AUNSW + Food + Law Revue = Good times

Something I missed out a lot on, during my university years were social clubs. One of which was the AUNSW (Anime University of New South Wales).

Much like other universities' Anime clubs, a group of people get together and share their interests in anime/manga/Jdrama or any other Japanese related topics.

Check out their website above, as it details when they have their weekly meetings, which include a drawing session and screening sessions.

They are also a great bunch of people, and as Sharyn would say, "We're all really, really ridiculously good looking and well...you saw how awesome we were."

I attended their drawing session, although for me it was to catch up with my new found friends. I brought Skittles and Timtams. The Timtams Tarou later dropped on the floor, possibly a hint that she's only interested in Skittles. But yes, everyone attacked my Skittles.

I'll bring more next time. XD

A sexy drawing by Tarou. She's just so talented. I wish I could draw like that, but I'm kind of limited to TMNT, X-men and Dragonball.

I'm errrr, good at tracing?!

[-_-]

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Red Hat, a Chinese restaurant 10 mins from UNSW was where had our dindins. I had the Hokien (Hokkien?) fried rice, that of which was the hugest serving I've ever seen.

Even I, the Master of eating the foods, was unable to finish it all.

I did however steal some of Mi So's Thai fried rice, which was very delicious. I'll make sure to eat that instead next time. :)

Meanwhile, Janice kept us entertained before our food arrived with some magic tricks. Ain't she adorable?

XD

Janice the unicorn

Now doing the hundred hand slap

She can do magic too!

P.S. sorry I forgot to take snaps for my food porn collection. *nuts*

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Law Revue

The primary purpose of the evening was to watch AUNSW's Law Revue. Which is a series of comedic skits and theatrical numbers, some of which are related to today's legal and political views.

It was full of laughs and is fun to watch. It definitely made the night much more enjoyable. :)

I made the mistake of having a conversation with Eve, which quickly moved on to the topic of yaoi, her love for it, her love for Jrockers, and her project that will result with guys in lolita dresses, *faints*. I better keep an eye on her, she can be evil. Actually, she already is evil. Shes the evil Yaoi mistress.

Hmmmmmz

Thanks again for the invite Sharyn.

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It was great to see everyone and meet new people from AUNSW and SMASH. I had fun. Shanx!!

Work hard, work smart

Oops, sorry for the lack of blog posts but I've been ridiculously busy.

Being an adult grown up is difficult. Especially if you've been promoted, that's right babyyyyy! Pogi got promoted again....well it was officially set in April but I have work travel this week and next. I is now a Technical Analyst. In the I.T. system cycle I'm one of those people who has to communicate with a client, understand what they require and turn it into business processes. Bored yet?

And with that comes meeting the department heads and training, so I am here in Colorado Springs, CO, the United States of America.

This is not my first time in the U.S. but it is my first time in Colorado Springs.

You see the buildings there in the middle of the picture, that's the office. Just kidding! We're actually situated on the front range, of the Rockies. Very nice location but as per usual, like LA, the city is stretched out, so everything is everywhere, and rarely in one easy place. The funny thing though, is that everyone, and I mean everyone drives everywhere. There is no walking whatsoever. Besides walking to your car...hehehe

An odd thing about this city is that the elevation is at about 6,000 ft above sea level. Meaning the air is thinner here, which leads you to being more dehydrated and you've got less endurance for any exercise.

I speak the truth. On my first night here I woke up in the middle of the night and was dying for a drink. Luckily I had Pibb in the hotel fridge.

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I hate flying.

Why? Because my 1.25pm flight last Friday was delayed 3 times and finally took off at about 6pm. We did receive compensation, however, I already ate lunch when Qantas (hate) awarded us with a lunch voucher. I wasn't hungry or thirsty at all so I spent the money on 2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. ^_^

If only I flew Singapore Airlines. :/

Pogi being the definition of silly, did not have the stomach to eat any of them, and carried them on the plane from Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX). [-_-]

Stupid aren't I?

Wearing a leg brace, carrying a laptop bag and a luggage bag, plus 2 boxes of Krispy Kremes. Stupid indeed.

Flight on Qantas wasn't too bad, but a class of highschool of American students were also on my flight. Now after watching Final Destination many times, I'm a bit freaked out and couldn't stop thinking about that movie. For the people who have seen the movie, I even checked if my tray table knob broke off. :/ Scaredy cat.

Thanks to my sister, she booked me a seat where my right (injured) leg is next to the aisle. It made my flight experience more comfortable, but not too get too comfortable incase a flight attendant with a trolley knocks my knee....which almost happened! Irresponsible old lady. hmmmmf!!

