Chia's Dreamland

Grass always look greener on the other side?

2008-12-16T01:02:00.003+11:00

OK! First of all, I finally have another break after passing all units for second semester. It seems I always write something after a break or some bad things happening to me.

Guess what? The reason for this post is for both. Ha!

People always feel that grass look greener on the other side. When I was in Taiwan, I complained how slow, how inefficiency and how bad people's attitude during work. We always want more and don't appreciate what we have. We always realize that after comparison.

Right now, I am waiting for my summer school in January and go to listen to "corporation law" for fun and knowledge. I went to Newcastle yesterday with my Korean Friend, Grace. We got to train station for 9:15am one. You know what time we departed? 10:30am

Unbelievable! Don't ask me the reason. During delay, they kept telling us another 10 minutes. No body told us the reasons for delay. They kept asking us to change to another platform. Wait, On top of that, They didn't apology for inconvenience at all.

I actually fine because I am in very good mood, but I feel so badly for those old people and little children.

However, Newcastle is very beautiful. This is one of pictures.

It's amazing how things change so quickly

2008-10-15T19:29:00.002+11:00

The day after posting prejudice against Australia that I get since I get to Australia and getting my USB drive back, one more good thing happened this afternoon makes me add more extra good points regard of Australia.

There is one company called "Greenalliance" promote a program to protect environment by saving energy and water that was supported by Australian government. The thing they do is to go to every house and help people to change light bulbs and showerheads that they designed in order to save electricity and water. The most important thing for all of these things is they do them for free.

Employees from that company came this afternoon. They changed and installed the new light bulbs for the whole house, so I have a bright room right now. This makes me feel much happier that before.

By the way, this is the kind of thing a government should do when they try to change citizen's behaviours for something good. They offer something good for free first and then people will change their behaviour after starting used to new stuffs.

prejudice

2008-10-14T14:50:00.005+11:00

It's really easy for people to get wrong perception of someone, something or someplace. Once people get that wrong or bad perception or bad image, it is so difficult to change what they think. It actually have huge impact on people's attitude toward to the same thing.

The reason I say this because of few things happened to me when I stay in Sydney. First of all, my first landlord was terrible. Secondly, everything in Sydney is so expensive and food is not delicious in terms of quality and quantity. For example, you need to pay your Internet by usage. Unbelievable !!

And then I met a lot of Australian don't like Asian people, especially Chinese people. Of course, not every Australian like that. Recently, I lost one textbook and one USB drive. Somebody just picked them up and I can't get them back. I alway the one lose tons of stuffs all the time. However, most of time in Taiwan or in U.S , I actually are able to get them back.

I start talking to myself, "what in the world you pick up someone stuff and don't think about what people may feel when they lose those things?".

And then, I come up with my conclusion. I don't like Sydney, or I don't like Australia. I want to leave here as soon as I can.

Today, I went to lost property department and ask them again for my USB drive. You know what. I get my USB drive back. Then, my sister told me somebody lost something in Taiwan and never get them back as well.

I start thinking about why I get so many negative messages or things happening to me in Sydney. Prejudice? I think so.

busy

2008-10-14T14:42:00.002+11:00

I have been so busy recently because of tons of assignments and reading I need to do. I start realizing one thing. Taking four units in one semester in post-graduate school for international student is really a bad idea.

However, I need to do that. Taking film certificated class in U.S is really good for my listening and speaking. On the other hand, taking master degree at Sydney Uni is good for my reading and writing. But, if you were one of people want to make your English bettter, taking master degree would be a wrong route to take in my opinion.

I actually finished 5-6 different assignments this past two weeks without sleeping too much. Now, I have another 3 to 4 weeks to study my final.

illness

2008-05-17T15:26:00.002+10:00

Thanks to terrible Australia's weather. I have been sick for almost two weeks. I always miss family, friends when I am in this kind of condition. While I am getting better, I have my final waiting for me on the corner.

