Multicultural Week 2007
Recently I've been flat out doing Multicultural Week stuff. I don't think people understand how much work actually goes into all this. Packing M&M's has been real hard work and slave labour!!! =( I must say that it's been an interesting experience so far - I've learnt a whole lot of things. Every time I see promotional material when out and about, I wonder how much the business would have paid for it. How much the banner costs, according to size, colour, eyelets and rope... the quality of the postcard and the thickness of the paper in gsm, full colour on one side, black and white on the other, matte or gloss finish... arhh I'm turning into a GEEK!
Anyway, here's my promotional speel for MCW on my blog, though you should all know what MCW is by now! ... I won't have time to update until MCW is over... so I hope all you Curtin peeps and Canning kids will come visit! There will be free M&M giveaways, daily raffle drawsa and FREE goodby bags - with a collectible set of cool MCW postcards! They look really spiffy!
What is it?
Multicultural Week 2007 is an annual event hosted by Curtin’s International Student’s Committee and aims to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural awareness within Curtin. It will incorporate cultural aspects from the five continents of the world; Oceania, Africa, Europe, America, and Asia on different days.Various cultural performances will be on display, the International Students Committee, ISC soccer cup and Pasar Malam are amongst the events that will run during multicultural week.
When is it?
Multicultural Week will be running from October 1 - 5 at Curtin University Bentley Campus. During the week, most of our events and programs will be from 10am - 2pm outside the ANZ ATM, Henderson Court and the 599 roundabout.
Pasar Malam will be the state closing ceremony for MCW and will be on October 5 from 6pm onwards in Alcoa Court and John Curtin Forum. It'll be really exciting so you should all come!
Who is it for?
MCW is aimed at students and stadd of Curtin University as well as the wider community. Everyone is invited to join in celebrating multiculturalism. Curtin University has been chosen to host the state MCW closing ceremony with Pasar Malam (meaning "night market" in Malay). It will be held in Alcoa Court and John Curtin Forum at Curtin University, Bentley Campus and will start at 6pm - late. In previous years, it has attracted over 4000 people in the community.
This year, Pasar Malam will continue to host a series of performances intertwined with delicious food, drink and accessory stalls from various ethinicities managed by students and local businesses. Performances include: Lion dancing, Freo Samba, Didgeridoo player, African drumming, Capoeria, Violet Flames and Fozzil and Sash... and much more!!!
Visit out MCW blog for more updates and information http://mcw2007.blogspot.com/ (and don't forget to do the poll about where you heard about the MCW blog!!!)
You might have also seen our very spunkalicious banners which have been hanging outside of Curtin Uni. It took a lot of effort to organise these banners and thanks to everyone who helped! To Carl my spunkalicious designer, to Peter and Adam my spunkalicious photographers, to my spunkalicious models Kevin, Parisa and Shirley and to my spunkalicious banner printers JayPak! (Go to them if you need banners printed, they're super cheap!)
Introducing Kevin! Kevin's hanging outside the Hayman Road entrance at the roundabout, where you enter into CBS. Kevin was the first person I asked to be my model when the idea of the banners came up. He's our representative for Africa. I'd only known him two weeks from work and he's such a laugh. I'm glad he said he could do it! =) Thanks Kevin!
Introducing Shirley who is our Asian model! She's hanging outside on Manning Road at the South entrance of Curtin. It's funny how she became my model. I wanted "pretty" people to be my models and I saw her picture on JiaHuei's blog. Actually I'd already seen pictures of her from Curtin Idol but I just didn't know her, and I already had her in mind as my preferred Asian model. And then so I got Pauline to contact Jia Huei, and then she gave me Shirley's number ... and wow, thank God she said yes!!! And that all happened at 11pm the night before the photoshoot was to go ahead! Thanks for your help Shirley!!! =)
Introducing Parisa! Parisa is hanging outside on the Kent St Curtin entrance. Parisa is supposed to be my "Western model." I'd actually preferred having a blonde girl, but I didn't know any blonde girls!!! Can you believe that! Anyway I was running out of time, and I only asked Parisa to be my model 2 hours before the photoshoot went ahead. So me, Kevin and Parisa all left work one hour early to get ready for the photoshoot. I'm so glad she said yes, otherwise I wouldn't have a Western model. By God's grace, everything fell into place even though it was so last minute. Thank you to everyone who helped out.
