At a Crossroad

Sorry its been a while. I would love to explain what exactly I was spending my time on.. but seriously I can't. I haven't really been doing anything actually.

Just working, eating and sleeping. Talk about routine.

Just this week.. actually thats a lie... all my life I have doubted myself and what I want to do with my life. I guess its because I have graduated and now I get asked more than ever what I want to do with my future. And I really don't know at all. I don't know what I want. I don't know what I like. I don't know what suits me. I don't know what I can do. And more than anything I don't know what is my forever.

Now that I know all this does it help me at all? No. Not really. The more I think about it, the more I am confused. I dont want to be stuck in a 9-5 routine job. I don't want to be another girl in uniform. I just don't know anymore and I'm getting really scared. I wish that I could find the answer to all my questions soon.. but I know that its not very likely that all these questions will just come to me.

Taiwan. Oh Taiwan. Yes it is coming up soon. I'm a bit scared of getting from the airport to the apartment (which has been confirmed *yays* thanks to yuvina's house hunting skills). Yuvina reckons I should just bus it to the main station and then taxi the rest.. but considering that I'm now going to be going alone (Nic is no longer coming with me) I think I prefer to just taxi the whole way.. i mean sure its like 10 times more expensive.. but I think its safer that way. Plus it would mean that I wouldn't have to worry about knowing where to get off the bus. Getting closer.. my application to TaiDa was sent today :)

Parentals are getting more and more worried about me going away. I mean that is fair.. Its me going to a place they have never been to before.. and they don't know what to expect. I just hope they won't worry too much more :(

Gah I think I'm gonna go do something productive-ish and print out some maps.

Hopefully I will see you all soon XD

Graduation

Pretty Flowers with RongChyi

My Lovely Crew :)

With Mishie


I Love this shot... timeless

The Assignment Boxes that I spent so much time with

... So tis post was meant to be up a while ago. But Yay I've finally graduated!

I had been looking forward to that day for such a long time. And I did have a great time camwhoring the whole day. But I must say I was fully exhuasted the by the end of it .. and to not get any sleep before work the next day! But thanks for all who dropped by. Especially thanks to Ali and Peter who took all my photos for me. I love them!!

Uni life seems so long ago. It seems like i've been trapped in this limbo for a while now. No quite a student and definately not yet in Taiwan. haha but I'm working hard to save for Taiwan... even if I have been saving under my quota for the past 3 weeks :( but I will keep trying to make the cut!!! Everyone has been asking me if my Taiwan stuff has all been sorted yet.. well.. not quite. Almost .. ok so not almost. Just I'm getting on to it lol. I'm still debating on which type of visa I want to take. Either a single entry or a multiple entry. The difference is .. with a multiple entry I'm leaving myself for room to maybe visit ShangHai or HongKong for a weekend whith cheap domestic flights. I think I will get a multiple entry visa.. but it costs like $50 extra.. so if I do.. I better use it! Bah just more things to think about I guess.. since I already filled out both forms.

Working everyday is so routine.. but even tho its so routine, there are always the obvious good days and bad days. There are really times when I reckon everyone at work really hates me. Like I'm just the annoying newbie... it feels like i'm always doing things wrong and getting in people's way. And then other times when I feel as if I'm finally starting to settle in. I just don't know anymore.. maybe I'm just overly sensitive to what people say or how people interact with me.

Anihoos... OMG I WANT AN SLR CAMERA!!! lol I think it will be my project to get it just before Taiwan (so I can take it with me) or after Taiwan. I think before Taiwan would be better right? So I can take nice shots in Taiwan! What do u guys think? Atm I'm looking at Nikon.. they seem pretty alrite. I don't want something too expensive .. because I kno I'm not pro so having something pro and not knowing how to use all the functions is just a waste. So I just want something like in the $1000 range so that I can get good at it first and if I decide that I really really heart photography .. then I will get something pro-er later on. Good idea?

Hahah I reallllllyy need to stop spending and save more towards Taiwan! Someone please knock some senses into me!

