句號

回港後快一個月了，總覺得要為這個網誌劃上個句號，算是「好頭好尾」。

總括而言，我十分慶幸當天作出了這個決定。原來，能夠完成自己一度覺得是異想天開的夢想，是很高興的。

就好像Alchemist所說，當你真心想做一件事的時候，整個宇宙都要起來配合你了。雖然，從宗教角度而言，這好像不太成立，但我還是好喜歡這個概念，因為它讓我們都變得積極，擁有排除萬難的決心和勇氣。

在澳洲的日子，並不是天天都在天堂。遇上挫折的時候，很感謝大家的聆聽、支持和禱告。本來想逐一提名，但恐怕大家太感動，泣不成聲（！），所以從略（！！）。雖然沒有寫出來，但我卻不會忘記。

最後（but not least）當然要感謝天父。隻身在外，我甚麼都沒求，只求自己平平安安。由於我的求生技能甚低，所以我心裏明白，倘若發生甚麼事，我總是逃不了。每次下班夜歸，我的心情都很緊張，踏單車回家，每每嚇得全身是汗。現在說起來好像很惹笑，但當同事告訴我，她男友晚上被賊人襲擊及搶去財物，我就知道，每一晚能安全回家，都是實實在在的恩典。當然還有其他的事，就留待日後有機會再說吧。

要告別這個網誌了！各位忠實讀者，如有興趣繼續閱讀，可回到小妹在xanga的地盤。多謝支持！

On the Road...Again!

Tomorrow I'll be travelling down the West Coast and finally arriving Perth in mid August.

春秋大夢

前幾天在網上遇到在澳洲認識的朋友，他說在香港很難找工作，着我不要回去！當然，我沒有因此而趕忙去辦移民，可是也不期然開始有點擔心……雖然，每次擔心幾分鐘後，便要先處理當下的事情（namely, TRAVEL!）。

在我開始「計劃」回港後該做些甚麼時，竟不斷想起數年前開始想做的事。有些事，你會很明白，自己根本沒有這個能力勝任，就像九十磅的女子企圖釣起三十磅的魚一樣。而且，即或你「有心有力」，卻還是得看看祂是否也首肯。

事實上，就是因為這事，促使我一把年紀還去學德文（Well, 學得很爛是另一回事啦！）；就是因為這事，令我很想去唸個碩士學位；就是因為這事，讓我每年暑假都很想離港一趟。

雖然，在現階段來說，這還是個春秋大夢（起碼在未來十年也不會實現），但是，倘若我每年都完成一點點「預備工作」，也許會有轉機……

我也去釣魚！

在這以前，我從沒有釣過魚。從前覺得這是很沉悶的玩意，坐在那裏大半天不知在幹甚麼；後來又覺得這是頗有智慧的消遣，肯花上這些時間去釣魚的人，必定是有點深度吧。如果只是想吃魚，大可到魚市場去選購啊！

今天早上，我參加了釣魚半天團。為了此事，我考慮了好幾個星期（！）。首要原因是，價錢真昂貴，半天要付120元啊！至於為甚麼我那麼想去呢？就是因為常在服裝店裏看到這些衣服：

是的，由此可見，澳洲人一定很愛釣魚啊！所以我很想去看看，了解了解。最終，我因為我的工作，而得到較優惠的價錢；同時，我又已作好心理準備，很可能一條魚也釣不到啊！你可能覺得真誇張呀，但當我想到所付的團費可買到近百條魚時，我必須先調校自己的心態，以免之後才來搥胸痛哭。

到真正釣魚的時候，我只覺得，魚竿很重（！）。來了澳洲以後，我一天比一天瘦弱。旁人都可以單手拿魚竿，而我用雙手拿仍覺得累。起初，似乎有一條大魚在吃我的餌，我卻沒有力氣把牠拉上來，結果牠吃飽後便游走了。我沒有覺得可惜，我無法把牠弄上來，那只代表牠根本不屬於我。如果我強求與自己能力不相稱的東西，未免太自尋煩惱吧？

後來，我暗暗對天父說：「可以給我一條我能釣上來的魚嗎？」雖然覺得釣魚的意義不在於釣得到魚，但作為凡夫俗子的我，還是有點想看到活生生的魚從海裏升上來啊！結果，我釣得一條約有前臂那麼長的魚。對其他人來說，這只是一條小魚，可是，於我而言，卻等同我的「親生骨肉」啊（ok, 又誇張了）！我急忙跟牠拍了張照，沒想到，那就成為牠的遺照。轉個身，船長已把牠拋回海裏。好可憐（指我！）。

在很短的時間內，我就要學習「失去」的功課。幸好，事前已想過可能甚麼也釣不到，所以，嚴格來說也不算失去了甚麼，因為我來的時候也是甚麼也沒有。（嗯，就像人生一樣！）而在中途卻又讓我嘗到魚上釣的快樂，我算是賺了啊！

