窮 風 流 . bits & pieces . . .

回憶 , 記事 , 意識流 random mementoes

[airesc]

加拿大楓葉國打工度工

2014年過了三分二,呢邊澳洲的一年都未有點寫過，但嗰頭一個月內就起行去加拿大了。 基本上今年一月底回港後，都是忙工作同屋企事。相信到正式遠行時，仍是手忙腳亂，賴X咁走。 好多人問：「又走？」狀似瀟灑，曾經猶豫，實則帶點無奈。又問：「點解揀加拿大？」因為年齡限制，今年歲數再加一之前，只有加拿大已開放2014年度供申請。係無仔細研究下，好快手上網填表科水搶位（香港限額200人），點知洗濕咗個頭先發覺回頭有點難。整個過程用了約三個半月,中間曾以為自己其實在申請移民（發夢啦，邊有咁易）。其間諗過去其他地方浮遊，到後期預計申請失敗，但又獲批出簽證， 果真峰迴路轉！

申請流程時序- 1月10日加拿大駐港領事館突公布，開始接受2014年度「國際體驗-加拿大」（即工作假期）簽證申請。 1月10日香港時間晚上11時許，我人在紐西蘭北島，其時網上顯示餘額只剩112名。於是不加思索， 遞交了過往工作、教育履歷、基本個人資料及費用加幣150大洋， 立即開了IEC Kompass户口作第一輪申請。 1月11日香港時間零晨，收到電郵通知確立了IEC Kompass户口。即成功暫時搶了位。 1月29日 收到電郵通知合資格及暫時接納書(conditional acceptance letter)，須申請MyCIC户口連同接納書，進行第二輪工作簽證申請階段。 2月3日申請了MyCIC户口。收到電郵通知，填好全家人口資料，再趁未有工返，好快約了呃錢身體驗查（港幣2700）和申請香港良民證（港幣205），然後等結果。兩星期後，戲肉來了。 加拿大要求申請者凡於海外任何一國居留超過6個月，必須遞交由該國發出的無犯罪證明。如有駕照，須遞交過去5年記錄（拎乜鬼學神牌呀，多樣野搞）。於是乎，我分別電郵和打電話到澳洲詢問及申請有關文件（澳幣共54大洋）。 2月10日澳洲那邊以神一樣的速度10日內將文件寄到香港！

此時，我剛找到新工作，差不多一個月後才記得傳送有關文件。加拿大當局已說明所有申請需6-8星期處理，我唯一可以做的就是耐心等待。 4月27日收到電郵通知申請結果-失敗！ 有一刻感如釋重負，然後心中碎碎念「有無搞錯！」。再冷靜慢慢細閱被拒原因- 申請人未能提供澳洲發出的無犯罪記錄。即刻火都嚟埋！無提供？！當晚放工歸家漏夜寫投訴信求情信要求翻案兼附上澳洲良民證副本。

4月29日又收到電郵。以為是自動回覆說已收到翻案請求，一看，大驚。加拿大駐港領事館以香港人的速度，回覆簽證POE Introduction letter已批出，須於15年2月10日前入境報到。 好啦，既然批咗，就姑且走一趟！ 由南方水土養大和急速生活節奏下成長的我，相信未來在加拿大的挑戰絕對是冰天雪地的天氣和緩慢的行政！

Canada Working Holiday

Two third of 2014 has gone, I feel like just came back to Hong Kong not long ago being restless and struggling between work and family since back late January. I'm still trying to remember and write about my year in Australia while leaving for Canada within a month. Many friends of mine asked the reasons I leave Hong Kong for Canada working holiday. I would say it looks cool but I did hesitate and somehow speechless. Canada was the only country I could apply for working holiday before my birthday this year. I just tried to fill out forms online when the application was opened and got myself a seat ASAP without any research since there are only 200 quota each year. It was a bit late by the time I figured out how complicated the consequences will be. There was a time I thought I was actually applying migration to Canada (it's gonna be 100 times more difficult I’m sure.) during those three and half months. I have thought about the failure of my application and even had a 'back up' plan go backpacking somewhere else, however, I got the visa granted unexpectedly! So.... Canada here I come!

