Sky high killers

I've figured out why it is so difficult to walk around Melbourne with heels. Any type of heel, be it 3 inches or your killer 4 inch stilettos. I've been here for almost two years now and I think I've transformed from loving the 'three-inch-killer-heels" to the 'ballet-flats-freak'.

When I first got here, I brought a couple of my favourite heels including my four-inch peep-toe black heels. I'm a girl-y girl and all gals love their make-up, bags and shoes. We melt when we pass a shoe-shop. We go ga-ga when we walk in and see the killer heels on display. And our hearts melt even more when we try them on, telling ourselves that we need just this extra pair for that 'special occasion' to go with 'that' outfit. Just like the girls in Sex and the City, women all around the world spend heaps on shoes even if they already have boxes sitting at home waiting to be worn for an afternoon out with the girls.

my first pair of three inch heels

No girl will ever have enough shoes to go with their outfits and because of that, the 'shoe business' will never have to worry. Despite the weather or the distance, we always have the 'no pain, no gain' concept and that the price to pay to look stunning in a pair of bright red 4-inch stilettos is that your feet WOULD hurt at the end of the day. No doubt about that.

my first pair of 4-inch heels

I think that heels do make a huge difference when it comes to appearance. Wearing something that lifts you up even by a mere 2-inches gives you that edge over others. Also, it makes you look more 'presentable' as compared to walking in the room with a pair of flip-flops or ballet flats. But throughout this year, I've left my beautiful heels in their boxes by the shoe rack and only take them out for special occasions.

My reasons start with excuses.

Firstly, in Melbourne, one does more walking than anything else. And since I don't have a car, I walk heaps more. Getting from one place to another in the city does not take hours so walking is just an easier option. And cheaper too. Which explains why I don't wear my heels all that often anymore. A ‘one-hour’ walk in the city could easily turn to 3-4 hours and by then, my feet would be killing me. And that would obviously spoil the day. So, to make things much easier, wearing a pair of ballet flats would solve all the problems. I’d be able to walk for ‘for-ever’ and I won’t be complaining about my feet. I’d also be able to run towards the tram stop to catch that tram if I needed to and the pair of ballet flats would gloriously do the trick.

Honestly, I think the main reason why people do not wear heels as often as they want to is obviously not because the heels hurt them. If that was the case, no one would have 4-inch heels anymore. I think it’s because of Melbourne’s ups-and-downs. And with that, I mean slopes. Unlike many other places, the city isn’t built on flat land. To get to Federation Square from Melbourne University is a downhill walk. It’s not very steep but it’s downhill alright. The thing is that if it is just one hill/slope thingy that I’ve gotta face, that’s quite alright. The fact is that the whole of Melbourne city is like that. Before you know it, you’re walking uphill again. And then down. And trust me, that is not an easy thing to do if you’re 4-inches taller than you really are. It takes a lot of practice and skill, throwing in abit of knee-bending and stability control.

Sometimes when I’m in the city and I look around me, I really do wonder how these women take it. They’re walking FAST and trust me, their heels aren’t Manolo Blahniks.

But then again, I guess that’s the price women pay to look inches taller than they are in a pair of smokin-hawt heels.

in other news....

jean's 22 today!

nope, she's not that young kid anymore...

Happy birthday jean!!! hope you had a blast!

Till the next one,
may we all stay young and beautifulll.... wheeeee

Remember my name....

I've been a fan of dance, music and musicals all my life.
When I was way younger, my grandfather (miss you loads kung kung) and I used to sing songs together, dance around the living room and pretend that we were part of some famous musical.

At the age of 5, I learned my favourite songs and remember them till today.
Songs from My Fair Lady and Phantom of the Opera used to play on the cassette player all afternoon while I do my colouring and while my grandfather took his afternoon nap.

He was a great musician (though he never took any classes before) could play the piano by ear, guitar and some traditional chinese instrument (I have no idea what it's called). He used to love to sing and have the music blast out from his speakers all afternoon when he read the paper. I remember my poh-poh screaming at him, asking him to turn the volume down. She said she needed her peace, and so did he, with his music.

