Glorious Spring!

The sky is clear and the sun is out! Perfect day to visit the Botanical Garden this spring. But first, we need to feed our hungry tummies! Had a light lunch at the flea market in Rundle Street!

Poffertjes or we like to call them small pancakes

Scraping the goodness of sugary cinnammon. YUM!

And walking further up the street, we saw gorgeous hand-made candles!



Now, pictures at the Botanical Garden




The ducks were pecking each other. I like to think that they were mischeviously playing around ^_^




Peek-a-boo!

One lonely lily!

Lavender. Didn't dare to take up close because there were bees!

I like this dainty pic of Jo!

An elderly couple sitting on the bench watching their grandchildren playing. Lovely =)

I would love to upload more picture, but unfortunately I've trouble with the internet connection and can't seem to upload them well.

*sigh*

To continue the adventure (CHECK OUT the ROSE GARDEN! ), visit Jo's blog http://carrotjunk.xanga.com/712669748/step-out-into-spring/

Over the moon

Last Friday, I went back to my previous workplace (where I spent 3 months doing my research) to visit my supervisor and other staff members. Needed to specially thank my supervisor for her tremendous support and guidance throughout my thesis project.

OHhhhh and ................. she revealed a SENSATIONAL news !!

Guess what?! Our abstract (from the basis of our project) was accepted for the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) in their upcoming scientific forum this November! Awesome-ness! *dance around the room* It will be enlarged in a poster format for the forum!

The abstract

Apparently she wanted to put this picture of me in there. In case you are wondering, that's me conducting a medication history with the patient. Face of patient has not been shown to protect anonymity until further decision and instruction are released. If I knew how to do that blurry effect you see on TV where a criminal is caught, I wouldn't be so cruel to stamp on my patient's picture >.<

So much of me feeling upset throughout the project. Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet - fits in here. Reflecting on what Professor Balducci-the pioneer of geriatric oncology field said to me, "What you are doing is meaningful and it's definitely worthwhile". *tears of joy*

On another note, I wanna share with you a random joke that I'd picked up while I was there. Perhaps my last because I won't be going there anymore. Anyway, read on because it is quite inane but funny!

This guy was so lonely that he decided life would be more fun if he had a pet. So, he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a centipede (100-leg bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.

He took the box home, found a good location for the box and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to the bar a drink. So, he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to Frank's place with me and have a beer?"

But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but waited a few minutes and then asked him again, "How about going to the bar and having a drink with me?"

But again, there was no answer from his new friend. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. He decided to ask him one more time, this time putting his face up against the centipede's house and shouting, "Hey in there! Would you like to go to Frank's place and have a drink with me?"

A little voice came out of the box. "I heard you the first time! I'm putting my shoes on!"

XD

Spring has been around for a month! It is my favourite time of the year where things come magically to life. Will be uploading pictures of flowers and MORE flowers in my next blog. Stay tuned!

Vietnamese food

Had a scrumptious dinner with MK, Keth (ex-housemates) and Yen last 2 weeks ago. MK drove us to a Vietnamese restaurant somewhere into the quiet North West surburb. I thought we were having pho-famous vietnamese beef noodles. But SURPRISE! We were having something different this time!

First up...Cold rolls: Sugar cane skewered minced king prawns!

And I really thought the bowl of water is for washing our hands (like the Malay style). Yen bluffed me. NOooooo! It was to dip the rice paper to soften it!

Mun Kit taught two blur piggies (Ann and I) how to assemble the roll. It was heaps fun!

My first cold roll! Cute, no?


And then you dip into the sweet chilli peanut sauce. The sauce is simply spot on-undenyingly delicious!!! Yum Yum!




We ordered a plate of warm seafood vermicelli salad. That was equally delectable! I’m drooling as I speak.


Hohoho...Those were just the appetiser, by the way! And I’m almost half full.

Next! This soup is madly delicious. All the ingredients’ flavours are fully infused into the soup. YUM! The fish tasted sweet and fresh!

The combination hotpot rice.

Apparently, they had forgotten to add salt. But it was not too bad for my taste.

Fried eggplant (haha.. don't they look like chips?!)

Aaahhh.. feels good to have such good food-after a long time. Haven't been cooking well for the past few months due to busy schedules. Thank you MK for introducing this new cuisine to us! It was an adventurous food experience! ^_^

I miss my organ terribly! =(

In particular, I miss Masa Matsuda's 'oh-so-soothing' pieces like- 道 (Path), Waiting for Spring to Come, I Can See Stars in your Eyes... Many organ pieces are written by talented Japanese, for those who are not familiar.

and many techno- head bobbing pieces which I have fun blasting the volume to the max. My late grandfather never got tired of the Wong Fei Hung song!

I pity my neighbours at times! LOL

I went for an art class!

It brought memories where my lil bro and I had to go for art classes every Sunday. I wished art classes back then were not just confined with drawing only. I wished there were more options. Do you know Year 7 students here have a curriculum where they need to do scrapbooking? So COOL!

Oozed out my right-brain creativity today - a good break from studying. Never felt more contented!

The beginning of the last semester

I've been waiting for this day. To get it done with and move on. I felt SO relieved after printing and binding my project book this afternoon. Handing it up felt EVEN better. I'm still amazed I'd finished writing it up! I thought it was simply impossible to write that much!

So, the three months of work will be judged upon what is written in that 60 pages bound book. I'll just pray and hope for the best. At the same time, I was thinking, even if it didn't turn out what I aimed for, I will be forever very grateful for all the experiences that I'd gained.

