Australia in General

Melbourne, capital city of Victoria, is located all the way at the bottom, south east of Australia. Housing nearly 4 million people in this city alone, it naturally became the centre of art, culture, education, sport, culinaries, entertainment and obviously tourism. Greeks, Italians, Australians and the Chinese, just to name a few of the many, even have their own precincts in the Central Business District (CBD), main hub of all cultures and people.

Melbourne’s known for/by a few things:

• 
  
  Classified as a “Beta World City” by Loughborough University’s GaWC Research Network
• 
  
  City of Literature by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network
• 
  
  Top 3 ‘World’s Most Livable’ cities by Economist Group’s Intelligence Unit
• 
  
  Top 10 ‘Global University Cities’ by RMIT’s Global University Cities Index
• 
  
  Top 20 ‘Innovation Cities’ by 2thinknow® Global Innovation Agency
• 
  
  World’s Largest Tram Network

Ain’t this something to be proud of? (smiles)

Zooming in to Melbourne!

Cool Fact:

 In 1835, Melbourne was initially known by the name of “Bearbrass”, which changed to it’s existing name in 1837 with respect to William Lamb and Melbourne was in fact, declared a CITY by the Queen Victoria only in the year 1847.

Well, that’s the gist of Melbourne and it’s participation with the world. The next post will be on the specifics of Melbourne.

Meantime, Cheers!

Name Changing Ceremony

Welcome to the grand opening of my new blog name (aka Purpose)! ><

This time, i would be sharing more about my experiences on travel, food and places i have been to, in my now current position and city, Melbourne. And hopefully, by the time i leave in two years, i would be a fully qualified “insider” and when i am in the process of reaching that stage in life, i hope my blog will aid other new comers and of course, friends, in navigating about Melbourne with ease.

Hope you’d give all your support to me and root + push behind me all the way!


Cheers, love, food and wine!
June

Travel Blog?

You know what? I had a sudden "brain storm" or more of a thought if you'd like it, to start my very own travel blog! Since i AM in a new country and i AM sort of a tourist cum student here.

So... I will!

Well, i suppose i would have to begin with all the things and places i have ever visited or did here in Melbourne since February the 19th? I will try...

Wish me luck and support me alright?

Cheers!

P.S. Here are some books to help you out with.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Was jogging this evening and i discovered three things today!

• 
  
  I saw two little girls (who probably dress better than me) trying to raise money by singing High School Musical songs in front of their house, at the side of the road. And the few times i passed their house, they were still there! Such determination for someone so young. But i think they were enjoying each other's singing more than actually promoting their songs. And their paper read something like "Come hear us sing! We will be sure to make you laugh!" with a smiley face at the end of the A4 paper. THAT, would definitely not be seen in Malaysia. So it makes a nice change for me. =)

• 
  
  I discovered a new jogging track! Koonung Trail! Its deifinitely a Must-Go-Again cause i really love the environment! The air, cool and fresh. And there is a two way track that sort of runs like a mini road for joggers and cyclists ONLY to exercise. It kinda motivated me to jog continously cause of the people who DID also jog continously. >< I have to save face and keep up my public appearance don't i? Haha! But the area is really lovely with the evening sky sprawled across like a legendary-ly beautiful painting. I have never seen such clouds with clear definitions, lines and colours before! It seriously is like a computer generated picture!

• 
  
  And the third thing i dicovered, is that i was unconditionally, and irrevocably in  love with Edward Cullen. =) Haha! Nah... Just kidding! What i really realized, is that Gabriella Cilmi's song - "On A Mission" is a HORRIBLE SONG! URGH! I dont know how anyone singing that song can get so famous! Maybe in Aussie only? I dont think it can get to international. I hope not! >< But it is still a good song to jog to cause of the nice beat. =D

Tata for now!

News Flash

Cleaned 'basement cum bedroom' and getting ready for Cherrie's arrival to Melbourne this Tuesday. I can't wait! At last a familiar and friendly face! I even made an itinerary ready to show her around! Especially to posh shopping mall "Westfield Shoppingtown". >< She's flying in from Queensland, Brisbane while Felicia and Swee is also flying off some where else in conjunction with the Easter hols. Pardon me but i forgot the place they are heading to. Teehee.

