... Day 1 to 3: Auckland [6 - 9 April 07] ...

It was a super duper early morning on 6 April. All of us had to catch the early shuttle which would bring us to the CHC airport to fly to Auckland. The Qantas flight was a fast one, and we were in Auckland picking up our rental car in no time. Ha. It was a 2.4l Toyota Camry. Cool eh, I tell you, it's a nicer and more powerful car to drive, compared to my Altis. Obviously... Ha...

We met up with our adorable Binjuan at about lunchtime, and put our stuff in her room. We bunked in her place over the next 2 nights. It's a big room, but i gave me abit of a neckache, cos I didn't have a proper pillow.

We had wanted to go see the volcano at Rangitoto that day, but time weren't on our side and we decided to give it a miss, cos the ferry ticket didn't seem to justify the volcanic sights. At least that was what the girls said. But nonetheless, we took a walk around Missions Bay and then went up to the Auckland Sky Tower to take a look at the city's skyline in the evening. Not as fantastic as Singapore's city night skyline though. Ha...

Photos from the Skytower

Day 2 in Auckland was shopping day at Auckland's newest and biggest mall, The Sylvia Park. The girls could actually spend the whole day there.. Very impressive. As for Moses and I, we got tired and sat down waiting for a long time for the shops to close, so that ther girls would be out. Ha. Well, I didn't go back empty handed too. Got a hoodie from Hallensteins @ $60 and a beanie from Kathmandu @$20. The hoodie is good man. Good against cold and wind. No wonder all the ang mohs wear them. Ha..

Day 3 was spent at Long Bay Regional Park. It's a nice place there, one of the several nice beaches that we'll be spending our time there. We took a short walk around one of its tracks and left our impressions on the beach too!~ NZ-NUS EXCHANGE 07!

Photos from Long Bay

Later that night, Moses, Veron, Binjuan and I went for a short walk around the Auckland Harbour. Not fantastic though, and we took some photos. It was as if it's winter. Ha..

Cold @ Auckland Harbour. Ha!~

... Mid Semester Break ...

Yes! Today is the last day of term 1, and so that means it's the start of the mid term break. It'll be 3 weeks of break here, and I'll be away like 2.5 weeks of it? Ha... I'm going to travel around NZ man, and be a real full-time traveller. KEke..

Well, I'll be flying up north to Auckland very early tomorrow morning. Darn, got to catch the airport shuttle at 645am... Shiok right... Then we'll be staying at Auckland, and bunking in with the UoA exchange students, then we'll be off to places like Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Waitomo, Wellington, Abel Tasman and Kaikoura... I'll probably be back on the 20 Apr... Then it's rest for the weekends and then off to Hanmer Springs on Monday again... Ha... Steady!~

Yea, so I might not be able to check my emails that often, and I won't be taking my Sin HP along as well, so, hmmz, it might take some time for me to reply to anyone who tries to get in touch with me... Ha... But I guess there'll be some accommodations we are staying that has got connections, and I'll briefly check out my mailboxes... Keke...

In the meantime, best of luck in your mugging to all of my friends back in NUS or NTU, and have loads of fun too, to all other SEP students, in NZ and other parts of the world...

I'll be back with exciting photos... WAhaha.....

... Not so Good Day ...

Haiz..... Today wasn't a good day for me... Started off getting back my level 400 lab report.. Damn, I only just scrapped through and I think I'm at the bottom of the whole class. Their expectations of lab reports here are high I must say, compared to NUS, where we practically just smoke through. Hai... I just hope I'll pass this module at the end of the semester even though I'm at the bottom percentile and I still get over 50%? I just hope I pass this module manz... Once again, it really seems fluid mechanics is really not something for me.... So sad...

Everything after that seems to go wrong. I keep forgetting to do stuff, and I even knock over the cup of water I put on the carpet floor when I was ironing my clothes.. Damn.. Wat the hell!!!

The only good thing that happened today probably was dinner. Ha, made myself 大葱蛋... Delicious, but I guess I'll be expelling lots of air throughout the night.... Ha....

