Life's little directions....

Lately I have been wondering what life has in store for me. I know, to a lot of people, just the fact that I am working in a foreign land is adventure enough. And to some degree, it IS quite true. I never would have gained the experiences and do the things that I have done if I have gone home to Malaysia like most people after graduating. Instead, I stood my ground with my family and resisted the temptations of the late night mamak sessions, friends, and shopping malls luring me home. I stayed behind in the land of kangaroos, alcohol and nearly non-existent shopping hours.

I have learn plenty of things in the past 8 years of living here, first in Tassie where I found a few good (wo)men to call buddies and then here in Melbourne. I am more independent now (although some might say, how more independent can Sophie get since we knew her?!?!?! :P ) and more mature in terms of facing adversities in life without family members around. Time and time again, I hit a blank wall, but instead of calling home for consolations, I stuck it. And I manage to get through it all. I was lucky at least I have manlok around most of the time to stick it with me. THANKS for that.. :P

But now, after 8 years, what is in front of me? I have had people asking me, when are you heading back? When are you gonna come back to Msia? You not coming back ar? Become angmoh liao ar? When getting married? When this, when that. Aiseh, I have also been asking myself those questions. But no answer yet lah! Only thing that I know is, I am determined to get my architect’s registration next year (BIG exams.. written AND oral… *gulp*) After that, hopefully my research comes through as well.

I spoke to manlok about moving elsewhere to work. We realized that oz is still very ‘primitive’ when it comes to our line of work. They are not open at all about how architecture should be seen. They are so driven with the visual effect and if you try to explain how architecture is MORE than just a visual experience, they think you already gone cuckoo… and laugh at you. We have been toying at the idea of moving to either US or UK… but after all, moving country is a rather huge decision. If we stay in Oz, we might be able to build a stable life here. So it’s a case of stability vs satisfaction. :S It’s always a hard decision, but we are not thinking about it seriously until we both pass our registration examinations (which is notoriously difficult! Even my director had to take it 3-4 times before he can call himself an architect!).

Will we be able to adapt as well as we had when we came to Oz? Or will age make it harder for us? After all, I am not young anymore, closing in on the big THREE-0. *gulp* What about personal life?!? Do I put a hold on that if we move??!?! All these questions will need an answer soon!

What a wonderful trip!

I know, I know! It’s been very very long since anyone last heard from both deb and me. I guess you won’t be hearing from Deb anytime soon, she has been very busy and has no access to the internet…  there goes my blog mate. Hope she will come back soon. 

As most of you must have known, I was home (Msia…) about a month ago. It was a short trip, made even shorter with a trip to Jogja with my family. I have wanted to go Jogja for a very long time now, and I am happy I went. :D It was an amazing place, all the temples and the amazing Borobudur. Imagine, that huge monolithic structure build so many centuries ago! Simply breathtaking. Really makes you feel humbled and looking at the skyscrapers, it’s really crap, isn’t it? Can’t we do any better than THAT?!?!??! Can’t we build more meaningful structures rather than all these ego trips? Very sad indeed.

But before I went on this trip, I attended one of my 'bestest' friend’s wedding. We have come a long way, growing up together. from tiny tots to now, 27 years old. I haven’t seen her for about 8 years, and who would have known after 8 years, I met up with her again on her wedding day! :D How very emotional. Ok, I know those who know me would go, Sophie??!??! Emotional?!??! But YES, IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL! :P I made it a point to get there, told myself, what sort of buddy am I if I can’t even make it for her wedding?!?!?!?!?!? Right? So there I was, in the morning amidst beaming parents and relatives, the tea ceremony. It was such a joyous event, everyone was so happy!!! I was indeed very pleased I made the trip. There was nothing in the world that could make me miss this day!

Then night came, a few of us girls went to help Lavi out with her last minute dash and panic… as usual. Ed was running a ‘little’ short on time too.. sorry, no pun intended Ed! :P So we were rushing, getting the speech done (we did meet a rather ‘interesting’ character while we were working on the speech, didn’t we Ed? :P)

It was a wonderful day for sure. I met up with most of the girls I haven’t seen for AGES… like seriously AGES! I wished I was in Msia for longer, but alas, it was not to be lor.  Anyway, I am sure there will be another time for a grand reunion… perhaps CNY 2009? ;)