Baby i miss you so much...
Im counting down the days till you'll be in my arms once again.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Thursday, 21 March 2013
First month in Melbourne
So I've officially been in Melbourne for a month now. I can't quite seem to decide whether time has passed really quickly, or really slowly. On the one hand, the past few weeks have been really busy, and the days seem to just fly by as I immerse myself in my studies. But on the other hand, I have become so accustomed to everything that it seems like I've been living here for a longgg time.
I guess this will be my official second update on my new life in Melbourne. Since my last (slightly emo) post, I've quickly adapted and gotten used to the way of life here, and find myself slowly falling in love with this city. Sometimes, I forget I'm in Australia.
I've made some new friends and gotten to know my classmates better. It really feels good when I have someone I can talk to. The students at Melbourne Uni are generally pretty friendly, but most of the people I talk to are not actually native Australians. I've met people from Belgium, Costa Rica, Chilli, United States, Malaysia, Philipines, and of course, good old China. It's a real international mix here.
As to my new life living outside of home, I'm really enjoying it. I just love shopping by myself, getting to choose what I eat, and cooking for myself. I don't know why, I just like to cook! Maybe I'm just not picky with my food, but I find that the dishes I've cooked are all pretty palatable, if I may say so myself =D Maybe I'm in need of a new career choice. Maybe, as fate would have it, I needed to move to Melbourne in order to discover my hidden culinary talent and embark on a journey to fulfill my REAL destiny! Here are my masterpieces:
Okay so maybe Gordan Ramsay might have a few nice things to say about my cooking skills and my aspirations to become a Top Chef (different show I know!). Perhaps I should stick to being an environmental engineer.
I have to say though, I am quite enjoying the Master of Environment programme here. It was definitely the right choice to come here, although I do find myself slightly out of my depth. Things are pretty intense over here. Two and a half weeks in, and I've already had 50% worth of assessments handed in. Last Wednesday I had a presentation, yesterday I handed in a 1000 word essay, and today I handed in a 4000 word report. People here really don't fuck around! Although I do have to say, I felt pretty good after doing that presentation. Not only did it go quite smoothly (I was the only person who made the audience laugh), but it was my first real piece of assessment. It made everything feel much more real. I wasn't just a ghost walking through campus, sitting in on lectures and then going home. No, I am now a real student of Melbourne University, and I had just made my first mark.
So yea, that's pretty much the past month in a nutshell. All I've been doing has been studying, shopping, skyping, sleeping,smoking, cooking, eating, and working out. I haven't really gone out much, but I was never a party animal anyways. Overall, I have to say I'm quite enjoying this lifestyle. It may not sound particularly exciting to you, but for me, everyday is a new day. I'm still getting to know this city, and it's people, and it's crannies and nooks and dark alleyways and all the mystery and secrets it may hide. Just making a new friend is exciting for me. Or discovering a new shop that sells good food, or does cheap groceries. Or a nice scenic spot that could potentially be good for a date. Even just being able to see this city from a different angle, in a different light, at a different time, is exciting in itself. What can I say, Melbourne isn't too bad.
I guess this will be my official second update on my new life in Melbourne. Since my last (slightly emo) post, I've quickly adapted and gotten used to the way of life here, and find myself slowly falling in love with this city. Sometimes, I forget I'm in Australia.
I've made some new friends and gotten to know my classmates better. It really feels good when I have someone I can talk to. The students at Melbourne Uni are generally pretty friendly, but most of the people I talk to are not actually native Australians. I've met people from Belgium, Costa Rica, Chilli, United States, Malaysia, Philipines, and of course, good old China. It's a real international mix here.
As to my new life living outside of home, I'm really enjoying it. I just love shopping by myself, getting to choose what I eat, and cooking for myself. I don't know why, I just like to cook! Maybe I'm just not picky with my food, but I find that the dishes I've cooked are all pretty palatable, if I may say so myself =D Maybe I'm in need of a new career choice. Maybe, as fate would have it, I needed to move to Melbourne in order to discover my hidden culinary talent and embark on a journey to fulfill my REAL destiny! Here are my masterpieces:
Salad and fried rice. WHY AM I SO GOOD?!!
Salad, mashed potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, and an ice cold beer.....it's harder than it looks you know.
I have to say though, I am quite enjoying the Master of Environment programme here. It was definitely the right choice to come here, although I do find myself slightly out of my depth. Things are pretty intense over here. Two and a half weeks in, and I've already had 50% worth of assessments handed in. Last Wednesday I had a presentation, yesterday I handed in a 1000 word essay, and today I handed in a 4000 word report. People here really don't fuck around! Although I do have to say, I felt pretty good after doing that presentation. Not only did it go quite smoothly (I was the only person who made the audience laugh), but it was my first real piece of assessment. It made everything feel much more real. I wasn't just a ghost walking through campus, sitting in on lectures and then going home. No, I am now a real student of Melbourne University, and I had just made my first mark.
