Life in New Zealand - Part I

Have been wanting to blog about my life in NZ for a long time. And I still kinda lazy and hesitated to start. Anyway, since I have done hald way and left the write-up. Thought, I should just finished it.

It's about 12 years now since I decided to pursue my degree in NZ. A lot of people asked me why did I choose to study in NZ. And during then, a lot of ppl also tried to tell me to go Oz instead. With the twinning programe I did with Inti College, 1 year(9-10 months to be exact) intensive Pre-U. I can only remembered, I hardly have holidays and I have class on Saturday which makes me home sick so much. Anyway.... After which, I enrolled into NZ Programe. I didn't want the UK programe partly because it's 2+1 but, I wanted 1+2. And UK was way too expensive. And it is still now. Furthermore, I always imagine UK to be gloomy (aiks.. that will spoil my mood). So, no way. NZ is good. Then, after 1 year (or 9 months again). I have a choice again to change to RMIT (which my sister was doing), or continue with NZ. If I wanted to go NZ, then, I have to choose which U. Otago was then the only contract signed. Victoria.. would be the official 1st batch doing twinning with (the contract was not finalised then and we have to apply ourselves.

After much talking, praying, consultation. I've decided to go to Wellington. Victoria University of Wellington. Why? Not exactly know. Wanna go NZ cos everyone is going to Oz. I wanted something different. Wellington. Maybe the same. Most of them going to Otago, Dunedin. I wanna be different. oh.. Maybe because su-gong (grand uncle) is there also.. And only 5 of us going to Wellington. And I didn't know the others 4.

So, after the long procedures and worrying and waiting. Off I went to Wellington. My 1st time travelling overseas on flight and alone (the other 4 went separately). It's a super long journey. Basically, I vomitted all the way there. The entire 10 - 12 hours flight. First, the flight from KL - S'pore was delayed and no air-cond though they tried. Still.. It's so stuffy. Then, I was late to check-in at Changi Airport. I was rushing from 1 terminal to another. So, I didn't get a good seat... Very behind and near the toilet. Then, I started to throw out, due to the rushed and the heat earlier. So, I couldn't and didn't eat anything and only managed to sleep a little. Then, they start serving breakfast. Cos, NZ is 5 hours ahead (in summer) of Malaysia. When I reached Auckland airport. I think i looked so pale and I just sat there waiting for my connecting flight to Wellington. So tired and I dare not sleep as I need to take care of my own luggages. Then, the flight to Wellington was bumpy and in a small flight. It's Wellington.

Finally, landed. Kawai picked me up from the airport. Well, my room was not really ready. And where's Su-gong and Su-poh? Well, they were holidaying in Surfers Paradise. And I fall asleep on the sofa until Kawai woke me up for dinner. What?? Dinner?? It's fast and I was not hungry. Gee.....

And so, the next few days was to open bank account, get some $$, going to Uni. Get familiar with the place.

Oh.. I was staying at Seatoun, super near to the airport, like 5 - 10 minutes. And about 20 - 25 minutes to Varsity by car.

So, my uni life began after enrolling myself. Oh... What about the other 4 person. Well, since we didn't have cell phone those days, I gave them my contact at Su-gong's place and thanked God they called me.

So, I joined the Orientation for International Students which was quite cool. That's where I knew about OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship) and WMSO (Wellington Malaysian Society Organisation). We went up to Mt. Victoria. And later I was told local students have different type of orientation. And we had our Orientation dinner which was cool... Well, of course, no free food. Each country will have to perform something.

Then, throughout the 1 - 2 weeks of the beginning of the Semester, there were so many booths/ tables set-up right in front of the courtyard in front of library so the newbies can join the clubs/ societies. Oh.. there's free hotdog with bread given away.. They just gave and it's really yummy especially when the weather was cold.. haha...

My very 1st activity - shooting organised by WMSO. It's fun. Later, I am not so comfortable with WMSO as some of the language used. Sorry.. But, that's the truth...

Next, I went to camp. Yeah!!! My 1st time camping. Someone told me there's an Esther camp with the OCF from Massey University, Palmerston North (Pammy - nick name) and I went. Well, I was a 1 day late, I think. So, I went to horse riding and kayaking in a pond (without knowing how to swim). I couldn't see the bottom of the pond as the water was really black. I figured it must be quite deep.

