:: Janice's *bLoG* ::

:: Sunday, August 31, 2003 ::

A whole week without posting anything??? What's gotten into me? Well, SORRY. I guess I've been doing other things other than being on the computer... mainly getting myself more addicted to reality TV....The Bachelor...The Amazing Race...For Love or Money....it just doesn't stop! :) Well, l did manage to do something more productive...like get a job! I managed to get a temporary job in an Australian superannuation company (AAS). I'll be in customer service and I swear to God, I'll be a REALLY nice customer service staff. You know how you ring up major corporations and they have REALLY rude and unfriendnly customer service people on the other end? You can rest assured that won't be me...unless they ask for it- like when people start abusing me on the phone- but I suppose it will be company policy to remain calm and cool. ANYWAY, this job goes for 8 weeks and it'll be full time during those 8 weeks, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm...and it's right in the city, so that's cool...not too far from me and I can have lunch with my sister or friends. The first week will basically be training and the next 3 weeks I'll be "learning" and HOPEFULLY after those 4 weeks, I'll be a pro :) I hope so. I suppose you could say I'm excited...mainly because it's my first real job (not including work experience, but excluding REAL permanent jobs) and also coz it's superannuation stuff and we didn't cover that in my course. So the plan for the moment is to hold onto this temp job and then I'll be going back to KL for a holiday in November and then I'll come back to Melbourne and if my PR still isn't approved by then, I'll just get another temp job. When this temp job starts this Wednesday, I'll be officially supporting myself...scary but has to be done and I'm actually looking forward to it.

Enough about the real world for a minute!

Finding nemo finally came to Melbourne!!! I can't believe how long it's taken for it to get here...it premiered in the US back in May! It's been 3 months for God's sake. Anyway, it was SO SO SO SO SO SO SO good!!! It was so funny, graphics were great and the characters were hilarious and cute. I think I'll be getting it on DVD :) It's just one of those movies (cartoons) you can watch over and over again and not get sick of it...oh, and I also cried. Suprise, surprise. Now that Finding Nemo has officially hit Australian shores, I bet pet shop fish sales just sky rocketed! I can just imagine every kid out there wanting to buy a clown fish and naming it Nemo. Hey, I want a clown fish so I can name it Nemo! :)

Ohhh I nearly forgot...graduation day was awesome! Everything went well....no, I didn't trip, fall over or forget to bow (much to your disappointment, Julian, I'm sure!)....it was an extremely long and exhausting day but very worthwhile I suppose...I mean, I only graduate once! Not counting if I plan to do Masters later on in life. It took just over an hour to get my gown...there were just so many people graduating...333 to be exact. The ceremony went for nearly 2 hours and I even paid full attention (nearly) to all the speeches. After the ceremony we took lots of pictures and even professional ones which we had to, guess what, yes line up for. Bloody lines. After last Saturday, I never wanna stand in a line ever again! After the whole thing (photos and all) I had a dinner celebration with lots of family. I guess you could say everything went pretty smoothly and with success...if you don't count the weather that is. It was a VERY wet Melbourne day...in fact Melbourne decided to be at its wettest and coldest on graduation day...oh well, as if I'd let something like that get me down. Except that I had straighted my hair for the ceremony and of course rain DID NOT help. ANYWAY, I am officially a graduate so that's all that matters :)

:: *JaNiCe* @ 1:05 AM [+] ::

I keep getting all these emails with HUGE attachments in it...I suspect they're all emails with viruses attached, so I just go ahead and delete them but they're SO annoying...I log-in to my email and it ALWAYS says I'm using 116% of my inbox...ARGH. This could mean that I'm not getting "real" emails that people are sending me coz my inbox just keeps getting too full. I am thinking of changing my email provider but that'll be too much of a hassle since almost everyone I know are used to my current email. Oh well. Stupid virus. Stop already. Thank God for Norton Antivirus though...don't think my laptop's been hit by that "worm". TOUCH WOOD.

Graduation is in approximately 16 hours. Please pray I don't trip, fall over or do anything that would embarrass me infront of a crowd of easily a thousand people (maybe I'm exaggerating, but there'll be A LOT of people). And we're even meant to "bow" to the Chancellor and the Dean...so let's hope I don't bow at the wrong person. Why do we have to bow anyway? It's weird how we have to pay respect to these people whom we've NEVER met throughout the entire 3 years (or however many years) of our course. Oh well, I guess they're pretty *important* people...so bowing it is.

