DISCHARGED...John's finally home after spending 3 whole days and 2 lonely nights at the emergency department of the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Well, he's been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, but what caused it is still a mystery to all of us who are still quite eager to find out. Whatever it is, John and I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and million thanks to all who prayed/cared/concerned/called/sms-ed/dropped by/accompanied...in big or small ways you've all been really supportive and encouraging to John and he really appreciates every little bit of your care and concern =)

p/s: Special thanks to Chef Alvin and Dr Boon ;p!!

ROYAL BRISBANE HOSPITAL...That was where we had our adventure for the day!! John went to see a doctor in Toowong this afternoon after realising that the aching on his scalp and neck has swelled up the area behind his ear and also affected his facial muscles on his left side. The gp at Toowong diagnosed John with Bell's palsy but can't be certain as the symptoms that John showed were pretty confusing but suggesting a borderline Bell's palsy and so she referred him to RBH emergency department for further investigation. Upon receiving the news, Alvin called and Alvin as always, a great friend with the kindest of all hearts, demanded that we wait for him as he takes time off work to send us to the hospital. At the hospital, four doctors came to examine John along with a CT scan and an mRI scan were done. After 9 1/2 hours of medical jargons and in the emergency ward witnessing many patients being pushed in and out of the room, the final neurologist for the night came at 12am to give us the report of the mRI scan and advised that John be admitted as the head of the neurology department would like to personally examine John tomorrow morning...and so, being a good patient, John agreed and the procedures were then done for him to get admitted. And so now, as the thunder and lightning blow outside my room window, John is all by himself in the hospital, emergency department. I personally have mixed feelings about this whole thing that happened just today...one part of me feels relief that the scans didn't show anything significant, but the other part of me feels really painful to see John's 1/2 smiling face whenever he attempts to smile...I also feel sad...sad that I can't be there with him right now and as I tried to make arrangements to take a day off work tomorrow, it seems to have gone in vain as well...*sigh* I can only pray and pray that God will still John's heart and put him away from whatever that could be threatening to him.

MONOTONOUS LIFE...I guess my life has been so monotonous lately that every little thing excites me!! So is that good or bad?? A little bit of both I guess...I was ecstatic when Tamelyn (my migration agent) told me that I've been granted a Temporary Graduate Visa which allows me permission leave and enter Australia as and when I like till the 6th January 2006...First thing that came to mind was, "I'm going homeeeeeeeeeee!!" followed by a great rapture of excitement from the inside, spilling all the joy and bliss of the thought of home...being with my family on my birthday this year, going on a family trip to a nearby getaway for the Raya holidays, savouring every mouth of grandpopo's homecooked food, driving around KL in my off white old moving car, waking up on the most comfortable bed ever, having my hair done at Guys and Chics everyday, opening the fridge to bottles of purple vitagen!! Woo-hooo...so much fun at home!! =) Then hours later after I left Tamelyn's office, sitting on one of those benches in the city reading one of my favourite books, I received a call from a cheerful voice saying, "Hi, I'm calling from the Department of Child Safety, may I speak with Michelle, please??" Another episode of excitement burst in me but this time a little different as it came along with a slight fear gripping my heart as I stilled my eyes into space...I was anticipating that the department had called for an interview appointment or to simply reject this unsuitable applicant!! To my surpise they called to inform me that I should not expect to hear from them anytime soon because this is a huge process and it takes a while for them to clear and shortlist the applicants!! Well...fair enough...let's wait and see!! Just that one phone call and the good news from Tamelyn, my day in the city came to an end as I strolled to the bus stop, ride on a bus and headed home... =)

p/s: I guess when you've been knocked down so many times in a row, once it stops, you just can't help but feel way too good!! Muahahhahahahhah!!