I think there's where I started to join OCF.

Then, it's the yearly OCFers camp. It's a big thing. There's where all the OCFers from all over NZ will gather for 1 week or so during the winter break to worship God. It's really a cool experience. That year (1997), WOCF was the organiser and I was helping out the committee. I was quite blessed that I managed to get Kawai to let me use his car. So, I managed to fetch a few ppl to the camp site. And the tough part was I was assigned to be a cell leader for the young believers (this is really testing).

I met Ruth (my classmate from Inti, she went to Otago) as I was doing the registration. We screamed and were so excited. haha... oh.. WOCFers painted our face blue on the blue night. Fun!! Fun!!! Fun!!! Also, I think I slept the least during this whole week as normally, the program ended quite late at about 10pm - 11pm. Then, we will have fellowship session and catching up with each other. And since I was the cell leader, I needed to prepare materials. So, sometimes, I will only do that after the entire thing or I will wake up at 3am to prepare. Also, to seek God as I needed Him to guide and teach me to teach others. It's really a big and scary task.

Well, it also taught me to have total reliance on God and everything will be alright. :) Amen!!

After the camp. Somehow someone in OCF said that we needed to have a 1 night WOCFers thingy. We need to be united. 1 night? That's like 24 hours thingy. We only slept very little. Like 1 - 2 hours. And it's winter. I went. It was awesome. The activities were awesome. We worked in small teams and have to run away from the soldier while doing treasure hunt in the dark and not cought by the soldiers. We had to go underground (which was scary initially), go into the woods (not very deep). And it's raining and in winter.

Gee.. It's tired and yet it was totally worth it. And I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot from it.

In between all these, of course, it's the normal student life of attending lectures, going between lecture halls, going between buildings, waiting for next lectures, tutorials, assignment, etc... You named it... I took 4 subjects on the 1st semester and 2nd semester which was quite heavy as the education system was not as what I used to.

Then, at the last OCF meeting, we decided to combined with CU (Christian Union - basically attended by mostly Kiwis). And it was a surprised that a birthday party was thrown for all the October babies.. haha.. Actually, it's the exam period. We had the party at the basement of one of the local church.

It's a cultural night. My Kimono was a real Kimono lend by a very nice Japanese friend. :)

Normally, after the year end exam. It's a long awaited summer holiday. Well, normally, we will go to botanical garden which was behind our university. Sometimes, Kawai parked his car till there. No other place lor.. It's not that very far. Either walk or by cable car.

So, what did I do for my 1st summer? Negotiated so long with family that I really felt like going home (back to Malaysia) as I really missed them so much and the food though Su-poh cooked especially majority of my gang got the return ticket and went home. Still.. Then, I decided not to. So, what did I do? I worked. Worked in U-Save Autoparts (Su-kong's business), part time waitressing. I hardly conversed in Mandarin the entire summer till I nearly lost it. When I rang home, it's kinda weird to speak Mandarin with them and they were guessing on what I wanted to say. haha...

So, aside working and working. What else did I do? I went for holiday with my own $$$... haha... Whereabout? Wait till the next blog.... ;)

Day at home - Deepavali

It's public holiday (again!?).. woohoo!!!! It's Deepavali where Indian celebrate the victory over the evil one... There were a lot of fire crackers once the clock past 12 midnight. Apparently, it is more happening than CNY. Wow....

There's GLS (Global Leadership Summit) seminar in church today. I didn't sign-up for it as initially, I thought this will be the usual peak times at work where I will have to work on the 3 years business plan thingy (which was done about a month ago now). Pastor Sally asked me in church yesterday if I would join them today. hmm... Not really... I have other plans already though I could have be flexible enough to change and just to attend today's session (it's a 2 days thingy)... Anyway....

So, what did I do?

Well, nothing much basically. I helped mom on this little plant thingy. I always saw it in our garden. I always thought it's just another useless plant and will pull them away until few months back when mom told me it's actually medicine.. errhhh..... sorry.... Well, she didn't know until she read from books as well. *phew*...

