I apologise for not blogging for a while. I tried blogging about my weekend away at Eildon but the photos don't show and I'm so over trying to upload photos onto my blog that I've just given up until I find more time.

I've uploaded them up here http://georginalee.fotopic.net, and the password is (exclusive to my friends and blog readers): expectrespect. So go there and check out my photos from my weekend away waterskiing!!

That weekend away was definitely needed - a time to relax and chill with my favourite people before the kill. Ever since I've been running around like a headless chicken... with so much on my plate. I have so much uni work to do yet I have been pushing it aside due to the graduate recruitment season. Preparing for interviews, doing ability tests, keeping up with financial markets, etc. Its a very strenous and delicate process. Let me explain.

I have been both absolutely soul crushed and elated in spans of as little as 30 seconds. I would get all completely flustered doing the timed online tests and upset when I didn't get the test done in time or as well as I think I could have done. Then I'd think I did horredously in an interview and awaiting my rejection call and then finding out that I've made it to the next round. Then I'd stuff something up in another area of my life and get a little emo over that.

I mean, its not like I don't handle stress very well... I do... but 'tis the season for people to judge and later tell you whether you're worthy/good enough for them. And your worthiness translates to whether or not you have a job next year. Like it or not, that's what the recruitment process is... and it can be incredibly disappointing yet highly rewarding. It's like I'm hanging onto a randomly floating bouy in the sea wondering whether I'll make it to shore or drown and what I can do to succeed amongst these harsh waves. Shitty metaphor, but give me a break!

Every day when I open my email I'll find something that seem to be telling me what my future career prospects are like. "Congratulations, you've made it to the next round in our recruitment process!", "We're sorry that we will not be proceeding with your application", "Please complete this online test by 30 March"... It's incredible! It's like getting your daily horoscope in your inbox. You never know what's in store for you tomorrow.

Right now I'm rather satisfied with my process despite the up and downs because for every down there's an up. And I know that whatever happens once all this is over will have happened for a reason. This frame of mind is what I think is the best way to overcoming disappointment when you think you have failed and bringing meaning to the outcome when you have succeeded.

I'm going to go to bed now. I took tonight off just to destress and do something OTHER than apply for jobs and/or preparing for interviews and/or reading up the financial press and/or revising my finance knowledge and/or doing timed online numerical tests.

I'm really hoping all this hard work will pay off...! A good friend said to me "Please never say that word in front of me", "What word?", "'Hope' and every other word that stems from it", "Why?", "Only losers hope. You, on the other hand, MAKE it happen" - Corny... but it is one of the best things that has been said to me to my face. I'd thought I'd pass it on ;)

xo

The last time I heard that was from the words of one of my favourite people in the world: (Sir) David Bowie. And now I'm saying it. Aren't I special!!

So tonight was the Commonwealth Games opening night. Today was a rather exciting day. Not a big big exciting day but there was a little buzz going on around Melbourne (also felt in Clayton... the sticks) that tonight was the start of something that our city has been preparing for for the last eight years or so. I remember when I was at the '98 Commonwealth Games held in Malaysia. I was still living there at the time and at the Golden Horses Hotel out near Sepang having dinner, I remember seeing Ron Walker walk past and there in front of me was a huge sign promoting the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. I was thinking "Wow, like that day will ever come! Wonder what things would be like for me then?" I mean, it's not everyday you'll have a world class sporting event as big as the C Games happening right in your home town. And so it struck a personal chord with me.

And so tonight I sit here just having watched the opening ceremony, which I must say was shite and a huge disappointment. I mean, I was totally expecting a lot more from Melbourne... MELBOURNE... the Arts capital of Australia. I mean, there were a few things that I liked - the flying tram with those graceful wings (how cute), and the map of the public transport system on the ground, the crazy contemporary fringe-y outfits that the dancers wore, a little tribute to Leunig, the Cat Empire, and Delta (she did a good job, okay). But really, it could have been a lot better.

Is that how we represent Melbourne? I don't really see Melbourne. Did you?

So the outfits were rather contemporary (though I could not see any punks or emos or asian pop-sicles in the crowd or slutty confused 14 year old girls) and the Ballet dancers did represent a side of the arts, but those Koalas were a bit strange and slightly out of line. I was hoping to see some ravers with their wide light reflector pants doing the well-known Melbourne Shuffle with glow sticks. Now THAT would be awesome. And what about some street artists? Or the line of traffic that the trams hold up on the roads? What about footy and meat pies? What about beer and BBQs? What about cultural diversity?? The laid back humour? The Azns, the Wogs, the Fobs!!! The cruisin' Commodore V8s, mate, and the Skylines with neons underneath! I mean, with the quality of art that we have in Melbourne we represented it poorly!

