Switching careers

I know I have said a number of times before about juggling both my careers as a travel agent and a migration agent. Sometimes I think if I should choose one and leave the other. However, part of me wants to do both at the same time. But I know I can't, because in the end one of which would suffer. Is it time to let go of the travel industry to be able to help others in their Australian dream, and concentrate being a migration agent? I have been busy trying to immerse myself in the migration business by subscribing to industry newsletters and even social media such as Twitter (makes me think if I should subscribe to Heavy Construction Academy Twitter ) and Facebook.

The past couple of weeks I have been watching about refugee migrants into Australia. It makes me ponder about how I could have a more meaningful career in migration. I know I haven't really got much experience at all for now, but I would really want to touch other people's lives one day.

The coming new year brings about this new fire and energy in me in pursuing something worth my while. I hope I am able to maintain this attitude and be able to follow through with this. Soon, I really hope.

Visiting the Queen

A couple of weeks ago I sold a tour to a family to go travelling around Europe, with the grand final stop to Visit London. It was such a fun experience organising a big trip for a family with four teenagers! Although initially the head of the family advised me that they were on a tight budget (of course) given that there were six adults travelling for a month! I wish I had done the same thing with my parents when we were younger. We probably would have booked ourselves in London apartments and a few nights in holiday cottages in countryside UK, since me and my sisters were fans of the movie the Holiday!

Come to think of it, I've only ever travelled to Europe with my sister. I wish we are able to go on a holiday to Europe (or anywhere) with my whole family. That would be so much fun, especially now that there are four grandchildren! My little one is the only female grandchild so I wish one of my other siblings would have a girl next time (or maybe me!).

Speaking of a gift

Okay, recently I have been obssessing on taking photos with my camera. No, I don't have new lens, or some other new thing (not counting that my boyfriend bought us matching camera necklaces/straps). Must just be the increasingly better weather. Slowly we are saying goodbye to winter, and in a week's time we would be entering Spring time! How exciting!

I have been posting my photos on my other sites, and am encouraged by the number of people commenting and viewing them. I am now thinking of coming up with gifts for Christmas and considering putting all my really nice photos (favorite ones) in a digital picture frame to give to my parents and my boyfriends' parents. His dad absolutely loves photos as much as we do, so I am sure he will like this. We may even think of giving them these ones on our wedding day as our personal souvenir to them. It is amazing whoever came up with this thing!

For the love of Tomatoes

Okay, I love tomatoes. As you may have read my previous post on my cooking delight.

A long time ago, when I was in college I watched a travel show which featured the Spanish event: La Tomatina! The festival is celebrated on the last wednesday of August, in the town of Bunol, in Valencia, Spain. There are numerous festivities which lead to this final celebration of tomatoes, such as : food stalls, street parties, parades, dancing, fireworks, etc.

It is quite a costly celebration, that their city council spends up to about USD15000. However, attracting up to 40,000 tourists and visitors who travel 38 kms from the city of Valencia, this Tomatina festival offers so much more that it has been ongoing since the year 1945. Quite a while now! When I saw this festival on television I thought to myself I should try this and experience this in my lifetime. Well, I guess not this year, sadly.

The celebration begins mid morning, when the lucky person has reached for the ham at the top of the greased pole. Water cannons are fired up onto the street filled with people (dressed in hopefully not white tees), who armed with their eye goggles and gloves. Although tomatoes are squished before being thrown, it is always best to keep safe and cautious of the chaotic-tomato filled hour. The Tomatina ends in about an hour, with the water cannon firing away signalling the end. Time for clean up, and the people head towards the Bunol river to rinse, while the local council clean the streets. Another end to a good time, until next year again when the city comes alive with tomatoes in the air. They say it takes experiencing it to appreciate the event. Otherwise, one just feels tomato rotten about the wasted fruit.