I remembered feeling unhappy where I was during that three months. I didn't had time to hang out with my friends. I didn't see my housemate much either. And I didn't cook as much because of the uncertainty in the schedule. It was nice of Jo piggy to accompany me that one day and to listen to what I'd to say. She said she never seen me like this before. It was true. I never felt that way in such a long time.

I reckon I felt very cooped up in the institution. I wished I had more patients to talk to but the situation did not permit. Additionally, I didn't like the idea of searching for journal articles... I should have known while I was doing Microbiology & Immunisation subject way back in year 2. I had to research on two HIV drugs: Enfuvirtide & Indinavir. Building on knowledge is fun but the process of writing it up and referencing them (in-text citation and bibliography) is just tedious, in my opinion. And having to stare at the computer 24/7, there goes my increasing eye power.

It was a little frustating because I felt so disconnected with my friends. You know how you are so used to going for lectures and tutorials together, and then suddenly you are put into a totally unfamiliar situation where you have your supervisor as your friend only. Okay, I am exaggerating, you soon get to know the staffs around, but still that doesn't beat being around with your classmates. So that's why I was really looking forward to the next semester where I would get to see familiar faces again.

Having said that, as I pondered in depth (I truly believe that everything happens for a reason), I realized I have learnt so much throughout this short period of time. Some patients had left me thinking about my late grandfather. Oncology nurses taught me chemotherapy protocols. Administration staff chased case notes for me. Some pharmacists are genuinely concerned about my performance even though they aren't my supervisors. The journey and experience is incredible despite my complains.

One of the most memorable experience would be the opportunity to meet renowned professor who is the pioneer in the field of what my research project was all about-Geriatric Oncology.

I was VERY VERY honoured to be able to meet Professor Lodovico Balducci from the Moffitt Cancer Centre & Research Institute (Florida) who came to Adelaide as a visiting professor. How awesome is that?! His encouraging words made me feel that this project is indeed worthwhile to work for.

Anyway, 2 festive seasons are around the corner! YAY! But no holidays here >.<

Selamat Hari Raya!

Happy Mooncake festival!

(Went for a small celebration today)

Enjoy yourself and eat lots of goodies!!!

Happily Ever After

After hours of preparation, the night finally arrived. It started drizzling a little when we reached the National Wine Centre. Nevertheless, it didn't dampen our spirits to paarrrttayy!! So the theme was 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER'-think Disney ^_^

The place was madly filled with beautiful chicks and charming hunks. Some of them wore really sophisticated long dresses/gowns, like those you see in wedding photos. No kidding, lots of thoughts and efforts were put in dressing up in line with the fairy tale theme. It felt like a fashion show! Saw MANY many stunningly gorgeous people!!

With low lighting, a stalk of white rose and a few small balloons on every table gave the place a ‘Disney’s Happily Ever After’ and romantic feel. Every table had a name- Prince Aladdin was the name of our table. Spelt erroneously.

My beloved girly piggies! Zoe wore a long dress which accentuated her curves! I like that =) Jo wore an elegant black dress with her gorgeous long earrings! My housemate, Ann donned a cute pink dress! Her makeup done by yours truly and hair by Jo. I was very very happy with her transformation! They were sizzling HOT!!

Check out the girl in the middle (Cath) - her gloves! Totally dig them!

I was very surprised when I saw Mr. Hotham in the ball! He's ultimately one of the most caring and very knowledgeble person I ever met during my placement. Any questions about pregnancy and breastfeeding? He's the expert!!

Snap shot of Lionel and Joanna. *Raawrr*




Oh yes.. the FOOD!! Very important to feed our hungry stomachs...



Butternut pumpkin soup. Jo had to add more salt. Hahaha... Ann's plate was SO clean that I thought the waitress gave her an empty plate.

I had a delectable roast chicken breast with flavourful cheesy risotto. YUM! Another main course (alternate service)-the beef, they said was mouthwateringly delicious !! Some said it was the highlight of their night.

The apple and pear crumble dessert was a wonderful finish to our meal. I loved the pear wafer- wonder how the pear was sliced so thinly. Crispy and luscious...

Look at that! Extraordinary work of art!

Happy Tau Lee and his tie! (photo by Jo) He better appreciate the effort of figuring out how to tie! Hahaa.. It's funny to think that I could still remember how to tie after 10 years since being a primary school prefect!

YAY! I love my balloon. Piggies wanted to get one during my birthday but the party shop near our place closed down! But I'm HAPPY now!

Jenn's dress was so adorable. She looked like a brides maid! Pity that I didn't get the full length.

with Rachel darling

Ann in her sweet pink dress. Hui Chiau in her simple yet elegant dress. I like!

Dr. Foster! My course coordinator for the thesis project.

Group picture! S.I.T mates! *Woot*

Lovely ambience. Ronald and Christina in the picture. Can you sense the romance in the air?

With Ms. Helen Stone. Her favourite phrase: "Triturate your cream like this!"-*goes on demonstrating how to mix the cream on the slab with the spatula. Thank you for the advice! That said, I think I am still terrible at it. I think I need to grow more muscles.

My last prom ever.. I reckon. Had heaps FUN, nevertheless!!

Sweet babyYvonne and balloons.

With my super duper hyper housemate-Ann=) Yes, I went back home to eat again >.<

Ann fell in love with my notebook's webcam.

Goodnight ^_^ It was a happily ever after party!