Social night Dance

Sweating in the vibrant music, this Friday night was Street Latin social dance night. Couples of my old dance mates showed up, who I haven’t seen for almost half a year. Knowing they were all busy with uni study, we enjoyed the pleasant night that we could relax our mind and catch up with each other.

My punk South Africa-born tutor Steve also showed up tonight, which was a great surprise to us. Emily and me were laughing at him and threatened him that we would show his dancing photos in class. Anyhow, he was a great dance. I ended up dancing with him for most of the night.

Little sleep over the last three nights produced a content economics assignment. Now, it is time for asleep!

volunteer

For the whole night, I was clicking from one website to another looking for working opportunity out there in the society. Several great sites are found. Currently the opportunities I am looking at are community work with volunteer base. My intuition comes from SALP. During my 14-month’s involvement with this program, I admitted that I did not commit as much as the program expected me to. Last year, my major activity was CTG. SALP was left as a trivial commitment; as much as attending the weekly seminar and those compulsory components. So this year, moving to a “senior” position, I want myself commit more and take a further challenge as leader in another area.

Anyway, I have found some great media and Arts sites that could give me opportunities to stretch my fingers in this industry. However, the main problem lays under is my TIME! There are always a lot of things I want to learn and do. The contemporary world becomes more and more complex and diverse. Understanding priority and knowing your aim become important guide lights that enlighten your to avoid distraction paths.

Final year! Final year! Three years of uni life is too short. All those mysteries on job seeking, working and living independently in the real world are suddenly sent in forth. I really wish I could stay on and gain more knowledge to prepare for the real severed battle in the messy world.

Melbourne is a great place for cultural and Arts related activities. I believe the Victoria must have given substantial amount to develop Melbourne as an Arts centre. Every month, there are always local and International events/festivals scheduling in our diary.

Information overload

In my Writing Journalism class, we talked about impacts of new technologies on today’s news gather. A girl said something that really impressed me: “There are too much news everyday, and stories are rolling up in the breaking news session at every minute. A lot of time we try to avoid consuming any more information.” Frankly, consuming news on a day-to-day base is really tiredness. In addition to keep eyes on the moving world, as an informational dude, people in this field have to act as a filter with bright eyes that can uncover something are valuable to sell and consume. Unfortunately, I choose to be a game player in this fast moving news media world. Different daily newspaper, several weekly magazines and news sites are part of my world. Sometimes, I just want to escape from this information overflow and keep things simple. Therefore, tonight I started my first night on “maintaining financial record – bookkeeping” shortcourse. Nothing excited from identifying debt/credit, purchase/sales, and much more on cash flow concept. Adding an extra night every week to learn something new on top of my day time studying, hopefully, I could cope with the load.

I was looking for a partner to watch trinity drama play “COSI”. Unluckily, at this time of the semester, everyone is running on their toes with piles of assignment and other commitments. I had to reschedule my plan and would attend an Asialink Public lecture on Taiwan instead.

In final year, many of my friends, regardless local or international, are flipping around for jobs and experience. Some are offered first–round interview, some are preparing to go back home, some are just sit there and do nothing, “Take as it comes.” What a great mind of philosophy, except for you may end up hanging photographs in the art gallery with enigmatic “contemporary” ideology embodied.

A story about marriage

Tonight, an Italian girl, who works with me, told me the story about her marriages. Apparently, she did not consider marriage as a serious decision and she fell into a wrong trap again and AGAIN! She is divorced, left with two young children that are belong to different fathers. Neither of their father cares about these poor kids. Same as Anna, another Italian colleague, she had five children but chose to divorce eventually. Then she started dating with other guys at her 40s! Alas, this is the way in which westerners live.

First world country like Australia also fed up some lazy bums. A story about a 20-year-old Aussie guy: he does not go to TAFE or anything, but stay home playing computer cubes till 2am in the morning and wake up in the mid-day the next day. He will not shed under eaves because he has a “generous” mum; he will not suffer from starve because he receives dole and takes money from the government once a fortnight. I was terrified when I heard this story. What are you going to do for the rest of your life? Even if you don’t go to school, find something to do! Living with no purpose is a disaster; accept predetermination is catastrophe. We are human, and we have the will. If we believe and try, nothing can be impossible.

Amazed on Bali

Bali, a well- known tourist destination in Indonesia, starts to grab my attention in recent days. The explosive night club bombing two years ago did not sway much of my intuition, except for getting its name in my mind. But the recent tsunami disaster, a dispute on an innocent unwitting Australian victim of a drug ring, and the most recent God father style’s drug traffic operation arrest have arouse my interest. This island composes beautiful scenarios with nasty underground illegal activities. I can imagine, at night, neo-lights are flashing with glory, traffics are bumping on the road, foreigners and locals are crowded around, with bear bottles thrown everywhere and yelling came from every corner of the district. Walking on along the street, little breeze can not stop you from sweating; and your body is moving with music coming from the doors of night clubs. Covering under the dark, heroine, XYZ drugs are dealing among gangsters and big money are made. Those drug dealers then pocket with the money and put them into money laundry, washing away all the dirty marks. What a bizarre mixture of world! It is not my dream to be there, but it would be interested if I could drop by and experience such grayout area.

