24 days to go...

omg can u believe it. We are heading into the two digits!! So soon... I'm actually quite scared and excited at the same time. But blah. U've heard it all before.

I need to start studying for the placement tests >< Its going to be difficult for me because the tests will be in traditional chinese whereas I have only learnt simplified chinese. But the years of ktv have allowed me to be able to read traditional chinese so I guess it is going to be partially ok? I've been trying to practise by writing out lyrics in traditional chinese. I can't believe its so hard!
so please 替我加油吧!

OMGGGGG I've heard that lee hom will be in Taiwan while I am there. I am super duper mega excited about this. ANd the fact that yuvina is just as willing as me to go front row all the way is XD I really do hope I get to see him while I am there. It seems likea dream come true. For those who say I am sad SHUDDUP!! HE IS AWESOME!

In the back of my mind is honours tho. I'm actually getting more scared about honours as each day passes. I really don't know If I can cope. Ya yah yah I know I always say this and come thru it all with colours but I dunno.. it's just a nagging feeling that I just can't shake. I really hope next year goes ok. I wish I could just put it out of my mind for a while and enjoy the anticipation of the holiday to come. It does really feel like I am doing this adventure for me. And I like it.

Been working like crazy lately. Its so weird to think that I have been working 7 days a week. The time just goes by so fast and I'm always so tired. But I think its good that I'm keeping productive and doing stuff.. because I think it drove me crazy to be sitting at home everyday with nothing to do. But yes.. people are never happy with what they have so I would love to have a little bit more free time. Especially to catch up with a few people before I leave :)

My wish list has just exploded with all these things that I never knew I wanted so much. I still haven't bought my SLR cam yet.. nor the new fone that I wanted and I'm thinking about an I-pod touch when Im in Taiwan. I guess some of these will have to wait till I get back! That is if I'm not like completely broke from the experience LOL

Anihoos.. I wanna go do some stuff before its bed time (which these days is way too early)

Laters my loyal blog readers

Noelle

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!!!