Flowers that remind me of you

Hey Chia

One of the lawyers from my firm brought these flowers into work. They are from her garden! How pretty right?!?

When I saw them I immediately thought of you!


White, pink, soft tangerine- the pretty pastels, made me smile :)

Delightful!

Hi Chia!

I am blogging on my way to work as I your last two posts have made me super happy!

I love the way you've started to do your room up! And I love your floral stuff! It's not the kind of thing that I would initially look at, as I seem to be attracted to bold colours etc, but the patterns from Cath Kidson really appealed to me. They are so sweet and pretty looking, and I think the vintage look is really beginning to appeal to me.

So I just loved looking at her stuff on the web, each thing just reminded me of you! Perhaps that is why I have start liking this kind of stuff? :)

I also love your teaching stories! How wonderful they are! Children are so precious! :) Your work sound so rewarding!

Here, the only thing that has happened to me is that my office continues to be freezing cold. So cold that I am wearing a cardigan, jacket, pashmina and gloves, and I am still freezing. I've been in that office for three weeks now, and it's getting unbearable. I get headaches and weird chills from being in the cold. People in the office call it' the refrigerator,' which it is, as anything that I bring in, drinks or food, actually get chilled. The fridge is warmer!

I was hoping the air-con guys would come in (as they kept on saying they'd come, but then pike out). But now, I'm just going to move my office. I don't care, I'm not sitting in there any more. Last night I felt terrible, I didn't go to boxing as I usually do.

Here's a photo of me being miserably cold:





And my gloves:





On the plus side, it gave me a 'legitimate' excuse to buy a nice jacket and gloves to wear in the office :))

Good night Chia!

Teaching delights

Hi Anna

I wanted to blog to tell you some happy things :)

Yesterday and today I worked in a school with the same Year One class. They are gorgeous children and at the end of the first day I could memorize almost all 30 children names to faces! I amuse myself and also the children when we sit on the carpet and I go through their names. It was tough getting back into work on Monday but I'm glad I decided to call up the agency for work because once I got to the school, my teacher mode clicked in and I really enjoyed myself!

I've been to the school a few times before and I love it because it is a new school and it's got a really lovely vibe. I like using the toilets too because it always smells like vanilla and coconut. Haha! Reminds me of tropical islands, pina coladas, warm sea breeze and sand between your toes. Last time I was there about 4 months ago, they were incubating chicken eggs and they were just hatching out! Absolutely fascinating and the most coolest project ever!

Believe it or not, yesterday I took the children for gymnastics! All 29 6 year olds! The problem with supply teaching is that more than half the time there is no plan to work with and you just have to make things up or ask the children/ teaching assistants to find out more. Anyway, it was my first time doing gymnastics and a lot of fun! They had awesome balancing and climbing apparatus and it was really cute watching them show me what they could do. I asked them to think of three moves. First they had to do a balancing pose, then they had to move across the balance apparatus, and finished off with another balancing pose. Very amusing! I did kick off my ballet flats that I was wearing to do a few demos. Mind you I was wearing a dress and tights so I was a little restricted but they understood what I wanted them to do. Haha!

Phonics this afternoon was interrupted by a fire drill and I was very proud of the children for lining up sensibly and following my instructions. Luckily this morning the  maintenance manager popped in to give me a quick briefing about the fire evacuation plan. I didn't really think much about it until I heard the alarm and realised he was giving me a heads up and that was very nice of him. Actually the staff at the school are the nicest I've come across when I do supply work.

There were two other hilarious things that made my day. I had a  mum tell me this morning that I was the most exciting thing that happened to her daughter Sade who is of mixed African/English race. Apparently Sade has a fascination-near-obsession with Chinese people and she couldn't stop talking about having a Chinese teacher. Hilarious!!!! I've had similar responses like that to children and I'm starting to believe that I'm the only Chinese teacher in London. Ah.. and  Mohamed, 6 years old, brown curly hair, bright brown eyes, rosey cheeks, handsome fella said to me:  "Miss Ooi, I think you are beautiful". That totally melted me right on the spot! Sweetest thing ever because it was random and he was so sincere about it! I wouldn't mind having 30 of children like him in a class :)

It's also nice to be told when you do a great job and to be requested to come back. The teaching assistant told me that she was amazed at how much control I had with the children and that the children really enjoyed having me. I have really bad teaching days and sometimes you just get so caught up with the downs that you think you're not doing enough for the children so it is really delightful to hear positive feedback.
Unfortunately I won't be working at the school tomorrow because the teacher I'm covering will probably back from sick leave but tomorrow I will be working at another school that I've never been to before.

