First 2 days of school...

Just finished my second day of school. I get to come back home all smiling now. School's all good. Slowly making friends and I realised I maybe one of the oldest in the course. Most of them are like 18 this year. Yikes! Today I had my first practical lesson. I still going through from slacker mode to school mode again cos I didn't read my school email. Said that you needed to buy certain drawing materials. Something like 6B Graphite Sticks, White Pastels, various Willow Charcoals and more. I walked into the studio and I was speechless. Huge studio but it was the part where I was expected to do that scared the shit outta me. Life drawing and soon I'll have to draw nudes. I'm awfully terrible at drawing seriously. I just really hope I can build up my skills in this class. I like the part where the lecturer wanted us to practise on lines. When you feel angry, what kinda lines. I was literally punching in my pencil into the paper and scribbled hard. She walked past and said that was very interesting. I thought everyone else was doing it. Oops!

At one point she wanted us to draw paper bags and I didn't quite get what she wanted. Thankfully, she came over and showed me the hatchings I was supposed to do. After a few minutes, she pop by and took my work to show to the other girls as an example. Hello? It ain't even good. The guys are awesome in their drawings especially those silent strong guys. They just sit one corner and ta da! Masterpiece! Man I'll kowtow to these blokes. I do like the people in my class. Funny thing was when I was in Rundle Mall and saw this Billy from Good Charlotte lookalike with the seriously black skinny type jeans, black makeup, long fringe that covers 3/4 of the face. I was admiring how he managed to get into those jeans and look good. Little did I know, he's in my class but he's a class clown. Drawing care bears.

Today's also my 10 month anniversary with dearest. Somehow it feels longer than that but luckily my presents came earlier. Hope he likes them. *cross fingers*

It was weird on sunday. I was online most of the day and I had 3 different people coming up to me for advice. Suddenly it became Aunt Agony Claire day eh? I'm happy to help but i'm surprised you guys ask me at the same time. *question marks all over my head* Well, I hope my friend who has alot of things similar to me is doing alright. Hope you got the chance to celebrate that special day with your special one. You know who you are ;)

Oh I forgot to mention one guy I met on the first day. He's got the coolest jobs! He's a skater dude and he used to take photos for skating mags. Currently he's working at a print shop where he gets to do alittle bit of desigining. Lucky fellow!

Anyway, more drastic days to come. I got a feeling I have to do painting. Yikes! Haven't touched a paintbrush since sec 2. Aiy! I gotta buck up now and yeah I've got homework to draw my sneaker and a piece of popcorn. No worries...I will survive!! I think?

Tonight will be my dad's last night here. Pretty confident that I can get through this on my own here. Just got back from a badminton game with my neighbours. It was his old secondary school and man! They have great facilities! The pool and diving pool, the 4 indoor basketball courts and the huge soccer field and more. Was watching the guys playing water polo and they're pretty good. Great defence! To me, seeing the pool is like strike gold but this happens to be an all boys school. At night, the old boys and their friends just come and use the facilities.

Haven't played badminton in a really long time. I know I'm gonna wake up feeling sore tomorrow especially the butt muscles. Whenever I play badminton, my butt is always sore. The stretching and all. All asians tonight. Mostly ABCs. Met one girl from China. Really nice and she's into swimming. She wants to get into shape before her parents come over to visit her. So more or less I need to get a swim suit now. Can't possibly use the current one indoors right?

Today I was off to a funny start. As in, I couldn't stop laughing this morning. When we arrived at the carpark at the mall, we drove pass this couple and their baby. The mother had a pacifier in her mouth and I laughed. She saw me and was looking helpless. So happened that we bumped to each other at the ground floor. She was laughing and telling her husband about me and there I was, controlling my giggles. It's a really funny sight.

Went back to my favourite store in Glen Osmond. JeanWest. Cheap cheap cheap stuff. There's a whole row of shops that are having clearance. Even got a new pair of sunnies along the way. After that we headed to the beach area in Gleneg. Checked out the place there and woah! Expensive area and they have their mini boat quay. They're so lucky cos they have the surfs and sun. And I, waiting for an opportunity to head to the beach by myself. Haven't met anyone with the same interests. No worries. Won't be going into the water. Too many reports about sharks in Australia. In Brisbane, beaches have to be closed as the sharks are migrating so it's filled with hundreds of sharks. Over at my side, a fisherman caught a bull shark at the same place where I was walking.

Great surf shop there. All the surfboards there are making me envious. I wanna surf but the sharks! Cool surfer dudes and surfer chicks at the store. The chick was helping me out with some stuff when her friend walked by. She hugged him and asked him 'Have I gone out with you before?'. Guy doesn't think so. He replies 'Why haven't you gone out with me?'. 'Don't feel like it.' But they're all cool.

Enough of the long blog...Gonna sleep early cos the real estate people will be coming by to check out the place. Couple of problems like the washer is spoilt, cardboards can't close properly, no handles and all. Sucks now that I can't get Channel 9. Dumb tree outside blocking my signals. Have a good weekend!