這次釣魚之行，令我覺得美中不足的是，為要讓我們更容易釣得到魚，船長不斷把船駛到新的位置。這也是無可厚非，畢竟大家也付了團費，總想帶點東西回去做晚餐。可是，當我們追追逐逐，只為得到一條魚，那跟上班又有甚麼分別？

結論：下一次自己到海邊釣就好了。

愛在心裏口難開

很嘔的題目！我只想說，這是錯的。

忘記了以前有否寫過類似的主題，只是，今天我的同事們又提醒了我這一點。

同事e得知我快要離職，馬上跑到辦公室（只是幾步而已）告訴同事k。當時我在前台，聽到同事k慘叫一聲，於是進去看個究竟。同事k對我說，You are not allowed to go! 老實說，我有點意外，也有點感動。雖然，我也會想，我們的情誼有那麼深厚嗎？但是這也許並非最重要，我更欣賞他們能夠那麼輕而易舉地表達情感。

這是內歛的我還要多多學習的啊！（完）

為何要餵魚？

在這裏有一項頗特別的遊客玩意，就是餵魚！幾乎每天這地方都按潮汐漲退而在不同時間開放，成人付八塊錢（澳幣！）就可進場。入場費不算是貴，可我卻不明白，為何要付錢去餵魚呢？那些魚是經過訓練的嗎？你沒付款牠們就不吃你手上的麵包嗎？（實情是，受過訓練的，是人。如果你不付款，休想踏進餵魚區半步！）再說，其實我是很想牠們來餵我，怎麼反過來我去餵牠們呢？

潮水開始退去，大家都要走到海裏去餵魚。

縱然如此，我還是很想去看個究竟，了解一下為甚麼人們都願意進場呢？之前有好幾次，我都因為太磨蹭，錯過了餵魚時間。這次，只餘下半小時，我也決定要進去。我心想，餵魚不用餵很久吧？半小時應該可以了。進場前，我忽然掛念曦曦起來，如果他也在這裏，一定會很高興啊！我當天選擇自己來澳洲，早已預料會有很多獨處的時間，因此很少會覺得寂寞。只是可能因為這算是小朋友的玩意吧，就很想他在身邊。

「小魚兒快吃吧！」六格連環圖

到真正餵魚時才發現，你願意去餵，人家也不一定要吃。原來，餵魚並非想像中那麼容易，至少有一半的時間，魚兒都沒吃到我的麵包。身旁的小男孩告訴我，魚兒看到我們的手，感到害怕，就不敢前來吃個飽了。遇到這個小男孩，真好！他媽和他熱情地跟我聊天，及至分手時他還跟我說他有電郵，哈，好可愛！

請留意我手臂外側和內側的色差。我開始覺得自己黑得好像選錯了義肢的顏色！

我不知道該怎樣說，但餵魚這活動確然讓人很愉快，怪不得那麼多人前來餵魚。潮漲的時候，魚兒都曉得來這裏大吃特吃，所以魚兒的數目也真不少！看到很多肥美的魚在腳邊游來游去，實在很想把牠們吃進肚子裏！（骨子裏我還是中國人哦！）當然，他們禁止我們在那裏捕魚或釣魚，否則今天也休想有魚可餵。

連當地人也聞所未聞的魚市場

之後，我還是念念不忘，於是往魚市場去買魚！這裏的魚市場跟悉尼的魚市場，簡直不可相提並論！這裏只有兩店賣海鮮，幸好還能買到魚（如果連魚也沒有，這裏還敢自稱為魚市場嗎？），這魚現在還存在冰箱，我可以預料到，如果我明天下班後歸心似箭，一定是因為牠了！

換個看法

快要離開Darwin，我們開始要計劃請辭，這一部分，對我來說還真有點難度，沒想到，機會就正正來到門前。

昨晚跟馮朱氏用過晚餐，之後他們來我家一聚。正當他們預備離開的時候，有人進來了！猜猜是誰？就是職業仲介所的J和前政客M！結果，我們五人一起，喝酒精含量達38巴仙的希臘酒。換句話說，我們也就順理成章地、很自然地告訴他們，我們快要離開了。

J得悉後十分不捨，說馮氏的老闆定會因痛失愛將而傷心欲絕（註：馮氏的老闆跟M份屬好友），M卻說，他會因曾經擁有過這優秀的員工而欣喜才對。

朋友，我不是想說馮氏對Darwin的建築界有多大貢獻，而是，在J和M簡單的對答中，我就察覺，同一件事是喜是悲，全在乎你怎樣看。當然，要達致M的豁達，畢竟還是得多點人生經驗才行。可是，現在開始操練就很好了！

現在，相信你會明白，為甚麼我那麼喜歡這裏了。

如此禮儀

我自小在福音派的教會長大，從來不知禮儀為何物。中學隸屬聖公會，現在回想，早會上的程序也算是禮儀嗎？（可見我是魂遊太虛多於一切……）及至出來社會工作後，編輯了一本禮儀書（！），還是不明所以（！！），究竟禮儀的意義在哪裏？

