the wednesday morning...

I had my second meeting this morning. I felt a little brighter and no so dumb like before. We finally agreed on a topic and he even said that it’s interesting. But all that ,doesn’t come without hard work. I have read more than 20 journal articles in less than two weeks and everything is making more sense now even his award winning papers. The jargons are becoming clearer and I’m beginning to dig this..Dude? I know..I’m just a little elated with the anticipation of the arrival and the fact that I survived the meeting with only cracks this time as compared to pieces the 1st time around. I guess all of them who had gone through this path are right…it is about continuous reading and writing and thinking (I’m adding that one) because your mind will be running like a clock 24/7 even when you don’t want to think you will. And I also have found truth in the fact that no one is interested about your topic except you and your supervisor. So no point talking and explaining about it longer than five minutes. I talked to him about working and he said ok and also about presenting my proposal in the anbiza conference and he said that it’s possible. That reminds me that I need to send him a mail about that. So gotta run. I’m leaving earlier today to go do some shopping with Betty. Last night I left the office about 8pm and slept in the wee hours of the morning so tonight I get to rest a bit before going at it again tomorrow. Have a good Wednesday everyone! Adios!

The act of kindness

Before i got the good news about H and Hannah joining me soon, i made plans for the long weekend. The idea of staying home with Frank and his family for three days just doesn’t appeal to me. So i took up Nelly’s suggestion of going to see Sarah. And i’m glad i did. I have a great time. Sarah cooked and took me around her town. She concocted great recipes and we talked like there’s no tomorrow. We talked about everything under the sun. From motherhood to our fears and hopes, we jumped to spooky stories and funny ones, then leaped back to our children and baking recipes and then settled to sad, heart breaking events in our lives- the accident. Through it all we laughed, paused, pondered and even shed a tear or two but never once did we stopped for long. We were like two crazy women who tried to outdo one another with their stories. I had a wonderful time with her and her lovely family. Her children were adorable and sweethearts especially the youngest. He will try to tell me everything. My time was filled by all his stories which i have come to miss. I have made a silent vow to myself that i will keep this friendship going because what i have experienced in those 3 days was of pure kindness and sincerity. I am thankful for that. The downside of it all was i ate like a mad pig. She cooked meals similar to home so i can’t help myself.
Hamilton ( http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/hamilton/) is a lovely city with beautiful breathtaking natural hues and landscapes. It’s peaceful and personal. It can be addictive for a city girl like me who craves the peace and quiet. The serenity is very appealing to the eyes and heart. I love the rose garden and the city centre. I will definitely come back with H and Hannah. That is a promise.
I realized something on the bus on my way back home that i’m proud of her for getting this far and for juggling between motherhood to being a student and a wife and a friend. She seems to be doing great at all the roles on her plate. She’s the inspiration now. There are a lot of things for me to emulate and learn. I never thought I’d acquire so much life lessons in 3 days.
I hope that you will have meaningful and beautiful encounters in your life. Four more days to go ! Hoo!Hoo!Chao!

I am whole again

I know that instinctively the happiness i was feeling yesterday morning happened for a reason. Remember i told you that I was accompanied by The backstreet boys music and that I felt as if I had an extra wing. I guess it was all leading to the happy news. H and Hannah will be joining me on the 15th of February. The best Valentine’s Day present ever! I got the email from the agent around 5pm yesterday and i was jumping up and down. Zoe was beside me and she was smiling and laughing at me. I called H immediately and he was ecstatic as well. It was a relief. I feel as if someone was actually squeezing my heart. The emotion and over whelming feelings that I was feeling was out of this world. I guess this is love! H related a story to me about Hannah. It seems that the night before they were looking for old pictures of H’s dad. Then they stumbled upon an album that housed his cousin’s wedding photos. I remembered that wedding, i was there with the whole family and i took Sharon and Irene with me because it was in Penang-H’s mom side of the family. It was a simple close knit Chinese wedding ceremony. H told me that there was a picture of all of us with the bride and groom and when Hannah saw the picture she started crying and calling out “mummy”. When i heard it I was trying really hard not to shed any tears. I was at work for god sake! No more crying...my baby is coming soon! I told Hannah that it’ll be another seven days. She replied “why so long mummy”. I told her that the days will go by so fast that before she knew it she’ll be with me.
So this morning i woke up with a peaceful mind and heart but with a headache though. I don’t know whether it’s because of Frank’s daughter kept screaming in my ears or the sms i kept receiving during wee hours of the morning. I am not complaining one bit because i welcome those sms from home like the desert welcomes the rain. Che..wah!hehe. But i think interrupted sleep can be the cause of this headache i think. Anyway, i came to work and i had to use my access card 8 times before i get to my cubicle. The security they have in place here is amazing. No one’s around because it’s a public holiday today. Well..That’s what i thought until i saw Kevin. We chatted a bit and he was just stopping by before going to the gym. He asked me to go with the rest to the lantern festival tomorrow but i couldn’t because I’ll be in Hamilton. I’m going to the lantern festival with Zoe on Sunday.
God is great! And HE loves me. Everything has fallen into place...and i will be whole again. Have a great weekend everyone!

