Woooo, I've had a fun couple of days, and its at the point where I was thinking, I wanna write about it, want to tell the ENTIRE WORLD.....oh great *sigh* I'm all hyperactive....calm down, calm down...calm down....calm...calm....CALM...CALM

**Warning: if you're hoping for a drunken night of sex, drugs, wild drinking and rockn'n' roll, I have to disappoint you, but none of those were involved here.**

Anyway, one of the fun things I've had the opportunity to do during my uni course is to be student host at various uni events that are held for secondary students to promote the university. The event I've been involved with over the past two days is Rural Uniexperience, which gives VCE students from rural areas the opportunity to come and experience what its like at university. They get to stay at Ormond College and attend seminars and mock lectures. I've heard about this event in the past from other uni students who said it was a heap of fun to do, so when I got the chance this year, I thought, yeah, I want to do this!

After finding Ormond College, which was up near the 'top' of the university, I collected my program, the names of the students in my group, and a bright yellow (yes, bright yellow) t-shirt to identify me as a student host. And the thing is with these t-shirts is that they are always way too big, so you feel as if you're wearing a tent. I suppose the one good thing about the t-shirt is that it matched the color of my sleeping bag :)

We then helped the kids find their rooms in the college, which was also a challenge for me as often I would take the long route around trying to find the particular room. I also checked out the room I was going to be staying in - which was really cool - I would get to stay in one of the colleges (although only for one night)! It was a typical college room, bed, table, chair etc. It had a nice view into a courtyard though. I also had to figure out how the heating worked, I just turned it up and hoped for the best (it ended up being like a sauna!). We then spent the rest of the day getting to know the students in our group - there were a few stand outs...like the kid who looked like Harry Potter, the 'twins' who no one could tell them apart...the 'young couple' which we had to keep an eye on as they had a tendency to wonder off to secluded corners...and the girls who were wearing high heels who kept complaining as we showed them around the university. However, the highlight had to be trivia night! The questions were easier than what I'm used to when I played trivia last year during honours, and we accidently ruined the microphone when Shantelle (one of the other student hosts) held it way too close to the stereo as "Yellow Submarine" was playing. You couldn't turn it on after that without it making horrible screech noises. And the bonus round - each group had to tell a "clean joke" which was much harder than it sounds! But by the end, the kids were dead and just wanted to sleep. Some of them had been up since 6am in order to travel to Melbourne. It made my job easier knowing that (although that couple made me slightly worried....) plus the fact it was too cold to be outside!

Next day, the program merged with another program that was being held - Access all areas (oh, it was very movie star, darling, with access passes included) which targets all secondary students and aims to give them information about university and the courses available without the zillion ppl around on Open Day. Us student hosts then spent the rest of the day guiding ppl to the various lecture theatres, help set up information booths, giving campus tours and answer any questions. It was actually not as busy as I thought, so I got to know the other student hosts that were involved with the program. Its amazing who you meet doing these things, as they come from all sorts of courses, and listening to their stories/how they got to where they are is amazing, it makes you realise what you haven't done, and they're entertaining stories in their own right. Chris with his Irish accent (it was funny and authentic, especially when he was telling us about his dad) and attraction to French women (what IS it about French women anyway? is it the accent...?Chris reckons they have a certain 'allure'); Stefan, who is such a character - he reminded me of Ryan with his ability to socialise and say what's on his mind. I also admired the way he knew exactly what he wants to do - a PhD in mathematics overseas...not a lot of ppl know exactly what they want to do. Ange, who somehow managed to cram a four year course (including a diploma in indonesian) into 3 and a half years by overloading. Yikes! She's someone who has her opinions and isn't afraid to air them - we had some great discussions about promoting research and the phase "having no life" (ie not a wild, social one involving drunken nights every weekend; always being a party animal, basically), and the stigma that you didn't do these things, you weren't socially 'acceptible' (you encounter this mentality quite a bit at uni). We both agreed that its a ridiculous term! Shantelle, who just kept reminding of me of Pamela - they looked kind of similar, except Shantelle is blonde, whereas Pam has black hair and a similar voice - I had to remember not to confuse them! Katie, who was a lot like Stefan in the sense she knows exactly what she wants to do and who I learnt not to get in an argument with, as she studies philosophy and has arguing down to a fine art. There's also Sally, who's currently doing honours in arts; and is someone who I also have interesting conversations with (we've met at other events) today it was when do you cross the line from"going out with someone" to "your boyfriend" as she was trying to decide if they should go away together - that brought up many different opinions. I hope we get to catch up again, but a part of me knows that with these things, once its over, you go your separate ways :( And treasure those conversations, that for a second, you got to meet people you wouldn't normally meet...