This is a bad way to end the term, really kills off some of the enthusiasm I have for the Easter Break. Hai... Hope to get them along the way after landing in Auckland...

Tomorrow is my last day of school and I'll post another last entry before flying off to Auckland on Friday morning.

Bad Day....

... Boring Saturday ...

Oh well, this is the last Saturday before the start of my mid-sem cum Easter break this Thursday, so many of us are hiding in our rooms trying to finish up our remaining reports/tutorials/assignments and what nots... Haiz... So we didn't do much today... Went out for a short jog today with Veron at Ilam Fields in the morning though... Ha, really nice, cos u dun really sweat while running here!~ It's expected what... Ha...

And, tried to fry some noodles for dinner tonight. I guess it's slightly better than the fried rice. Hee...

[5 more days]

... Ride on UC Security's Segway ...

I ended today's class with a walk over at the Science Block LTs and I saw security guards standing around in groups and it made me wondered why. Tot some people so zai, pia zui in bright daylight in the middle of the school somemore... Ha... But I realized they are letting people ride on their Segways. That's the 2-wheeled mode of transport that they used when patrolling usually. Heard each of them cost $10k? Ha.. I donated $1 to the Children Cancer Fund to have a go on it..

It was darn fun.. You basically move the thing by changing your CG on the segway. So you just lean your body in the direction you wanna go, and it'll take you there! Cool eh? Will NUS have this kind of thing? Nah, prob not, cos NUS is built on slopes and Segways cannot climb stairs... Wahaha...

There's a short video clip on me driving the Segway around at my Multiply site. Courtesy to Nicole who helped me take the video. I didn't realize you took it. Really a big Thank You!~

... Parcel ...

I just received my parcel of textbooks from Singapore this afternoon. And because my mum is sending me these books, she also sent me other foodstuff, like Kaya spread. 2 bottles of the Kaya in fact. The funny thing is, when I opened up the parcel, I realized that the stupid NZ customs detained 1 bottle of it! The other was intact. I don't understand why that particular bottle failed, and the same product was selling for NZD$5.50 in 1 of the asian food mart down the street. Ha!~ Funny eh?

Any my mother said, "Must be those customs pple la, tasted the kaya and found it too nice, so detained 1 bottle. They know nobody will pay $70 to get it shipped back to Singapore what!~"

Wahaha!~ Well, at least I got my 3 books, same ones, at a quarter of the prices here... Hee...

My 3 texts.. I'm doing 2 fluids modules here la, unbelievable rite?


Lost 1 of the kaya...

... Bak Kut Teh ...

Ok, it seems this is abit outdated, but wat the heck. It's something I'm quite proud of, so yea, here it is, the photos of the dinner we had when my Otago friends came visiting last weekend. The bak kut teh that I made, on the bottom right. Ha...

... FIRE IN SCHOOL!!! ...

Fret Not!~ We had a firedrill in school, that's all. Ha... The stupid alarm went off when I was doing my lab, and I had to waste 10 mins going out of the building and coming back again to finish up the work. Ha.. But not before I take a couple of photos with my phone. Keke...

Students gathered outside the Mechanical Engineering Lab Wing


Wardens reporting on the clearance status of their respective areas

... Hosting Friends from Otago ...

The weekend was spent hosting 3 friends from the University of Otago. They are all SEP students from NUS, just like me. And it's really nice to have them around, and enjoy their company. We went around the city centre and they took the Gondola too. Veron and I also whipped up some food for dinner, though we took quite some time to get the meal done. Ha, some of them actually fell asleep while waiting. Sorry guys. But anyhow, I managed to get my Bak Kut Teh done, for the 1st time in my life. Ha, and it tasted good. At least that was what they told me... Ha.. I haven't got the photos to the Bak Kut Teh I made, cos I happily forgot to take photos, so I'll need to get them from Veron some time soon.

Oh ya, we also managed to find a food outlet in city centre that sells authentic Singaporean food! It's actually owned by a Singaporean lady boss. And so I had chicken rice for the 1st time in NZ. It was very much like the real one we had. It was good enough... Hee... They also had char kuay teow, with varying degree of spiciness. Faith ordered the 'hottest' and it was quite spicy.. Ha.. Shiok, I guess I'll be back there for more...

