That's the truth

Today I was another day searching for jobs, one agency called me back, this guy was pretty friendly and not condesecending like most of the other agents I been speaking with!


Later in the day I went to the Nike training run, Again I got the train as I was running late! Went into the imtermediate group, they where going a bit slow for me so I tried to catch up the fast group, then I lost sight of them and got lost, so I managed to find the intermediate group again and finsihed firstish out of that group! Well there was another guy matching me for pace and we fiunished at the same time!

Champion

 Got up early today to go running, couldn't really sleep for some reason, woke up at 4am, then at 6am, and eventually woke up and had some breakfast and then was running late so I got on the train to get to the run, my plan had been to walk or jog up to the meeting place! This was the first time I been on the train and I wasn't sure where it was going to stop!

It was pissing down and I was almost tempted to sms the organiser and tell her I be in my bed, but I knew I was going for yum cha later and I feel guilty so I didn't! Only about half the people turned up the organiser, the guy from Peru and me!

Run started off well, the guy from Peru was keeping pace with me, wasn't sure if I was going to be faster than him. After we reached the half way mark, it was clear that he was a much better runner than me! Ok I got caught at the traffic lights as well, but I was only about 5mins behind him, so I in real time only a couple of minutes, plus I had too much breakfast, which made it hard to run and also I was tired, well that the story I am telling you so you better believe it! When I run in a group I don't like to be beaten, the competitive streak come out in me! Over 10.8km done in less than 55mins, you could see the steam come off us!

Later in the day, we went for yum cha, the manager of the place was a bit rude to us, so no tip for him or his staff, they kept running out of food as well! My friend Say even wrote some very harsh comments on the receipt! We then went for coffee afterwards before heading home!

Someone like you

Went for a run and then pretty much did nothing for the rest of the day except watching the tv, the big bang theory (finding this very addictive) and updating my facebook profile, the about you section, this took me a couple of hours to write!

I am a dynamic fitness hunger figure, often seen scaling rock faces, running half marathons daily! My training by many martial arts masters means I can stop traffic with just a look! I manage time efficiently; who needs sleep, when you have adrenaline!

I have been known to remodel old castles on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I ran out of castles to work on so I am looking for new projects to work on!

On Sundays and Wednesdays, after work in the desert, I used to teach people how to run free of charge! If I was to give up my career as an architect, I would be a world class volleyball or table tennis player by now!

I am travelled; immune to the sun, I am a heat source! I have seen so many horrors, but so many joys as well! I can say I written my name in the snow and as well as the sand! Critics’ worldwide swoon over my great dress sense, my original line of corduroy trousers with my slogan t-shirts! I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket and can finish food shopping in 10 minutes!

I don’t perspire unless I been on convert operations for MI5. I have made extraordinary meals using only eggs and instant noodles. I'm like a vintage whisky, I get better with age. I listen more than I talk because I know the rule of having two ears and one mouth! I am an award winning blogger and a master of one-liners!

The laws of physics do not apply to me; unless I’ve been drinking, this hypothesis needs to be tested on a regular basis! When I was bored, I refurbished an entire 3 bed apartment. I keep getting asked if I am Korean!

I have just discovered the meaning of life ;)

Upside down

Today was another walk, this time about 60 odd people turned up. A great turnout! Walked around the Botantical Gardens and then headed to the Arcadia for the $5 pizza!

I headed straight to the bar to order food, as I knew it would take ages, some of the other people I was with decided to sit down and find a table, they did it upside down!

Just as well as I got my $5 pizza and the rest of my table didn't as they had sold out of most things by the time they put there order in! The look on there faces was priceless, for everything else there is mastercard! (You might not get this joke if your not from the UK, Mastercard did a series of TV ads).

Afterwards we headed to play pool and I showed them how 5 years at university had helped to hone my skills, not before I missed the ball on the first shot, the bouncer came across and cheekly told me he had seen that, this was followed by a round of laughter from everyone!

Born this way

Apparently, 1 in 5 people in the world are Chinese. And there are 5 people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mum or my dad. Or my older brother Big Jan. Or my younger brother David. But I think it's Big Jan. lol


The funny thing is that people call him big Jan when I am actually bigger than him!

Going for another run today! after my 10km walk already. The only problem is that I end up being very hunger!

More

Went out to the other china town in melbourne, in the richmond surburb. My flatmate Barron likes to go the charity shops, actually they are very popular here! ! I acutally bought a laptop bag for 5 dollars as the one I had broken, It was like in brand new condition a promo item I think! (from Optus a mobile phone provider). I then went for a run afterwards as I thought the interations meetup started at 8pm but it had actually started at 6pm, so by the time I got there at 9pm it was nearly finshed but it was good.