16 hrs later, I arrived at LAX in the afternoon, and since I originally missed my connection flight around midday that day, I had to wait an extra 5 hrs for the evening flight to COS.

I flew United Airlines from LAX to COS. Funny thing is, I beeped like crazy when I walked through the metal detector on my way to my domestic flight. Could it be the bolts in my knee, my belt, my shoes or my jeans (has metal studs on them)?

I was pulled into a special search section of the security group, forced to take off my belt and my shoes, luckily, not my pants. :) Then the searcher guy used a sweeper across my body several times, front and back, ,and get this, he took a swab of my hands and of my leg brace, then ran them on his illegal substance finding machine. He questioned all my gear, and was kinda scary cos he spoke softly and calmly, just like on the TV show Airline USA. At this moment, I was wondering if I was being filmed, and will appear on that show:

"In LAX, this young, Australian of Asian descent is acting suspiciously and is causing alarm on our metal detectors...."

After a 1.5 hr flight, I finally made it to COS on (their) Tuesday morning at 12.15am. *yawn* I feel so sorry for my driver, Dan, who had to wait there at the atrocious early hours of the day. But the cool thing though, is that he was holding up a sign with my name on it!

Albert Igonia

I was like, this is sooooo cool! It's just like in the movies, and it's happening to me! hehehe. So I casually walked up to him, like this situation was normal and said, "Hi, I'm Albert, how you goin'?". I wonder if I fooled him? hmmmmmz

Only sucky thing was he folded the sign and threw it away in the trash can. *cries* Missed out on snapping a picture.

And now life in a hotel begins, yay for staying at the Hilton in downtown COS. This means Pogi won't make his bed, clean up after himself and does not do laundry at all! Woohoo!!

Airplanes waiting for me to take off

LA looks so tiny

What is my plan here in COS?

To work? Maybe.
To kiss all the boss' ass? Of course.
To eat? Hells yeah!!
To shop? Definitely!

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Oww.

Here is a snap of my knee, post surgery. It has been about a month since that painful day in the hospital.

Will I get scars? EEWWWW

You see? I stayed at a hospital in Chinatown. har har har

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Food porn

Details: Maple flavoured waffles, with banana and maple syrup
Notes: Delectable! Because it was made by me!! Hei hei hei ^_*

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Annoying Office moments #32

Conversations in the restrooms - Ok, here I am, need to go to the restrooms to pee. A work colleague catches up with me and starts speaking to me as I approach the restroom, then continues to chat to me whilst I walk in, then continues to blab away whilst I'm relieving myself and finally, and even when I'm washing my hands!

The heck?!?!

Where's the privacy?

How awkward. I was silent the whole time.

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Fanx to my boo, Helena, for featuring me as her favourite on her blog.

More details of my experience here in COS, the food I ate and the clothes I bought in my next post. ^_^

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Meanwhile, I'm watching A Model Life with Petra Nemcova, which is a copy of America's Next Top Model, but instead is hosted by beauty Petra Nemcova, only difference is, Australia's Next Top Model is more entertaining. Why? Because of the bitchiness. So hilarious when they fight. hehehe

A model on the show was told to lose weight.....OUCH!! Poor girl!

Petra = Gorgeous

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Fashion

Top: Zara suit, G2000 shirt, Tag Heuer timepiece
Bottom: Dickies belt, leg brace, crutches

\

New & improved Pogi + Food + TV + Fashion + Bball + CNY

Pogi is pledging a plan, a goal if you must, to improve his physique. At the moment as you can see from my previous photos, that I am rather lean, to a point of a druggo looking Calvin Klein model, and I wanna change that image.

And I wanna change that image. Wanna be more muscly so I am more of a threat in sport, i.e. I don't get pushed around by Zangief (Street Fighter) sized opponents in the key at basketball, and to generate more power from my tennis racquet.

So far I'm dodging the gym, only because the gym costs could go towards food. XD Silly I know but I just would rather spend monies on food rather than the gym. For a start, I do 3 sets of 30 pushups in the morning and in the evening 30mins of a dumbbells circuit.

Ofcourse I'll make changes and make my work out more intense. But for the mean time, a start's a start.

And who knows, maybe I might end up like Rocky!...............I wish.. :/

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Food


One thing about being Pogi is that his work colleagues travel plenty, and what does this mean?

It means that they bring back candy and chocolates for Pogi. :) Winnah!

