Melbourne; oh how I love thee

As some maybe aware, I took a short business trip to Melbourne last month. I was basically sooo excited about the trip. It was basically my very FIRST trip interstate. It was such an amazing experience for me.

The reason behind this mini trip was because I won a free trip to Melbourne, courtesy of CPA. They literally paid for the flights, accommodation, meals and the mentoring session. So literally, all I needed was myself and my clothes and I was jetted off to Melbourne :)

My room; the Standard King at the Crown Promenade

I was lucky enough to have a good view of the busy Melbourne City

The Casino at in the Crown Tower

Love the lighting decor

The view from my room at night

Good Morning Melbourne;
Ready for a jammed packed day

The whole day at CPA involved mentoring sessions from the finance, HR, project development departments and with the CEO himself. After that was a photo shoot (which I want to post up, but due to confidential reasons I can't) and filming session, which I'll be starring in.

To conclude the jammed packed day, was a dinner in the board room, in which all 6 winners (including me) received the CPA program scholarship .... best thing is: it doesn't have an expiry DATE!!!

Sneak Peak #2: Behind the scene on where it all takes place

The one thing that I learnt while filming was to NOT look at the 3 cameras =__=" But it was sooo hard when they keep looking at youuu TT__TT.
BIG HINT: I'm going to be apart of one of the interviewed episodes in about October. OhNo!

Ending the day with a late night stroll along SouthBank River

 One of the amazing things about the Crown, was that they do a fire show (which lasts for about 10mins) that goes off every hour from 6pm to 12am. Anyone up for some BBQ pigeons?

Along one of the bridges; underneath this bridge is
actually a bar

Reaching the end of SouthBank River; an epic 40min walk
on a cold winter night

Night life in Melbourne

Street art along SouthBank River

I met so many people while I was here in Melbourne. It was such a shame that I was only there for 2 days and 2 nights. If only they gave me an extra day; so I can go shopping.

I just want to thank CPA Australia for giving me this opportunity :). Stay in tune, I'm going to become apart of their upcoming videos >.<"

I will admit it; even though I was here for 2 days and 2 nights I think I've fallen in love with Melbourne. I need to come back here ASAP!

For a love of a daughter ….

No matter how hard I try, I end up failing. I try so hard, and yet I can’t meet to your expectations. I must admit, I’m not perfect, smart nor beautiful; but I do try. It just seems like no matter how hard I try to make you happy, I always seem to make you angry. Maybe I should stop trying?

You haven’t realized how many dreams I have put on hold for you, just so you can live out your dreams. 8 years of my life has now gone to waste. And in those 8 years; you never realised on what I gave up on. Nor have I heard a single ‘thank you’ from you. Maybe I was wrong to let you live your dreams and to give up on mines?

For the love of a daughter, all I wish is to stop causing more and more pain; and wish to live a simple life. No matter how hard I try to gain your approval; I’m the one ending up hurt and lost. It seems like our relationship has just said it's 'goodbye' .....

Diary #21: The day I turned 21

So it's been awhile .. right?

As some may be aware, last week I FINALLY turned 21. Yep. HELLO adulthood! and GOODBYE MY ADOLESCENT YEARS

The week leading up to my birthday was one of the surprised filled weeks I ever had!

Before I begin I just wanna thank again to everyone who sent me their birthday wishes either through facebook, email, messenger, text messages and even phone calls ... Felt soo LOVED ♥ ♥ ♥

*hehehe*

and also who came to my birthday dinner :)

Cake shopping at Michel's Patisserie
One of my 'go-to' birthday cake stores

 

Strawberry Gateau from Michel's Patisserie

So what is installed for me now?
*Sneak Peak* Well, between June/July I shall be doing some traveling :) :) :). I shall be traveling to Melbourne (I've never flew interstate before) and doing a exchange program in St. Petersburg ~ whoooo! So say in-tune between June and July for my traveling adventures .... I will still post my 3 months Vietnamese trip sooon :D

Until Next Time
Take Care xx

Diary #14: Happy Lunar New Year

Heyy Guys :):):)

**HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!!!!**

As some may not know, its the lunar new year :) SO a BIG HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my Asian readers :)

Hope you all have a HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! and remember to party hard BUT stay SAFE :)

Take Care xx

Diary #13: Merry Christmas

Heyy Guys :):):)

Just wanna wish you all;

**MERRY CHRISTMAS**

I hope that you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS :) and remember that Christmas is all about sharing and caring and ALSO ..... The presents too ;)

Until next time

Take Care xx

My Angel

"When people think of angels, they think flowing robes and halos.
But in the Bible, they also look like ordinary people. Why not today?"
~ JOAN WESTER ANDERSON, In the Arms of Angels.

