Friday, January 17, 2003

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Day: Friday - 17th January 2003
Time: 9:20 am
Listening to: Milky - Just The Way You Are (Almighty Mix)
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Feeling slightly feverish. Don't know if its because of the excitement of going back home to Malaysia tomorrow afternoon. DT offered to drive me to the airport. I told him I'd buy him and ML lunch for their "troubles".

Most of my packing is done. Just need to do some refinement later on tonight after work. Get rid of the unncessary stuff. I think I've packed in too much clothes that I don't need.



I've had my new phone for about a week or so now. Not much complaints about it except that SMSing can be pretty frustrating at times because its so slow.

The guys at work had a "farewell" thinggie for me last Sunday evening. Wasn't too bad. Fairly good turn out. Had dinner at a place in Camberwell called "George's". They wanted to play pool at a place called "Players". Met Maria for the first time. Heard about her alot and I've seen her before. She's moved up to Queensland. She's a nice girl. Half Filo(Filipino)/Polish. Chris, Khanh, Boon, Maria, Sam, Courtney, Michael, Tom, Andrew. Met a Scott, who I found out just a couple of days ago, is Lauren's brother.

When she heard about "Players", she thought they were all taking me to a strip club. We didn't get to go to play there in the end because some guy started checking for IDs. and some of them were underaged. Went on to Rivoli nearby and was deciding to watch a movie. It was a toss up between "Die Another Day" and "2 Weeks Notice". We literally had to toss a coin to decide. In the end, we didn't watch a movie as well. Spent the next couple of hours at Chapel Street at a place called "Golden Triangle" playing pool.

I was supposed to bring AL along with me to meet the guys for dinner. I was talking to her the night before on ICQ and found out she was back in Melbourne after a couple of months back in Malaysia. We planned to meet up for lunch, and I thought I could use her expertise in getting lipgloss and nail polish that Dei asked me to get. When I went to bed, it was already about 4 am. I called her as promised the next day about 1 pm only to find she was still sleeping. She did answer the phone but said she slept at 8 am that morning. I said it didn't matter, we could still meet up when I got back from Malaysia. BUT she insisted saying "can't we meet up for coffee or something during the weekday?". I told her I had to work, then finally decided to meet on Monday or Tuesday since I finished earlier in the afternoon.

Monday was bloody hot and I called AL. Twice. Couldn't get her on the phone. No one was answering. Didn't really like the weather to be going out too. Called her again on Tuesday morning during my break. Finally managed to get her on the phone. Spoke to her awhile and told her that I'd call her again when I got home after work. We agreed to meet that evening. Weather was fantastic that day.

Met her in the city outside Nike (where else?). Thought I'd be 15 minutes late. Good thing she decided to wash her hair at the last minute so we arrived at the same time. What are the chances eh? I preferred when she had longer hair. She had it cut shorter to shoulder length now. She wanted to have Japanese food. Not that I'm a big fan but I'm easy going. Found out that the restaurant was closed. I've had 2 other options, Greek or Mexican. Didn't go for either. She said she was thinking of trying Lebanese food at Lygon Street. Why not, I thought. There we were, walking along Lygon Street. Every head waiter/captain at every restaurant along the street asked us to go into theirs to try their food.

When we got to the end of the street, AL made a comment that it could be the Nepalese restaurant, which she mistook for Lebanese. We decided to try that. Geography isn't my best subject and I can't recall, but is Nepal in or around India? Verdict, Nepalese food is similar to Indian. Might as well have just called it Indian food outright. AL wanted to have some wine. Don't know why out of the blue I agreed. Funny thing cause I don't usually drink. Both of us finished the whole bottle. She said she was feeling abit tipsy after half a glass while I felt nothing. Weird. When we paid the bill, the waiter gave us an extra $10 in change. I looked at the bill, then at the change, then at AL. She noticed the extra $ 10 too. I asked her "Take and run?". She nodded in agreement. She then announced to me "Coffee on you".

I waited for her to finish her wine then we were off. "Starbucks" was closed. Finally had ice cream at a place called "Gelare". It was getting late so we decided to go home after that. Felt really tired at work the next morning. Don't know if it was a hang over from all that wine or what.

Oh, almost time to go. Need to get a couple of items from the hardware store before work.

I guess its goodbye Melbourne and Hello Malaysia.

Friday, January 03, 2003

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Day: Friday - 3rd January 2003
Time: 5:51 pm
Listening to: Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
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A new day. A new year. 15 days before I leave for Malaysia.

New Year's was really simple. Phoung and Harlan came over for dinner. Had chicken, bak kut teh, Vietnamese spring roll and prawn crackers. What a combination. Stayed home and played "RISK" until half past 11 pm. Drove to Harlan's place near the MCG and walked next to the train tracks near Flinders Street. The fireworks started at the stroke of 12 am. Happy New Year. The display went on for about 15 minutes. Then it was back home to finish the game. Harlan was definitely addicted to it.

We had 2 new trainees and 2 full-timers at work on New Year's and the day after. What the fuck was Ben thinking? It was stressful. I could have burst a vein. No offence to the new girl, Stephanie but being new, she was really slow. I had to look out for her as well. No choice. “We’re geese.” We all have to look out for each other.

Went to Doncaster Westfield Shopping Centre last night. In the end, DT and ML ended up arguing (again!) about something and she didn't come along. It was a boys' night out then. Had dinner at TGIF's. Just the usual. DT wanted to look for his Lord Of The Rings Risk board game. Couldn't find it around. Lots of games selling cheap but I've already got Splinter Cell the other day from Myer for about $ 68.



Lord Of The Rings fever has affected us all. We started playing DT's "The Hobbit" board game recently. And now, I'm thinking about getting the collectible card game just for the hell of it.

Just got back from work and then after a quick change, went for a hair cut. I think I cut it abit too short. Should leave it abit longer the next time around.

Got a call from Tom at about 7:10 am this morning. Chris Harle didn't make it to work and Tom asked if I could start at 8 am instead of 12 pm. It was the thought of finishing early that made me say "Yes". Then again, I always get calls to start earlier and I never turn them down. Does suck being dependable sometimes. Never had so much coffee at work before. Made my own mocha concoction with the coffee and Milo for the McFlurry. Pretty good if I might say so myself.

So, worked from 8:00 am till 4:30 pm. The downside of it? Only got to spend 30 minutes with Courtney. Aah, Courtney, who would have thought that she was only 17 years old?!?!?! Damn.She sure as hell doesn't act like it. Found out from Liz the other day when a few of us were just talking about some stuff. Thought I could ask her out during the weekend but she works. Pity that. Anyway, she said I would see her before I leave in 2 weeks time.

Rudy still hasn't gotten my phone from his supplier yet. Fuck. I've been waiting for ages. I wonder if I'll even get my phone before I leave for Malaysia.

ML was home when I got back after my haircut. Told me that they were going to Carlton Curry House for dinner and then after that, to an Irish pub with Phoung and Harlan. Might go along with them. We're just waiting for them to come. They're supposed to be here about now.

Just remembered that DT hasn't given me my $ 20 change from the $ 50 note I gave him last night after he went out to get Pearl Tea.

Might have to go collect my plane ticket tomorrow from the city. Might give RL a call. She wants me to bring home some Royal Jelly for her father. Might meet up with her. Have to see how it goes and that would depend if I get my sleep tonight.