警告：千萬不要奢望看罷此篇能得到答案！

在澳洲到過好幾間教會，當中不乏禮儀教會，我現在到的也是其一。雖然只是來了兩個月左右，但已見證了三個不同的儀式。想不到，親身參與其中的時候，竟然沒有預期中的抽離，反而被儀式的內在意義所感動。

1. 再訂婚盟（註：這名稱是我創作的！不知道正式的名稱是甚麼）

• 一對老夫婦結婚五十載，再一次站在牧師及眾人面前，承諾與對方甘苦與共，並願意繼續以愛、關懷和寬恕，走人生餘下的路程。在我看來，這一次的承諾來得更意義深長。第一，有多少夫婦能一起走過半世紀呢？這不已是很大的恩典嗎？其次，年青時步入教堂，畢竟還未與對方生活過，總有點「摸着石頭過河」的感覺。然而，在共度過數十個寒暑，充份了解對方的生活陋習和性格弱點後，仍然義無反顧地繼續相愛和彼此照顧，那不是來得更珍貴嗎？

2. 少年堅振禮

• 有三個少年人，在眾人面前堅定自己的信仰。據我猜測/了解，他們該是在嬰孩時接受了洗禮，現在長大至懂得獨立思考的年齡，自己決定願意繼續在教會受栽培，在真理中生根建造。我雖然不是第二代的基督徒，但也不難想像他們的信仰道路未必比其他人平坦，尤其是在父母和其他會眾的期望下長大，更難把這信仰看為自己的信仰。當我想到，也許不是每個受過洗的嬰孩長大後也會領堅振禮，我就更為他們感恩。

3. 嬰孩洗禮

• 今天是我頭一趟見證嬰孩聖禮。小女嬰非常可愛和乖巧，在領洗後，司事還抱她繞場一周，而會眾則唱着詩歌，祝福這剛誕生的小生命。會眾還承諾，要本着肢體互助的精神，在真理上造就她、鼓勵她，讓她一生不走差。無聊的我又跟在旁的小朱說，或許我們十數年後會再與這女孩碰面啊！

似乎在天堂

友人w常說我彷似置身天堂，而她卻還在地獄，情況就像拉撒路和財主一般。說澳洲的生活比香港寫意得多，相信沒有人會反對。在這裏，雖然也要為口奔馳，但卻輕鬆得多，可說沒有絲毫壓力。到了下班時間就快快樂樂地騎腳踏車回家，若你企圖先完成手上的工作才走，同事還會趕忙接過你的工作，並催促你回去。

基本上我是逢星期二、三休息。有時會想，趁這兩天假期可以多找一份工作啊！但很快就打消這念頭了。我不可以成為工作的奴隸啊！要平衡工作和生活啊！所以，結果我不用上班的日子，也許只會賦閒在家，但也覺得很快樂。

隨着回港的日子逐漸臨近，我不禁想，這種生活模式是否不可能在香港延續呢？抑或是事在人為呢？想想看，假設是六時下班，而我已收拾妥當，正準備踏出辦公室之際，上司忽現出現，問：你有事趕着要走嗎？而我就理直氣壯地說：是的，我趕着要去平衡工作與生活。然後馬上離去。

終極問題：如是者，我究竟可在這工作待上多久？

OK, 認真。其實現在這樣寫也有點多餘，如果有機會的話，我會再為大家報導回港後的生活實況。但願我還可繼續寫網誌，阿們。

生死一線

續(!!)

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今天在上班前，我忽然想寫網誌，又怕下班回家後會忘記（！），所以先在這裏寫題目。沒料到，竟有兩位忠心的讀者留言！當我想到，有時寫了洋洋數千字也沒有人留言，甚麼也沒寫就反而引起大家的興趣，就不禁覺得……世事如棋！

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入正題吧。

今天得悉好友父親的死訊，震驚之餘也很難過。來了澳洲的其中一個遺憾，就是出現了「香港真空期」。在這期間，對於香港發生的一切事也一無所知，即或是知道，也只是聽聞而已，沒可能置身其中。雖然明知是無可避免，卻又難免覺得遺憾……

他的離世，再一次讓我看到生命的脆弱。早幾年遇上「海難」（哈哈，我十分佩服自己用詞之精確！），我竟然連掙扎也懶（！），究竟是因為有信心可直上天堂，還是因為生無可戀？後來再想，才覺得自己真太自私。死還不容易嗎？活着才困難哩！就像董先生所言，離開很容易，留下來才更困難。如果自己貿然離去，遺下愛自己的人傷心欲絕，那又算怎樣？

當然，話說回頭，畢竟我們可以掌握的，也真太少。

註：此篇是在極度睏倦的情況下寫，組織十分混亂。

寫個不停

自從成功在這電腦安裝中文輸入法後，我開始重拾寫網誌的興趣。不知大家有否留意到，其實我不怎麼喜歡在這裏寫。主因是語言，其次是交待生活近況對我來說十分沒趣。我寧可寫，嘩！我今天在前台遇到些甚麼奇人奇事，也不想說，唔，我現在的生活很安定，有工作，有住所。