Alrites ima head off.

Be good boys and girls,

Noelle

City to Surf

-The Starting line-

I've actually wanted to do a city to surf run for quite a while now. Its just that I never had the chance since it was always near mid-semester exams. This year I was going to give it a miss too.. since I only found out when it was on one week before the start date. But that is just where the story begins.

On Thursday night I had dinner with Ali, Lisa and Ed at Hawkers Cuisine. Surprisingly the food was not bad.. I must admit I had some negative preconceptions about Hawkers.. given our history and all. Anyways. This is when the sale begins. Edshi had just entered the city to surf and the race was on... to convince me to do it with him. LOL. At first I was thinking.. yeah I wanna do it.. but I'm not ready.. I don't have time.. I shouldn't. But the more Edshi asked and briefed the more I felt bad. I knew I was just making excuses... excuses to not do it despite knowing its on my list of things to accomplish. So finally I agreed and got Jie to register me since I didn't have time to make the register myself.

It took her an hour to get me registered (and yes I know that because she wouldn't stop whinging about it). But I was officially entered into the run. What this meant was that now that I had started something I HAVE TO FINISH IT.

Me before the run.. Nervous!

Edshi Before the run ...Confidence!

So on Sunday morning I met Edshi and his friends at Esplanade Park bright and early and ready to run. I was scared... petrified really since dad told me it was 15km from home to the city .. and we were planning to run for 12km!!! THATS CRAZY. But we had to do it.. and deep down I knew we could (tho mind you none of my family members had any faith in me.. they were all betting against me!).

~The run~

After 20mins the reality of what we had just done to ourselves have really set in.. along with the shortness of the breath. I was really scared of the road ahead. But at the same time we were still quite optimistic. Pushing each other to continue!! It wasn't even 2km and I had already wanted to turn back.. it seemed like forever already and I was beginning to doubt whether or not we could last. And then we hit the first drink station. *breathe* The first 2km seems like forever.. it was really difficult. And it was then when Edshi told me that there would be a drink stop every 2kms. And here I was thinking we were half way already when we had only done 2 or the 12km T.T I was certain we wouldn't make it but at the same time we still had the willpower to push on!

-The Road Ahead-

Ok so we ran a lot of the way but we did have our little mini breaks every now and then for example from a traffic light to a tree.. haha it was these small walking breaks I think that go me over the line :) That and pushing each other to do it! After the 6th km I was looking forward to each following drink station.. and it became the immediate goal... to just make the next drink station.

-Enthusiastic Edshi Can do it!!-

Edshi: "Noelle is this really the time to be camwhoring"

Noelle: "YyyeEEeeSSS!"

At 10kms was when the pain truly fell off the breaking point. I was in soooooo much pain I really wanted to cry.. but I didn't want to slow Edshi down .. tho I know I made him take more breaks after the 10km mark than before. It was just so killing me and my legs were seriously threatening to abandon body. The last 500meters was supposed to be the easiest run .. you know when the finish line was in sight. But not for me. It was more painful than anything. Edshi said that we had to run it to the finish line.. we just had to.... But I just didn't have it in me anymore. I really wanted to collapse there and then. But I was so close... really so close!!! So with one last effort I made it across the line. Actually Edshi should have finished before me.. but he was so nice he let me cross the line before him. We really should have crossed together. I complained soooooooo much. Sorry Edshi I really am (I take back all the times I said I hate you =D). And thank you Edshi for the encouragement and letting me cross first.

-My Reward.. A Yummy Apple-

We made it and I'm really proud that we did. We made it in 88 minutes apparently. *proud*

SooooOoo...

next year...?