Marcus is leaving for New Zealand on a snowboarding trip tomorrow morning :( Apparently there's been a pretty big earthquake in Queenstown which is where he'll be snowboarding, so pray he'll come home in one piece.

Finally heard from Andrea yesterday and today. Been wondering where she's been...thought she mysteriously disappeared into thin air after finals, but I figured she must've gone home to Kuching for a holiday....I was right :)

Will update after graduation!

:: *JaNiCe* @ 11:19 PM [+] ::

Okay, get ready for this.......

DAWSON'S CREEK IS RETURNING TO CHANNEL 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can't already tell how excited I am...let me just tell you, I'm SO VERY, VERY, VERY, INCREDIBLY, EXTREMELY EXCITED! That has to be my most favourite TV show alongside Felicity. The final season aired what seems to be a 100 years ago in the US, but it's only finally making its way to Australian TV...so annoyed yet thankful and grateful :) I have not been to a single Dawson's website in AGES coz I'm afraid I might spoil the season finale...and if anyone even tries to hint to me what happens in this very last season, you'll be sorry! Haha. I'm still yet to get the entire 1st season on DVD. I have a feeling that the FINAL episode of this FINAL season will be an emotional and teary one for me...I mean, no Dawson's Creek for the rest of my life...that's a big thing. I was pretty teary with Felicity ending....so I won't be too surprised if the finale of Dawson's causes a fair bit of waterworks...I'll be surprised if I don't get emotional!

So last Saturday was pretty cool...had a great birthday dinner at Cafe Sienna, great atmosphere, great company, great food, great CHOCOLATE CAKE (sorry, Sharon!), great night. Everyone I invited (12 people) turned up so I was pretty pleased. Earlier that day, Ian called to ask if I had a birthday cake and candles to blow out at the restaurant and I said "Umm...NO". And him and the gang were thinking of getting me a cake but I gave Ian strict instructions NOT to get me a cake. Call me crazy (I know some of you will!) but I find the whole idea of a bunch of people singing Happy Birthday to me infront of a whole restaurant rather embarrassing. Chinno arrived with a HUGE box in tow and I was like "OMIGOD, that's NOT a cake is it?"...he assured me that it wasn't and my heart started beating again :) Anyway, after dinner, we ordered dessert- how could we not order dessert at Sienna? Before I knew it, desserts arrived, including the slice of chocolate cake that Marcus and I ordered, and on it a sparkling sparkler and everyone burst into the Happy Birthday song...it was actually pretty touching :) Ian being the sneaky person that he is organised it! Thanks Ian :) So after dessert and feeling like an absolute pig (I was SO FULL), we walked down to Bridie O'Reilleys for a few drinks...the dancefloor was so extremely packed which was rather disappointing coz I was in a dancing mood. Ed and I got onto the dancefloor and within 5 minutes I felt smothered and started getting really hot...so we decided to move away from the dancefloor. There were also so many drunk people *trying* to dance...it was annoying. The had no sense of balance and control whatsoever. Away from the dance floor, we stood around, had drinks and talked. Zlynn and the gang left a little early, which left Ed and the gang left to party the night away. We were sick of standing so we went outside to the courtyard (sort of) and just sat around talking and opening my presents (which I'll get to later!)...then we walked furthur down to Studio Cafe, the boys had Long Island Ice Teas (YUCK!), the girls had milkshakes and hot chocolates and we practically inhaled 2 bowls of chips. MmmMMMMmm...nothing better than a late night snack. We sat around talking more and finally decided that it was time to leave (actually, my feet just started hurting!) All in all, I had a great night and I hope everyone who turned up did too!

Now, on to the presents!! I got some REALLY cool presents...I have such good friends! Haha. Well, from Zlynn, Chinno, ML, Ian & Clifton, I got a couple of pairs of earrings which were sooooooo pretty....also got the Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle CD, got a scarf...and get this, they got me a coffee maker!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I wonder why they thought of getting me a coffee maker...I mean, I only have like 4 cups of coffee a day :) And I also got a REALLY yummy bag of coffee beans from Starbucks (to go with the coffee maker I presume). Thanks guys! I loved all the presents :) By the way you guys left the pen you used to write the card with in the box, you want it back? :) Okay, from Emma & Leigh, I got some really nice coloured lipgloss and another pair of earrings. From Steph I got a really cool bag. From Ed I got a BEAUTIFUL warm scarf and a pretty purse, and from Fiona I got some really cool bracelets. Thanks everyone...I can't believe I liked ALL of my presents! You know how sometimes you get presents which you open and you go "ooookay...this is....nice". When you're really thinking- there's NO WAY I'm gonna wear this! Or something like that :) But seeing that my friends know me pretty well, that wasn't the case this year!