It's funny that someone can become someone else's angel without really noticing it. I for one, am that person. I didn't realised it at first, but in someone else's eyes, I was their angel.

What happened was he [for confidential purposes] told me, a while back, that I slowly became an angel that brought him back. What he meant was that, even though he didn't show any of his pain (that was inside his heart) to anyone, I was like a light that took that pain in his heart away when no one else could. Which I didn't realise at all until he told me.

What made me think was, what did I even do? and his reply was, I stood by him when every thing else was falling apart around him. Even his girlfriend tried to figure out (but failed) what was going through his mind during that period. What cause this pain was that he had lost his friend in an accident, he then left home for a short period of time and his break up. And so, the only person that was there from the beginning to end was me and other people who helped him too :).

SO, my think about question is: Have you ever been in a situation where you can't do anything and all a sudden someone you know becomes that 'ray of light' that you needed to get through it?

New blog look :)

I think it was about time gave my blog a fresh new look :) I mean, the other layout background I had was nice but it was too black! and I think it made it hard too read :S

Anyways this new background is more fresh and simple and kinda relates to me :). The colours are not too over powering yet the design gives off like a warm autumn/spring feeling :).

What I love about this new background is the abstract design and the floral prints along with the colours too :):):)

I also managed to figured out how to change my blogger header too :). I chosen this design because cherry blossoms are one of my favourite flowers and the design gives off an asian/Japanese sense. I kept the title but I think I'll change it to something else.

Overall, this new blog design is more simple and fresh and also more easy to read :)

Time to MAN UP!

"It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel" ~Anonymous

I just hate when guys [males] don't have the courage to ask someone out. Especially when they tell you they liked you but never had the guts to ask up til now! and then all a sudden they ask you out! ... Well my answer to that is 'NO'.

Why? Well, 1) You didn't have the courage to tell me back then and 2) Why the sudden "Will you go out with me?" and then tell you they 'chickened out' back then.

It shows a lack of courage to ask someone out. That's what I think. I like guys who actually have the courage to ask someone out without any delay. It shows alot of courage. Also that they [males] want to pursue the girl.

My advise to all the guys out there who don't have the courage to ask a girl out is:
You should tell her before its too late. No matter what the outcome is (good or bad) you can use it as an experience and not regretting it later on. Especially to the guys who I knew (that also where in this situation with me) to MAN UP NOW.

SO here's some handy hints (from buzzle.com) to asking that special person out:

1. Don't think that a date is the most important event in the world. So remember to breathe, stay calm and plan what actions to ask the girl on the date.


2. Know what the girl's interests are and her friends so that you can be apart of them as well. And don't do the whole stalker thing and/ or hire a dective to find out this info T_T.


3. Get closer to her. NOT physically. Like become like a friend that helps each other out.


4. Hanging out. Try to go somewhere that you guys can bond. Like out of school or work. This helps you to know a little bit more about her outside the workplace and what not.


5. Ask her out. A simple note, or a causal coffee meeting or even the movies will helo you ask her out on a date. But rememer you dont want to scare her so don't go over board with it.

New Job :)

Heyy guys,

So, I got BIG news ^.^ ... I'm FINALLY employed :) ... if some you haven't noticed, I've never really had a job before. My first job was back in year 8 where I first worked at the BBQ and Noodle Bar, which was a Vietnamese and Chinese food store up in the food court. I didn't last long there. Because I quit on the first day :D. I guess, I quit because I didn't like the manager that was there at the time and she didn't really showed me 'the ropes' properly and hence why I quit. Along with me breaking the cash register too :P

So, I'm currently employed by my older sister and her husband (my brother-in-law). My hours are flexible and I'm able to work only on my days off and when they need me. My week was fun and kinda boring. But hey, you need a starting point if you want to make it in this world :D.