Struggle

2008-04-24T16:50:00.002+10:00

When you take water away from fish, fish will die. I have this familiar feeling right now. Why? As you guys know, I am studying commerce instead of film now, such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, corporate finance,etc. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy facing new challenges and learning new stuffs. But, If you were me and faced tons of different formla, model,etc, you would want to pull your hairs out as well.

Happy Easter!!!

2008-03-25T00:47:00.002+11:00

This week is Easter Holiday which doesn't mean a lot for me for obvious reason, but I really miss you guys. Happy Easter, all my friends around the world. Of course, my family and my dear teachers(Eric, Russell) are on that list as well. You always feel alone when you are in the holidays. Unfortunately for me, I don't have too much time on this because I have tons of reading need to catchup.

Learning is great, but making some money for my own expense at the same time is better

2008-03-09T00:50:00.008+11:00

Well, This is one week rent for the place I live right now. I just earned and received for my first week of part-time job at a Italian restaurant.

This is not my first time to make money, but this is my first time getting real money at hand. Nice feeling for me.

For me, Life is about chasing my dream and do whatever I like, not about making money as much as possible. Making enough money for my essential need leads me to have this good feeling because I don't want to burden my family more. Hopefully, I can help my family out in the near future.

Learning is great

2008-03-06T22:37:00.004+11:00

As you guys know, I got a part-time job at a Italian restaurant. Even though I can't get too much salary out of this job, but at least still get paid. Not bad at all. This is my dinner my boss made for me tonight. Because of working dinner time for three hours almost every night right now, I get something to eat at most nights. This is great because I can save some money.

Learning a lot of stuffs about service and how restaurant works by working as a waitress at that Italian restaurant. Great experience for me. Today, I learn how to make Cappuccino and ice coffee and know more all kinds of bear, drinks, wine as well.

I am tired and exhausted, but I like it...

2008-03-03T22:57:00.001+11:00

I haven't been updated about what happened to me recently because I have been too busy. School has begun. Therefore, I have tons of stuffs need to read, including club, workshops, tutorials, seminar want to attend as well. On top of that, I got a part time job as a waitress in an Italian restaurant. I for one enjoy being busy, so I have nothing to complain about.

My part time job hasn't been as easy as I thought will be because the Italian dish names are very difficult for me. Hopefully, I won't be fired even though I don't make too much money out of this job, but I still don't want to be fired.

The Enrolment for me has been the process take me a lot of patience going through. I don't understand why school could make an easy process become this complicated. For example, We have three different orientations, including school orientation, faculty orientation, and international student orientation. We also have to pick up tons of different lines for waiting everything. How come we can't do all of these online or do it at personal schedule earlier, especially most international students come to Sydney at least two weeks ahead.

One of my class is consumer behaviour. Student manager for admission at school really need to take this class in order to do the job better. The most important thing for new students is getting information about how to choose our classes and what kind of important information when we choose our classes. Everything else we will figure it out eventually during study.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2008-02-07T02:01:00.000+11:00

Today is Chinese New Year. It's not a good day for someone who can't go home with family because you will feel extremely lonely, but you still can make a wish for New Year. Make a wish, my friends! What's yours?

How extraordinary the discovery of Iceman

2008-01-30T12:21:00.000+11:00

I went to Australian National Maritime Museum to see Iceman exhibition. Iceman is a wet mummy who was alive at 5300 B.C. and scientists discover him at the high mountain at Italy. It's amazing how well his whole body preserve and how much stuff he brought with him. History always can teach us something. Image this, where and when you want to go if scientists invent time machine?

Kirribilli Ferry Station

2008-01-22T01:40:00.000+11:00

I went to an interview for my part-time job this afternoon. The place Kirribilli is located in the other side of harbor and I need to take ferry to get to there. As you guys can see, Kirribilli is a small stop which there is one coming by every 30 minutes. Taking ferry to get to someplace is the new experience for someone who live in a small island for long time. Image this. If I have to take ferry everyday to get to school and be able to enjoy fresh air from ocean every morning. Cool!! After a second, I change my mind. I still love to live in city. If I need to choose one, I will prefer to live close to forest than ocean. Why? Ocean is dangerous. HA!!

