My reality sucks at the moment.

I have 57 sets of children's drawings to score for my research :( 4 drawings in each set.

OK. In the future, if I tell you guys that I am going to embark on another PhD, make sure you try to stop me (at least try). Besides telling me that I'm insane (which I already know), remind me:

1. that I have already spent 66.67% of my life studying and that is more than enough!
2. that I will have more grey hairs
3. that I will not earn more than what I was earning before
4. that the more I study, the less I know
5. how much I hate being a poor student
6. that I could have invested my money e.g. property

For weeks, I had this urge to go away for a short trip ... anywhere near the ocean would be nice. I decided I deserve a holiday so I booked a hotel spa room at Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra (Sunshine Coast) for a night.

It took me 1 hour 15 minutes to drive from my place to Caloundra in the morning traffic. Yesterday's drive was uneventful. I got to book in early ... woohoo!

My room:


Around the resort:




Restaurant and the lake





King's Beach is about 5 minutes drive from the resort.


I love being near the ocean if I can't be in the ocean.

I had to go to uni this morning because of an appointment with a client.


This was what I saw while walking from the ferry terminal to the clinic. Lovely pink flowers --->





A "naked" tree found on the campus.
"Naked" tree was how a 5-year-old boy, whom I have assessed recently, described a tree without leaves. I always like "naked" trees.


Standing by the river, I could see some nice houses on the other side of the river.

What I like about spring in Brisbane:

I remembered reading this story about the relationship between supervisor and students when I was working on my 4th year thesis. I sent it to my thesis supervisor at that time. He didn't think it was very funny :(

For the past few weeks, the issue of intellectual property and authorships started to torment me. i struggled so hard not to get involved. But when shit hits the fan, no one is spared especially I am the one who does most of the work. Crap!

Saying "I'm sorry" can be as hard as saying "I love you" at times.

I saw a guy waiting for his girlfriend (I assumed they are in a relationship) at the ferry terminal with a bouquet of flowers today. I overheard parts of their conversation while walking to my car ... he was saying that he was sorry ... blah blah blah.

My verdict:
Sweetness - 5/10
Courage - 10/10

I would give him a 8/10 if he does it just to surprise his girlfriend and not to apologise. Nevertheless I think he is a brave soul to admit that he is wrong and that he has made a mistake. I was told women are always right in relationships ;) I am sure that is right.

I usually do one major cooking to prepare my lunches for the week. This week is pasta week.

Before:

During (boiling and frying):

During (Baking):

After:

End Products - Packed lunches:

I am pretty satisfied with the end product ... quite yummy :)

I was telling my work supervisor, LC about my 'lock and key' hypothesis on relationships. I have seen people, who are so different in temperament and personality, in happy and lasting relationships. Like magnets – opposites attract. Differences add spices to relationships. It is how you can make these differences work for you.

Every lock requires a key with the right cut to open it. Some of us may have tried to force a key with slightly wrong cut to open a lock as we secretly hope that one day we can change it. Sometimes when we find the right key (woohoo!), the timing/situation is all wrong (sob!). Well ... the big challenge is to find the right key at the right time and at the right place.

Some men have appalling conversational and social skills.

Conversation killers (online and offline):
1. Can you read my mind?
2. Ohh ... I'd better watch what I am saying
3. Analyse me
4. Are you going to psycho-analyse me?
5. Great! I have a problem. Can you help me?
6. So do you have a couch in your consulting room?

On some days, I wonder why I even bother.

When I was about 6, I wanted to be a teacher. Then I realised I did not have the patience for those who choose not to learn.

When I was 12, I thought being a writer would be very cool. Thank god, I didn't pursue that dream. I would have to force my friends and family to buy my books if I were to become an author.

When I was about 15, my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. I spent many hours after school waiting in the hospital. We had our share of rude nurses and unresponsive doctors during that time. I wanted to be doctor so that I could make a difference. Well, I changed my mind shortly after the death of my grandmother. Doctors and nurses were not my favourite people for a long while.

