Clearing Up the Cobwebs

The very first movie from the "Transformers" series undoubtedly was the best. However the third one was just as thrilling. I never really understand why I am so intrigued with Transformers when I don't even watch their cartoon and comics. 

When I knew that Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon is coming to cinemas June 29th in Australia, I told myself I have to go and watch it. Roped in Zhan and Jeremy, and together we went to Chadstone for an near 3 hour worth of excitement. I was literally transfixed. I love the fights and the transformations from cars/appliances to robots. Awed indeed. 

Still, the first movie was the BEST. That was the movie bewitched me so much that I kept wanting more. One of my absolute favorites. The second one was good, but it wasn't really up to my expectations. This third installment made it all up. And watching it 3D makes it a lot more exciting too~ 

Next up: final Harry Potter! July 13th. Can't wait!

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My tardiness is evident with my lack of updates. Busy with work, yes. Busy with dealing with annoying people at work, yes. (Yes, things have been sour between this same person whom we dislike and the unlucky ME but it's a long story that will only make me angrier so I will just leave it out in my post. She has ALWAYS made my life miserable) Aren't there times that you are actually at home, doing things on your computer?? Yes. Doesn't that mean you could've updated more often?? Yes. However, the recent for my extreme slackness is that I have been hopelessly HOOKED onto Facebook game Restaurant City that seems to be dominating most of my life now. All I can think of when I chat with friends on FB is to request they send me some ingredients so I can upgrade my menu. All I can think of is trying to earn coins and gourmet points so I can quickly climb up the ladder. I am presently at level 17. I've got a friend who's at level 90! Whoa! I wonder how long it will actually take me to get there??

A little view of my restaurant at current stage.
I've named it Good Palate Cove.
I've just unlocked a Mexican BBQ grill pit but then I haven't figured out how to get people actually grilling on them.
I've employed a few friends to help me in the restaurant - people mostly from Sozai (Zhan, Jeremy, Benise, Yiyi and Ryo; plus 2 other friends Andy and Shu Yea). I am also one of the staff member and I work in the drinks bar.
There are different roles to play, such as waiter/waitress, chefs, drinks bar, janitor. I guess if I actually go up to the upper level and can eventually hire around 10 staff (I only have 8 at the moment. You can only hire staff at certain levels), I will put myself as the janitor :P

I am halfway through level 17. I can have a bigger restaurant space at the next level. Yes, other than being able to hire at certain levels, you will also get bigger space at certain levels as well. In other words, you receive different benefits with every level upgrade. I like simulation games in a way. I don't have to bother about it so much because I just let my restaurant run its hours whilst I work/sleep and still earn points and coins. 

I need oranges, rice, cream and sweetcorn! Anyway send me???

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Other than leading my rather busy life (which probably includes running a mock simulation restaurant), I have made use most of my free time cafe exploring. Actually it is not cheap to have such a hobby, but then I usually just order coffee (and nothing to eat). I like exploring and experiencing the different atmospheres of the cafes, and most importantly, the quality of their coffee. Melbourne indeed has lots to offer when it comes to cafes serving good coffees. Recently I've purchased Melbourne Coffee Review (MCR) and The Coffee Guide Melbourne, so I have a wishlist of cafes I want to explore. Here are only a couple of those that have impressed me so far...:

Love Love LOVE the coffee at Brother Baba Budan in the CBD
Their coffee really taste good, in terms of its roast, excellent extraction, good equipment to heat up the milk (+ skills).
No wonder it has always been on the MCR and is one of the top picks 

Chairs hanging in the air that reminds me of this cafe/roastary I've seen in Seoul.
Brother Baba Budan is always bustling with people - regulars who can't get enough of their coffee; new customers who left the place impressed. 

Willim in Malvern never fails to disappoint with their fantastic roast and latte art

SARDINE is just right across Armadale Station, near my place. I've recently discovered this place after walking past numerous times but never once heading inside. 

Loco Coffee in Elsternwick.
To think I've stayed in Elsternwick for 3+ years and have never gone to this place.
It's a 10minute walk from the station though. And I hardly ever board/alight at Elsternwick (the nearest train station for me was Ripponlea)

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Speaking of Loco Coffee, I was there with Yongshan and Shu Yea. It was after an interview and one of the trams there is able to bring me to Elsternwick. I've thought of hiding in a cafe reading a book over my daily dose of coffee at one of the recommended cafes I've read on MCR, when I received a call from Yongshan. Perfect timing. It was near lunch time and I suddenly realized that Yongshan works in Elsternwick. And better still, her sis Shu Yea was also there, so we all gathered for lunch at another place also recommended in MCR - LOCO coffee. 

Yongshan only had a 30 minute break (which she extended to 45min) so she ate quickly without saying a lot. Shu Yea and I stayed on though and chitchatted for almost 3 hours before I had to head off to get to work. Great afternoon, even though it was raining and bitter cold. 

Carbonara I had for lunch at Loco

Catching up with the girls

Yongshan and me~

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One of the best things of being a journalist: Being able to go to a performance for FREE, totally enjoying it, and experiencing writing a review.

2 weeks ago I went to this circus performed by students of NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) putting together a circus act called CODA. I have already done and submitted my review, so I will leave readers to read the next edition of the paper. But here's a summary taken from their press release:

"Set in an urban train station, the show explores a series of chance encounters between strangers, where life’s priceless moments, its balancing acts and turning points are all played out with high energy dance and spectacular circus feats.