Mini boat quay at Gleneg.

Surfboards at surf shop.

Just enjoyed the best thing in the house - my dearest heater. It's such a life saver and I love it to death! Bought another one today because my dad realised that the most highly dangerous place (just the coldest) is the bathroom. After a nice hot shower, you push the shower curtains and ta da! Wind comes in and freezes you. We have to keep the gap in the bathroom window and the balcony window to keep the air circulating in the house. Showering in the evenings are the worst! Imagine after the shower, I quickly pop into my room and sit in front of the heater to warm my toes.

The temperature at night drops like crazy. So far coldest was 15 degrees. Roaming out in the day is another story. We have been having really sunny weather here even though it's been flutuating from 26 - 35 degrees. The one with the 35 was a killer! No clouds in the sky and no breeze. Both dad and I got slightly burnt even though I put some cream on.

I'm slowly settling into the new place. It's pretty neat and I've been warned about the night life. A lot of people we have met told us that it's really dangerous at night. We met one local at the hills who kept telling me to be extra careful of people who offer rides. Because in the past few months, drug dealers have been eyeing on foreign students. Getting them into the car and after that, murder. The youths from 13 - 30 years are really outta hand when given the chance. One morning, there was one guy bashing up a phone booth shouting vulgarity which made the whole street stop to look at him. Sadly the phone booth was too good for him that after he left, that little metal container is still in one good shape.

Worse days? Friday and saturday nights. Already we had a couple of guys drinking themselves silly behind my place. I just kept the lights on so that they won't try to do anything funny. Met my next door neighbours. A new-wed chinese couple who has been here for 2 years. They nearly had their house broken into through the window. Dad already bolted up the bedroom windows and only kept the bathroom window less than 2 inches open. There's a special method to bolt up the windows where you can still open up the windows. Thanks to the tip my lovely neighbours gave. So sad! They're leaving in 2, 3 weeks time. They bought a new house 7km away from the city. And plus I heard that previously there were a couple of gay guys who rented my current place and they kept blasting gay music! That's the closest I get to meeting a gay guy??

Waiting to get my internet connection set up. Currently we are using a really unusual method of connecting which thou shall not say for there are eyes roaming in this lovely world wide web. Struggling on a dial up but managed to send some pictures of my new place to mom so that she'll feel alright. Will do my best to put up pictures especially with the latest ones today.

Visited Victor Harbour where we got to ride on the horse tram across the causeway to Granite Island. Great view and you get to see some other visitors like the seals and the penguins who were disturbed by kids. Been meeting alot of dogs and taking little photos of them. They're really adorable! Played with 4 more today and I would love to have them but they're rather a handful. Or a huge handful! 4 huge blokes fighting over a cloth bunny. I petty the bunny.

Lastest case in Adelaide. A drunk driver was driving at night. Didn't see a big group of teenagers standing by the side of the road waiting for a cab after a party. Car went straight for them and 6 teenagers are dead. Driver got out of the car, left his two injured kids in the car and ran for his life. Apparently he hid in the nearest vineyard. One of the worse part was 2 of the teenagers were brother and sister. Parents lose their kids.

Problem here is that they love to drink themselves silly at nights. In the morning when you head out and you can see drunkards on their way back. Bare-footed, can't walk straight. It's really sad. Sad for the families who have been affected. Watching them on the news with friends crying. Gee.

Nickelback coming to adelaide in march! Woot! No money to go! Boo! Sigh...nickelback siah. *frowns*

Gotta do the laundry now. Take care!

grapes at the vineyard
horse tram at victor harbour
view at victor harbour
2 blokes fighting over a bunny

A new place

Loving my new place now. Collected the key yesterday and the delivery guys came today. Of all things, the appliance guy and the furniture guys (both from different shops) came at the same time. Delivery guys are your typical australian ones. One had a shaven head with a beaded beard, complete with tattoos but super nice. Pretty cool dudes. Too bad they caught me in the middle of my lunch. Now all the main stuff is in. My sister insists that i shouldn't get a sofa. Screamed at me actually. She was like what in the world do i need a couch for? So now I don't have anything to laze on while watching tv. She's already has a sofa over at her side. I don't care...when she visits, she gets the floor! *evil laugh*

Had my orientation on monday but I'll be skipping the rest of the orientation for the rest of the week. Figure that the apartment comes first. Can't believe that my course has no local people, no australians. All international people. 1 singaporean dude called justin...again, others from norway, denmark, canada, new mexico, pakistan, germany and korea. Managed to make friends with the pakistan girl. She has very unique features and we went for the art briefing together. All the white people were staring at us like how does a traditional pakistan girl and a chinese girl make friends?

During the get-together, was talking to the german guy when halfway the new mexico girl just jumped in our conversations, forcing me out. So I just stepped out. Can tell that she doesn't like me. 2 reasons: Either she doesn't like asians or she doesn't like people who associate with muslims or something. No offence to anyone but this is just sad.

