Inspiration

Hi Chia!

I'm going nuts with the posts!

As I am doing my last minute clean up before I leave, I found this quote in my notebook that I wrote earlier this year when I was at work. I was so in awe at past Anna's insight of what was to come, that I wrote it out again today to reaffirm its positivity in my mind:




Some people may think I'm a failure for resigning and walking away from law . Some may think I'm irresponsible for not using my money for a deposit on a house but on a 6 months trip. Others may think I'm nuts for starting acting and seeing where it takes me, with no real end goal or idea on how it's going to turn out. For all I know I may just end up as a marine biologist or do something in marketing or communications.

Whatever it is; whatever choice I make, it's going to be mine. If it's a choice that leads me down an unexplored route, so long as it's going to be one that makes me feel happy, I will put on my trekking boots and damn well make sure I leave a trail. :)

Wheels in motion

Hi Chia!

It's been a while for both of us. But I am so happy to see you back blogging!

Your big breakfast looks amazingly delicious! Today it has been raining non stop and the dampness has chilled me down to the bone. My toes are clammy and cold as we speak! So your breakfast looks so good right now (at 3.20pm!).

I've had a quick look over the last few posts and realised that there as been a lot that has happened on my side which I haven't written about.

Firstly, I've kick started in the direction of...this is so random - acting!

It's always been something that has been making appearances in my journals since high school. Once in a while, there would be some entry saying 'I know this sound so silly and so irresponsible, but I dream of getting into the character of someone else and act.' After realising this, I decided that since I had all this free time and I was going to make an effort to be kind to myself, I decided to give 'the foolish dream' a go. It has been a fast, fun and exciting period of my life. I was so surprised that the people that I've met along the way were exactly like me! And the more and more I chat to them and others in the industry, the more I realised that I had always felt like an outsider in the legal field.

If you wanna check out my progress in the acting thing, I've set up an acting page on Facebook, as recommended to me by an actor. You can find it here.

Secondly, and this one is a biggie. I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but Kev and I are soon leaving on a six months trip away! We bought one way tickets to Male in the Maldives and we jet set on 30 September 2013!

The big trip was also something I've been writing about to myself in my journals since early university days - just after my first trip to Europe in early 2005. I dreamed about doing it after uni. The plan was to go travelling before getting articles in a law firm. However, that didn't happen. I was offered the opportunity to do my articles at a national insurance law firm, and as such, I put my dreams on hold.

And when the money came in, and life threw me a spanner in the works with relationships breaking down, finding my birth family, starting a new relationship, making new friends and settling into the routine of a young professional, I found that I started losing control of my life. I was a slave to the schedule, to the parties, to the group trips being organised etc. Eventually, after becoming more and more discontent with my life, I started to pull myself out of the fast lane, and tried to focus my goal.  For a while, I wasn't even sure about my goal. I was being torn between getting a house, or going on that trip I've been dreaming about.

I then came to a realisation that would change my direction, and shock Kev. It meant so much to me that I wrote it down, as a promise to myself:

I told Kev this, and at first he was shocked and then sad. He said he would miss me. I was scared about telling him about this, but I knew I had to or I'd be unhappy for the rest of my life; regretting that I never did it; angry at the world for the mistake that I made. He supported my dream, and then after a few months of telling him what I planned on doing, Kev then asked me 'Can I come too?'.

And there we have it. I like to think that I would have still gone ahead and planned the trip. But to be honest, I think it is an accumulation of the dream, Kev's support and the quick decline in my job satisfaction at my workplace, that has made this possible. In between the day that I made the promise to myself till today, there were definitely times where I was very close to almost letting the dream go. Having Kev there was like having a running buddy. Someone to help keep you on track. It also made things more exciting for the both of us. We both started to share the anticipation and the planning.

In the next few days, I'll try an blog more about our plans! :)

Hope to hear from you soon!!!! 

Freeee!!

Hi Chia

So things have been a lot cruiser for me this week. I've been taking my time with things, slowing down life and really appreciating what I have - the gorgeous people who surround me, time and a healthier me. As I hear the loud click of the second hand of the clock above me, I relish in the feeling of not having to stress about wasting a second or minute that would normally be billed to a client. My days have been slowly unproductive and free. Deadlines are not mandatory and it just feels wonderful. Admittedly, I still have a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that tells me that I should get going with figuring things out. But I'm slowly hushing that nagging voice away. I'm telling it to give it a rest for the time being, as there will be plenty of times in the future when I'll be needing it; just not now.

