Random thoughts @3 am

It always happen whenever I'm here. I choose to just lay half dead in my bed sleeping 'til wake up call.

Again, Melbourne turned out to be my first flight of 2014 (work-wise) excluding my flights before and after my birthday. I thought getting my US visa will automatically save me from these Australian flights. Darn! I don't really mind doing the ever-so chaotic flights to New York rather than being imprisoned to boring-town for six days.

Oh well, really need to stop complaining.
(Sometimes we realize in the end that what we've been given is just exactly what we need.)
After all, catching up with sleep has been the most inexpensive luxury I am enjoying right now. (And at the same time the most effective medicine to combat my flu. )

The last thing I remembered before I drift to dreamland was google chrome. I was having difficulty uploading photos in Blogger using Android. I was in desperate need of help until I succumb to my comfy bed and the soothing effect of Argan oil after I took shower. Then I suddenly awoke due to the pain I started feeling from sleeping at the wrong side. Four hours had passed and yet I felt like eternity has taken over. I love the short stay in New Zealand. Just the right amount of time to devour my favorite Korean Barbecue Squid and do some last -minute beauty shopping before all the stores close at 6 o'clock.

I have no right to burn some serious cash since I spent a lot during my 20-plus days recent getaway with Dad here and there but it suddenly dawned on me that I never really gotten any birthday present for myself. (Thank God for the boyfriend who mindlessly splurge on me for my special day...)

Australia is a great escape to buy high quality and yet very affordable vitamins and health supplements. I happen to find the same things as well here in Auckland. So I guess, buying stuff isn't going to be a guilt trip later on. I promised myself that I am going to do some major changes in my life since I am no longer in my twenties. Sad to say, my twenty-something self flew away with the rest of 2013. No matter how much we try, we simply couldn't deny the fact that we aren't getting any younger and that time is passing in a blink of an eye. I want to hold on to just being carefree devoid of major responsibilities-- just taking care of myself and my own happiness. Not until recently that life threw me a big birthday surprise. Not the typical surprise but the one that involves a life-altering decision. I guess I'm still in a phase of denial. As much as I want to hold on tight to this semi-charmed life of free travels and almost zero responsibilities, God momentarily gave me an option to really start growing up. I'm still confused and scared. And the fact that my mom isn't here with me anymore to give me advice my mind normally goes blank with fear engulfing me like a scared helpless child. I have two choices to make. The easy road implies a quick kill. Almost nothing will change. After one major haul I can go back easily to my yellow brick road and suffer the consequences later. I may never learn to stop this addictive life of sultry comforts from every corner of the world. I may never discover what hidden treasures I still have from all this lack of trying and complacency due to the nature of my job. Like the rest of them, I may turn out just having a career without a place to call home. I love my life right now. But God says I am up for bigger and better things and somehow difficult ones. And that other choice is teaching me to be brave by default. I just try to remember that God will not give something we can't handle. I need some serious faith nourishment nowadays because sooner or later I need to face the music.

This is what happens when you wake up on the other side of the world with a different time zone and no one's online.
I talk to my fear once and for all.

I need prayers. I need strength. I need answers.
I know I will not walk alone in this journey.
If giving up this life entails bringing another life to my sweet life I don't mind the hard work it'll requires.
This is being 30.
I'm still a happy sixteen year old on the inside with a biological clock that ticks with a speedometer.

I am suddenly craving for brownie fudge.

P.s.
hope to learn to post photos from my phone :-(
Why Samsung isn't blogger friendly?

Dear melbourne,
You never fail to give me shivers down my back...

My Usuals in Melbourne

1. Cloudy weather (even in a very hot or cold weather)
2. Dining in, dining out
3. Walk in the park

Always in Melbourne

I've been in Melbourne 12times already since we launched this destination last November. What can I say? Well right now it's freezing cold outside so we just decided to get some Chinese takeaway and curl in our well-heated rooms. Ty, our Purser is such a lovely person to fly with and my FG1s are simply the sweetest people to spend 13hours with cruising at 40000 feet. I have no plans in Melbourne except to burn my allowance in Duty Free. At this point I am relying on my travel buddies to survive my 6-day travel itinerary. I hope I get to finish this book and get some Russian lessons done.
Kisses!

8 Marvelous Places to Visit in Melbourne #travel

I happen to get this on my Roster more frequently than any other Ultra Long Range flights. Well, I am not very fond of Melbourne since the location of our hotel ( and the hotel itself) is already a big disappointment which makes me  snooze even more once I arrive. But I am not giving up yet on my hopes that this Australian destination can eventually dazzle me.