Starting Fresh

I bought a strawberry plant on the weekend :) It sits outside my window sill. And strangely enough everytime I look at it a feel a sense of hope. Im still not sure where the hope is directed towards but it is hope none the less, and I can't help but smile at it. Lets hope I keep it green. But I am so tempted to spray at it every 5 seconds hahaha I have to spray at it from the inside of my room because I have a screen door. Oh wells still good, plus the spray bottle only cost me $2.50 and it is an awesome blue :) (I got the last blue one hehhee)

The days seem to pass a lot slower recently. Maybe its because I'm awake twice the hours that I used to be awake hahah I know slack!! I think its a good change even though I'm really tired by the time the clock hits 12... not that I'd be awake till 12 anyways on a week night cos that would mean panda eyes forevermore. Such a weird feeling.. but I think I've forgotten what it was like to be at uni already. Like stepping foot onto the uni makes me feel like an intruder. hahah I better not think like this cos I am going back for Honours next year. Speaking of which I still haven't heard any information on it yet. I hope I'll get some notice before applications need to be done.


Oh last Thursday, Tammy, Ruth, Alan and I took a trip down to Ikea for dinner. Infamous meatballs all round. Funnily enough I just realised that I have never been to Ikea. Well I've been thinking about it and I seriously have no recollection of going there at all. Anyways with my poor sense of direction and all I got lost on the way there. I turned left at Morley drive (THANKS GOOGLE!!! >.<) so it took me 1 hour to get there!!! BAH! I was driving in the rain too it was pelting down at that time :( and they all had to wait for me. Sorry guys :( So once I got there I was set on hating Ikea. But with the meatballs and the cool furniture and everything being so reasonably priced (I thought it would all be hell expensive) how can you not love Ikea. Plus as Tammy said.. don't blame Ikea for Google's mistake! haha I saw this corner sofa that I really want for my room. But its a little too pricey and I it wouldn't fit in my room. I decided I want a long rectangular sofa without a back to go in my room :) ... but must save on top of Taiwan savings before I will even fully do the measurements. Yups Ikea makes me wanna redecorate my room! ... and I'm kinda craving the meatballs now .. its the gravy that makes it soooo good.. and the jamm .. MmmMm..


Speaking of food.. I think it's time for me to go make some lunch.
Laters!

p.s. remember to smile today XD

Normality

During my uni days mum used to complain that I wasn't a normal person. LOL not in the way that I'm crazy .. although I'm pretty sure a lot of you guys will disagree (*sighs*) but more in terms of my sleeping patterns. I would wake at around 11am - noon if I had no classes and sleep at like 4am. That was normal for me and I was pretty sure that's what is normal for most students nearing exam times right? Anyway.. so mum had the desire for me to become a normal person.. wake early and sleep early. Bah soo boring. But I just got a new part-timer recently at the post office.

It involves a few shifts because I've been given what is essentially two different jobs in one. In the mornings (Mon-Fri) from 6am to 9am I sort the mail. This is generally just an easy job that requires a bit of memory. Its not too bad except for the 5am wake up. This was the initial job that I applied to do. But recently that have also asked me to serve the counters on Saturdays for two hours and then afternoons (Mon-Fri). This job is a lot more difficult than I would have ever imagined. I really didn't know it was so complicated ... its not just letters and scanning items.. its money transfers, bank deposits... and the list goes on! But I'm going to give it my best and hope that I don't screw up too badly XD

So because of the new job I've been a bit out of it all lately.. tired and adjusting to the new timetable. Weirdest thing is I still don't think this is normality. Mum's normality wanted me to go to bed early .. so yah it happens occasionally I sleep at like 10-11pm these days. BUT 5AM IS NOT NORMAL!!! How can that be defined as normal?? hahah but to tell you the truth. I'm kinda getting used to it. Its no longer that cold and I can actually stay awake after the morning shift without going back to bed. Its gotta be good. I think in general this new job has done me some good... I hope I can survive there, it helps when the boss' are so nice :)

Ah well. So hopefully that explains why I've been a bit MIA lately.
Don't worry, I am going to keep this blog alive!

Laters guys!