AS REQUESTED by Miss Seah, pictures taken on Mid-Autumn festival celebration '05 have been uploaded on my multiply site...http://hiswarriorprincess.multiply.com =)

FOODCOURT SURGEON...Yes, that's exactly what I am...on-call 24-7!! I received a call at 4pm asking me to go to work...well, I could jolly well reject and save up on all the whining...but the thing is, my hours were cut again this week, making me left with lesser hours than usual...so being me, I'd grab every opportunity to make up for the loss hours...coz I have my own budget and my own plans in hand, and I just can't afford to have working hours which fluctuate so crazily!! So yes, I went to work anyway, got my butt there from the city 1/2 and hour after I got the call. And today was no different from a typical late night shopping Thursday...people were flooding the foodcourt for food...and according to Eileen and Junwei who dropped by to give me a smile (thanks guys!!) said I looked a bit sien and tired...ahahhahahha, kinda expected, that's why seldom greet a familiar face while at work, knowing how bad I'd look, hehehehehhe...but then again, Ashley never fails to stop by everytime she's around the foodcourt, thanks Ashley, I appreciate it!! =)

Okay, can anyone guess what kept me busy last night?? It was another plain, usual, boring day after work yesterday...I missed the 5:30 bus, I had to go by Toowong and transfer to a 412. The traffic was so busy that I stood at the traffic lights waiting for the lights to change and by the time it did, I was just in time to wave good bye to my dearest 412!! And so I had to wait for another good 20 mins before the next bus came. Arrived home at round 6:30pm...John popped by the door returning from work at around about the same time. Then he excitedly hurried me to his room telling me he has something to show me. I went down to his room, everything else looked the same to me except for the 2 boxes sitting on his study!! *cheng* *cheng* *cheng* Ipod Nano's in the house!! *Yay!!* I couldn't wait to ripp the boxes open and there they were, a white Nano and a black...initially I said I'd go for the black, but after seeing the white one, I fell for it...so the white one was it...I'm the proud owner of the white Nano!! =) And that was my first birthday present accompanying me into my 22nd birthday which is coming up in one month's time!! Thanks John!! =) I really do appreciate such a cool gift!! While on the bus to work this evening, I just couldn't resist smiling at myself as I held the Nano and thought to myself, "This is it...my most precious gift, my possession right here, in my bag..." Thanks John!! =) And btw, I slept with it right by my side last night, and I think I must have dreamt that I was on the mountain top with my Nano!! =)

So much about Miss Nano...Anyone remembers Miss Alison?? Yes, my dear dear friend and I miss her so...!! She's finally got her Internet connection up and running at her new place!! We haven't had a good chat for ages now...but the amazing thing was...it felt just as good as ages ago...or even better!! And we just continued where we left the last time!! And that could only be beacuse she's my best friend, and because we're best of friends, there's no need for reminders or warnings about how special we are to each other!! It felt soooooooooooo good after a breif chat with her...just like one of those night where we'd be lying on my bed chatting till one of us shuts the other up, ahahahhahahha!! Love you sista!! =)

CATCH-UP-TUESDAY...Today is a catch up day because 1) I finally got to catch up with all the sleep I've been dying for and, 2) I caught up with Munn whom I've not spent much time with for agessssss!!

Sleep was good...I haven't had the chance to sleep in for quite some time now. Last night I made it a point to tire myself out and told myself that I'd at least stay in bed till mid day today...and so I did!! I slept till around 11am before I finally caught a glimpse of sun light bursting through my bedroom window from the corner of my eyes...then I thought to myself, "It's about time to wake up, Miss sleepy head!!", But Miss sleepy head knowing how sleepy and tired she was couldn't care less to respond...continued her journey into dreamland...then at round about 11:30am, someting in me just sprung me up!! I opened my eyes, reached out for my laptop which was underneath my bed, sat it on my bed, turned it on and wacthed one episode of funny Scrubs before I dozed off at the end of it again...!! Finally at 12:20pm, I was woken up by my noisy hungry factory and so that was when I left my bed in search of food from the kitchen!!