When I was 17, the study of human behaviours fascinated me. I remembered my classmate staring at me as though I was insane when I told him I would like to be a psychologist.

I would like to meet that classmate of mine again to tell him that I am still insane so I did it. How about you? Are you living your childhood dream?

I crave for chocolate when I am down/happy.

This afternoon I had a large piece of chocolate moose cake and coffee while reading a magazine. I am not sure how many calories the coffee and the cake contained. But they were served by a cute waiter :) AND the cake was yummy!

Overheard the following conversation on the train to the city today:

Little boy (about 4) said, "Hey sis, if we put our money together, we can buy something for dad."
... no response from his sister (who is about 3) so he turned to his dad and asked, "What can we get with this much $?"
Dad answered, "I don't know ... maybe a toy?"
Little boy asked, "Will we have enough for some candies and a toy?"

Excellent expressive language skills for a 4-year-old boy!

Anyway I guess that's why people have children ... for joy (sometimes candies) children can bring to their lives.

I like little cafes with character like this one in Nambour:

Had my lunch there today while waiting for my train from Nambour back to Brisbane.

Saw this at a bus stop today.

To be happy or not to be happy is a choice that we make consciously and unconsciously. Perhaps that person can move on and seek happy people elsewhere :)

I have been reading this meme on other people's blogs. I thought I might have a go at it.

7 things that scare me
1. Being broke
2. Heights!!!! I have a fear for heights since I was young and no, that is not something I would like to work on
3. Darkness because I can't see where I am going and who may be out there
4. Injections - I have low threshold of pain
5. Loved ones getting seriously sick ... facing death of loved ones
6. Losing my freedom
7. Some insects and bugs e.g. spiders and snakes

7 things I like most
1. $ - I never deny the fact that I love $
2. Having a good conversation with friends
3. Travelling alone
4. Shopping when I feel like it
5. Sitting in a cafe with a book in hand
6. Knowing that I am making a difference (no matter how small) in other people's lives
7. Knowing that I am in control. I'm not a control freak and I am not OCD or OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder). Really! :)

7 important things in my room
1. Laptop
2. Bed and quilt
3. Lots of clothes - well I like to have options
4. Heater/fan (depends on season)
5. Books and notes
6. Telephone cable which gives me internet connection
7. Me, Myself and I (doh!)

7 random facts about me
1. I love $ - can't emphasize that more
2. I am not a girly kind of gal. Soft toys and flowers won't work on me.
3. I can be caustrophobic at times
4. I often cry when I watch sad movies
5. I have little tolerance for fools
6. I dry my hair with the fan/heater ;P
7. I wash all the new clothes before wearing them

7 things I can do
1. Procrastinate!!!
2. Swim and dive
3. Cry when I am upset
4. Work 16 or more hours in a day
5. Move to another country
6. Multitask
7. Brush my hair and tie it up without looking at the mirror

7 things I can't do
1. Can't sing/dance
2. Can't pack my luggage as neatly as my sister does
3. Can't try anything to do with heights e.g. bungee jumping
4. Can't bring myself to betray anyone
5. Can't eat with my fingers
6. Can't stand dirty toilets/bed sheets
7. Won't be filthy rich in this lifetime

7 things I plan to do before I die
1. Finish my current dissertation
2. Write a will
3. Travel more
4. Learn to say "no" and be assertive
5. Have a balanced lifestyle
6. Stop procrastinating
7. Find a comfortable place to die

7 things I say the most
1. Hi/Bye/How are you?/How are you doing?
2. Erm ....
3. My god!/My goodness!
4. Shit!
5. What do you think ... /How do you feel ...
6. I'm hungry
7. I'm bored

7 PAST celebrity crushes
1. Robert Redford (in 'Up Close and Personal') - Sensitive, good looking, intelligent and mature ... my god!
2. Brad Pitt (when I was in my early 20s)
3. Christian Slater (when I was in my early 20s)
4.-7. That's all I can think of

7 people who could do this
1.-7. Anyone