Finally had the courage to tell my boss how unhappy I am at work. Told him all the problems I've been facing because of the non-communication between us and his unreasonable expectations of me. His answer was to lower my position, i.e. downgrade me! I really dunno what he imagined that will solve. Luckily, the HR manager spoke to me and told me it is not the company's policy to bring people in and "demote" them...if they do not have the skills required, the company will provide training for him/her to do the job, with the long term view of raising each employee to do more. She was genuinely shocked when I told her that I will resign if I continue to work under him, as his unfair treatment to the 3 asians in the office sickens me.
Felt so good after letting someone know all that...the director spoke to me a few days after the talks, he's put me with another boss now. I was actually smiling when I came home on friday, the first time in five months. Really really hope I get along with this new guy better......sighhh...
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Homesick
It's my mom's birthday tomorrow. I ordered her a cake, but what I really want is to be home and try out my newly acquired cooking skills on her. Just thinking about it makes me sad...she's been forcing me to learn how to cook for the longest time, and it's only a few months before I left that I was seriously trying to absorb what she says...Now I can dish up a mean xiao bai cai without her scrutinizing eyes, and she's not here to enjoy it. Oh well..I better remember what I'm writing now and really cook something for her when I'm back, and not just go shopping all day or something.
It's not even 4 months since I've been here, and barely 2 months since I saw my family, and I really didn't think I'll say this so soon. But I'm HOMESICK!!! Wail!!!
Top 5 Reasons I Know I'm Homesick
5. Calling Monty "Mimi" and having vivid dreams of Mimi.
4. Starting to nag at Stu in mandarin and singlish
3. Feel like crying with the slightest provocation
2. Actually crying with a little more than the slightest provocation
1. Creating provocation by watching 'I am Sam' and 'A Walk to Remember' DVDs. Heck, even 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' made me cry.
If only my work was a little better, if only I had the courage to quit and not go to work depressed everyday. If only I had a fren here to complain to. And if only October comes next week....
It's not even 4 months since I've been here, and barely 2 months since I saw my family, and I really didn't think I'll say this so soon. But I'm HOMESICK!!! Wail!!!
Top 5 Reasons I Know I'm Homesick
5. Calling Monty "Mimi" and having vivid dreams of Mimi.
4. Starting to nag at Stu in mandarin and singlish
3. Feel like crying with the slightest provocation
2. Actually crying with a little more than the slightest provocation
1. Creating provocation by watching 'I am Sam' and 'A Walk to Remember' DVDs. Heck, even 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' made me cry.
If only my work was a little better, if only I had the courage to quit and not go to work depressed everyday. If only I had a fren here to complain to. And if only October comes next week....
Comfort Soup
Ingredients for Meatballs
400g chicken or pork mince
1 egg
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
1/4 cup parsley chopped finely
Maggie Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for Tomato Soup
800g (or 2 420g tins) canned diced tomatoes
1/3 cup tomato paste
750g chicken stock
1 large onion chopped finely
1 chilli chopped finely
1 can sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped parsley
The easy Steps
1. Mix meatball ingredients together, shaped into whatever sized balls U like.
2. Cook meatballs in a greased pan or pot until browned/ just cooked. Transfer into bowl.
3. With the oil that's used to cook meatballs, fry the onion till soft, add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and stock, bring to boil and simmer on medium heat for 20min.
4. Add meatballs, parsley, chilli, and cook for another 2min.
5. Garnish with parsley and ground black pepper, serve HOT with toast or a crusty roll.
That's what I made and had for Lunch today!
400g chicken or pork mince
1 egg
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
1/4 cup parsley chopped finely
Maggie Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for Tomato Soup
800g (or 2 420g tins) canned diced tomatoes
1/3 cup tomato paste
750g chicken stock
1 large onion chopped finely
1 chilli chopped finely
1 can sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped parsley
The easy Steps
1. Mix meatball ingredients together, shaped into whatever sized balls U like.
2. Cook meatballs in a greased pan or pot until browned/ just cooked. Transfer into bowl.
3. With the oil that's used to cook meatballs, fry the onion till soft, add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and stock, bring to boil and simmer on medium heat for 20min.
