Can't believe I actually got up at 6.15am for a jog around the lake!! Ahhh.. but it was so liberating. Good thing Amy came with me, Rob and Tim cruised ahead, just like all guys would. Surely some exercise will start off the day well, especially a Monday. Canberra is pretty. But cant say for sure it's prettier than Wgtn.

Ok.. I think it's about time I actually update and post some pictures I've been meaning to do so a long time ago, just that.. i was lazy.

Summer is going superduperly great for me! There is really nothing more that I could ask for. Ok, in terms of research, I'm in an Organic Chemistry Research group- Easton group, which has abt ~15 postdocs/pHDs. And there is really no other group that can be better than Easton! My supervisor, Chris E. is a really nice guy, and according to many, he is really the best supervisor one could get. So what research am I doing? I'm synthesizing DAISY CHAINS! Molecular daisy chains that is, which consists of cyclodextrin as a host, and some kind of guest. After a month of working closely with my immediate supervisor, Hideki, I'm getting the hang of it, and actually liking it! I guess, the ppl in the research group makes a lot of difference. Ok, let the rambling stop, and the pictures roll!

Anti CW fr top left: one of the roads in ANU; Union Court; my awesome room; postgrad village where i live.

Guess what? Not only do they provide linen, towels, soap bars, and toilet paper every week, they also change my linen for me! So every Fri, i come back to fresh bed linen! And oh, I'm staying in a hall, and the food is actually not too bad. I'm not complaining especially when there is food all ready after a long day of work. I must say the food is better than Weir's.

 

Easton Grp Christmas Dinr (Our whole group was treated to dinr at a fancy restaurant!); Celebrating Jim's bday after in town; Research Sch of Chem (RSC) Christmas party; RSC Cricket Day; Hideki (japanese) my immediate supervisor

One of my to-do-s for summer was accomplished when Organics played the-rest-of-the-world (ie all other Chemists) for Cricket. Not only did I finally undstd this foreign sport, I also got to play it!

Fummy and I ; Hideki explaining smth to me at my desk; Lab 109; BBQ area where we hang out for coffee breaks 

And in the 2nd week I got here, Chris signed us up for a RACI (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) Symposium which happened to be in Canbr this yr! It was such a good experience, and i count it a blessing to be a part of this generous research grp. He even paid for a symposium dinner at a fancy restaurant! Apparently, some other scholars didnt even get to attend the symposium.

RSC Cricket; National Gallery; walk to National Museum; Girls before a night out; Old Bus Deport Market

See that yellow bike the guy is riding? It's mine! Got it for $20, such a bargain! It's good to be able to see Canbr on wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim's bday; Civic at night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sunset fr the National Museum; Vodka Melon

Concrete Surfing

Phew... that's so many pics. Hehe.. ok.. i better call it a night now. Three more days of work, and I'l be on the road to Melbourne for Christmas! My aunt was so kind to take in my friends and I for the Christmas week! And it'l be Sydney for New Year!! So, if any of you are in Melb/Sydney at that time (or knw of any1 who'l be there), tell me yeah! I'm soo excited for the trip!

 

 

 

I'm so excited! I cant believe I'm leaving tomorrow already. I havent even packed yet, not that I have a lot of things to pack, since I came with so little to begin with...

But I'm so excited, not only because we'l be travelling around, but because I'll be staying at my Aunt's place, and I'l be meeting my cousins, some whome I've heard of, but never met!! How cool is that! And Jason, the oldest cousin is gonna pick us from the airport, and even show us around Melbourne!!!! Haha.. Ok, i'm hyped, from lack of sleep, and perhaps working a little too hard at work.

I need to get so many things done before I leave, and before Hideki gets back! I want to at least attempt polymerisationto get the Daisy Chain, otherwise, what am i gonna write in my report, and what am I gonna present at the presentation at the end of this research?! I got so excited over the fact that if my reaction works, the paper might be published! How cool is that, seeing my name on journal!

But in the midst of all the hype and excitement.. I kinda want to go home as well. Everyone's home/on the way home... and all the plans that you all have..  And I miss Dan.... Cant believe I havnt seen him for 10 mnths now. Speaking of which, it's our month-anniversary today, though i cant rmb how many to be exact. Love you dear!

Ok.. I better get some sleep and I still have to work a full day tomorrow! We're catching the midnight bus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all you lovely ppl!!!!!

Gahhh... I'm leaving in 4 hrs, and i havnt packed. I lost my bike shed key. If they dont appear, I'l hav to pay $50!!!!!!!!!!!! Sobs.. And guess what? My bike only costs $20!! 250% to pay for a silly piece of metal. I know I should have kept them in a key ring. Key word being should have. No pun intended here. And I had a super long day at work today. Chemistry is confusing, well at least when diff pHDs and postDocs tell u you different things. I'm only a second year student, how would I know which advice to take. It's life.. i knw.. i jsut need to rant it all out, so i dont bring them with me for my hols. It's a steep learning curve, but it'l be one that's worthwhile. Thank You for Your grace which is sufficient for me.

Oh NooooO!! I just remembered that it was my dad's bday yesterday... And I forgot... 0 Ok, must ring him tonight.

I got back from melbourne yesterday. Ok, I'l leave the details and the pics of the trip for later. But there are somethings that I have learnt from this trip. Things taht has always been there, but takes some time and some events to cause me to realise them.

1. Since I left home, I have been very focussed in getting things done, be it in studies, ICF, activities or whatever I find myself wanting to accomplish. And sometimes, this attribute does not work for the better because in the process of achieving them, I forget that relationships are the most important. Looking back, i realise that sometimes, I get so absorbed in getting tasks done, that I do not spend enough time with the ppl around me. And even worse, sometimes I unintentionally offend ppl in the course of it. Maybe it has something to do with the whole lot that  comes with being away from home. We tend to be more guarded, and we do not slack, and for my case, I become over-driven. I sometimes wonder if I'm an over-achiever. Maybe some choleric trait is surfacing!

2. I have always had most things my way since I was young. Probably cos I was always the 'older one'. Not only in terms of getting my way in relation to people, but in life in general. I have always had the best things in life, gone to the best schools, got the things which I want, and most of the time, situations work out for my good. And there is no doubt that I count them blessings from my Father. Hence explains my struggle when circumstances are not ideal.

3. Family bonds are so important, not only within the nuclear family, but also in the larger circle of blood relations. And I regret that I (/my family) have never been that close to any of my extended family, besides my grandparents.  I wish I grew up with my cousins, and saw them more often than just during Chinese New Years.

4. I understand why some ppl say it's easier to travel alone than with people. It's easier to do whatever you wish, without having to consult others, and to align our different preferences.

Yeah..The trip was awesome, and Amy and Tim and fun to travel with! We had so many funny, and crazy moments. Christmas in melbourne was fun... especially since I spent it with my Aunt and her children and grandchildren (ie my cousins and niece/nephew). She was sooo nice to us, and cooked meals for us and all. And Jason, the oldest cousin was so kind to show us around!

Oh oh.. i went into the Casino! My first time. But obviously we didnt spend a cent!

Ok.. I better call it a night. I'm leaving for Sydney tomorrow morning.. WoohoO! I'm so excited, cos more friends will be in Sydney!

ps: Funny, i was walking in the city, and some guy was handing out flyers to the Ice Bar thing! Kept the brochure specially for u jo!   And yeah.. the stock market bar does sound cool, though I didnt see it there.