Merry Christmas to all of you =)


I hope all you precious people have a blessed Christmas day tomorrow! As for me, it's going to be a day of just quieting my spirit as I remember the reason for the season. How fulfilling it is to shift my focus away from the frills and formalities, have a prayerful attitude and just spend time embracing people. That is what it's all about.

One more thing, I am moving.

3 years with xanga, and I feel that it's time to start a new chapter as I continue to grow as a person. Change is uncomfortable, but I've often found it necessary for growth.

And yes, I do sometimes miss my long hair. But it was time for a change, yeah?

So many of you have finished exams...

And I... am still studying.


But that's okay, I really don't mind. Have comfortably settled into the momentum of it, and after all that Superannuation studying I did for Financial Planning, my remaining coursework looks less menacing.

Had a wonderful night out with the girls from my Embrace group today - our final one for the year. They are so great, I love them all so much! And tomorrow I'm doing coffee with another friend. Hmm, this helps to keep me sane amidst the exam prep . I love how my life here is so well balanced between local Australians and fellow Malaysians. I know birds of a feather flock together and all that, but what's the point of experiencing life overseas if you only ever hang out with your own countrymen? I strongly believe there needs to be a good balance, and international students should make more of an effort to be less clique-ish with each other. I imagine it's quite intimidating for locals to get to know us when they see a gaggle of Asians moving everywhere together and only talking to each other. I know I feel intimidated by that! haha!

And I've realised that everyone has a bad habit they pick up when they are stressed. It may be smoking, snacking etc etc. Mine is peeling my nails . I had the bad habit of biting my nails for a good 14 years growing up, which I kicked when I got to pre-U (it helped that I had braces too, couldn't bite em even if I tried!). And now, when I'm stressed I peel at them totally subconsciously. So annoying okay!! I need to do something else to keep my fingers occupied so now I usually type. Haha. What I really need, is a stress ball. Oh stress ball, where art thou?? I left mine in KL. Sigh. Mental note to self: bring it back for next year.

I love studying, really I do. I almost dread the end of exams because it means the year here in Newy will officially be coming to a close. Wish time here didn't pass so fast. I love being at Uni. However, as the end of exams draws near, I'm looking forward to getting my nails back again

One down, 2 more to go!

And finally, I kiss Superannuation goodbye... for now at least. You have made my semester miserable with all your nitty gritty regulations and stupid means testing limits etc etc. Sayonara..... until we meet again ^ ^

Actually, it only gets interesting when you start taking courses which are more relevant to the program. And I quickly realised that finance courses are way more difficult and interesting than accounting, econs, management or even marketing. I'm always up for a good challenge. Plus I get my fix of number-crunching without going completely cock-eyed Love it.

Just wanted to say thank you to my wonderful parents who always encourage me to bring excellence to whatever it is that I do, because we serve an excellent God. He is faithful even when we are not. Thank you for letting me make my mistakes and learn things the hard way >.< (I'm sure you guys are just enjoying your retirement from the whole nagging deal heheh). I love you both truckloads!

I must say that the last few weeks have just been a time of tearfully clinging onto God as my pillar of strength, and trusting Him enough to let go of my worries and put my life into His hands. He has constantly been reminding me that He sees with a sight that I don't possess, and therefore to just simply trust Him. He holds my world in the palm of His hand, I have nothing to fear.

And so, with the faith of a child, I simply trust and follow.

Yay! Handed in my take-home exam already... No more journal readings, referencing, and drafts.. No more racking my brain trying to integrate theory and application.. Actually I found it satisfyingly challenging hahah. This round we covered quite a broad range of topics - Real Options Theory, investments in advanced manufacturing techonology, internationalisation, modes of entry into the Chinese market, Smart Regulation Theory, Climate Change Regulations, tradeable emissions permits in the Garnaut Report, economics of strategy, strategic alliances with Japanese automotive firms and the Uppsala Model. Really stretched my brain the last few days. But I guess that's the whole point of university. To train how you think.

70% of my course mark banking on those essays. Hmm. Enjoyed it but glad it's over. Ah well, at least now it's out of my hands and I can focus on my regular exam prep!

Aiya, that means I don't have an excuse to be online longer than necessary anymore. Haha. My regular exam prep doesn't involve the use of the internet. Okay okay, time to go geek...