I'm Richer!

Couple of days ago, I received a mail which I had no idea who sent it.

Guess who sent this?

My housemate, Darren, passed this mail to me. I was scratching my head, trying to guess who sent it. "Don't tell me I need to pay for any bills again. I'm broke!" I thought.

Wheee~!

I didn't bother guessing anymore. Curiosity forced me to tear off the envelope and looked into the contents.

Two gift cards.

To my surprise, the envelope contained the reward vouchers from a research company, Valued Opinions.

Earn reward vouchers online.

I became a member of this research company the end of last year and since then, I have participated in several market research surveys they conduct. This company rewards you with reward vouchers for every survey you complete.

Aud$10 Coles Myer gift card.

There are several rewards you can choose from. I have chosen the two Aud$10 Coles Myer gift cards. Although it's merely two Aud$10 gift cards, I can feel that I'm Aud$20 richer!

Red Ipod Nano.

I hope I can earn more money either from the psychology experiments in my uni or from the online market research surveys.

This is because my next target is the 4gb red Ipod Nano! ;)

P/s: Is there anyone who wants to donate to my 4gb-red-Ipod-Nano-fund? You are welcome to do so. Or, if anyone wants to send me a red Ipod Nano for my birthday present, I don't mind, too. But please let me know so that I won't have two red Ipod Nano. :P

Swan Valley Trip with ISS

Last Saturday, Nicole (Social Secretary) and I (Sports Secretary) of the International Student Service (ISS) organised a combined event to Swan Valley. Most of the preparation work was done by Nicole, I must admit. Since I was not back to Perth earlier than she did, she had to take over my part.

In the bus.

At about 8:30 a.m., we started our 45 minutes (approximately) trip to Swan Valley. Everyone was kinda excited about the trip.

The Margaret River Chocolate Company.

Our first destination, The Margaret River Chocolate Company. The company has another branch at Margaret River which is actually their main branch.

Everyone trying to seek for the best chocolate.

Once entered the shop, everyone started to browse around, trying to check whether the shop offers any yummy chocolate or not.

One piece of those costs you Aud$1.50++.

I must say the factory produces one of the finest chocolates I have ever tasted. I didn't buy any actually (quite expensive), I just went for the "Free Tasting". :P

Merchandise.

Their products range from the most popular chocolates to the company's very own merchandise.

Chocolate Easter Bunny.

That is the chocolate which caught my attention. I wonder if anyone would give me any chocolate Easter Bunny or not this year...

Snack's Corner.

There's a Snack's Corner at the chocolate factory. You can order a cup of hot chocolate if you haven't had any breakfast. ;)

Chocolate dip.

Again, I didn't order that. Nicole, Jonathan and Bernice ordered that. Basically, you can dip everything you can think of into the chocolate they provided.

From left to right: Kok, Bernice (Deputy of Social) and Nicole.

After spending about an hour at the chocolate factory, we decided to leave for the next event; Supa Golf.

Waiting at the "cafeteria" for our turn to play.

Supa Golf is actually a mini version of the golf. I guess, most of the golfers learn their basic skill from Supa Golf.

Game rates.

We have planned to take the "9 holes" for everyone.

Briefing.

We were divided into 8 groups and each group consisted of 5 people.

I couldn't remember most of their names already.

They couldn't accomodate all 40 people in the golf course, so we had to wait for our turn.

Record for your shots.

Golf clubs.

Golf ball.

Now, you can see Supa Golf is really for beginner golfer. ;)

Hole 1.

After waiting patiently for about half an hour, there I went, Hole 1!

First strike of the ball!

It was tough at first. The ball landed not far from where I have hit the ball.

Finally in the hole. ;)

It took me about 4 or 5 shots before the golf ball went into the hole. Not bad for a person who never holds a golf club before eh?

"Pro" golfers from left to right: Rachel, Cheryl, Lydia, Jonathan, Kok.