After my breaky + lunchie = branchie??, I headed for the shower before I took a bus to meet up with Mr Mohawk at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre as planned last night. I was really looking forward to it coz I really didn't wanna spend my off day at home doing nothing. So meeting up with Munn was a great idea...besides, he's gonna be graduating and returning home to Singapore by the end of this year and I realised I haven't been spending much time with him lately. Anyway, we met up, chat over a purplish-looking blueberry cheese cake and coffee, shopped a bit...killed some time at K-mart, had Maccas for dinner, went back to his place for a movie which his housemate, Shufen was half way watching...before we called it a day!! Spent a good 7 hours with Munn...something in me told me that I think I'm gonna really miss this guy when he leaves for home. He's sincere, easy-going, up-front and daring (well, the new hairstyle says it all!!), with an attitude that doesn't really care much about things but yet he's sensitive to people around him. Aha, how complicated is Munn?!?!? Ahahahahahha!! He's a great guy...well at least a great brother for sure coz he got Bonds undies for his sister while shopping today!! Thanks for a great time with you today Munn!! I would gladly do it again!! =)

p/s: Jessie's PR was finally approved after a long 6 1/2 months wait...congratulations!! Now is time for serious business!! ehehheeheh!!

MY FIRST EVER...Yes, I've finally submitted my first ever job application for a full time / permanent job today with the help of John my angel of the day!! *Clap, clap* He delivered the application to the department on my behalf...I really wanted to do it myself considering it's my first ever but...I had to work and I couldn't get time off coz 1) my boss doesn't like us taking off as and when we like and, 2) my hours have been cut this week coz some person is in desperate need of money to pay for an air ticket to visit his gf who is right in the other part of the world, which resulted in less hours for me and more hours for him!! Jerry, you owe me BIG time!! Yups, so John had to help me make copies and deliver them to the Human Resourse Branch of the department which was located on George Street in the city.

Okay just in case you think I'm such a relaxed and calm person...think again!! Coz I spent the whole of last night till this morning, around 3:30am tidying up and doing research on questions in the selection criteria. It's not that I'm anal...well, I can be quite anal at times, but it's just that this whole thing seems to be such an interesting and exciting highlight of my life at the current moment (well, think about it, these days my life revolves around the stinking smacking foodcourt and foodcourt alone!!) This seeking employment thingy is like organizing one of those huge concerts for one of those huge stars where nothing can possibly go wrong, coz I want and need everything to be 10 out of 10!! =) And because my whole episode of nothing-can-go-wrong-in-my-selection-criteria which kept me up till wee hours in the morning, guess who woke up to greet me this morning?? Ahahhahaha...yes...Miss Cranky Pants!! I wore a pair of Panda eyes to work, my brain felt like it was somehow detached from my mind and my body left to float on its own without having nerves and muscles to control it!! How exaggerated is that?!?!? But I really did feel that way!! Like I wasn't thinking straight, wasn't acting right, wasn't talking sense!! And to add to that I had around 20 over orders of NASI GORENG!! Which btw, in case you didn't know, NASI GORENG is one of the most troublesome food to cook in the menu and we always secretly pray that no one would order that or we'd kill that person!! So, yes, today Michelle wore her cranky pants to work, her brain was detached from her mind and her body floating everywhere...so it makes complete sense that she probably forgot to pray for no orders on NASI GORENG!!

Anyhow...I do pray that I would at least be shortlisted for an interview?? Well, He knows the plans He has for me which are plans for good and not disaster, to give me a hope and a future. When I pray, He will listen...If I look for Him in earnest, I will find Him when I seek Him!! =) So God, do Your thing!! The red carpet is all ready for You!! =)

