Surprise

Surprised ? I was surprised by Jake yesterday which was totally random. We went to Ikea to get some house hold item. Came back home and he was preparing lunch. From now on, all my meal is prepared by him. He is now my personal chef which will be cooking mostly be European cooking. Creamy with saucy. It was grilled chicken fillets with mixed vegetable on butter and creamy dijon sauce. I astonish myself that I was able to finish eating the portion that Jake gave me together done with mixed vegetable. It was a traditional European home cooked meal. Later in a couple of hours, Jake suprise me that we are going to Circular Quay. He bought a ferry ticket. Manlyy beach was what I was thinking as it is one of my most favourite beaches. In the end, he surprised me by going to Paramatta River. It was a 1 hour ride. It was so calming. Going to Paramatta was packed like sardine’s especially the standing area in the ferry whereby everyone wants to enjoy the view. We had out moment not thinking what other people is thinking of us. Halfway there, we saw some nice houses with yatch. Jake was thinking of one. It would be nice though. Once reaching Paramatta wraft, we had 3 options which is to continue to stay in the ferry and take a trip back to the city, to get out and get it again or to walk along Paramatta River and get to the city with a train. We asked the staff and they said, we could remain in and we bought out return ticket. Going back home to the city was what we wanted. It was less then 10 people in the ferry. We were enjoying or sharing the view with a some people. I could not stand the coldness of the wind blowing towards me that we went in. I fell asleep. Once we were approaching city, we came out and enjoy the view of Opera House and Harbor Bridge. We took a picture with Harbor Bridge underneath us. Once coming down from the ferry, I though we were going back home, but we went to Royal Botanic Garden. He showed me his spot of relaxing with the view of Harbor Bridge and Opera house. The last place that we went was a real surprised for I did not know that place existed. We went to Mrs Mcquaries Point. It was one of the best view of Sydney Harbor. No wonder, Mrs Mcquarie (Governor’s wife) sits down there to enjoy the view. We found a right spot on the rock to where we had our moments and we headed to The Domain. While walking, Jake carried me on his shoulder. Sydney looks different when I am taller. Thank You, Jake. After a long surprises, we had a slight argument that made us both sad. Finally we are okay. I love surprises from you, Jake !

As a barista

Currently, I am working as a Barista in Starbucks Wynyard. I am so happy that I got the job. I am now in my second week. My first week was more of training and completing bookwork. During the first week, all of the mornings and noons, I was in Wynyard completing bookwork and afternoons are at St James – Starbucks Training Center. The training was for 4 days. The first day was learning how to create the Starbucks Experience, Second day was Retail – Whole bean coffee and home brewing equipment. It was all about coffee tasting, partnering (partnering the right food for the right drink). Coffee tasting is smelling deeper then just coffee. In some coffee beans, I can smell ashy,herbs, sweet, bitter and etc. Coffee tasting (smelling) tests your smelling senses. How unique. The following day was Communicating about coffee. It was the most boring class of all the training days. The final day was – Art of Espresso. It was my favourite class as we learned how to steam, foam milk, espresso shots, and made our favourite beverage (hot), cleaning the espresso machine and etc. It was more of a 70% hands on and 30 % bookwork. Some of the trainees who was in the same training area as myself will be starting work on Saturday or Monday. I am starting the next day which is a Friday. Going to work was okay but going on the floor was a little shaky for me. I was completing my bookwork and observing how other partners are doing with the register, making the beverage, beverage calling and etc. My second week, I was feeling more on the floor. I was with my store manager – Pookie. She was everything. From taking orders (register), beverage calling, beverage making and managing side. She was multi tasking. I was beside her marking cups for the beverage. At times, I get to make frapuccino’s, warming up pastry and etc. I had 4 drink while working. An hour before closing and after closing, we were doing nothing else but just sanitizing. We sanitized everything. Knifes,spoon, pastry base, coffee, frapucinno container and etc. It was about 1 hours. We at Starbucks, it is all about sanitizing, cleanliness, standard, quality, the floor and etc. My shift today, was from 2 – 8 pm. I was doing the resgister. Taking orders, tendering cash, cup marking, beverage calling and etc. I really enjoy today although it was stressful. It was a new experience for me. The first few hours, I had mistakes on tendering and accepting cash, beverage calling and beverage marking. I guess practice after practice will make me familiar to the register and etc. Yesterday, 2 hours before my shifts end, I had a diaohrrea. I was having a painful feeling while trying to take orders. Once I was done with the orders,  rushed to the bathroom. I was so miserable. All I wanted was to go back home and Jake. These 2 things will be my antidote to hide the pain away. After a long battle, I finally felt better. Called Jake, telling him I am feeling so miserable and I might not eat pasta. He said he bought all the ingredients. I decided to put a brave fight and I had a good evening. Full of memories. During those weeks that I was working, I felt so happy that I am part of a Global Company. Almost everyone and everywhere knows and heard of Starbucks. I am so happy to wear my Green Apron. Unfortunately, I can’t bring it back home. It only for  working wear. I am happy with this job that I am having. It just can’t be any better.

