How do you research

In my professional industry, I have learned various ways of searching for the best value and best price for my clients' ultimate getaway. Sometimes it takes so much of my time that I lose track of time! Having said that though, over the years I have learned to sift through the information and use the right supplier on the get go! the best ones are here within my fingertips and there is no need to look further tapping unreliable suppliers. I wish I had known this when I was starting out, but I guess that is part of learning.

Quiet celebration

Welcoming this new year quietly was not something we've planned on doing, but it just fell into place. After all these years that we've lived in Sydney we were either in the city or at a friend's place watching the fireworks live, or at our place watching the fireworks from our balcony.

Last night we celebrated quietly. And, I actually enjoyed it. We planned on cooking a nice, scrumptious dinner. However, we had a super late lunch at 5PM. So, we ended up having a quick dinner at 10PM with the little girl with us. Just leftovers from our big NYE lunch. With the mud cake to cap it all off. Then we watched the fireworks on telly. Ahhh, relaxed life.

I am one who usually would love to have people over for a celebration, or organise something at a restaurant. I surprised myself by not itching to have people at our place. (Well, well, we had a big Christmas eve last week anyway!!).

Sometimes, these quiet celebrations mean much more than a loud one. Occasionally we need to have this rest, so we can enjoy our louder celebrations later on. I'm sure next year when the little one is almost three years old, we would celebrate it loudly. For now, let's enjoy the peace.

Happy new year's everyone! I hope everyone celebrated the way they want to... safely and in the presence of the ones that matter most in your life.

NOTE: Photo above from http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/12476862/sydney-welcomes-2012-with-a-bang/

Where is life taking you?

Well, it has been a pretty eventful past 12 months for me. So far. So many things going on, changing, unfolding, opportunities presenting itself, plans being made, plans manifesting, and plans changing.

Since getting married late last year, I have reached a few milestones in my life that I am thankful and happy about. The most important one is falling pregnant with our first baby! And then, finally going for my citizenship and now having just received my OZ passport!! I know I may sound too excited about this feat. But how can I not be, when all this quest for the blue travel document (aka Aus Passport) started 6 long years ago. I gave up a lot of things to be able to go after this dream. I've left family, friends and for a while the love of my life... all in the name of this dream. I cannot begin to count the number of sleepless nights and restless days I've had in connection with walking towards this goal of residency.. and eventually citizenship. It was a long, slow walk on a sometimes lonely and rocky road. I am so relieved and thankful that it all fell into place.

I did not travel much in the past 12 months, but I know I am a few steps further from where I was a few years ago. And for the gift of patience, I am thankful. It has been a meaningful journey to where I am now.

Struggles and Work

How is work coming on for you? And the rest? Times like this financial crisis, one can never really tell what will happen tomorrow. At work, we have been assured that we are the best house in the worst street but still that does not give us a whole assurance or income protection. Every week my colleagues and I ask our leader to give us some sort of update on what’s going on. He does not always give us an answer, just because there is no certainty in this world now. What more, the tourism industry everywhere is just in a slump. That does not mean that people are not traveling, coz they are. They are just traveling wisely now. I know especially, that big families are delaying vacation plans, but some young professionals still go off to spend hard earned money. Our manager’s told us, the best way to keep our jobs is to spend money wisely, and not just save. Apparently spending allows others to keep their jobs, which in turn lets us keep ours. That’s why the government injects so much of these interest rate cuts, etc!

Jane Austen Book Club

It's been a while since I've blogged about my movies. (Watched, rented, love or hate)

Watched the Jane Austen Book Club on DVD last night and I kinda like it. I don't actually know all the books that Jane Austen wrote, but I am thinking of reading her book "Persuasion", just because I think this is interesting. Well, based on the movie at least.

Put together a bunch of people with different personalities and views, mix them with a common goal, which is to read and discuss Austen's book, you will get the Jane Austen Book Club. Brought together by something, they discuss downright real issues about love, lust, marriage and relationships. Love can lead to marriage. Relationships don't mean there is love. Marriage can be a lasting myriad of everything between love and lust.

The book club met at different venues in the 6 months they agreed to have their book club meetings at, for the 6 books they picked to talk about. They had it at some of their homes, starbucks, the hospital, a formal dinner event, the beach. A nice variety if I may say so.