Also, I'm allowing my mind to open up to the endless possibilities that lay before me. To start considering things that I've only been dreaming about in the past. These dreams are currently only half baked, and a little fragile in my mind, so I won't be describing them to you just yet. In time though, once the ideas become a real consideration, I'll let you know :)

The past few days have increased my overall well being. So much so, that I can see it in my face.

Kev took this photo of me this weekend. It really captures the the feeling I've lacked over the last few years - genuine happiness.

It's only the beginning.

I know that it is only going to get better!

New day, new life, new hair

Hey Chia!

It's been a looooooong while since both of us have blogged! I know that respectively, we both have been busy. On my side, my life was preoccupied with work, and trying to get through the minutes, hours, days and weeks without going insane. Admittedly, I wasn't happy. I haven't been happy for a while and because we wanted our blog to be inspirational and one of positive thoughts of big and small, to be honest, there was nothing to write about.

So, eventually I hit breaking point at work. I'm not going to go into the details of what happened, but it wasn't good, and so I resigned. I decided to hang up my suit and call it quits to being a lawyer.

It was a long time coming. The rational side of my brain trying to convince the creative and emotional side that to stick it out in law was the right thing to do. I mean, I've been in law for almost 10 years - 5 years at uni, then straight into work as a law clerk, articled clerk and then lawyer. 2004 to 2013. It seemed silly and foolish to let it go. But deep down, I knew it was right.

Now, I'm just free to recover from the stress and to reassess life.

I haven't felt this good in years. I also felt compelled to completely shed my old self. This included a makeover.





I've never had my hair this short!!! Apart from when I was in pre primary school! It was liberating and I feel so free and different! All these years I was too scared to do the bob! But after resigning, I was literally like 'why not! It will grow back!'

So with old Anna gone and new Anna to be discovered, for the first time in years, I feel hopeful. I had lost all hope previously, without even knowing it.

So...What do u think? Does it suit? :)

Amazing strangers

Hi Chia!

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. I've been both busy and unsure of what to write for our blog.

I hope you had a good Easter break! I loved catching up with you and having our girly dessert date! :)

One of the things that happened this weekend included meeting this wonderful couple at my beach on Friday morning.

I had gone for a run and went for a quick snorkel. The water wasn't the greatest as I was thrashed around the reef a bit and there was poor visibility. I pulled myself out of the water, camera and snorkel in one hand, and my other hand stabilizing myself from the insistent waves and the soft sand beneath me which sunk at each step.

I was a little sad that it wasn't a great session but I was happily buzzing from the adrenaline and chilled water.

I spoke to two fisherman who showed me their catch (3 whitings), a nice man in speedos who told me that the water should be better in the following days (he was an experienced diver), and a kayaker who had no luck in catching any fish and whose friend got stuck in his kayak in the middle of the ocean and threw the biggest tantrum on water that I've ever seen.

While I was talking to the Friendly Kayaker, the two fishermen called out to him saying that his friend may need some help. As we looked to the flat horizon, his friend was swiping and waving his arms up in the air, and angrily threw his paddle into the ocean on more than one occasion. The Friendly Kayaker just laughed and his good nature encouraged me to laugh too.

'Should you go help him?' I asked.

'Haha.... Nah. He should be fine out there,' he laughed as we looked on.

After a few minutes he sighed and said 'Yea, I better see what's going on,' and he laughed to himself as he pushed out his kayak.

It turned out that his friend ended up being caught on something, and resorted to cutting his anchor. When they returned to shore, the Angry Kayaker unintentionally caught a wave which tipped him over. We all laughed as we saw his angry head pop up from the water, hat soaked over his face and his fishing gear bobbing away out to sea. As the Angry Kayaker started swearing and shouting in frustration, the Friendly Kayaker kept laughing in good spirits as he swam out to help collect the escaping equipment.

It was a very humorous morning.

After that, I was getting a little cold and hungry so I turned around to walk back home. As I climbed the stairs I approached a couple enjoying breakfast with their dog on the look out. I smiled to them and the woman asked me if I saw anything out in the ocean during my snorkel.

'Nothing,' I sighed, 'It was just too murky out there.'

We then started talking about the stingrays, dolphins and sea lions that we all had seen out there. At some point in our lively conversation, Mr T pointed that he could hear a slight American accent in my voice. I then told him that my Dad was from the US, to which Mrs T excitedly claimed that she too was from the US.

