Someday We'll Know

A fortnight ago I heard the one and only Mandy Moore was going to be in Melbourne and I got all warm and fuzzy. =) She's so lovely. However, I was informed by a friend of mine that they got to see her at Myer last week. I was so disappointed my friend saw her (who was quite nonchalant about it by the way) and I didn't even get the chance to meet her! Mandy was also apparently on Rove, which I usually watch but for some reason last week I missed! Furthermore, I got the hot tip that she had an interview on A Current Affair the day after and as you might have guessed, I missed that too! Omg! I'm flabbergasted! All these opportunities, just gone.

*Sigh* You know what? I just don't think it was meant to be, me and her. =(

CAPM, PwC, UBS, audit, Deloitte, arbitrageurs, CA, Derivatives, margin calls...?!?

"Fathers be good to your daughters,
Daughters will love like you do,
Girls become lovers,
Who turn into mothers,
So mothers be good to your daughters too..."

Wise words from John Mayer, a sweet song too.

Ah, who am I kidding, I love that "Love" is a good cop out for thinking seriously about things. I love the love, I really do.

It's 1:30pm on a breezy Friday afternoon and I'm stuck in a small room at Uni with nothing but a computer. So what do I do? Haha I net it obviously!

I found out yesterday that I won't be able to go on exchange to the US next year. It gets a bit complex but mainly because I won't be able to get credit for a few of my subjects (mainly accounting ones) that are a necessity for being eligible for the CA. I think getting CA accreditation is really important, especially in the industry I'm going to be working in. Not only does it open up all doors in Accounting, but apparently a lot of Finance firms favour it too.

Goodness, I've spent a bit of time thinking about it all, I graduate at the end of next year and I'm already get apprehensive about finding a job! People tell me graduating with a Melb Uni BCom/BIS degree will get me a job pretty easily, but how good my marks are will determine largely whereabouts I go. I find solace in that assurance, that it's not a question of "will I?" but more a question of "where?" I don't want to get ahead of myself though, despite the advice, I still have an inkling of doubt, "What if I don't get a job? What will I do? How long will I be unemployed for?" You know, those people could just be talking crap, they're trying to make me feel better. I know I'm not a H1 student, I've even failed a subject! Okay, only one subject but hey, a fail is a fail! "You're fine, you're still on a H2 average, that's really good!" Whatever, I know people out there who are getting 85s and shiat, don't tell me 70s are good. It may be good for mediocrity but not for me, I'm meant to go on to bigger and better things, being average is not an option! Like they say, strive to be the best...the best. Yeah, asian to the max, 'rents pushing the kids haarrdd.

Yes, I am afraid. Afraid of the whole carnival that's going on out there. I don't feel like I'm going to fit in, but I will have to. Nevertheless, similar to all challenges and anxious times in my life, I turn to faith. Faith in the knowledge that He will guide me and lead me to where I am meant to be. Not to be upset about what I don't have but what I do, not to be totally devastated at my failings but use it as a stepping stone to better myself, remembering that there are always lessons to be learnt and being humble enough to recognise them. More than anything else though, realising that there is much more to earthly life and to see that there is a bigger picture, a picture filled with love.

There. I feel a lot better now.

"...most liveable city in the world"

Ahh, another warm sunny Melbourne day, it's a Friday too which means ultimate bumming without any worries (far from it, it's the 2nd last week of Uni but a little wishful thinking never hurt anyone!). I really enjoyed the drive home from Uni today, despite the beginnings of peak hour traffic and one or two terrible drivers, I can say with confidence that Melbourne really is a great place to live. Seeing cities in magazines and on TV always paints a pretty picture, but what is reality really like? New York, the "Big Apple" is lovely, I'm sure, bustling with activity, but what about the crime? Everyone knows you cannot just take a stroll in the evening at Central Park West without fearing for your life. LA? La-la land it may be, where all the pretty people live, but crime there too is rife. I'm sure there are also far-reaching consequences of putting so much emphasis on the entertainment industry. Good to visit, but not good to live.