* To my Parents, I am sorry for not being able to communicate for so long. I miss you.. !

Jobs in January

How amazing the month of January is for my family. It is a month that my 2 cousin and I found a job. All the 3 of us were jobless and now we are not. My cousin in Malaysia found a job as Account Manager for Alliance Bank. Another cousin of mine from UK landed a job as an accountant in a firm Jake found a job too. I secured my self as a baristas for Starbucks, Wynyard – Sydney as part – time for I am studying. Congrats to you guys ! We deserve it don’t we .. Now let us celebrate.. Aww.. we are too far from where we are now. It feel good to know that all the people close to me is with job.

Beauty

Currently, I am reading a book with the title of ‘ Captivating – Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman Soul. I am now reading on page 38 of 234. All I can say is to all girl, lady and woman go and read this book. It is so real. Boys, Guys and Men read it too and it will give you a clearer understanding of us.

To beauty and woman

- Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman (Tammy Wynette)

- ‘ I’m a woman of the desert ‘ she said, averting her face, ‘ But above all I am a Woman ‘

- To be desired, to be pursued by the one who loves you, to be someone’s priority

- I want to be beautiful and make you stand in awe, look inside my heart and be amazed, I want to hear you say who I am is quite enough. I just want

to be worthy of love and beautiful – (Bethany Dillon)

- The desire of beautiful is an ageless longing

- She is enjoyable to be with. She is lovely. In her presence your heart stops holding its breath.

- Beauty invites, beauty comfort, beauty inspires, beauty transcendent.

- We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words

to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourself

* A woman knows, down in her soul, that she longs to bring beauty to the world. She might be mistaken on how, but she longs for a beauty to unveil.

This is not a culture, or the need to ‘ get a man ‘. This is in her heart, part of her design. You cannot simply have me, you must seek me, pursue me. I won’t let you in unless you love me. Women learn from their mothers what it means to be woman, and from their fathers the value that a woman has the value they have as woman. If a women is comfortable with her own femininity, her beauty, her strength, then chances are good that he daughter will be too.

Weekend

After much thinking of when will the weekend come. It finally arrived. Did nothing much on Friday. Was on the computer, reading, lying on the bed, eating, on my iPod. Evening came. Went to Maroubra beach for a BBQ. Guys were on the waves and cricket where else my girlfriend and I was on the bench talking. It was more like a Guy’s Day Out. Gary and I went for a walk along the beach. This got me thinking of Jake. I know he will come back. So no worries. Ate some sausage, salad and etc. After hanging there for about 1.5 hours, my girlfriends and I decided to go back home as we were starting to be cold although it is summer. Reach home hiding underneath my blanket as I was cold.. I need warmth. Off to shower and headed to sleep. I told my mum sorry that I could not be on MSN to talk to her. So I promise her tomorrow (today). Saturday morning came. The time pass fast as I needed to do some stuff. The weather was horrible. Had to skip tennis. I don’t play but watch. Canceled our movie outing. We were suppose to watch ‘ I am Legend ‘. It was canceled because one of my friend had to go to church to help out plus the horrible rainy weather. It was a suprised to see fireworks before I sleep. I guess the fireworks was to replace for the bad weather. Well, at least I managed to go online with my mum. We had so good juicy conversation. It always happen between mother and daughter. Finally Sunday is here. I amazed myself by waking up at 10 am. Normally in summer the latest that am I awake is 8.30 am. I went to update my facebook. Finally I know how it works and etc. Was on the phone with friends and etc. Eating Subway for lunch. It seems that my taste bud never get bored. Well it is fresh, crispy, crunchy, heart friendly and no oil. Sunday was a perfect day. I woke up feeling lazy. Had a slow breakfast, went to surf the internet, ate subway for lunch, took a nap, prepare to go to church. Church was great and awesome. No words to describe. Danny G. was talking the ‘ Yes Culture ‘ and Church as Today ‘ . I bought the dvd. It was so cool. Invited Carene, Cathy and Brendan to church. Later hang out with the in the Welcome Lounge room with hot chocolate and biscuits. Good hot chocolate. Once again, It was an amazing Sunday and a good first day of the week.

Possessionless

This song by Delta Goodrem best describe me now.

All the things I’ve collected

Stones and shells

Every word in every book

Upon my shelves

Only a brief description of myself

But they don’t define who I am

I don’t think anything can. No

If I strip away the non-necessities

All the damage , all the mess surrounding me

I don’t crave what I have not

I don’t need more than i’ve got

It’s just me that I offer up

All I got is my body

And it’s naked for you

All i’ve got is this heart

That I am willing to loose

I know in this life

I give it everything

All I got is this soul and

it’s sheading it’s clothes

Do you see who I am now

Your standing this close

You know in these arms

You’re feeling everything

I’m learning what to give

What to protect

To look into the mirror

Though i’m not perfect

It’s still a work in a progress

Hasn’t finish yet

Wanna be transparent

See through

Not gonna hide me from you

I’m completely undress

But I couldn’t care less

I’m standing here possesessionless

It’s the only true test

When the only thing left

It’s a love that possesessionless

Woman

This song is written by Delta Goodrem. This  song best describe my life now.