We then went into our backgrounds and life journeys. It was an inspiring and exciting conversation. They both were such lovely and warm hearted people. So open and so engaging.

Mrs T then invited me to come visit them and meet their son who had a similar life journey as me and that it would be wonderful to exchange further experiences. I thanked them for their generous invitation as we exchanged contact details.

It was an amazing experience. I am truly in awe at the kindness of strangers. I find that the more I open up to people, the more I learn about other experiences, appreciate how there are so many different opportunities out there for the taking and I really feel the 'magic' of coincidences or things that 'happen for a reason'. It also helps me remember that there are people out there who genuinely do want to connect and help others. That desire for a genuine connection and finding it in the most random situations is what makes people and life amazing.

I ended up visiting Mr and Mrs T on Sunday and met their son who is an amazing musician.

I hope to find time to visit them another time in the future.

Big kickstart to 2013 with great friends, food, fun and plenty of resolutions

Hi Anna!

Happy New Year to you, friends, readers and the blog!

What a great read of  your Bali holiday! I felt like I was on a holiday with your family and Kev and I loved all the photos that you posted. Such gorgeous photos of you and your beautiful family. They were funny especially Kev and Scott's synchronised swimming. Looks like quality Olympic stuff to me.

I really miss diving and reading about your experience was a little nudge to  use my frequent flyers for a trip to Phuket. I find cuttlefish a little creepy though. I've seen a couple when diving and also a documentary on them and the more cuttlefish that flashed across the screen, the more alien like they appeared to me (an alien head without a body. EW!) and it started making me nervous watching them swim and change colours. Moray eels are a little scary too. In my experience, they hide in their holes and come out and bare their nasty tiny teeth at you. They always look very angry to me :( Jee I'm sounding like a big wimp here.

I have been to Bali twice but never to Rock Bar. Everyone who has been to Bali seems to have but not me :( Views are spectacular too. How did this slip by me. Hrm... Well the next time I have a handsome gentleman by my side, I will be sure to visit this scenic place for a cocktail or two.

You should also try and make your own kite like the one you liked. Well maybe a simple version? I haven't flown a kite since I was a kid and Perth would be the perfect place to do it since there is usually an afternoon breeze.

What have I been doing?  Definitely been doing a lot of eating and not enough exercising. It has  come to my attention that my friends can COOK. And better than I can! For years I've secretly thought I was THE culinary expert but now I've been proven wrong and I'm more than happy to throw that thought out the window. These skills have just been revealed to me and I certainly hope it's not the last I experience them :p

On Christmas day I had a scrumptious lunch made by HW. There were other food too but let's focus on her roast pork and vegetables :p They were so wholesome and full of flavour and I think I ate most of the parsnip. Yummo! This meal really meant a lot to me because I've known HW since we were kids and to watch her grow into this domesticated young lady and prepare such a lovely spread melted me away.

I love the cultural integration of this Christmas lunch

Roast pork. Even if it was a 40C day, it went down very well.

I came home and calculated that I ate about 800 calories worth of those rochers. Good thing it was difficult to calculate the calories of her homemade trifle. Heavenlyyyy!

I've also upped the Chia-craziness in the form of dressing.I did not have any Santa hats or reindeer ears so I decided to pin and adorn myself with Christmas decorations that I purchased with HW during our white Christmas last year.

Outrageous colours and decorations. Just because I can!

More eating was done on NYE at Christina's. She's right, she does make a mean potato salad and for the first time I tried chicken and pistachio terrine and couldn't believe that she made it herself. Astounding. There is something about home made food that makes me feel so.... content and lovvvvvved!

This is what I wore to NYE at Christina's. My inspiration was fun colour combinations. Christina also had a similar outfit and it was fun that we almost matched. I can't wait to channel more colour combinations. I have a few more up my sleeve for that special occasion requiring some craziness. I've had interesting/ hilarious experiences with NYE (last year was in bed watching Mr Bean whilst HW was fast asleep in Munich!!!!)  but this year it was great food, company and  board games! Who would've thought? I would've loved to party it with you and I've never done a big NYE out in Perth, but I guess this was not the year.

Healthy too! Oh and I marinated those kebabs.

The strangest and worst board game ever. Team Females couldn't even get one question right :/ What a laugh!

