On the average, I have 2-3 people asking me when I'm going home. Yesterday, it came from my ex-lecturer whom I bumped into at the corridor. I have since adopted 2 typical answers- a 5 second version that says 'soon, going to, enjoying myself first'.. and the other answer goes a little longer, speaking of my apprehension of going back, and how I might be considering extending my stay through job/new course/marry an aussie or wombat etc... If this was the an exam question, I would have failed many times over, and re-sitting just doesn't make it any better. But the thing I can promise you is, I'll make a decision in the next week.
My friend Sha is going to Hongkong to work, and although it's a big step for her, she doesn't know the amount of shopping and tim sums that await her arrival, the big fat succulent dumplings, the buttery flakey pastries that glimmers under the yellow spotlight... ahhh... I can almost smell it. The practical tip to her is, find the nearest laundry, cos it's such a chore doing your own.
It's such a great day today, blue skies and sun shinning. Not the typical Melbourne winter. I think I'll make a trip to the post office to post out pressies I bought for my niece and my good friend Joc. My loadful of laundry is also beckoning me.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
What a Week in Sydney!
Allo allo! I'm back from my long rendevous with Sydney- my third trip there, but it's always a trip with a difference.
The main purpose of going their this time is to be part of the Hillsongs Conference. I figured out that since I won't get another opportunity to do this, I might as well go for this 5 day, super intensive conference while I can afford it. It was real tiring, having to wake up at 7am every morning to catch the train to Olympic Park. The sessions don't end till 10pm, and I'm proud to say that I survived all but 1 night. There were great speakers such as US top tv evangelist Joyce Meyers, the German fire-infused Reinhard Bonnke, and Michael W Smith. It was great fun seeing the crowd of 30,000 every night filling into the Superdome. The 2-hour queueing each day was mind-boggling, but you get the drift after a while.
Despite the contraint in time, Aud and I did some sightseeing as well. Went to the Darling Harbour, the Fish market, the Rocks, the DFO and Birkenhead Point for some factory outlet shopping. And we rented this awfully great split-level apartment (thanks Phil!) that was loaded with dvds that Aud and I found it hard to leave it. Our place was just 5 mins from the Glebe Markets, and a short walk to the Broadway Shopping Centre, so we didn't really stepped into the city at all.
Took at pic of Darling Harbour- Atiq, this one is for you! Remember that in 2001 we came here for coffee every night after our conference??
So now I'm back, sick to the core. After experiencing the gorgeous Sydney winter weather, I suddenly felt shortchanged staying in Melbourne. It's not funny to be running a fever, accompanied by a slow-to-perform 6 fin heater turned on at full blast, tucked inside a down quilt, and yet it's cooooold cos it's 9 degrees outside.
Back to savouring my instant soup. MSG never tasted so good.
Darling Harbour
The main purpose of going their this time is to be part of the Hillsongs Conference. I figured out that since I won't get another opportunity to do this, I might as well go for this 5 day, super intensive conference while I can afford it. It was real tiring, having to wake up at 7am every morning to catch the train to Olympic Park. The sessions don't end till 10pm, and I'm proud to say that I survived all but 1 night. There were great speakers such as US top tv evangelist Joyce Meyers, the German fire-infused Reinhard Bonnke, and Michael W Smith. It was great fun seeing the crowd of 30,000 every night filling into the Superdome. The 2-hour queueing each day was mind-boggling, but you get the drift after a while.
Despite the contraint in time, Aud and I did some sightseeing as well. Went to the Darling Harbour, the Fish market, the Rocks, the DFO and Birkenhead Point for some factory outlet shopping. And we rented this awfully great split-level apartment (thanks Phil!) that was loaded with dvds that Aud and I found it hard to leave it. Our place was just 5 mins from the Glebe Markets, and a short walk to the Broadway Shopping Centre, so we didn't really stepped into the city at all.
Took at pic of Darling Harbour- Atiq, this one is for you! Remember that in 2001 we came here for coffee every night after our conference??
So now I'm back, sick to the core. After experiencing the gorgeous Sydney winter weather, I suddenly felt shortchanged staying in Melbourne. It's not funny to be running a fever, accompanied by a slow-to-perform 6 fin heater turned on at full blast, tucked inside a down quilt, and yet it's cooooold cos it's 9 degrees outside.
Back to savouring my instant soup. MSG never tasted so good.
Darling Harbour