Somehow meeting this girl reminds me of back in poly. First day the first person I made friends with was Siti except this new girl talks alittle less. Oops! I can sense someone wants to 'hum tum' me. Chill Siti! I like you just the way you are.

Had another surprise where my mom sent out my DHL boxes the last night and it came this afternoon. Usually it should take up to 3 days. Really lucky i was at my apartment to collect my barang. My computer is here! Woohoo! But no internet connection though.

Tried to sign up for Optus for the internet and phone line. After spending so much time, then they called up someone and said that i have to be in the country for at least 3 months before they can sign me up. A whole lot of f*** bullshit! Wasted half of my morning! Anyway, trying another company now. They're allowing $1.98 per 30 minutes. A much better deal compared to dumb optus $2.00 per 20 minutes.

Oh well...officially moving in tomorrow. Hope everyone enjoyed their valentine's day. I know I didn't but received a surprised call from dear at night. I thought he was outfield but they were let off because of the occasion. Quite depressing for me. Couples together with flowers...together. *sob* Happy valentine's day!

Shoutout from downunder

Hey guys! Had a really sad departure and a really bad flight. My first flight from singapore to melbourne was simply terrible! It was so cramp on a British Airways flight and I had some giant tree in front of me who pushed his chair so far back and had a woman who kept pushing my chair forward, resulting a claire sandwich maybe a pancake. Had dinner on board at 10pm(sg time), followed by dinner at 2am. Didn't get much sleep so off to the second flight from Melbourne to Adelaide. About 4am(still sg time), we had another breakfast and my dad and i got so tired of eating. Skipped lunch that day.

Rushed to get a prepaid card and the bank stuff done. I was dropping to sleep just by talking to the banker. Trust me, that's how tired i am. Checked into the motel and off the bed I go. had a beautiful nap for 3 hours cos i got woken up for dinner. had jap food.

Adelaide's alright. I find that the people in town have pretty grouchy faces. Guess they really hate going to work eh? Other that that, the ladies here are pretty fashionable. my gosh! even the teenagers piled on makeup to look mature. I feel so 'small' here. I've seen girls who don't dress originally. There's the jessica simpson, paris hilton and one who puts on makeup like shania twain(country singer).

Today had some encounter with 'basketballs'. We were in the lift with other people and there was this big lady behind me. when the lift door opened, she squeezed herself out between me and my dad. Imagine her boobs were the same level as my eye level. Trust me in that position, you are forced to look the boobs even though you try to turn away. They're all over! She wore this super low cut blouse and there will be jelly basketballs which i found utterly disgusting. If a guy were at my place, he might praise the lord though.

i finally found a small apartment on the ground floor. A lot of people were eyeing on it cos it's a good location alittle outside the city. I have the bus stop and walking distance to the tram. a lot of old folks there. Who knows I may have my own deperate housewives episode there? *ponders*

Have something big going on valentine's day. It's a big big thing!! I'll be having guys over at my place! yes! Moving in the furniture that i have rented! i would rather be spending my day with my dearest but we're far apart. *sob sob* oh well, a short talk on the phone to celebrate though.

Take care and missing you guys! *smuacks*

Don't Say Goodbye...

It's my last night in singapore and it's pouring! Can you believe it? It hasn't rain properly for a while and it had to rain tonight. Nothing wrong with that actually.

These past few days has been both wonderful and sad. Met up with my sec school friends, poly mates and spend more quality time with my family. My family is growing so tight together that we're pretty good at skyping one another especially my aunt from finland. For my dearest friends, I am sad to leave you guys but i'm trying to cover up with a smile.

To my sec school mates, thank you for your wonderful presents especially a particular one which stood out. Looked more like the evolution of Claire since sec 1? My gosh...was covering my face just looking at those pics. Thank for your words which i'll keep in mind with me. For the swimming khakis, keep swimming! Don't wait for me to organise for you guys even though i'm in another continent!

To my poly mates, it's been a wonderful 3 years and going. Best people you can ever meet. Laugh so much with you guys. To Siti, be firm with the kids! If there's anything you need help with, feel free to email if not, ask sharifah how to discipline. She's mighty good...i think. For the guys, hang in there with ns. Be a man!

To my dearest babe, we can always ignore what shih han says you-know-what. Best thing that has happen last year. Love you lots and don't be sad! I've asked some of the guys to cheer you up if they have to corporal depressed!

I really hope there'll be a miracle for Fievel to have a fulfill life and keep on living. I really want to see him again. He is my baby, my precious. I'm gonna miss kissing him, tickling, make him do weird tricks. *sniffs*

It's not goodbye people. I'll be back in december to terrorize *evil laugh* Oops! Take care and I'm gonna miss everyone! *sobs*

Something magical happen and then one huge hurdle is over. This is the best going-away present for myself. *grins*