I hope you enjoyed reading my teaching adventures on your way to work :)

Moving in

Anna!

I can't believe how much I've missed blogging and how much I miss reading your blogs! You wouldn't believe how much I was laughing and smiling when I read it as always. It made me want to blog more often :D That was one super blog even if there were some downs.

I love hearing news from you and people that I know and I LOVE that photo of Drew and Katie. Katie looks stunning and oozing elegance in that dress! All of our old group are getting married one by one aren't they? Ah... oh the memories Singapore and all! I think of the Karri Valley memories too! Those were such innocent times. Remember them? ;)

Not to mention the photo of the cutest ukelele player I have ever seen! Reading about Ookiedoba, Taylor Swift and Mr D makes me miss so many things at once and wishing I was there. I think it's the cutest that Mr D has inspired you to play the ukelele. It's hilariously cute the image of both of you strumming away. Envious that you and Mr D have amazing voices and together with Shaz you could work on a ukelele band! Please send a video recording my way :p

All the fun and friends was what I was desperate to come home to when I was having a down time in London. At the same time, I wish I could be there for you when your dad was unwell. I was at school when I got your message and it made me anxious thinking about what you were going through. That triggered some panic for my parents too. It made me think of what I'd do if something like that happened to them. It is frightening and it is more frightening when you live on the other side of the world. I guess you can't worry about it but still have to have it at the back of your mind.

I've been occupied the last few days from packing and unpacking. It definitely takes more time to unpack than pack for some reason. I felt a bit tired from vacuuming the layers of dust and wiping down surfaces because the room was unoccupied for a month and also roomsick, if there is such term? I moved in just before lunch and spent the rest of the day settling in. There are a grand total of 5 other housemates and this is the information I've gathered from bumping into them in the kitchen: one Romanian couple working in hospitality in a hotel, a Vietnamese girl who works as store manager in Forever 21, a Brazillian/German accountant and another Indian man that is away on business and I haven't met yet. The Romanian couple are neat freaks and I am glad of this because at least the communal areas are kept clean and tidy. Nothing worse than a dirty bathroom!

Today was my second day and I slept quite well last night for my first night. I went from a single bed to a king and with all that extra space in a sudden was rather odd and I felt empty. In fact the room is rather empty. I spent the day getting new curtains and matching decor. I've decided to go for the floral fuschia theme. So far it looks like this, but I'm not really happy with it. It is definitely a good distraction from working!

 I went to Cath Kidston store in Selfridges to look for a few things. I love all the floral and polka dot patterns that she uses. I also wanted to print out some black and white photos with friends from travels and was really looking forward to getting them done but I ran out of time. I can't wait to show you the selection of photos that I am going to put up!

Love!

Wrapping paper

My new mug

Nothing near what I want it to look like....I really want to paint the walls and get huge vases and pot plants. Would love to get white wash furniture,  but there is no point really since it will need to go when I leave.

On other purchases,  I forgot to post pics of my new Chanel glasses. My old ones were scratched and Pene and I spent ages looking for new frames over a weekend. These are a touch tight on my sides but I love them so much with the discrete gold sides I didn't want to look for new ones.

Have to lose the chumpy cheeks

Ignore dry chaff fingers :(

I hope to be more regular with our blogs. I hope our readers don't give up on us just yet! :)

Have a good Monday xxx

Far from boring

Chia!
It has been a while hasn't it?

I love your post! It was so inspiring and refreshing and just what we needed!