Thanks to Poh who arrived back today from the U.S., I now have a bag of Reese's Pieces. ^_^ One of my favourite chocolates.

And here is a small amount that I made in a pyramid.

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TV

Sorry for not making a TV post in a long time but I was kinda distracted with the other thread topics.

Anyways, a quick update, on 24, Jack Bauer is trying to save the U.S. again, but this time, the terrorists have detonated a nuclear bomb (first time ever)! And his father and brother (recently deceased) were partly behind it, meanwhile ex-President Palmer's little bro Wayne, is now the President. The plot thickens. I love it!

The O.C., I must say is getting boring, it is not as witty and the teen characters are lifeless, except of course Summer (Rachel Bilson) as she brings sunshine in every scene. *sigh* I'm awaiting the "finale" due to it being axed in the U.S.

One Tree Hill, Nathan cheated on Hailey!! GGRRRrrrr, what a bastard, considering he's been a goodie goodie for the last few seasons. So unexpected! And he cheated with Brooke! Maria and Karla, my OTH buddies, will be totally blown away. Plus they were rooting for Brooke, I'm a Peyton fan. ^_* Lucas has yet to find out that Dan killed Keith and Mouth is getting more girly action.

Family Guy is still funny, but American Dad is kinda topping it, just slightly. Everybody Hates Chris is still sub par, but it has it's funny moments, especially the prejudice against Chris and his race.

No Prison Break last week, but there's one this week! :)

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Fashion

Pogi got this as a hand me down from his uncle. Another shade of colour to add to my chocolate coat.

Nice!!

Can't wait to wear it out. I have plenty of gear to wear with it. Now to plan some outfits for it.

*prays for cold weather*

:/

Blardy 27 degree Summer days.

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Basketball

Pogi is back with the Titans after a week's break due to last week's cotillion. But no harm no foul (bad pun), last week the opposing team forfeited.

Strangely, due to some admin error, we are playing the same team this week as we did last week. We won 55-34 over Burnt Toast, however our team struggled a bit at the beginning due to hangovers and weekend tiredness, but we compensated in the 2nd half and won comfortably.

I scored 5 points, FG 2/3, 4 fouls (phew!), 5 steals, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Highlight of the night was my BS And1 play, where I was in a fast break (Rukawa style), up against Zangief (Street Fighter) and some other tall dude on their team. I went for Zangief because he was supremely bigger than me so maybe I could draw a foul.

I made an attempt at the shot, but got barred by Zangief and drew the foul, but as I bounced off him, I threw the ball up, gracefully, and it bounced off the backboard and into the ring! Woohoo! The crowd went wild. Plus I hit the free throw too. :) Very Michael Jordan like. Har har har.

Also great team work due to our new players Baz and Danny. Excellent additions to the team.

I can feel us winning this division, only one team stands in our way: Ballers.

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CNY

Now I couldn't let my Chinese blood forget....

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fat Chai or Fa Cai. I dunno which one rings true.

The main event: Piglet.

Valentines Day + Cotillion + Food + Fashion + Injury

Happy Valentine's

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What does Valentine's day mean to you?

According to Wiki, "it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, candy, giving of flowers and donations to charity."

Today, there are anti-valentine's people EVERYWHERE. Both single and partnered people despise this day. They complain that it is a Hallmark (card manufacturer) conspiracy who want to capitalise on card sales, or rose growers who want to take advantage of unsuspecting lovers (with roses up to $100 each), or chocolate manufacturers (Lindt, Darrell Lea, etc.) making us fat and finally Australia Post racking it in, almost as much as Mother's Day. Can it get any worse?

But out there....is hope. People out there still believe in Valentine's day. These heroes stand up against the anti-Valentine's villains and courageously send their loved one flowers, candy and poems. If you're one of these people, never give up, never surrender! You are the hope left to keep a burning flame alive.

Below is a snap of some Valentine's gifts some dude was guarding at Central station. What a champion.

Why bother do you ask?

The sight of your loved one being surprised by a serendipitous moment from you. Her eyes opening in shock when you present a gift at the most unsuspecting moment, and when she or you feel the emotions that sparked the start of your beautiful relationship.

*sigh*

Which side am I on?

Why ofcourse, I'm all for Valentine's day! ^_^

I had my own plans today but I have this which is one of four gifts I had on offer:

Cute eh? It's a pig, which tie's in with Chinese New Year and it has a pink and red heart wand.

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Pix from Anna's 18th Cotillion

Don't they all look hawt? ^_^

More pix of cousins and guests below:

My cuz Anna is the one towards the left from the middle in the strapless dress with a tiara.