This makes me laugh too. Maybe it's the thought of having 4 of me. combined with my duh expression top right. This is the first time I've tried green make up and wow, I am deeeelighted, which is why it felt necessary to bombard you with my face. Last minutely I decided against wearing the earrings to Christina's and opted for subtle green studs instead. Sometimes you just need to know how to tone it down a notch. Haha!

I've been getting plenty of beach too! Bless those that are unemployed/ on leave to keep me company. Very much appreciated :D Mind you, I enjoyed solitude on the last day of 2012 with a good book and beautiful beach weather and calm waters. Is it much of a surprise that I spent the first day of 2013 at the beach too?

Again I went to the beach today with Christina. First time in Scarbs and my goodness, not the best conditions. We were dumped wave after wave. Nothing like an excuse to frolic in the sand and 'make love to the camera' in the words of Christina. 

More coral colours and fixing my wind strewn hair.

I know, I know.. I'm getting carried away with instant editing.

Let's get down to more serious business now.

This was my 2012 resolution copied and pasted from last year's post:

1.Get fit and join the gym and classes
2. Keep in touch with my aunty, grandma and family more often
3. Send snail mail frequently
4. Draw and paint more, take up an art class
5. Read more
6. Try anything unfamiliar or new

How I went:

1. I did join the gym in London, did not join any classes though. Coincidentally chocolate consumption and baking increased too.
2. Definitely did not keep in touch with my aunty and grandma enough. But I did organise and had an amazing time in Portugal and Italy with my parents.
3. This did not happen to the degree I expected. It stretched as far as sending Christmas cards.
4. I certainly started drawing more. Very pleased with the effort but I did not find an art class to sign up with.
5. Definitely accomplished this one.
6. This have got me into trouble at times. Otherwise online dating and most recently, nude beach and frisbee-ing is good testament to this.

Time the world knew about my hot pink flying disc.

I would like to carry on my 2012 resolutions and add another 6 for 2013:
(A bit ambitious I hear you say! Don't worry, some of these goals I have already set the wheels in motion.)

1. Get a full time teaching job and move out
2. Spend more time with family and friends that mean a lot to me
3. Get outdoor and explore Perth
4. Enter a drawing/ painting competition
5. Take up contemporary dance class
 6. Blog more often, even if it's just a short paragraph and pic

It is exciting to set these resolutions. I was telling Weng the other day that if I put them in print or tell someone about things I want to do, immediately there is some accountability for it. Here you have it, written in pixels or dots or whatever you call it.

Now I was saying that the wheels are already in motion for number 3.  If plans go accordingly, next week we will be on a little mini adventure to Lancelin :) More annaandchia adventures to be had. Picture this: a dinky battered camper VW, windows that cannot be rolled up, wind blowing through, tussled hair, me-driving, you- ukele in hand belting out Taylor Swift tunes, me- rolling my eyes but singing along with you (out of tune) and loving it, and all of this recorded on video. Ibiza take two? Yes? Shame it's only a short drive. Haha!

And so I would like to end this post by saying
Life is too short, have fun and do what makes you HAPPY!!!

 I am looking forward to the adventures that awaits annaandchia.blogspot.com.

Bring on 2013!

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!

Back to London!

Hi Anna :D

What a treat to hear from you again! I was expecting a delay in your blogs because you've been busy. Instead I'm the one who hasn't been blogging. Last night I was up until 11.30pm trying to blog but it wouldn't allow me to publish it so currently I am typing it up all again.

I missed  home a lot after your blog on Alicia's hen's. I can't believe she's getting married in about 2 weeks time! Wishing I was there to celebrate it :( Looked like heaps of fun having girly sleepover and games. Also warming to see familiar faces and you with your new hair do! Looking gorgeous :)

Lovely photos taken around Perth too! As usual, as much as I love these photos, they make me miss Perth. How embarrassing that I honestly cannot in my mind figure out where the location of the Government house is. I swear I've never seen the building before. Maybe it looks different from the view you've taken it from. Or maybe I need to explore Perth more before I decide to get out of it :p

Of course I remember Lawrence and Joce too :) ah Barcelona! The food from Lawrence's restaurant is visually stunning! It definitely looks fresh and artistically presented to the point that I'd probably take a billion photos from every angle before eating it. How exciting it must be to run your own restaurant! I've always wanted to run a little cupcake and sweets cafe. But then again I've had various aspirations including an Egyptologist and more recently an explorer in the Amazon. They might have to wait until my next life time.

