Day 1 of Wilson/MP Trip.

So woke up early on Friday, due to a phone call reminding me to wake up, and then mumbled around the apartment for a while, trying to get together all the things I needed for the next one week. Good thing packed a bit before that so that could just mostly gather last minute things. Somehow managed to walk downstairs, (Thanks KenBear for carrying my bags down!!) and then sat in the car. Was mostly asleep until we reached the Monash Freeway McDonalds for Breakfast where I had a big Berry Yoghurt Shake to wake up. Tried to do the Sudoku in the newspaper but was constantly beaten to numbers by the chibis and so gave up. Cannot really remember the rest of the trip due to brain deadness, but suffice to say, we arrived at the Shallow Inlet Caravan Park around lunch time. Had an ice cream on the way for lunch so was quite full as well.

We went into Wilson's Promontory and got a 2 day pass. Driving inside, we passed some wombats, kangaroos, and lots of birds. Ended up walking down to a beach and then just took pictures and watched the sunset go down. Shivering by then, we divided into two groups with CkBear, VeronBear, CCbear, SheaBear and KenBear in one caravan, and myself, IzyBear, KeeBear, 24Bear and JasonBear in another. Waited for the chicken drumsticks to cook took forever so at one point, 24Bear, JasonBear, KeeBear and myself just kept on playing cards to stay alive. We also rationed out some cookies to beat the hunger. What celebration when the chicken was finally deemed ready to eat. After washing up, we spent the night playing Bang! Fell exhausted into bed.

Day 2 of Wilson/MP Trip.

Was supposed to take some light relaxing walks and hikes around in the promontory but a wrong turning had us walking right to the top of a lookout point. Was quite tired by then but we walked back all the way down and back on to the Norman Beach. Was only there for a short while before we got some pies/hot dogs for lunch. Then it was the big challenge. We drove over to Mount Oberon for the Oberon walk. It was 3.4 kilometres and was uphill all the way. The peak was around 560 metres high. And I am proud to say that with inspiration from SheaBear who power walked all the way up, I managed to walk up right to the top without stopping at all. But was damn tired after that. In fact, the last few minutes of the journey could only have been accomplished with lots of loud grunts. But the view up there was good !! We took a lot of photos up there and I think many refused to move for a while since we were so tired. Walked down later and then went to Squeaky Beach, so called because the sand squeaks when you walk on it. We built a fantastic castle with a moat.....and then of course we had the destruction of the place. Then we had things like footprints, names in the sand, jumping shots, sunset..........so on. Night ended like last night, with Bang! and another car card game.

Day 3 of Wilson/MP Trip.

Finally it was a Monday. We woke up really early as we had to be out of there by 10 am. We did, and started driving down to Mornington. We stopped by for breakfast at a bakery and ended up at the Ashcombe Maze just aroun 11. There I bade goodbye to the chibi group and walked around in the maze for a while before locating the second group I was on the trip with near a lake. Just to clarify, this group was LuciBear, RachBear, SharBear, WeiBear, RoxBear, JinBear, KaiBear, KenBear, KanBear, SabBear, SoBear, RaeBear, NiqBear, DinoBear, WoobyBear and PLBear. Woah. We walked around some more, looking at some rocks, lavendar plants, and another maze before moving on to Sorrento. There we had a nice but slow lunch after which the guys (minus DinoBear) played soccer on the beach for 3 hours while the girls went to the House to unpack and wait for the landlady to finish her inspection. When they finished everyone went back to the house and then finally we all headed out to the Peninsula Hot Springs. At the hot springs there were several pools of varying temperatures and there was even one cold spring. We went around just soaking in the heat, and at one point also jumped into the cold spring to see who could stay there the longest. It was so very relaxing at the hot springs. Absolutely wonderful that by the time we got back for dinner it was about 9.30 pm. Dinner was steamboat and it was great to have 17 people crowded around a big square table with two big pots full of food cooking. There was so much food but we only had a little left at the end of the night. And though it was holiday, and people meant to stay up a little longer, most fell asleep soon after midnight. Myself, I entertained myself with the Wii after everyone went to bed and managed to finish the entire WarioWare...... Haha.

Let me talk about the house a little. It was up on a little hill and then the ground floor had 3 bedrooms, as well as a pool table. A hot tub was situated outside the patio and there was a little winding staircase to upstairs. Upstairs was a big hall with a big television and surround sound system, with a big kitchen. There were another two bedrooms there and a huge balcony with a big barbeque set. Wonderful house and really comfortable.

Day 4 of Wilson/MP Trip.