The BAD news was that my 2 work day pay was paid for my speeding fine :'(

Always Smile :)

So like, as someone of you guys are aware, my birthday is coming up! :) In like 10 days ... eekkk! the one thing I'm SUPER worried about is growing old :'( *tear*

So anyways, as some of you might recall, I had my early 20th in Vietnam. AGAIN! :P So I don't think I'm going to plan anything for my ACTUAL 20th. I mean, I like to do something, but planning and organising it with friends is soooo difficult. ESPECIALLY ... when your birthday lands on a long weekend/ public holiday. So, I guess I'll just see what the day lies ahead.

Anyways, I got kinda like BIG news-ish ... well its more like a BIG question ... which is:

Do wishes come true? including birthday wishes?

I mean, when I had my 20th in Vietnam, I made a birthday wish and I think it kinda came true. Because the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Well of course I'm not going to say what it was cause I don't want to ruin the wish. But can they actually come true? ... Bare in mind it isn't like I want to be an instant millionare T_T ... So let's hope that this birthday wish comes true. Cause at this stage I really want it to come true!

Sunny Happiness

So like I think this month has been really exciting. I mean, in the last 2 weeks I have received/ heard some really amazing news.

First of all, I want to congratulations my long time childhood friend Jennifer (Jenny for short) for getting engaged ^^. Im soooo proud and happy for her :) . We've known each other like FOREVER about like 18 years or so. And she's been there for me when we we're going up and attended the same primary and high school together. To me, she's like an older sister ^^. Even though we slowly parted like in high school we occassionally meet each other at the shops and so, hearing this news from her, I'm sooo HAPPY ^^.

Second news, is another engagement from my former confirmation classmate Anh. Even though I only known her for a few years, we still keep in touch via Facebook and Yahoo Messager. I'm sooo proud and HAPPY for her also. And can't wait for her wedding which is expected towards the end of this year.

The third news is that last night (Sunday night) I went on my date that my brother-in-law and older sister arranged for me. It was a nice date. We went to Burswood, and attended Movies by Burswood. It was an outdoor cinema :) . The nice thing about this event was that all the profits and amount that made that night goes towards a charity. Which is likely to be the annual event in October/ November Telethon. The movie we saw was HereAfter which was, to tell you the truth, the MOST BORINGEST movie EVER!!! ... I highy recommend NO ONE to see it. The reason is that there wasn't really a plot line. But I guess the underlying point of the movie was finding your soulmate ... I guess :S But the overall date was nice :) We had a few things in common and he was a nice guy to meet :)

Horoscopes predictions: Real or Fake?

So its been awhile since I last blogged, and yeah. :) So, like I was wandering, if horoscopes predictions are real? I mean, last night, I decided to read my horoscope for because I wanted a break from all this studying. So anyways, it said (along the lines of) "you'll meet someone new and they will change your life/ influence your life" Which I was like suprised. Because this coming weekend, I've been set on a date (thanks to my sister and her husband). So like, will this prediction come true?

So on another note, I decided to give my relationship status a chance and to go on this date. In the past, decisions like dates and stuff, I usually never really gave it try. So let's hope this date goes well ^^. Also I want to thank my sister and her husband for the free outdoor cinema ticket and 'trying' to convience me to give this date a chance.

My fringe after 2 years

So like I was at my old high school a few weeks ago to pay for my brother's school fees when one of the ladies in the office recognised me ad said that I looked much different from before. I looked at her and I said, "how so?" She replied to me as "With your hair and all. Now it's all long and 'stylish' with a fringe as well." Which makes me wonder if I've changed that much under like 2 years? I mean, at first my fringe was a side fringe throughout high school and since I've been to vietnam around 2009/2010 I had a front fringe which I thought of out growing it but a friend told me not to cause a full front fringe looked way better. So after that I kepted it. But my question is, if you change your hairstyle to something different like a cut or dying it would you look different from before?