Graduation in FOUR days!

:: *JaNiCe* @ 1:05 AM [+] ::

Umm...no it hasn't, but I WANT it to spring! And SOON too! It is just too cold for my liking...well, not really, but I'm sick of cold weather and I am missing the beach! As much as I want summer to come rolling by, I am in a way glad it's not here YET...coz the condition of my legs are nowhere near where it should be for summer! Haha. Spring is fine, I can still wear jeans in spring :)

Well, I am in a DVD-craze phase at the moment...the other day, I watched Ocean's Eleven with my dad...that is such a good movie. When it first came out, I was pretty sure I was gonna find it boring, but NOPE, I was into it 100%...and found it so intriguing...kinda made you wanna go rob a casino. Haha. George Clooney really made it look *easy*. Anyway, back to DVDs...today I watched The Hours, FINALLY. And I also borrowed The Hot Chick (much to Chinno's dismay) and The Quiet American. I also borrowed Bridget Jones' Diary from my sister, even though I've seen it just about a billion times.

They started airing the new season of Amazing Race last night! It was excellent! I LOVE that show. It only seems to get bitchier and catty-er as the seasons go by...but who cares! Everytime Ed and I watch the Amazing Race, we're always so inspired to go do it, although I'm sure it'll strictly only be for American citizens. I keep wondering to myself if I'll ever be able to do something like that...coz it seems like even the fittest person on Earth wouldn't be able to get through it...but then again, I think of the old couple on the previous season and they came in second, so I'm sure I'll be able to get through with it!

Okay this strange, scary looking moth is flying around me...I HATE MOTHS, so I'm gonna get going. ULLLGH.



:: *JaNiCe* @ 2:28 AM [+] ::

Wow, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, BUT...I'm SO GLAD Australia decided to jump on the band wagon and go ahead with an "Australian Idol"... just like the American one. Before they started airing Australian Idol, I didn't think it would be good...only coz it had too many similarities to "Pop Stars" and I just thought Pop Stars was lame and daggy. And also, I didn't think it could ever beat American Idol. Not that I followed the entire season of American Idol, I just followed whatever was aired on Entertainment Tonight, hehe. But now that I've seen Australian Idol, I'm so glad they decided to go through with it and I am already getting addicted! It's about a million times better than Pop Stars...and I think the whole performing live thing is more interesting. And there really are some REALLY talented singers out there...I'm pretty impressed. GO DANIEL! :)

Today, I finalised the details to my birthday dinner this Saturday night...not that there were too many details. I've decided to have it at Cafe Sienna...I think the food there's pretty good and desserts there are YUMMY, and plus it's on Chapel St (not far from me AT ALL) and also close to bars and cafes if we were gonna go out to drinks after. I'm tres excited! As of now there are 14 people on my guestlist, so I've booked for 14. But people, if you CAN'T make it, TELL ME so I can rearrange the numbers and let Sienna know. But I'm expecting all of you (those invited, of course) to be there, so no excuses please. It should be a good night...it's been awhile since I've been able to catch up with some of the people on my list...and it'll be nice to have everyone altogether enjoying a nice dinner too. What I'm REALLY looking forward to is the hot chocolate fudge cake that they serve at Sienna...it's to die for, seriously...oh, and of course I'm really looking forward to the company too...of course!

I had a really good chat to Sharon & Jun Yi last week when they called on my birthday. It was in a way comforting to talk to them as they're some of my CLOSEST friends and I haven't seen them in awhile (since February!)...and it really made me miss KL even more...I'll be flying back to KL for my cousin's wedding in November so it'll be good to see everyone again. There are a couple of friends whom I haven't seen in YEARS...coz they're now in America and our holidays just clash like nothing else. I doubt I'll be seeing them at the end of the year.

