Beauty of it all

I just discovered that Joshua, the "visitor" medical officer from the tv series "V" (which, for me, is the best tv series to come out in a while after Heroes and Glee) is also a singer/songwriter!!! *drool*

Ok, so maybe I have a soft spot for science fiction tv series and guys who can sing/play the piano AND still manage to look cute teeheehee.

Anyway, back to his (real name: Mark Hildreth) songs. He's had 1 album so far: "Complex state of attachment", on sale on iTunes. Not bad at all, I think (trying to be unbiased as possible). Best described as  upbeat/feel good, pop/R&B with a hint of Maroon 5 cross Elton John. Nice piano-playing as well.

Here's the music video for "Siddhartha" (which, according to Wikipedia, is the name of the birth name of the founder of Buddhism??! oh well, he must be a devout Buddhist or something like that meh).

I'm feeling great :D

... because I sat for my restricted driving test this afternoon and PASSED!!! *jumps for joy* Thanks so much to my very patient driving instructor/coach, Agnes :)) Will be getting my new license in a few weeks YAY!

Ooh I'm considering getting a 5.1 surround sound system for my audio pleasure, just need to start doing research on brand and budget. Mmmmmm

Okay back to watching more tv series ;)

:D

So what exactly has changed since transiting from studying to working?

I'll start with the cons first:

1. No more student discounts at restaurants/clothing stores/movies! It's amazing how much discounts are given to students! :(
2. Blank face when those who are still studying talk about their assignments/exams
3. Waking up at 7am every morning (which is a good thing for me actually heh)
4. Not being able to stay up late at night, my bedtime's usually before midnight now (due to point number 3)
5. No more term holidays/semester breaks GAH. Annual leave is something I treasure very much
6. Having to be more careful with my spendings: now I REALLY know how my parents feel when I spend their hard-earned money...

The Pros:

1. No studying!!! woohoo
2. No assignments to hand in/exams to sit for/group presentations
3. So much more free time to catch up on tv series (A LOT of them)
4. Stability
5. The increase in my bank account balance at the end of each month $$$.... which leads to the most important point of all:
6. Being able to afford this pair of AMAAAAAAAZING boots:

I just died and went to shoe heaven. BLISSSSSS.

Oh yes, it's 3 inches high and I'm not even a heels type of person, but it literally feels like I'm walking on a carpet of foam in these. No kidding. Yes it cost almost one sixth of my monthly salary, but I'm keeping this leathery piece of art until I can no longer walk without a cane, and then pass it on to my children and grandchildren. THAT's how much I'm in love with it.

Heh ok I'm done with expressing my undying love with my latest purchase. Bring it on, Dunedin winter! ;)

Gratitude

I'm grateful for a lot of things.

Among those are:

• Grateful that mum brought me for piano tuition classes since I was 6 or 7 years old
• Grateful that despite wanting so bad to quit learning piano when I was about 9, mum encouraged me to keep practising and trying out new piano teachers
• Grateful for my last and most memorable piano teacher, Mrs Chen :)
• Grateful for her patience, her dedication in teaching me how to LOVE playing and not just learn the pieces for exams, how she went to my 7th grade practical exam with me, and how she comforted me after I freaked out and cried after the exam (which I passed, hehe).

Because of all those, I have the opportunity and courage to play in front of 500-1000 people last night. Not just to perform, but to lead people in praise and worship and bridge that gap. I can't possibly describe what an amazing feeling that is: to work together in a band, playing our individual instruments but creating that perfect sound, adrenaline pumping while looking down at hundreds of people in the audience, spotlights shining down... you get the picture.

All the hours of practising when I was younger seems worth it now. The hours practising as a band before the event, 3 hours of soundchecking (the longest I'd ever been in), not having time to for proper dinner (coffee and a slice of cake), the nerves and ahem 'wanting-to-go-toilet-so-bad' feeling were all nothing compared to the outcome. For that, I am GRATEFUL.

So thank you, Jo, for asking me be part of the music team for the Resurrection event (Easter) organised by the combined churches of Dunedin. There's just no better way of knowing and playing with all the talented musicians in other churches in the city. And thank you, God, for overseeing all the decisions and events leading up to today that have allowed me to keep playing :)

Responsibility

It's only 11.10pm while I'm typing this. And I'm already sleepy -__-

Working has made me into this person I barely know: sleeping early (defined as anytime before midnight) and waking up early (defined as anytime before 9am on weekdays), and savouring weekends like never before.

I've taken on a 4th year student this year. Eeks. Last minute notice, and I'm supposed to "coach" him through his research project as it's closest to what I'm doing. It's pretty scary, teaching and hoping I didn't just pass on any wrong info heh. A scary, but good feeling :)

Bought tea, coffee, and own mug to the office. Having my own BIG space and computer is a major plus. We have our own kettle in the write up room now! Definitely helps with staying awake during the loooooong days.

Oooh, and I'm leaning more towards getting a Holden Barina instead of Suzuki Swift now. Mainly due to the promo that they're having at the moment.  Looks like a pretty good deal to me, not that I know much about cars anyway. Hoping to sit for restricted exam in the next few weeks. More practice on parking, it is, then.

First 3D movie this Saturday: Alice in Wonderland woot woot!

What's the rush?

Ok well, I fully understand why I'm getting matchmade not-so-subtle 'recommendations' of guys recently. Having graduated, found a job, still single and not one serious relationship yet, having many "couply" friends (and one by one getting married hehe) etc... The reasons are mounting up, I see.

So here's my defense ;) It's not that I'm THAT picky (one's got to be to a certain extent, right?) Okfine, I do tend to fall for the hard-to-get guys :P The real reason's in this cute song by Michael Bublé - Haven't met you yet.

I guess it's half timing,
And the other half's luck
Wherever you are
Whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

I love Love LOVE this song + music video. Apparently the girl in this video is Michael's actual girlfriend (she's 22 while he's 34 gosh). Lucky girl, having someone serenading to her like that heh.

Feeling in the mood to get some photos up here :) Next 3 are photos from Lake Wanaka/Lake Tekapo, when my parents came to NZ for their 2nd visit for 2 weeks. Sooooooo pretty! See the clutha river jet? We went for a wild ride with that very jetboat, crazy spins, and bought the photos as proof!

Family pic after the 45-min hike up one of the lookout hills at Wanaka. Not as tiring as the 4-hour Fox Glacier hike haha! Oops this is what happens when I get to do the bookings.

Lavender! Mum loves it obviously ;)

At Tunnel beach with the Lee sisters and Greg (+ a smelly seal). Rebec, I like this photo of us! 

 Great coordination from the cute couple

I've got my work computer! Not great specs but good enough for what I need it to do. It's nice having my own workstation, but it still is daunting sharing the same staff room with lecturers that have taught me before. 

Found out that I actually have 25 days of annual leave + 8 days of unpaid leave (provided I don't take any until end of this year), so that's pretty good. Will need to plan when to go home this year, which for once I am very excited about- have not been back for over a year (will be 2 years by end of this year) and the Pancakes' wedding will be held then :D Just over 40 weeks to go!

Work again, tomorrow... Oh Monday, go away!