It's been such a crazy year that I think it took till Friday evening on 21st December for me to finally realise it was Christmas. Sure, I had been doing my xmas shopping, getting ready for the holidays but it's been such a hectic year I think I only finally got to breath on Friday evening after I left the city.
I've had to ask myself, have all of those long hours and late nights been worth it? I hope in the long that it'll pay off!
I'm just looking forward to going to Asia now to see and do lots of things. I think with the break coming around my mind has finally clicked that I'm about to head on my big holiday. Can't wait to meet up with friends & family I haven't seen in ages.
If you've had the crazy year like I have had, I hope you've also had the chance to have a breather and smile :)
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Time
I wish I had more time... either that or I wish I only had to work the "typical" 40hr week."To get all there is out of living, we must employ our time wisely, never being in too much of a hurry to stop and sip life, but never losing our sense of the enormous value of a minute." - R Updegraff
Why then, is it so hard to find time to breathe and stop to enjoy the view while working? Busy busy busy work work work... I'm getting close to working 6-7 days a week plus... it's about time I get a promotion or pay rise.
So, anybody know of a job which I can do which does NOT involve 50-60hrs+ a week?
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sounds you don't want to hear
There are a few sounds in life which you do NOT want to hear often. These are noises which are worse than fingernails on a blackboard. Many a time, these noises are associated with the situation and environment it occurs in.
Flying... it comes with the job. Generally I LIKE flying, in fact I like taking off and landing. I don't don't fly very often so it's not as bad plus I get to keep the airpoints. Bad weather doesn't bother me particularly, c'mon I live in Wellington. Yesterday was supposed to be an ok day... fly there, do work, fly home. But there are a few times where I have not enjoyed my flight, yesterday was one... and they say things come in threes:
(1) The plane was over an hour late due to "mechanical problems." You think to yourself... "bloody hell they're late, I've had a very long day waking at 5am for work so I want to get home. Oh well, at least they've fixed the problem and we're safe to go."
(2) As the plane reverses from the terminal the air stewards and the co-pilot came over to examine the exit door (two seats in front of me). Apparently there was something wrong with the window and the co-pilot had to check to make sure that it was still safe to fly(!). On that assessment, we were given the ok to fly... Joy.
So generally if these things happen, it happens and you sit back into your seat and enjoy looking out the window. But after all of these issues and then you hear this...
(3) False take-off... This is one of the few noises you do not want to hear often in your life. The plane’s 737-300 engines roaring ready to take off, you feel the acceleration building and VERY suddenly it winds down. The sound of them killing the engine/take off process is awful. The plane almost slows to a halt before taxiing off the runway.
It's one of those times which you're particularly bunny eared and possum eyed.
We were told that the pilots received an error message, although it was very nice of them to tell us what went wrong. Problem fixed we took off and went home... It was one of those few trips which I was glad to be over.
I heard one of them yesterday...
Flying... it comes with the job. Generally I LIKE flying, in fact I like taking off and landing. I don't don't fly very often so it's not as bad plus I get to keep the airpoints. Bad weather doesn't bother me particularly, c'mon I live in Wellington. Yesterday was supposed to be an ok day... fly there, do work, fly home. But there are a few times where I have not enjoyed my flight, yesterday was one... and they say things come in threes:
(1) The plane was over an hour late due to "mechanical problems." You think to yourself... "bloody hell they're late, I've had a very long day waking at 5am for work so I want to get home. Oh well, at least they've fixed the problem and we're safe to go."
(2) As the plane reverses from the terminal the air stewards and the co-pilot came over to examine the exit door (two seats in front of me). Apparently there was something wrong with the window and the co-pilot had to check to make sure that it was still safe to fly(!). On that assessment, we were given the ok to fly... Joy.
So generally if these things happen, it happens and you sit back into your seat and enjoy looking out the window. But after all of these issues and then you hear this...
(3) False take-off... This is one of the few noises you do not want to hear often in your life. The plane’s 737-300 engines roaring ready to take off, you feel the acceleration building and VERY suddenly it winds down. The sound of them killing the engine/take off process is awful. The plane almost slows to a halt before taxiing off the runway.
It's one of those times which you're particularly bunny eared and possum eyed.
We were told that the pilots received an error message, although it was very nice of them to tell us what went wrong. Problem fixed we took off and went home... It was one of those few trips which I was glad to be over.
... and they say things come in threes.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Food tour... Sydney
Casa Asturiana
77 Liverpool Street, Sydney, Australia
Date of visit: Feb 07
Rather than live on chinese food while we were staying in the city (Sydney), we found this really nice Spanish place around the corner (literally) from Chinatown.
