Julie & Julia - a story about Julie a married woman facing the dreading 'becoming 30' who decided one day to pursue a 'passion' - and she chose cooking. Her goal was to cook all the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook 'Mastering the Art of French Cuisine'and write about her adventure in her new blog.
It's a lighthearted movie with lots of laughter :-)
Go watch it!!!
Monday 12 October 2009
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Thursday 27 August 2009
Something I learned recently...
NEVER take a midnight flight after slaving in the office the whole day.
And ...
if you do, NEVER pick a middle seat especially when the two people sitting next to you are strangers bigger than you!
Believe me, I was there, did just that and it was a terrible experience. I don't know how miners who do the 'flying in flying out' do it week in week out though. I suppose when you are going home after a week or two in the outback, a little discomfort will not dampen the home going spirit :-)
Saturday 15 August 2009
Last Wednesday I attended a job interview for an Expression of Interest I put in for, effectively ending a silent (you thought you're in control until you find that you don't sleep well at night, you have pimples popping up your face etc etc) stressful month. Oh yes, applying for a job is indeed stressful especially if the job is a government one. How come? Well, here is what you need to do:
* prepare a resume. You need to tailor your resume to fit the job you're applying for, meaning don't include ALL your work history, or anything not relevant.
*address the selection criteria mentioned on the ad.
Selection Criteria?? Well, basically they give you a set of job criteria to write about, e.g interpersonal skills, organisational and time management skills etc. You will need to explain why you are good in these areas, and substantiate your claims with real-life examples. So, if you are addressing interpersonal skills you will need to tell how great your interpersonal skills are, give examples, sell your good points in other words. Now, this is often the most stressful part! How do I project myself? What relevant examples do I have? It's just like writing an essay question I suppose. You need to have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Sometimes you might have a good example but how do you word your example to make it most relevant. You need to study the job description ,then think about the examples you have. Relevant?? Yes? Ok can use. The most popular method to use is the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. It's one thing to say you are good, it's another to describe just what you have done to illustrate that you are indeed good. Unlike writing an essay question though, you only have about 1/2 page to address each criteria. Sometimes, if the job is of a higher level, e.g a Manager's position, they might ask for a page a criteria. In other words, your answer has to be short and sweet.... and precise of course.
* submit your resume and selection criteria write up before closing time. I usually finished mine a few hours before closing time.. hahaha... I usually work well under stress.. :-)
* then you wait... for the phone call. If you are successful you get one :-) If you are not, well, you keep on waiting until the 'we're sorry to inform you..'letter comes.
* now if you're successful, then you will attend an interview and this is where you get your second chance to sell yourself :-) 20 mins before that, you will be given a set of interview questions. Yes, they are generous :-) They let you know what you will be asked during the interview. Now if only they email you those questions a day before, that would have been better!!!! :-) But that would just give the suspense away now, wouldn't it??? Oh no, 20 mins is good enough, 20 mins of last minute stress. You scribble as fast as you can. You rack your brain for other examples, preferably those you haven't used in your write up. But somehow, the grey matter refuses to churn as quickly as you would like. It's slow, time is ticking away. No matter how prepared you are, you will still feel the stress.. hahaha I was.
20 amazingly quick mins later, someone will come and collect you and lead you into the lion's den!! hahah.. there are usually 3 interviewers. I've attended one with 5!!! Anyway, they will go through the questions and you will answer as convincing as possible! 20 mins - 30 mins - more stress!!! When you have answered the last question, you begin to relax a bit. This is when you start thinking, 'have I done well????' 'have I answered correctly???' Oh, the interviewers are very nice people, they don't give anything away. All your answers are great answers. They smile, you smile.
Then it's back to waiting....
Waiting for a phone call...
Or a 'We're sorry...' letter
Ahhhh.... why does it have to be sooooooooooo difficult??? But that's how it is here.
Gone are the days when all you need to do is send in an application letter detailing all your strengths and good points.
I used to think that I was good at writing a job application letter; after all I taught my students how to do it. Nothing prepared me for the shock and stress I got when I tried to apply for a job in Australia. I was lucky, I later got the help I needed.
Now I know...
But it doesn't make me a pro, it is just as stressful every time I apply for a job..
* prepare a resume. You need to tailor your resume to fit the job you're applying for, meaning don't include ALL your work history, or anything not relevant.
*address the selection criteria mentioned on the ad.
