Today in Melb (Sunday), it was ultra windy and I have to say I was pretty close to having a really bad accident with my car. First, I had to go to Ch 9 to grab my mobile cause I accidentally left it there last night. I couldn't really go for the 11am service at church because I had to go to Ch 9 to grab my stuff early in the morn, but also had an early shift at the Albert Rd site to work on Ch 7 and BBC. Anyway, on my way to the Albert Rd site, I had to pass my place on St Kilda Road... and as I was doing so, I saw a tree starting to fall. I actually saw the tree coming on top of my car and my next reaction was to swerve into the next lane. Thank goodness there weren't any cars. I seriously thought my vision was slightly off or something, but the tree was actually falling. After I swerved, I heard this loud bang! I looked in my rear view mirror and I saw that the tree had fallen on one of the parked cars and was covering one lane of the road - the lane I could have been on if I didn't swerve. If I stopped when I saw the tree falling, I could have been severely hurt, because the trunk would have come crushing on my car. And if I stayed in the same lane but sped up, the tree would have still gotten the back of my car anyway. So it was a good thing that at the time, there were no cars in the other lane and no people crossing and that it was safe for me to swerve. It was scary though and I have to say I was shaking from the ordeal. I didn't think it was actually that windy...
While at work, one of the new girls was on shift and I was supposed to help her out because it's the first time she's been left alone. The only thing was I couldn't really keep an eye on her because I had to go off into another section of the office to do BBC. Well, while she was at her desk and while I was nearby inputting my dictionary for BBC, she started bawling her eyes out crying. I asked if she was OK and she said she just needed to get out, so she left. Apparently my colleagues told me she has been doing this quite a few times. It's the first time I've seen this, because the other times I haven't been working with her and have been at Ch 9.
When she left, everyone was pretty helpful and started working on the bulletins. And later when she returned she said she didn't think she was in the mood to stay. I told her anyway that if she was not feeling up to it and feel that she can't really work, then she should just go, that it should be alright cause we can most probably cover. I said that I'm sure everyone would understand if it were a personal problem. I also told her that it depends on her - she could stay and try to work, and hopefully the work keeps her mind off whatever is bothering her, or she could go rather than doing work she knows she won't put in 100% of what she's capable of. I told her that perhaps she could go get a coffee or a little breather as well. In the end, she chose to stay, so all ended well, but there were a few little conflicts along the way. Because she wasn't having a great day and wasn't really thinking straight, she kinda was saying things correctly but doing the opposite and a lot of people were complaining and getting frustrated. In fact, a few of my colleagues took me aside to discuss her skills and even wrote an email to my boss, because they were just a little peed off at the attitude the new girl was giving. It's understandable that she's upset but to be in a bad mood and take it out on work colleagues, it's probably not a very appropriate thing to do. Oh well... it didn't really affect me. She kept apologising and thanking me for being so patient with her.
Another dramatic incident was the leaking PMS... but it's probably too disgusting to mention. This is the first time though that I can bear the cramps. Usually it gets quite painful and I'd need to pop pills but today I didn't have it - just a slight leakage. Although embarrassing, it's better to have than the cramps feeling. And I think I did a good job of hiding it too because no-one seemed to notice, so no, didn't really get the embarrassment treatment.
And tonight, I was a little surprised. My sis organised dinner and she brought her new bf over to meet the parents and TY and myself. Yes, the parents are back in Melbourne. They returned only about two days ago... Anyway, this new guy - he's been Ness' friend for a while since the uni days and he's nice - Aussie of course, because I actually can't see Ness dating a pure Asian - you know - those who have Chinese accents. I can't even see her dating a pure Singaporean. But that's all for now.
I have to work on an early tomorrow. And then Ness and her guy are gonna come over to play a few games, and they are bringing dinner too. Should be fun!
Monday 29 October 2007
This week's updates
I finally finished up my uni cover letter! Got TY to read it and he sweetly gave me some tips. Also got my colleague to throw in some ideas. So it's done and emailed off. Now it's more waiting... hopefully they'll get back to me soon that they have received it and want to schedule an interview.
Meantime, I was thinking that during my next off days, the week after next, I should start clearing up my room with the things I don't want and probably get boxes soon, so I don't have to fight for boxes during the peak moving season (around December I think).
Going off on a little trip to a place near Apollo Bay this weekend for two nights. TY's bro is coming over to look after the animals so it should all be OK I hope. We leave Friday morning and return Sunday morning. I haven't really been up to Apollo Bay or this place we are going to, but I heard that the sightseeing is really good. Will definitely let you guys know.