So the MCW story continues....yesterday me, Jill, Ming and Gavin went to bunnings to hunt for "stands" because we've made 5 day hanging pennants. I've never spent so long in a bunnings store before... and no I never want to go back there again, unless I'm buying pots for gardening! =) We went there to look for something to hold the pennants up and it had to be strong enough to hold a 3 metre tall banner which would be sturdy enough to stand up against the wind. The intial idea is to have a wooden pole but we didn't really think how it would stand. So we asked the guy at Bunning's (he's also from Curtin) and he gave us all these ideas... the problem was that it was going to be too expensive and too much manual labour... which we do not have time for... and none of us know how to use a screwdriver!!!So we looked around at some other options and thought about sticking the poles in pots or bins and filling it with something heavy, but the problem would still be the pole swaying because it's 3 metres tall. Arh... out of frustration I went outside to look at the pots standing in the rain, praying in my head... God help us, come up with a solution please!!! ... then... Jill calls me to come inside and I went inside, and Ming is standing over these umbrella stands - we were all standing there gobsmacked why we didn't see it earlier. OUR SOLUTION! Hardcore, I only asked God like less than one minute, and he provided us the solution! wow~! So umbrella stands was the answer to our problems.
Then we needed to get some pipes to insert into the umbrella stand to hold up the banners. All that was jiffy and cut and done... at $25 per 3 metres... then later, the Bunning's guy told us that *oops* he looked at the wrong price. It's actually almost $50 per 3 metres.... aiks!!!! *faint* So then we had to look at other pipes and we found one that was cheaper and all was well~
Every problem is an opportunity to trust God.
We all experience difficulties, problems, and trials throughout life. Usually, we also look for ways to solve those problems. All of the various solutions basically ask one of these two questions: "What can I do to solve this?" Or, "What can God do to solve this?"
In other words, we either try to solve the problem on our own, or we let God solve it. Obviously, it is much wiser to give your problems to God.
Therefore, in the midst of your problem, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Trust God to solve your problems. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:4).
During your trials you should frequently quote Psalm 91:2: I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Furthermore, when you're truly trusting in God, there is nothing to worry about. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1).
Make this your cry: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).
Trust the Lord God Almighty in every area of your life, even during problems, because every problem gives you an opportunity to trust God.
And weee... just on a side note, my parents came back from China! yay! Finally I got my DSLR! 350D... which I'm still happy about =)
today...
@10:23 am
Tuesday 25 September 2007
Facebook!
Oh no! I've been sucked into this new world of what they call ... "FACEBOOK."
Everyone has one... and obviously on my "day off" (sometime last week) and out of boredom, I decided to venture and have a look around and create my very own account!!! Oh no....
Though I'm dissappointed. Everyone said that it was super good... and everyone was ranting and raving about how good facebook is... but... erm... well my comment is that it's better than friendster by some measure, but it's still an online social network program which is... still the same!
I can say that it could be very addictive... still a bit confused how to use it and all...I just think there are too many functions and buttons and this and that. The only thing I like to use is the SUPER POKE! Ohhhh... that's great fun. And I got myself a pet turtle too... but erm... I can see a lot of time wastage on it!
But the main purpose was to promote MCW! =) (http://mcw2007.blogspot.com/)
So if you want to add me to your facebook it's my famous hotmail address ... and if you don't have my hotmail address ... well, then you ain't my friend! =P because everyone knows my hotmail address. I was the one and only orignal one and only =P hehe
today...
@11:05 am
Friday 21 September 2007
Everything
Watch this!
I leeched it from Frances blog. It's a skit to Everything by Lifehouse and it's really touching.
I cried the first and second time ... and third time I watched it. The beginning is a bit slow... but it gets better. Just watch the whole thing. =P
It just shows Christ's amazing and boundless love for us. No matter how many times we fail him and get tempted, no matter how many times we sin and fall, He's always standing right there beside us ready to catch us and love us unconditionally. He's always ready to jump in and save us when we're in our deepest depths because that is how much he loves us.
Actually after watching it the first time I went to my room and wept for a good 10 minutes... because I really felt God's love pouring into me. How could he love me so much when I'm so full of sin? Reminded me of the lyrics in Hosanna. Break my heart for what breaks yours...
