Perhaps, I'm always a city girl at heart. You don't know how happy I was when I saw Loewe, Gucci, Chanel and all the big brands there. I know I can't afford them but looking at them makes me happy already:):):) Oh, plus shops don't close at 5 pm! More smileys:):):)

Ok, enough of shopping and materialism. I didn't have chance to do much shopping since we spent most of our time in Snowy Mountains(Snowies), church or sightseeing in general. I didn't plan to do much shopping there anyway. Too expensive*dreams about Taiwan where things are sooo cheap*

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Sydney although I was a bit reluctant to go Snowies with 11 other people whom I don't know despite knowing that they are church brothers and sisters. Wow, that was such a long sentence! But seriously speaking, I have no regrets going. In fact, I haven't been so happy and carefree since... I forgot. It's a total different level of happiness. I think you call it joy:):):)

I know all you guys who are bugging me just want to see the pictures right? Too bad I can't put truckload of it because SOME PEOPLE have yet to send me the pictures*cough cough* But I think it's enough to kill your bandwidth*stick out tongue*

Friday (28.06.2008)- Touch down in Sydney and feeling groggy because I just finished exams+ stayed up the whole night to pack and tidy up my room. Panicked a little in the airport because I can't see Kor kor Mad Cow(KKMC). Thank God for mobile phones:) Sharon and Shelley came to pick me up too! Well, I'm gonna stay with them the whole of my Sydney trip. A bit awkward in the beginning because I never met them before. But you know la, I'm full of words plus getting high from the lack of sleep. I don't want to know what kind of impression i made on them.

Had my lunch in a random Chinese restaurant in Hurtsville. Then we are off to Parramatta to have Italian hot ciok at Toscani. It was sooooo good ok! Like when it cools down, you can freaking see a layer of chocolate on the top! I almost wept drinking it. How did they make it so good?




Ding Ding, Cong Cong, Wen Zhen and Austin met up with us to do grocery shopping for our Snowie trip. The first time I walk along Parramatta, I was like 'is this China town?' There were so many Chinese shops over there! For your information, it isn't. I wonder how China town look like then:/



Went to an Italian restaurant in Parramatta called Bertani which serve crap Tiramisu but awesome pizza. Come over to Perth, our Tiramisu is so good, you will be spoilt for life:)


Even the water cost like $5.


Then had Friday night service and went to Sharon and Shelley's home to knock out(K.O)

Saturday (29.06.2008)- Wake up bright and early to go for church service. I don't think I'll be able to survive Sydney driving. It's like Singapore... again.

Sydney church is very big. Reminds me of Adam Road in Singapore.


Escape counseling to go to Kor kor Ernie's place;) Well, we have to pick Donald, Doris and Karen so I have a reason!


This is the first time I see KKMC so hardworking:P


Sunday(29.06.2008)- Finally! Snowy Mountains road trip commence! I can't believe I woke up at an insane hour again. Was it 6am? I can't remember but I know the sun hasn't rise yet. All of us gathered at Maccas at some random place*don't look at me like that! How do I know where? Too early even for little Miss curiosity* Ok, somebody told me the place is called Campbelltown. Happy now?

A total of 15 people went:) And 4 cars! From oldest to youngest...
Brian, KKMC aka Liao Qian, Lily, Amy, Wen Zhen, Winly bear bear, Ernie Kor kor, Ding Ding jie jie, Austin, SharonL, ME!, Cong Cong, Keeeeooonni, ShelleyQ and Perry.

Oh, we have so much food we can feed an army of people for a month! At least we know we won't starve:P

Volunteered myself for the first stretch of driving because it was supposed to be easy. And I ended up driving all the way down to Canberra-___-"


Actually, I ♥ driving when there are not many cars + the opportunity to speed;) A beautiful day just make me feel more cheery than I felt.


Didn't see Kevin Rudd in Canberra:(:(:( Wanted to complain to him about petrol prices. Speaking of which, it actually dropped!

We passed through Cambeltown and Cooma before reaching Jindabyne.

