vultures and vampires

where are you?

-FRIENDS DVD
-iDog
-Multifunctional Printer

I've searched Eastwood and my boxes in Russell Lea. Can't find it... Only one place left unsearched.

What's up with that? Can they just simply borrow it from me? I feel like the vultures have feasted on my things while i am away.

**
I was agonising what I saw last night (my first night at forest lodge). it seems like there were vampires living in this place. blood spilled near the bin.

did their momma ever teach them proper hygiene?

f*cking dismayed. not good to start my first day here. not good to start a Monday.

Thanks Eastwood buddies!

After 3 months of living in Eastwood it's time to say goodbye.

I have to say that I enjoyed living with Niko and PJ.

Though there were couple of times that my life was in chaos - they were there to offer shelter and cope with my problematic life. Having shared your home means so much to me. I will surely miss Niko's lovely adobo and PJ's fantastic kare-kare. But most of all I will miss moments when I'm with you guys.

Hope you visit me in Forest Lodge soon. Don't forget to bring baker's delight.

Cheers mates!

xoxo
Rondz

crap can i survive?

demotion is just too painful. from first class working environment down to a rundown office site. i reckon its going to be a tough time adjusting to this kind of work. don't get me wrong? i don't totally dislike it. i just can't help but compare what I was getting at E&Y before. basic things and let me enumerate

1. no induction? where's my oh&s? where's my contract? no id? no own space? no email? no windows log-in... honestly i was in a state of culture shock. but i pulled myself together. telling myself that its better than nothing.

2. i miss pantry full of fruits, free coffee / tea, biscuits, TV when I get bored. Darling Harbour view.

3. i don't even have my own supplies. fortunately, i brought my notebook and pen.

4. i called help desk like ten times today. just because the software we are using is a bit crappy. lots of bugs. plus i cant install a printer.

5. i miss starbucks, gloria jeans and world square just around the corner when u feel like escaping. but here, my escape is the busy parramatta rd.

but on the other hand, i believe that it all starts with hard work and perseverance. since i'm doing overall finance functions, i will definitely gain experience needed to climb the commerce ladder eventually. then i will be able to finally complete my CA. and take a better job in few years time. let me think of it as my part time job to sustain myself whilst focusing on my postgraduate studies.

Finally... how i spent my last unemployed day!

Finally...
Last Monday, I got an interview with one of my friends' boss. She referred me and even though the salary range is way below my E&Y salary. I grabbed the opportunity of meeting with him. I woke up at 7am. Unusual for me cos I normally wake up way past 10 in the morning.

The interview was brief. Although I prepared for it learning about Australian taxation. But still it doesn't hurt to do bit of research and be ready. The five minute interview was an indication that they are interested with me. The only thing left to talk about is the tenure of my employment. I agreed to stay longer given that the Company is stable and growth is apparent. Only thing I need to know is if they will shoulder my Postgraduate program. The interview ended with salary negotiation. And he promised to give me a call with an offer.

The offer was made after an hour. I received a call and it is within my expectation. I took it without thinking twice. On the back of my head, I have an option of returning to E&Y but this has not yet been 100% confirmed. But still. I needed a job. I want further studies.

This 3-month ordeal has opened my eyes to things that I should attain. I have reassessed my goals. I realised that CA is important tool to demand higher position and get job security. On another account, commercial experience is also vital. And it shuns Big 4 experience even if its local experience.

how i spent my last unemployed day!
A hectic day for me cos my new employer wants me to start immediately. Meaning two days after I got the offer. Fair enough. The initial thought was to get aligned with the work time clock. I woke up 7am. Cooked my brekkie. Visited the unit cos I'm looking for shared accommodation. Uni tour. USYD seems to be a fine university and I have already enquired with admissions. Had a bit of shopping. Got a Diesel bag that I'm going to use tomorrow. Lunch at Nando's. Ribs, I just loved every bit of it. Movie cos its Tuesday! Surrogates. It's bizarre but I enjoyed it. Then off to the Rocks for my Guylian Dark Hot Chox. Was home by 3ish and took my power nap. Ended the day with cheap $5 pizza with Pee.