Meantime, I was thinking that during my next off days, the week after next, I should start clearing up my room with the things I don't want and probably get boxes soon, so I don't have to fight for boxes during the peak moving season (around December I think).
Going off on a little trip to a place near Apollo Bay this weekend for two nights. TY's bro is coming over to look after the animals so it should all be OK I hope. We leave Friday morning and return Sunday morning. I haven't really been up to Apollo Bay or this place we are going to, but I heard that the sightseeing is really good. Will definitely let you guys know.
Monday 22 October 2007
I am still here blogging...
Just to let you guys know I'm still here and still blogging... just haven't been doing it as much. My blame - probably Facebook. Haha!
Anyway, updates on my part:
1) My dad is OK. He went back to Singapore for more physio sessions and thank God he's up and about, has no more pain and doesn't have to go through a major operation.
2) I heard back from Macquarie University, not about my speech pathology course, but my audiology course, and they want me to write a cover letter detailing the skills and attributes I have and what I feel I can bring to the program. It's a little bit of a struggle. I have all my points... it's just putting them formally. And having said that, I know I promised to write it by tonight, but the brain has tuned out and nothing beyond "Dear Dr..." Yep, I have to address it to this audiologist, a real doctor who is also in charge of our internships and programs.
3) My annual leave has been approved and so it's confirmed - I'm going back to Singapore 23rd to 28th of Dec and can't wait to catch up with my family and cousins and of course, a few of you guys whom I haven't seen in ages.
4) Daylight savings is coming back! It's this weekend which means an hour less sleep!! Nooooo...
5) I am going up to the mountains for two days with TY before the Melbourne Cup weekend. Should be good... hopefully it's sunny, not too hot and not raining. If it rains, the walking trails and treks would be wet and slippery. We found this really nice place that is supposed to take 4 people - well, the whole cost is for 4 people max, but lots of people are going away and it's study period for exams that week so it'll just be TY and myself.
6) I've been on Facebook almost three times a day... And yep, it's Scrabble and Boggle galore. Found a few old friends, and a few old friends found me, which was awesome. Everyone's grown up, looks different and doing different things... but it's great to catch up after all those lost years. I miss those years - they were good memories. Of course there were bad memories through the years too, but I think overall, the good ones outweigh the bad. Sad though that most of us usually can't recall each and every good memory in fine detail... and when the embarrassing, sad or most hurtful moments come to light in conversations, all of a sudden, the information in its deepest detail is there... Strange how our brain works huh?
7) Facebook has drawn my sis and I closer together. We're doing so much more stuff together on Facebook than in real life. Weird that is... Maybe cause of her busy work and party schedules. I'm not into that party phase anymore, but if you guys wanna party or club or wanna know cool hangouts, I think you guys should ask my sis to take ya or tell ya where to go.
8) One of the Sydney trainers is coming down to Melbourne this week. She and I hit it off really well and she partly trained me in voice/speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g, and I'm taking her to an Italian dinner either on Wed/Thu.
9) Parents are here again in Melb and will be having dinner with them this week.
10) Board games night is resuming slowly... And don't worry, my baking sessions are resuming too. Recently baked a banana cake that turned out quite good. Still have to make my quay la pis - who wants to help? It takes ages to do! Layer by layer... if only there was an easier way. And of course, I shall try to do my specialty again - pandan cake. Listing these makes me hungry...
Tonight Mary, Cherlynn and Julian all coming over for a little gathering. Should be good to catch up. TY and I will probably cook up some ba ku teh after my work. Today not sure what shift I'll be on cause apparently the supervisor is sick and my boss wants me to do the shift, but then she also wants me to do a voice shift. I'm thinking it's going to be a stressful one... Can I not go?
I got to now go get changed and get some money cause my wallet's empty and poor TY has to pay for a lot of my meals the past two days. I feel bad. Anyway, that's all for now. Will write soon.
Anyway, updates on my part:
1) My dad is OK. He went back to Singapore for more physio sessions and thank God he's up and about, has no more pain and doesn't have to go through a major operation.
2) I heard back from Macquarie University, not about my speech pathology course, but my audiology course, and they want me to write a cover letter detailing the skills and attributes I have and what I feel I can bring to the program. It's a little bit of a struggle. I have all my points... it's just putting them formally. And having said that, I know I promised to write it by tonight, but the brain has tuned out and nothing beyond "Dear Dr..." Yep, I have to address it to this audiologist, a real doctor who is also in charge of our internships and programs.