就說這篇，其實在寫之前並沒有想好主題，所以直至這一刻我還不知道下一句要說甚麼。然而，這種隨意亂寫的自由，比起之前報告行蹤式的拘謹，更討我的歡心。可憐的是，讀者看了數千字後，還是彷彿置身霧中……


好，就寫寫我的工作吧（！）。

現在是旅遊旺季，我們九成的顧客是澳洲人，有些是從墨爾本過來避寒，也有些是從悉尼、昆士蘭過來旅行；有些是坎培拉政府總部派來的官員，也有些是參加投球、曲棍球比賽的隊員。旅遊那一批，平均年齡應該有57.3歲吧，常常是老夫老妻把臂同遊，某次給我遇到三個婆婆一起旅遊，在前台時她們還在互相取笑，我心裏很是羡慕之餘，也不禁想：年老時我也會與好友周遊列國嗎？

至於工幹或比賽的那群，就相對年青得多。對我來說，年齡並不怎麼重要。可是，從管理層或執拾房間者的角度而言，他們每每看到這些年青人就頭痛，心中暗暗禱告不要出亂子。另一方面，年青的住客間中還會語出驚人，某次我在替一位女士辦理入住手續，不久有一位男士步入，在旁等候。我問他：你們是一起的嗎？（因為他倆也可能互不相識的）他竟說：是的，我們一起好幾年了，可是不知道還會一起多久（！！！）。我不禁啞然，又只好尷尬地笑。

前幾天聽執拾房間的同事說，覺得我們這些在前台工作的，其實只是在陪笑（！），或許也有點道理。:p

回家

開始看到旅程的盡頭，不禁叫我感到有點失落。想到快要回到節奏急促的香港，老實說，並不是一件讓我期待的事。可是，在看不到有其他出路（是否誇張了點？）的情況下，我只好積極一點面對，讓自己回去後不會那麼難適應（天呀！究竟會有多難呢？）。

為了讓自己快點適應，我現在每天都與香港友人對話（！），哈！友人W說會幫助我重新投入社會，我感到自己像出獄（或是精神病院吧？）一樣！此外，我也常會努力聯想，香港是怎樣的呢？（哈哈，Okok, 又誇張了！）看到上一篇網誌中的照片，還是很想去許留山啊！哈！

唔，其實我想寫的是：祈禱。開始語無倫次，可見我的思想多麼紊亂！在這裏與查經小組祈禱時，我發現一個很有趣的現象：比方說是六個人圍在一起祈禱吧，在閉上眼睛前，沒有定下甚麼原則，只說由a 開始，f結束。結果a開始了，b又好像不欲開口，c心裏掙扎是否要開始，又不清楚b究竟是否在盤算着，就在這時，d就開口祈禱，之後f也說了幾句，但彷彿又並未結束，然後d再為另一件事祈禱，一輪靜默之後，f忽然說句「阿們」，就正式結束了整個禱告。結果，c仍然處於迷惘之中……

這樣的事一定不會發生在香港吧？唔，我想也不會在美國發生……

服務態度

終於可以在這裏打中文了，實在十分感動！來了這裏才發現自己這麼喜歡中文（！），雖然有時仍會慨嘆英文不夠好，但還是會因為懂得中文而沾沾自喜（！！）。

入正題吧。今天我與跟大家討論的議題是：服務態度。

以往在香港並非從事服務性行業，所以從來沒去想「顧客永遠是對的」這句話；相反，從消費者的角度而言，有人將自己奉若神明（！），不更是正中下懷嗎？可是，香港零售店從業員的態度很好嗎？又不見得。要不然還需找劉德華出來勸諭嗎？在澳洲，我更曾被台灣女生詢問，香港人的服務態度是否就是那樣愛理不理？她甚至指出，由於她操國語的關係，更感被服務員白眼……

你想像得到那一刻我有多尷尬嗎？

而在澳洲，整個文化則完全不同。我在前台工作，也算是服務性行業，但從來不用怕得失客人。怎麼說呢？或許是他們看人的價值和尊嚴比金錢更重要吧，有時客人的態度不太好，事後經理也會對我說，如果他們不友善，我們並不需要吞聲忍氣，就將他們拒諸門外，讓他們另找住處吧！有時客人要求借吹風機而我們剛好沒有存貨，我焦急地向同事詢問，同事的回答實在叫我拍案叫絕。她說：「如果我可以不用吹風機，他們也可以！」哈哈哈……

我想，從事服務業的朋友都想搬過來吧？

題外話：有時香港人總會投訴身在外國十分不便，一到晚上就像死城般，甚麼也買不到。可是，如果我們盼望準時下班，與家人朋友共聚，又怎可要求別人犧牲這些時間，來給自己一點便利呢？現在，我想到在香港深夜二時還是燈火通明，就不禁慨嘆，為甚麼我們不可以早點回家呢？

Indescribable Love

I intend to write this entry in Chinese and in my former blog site, but I failed. So I have to come back...