The pressure is ON!

So its the start of a new semester and a fresh start! So, this week was the start of new semester and now I wish I was on holiday! Being a 2nd year uni student the pressure is ON! I mean, there are high expectations for you to pass your units and graduate on time. And sometimes I wish I was back in high school where every subject was eazy :'(. And when you think about it next year is my FINAL Year!!!

So what I plan to do this semester (that I normally don't do) is:

• study hard! (which I usually lack 6.6)
• apply for internships with Ernest and Young, CPA Australia, KPMG etc .. (which I have to do NOW! cause applications close soon)
• apply for work experience
• and finally TRY not to FAIL a unit :D

Hopefully I can keep those promises for this semester and hopefully next semester too ^^. Cause at the end of the year I'm going back to Vietnam for my cousin's wedding ^.^ (Unless something comes up and prevents me for coming like the summer internship programs that I'm appling for :D)

Why 'Tears of Hope' (Nước mắt của hy vọng) ?

As some of you maybe be asking why is my blog called "Tears of Hope" which translate to Vietnamese "Nước mắt của hy vọng". The reason why I bracketed the Vietnamese name was because I wanted my readers to know that even though I blog in english, I'm a Vietnamese person. It also relates to the fact that some/most of my blogs are always linked to my holiday experiences in Vietnam. :)

It's called "Tears of Hope" because it was a name that I came up with to give of different meanings. "Tears of Hope" can mean alot of things in life. The word 'Hope' is supposed to mean e.g. the hope to start a new life, the hope to get the strength to move on, the hope to discover who you are. The word 'Tears' emphasises on the tears that may come out of it (like the end result) or the strength used to achieve it.

Hence why my blog is called "Tears of Hope". I wanted to have a blog that I could blog on what I've learnt, what I've experienced and what other people may also face. I wanted this blog to not only allow people to read, but also related to the experiences which I've faced each and everyday. It's kinda like a diary but with out that love-dovey and secret stuff but based in real life both past and present.

"Tears of Hope" wasn't just the only title I used in high school. There was also "Forgotten Memories". "Forgotten Memories" was mainly about the memories that you wish you haven't forgotten. For example, the memories of a love one who passed away or a happy memory. In this title, I wanted to emphasis on the memories of the past and the future that people may have forgotten. However, it wasnt just about forgetting memorise of the good times. It was also about trying to forget bad memories e.g a criminal offence and starting a brand new life.

I thought of calling my blog (before I started) "Forgotten Memories" or "Forgotten Love". But, I think this blog is well suited with "Tears of Hope". :)

Opening and closing doors

In our lives we open a lot of doors. Not the doors where we get in and out from but as a metaphor. I was in church a few weeks ago, when the priest used the metaphor opening and closing doors. This made me think. He said that we open a lot of doors in our lives but we don't seem to close a lot of them before we die. Which means, we always have a thing we started with but never seem to finish/end them before we start a new one.

For example, we might start a new project and then half way through it we might forget about it in the shed. Then a few years later, the project still remains there but uncompleted. Or maybe, we might have an arguement with someone in the family and say things that we didn't mean and wish we didn't say it before they die.

This year, I have opened a lot of doors. For example; new friendships, learning new experiences, given new opportunities and more. The doors which I think I've closed this year would be doubting myself, letting people's opinions get the best of me and more.

Because the year has almost come to an end (about more than 2 weeks) I recommend that we should think of doors which we have opened and trying to close some of them for the New Year (2011). This way, we can start the New Year fresh and leaving the past knowing that we completed something. I for one think that if this year has been a bad year, then try to close the year by fixing up your mistakes and start the New Year fresh and guilty free. :D

The Royal Engagement

So if you haven't heard, the lastest yet biggest news is the Royal Engagement of Prince Harry and Kate Middleton. The they've been engaged for only about 2 days now and they are making big headlines. And now the lastest news is that they are planning their wedding. Apparently, the wedding won't be as big as Harry's mother, Diana. This is due to the economic problem that England is currently facing.