SUNDAY...Went for spiritual breakfast this morning (Thanks Mil, for the ride...I totally love your very retro-looking Beeeemer...your 1/2 convertible Beeeemer...she's gorgeous!!), then off to lunch at Mayfair with Mil, Boon (who is finally back from his rural attachment...I was just thinking about him yesterday, and he turned up today...woah...deja vu?!?!?), Sarah (Mil's American friend, who puts me to shame with her fluent spoken and written Chinese!!) and John. After which we dropped by JB hi-fi and then to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre coz Mil needs to pick up a few pair of shorts since spring/summer is here and he's soaking in his jeans...Well he didn't just get his shorts, he was contemplating on a pair of slippers...and in the end?? Mil couldn't resists the pair of Aqua Havaianas and he went straight to the counter and paid for it after seeing John with a pair of new white Havaianas, muahhahahahhaha!! And me?? I was at my best behaviour today!! Not a single cent spent at City Beach (although I was thinking of a pair of bikini...but in the end...nope!!), *woohoo!!* Seems like the self-control thing is really working in me today!!

The second half of my day was spent enjoying my 50 cents soft served cone from Maccas in Alvin's car, a good 2 1/2 hours nap (which I've been longing for agessssssss), a cold cut orange to wake me up, a good chat with my parents online, a quick chat with Geri (btw Geri, you have to stay strong...don't let whatever you're going through affect you too much...well although it's hard not to...you try...life should be lived in abundance and you've been greatly blessed...continue to rise and be the best you can be, k...I'm here if you need a listening ear!!), tidying up my selection criteria that's due tomorrow and finally, blogarism in progress!!

My thoughts: Wouldn't it be nice to put on my graduation gown (once again) and have a few pictures taken along College Road, surrounded by blooming purple Jacaranda trees?? Afterall those trees will be fondly remembered by all UQ students as an alert warning that final exams are just around the corner!! ;p

Current state of mind: I want that job!! Give it to me!!

iPod NANO...Black or white?? The black model looks really sleek and elegant while the white has a clean and futuristic look, in a way maintaining its originality. *Dilemma* Somehow I think the black appeals more to me than the white...But review has it that the black model scratches more easily than the white...!! Arghhhhhhh!! Why must they give us choices to choose from?? Although it's just from 2 different colours, it's enough to kill quite a few cells in the brain, I reckon!! So, black or white?? I have a feeling I'd go with black in the end...coz it goes really well with the black stylish PSP!! Btw, PSP ROCKS!! Now I know why my cousins were so glued to it when they were here...Even the giant 21 yr old kid can't get her hands off it!! *sly smile*

SELECTION CRITERIA in progress... I'm in the midst of responding to a selection criteria for a job application. I'm trying for the position of a Child Safety Officer. It sounds like an interesting and challenging job...well, I bet it is!! Just the way I'd like it!! I'm quite hopeless in office, routine-based, 9 - 5 jobs...I don't know why...maybe coz I'm an easily bored person?? Not exactly my cup of tea to sit in the comfort of an office from morning to evening, doing the same thing over and over again. Anyway back to the job...it was recommended by Lung. He's been so helpful, I guess I must really buy him dinner or something...He's sat down with me to go through the questions from the selection criteria and has given me lots of helpful hints and tips. He's also explained the nature of this job to me and has given me lots of encourgament and support. Thanks Lung, you've taught me so much and I really do appreciate it!! Well, another person who has been really helpful is Alvin. Today I took a peek into his final hour at work on a Friday afternoon!! I took a train to Darra, and Alvin picked me up from the train station...from there we went to a local pharmacy where he had to close their account or pass them something or something like that...and so I tagged along...after which we went to the bank where he had to drop off some stuff. Then from there we headed back to Alvin's office where I had my documents certified by his company's director who is also a JP. Thank goodness for Alvin's help that I managed to get my documents certified by today...or else I probably wouldn't be able to make it for the deadline on Monday!! *Phew* Thanks Alvin...as I mentioned on MSN, I owe you BIG time...taro bubble tea??