In Hope of Tomorrow

... Sydney is a big wondergul blur to me now. Too bad I was too lazy to write my Sydney post earlier... now I can't remeber much of it. All I remember is that it was such an awesome experience and yet at the same time it was such a pain. All that walking had left me half a cripple lol and I do have to thank a girl named Hong (the same girl who sold us the Jay Chou tickets) who was soo welcoming and took us clubbing.. felts so much better having a local contact :). Also it was nice to have Ali and Janice there to ask directions and place :) But I do feel bad for not visiting those I knew in Sydney especially Nissa, Zac and Reagan. It would have been so good to catch up. Too bad I only had 2 and a half days.

Now that I'm back to my normal routine life.. well as normal as possible since a void is missing. The void that was university life. Now most of my days are spent at home, trying to find work and saving for taiwan :). Speaking of Taiwan, I seriously cannot wait.. hahaha especially after me and Yuvina's spaz session about Taiwan life. Which is such a motivator to get me started with the applications for both the univeristy and any visas' that I will need to study in Taiwan. There seems like there is sooooo many things to do... I really need to get started.. Jia You!!!

A Dream

The week the just past seems like a dream. I can't believe that any of it was real.. and that it was me that i happened to. Definately the most random and unbelievable thing that happened to me... and I totally loved it. So re-capping how it all happened....

***Thursday- 2nd July***

Life was getting a bit boring and depressing since I haven't found a job yet... I feel as if I am wasting away my life sleepin about 12hours a day and on facebook for the rest of it. It was all getting just a bit sad.. ok so not just a bit.. but extremely. So I decided to drag myself out of bed and head into work.. even though I don't usually go to the resturant on Thursdays I thought I would since I have nothing better to do and mum said it would be good for me to get out of the house more. So, like every morning I started my day with a shower... but when showering I heard the faint sound of the phone ringing outside. It rang at least 3 times. I knew it was my parents but I figured I'm heading into work anyway so it wouldn't matter if I don't pick up. Anyways I finished my shower got changed and was ready to leave. At that point- the phone rang again. I wasn't going to pick up but then I was worried that my parented wanted me to bring something from home or wanted me to go buy something. So I picked up. It was dad. He said he had good news since he knew I was so bored at home. He said I could go to the concert. At I was like huh? Which one (knowing that the Dong Bang one had already passed)? And then he said Jay Chou!! I didn't believe him- why would I right?!? Plus how the hell would I get tickets it was Thursday and the concert was tomorrow!!! But Mum and Dad said that if I could get tickets I could go and that dad would pay for my flights XD. Once I believed they were serious... the rush hit me! Talked to my sister and told her.. she was coming too.. and at that point we went hyper. I found tickets called up the seller and told her I wanted the tickets and would confirm with her when I booked flights. Flight booking was crazy.. all the flights for Thursday night were fully sold out so we had to fly in on the day of the concert- flying at 6 am... giving us less than 10 hrs to book everything, pack and fly! It was such a hectic day but we managed and the mention of Jay drove us more excited!... I don't think I slept much that night.

***Friday- 3 July***

Flight at 6am ... OMG so early but definately not a day I wanted to sleep in on. The flight itself was kinda crap. Really uncomfortable... and worse still a 5 hour flight to Sydney turned into a 6 hour flight. We were delayed one hour because there was no where to land!?! We were hell annoyed.. especially since the girl I bought Jay's tickets from was waiting for me at the airport. She must've thought I wouldn't come and had just ditched her... I hope she waited.. I hoped with every ounce of my life. We arrived in Sydney at about 1pm called the seller immediately and thankfully she was still there waiting for me XD!! She was definately the nicest person I met in Sydney and not just because she sold me Jay Chou tickets at $400 for 2 VIP rear zone. Her name was Hong and she was awesome! She even got us on the after party guestlist where Jay and his dancers were to attend! SO excited at that point ... but it was time to rush to the hotel.. rest for a bit and then head to the arena early.

Reached the hotel. It wasn't too far from the airport and it was positioned quite well to everything- quite convient. Anyway it was almost 4 and it was definately time to go to the arena. The concert starts at 8 but we had standing tickets so we wanted a good postion. LOL took us a while to figure out how to buy train tickets.. there was no signs >.<

Grabbed take-away from a place near to the arena and headed to the Acer Arena for the concert. My sister and I were freezing!! I had a trench coat but it just didn't seem enough. I didn't care I was going to get a good position full stop! We were about 10th? In the middle line. There was about 5 lines. And by about 6pm there was about 150-200 people waiting.

