Life Chapter: Sydney Starter

JUST MOVED INTO CAMPSIE, NSW

I write this with a sense of tense internal pressure that has been building up, because things are not settling down.

I have been trying to hold back a whirlpool of emotions, just trying to ride the waves on the edge, but not get sucked into its endless depths. This is now my default state since leaving Malaysia in May this year.

It is coming to four months migration to Sydney, I thought adjustment wouldn't be so hard, I thought I was prepared since I've done it before in Melbourne, but the hardest part is actually a subconscious psychological issue - lonesomeness. 

Yes, we all have modern social media. However, I knew from the start of this techno-revolution, that it's a substandard way of connecting with your loved ones and cannot replace the soul-nourishing vibes of having their presence and company. 

Everyone says to be patient, "it (adapting to a new place) doesn't happen so fast, just take baby steps and you will get there, you will make new friends". 

It annoys me that they are right/justified and I have to pull out more patience where there is none. (If only throwing dramatised fits will get you somewhere, I would so achieve everything)

HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN TO GET HERE

I have waited over 7 years to get back to Australia, I stayed for 5 years in the same company just to fulfill the requirements of the Aussie immigration policies, initiated my migration application in Aug 2017, and finally got it in Jan 2019 thanks to NSW invitation letter. So it feels like I've invested so much already, but honestly, I was always aiming for Melbourne, not Sydney. So technically I'm still waiting.

I feel disappointed that the universe isn't making my path smoother, so I tell myself that perhaps there's a good reason that I was 'called' to Sydney, maybe some greater purpose I can't yet see. This leads me to have high self-expectations, to search for this purpose, and quickly open the door that might trigger all my dreams coming true. This is the internal stress/pressure I feel, why can't I see the Universe's point of me being here?

A PERIOD OF RESPITE IN MELBOURNE

Last month, I got myself into a situation where I asked to leave the rental room I was in, but the new unit was not yet vacated, so I became technically homeless for a month.

I decided to fly over to Melbourne for that long-awaited trip, reconnecting with Aunt LB and cousins. It was so satisfying to my soul, I really felt the difference of having people that can support you if disaster strikes, its a subconscious safety net operating across every decision I make.

I could totally see the purpose of this technically unplanned trip because I felt like a useful human being again, I bought a 1-way ticket and didn't know when I would fly back to Sydney, as there was no moving out date from the tenant then. 

There I was, waiting for my new apartment, living with Aunt Elbie in Ivana's pink room. The sense that I was a squatter was displaced by having family that I trust & the knowledge that I was back in my beloved city. 

HOW MELBOURNE HAS CHANGED FOR ME

It was wondrous to see the changes to Melbourne after 9 years! Walking around the CBD gave me tingles as new high-rises and shops overlayed familiar hangout spots from my Uni days. Everywhere I look, a mental screen pops up and plays flashbacks, stirring and bittersweet, faded in reminiscence but its emotional tones still ring clear to me.

I don't know why I've been chasing the dream of moving back to Melbourne CBD for nearly a decade. But finally being on Swanston street again, the deluge of memories, the ease of navigating, access to close friends and the presence of RMIT where both my degree studies and first job were. It was just confirmation that Melbourne's appeal has not reduced for me.

I was even blessed with a last-minute booking for an Airbnb right on Swanston & Collins, at Capitol Theatre. Kiani stayed with me, Jamie visited me; and for four blissful days, I lived my dream, my ideal life.

Then the unit in Campsie was finally ready, the fairytale clock struck twelve and I flew back to my new empty Chinatown pumpkin of a home, I'm referencing Cinderella because, like her, I worked hard for years just for a few nights of magic, which just as quickly ended.

I want to summarise that basically, I'm giving myself grief on top of the stress of this new move. My heart is torn between 2 places, stuck in Sydney because of my PR needs, yet completely emotionally attached to Melbourne and the friends & family there.

Self Emotional Processing & Recording Session Complete 

How To Plan & Grow Your Own Organic Veggie/Flowerbed Garden

Easy DIY Planting Guide For Your Home Garden

I remember my grandmother always having her own little herb garden in front of our house.

