Little miracles.

There we were back at the same table. Mentors and juniors; past and present. It's been way too long, but the entire gang finally gathered last night over a hell lot of bubbly and laughter. Heartfelt speeches were made, tears were shed, and too many IKEA glasses were broken.

It didn't seem that long ago that we'd all come together to work towards the same goal, a group of seemingly different women united by our shared love for publishing. The hopes and dreams that brought us together may have since changed, but last night was an affirmation that the friendships and bonds are made to last.

I started out 17 months ago hoping just for decent colleagues, but I've come away with so much more. Isn't publishing amazing? :)

Friends say the darnest things.

Two of my bestest girlfriends have, in the recent weeks, said some things that made me LOL. Even in retrospect.

Ceci (aka moisturiser/scent addict) on Aesop
Me: I love shopping at Aesop. Stepping into an Aesop shop instantly transports me back to
that rainy Sydney morning.
Ceci: Ya the smell's so calming. At the end of a shit day, there's Aesop.

 Jins, world-class lazy bum
Me (after a press trip where I was plied with way too much food): Babe I need to detox.
Jin: Ok, let's go to a retreat where we do nothing but sit by the pool and drink smoothies all day.

It's not your fault if you don't find it funny. My sense of humour is known to be a little... different. But I'm documenting this all the same for future stress-busting!

LOL.

Smooshy: says: (2:32:00 PM)
fallin asleep

Smooshy: says: (2:32:05 PM)
somebody please slap me

leigh says: (2:37:47 PM)
-slap

leigh says: (2:37:48 PM)
haha

Smooshy: says: (2:38:50 PM)
AGAIN

leigh says: (2:41:10 PM)
-slap slap slap

leigh says: (2:41:12 PM)
slap me back leh

Smooshy: says: (2:42:55 PM)
mega SLAP

Taking stock.

I suppose it is when you're dog tired yet still buzzing with contentment that you can be certain you love your job. It's been a crazy week at work, but witnessing our hard work translate into a tangible product, and of course having the traditional closing drinks with the team, make all the scrambling and late nights worth it.

 But I did have a spot of calm before the storm. I spent the entire weekend doing absolutely nothing work related and what a breath of fresh air it was! It was good catching up on all the gossip with the GQC babes over pizzas and desserts on Saturday, as it was having Jin over on Sunday evening to demolish a few cupcakes and wine, in a somewhat homely tribute to our pre-India/HK happy hour margaritas. And despite her allergy to dust, she gamely got on her knees to peek under my bed and behind the piano in the hopes of uncovering something I've stupidly misplaced.

I've yet to find it.

Well, I should know by now that life indeed works in funny ways. Perhaps the answers I'm looking for will come to me in another way.

I'd still like to find it though.

Official beginnings.

So I've graduated - the official proceedings have been attended and the caps have been tossed. It doesn't feel any different though, perhaps because I've been working for almost two months now. I do think the entire process is a tad overrated, but it did wrap up my final four years of education very nicely and provided my academic pursuit with a closure of sorts. I've never been a fan of NTU, but it is the place where I forged several unforgettable friendships. And the school did offer me many opportunities, some of which without I wouldn't be where I am today. So yes, it has been a tediously long but nevertheless fruitful time.

The safety net that comes with being a student has officially been whipped away, but I like feeling the ground beneath my feet. :)

The Aussie Diaries - Sydney Day 7

The Aussie Diaries - Sydney Day 7

Final breakfast at Baffi & Mo.

I thought I'd skip the java and have a hot chocolate with the girls, but man did I need a caffeine hit after the late night packing. And I really wanted a good latte before I came home. So yes, dairy overload.

Eggs benedict - yum.

B&M's famous potato hash - yum too.

Gingerbread hotcakes with Persian fairy floss. This looked like it came out of Hansel & Gretel but it was really way too sweet for breakfast.

Redfern's a semi grungy, semi new-agey sorta neighborhood. Very nice. And look at the vain bitch all dressed to match the colourful door... ;)

Goodbye Sydney, goodbye Australia. You've been very good to us indeed (minus the excess baggage charges)!

The Aussie Diaries - Sydney Day 6

The Aussie Diaries - Sydney Day 6

Breakfast (not brunch!) at Sydney Fish Market.

It was really cold and rainy, like most of our mornings in Sydney actually.

Oysters galore.

Grilled seafood platter.

Big eh?

We were absolutely stuffed from the seafood, but we couldn't leave without trying out the sticky date muffin at the deli...

Nor the lemon muffin...

Nor the lemon tart... haha!

Toby's Estate, yum!

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Walking off all that food at The Rocks market.

There seems to be one of these Christmas stalls at every market.

Tea break at Pancakes on the Rocks.

The Devil's Delight (a chocoholic's dream) came highly recommended by many friends but...

I'm still a purist at heart.

I don't know how she did it but C found enough room for a grilled corn.

The rain had eased by then but it was still a pretty wet day.

Goofing around's part of holiday fun!

Like we'll go to Sydney and miss the landmark?

I really wanted to go to Luna Park (in the background).

Fake or not, he was the only aboriginal I saw.

Our last Australian sunset.

Packing woes. Explains the excess baggage charges.

Gave up packing to go for dinner at Madang, a Korean bbq restaurant two minutes from our hotel.

Super yum. Best Korean bbq I've had!

Korean ahjuma pretending to host a cooking programme; Korean ahjuma after too much soju. Teehee.