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!)

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!