2nd allergy (in Australia) on the second last school day of Week 1

As the title states clearly, I encountered my 2nd allergy in the land of kangaroos and koalas.

The real-life story began this way:

Had some really nice salad last night during dinner. As I was munching down the tasty macaroni with mustard and curry powder, I had the bad feeling but ignored my mind's subconscious warnings. Left ear started to get itchy when I joined to corridor activities. Didn't really pay attention to it and continue working on the not-so-mature-styled decorations. Showered at 9pm and did not realise anything. Changed into pyjamas at 9.30pm when I finally spotted the rashes on both arms. Brain started to register the itchyness. Panicking. Put double dose of calamine lotion on the red spots when the neck, chin and ears start to get red. Mum called at 10.05pm and decided that I should eat a tablet. Clarityne is its name, by the way. No advertisement intended. Whole face began to itch, including eyes. Mum promised to call at midnight to check on me. I chatted with Christine for the next 50 minutes. She's down with terrible sorethroat and cough. I planned to make an appointment with the University Health Centre, but forgot the number and couldn't get to Willy or Fresh. Concluded that I'll just walk-in and see what happens next.

Woke up in a better condition but the rashes are still visible. After breakfast, headed to UHC to see a notice stating no urgent walk-in is allowed. Continued to walk in with an exhausted and pale look (in fact, it's due to my fast-paced walking from Johns to UHC). The ladies ask me politely how they can help me. I just say the magic word "allergy" and show them my rashes (the lights and weather make my skin look really red, if not pinkish). They immediately find me an empty slot and keyed in my name. Took some time to fill in the form before waiting to be called by the nurse (I gathered). In the meantime, I found out that everyone's looking me with sympathetic/concerned eyes. I know I look pale and allergy is scary, but, this is a bit... When I was too tired waiting, I pressed my palms firmly on my eyes to soothe it, and they actually got nervous and asked if I'm okay. ALLERGY does really cause chaos.

Anyway, I got to see the nurse and when I showed her my rashes, she typed something in the computer and I was directed to a doctor. Obviously, ALLERGY should be treated carefully. Waited again for around 10 minutes before Dr Philip Hope came out and called my name. Somehow, the nurse computer locked my records and consultation couldn't be started. After a while, consultation began. It's quite slow compared to Sibu but at least he's careful and checked all the details. When I asked his advice on getting an allergy test, he nodded in agreement and wrote me an instruction to get 1 blood and allergy test done tomorrow.

Missed my Academic Skills and Learning Centre course but had enough time to print my lecture notes in Chifley Library (the printer in Johns was jammed). Didn't have enough time to buy my medicine though. Rushed to ECON 1101 lecture C in Manning Clarke at 11am.

Phoned mum at 12.15pm after I arrived home. The medicine, or rather, ointment's name makes no sense to her. Went to pick up 2 tubes of more expensive anti-inflammatory. Just now when both mum and I checked on Aristocort Triamcinolone Acetonoide, it was quite shocking to know that this is in fact a type of cortisteriods. I think I should not use it unless really serious or else I'll become dependant on it and other mild medicine won't work next time. In addition, I'm not sure how destructive is the side effect (or effects). Back to calamine lotion again. It sounds safer.

Should go to sleep after watching youtube. Finally I'm back on it again. Went to Woonji's room to have a chat just now to discover she was actually attending the same elementary school as 2am's Jinwoon! Omo~

Australian National University -- Bachelor of Commerce -- Year 1 -- Day 1

And so, finally Barbara's joining her peers in university. Although it's a semester, or maybe a year, or even two years (I hope there's none who's three years ahead of me), believe me, it's tough. I maybe the oldest to start uni, but it's still hard.

I had been, and will be, staying in school (as in lecture buildings) from 10am (if not 9am) to 5pm (if not 6pm) daily. Packed lunch is needed 4 days a week, which are exactly the days I study (Monday to Thursday). No one wants to study on Friday here in Australia (either they want to work part-time or have a hangover in Mooseheads or simply hop into their cars and head to Sydney). Lifestyles and ways of thinking are totally different. I guess that's what I need to learn and shape my life to fit theirs. On a brighter tone, I'm pretty sure I can do my laundry (again) + study/ practise my rusty organ skills or simply learn playing piano on quiet Friday mornings. Let's see how it goes on for the next 2 weeks.

