Three Fears I Conquered That Proved "Fear Is Not A Factor To Me"

There is a famous saying, "Fear is the Biggest Obstacle to Success".

That aside, it is interesting to note that the top 10 most common fear among humans are:-

1) Acrophobia - the fear of heights

2) Claustrophobia- the fear of enclosed spaces

3) Nyctophobia- the fear of darkness

4) Ophidiophobia- the fear of snakes

5) Arachnophobia- the fear of spiders

6) Trypanophobia- the fear of medical/injection needles

7) Astraphobia- the fear of thunder and lightning

8) Nosophobia- the fear of having a disease

9)Mysophobia- the fear of germs

10) Triskaidekaphobia- the fear of the number '13'


Even more interesting to know, there are some odd phobias such as Bibliophobia, the fear of books and Doomsdayphobias- the fear of the end of the world.

But over a few years of education and especially my unforgettable tertiary education in Queensland, I successfully overcame a few fears that I never thought I would one day overcome them.

1) The Fear of Public Speaking

Started off as this noob in Toastmasters.....






....to being the emcee of my beloved sister's wedding

2) The Fear of Studying!

My DLG and of course family would surely know I have a fear of studying, especially Accounting. Guess what? I graduated as a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting!
(although I look pissed here)

3) The Fear of Heights

My brother in law and me conquered the world's longest pillar-less bridge.134 metres above mean sea level is no joke, but once you see the scenery at the top of the bridge, its worth the climb.

4) The Fear of G-Force/ Excitement (however you call it)

I leaped off the world's first bungee jumping- The Kawarau Bridge Jump. New Zealand is known for its invention of bungy jump. Feeling proud at first, but scared to death during this moment when the photo was taken. Nevertheless, "Yea, I Did It!

Now I can prove to all, and proudly, loudly and confidently say that 'FEAR IS NOT A FACTOR TO ME"

The Indisguishable Friendship

There are some friends who appear ordinary initially but turned special when you're seperated.

These friends you didn't know brought you so much joy until one day, they say :"Bye Daniel, I will be returning to Melbourne for the summer, guess I won't be seeing you."....

It was then, I know, the end is getting nearer and nearer.....and I miss my one year Australia life so much!

"chor tai di" with Ruth

Final gathering with Maria and Ruth

Celebrated Francine's birthday among the youngsters of Toowong Assembly

My Toowong friends, Tamira and Hayde

Best enemy and friend......

The young people once again.....

Again, sorry for the laziness for the past one month. I have been 'busy' with after exam parties and holidaying since my parents came. Will keep my experience in New South Wales for the next post, which I believe and hope will be shortly.

There are Graduation and New Zealand blog post more to come....

Final Week Before the Display

If my life was a play, this week would be called the final rehearsal. 24th-30th of October, is a significant week. It marks the final week of this semester before we dismiss for final examination.

But its more than that. Its the final week of my semester, my final semester before I graduate, my final semester before I fly back to Malaysia, my final semester before I end my formal education life. The whole education system I started since nursery at the age of 5, to primary school, secondary school, pre-university, college, university, all ends here!!

This is indeed historical. Never would I imagine 5 years ago this is how it would end. I wouldn't think of form 6, wouldn't think of Accounting, wouldn't think of Queensland, wouldn't think of the friends I had today. All just happen as time goes on.

It was just like yesterday people were asking me, how am I settling in Australia. Today, the same people asked me when am I scheduled to leave.

Now all I have left is 14days to study and make sure I'm well prepared for the finale. All that I have prepared myself for the 16 years, shall be applied in these 14 days, to be showed off on 16th December and to be remembered for a lifetime!

'Time and Tide Waits For No Man"

When Patience Pays Off...

Dear folks,

Sorry, it has been a while since I spend time here. From mid semester exams to assignments to having to deactivate Facebook and now getting results and 'sulking over spilled milk' (cos I didn't cry, but sulked), I finally got myself up and enjoy life!