I've gathered a few trivia on tomatoes:

• Botanically, Tomatoes are fruits
• The tomato seeds are source of vitamin C
• A tomato plant can produce up to 15 tomatoes in a season
• French people refer to tomatoes as the "apple of love", while the Germans refer to it as the "apple of paradise"
• There are more than 4000 varieties of tomato, ranging in size, shape and colour

Yellow Water Billabong Cruise, NT

Went on the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise at Kakadu, Northern Territory. It was one great experience that I truly enjoyed. One with nature. It is photographer's paradise as well (if you have the proper equipment of course). So much wildlife to be seen. We were able to catch a peek at salties (saltwater crocodile), a number of birds, etc. It is something not to be missed when one has the opportunity to visit Kakadu National Park.

The scenery throughout the cruise is just endless wetlands such as the photo/s below.

Ducks were plenty as well... And of course they come in a group, or pairs... Rarely seen alone..

If you have a closer look at the bird below. It is kneeling. But with it's knees turned the other way around!
Can you guess what animal it is that's partly showing itself below? (A croc!)

Hugging you, Hugging Me

Hugs don't have proof that they are therapeutic in nature. However, one who's received or given one can attest that they feel better after hugging.

But really, it would be interesting to find out more about hugs :

• Who feels better after a hug, the giver or the receiver??
• Do both parties involved in hugging 'feel' the same thing while hugging? Same warm, nice feeling?
• Can one 'feel' the difference between a genuine hug, and a 'fake' hug?
• Are there different types of hugs?
• What makes people want to hug?

A bit of a HUG QnA:

• Do you prefer giving/getting a hug? Depends on the situation. If I am just my normal self, I prefer giving HUGS! But if I am down and wanting assurance, I don't mind getting them.
• What kind of hug do you prefer? I prefer long, bear hugs.
• Can a hug brighten your day? YES. If it's from hubby.
• Would you hug a stranger? No.

Let me know if you know the answer :)

How lovely the French windows are in Mauritius (Creole food better tho!)

During my trip to Mauritius I found how lovely the influence of France on that little Indian Ocean island! All the way from their language (they do speak French and Creole), to their cuisine, to their interesting French towns, the lovely French windows, their wine .. Having been occupied by the French for 100 years (from 1710 to 1810), they sure have adapted to their colonizers. The French must have left such an imprint on the people, that until now a lot of French people visit Ile de Maurice (Island of Mauritius). The photo/s above is one that I took during one of our lunches in the island. We had lovely Creole food at Le Fangourin Restaurant, just next door to the Sugar Museum (L'Adventure du Sucre). I think I should consider this one of the best places to have a meal at. It had great, great views of the mountain. Perfect to try authentic Mauritian cuisine with, enjoying the lovely view. Le Fangourin is approximately 10 kilomtres away from the country's capital city, Port Louis. Should you find yourself visiting the island, this is a MUST TRY!

Check out my other Mauritius Photos here, here, here, and here.

This day next month

.. Hubby and I are celebrating our 7th year as a couple. Time flies by so quick, and I can only try to re-live our early days together. Sweet somethings that can keep me alive for days or weeks with just the memory of it all. Now, we still have our own memory box that we constantly fill with love and cheesy mushy things. Over the years we've done all sort of things together to celebrate special days, special dates, etc. We've travelled a fair bit, Philippines, Asia, and Australia. We've done restaurants, parks, zoos, aquariums, theatres, events, islands, beaches, etc. I am constantly searching for things and activities to do, places to visit. And on our special day next month I am thinking what to do. We've both actually discussed it. What should we do, where we should celebrate, which city to visit. Toodlydoo, should we go out of town? Just have nice dinner somewhere? Should we go biking? Should we do a movie marathon? Should we go picnic? So many options. I am sure I will be able to think of one. (Photo taken from here)

Collectibles

I am such a travel agent. When I went to visit the Sydney Observatory this month I took a photo of this map! :) A cool map if I may say so.

At work, I have a few maps on my desk. Different sizes, colors and perspective ( I have a political map even!)

I guess it comes with the job.

I collect brochures as well. I think I could fill up a room just with my brochure "collection". I sometimes mean to throw away the old ones but I just end up taking too much time deciding which to keep and which to throw, that I end up just...keeping them all!

I collect postcards as well. I've collected a few from my travels, but sadly I've left most of this in my memorabilia bag in Manila. I do hope to be reunited with them one day...

