Close

I've been spending a lot of time on another project of mine.  One that will help me learn thing and hopefully open new doors for me.

But unfortunately that has meant little to no time on this blog.  So with some regret I'll be closing this blog down.

I just want to thank you all for visiting this blog.  Its been good fun and I've learnt a lot.  

Of course this is not goodbye.... you just have to find my other domain.  :)

Back to School

I'm back at school!!

Well - pseudo-school anyways :) I'm doing distance-education which is studying by correspondence.  The study in our house is my campus.  And it's an awesome campus! I can go to class in my PJ's, Lychi is my classmate and the kitchen is literally just around the corner! SWEET!!!!

I got my student card last week which is so HORRENDOUS I can't even bare looking at it.  *shiver*

But really, I'm very excited about studying again.

It sounds weird for me to say that considering how painful it was when I studied almost ten years ago.  But I think it makes a big difference being in industry for a while.  I think I have a better perspective on what's  important (or at least what's relevant) and I'm truly interested in the units I picked.

I'm absorbing information like sponge.   Well..  whether or not that knowledge is leaking out - that's another story.

Alrights - back to study.... soon lolz.

Lychi and Me

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?" - John Grogan

Anh and I watched Marley and Me last night.

Its a pretty old movie (2008?) which stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston and tells the story of a young couple and their life after marriage with their dog Marley.

I've been wanting to watch this movie since I read that it makes grown men cry.

I guess I wanted to test my mettle..... see how manly I am.

And oh how the mighty fall :(

I failed miserably!  OMG! By the end of the movie, I've been reduced to a puddle of tears.  Anh and I were a complete mess with tears streaming down our faces.   It WAS SO SAD!!   I don't think I've been this sad in a movie EVER!!!

In my defence, I was crying because Anh started crying.  Seeing her sad makes me sad. I guess watching the movie with Lychi between us didn't help either.  I'm a sucker for sad dog movies now (talking dogs weird me out though).

Over the past few months, Anh and I have become very attached to Lychi.

She's just such a great dog.  Always happy to see us and always wanting to cuddle with us.  Regardless of the mess she creates (and time of morning she wakes us) we're so happy she's a part of us.  

Marley and Me wasn't all about the dog though.  It was also about growing up and decisions, the life after marriage. It was like a preview of life for Anh and myself.  Moving houses, changing jobs, children, a taste of things to come.  It struck me that many of these things will happen to us too, its all just a matter of when.

And whether it be happy or sad,  Lychi will be there, barking, gnawing, slobbering..
and growing with us.

Officially Not Young

Its my birthday week and we've been doing lots of eating!!

 

Yumm!!!

I really should stop these huge birthday dinners coz I'm sure their starting to affect my health.

But how can you say no to eating ?  :P

Had a lovely birthday this year.  Got some quality time with my families (plural now!) and we all had a good time.

Such a contrast from last years big 30th mexican birthday celebration.  That was a lot of work and preparation.  It was all good fun and well worth the effort but I don't think I could do another costume party this year.

What's amazing is how much can happen in a year.

In the last twelve months, I gotten married, gone on a honeymoon, got a puppy, been a groomsman, got a sandwich-melt-thing-that-makes-triangle-shaped-toasted-goodness, even got new a new phone contract.  And thats just me!  Family and friends have had kids, got married or engaged, bought houses, got new jobs.

Life certainly passes faster as you get older.

The best part of my birthday, and I guess every other day, is I get to spend it with Anh. :)  Coming home to her (and Lychi) always brings a smile to my face.

My birthday wish would be for people to cherish their time with their loved ones.  I'm seeing lots of friends and family work so hard that I feel like they've missed the point on why they're working so hard.

There is a global shortage of time which makes it so precious - which is why it should be spent with loved ones.

Bunbury Fishing Trip

We celebrated Mother's day this year with a fishing weekend in Bunbury with my parents, brother and sister.

Bunbury is so beautiful.  Its one of the few places in Perth where you can wake up and watch the sun rise.

On this fishing trip, I didn't get much fishing time.  Nor did I catch any fish.

But you know what, being with my Dad and Mom, and watching them catch those small herrings,

 made me the happiest man alive.

There's this one thing thats so much more important than all the little things in life.

Perth Supafest 2011

Went to my first music festival a few weeks ago!

Supafest showcased some of my favourite RnB singers like Nelly, Taio Cruz and Timbaland.  Other artists who made an appearance include Snoop Dog, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Fat Joe and T-Pain.

Too bad Timbaland pulled out the last minute, but it was still very enjoyable.  Can't beat a day with friends and good music!

The festival started around midday and we didn't leave until around ten at night.  It was a pretty full-on day with lots of dancing, drinking and merriment.

Speaking of drinking - the low point of the day was when a teenage girl decided that she's had too much to drink and threw up on my back!!

SOOOO GROSS!!

It was all warm and chunky.  Smelt awful.  I had to throw away my shirt because it was disgusting after that.  Thankfully Ryan had an extra shirt which he lent me, but was not too happy about the end of Mr Happy.

Still, I got to see Taio Cruz which was the highlight for me.

He's such a nice guy, very polite for a playa. :)

Good Friday

This year's Good Friday was especially sad because Anh's granddad passed away.

Edgar's been battling cancer for a long time and the damage to his liver has taken its toll.

We visited Nana this afternoon and she's coping well.  She said she's already missing him but she's happy that he's not suffering anymore and he's gone to a better place.

I admire Nana's courage and strength but I feel so sad for her.  She has her kids and grand kids, but I just can't imagine what it would be like to lose someone you've loved for over 50 years.