And I don't know about you but that opening ceremony just made Melbourne look like one gender confused city. Besides, I don't usually complain about opening ceremonies much (or at all) but when it comes to one from your home town, you kinda expect a lot more and you want it to represent your home REALLY WELL for the world to see. Not just some random 'just another excuse for expensive useless entertainment' performance. Puh-lease!

Oh well, there's always the closing ceremony. I want to see black skinny leg jeans and Havaianas and Supre tops! :P :P

xx

So this is mildly amusing. I was sent this and I'd thought I'd post it here and justify the points either as True Or False to test its seemingly correct hypothesis.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE ASIAN-AUSTRALIAN IF...

1. You regret the fact that you did not learn Mandarin or other Asian language properly in Saturday language school.
True. Although I can speak Hokkien, it's practicality fails all forms of practicality-ness.

2. You say you're Australian, totally forgetting your roots.
False. As much as I have nothing in common with 'Fobs', I haven't forgotten my roots.

3. During childhood you didn't have many Asian friends, played bullrush or handball and ate 'sunny boys' for lunch.
True. I STILL don't have many Asian friends... well, not a congregation of them anyway like those who hang out in the dining hall at Monash University.

4. A form of choosing was done by 'dip dip'.
True, ha! I almost forgot about that!

5. You know you have to shop at an Asian grocery store but you have no idea what you are buying nor can you read any of the food labels.
True, although the pictures help. AND when they romanise the chinese words.

6. You cheer for Australia during the Olympics, know local Australian bands, and know what a VB is.
True, and I love VB too (and Aussie bands).

7. You can speak fluent English without an accent.
True-ish. Several years in an international school kinda changed that but I don't think I sound like an Asian.

8. Know what a Commodore and Falcon are.
True, I know that they are not animals.

9. You know you are superior to all other Asians, despite the fact that they beat you in Maths in the VCE, can speak an Asian language fluently and know what they are buying in Asian grocery stores.
True. Damn those FOBS!

Score: 8/9


33 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU'RE AN ASIAN

1. You were/are a good student with very high GPAs.
True, lol what can I say?

2. You majored in something practical like engineering, medicine or finance.
True. Oh God, the only thing that I'm not majoring in on that list is medicine. I AM Asian!

3. You have more than one-college degree.
True... ah geez.

4. If you play a musical instrument, it must be piano.
True. Yes, piano was one of them.

5. You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
False!, HA! I hate those things!

6. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil.
False, HA again.

7. Your kitchen has a sticky film of grease over it.
False, our house isn't very Asian.

8. You beat eggs with chopsticks.
False, altho I do everything else with chopsticks. No pun intended.

9. You always leave outdoor shoes at the door.
True

10. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
False, who does that?! Please don't tell me people do this!

11. You keep a Thermos of hot water available at all times.
False, I'm not that lame.

12. You boil water before drinking.
False, although I know a lot of Asian households do this.

13. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.
True, usually.

14. You wash rice 2-3 times before cooking it.
True.

15. You don't dry-clean clothes, even if they need to be dry-cleaned.
True, only when we HAVE to.

16. You always cook yourself, even if you hate it.
True - it's cheaper! Oh look, another Asian trait!

17. You do either soccer, swimming, badminton, volleyball, basketball, or ping pong.
True - swimming and badminton though.

18. You buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off.
True - usually.

19. You hate to waste food:
a) Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them.
False - usually the men do that.
b) You have containers in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
True - sometimes!

20. You don't own any real Tupperware-only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, takeout containers, and jam jars.
True - well, most anyway.

21. When toilet paper is on sale, you buy 100 rolls and store them.
True - my mum does that, so I'll answer it on her behalf.

22. You have a collection of miniature shampoo/conditioner bottles and little soap bars that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
True, Ha!

23. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).
True - but usually just a muesli bar atleast :P Or a bottle of water.

24. You spit bones and other food scraps on the table.
False - that's one Asian trait I despise.

25. Your dad thinks he can fix everything himself.
True

26. When you go to a dance party, there is always a group of guys surrounding the dance floor trying to look cool.
True Buahahahahah! Asians.

27. Your house/aparment is always cold in winter, and hot in summer.
False - we don't skimp on heaters and A/Cs.

28. Your Mom drives her Mercedes to Foodtown, or Shoppers Food Warehouse regardless how far it is, even if the dairy is next door.
True. And my mum has a Mercedes too. How Asian are we?

29. You always look phone numbers up in the phone book, since calling Directory Assistance costs 50 cents.
False - I didn't know about directory assistance!

30. You use a colored face cloth every morning.
True - only to dry tho!

31. You starve yourself before going to all-you-can-eat places.
True, who doesn't?

32. Almost all your money is in a savings account
True, altho I have the odd share or two.

33. You never discuss your love life with your parents.
True, Haha.

Score: 24/33 = 72.7%

Teeheehee, I think I'm quite the Asian. I love all these Asian jokes. The best thing about is - I'm Asian! And what's funnier than laughing about yourself (and/or your fellow race)?