4. Add meatballs, parsley, chilli, and cook for another 2min.
5. Garnish with parsley and ground black pepper, serve HOT with toast or a crusty roll.
That's what I made and had for Lunch today!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Bored n Hungry
I'm sitting at home waiting for the dear husband to come home with food. Apparently there isn't any fish today so he's buying Red Roosters. I told him 3 times to buy just enough for us, and not for a whole army like he always does...can't wait to see if he's gonna listen to me today.
Escaped to Castle Towers this afternoon, had a good but expensive sushi meal by myself. I was just craving for Jappie food so much...
Walked around a bit, wasn't in the mood to shop even though all windows had 'SALE' on them. Well..especially after seeing that the Peter Alexander pyjamas I bought for spoilt husband just last week has been reduced by $20, I was a little bit fed up and couldn't find the courage to buy anything. Finally I went to the supermarket and got ingredients to recreate the beautiful salad I had at Tommy's place.
Bought red cabbage, baby rocket and spinach, pine nuts, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes. Went home in excitement, dry-roasted the pine nuts, shaved the cheese, tossed the salad with balsamic, and Voila!!! We have some sort of Tommy's Salad! Not as nice though..the cheese is too strong tasting, but well, that'll do.
Escaped to Castle Towers this afternoon, had a good but expensive sushi meal by myself. I was just craving for Jappie food so much...
Walked around a bit, wasn't in the mood to shop even though all windows had 'SALE' on them. Well..especially after seeing that the Peter Alexander pyjamas I bought for spoilt husband just last week has been reduced by $20, I was a little bit fed up and couldn't find the courage to buy anything. Finally I went to the supermarket and got ingredients to recreate the beautiful salad I had at Tommy's place.
Bought red cabbage, baby rocket and spinach, pine nuts, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes. Went home in excitement, dry-roasted the pine nuts, shaved the cheese, tossed the salad with balsamic, and Voila!!! We have some sort of Tommy's Salad! Not as nice though..the cheese is too strong tasting, but well, that'll do.
Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Beautifully written, an extraordinary but old fashioned love story that I'm savouring...Nobody does book reviews until they've finished reading, but I'm enjoying this so much that I wanna share with book lovers.
This is the story of Henry and Clare, who met when Clare was 6 and Henry was 36, and were married when Clare was 22 and Henry 30. Incredible, but written in such a believable way. Their relationship is unique, funny, romantic and heart rending. I know that I will re-read this in years to come.
Beautifully written, an extraordinary but old fashioned love story that I'm savouring...Nobody does book reviews until they've finished reading, but I'm enjoying this so much that I wanna share with book lovers.
This is the story of Henry and Clare, who met when Clare was 6 and Henry was 36, and were married when Clare was 22 and Henry 30. Incredible, but written in such a believable way. Their relationship is unique, funny, romantic and heart rending. I know that I will re-read this in years to come.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Weekend in Cooma & Jindabyne
We drove 4 hrs south of Sydney and landed in Cooma, where Tim lives, and where it snows during winter. I had forgotten the blistering cold when blasts of wind hit you over and over again.That was the first day when we arrived. I had also forgotten what it felt like to play with fluffy fresh powdery snow in the sunshine. That was the second day which was lovely, and hilarious seeing Moopie and Zuzu clowning around, burying their faces in the snow. I refused to go skiing as we had only a day and I didn't want to spend so much on ski hire and torture myself. If I had a week I might have considered. Stu and I played Guess-The-Song on the way back, and he won 9-2 or something ridiculous, then I realised that it's eighties weekend on the radio. Of cos he would have won, I'm a woman of the nineties!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Beer Battered Fish
Went fishing with Stu and Colby at the beach at 5am on Saturday Morning. We started the day with drive-thru Mcdonald's brekky. I love my hash browns and have been spoilt as Stu never eats his. After the guys set up the rods and passed one to me, we settled down and the wait and anticipation began. I got restless after about an hour, and managed to get my float and bait stuck under the rocks. Colby came to the rescue, and as I was holding onto his rod for him, a stupid fish took a bite and I pulled him in! Then Stu helped me get the fish off while I took over his rod, and another fish took the bait! In less than 3 minutes I had reeled in 2 trevalies for dinner.
