Birthdays! Birthdays! Birthdays! Today is my sister's birthday....ha ha! My Ozzie Singapore sister...ha ha! Seems complicated right... no lah! She is a very nice, sweet, uncomplicated girl but COOL at the same time! Ha ha... Anyway, HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to Meisi. Yeah... we all got her speakers and subwoofer for her birthday present. She was so excited lah! She keep saying "Boom Boom! Boom Boom!"(referring to the sound a subwoofer would make) She super cute lah...ha ha! Then in the evening we had a little celebration with an ice cream cake. YEah... I know, it's bad to have an exam on your 21st birthday. Worst still she have another paper tomorrow, so all the celebration will be put on hold for a while. But no worries Meisi. Surprises are just starting to come only....ha ha!
Had no dinner today cos got a meeting in church! But special thanks to Monica for making me Ba Chor Mee (Pork Minced noodles), Taiwanese style, for supper. I tell you, Monica's Ba Chor Mee is the best. And oh, she made some dumplings as well, Taiwanese style, really delicious too! Thanks Monica!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Jith's surprise birthday party was today. Woke up early to go with Arthur to get our share of meat for thr BYP BBQ at Bibra Lake. The weather wasn't looking too good in the morning but Thanks to the good Lord that gave us really fine weather today. Though there was a few times that the sky seemed to be like giving way but the rain never fell. It was even sunny at time. But better, it was a cool afternoon without the scorching sun in our eyes...ha ha! Think the the whole surprise party thing worked well today. Wow.... just so many birthdays coming up. Wanna shout out to wish Raine a HAPPT 20th BIRTHDAY today too! Hope you liked the present we got you. I know you still have exams tomorrow so just hang on alright? All the fun will be coming your way when your exams are over...ha ha!
Then, went to watch "Take The Lead" tonight. I must say it is a really good film. The dance and everything was just great. The story was inspiring, choreography was colourful and the girls are hot....ha ha ha! Yeah... it was movie about teaching a few school rejects who dances hip hop to take up Ballroom dancing. I love the film. It was so good that we went to Sara's place to watch another dancing film called "You got served". This one is about Hip Hop dancing though. But I kinda like "Take the Lead" more. It has an edge I guess with the hybrid of hip hop with Ballroom. Yeah... it just intrigues me that two opposites and different dance genres can come together in such a way. 5 popcorns for "Take The Lead"! Go grab your tix for it!!!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Yes!!!! Finally got the call from McDonald's for a job interview...ha ha! After all these time of job hunting finally got a job interivew. And this is the job I really want too! The pay is good, and the work place just 5 mins away by bus... coolness! Went down to McDonald's and had a chat with the manager. She was a really nice lady and she even said it was fine for her to hold the job for me as I'll be going for a holiday come next week. No guarantee thoughbut was the best she could do. Yeah... be praying that when I come back the job will still be available.
Must thank my daughter, Sara, for lunch today...ha ha! And also thank her for helping me with some stuff. Dropped by her place and had some potatoes, oni oni (yam paste) and those Japanese rice in beancurd skin kinda sushi thing. I was inspired and decided to try and make that for dinner too...ha ha! Went to the Oriental shop to get the ingredients. But, had a hard time just peeling the fragile and thin beancurd skin open to stuff the rice in. Haiz... I didn't know it wa so difficult. Maybe first time make so no skill, if not the is porbably that pack of beancurd skin was trying to be hard on me.... Haiz! Thank God it was only 12. Broke a few but the rest was still alright! Ha ha... So had Jap dinner with my flatmates! Yeah!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Another friend is gonna leave again!!!! Haiz... think it is the time of the year where you have to say goodbyes. It's a sad time but yet happy to see your friends have compeleted their studies and moving on to their next stage of life. You feel sad but kinda excited for them at the same time as well. Today was a celebration and a farewell at the same time actually. Sarah-Jane's birthday was yesterday so we had to have a belated birthday for her cos it was only today that all of us can meet up. It is also her last week in Perth as she will be leaving for North Carolina in the free world for her exchange next sem. Ha ha.... so excitiing!!!! Me thinking of going for exchange too...ha ha! Anyway, we went to a buffet Korean BBQ today. Yeah... for those from Singapore, it's like Seoul Garden without the soup and the quality is much better. Some Korean veges, cooked dishes, thinly sliced meat and some seafood are on the menu. It's Hana Korean BBQ at Apple Cross. Price is a little steep but the food is good! The beef is superb and the Korean Tang Hoon (glass noodles) is just to die for....ha ha! Had fun just cooking and fellowshipping together...ha ha! There are those nice little cup jellies and cakes for dessert too...ha ha!