So yea, that's pretty much the past month in a nutshell. All I've been doing has been studying, shopping, skyping, sleeping,
Friday, 15 March 2013
My to-do list when i get back to Auckland
1. Simon's mom.
2. Sharpen my katana
3. Keep Simon away from my gf
4. Eat Bruce Lee sushi
5. Eat Mustache cookies
6. Eat LSD chicken
7. Go sing K
8. Go 小肥羊
9. Go Momo
10. Go Hopes Way
11. Go Shaolin noodles
12. Cook food at Jeannie's apartment
13. Light drinks at Pocha
14. Play Game of Thrones board game
15. Play Starcraft
16. Play basketball
17. Play pool
18. Make a Nick's head joke
19. Hear Wayne laugh
20. Laugh at Wayne's laugh
2. Sharpen my katana
3. Keep Simon away from my gf
4. Eat Bruce Lee sushi
5. Eat Mustache cookies
6. Eat LSD chicken
7. Go sing K
8. Go 小肥羊
9. Go Momo
10. Go Hopes Way
11. Go Shaolin noodles
12. Cook food at Jeannie's apartment
13. Light drinks at Pocha
14. Play Game of Thrones board game
15. Play Starcraft
16. Play basketball
17. Play pool
18. Make a Nick's head joke
19. Hear Wayne laugh
20. Laugh at Wayne's laugh
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Friday, 8 March 2013
Monday, 25 February 2013
Moving to Melbourne
So last night, I moved into my new place and spent my first night as a independent man. Im living in a 90 year old house on a quiet street in the suburb of Coburg. Everything here is so quaint - the street, the houses, my room. My flatmates are a 20 year old Malaysian Chinese guy whos starting his Bachelors at Melb Uni, and a 37 year old Australian white guy who is studying Chinese and Asian studies. They're both great guys, and I can see us all becoming friends. Yet, the sensation of living with strangers is still very... strange to me, believe it or not. I was living with distant relatives for the past 5 days; although I did not know them, the family ties we had made the atmosphere much more homely. Now however, I am truly on mine own. Undoubtedly i am excited at this prospect, the novel notion of me finally gaining my independence. Yet the prevailing feeling that surges to the fore is one of solitude and loneliness.
Yes, I moved to Melbourne because I tired of Auckland. Yes, I wanted a clean slate and a new start in a place where no one knew me and the entire city was my playground, a place with endless opportunities for the taking, should I be willing to work hard enough. Yes, a part of me was running away. Away from the old me, away from my shitty academic history, away from a city of 1 million people, away from the people I know, away from my family.
But now that I am here, damn do I miss it all. I miss being so familiar with a place, I could just hop in a car and go anywhere I wanted to just from memory. Hell, I miss the convenience of having my own car and being able to go anywhere I wanted to go! I miss my family, my friends, even my acquaintances. I miss being able to see a familiar face, being able to look into their eyes and know that there is history between us. I guess what really ties us to a place is the people which resides in it. Home is not where you're born or where you sleep at night, its where your friends and family are.
Its funny how we never believe anything till we experience or see it for ourselves. Now I truly know the meaning of "we don't appreciate what we have till its gone". Moving to a new city on your own is not easy. Apart from finding your way around, finding a place to live, and getting settled in, there's also the emotional side of things. You're in a strange place full of strangers. You don't know the city, and the city certainly doesn't know you. I always thought that Australia would be exactly like New Zealand, but now I realize that I am still in another country, with its own rules, its own system, and its own culture. I am a foreigner in foreign lands. Its a challenge just getting used to the transport system here.
I guess im feeling the blues this morning. I suppose its a natural part of moving to a new place. You get homesick. I don't know anyone here. I can't just text a mate and ask to hang out, or grab some KFC and drive to a nice scenic spot. Sure, im getting slowly acquainted with my flatmates and they're both great people; sure I have distant relatives who can help me out should I really need it; sure I'll make new friends at Uni (already got some girl's number); but they will never come close to becoming a worthy substitute for my friends in NZ whom I grew up with and my real family. The friendships I have formed in NZ are those that last a lifetime. I will be very lucky if i can ever find the same kind of brohood again here in Aussieland.
But life goes on. I can't stay in the same place forever. I can't stay in my comfort zone forever. So it's better to venture out earlier than later. This is my chance to get a better education, to improve my chances of finding a good job, to live in a country that awards hard workers with a better life, and most importantly: to grow up.
I do not know this city yet, but I will. This city does not know me yet, but it shall. I think i need to stop staying in my room and feeling sad and go outside and explore the city of Melbourne. Well actually, just the suburb of Coburg for today.
Yes, I moved to Melbourne because I tired of Auckland. Yes, I wanted a clean slate and a new start in a place where no one knew me and the entire city was my playground, a place with endless opportunities for the taking, should I be willing to work hard enough. Yes, a part of me was running away. Away from the old me, away from my shitty academic history, away from a city of 1 million people, away from the people I know, away from my family.