Last week I was under the weather for some reasons. One day I got a call from Jennifer and she asked what happened to me (!!). I was completely astonished because she should know nothing as we haven't contacted around that time. Then I realized that it was Wayne who asked her about me! (Very indirect!) Nevertheless, I was (and still, am) very touched by their kindness and care. Wayne is a really nice supervisor. I didn't expect him to be so observant and caring. And Jennifer is very kind too. Why all these people are so good to me? Have I, by mistake, entered the heaven? :p

OK, a bit exagerrating, but I'm indeed moved by their love.

And then it makes me think: Oh if a word of kindness can encourage people like this, why are we so often indifferent to God's love? (Well, in this case I am referring to Christians, instead of anyone else) Is it because we get so used to it that we thought we deserve? While I give thanks to God for everything He granted me, I wonder if I do it habitually. In fact, if I think Wayne doesn't have to be that caring, then God doesn't have to be that loving too. (What a comparison! Haha...) What I want to say is, don't take it for granted. That's all. :p

Recently I am reading a book called The Bible Jesus Read and one part enlightened (haha, this is such a funny word to use!) me:

"If we had only the Gospels, we would envision a God who seems confined, all-too-huan, and rather weak... The book of Revelation gives a different glimpse of Jesus...and the Old Testament likewise falls in a different portrayal of God. Like Jesus' original disciples, we need that background picture in order to appreciate how much love the Incarnation expressed - how much God gave up on our behalf." (pp. 26-27)

Bits and pieces

Sorry for this crappy title. I'm just too lazy to spend time coming up with another one... :p After one month in Darwin, I started to settle down - which means, life isn't exciting anymore. But yeah, that's life.

I don't intend to write a lot. So, photo time!

1. Crocosaurus Cove

• As a front desk staff, I earned the chance to go to this brand new touristy place. Yeah, really brand new. When we visited the place, we actually saw the artist behind the display window, painting the habitant of the reptiles. Duh... it is supposed to be a site where you can swim with crocs. And it's located right in the city centre! Sounds cool! The only thing is, they put the croc in two days AFTER our visit. -_-""

2. Darwin Convention Centre and Stokes Hill Wharf

• DCC is brand new too. So you see, there are a lot of developments happening here in Darwin!

3. Territory Day (July 1)

• This is the day when Northern Territory became an independent state. This is also the day when you can set your own fireworks legally. But I didn't do that. Such a pity. We watched the official fireworks on the beach and it was awesome! Could see the little boats setting off fireworks!

4. Off the Track

• Well this doesn't really match the style of the rest of the entry. But who cares? Last but not least, I'm going to show you my sneakers. I'm so proud of them. Yea actually I could throw them away, but I'll wait and do that before I go back home. In fact, I really like the shoelaces...
  

Bike Philosophy

There are only two types of people who ride their bikes slowly:

1. Those who had an accident before;
2. Those who fear that they may have an accident.

Common point: They dont want to get hurt. Period.

Happy Day

"Happy day!" my manager Wayne likes to say that when things go smoothly and nothing shitty happens.

This is such a happy day for me. First, we went to church for Sunday service. Although the style is not like what we usually have, it's already a blessing that we have a church to go to. And I especially like the hymns because most of them are the hymns we sang back in high school! :-)

We sang this today and it's really good. I like the Chinese version lyric better though.

And this is my fave kid in the church. Hehe...Kentucky kid! He's always so happy! :")

What's more? I got a bike today! Actually I was thinking if I should go get one because it takes me almost an hour to walk home every day. But I just plan to get a second hand bike since I won't be here for long. And then, this morning Nenelle came to me and said she can borrow me her bike! Wow... isn't it too good to be true? :p

Dont think this is the end, it still goes on. I baked almond shortbread last night. Frankly speaking I dont think it is good at all. Too sweet for me. Well but I still have to finish them... so, Simon is victim #1. Haha! He said it's good (!). Even so, I couldn't trust his comments because he's always so kind and doesn't want to hurt my feelings. Haha! So I gave him two more and asked him to share with Stella. Victim #2 is my workmate Daniel. He also said it's good! Kinda unbelievable. So I quickly wrapped three more for him and asked him to take home! Haha... you see how much I wanna get rid of them. :p Victim #3 is another workmate Alison. She also said it's good! Hahaha.... and she helped me finish the last two. Yeah, they are all gone! Hahahhahahahaha....

Actually there are still some small stuff happening today which made me really amazed. But I think I should just stop here before you fall asleep...

All good

Well, I have to say, too many good things happened to me in Darwin, that's why I really like this place.

To give you an idea, I'll just throw some examples:

1. I work in a very nice place and the job is not difficult at all. Prior to actually working there, I was so nervous that I couldnt do it well. But I think I'm getting better now.