At the end of the day, we caught 11 good-sized trevalies between the 3 of us.
The highlight of the day was seeing a school of dolphins swim pass and playing with the surf, just 20m in front of us. I wasn't quick enough to get the camera. I also caught an eel when I left my rod with the bait still attached lying by the rocks while I read. The rod was jiggling and I realised an eel had taken the bait and wound itself tight around the rod, nearly breaking it.
Lunch was potato and leek and bacon soup ($2.50) with spaghetti and spiced meatballs ($12.50) for me. Roast Beef with veg ($10) and some kind of pizza ($???) for Colby.
Stu and I decided to have fish and chips for dinner. He filleted the trevalies while I searched the net for Beer Batter. Our dinner turned out beautiful! My contribution this time was making the batter and dipping the fish in it.
Beer Batter Recipe:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 cup beer
1 egg
You can make beer battered fish or prawns or squid or mushrooms or anything with it.
At the end of the day, we caught 11 good-sized trevalies between the 3 of us.
The highlight of the day was seeing a school of dolphins swim pass and playing with the surf, just 20m in front of us. I wasn't quick enough to get the camera. I also caught an eel when I left my rod with the bait still attached lying by the rocks while I read. The rod was jiggling and I realised an eel had taken the bait and wound itself tight around the rod, nearly breaking it.
Lunch was potato and leek and bacon soup ($2.50) with spaghetti and spiced meatballs ($12.50) for me. Roast Beef with veg ($10) and some kind of pizza ($???) for Colby.
Stu and I decided to have fish and chips for dinner. He filleted the trevalies while I searched the net for Beer Batter. Our dinner turned out beautiful! My contribution this time was making the batter and dipping the fish in it.
Beer Batter Recipe:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 cup beer
1 egg
You can make beer battered fish or prawns or squid or mushrooms or anything with it.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Housework
I've found a couple of household chores I like doing, isn't it amazing? Just discovered this Make-Your-Taps-Gleam cleaner in the toilet cabinet. I squirted it on and wiped - Ta-dah! Taps really sparkled! I wiped the rest of it all over the wash basin, and it's now gleaming away as well. I'm sure it's not supposed to be used for the sink, but oh well. Cannot waste. His mom must have put the cleaner there, I can't imagine Stu ever doing the toilet cleaning. There are also 3 other bottles that look like cleaning stuff that I haven't looked at yet. I should be cleaning the shower and tiles and toilet bowl as well, but I'm so excited that I'm on the PC writing it all down instead.
There is also much satisfaction cleaning my own hair brush. Yes, anything that is done in the house and not reading or computer related is considered housework. I like removing the hair and digging the dusty furry bits out one by one. Dunno how they get stuck in the roots of the brush in the first place.
There is also much satisfaction cleaning my own hair brush. Yes, anything that is done in the house and not reading or computer related is considered housework. I like removing the hair and digging the dusty furry bits out one by one. Dunno how they get stuck in the roots of the brush in the first place.
Good News
In a span of 3 days, I received 2 pieces of very good news! So happy for both of them, one's preggie and the other's engaged (with massive diamond ring). Ho ho ho!!! Very excited, cannot wait to plan trip to US for the wedding. And perhaps to Germany for Full Moon (Full Month?) Party??? ;-)
Monday, April 24, 2006
Public Holidays
I'm so lucky, only been here for a month and been paid for 3 public holidays already. The easter long weekend and today, Anzac Day. Public Holidays are good, got to achieve so many things today. Tidied up the house, vacummed, finally sat down to do my nails, and now on PC "socialising". Stu did the lawns, took out the tables n chairs for BBQ Party on Saturday, did his fishing rod up, and now has gone to the pub with Colby to "socialise".
Last night was good, we had Dana, Nath, and Colby come over for dinner. We served barbecued shark with blanched french beans and Stu's Mash Bake. I wanted to make mashed pumpkin and potatoes, but when I went for a shower, Stu's instincts took over and he turned it into something topped with egg, tomatoes, ham and cheese and ovenbaked. Dessert was warm Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (grilled under the BBQ) with vanilla ice cream and caramel topping.
Anyway, just wanted to show off the dinner we made. My contribution was boiling the french beans, potatoes and pumpkin to perfection. Well done!