XD My Jay Chou Ticket XD

Waiting in the Line for Jay

It wasn't until 7pm when a staff member came out and put a sign up in front of the line next to us. Immediate thought.. "OH SHITTTTT" we were in the wrong line and now there were lke 400 people and we were about 110th! =( and then it got worse. We read the sign and it said that for our tickets we were meant to be at the northen entrance!!!!! That was like on the other side of the building... it was an immediade scramble as like 100-200 people RAN for the northern entrance. And to top it all off I was in 7cm heels!!!! I thought heels would be a good idea since I was short and would want the height to see over the top of people. But DUDE no! I told my sister to run ahead and I would try to run as fast as I could. Something gave inside of me and I ran.. I couldn't care less if I stacked it but I WANTED TO BE AT THE FRONT! At the point of running there was about 70 people in front of me ... and they when I saw the entrance point 80 meters away.. all of a sudden everyone that was in front of me started to RUN BACK???? I was think o this cannot be good... were we at the right place in the begining??? but then someone shouted out "GO UP THE STAIRS!!" LOL the stairs were like 1 meter away from me and I ran with all my life. I was 6th in line XD we were soooooo estatic! Had to wait for a while longer in that line before we were let into the foyer. This entrancee point would be split into two sections- Front VIP and Rear VIP. lol this meant that when we went in My sister and I were FIRST in the line for our section of th concert WOOOHOOOOO!!! So worth running my legs off for lol

First in line XD

Wrist Bands to separate the sections

GOSH The Concert itself was absolutely AWESOMEEEE it was so good and Jay was so hilarious.. he so loved us talking about how we're such warm fans *grins* and how life might have been a bit difficult for us growing up in Australia because.... u know.. height and all LOL I loved every second of it.. I only wish some of my pictures were clearer! He also promised to come back to Australia next year or for his next tour!!! I know he totally loves us :). And I couldn't be more proud of his sucess really- I mean sold out concert in a western country! Favourite songs of the night were definately 陽光宅男, 聽媽媽的話 and 稻香 XXD There were two encores of the concert and the crowd was awesome a total of 15000 people attended. It was unbelievably awesome.. I really don't have any other words to explain how good it was. He played soooo many instruments that night from drums to guitar to Gu-Zheng gah so good*hearts Jay CHOU!!!* He also threw out his nunchucks!!! It was caught by someone like 1 meter away from me :( lol I still attempted to run for it tho. I wonder if it was autographed gahhhh! There was raining sparks and firworks and even during 霍元甲 when it goes 霍霍-霍霍-霍霍霍霍 bursts of 火came out to the rhythm of the song!! Oh and the dancing- soo good he has definately improved a lot. There was such a variety of genres and it was god that he sang a mix of both his older songs and those from his new albums. We missed him straight after the concert ended.. and wanted the night to last forever.

Jay Opening the concert XXD

Awesome Lighting .. even more awesome is Jay

Raining Fire sparks :)

My Favourite Jay- Jay on Piano

Gah Playing on the Gu-Zheng

After the concert we met up with Hong (the girl who sold me the tickets to Jay's) and she took us towards the after party. Unfortunately we were too exhausted and it was getting to late since a taxi took forever to get. So we didn't end up going in. We stood on the outside of the club but like it seemed quiet. Apparently Jay wasn't going anyways - he was bound to be tired! So my sister and me headed back to the hotel with nothing but good memories of the night. ... And that was just the first night in Sydney... I don't think the rest would ever live up to that standard. *hearts Jay*

***Today 8th July***

Man very long post and I know I didn't go into detail about the concert but I just don't know where to start it was indescribable! I think I shall continue my the rest of my sydney story later on in the week :) Hope u like the piccies... might post up some more later.. maybe facebook might be easier lol

Laters :)