2. At my job, sometimes I get free and delicious food, sometimes I get free TOURS! Last time I went on a city tour and next week I'll go to Litchfield.

3. It has been so difficult to find a place for short term stay in Darwin, but one day I got a room for free! I only have to do some housework (like an Indonesian maid!) when I have time. And you know what? I also have my own bathroom and toilet and mine are bigger than my master's! Haha...

4. And in my room, I can use the computer and telephone. I no longer need to stand in the phone booth during midnight!

Behind all these, of course, lies all the good people whom I met here. So, it's certainly not hard to understand why I wish to stay longer...

Let's get real...

Ok, after talking about something 'surreal', I think it's time to get back to my 'real' daily life. As you all know, I'm in Darwin now. Initially I just planned to stay here for a few days and then I'll jump to the East Coast. But then a thought came to me: "Why not stay here for a while?" (So, you see, I'm always changing my mind...) When my mom asked me how well do I adapt to the life here, I said I just feel like home (!!!) as it really resembles Indonesia (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Haha...

Anyway, this was how I decided to stay here. And the sunset here in Mindil Beach is very very impressive. I even made a video of that and I knew the sun sinks within 3 minutes! :)



What's more? I'm back to the labour force now! I'm working in a resort at Cullen Bay and it's such a beautiful place. You can sit there forever (not in the office of course) and would be reluctant to leave...And what I do at work is to do everything related to reservations and at the reception desk. Incredible isnt it? If you know me well, you'll know this is not the type of job for me. ;p Let's see how it goes later on...

Surrealism

I can't believe that this is actually my first (and probably, last) entry in May! Well, I have done quite a bit of travelling over the past month. Now I'm in Darwin, which is a very tropical city up in the Northern Territory. Everything is so exotic here. I almost forget that I am STILL in Australia!


Last night we saw some backpackers who were partying till late. Clemens said it's backpacking life and it's not real life. I think I know what he means and that made me ponder upon my life here a little bit.



Sometimes I find it a bit surreal to live in Australia where it seems to be worry-free and pressure-free all the time. Perhaps it's just because I view myself as a traveller and that's why I never need to take it so serious. It's a bit indescribable but I feel a bit like d-r-e-a-m-i-n-g! :p I feel very much isolated from the rest of the world. Everything happening during this period is far too unreal to be understood. Well, maybe it was already an absurd idea to quit a stable job and come here in the first place.

No worries, for sure things will become bloody real again once I get back to Hong Kong...

Too Funny

*Warning: This is going to be really 'mo liu'. If you dont even know what is 'mo liu', dont bother to read on. :p*

Today I was working on the brochure on the computer. My host came to me and saw what I've done. Then I said something(!). I forgot what I said indeed even though it was just minutes ago. Anyways...

Then she said: You are MASTER!

Kakakkakakakka.....cant help bursting into laughter and sharing this here IMMEDIATELY! :P

The Mystic Outback

Unexpectedly, I went to the outback this week. It was Beltana Field Day and my host set up a counter there. I helped her doing all sorts of artwork. For sure they were not that professional (and in fact, pretty rough), but I have to say I was happy doing all those.

It was not so crowded on that day. Well, in the middle of nowhere, do you expect to see a crowd?

This is where we stayed the night before. Don’t you think it’s just awesome?

During the day, they held a series of talks at the auditorium. One of those was about the introduction of organic beef to Hong Kong last Dec. After knowing that I come from Hong Kong, the speaker invited me to do a name card presentation demo with her!!! Hahaha…that was so funny! :p And when she talked about her impressions (aka cultural shock) about Hong Kong, I found it pretty amusing as well.

In a nutshell (!), it was great because it was all new to me!! :-D And if you have time, just spare a minute to pray for the kangaroo that was hit by our car and certified dead immediately.

Piggy Bank of Love

Well, I think I'm pretty good at creating strange titles. ;) Just realized that I only wrote 3 entries in March. It's true that I didn't have much chance to go near the computer recently. But I think the other reason for my low output is the language barrier. I just feel my entries are so boring when they are in English (!!!). :p Right, it's also boring to tell you guys where I am now. Don't you think so? :PPP

OK, let's get to the point. I must thank my friends for travelling all the way to Melbourne to see me. :) Although it's tiring and cold to travel down south, nothing is comparable to the time spent with you gals. Hahaha... Thanks also those who didn't come but still write me words of encouragement every now and then. You guys make me feel very much loved. Now I started to understand what Wai did say. Maybe I just have to save up the love you guys gave me, so that I will be able to give in the future, whenever necessary.

Um, it's boring but let me just tell: I am going to Adelaide next! :-)

I’m a Farmer!

Aha, it’s been quite a while since I last came online. No worries, I’m still doing well. As some of you might know, I’m now staying and working in a farm. Yes, a F-A-R-M! Pretty interesting, isn’t it? I have to say, I’m really excited about this. Really really excited! J I hope you would understand, it’s just like having achieved one of your weirdest dreams…

Farm life is simple, very simple. Everyday is almost the same: Work-->Shower-->Laundry (Hand wash)-->Dinner-->Reading-->Bed. After two days of adjustment, I finally realized that I have to finish all these by 8pm and get ready for bed at 8:30pm. It also took me some time to find out that I need to have a really big breakfast in order to supply me with enough energy for the hard work ahead.

