What a long day it has been!

Today has been extremely long to me. But it was certainly a day to remember. Today was orientation at melb uni. How exciting. I was supposed to run the EIC booth at uni, in competition with other clubs I would say. Overall, it was extremely rewarding with many people coming to join our club and I in getting to meet alot of people with the same passion as me.

The day started off with me going to university, rushing in the morning. The day was wet, with drops of rain everywhere. It was still drizzling and I feeling terribly cold. Still, I had to get out of my comfy bed and head off to the bathroom. Bath, showered, changed and cooked instant noodles for breakfast, and I was ready to leave for university.

I arrived late at uni, with the city being jammed full with cars as usual. My friend Yang was already there, waiting for me. We managed to get a table, and off we were setting up the table for EIC. Suddenly, it rained. We had to reverse setting up everything, and moved the table back into the share. Our effort a few minutes ago was wasted.

Nevertheless, rain stopped and we repositioned with everything nicely set out for people to come, see and get attracted to our club. Our main attraction was our green apples because we thought that people would generally be hungry, and looking at the apples, they would generally be attracted to our club. So, the planned work and alot of people did indeed come and visit us. I met some few people who were very keen on joining. Some of them were good at the sharemarket, and some were not very, but still keen.

We ended at 3, and then all of us who came that included Yang, Mitheran, Eugene, Donald, Edward, Siu Ching and me were discussing about the future of EIC together. It was memorable that we stood outside together and discussed things. Fortunately, there was the EIC shirt for me to wear because that day was freezingly cold. Gullible me just went out with a thin t-shirt and jeans. Overall, it was memorable and fun.

At night, I went for a dinner with someone to celebrate her birthday. It was really enjoyable and memorable too. Finally, I am back home.

What a long day! Long, fun day. =) With the lacking of sleep and too much activities, tomorrow will surely be a late day for me. God bless all of you!

Joshua's 20th Birthday - memorable

Joshua's 20th birthday fell on the 22nd of Feb but was celebrated on the 21st of Feb and then surprises came on the 22nd, which is my actual birthday date.

Was that confusing enough?? Hope not!

21st of Feb:

On the 21st of Feb, I had my yum cha lunch at Dragon Boat restaurant. We had dim sum there. The food was great, all of us had plentiful to eat and we all drank alot of tea, which translates to full and happy people. The bill made me happy too, with prices quite low. Around 10 people of my closest friends came, and the bill was under a $100. After that we decided to bump around the city, after having chatted in the restaurant for almost 2 hours. We went to Crown's and caught a movie there, Rambo. Was fantastic, but Audrey And Sue Ann had to leave us early because they didnt like guyish movies like Rambo. So there was 4 guys and Nicole. The 3 guys excluding me were my close friends Aries, Daniel, Kelvin. After such an amazing movie, with so many headshots and war everywhere, we decided to go home. Firstly, I went to Kelvin's house to collect his laptop and he cooked dinner for me. We ate Ikea meatballs. It is not bad, should eat more in the future. Then we travelled all the way to Doncaster, my area, and later on Kelvin, Khim, her cousin Shu Ling and me went to McD. The meeting with Kenjisan was at McD and we were joined by Ming Fung and Thean. It lasted till 12am. So awesome! And then we went home. Kelvin and me fought a timetable war to get good times for our lousy timetables. And then at 2am, instead of sleeping, we chatted until 3am, then finally "konked" out to sleep.

22nd of Feb:

I woke up realising it is my birthday! How awesome the feeling was. By the way, the time was 7am. So I slept 4 hours. Kelvin had to leave early to get back to the city. We got ready and I sent him off at 7.45. Kelvin left, I could sleep back again. So I went back to sleep for about an hour. Soon after, I spent some quality time with my close friend which I can't name here, but we spent the whole morning and afternoon together. Then night came! I also watched Prison Break the final episode during evening time. Then I went to Box Hill to meet up with Khim and her friends. I had a small McD meal then we went together to 101 youth group. We played Cluedo and I cant believe Kash got it right even though we didnt share our cards with anyone. Plain lucky. :P After that, we went for supper at McD(3 times in 2 days), and I got surprised with a cake from my bestie Nicole. The cake was really fruite and about 15 of us sang happy birthday to me. It was memorable. Then I finally went home. Thanks Thean for sending me all the time! It was a really memorable birthday altogether. And thanks everyone who gave my prezzies, appreciate the card the most. Also thanks to the gazillion of friends who wished me, hope I have replied your message. I really really appreciate each of you. And too bad others dont have you as their friends, because you're all my friends. :)

Perhaps the best week of the year?

This is a bold statement to make but I reckon this could be the best week of the year! It being bold because not even 10/12 of the year has passed yet and I am already making such a statement. The reason is because this week is my birthday week! I plan to have an awesome birthday lunch on Thursday, one day before my birthday. 11 people are invited who are close to me and I could say have impacted my life in the years before.

