Coolcat's Jottings

In the wilds of Tasmania now.

Uncontactible. But I'll be back.

In front of the Parliament House, Spring St

I feel that I can truly say that now that I've safely landed upon Aussie shores. I can't believe that I'm finally here. Yeeeee haaaah!!!!

It's humid, raining and hot here. It's like I never left Malaysia.

Still, it's always good to see familiar sights, places and faces.

Lots to do. We are three whole hours ahead of Malaysia! The day is half gone!

Hope to be able to blog regularly over here and keep you guys posted with some pics.

Till then, take care & be good.

3 friends reunited on the streets of Melbourne!!!

Coffee tastes great here!

My body is here but my heart is somewhere else already. My boss is trying his best to make me feel guilty for leaving on such a long break - without much success, I must say.

"Did you know, I chopped off all the long leaves of the other heads of department except yours?" he told me today.

And also, "Don't worry, I shall discuss the other project with your assistant in your absence." But his twinkling eyes held hope that I would feel guilty for extricating myself from work responsibilities during my two-week break.

Fat hopes indeed

The nearer the date of departure creeps, the memories of Australia - so long ago and almost forgotten - starts resurfacing. I loved living in Melbourne during my year of study there. I even had plans to settle down there for good. There, people understand and wouldn't look down on me for not being able to speak in Mandarin or Cantonese.

I loved experiencing the four seasons there and the long, long walks I used to take in seasons other than summer. Here, I avoid walking in the humid and hot sun as much as possible and duck into air-conditioned places whenever I can. I loved the tea and scones at Cuckoo Restaurant, Mount Dandenong. The authentic Hong Kong dimsum and Italian foodies. The efficient public transport system that truly does arrive and leave on the dot! That's a major culture shock for any Malaysian, let me tell you that.

Aaah, Melbourne. I can't wait to see thee and traipse upon thy streets again.

Remember the Half A Woman blog entry? As of today, here's the status of Project Bring Out the Woman in me:

... I've been to the spa - Check
... I last did and plan girly things with bezzie - Check - gonna shop and travel with her in Aussieland!
... spent an extended amount of time in total female company- Check
... painted my nails- Check

... did something to my hair- Check!!!
... bought makeup - Check
... read a woman's magazine - Check
... tote a big pink handbag around - no wor Still paranoid about snatch thieves.
... had a glam photo taken of me - Check

... wore a lovely dress because it makes it impossible for me to bend and crawl all over in order to take pictures - Check

9 out of 10 - that's not bad at all. I'm glad to report that I feel all woman now.

are made when you are doing projects together.

I took a look at my closest circle of friends and realised that most of these friendships came about when we are involved in doing a task together. It would seem that the more stressful the project is, the higher chances of a close friendship evolving at the end of it all.

So there I was loafing around with my kindred spirit after a nice long day at Elijah House. We were sprawled on the floor of her room, talking about nothing and everything. Sniffing at my curls and noting how wonderful it smelled. I'll have you know that there are no more icky salon smells on my curls. Yaay!

We met each other slightly more than a year ago when we were both helping out at a Christian band's concert. Subsequently, we met up when we were involved in a few other projects. But we only really got to know each other better during a highly challenging personal project which I undertook. I knew I didn't have the resources to do it alone. God dropped her name in my heart, I contacted her, she said yes and the rest was history.

It was a very challenging project to the both of us because it was the first time ever we did anything like it of this scale. Plus, we were not exactly experts in that field. But through that time, we drove many miles and spent many hours together planning, shopping and putting everything in place. We made a great team and the outcome of the project turned out pretty well.

We discovered that hey, we enjoyed each other's company so much that it hardly seems like work! Also, we are of the similar type of personality with similar interests and values in the things that matter. No wonder we like being with each other, it just shows that we love ourselves a lot!

It's amazing how God brought this about at a time when I missed bezzie now that she's gone to Aussieland. Besides a few close buddies, He unexpectedly provided this newfound kindred spirit. Truly He took note of every single tear and prayer I made and provided what I needed when I most needed it.

At least I can laugh now when I think of the miserable me not too long ago. I thought that it would take a long while before I could find someone whom I would be able to relate in a deep and comfortable manner - similar to the way I'm used to relating with bezzie. Someone whom you can spend all day with and still not run out of things to say. Someone you can just unwind with and be refreshed everytime you meet. Someone who actually gets your jokes and tosses it back with extra punch. Heh heh.

Both of us know how difficult it is to find someone you can relate to really, really well and who enjoys being with you just as much as you enjoy spending time with them.

I'm not sure how long is the season that we are meant to be in each others' lives. But I've learned to savour every moment of life as it comes. And for this present time, I'm very very blessed by the precious gift of friendship that God has given me in the form of this amazing sister.