It took us about 1 and a half or two hours to finish all the 9 holes. Tiring but fun! A must try for everyone!:)

Move on next was a tram ride at Whiteman Park after our quick lunch. For your information, lunch was sandwiches and drinks which was partly prepared by me. :P

Jonathan and I on the tram.

The tram is an electric tram which takes you to a 4km tram ride.

Left or right?

It takes about 30 minutes to complete a journey and it departs every half hour.

Bush fire on the far side.

Inside the tram, you'll get to see parts of the park and also some wonderful scenery.

I know I'm fat!

You can also take some beautiful photos.

After the 4km tram ride.

It costs an adult Aud$5 for this short ride. For me, it's way too expensive and not worth the money. I'll rather add some more money to visit the Caversham Wild Life Park which is just situated beside Whiteman Park.

The trip came to an end at about 4p.m. I was drop dead tired after the trip. However, I must say the Swan Valley trip is a success. Let's wait and see for my next sports event for ISS; GO KARTING!

Book Fest and Sausage Sizzle

Last Tuesday was a very busy day for me.

Kok The weather is super hot lah!

Despite the hot weather, with the temperature exceeded 42 degrees Celcius, the International Student Service (ISS) managed to organise two events; Book Fest and Sausage Sizzle. As I'm one of the committees, I was expected to get involved.

Small Book Fest.

Book Fest was organised by the Education and Welfare Officer of the ISS.

Various second hand books for sale.

Basically, the Book Fest is a place for all the students to buy and sell second hand books.

"Aud$30 for two books, can?"

ISS doesn't make any profit from this Book Fest for your information. It is a direct sales between the students.

Sausage Sizzle.

In the afternoon of the very same day, ISS organised a Sausage Sizzle for all the international students.

Come and grab a sausage with bun for free!

The main objective for this Sausage Sizzle is to extend the warmest welcome for all the international students.

Explaining...

The ISS committees took this opportunity to explain to the students about the advantages upon becoming an ISS member.

Chit chat and have fun!

Guess which country they come from.

Some came just to grab free food but some came to meet more friends.

Part of the ISS committees, one guy and all girls.

Both events received overwhelming response from the students. Well done to all the ISS committees. Next event up would be Swan Valley Trip. Stay tuned!:)

P/s: Apologise if you think this post is not properly done cause the weather is so hot and I just don't have the mood to write well. I'm melting at the moment...

Happy Chap Goh Mei!

So, everyone was having a great meal for Chap Goh Mei? And I guess, most of you out there were enjoying yourself on that day? Are you curious on what I had for my Chap Goh Mei's dinner?

I'll tell you what I had for dinner on Chap Goh Mei's evening. But before that, let me invite Mr. Sausage to wish you...

Mr. Sausage wishing you...

HAPPY CHAP GOH MEI!

So everyone is expecting me to have a big feast or at least some proper dinner on Chap Goh Mei, eh? Instead, I only had a simple dinner yesterday.

Sausage Fried Rice.

Sausage Fried Rice was all I had for Chap Goh Mei's dinner. Quite depressed, right?

It's only fried rice with eggs and LOTS of sausages.

We haven't got ourself a fridge, that's the reason we couldn't buy any mixed vege for the fried rice (the mixed vege here comes in a large packet for your information). Some more, we had to cook all the sausages (about 500g) in one go with the same reason, no fridge to store.

Tea.

We didn't even have any soup to go with the fried rice. Only a cup of tea as a companion.

A 'wonderful' scenery.

We also have no television to watch. Just a wonderful scenery outside the window.

You can see how desperate we are. *Sigh*

I don't think I should complain more. I should be thankful for the food I had as there are still lots of people out there who don't even have anything to eat.

Anyway, Happy Chap Goh Mei once again!:)

Think Too Much?

I don't know why. Whenever it comes to Sunday and I have nothing to do, I'll have my mind off somewhere.

This time, I have thought of my final year in Perth here. I have actually thought of it in Miri if you all still remember. However, I just couldn't help thinking it again today.