Now I'm ready to sleep and looking forward to a sunnier day ahead.

Blog Action Day: The Planet Earth

Blog action day focuses mainly on climate change and its adverse impact on our environment. There are a lot of ways for us to help protect our planet. In our everyday lives most of us never realise how little things can help make our world greener and a better place to live in.

I have recently been watching the TV series 'The Planet Earth'. I was astonished with the vast diversity of our planet's species. The first episode was entitled 'From Pole to Pole' and it shows a journey around the globe as it reveals the gradual effect of climatic change as season change. It explains why there are sand storms, severe storms, etc. Not being conscious and well-informed on how we can control carbon emissions and save energy, we won't be able to achieve the common goal of saving our planet.

I was particularly amazed by the animals, their habitat and how they interact / survive across different seasons. Our planet is rich with natural resources and so many beautiful things we never have appreciated because we are too busy with our daily lives. If all of us would be able to see the episodes of 'The Planet Earth', then I am more than sure that we will do something to save our planet.

Not all countries in the world are that committed to make proper laws to regulate climate change and impart awareness to everyone. In Sydney, I am proud that there are measures that NSW government is doing to ensure we do our own share to the changing times.
- If we purchase appliances (i.e., washing machine, fridge or dryer), it would indicate how much energy we save. The more stars the better. And they often provide cash rebates if you purchase the energy efficient ones.
- If you book a flight, you can have the option to pay certain amount for carbon emission.
- Energy Australia (my electricity provider) gives out free installation of energy efficient bulbs. I also opted to pay premium to contribute for carbon emissions and some research.

Energy efficiency and water conservation tips:
- change light bulbs to energy efficient white light
- instead of using dryer, use the natural ways of drying things like *under the sun* method
- make most of natural sunny light rather than opening your lights in the afternoon.
- use of appliances efficiently (full loads of washing clothes or washing dishes)
- report leaking faucet and avoid wasting water

Quoting Barrack Obama:
"All across the world, in every kind of environment and region known to man, increasingly dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it's here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster."

Dust Storm. Tsunami. Earthquake. Storms. Flooding. Drought.

Nuff said. We need to act. And we hafta do it soon.

On losing hope

Last night I can't sleep at all. I am honestly bothered that I don't have a job yet. Six months of being without a job is actually revolting. I honestly don't know what's wrong with my CV? I know for a fact that my local experience is not enough to get the jobs that I wanted. But I tried to negotiate with my agents that I am willing to cut my salary expectation to 15%. But still no word. Now, I am willing to cut it even further down by 32%. It's getting tiring, frustrating and devastating. I know I don't have CA qualifications. But my Big 4 experience is not enough? I am thoroughly reviewing my career path and I can't believe that I have been one of the top performers before but where I am now?

The mere thought of what my lifestyle had been for the past months is just awful. The fresh start that I am anticipating has long been overdue. I cried. I really can't take it anymore. I know that I have to keep the faith. But is there something I can do to speed up the process? Get any job. Start from the bottom. Rebuild my career once again.

The Story of the Annoying One

To give you a background of that annoying person:

She talks about herself nonstop.

She sings even if she doesn't know the song. Yes the hums are killing me.

Makes fun of people's age like its a big deal.

Shows her collection of gift cards. Duh? I don't give a tiny rats' ass.

Comments on her life story on every place she sees.

She talks about her boy-toys all the time. Like she's hot. I'm awfully squeezed at the back of the car.

Talks about buying house at practically all places that comes to her mind. I can't take it anymore I even asked her 'Did you win the lottery?' I wanted to add 'or are you dreaming?' but might be offensive.

And finally what I hate the most is that I can't stop to notice all her irritating ways and it was just nerve wracking!

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