So, it is kinda amazing plant. It's actually good for eyes *blink* Good for eyes?! (Remembered my eye were so painful without specific reason during raya.. So, this maybe what I needed)... Mom boiled some the other day but I was in KL. So, she is going to boil again today and insist that I have to drink. I think she boiled this before. The seeds of the plant if like little black pepper. It's kinda quite. It's kinda easy to do it. Just clean it, use the whole plant (of course not the root lar.. pengsan), put water add some brown sugar. And that's it. It's not that difficult to boil or drink. Just like a drink.... (Not like those Chinese medicine thingy)...

So, where can you find them? It's just in the garden, in the pot, God's given.

What else I did so far?

I managed to finish the crosstich.. Another piece.. haha... I have told a friend (Steven Heah) that I am going to make one for him when the wife got conceived. Well, due to my busy schedule (and laziness.. aiks....), I only managed to finish today. And the little princess already here and I think it's almost time for full moon. Aiks.... Actually, this piece is much easier than the wedding one I make for Susanna. Now, I need to frame it. I hope they will like it.

Anymore crosstich?? Maybe not the near future, aye.. Sewing it's not my thing... It's a pain to sew... Dad was asking why don't I just go buy something... hmm... True, but, for me, if I were to buy something, what should I buy? And I am not the shopping type of person also.. aiks..

Another...

Kjersti left DiGi today. It was quite hard for me to take the news. Somehow I suspected something since yesterday but, I didn't know it will be this. I felt something is not right. And the feeling got worse this morning... Then, came the breaking news.

She took me into Technology to support her which I was really grateful of that. Ever since, she has been coaching and teaching me in all aspects. She really took me to a higher level thinking - more strategic and dynamic which I really appreciate a lot.

Thank you so much Kjersti!! I will miss you a lot!!! And I wish you all the best!

Celebration

Celebration of my birthday today by TMT together with Tan Boon Hwa's. It's kinda weird as it's neither both of our birthday today. Mine was over and his is yet to come.



Well, still we enjoy the celebration. :)

Discovery...

Few days ago, Fong told me that the part of lake garden which closed for upgrade was opened. I knew what's in her mind. And she told me again Friday night while I was caught in the crazy traffic jam and complaining on the way to Kota Damansara.

So, we went there this morning. Reached there at 6.50am as I couldn't sleep well the night before. Maybe the food from the earlier night didn't work quite well in my stomach.. haha.. pengsan.. Anyway, we started walking and saw the zinc used to cover the upgrading area was removed and replaced by the warning band... We saw people walking through and I knew Fong will do that too. And we did... aiyoo.... This is illegal, right?? pengsan... Still, we walked pass that and walked into the newly upgraded part of the lake garden.

It's kinda exciting and yet a little disappointing that it's not as what we expected. And of course, the pond need a serious touch-up. And I think there's a fountain there in the middle.

It's really like discovering new places. Walked passed the state mosque, A&W, former Hilton Hotel. Then, we saw this place like amphitheatre/ tent thingy. Fong was telling, maybe can have Starbucks here (remind me of someone owing me). And I said, maybe we can have some outing here. Like Aspirers can do something here, since there's a wall, an empty wall which they can use for projecting... arh....

So, we walked 2 big circles covering the old and new portion until Min Chee said, time to go for breakfast. Maybe give them another 2 weeks to clean-up the place and I think it will be really nice. :)

More pictures: http://euniceta.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-lake-gardens.html

Dinner

It's been awhile we went out for dinner together. And tonight (despite my many complaints on the madness of crazy), we went to Tony Roma's. Early celebration of me and Boon Hwa's birthday.

The food: ribs and ribs and more ribs...
The interior: alright
The price: ??? (aint paying... hehe...) :p
The companion: excellent!!! (both thumbs up) :)

Maybe we should have this more often. Of course, go AA/ Dutch. It's relaxing + fellowship + know each other better...

Thank you so much for the evening! :) Hugs.....

Book of Job

Got to know there's a Bible Seminar at MAS Academy, Kelana Jaya (free admission) from Mon - Wed on the Book of Job by Christopher Ash. Struggled if I should go or not. And I went for the 1st night, struggling to keep awake.

Then, it rained on 2nd night. What a good reason of not going. Well, I went. Was better. And since I have gone for 2 nights, just to finish the whole thing. So, that's how I finished the 3 nights expository session. It was alright. Now, I look at Job in a whole new perspective. Encouraged and inspired.

Thank you, Lord for the opportunity. :)

Weapon

Haha!!! Now, I have this gun that I can shoot at people literally.... Better be good....

