Saturday, 12 April 2008

Unnecessary Troubles

Not not a good week psychologically... maybe because the weekend before did not meet my expectation! Plan got screwed... human behaviors and etc... very much affected by it, leaving me at home the whole Sunday afternoon. Even though I managed to get my stuffs done, it is still the "dissatisfaction" that is driving me up the wall. Sigh... EXPECTATION, when will I ever get rid of that and enjoy life happily?

But physically though, it appeared to be a good week, pack my stuffs ready for our office move next week!

Unless I get rid of those dissatisfaction, I'll never b e happy. The best part is, the person(s) I was disappointed with are not even aware or do not ever bother! So, why am I doing that to myself? Having all the unnecessary expectation and then getting disappointed! Sigh.... desire, desire, is really not helping. Should I be asking: "Why do people not place any importance to the commitment they made to me" or should I be asking: "Why am I having so my expectation of people's response and behavior?" I know the later will make me happier, by not expecting too much... BUT, it is easier said then done! I try very hard giving people the benefit of doubt, but...

Today, an even more disappointing day and very moody...

- Was very much looking forward to a good hit of tennis with my coach... guess what? A big patch of DARK clouds was blowing in our direction! Decided to call it off... on a Friday evening! That was ridiculous... I was just lost and didn't know what to do. Tried Tommy to see if I can get a PT session, tried Zoran to see if he have a hit, tried Celine to see if she would like a drink... all to no avail. At that moment, I realized just why I hate to be in Melbourne alone. Was hoping that someone would sms or call and we can go out for a drink! I was still a affected by the attitude of the incident last weekend and with that, I must say it did affect our friendship for now. Anyway, I was so desperate and was willing to go for a Comedy show myself, but... I was too lazy to change... ended staying home! No reply from Tommy on my request to take his 10.15 session tomorrow as well. Guess I will try to attend the cycling at 9.30am... and see if he available. Whatever it is, I NEED to go for my workout.

The weekend ahead? Hope nothing screwed up again...

1) Forego the BBQ with Argonauts just because I don't really know these people and I need to do my workout...(2) Meeting Celine in the afternoon and (3)planning to go over to Agnes' place for dinner... believe it or not, she has been here for a week now, but I only saw them last weekend! Sigh, I seriously missed spending time with Agnes, to just chat, or even do my part of being a host.

As for Sunday... Rowing at 10am is something I look forward to very much, I do enjoy rowing if I row well. As for the afternoon, the sad truth, I still do not have any plan, or didn't dare to make any plans cause I would seriously like to spend time with Agnes and family where possible. Else, will hit some tennis balls and maybe go to the driving range.... all else failed, I will go for a jog if the weather is good. I need to treasure these days when the weather is just perfect, as this will not last. In no time, we'll be freezing, and it will be a challenge getting myself out of the apartment to jog!

SIGH, SIGH, SIGH... Life, I seriously wish sometimes that it will just end here and I don't have to be so emotionally affected by all these self-imposed ups and downs!

Thursday, 10 April 2008   2.40am

Rejuvenated 

Thought it's about time I picked up this habit of writing again.  It is amazing to know how "human" enthusiasm can be so short-term... I was so excited to want to share my experience through this blog, and what happened?   I have been in Melbourne for more than a year now, 14 months to be exact and how much have I written?

This habit had been taken over by other, more exciting activities and  by pure "laziness"! 

It's now 2.25am.  Had been sleeping past 3am these days.  Thought I jot some key thoughts before I go to bed.    

Highlights include:-

- Installed Skype and had communicated with Huiting once and Sandy about twice. It's actually quite fun.   Will have my nephews installed that in time to come so that I can call my dad! 

- Agnes and Vijay in Melbourne with the 2 kids, Anne and Ryan.   Enjoyed being with the kids, noisy but really cute.   I am seeing a different side of the kids than what I usually get in Singapore.  Unfortunate that I didn't have a chance to  spend more time with Agnes, will probably try in the next week.

- Flowers... just received another one today... I lost count,  but it must have been more than 6 now, with the previous one being a plant!  The only difference this time was, I actually brought it home, cause it is finally the flowers that I like, Lily (Bai He) and I  have been wanting to get one to decorate my apartment... so, timing is just right.  Michelle was also surprised that I actually brought it back!   I really do not know what to do, or how to react.    Funny really, always feels that he is just satisfying his own believe without sparing a thought for others.  But on the other hand, why would he keep sending?    What am supposed to do?