The other thing that stuck in my mind was the food! Oh, I understand why people stay at college - your room gets clean and there's always food! I basically ate non stop for two days - and it was mostly chocolate and biscuits...mmmm...and this isn't counting the coffee I had as well to try and stay awake after falling asleep in one of the lectures and getting busted by my group of students :P It wasn't a very interesting talk - the typical "oh Melbourne is sooo great, we have all these facilities, programs, blah, blah, blah. You hear one speech, you've heard them all.

Staying at college was also interesting. It would be an interesting experience, and I would never get sick of the college grounds - they're absolutely beautiful :) But the thing that bothered me was the fact there is only one bathroom per wing on a particular floor. And the fact that the showers were pretty lousy. I was absolutely freezing while I was waiting for the hot water, to well, become hot. Oh, and the lack of privacy. I wonder how I would handle it, during semester, living with so many other students in close proximity? But I guess you'd get used to anything...

But that wasn't the best bit. What happened was I saw Pete, one of my friends that I hadn't seen for ages (ever since my 21st birthday!). Unfortunately, I was still working, but we caught up after I had finished. He was shocked that I was doing my PhD (a lot can happen in a year *lol*) and basically bought each other up to speed with what was happening in our lives. What amazed me though was that even though we hadn't spoken to each other for over a year, our conversation just flowed with a comfortable familiarity as it jumped from topic to topic. It was really cool! He's also been one of the people that have been a major influence in my life in a subtle way. I met him at a time when I was trying to figure out who I was and was feeling a bit lost/lacking self identity. His willingness to listen and encourage me gave me the courage to be willing to go out of my comfort zone and try new things. That journey continues for the rest of your life, but he got me started on the path. Talking to him today made me realise we're both on that journey, and although we're at different 'stages' he was willing to listen, and sometimes, that's all it takes. I'm really lucky to have met him.


Its funny, though how all this stuff happens. I think, if anything, it puts the other things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you've got. So yes, this is a post that is practically glowing with positivity. Full of positive energy :)

Do something that scares you everyday.

-from "Saving Francesca", by Melina Marchetta

If you haven't read it, its a novel I read during my teenage years, which I quite liked. This was one of the things that stuck in my head after I read it. Its basically looks into the life of Francesca as she tackles year 11 in a new school. It deals with the usual teenage angst/issues, but it was told with humour and was nicely paced.

Its a reminder, for me, I guess to do things that we wouldn't normally do and takes risks occasionally and that we only live once. (that's my inspirational bit for the day) I did that today - I went out for drinks with the knowledge that I did not know anyone else there. For some people, that would be no big deal, but for me, that's the kind of thing that scares me and try to avoid at any cost. But I figured, its not going to be the last time I'll have to do something like that *having visions of big scary scientific conferences* and I get to see University House! Its a house on campus (obviously) that is a place for the academic community of the university to socialise. It reminded me of a club lounge, with the bar included. All it needed was the old professors wearing tweed suits :P and smoking cigars. I lasted 45 minutes!!! The awkward silences were getting too much for me. But its nothing against the people though - they were really nice - the problem was that I had no idea what they were talking about (they're from a completely different department) the only thing I could understand was their departmental gossip (who's going out with who, relationships within the department etc)...gossip is universal! Anyways, I wouldn't mind going back to university house, just to see what the rest of it is like :)

That was a pretty major scary thing for me, but I realised that going out of my comfort zone is very educational - I learn more about myself. But at the same time its draining, b/c it is so daunting and scary to go out of your comfort zone. But its worth it - I've gone out of my comfort zone more in the past year than in my entire life. But I wouldn't change a thing (I think).