I am happy that you have finally found a new place and that this is a new beginning for you! A new area to learn about, and a new room to decorate and make it like home!

On my side of things, it has been far from boring- a mixture of happiness and sadness. I'll try and summarise the things that have happened as best as I can.

Taylor Swift Concert
Well, on the Wednesday or Thursday of the week where I had my gardening leave, I was listening to Taylor Swift's new album and was just singing and dancing around the house when I got a message on my gmail. It was one of our mutual friends Mr D, who asked me what I was doing. I have no shame, so I told him exactly what I was doing. My answer was immediately followed with the question 'are you going to the Taylor Swift concert?' I said no, and then was given a warm and enthusiastic invite to join him and his friends to see her on the Friday night; I said YES!

So in one-two days I just listened to TS' new album 'Speak Now' as I had only heard her 'Fearless' album. There were so many great songs that I needed to learn, in so little time.

Anyways, the night was awesome! It started off on a high when Mr D suggested I try a... wait for it, a triple cheeseburger from McDonalds. OH MY LORDY! It was tasty as!

Yum.... three patties and three cheese... 

The concert was so much fun! Mr D's friends were super friendly and awesome fun! I love love love TS even more so now! =D Thank you for inviting me Mr D! Had a great great time! =) Here's some pics of the concert:

Taylor looking right at me!

She's so talented

I wanna be her

So sweet

Love Story!

After the concert, Mr D inspired me to get a ukulele as he was also learning it, and it sounded super sweet and cute. So my hunt was on to find the perfect instrument.

First week at my new job
The next week, I started working at my new firm- so far it has been amazing! I love the people, and I just feel happier overall. It was a changed that I needed, and at this point in time (though it has only been two weeks) I think that I will definitely be staying here for a while. The only down is that my office is super cold. Apparently, someone had put a thermometer in there, which gave a reading of 16 degrees! I definitely have felt it, as I wear a cardigan, a jacket, a scarf and gloves during the day. They are looking to fix the temperature though, and I am also considering of moving to a different office too.

Anyways, on my second day at work, I got a phone call from my Mom who was distressed. She said 'Anna, Dad is in the hospital and he is being transferred to St John of God.' I was shocked. What made it worse was that Mom had no idea what was wrong with Dad, and that all she knew was that he had come home from school feeling light headed, unwell and with a clammy sweat. After getting off the phone with Mom, I ended up calling Joondalup hospital (as I assumed that is where he was taken) to find out when he was going to be transferred to St John of God. When I finally spoke to someone, she said he was being transferred soon. I then asked what happened to him. She said 'Oh, I can't tell you over the phone...' My mouth went dry.

Part of me had a suspicion that it was a heart thing, as Dad had a heart attack and a triple bypass in 1992. But regardless of my suspicions, the fact that I had no idea what was happening, what Dad had etc I started to tear up with worry. Work was, and has been super supportive and have let me visit him. He ended up being diagnosed as having a heart attack, and he underwent an Angiogram where they ultimately performed an angioplasty to insert a stint to hold open the blocked vein. It all went very well, and Dad is finally home resting.

What saw when I came to visit day one afternoon. I found it amusing because  it was as if Dad finally got loose =)

Drew and Katie's wedding
On the Saturday of the same week, Drew and Katie got hitched! It was another great wedding, and it made me remember our time in Singapore together. Can you remember that trip? It was the only trip that we took as a group. It was such a fun trip! Our first group trip actually! I think it was also the time when I started to get to know you a lot better.

The groom and his groomsmen waiting

Getting married

Speech!

Speech!

Wonderful!

Drew and Katie looked wonderful! They also looked so happy! Was a happy day! =) The wedding was held at the Scotch College chapel, and the reception at the Swan Brewery. Congratulations Drew and Katie!

My new ukulele
In the meantime, while balancing work, hospital visits (stress and worry about Dad) and wedding, I was able to purchase a ukulele. I had been researching about what one to get, and in my head, I was going to get either a Kala or a Lanikai soprano sized uke, as they were the recommended instrument for beginners. However, I ended up walking out with a Cordoba concert size.