She didn't really teach me how to do it but I learned how to do it with YouTube gurus and occasional gardening books.

I read that Cinnamon, Honey, and powdered Aspirin are great rooting agents.

To start, I used a baking tray with cotton pads and some sterile potting soil, also wrapped seeds between paper towels and kept that in a sandwich bag. The last experiment was propagating coriander in water.

The best results were propagation in water and wet paper towel in a sandwich bag. I guess peat moss in a baking tray was exposed to microbes and mold, killing seeds before germination.

I went to the DIY shop to get some Peat Moss, which many sites rave as the best alternative. You can also try making your own with some of these recipes - https://balconygardenweb.com/homemade-seed-starting-mix-recipes/

Most supermarkets also carry herb seeds and garden flower seed.

Moving on, I needed to decide how to plant my flowerbed and where would I like my blooms to greet me every time I walk in and out of the house.

I got the blueprints of my home and recreated my real-life home in one of my all-time fav games - The Sims! it took some time but I managed a fully decorated sim simulated garden with cyber plant growth.

I wanted to be exact so I even included my home furniture to know how much space has already been used, and how much space was left for my garden design.

Real-life view of my outdoor lawn where I decided to put most of my DIY garden. You can see some tree "crutches" because trees get "Tree Shock" when they are uprooted and moved for replantation.


In the far back, you will see a greenhouse of netting, made for our own organic veggie farm. We grew spinach, cabbage, kailan, & bok choy.

That's it for now. I hope you guys will be inspired by this humble post and start your own garden.
It's not only good nutrition for your family, but it also reduces pollution as you don't need heavy transport to deliver these organic veggies to you.

Good luck & green thumbs up!

The House-mate/Room mate questionaire

 The Housemate Questionaire


The Basics
Name:
Birthdate:
Gender:

Preferred Move-in Date:
Length of expected stay: 6 months/ 1 year

Contact number:

Email:

Emergency Contact:

Number/ email:

Relationship: 

Friend or mate?
1. Do you prefer your house-mate to be a stranger or close friend? 
2. Your house-mate's going out for drinks with friends,do you expect to be invited along? 
3. If you are currently dating someone, how often would you have them over?
4. How long do you think is fair to have guests staying over? 
5. Will you be annoyed if the guest is hanging, cooking, showering, etc. in communal areas? 
6. Do you look forward to having time alone or do you like to talk when you get home?
7. If you are currently working/studying, what are your hours? 
8. Why are you leaving your current accommodation?
9. What was your worst living arrangement?
10. Do you get along better with guys or girl?


Money & Perks 
1. Do you have your own pre-existing phone & internet plan or would you like to share?

2. Utility bills are usually split evenly, are you able to pay bills each time in advance?

3. How would you share communal items like cleaning supplies/ laundry powder?

4. Do you buy your own meals or do you expect to share groceries?

5. Do you have any furniture of your own?
6. Are you fully supported by your parents?

Housekeeping

1. How long does takeout stay in the fridge? 
2. How often do you do laundry? Dishes? 
3. What household items (kitchen spices, toilet paper, etc.) would you like to share? 
4. Who is responsible for cleaning common areas? How often? 
5. If you leave clothes in the washer, and your roommate needs to do laundry, what would you like them to do with your stuff? 
6. Should groceries be shared? How? 
7. What constitutes “borrowing”? How many times can a roommate “borrow” before it becomes an issue? Are there any things which are absolutely not up for grabs? Don’t be petty, but do replace what you’ve borrowed.

Social Skills
1. Are you involved in criminal activity?
2. Do you drink, smoke, or toke? 
3. Do friends or family stop by frequently? 
4. What time do you usually go to bed weeknights? Weekends?
5. Are you a light or heavy sleeper? What noise can you tolerate?
6. Speakers or Headphones? 
7. Do you watch a lot of television. Usually in the morning or night?
8. How long have you been at your course/ job? 
9. How would you describe yourself when you're in a bad mood?

reference:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/11011/roommate_questionnaire.html?cat=41

Melbourne Moving: Apartment for Rent

This is perfect for RMIT students, and whoever who wants to live in the city.
But you have to act fast as applications are pouring in.