Arrrrgh, it isn't just about jumping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes I just want to complain about something. Its so much better to rant than keep it inside, that's for sure. I'd implode. Apologies to all those who have to listen to it :)

At the moment, its scholarship applications. I'm having fun applying for scholarships to continue my PhD. Each one asks for slightly different things, and putting them all together is painful. Especially when you don't feel comfortable trying to promote what you do. But maybe practice will help this (I hope). Must think positive, at least you're not writing a grant, you're not writing a grant, you're not writing a grant....

But that's not what I'm complaining about. Its just that I've found out I don't have the files I need at home, so I have to go back to uni to make the necessary changes :P so basically just had a frustrated moment here in front of the computer at home. Oh well. An early start tomorrow...

Death (I think) of an icon...

I've been sitting here, thinking, no, it can't be over, no way can it be over...but I read it today in the newspaper, the end of an icon, who inspired us, made us laugh and made us feel better in the sense that we are not alone. She's even had two books that have been made into movies...with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, no less! Of course, I'm talking about Bridget Jones.

I first met her when I read her first book, "Bridget Jones's Diary". It was here, that I got to know someone who wasn't afraid to be herself. Who did do mistakes, but learnt from them. Someone who had her good points and bad points who had bad hair days and had body image issues (like most women do). Who got into awkward situations that the rest of us could understand. The next book followed, then the two movies.

It was then I learnt that the Bridget Jones saga began in a newspaper column...determined to find out what happened after the books ended...I tried to find the column. And I did! In the Saturday Age. But today, it said at the bottom of the column, that its the last entry. Noooo! Well, it kind of made sense, as she's given birth to a son. The thirty something singleton has pretty much gone, moved on. I need to move on as well, but I'm going to have a quiet moment of relection, to the woman who's story cheered me up, made me laugh and realise that yes, my embarassing situation could've been much worse.

*Quiet moment of reflection*

On a much brighter note, the this rookie huntress of material posessions has found something she has been searching for for a while....an "Angel" CD with music from the TV series. Yes!! I've been looking for one for ages ever since I learnt that there were Buffy CD's. She has searched and searched and finally found it :)

Next on her list....the question....to succumb or not to the seductive music transmitter...the iPod...

Sometimes I have bad hair days, gloomy days, hyperactive days, fun and amazing days that are perfect in every way, lethargic days, can't be bothered days...the list goes on. Today was predominantly a day where my experiments decided to literally fall apart. I had this big experiment planned today, but ruined it when I forgot to turn the Western transfer sandwich upside down :P so my proteins migrated the wrong way and I lost them. They're now lost forever, but have been immortalised in my work book. *A quiet moment of relfection* And don't get me started about what happened a couple of days ago. Had an embarrasing moment where I had trouble finding a journal article on the web. After asking people (including my supervisor) I found out I couldn't find it because the hyperlink was incorrect. It was very embarassing!

Anyway, its funny, because although I was freaking out today while I was doing the experiment and running around like a headless chicken, I found myself thinking, I'm enjoying myself. What? Maybe I like doing experiments that freak me out? No way! Freaking out about things is very tiring. But I read an article in mX (!) which said that stressed out workers are the more satisfied workers. I am satisfied, well kind of - if my experiments would actually work and give me some results, but that's science for you - it is a matter of fate and luck (wow, I'm in the hands of fate...). And as my PhD represents my job, well, I spend enough time doing it for it to be considered my job - that article makes a lot of sense :)

Anyways, things looked up after that. Talked to Chris and Roza :) and I just managed to catch the bus else I would've had to wait half an hour. Woohoo! Besides, I can always start the experiment again on Monday (I need two consecutive days to do it, and going to the lab this weekend is not appealing at all - probably next weekend).

Hee hee, also found another way to procrastinate - it is the skill that everyone posesses, but each person has their own unique "style". A PhD is an ideal way to develop this skill. I found the Cleo magazine website http://cleo.ninemsn.com.au/cleo/default.asp and found the quiz "Do you get hooked too early?" And look, there's heaps more quizes, although they don't have the Cleo bachelors yet :( But this is perfect for when I have incubation period in an experiment, and I have half an hour to wait...Can't go to this site at home, as I've just found out! It won't let me check my horoscope - very important!