But now that I am here, damn do I miss it all. I miss being so familiar with a place, I could just hop in a car and go anywhere I wanted to just from memory. Hell, I miss the convenience of having my own car and being able to go anywhere I wanted to go! I miss my family, my friends, even my acquaintances. I miss being able to see a familiar face, being able to look into their eyes and know that there is history between us. I guess what really ties us to a place is the people which resides in it. Home is not where you're born or where you sleep at night, its where your friends and family are.
Its funny how we never believe anything till we experience or see it for ourselves. Now I truly know the meaning of "we don't appreciate what we have till its gone". Moving to a new city on your own is not easy. Apart from finding your way around, finding a place to live, and getting settled in, there's also the emotional side of things. You're in a strange place full of strangers. You don't know the city, and the city certainly doesn't know you. I always thought that Australia would be exactly like New Zealand, but now I realize that I am still in another country, with its own rules, its own system, and its own culture. I am a foreigner in foreign lands. Its a challenge just getting used to the transport system here.
I guess im feeling the blues this morning. I suppose its a natural part of moving to a new place. You get homesick. I don't know anyone here. I can't just text a mate and ask to hang out, or grab some KFC and drive to a nice scenic spot. Sure, im getting slowly acquainted with my flatmates and they're both great people; sure I have distant relatives who can help me out should I really need it; sure I'll make new friends at Uni (already got some girl's number); but they will never come close to becoming a worthy substitute for my friends in NZ whom I grew up with and my real family. The friendships I have formed in NZ are those that last a lifetime. I will be very lucky if i can ever find the same kind of brohood again here in Aussieland.
But life goes on. I can't stay in the same place forever. I can't stay in my comfort zone forever. So it's better to venture out earlier than later. This is my chance to get a better education, to improve my chances of finding a good job, to live in a country that awards hard workers with a better life, and most importantly: to grow up.
I do not know this city yet, but I will. This city does not know me yet, but it shall. I think i need to stop staying in my room and feeling sad and go outside and explore the city of Melbourne. Well actually, just the suburb of Coburg for today.
Friday, 1 February 2013
五月天
"I met Bobby on the boardwalk, summer of '45
Picked me up late one night at the window,
He was 17 and crazy, running wild, wild."
My baby is coming back in 44hrs. 今天是我们的五月天 - the day of our 5 month anniversary. As usual, it'll be spent afar, alone, apart. Celebrated with a phone call, commemorated with a text. Even though we've been together for 5 months, it doesn't feel like its been that long. Maybe its because time flies when you're having fun, or maybe its because we've spent half the time hundreds and thousands of miles apart. To be honest, I don't know when the next time we can celebrate our anniversary together in person will be. Life is bittersweet right now. I've found my other half, yet I cannot be with her. I can finally study in Australia, but I don't have CSP. I guess everything comes at a price.
"Look at you, worrying so much about things you can't change
You'll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way."
I can't honestly say that these are things I cannot change. After all, I can just stay in Auckland and do my Masters here. But I feel like my destiny lies in Australia. This is my calling. This is my chance to fulfill my dreams.
love or career?
money or dreams?
Things aren't that simple. Life isn't so black and white. These are not opposing elements. One of my dreams IS to make lots of money. Also, pursuing one aspect at one point in time doesn't mean I have to give up on another aspect altogether. Just because I choose career right now doesnt mean I have to sacrifice love forever. Right now, my priorities are to make something of myself, so im willing to sacrifice love for the time being so that it will last longer in the future. If I don't make something of myself, if I cannot provide for her, if I don't have a sense of purpose, if I don't pursue my dreams, I don't think I will be able to keep any girl for long. That's why I have to do this. Im doing this for myself, and for us.
Picked me up late one night at the window,
He was 17 and crazy, running wild, wild."
My baby is coming back in 44hrs. 今天是我们的五月天 - the day of our 5 month anniversary. As usual, it'll be spent afar, alone, apart. Celebrated with a phone call, commemorated with a text. Even though we've been together for 5 months, it doesn't feel like its been that long. Maybe its because time flies when you're having fun, or maybe its because we've spent half the time hundreds and thousands of miles apart. To be honest, I don't know when the next time we can celebrate our anniversary together in person will be. Life is bittersweet right now. I've found my other half, yet I cannot be with her. I can finally study in Australia, but I don't have CSP. I guess everything comes at a price.
"Look at you, worrying so much about things you can't change
You'll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way."
I can't honestly say that these are things I cannot change. After all, I can just stay in Auckland and do my Masters here. But I feel like my destiny lies in Australia. This is my calling. This is my chance to fulfill my dreams.
love or career?
money or dreams?
Things aren't that simple. Life isn't so black and white. These are not opposing elements. One of my dreams IS to make lots of money. Also, pursuing one aspect at one point in time doesn't mean I have to give up on another aspect altogether. Just because I choose career right now doesnt mean I have to sacrifice love forever. Right now, my priorities are to make something of myself, so im willing to sacrifice love for the time being so that it will last longer in the future. If I don't make something of myself, if I cannot provide for her, if I don't have a sense of purpose, if I don't pursue my dreams, I don't think I will be able to keep any girl for long. That's why I have to do this. Im doing this for myself, and for us.
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