Anyway, dinner was not the end of it yet. The crazy bunch of us decided to to go Baskin's and grab a huge tub of ice cream before heading down to Heathcote in this cold winter night. It was dark and we all just sat near the jetty with the breeze and the cold winter night of say 10 to 12 degrees and eating ice cream...ha ha! We finally did the "eat ice cream in the winter nght without your jackets" challenge...ha ha! But seriously, the more ice cream you eat, you do feel warmer in the process as well. Probably is the sugar and the metabolism that is keeping you warm. So yeah, ice cream is still good for winter. Just remember it is NOT popsicles....ha ha! Besides ice cream Sarah-Jane had her leftover guitar-shaped chocolate cake too....ha ha! Wow... it was dessert and sugar overload for me. Ate till so full lah! But yeah, had lots of fun just catching up, sharing jokes and suaning each other....ha ha ha! Sarah-Jane, this post is for you! Wishing you all the best for your studies in America.
For the game between Brazil and Australia tonight, I was seriously shouting my lungs off...ha ha! Exciting match! I went for the underdogs and hoping Australia can have a miracle win or at least a draw. But alas, still Brazil won 2-0. Australia stood strong but proved not good enough for the Brazilians. They are really good! Their foot work with the ball is just amazing. I always picture them like dancers dribbling and handling the ball with nothing short of perfection!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Cooked curry for the first time in my life today...ha ha! Was in Freo the other day and was at Kakulas Sister and decided to get some "hot Indian Curry" powder...ha ha! Missed curry and those bottled ones at the supermarket aren't exactly the real thing. So i bought about 500g of curry powder and found out that it was just too much. Wow... I actually cooked curry for about 8 people today and all it took was 4 table spoon of curry powder...ha ha! And I mean this made the curry really thick and spicy. So I got way too much curry powder now stored in a bottle. So if any of you wanna grab some curry powder off me, just shout out to me and I'll gladly pass you some of it. Curry powder, coconut milk, some ginger and garlic, chicken and you are off to making some good curry....ha ha! Had to search the net for a curry recipe as I have next to no idea how to make curry....ha ha! But I have to say tonight's curry did turn out well. We had curry, roti prata, some fried Indian snacks, pork, egg and vege. Cooked up a storm today. It was all good! Cheers!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Had a long day out today. Not that I'm complaning or anything but feel kinda tired right now...ha ha! Anyway, went down to Freo with some friends today. Wanted to look for a birthday present but didn't get to see anything really nice though. Since I got to Perth, this is somehow the first time I actually went round Freo to shop and walk walk...ha ha! not just the main strip of cafes but most parts of it. Freo is actually more than just the cafes and Cicerellos. They actually have lots of funky and bohemian stuff around. Even really cool and nice cafes located away from Freo centre. Huiqian is going back to Singapore next week and today was like her pre-departure shopping spree. She actaully bought like $100 plus worth of chocolates and Tim Tams ready to go back to Sunny Singapore to spoil her family and friends...ha ha! You should have seen the whole trolley filled with Cocoa infested snacks and cookies....ha ha!
In the evening went down to City Garden with Ben Thomas and our cellies. Had a farewell dinner for him who wil be graduating and leaving Perth for good is about 1 or 2 weeks time. So many people are leaving. It's kinda sad to think about it. I'll still have 2 whole years here. Yeah... hoping to meet more new friends here every semester. Then went to Moon Cafe to hang out and chit chat. Had their chocolate pizza, Bacardi Cheesecake and some Clalmari. But the chocolate pizza at Little Caesar's is definitely much much better. And Clifford if you're reading this, we had fried intestine today at City Garden...ha ha ha!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Another World Cup update. Think all of us are hooking up on the game and fever man! Even during the exam period it is now....ha ha! Lucky I have ended my semester. Was over at Jiyoung's flat watching England battling out Trinidad & Tobago along with Connie and Derek. AS again, all the action and goals came at the end. The last 7 minutes that England finally squeezed out 2 goals. And I said squeezed.... England had as many Shots on target and near misses as the number of Tim Tams that you would have gobbled up while watching the match. Trinidad & Tobago again put up a really good fight for England though! Go underdogs! Like the NIke commercial... Stuff history!!!! Give the world something to scream about!!!! Final score was 2-1 to England! Expecting much more from them!!! Come on! Come on!!!!