3) My annual leave has been approved and so it's confirmed - I'm going back to Singapore 23rd to 28th of Dec and can't wait to catch up with my family and cousins and of course, a few of you guys whom I haven't seen in ages.
4) Daylight savings is coming back! It's this weekend which means an hour less sleep!! Nooooo...
5) I am going up to the mountains for two days with TY before the Melbourne Cup weekend. Should be good... hopefully it's sunny, not too hot and not raining. If it rains, the walking trails and treks would be wet and slippery. We found this really nice place that is supposed to take 4 people - well, the whole cost is for 4 people max, but lots of people are going away and it's study period for exams that week so it'll just be TY and myself.
6) I've been on Facebook almost three times a day... And yep, it's Scrabble and Boggle galore. Found a few old friends, and a few old friends found me, which was awesome. Everyone's grown up, looks different and doing different things... but it's great to catch up after all those lost years. I miss those years - they were good memories. Of course there were bad memories through the years too, but I think overall, the good ones outweigh the bad. Sad though that most of us usually can't recall each and every good memory in fine detail... and when the embarrassing, sad or most hurtful moments come to light in conversations, all of a sudden, the information in its deepest detail is there... Strange how our brain works huh?
7) Facebook has drawn my sis and I closer together. We're doing so much more stuff together on Facebook than in real life. Weird that is... Maybe cause of her busy work and party schedules. I'm not into that party phase anymore, but if you guys wanna party or club or wanna know cool hangouts, I think you guys should ask my sis to take ya or tell ya where to go.
8) One of the Sydney trainers is coming down to Melbourne this week. She and I hit it off really well and she partly trained me in voice/speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g, and I'm taking her to an Italian dinner either on Wed/Thu.
9) Parents are here again in Melb and will be having dinner with them this week.
10) Board games night is resuming slowly... And don't worry, my baking sessions are resuming too. Recently baked a banana cake that turned out quite good. Still have to make my quay la pis - who wants to help? It takes ages to do! Layer by layer... if only there was an easier way. And of course, I shall try to do my specialty again - pandan cake. Listing these makes me hungry...
Tonight Mary, Cherlynn and Julian all coming over for a little gathering. Should be good to catch up. TY and I will probably cook up some ba ku teh after my work. Today not sure what shift I'll be on cause apparently the supervisor is sick and my boss wants me to do the shift, but then she also wants me to do a voice shift. I'm thinking it's going to be a stressful one... Can I not go?
I got to now go get changed and get some money cause my wallet's empty and poor TY has to pay for a lot of my meals the past two days. I feel bad. Anyway, that's all for now. Will write soon.
Sunday 14 October 2007
Time has flown...
Can't believe the week is almost over and it's been a while since I've blogged. I think I have to blame it on Facebook. It can become quite addictive if you're not careful. But I guess if you're just into adding friends or keeping up to date with what your friends are up to and also, sending messages, it's not that bad. Then again, I guess you can do that on Friendster too. Strange that a lot of my Friendster friends have yet to join the Facebook phase and friends who aren't in my Friendster have sorta found me somehow.
So what's been happening since my last blog entry? Well, it's been pretty usual these days - nothing that exciting really:
My parents are here from S'pore and staying at my sister's.
It's been work, work, work pretty much. In fact we had new software installed at Ch 9 and there have been lots of technical glitches that we can't really work to our best as yet. For instance, we have to manually input everything and the speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r (which includes me when I'm on shift) has to voice almost half the news bulletin in because there's no time really for the c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r-s there to finish off the news bulletins. They usually should be able to finish even one news bulletin in time, but these c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r-s who have been at Ch 9 since c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g started over there, had never used the new software before - only a few of us know how to operate it... so they're still learning and it takes time for them to adjust to the new key strokes and additional functions.
The tech guys have been in and out of the office at Ch 9 these days trying to troubleshoot the problems, so hopefully they get it fully working soon.
Been catching up with TV shows. Now everything seems to be back - Prison Break, Smallville, Desperate Housewives, Heroes...
Also trying to catch up on House Season 3... Quite behind watching it. And I wanna download Gilmore Girls to watch too.
