First week back at uni

Been quite a long time since I've updated. So sharifah has said. Been really busy in fact. New stuff, new units, new (& more) homework. Already this week, for one unit, my workload has tripled since last semester. If it's just the first week, hoho...more to come in the coming weeks. Been great to see everyone back. Sharing most of my classes with couple of my mates. Not sure about Camilla. She's only coming back this week which I know she will have a whole lot to catch up on. So sad that Jacintha's dropping out :( Then we had a surprise when all of us got reshuffled back to our own classes. Yay! My own classroom back! I was surprised myself when my holiday journal actually worked for my teacher cos mine was almost completely opposite from everyone else. Everyone cut and pasted stuff, went out to experiment and I just drew. Thinking I'm in trouble all the way.

I enrolled in a class which I was exempted from. It was photoshop all over again and I talked to the teacher who's really tall, intimidating russian/german lady. She didn't seem happy that I had learnt it elsewhere and was questioning me. Her face was so close to mine that I was thinking all the time 'Woah!! Comfort zone please!' Finally came to an agreement that I will talk to a course coordinator whom didn't get back to me. Michael told me he dropped out but saw the head coordinator and director instead. The director nice enough to meet me on my day off to sort things out. Phew! I want the extra time to concentrate on my triple load.

Trying to sort some time out to start on work but my head's been working overtime. Thinking about design all the time that my head literally hurts. Before bed, think. First time I wake up, think. Went for my swim to clear my head but ended up pushing both mind and body harder with the 1.2km. Muscles aching the next day. Told my teacher and she was like 'it's good! and we want you to push further!' Tanya, very soon I'll be seeing a shrink if I pushed further.

With dad here, took a day off to go to Hahndorf. Been wet and cold and it's usually colder in the hills so I think it was about 10 degrees and below. Visit the Hahndorf Hills Winery where we tasted wine, had a beautiful lunch by the fireplace though the fireplace wasn't warm enough. Played ball with two dogs in the winery carpark. They're so adorable. They sabotaged you before you can get out of the car. One of them came to me with a ball. Ended up playing ball with them where that fellow ran so fast that I didn't get a chance to go into the house. They followed me all the way to the top in front of the door and I was still throwing the ball for him. According to the employees there, they love to sabotage people with the ball. Making sure people play with them and be spoilt. During the summer, they would lay in front of the door so that people would have to walk over them and pet them before anyone could leave. Now how can you resist that?

I managed to get a vintage magazine from the 70s, a vintage postcard of Nestle back in early 40s I think. I'm obsessed with vintage stuff. I'll scout and pay for the cheapest. I was glowing when I got them haha. Finally went back to the garden where I bought my lavender with zeren. Asked the guy how to look after them. I'm supposed to water them once a week. And I've been watering them alternate days. No wonder.

Went to a japanese restaurant at night where everything about it turned me off. It's like sakae sushi except they have a train instead of a conveyor belt. The serving is freaking small which made me feel like food rationing. The people weren't even japanese. They were chinese! Had to get out fast. Knew that the guy making the sushi heard us commenting. No wonder no asians patronise this place, only the aussies. They can fool them but they can't fool us. What a ripper!! Went to Cibo Espresso for hot chocolate. More inspiration in the art pieces there. Light bulb went off in my head. Sweet!

Now everyday I have singing colourful birds in my trees. Hope it's not mating season. Head for cover! Picture & a video time!


Playing ball with the dogs

I love his eyes

I would love to cuddle this one. Big fellow with thick fur.

This ain't heavy rain, it's purely fog outside

Met up with some old friends

I love this bear but it's expensive. Great fur

Fairy Garden. Always ring the bell!

I wanted this in my garden but I'm afraid it won't last with me. It's me after all

Viewing fruity art during lunch

Feeding the ducks

One of my dream cars - Vintage Cadillac

Bought a bottle of rose from Hahndorf Hills Winery. I love the taste of this one.

Burning sunrise behind my place

Cherry Blossoms

Someone waiting for my peanut butter and jam sandwich

I find some australian blokes really interesting in their romantic way. Today I saw two examples while I was printing photos in the city. One typical rugby player size guy. Big rugged dude was walking past this jewellery shop and he stopped and reversed back. He started to walk again before reversing back to look at the jewellery. Looks like some girl's gonna be lucky haha.

Second case was this cyclist who had flowers in his hand. Not those which you buy but those that you pick out from somewhere. Some bunch of white flowers which I later found out he had plucked from the row of white flowers outside the Medina Grand Hotel. There was an hole in one of the pots. Well, it is for a good cause.