I woke up around 8.30 am and was wondering why there were no other people awake. So I played more Wii while more and more people woke up and by the time we left the house for Arthur's Seat it was past noon and we had lunch there. Then we split into two groups - the horseriding group (including me !) and the beach group. We had a booking so we had to rush to the stables to get our horses. We had a one hour ride for only 30 dollars which in my opinion was very cheap. We wanted to get a ride where we could trot and canter and gallop even, and we were allowed to do that. The boys eventually separated from the girls and we had a faster ride over a further distance and we were joined by the girls later. It was really fun once you could get into the whole horse rocking movement. Very exciting to feel the wind rushing past, and ducking branches, and avoiding mud puddles. Fantastic. Though we all became very tired after the ride. We got back home to see everyone back and some of the guys were setting up the barbeque. I went down to the hot tub with WoobyBear while waiting for the food to cook and it was quite relaxing especially as we were all hurting after the horse riding..... We then had barbeque and then we were all so stuffed especially from all the meat, and the night culminated in a huge table of poker, Bailey's with Cookies and Cream, and Munchkins.

Day 5 of Wilson/MP Trip.

We woke up early, and packed up. After deciding where to go, we went back to Sorrento. After a hearty breakfast, we went to the Boneo Maze where we thought we would have fun with life size snake and ladders as well as chess piece. However, it was raining and after spending some time in the cafe where we had some scones with jam, and played with some puzzles we returned to the city. We separated into a few groups with the largest going to watch SuperBad at the cinema. I went home, and showered, took a short nap and studied a bit. Then I walked from IH to Hard Rock Cafe where we were having a farewell dinner for RoxBear. The dinner was also attended by SherBear and FredBear in addition to the Mornington people. Then we adjourned to Dooby's place but with myself and NiqBear walking there, enjoying the air and some pleasant conversation. Once there, we were watching television, some poker, some Articulate but we finally left after we could not really do anything.

Then on Thursday, I woke up late, to catch up on all my previous sleep, before going over to Seasons where 3 cars sent RoxBear and PLBear to the airport. It was quite a staid affair, with no tears or hysterics....so it was alright. I had a Krispy Kreme at the airport to vent my feelings. I had only about a week to go.....We returned only to go to the Baillieu Library at university where myself, JinBear, WoobyBear and DinoBear studied. Or at least I did. HAHAHAHA. In fact, I managed to get quite a lot of work done ! At night, we went to Samurai at Hawthorn for dinner, and then back to WoobyBear's place for more studying, poker and talk about life. Seriously, we managed to talk about cheating, sex, virginity, one night stands, and other such serious topics. Haha. Did a few more pages of work, and then also drank some tea, and then some poker and finally went home.

This morning, met up with SalBear for the GrandFinal Parade on Bourke and Swanston before going on to have some lunch near Collins. Then we shopped around at JB Hi Fi and the AFL shop before parting ways. Currently am in the Commerce Computer Lab, where am watching KeeBear and CCBear do their assignment. Unfortunately, they are not very fast. ... ... > < "" Not very efficient. So no more plans of shopping in Smith Street. At least for today.
Now we are going to the Verve again. To plan for tomorrow's crazy activities. Could be fun though. *wink....

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On Thursday, had a good sleep before going out for lunch with CKBear. This was quite late and we had to discuss where to go for a while before going to Soju near Victoria Market. It was a lunch accompanied with a lot of talk. Quite alright food and then after lunch had to rush back to IH as they had changed the keys. Quite tense as this meant I could not get in. Luckily, MrWill the accountant still recognised me and I got the new key. Then stopped by in the city to meet up with XXBear. She was buying buttons and I had to buy some green peas. We drove back up Royal Parade to pick up KatBear before going back to their place for dinner. In fact, it was not just dinner, but also was fed muffins, cookies, biscuits and other yummy tidbits.

After dinner, on a spontaneous decision, we went bowling at Melbourne Central. The lanes here are quite short, but I managed a Turkey on the lanes ! Also, the fantastic girl at the counter gave us student prices even though we were not students. I flatter myself to think that it was because I was smiling at her all the time !!! Haha. It was great and we even bumped into a big group of people namely, NiroBear, SamBear, VBear, DanBear, DDBear who were going to watch a movie. Then walking back to the car, we bumped into another bunch of people namely JinBear, RoxBear, SoBear, RaeBear and the rest who had dinner. Promised to meet up later to go to a Jazz Bar, and then I said goodbye to everyone and went on to the Verve for some Mahjong.