My decision was based on how the salesman played the uke and how it sounded. The Cordoba sounded so full and rich and it came at a very affordable price ($159). I really wanted a soprano size though (the smallest and the traditional size) but the only soprano size that they had in that brand was $500 something dollars! It sounded so sweet, extremely cute; however, I could not bring myself to purchase such an expensive instrument give that I haven't even tried playing it.

I ended up purchasing it on one of the days that I was visiting Dad at the hospital. When I arrived, Dad had just come out of his Angiogram and Angioplasty procedure and was sleepy. So I took out the uke and started playing some chords quietly. Dad was sweet and with his soft and sleepy voice said "Oh, that sounds nice."  It made me feel a little teary, that even after being exhausted from the heart attack and the procedures, he still had the energy to encourage me.

So this week whenever I have had a free moment at home, I have been learning how to play chords and learning how to strum. I am going slowly, but it makes me happy. It's so cute and happy sounding! I hope that one day I will be good enough to take it out and jam with others (Mr D, Clem and Shaz have all mentioned about having a jam session!) But until then, I will keep on practicing!

Me and Ookiedoba

I've named my uke 'Ookiedoba' a blend between ukulele and Cordoba =D

If I get good enough, I definitely think I'll purchase a soprano size, as that was the original appeal for me- to have a tiny, cute instrument that makes cute music. Though, I still love Ookiedoba!

So that is all that has happened on my side of the world.

Tell me more about your new place!!! =D

The closest to heading home

Hi Anna!

I know my blog is long overdue. I didn't want to blog because I was feeling a bit down lately. Luckily I'm finally back up and I have some exciting news to share with you.

Quite a few things have happened and if you asked me a couple of weeks ago I was pretty much the lowest I've been since moving here. Firstly when I got back from Jordan, I found out that the landlord was renovating and increasing the rent. This meant that I had less than a month to find a new place. Leaving beautiful leafy posh Hampstead? No way. I imagined myself living here right until my visa ended.

Also, I never thought I'd get holiday blues and I've always blamed it on tiredness, but now I realise that I actually do and the news caught me at a bad time.  Additionally, a few days later I find out that a lady from maternity was returning and the school was over stretched with their budget and they had to let me go. (I've been assured it's not my performance.. hmm..) Things were definitely not looking all that great with the hunt for a new place and work. Strangely enough, after I got over the shock, I was actually quite excited. I thought wow, this is the perfect time to head back home. I thought about it for a good few days, looked up flights, figured out when it was cheapest to leave- a week before/ after Easter break, cheapest courier service to send things back, etc. I started creating a mental checklist of things to do before I wrapped it all up and headed back home. Out of percentages, I was close to 90% Perth bound. I even told my younger brother that I was coming home and made him promise not to tell my parents until I actually bought the tickets. No point in getting them excited if I change my mind.Which of course- I did.

 But you know what? It's friends like you that made me stay and keep me going when I'm down in the dumps. I'm glad I had those friends when I needed them. Now I'm feeling more positive and I am 100% confident with my decision. Think summer. Think more travels. Think Olympics. Think once in a life time opportunity. You're right Anna. This is a once in a life time opportunity. You said it all   and now I am here, still going and I'd like to tell you that just a few hours ago I was handed they keys to my new place!! After numerous dreadful viewings consisting of mould in ceilings, musty smells, creaky floorboards that could possibly fall through at any point, empty liquor bottles displayed proudly like trophies and what could easily pass as a drug dealer's place.. I finally found a place that I wanted to move in today.


Here is a pic of the room. It's about half of  what you can see. Can't wait to do it up!!! The landlord gave me the keys straight away too. I'm amazed what a great impression I give to people! Did I tell you that the other landlord from another place that I wanted to rent (but then he gave the room to two friends because he had two rooms to rent) but he ended up asking me out on what seems like a date?  I've replied his messages, but so far we haven't met up. I'm a little suss with his intentions. Maybe it's a London man thing? Will keep you posted on that one.

Mine all mine!!