And then, farm work is actually not as hard as I imagined. Well, maybe I was too imaginative and thought that I would be tired to death and be injured in one way or another. (touch wood…) Yes, it was VERY hot in the past week and it went up to 37’C! But it’s alright, really…

Living in a rural area like this, I have the privilege of appreciating the starry sky and the sunset everyday. Yes, each and everyday, if I wish. God is a genuinely talented artist who designs all these, putting them in beautiful colours and perfect positions.

One more thing that adds to my joy is that I’m living with a Malaysian Christian couple. I’ve never thought that I could still go to church in the farm. This is simply incredible! And I haven’t been this excited about going to the Sunday Service for years too. :p


Before this entry becomes too boring, I think it’s better to stop now…

Against the Force of Inertia

Actually I just finished typing my blog on another computer but then I lost the whole entry. Now I'm typing this the second time. You can imagine how frustrated I am.

Right, now I'm in Melbourne! Yes! I finally left Sydney! Can you believe it? ;) I spent two days in Canberra and now I'm in Melbourne! Ah, actually I should say something more about my trip and maybe post some pictures. But I'm just too tired to do this at the moment...

In short, it's good to see something new! And I'll head to a farm this Saturday! Wow! Um, but as so many people had bad experience on the farm, I try not to be so optimistic. :"P Let's see how it goes later.

Oh yes, now I can use a new label for my entries. I named this the right half because I'm going to record my trip of the right (aka East) half of Australia. *Cheers*

Yearning for Nature

I can't believe that I've actually taken 10+ photos of the sun from my apartment during these 3 months! It's funny, isn't it? The same sun rises and sets everyday, but everytime I see that I still come to appreciate its beauty in awe.

And I am yearning to see more of God's wonderful creations in my days to come.

Yes, you are right. I have to start my journey now...

My Customers

At my jobs here, I always have the chance to meet different customers. I appreciate the Australians who can just talk about anything with their customers. Usually I am too shy to do that. Haha...but occasionally I also come across interesting customers...

(After seeing Customer 1 in the supermarket three times a day...)
A: Hey, I see you so many times today!
C1: Haha, you are new? You'll get used to this. I work upstairs so whenever I think of something, I'll come and buy.
A: You work in a salon?
C1: Yes, how do you know?
A: Hahahahaa....(whispering in my heart: I won't tell you!)

(Many customers at the Wrap shop eat the same thing everytime they come. Gradually I remember some of their all-time favourites.)
A: What would you like to drink?
C2: Er...
A: (respond so quickly) Mango banana nectar? (He drinks this every time!)
C2: (smiling cunningly) Haha, apple juice.
A: ...

(This was in Mandarin but I just write it in English for consistency)
C3: Where are you from?
A: Hong Kong.
C3: Oh, your Mandarin is good! (pause) But what's wrong with you? Why are you so tan? (-_-!)
A: Ah, the sun in Australia is really fierce you know...

(Some customers are so kind and they take the initiative to talk)
C4: How are you?
A: Good.
Due to time constraint, I usually just give brief (and sometimes untrue) response. I really want to be truthful and say, " Oh I am so tired! I want to die! Next time can you buy less so that I don't have to pack so many stuff??" :p

C5: How much is this? (pointing to the candies near the counter)
A: 1 dollar.
C5: Oh so expensive!
A: Yes, don't buy it. (remark: I definitely was not rude. I just gave him a sincere recommendation! :p)
C5: Hahhahahaa.....

C6: How does this taste? (pointing to the candies - plums wrapped in honey)
A: Ah, it's sweet outside and quite sour inside.
C6: Ha, just like some people...
A: :) (and was thinking: she's so wise, isn't she?)

The Root of Evil

Money.

Ok, money is neutral. Only the love of money is the root of evil. Frankly speaking, money has gained its importance to me after I came to Australia. It has never topped my worry list like now. I can no longer lead a life like what I did in Hong Kong due to financial diffculty. Even so, occasionally I still spend like before, like this:

('As it is in heaven' @ open-air cinema)

But after that, I felt like a factory worker who goes to a decent French restaurant for dinner. You know what I mean? My income and expenditure are not proportional - a definite cause to be questioned by ICAC :p. And, in fact, sometimes it really pisses me off.

Days ago, I was getting frustrated by my always-limited income. Then, a question popped up in my mind: How much do you earn that can make you happy? NO ANSWER. And this 'answer' is actually the best answer already. Isn't it worthless to go after something that is never satisfying? Of course money is important and you need that to sustain your life. However, if you expect to attain satisfaction out of it, you are doomed to be disappointed.

So, I am still poor but I am glad for the lesson today.