Whilst on the topic of Asians, here's another entertaining tidbit for all its worth:

TOP TEN REASONS WHY THERE WON'T BE AN ASIAN PRESIDENT ANYTIME SOON
1. White House not big enough for in-laws
2. Engineering, medicine, and law always preferred over politics
3. Oval Office has bad feng shui.
4. Can't find decent roast duck inside the beltway.
5. Secret service can't handle nagging from mother.
6. Dignitaries are generally intimidated by chopsticks at state dinners.
7. No chance for promotion.
8. Lactose intolerance not considered politically correct.
9. Senior aides won't take off shoes before coming in.
10. Air Force One: No frequent flyer miles.

xoxo

Seriously, I don't!!! Over the last few days I've been turning into a one dimensional no interest retard (like IS students) sitting at my laptop tipping tapping some essay on workplace diversity and tipping tapping more graduate applications. GOD, it's ALL I ever do these days! And the thing is, I get tired from it all because it's HARD WORK. Actually, not hard work - it's brain numbing. Time consuming, grr... just brain numbing as I am repeating myself again and again with all these applications. Why do they make applying for a job so difficult these days? What happened to the good old days where you just attach your resume and cover letter?? I mean, if you're good, it'll say it all in the resume and cover letter. It's ALL you need!

Nowadays, it's all "Describe why you are suitable for ____ in less than 103 words" kinda thing. I feel I'm entering some kind of competition whereby you win one of those trips around the world or a night in some dodgy motel in Mildura.

And none of it has contributed at all to Uni. I have done no Uni work except for that lame paragraph of introduction for my research proposal. Damnit! I'll stop my lame bitchin'... but you know how tedious things can get. HR can get so pedantic these days. I swear I will fume if I get straight rejections. They should also look at the amount of time one person spends on an application.

These essays and what not made me so tired and gave me a massive headache that I couldn't even go and see Cut Copy at The Children Of The Night festival of which I was looking forward to all week. It's a free festival too. And how cool is the name? Argh, I'm cut... now I can't say "I went to the Children Of The Night festival, and therefore I am a child of the night" - not that I'm not, I can't get to sleep before 2am these days. But what'ev!

I promised that I will post a big post about the Big Day Out. I will, don't you fret. But right now, I've had enough of tipping and tapping at my computer and want to play some guitar! SO NER and come back another day!

xx

Okay so maybe inapropriate title but what else follows "whoa"? Trevor?

Okay Okay so I have NEWS! I might, or 'maybe', be getting an interview with a very large global investment bank for their graduate analyst program!! I received a call today and they told me that the company won't be attending the Monash University campus, however, they will make sure that I am included in the testing rounds!

And I'm not exactly 100% sure what the testing rounds mean but I'm thinking it HAS to be interviews or atleast some aptitude tests. I saw online that there are interviews prior to these tests so I'm just assuming its a collective term. Ahhh!! I'm so excited! So right now I'm going to buckle down and study the company inside out and buy every single Financial Review in order to prove myself.

So I thought. I came online to continue my 'exploration' of the company's website and I received an email about a Women In Engineering scholarship. They send you to PARIS for two weeks between Semester 1 and 2 to attend the International Institute of Women in Engineering (EPF Ecole d'Ingenieurs) Conference! They want female students in their final year of engineering, a member of Engineers Australia, and achieving a grade average of over 65%. That's me! They require 1000 word essay which made me grunt but at the same time, it's manageable.

I have so friggin much on my plate right now. Research proposals, economics essay, more graduate applications, research companies, upcoming finance essay, this scholarship application. All essays!! Le sigh. But then again good things happen when you get off your ass and just go for it. That's my motto (which I stole from Alan Webb).

In other news, I am concurrently reading Inconceivable by Ben Elton and I just finished it last night. I love Ben Elton. His way of writing just shits all over Dan Brown's which is probably why I'm bagging the Da Vinci Code so much (as you know I'm currently reading that one too... see previous posts below). Inconceivable is truly lovely. Incredibly funny but at the same time tender, honest and powerful. Here's a passage from the book which made me die laughing. It's about sitting in traffic jams...

It really was a near-surreal experience, sitting there in 15,000 pounds worth of machinery, machinery that was supposed to liberate mankind, crawling along at a walking pace, hating every other car owner on earth. That's what we're all doing. Every single person for miles and miles and miles sitting in a steaming metal box hating every other person. Every morning in every town in Britian virtually every adult gets into his or her tin box and starts hating. Then, haven taken all day to calm down, we get back into our bxoes and start hating all over again. Yet when asked the question 'Why not get on a bus?' I'm the first person to say 'No way, they're horrible.'

Hahaha. So true, so true. So anyways I better leave it at that and look into this scholarship essay. I'm not even sure if it's meant to be argumentative or informative. Or whether or not I should be referencing. They don't give you much to start with!

Le sigh!

xx