2013

2013.

Fantastic. My last post was in August. Anyway, I couldn't be fussed to write a post for each individual month, so I'll just write a summarised version in a whole post. An editor's cut if you will. 

SEPTEMBER 2013.
Went to the 'Royal Adelaide Show' with my friends. That was epic fun! They had so many things to see and all that glorious food. We spent most of our time at the show bags area where I bought some Adventure Time and magazine related show bags. They had pet areas as well, and I have to say that the animals there are way too perfect.  We were really hoping to go on a ride, but it was WAY too expensive. If I remember correctly, it was about $10 just to get on 1 ride.

My friends at the entrance.

 Group picture!

The Chipolates.

Extremely funny performance!

Singing, dancing, and an act involving running around with fire.

 On the hunt for show bags!

Sleepy and grumpy Scottish fold.

 Equestrian show.

Didn't stay too long for this.

Probably one of the friendliest and well trained dogs.

Much cute. So fluffy. 

Alaskan Malamute.

Sligtly bigger than a husky, still very adorable.

My friends and I also decided to go on a dessert hopping trip. I think our assignments were about done/finished and we were sort of celebrating. 

First stop: Milkaholic.

From top right clockwise: Seating area/Ambience, (Not sure what this is...but I think it's a Banoffee), Fig & Walnut Pudding (this was our favourite), and Nutella Cronut.

Second Stop: Aviary.

OCTOBER 2013.
Met new friends and played Frisbee for the first time. Gotta say, Frisbee sure is fun. ;)
Didn't really do much other than that because I was really busy preparing for my final finals. I remember going out a little bit here and there, mainly to say I've moved about for the day (or week) instead of being cooped up inside of my room.
Actually funny story...I once stayed in my apartment unit, not even stepping out of my apartment unit for a good 3 days. The air smelt strangely fresh when I stepped out into the wilds. Kids, don't try this. Go out and breathe the fresh air.


NOVEMBER 2013.
Let me put it this way...if I didn't do much 'outside activity' in October, I didn't do anything in November then. Honestly though, all I can remember from November was that I spent the whole time studying for my finals. 
Looking back, it was probably the toughest finals I had to sit for, and it may very well be the one I put most preparation in, at the same time the least. Wait...what are you trying to say 
here? My exams were at the end of the month, and I spent the first 2 weeks studying for 1.5 papers. I also never thought I'd see the day where I only started studying for an exam paper (GIA) the day before the exam - AND by some miracle got a distinction on it. Yeah...I'm one of THOSE students. Hahaha. I wish. In all seriousness though, I'd be lucky if I could get away with it again. Most of my friends had only 2 or 3 papers to sit for in the exam (lucky...), I had 4 papers to sit for. Technically they should get a high distinction for the paper I had less than a day to study for. Okay, but to be fair, I attended GIA lectures, did my homework, and participated in class throughout the semester.

The lesson to pick from this experience kids, is to attend class/do your homework/study & revise continuously throughout the semester. Now, that doesn't seem so hard does it?


DECEMBER 2013.
Happy days, oh happy days. Let me put it in lists, because lists are easy.
1. Final exams finished! One day you will know how blissful it is to finally sit for your last paper. Oddly enough, you get nostalgic and this realisation that you're done with university hits you in the face. Figuratively, of course.
2. Had a post-exam/end of university/graduation trip to Melbourne & Sydney. I think I'll elaborate this in another post. There seems to be a little too much to say in this post.
3. GRADUATION! Wow...How do you put words to a ceremony that marks the end of your 3 years at university? Just what do you say exactly? "I finally did it/WOOHOO!/Suck it b!tches." Graduation felt really surreal for some reason. It's the thing you were expecting since you start university, and then when it finally arrives...it just smacks you across the face with a mortar board and a piece of parchment. Figure of speech. Haha. Anyway, at one point I didn't want to attend my graduation ceremony because we have to pay for our graduation not inclusive of guest seats or photographs. After considering the fact that we were in university for 3 years paying tuition fees. I still went for my graduation though. And I have to say I'm glad I did. I would have regretted it more if I didn't.

Graduation picture with friends at the Pathway of Honour.

Specifically requested for pictures to be taken at this pathway.

Sort of an inside joke relating to Avatar: The Last Airbender. :)

2013. The year I spent abroad for my final year of university to graduate, met a lot of great and inspiring people, did some volunteer work, went on an amazing study tour with my university, travelled on my own and I learnt a lot of things that I wouldn't have learnt in books/university. I realised opportunities out there and learnt so many things, kept to good vibes and stayed away from negative energy. One of my favourite years as of now.

