Was called up just yesterday. So I'm off to Sydney tonight.

I finally got my hands on a spanking new Creative Zen Vision: M. So far so good. Can't find any problems with it. Yet. Will be taking it on a trial run tomorrow when I travel on the MRT.

Arrived back in Singapore early in the morning of Tuesday. After all the usual paperwork at the office, I reached back and did some unpacking before hitting the shower and then the bed.

Peculiar thing about China is that the soldiers at the airport will really salute aircraft as they taxy past them. They literally snap at attention and will not budge even if we give them a wave of acknowledgement.

Nanjing is extremely poluted, a lot worse than the situation here in Singapore. At first, I thought it was mist but later realized it was the smog from the rapid modernization taking place there. The city centre is really big, and this is just Nanjing, not the major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. And looking at the way the cyclists rule the roads, it is no wonder that some of them here in Singapore imported their mentality here too.

Next was to Anchorage. The night flight was great as we overflew Japan. The lights were really bright even from up there. We also saw some Russian trawlers out in the middle of the sea. Nearer Anchorage, the snowcapped mountain tops were peeking out of the clouds. Looked really big as we descended and at times were alongside the mountains. Things at Alaska are really cheap since it is tax-free. On top of that, the local shopping mall was having the autumn sale, so things were really, really cheap. Oh yes, and it was cold. But apparently, not as cold as it will get later this year. Temperatures went to negative one. My first sub zero temperature...

Next port of call: Los Angeles. Overflew San Fransisco on the way down and had a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Los Angeles was shrouded in fog coming in from the sea. Whole reason for this phenomenon was covered in Meteorology Theoy but let's not get there. Also had a glimpse of the Hollywood hills over at the east as we descended into LA. As did dozens of other aircraft as the radar screen was filled up. No wonder they say that LA is really busy, but apparently not as busy as Chicago.

Coming back to Singapore, my coursemate and I took the flight back which transited over at Japan. Originally, I thought that I was going to have a night stop there. But no, we waited an hour in the plane and we were on our way to Singapore. We were originially allocated economy class seats, but eventually were upgraded to business class seats. My first trip on business class. Very nice. Had enough time to catch four movies and numerous episodes of the Simpsons. The band Iron Maiden was also on the LA - NRT flight on their way for a performance in Tokyo. The cabin crew took photos and got autographs from them.

Trip down to Singapore was quiet. No more movies to watch, so I caught a few hours of sleep. Went to the flight deck for the approach to have a chat with the crew and also to watch them fly into Singapore.

And now, I am going back to sleep again.

Zzzz....

I absolutely hate packing.

And I need to plan my sleep for tonight so that I will be awake enough at some inhumane hour tomorrow morning.

Expenditures this month has been sky high! Although the amount included certain necessities such as winter clothing, foreign currency and the suitcase, it is still on the high side. Don't think my allowances will be able to cover everything too.

Googled my name and I found several other namesakes:

1. A guy in the Netherlands who is a computer expert. Think he is still in university. Very active with programming. Quite a lot about him on the net.

2. A teacher in a nearby JC. Involved in dance choreography too.

3. A pastor in California. Not much information about him.

4. A trombonist from Philadephia who performs in an orchestra.

5. A PhD holder also from Netherlands involved in electronics gibberish.

6. A guy from the UK who attended a boys school and graduated in 2003.

and etc etc.

And I can't find myself.

Good to remain annonymous.

Got back yesterday morning. Was too tired to do anything, so I took a nap after loading the washing machine.

Melbourne was a nice place. It was great to finally breathe some fresh air and again, I am reminded of it as I look at the thick layer of haze outside my window. Temperatures were just about right but got a little cold at night. Spent the day just getting oriented to the city roads and locations, and that was about all the time I had. I should be able to do more things if I go down there again sometime soon.

As for next week, I will hae the chance to explore Nanjing, Anchorage, LA and Tokyo. That should be fun.

What kind of undeveloped moron greets people "Asshole"?

Meet TwoDoorsUp.

Graduation was on Friday. Nothing really special. But the family was down for it. Which meant... SHOPPING!

Bought a luggage bag on Saturday at a special price with the all-powerful staff card. Which will be put into good use this coming Thursday, when I will be headed down under. Work begins on Thursday, which is much better than idling around.

Missed out on a lot of tv shows over the weekend since the family was around. But will be busy catching up over the next few days.

So what have I been doing for the past week? Nothing much. Been waiting for the licence which seems to be taking forever to arrive. Strange thing is that my colleague who submitted the licence to be updated did that in the morning while I did my late morning. He got his licence updated five days ago.

Meanwhile, I have been reading up some of the things that are "my bread and butter, god dammit". And it's a whole loaf of bread. Looking at it makes me want to go sleep, which I never thought was possible. Reading those physics and chemistry books didn't really put me to bed. Instead, now, the Z Monster is on the attack. I guess it catches up with age. Speaking of which, I am slowly creeping up to the 30-year-old age gate.

Graduation ceremony is tomorrow evening. Managed to get a blazer at the last minute from my friend when mine sort of disappeared in TwoDoorsUp house. A little bit too big for me but not much of a choice for me. No matter who I borrow a blazer from, it WILL be too big for me.

Parents will be down for this ceremony. Which means that TheGirl will be meeting them for the first time. Parents are excited. I doubt TheGirl shares the same sentiment. Sister is also excited, as proudly exclaimed on her MSN nick: "off to Spore to dispell rumours of my bro's gf being imaginary". Looks like I am not the only joker in the family. It must run in the genes.

Also, I finished yet another novel! I am setting a record! I have read more books this year than I ever have in my entire 26 years of existance.

And also, more movies this year (in cinemas, not on a 15 inch monitor) than ever before. Speaking of which, I will be catching WTC tonight. Sneak preview. First time.

Till I get my licence...