Okay, let you in to my little secret...I still can't believe myself that I'm currently SEEKING EMPLOYMENT!! Hmmm, *scratch head*...wasn't I in Uni just yesterday?? Doing the usual things of a typical Uni student?? Time flies...and that is a fact that I can never get over with!! Whatever it is...I'll just have to sink into reality and remind myself that I'll in 22 in approximately a month's time...so seeking employment is an absolutely normal thing and I should be very excited by it...wait a minute, did I not mention that I AM indeed quite excited about it?? About the whole employment thingy?? It is exciting...like a whole new phase in life!!

**Current addiction: Grey's Anatomy...I so can't wait for the 3rd episode of the 2nd season!! Will someone please soothe my addiction?!?!??!**

18+ CARD...License to unlimitted alcohol and partying??!?!? Well, I finally have my proof of age card after being here for close to 3 years!! Why do I even need one out of a sudden after being comfortable without one for 3 years?? Coz I didn't know even kareoke needs proof of age ID!! Without it, they would put you in an "UNDER AGE" room!! How ridiculous is that?? And btw, this lousy looking card cost me AUD$21.75!! But *yay* I've got license to unlimitted alcohol!! ;p

SUPRE`...Muahhahahahhahah!! I can't believe myself, I went for the group interview!! I thought everyone who was interested could just show up...but aparently not!! Only those who were shortlisted were invited for the interview!! That was a bit of a esteem-booster statement!! ANyway, I was a bit nervous at first as I don't know what to expect from a group interview coz I've not been invited for any sort of group interview before!! Lung said they could give us math sums to do and also ask us heaps of question to see who shouts the loudest "ME, ME, ME, ME, ME!!" Alriteeee, Lung was 1/2 correct!! There was no math sums involved but they did ask quite a few questions!! Firstly, the "Hi, my name is Michelle...ta da ta da ta da..." part, then they asked us to go around the shop, pick out an outfit that we would wear if we were to work there and why!! That part was pretty easy...I picked out a colourful flare, dressy top to go with a white skinny leg...why?? Coz it's colourful and happy and easy going and bla bla bla!! Then 3rd question was the classic "why do you wanna work in Supre`??" Well, it's all about saying every good thing about Supre` (obviously)!!

After the whole thing, I just walked out and wondered for a while..."Hmmm, people here are rather interesting??" From what they say it's a lot of fun but definitely a lot of hard work too...c'mon, Supre` is sooooooooooo packed on late night shopping days and weekends!! Face the fact, most Supre` girls wear a black face 1/2 way through the day anyway!! Okay back to the interesting people...the manager asked me, "So tell us a little about yourself..." and I replied, "Hi, my name is Michelle, I'm 21 yrs old..." Then I asked, "What else do you wanna know about me??" She just looked at me, smiled and then continued..."What about clubbing?? Partying?? Do you do any of those?? What do you do on a weekend?? Party with your friends?? Tell us...let us know more about you!!" And I just quickly and briefly thought to myself, "You mean how much I club and party defines who I am and my chances of getting a job here?? That's weird!!" Anyway, I just thought I'd go with the flow and so I babbled, "Oh, yes...clubbing of course, so love it...drinking with my friends all the time, hanging out...partying...yes!!" LIKE AS IF!! Muahahhahahhahahah!! *Biggest lie told* Well, I'm not saying anything wrong with partying and clubbing, in fact I do enjoy clubbing and partying although obviously I don't go every weekend...but isn't it a bit bimbotic to let those things define who we are?? Moreover all the other 10 who were there, all sooooooooo love partying, clubbing, alcohol, etc etc etc, like their lives revolve around partying and clubbing and alcohol alone...like without those they so can't survive!! That was really something to laugh about...I wonder if they were all like me, trying to just go with the flow, out to impress the missy manager since she was soooooooooo enlightened when she mentioned the words PARTYING and CLUBBING!! Muahhahahahhaah!! I guess that's probably why it's said to be so much fun working there...coz their culture is to PARTY and CLUB whenever they are not at work. Maybe I should give that a try and see how big a hole would my pocket be burnt!! Ahahahhahahha, and not to mention I was the OLDEST among them all!! *sad* There were 4 who were 15 (omigawd, sooooooooooooo young!!), some 16, some 19, 2 who were 21 and I am 22 this year!! Oh no!!