All In

Barron, showed me around the area and I bought some food, Did some cooking, Eggplant and Tofu with onion in a sweet chilli sauce with sweet potato mash, here is the result! Joined the local library as well.
went for another run!

My bank card has arrived. I went with Westpac as they don't charge people on a WHV for the first 6 months.

What the hell

Moved into my new place today, my room isn't ready as the guy doesn't leave till next week, but I am staying in my landlords room as he is house sitting. The place isn't great, but the location is good, you are all welcome to come and visit me if you want! lol

He is a bit picky about his tenants as he has started to advertise the other room, but he doesn't want any indians!

Went and bought some groceries and watched some TV and that was about it,

Tie me kangaroo down sport

Had a nightmare trying to get to my friends house as I was meeting her there so we could go Kangaroo spotting. In the end she met me halfway!

So we where late picking up the other guy. the organiser had a bit of fallen out with everyone as we sort of deserted her as we felt that she didnt' know what she was doing, but the walk was good!

After we came back I went for a walk down the town.

My friend Chun-Vun and the other walker we picked up (Raymond)

I'll be there for you

Bored today! So when my friend asked me if I had any plans for tonight and if I wanted to go for dinner or a movie I said yes, we went to an indonesia restaurant and then went to watch 127 hours. I really wanted to see it, she really didn't as it was a bit horrific in some places.

During dinner she got a call from a guy who emailed her yesterday about getting a lift, I think thats why she invited me to come as she thought the guy was a bit strange.

I want you

Today I went for dinner with some friends, had a lot of dumplings! I wanted to to have some decent chinese food, but it's hard to go on your own to a restaurant! It was awesome! One of the girls started a conversation with me saying, I can see you take care of yourself, i.e. very fit, active, going to the gym, big muscles etc! The guy sitting beside me said "Oh you never said anything like that to me before, I take it I am just average!" I thought it was funny!

I ate so much that I felt so full that I had to walk home to walk it off!.

Me, Say and Rowan 

Circle

Another day in Melbourne, not much happening today, usual just looking for work and for a run!

Run

Went to see Barron (A male version of my good friend Robin) to drop off a couple of my bags and to sign the lease and give my deposit for the room. Stayed and chatted for about 4 hours then I ran home. When I was running home some drunk Aussie thought it be funny in front of his mates and started to jog beside me taking his shirt off as well. Well I was like ok then and sprinted off and there was no way he was catching me!

I usually walk 4km and run 10km per day!

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Guided by a voice

Since that conversation with Dave the other day, I am a bit wary of eating instant noodles now, so last night I went and bought some veggies, pak choi, preserved vegetables, beansprouts and some more instant noodles (the ones from Korean are safer apparently!).

I made some pasta with the veggies and used the perserved vegetables a flavouring. It was pretty good, just need to have some hot sauce next time, but I might as well wait till I move next week and then, start cooking more healthly. Made a lot so had some left over which I have for tonight's dinners.

At least I only been to MD's once and that was cause I had a couple of beers, I am not really missing drinking that much! I was tempted again to go to MD's or KFC the other day but I resisted the urge! I stopped drinking coke (Robin please stop drinking coke!!) as well and drink at least 4 bottles of water.

The way I been taught to cook instant noodles was to cook them in water, drain them and then add new water and favouring. This at least would get rid of the waxy coating! So remember this when cooking instant noodles in the future!

Went for a walk afterwards as I couldn't run till the last 20mins anyway as I was too full, came home and watched 'Never Back Down'.

Be somebody!

I went to see Dave about the flat last night. The time I got there it was after 9pm. It should have been a 15 or 20min chat, it turned into a marathon session that didn't finish till 4.30am the next morning. 3 rounds of tea, biccies, toast! That's 7 and a half hours of talking! The only time I had a talk like that was in Abu Dhabi but even then it wasn't as long as that!

He told me that the 4 other people who had come to see the room had all phoned back saying they would take it, but luck for me I phoned in first or the fact that he liked the novelty of having a Scottish Chinese.

Dave (or Byron as he likes to refer to himself) is a likeable guy! Been to 28 countries, was a fashion designer but now a writer. He gave me some extracts from his book. I can see him becoming a good friend. A very logical person but perhaps a racist?

Doesn't like Indians, Filppinos, Koreans etc. He on bis guard when he meets these people. More to do with past experiences. He told me that 80% of the callers about the room had been Indians!