Price $335.00 Per Week / 1452 per Month Location Melbourne Melbourne City Central Business District Bedrooms (#) 1 bedroom Dwelling Type Apartment Bathrooms (#) 1 bathroom Parking None

1 Bedroom apartment for rent - available for short term lease (6 months)
Serviced Apartments Nova Stargate Hotel
http://www.novastargate.com.au/
718/118 Franklin Street corner of Elizabeth Street.

• Fully Furnished
• Air Conditioned/Heater
• Toilet with Bathtub
• Daily cleaning service available
• Communal Laundry available
• Right Next to Victoria Market!
• One block away from RMIT University and 8mins walk to Melb Uni
• 2 minutes from tram stop. and 24 hour 7-Eleven
• 1 block from Melbourne Central
  
• opposite late night asian grocery store

1452 per calender month or 335 P/W
Available from 23rd November 2009, 6 months contract
Inspection starting from 6th November 2009 by appointment.

I am only moving out because of family matters and have enjoyed living close to RMIT and Vic market. A great option for students.

For inspection, please email me, Royce : rainaire@hotmail.com
include name,contact number, preferred date and time of inspection

For more information and PICTURES : this is the Gumtree ad I developed -

CLICK HERE

Dreamworld

Obligatory Entrance shot, to PROVE I was there.
pharquing tourist shot. so Boredom!

Tigger from Winnie the Pooh




The Claw!!! I loved it!

Yeah that's how I was riding it!



Such an interesting toilet sign.


I like the way it starts with "THIS HOLE!" LOL


OMG, seriously freaked me out lor. Cartoon world is like this twisted maniacal place.

For evil Teletubbies to mate and populate...


Even the babies are WANTED.


I should destroooy cartoon world.


Oh I love this shot that I took by accident using timer.
It reminded me so much of Beauty and the Beast.
So I tested my photoshop magic and,,,..



Magic lehh. Wahaha.

Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme.

Beauty had a SEX CHANGE!
BEASTIALITY!

Moo Moo, Murdered, Marinated, Munched

The very next day, i woke up totally fine.
I guess Emerald went to sleep, and never woke up. After all, she brought a storm to Gold Coast that was splashed all over the news. It must have been one unnatural storm.

The Best Steakhouse on Broadbeach.

The funny thing in Queensland, is that everyone dresses up to the nines for dinner.
Melbourne feels so casual compared to this.
The wait list to get into Moo Moo was so long. Even with a booking.
At least there was pretty things to look at.


The interior was really nice too..
I asked them to change the lighting.


Even the wine was nice.


Most people would follow with a flurry of gorgeous food pics.
But I'm not like most people.
Therefore, to encourage you people to come for my 22nd Birthday (which I am planning in advance)
I shall merely show a teaser.



So remember,
4th May 2009
Gold Coast
Dinner at Moo Moo, Swimming with Dolphins and fun in the sun :)

Great Thai Food

Food, is the ambrosia of my life. I get a gastronomic high when you add good food, entertainment and an interesting setting to the equation.

Cousin Bryan introduced a Thai restaurant he's been patriotically going to, since the CBD area was packed by the friday night crawl.
Aunt Dinah and I had a pleasant surprise when we realized this restaurant required you to sit on the floor with your shoes off~

I loved it that the restaurants menu had two front pages ( Our most popular dish)
- goodbye annoying course decisions! bring on your best dishes!-

There was a talented entertainer who sang well, played the guitar...
and played the bass with his FOOT!

Interesting fried Kangkung

Tasty Tom Yum

our fave : the deep fried pork shank (the health conscious need not bother even thinking of ordering this)

Fighting for food is such a worthy sport. I'd win gold if it ever became an Olympic event.

Finally we topped it off with a beautiful Thai Coconut Ice cream. just dreamy

I'm giving it a score of 8/10 on my restaurant scoring list. Authentic Thai Taste near Smith Street is definitely something I'd recommend.

Teaser

You've gotta wait for the show~