Impressive CityRail in Sydney....

2008-01-12T23:00:00.001+11:00

I went to Ashfield by train this afternoon. Ashfield is the place where tons of Chinese people who are from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China gather. That is why a lot of people go there to buy some Chinese food at cheaper price. Actually, I found out the price out there is cheaper for real. I also went there to give out some resumes for part-time job. Hopefully, I can get some good news soon.

The main point of this post is the Sydney's train which is really impressive for me. This is first time I take train in Sydney because I take bus all the time. The train in Sydney is clear, air-condition, and good broadcasting system. Beside that, There is good design on seat. Unfortuately, I don't have opportunity to shoot a film in order to show you guys. That's a design every row of seat you can switch to the direction you want to sit toward to. Impressive.

Ridiculous Australian Broadcast...

2008-01-06T06:24:00.000+11:00

The most ridiculous thing happened to me few days ago. I turned on the TV and they were broadcasting Hopman Cup mixed double game. The game was my Taiwanese team against Serbia. There are 8 countries playing in mixed double in Hopman Cup which held in Perth. Serbia is the first seed in this contest and my Taiwanese team is the last seed in this contest. I was so excited when I was watching this game because my Taiwanese team put on a competitive contest. Suddenly, the Australian TV channel change the program after commercials when the contest hadn't finished yet. I was so angry at that. What the hell is this going on? Ridiculous. I know the outcome of this game on the internet. My Taiwanese team lost this game 1-2 when they lost tie-breaker on the third set. Great Game.

Beautiful Fireworks show

2008-01-06T00:36:00.000+11:00

Picture is not perfect, but the experience is amazing. If you guys have that opportunity, please join the party to see this fantastic New Year Fireworks show near Sydney Opera House. I love it even though I have to wait from 4pm to midnight for this. I really hope my family could be with me at that moment and enjoy this together.

Fireworks show is coming....Scouting location....

2007-12-30T21:02:00.001+11:00

Well, I told you guys I am going to celebrate this New Year at Sydney Opera House with fireworks show and a lot of Australians. Today, I went to scout location and tried to find the best location for best view of fireworks show. I know it sounds silly for scouting location for fireworks show, but I think this problem just come from being a producer,right? The weather was beautiful this afternoon. Is this scenery fantastic? By the way, I need to get there earlier to get good location, so I probably have to bring some food and play poker with my friends . If you guys have any other good ideas expect playing poker in order to waste some waiting time, please let me know.

Flowers& Plants

2007-12-28T17:47:00.000+11:00

I found out Australians really like flowers and plants. I saw tons of flowers and plants on sale in front of many stores. Australians like to buy some and put in the house. The place I rent has a big garden and my landlord takes care of them carefully. I think my mom will love to live here because she loves flowers and plants and wants to have a garden in the future.

Happy Holidays, Everyone

2007-12-22T05:48:00.000+11:00

Christmas and New Year are coming. What is your plan for that, everyone? Me? I have been seen a lot of news about Australian celebration for New Year, especially for the scene of fireworks show near Sydney Opera House. That's pretty and impressive. People say Australia is the first place to welcome the New Year in the world. I probably join the party this year.

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

2007-12-22T05:13:00.000+11:00

Well, Let us get this straight to the point. If you are planning to go to watch this film, you better not to expect too much or you better to choose another film. I want to make one thing clear before going into my opinion on this film. I am a big fan of Nicolas Cage and producer Jerry Bruckhelmer, especially I like the supporting actor Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) as well. If you think my opinion based on hatred of them, you are dead wrong. My opinion has nothing to do with biased love toward to them. I have to admit it become much difficult to satisfy me for what I want from a film. Just for record, I love Lust, Caution which is Ang Lee newest one, especially for one isn't big fan of Ang Lee's films.