After 7 plus hours, we reached our humble home:)


Getting our skiing gear for tomorrow skiing! Prepping myself for the cold the next day.


Made Keoni take a picture with a pink mitten.


The skies are so breathtaking.


Getting ready for dinner! As you can see, there are those who help out to prepare dinner and there are those who are too lazy to help know that too many cooks spoil the soup.


Yummy dinner. Ding Ding is like the boss of the kitchen. Everybody obeys her. Our mother for this trip. Cong Cong comes a close second. Now that I think about it, their whole family dominate the kitchen. Yes, even Austin and Wen Zhen. Preparing, cooking and washing. Well, I'm not complaining.

The news says that there isn't snow on the mountains yet and we were a bit disappointed. I remembered specifically that Ernie led the prayer for dinner because he prayed for good weather. It was funny.


After dinner, we continued to play card games. I think we were getting more comfortable with each other by this time but not enough to start calling people by nicknames or fool around.

Monday (30.06.2008)- Getting ready for skiing except there isn't snow. It says that it is going to rain in the afternoon though. Snow please snow! I don't even know why we bothered getting snow chains since there isn't snow. Winly and Sharon were stressing on how to put on the snow chains. Kiasuism isn't a Singaporean thing after all.


I drove again. Look at the pretty sights along the way to snowies. As you can see, no snow caps in second picture:( How to ski?


No snow also still can photowhore:) At least I'm on the chairlift. Big ass picture of me!



The long lonely ride up to Thredbo.


It started raining while I was on the chairlift! Super suay (Hokkien for unlucky). No pictures while I was up on the ski slope because it is so freaking cold. Plus instructor got pissed at me because I couldn't ski properly. Well, in the end he was impressed with me. Like nearly the end of class because I finally got hold of the idea. It wasn't that hard to ski honestly but such a pain. Quote from KKMC: "Why people want to suffer and ski?" Snowboarding look awfully hard. I think Amy nearly killed 4 skiers in the process of stopping herself while snowboarding.

And it snowed and snowed. It's not even funny because when it's not cold enough, it turned to rain. The boots made us walk like robot cop:S When we decided to leave, it was still snowing/raining. I don't know which one is worse. The only thing i had in my mind was, "Why was I here again?"

The cold was so bad, I was shivering and I'm pretty sure I was turning blue. Well, actually my fingers were. I couldn't feel them! Eternally traumatised. At least Korea's snow is the soft nice ones like the ones they promised in advertisement. Sydney one is like hail can? Many small chunks of ice hitting you. They lie in the Australian advertisements I tell you. I can ensure you it was super uber cold I think I was so shocked that I couldn't even cry in misery. Right now, whenever I feel cold in Perth, I just tell myself nothing beats Snowies and I feel warmer immediately.

See what I mean? The freaking snow ice cubes are like bullets.


All our pants were wet so we decided to put it in the dryer but it wouldn't dry.

Me: Where are the pants?
Austin: Go see the eighth wonder of the world.
Me: Where?
Austin: At the brothers room.
Me: (Walk to brothers' room) Ahh!
Austin: See, I told you it's the eighth wonder of the world
Me: -___-"



We were so tired! Ernie and Winly bear made the special Indian curry with special ingredient. Taste good:)

Pawn Keoni at Scrabble and end up sleeping late:/

Tuesday(01.07.2008)- Second day of skiing. Prepared lunch before leaving the place. See the usual few people again. I, errr, contributed by making a couple of sushi before I lost interest.


God answered Ernie's prayer... Snow! Weeeeee...




Seriously had ENOUGH! But still went anyway because this time we are actually skiing. We used the 'Easy does it' trail this time. Again, hallelujah for chair lifts! Love skiing now that the weather is better plus I'm a sucker for speed. Had a number of tumbles before I can ski the slope without falling:) I am awesome:P

Ernie with his paparazzi camera.


Me being extremely thankful for sushi:)






Girls power!