Okay, got to go...I am in a reading mood. Marcus lent me "Temple" over the weekend and I am so into it right now....it's by the same author who wrote "Ice Station"- Matthew Reilly- an EXCELLENT writer...he's definitely one of my favourites now. It's funny. One of my favourite authors is Danielle Steel. And if you think about how different both their books are. It's kinda weird how they can both be my favourite authors! But they are :) I like different things :)



:: *JaNiCe* @ 11:50 PM [+] ::

I can't believe J-LO and Ben Affleck have split up?!?!?!?! WHAT??? This is really getting to me...I am a pretty big fan of J-LO...and when I say big fan, I mean I think she's a great singer and an okay actress (better than A LOT of other singer wanna be actors- ie: as much as I hate to admit it, Britney could be a prime example here), I have her albums, I love her songs, she's a pretty cool dancer, she's BEAUTIFUL, I have her perfume and I'd buy a ticket to her concert in a heartbeat...and everytime I say to someone that I think J-LO's cool, they give me a hard time and then I spend time defending her...and here she goes doing something like dumping Ben!!! After all her failed relationships and marriages...NOT ANOTHER ONE!! How am I supposed to keep defending her??? I wish you wouldn't put me in this kinda situation, J-LO!

:: *JaNiCe* @ 1:48 AM [+] ::

I know, I know...I've been practically non-existent with my updates! Totally sorry...but it seems when you have "more" time on your hands...you just seem to do other things than what you're supposed to be doing :) Or maybe it's just ME.

Well, my birthday was pretty good...I didn't do all too much but that's only because I've arranged for another celebration on the 16th with everyone. It'll be dinner and then we can all go out to drinks! :) So yesterday (my birthday) started with a buzz from my apartment buzzer thingie...it was Allison & Nina (Dean's sister and mum). They were here to pick up a couple of free passes to the Melbourne International Film Festival. I was actually meant to go but the movies that I wanted to watch were on at the WRONG times. Dammit. So anyway, Alli & Nina brought me flowers...they're SO pretty! I don't really know what kinda flowers they are...but I do know that they're purple and yellow and really pretty :) It's amazing how a bunch of flowers in a vase can really brighten up a place. Before putting the flowers in a vase, I had a look around my apartment and it just looked really plain and simple...and then I put the flowers in a vase and on the dining table and suddenly everything lit up...like my apartment looked about 10 times brighter. So people, flowers ARE the trick to lighten up a place! As if I didn't already know that from watching endless episodes of Better Homes and Gardens!

ANYWAY, back to my birthday...so Alli & Nina came by..or rather woke me up...which was rather embarrassing..coz I literally just got out of bed, was still in my PJs, hair everywhere, teeth not brushed. And they could tell I just got out of bed. How embarrassing. After they left, I went to have lunch with Zlynn & Chinno...we actually decided to go to somewhere DIFFERENT for a change...so we ended up on Brunswick St at a restaurant called Marios. It was sooo delish. I had spaghetti carbonara which was really nice and didn't make me feel sick whatsoever...Chinno had risotto and Zlynn had this oxtail pasta thingie... which were all yummy. Then we just sat for ages and talked and talked. Took some photos too. I'll post them up later this week! Then, later in the night Marcus took me out to dinner at Piccolo Mondos on Lygon St. Now, those of you from KL reading this, I can just picture you scrunching your faces going "Why the hell would you go to Piccolo Mondos?????"...but I can assure you that the Piccolo Mondos here in Melbourne is about a million times better than the one in KL!

Now on to presents...this birthday has been REALLY good presents wise. As you all know, my dad got me a digital camera (shared with my brother but hey, it's still a digital camera!)...and last weekend, we went to my sis's house for a pre-celebration of my birthday...and her and Dean got Adrian and I a DVD player! WOOHOO. Now, again it's shared but STILL!!! It's a DVD player!!! :) I was so excited...now I can finally get the entire Season 1 of Dawson's Creek on DVD... I am dying for the box set!! Everytime I walk into HMV or JB Hifi, I just HAVE to stop and look at the box set of Dawson's Creek...always LONGING for it.... hahaha... sad, I know, but whatever. Marcus got me the perfume I've been wanting for so long now...it's called Glow by J-LO!

My dad's arriving in Melbourne tonight and he'll be here till graduation. I have to go pick him up from the airport so............later! :)



:: *JaNiCe* @ 6:21 PM [+] ::

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANICE!

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday dear me,
Happy birthday to me!!!!

:: *JaNiCe* @ 11:52 AM [+] ::