For now, it's back to reality. It's been a rushed transition from Budapest back to London. Yesterday morning I almost slept in because my phone was in pm and the alarm was set on am so it would've been 12 hours late for me when the alarm eventually went off! It was a real struggle for the last couple of mornings. I miss Budapest already and will miss it more when I look through my photos and upload them on FB.


It's starting to get dark early and when I was heading home at about 6pm yesterday I saw lots of children. parents AND their dogs dressed in Halloween costumes. I'm surprised that Halloween is really popular here. They go all out on costumes and the children have cute little plastic pumpkin trick or treat baskets for their candy. Some of the houses have also been decorated. It all made me feel deprived that I've never gone trick or treating.

A few photos that I thought you might like. One of the things that really made me laugh when I was in Budapest were the modern exhibitions in the art gallery. This was my favourite one of all and I absolutely love it for the idea and message behind it, being the nature and environment enthusiast I am.

The bear soap dish rotates around whilst all the toys tied onto firewood watch on.

I was fascinated over the collection of cuddly toys! I loved how they had Po the red Teletubbie in there. Some of you may know that I had a serious Teletubbie obsession when I was in high school. Thank goodness it didn't go beyond that.

Which is your favourite toy?

At the end of the gallery they had a room with blank walls and coloured pencils on shelves on each side. The idea was for YOU to be the artist.

I wished I had spent some time drawing on it but I didn't leave a single mark there. I wish I wrote or drew something but I couldn't think of anything on the spot. In hindsight I would've drawn some trees or leaves inspired by the season and the parks that I've visited in Budapest.

What would you have drawn if you came across a blank wall in an art gallery?

I want to draw again but I'm finding that I don't have the time or the right mood.

Warm Fuzzies from paying it forward

Hey Chia!

I think the girl who played Matilda is Maria Wilson http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933798/ but Dakota Fanning was still super cute, though she's growing up now.

I had to blog to you about this!

I was walking to the office kitchen to refill my mug when I bumped into one of my work collegues who said "Anna! I haven't seen you in ages!" We have a small office, so that is saying a lot. I told her I had been sick all last week, but am now better.

We then started talking about random stuff (as you do in the office kitchen) and then she beamed about she was going really well with her partner now. She was so sweet and happy and said 'Yea, we are really good now, and it is all because of you and the talk you gave me! I wouldn't have known what to say if it wasn't for you!'

It made me really happy inside, and it was a rare type of happiness. I think it's that feeling that you have made a positive impact on someone's life- that by passing on the honest truths that I had to work through myself to be where I am now, has helped a couple work through their hardships to be happy together.

It's times like today, that remind me that I am actually very grateful for all that I have gone through. I thank everyone who I have met along the way and are still with me now, those who I have sadly let go to pursue their own happiness, and to those who I will meet in the future!

Today's mini achievement

I can't work on one thing for too long otherwise I get really impatient to finish it and I'm hasty with it,  hence the unfinished work and why it doesn't look as 'perfect' as I want it to. It looks big, but my netbook is small. The drawing is actually postcard size. I don't know what type of bird/duck it is but the photo was taken yesterday in one of the ponds in Hampstead Heath.

This was another one I did today. I didn't end up going to the National Gallery because I was more in the mood to lounge around.

 

ARGH I need to keep practising!! Not happy with these works.

Received Love from London

Chia! After our quick phone call or 'blog telephone conference', I got drenched from the rain! I was actually running and jumping over puddles when I was taking to you. But though I felt gross at the time, running/ walking through rain with no umbrella is quite exciting!

Once at home my mom said 'you got mail' I saw a package with 'royal mail' on it!!!!

London charm!

YAY for Royal Wedding Souvenirs!

Thank you so much!!! I love the little package! I stuck Prince William and Kate on my lamp and I am going to wear my bracelet today!

I loved your entry! I like seeing your employment card and the food you bought. I like you self timed shot too! More insight on your daily life. What are you going to bake? Share your recipe? =)

What are you going to do today?

Trial day 4 - Off the hook

Hey Chia!

OMG!!!! The relief! Yesterday was the 'last day' for this trial. We sped through all the witnesses, and it was definitely the most exciting and interesting day of this trial. Unfortunately we ran over time, so our closing submissions are to be held on Monday, but as counsel told me at the end of yesterday- 'You're off the hook.'

