Rumour has it ...

'That you walk up the stairs every day'. One of my elderly academic told me minutes ago. He told me not to let the news spread too much coz' it will start making everyone else feel bad and they would need to do it, too. Hahah..seriously, I am by far not the most healthy person on this planet. But right now, I think they think I am some health freak. I still love my meat and sweets but since the beginning of this year, I had another reality check and I realised, I need to be serious about losing the extra weight I have been carrying for the past few years. So I am on the right track in 2012! Yay!

These past few weeks have been getting busier at work. But I love my lunch catch ups with Tara. We have both been very busy for the past few months but recently, she emailed me and asked me out. We sat in the park and had our lunch and she showed me heaps of wedding ideas (fyi : her wedding is in March this year). I gave her my suggestions and told her I'll send her some of my Pinterest photos. She emailed me and said this, 'Thank you for helping me today. I don't have many girlfriends whom I can bounce ideas with and I miss my mum heaps.' It reminded me the reason why God placed me here again. Tara lost her mum years ago to cancer. So God gave me another opportunity to be that listening ear and a friend who she can confide in.

Tara's hen's night is coming up in March, too. I am a little nervous as to what they will be doing but thankfully Sarah Choi is coming along. I can be assured (almost) that there wouldn't be any strippers!! This is my very first non-Christian hens' party. A little nervous but I told Tara, I am going only because of her... apparently there will be a party bus and clubs hopping. Ahhh!! I hate these type of things. Meh!

Anyway it is coming very close to the end of January. My colleagues and I are also freaking out coz' Semester 1 will be starting really soon. Our campus will be flooded with students again and planetUNI events will start rolling in. Hello 2012! Ahhhh...New things coming in underway. Excited but nervous - I guess it's good to be nervous!

Sooo...for those who wondered how my french music festival went, it was brilliant! Although someone did fall asleep in the middle of the way, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Just people gazing, enjoying the breeze and listening to the soothing sounds from Asa, Moriaty and Nouvelle Vague! LOVE...

Hello the new year

'What is your new year's resolution?' This is the question I have been asked time and time again for the past few weeks. To be honest, I don't really have big ones lined up this year. Just a few tiny ones at the top of my head :

1) Be healthy and lose a few kilos : it has always been my new year's resolution every year anyway. Whether I am successful is another story..

2) Pick up another short course : right now I'm thinking of pottery. Will have to wait till next week to call up the institute about bookings.... but that's a start.

3) Spend a little more time with DIY craft stuff. Over the holidays, I have been looking at a lot of blogs, instagram pictures... maybe it's time to start the ball rolling on the skills that I have kept away for a long long time. And it helps that one of my new colleague who is temping with us is actually extremely crafty. She makes her own sun-catchers and jewelleries and sell them in markets!!


So...let's start small, Jolyn... :)

Cynthia and I will be meeting Ps Matt and Ps Rudy tonight. Going to be really interesting and exciting. Hmmmmm... Change! But Change is as good as a holiday! :)

Things to look forward this year besides my NY's resolutions :

1) So Frenchy So Chic - picnic in the park this coming Sunday
2) Annie - the musical

Any upcoming holidays? None for now. I will have to start saving... :)

Last day of work...

It's my last day at work. Haven't been that productive the last 2 days. Colleagues and I started decorating the office and chit chatting away. Have been getting lotsa Xmas pressies from the academics - but mainly chocolates so I have been sharing them with my colleagues who have chocolates for breakfast!! I know weird right? But it's good. None of the chocs go to waste! I keep reminding myself... resist!! FAT ARMS AND HIPS! Mehhh...

My colleagues and I also assigned our new temp lady a funny tasks... to research if someone in our team is actually from the same school as Sofia Vegara - the lady in Modern Family. Hahaha..she wikipedia Sofia's background and read them out to us. The things we do when holidays are coming up.

Ohhh Jolvin and I went to watch New Year's Eve last weekend. It was surprisingly very good. I mean you have to go there without much expectations. I think the main thing that attracted me is that it was based in New York - my favourite city in America. And I have so much knowledge about the city that when I watched it, I knew the bits and pieces of it. Spot the Rockettes costumes!!! And the famous New Year's ball which drops when it strikes 12am! More importantly I enjoyed the stories that weave into the concept of New Year's... love Hilary Swank's speech and her story! So if you're looking for a light hearted movie to end the year, try New Year's Eve. You might be surprised by it's heart-warming outcome.

The year is almost coming to an end and the popular question is how I am going to spend it. Last year we went to Sydney. But for this year, it's gonna be a quiet one in Melbourne. A stark difference but sometimes, you just have to stop, think and reflect...Just like Hilary's speech..Love...

5 more working days to Xmas break

I think the past few weeks have been so hectic that my brain is slowly shutting down and I am beginning to make tiny bit of mistakes in my email writing to my academics. I said I'll see them in 3 December 2012. Hahaha...I almost gave some of them a shock!