Who???

Earlier, someone put a packet of Milo on my table while I turned the other side looking at Boon Hwa's computer. Who's that?? I asked the question again and again and for weeks now. I don't know. They said, secret admirer. I said, don't be shy.

Recently, someone else put chocolate on my computer while I was away. Another secret admirer? Or the same one?? I asked, and they told me Karim. OK. At least I know.

Same day afternoon, a saw a sandwich on my table. Uh??? So many secret admirer??? Aiyoo... pengsan... I asked, who put that? Many had no idea at all. Later, Alex guessed Boon Hwa and indeed it's from him... At least, I know, not secret admirer. haha...

But, now, who put the Milo???

Saturday events...

Was struggling a bit last night if I should go walk with Fong on Saturday morning. Normally, we walk. Yet, this week, I felt really tired and lazy. It's nice to sleep-in. When my alarm went off at 6am, I told myself another 5 minutes, and it was another 30 minutes!!!! Gosh, so late. We only started walking at lake garden at about 7.15am.

Then, we saw a Waja was plunged into the bottom, near one of the ponds. Wondering what happened. Drunk? Lost control? Unsure. We continue our walked. On the 3rd or 4th round, I noticed the driver was there unhurt. Thank God.

I think it just happened only as the accident really attracted a lot of people to view. Well, being Malaysian and now it explained why always traffic jam on both directions whenever there's accident. Very 'concern' mar....

Then, usual ritual. We had breakfast with Min Chee and Matthew at their favorite shop before headed home.

Went to town again with mom after cleaning bathroom, toilets, myself and hanging clothes. Yes, going to town on Saturday is definitely a crazy things to do. But, I had to go as I have been delaying my blood test for too long and I wanted to get it done especially with the tension, pressure, late nights and work load. I don't want a relapse.

I asked mom to go to BP Lab with me. Kinda begging her go with me and hope she can take my blood instead. The last time I took blood for annual health check near where I work was a horrible experience though before that I had quite a few bad experiences in labs. The bad blood taking experiences (was on monthly for about 2 years about 7 years ago) really creates a phobia in me. Just the thought of is freaking enough. Why? As I have very tiny vain and many tried to prick many times and some searching the vain in me and it was awful. A lot of time left me with bruises. Sometimes, it ended up to take from the wrist area or behind of the palm (ouch!!).

So, today, went to the lab, told the person-in-charge, a young girl on what I wanted. Next, I told her, take from here (pointing at my wrist). That freaked her out instead. haha.. pengsan... I told her I would rather to have it painful once and for all. She was scared still. She said, she has not took from there and asked her colleague to help. I told mom, please do it for me and the girl was alright with that. She went don't know where after that. I think she was too scared as well. So, mom did it. It's sure painful, well, but, 1 prick was done. Mom said, her skill was not as good as previous as she had not been doing for a long time.

Oh.. Mom also commented on the way they fold the cotton and the bin for used needle. :) She just wanna taught them to be better lar..

Blessed...

Siti told me that she make some chocolate cookies for me this raya. She brought it to office on Friday for me to take home. It's hazel nut wrapped with chocolate. I felt so pampered and loved.

She gave me some last year's raya and it was really nice. I told her that. I didn't expect she purposely make for me again this year. The thought itself was already a blessings.

This year she gave me more. It's so yummy.. I asked for recipe but, she didn't wanna give me. Just said that will make for me. If that's not blessed and pampered, what is?

Thank you so so much!!! *hugs*

Colleague becoming friend in work life - something I treasure. (aiks... sentimental again....)

Cordless

Possible to still blog without computer. Maybe. Now, i am blogging using my mobile. Why? Cos i left my computer power cord in office.. Haha..

Ouch....

Went to market with mom after church today. Heavy traffic as usual. I was really careful and while on the way back, this Toyota Harrier parked at aside bang and kissed my butt.... Ouchh.....

I got down and saw a big scratch... Again, ppl kissed my butt...