Anyway, if I get the job, good...new environment, new people, new job, new image?!?!? But if I don't, I don't really care...coz I really just wanted to go to give myself a shot at group interviews...now I've tried that and done that, it's not too bad...I'd say, better group interview than one-to-one interview!! =)

SHOPPING...Let's see what we've got fresh out of the shopping bag this weekend!! *Drumroll* We've got...a pair of black skinny jeans (yay!!...finally!!), a golden plaited belt and a black 'Emily The Strange' zip up cardigan. Shopping this afternoon was merely out of boredom and stress...Despite being quite broke, I know I should have just gone home after church instead of roaming round the city and pretty quite sure I'd end up spending.

Why bored?? Because it's the weekend, and there's nothing much to do other than thinking of how my weekend will just end in just a few hours and that tomorrow will be back to torturous past time at the food court again...I just refuse to call that work, because I guess my perspective of work is simply not standing behind the counter serving fussy hungry customers, cooking yucky inedible food, cleaning, scrubbing, smiling, chopping, frying, cutting bla bla bla...I'm sure most of you have heard enough of my whining on my job, so I will spare you!! I really want to and need to get a full-time job asap before I turn into one of those at the food court working fulltime and having...ish, cut things short, my past time place, which is the food court is really not very conducive for any sort of productivity at all. So that explains why I really need something more than a job at the foodcourt!!

Why stressed?? Because it's 2nd of October and it's my Daddy's birthday!! Being Daddy's girl, this is my 3rd year away from home and not able to celebrate any sort of family birthdays / functions / etc with my family!! I really do miss home!! =( Think about all the comfort I get back home?? Living under Daddy's roof?? Well, to begin with, the thought of not needing to think about where to dig out money to pay for the next rent (which is tomorrow btw!!)!! Sometimes being a grown up is not that fun afterall...*sigh*

Things happen from time to time...But well, being human it's part of the deal that comes with it I guess...always be prepared to expect the unexpected?? The reality of being human is that people do and will let us down...it is annoying, but as I've said, it's part of the deal of being human...we live through hurts and disappointments and hopefully out of it we'll grow to be stronger and be more appreciative of things around us. I don't blame anyone when things happen, it's just part it the deal...it's just that because we're humans, we do have feelings?? And the feelings part, is really quite hard to control...it comes unannounced...it stays for a while...it makes your mind go wild...it knocks you down...it picks you up, and the hopefully after that you'll be able to move on...Oh well, it's just feelings afterall!! Everyone has it, everyone goes through it...no big deal...!!

It is at times like that when you feel so vulnerable and so distracted you wish you could just fly away somewhere...Somewhere where the skies are always clear, the sun is always bright and the rainbow is out everyday!! *Sigh* Don't get me wrong, I'm not like in some kinda major depression or something...I'm just having lots of mixed feelings from a lot of things that is happening simultaneously in my life. Despite all these...little mercies still do happen...John bought me the Emily cardigan *wink*...Thanks dear!! (With the current state of my bank account, it's really quite daring of me to even think about shopping!!) ;) and just 20 minutes ago, he popped into my room and gave me a CD he's composed specially for me...that's very sweet of him, thanks so much!! I really do apprecite it!! Just when I think everything around me seems so strange, so messy, so gloomy and so tough, little mercies still happen...and people still do care (thanks Eileen, for the email and your support!! To Alvin, I appreciate you always bringing us out to dinner at my favourite place and I just simply enjoy your company!! Lung, you've got me excited and encouraged about the job you say you'd help me get, thanks!! To Nelson, thanks for the words of wisdom!!)...the sun will still shine tomorrow...and I will continue to run this race!!

p/s: Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to DADDY MY HERO
Happy Birthday to you!!
I love you and I will always do!! =)