This year is going to be different. I plan to have my birthday lunch at a chinese restaurant instead of the usual western restaurants or home-cooked food at home. Suddenly I have a craving for tea and nothing beats drinking tea and having a good chat to close friends of yours with no worries in the mind. So yeh, I hope it all goes well because it is going to be a blast! After lunch we'll probably catch up with a movie or something. Or maybe pool? Who knows.

On my birthday day itself, I am going to spend it with other close friends dear to me. And at night there is going to be 101 youth group, where again I get to meet alot of friends and maybe have a small birthday supper after the service. During the service, there is going to be games and fun which will be pretty exciting.

On thursday night, I will be doing two things, that is having a meeting between all of Kenjisan's officers, which will be so so exciting and I will be rushing with about 600 other students to fight for good timetables for our subjects. It is because the timetables open for editting on 22nd of Feb, my birthday. I really look forward to the meeting with Kenjisan officers because that would be our first since we started in January.

On Saturday I'll be working quite abit. And the good thing about that is I am working with people close to me and I simply love that. Adrian my friend, Novi the manager, you guys make Nandos rock. That's why the food is always better when we're there cooking. On Sunday, it will be my first Sunday I am not working since my dad left Aus, and I am able to go for church in Surrey Hills! See you all there and I do miss Pastor Roland and his messages alot.

As for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, it will be a pretty quiet three days. Monday is already gone and I had actually done quite abit of reading today. Started to learn Mandarin. I need to go to China. Then I can learn faster. Mandarin is pretty difficult but I am sure after awhile(could take a few years) I'll be better at it. After all, I am Chinese and even my dad can speak Cantonese, Hokkien and a little Mandarin.

About time I learnt my 3rd language, after English and Malay.

The 17th of February

Today is a special day and definitely one to remember! It started out fantastically. However, I cannot tell you readers what had happened because it was more of a personal matter. If you're close to me, you would know what has happened, and to others, you can only guess at best.

As the day progressed, I went to church, then went for work at Nandos. I never really liked working at Nandos this year because I feel that working isn't all that fun. The good thing is that we get to earn much more money yes, but there are lots of sacrifices that comes with using the time in working.

Some of the sacrifices are sacrificing the time with friends, the time used to study or research, the time used to serve God and the time used to read. The question to ask if that 12 something dollars of wages used to earn in work per hour worth the one hour of giving up other activities? This question has different answers for different type of people.

As night time came, together with Ming Fung, my appreciated partner in Kenjisan, we went for a meeting together to see the EIC members at the city. We had a quite lovely dinner in a japanese restaurant. I spent quite abit on that because it was an expensive restaurant in the city. The food wasn't all that good.

Night time came and we discussed about all aspects of EIC. It was quite alot of work, some being given to me all of a sudden and I am quite surprised at it. Hopefully, over time, the work load will seem much more less because I reckon I have not been used to high pressure lately. Its been smooth going lately and I should pump up abit. I am ready for a whole new exciting year of events!

The day ended with a meaningful chat with Ming Fung as we were driving home about stuff in life as well as about Kenjisan. Also friends, you know who you are, made my day and I am glad you are around.

Interviews - what they are really about

Today I went for an interview for a job at uni. It was a tutoring job where I had to be like a discussion group leader and help students learn finance. :P What didn't I like about this job.

So, I rocked up at the interview dressing quite smart indeed. First time I got so many stares all the way from home to the bus ride to walking to uni. Maybe because I looked out of place. When I reach there, the lady was already interviewing someone. I sat down at a chair and listened to the interview. The guy seems okay, and the lady seems okay too. Nothing too impressive.

Then the guy left. It was my turn. We spoke and spoke and it seemed like it was all about me. I tried to shift the topic of conversation back to the job, but found it back at me again. Her questions weren't that difficult like what extra-curriculat activities do I do... what will you do if... give some examples of leadership qualities in you... type of questions. My life basically spoke for itself. Also I gave alot of references to church, saying I'm active in church. I don't really know if she was happy/distress with that but at least I gave God honour.

The interview went along, and she seemed to think I was a pretty busy person. I told her I was running a business and i was EIC treasurer this year and at the same time I'm working two jobs and being active in church. Maybe it was because of that. A bad move? Perhaps.

So I left the interview feeling it was all about me. Hope that means its good. I have had a similar experience before in a past interview and I know its not good. They said they will give me a call late this week or earlier next week. Hopefully it will turn out alright.

The next time I go for an interview I will make it a point to structure my sentences more like I am this and this... this is how I can help you. I have learnt this and this... my services will be valuable to the students, the students will benefit. You will have made a great choice hiring me because... I am this and that. Perhaps that is much better. A great learning experience this interview sure was!

Hawksburn and Malvern!

Today I have made my own history. I travelled all the way to Hawksburn and Malvern. Some of you reading this might live in Australia but not even know where those two places are. Yeah they are actually very far away. I went there to meet three good friends whom I have grown close to and associate closely now with any of my business interests.