Well, at 1st I was furious and thought of asking that fella to pay me. Well, since he can afford to drive a brand new Toyota Harrier and bang my Wira.... Somehow a small voice in me told me to show kindness. And the conversation went:

Me: aiyoo!!! Uncle, why you want to kiss my butt ( I thought of using ass, but, that's too rude).
Uncle: Sorry. I was looking at the lorry behind me.
Me: But, you should be careful of the car infront of you also ler... So, how?? Uncle. You see, the paint and my bumper dropped already.
Uncle: So, how?
Me: You drive big car, you tell me how lar.. I have to work in KL ler.. Where I can get this fix? You tell me how lar.. How you want to settle lar??? Some more today Sunday. Where to fix wor???
Uncle: I also dunno.
Mom: Where you come from?
Uncle: Port Dickson.
Me: (Maybe I should show mercy)... So, how?? You give me your number lar.. I go fix and I contact you lor..
Uncle: Ok.. OK... I will not run away one. (He is taking out his business card).
Me: Wah... You are GM arh... Sure cannot run away lor....
Mom: oh.. We have got your number also... Definitely cannot run away.

Back to the car.. Mom was still kinda angry. For me, I think it's more of pain rather than anger. No one wanted accident. But, the pain. And his car, nothing wrong. Everything was ok. For sure, since his car is much bigger and stronger than mine... *sob*sob*...

Last year, almost same time, near to Raya, someone (taxi) kissed my butt... gosh.... what's happening....

And I went to fix it after lunch.. The workmanship was bad.. That fella put 2 skrews to ensure it's not dropping.. aiyoo..... where got like that one... really pengsan...

Aiks... now, the paint.. and the pain.... :(

Less

Not sure about those who visit my blog regularly, I realised that I have less and less posts in blog after the 2nd half of the year. Wonder???

1. Less events
2. Too busy (this is not good... been working none stop, last week, I worked for more than 36 hours continuously)
3. Too tired
4. Too lazy

Yeah!! I need a kick to motivate me to blog...

Recently, I thought of blogging my life/ time in NZ. What's so special? Indeed it's very special... I wouldn't say that it's the happiest moment. It's the special 2 years that I have had memories that I still remember till now... Also, since a few people have been asking me about travelling to NZ. haha.. I shall introduce them to my blog them. haha.... pengsan... Seriously, I would like some feedback how many would like to see some NZ blog???

Happy Birthday - Ole Martin

We celebrated Ole's birthday on Friday which his actual birthday is on 20th. Well, initially, we thought of gave him a surprise at Lot 30. But, since he was over at Lot 10 and we had IC meeting, so, we did it in Lot 10 instead.

Yupe... It's a nice ice cream cake.. :)

Blessed Birthday!!!!!

p/s: He just realised that TMT couldn't sing... hahah... That's not too late... pengsan...

Workshop

TMT is trying to have a quarterly workshop. (A lot of ppl thought: wah!! Go out and have fun!! Well, if you have a chance, you don't even wanna be there... It drains the brain!!!) My agenda, Roller Coaster, will be one of them and some other topics would be discussed. The last time was tiring. Well, personally, I didn't quite look forward for this as it means a lot of work and preparation needed from me. BUT, it's definitely a very worthwhile discussion and everytime, I learnt a lot out of it. (Of course, very tired and a lot of work come out of it)...

This time around, it is heavier on me as we discussed and more focus on Roller Coaster and target. Aside preparing, I presented/ facilitated. Gosh... It's not easy at all...

On the 1st time, I was blessed with someone to drive me which means I managed to do some preparation in the morning and able to get some rest on the way back. And I drove myself the 2nd day which I nearly fall asleep on my way back.

Well, we went for some relaxation after the 1st day of workshop. For me, what I really want was a bed. Then, the food and of course, we celebrated Kjersti's birthday. She had her two lovely kids over.

Time really flies in the workshop. We really had long and good discussion. And when's the next? I don't even dare to think about it. As I foresee the next one will be heavy too!!! Well, at least, we see result and fruits... Only 1 thing that I would wish to touch more on - PEOPLE!!! The MOST important asset of all....

Monday - after Merdeka

It's dad's birthday!!! And it's public holiday.

I went to walk/ hike with Eunice early in the morning. Fetched her from her home at about 6.30am and she said, we are going to Bukit Kepayang. I said, what? My knees... Anyway, we went. And wow... so many youths.. all kids.. So many of them... It's public holiday, no work, no school.