He was the best kung-kung I could ever ask for. He was always there for every St. Christopers concert I was in. Whether I was just talking about my artwork or singing a song with the entire class, he was always there with his huge video camera recording every single moment. When my mom was busy working, he used to fetch me for my ballet lessons. He said I could not miss one lesson cause mom paid a lot of money for it and that I wouldn't be the best dancer in the world if I missed a lesson or two. He would fetch me all the way there and while I was in my one-hour class, he would be outside reading the papers or mostly taking his afternoon nap. After class, he would ask me if remembered my dance steps, made any mistakes or dance beautifully. I'd laugh and say that I tried my best.

taken from my old xanga blog cause all my pictures are back in kl

When I was 12, he had to go. He fell sick from a common cold and it got worse within days. He got admitted on Thursday night and left us on Sunday morning. Even until today, I miss him dearly. I promised that I would do well in life, make him proud of me and be the best person I can possibly be. I studied hard and aced my exams. I went for every single dance class without fail and though I wanted to give up and stop many times, I remembered how much hard work I've put in and how he would want me to keep dancing, I kept my promise. I finished my Grade 8 Ballet RAD examinations when I was 15 and achieved Honours every year. Took classes after that but decided to take a break from dance since I was dancing since I was four.

Every single time I watch a musical or see a dance inspired movie, I wish I never stopped my ballet classes. I miss the times where I could just dance my heart out because in the dance class, I knew I aced every single step, every single pirouette, every grand jete and every bar exercise that we used to do to warm up for the class, or more like to get our steps precise.




I think that dance is beautiful and graceful. You'd probably think that ballerinas look stupid in a leotard, thighs and their hair tied up neatly in a bun. But from a first point of view, it's the best feeling ever. I feel that every single time I go for class. Whether I remembered the steps or not. Whether I warmed up before or did my stomach exercises at home. Standing at the 'bar' with everyone just reminds me of the best times.



Which is why I'm sooooooooo excited about FAME THE MOVIE!



I watched the musical when it came to Kuala Lumpur years back. I was so excited that I was going to watch a dance musical. At 15, FAME blew me away. The steps were so precise. Their turn-outs were perfect. And their lines stretched out all the way. They had so much enthusiasm when they were dancing up on the stage that it made me wish I had attended a school of performing arts instead of St. George's Girls' School =(

My dream was always to be part of a musical or to teach ballet when I grew up. To show them how much fun it is to dance and to perform your best. I've blogged about dance movies before in my old blog and I can do it over and over again without running outta things to say.

and now... FAME is out in the cinemas.
I'm going to watch it tonight and I'm already itching to go. My butt can't sit still on my chair and my brains are only thinking about the songs and the dance steps. I'm watching the trailer over and over again and lets just say, if I don't watch it tonight, I doubt I'd be able to sleep.

Fame is out in the cinemas here in Melbourne so catch it if you're a fan of dance and music. Even before watching the movie, I can assure you that it is NOT some kinda 'high school musical' movie. Yes, it will have the dances and singing and music, but it's better than that. WAY BETTER.

until now, in my fourth year of studies completing my honours degree in Bachelor of Business, Marketing, I'd still give anything to attend a performing arts school to fulfill my dance dream. Anything!


Till the next one,
remember my name... FAME!

UPDATED:
Honestly, I'm disappointed with the movie. It was not what I expected. Probably I had too high expectations for it, but if you asked another dancer to watch it, they'd say the same thing too. They didn't portray enough talent throughout the movie and it was more acting than anything else. Also, for a movie like this, it was way too short to fit in dances of different genres and that was what let it down. Centre Stage is still on the top of my list and lets say that it's gonna stay there for a while till something better comes along. I'm surprised how the musical was wayyy better than the movie... =(

Back to Reality...

I'm back from my six day trip to beautiful New Zealand.
The country is magnificent with mountains covered with snow and breathtaking scenery.
I went to see Edoras, where the Lord of the Rings movie was filmed and climbed to the top with winds blowing at 60km/h.
Relaxed in thermal pools at about 30-40 degrees with views of snowy mountains.
Fed a one-week-old baby lamb milk from a bottle because its mother decided to abandon her.
Experienced a different type of 'traffic-jam' thanks to sheep trying to cross the road.
Drove across rivers in a 4WD.
Went jetboating, visited the kiwis, took part in a Maori cultural dance and had loads of delicious meals throughout the 6 days there.