Went for 2 extra courses organised by the Academic Skills and Learning Centre. Had a pretty decent packed lunch (2 large-servings of multi-grain sandwiches, 1 yogurt, and 1 fruit juice. The apple's still on my table) before having lectures at 1pm and another at 3pm. Almost fall asleep despite the nervousness to grab seats of tutorials. Yeah, I almost banged my head on the table. Blame that on my tidying-up-the-papers-that-make-my-table-super-messy task last night. Fighting for timeslots of tutes are, honestly speaking, on the par with war. There were more than 500 students for both STAT1008 and BUSN1001. More than 300 (perhaps?) brought their laptops. Even before the lectures were over, more than half were trying desperately to connect wirelessly to the ETA website to enrol. Only Singaporeans kiasu? That's a wrong myth. Even ang mos also do this with us, okay?

Without rice during lunch and so much walkings, I had 2 BIG plates for dinner and another extra small plate of dessert. Grow fat? They are not even enough to replace the energy generated for me to walk and think. But I think I'm slightly dehydrated and allergy. Haven't feel too well since last night.

Well, I shall update more when I'm free. I'm finding time, seriously. I just haven't had time to edit my pictures. Everything should be settled down by end of next week, so I think I can blog more then.

I do miss blogging and sharing. Just wait a little more, okay?

Why does "laundry" kept appearing in my blogs

It seems that this has caused a great commotion (?) amongst our group of old friends. No matter it's "laundry", "do my laundry", "need to go to the laundry room", "washing machine", "tumble dryer" or just a simple "laundry basket", it DOES certainly means that I'm washing my clothes.

And no, I'm not a hardworking person. NOT AT ALL. I had been teased and said that my room's in a mess. It's the worse they had seen. Puh-lease lar, because you girls haven't see the guys', ok?

Back to main topic, why do I seem to favour laundry a lot? Simply because it's free. Everything here's included in our rent, of course I'll wash my clothes almost as frequent as I used to back at home. Plus, it's still O-week. I have plenty of time (and machines -- locals don't have that much dirty clothes).

Ok, mystery solved. I got to start tidying up my room (papers) and I seriously don't want to hear a single mutter when people enter my room. Thank you.

ps: tomorrow's schedule starts at 5.30am. -o-
ps: my books costed AUD $350.18. That way over budget from JPA's book allowance.

PS: I GOT ALL MY LAUNDRY DONE THIS MORNING BUT AT OUT-THE-BACK DAY THIS AFTERNOON, I WAS SPLASHED WITH JELLY. SO.. YEAH, I HAVE MY CLOTHES IN THE WASHING MACHINE AGAIN, WAITING TO BE PUT INTO TUMBLE DRYER BEFORE BEING COLLECTED TONIGHT. *SIGH*

Barbara is turning 21

Yes, correct!! I'm turning 21 today! =)

Lots of things happen (as usual). I'm too tired to write things out. Shall try to do more things tomorrow. It's, afterall, Out-The-Back day tomorrow. I'm looking forward to spending another healthy day.

Negative happenings are cencored. XD

Had to cancel the dinner out. A bit disappointed? Sad? Frustrated? Disheartened? Ah.. I'm just showing off my vocabulary. Ignore me. XP

I missed buying myself a piece of cake today.Might try to do it next Saturday. It's my Chinese birthday, yoohoo!!

Pray for me that this year will be a blessing from God.

Good night everyone~

PS: it's my SR's birthday too~

Seriously, I don't have enough time

As the title suggests, I have no time to update.

Shall go to sleep before 12am.

Had a nice walk just now. And tasted the best mocha. I'm glad I went.

Even more glad I skipped all the alcohol related parties.

Hope the guys and girls outside my door will just end their conversations soon and get back to their own room.

Good night.

I'm still trying hard to fit into Johns' lifestyle.