Conversation among them was really kidz.. haha... That's what I thought. Well, I tried to mix, challenging. Most of the time, I couldn't understand what they were talking about. I was wondering, do they really understand each other? Oh... I am so out of their generation. And they are so energetic.

Of course, we went for breakfast.

It rain really heavily in the afternoon and it's cold. I like it, but, some roads infront and behind my house start to be flooded.

NE 100 Days Celebration

I was invited to celebrate our 100 days after the re-alignment of 2 departments (Network Planning and Network Development Department), now known as Network Engineering.

They had various types of local fruits, eg. rambutan, duku langsat, pulasan, durian and mangosteen, watermelon, honeydew. I reckon they had the good durian as I can smell it from lobby. oh... I covered my nose. How can people eat that?

There was not many NE people, a lot of aliens though. ;-) And I thought there would be speeches from the boss which also none. So, purely fruit festivals!? I find it a bit weird not to address the occassion though was mentioned in the email invitation.

Hair Cut

It's just another Saturday. I fetched Eunice for our morning walk and I had another 2 other appointments. 1 of them is to get my hair cut.

Eunice went to Jusco with me for the hair cut. While I was having my cut, she went shopping. I told Philip (my friend, my hair dresser) to do anything he likes. He said, perm. I said, NO!! I don't think I can take it. Half way cutting, he saw a model in the magazine I was reading and suggested that. I asked if it's easy to take care. He told me need styling. Well, I told him to forget it as I am so lazy for all these. I said, just give me something nice and easy to manage. I wouldn't want to spend so much time.

Then, he suggested to do some temporary curl using the heat roller. I agreed. At least, I know if I will like it. haha...

Eunice came while I was doing the temporary curl. And she said, she couldn't recognise me. I got so interested in seeing Philip doing my hair and it's cute. I mean the hair, not me. Like doll....

Philip actually pinned those hair up. Wow.... I never had this and I felt really great. The only thing part was that I was on the wrong dresscode. With the type of hair, I should be in evening dress, ready for dinner. hmm.... hahaha... pengsan... (The best part was he still charged me the same, only for cut)!!! Yeah.... :D

Rat Race 2008

I didn't know why I sign-up for Rat Race. Rat race is an event organised by Bursa KL (KLSC) and The Edge that Corporates will participate to raise fund for the needy. The runners are to run with office attire. This year all fund raised will go to Women and Children. All participants are to run in KL city for 4.5KM.

We signed up for the mixed team which makes up of 2 female and 3 male. Since the day we signed up, we ran once a week at MPSJ. I can't run as my knees are not strong and I think running is quite a boring exercise. There's no interacture. How to talk and run??


Well, the day came, 19 Aug. We departed at about 2.30pm from office though the actual race will only start at 5pm. We need to get ourselves register when we get there. Well, since I was the leader for the group, I registered for the team. Then, we hang around for awhile before California Fitness guide us for some warming up. There was a briefing given. The road will not be closed for traffic (?!) which means we need to watch out for traffic. Alamak!! Pengsan... The next thing was, the police will only be there for 1 hour, after which we will be on our own. pengsan... So, no matter what, I must be back though I would like to be the last as much as possible. hmm.... (Too bad that John couldn't run on that day as he injured himself from futsal, hence replaced by Shoban).

The CEO ran 1st. They ran for 1.5KM. Then, only us. The guys in our team went ahead. And I was with Sherine. We ran, we walked, we talked. It's hot running on tarred road. We needa cross the roads, watch out for traffic, etc. Along the way, we saw a lot of banks supporters to cheer their team. It's very encouraging and fun to see that. I think we took about 40 - 45 minutes for the entire 4.5KM. gosh... At the mean time, our cheerleading group was having competition at Bursa while we ran.

I was still the last in our team. :) And my feet was so hot that I took off my shoes, and I rolled-up the pants. No longer feminine, cos I was too hot and I couldn't care much... pengsan...

There was dinner ready for us. It's just a simple meal, and yes, bananas... :) Then, followed by award giving. Our CEO was 2nd in the CEO category. And we won the most team award. DiGi has 10 teams.

Overall, it's a good experience. For me, it's not the destination, it's the journey and experience. Once we have the common goal, we will run the race together. It's a good race I must say. It is the same in life, we need to run a good race. We stop and check ourselves, take rest, and continue the race.

Will I join again next year? I don't know. I think it's fun, but, not the training part.