- Office Move.  Believe this is the most disorganized one I've seen, and I am not impressed with the way the contractor work at all!  Compare to Singapore, I really feel it is not Value for $$ at all!   

- Rowing!   Yes, I have finally attended the lesson and did rowed on Albert Park Lake just the recent Sunday.   Stressful, but really enjoyable.    Guess the key is really Teamwork and enjoying the lake.   Didn't regret joining and in fact, very much looking forward to this Sunday's second Lake session.   Had to sacrifice some jogging or tennis for that.   There will be a camp which I can't join (very much wanted to)  because of the TC Conference!  Sigh...timing.

-  Jogging.  I wanted very much to join Running Spirit again to build  my stamina and etc...  I will do so soon just so as to keep myself "active"... and hopefully to really lose some weight.  Pretty disgusted with myself now.                

- Gym cum Personal Training

Had been with Tommy for quite awhile now... and I believe will keep that going for as long as I can.  

Tired.. that will be it for now...                                                                                                               

Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - Wonderful Experience with new - found Melbournians!

Saturday evening, 1 September was one of the well-spent Saturday's evenings.
It was a beautiful 1st day of spring... guess the max temperature during the day was 17 deg cel. After my regular gym routine and running some errands, I set off to this much anticipated event, which I signed up about 2 months ago! Was looking forward to meeting the organizer as she was really very "organized" than some of the others I joined.
As usual, I enjoyed the weekend tram ride to the city (always nice to sit and not worry about driving and parking) and walked leisurely (along southbank) to the meeting point (Station 125 at corner of Claredon St). The tram station is quite impressive, it is a shelter specially made for this ride and there I met up with the rest of the group. We had a group of 12, occupying 3 tables of 4.
I was impressed when we board the tram, we were in this very nice colonial setting dining restaurant... and I sat with Gail, Rosie, and John. The tram had 2 cabins, separated by a small "kitchen" area, and each cabin served by 2 waiters with about 4x4 & 4x2 passengers on board. Without any delay, we started off the tram ride (at 8.30pm) and it was supposed to last 3 hours, travelling around Melbourne! Was pretty curious how we will be occupying this 3 hours ride. We we served Sparkling wine to start off with a plate of crackers and 2 antipasto: cream, liver and cognac pate and roasted red capsicum dip. All of us were chatting comfortably enjoying that appetiser, and curious about the route the tram will be taking...kindda tracking our location along the way, spotting the nice restaurants and I was fortunate to be with some Melbournians who knows and introduced me to some of the nice places as we passed them. The waiter was going around taking orders of our preference for the evening from a selection of entrees and main courses.
The entree was a choice of grilled kangaroo loin or smoked salmon and avocado mousse. I had the smoked salmon (serve with a glass of white wine) and thoroughly enjoyed it, except that I didn't quite appreciate too much of the avocado mousse. A bit too creamy and too sinful!
Chatting, enjoying the ride, looking out the windows and etc... in no time, they were serving our main course, and we were about 1 hour from the time we set off. Between char grilled chicken breast and prime beef fillet, I obviously chose the former for the same reason. Sound normal, but the taste was fabulous! I commented at some stage that it was pretty amazing how good the food can be despite the fact that it is a "tourists" type of restaurant. Usually the food is not the main focus for such attractions, but somehow, this is different. The food can be a very good draw, as they were prepared by a chef on board and served fresh and hot! As an indication, I cleaned up that dish... everyone of us did. Yummy!
We were at Albert Park when the tram stopped for a little breather for some people we needs them. I took this chance to take a photo of some of us in the group.
Then, came the serving of a selection of Australian cheese with dried muscatel grapes and crackers... we were into out last hour and obviously heading the opposite direction towards the South of Melbourne.
Shortly came our order of after-dinner drinks (pro isn't it?) I had the warm sticky date pudding while some had the chocolate mousse dome. Gosh, the pudding was sized right (not too much) and one of the nicest I enjoyed thus. I finished it craving for a little more! Finishing it with coffee and a glass of Tia Maria just topped the evening. Gosh, what a professional served 5 courses meal! The only flaw was the filter coffee rather than espresso or long black! But that disappointment was mitigated by some chocolates!
Before we realised, we did actually spent 3 full hours on the tram and were back at the starting by around 11.30pm! Didn't quite get enough of each other's companion, Sheena (organizer), John, Gail, Shella(?) and myself, head off to the Crown for a cuppa before heading home. We chatted and John was nice enough to give me a ride back. One of those evenings that I thoroughly enjoyed, with good food, a chance to see Melbourne and obviously with some new found "frens"/acquaintances.