I collect fridge magnets! I just love the different shapes they come in. I have one the shape of a backpack, another the shape of a slipper. I have mountains, sharks, among others. It's good my fridge is quite big to accommodate them all. Sooner rather than later I may have to buy a whiteboard to collect them in.

What have you been collecting recently? Do you feel attached to them? I remember the feeling of being in a particular place when I see my fridge magnets. I am amazed at how creative some of these stuff are.

I am such a GG fan! Alert for Possible spoilers

I watched the season finale of Gossip Girl last night, and I was on my toes! It's a shame the season is over! No more episodes to look forward to every week! Oh well! I still have to look up when the next season begins again.

This last episode was when Bart and Lily got married. I even visited their wedsite here, I didn't RSVP though! Haha! And it's the episode that Serena and Dan broke up! :X I reckon they will get back together though. They are such a lovely pair! It's also the episode on Blair and Chuck's beginning and end love-story. And of course the shortlived visit of Georgina (who knows she may be back!). There's also the blossoming relationship between Nate and Vanessa. Last but not the least, of course, is the love affair to end all love affairs between Lily and Rufus! I am know I am rooting for Rufus!

What I like about GG, is that they don't keep their audience hanging for too long. Within the same or next episode some things get resolved, people confronted, or issues ended (only to be opened again). Unlike Lost, wherein it is already in it's fourth season, but there are still countless and endless questions and mysteries. Oh well, I still watch Lost just the same. Sawyer is so cute! Hubby goes on saying that I like the bad boy type. I tell him no. Maybe just those who look like they are bad but really they are sweet and gentle as an angel (?!).

Photographs and Memories

Such a wonderful manmade creation, the digital camera. Mine is a 40D Canon camera and loving it. I am so not a techie person, but who knows one day I will be able to use it properly, as in with all the technicalities of it: aperture, ISO, exposure, white balance, shutter speed. So far I am just testing them, not really knowing how to accurately and efficiently use my 40D yet. I'm being teased that I should have just stuck with my Cybershot. But then, I just wanted to take nice photos.

Imagine the olden days when people did not even have cameras to capture photos. How amazing, what technology and time can do. Then there were black and white photos on film. Then the coloured photos. Then the basic digital cameras. And then there was light. Endless possibilities to come up with a good, artistic or crisp photograph. Tomorrow we are going out of town. I am hoping to be able to use my camera again to take photos for the record. My memory, that is.

Sunnies for sunny days

One can never have too much perfect sunnies for that perfect sunny day! Replica Sunglasses helps make choosing and buying sunglasses to be an enjoyable activity. This new website offers a wide range of sunglass selection, from that big sunglasses that you want to bury yourself in at the beach, to that designer sunglass that you would want to walk Hollywood streets in. Having said this, the great thing about this online store is that it caters to both men and women! Offering discount quality sunglasses has never been this attractive. Currently they are doing a promotional, wherein every two pairs of sunglasses gets you an extra pair free! Americans should be particularly giddy about this offer especially since their summer season would be starting fairly soon. Either way though, everyone can relate to needing that perfect sunglass on a perfect day.

I'm dreaming Hayman Island

One of the most popular beach destinations that my Aussie clients ask for, enquire about, and eventually travel to, is called Hayman Island. It is such a private destination for people who want to enjoy but at the same time value their privacy. Hayman Island allows guests to enjoy a unique island experience, having the prime spot right on the Great Barrier Reef, everything in this island resort is refreshing. Cool and relaxing, the resort has 212 room options with choices from the standard rooms to suites to villas.

For the gourmet traveller, Hayman Island's dining options are exquisite and only the best chefs create the menus and cook up interesting meal events to remember.

And for those who are even more wanting a wholistic mind and body experience, the resort is part of the luxury spa network Guerlain Spa Chakra alliance. Tailor made spa treatment programs designed to ease those tense muscles from city life, Hayman Island only thinks of the best for their guests. Imagine feeling so special and pampered on this island. Heaven!

Hayman Island is also open to doing wedding events. This experience allows you to be part of the special memories that Hayman Island creates. Otherwise, the island resort creates a perfect backdrop to that memorable honeymoon.

To reach Hayman Island, one can travel by plane to Hamilton Island or through Proserpine. Should you wish to arrive in style, sea plane transfers are available into the island as well.