Thank You for your unconditional perfect love for me <3
today...
@10:34 am
Thursday 20 September 2007
A Professional in the family
It's good to have a professional in the family... or a soon-to-be proffessional in the family. By that I mean... your sibling is going to be in a specific proffession for the benefit of others... and for the family as well! =)
Some of you might know that my brother studies Physio... good thing he didn't study commerce.. haha!!! At least he can put physio to some good use on my bad back. That means free treatments for life and free massages! Recently I've had a sore bad back. I think it was because of lifting the chairs from the Perth Fashion Festival. Those little white chairs they have at fashion shows... the small little white foldable chairs... they look light, but they are really heavy. Anyway we had to move a fair few of them backstage... and I think that's when my back got "injured."
So this morning I asked my brother to do some massage or "physio" on my back. He's got the whole table with the circle to put your head in... the ones they use for massages. And he did his physio work on my back. I had a "knot" on one of my muscles in my lower right back which hurt so much when he massaged it. He put some deep heat cream... it's a bit better now... but doesn't help with I'm in front of the computer for a lot of the time.
But it's good that he's learnt so much in 2 years at uni - at least he has me to practice on.
Last time I remember I woke up one morning at 6am literally crying my eyes out because I couldn't move. My back was jammed and I couldn't even turn side ways ... all I could do was lay flat. Luckily I had my phone on my bedside next to my pillow so I called mum's mobile, and dad picked up and I told him to come to my room. I think he was really confused... haha... anyway I don't know how to describe the pain. It was just really really terrible! It really hurt a lot!!! So I had to call up work and say that I couldn't work... the whole day I was literally limping around the house making oompfing noises, it was seriously seriously so so painful. I couldn't move for ages... and took some panadol.
I remember it happened to dad as well when we were in our old house from his badminton days. He always played badminton too much and strained his whole back and then we had to call the doctor to come to our house. I still remember that day and it was the same as what happened to me, dad couldn't even roll over in his bed.
I guess it also comes from me having a long back. Being forced to sit straight all the time gets really tiring and I do tend to slouch a lot... so next time you see me slouch... SLAP MY BACK!
today...
@9:45 am
Wednesday 19 September 2007
(Not yet) in the workforce?
People keep asking me... oh so how's your studies?today...
@10:03 am
Tuesday 18 September 2007
Perth Fashion Festival
The Perth Fashion festival. Where do I even start? I had really high expectations for this as the job description seemed very involved. But upon starting, I've been very very discouraged and dissappointed.
I worked on the Carillon show which was alright, dressing models. My model was Rosin and she was really really nice. First we had to tape shoes, which means we put tape on the soles of the shoes so that when the models wear them they won't scuff on the runway... and then these shoes go back to the retailer to get sold.
So what do models talk about backstage? Well yeah, they talk about food and ...not eating a lot of it. They talk about parties and clothes and shows and... I mean all very general girly talk. Most eat either Maccas or salad backstage. Not all of them are pretty, but most of them are super tall and tower over you and they all have pretty amazing legs!!!
I've also done the Wheels and Dollbaby show which was cool. The only nice thing about it was the decent looking evening gowns... ahhh I want one... or three XD! My models were Emily and Leticia... who weren't that nice... but bah... as if we have time to talk. Usually the models have less than a minute to change in their outfits after their run on the catwalk so it's a bit of a mad rush of clothes, boobs and shoes everywhere.
I'm supposed to be part of the production crew, but it seems that it's all been muddled up and there isn't a difference between backstage crew and production crew. They don't take attendance so they don't keep a record who devotes more time than others even though there is a roster and I don't think we even get recognition for it.
I went to the Telethon Celebrity Charity Parade, which was something that I was really looking forward to...but was the most dissappointing of all. Carol decided to rock up with me even though she wasn't rostered. All we did was just stand there! Ushering people... I mean literally stand there... it was a complete waste of time! Did I see any celebrities? haha... well I saw Chris Mainwaring, Bazil Zempilas and Allan Carpenter. All I could think of the whole time was to just go home after having only 4 hours sleep the whole day~!
At least we had a hearty dinner at the Moon Cafe afterwards which made up for it.
All in all, Perth Fashion Festival hasn't left a very good impression on me. I'm so dissappointed! Actually, I'm rostered on today to help out... but obviously I'm not there... because I pressume it's just going to be a waste of time anyway.
today...