The next roster is out and was scheduled by the boss in Sydney. Unfortunately I'm working all weekends but the good thing is that I'm at Ch 9 Richmond almost every day of the week. At the moment though it's not a really good time to be at Ch 9 with all the glitches... but at least we have some kind of a challenge I guess cause at times it can get a bit quiet.
And oh, I have annual leave for 4 days from 1st Nov to 4th Nov. Was thinking of bringing TY to this place just for a little getaway, but it seems fully booked! I didn't realise it was so popular... Oh well... I guess we can always do something else... maybe we can plan to go to Perth and I'll be able to catch up with a few old mates. We'll see.
So what's been happening since my last blog entry? Well, it's been pretty usual these days - nothing that exciting really:
My parents are here from S'pore and staying at my sister's.
It's been work, work, work pretty much. In fact we had new software installed at Ch 9 and there have been lots of technical glitches that we can't really work to our best as yet. For instance, we have to manually input everything and the speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r (which includes me when I'm on shift) has to voice almost half the news bulletin in because there's no time really for the c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r-s there to finish off the news bulletins. They usually should be able to finish even one news bulletin in time, but these c-a-p-t-i-o-n-e-r-s who have been at Ch 9 since c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g started over there, had never used the new software before - only a few of us know how to operate it... so they're still learning and it takes time for them to adjust to the new key strokes and additional functions.
The tech guys have been in and out of the office at Ch 9 these days trying to troubleshoot the problems, so hopefully they get it fully working soon.
Been catching up with TV shows. Now everything seems to be back - Prison Break, Smallville, Desperate Housewives, Heroes...
Also trying to catch up on House Season 3... Quite behind watching it. And I wanna download Gilmore Girls to watch too.
The next roster is out and was scheduled by the boss in Sydney. Unfortunately I'm working all weekends but the good thing is that I'm at Ch 9 Richmond almost every day of the week. At the moment though it's not a really good time to be at Ch 9 with all the glitches... but at least we have some kind of a challenge I guess cause at times it can get a bit quiet.
And oh, I have annual leave for 4 days from 1st Nov to 4th Nov. Was thinking of bringing TY to this place just for a little getaway, but it seems fully booked! I didn't realise it was so popular... Oh well... I guess we can always do something else... maybe we can plan to go to Perth and I'll be able to catch up with a few old mates. We'll see.
Tuesday 2 October 2007
Post-Grampians
I was back to work the next day and boy, my legs felt like jelly. My calves were aching badly, probably not as bad as those who made it to the top of the mountain, but yeah, it wasn't a good day to work...
Wanted to call in sick, but I felt bad.
My parents also arrived in Melbourne and TY and I brought them and my sis to the Japanese Stone Grill place. Good thing they liked it.
Supposed to be off on Monday and I thought "OK, this is the day I should just chill and say I'm busy and not go to work if they do call". In fact, one of my colleagues ended up calling me saying she was sick and wanted me to do her late shift at Ch 9, so I told her I can't because I had plans (initially I had dinner plans with my parents but it was cancelled cause my sis couldn't make it). Then 15 minutes after, my boss called and told me that one of my other colleagues at the main office is sick and needs me to fill in. I again said I have plans, but she was desperate and said "Can you perhaps do a short shift?" So eventually I gave in... cause two people are on leave and two people are sick... and I guess the $$ is good and it can go towards my savings for uni... The bad thing is that because I worked on Monday, it would mean that I'll have worked 8 days straight - next day off is Sunday. Some of my colleagues are saying what will my boss do without me? I'm not sure either... it's pretty tough to replace my position in a way... Not to be proud, but there are lots of people being trained up, and it would take them a while to get to my level. In fact, there's only me and two other colleagues who learnt the skill of speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g really fast, like we started around the same time and are doing the same stuff. But depends on an individual really. And for speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g, you either get it or you don't. Some people are really good at it and a lot aren't... It's pretty tough to pass the speech test and there are stages. In fact, lots of people fail in the first stage, and usually don't continue until after a bit more practice. Also some people who just don't continue at all because they're quite frustrated with the whole speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g training...
Besides all of that, had my eyes checked today and am trying on a new moisturised contacts for the cracked surface skin of my cornea (remember how I had that quite bad before? It's not as bad this time.. Still there, but not that bad. I thought it would have been bad cause I seem to have increased blurness when I look at the comp. But no, it's not that bad, so no need to worry). The new contacts are in fact quite comfy, but more expensive... so see how it goes.
Wanted to call in sick, but I felt bad.