Woman

I’ve worked late but you don’t wait up

My bones ache and i’m cleaning the place

Sometimes, I don’t even I know I care

I sit down take off my make – up

I lay down but you don’t wake up

I can’t remember the last time you

Told me that i’m beautiful and i can’t remember

Last time you said anything at all

I’m a woman

A woman with a heart

And I deserve your all

I’m not some girl who don’t know what she wants

I’m a woman

And I needed to be touched

And I need to be loved

Cause being your woman is just not enough

Now I hope that you don’t wake up

When it’s too late to make up

You’ll be the one that’s alone and that’s sad

In time you’ll find somebody

The truth is she will never be me

And that’s when you are going to miss what we had

All I really need to hear was “you’re beautiful”

All I really needed to hear was nothing at all

I’m not your friend who only needs you sometimes

And if  I’m your lady

You got to treat me like a woman

Store cleaning

I never get people when they put all their junk, trash and rubbish in the store. Today was one of those days that I woke up with the idea to clean my store room. It was rather full with trash of mine and others. I could not really clean when Jake is around. He pretty knows my routine, wake up, have breakfast, on my computer (email, update blog and etc), shower, cleaning, and etc. So I guess this is the best time where I can clean and clean and no one stopping me. Ha ha. He will be surprised anyway. I miss him much. Once he asked me what was my favourite flower. I said Roses and I told him the color. Well, he said he like Orchid. There was an artificial plastic orchid flower. I clean it and it is now on my desk. Seeing that flower reminds me of him. Now I have him (so called) on my desk. On my right is Eeyore with the scent that he uses and on my left is the Orchid plant that reminds me of him. Just finish eating lunch. Soon, I am going out to Woolworth to get groceries.Bought toilet rolls, hot chocolate,oil, milk, grapes, kit kat (they are so irresistible). Came back home much green grapes. My mum would so happy if she finds out that I am eating fruits.Finally I went to gym. I was there about 1 hour plus. NotBad. Hope I can survived it. Going out for dinner with Carene and Brendan later. See ya !

Welcome , 2008

Happy New Year – 2008 to everyone. I was a little reluctant to go out as I was feeling lazy, getting myself crowded and also I miss Jake. But at the very last moment, I change my mind. I went with my fellow country mates and friends to Sydney Observatory Hill to watch the fireworks. We were there at 8.30 pm. We had a relatively good place which can see Harbour Bridge and North Sydney because couple of my friends went there about 6 pm. I was actually thinking of eating Subway. Luckily I did not, there were so much food prepared by my friends. We (the second badge of people) came and started eating. I ate the coselaw and grape. I just could not stop eating the grape plus my friend was feeding me as I was lying on my her lap. The first fireworks was at 9 pm and it was good but the midnight was breathtaking. I managed to record the whole length of fireworks for both session. Once the fireworks are over. We were sitting thinking what to do . We chat for about 1.1/2 hours and we were restless. All of a sudden there was this huge platter plate from some of my friends who was working in Observatory Hotel. We saw huge fresh prawns, salmon, duck, fishes.It was good dining food. The dishes on the platter was for a platter box which was for sale about Aud 150. But all the platter that we were eating in that huge plate was estimated to be Aud 400. Our surrounding crowd was jealous with our scrumptious and mouth watering food. No subway can beat this ! The time past do fast when we chatting and eating. A couple minutes before midnight. We could smell the smoke as they are preparing to release the fireworks. I could not watch anything as I was there recording. The fireworks took me in and I was out of words. We started walking back and it was like a street party at George Street. My friend has some other guy hugging me saying Happy New Year. They don’t mean much but they are in a celebration mood. Seeing ambulance rescuing drunken and injured people. Police calming street fights and etc. We walked to Park Street Starbucks to wish New Year wishes to my friend who was working. Aww..I reach home and I was surprised to know that I receive a text message from Jake. I though he was sleeping and he might wish me when its daylight. That message really cheer me up. I miss him tremendously. With that text message I slept so deep. I went to bed at 3pm and wake up around 11.45 am. Later in the afternoo, Yatty, Andy, Gary and myself went to Sydney University to play tennis. I was a loser. It was my first time playing tennis after years watching Grand Slam. Once done, we headed to the City – Pitt Street to have Korean dinner. I had Beef Bulgogi. Tasty. (The gravy is a little salty and sweet).

2007 was bittersweet. The sweetest of 2007 was towards the last 3 months before the ending. I hope 2008 shall be a good year for cherishing, embracing, memories,career, life, relationship and etc. Therefore 2008, I welcome you.