Europe anyone? It certainly does have its advantages, classy food, classy wine but depending on your tastes, as an Asian I prefer immersing myself in a community where I'm not a very small minority. London and Paris does boast tremendous cultured heritage, I give them that, but I think after a while the novelty will wear off, just like most cities with such touristy attractions. I hear it's also very dirty.

How about closer to home? Asia (Home sweet home?). Most likely to bed in well with the rest of the population (if only due to appearance!). Fast paced cities like Hong Kong and Singapore are exactly that...and more, not to mention Tokyo! I've adopted an easy-going nature all too well, but I do often wonder how people from these cities would adapt in Australia's laissez-faire approach to life. Quite comfortably methinks...

And just up the road to Sydney. Very popular with overseas tourists, offers the "bigness" of world-class cities, but can it really sustain residential attractiveness? Not to sound biased and myopic, but Sydney is too commercial to really be a homely city. It gives me the impression that it cares a lot about attracting people to visit, but doesn't give them that extra reason to actually stay.

This is where Melbourne beats them all. Not an arrogant extravaganza of a city that's overdone, but rather a humble counterpart. Offers the urban hustle of an active city, but one that is not too overwhelming. Having a very multicultural population, we also boast the shopping districts in Chapel and Collins Sts, not to mention the abundance of entertainment around; international concerts, street performers, festivals and most importantly, sport. But behind the scenes we're also blessed with what really counts, the living end. Housing market booming, plenty of nice new residential areas popping up around the outskirts of Melbourne, whilst historical suburbs like Toorak and Canterbury still continue to thrive. Not only that, Melbourne has beautiful bay areas like Lorne, Sorrento and Apollo Bay which are to die for. All this makes for a pretty diverse portfolio of lifestyles, which alludes to the fact that whatever your dream, Melbourne can offer it, and that's what makes us the most liveable city in the world.

The New Idiot Box

Mm, well today was a glorious day, it was warm, the sun was shining and my classes were actually engaging! Furthermore, I got to Uni early as well - if you know me well, you'll know I have a problem with punctuality. I even had time to kill and I spent it sitting on one of the tables outside U-Bar (I hear it's named something more catchy now) reading a brochure on what's on at the International Arts Festival. It gave me some interesting reading actually, I brought it with me to my first lecture (Cost Management at 1pm - yea I start late, I am a bum) and found some unique concepts like "Eavesdrop" which 'pushes the limits of cinematic and theatrical imagination' and is described as 'Part game, part real-time filmmaking, part spectator sport, part magical realism.' From what I gathered, it was similar to being able to change the movie the way you want to. The one that most caught my attention was "uBung," a Belgian theatre production where 6 children onstage are asked to watch a black and white film without sound of 6 adults interacting at a dinner party. As the dinner party wears on, tensions grow and petty arguments and hidden desires emerge. After this, the children are dressed up as each of the 6 adults and are made to act out the entire film, but with their own dialogue. Makes for some really interesting results ey? Pity this production ended 17th October. The whole festival actually ends this Saturday.

Other goings on in my world, I've been introduced to a bit-torrent site and it has been the primary reason for me not doing much homework these last couple of days! I managed to find all the episodes of "Joey" which is the spin-off of "Friends". Not to be mistaken for an avid Friends viewer, I'm just interested to see how the spin-off works. The idea isn't too bad actually, Joey moves away from New York and goes to LA to find acting work. The main characters are his sister, his 20 year old rocket-scientist nephew, whom he lives with, and the cute girl next door, whom Joey takes a fancy to but too bad for him she's also married.