My parents also arrived in Melbourne and TY and I brought them and my sis to the Japanese Stone Grill place. Good thing they liked it.
Supposed to be off on Monday and I thought "OK, this is the day I should just chill and say I'm busy and not go to work if they do call". In fact, one of my colleagues ended up calling me saying she was sick and wanted me to do her late shift at Ch 9, so I told her I can't because I had plans (initially I had dinner plans with my parents but it was cancelled cause my sis couldn't make it). Then 15 minutes after, my boss called and told me that one of my other colleagues at the main office is sick and needs me to fill in. I again said I have plans, but she was desperate and said "Can you perhaps do a short shift?" So eventually I gave in... cause two people are on leave and two people are sick... and I guess the $$ is good and it can go towards my savings for uni... The bad thing is that because I worked on Monday, it would mean that I'll have worked 8 days straight - next day off is Sunday. Some of my colleagues are saying what will my boss do without me? I'm not sure either... it's pretty tough to replace my position in a way... Not to be proud, but there are lots of people being trained up, and it would take them a while to get to my level. In fact, there's only me and two other colleagues who learnt the skill of speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g really fast, like we started around the same time and are doing the same stuff. But depends on an individual really. And for speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g, you either get it or you don't. Some people are really good at it and a lot aren't... It's pretty tough to pass the speech test and there are stages. In fact, lots of people fail in the first stage, and usually don't continue until after a bit more practice. Also some people who just don't continue at all because they're quite frustrated with the whole speech c-a-p-t-i-o-n-i-n-g training...
Besides all of that, had my eyes checked today and am trying on a new moisturised contacts for the cracked surface skin of my cornea (remember how I had that quite bad before? It's not as bad this time.. Still there, but not that bad. I thought it would have been bad cause I seem to have increased blurness when I look at the comp. But no, it's not that bad, so no need to worry). The new contacts are in fact quite comfy, but more expensive... so see how it goes.
Strange but Exciting Day Trip
The Grampians trip didn't have the weather we were expecting that's for sure... It rained and then stopped and then rained, and there were cross-winds as well. But when we got to the mountain, the sun had actually come out, so we started climbing. But about a few minutes on the trail, it started hailing on us. We were trying to protect ourselves but it was pretty painful and there was no shelter, so you can imagine... There were 9 of us and honestly, no-one was prepared - lots of people didn't bring wind-resistant jackets and were only wearing light clothing, so everyone was pretty much wet, numb and freezing. After the first hail hit, I couldn't take it any longer. My head started getting achy from all the ice, I felt like throwing up and everything looked dizzy. Might be the low blood pressure kicking in... Good thing I didn't continue up the mountain because after that, there was another bout of hail and from the carpark in the car, it seemed to be worse than before. We couldn't see anything, not even the mountain in front of us - the car windows were all foggy and all we saw were tiny pieces of ice. Good thing the hailstones were small, so it didn't damage the car.
After that, the rain subsided and we drove to a nearby waterfall lookout point which was so pretty. It was still cold, but we managed to trek down the path to the waterfall. The going down was really easy but the going up was tough - the big steps looked never ending...
It took about two hours and a bit to drive to Grampians (one way) and I drove the whole way there. It was better for me too because I tend to get carsick quite easily. But on the way home, I was too tired that I had to hand the wheel over to TY. Straight after I handed over the wheel, I fell asleep instantly. That was how tired I was.
The whole trip was indeed good fun. The company was the best! We even had a few blonde moments, probably from how tired and how excited and how sick a few of us felt... A lot of mixed feelings... Hee! Nevertheless, after this day road trip, we all walloped down a well deserved Laksa King meal and a good sleep after. =)
After that, the rain subsided and we drove to a nearby waterfall lookout point which was so pretty. It was still cold, but we managed to trek down the path to the waterfall. The going down was really easy but the going up was tough - the big steps looked never ending...
It took about two hours and a bit to drive to Grampians (one way) and I drove the whole way there. It was better for me too because I tend to get carsick quite easily. But on the way home, I was too tired that I had to hand the wheel over to TY. Straight after I handed over the wheel, I fell asleep instantly. That was how tired I was.
The whole trip was indeed good fun. The company was the best! We even had a few blonde moments, probably from how tired and how excited and how sick a few of us felt... A lot of mixed feelings... Hee! Nevertheless, after this day road trip, we all walloped down a well deserved Laksa King meal and a good sleep after. =)
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