In the end, Jazz Bar was cancelled and I just stayed at the Verve and we played Mahjong and then talked to DamBear about further studies until about 5 am. It is quite ridiculous sometimes how I sleep even later on holidays and yet feel no exhaustion..... Woke up with KeeBear, who had to go for brunch, and went back to IH to get a good shower. Walked over to Seasons to meet up with everyone who were all going to JarBear's place for some assam laksa. We took 4 cars and arrived at his place at Caulfield. The laksa was very good and once again, I experienced the pleasure of being in a nice house in Melbourne. Seriously I think living in Melbourne is fantastic, even in the suburbs.

Then took a ride with JinBear, SharBear and WoobyBear to look at the postgraduate building in Monash. It was quite nice and then we enjoyed looking at the things there. Later took the train back from Caulfield first as I had to meet XXBear and HYBear at Crown Casino. Arrived there early and lost 10 dollars to pokies (STUPID pokies...) and then met them up at Greco for some coffee. Talked a lot and it was really great to meet up with HYBear and talk about her job teaching kids and her funny experiences.

After that, rushed all the way into the city and had to run for a bit as was slightly late. Met up with SoBear, JeffBear, NickBear and KaiBear near Fed Square as we were going for the SemiFinal footy game between Geelong and Collingwood. It was a great game and so close too ! In fact the ending was decided by less than a goal. It was great to be talking to NickBear and JeffBear after so long ! It was also wonderful to eat pie and drink beer at a live footy game. AMAZING. I am still just as excited at footy as ever and it was great to be excited at the stadium with 98000 other people and screaming at each other.

The game ended quite late, around eleven, and we were too tired to go clubbing with the girls so in the end, KaiBear and SoBear and myself went over to WoobyBear's place for some poker. We spent a couple of hours there playing poker before going home to sleep. But for me, I had to stay up to pack as I was going to Wilson's Prom the next morning. So I packed, showered, packed, repacked, watched some late night television, and finally slept for about 2 hours.

Whata very busy day .....

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Eventually conked after watching the cricket game...

Woke up the next day to meet DaveBear for lunch at QV and had a pleasant time ! Also bumped into AmyBear there who was having lunch with XXBear ! Also saw RyleBear and JulBear as well.... Lol...

Later, went back to IH, to get my books to study at tne Law Library. Took the chance to shower and then was at the 4th floor studying for some 2 hours or so...

Then had some footy kicking about in the Lygon park before rushing off to the city to meet JasonBear, EricBear and YvBear for dinner. Went to Seoul, which was this Korean place that I walked past with HarvBear and JeanBear on Sunday. It was fun and we actually talked for so long, the dinner took almost 3 hours.

Then it was off to Lygon Street to meet HonBear, HMBear and SSBear. Talked all the way from Freddo to KokoBlack. There, we were joined by RaeBear, SoBear, and the 4 Cambodian bears... (Lol cannot be bothered to type them all out. Or should I have said SokBears ?). Yummy chocolate martini later, it was time to go to Dooby's apartment where we spent the next few hours with Wii, Poker, Mahjong, and Articulate !! Fun night.

This morning, it was off to Chadstone where they were having one of their VIP sales. Walked around a lot and realised that although there were hundreds of things that I wanted to buy, none of them I needed, and managed to stop myself buying anything. Though I did finally give in and bought a pair of Steve Madden shoes. But they were really cheap though, and shoes were one of the things that I wanted to buy in Australia....so it is OK ?

Came back to meet EugBear and ECBear and JamesBear for dinner. Went to Tokushima in Smith where we talked like only high school friends could.....Then it started raining, and only managed to chill at DanBear's place for a while before going back to IH....

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After that tiring session, I conked out.

And only managed to get my butt out of bed after a whole episode of Dr Phil.

Had another mahjong session before meeting up with FangBear and KhawBear. Super dinner, with lots of super talk. With these guys, I could talk about more serious stuff, beyond the normal rubbish.....wonderful. Walked down to Collins to see FangBear's office and then down to Wills to KhawBear's apartment which was actually in the same building as SharBear's old apartment where it was the first place I met PeteBear. So many memories in Melbourne and it oozes out of every apartment, building, street, restaurant, food, area...

Talking to KhawBear, I was telling him how some people fall in love with New York, but I have fallen in love with Melbourne. And that you did not need to be in Melbourne to continue a loving relationship. And that explains why I feel ultra comfortable in this city even though I have not been back for almost 2 years.

Then walked back to KeeBear's apartment to meet KenBear and CCBear to plan the WilsonProm/LE trip. But I still cannot get the dates properly, because I think I have agreed to watch the Collingwood/Geelong game with SoBear, and I still have a dinner with HueyBear on Friday night ! Tricky, and sticky.

And now that I have overstayed there, I am just too lazy to walk back to IH at night and have decided to just stay here overnight for now...

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Yea ! Am in Melbourne now!!