Benny is moving to London in May and I cannot wait. It will be really nice to have some family here and I think it is a great idea because he's young and has the travel bug.  I am eager to move in and I feel like it's almost too good to be true that things are working out again. For those that have visited me, you can already see that the room is huge and I hope that it will entice some of you to visit me if you haven't done so :) I shall blog more about the place when I move in this Saturday. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by sharing the good news a bit early.

 I will be extremely sad to leave Hampstead, but I am excited about living somewhere totally different. And I mean totally different- almost the opposite. Forget mums in designer outfits pushing designer outfitted babies in their super buggies with their designer dogs looking dashing in their designer doggy outfits. Forget Mercedes, BMW, Maseratis, Ferraris etc lined outside the streets of huge white multimillion mansions. Forget bumping into Ricky Gervais (maybe I have, because I have no idea how he looks like until I just googled him a second ago) More importantly, forget my chances of meeting a millionaire sugar daddy. (Did you know that Hampstead has the highest percentage of multimillionaires?!!!)

Anyway, that is a whole lot of happenings for me. I am sad that I won't get to see you and Perthians for a while. But I know that everything will be OK and it's not too long until I'm back home. I've almost been here for a year!!!!

Tell me more news about you. Hearing some Perth news always cheers me up especially photos of you and Perth! Can't wait to see some sunny scenery and beach photos!  How is your morning exercise going??? I wish I had a dog to take for walks! Not to mention a beautiful coast. I almost want to roll out a yoga mat and meditate and that's saying a lot considering I've only done yoga once and never meditated.

Hope to hear from you soon!! MUAH!

Morning run and walk

Hi Chia!

Ah! I love your photos! The one of you jumping up in the air looks like the ultimate 'freedom!' pic! I know for sure you are the first person I've seen planking in the dead sea! =P

The dead sea looks so calm! So how hard was it to float in the water? Or did you just lay down and you floated? Was the water like thick or something? Or was it like normal sea water? Would you be able to swim laps in it? Or is it too bitter?

And what was the black thing that you covered yourself in? Where did you get it?

It looked like such a great mini holiday!

I am currently having my own mini holiday. I am in between jobs and on my 'gardening leave' before I start at my new firm. As a result, I have been just relaxing at home, listening to Taylor Swift, napping every afternoon this week so far, and enjoying my runs in the morning, instead of feeling pressured to be home before a certain time in order to get to work.

Today was especially exciting. I ran 5km and during my run I just couldn't stop looking at the ocean and the shoreline. There was an easterly wind (a breeze coming off the land), so there were no waves and the tide was low. As a result the rocks on the shoreline were exposed and I took a mini detour from my run to explore. It was beautiful!

Eventually I was greeted by the warm rays of the sun who was slowly rising between the houses.

When I returned home, I decided to take Coco out for a walk and to explore the shoreline. I thought it was pretty exciting, so I thought Coco would like it too.

Coco and I

Walking!

Coco is getting better to walk with these days. He is beginning to behave when other people and dogs approach. Before he would just run after them or bark non stop, making it quite stressful to walk with.

When I took him down to the shore he was curious and nervous. I had to carry him down the stairs because the incline was too steep for his little legs. But once on the rocks he was sniffing around and looking in the little rocks; never forgetting to stay behind me because he is afraid of the waves.

Coco happily exploring

Coco and I found a crab hiding in the rocks, as well as a wild rabbit on the way back home. He was especially excited about the rabbit, tugging on the lead and barking. When I realised what he had found, I followed him and he was so happy, bouncing towards the wired fence separating the path and the bushes. Coco eagerly jumped through a hole in the fence to pursue the rabbit, however, because I was unable to follow him (the hole was too small, and it was leading to thick bushes) I pulled him back, and he climbed back onto my side of the fence. I felt bad that he couldn't go after the rabbit, but I didn't want him or me to step on a snake or any other animal that lives in the bushes.

The little crab we found

When we arrived back home, Coco drank so much water, and I ended up napping for about 3 hours! I think the mileage was longer than usual for me (10km all up). When I woke up, I saw Coco K.O'ed in front of the door. I think we both had a big morning.