To be honest, I haven't really work extremely that much this year. Went on a break in March and then on another one in October. But the breaks were good. It gave me time to stop, think and reflect on the changes that have occurred through this year.

I entered this year not knowing exactly what it will eventuate to in terms of my career. I knew I didn't really want to continue with media sales and neither on the agency side. But somehow I thought an opportunity will bring me back to media after an old manager contacted me to meet up with the training manager. All didn't work out. But I believe God worked it out afterall.

Yesterday, while I was seated with my manager and team leader to complete my final probation review, my manager asked me, 'Jolyn, tell me, do you really enjoy what you are doing?' I said it with complete confidence, 'Yes, I really do. I left my old job not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I just knew what I didn't like. But I love it now. I love helping people. And the best part of this is that I get to help academics!'

Before I left the media agency, my boss told me, 'Jolyn, you will have to find the colour of your balloon and fly away to the things you love'. Yesterday confirmed it. It confirmed that I have found the colour of my balloon. My colleagues are extremely supportive and somewhat 'protective'. My manager pointed out that one of my weakness is not telling anyone when my workload gets a bit overwhelming. And yesterday I listed out what I have been doing for the past 9 months and there will be some reshuffle to do next year.

So for now, I will look forward to a restful Xmas and NY break.
And I MISS YOU A LOT, ANT!! :) Same time last year, we were in Sydney....cider *nono*. But now I am a pretty good cider drinker. Hehe... :)

And yesterday 15 December was the 34th year of my parents anniversary!

7 years and many more things to come..

Last week on the 1 of December we celebrated 7 years of planetUNI ministry with Ps Matt. It was somewhat surreal. For the past few weeks, I caught up with a few people who started of with me... some a little later some newer. Debs was saying how she remembered when she was one of the youngest in the ministry. Even Denise! Hahaha, I met her when she was still in high school. 7 years later, Ps Matt is going to bigger and greater things.

I think one of the things that made it so very special is seeing how a ministry has started from scratch. Without a name, without superb expertise to run events...but we did it. With our little talents and simply the willingness to pour our time and energy into a vision of a godly man who has a big heart for the international student ministry.

After the dinner and celebration, I had a little chat with Ps Matt. And the words he said was enough to remind me that for the years of faithfulness, God always see it through and pour out more than enough into my life.

Iris and I were driving back together and we reminiscent on the crazy things we did together. Quiz night, White Night, Mamak Night, Are You Game?, Day 6,It's Time, X-factor... just to name a few. I still love planetUNI and for the next year at least, we will welcome change and see this ministry grow from strength to strength....

Almost there

The year is almost ending. I can't believe how quick it has come by. Deadlines to meet, academics who has 101 questions. But I still love my job. I really do. I meet and hear stories from different people every time. One of the hardest thing to do at work is to keep my focus. I get distracted almost every minute. Even when I am having lunch at my desk. Which is why my colleague and I either lock our offices or we run away from our desks! :P But I must say, I do still look forward to work. Despite the pressures and politics.

The common questions asked lately are when am I getting married and where is my next holiday destination. To be honest, your guess is as good as mine. But the time will come. For now, let me enjoy being in a relationship without the responsibilities of a married woman. :) And as for a holiday, my bank account doesn't really like me now so let's just say.. maybe a tiny small one next year? :) Or even none.

Dad and mum's arriving this weekend. Yay!! I miss them. Gonna have clean clothes everyday, ironed and washed! Yummy home-cooked food... and a super duper clean house. Not that it's dirty now but compared to my mum's standard.. it's mediocre.

Ahhh Xmas is coming.. and the boy's birthday is also near... :)what's plan?! ....

With lots of compliments

What a great Friday to end the week of work and start the weekend.
I spent two days running around trying to organize my ex-Head of Group thank you. It wasn't exactly that hard but trying to do so many things in a short period of time was a bit challenging.

Sometimes I think I can get over ambitious about things. I think that I am 3-4 people. But yesterday, I learn that it's OK to accept help.

Before I was heading to the park for the picnic party, I had several academics calling me and offering help to assist me in bringing the food and bits and pieces to the park. Four of them turned up to help. More than what I needed. One of them even jokingly said that it's because of his long-time training with his wife. He's the slave in his household. This is from people who have PhDs!!! So cute right?

And you know you've done a great job when the most blur academic says this to you and copied everyone on the email.

________________________________________________________
Dear Jolyn,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the afternoon tea in Central Gardens today. It was good for our group to get together, for this occasion, and in such a lovely relaxed location. I think its true to say that the group enjoyed themselves - the company, and the food and drink that was made available.

Thank you for your energy and effort in arranging this event, and to others who may have assisted you. It's very much appreciated.

Warm regards,

................


Yes Jolyn,
I think the great job you did in organizing yesterday to get people together reflects on how important the feeling of 'team' is.
Job well done yesterday and put me down for the 9th

From............



Thanks Jolyn...

Btw, you really are doing a great job! .....'s email reflects the way many of us feel about your efforts...

From............


At times like these, I am reminded that this is worth every effort!
Don't ever be too big to do small things! :)