Arrived and got picked up by JinBear at about 7.30. It was very surprising to find out how fast it took to get through immigration and customs ! RaeBear came along and we all went for breakfast at this nice little cafe and had some fruit for breakfast. Later, I got dropped off at IH to meet JeanBear ! Yay ! Then.... started walking along Royal Parade to Uni, and then dropped in at the Engineering Building to suprise IzyBear !! Persuaded him to come along to lunch at RedSilks and there we waited for all the other unsuspecting suspects !! First to come, were CCBear and KenBear, and then followed by CKBear, KeeBear and DamBear. So funny all their reactions ! Had a fantastically fun and stress free lunch !! The weather was soooooo good !! And we sat outside in the wind ! Wa.... though it was slightly colder than expected...but still totally amazing.

After lunch, walked around the city and ended up in KeeBear and DamBear's apartment where we played mahjong for about 3 hours !! It was nailbiting but ended up losing thirty cents only, after at one point being down 22 dollars ! Then rushed for the tram to meet RoxBear, SabBear, JinBear, RaeBear, KanBear, WoobyBear, DinoBear, KaiBear, FredBear, SherBear and KimBear. This was dinner at Docklands. Fantastic Chicken Salad. Then we adjourned to FredBear's apartment to drink coffee and admire his new coffee machine. We left later to go to se7en, Melbourne's apparent newest hip club. It was freezing cold to line up to go in, and it was such a big change from the heat you get lining up in Singapore for clubbing. It was great, and got to meet a few other people including KenBear, JarBear and VarBear. Collapsed in bed around 5.30 after driving JinBear's car home with 7 people, including KaiBear in the trunk !

Woke up the next day, to have lunch with JeanBear and HarvBear. Stoppede by the Dining Hall, where bumped into JeffBear, AaBear, YYBear, ChandBear and YvBear. Made some plans to meet up later. Then had lunch at King of Kings (that place has not changed !) where we talked and laughed and talked and walked around the city visiting some art galleries and back alleys and book shops. Ended up at his apartment (which has a walk in closet ! and a shrine of ParkyBear !!!) before all of us went our separate ways, me going to JinBear's apartment before meeting up with SoBear and NiqBear, with RaeBear, KimBear, and RoxBear for dinner at Westlake. We had dinner and then bought some burgers for DinoBear and WoobyBear for dinner. We played Articulate ! a board game and then all ended up in front of the TV with the Nintendo Wii.

Today, woke up early to have dim sum with SherBear's parents, herself, SharlBear and ShayBear, with XXBear and FredBear....Yum. Had a fun time as usual with SherBear's parents..so funny....and as usual was asked to eat the last pieces....haha. Walked to XXBear's apartment then, and looked around, meeting KatBear before going off with XXBear and FredBear to Albert Park to have some shots at the driving range. Stayed there a whole afternoon, ending up with afternoon tea at Laurent before coming back to IH where supposedly there should be barbeque in a while with about 20 people. Nevertheless, it is slightly drizzling and hope that it would blow over soon. Never mind, meanwhile can play with AABear's NDS... :P

Later on, after sending JeanBear to Southern Cross Station, will be going to LaTrobe for a spot of karaoke at Kbox ! Expected ending time is 3 am. OMG....

And as of now, I have dinner plans for the next few days...................very busy...

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Wah today was such a relaxing day.

I took leave today.

And I went to the dentist.

And then returned some CDs to GaryBear, got some brownies in return and helped to fill in some pieces of a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

Went home for fish for lunch.

And then went for a haircut.

And then had some rest, watch some TV.

This is what a relaxing day should be like............... :) hehe.... good day......

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Apparently there was an earthquake in Indonesia today. Apparently people felt it in the workplace. I was busy having cocktails at Prince with the new IGs. Hehe. Fun. Met some really nice people ! Too bad I could not stay longer ! Oh and I met GAGeorge !~! from Shanghai. We met while I was working in Shanghai end of last year ! Hehe. He looks the same. In fact he looks a lot younger, because he used to only wear suits when I saw him, and today he was in jeans and polo shirt. Hehe.

I almost went crazy at work today. So much work and so much re-working. Almost fainted.

Bleh.

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Such is life.

After such bleahry days...every cloud has a silver lining.

After not speaking on MSN, we talked on the phone.

After not being able to study on the weekend, I studied on a weekday.

After not being able to claim for my exams, they are sending me to Vietnam.

After not going to gym often, I have gone to gym twice so far this week and broke my airwalker record.

After years of not being able to resist food, I managed to do it.

After weeks of doing my reviews, it is finally time to hand it up.

Sighs of happiness.

We should stay positive in our life.

And every ending can be sweet, it just depends what your point of view is.

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