The pic below is part of Anna's cake which I hovered near by like a hawk before the ceremony. There were seven, yes, SEVEN tiers of cake. Each one had it's own candy flowers and came in ube cake form. I drooled staring at the cake, but they pushed me away, thinking I'd eat it all for myself....which I would.

It's pink, Anna's favourite colour and it sure is one pretty cake, that also tastes delicious.

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Food

Whilst doing some shopping I ate at a Japanese restaurant and had this dish, teriyaki chicken ramen noodle soup.

It was nice and the waitress lady said in a very cute, Japanese accent influenced English way: "Hope you enjoy your meal." How adorable.

And of course, how can I not forget to mention my standard Super Slurpee for the day? Today's flavour is Tropical (?), unfortunately they weren't really specific on what tropical fruit were chosen.

[-_-]

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Fashion

Not wasting any opportunity whilst I was out and about looking what else to buy for Valentine's, I did some shopping for eerrrmmm...........myself.

I picked up this awesome camo green LRG jacket and a pair of swanky checkered shorts which are styled similar to Bermuda shorts.

And if I match them shorts with some preppy gear I have, I will look like one of these guys:

How freakin' hilarious! >_<

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Injury

Here is the culprit of my woes for the last two years. My right knee. F#!!#*!# %#!(%#!*!#. I hate this knee, ever since I tore cartilage and ligament in it 2 years ago, it's been nothing but trouble. Any sport aggravates my injury, causing it to weaken and then the next day fragile and brittle. After seeing a doctor a while back, he said due to the extent of the injury I need treatment (surgery), or I will forever be stuck with this problem.

Now, to find time to have the surgery, including a minimum of 3 months on crutches and bandages.

Doesn't sound like it's worth it right now. I should focus on my career.

Now to have a glass of milk before I get some booty sleep. :p

Mood: exhausted but happy because it's Valentine's and love is all around, but also still sick, so hot flashes all around.

Song of the moment: Goldfrapp - Strict Machine.

Insert Japan dose here! ^_^

Japanese special today...

Fashion

Check out the varying fashion styles from two of the most popular places in Tokyo. Although I must say, I'm not a fan of the yamamba girls in Shibuya. I don't mind the outfit but just her skin looks too manufactured.

Shibuya



Harajuku

For the ladies, check out Japanese influenced clothing from online store AsiaJam. And for both guys and gurls, hit up JapanSugoi for assorted Japanese culture in various parts of Tokyo.

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Rika Ishikawa

This girl is so kawaii (cute) and I've been loving her to bits for a while now. I used to call her hot, sexay, cute Japstar back then when I didn't know her name.

See her below in an English lesson segment (name is Rika chan, she's the one wearing the white top and jean shorts) on the popular TV show, Morning Musume. Shes sooooo kyoote!!

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Tokyo at nite

Now I love shots of a city's skyline especially at night time. Here are a couple of Tokyo in the late evening. It looks busy and cluttered but to me it looks so calm and peaceful.

This year Pogi will visit there. This year I hope, if there are no complications. :)



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Food

Now how could I make another post of Japan without including a feature on food? NEVER! :) food is as much a part of me as I am a part of it.

My favourite Japanese restaurant in Sydney would have to be Rengaya. I was introduced to this restaurant back when I was in highschool and it's been one of my favourite eating spots ever since.

And who would have thought I'd be working in North Sydney (where Rengaya is situated) and be situated within a few minutes walk of the restaurant? :) Is it fate? Can one meet destiny with food? Pogi obviously can. XD

Luckily, work also encourage client meetings at this restaurant, which I usually run up and volunteer for, but the only issue is that the restaurant is rather strict on reservation times. They once asked us to leave because the company we were with were getting rowdy in one of the "private rooms", and another because we exceeded the time we spent there. :/

Rengaya's specialises in yakiniku, (焼き肉 or 焼肉), meaning "grilled meat" in Japanese, which refers to simply grilling Japanese serving sized beef (my fav is wagyu). Not only is it fun to cook your own meat but the meat itself is de-freakin'-licious.

Wagyu beef is premium cow beef that has been nutured specifically for use in Japanese cuisines.

It looks like your typical beef cut but when it enters your mouth and goes through the process of mastacation it is scrumptious. It not only melts in your mouth but the flavour and texture is orgasmic.

I once took a bite whilst I was standing up and it made me weak at the knees. XD

There are plenty of other popular Japanese restaurants in Sydney such as Masuya (specialises in seafood) and Makoto (sushi), but Rengaya is the place for beef. Even some of my friends who have been to or came from Japan say that Rengaya's wagyu beef is better, if not, comes close to the standard in Japan.