It was off to Riccarton's Rotary Market on Sunday morning. It was a huge flea market, and there was quite a bit to offer! I think all of us bought something back from there. Hee..

Evening was alone in my room, and I tried to fry rice using Lester's recipe. It looks good though, but was abut dry and hard... Hmm, space for improvement

[2 More Weeks....]

... TGIF ...

Yes, this is Friday, and I hope I've completed my busiest week before school ends for term break!~ Ha.

Anyway, I wasn't in any mood to study or anything, so I hopped by Illam Fields to check out the Engineering Society (ENSOC) BBQ. I signed up there. The BBQ was like other. Sausages with bread and free flow of Tui Beer. Ha. Some crappy self entertainment which the ang mohs are always good at. Seen the bouncers wrist locked and throw 2 guys out of the BBQ too. Ha. The bouncers look cool.

Evening was celebrations with my flatmate, Amin. He invited several friends over to our flat for celebrations. It was Iranian New Year a few days back, and they are throwing a party over at our place. So I joined in for some beer and chips. And I also met up with 2 other Singaporeans who came over. They also just arrived in Christchurch, and one of them actually lives very near me in Bukit Batok! Ha! What a coincidence...

Amin and his friend dancing


3 Singaporeans taking pics together


Me with Amin and Risa (all my flatmates)

... Misc Photos ...

Anbody on for mineral water that costs NZD$2.50? OR a 600ml coke for NZD$2.80. Well, you can get a 2.25l bottle of coke at the supermarket at just $1.65. Hmmm, price here is inversely related to volume? Ha...

My 1st formal lab report. Just handed it in today. It was a lab on airfoil drag and lift coefficients done in the windtunnels. Quite fun I'd say. Keke...

This lecturer is the best man. This is the guy whose test is not anything on what he taught in his module but on other module stuff. And he went like "I was amazed at why some people cannot answer these fundamental questions' after the test. So much for 风凉话. Ha.. I don't know how old is he, but he speaks so softly, really. I can't understand why he doesn't wanna retire. Ha.. I'm bad... Keke....

... 1 Month in Christchurch ...

It's been a month here in Christchurch. I must say that I'm better settling in already. Though the teaching method here is still very different from NUS, not many tutorials. And I've got a few tests and reports to submit the next 2 weeks, so it'll be busy for me.

Homesickness is getting better, but I still feel uncomfortable sometimes in the morning when I wake up. It also gets worse when I need to study alone in the room for a test. Ha. I used to be able to study alone in my HDB flat, with no one around. But it's not the case here. It's so different. You're just out of your comfort zone, and you're in a completely different set of feelings. But then again, I'm really glad that I'm here too? To experience what it's really like to be alone somewhere real far away from home. Even NS wasn't as impactful as SEP. Yea, if anyone has the chance, SEP/NOC/OIA, yea, do take up and go if you can. It's a real experience. Well, you'll also get nice experiences and memories too. Just look at all my photos. Ha!~

I'm beggining to get a routine in terms of my meals. When to get takeaway and when to go home and cook.It's kind of a nice balance, though not all the meals are filling and nutritious, but I guess it can keep me alive. Ha. I'm still considering whether to go catered after Easter. From what I'm seeing, it might not be a really big problem to cook for myself till I leave in July. Afterall, I've survived 1 month, will be away travelling most of April and I'm only left with less than 3 months after that. It's not a really long time. Ok la, I'll continue to consider till the time I need to make a decision.

Ha. I'm really looking forward to the April Easter Tour. Really waiting for that to come... Pls come quick... Keke...

... Saturday Night Rugby Match ...

Hmm, we didn't go travelling this weekend, partly because most of us are busy these 2 weeks. I've got lab reports and tests these coming 2 weeks. Things should ease up abit by the end of this month.

Well, we went to watch a Super-14 rugby match at Jade Stadium last night. It was the Crusaders vs Bulls. Christchurch Crusaders thrashed the Bulls 32-10. It was a one-sided match. Nothing really fantastic, but nonetheless, we still cheered whenever the Crusaders scored a try. Ha.