Best to get some sleep - the soccer is on tonight - Australia vs Croatia oops, sorry, tomorrow morning. May try to watch it. But I don't think it could take the place of the match I saw on NerdsFC, where the team Nerds FC played against Melbourne Victory. That's what I call a great match! On the edge of your seat viewing :) The show's over now, but it is one that I enjoyed and can watch again and again :)

Procrastination at its best, baby!

OMG, that has to be a record...up to post number 3 in one night. Its obviously one of those days where you just don't want to do work. Its procrastination at its best, baby!

I've been hearing a lot about procrastination lately, mainly from my brother, who is in the middle of exams. But I've realised that I've been doing it a lot lately, but I don't know why. Actually, that's not true, I do know why, but I don't want to face the reason why. Not right now anyway. Definitely not.

Hmmm, spent a lot of the day laughing. Laughing until you're shaking and your stomach hurts. Laughing is good. Cheers you up. Makes you feel happy. That might explain why I fell asleep in the seminar we had today. Laughing takes up a lot of energy. Very irritating, as it was an interesting one about public health and how to combat diseases such as HIV, malaria, TB and polio. Its one of my talents - being able to fall asleep almost anywhere. But its very embarrassing when you fall asleep in lab meetings, on the bus, seminars etc.

Arrgh, just had a mental blank. Literally. Can't think of anything else. Flick to the Amazing Race site. We've finally had the final episode aired here - go BJ and Tyler! I'm so glad they won and beat Eric and Jeremy who epitomise the typical American male :P Its not that appealing - they're very arrogant. Anyway, it means I can go to the website and read team biographies, race blogs, interviews etc...Can't wait until the next season is aired on TV!

That's it! *sitting up* Will stop procrastinating now, hmmmm, sleep is appealing, could fall asleep right now...

Movie Review: Sliding Doors

Now this is a movie I have been wanting to see for ages, but fate has been conspiring against me...the first time it was on TV, but I only watched the start. The second time, I watched the start and the end. The third time, I taped it but I accidently taped the wrong thing. So when I saw it in the Rowden White Library, I thought, that's it, I'm going to watch it! So I did!

The premise for Sliding Doors is that:

What would happen if you just happened to miss that train? How would your life unfold after that?

This is the story that is told in this movie. Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) works in PR who all of a sudden finds out she has been fired. Dejected, she heads back to the train that will take her home. It is here that the story splits in two - in one story, she catches her train and finds her fiance, Jerry in bed with another woman. In the other story, she misses her train and a series of events leads her to not realising that Jerry is having an affair. The movie interchanges between the two stories, then with a very neat twist, converge again at the end...I don't want to give it away.

Was it worth watching the film after my fourth attempt? Yes! But it still doesn't compare with "My Best Friend's Wedding". I liked the whole "fate" idea and how one seemingly everyday event can influence your life in a big way. Don't take anything for granted, obviously. It was also good in the sense that it wasn't too cliched. And James (John Hannah), the "love interest" in the flim was great character - he was funny and spontaneous and a good contrast to Helen, as she often came across as too intense and serious. Oh, wait, I can empathise with that actually. And her inablility to drink alcohol :)

This movie did make me think though about the role of fate, and if seemingly everyday events in our lives do influence the way we live. I'm not religious (I'm a fence sitter) but at times I do wonder if there is something out there that influences how we live. Certainly, I've had too many coincidental events happen to me. A perfect example has to be when I've talked about someone, then I see them...oh oh! Or when you're thinking about someone, then they're there. Its like you've had the power to summon them. Or if I miss the bus, would my life be different if I had caught the earlier one? What would happen? You could think like this forever, but at the end of the day, you just have to take what comes to you in life. Maybe best not to think about it...

Movie Review: French Kiss

Imagine this....a happily engaged couple in a sleepy American town with all the houses accompanied with perfect gardens and flawless white picket fences. Her name is Kate and his name is Charlie. They live in perfect "engagement bliss" until one day, he flies to Paris for a business trip and falls in love with "the woman of his dreams", Juiliette.