@12:31 pm
Thursday 13 September 2007
It is when we are weak that we are strong in God
-Insert- Allan says something...
Terry says, "Arh, I'll just sponsor all her printing!"
today...
@12:02 am
Wednesday 12 September 2007
Summer time
Isaiah 41:10
today...
@2:11 am
Sunday 9 September 2007
Grace
The Grace ball was held in celebration of God's amazing grace for the decade past.... A declaration of faith in His unfailing grace for the generations to come!
I went to Carol's house before the ball and she helped me do my hair and makeup despite having an exam in the afternoon and having a busy day! Thanks sooo much Carol, I really appreciate it! Then a few people asked me where I did my hair... hehe... cost me $150 at Carol Chu Proffessionals! =P
Anyway, took a few shots after Carol's final art work was done =P so I'll just post a pic since I'm so vain.
To be honest, Carol was more excited about the ball than me. Even up until we got to the Convention Centre, I wasn't that excited, but then after seeing more people rock up, and the girls in their pretty frocks and the guys in their suits - it got exciting. I love to see girls in their pretty dresses - makes me want to buy more more more dresses! But then it's always hard to find a nice dress! It was exciting seeing all my cellies... ahhh I couldn't even recognise Sara and Andrea until they were right in front of my eyes! Everyone looked really pretty, especially my little dungu pawpaw.
She's a little hottie huh? =P wuwuwuwuuuu!! *cough* erm...insiders joke.So anyway, the opening of the ball was the dance team that did a spectacular performance, followed by choir who were amazing too. Many funny videos were played... super funny, the one with Boon Wai and Jack singing Backstreet Boys, Aussie Idol and others I can't remember! One clip showed a picture of us taken during Passion Camp. Reminds me how far I've come, and God's gracious hand upon my life thus far. He has blessed me so abundantly that I've lost count of all my blessings.
The food was nice - especially the bread(!), the atmosphere was nice, and everything about the ball was nice and really well organised. They really went all out for the ball. I was looking at all the promotion stuff they had - shirts, bags, books, name cards, program sheets, tickets... everything was the best quality (and after doing research for MCW - I should know how much it costs!)
Took many photos - though not to my satisfaction. It's the same camera that Zheng Yi won... hehee!!! And Thompson won a 42 inch plasma!!!! WOwowowowowowow!!! I can't believe he won... but he did!!! LOL Happy for him =)
All in all, it was a good night, a fun night =) I'm glad I went - in celebration of God's abundant grace upon us all. Thank you! <3
Check out more pictures here: http://winterlove.multiply.com/photos/album/187
today...
@1:41 am
Tuesday 4 September 2007
Chichi Day!
To my dearest chichi:HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Although I can't say I've known you for very long... you are like a yellow sunflower in the sunflower field... always bright and cheery and happy and smiling at the sun. Ok... that sounded gay... but anyway... =P you remind of a bright light shining when everywhere else is gloomy.
Chichi you bring joy and happiness into our lives with your lame jokes and stories, which keep us laughing anyway. Your sense of style is so unique and original that no one can beat you ~ not even me, though I think we have a bit of the same tastes in things! I hope that you'll keep on smiling and laughing your cute laugh~ Just looking at all your funny pictures and poses really makes me miss the times we shared together to all the places we went! You're such a g33k!
Stop MIA! We miss you... and besides you're supposed to be my assistant for MCW! =P
Wishing you all the best for everything in life, good health and much laughter.
... and err... I think your favourite colour is purple right? Well I hope so! =P
<3
today...
@10:22 am
Sunday 2 September 2007
Photoshoot!
Anyway I organised a very very last minute photoshoot over the weekend. I called up my photographers, Peter and Adam 24 hours before, thank God they said yes, and thank God they have good equipment. I saw a picture of a girl Shirley (who I wanted to be my model) on the internet and contacted Pauline at around 11pm the night before, who contacted Jia Huei to get in touch with her, thank God she said yes. After having known Kevin only 2 weeks from sitting next to him at work, I asked him to be my model, thank God he said yes. I asked Parissa to model for me two and a half hours before the photoshoot is to take place, thank God she said yes, despite having something else on that evening. The whole photoshoot took 5 hours... rushing here and there. We couldn't get into the photography studio (oops! my bad) But thank God that there was a lecture theatre that was unlocked, with a perfect white backing wall and natural light falling into the room. Perfect! Praise God!