Happy New Year! + I'm back

Happy New Year! ^_^

What a way to bring in the NY, I saw short glimpses of the fireworks in Sydney online. I spent mine in Manila and it was crazytown. Non stop fireworks/firecrackers, partying, drinking, eating, and no sleeping! There was no break at all on NYs day, I couldn't even catch a short nap. >_<

Two words: Shopping and food.

Here is food, and further below is shopping....


That is all I did in Asia. That is all where my monies went to. Now Pogi is poor and has to work his butt off to make up for the Amex bill. :/

I also was able to "field test" the newest mall in Manila, the Mall of Asia. Third largest shopping mall in the World. Yes, third!! It is fate for Pogi. ^_*

disclaimer: 600 stores, 150 restaurants, never enough time to get through each store.

It honestly took me 3 days to go through the whole mall, this includes drinks and food breaks, getting lost, watching the events, girl scouting and regular rest periods. Thanks to my driver, I didn't have to travel back to the car and drop of my shopping bags.

I spent other days either shopping at Glorietta, Mega Mall and Greenbelt. Greenbelt is very nice, and is my second stay there. It is the Rocks equivalent for us here in Sydney, nice cafes, nice restaurants, and boutique shopping.

I had my hair dyed there as well. :) And also spent 3 days (not consecutively!) at a day spa. Massages, clensing masks, rejuvination baths, exfoliating scurbs, the works. My skin is glowing. har har har. But not for long, because the pollution in Manila is just as bad as it's always been. :/

This was outside the mall in the bus area, a JEEPNEY!! Which is a mode of transport that is very popular in the Philippines but is dangerous because it's crowded (pick pocketers and hold uppers).

Overall the trip was awesome, it's been a long time since I spent Xmas and NYE in a different city, let alone a different country.

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Featuring this post is Beyonce!

Here she is pictured in a label of jeans she designed with her mom, called House of Dereon.

p.s. Nice butt!

The denim range which is limited to females (pfft) features personally designed samples by Beyonce herself, that express her personality.

Doubt you could easily find them here in Sydney but as I always say, "buy your clothes overseas, so less people with have them here in Sydney." ^_*

Pogi's Christmas Special....^_^

*jumps on bed*

Christmas is just right around the corner! Could you believe it? I sure as hell can't because this year has gone by so quickly!

It's been a montage of happiness, heart aches, surprises, success, love, amazement, hunger, excitement, and uncertainty.

Being a corporate zombie, a date such as one this month is not noticed for its celebration but rather to get work done before that date. It's amazing, because it's only hitting me now, 2 days before the momentous occasion.

What does everyone have planned?

Mine will be spent overseas for the first time in a long time, as well as being away from family :/ *weep* Even though I'm staying with friends here in Manila and they are as accommodating like my family back in Sydney. Due to me being the foreigner/guest in their home, they are holding a Christmas/welcome Bert (me) party tonite. This means heaps and heaps of Filo food, cute girls all around, presents and celebrations to be had.

I'm welcoming a change in celebrating a Filipino Christmas instead of a more Westernized Christmas, as the differences are the people, tradition, and the alcohol! In the Phils, beer is weapon of choice, where as red wine is here in Sydney.

Now the only downside is that I can't spend any of this with my family or friends. *poo*

I wish everyone a lovely, safe and fantastic Christmas. May it all be filled with clothes, shoes, food and Wii's.

Never fear....Pogi will make sure to drink responsibily (is that even possible?) and to avoid being taken advantage of any Filipinas no matter how cute or pretty they are. (oh so hard!)

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Singapore

This City is unlike no other.

There is something about its people that always surprises me. They are ALL friendly here!

In my short 3 day stay, people go out of their way to be friendly, from striking up conversations with me, giving me directions when I'm lost, helping me with my bags (I'm not that muscly - XD) and simply walking by smiling and saying hello. From the dozen plus countries I've visited, none are as friendly as Singaporean people.

Not to mention, Singapore girls are sooooooo HAWT! Office gals in their skirt suit or pants suit is such a turn on. I happily sat through an endless conversation about their day as an investor portfolio manager, but was more in tuned to their appearance.

If y'all are ever in Singapore, make sure to check out the clubs, they ROCK! ^_*

And thank God for growth, my hair is longer after a week! Plus it is in the "zone" where it is at its perfect length. I now just need to dye it.

For the fans of Seinfeld, Happy Festivus, for the rest of us....