The witnesses that we found for our case were really good, loads of guts and personality; and, when we broke for lunch, counsel bumped into one of the court Registrars and we ended up having lunch with him. It was quite daunting because I have never been so close or in a social context with such an authority figure that I usually appear before.

Anyways, its sad that I can't go into details of the trial, but looking back now, I must say it was pretty damn interesting.

After the trial was adjourned, I returned to the office. Laura smiled at me and said 'You must be so relieved!' and she handed me a vodka cruiser! I happily downed that!

I then met up with Els, Shaz and Kev for my first hours of no-trial-stress. Oh! Shaz mms'ed me this picture a earlier this week for more trial encouragement:

How cute hey? I like the shiny star!

When I saw Els, she handed me over a little package! She was super sweet and said that it was a little something for working so hard! It was a Lululemon headband for sport! A nice bright orange colour! Exactly what I need for volleyball! All this support has really helped me through such an intense learning curve. Thank you so much everyone! You all have definitely been superheroes, preventing this junior lawyer from falling into insanity and depression!

So last night we went walking around and explored some shops. I just enjoyed being out. I was quite tired though, so while Els and Shaz explored Wasteland on Kings Street, Kev and I enjoyed the seat of this groovy chair:

Chillaxing

We then ate at the Quarter, which is tucked away behind that church on the corner of William Street and Hay street. It's a really nice restaurant! If you ever return to visit Perth, we should go there!

This morning, I had a dream of a cute fluffy white dog bounce into my lap, all excited and happy. I was patting him and enjoying his affectionate licks. I then woke up. My eyes reluctantly peeled themselves open, and as my auditory senses tuned into my surroundings, I realised I was woken up by Coco's barking. I looked at my clock. 5.50am. Shit. Even with the trial over, I can't sleep in.

Coco continued to call out, asking for someone to let him out to pee and to feed him. So bleary eyed, I stumbled through the darkness of the morning to get the dog food, and allow Coco and Pepsi have their breakfast. I grabbed the early morning paper (Part 2 of the Saturday West, as Part 1 was on our lawn last night?!) and then tried to get back to sleep. I tossed and turned, went on Facebook on my iPhone, and continued to do so until 7.30, when I gave up trying.

I then remembered your posts about your morning strolls, and decided to force myself out for a run. It was a freezing morning, and in my shorts and singlet I embarked on my usual path along the beach. It was really good! Missed the air. The water was calm, no waves, just the current stirring in and out from the shore. Each familiar hill was definitely a challenge. The further I ran, the more my lungs felt as if each breath expelled the dust from my 3 months absence from this track. It has been a long time.

For the rest of today day, I've had the sniffles and just felt slightly under the weather. I purposely eased myself into the running, but my body was definitely showing me that it was trying to adjust to the shock of the chilly morning.

I did my chores, and then met up with Shaz in the city to help her find a present for her cousin. We looked in David Jones, Peter Alexander and then ended up at Lululemon. We hoped that we could find some sport gear for her. When we arrived, Shin was working! We asked for his advice, but soon established that the sizes at Lululemon were too big for Shaz's cousin who was 14 years old.

Shin then told us that he would like to use us as Lululemon product testers! Because we play volleyball, and I run, he asked Shaz and I to select an item of clothing and he would give it to us for feedback! ^______^

Shaz got the speed shorts in the black and I ended up getting a running shirt.

Me and my running shirt. The shorts are the speed shorts that Shaz got, but in the blue.

The material is super light and surprisingly warm. There material breathes, and is lined with silver nylon in the sweat prone areas- under arms; back; and under the boobs. (How thoughtful!) This silver nylon is supposed supposed to prevent body odours sticking or absorbing into material. I am excited to give it a whirl! More info here.

Anyways. I hope you are well! Your cake looked so yummy and I wish I was there to eat it!!

Miss yas!

The Support Crew

Hey Chia!

So the hours have increased. I billed 15.1 hours yesterday. At about 10.30 last night, a red window popped up on my computer screen asking me to click no if I didn't want my computer to be shut down- I've never seen that window before! I guess only the late night owls are privy to such scheduling quirks of the computer systems here.

But yea, left work at 11pm.

Meeting with counsel wasn't that bad, was two hours just me and her, going through the trial bundle and all the witnesses. There is still a lot to do. Some witnesses did not comply with their subpoena to provide documents; telling me and the court that they had nothing that we were requesting. But then late yesterday afternoon, the plaintiff discovered documents from them! Augh! It got me annoyed. Someone was just not doing their job.