恐怖的o-week开始了~

所有的恐怖时间表比不上我把头撞上tumble dryer门的痛……【叹】现在还是很痛啊……昨晚战战兢兢去睡觉（诶？我没有哭诶～），今天无缘无故被拉去逛short cut，还去Subway来个很无聊的prank。就是去当快闪族嘛……

结论：Nothing can define "random"，"lame" and "prank" better than Johns XD

好累啊～迫不及待下个星期一的开学，我是说真的！更多的网志更新和照片，要等到某年某月某一天我真的空闲时再来慢慢写吧……

-o- 顶着爱困的眼睛去解决OSHC～

迟来的新年快乐

没有浓浓的新年气氛，只有冷冷的大雨飘零～外国的月亮真的没有比较圆，天气倒是真的比较冷。

一大清早起床，竟然没有hot breakfast，大概因为厨房忙着准备超级丰盛的午餐。悠哉地晃着、吃早餐，跟sashi道别回房前说着要洗澡，想说除夕已经把所有衣服洗了，就差身子来个大清洗，去除霉气，好运、桃花运通通来！结果……吹头发时才记起，崇拜10点半开始！！啊！！！

*各位，不好意思，今晚不舒服，直接打重点吧*

1. Chapel在我宿舍正隔壁（其实在其中）。是RC，所以是mass，不是church service。人数超少。时间超短。
2. 好多好多人搬进来。宿舍变得好"lively"……
3. 每逢佳节倍思亲。

其他的，慢些上载吧！

各位，虎年平安！

除夕夜快乐！！

是滴，你们亲爱的我从坎培拉打招呼啦～哈哈哈……大家可安好？本小姐混得还不错（仅限于international orientation week），甚至努力去尝试各种事情（放心，全都在道德安全范围内），下个星期将要打起精神，睁大眼睛排时间表、选学会等等……还有一堆paperworks呢……天啊，好忙（我可以预计的）。这些都不包括我宿舍努力的学长学姐排的超满o-week活动～谁来救救我？*可怜水汪汪眼睛*

是的，我又食言（有吗？）没上载上个月在KL的照片和这几天在澳洲的照片。再等一下下吧……人，是要有耐心的！不都听过俗话“小不忍则可乱大谋”吗？（误）

好了，要去冲个热水澡暖暖身子了。前天几乎中暑，今天几乎冻成冰条；我不适应这儿的天气。

好想念家，还有你们……

First ever lawn bowling

Yup, you are not seeing things. The sports idiot Barbara had taken the initiative to actually follow the International Orientation Week's lawn bowling activity.

Bad thing is: The Bruce Hall mini-bus left. We walked in the rain to the place and played in the rain. Since when I'm so hardworking?

Ok fun lar, just that everyone's so busy chatting and drinking beers. I'm the only one struggling to make a good throw.

Came back late and didn't have extra time for dinner. I'm still hungry now.

Accidentally clipped my finger after bath. It's still painful now.

Going to sleep now and finish all my paperworks, laundry, blogging etc tomorrow. Don't like the feeling of being in debt over Chinese New Year.

Conclusion: I'm a sports idiot (confirmed), a total clumsy girl (chop) and sometimes stupid enough to not know how to use Nokia 6700.

hot day + tiring walks = nearly heat stroke

Too many things happened today.
I'm exhausted, totally.
Almost had a heat stroke.
Plan to sleep early tonight.
After laundry and make out my new handphone, that is.

Shall upload tonnes of photo when I'm more free this weekend.

I still need to settle a few more things, or rather bills, tomorrow.

Wish me luck and wish me health.

Pray for me to follow God's lead in everything.

Amen.

ps: one HUGE disadvantage of not living at home~ you can't use your parents as excuse to skip parties and gatherings; it's totally yours --  your decision and your "fault".

How to start updating when you are down by more than 10?

Yup, I can't meet my promise (?) because I'm too busy shopping walking. In Canberra, everyone tells you it's near and it's just a 10-minute walk, but puh-lease, I'm fat (okay, I'll TRY to slim down) and I'm more used to driving and sorry, I can't cycle, and PLEASE don't forget to mention the fact that it's a hilly region. My legs ache after walking days and it's still just in campus!! Head of Commerce and Business (CBE) said that our's is like the 5th smallest in Australia? Everyone drew a deep breathe and muttered "WHAT!!" Haha... really, this is university life. Welcome~

My hall's going to have a formal (semi) dinner tonight with other halls of residence.(Of course they need to. So far, I'm the only international new resident. Not sure about the 2 Indians though. I guess I need to muster my courage and go talk to them later.) I'm so lazy to go until I make out something. I think that's going to replace my normal dinner at 6pm. So, what? I need to arrive at about 5pm at our food hall (okay it's 1-min 30-sec walk from my room). I didn't have any matching blouse to go with my skirt!! Argh!!!