Here's to a fabulous 2014.

Sheila signing off.

31st August 2013

31st August 2013.

Selamat Hari Merdeka Malaysia!
Which translates to "Happy Independence Day Malaysia!" Despite being all the way in Adelaide I still feel that it's something I should acknowledge.

Anyway, August has been mentally draining for me. From getting back from Indonesia and straight away thrown into a whirl wind of university work and assignments and an intense load of subjects. It's tough, but I intend to persevere all the way to the end. I want to graduate at the end of this year so I can travel and be the 20-something year old I know I am.

So, about that massive amount of assignments I was talking about. Who has ever heard of having 5 assignments to be completed within 7 days?! I wish I was joking, but alas, it's all true. I honestly think I deserve bragging rights for being able to complete all my assignments on time and submit it. However, I can't guarantee on the grades as they will only be out in the coming weeks, but the fact that I managed to complete all the assignments on time, that's an achievement to me. For the sceptical souls, below is a screen shot of my assignments:

List of assignments to complete.

The status says closed because I took picture on the 29th after 5pm.

I really deserve bragging rights...and maybe a slice of cake. Wouldn't you agree? ;)
I'm just kidding. I really shouldn't be bragging so much about it. I actually think I should be thankful in a way...because of this, at least now I'll be prepared for the world and will get work done on time. Gee...Thanks UniSA. I mean it. Though...I did share a slice of cake with my house mates and was lazy the whole day after my assignments were due.

Hmm...I should probably find some time to clean up my room, and do the chores I actually have to. I've got to make some cards, send some emails, write some letters, iron my clothes, STUDY; just to name a few. How does one person accomplish so much in a day?! Man...I really strive to be one of those people who accomplish things everyday.

Also, I felt the need to say that I had a video call with some close friends and it honestly made me happy. I mean, it's not like I don't talk to them, I do, relatively often and I'd like to believe more often than others. It's just that chatting online and having a video call has a different feeling to it. Same goes to talking to someone face-to-face. So, if you haven't talked to a friend in a while, it' time to pick up that phone and start with a simple "hello". Because if it was me, I'd really appreciate the time you would have taken to think of me and say hello.

Overall, August was basically me just trying to catch up with my studies and finish my assignments. I felt slightly wavered, but after this week, I plan to bring my A-game on. I suppose there's nothing much with August since it's just me and my assignments.


p/s: There's this insane music that's playing from I don't know where and it's pissing me off!  I get that it's a Saturday but HONESTLY, it's 5 minutes to midnight and they are playing club/house music!
p/s/s: I'm right on time for this post! :D



Signing off to start cleaning my room 5 minutes before midnight. XOXO





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31st July 2013

31st July 2013.


What a whirlwind July has been! There has just been too many things going on with July, from my exams, to semester breaks to an intensely amazing experience with the Global Experience Study Tour to Indonesia.

In the first week of July, I still had 2 papers to finish (Taxation Law 1 and Financial Planning) - which was tough, but thankfully I managed to pull through. After my exams were done, I just wanted to be lazy, at least for a whole day. Which I did, and I've got to admit that it was a pretty relaxing day. I enjoy company, but having the apartment all to myself was pretty sweet. Anyone living in an apartment will understand what I'm saying.

After my house mates came back from their weekend trip, we decided to celebrate the end of our exams with some seafood dinner and desserts (Of course we have to have desserts).

 Platter of seafood.

Eton Mess at St. Louis on Grote St.

Before I left for my study tour trip to Indonesia, we thought it would be good to finally go to BTS Cafe - a French inspired cupcake store that opens at the most peculiar hours.

Cupcakes from BTS. Yum!

Clearly we over indulge in desserts and sweets...

The following week, that would be the week of my study tour. I doubt I'll be able to express how much I enjoyed the study tour trip. Everything was amazing, the places, the course/study content, but most of all the people. My new found friends from Indonesia and Australia.

I really want to write a proper and complete blog post about my study tour trip to Indonesia. However, I'll be really busy in the coming weeks so I'll just leave you guys with a video until I finally write up a proper post about it.

Video by UII.

Signing off because I'm going to be a dutiful student. XOXO




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30th June 2013

30th June 2013.

I have a valid excuse for writing this post rather late. My exams started in the last week of June and ended the first week of July, and the week before that was my study break. Needless to say, that I was cramming in that one week. Sigh...I really shouldn't, but oh well.