Nana says shes going to have to learn how to be by herself now.  :(

I'm again reminded how precious life is and how we shouldn't take for granted the time we have with our loved ones.

Bathtime and Walking with Lychi

Paintball

Went paintballing with Anh, her sister and friends.

Maaaan it was intense!!

I've been paintballing before so I kinda knew what to expect.  But after they demonstrated the new guns during the safety brief,  I got really worried.

These guns were badass!!  They launch the marble-sized paintballs perfectly straight for about 5 metres and still packed a punch at 10 metres.  Plook Plook Plook!  Puff guns of death! lolz.

I should know - I was shot in the head several times and my hearing started 'pinging' like I was grenaded in Call of Duty.  Only this wasn't a video game - the bruising were very real.

My glory moment was when I single-handedly, guarded a tunnel from the attackers.  6 Attackers vs me (with Anh and sister covering me from a post 10 metres behind?! So far!).  I held my ground even though my head was repeatedly shot at.  I was completely blinded from paint dripping inside my mask (I could even taste it!), but I soldiered on.  I held them long enough to draw the game and earn Green team 5 points.

The final full day score for Green team? 5 points   :P

My not so glory moment was when I was running from barrel to barrel for cover.  I was doing really good and got within three metres of the flag!

Then I lost my footing and completely face planted into one of the barrels.  BOOM said my head to the barrel.

Thank you helmet!!   :P

Had a great day although it took a week to recover from the bruising and hurting.

Lychi the Pug

I'd like to introduce the newest member for our family - Lychi the Pug!!

Having a pug has been a lifelong dream for Anh.

Over the years of Anh talking about pugs and seeing pugs on calendars and movies and YouTube clips, posters and cards and toys and everywhere around the house, I've grown fond of their weird yet wonderfully adorable face.

We purchased Lychi from a family of pug breeders in Mundaring, a town in the hills of WA. They were a nice family, obviously animal lovers with three or four pugs running around on the lawn together with a cat and the goat tied to a pole.  Their house didn't have power from a freak storm a few days ago, but they still welcomed us and offered us drinks.

When they finally showed us the puppies, I think my heart melted.  

Eight little pugs in a bucket all staring up to me with their puppy dog eyes.  It would have been a sin to not to take one!

So we took two!  Lolz.

One for us and one for Anh's sisters.

For over a week now, Anh and I have been taking care of our baby Lychi.  She's very smart and is on her way to being fully toilet trained.  She already knows how to come over, sit and (sorta) stay.

She's the most adorable little thing.  She follows us all around the house and sits and lies with us when watching TV or when playing on the PS3.  She sleeps well at night and gets very excited when its dinner time.

When we're at work, she hangs out with her brother Oates who lives not far from us. (I'm quite sure Oates is the goofy one of the siblings - just look at them eyes! lolz).

Certainly, having a puppy is a huge responsibility.  Anh and I are having to wake up early everyday to feed Lychi. (7AM on a Sunday?!!) We're always worrying about getting home early and we're not having second thoughts about going out because we're thinking of who's going to look after our baby.

I know we're sounding like parents, because having a puppy is certainly good training for it.  Instead of diapers I have dog training pads which need replacing.  There's puppy milk to buy.  Have to worry medications and making sure she's not hot or cold at night.

But Lychi is all worth it.  We love her and she's definitely family now.  We can't wait when she's older and we can run around with her and wrestle with her.  

I want to wear her on my head lolz.

She's just so cute.

Income protection emo

What would you do if you were told that you only have five months to live? Or just as important, what would you do if your partner had only five months to live?

I know this is such a gloomy subject. And I know I'm sounding like a life insurance salesman but these questions hit me real hard a few weeks ago. A few freaky things happened which reminded me just how fragile life is and that were on borrowed time.

It hit me specially hard because I'm at a really happy stage of my life. The thought of not being able to see my wife or my family was a real gut wrencher.

I remember being asked if I had income protection, which I dont. I figured if something tragic were to happen to me or my wife, then our lifestyle would have to change to meet that change. Plus with the both of us working, thats probably as good as income protection. But what's the point of protecting income when surely life is more important?

I guess all I'm really saying is where my priority in life is. Its not on a house, a car, a job or lifestyle. Its seeing those I love smile and laugh and cry and all things in between. What would be the point of having money without anyone to spend it on?

Thankful

I just wanted to put in writing how thankful I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.

My wife, my parents, my brothers and sisters, my friends.  I've been really busy with all sorts of things but I'm always grateful that you're there a part of my life journey.

God bless to all.

Non-blogger

Sorry blog. 

I've been neglecting you.  

I promise to write some stuff soon, but I've just been busy with a lot of things - been working on my tax return, working on a friend's webpage and I've been working on my second platinum trophy.

Hong Kong Trip 2

We took a break from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong and enjoyed a few days in Macao.

Macao is the mini-Las Vegas of Asia with all its casino's and apparently dodgey places... but I never got to explore that part :)  We stayed in the Venetian which is the largest hotel in Asia.  Really posh.  The hotel even has its own river - complete with Gondola and singer!

There's a lot of gambling in Macao and there'll be even more with more hotel/casinos being built.  I'm guessing in four or five years, the main Macao strip will rival Las Vegas.

Anh and I tried our luck playing "Sic Bo".  Its a really simple game to learn.  The dealer/casino/robot rolls three dice and you pretty much have to guess what comes up.  We played this the most and lost a bit of money the first night.  Thankfully my luck changed the second night so we ended up breaking even :)

But of course Anh and I cared little about gambling.

We cared more for the food!!

My Fat Burger

Our ferry food

Hmmm. New York style pizza.

This is how you do high tea!