jQk thinks I watch too many movies.
In actual fact I have only watched three recently.
1. Superman Returns
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
3. Hoodwinked: The True Story of Red Riding Hood
Superman Returns was said to be one of the must see movies of 2006. My favourite scene was the one where the baddie points a gun straight in Superman's face and pulls the trigger [the scene then goes into super slow motion]... shoots a single bullet aimed straight into Superman's eyeball... and then the bullet bounces off his iris... like a mere raindrop... EYES OF STEEL BABY!!!
The sequel to the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was also supposed to be another must see. And why not just to catch that swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrows with his dark kohl rimmed eyes. And to tell the truth, it was mostly because I was somewhat intrigued by this new squid head villain - Davey Jones. Yummy... gave me a craving for dim sum deep-fried squid tentacles.
And Hoodwinked we watched because it was screening for a special price of $6 on Sunday in support of the Children's Starlight Foundation. $6 is a good price... and watching a movie for a good cause doesn't sound bad either... so what the heck!
Not the best animated film of the year... but has some good chuckles tucked away througout the movie. Look out for my favourite scenes:
[The Wolf and his spastic squirrel sidekick are riding in an old box car and enter a dark mine... so Twitchy the squirrel strikes up a match to light a "candle"]
The Wolf: Hmmm... What kind of candles are those?
Twitchy: [pointing at writing on dynamite] Dee-na-mee-tay. Must be Italian or something...
[And this conversation is ensued by lots of screams and explosives going off]
[The Woodsman is happily singing and swinging his axe around as he rumbles through the forrest... causing lots of trees to tumble down... resulting in chaos and panic amongst the little forrest critters]
Tortoise 1: [looks behind him and sees a giant tree falling and nearly crushing him] Aaaaarrrggghhhh!!!!!!
Tortoise 2: [voice filled with panic and fear] RUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!
[At this, the two tortoises crane their necks out as far as possible and proceed to move very slowly]
Hubby pointed out later that the tortoises' natural response to danger should have been to retreat into their shells.
I realise that I am always drawn to the spastic characters in animated films. Think of pesky penguins, prehistoric squirrel and a singing cucumber!!!
Sunday, July 30, 2024
Friday, July 28, 2024
3 hour ordeal exam!!!
Earlier this week I received a call back from one of the companies I had applied a position at. Apparently my follow-up email after my first interview had impressed the manager. He asked me to go into their Sydney branch for a 2nd session which was basically just a "little" exam.
The exam was to last approximately 3 hours long and included a timed IQ test, English proficiency test, and 318 psychological/personality profile questions.
"Not to worry" said the manager, "It's just a standard procedure and it's just something to give us a better picture of what kind of person you are"
So on Thursday, I joined the crowd during the rush hour to go down the their office in the city before 9.00am.
They brought me to a room which was set-up with a few computer terminals. The test administrator briefed me on what I had to do, gave some instructions on how to log-in the computer terminal and how to key in my answers on the computer, and then left me to work through the series of tests and questions for the next few hours.
After she had left, I poured myself a glass of water, adjusted my seat and clicked on the first test displayed the computer screen.
The IQ test was timed at 20 minutes and consisted mostly of pattern recognition tests like this one:
Find the picture that follows logically from one of the six below.
The English proficiency test was timed at 15 minutes and contained questions such as:
Four of the following words are similar in some way to each other; pick the two words that are different.
Coffee
Tea
Paper
Sugar
Onion
Milk
The 318 psychological/personality profile questions were like a marathon. Fortunately it was an untimed test. But by question 97, I was starting to wonder when it would ever end.
This test asked straight-out moral questions such as:
Have you ever stolen anything as a child?
Some were basically assessing my working style:
Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
Some were outright bizarre in trying to make sure I wasn't a psychopath/schizophrenic:
Do you ever get the feeling that people around you are all secretly plotting against you?
And even:
Do you feel uncomfortable in a small room and have the feeling that walls are closing in on you?
Imagine having to endure 318 of such questions.
I finished the entire series of tests in under 3 hours. I should hear from them sometime next week.
This entire ordeal better be worth it!!!
The exam was to last approximately 3 hours long and included a timed IQ test, English proficiency test, and 318 psychological/personality profile questions.
"Not to worry" said the manager, "It's just a standard procedure and it's just something to give us a better picture of what kind of person you are"
So on Thursday, I joined the crowd during the rush hour to go down the their office in the city before 9.00am.
They brought me to a room which was set-up with a few computer terminals. The test administrator briefed me on what I had to do, gave some instructions on how to log-in the computer terminal and how to key in my answers on the computer, and then left me to work through the series of tests and questions for the next few hours.
After she had left, I poured myself a glass of water, adjusted my seat and clicked on the first test displayed the computer screen.
The IQ test was timed at 20 minutes and consisted mostly of pattern recognition tests like this one:
Find the picture that follows logically from one of the six below.