We touched down in Melbourne at 5.10pm on Tuesday and for the first time ever, got out from the airport at 5.35pm! There was only one person in front of us at the immigration, our bags came out just in time and they only looked through our 'wood' souveniers and shoes at the customs. In no time, we were done and outside the airport getting a cab back to our place in the city.

I've been busy ever since I got back and still lack of sleep.
I had to tutor all day Wednesday so I only got six hours of sleep before I had to wake up again.
I think my clock is still programmed to Christchurch time (which is two hours ahead of Melbourne) because I woke up at 6am this morning!!! (8am NZ time)

Will update soon enough with proper pictures..

going into the plane

on the way to Edoras (also known as Mount Sunday)



against a perfect backdrop

sheep crossing

Edoras/Mount Sunday



Exactly like the picture... only better

they have beautiful parks
and that goes out to the Pacific Ocean
we had to visit their museum
and take photos
with everything
i took part in a Maori cultural dance
and so did he!

we saw this in a restaurant where we had lunch

and the pig there was staying safe from the swine flu

more pictures next time.

Till the next one,
it's back to work :(

Going AWAY on a HOLIDAY...

I'll be away for the next six days...
because.... I'm going to New Zealand!!! wheeeee!!!!

can't wait.
am so excited.
still packing cause I can't decide what to bring

and I've gotta wake up at 4.30 tomorrow morning cause we're leaving for the airport at 6 friggin eh-em!

till the next one....
show some 'kiwi' love....

La La La La... Elmo's Song

In the midst of stress and lack of sleep, music heals the soul and calms me down.
Not your everyday Boom Boom Pow!! or poookerrrr faceeee.....

I grew up watching Sesame Street and I used to watch it everyday on tv. I even watched Big Bird goes to China!
If you don't know what I'm talking about, you need your SESAME STREET 101 class here.

If you're an expert, I'm sure you know Big Bird, Snuffy, Cookie Monster, besties Bert and Ernie with their rubber duckie, skinny Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Zoe and my all time favourite ELMO!!!

Elmo's the cutest of all... and he always refers to himself as Elmo. He has this cute giggle and he's all red, soft and fuzzy. And he sings a song that will put a smile on your face despite how bad your day has been.

So here's your dose of Elmo's music...



Guess who likes elmo too??




Till the next one,
Sesame Street rawks!

Ethics Approved

After months of worrying about my ethics application for my research project, it finally got APPROVED THIS AFTERNOON!

What a relief!
I submitted the application months ago and it came back a couple of times.
Each time, there were several changes which needed to be made. It was either the 'wording of the sentences' were not appropriate or they needed more clarification about my research, how I was going to acquire participants and such.
They even made some comments asking me to change some parts of my questionnaire design, stating that the questions were either repetitive or that some questions would cause 'distress' to the participants.

Changed the application a whole lotta times and printed like a million times to show my supervisor. Used up shitloads of ink throughout the way and rephrased my sentences over and over again.

But thankfully, it's now approved by the Ethics Committee (the faculty ethics committee, not the actual one, that one is currently still pending), and I can finally start sending out my surveys and questionnaires.

I'm setting up my survey on www.surveymonkey.com which is an online survey tool which enables me to prepare my questionnaires online and gives me my data in the gibberish format that only the SPSS program would understand. Then SPSS will do the analysing for me and from there, I'd get my results for my research project.

Fingers crossed that the University's Human Ethics Committee approves my project and does not withdraw or alter it in any way. That would be like helping me dig my grave. Did i mention that my thesis is due on the 23rd of October???

That's in less than 50 days!
And I've still got my introduction, literature review chapter, the methodology chapter, results chapter, discussion chapter and managerial implications and conclusions! gosh =(

If you're an international student currently studying in Australia, do let me know. because I NEED YOU for my research. well, need your help if you're willing to participate.

Till the next one,
wish me luck...i need it...