I chose to watch this film on opening day at Sydney because I like the first one. Unfortunately for me, Sequels always disappoint me most of times. I got a sense from ending which there will be third episode of National Treasure when The USA President talked to Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) about secrets at page 47.

In my opinion,the failure of action/adventure/entertainment genre is too predictable.The more plots audiences can figure out, the less excitement they will have.This is the main problem of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Screenwriters of National Treasure 2 use the same strategy and outline from first one to write main plots of second one. It's fresh and exciting for audiences when writers create new plots which no one use that before, but it doesn't get the same result when you use that second time. For example, the series of codes lead to map; invisible map on the back of The Declaration of Independence equals to two pieces of woods inside resolution desks; maps lead to underground sites which hide all the treasure; Ben decided to steal The Declaration of Independence that equals to decide to kidnap the President of USA.

I also understand this film made by Americans.Therefore, I certainly can expect lots of heroism and patriotism but this is too much for me in this film.

The most unreasonable character is the bad guy called Mitch Wilkinson(Ed Harris). He always shows up to provide more clues in order to move storyline going or gives main characters some solutions or ways out. Is he supposed to be a bad guy? He even sacrificed his life and let main characters survive.

In conclusion, If you guys believe me, I will recommend you guys to watch Lust, Caution instead of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.

Have you watched National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets? How do you think?

Yes! I passed my E-Test

2007-12-14T20:33:00.001+11:00

See,Santa Claus showed up and gave me a present earlier this year.I got the result yesterday and I passed my E-Test.Thanks all the prays and wishes from all my friends and family.This helps my confident a little bit.Actually,That Santa Claus is one of my teachers called Mark.He is a wonderful teacher and helps me a lot.However,I went to bed for celebration instead of having a big dish.The weakest part of my English remain at writing.Fortunately for me,I got the minimum at this part.

Prize

2007-12-11T04:08:00.000+11:00

After I had been studied hard for 10 weeks,I had my big E-Test yesterday.I don't know I will pass or not.Hopefully,I can bring great news to everybody out there who care about me and the outcome of this test.Nowadays,I have little confident of everything of myself.Does Chinese people always have little confident of themselves?I was so exhausted and went home to sleep until this post.Part of reason is test.The other reason is I think I have been sick about 2 weeks.I even get few complain about sniffling during test from a guy sitting next to me.Before I went home yesterday,I decided to give myself a prize and spent 10 Australia dollars on this luxury meal.I haven't been done this more than one month.I will know my score of E-Test on Friday.I may think about getting big pizza or a whole chicken for celebration if I pass the test.If I don't pass,well,I don't know.My confident probably will reach the lowest point.Anyway,I still have speaking section going tomorrow.Good Luck to myself.

Believe what you see;Don't believe what you hear

2007-11-20T23:15:00.000+11:00

The funny thing how stereotype works nowadays.If you are kind of person always believe what you hear and then decide what you do and who you choose to be friend.Trust me.You probably get burned most of time.

Movie Magic

2007-11-13T21:14:00.000+11:00

It always amazes me that how much passion people have for movies.As you guys know,I just moved into new place for a while.One of guy from Germany share the house with me is backpacker now.We talked to each other during dinner time in the kitchen yesterday and then I don't know when we start topic about movies.Suddenly,I find out he and his two friends are going to have their production companies in the near future.I am so excited at knowing three more friends and then we can work together with project in the future.

Unreasonable person

2007-11-08T03:29:00.000+11:00

I start to understand how difficult to be a negotiator who can conduct a negotiation successfully.Those negotiator even negotiate with some people talk in reasonable way.My old landlord though he is chief and I am his soldier.I have to take every order from him.I am not going to go through the whole situation here,but the most ridiculous thing for me is he keep forgetting what he said and what he did before.He changed the reality and his memory to make himself believe one thing "He is right".Unbelievable !!!!