And the snow fighting begins:)


Then home for barbie!!! At least today it wasn't as bad:) Tired nonetheless. Austin and Keoni are so funny! They decided since they spent so much on the ski goggles, They should make full use of it. Oh, notice we bought the barbie set indoors? The wind is wayyyy too strong!


I think we were more 'together' after the terrible snow storm yesterday. We were joking around*bliss*

Played scrabble again. This time with Keoni and Wen Zhen. Who won? I think it was me again:P Oh and the Scrabble bag stink of BBQ. Keoni, if you miss barbie, just sniff the Scrabble bag;)

KKMC always bully Winly bear bear. So Ernie and I taught him a word. 'Siam' meaning scoot off in Hokkien.

Me: Tell KKMC to 'siam lar' if you want to BBQ the food.
Winly bear: 'Siam?'
Ernie: Must use more force. 'SIAM AH!'
Winly bear: Oh okie (nod head in a cute manner)
(Winly walks towards KKMC)
Winly bear: KKMC, they ask me to tell you to siam.
Ernie and I: -___-"
KKMC: SIAM LAR!

Winly bear! Hopeless!!! He is so funny though:)

Wednesday (02.07.2008)- Leaving Jindabyne... And the beginning of crazy jumping photos:)


Along the river in Jindabyne. Uber windy i nearly flew awayyyyy!


I was made to be the leading car because uh, I drive fast? Sorry Brian, did I give you stress?

On the way to Cooma, just wheat fields... You can 拍连续剧 already!


My personal favorite picture:)


And then we reach Bega valley where Bega cheese is made. And there was even paparazzi to spy on us. No kidding.


After that we had picnic lunch on top of Bega lookout. Super windy AGAIN. And then we moved on! Drive and drive ...

No, the dodgy toilets are not as stinky as the ones in China. China beats hand down.


Swap cars again. Finally got to drive Rav 4. Question: How come all the cars are listening to Josh Groban? I moved from 3 different cars and it was still him. Thank God I adore Josh!

Drove to a place between Batehaven and Sunshine bay to stay at a cheap accommodation. $10 per night. Super CHEAP?!

And since we found cheap accommodation, we decided to treat ourselves to woodfired pizza!



This is the most interesting one. It has mango on it!


We had hymn singing in the chapel after dinner. Thank God, the people there said we sounded nice^^ Later into the night, we decided to chill at our place since they have foosball, ping pong, snookers and swings. Liao Qian is pro at Ping pong because he has the best bat. Winly bear said that*points to Winly bear*

Played Scrabble again with Keeeeooonnni. I was super drained after driving but somebody keeps thinking he can win so we played. I think I fell asleep while playing... Decided to continue the next day. No winners for the night.

Somebody suggested Maccas and Ernie went. Sorry, Maccas closed. He cooked instant noodles in the end. Are you sure you guys are so hungry?

Thursday (03.07.2008)- Was the last one to wake up. A group picture before we leave the place. Starting from the bottom is the oldest to youngest. KKMC undefined.



Another jumping photo:)


Next stop: Ulladulla. Honestly, who thought up of all these names?

Walked through the nature reserve and tried finding some dolphins. Found none:( By this time, I was super tired.


Fell asleep in the car until we reached Nowra Visitor centre. Then back to K.O before I felt the car stopped again:S

Javies Bay

Then continue K.O again all the way to Kiama to see the lighthouse and blowhole there.

KKMC suggested KFC but couldn't find any so KKMC and Ernie ended up going to Woollies to get BBQ chicken:)

While waiting...


Things start getting silly. They must be really hungry.


Blow hole! BOOOOM!


The scenery is nice right? I didn't even need to photoshop!


Yay! Food finally arrived:) Ernie gave me a new name-___-"

Ernie: Keoni, Serene says how come you have a Hawaiian name. She wants one too. I'll give her one ok?
Me: ??
Ernie: This name is very nice. It means 'sea town'. You want?
Me: O.o
Ernie: What do you think of Serene Wollongong Chan? Nice right?
Me: Wah Piang!