Budget: $$-$$$ ($50-$75 dinner for two although if you eat less tapas you spend less) then allow another $50+ for alcohol :)
Food: Nice range of dishes to choose from. Big selection of tapas plus main meals to choose from. It's really nice to mix and match your tapas... evening yum char :) If you want to try lots of different things but haven't got a big enough stomach to eat a main and tapas (!), the kitchen is willing to make some mains into tapa-sized dishes... yum!
Atmosphere: Good service. It's a nice little space where you can enjoy good food and good company.
Tip:
Alcohol - This is a great place to sample Spanish alcohol. Go on... treat yourself :) Enjoyed the Sangrias plus the Spanish wine. Sad part was that we couldn't find the same Spanish wine again in NZ :(
77 Liverpool Street, Sydney, Australia
Date of visit: Feb 07
Rather than live on chinese food while we were staying in the city (Sydney), we found this really nice Spanish place around the corner (literally) from Chinatown.
Budget: $$-$$$ ($50-$75 dinner for two although if you eat less tapas you spend less) then allow another $50+ for alcohol :)
Food: Nice range of dishes to choose from. Big selection of tapas plus main meals to choose from. It's really nice to mix and match your tapas... evening yum char :) If you want to try lots of different things but haven't got a big enough stomach to eat a main and tapas (!), the kitchen is willing to make some mains into tapa-sized dishes... yum!
Atmosphere: Good service. It's a nice little space where you can enjoy good food and good company.
Tip:
Alcohol - This is a great place to sample Spanish alcohol. Go on... treat yourself :) Enjoyed the Sangrias plus the Spanish wine. Sad part was that we couldn't find the same Spanish wine again in NZ :(
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
CNY in Australia
A bit late in the post but here's a quick summary of our trip to Sydney during CNY. Not to mention a belated Gong Hee Fatt Choy to all!
Our holiday started out in Sydney Chinatown to see the going-ons Sydneysiders do to celebrate CNY.
CNY Parade
Compared to the Wellington parade, the Sydney CNY parade was fantastic! The parade was in 12 parts - each part following a chinese lunar animal. There were all sorts from lion and dragon dances, kung fu displays, and community chinese groups.
What else?
Firecrackers of course! Firecracker after firecracker the streets of Chinatown were filled with loud bangs and people surged to the noise. Shop after shop getting the dragon dancers to bless them for the new year and bring them prosperity. Red ribbons of the exploded firecracker lined the streets and car, the smell of gunpowder and smoke lingering in the air. Reminded me of my childhood...
Aquarium
We did the zoo the last trip so this time we went to the Sydney Aquarium. I'd have to say the best part was the giant aquarium at the end. You could see the aquarium from all angles and it was great seeing the fish swim en masse in schools (see picture above for peak hour traffic).
Tip: if you can get hold of a Sydney Entertainment book from someone it'd be worth it... we got 50% off the admission price.
CNY
This CNY was a pretty special one. All the relatives from Mum's side of the family met together at my Aunt's house to celebrate CNY (+ a birthday or two). So at times it was a pretty multicultural event listening to different accents from NZ, Australia, UK and Malaysia. This get-together included some of the typical CNY celebrations plus the very typical food funtastic involved. What can I say... I love food!
Whirlwind tour of Sydney
At the same time Nick & I managed to tour of a few more suburbs and the city. With our handy multipurpose train, ferry and bus ticket we manage to see:
Manly, Bondi Junction (definitely a place to return to on a shopping trip), Little Italy, Cabramatta, Kings Cross, Chatswood, trekked across Sydney City and the Botanical Gardens, Fish Market and even North Ryde (where we caught up with Brendan!). We even got to see the Queen Mary 2 when it came into port.
Other highlights...
IKEA: I can't wait till IKEA is in Auckland. We visited the Sydney store and wished we could have bought some big furniture pieces and bring it back with us. Unfortunately we'll have to wait yet again.
Overall
A great CNY! I could go on and on about our trip, definitely a memorable trip and I can't wait till the next CNY!!!
If you want to see more pics, follow the links to my flickr pics.
Our holiday started out in Sydney Chinatown to see the going-ons Sydneysiders do to celebrate CNY.
CNY Parade
Compared to the Wellington parade, the Sydney CNY parade was fantastic! The parade was in 12 parts - each part following a chinese lunar animal. There were all sorts from lion and dragon dances, kung fu displays, and community chinese groups.