First BBQ

Sizzling in the wind, smells of BBQ Halal sausages and veggie burgers were tempting people to drop by and get a free typical Aussie quick lunch. For the first time, I was not waiting in the queue longing for a free sausage and bread, but taking up the role behind the BBQ smoky scene. This afternoon was the first 2005 SALP PandA event – new SALPers welcome lunch. I regretted for not participating with SALP activities last year (because of the CTG play), I voluntarily helped PandA committee to make this BBQ happen.

Standing at the high ground of final year, I can clearly look back on what I have done and what I have missed in the last two and a half years. A detailed self-discipline analysis is under way. I want to discover more about myself and evaluate the skills I possess. Hopefully this would help to develop a strategy for my future direction.

I am reading a linguistic article on how foreign language is used as a prestige icon in most Asian country. It is a very interesting topic. From my experience, in H.K., English channels are considered high-class and charge more for advertising money than the other local language channels.

Talking about advertising, my brain cells are paralysed immediately. My Marketing Economic subject talks about profit maximisation again and again, and every tute is doing all those pure maths calculations. It is a fundamental subject for marketing strategic planning, yet it demonstrates the cruel side of commercial world – MONEY, MONEY, and MONEY. Firms want more money. Those executives are stuffed with profit, money and numbers in their heads. Despite of dislike, this is real and it is the world I am going to suck in in half a year.

The formation of a pebble

I had been an obstinate child of my generation in the family. Born as the only child and being the youngest in an extensive family, I grew up with strong self-determination. Once I believe in something, I will not stop striving for it. This life philosophy encompasses around my head and never fails. However, still bearing this in my mind, I was worn smooth by reality erosion bit by bit. The transition from teenage to adult is like a reborn – start learning all those set rules in the real world and accept whatever is told. A pebble is being shaped.

These two weeks are the periods for mid-semester exams. I was horrified by one my housemates when he came home late tonight: unshaved, tangled hair, wrinkle clothes and a fishy face. The poor thing had three finance exams coming up next week. In a big contrast, my Property housemate is so active, and is surrounding by guys and guests all the time. Last but not least, the Arts History housemate locked himself up in his room all day long to enjoy his reading of roman history. If he has time, he likes to tell us about his “Hunting Witch” subject, and extended it to the current Pope election. Alas, all this … KIDS!

Miss out

My housemate got a Danny Bohy ticket in this year’s comedy fest! I was trying hard to get a ticket two weeks before hand, but still, as he was so popular, I could not spot one. And my housemate got it with just little effort: his friend bought six tickets and filled him in on Friday night. Another friend, Stef, also went to see him because Bohy held an extra show on Wednesday night. I have to wait another year to see him!

Even though I promised myself to attend at least one show in this year’s Melbourne Comedy Fest, I missed out. I did not get Bohy, Ubilical brother and Dave. I might regret because I lost a chance to experience a culture event. Luckily, there is always some thing on in Melbourne. The one coming up will be Fringe Festival.

Relaxing time

Typical Melbourne weather is running outside – raining miserably. It hints sunshine lover that warmth is over, prepared for half-year’s of cold rain weather ahead.

I am in a relaxing mode at the moment: go to bed early, eat without watching the nutrition rate and looking for things interested. The evening before, I lied on my bed for a “short” rest after a hearty dinner. By the time I woke up, I found myself in darkness and the hour hand was pointing at 6 in the MORNING. I quickly jumped out of bed, got dressed up, and ran into uni pool within record speed. After such a long hour of sleep, the only way to wake my body cells up is exercise.

This time of the year may probably be the most relaxing time in my school life. After this period of time, I have to look for jobs, applying for PR and lots of other “unacademic” stuff.

A four year anniversary

Reluctantly, I started to write the feature story I suppose to finish two days ago. I was pissed of because my 2nd-graded USB lost my original piece. Not an interested story on the other hand, and I have to use my limited creativity to make it attractive to the big fat Perth lecturer.

Overnight, maple leafs are swirling around. My long-waited romantic Melbourne scene is batting my eyelids. The end of this week was the anniversary of my fourth year in Melbourne. My memory is still fresh on the first week of arrival, simplistic about the new world and curious on the surrounding. Much has changed over these years, just as fickle as Melbourne weather.

I was impressed by a Christian definition given by the St. Marry nun, “A real Christian will not say anything good about God. He/she would just quietly go out and work for what God tells him/her to do.” There are many Christians in the world, but the ones God loves are counted on finger.

Get worse

I am scared to call home this week, because I lost the electronic dictionary. That new little technology thingy cost about ¥500! I think I must have left it in one of the computer lab on Friday. Oh well, I may dig it out somewhere in uni next week … if I am lucky enough.

Recently, I find a website from where I can send free SMS to mobile. My mobile messages are flipping around my friends since then. My excessive mobile expensive is billing from the accumulation of messages I send every month. Now, I can save a wholesome.

