Bitching: Part 2

"Honestly, I like being asian because I like being myself.. I'm not saying that because I'm trying to quell latent insecurities about my own racial identity. I sense that some people are so afraid of being labelled as "FOB". But seriously, like what Pastor Jeremy said today, are we mere echoes, an unoriginal reflection of all that's around us? Or are we voices. God has created us so uniquely, it's such a waste that we are all clamoring for the same poorly synthesized identity."

The above paragraph is what I posted on Facebook. But after today I have so much I wanna say. The group dynamics remind me of F group in Q place. I guess I can dismiss everything to youthful ignorance. But that's kinda insulting I feel. What's the value in an opinion if everything is discounted.

I felt like I was intruding. There was a certain "hierarchy" I think. Two noticeably more dominant personalities, the rest more reserved, and another one loud but from what I sense, a tad insecure. This particular person seemed to respect the dominant personalities a lot more. Doing things to get the 'approval' of the former 'bosses'.

When we sat down, only those two ordered beer. I'm not sure if the rest were of drinking age, but they seem to think it's cool. Even though they seemed to have the "power" at the table, they didn't initiate any ice breaking with the new guy, ie. me. Since I do not want to dwell too much in first impressions, in summary, I got a pretty douchey vibe from xxx. I don't like people who deliberately tell you a wrong name during introductions. I think it's just plain rude. If I don't know you yet, what makes you think I already know you are such a funny person whose jokes are so funnily funny that whatever you do and say is supposed to be cool? Making a joke like that is a serious first impression booboo. Yes. I used booboo.

Thank God. There were some warm people. People who made sense. The people you REALLY want at your parties. I was too mentally preoccupied that I didn't appreciate them properly. I'm deeply grateful for them.

I've learnt many lessons today. It's been a long time since my mind had to venture this far, socially and spiritually.

Loving Australia so far, but missing Singapore far more!

Touch down in melbourne with God's touch

It's either God or a string of incredible coincidences. I choose to believe the blessings of God=)

Take Off

From the moment I boarded Jetstar JQ8 to Melbourne at 9pm, God's hand was at work ahead of me. I met a Singaporean on the plane, Wem. He was part of a Singapore club in RMIT and currently Melbourne University. He initiated the conversation when he saw the big RMIT logo on the arrival confirmation form I was looking at.

I felt at peace when I knew that I had someone to fall back on in Melbourne. After I got my prepaid card from Optus ($30 for $300 credit and 500mb data) a day later, we met up for dinner. He's got a really interesting history and is such a smart person. I think these are the kind of people Pam hangs around haha.

Hongkong Land lady

My land lady is Jackie. Met her and her husband a few hours I landed. Her husband Harry drove me to Northland Shopping Centre to do a little shopping and that's where I got my prepaid number. They are the typical hongkong couple where the wife handles all the finances and dealings while the husband runs the errands. They are both in a baptist church choir! Reminds me of the QBC chinese congregation haha.

This is the house:

 I've got house mates: Marcus (Germany, internship), Eric (France, work holiday), Russell (Bangladesh), Yan (Indonesia, pHd working with Indo finance ministry), Hannah (Vietnam, student), Ronnie (Indonesia).

Malaysian Banker: Aunty Catherine
As you can see they are pretty varied. But no chinese or singaporeans or malaysians! But It's ok because the other person that God brought into my life is my Westpac banker. Catherine is from malaysia and when I was signing up the account with her, without prompting, she asked if I have found a church. So now, I have a place to go this Sunday without even looking for one. The place has lots of malaysians and singaporeans apparently, so fitting in should be fine.

Picture break!

Coles supermarket opposite RMIT. It's like NTUC. Applied for their rewards card.

Federation Square in the city. Went there with Wen.

RMIT Bundoora campus. Looks so depressing here.. =/

Enrolment and Housing Opportunity
Enrolment was on 16th Feb. Met a whole lot of people including Becky, year one from nursing, Ali, doing chiropractic masters, some other random ppl whose face i recognise, but names i forgot, and two key people: Wei Hong and Leon. They are also in Chiropractic. Leon brought his family with him (including his grandfather who is a retired primary school teacher, a new christian, and a soon-to-be baptist pastor!).

I found out that they were looking into an accommodation that was guess what, 5 mins away from school. Literally. I walked with all of them to see the house.

Nice ain't it?

I suddenly kinda regret getting the Kingsbury house. But I got it because it was reliable and came endorsed by the school. At least my contract is till July. I will resume my search to find housing near school soon. But I need feedback from family about this house.

Description first.

• It is a new house. 2 bedrooms, plus a study area (for a third person). 
• Fully furnished - bedrooms with furniture and kitchen with utensils and cooking stuff.
• Two toilets, one upstairs and one downstairs.
• Comes with washer and dryer. There is a balcony for every room and a small backyard. It can get hot in the day but it is very windy. Kitchen comes with oven and dishwasher. 
• Quiet neighbourhood with mostly corporate and student tenents. 
• Manager Kerry stays nearby, easy to get help.
• There is a bus within walking distance. Trams to city is also within walking distance.

Kitchen. Really spacious and most importantly.. CLEAN. My current place is quite dirty..

Front of the house

Kitchen and backyard.

Lower level toilet

staircase up.

Study area. No balcony.

Upstairs toilet.

two bedrooms adjacent

each bedroom has balcony

bus stop right outside, 2 min away.

I think 3 people sharing the house might be a little tight. However, it will be cheaper. Also, one of the guys is unsure of this course. And if he decides to drop it and go back to malaysia, then it will be shared with just me and another person. I'm currently paying $165/wk in Kingsbury which is 20min away from school and not near any supermarkets. For this house, it will probably be $200-$220/wk, it is a stones throw away from school and near supermarket and other shops in this place called University Hill across the road from RMIT. I'm currently getting the exact rates from them. 

Will of course keep looking around, but I find this a good place with good decent roommates from similar backgrounds to me. And we can click =P Let me know what you guys think!

Love,

Tim

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

There are a number of things, including one big stone I have yet to move. Even as 2011 slams into my reality, the quasi courage that comes with the liberating promise of a new start is somehow insufficient to move me to certain action.

Fear truly paralyzes. But as I talk with friends, exchange opinions, and understand the people outside my person, I find myself growing in my own identity.

Perfect love I think is an all-encompassing blanket for a myriad of fears. The feeling of unconditional acceptance gives free rein for a person to develop. I think I'm artificially creating this atmosphere by avoiding all sorts of criticism. Denying/avoiding negative remarks creates a somewhat safe environment where I can explore and feel free. But how real is this?

I have had the honor of meeting a few people that I can truly share all that is on my mind (and I mean the works, good, bad and ugly - everything), without worry of facing judgement. Frankly this restores my hope in deep friendship. And deep friendship by the way does not involve constant waxing philosophy and textbook character building theories. A deep friendship is one where complete honesty just rises to the surface. Even while doing stupid things in stupid places =D Since this is a public blog, I'm not taking any chances. After all, this is not the right space=P

As for the big stone. It's slowly but surely getting smaller.

Happy new year.