It's only by God's grace that all this could have happened and been organised with such short notice. It's not because I'm not a virgo!!! I'm just so thankful that God is always faithful. Just a little something about fasting that I've been reading in my quiet time.
Fasting is considered a spiritual discipline. It provides a time to focus on God so he can focus on your life. It is a choice to yield your life to God's voice by making space for him. Today's world provides ample opportunity for distractions. Yet, anytime you break the routine and give God the time, he is faithful to meet you there. As you take the time and energy to fast and pray, you are acknowledging a circumstance that is important enough to sacrifice for; thus it gains seriousness. If you need more direction or need to repent or draw close to God, try fasting and God will get your attention.
today...
@6:27 pm
To my Earthly Father
Today is Father's day. Normally we don't celebrate fathers day... we used to, but as we got older, we just sort of stopped. We used to buy dad socks for Father's day. That's about as amusing as it gets!
Anyway today in church Sam was sharing about his father. Wah lau~ he didn't even start talking 1 minute yet and he started crying... and then everyone else started crying and of course I cried too. I was just so touched by what he said about his father and the relationship that he has with his father. It was so so so sweet! He was talking about his dad making all these sacrifices for him to pay for his musical lessons, for his Japanese tuition, for his exchange trip to Japan and all the monetary and time sacrifices that his dad has ever made for him.
Then it got me thinking about my dad and everything my dad has ever done for me and us. Actually everytime I think about this, I'll also cry because my parents made such huge sacrifices for us. I can only imagine that the decision for them to come to Perth must have been very hard because I know how much dad loved Christmas Island - it was his home, his work and where all his friends lived. And then when we came into the picture, they made the decision to move to Perth so that we could have a better future.
I know the difficulties they had when they moved to Perth. They knew no one, they didn't know very good English, they didn't know the system of how everything works here, they only knew one uncle who kindly let us stay at his house for about a year (?) until we finally had our own home. At the time my mum still didn't born my brother yet, and dad was as hard working as ever and when I think about how hard he had to work and how hard he is still working, it breaks my heart.
Actually at the time when I was about 5 or 6 I can't remember anything at all. This is only from what mum told me. I don't remember my dad having to wake up at 4 in the morning, and having to drive one hour down to Mandurah to get to work at 6am. Then he'd work till 7pm and get home about 8pm, and as soon as he'd get home, he'd eat and sleep and that was his routine... for I don't know how long! I can't remember missing him, and I can't remember not seeing him at all. I can't remember not spending time with him. In fact, for a period of time, my dad went to Melbourne to work for 6 months or so and I can't even remember that either!!! Mum said he was still trying to pull the weeds from the garden even moments before he had to go to the airport.
All I know is that in the beginning, when we came to Perth, dad worked super super SUPER hard for us, to feed us and clothe us, to have a home for us, and to get a car as well. His beloved white Nissan - which we've already given away. Just thinking about how hard he worked and the sacrifices he made for us really tells me the kind of person my dad is and the kind of man I want my guy to be.
I remember when we were young we used to go on a lot of "road trips" with the family down to Mandurah and Albany and Bunbury... up to Kalbarri and Monkey Mia. Dad would do all the driving and he never complained or let mum drive. Those were the cherished childhood times... though as my memory is so bad... only photos help me remember the times!
Even though, on the outside my dad looks tough and mean, and even if he talks with a super loud voice, and it might even sound like he's telling you off when he's actually speaking normally to you, even though he sneezes SUPER loud at home that it echoes through the house and makes you jump, even if he likes to sing karaoke REALLY loud in the house even when we have exams, despite all these things, my dad has a real generous heart and is a really hospitable person.
My dad is 60 next year!!!! That's SUPER OLD!!! And he should have already retired by now, but he's still working hard to support us and working long long long 12 hour shifts a day. It breaks my heart that his working circumstance is like this now, and I wish that he can win lotto so both he and mum can already retire. There is so much that I owe them and wish to give back to them for everything they've done for us and sacrificed for us.
Picture: Taken in Christmas Island probably when I was one years old. My sister, my dad and me!
today...
@3:44 pm