Okay, it's 4.43pm now and I think I should start heading to the bathroom. Might be able to drop off my clothes in the laundry room (I know you are sick of hearing this) before going to bang on Yang Yi's door upstairs.

ps: I met a Indonesian-born-in-Singapore-and-practically-lived-in-four-different-countries-in-the-past-20++ years during lunch. He instantly know I'm a Malaysian and said because "Singaporeans tend to throw up when meeting Malaysians" and thought "neighbours use to have a share hate". Excuse me?! I really hope I heard/ get him wrongly. And thank you, I know you are going to return to Melbourne University in 2 weeks =)

还蛮好笑的准的占卜

用我的生日和名字在http://cn.oreuranai.com/ 算出来的

这一类型的人有如此特点

+ 有创新想象力 【我也这么觉得】
+ 可以感受到「新娘」这个词的魅力 【那个……先找到男朋友再说】
+ 珍视旧的东西 【对！所以收拾房间是个恶梦】
+ 女性化  【a leh？我不是 tomboy 帅哥吗？】
+ 认真办事  【我希望能继续保持】
+ 一旦决定了就不易改变  【100%准确！】
+ 经历过一些不可能发生的事 【这些还是我保留着当秘密吧！】


特别是Barbara中有以下倾向
・容易迟到 【我会努力改过的】
・别人把钱找多了就会觉得不安心  【哈哈……真的诶～我妈最受不了这件事了】
・虽然有烦恼但还是正常地过着日子   【对呀！不然呢？人生苦短呐～要好好玩遍世界呢～】
・希望别人尽早回自己短信 【现在没有mobile plan，就希望大家多多来看我的blog】
・总是有些恋爱问题或者其他烦恼 【是的，太肥找不到帅哥来疼我】


我对Barbara的建议・别过分地拿出虚假的面孔 【嘘……不要说得这么大声嘛……】

I'm officially missing you

Okay, here's the girl who insisted that she won't have homesick preparing to shed tears whenever she thinks of home. Duh...

Well, I'm now officially in ANU, erm, let's make it John XXIII College, finally being able to go online and start blogging but unfortunately had promised the Senior Resident, Fresh, to go to join them in the Junior Common Room later (Games Night starts at 8pm, but I guess I'll appear later. After all, I said I'll "pop-in" when I had sort out my things. That's practically impossible. If you look at my room, you'll understand. *sigh* I'm starting to worry how to move next year) And yeah, I've still got clothes in the laundry room. Would have done it earlier and faster if I hadn't woke up late this morning and thus, making everything slower than planned. Yeah, a plan is JUST a plan. And I never stick to it. Duh... Plus, stupid me who don't know how to use the washing machine (oops, revealing that for the past week Mum has been doing the washing in Aussie) thought that it broke down. Aduhai aduhai...

Met a lot of seniors and shall talk about it later when I have time and mood. Not that I'm unhappy or what, just that I'm kinda lazy now XP  Yes, I'm aware that I'm short of more than 10 blog posts as promised. Forgive me for the time being. I need time to settle down in a new country. The papers from the International Student Services said that it's perfectly normal. No, I'm not trying to cut things into small portions (this land don't have silver 300 two).

Overall, I'm officially missing home, parents, relatives, pets and friends. I miss Malaysia so much =)

Can't wait to blog longer in a few more days' time...

I'm very busy adjusting myself to the local time (I'm still kinda 3 hours back), weather (summer's really worse than Sibu) and lifestyle (dinner at 7.30pm). Food's not a big deal (I don't crave for Malaysian food) except that when the delicious meals coming in HUGE portions. I'm foresee-ing a VERY FAT me. *sigh*

Most of all, I'm trying to calm myself down and give my legs a good rest. Shopping's splendid when I can find shoes of my size!!! Haha.. But I still haven't get myself a winter coat. Besides that, I think I'm almost all done (yeah, minus the soaps and stuffs, I bought almost everything).

One last thing to note, I'm totally not prepared to start university, year 1. Blame it on gap year or Youtube? XD

ps: Mum's friend's family is sooooooooo nice....... I'm enjoying life~