This has been my first time travelling on the train and bus for such a long journey since I have got back to Melb. Its been interesting so far! Got to experience that feeling again or being in total freedom, can travel and journey as far as you'd like. No uni or no activity now. Total freedom.

I met up with the three of them, Donald, Edward and Eugene and discussed from 11am to 6pm about EIC, Kenjisan and what we have been up to on our holidays. So much things to discuss yet so short time! In the end a very favourable outcome was achieved. The three of them had agreed to join our partnership. That has been a dream for me, can't believe that 3 people I really want to join my partnership did so.

With new members pouring in, I estimate new members will be about 6. Which is 3/4 of our current 8 member team! Wow..God has put alot of blessing on us!

I love melb now!! Especially the weather and people. I still miss my msia friends, you know who you are. And those who I worked with in my internship, if you ever managed to find my blog(!) miss you too. Love my dad n stepmom n sis. Appreciate very much kelvin, thean, and ming fung now. Feeling content with life today.

How my friend met Orlando Bloom's father

The other day we were in church in Malaysia, and we all had a class gathering. Usually in church, we meet in classes for youth groups and we have an adult or two to head a class. The head of our class has been Uncle Brian and Auntie May, two lovely people I will never forget for the rest of my life. They recently experienced something special, they met Orlando Bloom's father at an education fair!

Orlando Bloom's father is actually principal of a university in England. And he was at the Education Fair in Malaysia. Uncle Brian and Aunty May, not knowing who the man was, started to chat with him, and here's how their conversation went:-

Man: My son has to travel alot.
Man: Its ok if your son doesnt do well...for my son during his school days, they used to call him blooming idiot.

Man: now My son is doing quite well.
Auntie May: Oh where does he work?
Man: Hollywood.

Auntie May: Wow..What does he do? Filming?
Man: Haha...acting.

Auntie May: So he must want to be famous.
father: Oh he is quite famous.

Man: They pay my son alot.
Auntie May: How much?
Man: Millions of dollars each year.

(starts to wonder who the son is)

Auntie May: So who is your son actually?
Man: Orlando Bloom.
*shocks!*

And that was the story of how they met Orlando Bloom's father coincidentally.

How melb went so far

Hi my readers once again. Been 10 days since I have flown to Melb. The last time I blogged was one of my last days in msia. Alot has happened since I have come to melb once again, so this post shall be dedicated to what has happened over that period of time.

My dad stayed with my sis and me for a week here in melb. It was truly enjoyable. We did whole heaps of shopping for necessities, restock up some items in the house and went out for dinner a few times. We even had a steak dinner at home cooked by my dad. We bought the ingredients together. Even though alot of money was spent, it was worth it because we needed those supplies and food to last for the rest of the year.

I am already getting used to the lifestyle here in melb, which I have to say, is quite different to that of Malaysia. In my hometown, you get a maid who will wash everything for you and who will cook you dinner. Over here, things are a little bit more independent because you have to do everything yourself. The value of my time increases here because I have to do more things and I still have the same amount of time. So I guess you can regard that as an irony. I can't afford a maid here, but I can back in msia. But in msia my times is worth much less than over here in melb.

The partnership has been growing steadily in terms of profit. And alot is going to happen over the next 2 months. I am really excited. Our two holdings in two very special companies continue and I am proud of their performance, even though it is such a short length of time to be measured against. So, it makes investing seem easy, but I'm sure it is because I did some things right that it is that way. And I shouldn't change what I did previously. What I can do is identify error and perfect it. It is very true in investing that once you protect your downside, the upside will take care of itself. Like in chess too.

Uni will be starting soon in early march. Another year of exciting happenings. And I feel that it is going to be so. However, it will be different to 2007. The last year was more of introduction and getting used to things. This year, becoming more seasoned to everything, is a year of growth and seizing opportunities. I have no excuse to give any lesser results than last year. I am very fortunate though and I express my thanks to God for giving me alot of blessings last year. Particularly in meeting Kelvin, who has been my buddy in so many competitions last year and achieving outstanding results. Together we have got best first year team, 2nd place in a sharemarket competition and are current semi-finalists in a business plan competition. I don't plan to look at it for complacency but more of a motivation to do even better in 2008!

Hopefully I will also get to experience new things and that my enthusiasm for business and investing will not dampen because of time, but increase ever more. That's my hope for 2008 and that all my friends alongside me will continue to excel as well. Remember, we have to strive to be better each year than the year before! That is the true growth. Do not become complacent just because last year was well, which was a particularly good and eventful year for me. If we stay stagnant, other people who work hard will enjoy the fruit of their own hard work. If you work hard, you will enjoy that fruit too.

The sharemarket in general has been the most whooping month ever in January. It was the 2nd worst month since the fall in october 1987. However, I am proud to say that, even though choppy it was, the partnership emerged as a clear winner from that slump as we bought in the fall. We are in the green now and hopefully will continue to be so in the future as we ride out more volatility predicted to come.