*Star.

I should call the researchers tomorrow, and convince them to employ me. eeks.

15.06.08, a day of celebration

Today is crazy, hectic, yet beautiful day. Far from perfect, yet so memorable in many ways.

So incredibly tired, shouldn't even be blogging now, but have to write this down. =)

3ish am - Sleep. Woke up at 6am. Before that, we were ironing Michelle's crinkled wedding dress in our pajamas at 2 sth in the morning. Haha, classic moment of panic.

6am - Anyway, all's good. The dress was sooooo pretty!!! *sigh* Love the embroidery. So we got up at 6am (Janice around 6.30 ;P), had our hair and make up done very quickly. Yet somehow the time flew by and we managed to reach church at around 9.15am.

9.30am - Start of service. We walked down the aisle to Canon in D (just altered the night before haha), the lovely couple exchanged their handwritten vows (plus other couples renewing their vows including Pastor Graeme & Sharon).

11.30am - Rush off to St Clair beach for a photoshoot. The sun was out, thank God! So cold, though. My facial muscles having cramps from smiling too much.

1.00pm - Back to church for lunch reception. Yummy food.

2.00pm - Back at home, managed to sleep for 15 mins?

3.00pm - Get ready to go to Blue Sky restaurant to decorate dinner reception. Wore my gold dress, woohoo! Never thought decorations could be THIS hectic, my gosh. Good job everyone, quote by Michelle: "Blue Sky never looked this beautiful before!" hahaha!

7.00pm - Still decorating. Gosh. Cable from laptop to projector not working, ahhhh!!! Headed back to flat to grab another one. Panicked, I somehow set off the car alarm. Paiseh.

7.30pm - Just in time for the dinner to begin. BIG sigh of relief.

The bride's posy. White orchids & pink gerberas, so pretty!

The bridal party table.

Table name/menu. I "designed"/made them, with the help of Sam n Janice, nice ler?

Next in line to marriage? Hmmmm. Or could it be the Gn couple first?
Who knows, eh? ;P

12 something - Got back from dinner/taking off decorations. Walao, never felt so tired/drained in my whole life since the NS obstacle course competition in 2005.

Tomorrow's plan - Wake up at 10am? The Pancakes and May going off to Christchurch early in the morning. *sad sad* Go to work (earn money!!!), think of songs to lead for worship at cell group?

Tomorrow nite - Lighthouse cell! Fun and games, after that super tiring weekend.

Tuesday - Chill, earn more money.

Wed nite - Go to Auckland!!!

*Big smile* =D

Yeap people, will be going up to Auckland on wed nite, coming back to Dunedin on Monday the 21st for a fun/relaxing time + a much needed holiday.

Finally, but not least, congratulations again to the beautiful bride and groom, Michelle and Raymond! Thanks for sharing this special moment with us =) God bless this wonderful, super awesome couple! hehehe