Bad Hair Day

Well, my bad hair day was last Saturday but of course it's alright now. My last blog was a bit too brief in fact. And as you can imagine, now I can hardly remember why I wrote that already. Anywayz...(!!!)

I must admit that I am getting lazy in writing ever since this blog was established. And, believe me, I actually feel guilty about this. Considering that I might not be able to access the internet so easily later on, I will try to write a bit more while I still can.

Not long ago, it was Chinese New Year. The biggest difference is that we didn't have public holiday here. So I don't really feel very festive. But thanks Windpig for treating me Chinese New Year Eve meal in a korean restaurant and Auntie Sze for making me all the traditional Chinese food. :) Plus, Sydney Council was also trying to add colours to the Festival by arranging the New Year Parade. Too bad that I missed it, but Lina, Rachel and I still managed to see the very last bit of the performance near Darling Harbour.



As a traveller in Australia, it is almost an assigned gesture to hit the beach as often as you can. Although it is still summertime now, the sun does not always shine upon us. Thanks God we had a bit of sunshine last Friday and we couldn't wait rushing to Manly Beach immediately! Um, never carry any expectation when you visit a place. Maybe it was too crowded on Manly that day, I actually like Maroubra Beach more.


Occasionally I have a cup of coffee with friends at the coffee shop. This is, in fact, pretty luxurious (in terms of time) and I almost never do it in Hong Kong. But it is really nice to catch up with friends while taking a sip of coffee leisurely. Certainly it would be awesome if it's in an European setting.

(See the words on the sugar package. :))

You know what? Sometimes when things go wrong, I find it easy to comfort myself because I know this is merely temporary. And since our lives are also temporary, what is it so important that we cannot let go? (Okok, I know it is strange to write like this without any context. I'll add more context later on when I feel like to. :p)

Good, homework done.

Join me!

I am so glad that I take the time and courage to come to Australia for a considerate period of time.

You certainly have to make an effort to come as well, if possible. :-)

(to be continued...)

I'm an Workaholic!

承接上篇日誌的香港風，這次也來用中文寫吧。

澳洲的生活閒適，相信未來過這裏的朋友也想像得到。（事實上，香港人到哪裏都能感覺閒適吧？！）而我老早已投入這裏的節拍，一整天只做一兩件事，走路慢得像個腳拖十公斤鉛球的囚犯。可是，當我看到銀行存款數字驟跌，猶如把溫度計放進冰箱，不禁十分心寒，而且急切覺得要做點事。

所以，我又去找工作喇！現在是晚上十二時半，我在半小時前才下班呢，很勤勞啊，不是嗎？這工作嘛，就是在超級市場收銀，算是很簡單的了，加上這裏的人一般較有耐性，遇上我這笨手笨腳的收銀員，可說是天衣無縫的配搭！

這超級市場離我家只有三分鐘距離，那為甚麼我現在才到那裏工作呢？說也奇怪，住了那麼久，我一直未進過這超市，及至有晚印度朋友帶我進去，我才知道那裏有很多香港的零食啊，真令人振奮（註：價錢是比香港貴一倍，這是甚麼道理呢？）。我就想，嘩，如果在這裏工作，可能不用付款就可以吃啊（真是妙想天開！），就是要付款也該有職員優惠吧？於是，我就馬上問問他們是否有空缺......

這樣，我得到了這份工作，以及員工九折的優惠。九折...真係...多謝哂～

（預告：有機會再與大家分享替外國人工作和替中國人工作的分別吧～）

Gain or Lose

I don't think I'm suffering from homesickness but I start to feel happy when seeing something 'Hong Kong'. (Don't try to ask: 'Weren't you happy about that before?' This is the type of questions only troublemakers ask) These might be fishballs, Calbee chips, yumcha, movies, news roundup, and even travel book! Sometimes when I am with my Cantonese speaking friends, I have the illusion that I am still in HK!

Tonight I had late night snack with Angela, Julian and Stanley in China Town (where even the waiters speak Cantonese), and it certainly reminds me of our Friday night 'siu-yeah' times. I am pretty amazed about how much has actually happened in HK in the past 2.5 months, and I feel like I have missed something, even though I talk to you guys pretty frequently already.

If I have to say what I lose for deciding to come here, this is certainly one of them...

Alarming Thirteen

As you know, I arrived at Sydney on the 13th. Therefore, whenever it comes to the 13th day of the month, I am extremely conscious of what I have been doing here. January 13 was not so good for me, as I was jobless at that moment. Right, it is dead quiet at the sandwich shop in January and so I don't need to go there this month. **thunderstorm**

But don't worry, now I am working at a shop selling wraps. During job searching this time, I came across some really strange people. I was a bit upset in the beginning but it's okay now. It's just one more thing for laugh. Ask me if you wanna know how strange they are...;)



Please pray for the planning of my trip, as I might want to move to somewhere else in a month or two. Let's see ...

To add some multimedia element to this entry, take a look at this clip which my flatmate showed me yesterday...Enjoy =)