According to the interview; that Harry and Kate did, Harry wanted to propse to her early but wanted to let Kate see what "royalty life" was like before he popped the question. He didn't want to scare her with a massive change from an average girl to a princess. To me, I find it sweet that he allowed her to settle into royalty life before he popped the question. ^.^

It's so sweet that they've been together for about 7 years. They were started dating, according to the newly weds, since they moved in together, along with a few friends during the start of their university life. However, like all couples, they both went through a small phase when they both thought it was a good idea to "put on hold" their relationship and see where they were at and what each person wanted.

But there is a whole controversy with the whole engagement ring. Some say its curse, while others say it isn't. But its sweet, that he gave her his late mother's sapphire ring.

The right time to move on

So I was watching Hi! My Sweetheart, a 2010 Taiwanese Drama, and one of the episode scene made me think for a bit. It was when Lee Wei character He Yan Feng asks Rainie Yang's character Chen Bao Zhu if its time to move on. What he ment was that, if it was time to let that person in her heart to move out so that another person could move in. This was because, she was in love with Show Luo's character Lin Da Lang (who was actually Xue Hai's fake name) for 3 years and its been 3 years since the break up and since she's been searching for him. That night she decides that Yan Feng was right and she decided to pack the Pink Panther and her only photo of her and Da Lang away in a box and to move on.

So what made me think was that it does take that long to move on from someone. I mean, if you have a crush on someone and realise they don't feel the same, does it take the same amount of time to stop having feelings for them? This is because I was in that kind of situation, in the past. It took me 6 months to fall for 'him', and 6 months to forget about 'him'. But in the end, I think it was a good thing that I didn't form a relationship with him because we have been such good friends.
Does this also apply for people who just been in a relationship and have broken up? Like if you been with someone for a year or 2, then will it take 1 or 2 years to mend your broken heart and get "back on the horse" or to move on/ forget about them?

The night that all high school student have been waiting =]

So last Friday (29 of October) was my younger sister's graduation. The ceremony was held at the Octagon Theatre at the University of Western Australia (the school always hold the graduation here). The night began with a solo performance from Francis Plando singing "For Good" from the musical "Wicked" and the music was played by Doug Wilson on piano. Next was a dance performance from the Year 12 specialist dance students to "The weight of knowing" choregraphed by Jacqui Claus. And finally a musical number from the cast of the school production "Annie" singing "Tommorrow". After all these performances was the presentation of subject awards and special awards. During my graduation night, I was lucky to received the Citizenship/School Service Award. However, my sister didn't win any special awards. But the brightside is that she graduated. =]

2 years since I've made my decision ...

So it has been 2 years since I was in my younger sister's shoes. I mean, it's been 2 years since I had to decide what degree to do and what my new future would be after I graduate from high school. I really can't believe that it been 2 years. I always thought (when I was in high school) that what ever degree I chosed it will effect me in the future and that there's no turning back once I started.

But the hardest part for me was when it came to choosing a degree to do at uni. At the start of year 12 I wanted to do Laws and become a Lawyer. Later on, I realised that I should do a degree that involves the subjects I was doing in year 12. The subjects I did where: Chemistry, Physics, Marketing and Management, English Literature (I later changed to the TEE English) and History. So I changed it to Criminology and Forensics. Throughout the whole of year 12, I thought that Criminology and Forensics was the right choice I'd made for the future. But, after I had finished my TEE Exams, graduated and went to Vietnam for leaver and also christmas and waited for my results to get published, I kepted thinking maybe it wasn't the right degree to do.


So when I got back from Vietnam (after the christmas holiday over there), I changed to a bridging course at ECU (Edith Cowan University). This allowed me 6 months study for free for 6 months and to let me decide what degree to do. By the end of the course; I applied for Curtin University of Technology as a mid-year applicant, thinking that I wouldn't be accepeted. However, I was accepeted to the University to study the Bachelors of Commerce/Business.

So I am currently studying Commerce in Accounting and Business Law. I am expected to graduate in 2 years (2012) and my plans for after graduation is to apply/ work for CPA Australia or CA or any of the Big 4. If not then, I decided that I will continue my further studies at ECU (Edith Cowan University) in Law as a graduate. This was because I initally wanted to study laws.