Last night was good, we had Dana, Nath, and Colby come over for dinner. We served barbecued shark with blanched french beans and Stu's Mash Bake. I wanted to make mashed pumpkin and potatoes, but when I went for a shower, Stu's instincts took over and he turned it into something topped with egg, tomatoes, ham and cheese and ovenbaked. Dessert was warm Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (grilled under the BBQ) with vanilla ice cream and caramel topping.
Anyway, just wanted to show off the dinner we made. My contribution was boiling the french beans, potatoes and pumpkin to perfection. Well done!
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Weekends
This is the first time in the 7 years of my working life that I do not have to work saturdays. Yipppeeee!!!! There r so many things to do, for example
(10) Fishing up the coast with Colby
(9) A day on the water in Tommy's Dad's fishing boat
(8) Visit Kylie & Debbie in Newcastle and fish off Eddie's wharf.
These 3 items are of course Stu's favourite weekend activities, as they all involve the word 'Fish'. The only thing I like to do with fish is eat them, so I guess it's fantastic when he does catch some. Plus I love the water, and I can read my novels or magazines while he's fiddling with hooks n bait, so no complaints here. It's also good that his love for fishing is genuine, unlike the 2 goons in Brokeback. How I know this is because Stu has fishy magazines, print-outs of fishing boats for sale, and a $1k reel lying about in various corners of the house.
(7) Shopping with Dana
(6) Catch up with Stu and Nathan after shopping
(5) Catch up with unanswered email and gossip with friends on MSN
(4) Catch up on beauty sleep.
Don't ask me why I need to catch up since I sleep at 9pm every night. I just do. The weather here is shiok but can be drying, even with my Loccitane Shea Butter Lotion, my legs still feel papery, scaly, yucky. The beauty sleep is supposed to cure all.
(3) Go for walk or run in the park with Zuzu
(2) Housework & iron work clothes for the week ahead.
Don't really like to do these 2 either. Housework is ok, but I really hate ironing. A walk or run in the park is ok, but not when Zuzu knocks me over in excitement, trampling over me like I'm her toy.
And the Number One thing to do on Weekends in Oz:
(1) Have a huge, lovely breakfast, either home-cooked or from a nice cafe anywhere in Sydney! Salmon on english muffins w hollandaise sauce, bacon w fried eggs and hash browns, or a savoury spinach and feta cheese muffin, which tastes like Popeye's biscuits. With orange juice and latte. Yummy yummy yummy!
(10) Fishing up the coast with Colby
(9) A day on the water in Tommy's Dad's fishing boat
(8) Visit Kylie & Debbie in Newcastle and fish off Eddie's wharf.
These 3 items are of course Stu's favourite weekend activities, as they all involve the word 'Fish'. The only thing I like to do with fish is eat them, so I guess it's fantastic when he does catch some. Plus I love the water, and I can read my novels or magazines while he's fiddling with hooks n bait, so no complaints here. It's also good that his love for fishing is genuine, unlike the 2 goons in Brokeback. How I know this is because Stu has fishy magazines, print-outs of fishing boats for sale, and a $1k reel lying about in various corners of the house.
(7) Shopping with Dana
(6) Catch up with Stu and Nathan after shopping
(5) Catch up with unanswered email and gossip with friends on MSN
(4) Catch up on beauty sleep.
Don't ask me why I need to catch up since I sleep at 9pm every night. I just do. The weather here is shiok but can be drying, even with my Loccitane Shea Butter Lotion, my legs still feel papery, scaly, yucky. The beauty sleep is supposed to cure all.
(3) Go for walk or run in the park with Zuzu
(2) Housework & iron work clothes for the week ahead.
Don't really like to do these 2 either. Housework is ok, but I really hate ironing. A walk or run in the park is ok, but not when Zuzu knocks me over in excitement, trampling over me like I'm her toy.
And the Number One thing to do on Weekends in Oz:
(1) Have a huge, lovely breakfast, either home-cooked or from a nice cafe anywhere in Sydney! Salmon on english muffins w hollandaise sauce, bacon w fried eggs and hash browns, or a savoury spinach and feta cheese muffin, which tastes like Popeye's biscuits. With orange juice and latte. Yummy yummy yummy!
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