the year of 2009 for me
Hear it goes again. Another eyar has passed. 2009 was one of the most eventful year I had.
It is the first year of which I was not longer a student in Australia. I began the year still in Hong Kong with Karen and Phoebe. I left for Malaysia and spent 2 weeks there catching up with what limited time I had. It was great to kindle with old flames of the old past eh, jo, joa, cheehung, ruen, may and many more adulteries. I tasted freedom and the world was my oyster. Anything was possible. I'll be back to Australia and I will get my PR and job. Aus immigration decided, "Nah, will make it much harder, rather than 6 months wait, we'll make them wait for 2 years"
I came back to most relatives that were still here. Looking for a job was not in priority thinking it would be easy as pea. I was offered a job by my supervisors but do not know when it will begin. Soon enough, the job seems to be not guaranteed. By this time, cousin Jon was over to Brisbane for a holiday. I play tour guide and navigator. It was good to finally get to know more of my cousins. 2 weeks later, I still had no news. Bank account was near empty. No part time jobs wants me no matter how many I handed out. I had no income. I scavenge any money of any currency I have to try to survive. Plan B was to get a part time job in city, an hour public transport away. Finally, a company contacted me for phamplet handling near in Beenleigh. Never have i been so estatic. pay was... 50-100 a week depending on the amount of delivery available. Work was 2 whole days a week (not including another 2 days of phamplets folding) and needed a car. Fuel was 40-50 a week since the load was heavy and requires a lot of fuel. it was.. labour job. mindless: not requiring 1st class Honours. more than one month down, I was feeling rather depressed, no savings was possible: all money was spent on tranportation and to classes in uni to apply for jobs. I had no money to buy Daniel a graduation present, yet I believe he should have the basics of flowers, a grad toy and a card. I still can't believe I spent less than 10 dollars and made it all mostly from scraps I dug around. I met his father, aunt and grandfather during his graduation, ended a friendship with Kathy and argued with his Brother. Then had lunch with his dad on a one to one and told him the stories of his boys life and experience with him. There was no biase or name calling. Just the truth of what happened and how I have come to no talk to the other brother.
In April, things were more uplifting. I had another casual job with my supervisor doing Laboratory technician of cleaning laboratory and rodent cages. Pay was very good with near $30 an hour. But work was once a week and time spent travelling was longer than working itself. uncertainty clouded my mind all the time. With no PR, it was difficult to get a job anywhere else, I was desperate. I want to stay. It was difficult times trying to hold the face straight in front of relative and forever wondering how am I going to do this by myself. I want to do it myself by all possible means. Finally, it was confirmed, April 20 would be the first day of being a full time hired Research Assistant with my current company. However, pay would not come till 3 weeks later since I began in their mid pay term of fortnightly. with less than 200 in the account, I manage to tough it out for 3 weeks before more money I have ever earned before arrived in a lum sum. it was a different freedom; a freedom from financial worries. I still remember the wash of relieve i felt. As a reward, I got myself a guess handbag for $300 and heath insurance.
Daniel's birthday was in the middle of June. To make it special for him, Dan Tang and I made plans. In short, his birthday was celebrated over 3 weekends, from just me, friends and my family. Lucky and expensive boy.
Plans. I was begining to have bigger plans. I want my own car. More Savings commence. My sister's laptop died on me. the screen totally blank out blue while before the dead pixels were just accumulating but I was still able to see past them. Come to think now, It was ridiculous trying read past them. But I didnt think I need another one. With it's departure, I got my first laptop on my own in early july for 800 dollars.
My priority was still a car. I researched for credit card and applied for one in case i need a loan (i couldnt apply for loan since I have no visa). Then intense research began when I reach 9k in my account. I can't believe I actually accumulated that much. late august, I was actively hunting for my second hand car. My initial 5k mark had to be raised as I want a better car at a good age. It was difficult running around Brisbane looking for that one car and always seems to be one step behind everyone. When finally, I found the Aztec Gold 2000 Toyota Corolla at Cleveland offered at 9k with full log book. I risked it without having it for test drive (the husband only had 30mins lunch time left) and offered her 7.5k after listening to the engine run on stationary position. We agreed on 8k and the car was whisked to a mechanic for road worthy check and certificate while I hurry to withdraw 8k cash. AUD8000 in cash! they only had it in 50s and I was holding the wad of cash... we waited for about 1-2 hrs at the transport department and closing time was soon on a Friday. The car came with new front tyres and break pads. I went in with the forms while they clean out the cars. And finally the car was mine and the wad of cash dissapeared. Then I obtained freedom of going places.
Then I figured I should decide what I want to do next year, by then i was too late to apply to any colleges by UQ dentistry. I paid and went for the exams of UMAT and ISAT with fingers crossed.
Late September, out of the blue, I decided I will go to Melbourne after a hectic time at work. I took 2 days off and flew to Melbourne with Daniel. Sim and Raymond was a real great host.Weather was terrible with rain everyday but we still had a lot of fun. Fairy penguins, great food and company. I came back straight to work on Monday. I received my results with UMAT 50% among local students and 77% among foreign students. Sent in my dentistry application for one of the 10 international spots and hope very hard.
Months blurred one after another with many birthdays, celebrations and work. I wrote a sorry card. And finally got my 3 wisdoms teeth out in Late november. Ruen arrived early December with boyfriend. Became tour guide for 2 weekends. and finally sent Uncle John and Aunt Soos off to Malaysia. More work. Independence living; freedom. And then it was my turn to travel to Perth with Daniel for 7 days. We spent xmas there and on NYE we flew and slept through countdown.
2009 was emotional as well as eventful. I grew alot here. I thank UJ AS for the roof over my head, SKC and TKC for being great sisters even though I was a jerk, dad for caring, friends for their ears, Daniel for his patience and the unconditional love even though I have hurt him numerous times. I have grown to be more patient and tries to understand, and less tempremental maybe. I hope we can grown together and shape our characters for the better.
Labels: freedom