They had a really nice pre-match session. They really are good in bringing up the atmosphere. The knights and horses running around the stadium, the cauldron and stuff. Ha, Moses and Veron finds it a little gothic and eerie, but I like them!~ Ha!~

Veron and I also went to club in town, with Nicole, Josh and gang. Ha, similar to Singapore style, I still can't take the loud music. Ha... But was very happening. Very happening to see some people do some stuff too... Wahaha....

... End of Daylight Saving ...

Hmm, the daylight saving in NZ has officially ended and all clocks are now turned back by 1 hour. That means that NZ is now only 4 hours ahead of Singapore time. Ha.

Shit, that means that I will be waking up at 630am from now on?!?! My body has tuned to wake up at around 730am during daylight saving. Wth... Pengz...

... Friday evening ...

I just came back from Riccarton Mall, the 'best' in Christchurch. Ha. I just didn't want to stay in my room alone, so I went out for dinner with Veron and Nicole. Ha, and I wasn't the only one to go there just to do something other than staying at home. Met one of my coursemate there.

And, coincidentally, we met some Singaporeans at the supermarket there. Ha, they were RSAF servicemen who are in NZ for some exchange kind of thing, and apparently they are having 1 week of free and easy or R&R I suppose. Ha. Really nice to bum into some fellow country mates, regulars somemore. Haiz, ICT on 12 July....

... Christchurch Lantern Festival ...

Ok, this was supposed to be last Sunday, but I haven't got time to talk about it. Ha. It's a lantern show in city centre, supposedly to celebrate CNY. But CNY was like gone for already 3 weeks, then it came to Christchurch. Ha. But nonetheless, went to take a look at it. Not very big scale, but similar to our River Hongbao at Marina. Ha.

Ok, there's one thing about the show they have that at night I really wanna comment. Ha. That was the first time I see a lion dance performance requiring sound amplification. I mean, the drum and the cymbals are really soft... Too soft by our standards. Ha, well, interesting. I haven't been drumming for a long time already, hope I'll still have the touch when I return in July.

... Cold Day ...

Today has been by far the coldest day I've been in NZ. I think the temperature is about 8 - 10 degrees, plus rain. It's really chilling cold. It's definitely more comfortable staying indoors. Ha.

But that's not the point. The point is, there was about a minute of hailing. Yea! Ice falling from the sky. I didn't realize it, although the rain suddenly seemed louder than usual, until my flatmate told me. You really can see little round ice balls falling and hitting onto the ground. Ha. Sorry ah, but it's my first time seeing this. I'm really like a toad in the well. But anyhow, this is something new. Ha.

... Dunedin Weekend Trip ...

Moses, Veron and I set off on Friday afternoon (9 March 07) to Dunedin for the weekend. Ha, it was our 1st long distance travelling and the ride on the bus took around 5 hours. Ouch, my bum hurts. Keke... Reached Dunedin and checked into Penny's Backpackers at around 8.30pm.

We began 10 March 07 with breakfast at the city's MacDonald's. And we realized that the road was closed for a parade of bagpipers. They are here for the National Bagpipe Competition, showcasing 46 teams, from the rest of NZ and Australia. Ha, we were really lucky to be able to catch it.

After that, it was off to I-site to meet up with Su Hui and Yiling. They both SEP students at the University of Otago, and they had been so kind to bring us around the city. Ha. From there, we went to Cadbury World, to tour the chocolate factory. We also went to the Otago's Settler's Museum, and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant recommended by Su Hui and Yiling. I tell you, the food is really good and cheap. That's the most worth meal I ever had since landing in NZ. Ha. How I wished the restaurant is near to my hall instead. Ha.. Sian...