The white lady

I forgot to write about this sooner. I have been to the white lady(http://auckland.wiki.org.nz/White_Lady). It’s a burger place that had gotten a makeover. It was featured in the Kitchen makeover series on TV. Frank told me about it and i saw the show. It was sad because the owner has been doing business for so long but i think they have gotten old and lost some of the passion to continue. It’s supposed to be one of Auckland’s iconic places-the big old lit up bus that serves good old fashion hamburger. So i went there because in the show the food critic had a lime milkshake and i am soo into that. I told Frank that we should go and visit. He said that we should go there at night then we can see all the lights. Originally the white lady was a milkshake place but after a decade it was changed into a burger place hitherto. But after the makeover, they have introduced the milkshakes again. They were almost going out of business because there was no proper system in place and they were using low quality product. All that has changed now. I guess we can say that this is like Ramly’s burgers. It’s hard to compete with the other giant franchises and fast food chains. But i guess people are still into good old fashion burger i suppose. But they didn’t have the lime milkshakes that i wanted so i settled for a really sweet and not so nice caramel one. Urgh! But the idea of seeing something that was featured in a show on tv is still surreal! Hence the pixs. Another new encounter that will be remembered. I love the walk to the White lady though. Auckland is well lit up at night and the sea breeze is enticing and calming. I love the walk more than the milkshakes. Adiois!

Not giving loneliness a chance

I walked to the bus stop with an extra wing today. I had my Ipod on and Backstreet boys with me all the way to school. Hehe. I love taking the bus to school and going over the bridge in the morning and looking at the sail boats all lined up to give homage to the beautiful horizon. I love it. I’m beginning to crave that 15 minutes every morning. It’s more addictive than caffeine. Kevin and I were just talking about it with another lecturer who is trying to quit caffeine cold turkey. Nooo! I Know...it’s not possible...it needs to be gradually done..Whatever the addiction is!
My boss (yep i’m calling him that now) came to me yesterday around 6plus in the evening and asked me whether i’m going for drinks with him and the rest of the statistical research methods class next Tuesday. He is treating. I asked him whether I’m invited and he said “ I sent you the email (he cc-ed me the email) and now I’m asking you”. I told him yes. He is a funny man but not funny at all when it comes to my research proposal. Yikes!
This weekend is another long weekend. This Friday is a public holiday and it’s Waitangi day. Don’t ask me what it is because I don’t know. Ok..ok..embracing the culture...embracing the culture..let me find out. Ok..got it! It’s to celebrate the signing of the Waitangi Treaty which gave the British sovereignty while guaranteeing Maori land rights and that happened in 1840.Hiuh! Now it’s merely a celebration of togetherness, nationhood and family. There’d be a big family day celebration open for all at Hawkes Bay. There you go. You learn something new every day.Hoo!Hoo! It’s the flat white talking.
I’ve got more reading to do today but I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m coming to work as usual but I’m going to Hamilton in the afternoon for the long weekend. Hoowooh!HooHoowooh! HoOHoowooh! I miss dancing the victory dance ala chicken little with Hannah. Anyway, my weekends are booked. When i come back from Hamilton on Sunday afternoon then i have a date with Zoe to the lantern festival at Albert Park. Another thing that i’m looking forward to. So...have a great weekend everyone and Happy Waitangi Day?