Selection Criteria?? Well, basically they give you a set of job criteria to write about, e.g interpersonal skills, organisational and time management skills etc. You will need to explain why you are good in these areas, and substantiate your claims with real-life examples. So, if you are addressing interpersonal skills you will need to tell how great your interpersonal skills are, give examples, sell your good points in other words. Now, this is often the most stressful part! How do I project myself? What relevant examples do I have? It's just like writing an essay question I suppose. You need to have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Sometimes you might have a good example but how do you word your example to make it most relevant. You need to study the job description ,then think about the examples you have. Relevant?? Yes? Ok can use. The most popular method to use is the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. It's one thing to say you are good, it's another to describe just what you have done to illustrate that you are indeed good. Unlike writing an essay question though, you only have about 1/2 page to address each criteria. Sometimes, if the job is of a higher level, e.g a Manager's position, they might ask for a page a criteria. In other words, your answer has to be short and sweet.... and precise of course.
* submit your resume and selection criteria write up before closing time. I usually finished mine a few hours before closing time.. hahaha... I usually work well under stress.. :-)
* then you wait... for the phone call. If you are successful you get one :-) If you are not, well, you keep on waiting until the 'we're sorry to inform you..'letter comes.
* now if you're successful, then you will attend an interview and this is where you get your second chance to sell yourself :-) 20 mins before that, you will be given a set of interview questions. Yes, they are generous :-) They let you know what you will be asked during the interview. Now if only they email you those questions a day before, that would have been better!!!! :-) But that would just give the suspense away now, wouldn't it??? Oh no, 20 mins is good enough, 20 mins of last minute stress. You scribble as fast as you can. You rack your brain for other examples, preferably those you haven't used in your write up. But somehow, the grey matter refuses to churn as quickly as you would like. It's slow, time is ticking away. No matter how prepared you are, you will still feel the stress.. hahaha I was.
20 amazingly quick mins later, someone will come and collect you and lead you into the lion's den!! hahah.. there are usually 3 interviewers. I've attended one with 5!!! Anyway, they will go through the questions and you will answer as convincing as possible! 20 mins - 30 mins - more stress!!! When you have answered the last question, you begin to relax a bit. This is when you start thinking, 'have I done well????' 'have I answered correctly???' Oh, the interviewers are very nice people, they don't give anything away. All your answers are great answers. They smile, you smile.
Then it's back to waiting....
Waiting for a phone call...
Or a 'We're sorry...' letter
Ahhhh.... why does it have to be sooooooooooo difficult??? But that's how it is here.
Gone are the days when all you need to do is send in an application letter detailing all your strengths and good points.
I used to think that I was good at writing a job application letter; after all I taught my students how to do it. Nothing prepared me for the shock and stress I got when I tried to apply for a job in Australia. I was lucky, I later got the help I needed.
Now I know...
But it doesn't make me a pro, it is just as stressful every time I apply for a job..
Monday 6 July 2009
Watching Michael Jackson in concert The Last Time on TV, seeing him jumping up and down the stage, dancing his famous moves, singing his famous songs, fans screaming - it's very hard to imagine that he is no longer alive. The King of Pop dead at the age of 51. The world mourns him, his fans devastated, and tomorrow morning at 12.50am Perth time Channel 7 will be airing his memorial live. A million fans missed out on tickets to attend his memorial, more devastation!
Growing up in the 80s, I enjoyed listening to his songs. When I started my teaching career I used his songs for lessons. I also watched him changed from this sweet little African-American boy into this young man with a pretty face. From the catchy Billy Jean song, his famous moonwalk, his sparkling glove to his famous Neverland, he was indeed the most famous pop star ever lived.
But ahh, he is gone now. It's sad that a person who rattled the world with his songs and his moves died so young. He was making a final comeback with a series of tour, but he didn't make it. I suppose when it's your time to go, you go. I admit I didn't follow much of his news in the last few years of his life. I remember the scandal with kids and the fact that he got married and had 3 kids, and the plastic surgeries he went through to fix his face.
People will remember him for many years to come. Fans will sing his songs, imitate his moves. He is after all the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009 ) - his legacy will live forever.
Growing up in the 80s, I enjoyed listening to his songs. When I started my teaching career I used his songs for lessons. I also watched him changed from this sweet little African-American boy into this young man with a pretty face. From the catchy Billy Jean song, his famous moonwalk, his sparkling glove to his famous Neverland, he was indeed the most famous pop star ever lived.
But ahh, he is gone now. It's sad that a person who rattled the world with his songs and his moves died so young. He was making a final comeback with a series of tour, but he didn't make it. I suppose when it's your time to go, you go. I admit I didn't follow much of his news in the last few years of his life. I remember the scandal with kids and the fact that he got married and had 3 kids, and the plastic surgeries he went through to fix his face.
People will remember him for many years to come. Fans will sing his songs, imitate his moves. He is after all the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009 ) - his legacy will live forever.
Saturday 4 July 2009
Reading reading everywhere...
On the bus, on the train, at the park, everywhere!
The reading habit is a good habit to cultivate, you can read anywhere and anytime. You don't need a lot of money (if you get your books from the library, or read the local newspaper.. haha), and you don't need special gadgets. You can lose yourself in the story, let your mind wander with the plot and the characters. What a way to pass your time!
I envy people who can read on the bus. I read a few pages and get dizzy!!! What a bummer!!!
On the bus, on the train, at the park, everywhere!
The reading habit is a good habit to cultivate, you can read anywhere and anytime. You don't need a lot of money (if you get your books from the library, or read the local newspaper.. haha), and you don't need special gadgets. You can lose yourself in the story, let your mind wander with the plot and the characters. What a way to pass your time!
I envy people who can read on the bus. I read a few pages and get dizzy!!! What a bummer!!!
Friday 26 June 2009
Lament of an English teacher
On my way to work in the morning I used to share a bus with a woman from the Middle East. What made me noticed her in the first place was not where she originated from, but what she had in her hands! Every morning on the bus she would take out an IELTS book and do a bit of reading and grammar exercise.
Yes, she is here to study English!
It dawned on me that she had flown a few thousand miles, left her home, family and friends to come to an English speaking country to learn English! (Well, probably she is studying English because she has to pass the IELTS exams in order to secure her working visa, but that's not what I am getting at here) So then, what's so special about that you ask? My mind wandered back to the time I was teaching English back home, and how I and countless other English teachers like me tried our very best to teach the future generations to learn the language, to speak the language, to read the language.. to embrace the language. We did songs, role play, debates, story telling, games etc..My students had the opportunity to study English Free of Charge, but sadly some of them (not all.. just some) just let the opportunity passed them by. It's too hard and they lost interest. It's sad but understandable.
And some people have to leave their homes and pay thousands of dollars to do this!!
So if you are a Malaysian student who just happened to stop by my blog and read this, my advice is 'seize the opportunity to learn everything your English teacher has to offer...'
On my way to work in the morning I used to share a bus with a woman from the Middle East. What made me noticed her in the first place was not where she originated from, but what she had in her hands! Every morning on the bus she would take out an IELTS book and do a bit of reading and grammar exercise.
Yes, she is here to study English!
It dawned on me that she had flown a few thousand miles, left her home, family and friends to come to an English speaking country to learn English! (Well, probably she is studying English because she has to pass the IELTS exams in order to secure her working visa, but that's not what I am getting at here) So then, what's so special about that you ask? My mind wandered back to the time I was teaching English back home, and how I and countless other English teachers like me tried our very best to teach the future generations to learn the language, to speak the language, to read the language.. to embrace the language. We did songs, role play, debates, story telling, games etc..My students had the opportunity to study English Free of Charge, but sadly some of them (not all.. just some) just let the opportunity passed them by. It's too hard and they lost interest. It's sad but understandable.
And some people have to leave their homes and pay thousands of dollars to do this!!
So if you are a Malaysian student who just happened to stop by my blog and read this, my advice is 'seize the opportunity to learn everything your English teacher has to offer...'
Monday 25 May 2009
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Margaret River - the journey continues...
From Margaret River to Augusta...
From Augusta -pass Margaret River we drove north towards Busselton - 220 km south west of Perth.
One of the main attractions in this small attractive town is its landmark jetty, Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The Busselton Jetty is 142 years old. I heard a few weeks after we visited and walked the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, it was closed for public as they found that the structures are not safe anymore.
,
Busselton is also famous for its seafood. Fish and Chips are the favourite 'healthy' fast food :-) After dinner, we drove back to Bunbury. What a day!!
From Margaret River to Augusta...
Located on the most Southern Westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands as a solitary sentinel. On the cape where it stands are cottages and building used by the lighthouse keepers. Today it is still a working lighthouse.
From Augusta -pass Margaret River we drove north towards Busselton - 220 km south west of Perth.
One of the main attractions in this small attractive town is its landmark jetty, Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The Busselton Jetty is 142 years old. I heard a few weeks after we visited and walked the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, it was closed for public as they found that the structures are not safe anymore.
,
Busselton is also famous for its seafood. Fish and Chips are the favourite 'healthy' fast food :-) After dinner, we drove back to Bunbury. What a day!!
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