What's a girl to do? Get her fiance back of course! So she flies over to Paris, despite her fear of flying...where she meets Luc who ultimately helps her in her quest to get her fiance back...

I know, I know, this set up is such a "cookie cutter" romantic comedy, but this is one that is done well. Using the cookie analogy, its not undercooked or burnt, but just right. You know how its going to end, but what happens along the way is funny and so much fun :)

If you're looking for a romantic movie, give this a try. And Meg Ryan (Kate) and Kevin Kline (Luc) do a great job as two main characters as they gradually realise they're meant for each other. Although I have to admit, this doesn't beat "My Best Friend's Wedding" as my favourite romantic comedy.

Item number 9 on my "to do list"...to go on a road trip

Item number 9 on my "to do list"...to go on a road trip....went to Daylesford for the Queen's Birthday weekend with Roza and Brett.

We left Friday afternoon from the lab full of high spirits. I was a bit apprehensive apart the drive to Daylesford, as I had never driven that far or for that long before (it takes about 2 hours). Highlights of the drive was a car load of guys checking out Roza as we were driving at 110km/h on the Western Hwy. I had never driven at 110km/h before, it brought out the rev head in me :) and stopping at Bacchus Marsh for a break. As we drove down the road heading to town, the road was lined with trees, with an effect similar to what you see as you walk down Royal Pde towards Sydney Rd. With the afternoon sunlight shining through the trees, it had a surreal effect and it felt magical as we drove. Unfortunately, I couldn't take a photo as I was driving :(

Anyway, we got to Daylesford without getting lost, and once we got there, we found our cottage that we were staying in - Church Springs Cottage without too much trouble. I nearly missed it as we drove down the street, and we were pointed to the right house by this guy who obviously lived in the area but looked freaky. Lets just say we made sure that the door was securely locked at night! We spent the rest of that Friday getting lost in Coles in Daylesford, as we bought the ingredients for Brett's pasta (which was very nice) and I was able to stay up to watch Coyote Ugly (mmmm Adam Garcia) as we were waiting for the opening ceremony for the World Cup. 0

Saturday was a day of indulgence. It started with breakfast in bed (mmm cheese on toast, I became a cheese on toast addict that weekend *lol*) then a walk along Lake Daylesford although we could only walk part of the way because they had closed part of it off. We then decided to visit the Chocolate Mill which makes handmade Belgian chocolates. They make the most heavenly hot chocolates! I walked out feeling dreamy, mmm its up there with chocolate from Koko Black or Max Brenner. Then it was the main part of the weekend - a facial and massage in a day spa. I didn't know what to expect, as I've never had a massage before, but it was absolutely heavenly. It felt sooooo good. I could feel all the stress and tension that had accumulated ever since I had started my PhD just melt away. I fell asleep a couple of times *lol* Roza and I literally walked out of the day spa feeling totally relaxed, with big smiles on our faces and I felt like I was glowing. Its definitely something I have to do again! Saturday night was spent talking with a bottle of wine well into the night. Well that's not true, due to my high susceptibility to alcohol, I did not last the night at all.

Sunday was spent in Daylesford. After exploring the Sunday markets and eating Dutch pancakes, we went to the Convent Gallery which is reputed to be one of the best in Australia. The highlight of the place wasn't the artwork, but the chapel in the gallery. The building and grounds used to be a convent for an order of nuns in the late 1800's. As you walked into the chapel, there was a peaceful, kind of serene atmosphere. I just wanted to sit there and reflect. It was a different kind of atmosphere to the massage I had yesterday, but was relaxing and made you feel at peace. It was also here I did my first ever blessing by lighting a candle. I'd never done that before. The surrounding gardens around the gallery were also really nice, but would look best during summer. It would be an ideal place for a wedding with the chapel and surrounding gardens. Must keep it in mind...After the gallery, we relaxed back at the cottage and Brett and I started playing the card game "Spit".After a good start, I was able to win a couple of games, then lost all the other games we played that weekend. Its a game of luck :) Also spent time sitting on the deck looking out and reading, Roza and I did item 18 on my "to do list" (cloud gazing) except it was cloudy...must do it again when its not so cold and dark. We then went out for dinner and found out one stark difference between Melbourne and Daylesford - the main street of Daylesford is empty of people at 9pm at night, whereas in inner Melbourne, there would be heaps of people around.