One day after I got my Corporate Accounting results, I nearly had a heart attacked as the results weren't what as I expected. So rather than suffering 'Tearful Thursday' and 'Freaking Friday', I decided to go to Surfer's Paradise and calm down by myself (and of course to see some bikini chicks). The name says it all. Surfer's Paradise at the Gold Coast is one of the best beaches I've visited. The waves are not what we see in Malaysia beaches. The waves is so strong and high, it can go over my head!! I'm not exaggerating. Its ideal for surfing, thus the name, Surfer's Paradise.

The coast view apartments, hotels, and office blocks along the coast

Me and background

Facing the Atlantic Ocean, strong breeze, high waves, awesome feeling!!

Notice the red and yellow flags. For safety reason, we are suppose to swim between the yellow flags which are approximately 30 feet apart. But one wave come, you are swept 60 feet away! Therefore, no matter how obedient you are, you are always away from 'safety zone'.

I nearly freeze to death taking this picture. Its now between Winter and Spring. Therefore, the weather is rainy, cool and windy!! I had to acclimatise my body to the water for 15 minutes before playing. The moment you're out of the water, your body freezes instantly!

More view of the coast

This section is outside the yellow and red flag which means danger area. FYI, the danger area means you're outside the lifeguard's view, the undercurrent is unknown, and there is a high chance of you encountering sharks. Australia is well known for heaps of species of sharks. Every year they have shark attack.

And after 2.5 hours of play time, deep thinking about what to do with my life, what stupid things I've done, how I didn't fall into a relationship yet felt like the world was collapsing, thinking of how if I could do it all over again. And finally, after using up all my energy thinking, I had lunch to replenish all that lost.

Then headed home.



Some Extra Highlights in my Absence For a Short While

Here are some of the pictures I took on Brisbane Riverfire. Riverfire is a celebration to open a month long of Brisbane Festival. Brisbane Festival is somewhat like "Cuti-cuti Malaysia Campaign". It promotes all their cultural shows and exhibition to encourage tourism. Riverfire is fireworks along the Brisbane River (from Kangaroo Point to Southbank which is 3km long) and they had a 25 minute firework display. So they whole river was like on fire especially when building shot flares which gave the atmosphere a better 'fire' effect.

Prior to the show, the Black Hawk did a special performance. The Black Hawk is famous for DAP (Direct Anal Action Penetration) these days.


Then the F-12 did fuel throw, pouring oil out of their engine, so it looks like a plane with a tail of fire. However, on camera, it looks like Ironman came to Brisbane Riverfire for a performance.

Fireworks started with a bang!!

Flares from building added effects to the overall atmosphere. This is Southbank. Imagine its happening all along the river for 3km or so. Spectacular!!

More fireworks...

And more.....with different colour and design this time

And getting better and better by the seconds...

It even come out under the bridge...

And the finale.....trying to figure out how to squeeze my way out of the crowd!! It was a crazy crowd!!



But you know what is the best part?? Squeezing out, I could feel boobs after boobs giving me facial and arm massage!!

Alright, kidding!! No more details...

Spaghetti Bolognese

Finally, I made something that I always wanted to do, but didn't have the motivation to do it.

Until one Monday, mince beef was $7.99 a kilo, pasta sauce was $5 for four bottles, and my crave for pasta was sky high.

My first attempt on Spaghetti Bolognese

Topped with Parmesan cheese and crushed chillies.

Extras.


Kellie, my housemates' eldest sister from Toronto, Canada.

The Problem with Me

Today, I attended two career talks in university.

First one was represented by ASEAN Accenture Corporation, second one was Professional Services represented by various firms such as PriceWaterHouseCoopers, KPMG, Ernst&Youngs etc.



After being bombarded with info the whole day, i went back and start my career as an accountant by going through my expenditure. I didn't dare to calculate how much I spend all in all because I will be going to EKKA tomorrow (will share with you regarding EKKA in my next post during the weekend), and I don't wanna spoil my mood.