Overall, the quick pacing of the film will entertain the audience, even though you haven't read any of Jane Austen's book you would still find yourself relating to their topics and constant debates. It could have been a movie that has a lot of talk in it. But, if you catch the flow of it, you would not get bored. I found each character witty, charming and appropriate.

I love how the film is shot at the very end. Simply sweet.

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)

June Countdown

I find myself having so much countdowns. Whether they are mental notes or actual crossing off the calendar countdown or a cute internet countdown. For this month, I'm looking forward to a few things.

1. Going to tropical haven! (Known as : Mauritius, Ile Maurice, MRU)

2. Hubby's birthday! We're thinking of doing an overnighter somewhere. Or, maybe just go on a real nice dinner date.

3. Just getting back from Mauritius (yes,weird of me I know). But I am looking forward to having a bit of normalcy for a while.

4. Thinking of a new hobby.

5. After June, I'm excited for July! It will be hubby and mine's 7th anniversary!

Counting Passwords

On passwords, computers, swipes and machines

Today I was asked by my computer to change my password again. At work, we have this security thing to change passwords once a month. It is a bit annoying.

How computer-dependent-password crazy is the world?? Everyone would have at the very least 2 passwords at a time. I have at least about 22.

Okay, so here is what I am talking about…. An extraordinary day….

I wake up in the morning turn my phone on and my phone asks for a key lock code (1). I turn it on and all is good. I get ready for work and on my way to the train I pop into an ATM machine to get some cash, but before it dispenses anything I key in my password (2). I then go to work, swipe my work ID onto the machine, good thing the door opens with my thumb print!! I swipe my ID card again to get onto my floor. Before gaining access to my door I swipe my ID again. I sit on my desk. I type in my password (3) to gain access to my phones. Then switch on my PC. Computer asks for my log ins. Mind you it asks for passwords for work email, reservation system, and three confidential work stuff (4) (5) (6) (7) (8). I then work throughout the day with occasional visits to the toilet and the next floor each time requires me to swipe my ID in and out every single time. At my lunch break I remember to pay rent and so I log onto my internet banking, enter my password (9) and that is done. Less money in my account! L I decided to check my PayPal account to see if I have any additional funds, I type in my password (10) again and see that I have a fair bit. Makes me happy. I take my lunch and then before I know it, lunch is over. Back to work until about 5pm and then swipe out of the office building. Take the train home and have dinner. Check my emails, of course typing my passwords for each email that I check which I have a fair bit (11) (12) (13) (14) and then log on to a few blog sites that ask for my passwords again (15) (16) (17) (18) (19). I check my friendster, multiply, and other networking accounts type in passwords again (20) (21) (22). I close my PC. And retire for the night. Only to wake up and the process starts all over again.

Are we so dependent on computers and machines? Keeping track of one’s passwords can be quite taxing. One can resort to writing them all down. Corresponding log ins/ user names and passwords, and pray that no one ever finds this sheet of paper. The above stuff pertaining to passwords that I write about are the ones that I can think of now. I can think of other things that I have created accounts and passwords for. Don’t you wish that one password was enough for EVERY thing?? Imagine keeping at least 22 passwords. Crazy if you ask me.

Modern world + Technology + X Amount Log Ins + Y Amount Password = XY Techno Stress

PS: I forgot even my laptop at home has its own password!! Ieeek!! :X

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 (?!).

..Thoughts on thoughts..

Are there times in your life when you can't seem to hear what you're thinking? Either you can't hear yourself because you're thinking too much? (I know at least one of you could understand me here) ... Like too much noise and clutter going on around you. Either coming from within or with the help of your immediate surroundings?

Wouldn't it be a nice place to live when we can spend blissful afternoons at the very least once a month, at a place called Heaven. No one to bother us, no unhappy thoughts, no cold or hot weather but just perfect temperature throughout, no news on war, poverty or hatred. Wouldn't it be nice?
Life life life... What's on your mind now? Mine's just all over the place. :) Oh weeeelll it's one of those days :D

I am going on a 3 night early weekend getaway with my family. Off to the Gold Coast and Moreton Island. Moreton should be fun. It is considered to be the third largest Sand Island in the world. (FYI, Sand Island meaning the whole island is just made up of pure unadulterated sand). Will be heading off to Movie World as well. So much planned. So much to do.

Happy labour day weekend to some of you out there! :)