Last Post of the year on the Last Day of 2011
Time flies. Today it's already 31 December 2011, marking the last day of 2011.
Sadly, I am not able to celebrate new year in Singapore. As I've probably mentioned somewhere before, to extend my already-discounted ticket means I have to pay for an 'upgrade' of AUD115. No matter how much I wish to stay, I don't think it's really worthwhile paying so much. So I departed Singapore Thursday 29 December 2011 at 2115hours SGT, reaching Melbourne at 0750hours EST.
Completely exhausted. I watched 3 movies throughout the 7 hour flight, so didn't sleep a wink (actually I did - I dozed off during take-off). Caught "Real Steel" by Hugh Jackman, and this movie fascinates me. Perhaps I really have the something for robots? Also caught "One Day" by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, as well as "과속스캔들" (Speedy Scandal) by Cha Tae Hyun. What's more 'shiok' is that the seat that I have chosen - middle section with 4 passenger seats - is entirely empty meaning I have the entire row to myself. It wasn't a full flight. Honestly, I could just have laid down and slept comfortably. But I didn't cuz of all these movies I wanted to watch.
I arrived in Melbourne, and gaped at the customs. The queue was shockingly long, stretching all the way into the DFS, however, there were only like 5 or 6 counters opened for international passengers. There were like 12 counters with no one in them. Granted, it was early in the morning, but shouldn't they be calling for reinforcements when there were so many incoming passengers? What's worse, there weren't any ventilation in the terminal, so we were feeling really hot and stuffy waiting in the queue. Finally got out of customs say 30 minutes later? Baggage was quick though since we were already stuck at customs for so long. As I've declared that I've got food items, I need to pass through quarantine check. Declared my dates, herbal soup and chocolates to this friendly man and he let me through. I expressed my worries for my dates and herbs but he explained to me that what wouldn't have been allowed in terms of ripeness and packaging of the dates. And the herbs mustn't have any meat in them. So I passed screening safely.
Took a short rest in the terminal after getting out, and then boarded the skybus to Southern Cross train station. Afterwards, took the Frankston line back home. Reached home at around 10.30am, and was greeted by Angela, who thought she is expecting me the next day instead. Didn't really do much unpacking. Just a small chit-chat, instant noodles for lunch, and re-arranging my table. Angela has helped me collect my laundry from the balcony so I put them away. Couldn't even wait to shower and fell into deep sleep at around 2pm. Woke up at 9.30pm. Showered, ate packaged fried rice and did a bit more unpacking. Changed my bedsheets. Slept again at 2.30am.
Just woke up at 12.30pm with an aching left shoulder. My carrier bag was about 10 kg with my laptop in there. And I was struggling to haul my 25 kg luggage bag up the stairs of my apartment (there isn't a lift in these old-style apartments). It's really like OUCH. Andrew offered me the lunch he has made - seafood porridge - much to my relief because I really have nothing else other than instant noodles at home. I haven't gone grocery shopping last night, which I should have but was too lazy to go anywhere. I think I'll have to go to Coles after work later.
Yes, work starts later. Benise called me last night with excitement and gave me a low-down of what has happened in the restaurant. I don't think I will be doing anything for countdown though. Some of my friends are either still on holidays, or have family (i.e. with kids and/or parents), so I think I will just sit at home and wish myself "Happy New Year" when the clock strikes 12am.
2011 - so many things has happened. My heart goes out to the victims of Japan's tsunami and the flood in Phillippines and Thailand. So many natural disasters around the world - Queensland's floods, NZ's earthquakes.... Unrest around the world - Syrian protests, Egyptian uprising, North Korean's Kim Jong Il's death leading to worries in South Korea, London riots etc. The darkening world economy - plunging economy in Europe, and then affecting America and the rest of the world. Everything is dark these days, and there is so much hype about the world coming to an end in 2012.
Honestly what can I expect of 2012? I don't really know.
Contrary to what has happened around the world, my 2011 has been pretty interesting. In other words, it wasn't a bad year. A quarter of the year was spent elsewhere - 2 months in Korea, a month in Singapore, 10 days in Middle East. The rest of the time I spent in Melbourne, I worked my ass off. I was glad I got to experience with 2 different new jobs that are (somewhat) related to my area of expertise, and 1 of which I stayed on. There really is nothing for me to complain. Even if there are times when things were difficult, I feel that they are all relatively minor if you want to look at what's going on in the rest of the world.
For 2012, I wish for peace and financial stability around the world. I don't know if I can wish much for Mother Nature though, since news has it that global warming will only cause more extreme climate conditions. As for myself, I just hope that I will have more advancement in my career. And start saving up for another vacation (probably end of 2012), and perhaps also, a new house.