Another interesting bus ride

I took the bus today and as I was looking around and my eyes rested on two elderly ladies. They were so excited to go somewhere. All dressed up and armed with their sunnies and all. They are quite stylish for their age and one is holding a walking cane. They chatted and were so engulfed in whatever they were related to each other maybe some hot gossips about someone in the retirement home accidentally swalled his dentures or something. Sorry...i shouldn’t be mean. Ok..maybe someone in the retirement home is having an affair with the janitor or something...better?
It must be someplace really exciting that they are going to i think because they can’t stop giggling an and whispering to one another. If we were to conform to the popular belief then they might be going for bingo or something but i think it needed more than bingo to spark that kind of enthusiasm and spirit. Hmm...i wonder ... Anyway i hope when i’m their age, i’d still be stylish and still be filled with enthusiasm, positive spirit and passion.
It’s nice and sunny today. It’s in the high of 24 degrees today with a blanket of greyish clouds in the sky. I sound like the weather guy on channel 1. I’ve got more reading to do and i think I’ll get a lot done today as yesterday was spent attending classes and finishing my critique assignment. My supervisor is full of surprises. I arrived this morning to find a beige envelop on my desk and a sticky note saying it’s for me and from him. I opened it and i saw office goodies- multi collared sticky notes of different shapes and sizes plus a couple of the uni pens. Hmm..i don’t know how to make out of that gesture. Does that mean I’m accepted and that the initiation period is over?... even though the first meeting about my proposal didn’t go that well. Hmm..I’m leaving it to be deciphered later. Too much info to take in and thinking to do today. So happy Wednesday everyone and happy thinking?...

Oh Grissom...

I saw the opening season of CSI Vegas. Oh my god it was sooo sad. I can still see the blood soaked shirt that Grissom was wearing after they brought Warrick in. The sad thing was, Grissom held on to Warrick for a long time. The working officers of the scene, stood there not doing anything. They all just stared at Grissom and Warrick. When Grissom got to Warrick he was still alive. I thought to myself that a double point blank bullets to the head, no amount of Hollywood bull$*&! can make Warrick be alive right? It won’t be right in the first place and it won’t do justice to the whole show.’ But the producers have done this for years and they should know what work and what won’t work. I’m just a student who knows nuts about scripting.
Warrick struggled for breath and died in Grissom’s arms- the ultimate Hollywood’s drama. Oh well..they caught the killer of course and at the funeral....aah...that’s another tear jerker for me. I am not a diehard fan of CSI Vegas but i have seen a lot of episodes and recently i have been following closely and watching re-runs and all. I have never seen Grissom express any kind of extreme emotions excluding to Sarah of course but when he was delivering the eulogy at the funeral, he was all choked up with emotion and he cried. Gosh..i’m such a sucker for this. Anyway, after shamelessly crying in front of my flatmate, I went to my room and started to contemplate on who to call to talk. It’s the hormones talking...i know that these are just characters made up by brilliant people who put them together to tell a story. I know that but it’s my first day of period and i can’t seem to stop crying. Anyway, i needed to call Lisa, but i figured that writing this better so i can save face a bit. but i know if i called she’d understand because she’s a fellow CSI fans too and she’s crazy about Grissom...hmm..sory..sory..i think she likes Nick Stokes, yeah..that sounds right i think. Anyway, only a fellow CSI fan would understand. I’m sure there are millions out there. I heard the reason that they are eliminating Warrick’s character is because of the actor’s bad reputation. I don’t know...anyway,i’ve always like Warrick because he’s cute. Yep! Plain and simple...go for the hottie! You know what i like the most? The fact that they are a family and namely Warrick’s family because he doesn’t have any. That’s my favourite part of the show. Good night!

Many more of these to come

It’s Monday morning and i took a bus today. My first time actually taking a bus by myself...well... not the first time taking a bus by myself..i’ve taken a bus to new market before by myself but this is the first time from home ..alone. I got off at the wrong stop. So i stopped at Viaduct and had to walk all the way to school but that was what i wanted actually, well not to stop at the wrong stop but to walk. I’m a ‘walkie’ now. I walk everywhere. It’s good exercise and i love it but going up Albert Park‘s steep walk way is taking its toll on my knee though but i feel fresh and alert.
As i was walking to school from viaduct this morning, i noticed a small cafe that serves healthy desserts...hmm...so i stopped and i looked at the selection and there’s nothing healthy about them but then my eyes lingered on ‘the green tea latte’. Hmm....yum! So armed with my big heavy white bag filled with journal articles and a book on my left shoulder and a green latte in my right hand...i’m ready to live my Monday! Have a good Monday everyone. I hope you have your big heavy white bag and your green tea latte to make you happy today. They did! For me!

I have a story to reveal

I have a story to reveal
That I’m head over heels..
Really!
I sense that
This will last
The connection was instant
The minute we met
I knew you were a catch!
And we are a match.
As weeks gone by
You raise me high
Towards the sky!
On my heel
I’m thinking “this is a steal!”
Feeling elate
With my new mate
Who gave me a winch
And not a pinch!
A gratifying adornment,
No frills just thrill
Comfy with my new buddy
As you fit me snugly, my new chummy
i see a future for this new amity.
My new wedges and me!