In the late afternoon, we went to visit the University of Otago. It is the first university in NZ and the architecture of the old clock tower was fabulous. It also have a very modern central library. Ha. A very nice campus, I think it's nicer than UC. Ha.. This was followed by a visit to the Botanic Gardens, and after that, we were all complaining of tiredness. I guess we've really walked too much for the whole day. So it was dinner at Su Hui's flat. She made us dinner. Really pai seh. But I must say she's a good cook. It was very tasty fried noodles!~ So is Yiling's tau suan. Yum yum!~ It was really a fun and great time chatting and laughing at her flat. It was a really great day and I enjoyed every second of it. Keke...

... Back from Dunedin ...

Well, everyone, I'm back from my 1st long distance trip away from Christchurch. Just got back in my room not too long ago from Dunedin. Went through Mount Cook on our way back too. Very nice place there at Mt Cook. Ha.

I'll be writing and posting the photos on my weekend trip up soon, so you guys can check out NZ with me!~

... Weekend Loh!~ ...

Yes, tomorrow's Friday again. So it's the weekends again. Have got a test tomorrow on Materials, hope I'll do fine, and give me some much needed confidence. Keke...

Den after that, I'll be off with Veron and Moses to Dunedin for the weekend. Won't be bumming ard in Christchurch. But we'll be back with photos to share.

We'll be back in Christchurch on Sunday night.

... Good Old Maoris ...

Ok, so far, I've been posting alot on my travelling, and whining about my level 4 module. But there's this module which I'm taking here as my UEM, which I find rather interesting. It's called "Introducing to Traditional Maori Cultural Society".

It introduces us to the traditions, history and culture of the indigenious Maoris. And so far I really find these people really great. They can travel vast distances just by observing starts and swells. And these actually keep them in course during the expeditions from weeks!~ How unbelievable! Navigation as it is. Ha.

Not only that, they are also damn good at predicting weather. Just by looking at the various cloud forms, cloud colours at sunset and whether there's a halo around the sun or moon, they can really predict, to very good accuracy, the weather for the next 24 hours. Well done!

I'm impressed. Very.

... Good Day!~ ...

It's a really fine and good day today. The weather is hot, like Singapore, but it's drier and more scorching. Ha, but it's still good.

I finally finished all the admin work to drop the level 4 Modern Control Theory. I've added the Thermo-Fluids Transport, and will map back to ME3122 Heat Transfer. This is good, and I hope it'll get better. The current modules I'm taking is nearly the same as the first initial map I came up with nearly 6 months back, which had been changed many times along the way. Well, I guess certain things will come back to a full circle. Whatever should be, will be. Ha..

After finishing the enrolment, I went off to Fox and Ferret with Moses and Veron for lunch. Yes, finally a good lunch. Met up with people from the IRO, Anita and Prof Goh. They treated us to lunch, and we chatted. I want to link up with the next batch of Canterbury SEP students so that I can sell some of my stuff to them. Ha, and save me on shipping costs too. Too bad, they only treated us to a lunch, but I guess it's really nice to see them around. Ha..

Clockwise from bottom left: Moses, Veron, Anita, Prof Goh and ME.


My half roast chicken... My Lunch...

After that we went to the City Centre to book our bus tickets to Dunedin. Ha, yes, we'll be going down to Dunedin this weekend, and I'm really excited about this. We're really starting on our travel plans! Well done!

Finally, to finish up my day... My 1st lab. It was good. Short and slack. Just took some measurements and did some simple calculations. Experiment and report was done within the 2 hours slot. Ha. I hope there are more of such labs coming up! Keke....

... Akaroa ...

Moses, Veron, Liling (and her friend) and I went to Akaroa for a daytrip yesterday. It's our 1st trip out of Christchurch. Akaroa is a small French settlement town on the Banks Peninsula.

Ha, not very big, so nothing much to do actually. But the scenery again is spectacular, and we had a dolphin cruise too. Saw some dolphins, penguins, sea lions and birds along the way too. And some very beautiful landforms, though I don't know what they are exactly. Ha. Ask Veron. Ha.

And we realized that Moses have an affinity with Japanese ladies. He befriended 2 during the trip, and took photos with one of them during the cruise trip too. Ha, but too bad he didn't ask for their contacts la. Kns... Muhaha...

Anyway, pictures up on the album, but some preview on this collage. Keke...

... Drop and switch module ...