Sadly, I am not able to celebrate new year in Singapore. As I've probably mentioned somewhere before, to extend my already-discounted ticket means I have to pay for an 'upgrade' of AUD115. No matter how much I wish to stay, I don't think it's really worthwhile paying so much. So I departed Singapore Thursday 29 December 2011 at 2115hours SGT, reaching Melbourne at 0750hours EST.
Completely exhausted. I watched 3 movies throughout the 7 hour flight, so didn't sleep a wink (actually I did - I dozed off during take-off). Caught "Real Steel" by Hugh Jackman, and this movie fascinates me. Perhaps I really have the something for robots? Also caught "One Day" by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, as well as "과속스캔들" (Speedy Scandal) by Cha Tae Hyun. What's more 'shiok' is that the seat that I have chosen - middle section with 4 passenger seats - is entirely empty meaning I have the entire row to myself. It wasn't a full flight. Honestly, I could just have laid down and slept comfortably. But I didn't cuz of all these movies I wanted to watch.
I arrived in Melbourne, and gaped at the customs. The queue was shockingly long, stretching all the way into the DFS, however, there were only like 5 or 6 counters opened for international passengers. There were like 12 counters with no one in them. Granted, it was early in the morning, but shouldn't they be calling for reinforcements when there were so many incoming passengers? What's worse, there weren't any ventilation in the terminal, so we were feeling really hot and stuffy waiting in the queue. Finally got out of customs say 30 minutes later? Baggage was quick though since we were already stuck at customs for so long. As I've declared that I've got food items, I need to pass through quarantine check. Declared my dates, herbal soup and chocolates to this friendly man and he let me through. I expressed my worries for my dates and herbs but he explained to me that what wouldn't have been allowed in terms of ripeness and packaging of the dates. And the herbs mustn't have any meat in them. So I passed screening safely.
Took a short rest in the terminal after getting out, and then boarded the skybus to Southern Cross train station. Afterwards, took the Frankston line back home. Reached home at around 10.30am, and was greeted by Angela, who thought she is expecting me the next day instead. Didn't really do much unpacking. Just a small chit-chat, instant noodles for lunch, and re-arranging my table. Angela has helped me collect my laundry from the balcony so I put them away. Couldn't even wait to shower and fell into deep sleep at around 2pm. Woke up at 9.30pm. Showered, ate packaged fried rice and did a bit more unpacking. Changed my bedsheets. Slept again at 2.30am.
Just woke up at 12.30pm with an aching left shoulder. My carrier bag was about 10 kg with my laptop in there. And I was struggling to haul my 25 kg luggage bag up the stairs of my apartment (there isn't a lift in these old-style apartments). It's really like OUCH. Andrew offered me the lunch he has made - seafood porridge - much to my relief because I really have nothing else other than instant noodles at home. I haven't gone grocery shopping last night, which I should have but was too lazy to go anywhere. I think I'll have to go to Coles after work later.
Yes, work starts later. Benise called me last night with excitement and gave me a low-down of what has happened in the restaurant. I don't think I will be doing anything for countdown though. Some of my friends are either still on holidays, or have family (i.e. with kids and/or parents), so I think I will just sit at home and wish myself "Happy New Year" when the clock strikes 12am.
2011 - so many things has happened. My heart goes out to the victims of Japan's tsunami and the flood in Phillippines and Thailand. So many natural disasters around the world - Queensland's floods, NZ's earthquakes.... Unrest around the world - Syrian protests, Egyptian uprising, North Korean's Kim Jong Il's death leading to worries in South Korea, London riots etc. The darkening world economy - plunging economy in Europe, and then affecting America and the rest of the world. Everything is dark these days, and there is so much hype about the world coming to an end in 2012.
Honestly what can I expect of 2012? I don't really know.
Contrary to what has happened around the world, my 2011 has been pretty interesting. In other words, it wasn't a bad year. A quarter of the year was spent elsewhere - 2 months in Korea, a month in Singapore, 10 days in Middle East. The rest of the time I spent in Melbourne, I worked my ass off. I was glad I got to experience with 2 different new jobs that are (somewhat) related to my area of expertise, and 1 of which I stayed on. There really is nothing for me to complain. Even if there are times when things were difficult, I feel that they are all relatively minor if you want to look at what's going on in the rest of the world.
For 2012, I wish for peace and financial stability around the world. I don't know if I can wish much for Mother Nature though, since news has it that global warming will only cause more extreme climate conditions. As for myself, I just hope that I will have more advancement in my career. And start saving up for another vacation (probably end of 2012), and perhaps also, a new house.
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