However way you decide to arrive into Hayman, everyone surely leaves in the same way : wanting to come back to paradise.

I'd love to be able to travel to Hayman Island one day. I've done Fraser Island, and I'm doing Moreton Island next month. I'd truly aim to visit all the island on the East Coast of Australia. Hayman Island would definitely be on the top end of my list!

Fond of theatres and concerts

Every once in a while I find myself wanting to attend concerts, plays or theatre musicals, or other special events. Call it an interest. So far I’ve seen the following at the state theatre: Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Miserables, They’re playing our song, Mamma Mia, Cabaret, and Lion King. I will be watching the Phantom of the Opera in May, and I can’t wait. If I had the choice (and the money of course) I would be going to these events once a month! I’ve watched John Mayer and a few other popular (and great) singers perform live as well!

I would have wanted to see Miss Saigon as well but I missed out on the tickets! I’ve been told that Kylie Minogue will be performing in Belfast towards the end of June 2008. Should you needaticket to see her live, visit needAticket.ie They are a fast, reliable and professional booking service, that offers a good price as well!

I want to...take up French again!

A couple of summers when I was younger, I think I was in High School then, I took up French lessons at Alliance Francaise de Manille. I was so fond of the language, the way the words rolled in your mouth and just the whole French package : culture, food, fashion, and the great city of love which ez zee Parrieeh (*Paris*)!

At that time, I even would write in my diary (handwritten then) in French. And I wrote one cool poem (at least in my opinion) in Frenglish as well! Hehe! I left my notebook of poems in Manila but I remember the title goes something like this : "..Memoirs de vous avec moi forever.." which translates ..Memories of you are with me forever.. One of those High School sappy lovestruck poems that I came up.

Really, I've been wanting to just be able to converse and express myself in French :) well enough to be be able to call some hotel in France (I often make hotel bookings for work) (I am a Travel Agent), and just be able to speak with the French hoteliers better. *but really I just want to study again*

Anyway, this year I told myself I would enrol in French classes again. Just to refresh myself with the French language and to continue learning as well. After all, one day I will be going to Paris. I still haven't come around in enrolling, especially now that my family will be visiting me next week for a month or so, coz I don't think I will have the time. So for the meantime, I will just satisfy French thirst by having some fries, and doing my online French lessons. C'est la vie!

Are you a serious traveller?

Many of us say we love to travel.

But are we really cut up to be a serious traveller?

Do you opt to stick to eating Mcdonalds and Burger King when you are in another city, say Beijing?

Do you prefer to go to each and every shopping mall in the city over visiting the local museum or checking out the local park?

Do you prefer to stay stuck in the hotel room as soon as the sun sets, or do you have one glass of wine or beer outside across the street to see and possibly mingle with the local yuppies?

There is nothing wrong at all in being a certain type of tourist. I have learned in one of my Tourism PostGrad lectures that there are different types of tourists. And what makes us fall under a certain type depends on a lot of things.

Perhaps we are single and thus more leaning towards the road less travelled and a lot more sociable. Or we are part of a young family with two kids aged four and six, thus makes us more likely to stay within the conventional tourist areas doing the usual activities. Or maybe, we are more mature now, wanting a relaxed and slow paced tour going to places that we may have been to numerous times, but are just really after spending quality time with our partner.

So many reasons why we are the type of traveller that we are. So do you have what it basically takes to be a traveller? I have so long found out that I was born to be one.

Fashion career for Gorgeous Traveller?

Between Central Park, NYC and the East River lies the Upper crust East Side Manhattan. This area has got to have one of the most expensive apartments and homes in the USA as well as the most fashionable people in town. Strutting their style in Gucci, Chanel, Manolo's and all that, you'd wonder if they ever have gone to New York fashion schools. I have got quite a few friends based in New York now and I've asked one of them about the best fashion schools New York has to offer, in case I decide to shift careers and become a fashion guru. I have always been interested in how the designers come up with real great ensembles! Who knows one day I might just look for a fashion school in New York and just relocate altogether. Not a bad idea at all!