The first 2 weeks were pretty chill, and my housemate's mother came to visit so we had extra company in the 2nd week, which was pretty nice. We visited the Farmer's market and Glenelg. The farmer's market is a place where there is no middle person in selling the goods, they come straight from the farmer. Hence, "Farmer's Market".

Outside benches where people sit and eat.

The farmer's market is actually on the other side.

Chicken & Leek Quiche.

I shared this with my friend, Carmen.

Too bad it was on the cold side though. 

I'm not sure what sandwich this is, but Melissa shared this with her mum.

Oh and we finally went to Glenelg, a popular tourist beach and had some ice cream. 

I know this is only waves and water.

But it's kinda pretty. :)

This was taken on the jetty with a view of the mainland.

I was only able to take about 5 pictures or so because UNFORTUNATELY...my camera ran out of battery. Brilliant...

I'll probably go back to Glenelg in the summer though to enjoy the sea breeze and to have some ice cream. Mmmm....Copenhagen ice cream.

Anyway, I've got nothing much to say about the last 2 weeks of June. I was cramming studying and basically stayed off the internet - or at least tried to stay off the internet. 

Although, something interesting did happen somewhere around that time. My friend and I decided to take a break from studying and we went along Rundle Mall for a walk and to get some little errands done. We saw loads of guide dogs and some puppies (So adorable!), they were trying to raise awareness and get people to support the cause. While I was playing with some of the dogs, one of their standing banners almost fell on me. So naturally, I helped the volunteers keep their banners. Said volunteer then came back and asked me if I wanted to join a competition to win a Nintendo Wii. It was just between me and this other girl, and all we had to do was transfer chocolates from one bowl to the other. In the end, the girl won the Nintendo Wii, and I got some CD's and some chocolates. What I thought was really cool though was the fact that I was offered a chance to enter into this competition just because I helped the volunteer keep the banner. Her words were, "Since you helped me with the banners, do you want to take part in a competition to win a Nintendo Wii?". I guess good deeds really do get you things.

Signing off to help a friend. XOXO

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Chocolateria San Churros

Chocolateria San Churros.

Their sign board outside.

I'm finally writing this post after 2 months. Whoopsies.

I went to Chocolateria San Churros (Adelaide-Rundle Street) with my friend/house mate somewhere late in April. We had some sort of chocolate craving - as always. We wanted to try the churros from this shop, because I heard it was pretty good. The biggest problem we had there was deciding what to order, because we wanted to try everything on the menu. We're such suckers for desserts.

Menu.

When we walked in with full determination to have some chocolate churros and only churros, I have to admit that we were slightly swayed by their other desserts.

Their range of truffles.

It was a little pricey in my opinion.

 Macarons and mini cakes. 

Oh, and of course they have ice cream.

We FINALLY decided on the 'Chocolate & Churros Tapas' - Tasting platter of churros & chocolate delights served with 2 dip-cups (chocolate & ice cream). Okay, so obviously we got swayed by their other desserts. Can't blame us though, everything does look good. We thought this would be the best option since we want to try everything. Instead of trying to order everything individually, our wallets wouldn't be too happy about it.

'Chocolate & Churros Tapas'

Price: AUD$19.95

Close up of the platter.

The platter contains: 3 churros, 2 brownies, 2 strawberries, 2 chocolate covered pretzel, 2 dipping cups (chocolate and mint ice cream), and 6 different truffles.

Melissa and the platter.

A perfect match I'd say.

 Strange how I noticed the words in this picture rather than myself of the platter.

Picture taken by Melissa.

Everything on that platter was delightful. Chocolate craving satisfied. Their chocolate dip is rich and thick - no funny runny business. Their churros are golden, crunchy outside, soft inside. I've got to say though, that's not the best brownie I've eaten (I can probably make better brownies), but I suppose that's why it's not a brownie shop, it's a churros shop. What surprised me on that platter though was the chocolate covered pretzel, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did; sweet, crunchy, and salty. Whatever works I suppose. The truffles we a little bit on the sweet side for me. Needless to say, the mint ice cream was good - but that's not really fair because that's my favourite flavour of ice cream.

If you're a dessert person, you'll need no persuading to go try this place if you haven't already given it a go. If you're not a dessert person, well...why not start with this place? I mean, it's CHURROS - deep fried dough, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, then dipped generously into a bowl of rich chocolate goodness. Is that enough to persuade you? 

Oh and one last thing, their napkins are absolutely genius. "Better to have enjoyed & made a mess than never to have enjoyed at all! Sweeten thy soul."

Clearly we've made quite a mess...You do the math.

Signing off because I'm done with this post. XOXO

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