So, I just browse through all my receipts and got a shock of my life at 11pm at night!! All my unnecessary expenditure was spent on Chips and Beer!! kanasai!!

The chips I usually buy are Doritos and Smith's. In Woolies, they are normally sold as 2 packs for $4. And I LOVE them. Crap! Looks like either I get myself a job to fund the chips and beer, or quit the habit.

Sigh. How can I live without you.

The Problem with Ladies

Its 11.50pm. 10 minutes before I go to bed, I would like to share a short story to all my friends out there.

Once upon a time.....

There was this man, Jim, who owns a Gentleman Store. Its a store where single guys would wait in a store till a lady walks in and choose her man to marry. In other words, its a store where ladies find a man to marry!

So once, a girl walk into the store. Jim then said, 'Lady, the rule is simple. You can pick any guy from the first floor, to the forth floor. However, once you passed it, you can never go back.'

'OK, that's pretty easy', the girl thought.

So, she made her way to the first floor. It says 'These men has career and character". So she thought for a while and said 'Wow, not bad, but I think I will proceed to the next floor and see what better options I have.'

So she made her way to the second floor. It says "These men has career, character and love kids". She said to herself 'Wow, its not bad, but I believe there are better as I go on'.

So, she made her way to the third floor. It says "These men, has career, has character, love kids, and love to do housework." With overwhelming joy, she said 'these are great men, but I will still take a risk and search for Mr. Right'.

So she went to the forth floor. When the lift opened, the sign reads,

"Welcome to the forth floor. You are visitor number 4,234, 937. You have just proven that ladies will never be satisfied and its just impossible for men to satisfy them."

To all ladies, the guy who says he like you, please accept him. We're like pearls. The longer we are with you, the more valuable we become.

To guys who just ate lemon, don't worry buddy, you have my sympathy. Not that we're not good enough, its just that they don't appreciate us. But cheer up, they are like fresh roses. You do the time vs. value analogy.

(p/s: Alright people, I know I'm taking a risk of going back with a bullet in my head. Chill yea, it was meant to make us laugh and think at the same time.)
Good night, folks.

FOOD....FOod.....and food

Alright,

Done with Loo with a View, now lets move on to Pie in the Sky!! Let's touch on what I ate in Melbourne. This is not all, this is just what I remember to take pictures of. You know me, when I see food, besides chopstick in hand, nothing really come before.

So we started Br-unch at 10.30am. Melbourne apparently had the best DimSum (we call it yumcha here) before 2002 because all the sifu from Hong Kong escaped when Hong Kong was returned to mainland China. But after all was calm and settled, they eventually returned.

So here are some dishes. Some months ago, I was emphasizing on the amazingly huge dimsum they had, and they still have it that large! Reason is simple. One, the guai lou are huge eaters. Two, they need to justify $4.50 a plate. So it has to be huge! 2 prawns in harkaw, double portion if meat in siewmai.

Siewmai

Shark Fin mai

It was written 鳯爪, which is interpreted as Phoenix Claw

Scallop mai

harkaw

Dandenong's Pie in the Sky

Dandenong is something like out Semenyih where it is up on a hill filled with rain forest. The famous attraction is perhaps Puffing Billy on Mt. Dandenong. Here, we went for pie.

Outside of Pie in the Sky

Nice homely classic interior

Each of us had a pie



Greedy and want to taste each different flavour

Sticky Date Pudding

Scones

Cappuccino after meals is always the way to go

Another restaurant with cute design

When I told you it was winter, you knew I ain't shitting you.

'Split the Bill' Novotel, Glen Waverly

This restaurant has a very good bargain for high class food at a low class price. For $25, you get an appetizer, main course and dessert.

Pumpkin Soup

Seafood salad

Salmon

Lamb Shank

Amazing, Finger Lickin Good.

(Thought in the Blog: Did you know in Australia, car registration number can be customized? All you need to do is to pay a small fee when you purchase the car. This is what my uncle named his Mercedes...)



No police officer will understand what on earth is that!!