Eversince I discover, my blog has been so neglected. Even my Aussie trip is only updated halfway. Alas…I should really get back to writing more.

Time really flies, 3rd quarter is over and November is lurking round the corner. Wonder what kind of bonus I will be getting year. I never give much thought / hope to it so that I will not be disappointed if bonus is not up to my expectations. Then again, since when was bonus up to anyone’s expectations?

There is still some paperwork to be done up for CPA application which I am just so lazy. Will have to complete it in the next 2 weeks, in time for my appraisal review.

Let’s keep fingers crossed that I will get my promotion.

The trip to the Great Ocean Road started really badly with the rain and the grey sky. Fortuately, the rain stopped at lunch and the sun came out. By the time we reached Port Campbell, it was all blue sky, though the 12 apostles side was still a litle grey.

I am finally in Melbourne after 5 years!  Reached Melbourne at 4.45am (which is 2.25am Singapore).  Did not sleep much on the plane.

I kinda forgot how cold Melbourne can be till we left the airport to take the skybus to Southern Cross Station (when I left, it was called Spencer Station).  Everything slowed down a fair bit.  Got to get used to seeing the next train arriving in 20 mins when in Singapore, it is 2 mins.   It is a good thing that we are on holiday.  Feels good to be in Melbourne again.

We had breakfast in Mac on Swaston Street and tried unsuccessfully to connect to the free internet in Mac.  Walk over to Federation Square in the cold morning wind trying to activate my Optus prepaid card.  Down to the last bit and I got disconnected!   Paid AUD1.80 for 10 mins at some random internet cafe along Flinders Street to get the prepaid account activated.

Left for Frankston to visit and stayover at Tony and Hermanna.   Sue and I knocked out on the train since we did not get to sleep much on the plane.  Took about an hour to reach Frankston.

There was such a sense of excitment, looking out for Tony and Hermanna.  Lots of hugs and kisses (got to get used to this) later, we went to Frankston Mall for a cuppa.  Aussie latte is so good!

We drove an hour to their home.  We have never been to their home before since they relocated from Churchill after we left Australia.  It is only when we were to their home that Hermanna told us that we are IN Mornington Peninisula, so she was rather amused why we kept emailing them that we want to go to Mornington Peninisula.  Tourists!

We settled into the room that they prepared for us and went to have a nap since Sue and I were really really tired from the flight, the hour train ride and the lack of sleep.

3 hours later, refreshed and chatty, we drove to Hastings to pick up some groceries.  Sue manage to buy her jacket at K Mart, and since it was end of season sale, the price was considerably marked down.

That night, we had roast lamb, and apple crumble with ice cream and custard for dinner. *yummy*

Flying second time in less than 2 weeks is really an unthinkable thing for me.  I got back to Singapore from Shanghai on 10 August 2009 for my first business trip.  However, this time, it is different.

I am flying to Melbourne with Sue for our holiday that we planned in March 2009.  It was almost ruined by the Swine Flu (Flu H1N1), which only got its name in May 2009.  Travelling to Melbourne from Singapore is usually quite costly, so when we chanced upon SGD818 ticket from Qanta, we immediately booked it!  But because of the health scare, we got very worried that we may have to forego our trip and lose our money.

Thank God that the Swine Flu died down a little in Singapore and Australia.  In the worse case scenario, I would have to take additional leave to stay home for quarantine.

Checking in was smooth.  Only 18kg of luggage.  We boarded the plane at 7pm.

This is my first time flying Qantas.  I must say that I am impressed.  I am comparing my experience with Singapore Airlines. The seats are wider, which is good for big people like me.  The air flight attendants are more relaxed.  You can feel the sense of ease that everything is going to be alright.  I just fitted into a glove when words, like “How is it going?”, “No worries”, “You’re alright” started flowing out on the plane.  On Singapore Airlines, it is strictly business!  After this experience, I may seriously consider flying Qantas if the price is right.

Even when we were on the plane, Sue and I were in a surreal state that we are finally going back to Australia for a visit since we left the country in 2003 (6 years) and 2004 (5 years), respectively.

Now time to get some sleep

One more month and I am heading for my long awaited holiday.  I am going back to Uni and visiting some places  collecting happy memories.  It as already been 5 years since I left Melbourne for home.  Wow!  I am so going to go shopping.

Booked the holidays a while back when H1N1 was not even coined! So it has been an irritating month since I am in a fix as to whether I can go or not go.  The problem is that the ticket I got were discounted tickets and they cannot be exchanged/refunded, etc etc etc.  So, I am now kind of ‘happy’ that the chance of me catching the bug in Singapore is as high as I am in Australia.  So?  Just go lah!

Just that my travelling buddy is still not too sure if she is able to travel as she is from Malaysia and Malaysia is still alerting its residents to be cautious and all that.  Oh well, as they say, we will get it straighten out once we get there!

Got to save like crazy…

Trying out the new Wordmobi…how does it upload it for Twitter…

Posted by Wordmobi

Reading about Chin Peng, former communist chief of Malaya during Malaya’s emergency. It brought back memory how Ms. Norani, our History teacher makes us remember our history better by writing these words on the blackboard (yes, blackboard, not whiteboard) on the Children’s Day of 1990:

Happy Children’s Day

Chin Peng

Posted by Wordmobi

I am going to watch my first chinese drama/musical in mandarin this week.  Strongly acclaimed If There’s Seasons 天冷就回来will be playing at the Drama Centre.

Something to look forward to after my exams.

Another Wai’s excellent idea of treating myself and she is rewarding me for my hard work by treating me with Japanese food!

Thanks Wai!

LATEST HOTTEST ACCOMMODATION IN TOWN!

Rucksack Inn re-opened today with an open house at 33B Hong Kong Street (near Clark Quay and Central Mall).  Awesome deco, totally funky and a really affordable place to stay for all visitors to Singapore. Extremely centralized within walking distance of must-visit places in Singapore:-

• Clark Quay (Comes alive at night) – walk
• Boat Quay (chill out place where boring office people turn into happening dudes!) – walk
• Central Mall – walk
• Liang Court (excellent Japanese supermarket in basement) – walk
• Funan IT Mall (all your IT needs) – 1 bus stop or walk
• Fort Canning Park – opposite Funan IT Mall
• Chinatown (everything oriental) – 3 bus stops or 1 MRT station away
• Little India (you guess it!  stuff related to India – food, crafts, spices, etc & 24 hours shopping at MUSTAFA CENTRE) – 7 bus stops away
• Bugis – 3 bus stops
• Suntec City (Exhibition centre & shopping)
• Raffles City (Shopping)
• War Memorial Park
• Churches with hundred years old history (St. Andrew Cathedral,  Armenian Church, Cathedral of The Good Shepherd)
• Museums (National Museum, Perankan Museum, Asian Civilizations Museum)
• Central Business District
• The Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay
• The Merlion
• Etc, etc, etc

The above mentioned places are within walking distance of each other – once you start walking.  But keep in mind that Singapore is a tropical city just a little bit off the south of the equator, so her average temperature is about 31 to 33 degrees Celsius the whole year round.  So, arm yourself with water, comfortable walking shoes, shades, and anything to keep your cool!)

I was at Rucksack Inn for their open house and was SO TEMPTED to book a room/bed!  The place just looks so inviting…A must stay place for every visitor to Singapore.

Psst…did I say that the place is run by 2 awesome gals, Jacqui and Samantha!  What can I say?  Expect only the BEST!

Took some pics with my phone.  So, let the photos speaks for themselves…

For more info…check it out @ Rucksack Inn

Twitter: @rucksackinn