Now Winly bear keeps calling me Wollongong because I call him bear. Fair fair ok? Winly bear is also my offical toilet manager:) He is super good at scouting for toilets:D


Drive to Wollongong's lighthouse. We missed the Powermama scenery at sea cliff bridge because the sun has set:(

While waiting for the 2 other lost cars to rejoin us, Brian and Austin joined me for some crazy posing. I don't know what we are doing. I don't get high on drugs. Deprivation of sleep is enough.


Had a simple dinner with Sharon, Shelley, Amy , Perry, Ernie and me. Then back home to K.O

Friday (04.07.2008)- Even before we can have time to recover from our Snowie trip, we are up and early to go sight-see Sydney. 11am is early ok.

Super suay (hokkien for unlucky). Rain and rain and rain.

Taking the train. It's double deckered. So cool!



Walking on Sydney Harbour bridge.


Sydney Opera house


In case you forgot about me:P


Manly beach. Raining so we stayed 30 seconds on the beach then decided to go shopping:D Pro or not?


Had dinner at Temasek where they serve nice chendols:)


Then service at church again:)

Saturday (05.07.2008)- Was being a good girl as usual:) Stayed in church the whole time!

With my new friends Karen, Kimberly and Doris:) And had lunch and dinner in church!


At night it was Pancakes on the rocks:) Nearly died of the cold. Who call me to be so hiao ( hokkien for 爱美). My pink jacket clashes with the orange dress so I rather suffer in the cold.*shake head* For the sake of fashion. Tell me I'm very noble:P


Yummilious! Felt sick the next day though. Must be sugar overload. Thank you Lawrence and Vince for the treat:)



Sunday (06.07.2008)- Kor kor Ernie is our tour guide of the day:) Went to Sydney Harbour National Park where you can see the gap.



After that to Blue Mountains!

KKMC wants to learn how to knit! Teach him until can >.<


Although it was rainy, it was worth it!!! How often can you see a view like this? Oh and this place is called the grand canyon.

Ernie took over Winly's job as toilet manager. Wherever we went, he will tell us where the toilets is>.<




Then we were whisked off to Wollongong to see the powermama view. Keoni and Winly bear were there waiting for us because they had stuff to do earlier.




Doing our stuff again


Went back to Sydney in Keoni's car. Winly bear shotgun. I still can't believe the 2 of you fooled me with the ring!*shake head*

Monday (07.07.2008)- Last day in Sydney. 疯狂！

Had yummy dimsum at Chatswood VERY near KKMC & Winly bear's home. Yes, they are housemates.


Then walk around the mall and got 2 pair of Guess? jeans:) Had avocado juice chunks with condensed milk. Anak:)

Overall, the apartment looks neat until you walk into the rooms. Guys apartment what, can't demand much. To be able to walk into the living room without obstacle course is considered very good already.

We moved on to Queen Victoria Building where there were heaps of brands there:D

Seriously people, Krispy kreme is overrated. Who started the craze? I want to kill that person. Carried 2 dozens of donuts back out of duty.



Krispy Kreme should really consider opening a store over here in Perth so that people like me who doesn't like it are not compelled to carry them back.

Awesome shopping!!!

And then, with 25 minutes left no thanks to Kor kor Ernie ensuring me that there is plenty of time, we practically flew to the airport. I seriously thought I have to stay another night in Sydney. Had to beg the lady to let me board. Lucky Ernie came out with his charm:P Is this a scheme to make me stay in Sydney for another night? Powermama!

Many thanks to people over there who are wonderful hosts:) Especially KKMC who is my nanny, Kor kor Ernie who is my driver, Sharon and Shelley for the roof over my head, Winly bear for just being funny, Keoni for being my jumping buddy, and all the rest for making the snowie trip an enjoyable one:)

A long boring lonely sad flight home:( I'm not ready to leave Sydney yet!

Anyway, I saw my baby at the airport. Indery and Tashi picked me up. Indery can't accept my crazy driving still. Speaking for herself:P

Super tired... Needs another break but there's church camp tomorrow at Woodman point.



link to post 1 Pigs flew today