And today is the first time i ever experienced Daylight Saving! We switched all our clocks and watches (which i have a lot of them unfortunately) to an hour back. It's to make our days longer and night's shorter i suppose. So i am just 2 hours ahead of Malaysia! =)

Watched Pocoyo (cute animated cartoon) with Annabelle today. I think i enjoyed it more than she did. Ever since i got here, i was deprived from TV entertainment cause all the channels are either sports, gardening, news, adverts, or channels trying to-sell-me-things. THAT's ALL. Myehhh... So cartoon's the only thing soothing to my eyes now like ice on a bloody wound. Bet that would sting though. I've already watched the whole series of Studio Ghibli since i got here. ><

See you!

You are special to me.

And i thought you think the same for me too.

But i guess not anymore.

I always tell myself i understand and made excuses for you.

But in fact, i don't understand.

I don't even know why i keep trying.

And i don't feel like caring anymore.

Now, you WERE special to me.

A Day Where All Things Will Begin Again

A new day, a new month, in a new place. Its 9.14am on a sunny Saturday morning and i'm blogging when i could still be tucked away neatly in my warm and cozy bed. Sometimes people have weird pangs of doing things don't they. And nothing  can stop them at it.

Well, it's not all happy-joy-joy-rolling-around-doing-cartwheels kinda thing here in Melbourne for the month and a half im here. I was (note the past tense) miserable even on the first day i got here and was doing 'what-the-hell am-i-doing-here' kinda mind war. I thought it was a mistake. And even now, EVERY minute, i'm thinking it's a mistake coming here and i should have stayed where i was surrounded by familiar faces and friends. But that got me thinking, "What do i get back if i stayed at home till the day i shift out or get married or somewhat?" I would have to start my life THAT time wouldn't it? So it's a blessing in disguise of hardship to toughen me up, buttering me for harder paths ahead.

In maybe 5 years time, i will be looking back and saying to myself "That problem was so minor and bullshit-y! How could i ever have troubled myself over THAT?". Yes, i'm sure you get that too don't you? We all do. Like when i was in college and thinking i MUST get that pair of shoes otherwise i will be so un-cool and don't fit in. Or when i was in secondary 3 and thinks that i must get everybody to like me, so i was treated more like a slave than a helpful friend. Those things were so.... (flicked last finger).... minor! And the worse part is i let it get the better of me! I let that dreadful feeling, that i was small (though i am but i'm meaning mind small) and worthless and not good enough for the world and everything i do always fails or ends badly, concentrate in my mind! Yes! I unknowingly was thinking about all the bad things that were happening to me and kept re-enforcing in my mind that im worthless!

And now.. I realised i have so much of  a better personality, life and most importantly the mind now then i was last 5 years. I'm always reading and get people or emails telling me..

"You must ALWAYS look on the brighter, positive side of things no matter how shitty your situation's been"

I know its HARD! But i keep trying! Because if i drown myself in sorrow now thinking, "oh how i wish this" and "how i wish that", im only going to worry my family and friends and well... basically people who loves me. And they may not know this, but they mean the world to me. They all do. Guess my constantly wanting to please people trait would always be inside of me. The Facebook app. said that i'm the spirit that brings happiness onto others. Haha! Eventhough its only "Facebook", but i would like to believe so. ><

Well! Eventhough i stayed positive, i still have not much friends yet! Haha! The people at school i wouldnt really call them friends yet. But back in March, i had a group assignment, and i met this mix of people and personalities and the best part is, we all clicked! We worked perfectly alongside one another, helping each other, stressing together cause of last minute work. And i swear. That this was the BEST assignment i ever had. Not because of the title of the assgn, which was "Latest Assisted Reproductive Technologies" (absolute bore), but because of my new friends. Let me give some credit to Keisuke (Japan), Van (Sydney), William (Vietnam), Dheshnee (Africa), and Lydia (I dont know).  ><

Hmm.. That's about it! Need to eat breakfast, which is now officially my favourite meal of the day because of.......MILO (heavenly music plays in the background)........ Haha! I am seriously ADDICTED to Milo! That is kinda bad isn't it? =( But i cant help it! Anyway, Hey guys, Woolworths is selling two 750g Milo tin for only $10 in conjunction with Easter! WHOOOHOOO! I've bought two cans already yesterday. Im going again today to get 2 more to stock for the Autumn. Its getting cold here! My feet and fingers are always blue. =S Worrisome.. See you!