The English proficiency test was timed at 15 minutes and contained questions such as:
Four of the following words are similar in some way to each other; pick the two words that are different.
Coffee
Tea
Paper
Sugar
Onion
Milk
The 318 psychological/personality profile questions were like a marathon. Fortunately it was an untimed test. But by question 97, I was starting to wonder when it would ever end.
This test asked straight-out moral questions such as:
Have you ever stolen anything as a child?
Some were basically assessing my working style:
Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
Some were outright bizarre in trying to make sure I wasn't a psychopath/schizophrenic:
Do you ever get the feeling that people around you are all secretly plotting against you?
And even:
Do you feel uncomfortable in a small room and have the feeling that walls are closing in on you?
Imagine having to endure 318 of such questions.
I finished the entire series of tests in under 3 hours. I should hear from them sometime next week.
This entire ordeal better be worth it!!!
Sunday, July 23, 2024
Indulgent afternoon
This afternoon after church, hubby and I headed down to The Rocks near Circular Quay for the Aroma Coffee Festival. Our couple friends - KK&K;, told us about this event and invited us to join them.
There was going to be live entertainment, free live demos by professional baristas, and gourmet coffee stalls offering coffee samples at only $1 per cup (some stalls offered free samples of certain products)
My favourite was the Piazza d'Oro coffee stall. It was one of the most crowded stalls that day with long queues of people lining up to sample their coffee. I liked their stall the best because they offered the most generous portions for their coffees, and they let you put any syrup flavour of your choice for free. I had a cappucino laced with vanilla and hazelnut syrups. Hubby ordered a cafe latte with irish cream and caramel syrups. Definitely a real sweet deal for $1.
Piazza d'Oro was also giving away free samples of their new hot chocolate. Anything FREE, just go line up lar! So we did. Mmmm... it was the most decadent, rich and creamy hot liquid chocolate I have EVER tasted in my entire life! As a general rule I loathe chocolate drinks (e.g. milo, chocolate milk etc). But a sip of this dark chocolate concoction transported me to a different world altogether! I felt just like Charlie when Willy Wonka scooped up a cupful of melted chocolate from his chocolate river for him to drink. It was really THAT good!
Unfortunately we gulped down the coffee and hot chocolate so quickly that I didn't have a chance to snap any photos (as is usually the case with food-related situations).
We ended our chocolate trail at the Heaven ice-cream stall. They were giving away free samplesof their new Heaven ganache ice-cream. As you can see from the photo, the samples were also gobbled up before we even remembered to take any photos.
We ended the afternoon at Löwenbräu Keller authentic German restaurant for lunch. We shared a giant platter of German sausages, pork knuckles and sauerkraut.
By this time we were absolutely STUFFED.
Looks like we'll have to skip dinner tonight.
There was going to be live entertainment, free live demos by professional baristas, and gourmet coffee stalls offering coffee samples at only $1 per cup (some stalls offered free samples of certain products)
My favourite was the Piazza d'Oro coffee stall. It was one of the most crowded stalls that day with long queues of people lining up to sample their coffee. I liked their stall the best because they offered the most generous portions for their coffees, and they let you put any syrup flavour of your choice for free. I had a cappucino laced with vanilla and hazelnut syrups. Hubby ordered a cafe latte with irish cream and caramel syrups. Definitely a real sweet deal for $1.
Piazza d'Oro was also giving away free samples of their new hot chocolate. Anything FREE, just go line up lar! So we did. Mmmm... it was the most decadent, rich and creamy hot liquid chocolate I have EVER tasted in my entire life! As a general rule I loathe chocolate drinks (e.g. milo, chocolate milk etc). But a sip of this dark chocolate concoction transported me to a different world altogether! I felt just like Charlie when Willy Wonka scooped up a cupful of melted chocolate from his chocolate river for him to drink. It was really THAT good!
Unfortunately we gulped down the coffee and hot chocolate so quickly that I didn't have a chance to snap any photos (as is usually the case with food-related situations).
We ended our chocolate trail at the Heaven ice-cream stall. They were giving away free samplesof their new Heaven ganache ice-cream. As you can see from the photo, the samples were also gobbled up before we even remembered to take any photos.
We ended the afternoon at Löwenbräu Keller authentic German restaurant for lunch. We shared a giant platter of German sausages, pork knuckles and sauerkraut.
By this time we were absolutely STUFFED.
Looks like we'll have to skip dinner tonight.
Saturday, July 22, 2024
Google Earth step-by-step
In case you were wondering how you could get Google Earth on your computer but have no idea where to begin, here is a quick mini tutorial...
