From my heart

After having a sleepness night, I woke up of feeling sadness. I've learnt through my past experiences the value of life. The need to keep yourself happy. The need to value what you have. Not to be greedy to ask for more, not meaning that you can't challenge yourself in life. I feel pain when I hear about illnesses in my family, my friends and people I know.

I wish from the bottom of my heart that D recovers very very soon. I can feel the sadness and the pain that my dear friend is suffering. Knowing that my dear friends husband is suffering from a life threatening illness Pulmonary Embolism, and after doing my own reading and research on it on my own this morning, my heart cringes with pain.

I pray that D will recover soon. I pray that everything will be ok for you going forward. I pray that the treatment will be successful and that the blockage will not come back again. I pray that you 3 will be a happy family again soon.

Fine Botanical Art

On Sunday, we went to the Botanic Gardens to see an exhibition of fine botanic art. The artwork was amazing. Artists have so much talent. When you look from a distance, you admire the artwork from afar, and when you walk up close, you admire each pencil stroke, each shade, each colour.

Each illustration was informative, showing very detailed features of each flower and fruit drawn. I can imagine the amount of time and effort that is needed to draw each one of these beautiful pictures to perfection.

One of my favourite was a corn that looked like it sparkles, cherries from a fruit basket, a small pineapple on a stem (so imagine a pineapple the size of my hand on a stem) and many many flowers, including a purple tulip that RL liked =) I liked them all.

One talent that really facinated me was a white flower on white paper. The shading and the fine penciling made the white flower really stand out and look stunning.

Very very very impressive =)

It's happened again

I received a phone call this morning and found out that my aunty is diagnosed with breast cancer. I know that chances of getting cancer is alot higher nowadays and that one in four women are diagnosed with breast cancer - it's more common.

I can't help feeling a knot of pain in my heart, hearing news like this. The pain was so painful that I can't even explain how sad I suddenly felt. I cannot say that I know how my aunty feels, but I can say, i'm pretty close. I can feel the sadness of my cousins, I can feel the sadness of friends and family that would know.

Even though my aunty is in it's very early stages - an operation needs to be performed (scheduled for end of this month) and Chemo. Hearing the word "Chemo" makes me shiver. Weight loss, vomiting, loss of hair... the list goes on. But who's to guarantee the cancer won't come back years later? Who's to say that once doctors have seen the cancer with their naked eye, it wouldn't of spread elsewhere?

This morning, I was lost for words. There's only so much I can say. Stay strong and we're thinking of you. But I know, in reality, they are just words and to them, it doesn't mean much. I can only offer them to call us if they need anything, and know that we'll be thinking of them. I will be praying that she is looked after and all goes well.

I tried to say " I hope she get's better soon" but for some reason, those words couldn't come out of my mouth. I don't know why. Deep inside, I know that some people just "cannot get better soon" and hearing it, just makes the conversation more silent, more awkward.

I hope that after the operation, all the bad things are gone and she can be happy again. Hope from the bottom of my heart that they won't come back and attack her again.

IMAGINI Visual Profile

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Super Doopa

I was sitting on the bus into work today and I was smiling to myself. I nearly giggled out. It's been a while since I have been doing something random and thinking of things that have happened that make me happy & smile =) It's such a great feeling!!

I'm feeling very happy today today. Double super happy perhaps from my "not usual" double shot coffee this morning.

Now I have to get back to work and keep reading life insurance PDS's. =)

Hi Tea at Swiss Hotel

A new start

I'll be starting my new job tomorrow. I face the challenge of waking up at 6.30am so I can get to work by 9am. It's been a very long time since i've woken up at that time.

It's been a very nice 2 months off work. I feel I can still laze around for another month, or maybe longer, yet, I also feel the need to go back to work. Mentally.

For some reason, i'm not excited. I wonder why.

A very nice dessert website

This website has lots of yummy cakes and desserts .. haven't followed it to see if they really are good recipes, but the desserts look yummmm!!