WoW!!!Melbourne Cup 2007

2007-11-08T02:54:00.000+11:00

I was experienced for first time ever of Melbourne Cup "during" class.I have been to Sha Tin racecourse(沙田馬場) in Hong Kong with my sister.That is the first chance I have been able to see horses racing in person when I have been watching on TV broadcasting for many times.But,on Tuesday(November 6th),the experience I have for watching horse racing is very amazing and special.I wish I am able to share pictures I took in few seconds by my cellphone during that short 10 minutes.Unfortunately,I couldn't do it.In fact,I don't know how to get my pictures out of cellphone.Ha!!

All the staff and teachers were dressed up pretty and most people gambled on that Melbourne Cup.The first class in the afternoon even was finished 15 minutes earlier in order to let every student have chances for watching it.The school even set up one big room with big screen setting up for that.Full of people in that room cheer up and root for his bid so loudly.You can smell that excitement and catch it.This is the first time I actually get to understand the magic power of horse racing.The teacher even told us the people live in Melbourne have one day off for Melbourne Cup.WoW!!!!

Just in case,you guys are wondering now.I didn't gamble on that because of lack of luck from me.
One of my friend in the class did won 5 Australian dollars.By the way,this is the info of the winner of Melbourne Cup 2007.I find this info from http://www.melbournecup.com/.If you guys are interested in,you can go to their official website.

placing	horse	margin	starting Price	weight	jockey	trainer	barrier	time	prize money
1st	Efficient(NZ)		$17	54.5	M Rodd	Graeme Rogerson	9	3-23.34	3100000
2nd	Purple Moon(IRE)	0.5	$5.50	53.5	D Oliver	Luca Cumani	13		750000
3rd	Mahler(GB)	3	$10	50.5	S Baster	Aidan O'Brien	6		375000

Happy Birthday!!My Dear Sister,Jean

2007-11-06T03:18:00.000+11:00

Today!!November 5th is my dear sister's birthday.Jean,Wish you best.Hopefully,you have good day at this birthday.I couldn't say enough how much my family means to me.My sister always stands by me,let me do whatever I want to and takes responsibility as much as she can.

I always remember the trip I have with her.I didn't feel very well at the first day of trip to Hong Kong.Actually,I was sick at that day.Because we went to Hong Kong by ourselves without group,we have the whole day travel plan and need to figure out transportation how to get to specific places we want.I was not in the good mood at all as a result of being sick and was angry at everything the whole day.But,my sister didn't angry at me at all,did everything for me and tried to make me feel better at the same time.At the second day,I had an apology to her about my bad temper yesterday,but she simply smiled at me and said she understood.This is my sister.Hopefully, we can have another wonderful trip near future.Happy birthday,my dear sister,Jean.

Professionalism

2007-11-03T19:34:00.000+11:00

Greg,my second-hand landlord of new home,lives on the second floor.He is medic on the internship period of time.Set up tons of rules about cleanup.He told us because he is gonna be doctor soon.That's why.I start understanding that everyone become so professionally when it hits their professional area.you may think it sounds too much,but think about it.What I look like when TV,Film and Sport topics come.Wow!!!

from Thailand???

2007-10-31T22:54:00.000+11:00

When I was in the United States.There were a lot of people thinking I am from Thailand.In the beginning,only reason i can think about is my skin color.I finally find out the reason today.My teacher think I am from Thailand as well because of my English pronunciation.It seems I have same pronunciation problems as people from Thailand

My New Place in Sydney

2007-10-31T22:45:00.001+11:00

See,this is my new home.Do you guys see this big tree in the front yard.That's pretty cool.Just moved in few days ago.I can walk to school around 30 minutes and everyone in this house share a lot of things together.That's why I don't have to buy a lot of stuffs now.

Welcome!!

2007-10-31T22:35:00.000+11:00

Hello everyone,
Welcome my friends around the world.Of course,It includes my family.This blog is all about me(Jessica).Welcome to my dreamland and please feel free to leave message.This is a place for all my friend and family both know what happen to me and get in touch with me.I will write this blog in English for all my friends from around the world.