Step 1: Download the Google Earth Software >>here
Step 2: Install the software on your computer - just go through the standard setup/installation step-by-step wizard
Step 3: Click and open your Google Earth program. One of the first things to load should be this image of the Planet Earth
Step 4: Navigate to zoom into your location or keying in a specific address >>click here for quick tour
*Important Note: Some areas in developing countries (e.g. KK) may not be able to be located using the address feature - i.e. Google Earth is unable to recognise the address (probably due to poor local address system of that area) - in this case you will need to manually zoom-in and scroll about to find your desired location
Step 5: Mark, save and print images of location >>click here for guide on how to mark places
More information...
>>FAQs and Common Questions about Google Earth
>>How Do I...? Google Earth Help Center
>>Minimum PC requirements for installing Google Earth
Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run
Desktop computers older than 4 years old may not be able to run it
Notebook computers older than 2 years old may not be able to run it
Ideally you need a network speed of 128 Kbits/sec to run it
* Dad, if all this seems to be quite beyond you, the easiest way may be to ask your engineer/staff to install it for you... or wait until the next time MH and I visit you again! (if you can wait that long)
Step 1: Download the Google Earth Software >>here
Step 2: Install the software on your computer - just go through the standard setup/installation step-by-step wizard
Step 3: Click and open your Google Earth program. One of the first things to load should be this image of the Planet Earth
Step 4: Navigate to zoom into your location or keying in a specific address >>click here for quick tour
*Important Note: Some areas in developing countries (e.g. KK) may not be able to be located using the address feature - i.e. Google Earth is unable to recognise the address (probably due to poor local address system of that area) - in this case you will need to manually zoom-in and scroll about to find your desired location
Step 5: Mark, save and print images of location >>click here for guide on how to mark places
More information...
>>FAQs and Common Questions about Google Earth
>>How Do I...? Google Earth Help Center
>>Minimum PC requirements for installing Google Earth
Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run
Desktop computers older than 4 years old may not be able to run it
Notebook computers older than 2 years old may not be able to run it
Ideally you need a network speed of 128 Kbits/sec to run it
* Dad, if all this seems to be quite beyond you, the easiest way may be to ask your engineer/staff to install it for you... or wait until the next time MH and I visit you again! (if you can wait that long)
Friday, July 21, 2024
Missing my other homes...
Today hubby showed me some images downloaded from the Google Earth satellite.
Google Earth is a Google software which you can download for free and search for satellite images of any location on earth. The software is linked to the network of satellite systems orbiting on earth. So for example, you can key in an address in Newcastle and the satellite will zoom into that location and show you an image of that place.
I spent a few moments fiddling and playing around with the software... zooming into certain places on this planet that I was familiar with...
Among the places included my old KK house in Taman Kim Leng, then my KK house in Taman Khidmat, my Singapore flat in Bishan and in Queenstown, our Settlers Cafe in HollandV, my university in Perth... and so on...
This is a satellite image of Taman Khidmat in KK...
Small waves of nostalgia came over me as I thought back on all the memories linked to these dear places.
I wished I could zoom in closer to see if I could catch a glimpse of Buddy running around the house, or of mum tending to her garden, or of people strolling into our cafe at HollandV... but this version Google Earth only allows a maximum zoom in distance of 120ft above ground level...
Sigh.
Anyway, gotta run now. More on this later.
Google Earth is a Google software which you can download for free and search for satellite images of any location on earth. The software is linked to the network of satellite systems orbiting on earth. So for example, you can key in an address in Newcastle and the satellite will zoom into that location and show you an image of that place.
I spent a few moments fiddling and playing around with the software... zooming into certain places on this planet that I was familiar with...
Among the places included my old KK house in Taman Kim Leng, then my KK house in Taman Khidmat, my Singapore flat in Bishan and in Queenstown, our Settlers Cafe in HollandV, my university in Perth... and so on...
This is a satellite image of Taman Khidmat in KK...
Small waves of nostalgia came over me as I thought back on all the memories linked to these dear places.
I wished I could zoom in closer to see if I could catch a glimpse of Buddy running around the house, or of mum tending to her garden, or of people strolling into our cafe at HollandV... but this version Google Earth only allows a maximum zoom in distance of 120ft above ground level...
Sigh.
Anyway, gotta run now. More on this later.
Thursday, July 20, 2024
Discouraged...
My job search is underway.
But it's not been a easy path. With loads of applications sent out. A number of interviews attended. And zero offers to date.
The rejection letters sure leave behind an unpleasant aftertaste.
Nobody wants me.
At times like this I'm tempted to do either one of 3 things:
1. Start my own business so I can hire myself
2. Ask hubby to start his own business so he can hire me
3. Go back to school
But it's not been a easy path. With loads of applications sent out. A number of interviews attended. And zero offers to date.
The rejection letters sure leave behind an unpleasant aftertaste.
Nobody wants me.