CODA features a cast of 23 second-year students mid way through their Bachelor of Circus Arts Degree. These talented young artists fall, dance, leap and fly between the thrill and danger of the new and the comfort and safety of the old."

I must say, I was very impressed. It's really hard to tell that the performers are still students halfway through their studies because they were very professional and highly skilled. Totally brilliant and took my breath away. 

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I've made some changes that I thought might be appropriate for me. I can never do cold selling. I hate cold calling companies to get them to advertise with us. And the thing is we are usually calling within a 2 weeks time frame and I believe to many companies out there, is too short a notice for them to budget, or make a decision if they'd like to advertise. I've been getting heaps of NOs. Many of the 'positive's and 'hopeful's I've got eventually told me that they are not looking to do anything in the upcoming month, and will possibly look for us to advertise in another 3-6 months. I wanted to tell them: I am being evaluated for my ability to sell for THIS month; if my skills proved nonexistent, that will be BYE-BYE to me! It's almost like wanting to plead: JUST ADVERTISE AND SAVE ME MY JOB!

All the pressure I've gone through in the office made me crumble. I have always worked under enormous pressure and survived. Why can't I do for this one??? I told myself, I can't sell. I won't sell. And I don't want to sell! Told my manager this and she encouraged me that I should only do something I am passionate about. If I don't see myself selling in the future, why am I doing it?? My manager could see I like to write - I have always offered myself to write something for the paper. But I've never offered myself to do some cold calling. There's a lot of difference in my attitude and people can see it. 

So, the plan now is, I will go in once a week now on a voluntary basis, and write. I will get paid for the articles I write and that's it. On top of that, I will probably do some re-writing of media kit, and maybe a little admin. My manager has agreed to mentor me which I am grateful for because I admire her for her skills - having studied the arts for many years, she is a now a university lecturer, a theatre director (in New Zealand, United States and now in Australia), an editor, writer and also marketing manager for MCN. Very experienced woman and she's only 33y.o. If I learn from her and gain experience under her guidance, I think I will improve a lot. That is why I chose to stay even if I am mostly volunteering.

What further reinforced my desire to quit selling over the phone is this little feeling I got when I was reading an email sent by my manager to the publicist of the CODA performance. She wasn't able to attend so she wrote in the email that 2 other people will attend instead of her. That's what she wrote in the email:

"The 22^nd is actually not going to be possible for me to attend but I do have a journalist (Clarice) and my junior marketing manager (Kasia) who would both love to come. Clarice will be able to do a write-up for our next edition as well."

So what about this email totally made me feel different? The fact that my manager introduced me as a 'journalist', and that I can do a write-up for the performance totally made me feel good about myself.
Some people may think that being a 'manager' or some higher-equivalent position might be what really makes them proud. On the contrary, I feel that titles are really insignificant if it's not something you really wanted to do. Shove titles like 'marketing manager' title to me and I wouldn't feel as great. I mean, money wise it is probably better, but feeling wise, indifferent.

On Monday I went for an interview for a PR editorial role that requires me to be good in both English and Mandarin. It is also a part-time role. Once again, they always look like they are interested to hire me and praised me for doing well, but then I never know if I will ever get the job. I get these doubts because I have went for numerous interviews before with the same sort of response, but in the end it was a NO. In any case, if it works out, it will be great because I will be gaining more experience, and learning more new things. More money too. Even if I am going to have 3 part-time jobs, it doesn't matter. 

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Sometimes you really cannot overlook the importance of having all these valuable work experiences, as well as relevant skills, especially in Australia, where experience is viewed more importantly than how high your education is. 

In other words, fair enough you have your basic bachelor degree and met this most basic requirement, but then there really is no point holding a Masters/PhD because it does not mean you have better chances. I have friends who are still unemployed even with an impressive education background. Honestly, it is not any easier for a Masters graduate like me. It's not like I've scored a lot of good-paying, secure job offers. Plus, there are heaps of Master graduates out there. So common. How can I be different? Through my work experience and skills!

It's an unfortunate circumstance that I am straddling in now, but then I am not complaining. Through my ordeal of job hunting, interviews, dealing with rejections, working part-time role at odd places here and there indeed have gained me lots of insights and I feel enriched in a way. Whilst I do admire people who managed to secure a full-time position not long after graduation, I think that I am lucky to be able to work for different places. I've done admin, hospitality/waitressing, sales/marketing, logistics, journalism, broadcasting, picker, receptionist, barista, packer.... some of them are only once-twice basis (such as barista and packer just when helping friends out). Comparing to only having one job in their lives, I think I am actually more fortunate in a way to be able to learn things from the different walks of life. It's a good way to stay positive. 

To all my dear friends who are feeling that life is not looking any brighter, CHIN UP! Cuz I believe that there is something fantastically good out there waiting for you, and all you need is time, patience and determination! I have faith in all of you~ :) 

EDIT 6 July 2PM: I think I got the job I interviewed for. Part-time role PR/Editorial with Millward Brown Precis. They actually wrote me the email wanting me in on Friday after being 'impressed' with my credentials on paper and after meeting me, despite that they still have to meet one more person on Thursday, they thought unless something mind blowing happens on Thursday they can picture hiring me. So I guess that's great news? We shall find out...