I don't know whether I should stay in Perth or to go back to Miri for career after I graduate (if everything goes well). Actually it's not totally about the decision to stay or not to stay in Perth. It's all about storing and moving my stuff.

There's a few things which make my head getting bigger and bigger:

1. Property lease. Our current lease ends at the end of November, 1 week after our final semester exam ends. I hope either Darren or Chris will be staying over with me to either clean the house or to shift our things out from the house.
2. Storing my stuff. I have quite some stuff here in Perth. My decision to stay or to leave is still a question mark. I might have to shift some of my stuff (mostly books and notes as I normally keep them) to my friend's house if that's the case. But who is going to let me store my stuff in his/her house? I don't like to give more trouble to anyone actually. That'll make me feel bad.
3. Selling or keeping my furnitures and kitchen utensils. I have a mattress, study table and a cupboard for myself and some other kitchen utensils. Again, it's the matter of staying or leaving. That's why I don't know whether I should sell or keep my stuff. If I had sold my stuff and decided to stay in Perth, I'll have to fork out more money to buy the furnitures and kitchen utensils again. And if I planned to sell off my stuff, I have to do it real early, maybe before my final semester exam. I don't want these things to affect my studies.
   
4. Accomodation next year. If I was to stay in Perth, I have to find my own accomodation. I hate moving!
   
5. Things to send back to Miri. My stuff is not a lot actually but then, I still have to find out what stuff to send back to Miri and what stuff is to throw away. I have to do it straight after I finish my final semester exam I guess.
   

Basically those are some of the problems which have caused me scratching my head for the whole day. I know it's still far and I am not even 100% sure that I'll graduate by the end of this year, but it's worth while thinking it now before it's too late.

Anyway, Happy Chap Goh Mei, guys! I'll see what I have for dinner tonight. Hope it's not instant noodles again...

Reunion Dinner (Late Post)

It's almost the end of Chinese New Year. I think I somehow forgot to write a post about Chinese New Year.

When I tried to dig out the photos I think I have taken during Chinese New Year, it was actually nothing much! Luckily my sis had generously supplied me with some Chinese New Year reunion dinner's photos. If not, I wouldn't have know what to post.

Kok Chee Restaurant.

Our big family, which consists of nine small families, went to Kok Chee Restaurant for our reunion dinner. I actually don't like the idea of going to the restaurant for reunion dinner. We just eat and go. No time for gathering. Since the adults have decided to do so two years ago, I have no choice but to follow.

Steamed Fish.

There were about six to seven dishes altogether. I couldn't remember about some of the dishes though. However, I'll try my best to recall. The fish doesn't seem to be so mouth watering I would say. The taste is not up to the maximum and I couldn't taste any freshness in the fish.

Shark Fin Soup.

This shark fin soup has nothing to boast about. Almost the same for every restaurants.

"Bao Bei" and mushrooms with brocolli.

I think this was one of the most favourite dishes out of all. Maybe because it's not too "heavy" and it's simply delicious!

Roasted Chicken.

I prefer the roasted chicken at Golden Restaurant instead. Mainly because the skin of the roasted chicken here is not crispy enough.

Pork Leg with Vegie and Buns.

This is one of my favourite dish. Despite it's quite fattening, I still couldn't resist myself to keep stuffing it into my mouth. Not only the meat is yummy, but also the buns. Dipping the bun with the sauce or eating the bun with the meat is so much nicer than the burger!

Those are the photos I have. There were few more dishes which I think my sis couldn't manage to snap a photo of. You know, it's hard to take a photo when everyone has their chopsticks ready, trying to get the food as soon as possible.

It might not be the best reunion dinner I have ever had but certainly, manage to get everyone in the family for a dinner is the most enjoyable.

Mickey Mouse wishes you Happy Chap Goh Mei in advance!

So, what do you have for your Chap Goh Mei's dinner?

P/s: Normally Kok Chee Restaurant serves very high standard food. Maybe due to the overwhelming customers on that day, the standard drops slightly. Nevertheless, it's still one of the best restaurants around.