A brief summary!
Thai - 1 in 10 are druggies!
Sudanese - 1 in 10 commit a serious crime!
Koreans - very childish
Germans - very straightforward if they like you they let you know.
Japanese - nice to you even if they don't. Like you!
Irish - friendly troublemakers who like to shit stir!
Australians - like to shit stir! They aren't interested in other cultures apart for being able to buy cheaper products and nice food etc Chinese! An extract from his book!
Chinese - friendly and respectful, who are concerned about pleasing there parents.
Asians - concerned with working, he told he had a friend that would work 7 days a week just. To get stuff done and never took his holidays and when he asked him why and He started crying! I can relate to that, there was a time in life that I was like that , always at the office. That changes when I was in hospital and not once did any of my bosses come and see me, then they sent me a letter telling me I was redundant when I was still recovering! Lets just say I not been back to see anyone in the office since then and I only just phoned last week to check it was ok for a reference!

We talked about a whole range of stuff. Stuff like eating instant noodles for every meal can kill you because of the wax coating on them, cases o students dying etc!

This was deep meaningful stuff, stuff no one has asked me before really!

Who are you?
What do you want in life?
What are your passions, desires!
Where you want to go?
What are your regrets?

I was struggling for answers, people that know me know that I don't tend to talk about personal stuff! I don't know if that stems from being Asian as he said that he finds that a lot! He has a similar problem with our other flatmate! He was like you Asians don't trust anyone!

He said I should charge me $100 for being my shrink, to which I replied I am Scottish, its like getting blood out of a stone!


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Location:Elizabeth St,Melbourne,Australia

All these things I done

Today I had a meeting with another agency, this agency seems to be a bit more proactive as they have indicated they will contact there clients to see if there is any vacancies. Seems a bit more promising, After that I decided to have a blow out and treat myself to some sushi, buns and chocolate... Yes it meant blowing my budget a bit... $15 I spent! It just means eating instant noodles for the next couple of days.You can get instant noodles for £2 for a pack of 5!

From the inside

Today I was a the library doing my portfolio for an interview with an agency. I then went to see this flat a woman had texted me about. When I got there I could see it was already going to be be bad, there where about 10 people waiting already. The landlord was Chinese took us up to see the flat, it is a 2 bed apartment with one toilet. However she had put 5 bunk beds in 2 in 1 room, 1 in another roon and 2 in the living room (with a partiton to go up, I am sure that none of this applies to the BCA regulations). For 140 aud a week I don't think it is worth it. It's people like this that give us Chinese a bad repuation. If you where to rent this out normally you be looking at 600-600aud a week, but she be making 1400aud a week.

Get this we aren't allowed to take a bath everyday as this would increase the electrical cost of the house and anything over the included electricity costs we would have to pay!

So I and a nother couple walked out without filling in the application form! I saw another place and it's much better so I will go and see that again tomorrow!

Everytime you go

Today I was at the library doing the usual, then later I went to the Mandarin Chinese Meetup. There was a good turnout about 15 people turned up, my friend Chin-Vun turned up as well! After the meetup we went for dinner, that was nice and after that we went for some bubble tea! The group sort of halfed as we went from one place to another! It was a good craic!

Find the river

Today I went to another meetup, this time it was the two legged adventure one! This consisted of waking along the Yarra river and then stopping at a chocolate place for a drink or chocolate or both before heading back. Yet again I was later, must factor in times for traffic etc as I seen to arrive like twenty minutes late for things! Eventually found the group they where halfway down the river when I joined them! The chokolait place was ok, but expensive! 7.50 aud for a chocolate drink, since Brad had organised it we got 15% off, but still it was expensive!


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Location:W Gate Fwy,Southbank,Australia

For you money

Still pondering over whether to take that room in the flat in South Yarra. Got a couple of people emailing me about other places. Once place looked ok, but you need to see these things first to make sure.

Yeah I got an email form someone in response to my ad on www.flatmatefinders.com.au it was a scam email like! Western Union money transfer I think not. Just trying to get me to send money etc.

Today I phone some more angencies up and sent them my CV so hopefully something will turn up soon!

Everytime I look for you

Today I went flathunitng again, I been searching and it is really difficult to find somewhere to live in the city. i went and looked at 3 places. I was meant to go to a running meetup but missed it!

1. Student accommodation, but really tiny and the guy seemed a bit concerned about me not being able to pay him! 210aud + internet per week
2. Studio it was nice, I saw a flyer in the window and phoned the woman up, she came down within ten minutes. 320aud 
3. Last one was in South Yarra, its about 10-15mins away from the CBD and was about 200aud per week. 

Yeah the South Yarra one seems like the best one!