P.S. Attending as Guest Judge to my cousin's Ramen Cookoff tonight! Good food for free? Who doesn't like being a judge? =)

P.P.S. My phone bill this month is $40!! I died yesterday in front of the computer when i saw the bill.

Life in Melbourne

After a month plus, I am back on the scene people! Since that starting-of-new-life fateful day i boarded the plane, i realised, i truly did change my lifestyle and my personality! And i should put this in : This is only for a month i'm here. Who knows what i will be by December 2010? Fat? Shorter? Taller (hopefully)? Haha! Well, actually not on physically but more on mental changes i hope. ><

So! This is Melbourne CBD everyone! Nice picture. I think cbd stands for Central Business District? But truth be told, i have never been to the city AT ALL ever since i've been here! Well, maybe once. With Fiona, Nicholas and Chakhan (and his friend: Eric). And fortunately for me, but unfortunate for the insurance company, there was hail that day! Imagine that! My first hail! I know i shouldnt be excited over a minor thing like this but....STILL! The after effects of the hail was prertty bad though. The newspapers were loaded with news bout how the insurance companies suffer great losses cause of complaints due to damaged cars and houses.

We went for lunch at the Rose Garden Restaurant on Elizabeth Street. The picture above IS Elizabeth street! Just in older times. The newer Street would look like this:

=) Haha! Hmmm... So i  have settled into my aunt's home in Doncaster. Just 30-40 minutes away from my university by train and bus rid in Glenferrie.

TADA! This is my new univeristy! And although the Hawthorn campus is pretty tiny compared to famous uni's like Uni of Melbourne or Uni of NSW, it actually is easier to get around i suppose? And Swinburne has many campuses all around Victoria like the Wartina, Prahran, Lilydale, ETC Campuses. Let's take a look around my campus (Hawthorn)! (All pictures are from Google and not from me)

And that's all! >< Nah.. There are still the academic buildings which i cant seem to find the pictures online.

Ah! Im now eating this fantastic choc bun from Bakers Delight (renowed for its Delicious and soft Hot Cross buns), while typing this. IM TELLING YOU! If ever you come to Melbourne or to Aussie, eat Hot Cross Bun from B.D.! Come come... Let me show you some pictures...

Ooosshh! >< And another thing new to me here is the transport system or known here as Metlink.

Yes, Sometimes, i get squished on the trains and buses like this during peak hours which are normally during the time i set off for the uni and back home. And the heat and smell is sooooo STINKY! Even stinky is an understatement! And i would like to mention too that all of them are so tall and im also so "tall". You can guess the height at which my nose and face will be at most of the time. >< But i love the people here especially at public places. Firstly, the guys are such gentlemen letting you pass first, or opening the doors for you. And unlike Malaysians, Melbournians do not PUSH or PULL or RUSH about or just being "Kiasu" simply, at entrances of buses and trains or ANYWHERE i should say. Which is normally the case in Malysia ain't it? Not that im condemning my own country. I love Malaysia! It's just some factors that are obviously much better here and...what's not to like you know?

And another thing new for me would be the MONEY. When i first came here, it feels so weird to look at some bunch of papers and copper/silver/metal discs that are so foreign instead of the usual Malaysian money! They even have $2 dollar coins for heaven's sake! >< Not that it's a sin or anything. But they have....so far what i've seen is the $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c. And the smaller the value of the coin, the LARGER the coin. =,= Except for the 5 cents though. Its understandably small. =)

Alright! Gtg! More from June soon. See you!