I found a module this afternoon. It seems to fit into the content of ME3122 Heat Transfer and the content to map heat transfer is only half of the entire module. The rest are stuff which I've already done before. Ha, So I've emailed NUS to see if this module can be mapped back to ME3122.

I wanna drop the stupid Modern Control Theory and take this module, to clear my ME3122 at the same time too.

It will save me alot of stress and possible aggravated sicknesses. Ha.

Pray that NUS allows the mapping, and I'll hit straight to Registry to do the switch. Ha.

... Operational Friendship ...

I just came back from dinner in a kiwi's home. This is Operational Friendship, started by a group of Kiwis who would invite newly arrived international students to their house for dinner, and get them better settled. Though they are mostly grandpas and grandmas, I must say they are really wonderful people. Friendly and fun. Played a few games there, those getting to know one another types, had great food and really some nice chats. Got me off quite abit of the homesickness. Ha. It was a really worthwhile trip. Even Liling didn't expect it to be so good. Ha, more pics on the albums.

There was even this student, Oman, from Eygpt, he was darn funny. Lame and cold jokes he had. He asked me: "What's the relationship between Hong Kong and King Kong?" Ha, making fun of my name too right? Hee, but it's ok.... ha...

Oman at bottom right


Me with Inez and Pat

Inez is a wonderful lady. Sat and spoke with her as we ate dinner. She's really one who's given me some kind of comfort. Really appreciate it. Thanks lot.

... The Feeling of Homesick ...

I've been feeling homesick the whole of this week. A big part comes from the fact that one of the level 4 modules. It's so bloody cheem and it doesn't help that the lecturer goes at supersonic speed and seems rather unhelpful. I have a big chance of failing this module.

Every morning I wake up, I feel the sense of loneliness in me. The fact that I'm more or less alone in a strange and foreign land makes me sigh. This is the first time I'm away from home for so long, and for work purposes, and so I finally realize how difficult it is to be away alone. How unbearable the feeling of loneliness actually is.

I'm thinking of switching this level 4 module to another one. But I'm checking if it can be mapped back. And I've been trying hard to psycho myself that, it's ok if I eventually fail this or even other modules. I can always go back to NUS to do Special Sem. And there's always this chance that I'll scrap through too. Afterall, I only need a pass. I'll continue to psycho myself, and I hope I'll feel better soon.

... Clubs Day ...

It was Clubs Day yesterday and today here at UC. It's their CCA carnival, so the different societies and clubs were recruiting people. Well, I only joined and supported the Singapore Club, since I'd only be here for 1 semester, makes not much sense to join others. At least Singapore Club and Josh had seriously helped me alot in various ways, so I really ought to support. Plus, being in Lion Dance Troupes myself, I know how difficult it is to run a social club and support from all is so much appreciated. Ha.

Anyway, they have this really interesting club called the Medieval Club, where they do activities to relive the medieval days. Not really interested in joining, but interested taking photos with them in their cool medieval outfits though. Wahaha...

I'm starting to breathe easier today. I hope I can manage my modules really. Labs will start next week. I still pray hard I'll pass my modules here. Haiz...

UC Medieval Club


UCSSS Booth

... Lectures Started ...

Ok, I have done nearly 1 week of lectures already. Most of the modules seem ok, I'm just worried about the 2 level 4 modules I am taking now. They look tough and I am intimidated. It's been so long since the Nov exams when I last touched the books. Worse still, I haven't had that many closed book exams in NUS. I don't know if my brain will be able to support me in this. I pray
I'll pass. Just pass...

Anyway, some photos I took in some lectures.

View from the 11th Floor Of UC Central Library


Central LTs from 11th Floor of Central Library

... Christchurch City Centre ...

I feel so homesick these 2 days, especially since the school started. I don't know why too, but I'm missing everything and anything back home. Haiz...

Anyway, we went to the City centre on Sunday. Actually had already gone once on Friday I think. But it was raining, so we didn't actually finish touring. Christchurch city centre is not exactly that big, and you can probably finish touring in just over a day.