What else? Firecrackers of course! Firecracker after firecracker the streets of Chinatown were filled with loud bangs and people surged to the noise. Shop after shop getting the dragon dancers to bless them for the new year and bring them prosperity. Red ribbons of the exploded firecracker lined the streets and car, the smell of gunpowder and smoke lingering in the air. Reminded me of my childhood...
Aquarium
We did the zoo the last trip so this time we went to the Sydney Aquarium. I'd have to say the best part was the giant aquarium at the end. You could see the aquarium from all angles and it was great seeing the fish swim en masse in schools (see picture above for peak hour traffic).
Tip: if you can get hold of a Sydney Entertainment book from someone it'd be worth it... we got 50% off the admission price.
CNY
This CNY was a pretty special one. All the relatives from Mum's side of the family met together at my Aunt's house to celebrate CNY (+ a birthday or two). So at times it was a pretty multicultural event listening to different accents from NZ, Australia, UK and Malaysia. This get-together included some of the typical CNY celebrations plus the very typical food funtastic involved. What can I say... I love food!
Whirlwind tour of Sydney
At the same time Nick & I managed to tour of a few more suburbs and the city. With our handy multipurpose train, ferry and bus ticket we manage to see:
Manly, Bondi Junction (definitely a place to return to on a shopping trip), Little Italy, Cabramatta, Kings Cross, Chatswood, trekked across Sydney City and the Botanical Gardens, Fish Market and even North Ryde (where we caught up with Brendan!). We even got to see the Queen Mary 2 when it came into port.
Other highlights...
IKEA: I can't wait till IKEA is in Auckland. We visited the Sydney store and wished we could have bought some big furniture pieces and bring it back with us. Unfortunately we'll have to wait yet again.
Overall
A great CNY! I could go on and on about our trip, definitely a memorable trip and I can't wait till the next CNY!!!
If you want to see more pics, follow the links to my flickr pics.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
You're not an A1 driver...
Vroooommm!
Where have I been in the last 1.5 weeks? Waipawa, Rotorua and Taupo! I've been in Taupo for the A1. Definitely a great experience, the sights and sounds were amazing! Here are a few pics for you to see what I saw :)
Favourite signs on the way to the A1:
"You're not an A1 driver... slow down"
Certainly there were enough police around to catch the boyracers even if you thought you could go fast.
Vrrrrrooommmmm!
Where have I been in the last 1.5 weeks? Waipawa, Rotorua and Taupo! I've been in Taupo for the A1. Definitely a great experience, the sights and sounds were amazing! Here are a few pics for you to see what I saw :)
Favourite signs on the way to the A1:
Certainly there were enough police around to catch the boyracers even if you thought you could go fast.
Vrrrrrooommmmm!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
2006: been there, done that
2006
What year indeed. It was the year that I:
* Became a professional and was finally on a reliable salary
* Got Admitted
* Added another stamp to my passport
* Clocked a few more airpoints
Things to look forward to in the new year?
* Adding at least two more stamps to my passport
* Enjoy not studying
* Getting out and doing more!
Travel
Travel has always been a big thing for me. With working full time this year, I really appreciate that I took the time to travel as a student. If you're a student yourself, use your holidays wisely. Yes I did manage to work as much as I could but every year I'd travel a few times around NZ and a few times overseas. There's only one problem... my standards of seeing and doing new things have gone higher. Why?
I've been there ...done that
also
I see the unusual now it's the usual
Solution? Travel more :) See more unusual things :) There's a few more places to see in NZ: West Coast, Bay of Plenty, Bay of Islands and north of Auckland... that's all.
2007: going there, doing it
What year indeed. It was the year that I:
* Became a professional and was finally on a reliable salary
* Got Admitted
* Added another stamp to my passport
* Clocked a few more airpoints
Things to look forward to in the new year?
* Adding at least two more stamps to my passport
* Enjoy not studying
* Getting out and doing more!
Travel
Travel has always been a big thing for me. With working full time this year, I really appreciate that I took the time to travel as a student. If you're a student yourself, use your holidays wisely. Yes I did manage to work as much as I could but every year I'd travel a few times around NZ and a few times overseas. There's only one problem... my standards of seeing and doing new things have gone higher. Why?
I've been there ...done that
also
I see the unusual now it's the usual
Solution? Travel more :) See more unusual things :) There's a few more places to see in NZ: West Coast, Bay of Plenty, Bay of Islands and north of Auckland... that's all.
2007: going there, doing it
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