A noteworthy Cruise booking website

Being a travel agent that I am, I am always watching out for great websites and great finds. However nowadays it is hard to find competent and creditworthy online sites. With so many scams going on in the travel industry, I am delighted to have come across Direct Line Cruises. The company's been in the industry for 12 years since 1995, and they've reached a respectable status of being a provider of good cruise deals online. They have developed their website to facilitate live cruise bookings.

I've experienced a lot of times when I am in a rut wanting to check real time availability. In the Travel Industry it is quite a big advantage when a website offers this facility, as it enables one to capture the booking right there and then. Imagine being able to book your dream cruise in an instant! Popular cruises they offer include: cruising Bermuda on Royal Carribbean Cruises, or expedition cruises to the Galapagos with Celebrity Cruises, or try freestyle cruising with Norweigan Cruise Line. Did you know that Norweigan Cruises Line has the youngest fleet on earth at the moment? Well, this means that state of the art facilities that Norweigan Cruise Line offers are very modern.

There are just so many people now discovering, enjoying and appreciating cruise travel. Travelling on ships used to be a thing of the past, when the past century travelled months to reach a destination. It was never something done at leisure but moreso because there were no alternatives. Now, in spite of air fares hitting all time low (soaring tax rates is another thing though) cruising is gaining popularity. I have always wanted to travel on a cruise to Alaska, Europe and Hawaii, or perhaps even go on a world cruise. Through Direct Line Cruises I am able to plan which cruise I want to take and check availability instantly. They even have very useful guides and information for first time cruise passengers. And what's even great is that travel insurance may be included in their cruise offers, at no cost! I would definitely visit their website when I have my dates and leave organised from work.

Life Lessons learned while Knitting

I took the night off from blogging last night to Knit! :)

It's been a few years since I've bought my knitting kit. I actually tried to start my scarf a few years ago. But I didn't get to finish it.

Yesterday I saw it in my closet, and picked it up again. Did an hour and a half of knitting. And while doing the craft a few thoughts ran in my head that one could relate to life in general.

Knitting vs. Life Lessons

1. Once in a while we get excited about trying something new, and then the interest fades. We forget about it. Then years later we remember how exciting it was, so we pick it up again and try again. We know may not finish the 'project' again, but then who knows this year we might finish that scarf!

-Sometimes we forget that we should enjoy our lives. When something happens we remember and then we enjoy it again. We slack again. And the cycle continues.

2. In the beginning, the first few rows that we knit are the hardest and most painful ones. The knitting needles prick your fingers. But after the fourth row or so, knitting is a breeze. Your fingers are not as stiff, and you are more relaxed.

-Same with life, the first few steps are the hardest. But when you've jumpstarted it then becomes a walk in the park.

3. In the beginning, you make tight stitches, only to realise that they are not meant to be too tight, otherwise it's harder to connect the stitches through.

-In life, we shouldn't bee to uptight. We should let loose and have fun otherwise we end up miserable.

4. In Knitting one can use as many colour threads as we want, doing our own pattern and our own style.

-Life should be a myriad of colours, there are no set rules as to how we should live our life. We decide that. How much fun we have, is in our hands.

5. Know when to call it a night. When your fingers are tired, and you feel you have done your best and are satisfied, it is time to putting the knitting needles down.

-Too much work is not healthy. Anything, even those that we enjoy doing, should be done in moderation.

I may not finish knitting my scarf again this time. But I know one day I will be able to finish that.

Another sunny afternoon at Bradfield Park

We have only about two weeks left of summer and officially we will be into Autumn at the beginning of April. So for the next couple of weeks we will be taking advantage of the warm weekend days by lazing around in the park. Whichever park that is somewhere in Sydney.

Last Saturday we went to Bradfield Park which is set under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Great views of the City skyline and the Sydney Opera House. Great day with our mat again, and a real estate magazine. Had chips again and soda. The usual company. Perfect.

There was some Jet Boat race going on at the Harbour which added to the spectacular view! Ever since I came to Sydney, Bradfield Park in Milson's Point has always had a special place in me. Every single one of my visitors I take here. And they all love it. Good memories of their holiday in the city. My picture says it all. It's really a fabulous place to go on a lazy picnic mode.

(Photo taken only from my Mobile so it doesn't do much justice to the view)