I also came across "Laguna Beach - The Real Orange County" which is a reality TV show by MTV, most likely cashing in on "The OC" phenomenon. There have been four episodes so far, and it seems that it's not far off from "The OC", without the unrealistic happenings though - no houses being burnt down and no one has OD'd...yet. It follows 8 young, beautiful and rich kids, mostly in junior and senior high school (Year 11 and Year 12 equivalent), and their lives, from social parties to massive bitching about each other. It's quite bad actually, the overall vibe between some of them, it's the typical story where two girls like this one guy and they hate each other, someone has an 18th birthday and doesn't invite certain "friends"...it goes on. The thing I find most perplexing however, is if this is really "reality TV", the cinematography of the show is just way too good. I mean, how they get all the perfect shots and right angles, good timing too, whilst the teens are totally relaxed, almost oblivious of the camera, it seems a bit fake. The thing that quashes this theory though, is the way they talk to each other and interact, is believably boring at times, which I have no doubt in my mind that scriptwriters would not factor in. There are elements of realism at times and therefore, I guess I must just resign to the fact that the 8 "stars" of the show really don't give a f**k about how they're perceived on television, which is refreshing. One girl Kristin, I'm quite sure she's not getting any fanmail from any females out there, unless they're just as bitchy as she is.

So there you have it! Of late, I've been drawing blanks on the blogs, I don't know why, I seem to be ok on asiagroove! But em, yes I think my game's back...hmm anyway, enough of that, "till next time folks, take care of yourself and each other, I'm Greg Wong, goodnight." *applause*

...I wish

The Sound of Music

Okay, i guess i've built my blog up a bit but em, the reality is that i don't have massively interesting stuff to talk about. (!!!) Maybe im "boring as borry" as some might say...

"Some might say, that sunshine follows thunder,
Go and tell it to the man who cannot shine"

Speaking of which, i can tell you that lately i've been listening to a lot of songs, i'm really in the music loving phase!!! I've always loved bands like Jet, The Vines and The Strokes, and recently i've been blasting them on my winamp whilst either doing assignments, or when i'm "netting". I think songs are similar to that of a drug and daily doses are not nearly enough!

I encourage each of you out there to d/l some of these songs, depending on your mood:
Anger/Adrenalin
The Vines - Get Free
The Vines - Outtathaway
The Vines - Ride
Jet - Cold Hard Bitch
The Strokes - New York City Cops
The Strokes - Hard To Explain
The Strokes - Last Night
Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench

Mellow
Nada Surf - If You Need
Coldplay - God Put a Smile On Your Face
Coldplay - Scientist
Coldplay - Don't Panic
Jet - Move On
Death Cab For Cutie - A Lack of Colour
Eric Clapton - Change The World
Oasis - Champagne Supernova
Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine

House
Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Intro
Freestyler - Push Up
Ian Pooley - Coracao Tambor
Ian Pooley - Balmes
Kings of Tomorrow - Finally
Roger Sanchez - Another Chance
The Ones - Flawless

General
Coldplay - Clocks
Oasis - Some Might Say
Blur - Beetlebum
Blur - Charmless Man
Blur- Girls & Boys
Billy Joel - Lullabye
Silverchair - Abuse Me
Mandy Moore - Only Hope
Michelle Branch - You Set Me Free

There are some that don't fit perfectly in each genre but generally they're all good songs. Hmm anyway, hope u enjoy them, gimme a yell if you want more!

Hallelujah

It's 1200hours on an overcast Thursday morning and I'm currently listening to Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah". I have to get ready for Uni soon. This post was created through the notion in my first blog about struggle. While I'm struggling with a cold, struggling to find motivation to go to Uni and struggling with trying to come up with something engaging to post, I felt that my blog looked a little empty, what with all of ONE entry. I thus decided, in my "infinite" wisdom, to provide my first post with a partner and companion, which will mark the prolificacy of many interesting posts.

Humble Beginnings

Dear all,
Today marks the advent of "Mein Kampf" according to Greg. So it hasn't really been that huge of a struggle thus far, but I'm sure there'll be times when I will be challenged.
Try the beer, I'm here all week!