Well, took the tram ride and then the gondola up to Mount Cavendish. It was a fabulous sight up from there. You can see Lyttelton Harbour, and even the Southern Alps. Really breathtaking, and Moses was abit scared when the gondola scaled up the mountain. Ha.

The Christchurch Tram Ride


From the top of Mount Cavendish (L-R: Veron, Me and Moses)

We also took a nice relaxing punt on Avon River. Nah, it's not some big river, more like a stream, but there are some parts that are rather deep though. The punter was impressive too, giving commentaries in English, Chinese and Japanese. Ha.

Punting on Avon River

And then I also realized someone really cannot stand my 'Let's go!'. Ha, she say I sound so much like Mark Lee, she cannot stand me. Ha.

Well, please click on the photo albums to look at the photos. Haven't finished uploading them though, much less, prepare them for posting on my blog. So yea, in the meantime, do check in for updates.

Christchurch Art Gallery (Former UC Campus)

... 1st Weekend ...

Today is Saturday. My first weekend since I landed on Christchurch on Tuesday. Slept till rather late today, because I've bought a real warm and comfortable duvet yesterday at Arbuckles. The whole thing cost me NZD$55, which I guess is worth it, for the cold weather. Ha.

Anyway, today is lunch at Josh's place. He's the VP of the SG Students' Club at UC. So it was really nice of him to treat us to lunch. 2 thumbs up and a big thank you to Josh!~ We had a nice time there, chatted. Jokes and stories. Ha. Will love to be there again sometime, at least before I return to Singapore.

After that we went to the Warehouse, where I got my laundry basket to throw my dirty clothes. Well, I guess it still cost ok, 5 bucks for it. Ha.

So that's about it for the day. Will be going back to City Centre tomorrow with Moses and Veron, and try to finish touring it. It ain't that big actually. And after that, I'll post up photos of the centre. In the meantime, do check out the photo albums thru the link on the left. Take care people, and pray tomorrow is a day of fine weather!~

... Enrolment ...

Ok, my blog seems to be slower than what is actually happening here in NZ, so I shall try to quicken up abit in my posts, but then I foresee it'll got into lag very soon again.

Well, anyway, I have finished my enrolment on the 21st of Feb, gotten my Canterbury card and basically settled all my stuff regarding modules. It's just that, I still haven't figured how to register for my tutorials and laboratories. But still one thing I heard when I reached UC that kinda surprised me. The people all says that their engineering is the best faculty in this school. Wow, is it a good thing? I dunno, I shall just wait and see, afterall, my modules are S/U.

There are actually many asians in this school. I saw many ah tiongs during the enrolment. And some actually started conversing and asking me stuff in chinese. Ha, well, tat's good, at least I won't forget how to speak in that language when I get back in July. Hee.

Oh well, I have more to write regarding today's terrible weather, which made us only cover half of the city centre. But then I guess, I shall do it the next time when I finish uploading all my pictures I took. I'll probably need to go back for another time to finish the city, stupid rain.

Ha, oh finally, I guess Veron and I are starting to get the hang of cooking, though all simple and unappetizing as what my brother describes, but I guess we'll enjoy it all. Ha!~

Tune in for more!~

... Landed safely in NZ ...

Yoz people, it's been a long wait I suppose? Ha!~ I've finally gotten connection!

Landed in NZ on 20 Feb, and the weather is cooling here, except for the early morning and at night, when it can get real chilly. But the ang mohs can juz roam on the streets wif juz berms n tees. They're good man, I need jacket. Ha.

Room was ok, except that I was given a self-catered room instead of a catered one, which I had initally opted for. It seemed that the catered single rooms are fully taken by the kiwis. But it's ok, I guess I'll try to see if I can survive cooking on my own this coming week. If I'm ok, probably I'll just stick on, and save up some additional money to go touring. Ha.

And so because of this, my first meal was damn pathetic. Had bread and jam wif Veron. That night was miserable and I'm so not used to the climate, I was so low on confidence. You'll be able to see my pathetic meal on my album. In the album also showcases my room, though I have yet to take the pics of other corners of my flat. Ha, will do so id due course.