One of the classic cases I can still remember was this teenage boy in uniform. His face is priceless and it's like a tv ad in front of me. He was seeing his crush or girlfriend crossing the road and his face looked higher than cloud 9 and he just stop there at the edge of the pavement, smiling away with his eyes still on the girl while blocking people who are crossing the road. Really classic.

Though there are the opposites. I was walking straight, and two big guys came in from my right. They stopped to look around so I continued on straight when at the same time, they didn't see me and wanted to walk on. They're really tall so don't think they saw this person below their shoulders. After I walked past, I heard one of the guys saying 'Where the hell ya going?'. Not sure whether it was directed at me, or his friend. But I quickly walked on cos they do look like the type who would pound me with one fist. Regardless of me being a girl. Hope I don't meet them again. Next time though, I'll wear a sign. Please do not step on me!

I love today's episode of Queer Eye For A Straight Guy. Countless times I said 'aww' in this one. 5 gay guys who decided to plan a wedding for a straight guy and his fiancee in one day. Straight guy is a vet and so is his wife-to-be. He did his makeover and picked her up from work in his suit (fab!) and told her that the party tonight was switched to their wedding. Think it took a long while for her to digest. Everyone was so worried she might pull out because it was so sudden but luckily everything came through. His dog was his ring-bearer. His dane is so cute! Really small wedding which I think are the best. All of this in one day can be compared to one of Oprah's dream wedding planning. One day is definitely amazing. Gay guys are definitely a girl's best friend. Haha. I wanna meet Carson lol.

Anyway, I finally got my camera. Film camera this time. Plus I did a photoshoot with the wooden man for my theme journal.

Olympus OM20

I love the hand gesture

Too much or overdoing is never a good thing. Causes pressure and friction somewhere (even with yourself). I have not received a day with no phone calls. Still have the occasional bank or wrong number. It does get very tiring and irritating to get phone calls from the same person everyday. Hearing the same or similar information over has driven me to the point where I simply do not want to know, I do not want to care. What happened about breathing space? Why do I get people who love to take that away from me? What have I done to deserve it? Thankfully, I have two people who know me well. Really grateful to Siti and Zeren. They're supposed to be 'best friends' for 30(??) years though they keep forgetting each other's birthday. Luckily I still know I have another someone back home I can depend on.

Going for the nerd look for the past two weeks. I have been hailed the 'duchess of clumpsiness' by Susie. I lost one side of my contacts. Usually I put a stopper in the sink (for some reason, aus sink holes are huge). I was holding my right side and the water was getting a bit much, so I lifted the stopped alittle to drain out the water. Little did I know, the tiny contact slipped from my fingers and down it went. Felt like kicking myself after that. Only good side is, I don't have to worry about dry eyes but still ... *kicks harder*

Now I'm addicted to a new show. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Watching 5 gay guys make over a straight guy, by teaching him cooking, decorating his whole house for him, help him to improve his life with family and friends, styling, fashion. Carson is the funniest. Kyan and Jai are so good-looking! Too bad... Wish they come and help this girl instead haha.

Went to Glenelg today to get Dad's camera check out. Shutter was spoilt so might as well get a new one. Will go to Central Market to get it instead. They have lens with 1.4 aperture. While waiting for the Oyster shop to open, I went next door to check out new cds and second hand cds. There was this man about 60 years old next to me. He asked me whether I knew this Irish band called the Pogs (think it's wrong spelling). Ended up chatting and he's a retired jockey who used to race in the race tracks near Glenelg. Asked me what I was studying and mentioned I was gonna do photography. He had some photos of his jockey days where he had his first ride when he was 15, the first jump he had, the first medal etc. He wanted to put all of them together and thought I could help him. I can only think about it cos we just met. Shook hands, he gave a friendly peck and see how it goes.

Finally! Oyster Shop open! Last time I came here was on my birthday with Zeren. Supposedly the best fish n chips in Adelaide. No worries mom, cooked with cholestral-free oil. Had to wait 15 minutes cos it was so crowded. When my name was called, the guy was teaching a new staff at the same time.

"Then you have to follow what the order says here and it's all about hard work. Right Claire?"

"Right."

Smiled at the girl and hope she does well.

To end off this entry, I decided to make an appearance in my journal and someone else makes his little appearance as well. Have a good one guys!