Click HERE

Playing Tug

Back to work in less than 1.5 weeks

Arrgg.. times going by so quickly, I feel like there's still a tonne of things I want to do before I start work. Like..
1. Clean & tidy my room
2. Stay at home & wait for the delivery of my other 3 parcels
3. Read the Financial Review ASAP
4. Read up on new pension/super rules + revision on insurance
5. Start digging out my work clothes... perhaps some ironing as well..and making room for the other 3 parcels
6. I really really wanted to go to a day spa... have a nice massage & body wrap...
7. Still haven't had the chance to darken my tan... want to go to the beach again on a nice sunny day and bathe in the sun =)
8. Vacumn & wash my car.. and try to fix the windscreen wiper
9. Need to visit Penny at least a couple more times before I start work
10. Join the gym? or yoga? climbing ? or kickboxing?
11. Get my photos developed. (I was told that photo's burnt on discs are not reliable and they won't last more than 7 years.) My usb has been sitting here for at LEAST 5 weeks..
12. mm.. i know there's more but I can't think of it right now.. still people i want to catch up with, still people i still need to visit..

nnoo....I wish I had a longer break.. hehee =)

Feeling a little sad...

Last night I met up with a very good friend of mine for drinks. He left Sydney this morning. I've known this friend for around 3 years, during these 3 years, we've built a very solid and close friendship.
Saying goodbye was hard. Saying good luck and wishing him all the best was even harder. I'm sure that he knows that I wish him the best from the bottom of my heart. I know he will be very successful wherever he goes. I know he will be more happier to where he is going as this is where his family is.

In the past years, despite working & relationships, we've managed to get together on a regular basis, organising steam boats, parties for different occasions, playing badmington on weekends and dinners. Today, I felt a touch of sadness that this really good friend is now starting a new life away from Sydney.

We will no longer be able to catch up and chat on the phone like the way we used to. Thank goodness there's msn. I hope our friendship doesn't go stale =)

Running out of time

Time has gone by so quickly and i've already been back in Sydney for 5 weeks. In another 2 more weeks, i'll be starting my new job at ANZ. I am really looking forward to it =)

The decision process was definitely tough & challenging. The offers that were made, which to decline and dealing with grumpy recruitment consultants.

When I was in HK, I had an urge to change fields. I seriously considered going into the HR industry. After my experience with HR consultants this time back, I have decided against it.

My retirement practising lifestyle time is running out... need to make the most of the rest of my holiday!!

Maitre Karl

I had a very nice lunch at Maitre Karl in Willoughby today =)

This is what we had;

Salade Croisette & Omelette du Fermier



Followed by an Expresso Creme Brulee with Frangelico ice cream ~ yum yum!

I made profiteroles...

For a special friend =)

Brian's Farewell

A farewell dinner for Brian, we went to Gordon for dinner followed by our usual dessert for dinner. We wanted to go somewhere far.. so we ended up in Brighton. We didn't take as many pics as we hoped, and we forgot to take one with Andrew =( Sorry ~





Brian, I wish you all the best in Hong Kong =) I know you will succeed & enjoy working in Hong Kong very much!!

Balmoral Beach

I love pracising retirement lifestyle!!!! YAY !!!
Having a very very nice and relaxing 2.5 hr lunch at Balmoral Beach, absorbing as much Sydney sunshine as I missed in the last year... and will be missing in another 2weeks... I'll be sure to be there again !! (also to try their yummy mussells hehe)

Grey **

On a big green grassland, there's a little grey cloud sitting above my head. It's pouring rain and i'm all soaked. How I wish I can step away from the cloud and allow the sun to dry me up.

It started with a kiss

If your feeling a little lost or down right now

Because you constantly remind yourself that:
Someone loves you :)
Things will get better, I know it!
You can get through this, because you have the strength inside of you.
Don't forget who you are, what you love, and the people who care about you.

Drive to Wisemans Ferry

On a spontaneous sunny 27 degree Wednesday morning, clear blue skies, with my favourite Simpsons cloud's, not knowing where to go for lunch, we decided to go for a drive past Dural, to Wisemans Ferry. The drive was very scenic and very pleasant. One lane road, with tall green trees on both sides of the roads. There were also small houses and acres of land on both sides with cows and sheeps.

It felt so good to absorb the Sydney sunshine. Something that I have missed alot in Hong Kong. Sitting on the outdoor balcony in a small cafe in Wiseman Ferry, looking out to see crisp green still trees, yards of clean green grass with fresh cut grass smell (there was a guy downstairs mowing the lawn), it was so relaxing. It was like a picture from a painting. *I wish I had brought my camera!!*

Having a tender steak sandwich, rack of lamb, a bottle of white wine made the atmosphere so comfortable and relaxing. So sensational. The coffee and a chocolate bavarian for dessert just topped it off =) ** and of course, the great company I had **

I love Sydney. The slow'ness of how people work, the relaxing friendly smiles from people you don't know, beautiful sceneries just a drive away, just makes me remember why I love Sydney so much. I felt so happy today. I haven't felt like this for a very long time.