I've attached some pics of the flight and at the airport here. You can click on the link to my photo albums on my right to see more.

I'll try to post up more pics as and when I have time. But the connection here is charged based on traffic used, so I think I'll just post the nicer ones up. Hee..

... Departure ...

Time now is 1610hrs on 19 Feb 07. I'll be on the outward flight in just a matter of hours. Mixed feelings now, not entirely excited, but I guess I will be when I land there. Ha. 5 months ain't a long time, but I'll enjoy myself there, and study hard enough too. Ha.

So I guess the next post will come when I get my connection up and running in NZ, and till then, do check out my blog and photo albums often to see what I'm up to. Ha.

I'll be back... Wahaha....

... 战利品 ...

Ha, should have posted this before CNY starts, but nvm, just a show-off for my mum. All the cookies and gifts she got from the parents of the kids my father n her fetch to school everyday... Ha, quite a popular bus auntie huh? Wahaha...

... Happy CNY!~ ...

It's the year of the PIG. My year. Haiz, fan tai sui!~

Anyway, I wanna wish all my friends out there 新年行大运，万事如意，心想事成！

It's less than 48 hours to my flight out of Singapore to Christchurch. I've finally finished packing my stuff, and I think my baggage is overweight. Keeping my fingers crossed that there will be extra allowance I can tap when I check in with the other 2 guys on the same flight. I think I'm starting to feel 舍不得. Abit of the kind of feelings I had when I was serving in Tekong. The feeling of leaving home, with uncertainties. Ha. Well, pray that everything is fine.

Went to NJ's LD coach's place for a gathering. And wow, guys from the 99/00 batch to the current year 1s are all there. Surprised, but luckily, I'm not the oldest there. I was from the 00/01 batch. Wahaha. A pic of the gathering.

I've also met up with many other frens over the past few days, and I must say it had been tiring, but enjoyable. Thank you all for your wishes, and I'l try to get something for you guys in NZ. Ha, provided I remember and have the money. wahaha...

... Day Full of Surprises ...

Hmmmz, well, just let me post a short one on this day full of surprises:-

1. Met Veron in NUS during lunchtime. Ha, din see her, but she spotted me.. Very coincidental indeed.
2. A surprise gift from my very good friend and minah, Xueping. Thanks for your V day wishes. I hope yours will come true soon. Thanks for everything, really.

And finally, the highlight of the day.... I MET WITH A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
I was on ISB bus B on my way back to Kent Vale to collect my car this afternoon. Then at the junction between Clementi Road and Kent Vale, a Latio came charging on the left most lane of Clementi Road. I didn't really notice if the lights are in favour of the ISB, but considering the vehicles on the 2nd and rightmost lane stopped, I guess it's quite obvious that Latio beat the lights. And it was driven by a lady. *shakes head*

And you know, I was sitting on the 1st row on the bus, cause I'm quite used to sitting at the front seats since young. The 1st thing I thought when I saw the car coming, was to push myself to the back of the seat and grab hold of something. I was really worried I'll fly forward. Ha.. Scaredy cat... But then, at least I managed to think safe. Ha.

I kinda pity the Latio. It's a SGP car.

... FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! ...

Well, was on my laptop working when I smelt something burning, and I thought my laptop was heating up. Then I heard sirens wailing, and it seemed like it came from my block's surroundings. And guess what I saw? Smoke going up the sky, and the windows to one of the unit in my adjacent block was charred black. Scary. Luckily the fire wasn't serious, and the SCDF guys had already started packing their hoses when I went to KPO after finishing up my work. Ha, but nevertheless, I took 2 pics to showcase here.

It's just slightly more than 10 days to my SEP trip, and I haven't really gotten down to packing. Someone seemed to have already packed quite abit loh. I'm still slacking. Ha. Well, I'll be stuck to the TV these few days, trying my best to finish up a Hong Kong drama now showing on SCV. I realized I wouldn't be able to finish watching it on SCV before I fly off. Ha.

Hope everyone is getting on fine, and a Happy New Year to all. This is my year, a pig's year. HA!~

... 14 DAYS TO DEPARTURE ...