At times like this I'm tempted to do either one of 3 things:
1. Start my own business so I can hire myself
2. Ask hubby to start his own business so he can hire me
3. Go back to school
Tuesday, July 18, 2024
Feeling nostalgic
Aaaahhhh...... family you either love 'em or hate 'em......
Good thing I love mine *hugz*
(BTW, Paul, please don't tell me you don't have any photo of all us that's better than this... I remember you were snapping quite a few shots here... don't only pick the one which you look good in, gotta think of the rest of us too!)
After our last lovely guest had left, hubby and I sighed as we reflected what a beautiful time we all had together squished together under one small roof.
It's been a long time since we had experienced student life...... cooking and eating together (in a tribal-like manner)...... late night conversations discussing nonsense as well as thought-provoking issues...... waitng for each other's turn to use the shower and toilet...... stepping over sleeping bodies sprawled out all over mattresses on the floor...... sharing stubbies...... and simply just laughing, talking, and playing together!
We simply want to say THANK YOU to these lovely people for being our guests and let you all know how much we enjoyed every minute of your stay.
Moments like these are precious. So we savoured every drop of it because we'll never know when we'll get another opportunity to be together like this again.
P.S. from MH: Family times are hard to come by as we grow older...... let's treasure every moment of it! (and always find excuses to meet up as often as possible -- this is a mental note to myself too)
Good thing I love mine *hugz*
(BTW, Paul, please don't tell me you don't have any photo of all us that's better than this... I remember you were snapping quite a few shots here... don't only pick the one which you look good in, gotta think of the rest of us too!)
After our last lovely guest had left, hubby and I sighed as we reflected what a beautiful time we all had together squished together under one small roof.
It's been a long time since we had experienced student life...... cooking and eating together (in a tribal-like manner)...... late night conversations discussing nonsense as well as thought-provoking issues...... waitng for each other's turn to use the shower and toilet...... stepping over sleeping bodies sprawled out all over mattresses on the floor...... sharing stubbies...... and simply just laughing, talking, and playing together!
We simply want to say THANK YOU to these lovely people for being our guests and let you all know how much we enjoyed every minute of your stay.
Moments like these are precious. So we savoured every drop of it because we'll never know when we'll get another opportunity to be together like this again.
P.S. from MH: Family times are hard to come by as we grow older...... let's treasure every moment of it! (and always find excuses to meet up as often as possible -- this is a mental note to myself too)
Sunday, July 16, 2024
Getting chilly again...
Well the house is all quiet now with just two of us once again... definitely a big contrast to just a few days ago when we ambushed by 3 big kids bouncing around our tiny apartment...
I think the extra people really helped to warm up the place. We didn't use the heater at all while they were here... but now they are all gone, the place started to feel a little chilly and we had to switch on the heater again yesterday night.
I baked another cake last night (baking helps keep me warm)... this time with white frosting decorated with smarties. This time there was no hungry hoard to pounce on it to gobble it up... sigh... it was nice having people around and being able to cook for others... I already enjoy cooking for hubby and myself... but being able to spread around the love more to others is nice too...
And these kids were hungry! I mostly cooked Asian/Chinese food like fried minced pork, bakuteh, green curry etc. because I think they hardly get a chance to eat this kind of cooking (especially Paul who says he's very deprived of good Chinese/Asian cooking)... and when Paul was left, he got to enjoy my mild Indian curry and Chinese chicken herbal soup.
But cooking for so many people can be exhausting... I can't imagine what it would be like to cook for a whole family next time every day! So today I'm just taking a break from the kitchen... we went out to Canton Noodle House for lunch to have pei-tan-jook with yau-char-kuai... yummy! But one piece of the pei-tan tasted a bit funky and left a funny taste in my mouth... aside from that it was all good.
I think the extra people really helped to warm up the place. We didn't use the heater at all while they were here... but now they are all gone, the place started to feel a little chilly and we had to switch on the heater again yesterday night.
I baked another cake last night (baking helps keep me warm)... this time with white frosting decorated with smarties. This time there was no hungry hoard to pounce on it to gobble it up... sigh... it was nice having people around and being able to cook for others... I already enjoy cooking for hubby and myself... but being able to spread around the love more to others is nice too...
And these kids were hungry! I mostly cooked Asian/Chinese food like fried minced pork, bakuteh, green curry etc. because I think they hardly get a chance to eat this kind of cooking (especially Paul who says he's very deprived of good Chinese/Asian cooking)... and when Paul was left, he got to enjoy my mild Indian curry and Chinese chicken herbal soup.
But cooking for so many people can be exhausting... I can't imagine what it would be like to cook for a whole family next time every day! So today I'm just taking a break from the kitchen... we went out to Canton Noodle House for lunch to have pei-tan-jook with yau-char-kuai... yummy! But one piece of the pei-tan tasted a bit funky and left a funny taste in my mouth... aside from that it was all good.
Tuesday, July 11, 2024
Monday, July 10, 2024
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