Everyday

Was going to go for a meetup tonight but it was cancelled, so I wnet for a run instead! trying to keep my expenses a minimum by.

1. Making sure I get up for the free breakfast in the hostel, 4 bits of toast, bowl of cereal, tea and orange juice, I should really cook the free pasta and rice they have on offer as well but i canny be arsed and cooking noodles is much easier (buy from the chinese supermarket it is cheaper).
2. Buying water in bulk, yeah 2-3aud for a botttle of water isn't cheaper, so I went to Coles (supermarktet) and bought a case of 24 bootles for 5 aud, though I had to carry it back to the hostel but it was worth it.
3. Wait till after 7pm for dinner as a lot of places have last minute deals for food i.e.sushi and chinese etc. 
4. I have only been to MDs once!
5. I have stopped drinking as a pint is about 8.5 aud!

Blue

Pretty much the same kind of day as the other days nothing really exciting to report as such! Yeah didn't get that flat! She was just mucking me around I think!

Anybody there?

Today I went to another meetup, this time it was to see the Chinese New Year Celebrations in Chinatown, which reminds me I have to go and visit the chinese museum at some point! The turnout should have been about 21 ish but only 6 of us turned up at 10am with another 3 joining later. It was good but with the rain and stuff it made it a bit unpredictable, after watching the parade we went for some dumplings. I then went for a walk with one of the group, Chin Vun and we ended up having coffee and a chat and  then went to watch the Black Swan afterwards.

Later on that night I went to view a flat, the place was a bit small, the girl was also a Malaysian accountant, thats 3 I met! had two dogs, I had to email here a recent picture of myself as well, Why? Her reason was so she would know what we all looked like! She didn't give me her number or address so I was waiting for a bit and then I decided to head home, when I was nearly home I got her email, so I ended up going back into town!

Can't get there from here

x

Tonight I was meant to go to a meetup at the Turf Bar on 131 Queens Street. When I got back to the hostel and had a shower, the weather had changed it started to pour down heavily. So I went down to have a beer with my roommates Murray and the French Candian girl (her name escapes me) in the hostel bar! Sitting there chatting for a while and when the rain looked like it had stopped I ventured out. This was a bad mistake as I got soaked by the time I got to the tram stop, with no trams in sight I headed up the road. The road was flooded and my shoes where soaked. I then returned to my room and had a warm shower I was freezing and shaking at this point! I then got redressed and decided to give it another go! Walked to the bar, was a bit wet. Shouldn't have really bothered as I was about 2 hours late and some people had left and most were on the dance floor! Queues for Taxi's where mad!

Begin the begin

Finding it hard to look for a place. they are so expensive and I really don't know where I be working so I am reluctant to sort a place out.

Living at the hostel is cheaper than some of the places on offer. So I am most likely going to stay there for a while. At least there is free breakfast, so I make sure I have a bowl of cereal, 4 bits of toast, tea and orange juice! There is also free rice and pasta if you want to cook but I haven't had the chance or the urge to do so! Might buy some noodles and start eating them next week!

Speaking to a friend in Northern Ireland and he was telling me the situation is pretty grime there as well, he been working on his own (not through choice) but was trying to find some part time work as well.

At the library looking for jobs free internet. I bought and internet dongle as it was on offer, basically free  with 15gb of data to be used over 365 days for $99. The top up voucher was $150 alone., seeemded like a good deal to me!

Post 31/01/2011 - Updated with pictures of Singapore!
Post 02/02/2011 - Updated with pictures ofMelbourne!

Faster

Today I went to see an recruitment agency, some temp jobs out there! The problem with my working holiday visa is that I am really only limited to contract or temp jobs, unless there is a huge surge in demand for architects and they require people to work here by sponsoring them. So my plan is to get some money together from working and then apply for the skilled migration visa.

I went to a cafe in chinatown to have lunch, roast duck and crispy roast pork with rice and then to the bakery to get some buns after it!. That was really my dinner as well! I had a couple of cereal bars later in the day before my run. I then went for a run later at night and then can home.

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Come Back Around

Today I went and got my portfolio together. Went to an Internet place it was self serve printing, it was ok pretty expensive to print out in colour so limited my prints.I also went and had some sushi for lunch and some buns from the Chinese bakery!

Later that night I went to my first meetup in Melbourne, got lost on the way there! But the people where friendly enought, there where two or three in the IT business all looking for new jobs. So at least I am not alone. Had a couple of Kirin beers they seemed nice. At least these people where more my age!

Later on I went for a run, I ran over all the bridges I could see that separates the CBD and the south area!