Anyway, today cooked Hokkien Mee in the all Singapore Style....ha ha! First time I cooked Hokkien mee and it turned out not too bad. Yeah... another proven recipe which I will definitely do it again. Well, when you are in Ozzieland and start to miss some Singapore food, all you can do is try to cook up something yourself...ha ha! You can't just run down and buy a Hokkien mee for just $5 you know. Ha ha... I remember making Wanton for the first time here last sem. Ha ha... the thing is I was never taught to make Wanton or Hokkien Mee. All I got was will power and inspiration...ha ha! OK ok... and some creative ideas from those ready made packages. You just buy one time, learn what is inside and next time you can try to replicate it yourself. More to come! More to come! Stay warm!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Today finally have the chance to meet up with my Army friends. Yeah... I got Army friends even here in Perth. We were in the same camp some more and ORD roughly the same time. How cool is that...ha ha! Anyway, all of us had been busy and today it was high time we met up and talk about the World Cup...ha ha ha! Anyway, went to this place called Durty Nelly's, an Irish pub in the city, for a good T-Bone Dinner. *Thanks Clarence!* He told me of this place. Apparently they have specials every week nights. Today, Wednesdays, is the best. A T-Bone dinner for just $13.90 instead of $24. So yeah... was quite a good place as well. An Irish pub witht eh Irish experience. Actually they have 3 diffeent sections with 3 different settings, so if you ever wanna go, you can choose which are you wanna sit in....ha ha!
Yeah... after dinner ended up in Layton's house to watch Spain vs Ukraine. It was quite one sided game. Well, it's the World Cup man! Unexpected things SHOULD happen. I mean Australia beat Japan 3-1 in the last 6 minutes. Yeah... that's World Cup. I love to see the underdogs win! Good on you socceroos!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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1 week of holidays has passed for me. Packed my room, did some admin stuff, work out etc. Some of the stuff I did over the past week. Been desperately looking for a job but still no results. Tomorrow gonna give McDonald’s a call and hope it will be good news. Cos be going for a holiday so many are reluctant to employ. Anyway, I’m praying for the best. Just been talking to Ian and told him that I’ll wanna make my holiday time fruitful as well. So yeah, will be doing some special postings on the blog. Watch this space!
For all my friends who are reading this and having their exams, ALL THE BEST! May the Good Lord Bless you! Study Smart and stay cool!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Finally, the day has come. Just handed in take home exam! What a relief. Summer 2006 has ended for me. It is time to enjoy the winter holidays...ha ha! I must say, it was back to back for me for the past few weeks. This sem was much busier than last sem. What a relief that it is all over. Hope I have worked hard enough and praying for good results too...ha ha!
Tonight, the gang went out to Ogden’s for our dear Zen’s farewell. She’s going back already. Her graduating year as well and we are really gonna miss her when she’s gone back. Credit to Meisi for making such a lovely décor farewell card for Zen as well. Can’t believe after a really full meal we actually went down to Freo for milkshakes and pancakes at Fast Eddy’s. Really eat till we wanna burst lah! Enjoy the pics! Zen, this post is dedicated to you!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Guys night tonight! Arthur organised a guys only BBQ at his place. Some sort like a end of sem party. Went with him to the market this morning to get all the stuff. Absence of vegetables and lots of meat. We had Char Siew Chicken, Steak, Pork ribs, lamb, chicken curry, sausages. Of course not forgetting the onions, mushrooms and beer, the Ozzie style. Had a good time just hanging out with all the guys, sharing jokes and army stories...ha ha! Discovered some surprising relationships and links too! An interesting night I must say...ha ha! Played some mahjong before calling it a night!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
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Clarence stayed over at my place for his last night in Perth. He’s homeless for a night...ha ha! Anyway, woke up early today to send him to the airport. Wish you all the best bro. See you back her for convo if not catch you in Singapore at the end of the year! God Bless!
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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The Official Day of Winter here in the Southern Hemisphere has finally arrived again. The nights are getting cold but the days are still alright. Anyway, the last day of week 13; for me all is done except for 1 more take home exam due on Monday. Clifford is leaving back to Singapore tonight... so rush lah! But he’s going back to see his girlfriend so is forgiven... ha ha! Also, Clarence will be going back for good tomorrow. So we decided to throw a dinner gathering for them. Haiz... Clarence ah, you should have stayed a week longer and it won’t be so runsh for everyone…ha ha! Anyway, after that we went down to Mei’en’s place to give her a birthday surprise. She too, flying back to Singapore for her friend's wedding. The surprise went really well... ha ha! Seems that so many people are flying back to Singapore. Makes me miss home. Be staying in Ozzieland during the winter break. But anyway, be looking forward to my Eastern trip at the end of the month.
JOEL living for ETERNITY
11:59 PM
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Good Day!
JOEL in OZZZ
"Someday Someday, I will be the one Babe!"
lBonnie lGermaine lGina lHuimin lHuiyu lIanz lJacob lJialing lKanghui lLouisa lLydia lSarah lShallene lSonglee lTeresa lTiffany lYanchang lHana