It's the little things like that. It's the things that take a lot of time to complete, because you need to jump through all these damn hoops before you can get the information you need, that nibbles away my sanity.

But OMG! My secretary is the sweetest thing! When she came into my office yesterday morning she said 'Hey Anna, I thought you may need this.'





How sweet is that! She continued on saying 'I was looking for marshmallow chocolates, when I saw that, and I thought you would need it to help you get through this matter.' I was so touched at her thoughtfulness, that I just got out of my chair and hugged her, crossing all professional, office behavior boundaries. She asked 'Isn't there anyone that can help you? There is just so much to do for this.' I sadly said 'Unfortunately no.'

It really touched me Chia, like it's those little things such as; Kev's care and generosity with his time to make sure I am safe; Laura's thoughtfulness with her chocolate goodies, and being so accommodating when I need her to do stuff last minute; and little encouragements from everyone, that makes those moments when an impeding tsunami of anxiety builds up, bearable and not as bad.

Shaz, who had also been stressed because she has her CPA exams on Thursday, MMS'ed me this last night at about 10pm:





Haha! She said she got her mom to write it! My Chinese is rusty, but I knew encouragement when I see it! So I 'jia you -ed' it all the way.

I'm so lucky to have a support crew providing ongoing encouragement. Thanks guys!

It's weird, but last night, I didn't mind working late as much, I actually forgot what time it was. It was only when I left work, that exhaustion hit me. It was also, only when I was walking to the train station with a happy and tipsy Kevin, when I realised, that I actually enjoyed this work. Except I had a feeling telling me that I should not make working 15 hours a habit. Haha. If I did this, I really wouldn't have a life.

Anyways, I've lazed in bed long enough. Need to get back to work.

Happily waiting for your next post!

-Anna xXoo

Short bursts of smiles

Hey Chia!

Congrats on finding your accommodation! That fell right into your plans didn't it! How did you find this place? Did you look on the Internet? Paper? Word of mouth?

Are you going to be living with anyone?

After you move in, what are you going to to next?

Your photo of the changing of the guards is so cool! They looked like toy soldiers!

I think it was a lot better that I replied to your entry this morning, rather than last night. Work has been quite stressful, and yesterday I was on the brink of cracking. Working more hours than sleeping, (but then again, who sleeps for 12 hours?) no time to even eat lunch, trying your best to get things done, having them knocked back for improvements, while needing to continue starting other work. It got a bit overwhelming after I spoke to a witness yesterday for almost one and a half hours ending at 4.30ish. I was completely exhausted. (I have been speaking to them all day every day this week). I only had a whisper of a hope that the matter that I'm working on would settle yesterday afternoon. But, it didn't. When I was told, I think that almost strained all composure I had maintained. I felt the tears threaten.

I think it's just the 12 hour days, working on weekends and dealing with people who don't want talk to you, even after relentlessly being encouraging, super polite and nice to them, they still withhold information, lie, hang up on you etc.

But in amongst the crap, there is a underlying feeling of excitement and drive which comes with preparing for trial. To be honest, I feel like I'm improvising each step of the way, hoping it is alright for counsel.

Just when I really ought to have retired, this fellow came in and saved the day:










He came to my office bringing moral support, hugs and a warm Turkish naan-like stick, lathered with tasty garlic sauce. Kev then undertook 'operation candy snatch' by traveling on the train to pick up Hugo from my train station and drive him back to his house so that I wouldn't have to travel so far late at night. Yay for Hugo not having to wait all by himself in a dark train station.

Later when I was done, when Kev picked me up from the closest station. When I got jumped into Hugo I saw this:





Hugo was definitely on the hungry side in the morning. Kev had secretly taken Hugo for a feed! He said that he knew I wouldn't have time to fill up this week. ^__^ thank you Kev!

I then opted to play our 8.15pm volleyball game. Man I was rusty, and a bit slow from being at the computer all week, but it was good to see Els and Chinny and the other volleyball peeps. I admit I was a bit aggro. It was semi finals and I had all the pent up stress, that I was yelling more than usual and yea. Kinda feel bad. I was bossy Chia. Bossy! I am just lucky Kev, Els and Chins are ok with it.

So that's the little bursts of sunshine through the rain in my day.

Of course, there is reading your posts on exploring and happy beginnings! Stay cool chia! Miss ya!

P.s on the topic of new beginnings, look what I found on Phyllis after weeks of no activity: