Sweating It Out On New Year's Eve

I spent the New Year's Eve of 2006 at the local hospital with Joanne, who was down with contact dermititis on both her feet. It was an agonising evening for both of us. Last night was yet another agonising New Year's Eve for us.

No, we didn't usher in the new year at the hospital this time. We were at home, but we might as well had been in a furnace. Dear God, it was HOT! It was hot all day with the temperature soaring past 41 degrees Celcius. It was so bad that at one point, the local authorities were considering banning the annual New Year's Eve firework display in the city. Luckily for the revellers waiting to see the big show, the firework display was allowed to go on.

I couldn't help wondering how those revellers took the heat. The crowd must have been overwhelming. Even in the so-called comfort of our home, the sweltering heat was unbearable. Unlike our Cheras home, which is fitted with 4 air-conditioning units, there is none in our rented home here Doncaster. We have 2 standing fans and a mobile cooler, which is totally useless in hot temperatures.

So we all sweated like pigs on New Year's Eve. I couldn't even watch the TV in the living room because the mobile cooler had been moved to the bedroom. You can imagine what a boring New Year's Eve that was.

We all went to bed early, trying to sleep. I couldn't. I woke up several times to open the windows to see if there were any cool changes. There was none. The air outside was still. There was hardly any breeze at all. So I did what I could to cool down.

I splashed cold water on my face. I sprayed water all over me. I stuffed my little pillow in the freezer for a while so that it would be cool to the touch when I took it out. I even stuck my own head in the freezer a few times!

Luckily the kids have a better fan in their room. Otherwise, they would be wailing too.

Morning came and the temperature was only slightly better. Now, as I'm writing this, the temperature has shot up to 36 degrees and it's not even 11am yet. Guess it's going to be another HOT HOT day.

I really dread summer sometimes ... Thank goodness there are cool changes now and then.

It's Christmas Time

Well, Christmas sure is a big thing here. KLCC Suria may have the biggest Christmas tree I'd ever seen but there are lots more Christmas-related ornaments, decorations and activities here in Melbourne than KL.

We were here during Christmas last year. But since we were busy starting our new lives here, we didn't explore the shopping malls all that much. This year, however, we've gone around and seen a lot more. It started way back in October when the first Christmas ornaments made their appearances. I first saw those in Myer.

They are not only Christmas trees, reindeer, stocking, angels, etc. They actually come in so many interesting forms. Some of them depict mini villages, playgrounds, hot air balloons and fun fair. And Santa is not always on his sleigh. He can be on a motorbike, climbing a ladder or fixing some lights. Quaint and quite a sight to behold.

And now, with Christmas just a week ago, you can see even more Christmassy stuff. You can even write a letter to Santa Claus and post it and receive a reply from the jolly old man himself. Of course, at scheduled times, you get to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you wish for Christmas.

Naturally, you can also find Christmas cards, gift wraps, gift bags, ribbons, gift tags, gift boxes in virtually every shop and supermarket. And gift ideas - you can find them everywhere. Shopping malls everywhere are having sales too, enticing everyone to spend more.

Yes, Christmas is commercialised but the good thing is, the folks here haven't completely lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas plays and carols are conducted at parks, schools, community halls, etc. And kids get to enjoy lots of free train rides and free passes to here and there.

Well, we may not have white Christmases here, but the Christmas here sure beats the Christmas in KL.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Anniversary

Today marks my very first anniversary in Melbourne. Unbelievable. It's been one whole year and it seems like just yesterday when I flew here with Joshua and Joanne.

Nothing much has happened. I haven't even seen much of Melbourne and only attended my very first "formal" dinner 3 nights ago - Alex's company-cum-Christmas dinner. Well, that was quite something - to be surrounded, hugged and pecked on the cheek by people I barely knew. And the dinner dragged on for hours until after midnight. No joke. If you think Chinese dinners are bad, this Gwai Loh style dinner is even more long-winded. Still, it was good fun, and the food was glorious. Plus, we were entertained by Hot Stuff the clown-cum-magician.

Well, that was pretty much the highlight of my ENTIRE year here. But at least we are enjoying a better quality of life here. Water restrictions and costly charges from tradesmen notwithstanding, everything else is great. Cleaner air, less traffic, fantastic schools, excellent healthcare services, efficient public services, helpful civil servants, friendly people, safe environments, the list goes on. No complaints there, really.

And the kids love it here too. They've adapted to life here so well I don't think they can survive life in KL anymore. Even I would find going back to KL difficult. The atrocious public service in Malaysia is enough to serve as a deterrent for me! Not to mention some other unmentionables back in Malaysia. Sad but true.

Yep, I'll stick around here. With both kids at school next year, I'll have more time to myself. Maybe I'll be able to explore Melbourne on my own in my free time. That should be fun. Can't wait.