So perhaps I will try to capture the best attractions they offer when I visit Melbourne this week and by the end of the month.

Somehow, I feel like Australia has been calling my name since long ago...


This is a truly vibrant city packed with culture and such a hotbed of creativity that many Aussie trends first start in Melbourne. Whether you like interesting architecture, are into music, movies or mirth, love to shop or like to spectate at top class sports, the state capital of Victoria has more than enough to keep you occupied. Here are just some of the marvelous attractions of Melbourne.

1. LUNA PARK 
As one of Australia’s oldest theme parks, Luna Park is unquestionably one of the must-see attractions of Melbourne. This colorful 101 year old gem is situated on the shores of Port Phillip Bay in the historic suburb of St Kilda, roughly 6 kilometers from the city centre, and is easily recognized by the giant face of “Mr. Moon,” which sits at the entrance. Although you will find an amazing amount to see and do in the park, the rollercoaster “Scenic Railway” is the park’s prime attraction, and is said to be the oldest continually running rollercoaster in the world. Don’t be fooled by the park’s age, however. Many of the rides are brand new and guaranteed to take your breath away!

2. THE MELBOURNE PARK 
The Melbourne Zoo is one of the most family friendly attractions of Melbourne, with something for all ages. While you marvel at the amazing variety of animals the zoo houses, including the extremely rare tree kangaroo, your children may like to undertake the zoo’s “spy mission,” which leads them through secret undercover trails where they can learn all about wildlife preservation. The Melbourne Zoo also runs a great special during the school holidays, allowing free entry for children. (Check out the baby kangaroo in the pic – aww!)

3. ST. KILDA BEACH 

St Kilda beach is without a doubt one of the most popular places to visit in Melbourne, with millions of tourist flocking to the area every year. Once there, however, it is easy to see why the beach is so trendy, with the mix of sand, surf, cafes, gourmet restaurants and great shopping, providing a little something for everyone. St Kilda beach is also fantastic if you’re interested in water sports such as kite surfing, swimming, snorkeling or paddle boarding, with numerous water sports schools and equipment hire companies dotted around the foreshore.

4. QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET 

The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, and is located directly in the heart of Melbourne. If you choose to wander through this oversized flea market, you’re bound to be impressed by the vast variety of wares on offer, including: farm fresh produce, clothes, leather goods, jewelry and a great selection of Australian made souvenirs. Regardless of whether you’re a hard core bargain hunter, or just looking for different things to do in Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market will certainly not disappoint.

5. EUREKA SKYDECK 88 

The Eureka Tower is difficult to miss if you’re meandering through Melbourne, as it soars almost 300 meters over the central business district, and is easily the tallest building in city. More impressively, however, it also houses the southern hemisphere’s highest viewing platform, Eureka Skydeck 88, from which you can appreciate Melbourne by way of a 360 degree bird’s eye view. This is not one of sights of Melbourne for the faint hearted however, as parts of the viewing platform even have a glass floor!

6. FEDERATION SQUARE 

Federation Square is a 3.6 hectare cultural oasis situated right in the middle of Melbourne’s bustling central business district, comprising  an Australian art museum, futuristic buildings, shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the Melbourne Visitor Centre. All of these components, in addition to the fact that the area hosts over 2000 events annually, have caused Federation Square to be ranked amongst the most popular attractions of Melbourne. You may also like to take a guided walking tour of the square in order to appreciate just how much the area has to offer.

7. THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA 

The National Gallery of Victoria makes for a fantastic adults day out and is certainly one of more interesting cultural attractions of Melbourne. With a 68,000 strong collection boasting art from all over the world, you are bound to find something to love in one of the two buildings that make up the gallery. The venue even offers a selection of classes and workshops for aspiring artists, which will allow you to try your hand at various different artistic styles.

8. THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUNDS 

There’s nothing Australians love more than sports, and this is made even more apparent by visiting sporting venues such as the beloved Melbourne Cricket Grounds, or “MCG,” the epicenter for not only cricket, but also the Australian Football League (AFL). With over 90 days of cricket and football being hosted by the MCG every year, you’re bound to see the MCG in its full glory. Even if a sports venue isn’t on your list of things to see in Melbourne, the roar of 100,000 excited fans after a football player scores a goal or a cricketer hits a six is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life!