Familiarity of the subject helped with the framing of the coffees. I put on my 50mm to try out the focal length for framing and it’s been a struggle to think beyond the conventional with this lens. I did manage this shot however, where the photo is like wallpaper where the top ends at where the bottom starts.

* * *

Recently wandered into the local Borders and noticed this little book on Why The Chinese Don’t Count Calories, picked it up, stood there and read through almost 60 pages, before just heading off to the cashier and paying for it.

I don’t normally spend $30 on a book, but it was an intriguing read, and I decided I’d like to keep it in my book collection. I was mesmerised with rediscovering my own Chinese culture and chuckled at the phrase ‘Ni chi fan le ma?’ which literally translates to ‘You eaten your rice yet?’. I am reminded of my grandmother who whenever I call her, will ask me if I’ve eaten, and only now do I realise it’s a Chinese customary greeting, as Australians would go ‘G’day mate, how’s it going?’.

The book reminded me of how much I enjoy good Chinese food, and while it tastes different from the pastas, the sushis that I’m used to, it can be extremely satisfying for me to eat simple foods cooked at home. It brings back fond memories of my mom and grandmother’s cooking. Chinese cooking is amazing in the fact that you can turn ordinary beansprouts into a tasty dish, or any simple ingredient for that matter, without needing to do too much to it.

Now I’m keen to try a few different Chinese dishes, and we get plenty of Szechuan food in Melbourne, so I’ve acquired some Szechuan peppercorns and dried chillies just to try and add a little zest to the food.

* * *

My four month honeymoon away from work is almost ending. Starting work on Monday. I was picked over a few other candidates, so I feel at least a bit proud I stood out from the crowd. Life is odd, how strange and quick the tides can change. I still remember my time in New York fondly, but it feels as if it was from another period in time.

It was good that I was let go in May when I decided to come home. Given the economic circumstances now, I’m happy I have found a job. It’s a blessing from God, the good times and the bad, one has to be grateful for the good times and have faith during the bad times.

Maybe I’ve been out of work for too long, but I am excited about the new role, and hope I can contribute much to it. I’d like to be able to wake up each day, and look forward to the day’s challenges. Heh, it’s still early and maybe the enthusiasm will wear down a little, but I will try my best.

I’ve been offered a job. I should be feeling ecstatic, having been unemployed for the past four months, but I’m feeling just happy. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new, and to further my career. Heh, that sounds typical of me, giving an opinion that does not add value. Just have the CFA exam digging into my mind at the moment and sticking my face in front of a textbook isn’t my ideal way of spending time. It’s a marathon process, getting all that information into my brain and understanding it.

* * *

Was looking through this website and it’s been 4 years since I started dabbling in it. It’s like a sequential reel of my life, from the simpler posts at the beginning to the vague ones as well as the current descriptive ones of life. The posts are useful as a flashback and snap of what was happening at the time, although there’s no useful way to index and search through what I’ve written. It’s very much a random heap of words and my state of mind has evolved plenty over the last few years.

I’m a little perplexed by the current world situation, and it seems to deteriorate even more day by day. The world’s financial crisis, the dire state of world climates, the depletion of oil and our addiction to it, democracy versus dictatorships and the change of political power throughout the world. It feels like one day I will wake up and not recognise what the world has become. The world is changing and the thought of that is terrifying.

Heh, then again, I don’t have to lift the whole world’s problems on my shoulders. I will just try my best and start being positive again. I feel more comfortable in my own skin that way.

Norman Beach

Tidal River

* * *

Was at a restaurant with cousins celebrating a birthday. Over dinner we were talking about camping stories, and without even trying, all of us at the table committed ourselves to taking a weekend trip to Wilson’s Promontory.

Heh, just doing a quick search on the Internet, I made bookings for a couple of cabins just outside Wilson’s Prom at Yanakie. The activities and food was planned and off we went!

The weather over the weekend was brilliant, with light showers clearing over Saturday morning, and when we arrived, we were greeted to the fresh sea air. Having arrived slightly before noon, we checked into the cabins and devoured sandwiches while overlooking the eastern sea.

Drove up to Telegraph Saddle Carpark and took the 3.4km hike up to Mount Oberon, the view was fantastic.

The picture is curved due to the properties of the fisheye lens. It’s uber wide, so you can soak in quite a view with it.

We managed to soak in the lookout point undisturbed by anyone else for a good half hour, posing for pictures and just having fun on the peak. After that we made our way down to Tidal River and walked down to Norman Beach. Just ran around and did silly things until we were all tired before heading back to the cabin for precooked pasta and fried rice. Played cards and Taboo until 11pm as there were strict rules to keep quiet after that.

* * *

Woke up to a frozen face as it was chilly and my whole body was aching from all the running and jumping. I think it’d been worse if I didn’t stretch after all the activity. Hurried about getting ready, cleaning up, having breakfast and checking out. Missed out on the sunrise but we got an hour’s less sleep due to the change over from Daylight Savings.

Visited Squeaky Beach, where the sand really does squeak as you roll your feet over it while walking. I had a go at the water and my feet protested in pain as the water was really chilly. It took me a while to get used to it.

Due to the lack of cleaning facilities, we made our way back to Norman Beach where I had a dip in the sea. We also buried one of my other cousins under mud while taking in the ocean air. Heh, we were pretty sick of the beach after that and decided to head home early.

* * *

It was a fun trip, and panned out pretty smoothly. Heh, already keen to plan a next trip to do something else.