Monday we went to Creswick, to go to a hedge maze and play mini golf. That was heaps of fun. We got lost in the maze as we trying to solve the eight clues but we managed to get them all in the end. It made me feel as if I was a contestant on the Amazing Race, well almost. We then played mini golf, which became a close match although Brett won in the end. But it was cold though - my hands were going blue! Then it was back to Melbourne, stopping at Macca's along the way as we passed through Ballarat on the way back to Melbourne. Luckily, we missed most of the traffic as we headed back. Funny thing that happened on the way back was as I was walking back to the car after taking a break from driving, I got honked at by a car at the rest stop. Unfortunately, they weren't very attractive!

It was relaxing weekend, and it was heaps of fun. Its the first kind of holiday I've had where I've truly been relaxed. All of the holidays I've had were great, but they were always planned to the last minute. This weekend was great in that it had "unplanned aspects" and time to just RELAX. I also got to know Roza and Brett better as well (although they know a bit too much about me) and the weekend wouldn' t have been as fun without them. It feels a bit strange going back to the lab tomorrow, but item number 9 is something I definitely want to do again. And we've already planned to go back to the day spa in August after my PhD confirmation...arrrgh its only 2 months away *cue freaking out*

Some pictures:

1. Our cottage
2. At the gardens surrounding convent gallery
3. In the maze...
4. Playing mini golf

Book Review: "Norwegian Wood", Haruki Murakami

Hee hee, addressing item number 5 on my "to do list", but *looking at the list* its just as long as before...*sigh*

Before I read this book, I didn't know what to think of "Norwegian Wood". In fact, I had never heard of it until Chris told me about it, who felt it was a depressing story. So the next time I was in the Rowden White Library, I remembered that conversation and looked for that book. Would the book be as depressing as he said...

Norwegian Wood follows the life of Toru, who is a Japanese university student in the 1960's. At the start of the story, a middle aged Toru recalls memories about Naoko, who is the girlfriend of his best friend Kizuki, who committed suicide on his eighteenth birthday. As I read this, I thought, oh great, its just going to be about how these guys shared an amazing love for one another, drawn together by the suicide of someone dear to them, then something will tear them apart and they aren't able to spend the rest of their lives together. Like a chick flick, cept that in a chick flick, you know that there will be a happy ending ie. the two main characters will get together despite all these obstacles against them. But don't get me wrong, I love watching chick flicks (though they have to be done well) :)

However, I was pleasantly surprised as I continued to read Toru's story. The relationship between Toru and Naoko was one of the main elements of the story, but what really became the main story for me was personal development of Toru as the relationship between him and Naoko progressed, and the relationship between Toru and Midori, who is another university student who brightens up the story with her vibrant personality. That's a character who's not afraid to be who she is! Wish I could be like that...Anyway, what I liked most as I read how Toru develops during in the story is that it seems REAL. It isn't spiced up for literary purposes, it is told in such a way that it includes the horribly depressing parts as well as the heartening parts. I could empathise with that. Life isn't always about the events that make your heart soar/smile, its also about the events that make you depressed/angry/sad etc. Towards the last half of the novel, I couldn't put it down, I had to find out how Toru's journey turned out. And I have to say, the ending was fitting (I was jumping up and down cheering...good thing I was at home *lol*), although it was excruciatingly painful to get to that point.

So, what did I think? It had its depressing points, as suicide and depression are constant features in this story. However, this story depicts a guy's personal journey which was touching where anyone I think could empathise with at least some of it. And I finished this book with a sense of hope, that despite dark and depressing times that happen in life, they don't last forever. You have to know what you want and not be afraid to take risks. So I definitely recommend this book if you want to follow a person's journey in a snap shot of their life. And despite it being set in the 1960's it could easily be set in a more modern setting.

I used to have a life, but my PhD ate it!

Sometimes in life, you may read/hear about something a million times, but you don't truly understand it until you experience it...and for me that's right now.

Saturday night...and I'm in the lab right now doing an experiment.

But its good to get these issues out of the way early, so it can prepare you for what's ahead...and its actually not as bad as I thought :)