Fish n Chips Takeaway



Friend sent this video. Another version of 'Hollaback Girl'. I have to say, these guys are very creative.

Only here that I get to see the dirty truth about what is going on. Made me see things from different sides and it has added to my frustrations.

All I want is a trouble free day. No phone calls, no letters. I never knew being miles away digs things up but at least I know what is going on. Just hope my prayers be answered and no questions to be asked.

For the past three days, I've been wondering how come people are suddenly nice to me. Not people I know but strangers. Like the bunch of teenage boys I see every sunday on my way to get the paper. Out of the blue, they started saying 'hello' and 'morning' with huge smiles on their faces. Then there's the old lady from Aurthur Street, this middle age man at the supermarket, this granddad along my street, the news agent. Don't get me wrong here. Aussies are nice when they want to be. The usual I get is when someone happens to look in my direction, I usually look up and smile at them but I don't get the same response. They usually quickly turn away. So this is something refreshing. Wonder how long this streak will last? *ponders*

All along I have been doing reality checks for other things like finances & the journal. But I haven't done one on myself until Renee ask me a question, 'Don't you feel lonely?' Something I never really thought of. Everyday I'm always thinking of what to do, where to go. Get out of the house and study people for the journal. Thanks Renee for that question.

Speaking of which, sometimes I wish people do reality checks on themselves before making a decision. I know who should.

This has to be the only cute picture of Claire ever.

Claire Bear!

Saw it at the news agency and somehow had to get it. Now I have two small bears. Think I know why I'm so drawn to them. I miss having my little guy around with me. I miss Fievel. If only they sold hamsters in Adelaide, i'll definitely consider having one. I wouldn't be that lonely, would i? Someone to share my food :D

Yesterday I met up with Renee. She was tired of talking to her sis and wanted to talk to someone else. We saw a dead possum near my place. This one looked worse. Bulging eyes, bloody tongue. Reminded me of Finn. I suspect someone is poisoning these possums. Bastards!

So I introduced Renee to Quince. Yes I'm introducing everyone to Quince. I ordered the hearty duck pie. A little expensive cos duck is not very common here. My gosh! It tastes really beautiful. I haven't had duck since some time back in singapore. Roast duck. Oh! I want roast duck haha!

3 drawings for today and finally I can go to one drawing a day. I can do it!

Two Claires

A page from my journal

My duck pie

Renee's Brechetta

Best looking hot chocolate so far

Guide puppy in training at the next table

Dead possum 2

New dishes

Pasta with rocket & pastrami, topped with olive oil

Mince beef stew with onions, tomatos and cashew on pita bread. Recipe from the newspaper.

Finally the perfect day to snuggle under covers, have some hot chocolate, sit by the heater. Rain and strong wind (this morning, my scarf was nearly blown away). But I don't get to do all that. Today is the second job interview so got to get my gear, strap on those boots. Just got back not too long ago and according to the girl, she said it was a good interview. I felt it was quite alright, nothing biggy. Somehow I still wish that I would get the cafe job. More perks compared to this.

Funny how I passed by this busker at Rundle Mall. He suddenly sang 'When I'm lonely, it's cold, I cry, cry, cry...'. IRoNy! Thanks for describing how I felt 1 1/2 months ago. No change for you.

Recently the real estate gave me another scare. There was a second surprise inspection. One of the girls dropped by my place to hand me the letter personally, saying that the landlord was thinking of selling the place. I asked her if I had to move but she just said she's just here to deliver the letter. Her silence to my question has kept my worrying for the next two days. Will I have to move out? Yesterday, I was surprised that the boss of the real estate came to do the inspection himself. Old guy whom I thought it was 60 but he asked me to guess his age and revealed he was 72. He was wearing a suit and had a bluetooth headset on. My, imagine a 72 year old singapore ah pek doing that.

Mainly he reassured me before I could ask which was a huge relief. He just wanted to check if there's any maintainence problems or cracks (tis' the season for cracks). He ended up looking at my drawings and was telling me to try selling them since his friend earns 350 bucks per painting. Sheez. So all is good and for once I wish I will not receive another letter from them at least for one month. Every letter from them is another sleepless night.

Just last night, had a chat with zeren. He was asking me when I was planning to come back so that we can time it together. I'll be back for christmas definitely. Was watching Armageddon on tv before then. That sad sad song was being played. Reminded me of the day i left singapore. *sobs* Think someone knows it too. Anyway, need to get back to my drawing. Need to finish one before dinner, and one after 'high school musical'.