Sunday, May 30, 2010

Exterior design of a house in Australia

Sometimes, I'm kinda stuck with the "opening speech" in my blog! (Really don't know what to start with.) Anyhow, I would like to show you the exterior design of a house in Australia shown as below. Since both of us are kinda free at home, we decided to stroll around while looking  for a house which will catch our eyes. Unfortunately, we're still searching for one. :)

 

BTW, What do you think of the design?

Friday, May 28, 2010

My Day OFF

Yesterday, I told Angie that  I'm going to bake/steam 鸡蛋糕 today. Unfortunately, I decided to give-up making anything- just wanna enjoy myself alone in the house today! I thought of visiting the library too to print out some documents for the broker. I'm damn lazy and it's cold-> just wanna stay with my blanket on! :)

"Chasing over" new TVB series right now ~  谈情说案 and 掌上明珠. Even though I'm kinda busy with the new house, still I have my own sweet time with non-stop TVB series! Nothing much to do ~ that's part of my life in Australia aside working! * Yin Hsiang, heaps of TVB series awaiting you - Just make sure you have enough storage! Heheh...

Two days ago, I received my parcel from my mum. Previously, I did get her to sew some pyjamas for me in winter. Of course, I should be able to get them in Australia, unfortunately I still prefer my mum's hand-made pyjamas. ;)  Honestly speaking, I have the GREATEST MUM and DAD in the world ~ They are absolutely our high-valued asset in this lifetime! I wish I could still being their daughter for my next life time ~ Ma, thank you very much for everything. :) It's not easy for me to say it face-to-face....."Paisei" (embarrassing yet blushing).

Listening to 张惠妹- 如果你也听说. Time to make a full stop here! Meeting the house builder at 2pm today to discuss about the house plan and changes.....


Hope you guys enjoying your weekend and stay cool,O.K!
Tata


P/S: Pity me- working late tomorrow!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Busy! busy! busy!

Kinda busy with my tight schedule recently...

At first, we thought of renting a place of our own as Michael is soon moving to his own suite. Unfortunately, we can't get one which is suitable. Therefore, we had made up our mind to build one of our own! :)

FYI, an established house (landed property) is really expensive in Australia- about AUD450K and above with 4 bedrooms, 1 theater room, 2 bathroom and etc. Frankly speaking, we can't afford to get one which such specification. Therefore, we then plan to build one which is smaller. Anyway, don't feel so SURPRISE! Building a house is NO BIG DEAL in Australia and it's even cheaper than buying an established one.

Actually, we've been looking for a piece of land since we decided to buy one ~ We are kinda "cin cai" (easy going) one, as long as it's close to the train/bus and shopping complex (because of me loh~ no driving license in Australia and relying a lot on the public transport). Thank GOD- Luck is on our side, we found the land and JESUS! it's really close to the shopping complex and bus stop. (5 minutes walking distance only). In additional, we have what we want for the house/land package ~ alfresco with roof, main door facing to south/south west (according to the feng sui) and spacious U-shaped kitchen design.  One of the reason we decided to buy that land is because it's  secured! Why say so? Due to part of the  "taman" will be only applicable for the retirement people (established villa house with much more cheaper price), we assumed it will be peaceful and quiet place for both of us.... :)

Tell you something, we're absolutely fortunate and lucky because we got a AUD10K rebate on the land and not only that, we have another AUD10K discount on the house package. Besides, we have an additional of AUD7K from government for First Home Owner Grant (* part of our deposit)


If everything goes smooth sailing, our house will be ready by end of  next year! At the moment, we'll continue renting the room at the current address until everything is sorted out~

Finger crossed and keep on praying and praying!
Heheh




P/S:  We're now waiting to submit our LOAN application in June!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Updates

On 14 May 2010, I (and all of the staffs of course) received an email from our Perth Call Center Manager regarding the following matter:
a) New GM and relocation of management level
b) Close of X (a small unit)-Transfer to Service Specialist
c) Others-Social Club's events....

Before receiving the email, I did hear from a colleague that he will be leaving the company even though the company did offer a position to him. The working hour really is a big issue to him-  he has to work from 10pm~6am! :(

From my point of view, the reason they're making such decision is due to inbound calls are getting lesser. Of course, I can't really figure out what's the reason behind that. 

Did you know what happen last Friday (as well as the previous week)? Total of 19 calls only! Guess what, we should be able to pick up around 27-50 calls if the queue is really busy~ Not a GOOD SIGN! Though recently company had launched 2 new products to the market, however the queue was still really quiet! Just wondering whether they'll be relocating the  broadband team to Philippine or Townsville?


Since we're kinda free, we're been on scheduled; attending short courses in the company (about 4 hours), and I had attended 2 courses last week ~ Handling Customer Dissatisfaction and Dealing with Difficult Customer.  Next week, I'm doing Back of House (BOH) on Tuesday ~ plenty time for me, doing my own stuffs! Hahah... (Note: The BOH had been taken off!)


My next week schedule is as below:
Mon: 12.00noon ~ 8.00pm
Tue: 7.00am~3.00pm
Wed: 7.15am~3.15pm
Thu:7.30am~3.30pm
Fri:7.45am~3.45am 

I'm getting a colleague to swap with me on Friday. He will only be able to confirm with me on this coming Monday! Anyway, it's fine for me too- as I can have a day of my own at home on Friday. :) Thinking of baking an Oreo Cheesecake! Note: My friend swapped his Friday with me~ Not working on Saturday anymore!

Monday, May 3, 2010

My cheesecake!

Guess what, I woke up at 5.00am just to watch the series.
Anyway,  I have finished watching the series and successfully baked the cheesecake! :)
Besides, I had a short nap & cleaning of my room-> that's what I want! :)
 

Ingredient A (as base)
  • 1&2/3 cups plain flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoon ice-water

Ingredient B
  • 3 packages of cream cheese (750g)
  • 1&1/4 cups of sugar
  • 3 large egg (separate the egg yolk & egg white)
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1/4 cup of vegetable oil (or cooking oil)
  • 1/4 cup of cornflour

To make the base (Ingredient A)
Step 1: Add flour and salt into a large bowl, cut in butter until resembles crumbs (base)
Step 2: Mix in the sugar, egg and ice water to make the dough
Step 3: Press into ball and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Roll out to fit a 10-inch pan and place the dough in the pan.

Step 5: Preheat oven to 175C (350F)

Step 6: Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
Step 7: Add the remaining sugar, egg yolk, milk, oil, cornflour.
Step 8: In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until stiff.
Step 9: Pour into cream cheese mixture (* whisk the mixture with a spoon ~ no beating anymore!)

Step 10: Pour the mixture to the pan.
Step 11: Bake for 50~60 minutes until center is set.
Step 12: Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake in the oven with the door open slightly.
Step 13:  Remove cheesecake from oven and serve or refrigerate.


Note:
1. Can replace the plain flour with biscuit to make the base (crumbs)! 
~ the plain flour still tasting fine!
2. Serve cold or else the cream cheese get melted easily!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

A day off

I'm taking a day off tomorrow....
Why? Baking cheese cake!

I have bought 4 pacs. of cream cheese last year and I haven't touch them yet
and FYI, the cream cheese will be expired on May 4, 2010..

So, my plan for tomorrow:
  1. My first priority ~ baking cheese cake!
  2. Finish off the TVB series (4 episodes to go)  - Suspect in Love 搜下留情 (Starring: Joe Ma 马德钟 and Flora Chan 陈慧珊) 
  3. Visiting library (if I have spare time)
What's your plan then?