My stomach gets awfully wrong; it then caused allergy EVERYNIGHT! Imagine red spots are all over your body skin, and you have to resist itching. I start retaking the anti-biotic pills, hopefully the symptom will fade away soon.

A living from English brewing

Yesterday afternoon was brewing in an English style residential college, with a cup of tea and couples of homemade pastry. The Faculty Student Liaison Officer (SLO), Paris and me had an enjoyable afternoon tea with the SALP an academic board member, a benign nun reside in St. Marry’s college. We spent two hours going through all the applicants and finalize the confirm list of new SALPers. I was a bit embarrassing, as I left my SALP folder at home. I tried to trace bits and pieces of my memory about the applications, and contributed a partial opinion of the “maybe” applicants.

After the selection, the nun lady (I did not get her name) showed us around St. Mary’s college. She was proud of her small tranquil residential college which accommodated 130 students. Living in college is a different experience from living at home or sharing house. I was amazed with the modern designed architectural library as well as the English style atmosphere. This is the kind of life I saw in the old English film. Kids knows each other very well; and they walked around the college (even Uni) on bare foots. For their academic studies, there are private tutoring programs. I wish I could afford to live in a college and experiencing a comfortable life and enjoyment I should have in my age.

While I was reviewing the SALP applications, I also started reviewing my initiative of joining. My initial aim was to gain training as a leader. However, during my role as a SALPer last year, I totally twisted its aim. I did not like any of the options in its database: no disable children, no mental health care, no senior people, no drugs, no crimes, no bad things. However, hearing from other SALPers, I found it would be more fun to interact with the real society. I don’t know if I still have more time to commit to another community organisation. Last year I was so into CTG, this year I may desperate for a proper job. Three-year uni life is too short for me to enjoy its fun and challenging my personal limits.

One of my housemates is so like me that shw wants to do everything and worried about jobs and stuffs. Only in her second year of Property Architect, she is a committee of MUOSS, a new SALPer, taking a short course and a speech evening class. I would want to know how she can be capable with so many things at one time. I find myself do better only committing to one or two things. Once suck into a commitment, I have to do it well. I don’t want to leave the thing at an average standard, I want it to be exceptional.

I am doing quite a lot of things as well. However, this year, I want to study well to lift up my academic achievement. Disappointedly, I have learnt procrastination and have to cut down my social life a bit now.

An afternoon, I had a little nice chat with Freddy, a Street Latin devotee. We were surprised to discover that we both came from Guangzhou. He told me his friendships with 2004 Street Latin intakes. Five or six of them danced exceptionally well after learning for only six months. Those are the dancers I desired I were one of them. Skills come from practice. I need to work hard on my technique if I want to go for medal this year.

SALP selection

Three hours after crashing in bed, I habitually woke up early and my instinct dragged my tieredsome body out of bed. The SALP selection drove me crazy last night. Up until Friday, there were only 20 applications and I worried about not enough candidates, feared that I had to take anyone. Suddenly after Saturday night, *booom* 40 applications stuffed in! I only had two days to review all the applications along with many school works. Sacrificed my sleeping time, I carefully reviewed all the applications by 4am this morning. The afternoon meeting with the Arts Student Liaison Officer J.P. was fairly productive. We had all our selected new SALPers names (24 quotas) down within an hour.

I am very content with the quality of the new SALPers. From their applications, some are post-graduate with fantastic and extensive community work experience. Hopefully they will bring in new ideas to motivate the other Arts SALPers. As you know being an arts student is always “relaxing”, one or two role models can really help to make a difference. For Arts faculty, 40 applications are queuing in the system hoping to get into the program, exactly the same as mine a year ago.

I had a quick lunch with Raymond. It was a good time to catch up with this optimistic yet relaxing guy. He still has four more years at uni! Gee, a lucky guy. However, an unexplained gap stops me engaging a proper talk with him. My impression to him is just another playgirl in M&C.

In fact, take a glance around, my resume was merely a minor player in the competitive job market. I need to work hard to build more on it and start cold calling, as suggested by Raymond, to seek an internship opportunity.

lucky hands

In this pleasant Melbourne weather, I feel myself in a lucky hand of life. I have supports from family as well as surround with attentive ex- and current housemates. Every time I go back home, I really want to devote my love by helping them, or just simply talking to them.

The progress of applying PR keeps popping up in my mind. I want to leave straight after graduation; I am also thinking to look for jobs in Singapore now. However, I have to satisfy my grandma’s last wish – get a meaningless PR. I can not fight back against years of care and hope.

More about Bryan, simply because he is such an interesting guy who I have no precautions against. We had a great time on Thursday. Straight six hours after writing a pricing assignment, we went down to city to watch Hitch. The funny thing before the funny move was we went to a wrong cinema! He went straight to the cutie chick, and asked: “I want a Hitch ticket.” Then she said: “What Hitch? We don’t show Hitch here.” “Shit, here is not Hoys…let’s go.” We then ran across to the other side of the road and got our tickets. 15min after the scheduled movie time, we just missed both were passionate about – creative ads.