Application Flowchart: 10th Jan- I was in North Island, New Zealand while Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong suddenly announced that the application started for International Experience Canada 2014. There were only 112 placement left when I checked their website around 10pm Hong Kong Time. I just wrote my CV, registered an IEC Kompass account, and submitted my application plus CAD150 right away without second thought.

11th Jan- Received confirmation email said that I created my IEC Kompass account successfully around mid-night Hong Kong time. That meant I got myself a seat temporarily.

29th Jan- Got an email and a Conditional Acceptance Letter which means they are happy with my background and the letter allowed me to go on the second stage of the visa application to create and MY CIC account and apply the work visa.

3rd Feb- figured out how to create the MyCIC account finally. Got email confirmation, filled out my whole family information and some other forms online, scheduled the very lame medical check appointment (HKD2,700) and Hong Kong police check certificate (HKD$205) before starting my new job, then wait. Here comes the 'interesting' part when I received email notification 2 weeks later. Canadian immigration request applicant to hand in police check and driving record from any country they lived over six months. So I had to get the related documents from Australia......I called the AFP and Vic Roads, assumed I would get the documents (AUD54) in a month time but I got everything I need in my Hong Kong mail box from unbelievable efficient Australian in ten days!

I just started my new job by that time and remembered to hand in the documents a month after. As it states on the web that the visa application takes six to eight weeks to process, all I could do was waiting and nothing else.

27th Apr- Received the notification about the application status- Failure! There was a moment I actually felt relieved and then I was like ‘What the hell??!!’ I read through the letter carefully and the reason I was rejected for was I didn’t give the Australian Police Check! Excusez-moi???? So I wrote a compliant letter a very polite enquiry email the same night, asking to review my case with the Australian Police check certificate attached.

29th Apr- Thought I got the auto reply about they received my enquiry. I was amazed when opened the email box seeing the work visa (POE introduction letter) to Canada has been approved! The Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong handled my case in Hong Kong speed which is incredible!  I will have to enter into the country on or before 10th February 2015.

I believe a girl like me who grow up in hot, humid and fast paced Hong Kong, the two BIGGEST challenges to survive in Canada will be the extremely cold winter and slow pace life.

[airesc]

一些事- 第一次和可能是最後一次上街遊行 Pigment of life- First and (probably) Last protest

今天是特別的日子，是我一生人第一次和可能是最後一次上街遊行。 第一次連我這些平時是沈默的大多數也上街，可想而知香港政府已到了無藥可救的地步。 可能是最後一次上街。可能性如下：政府終於肯面對群眾，自此從善如流（機率5%）；政府走火入魔，睬你地都傻，實行大石擲死蟹，冧亞爺先係王道（機率85%）；費事眼冤，以後唔俾你地班蛋散行（機率10%）。 有人認為上街做咗傻仔，俾政黨利用。有人覺得上街無用，不如嘆下冷氣，shopping，搵多兩個錢使好。 但講得出呢d野嘅人，自以為是最醒嘅人知唔知道俾政黨利用是好的，因為香港暫時仲有不同的政黨，不是一黨專政。可以上街是幸福的，因為此時此刻你仲有權選擇遊行定嘆冷氣。不會要維穩而迫你在家嘆冷氣。不會因為不可表達自己的意見而連約友人「散步」的自由亦消失。 我不是棋子，不是任何政黨的支持者。我上街是不滿梁班子方針倒行逆施，討厭立會中保皇黨人的厚顏無恥，為了想上街但要工作的人，為了還在猶豫的人，最重要是為了香港的下一代和將來而行！ 平常由銅鑼灣慢行到中環不過四十五分鐘，今天和友人執意由維園出發。由三點半起行到維園到真正起步直到十點到達中環，歷時整整六個半小時！途中悶熱、下雨、雨後蒸氣上升、再下雨、流汗、其他人的汗水、大家等了走了數小時的體味⋯⋯沒有人投訴、沒有人抱怨！大家都是平靜的、堅定的要完成遊行！一路上，時而叫口號，時而高歌。我見到年紀最小的只有兩個月大的手抱嬰兒由爸爸抱著參加遊行。我見到年紀最大八十多歲的老伯伯，耳都聽不清楚，行動不便要拿拐杖，也要堅持要慢慢行。有一刻我差點哭了。 知道嗎？其實我們的願望都很卑微。 決策的，你們可以停止破壞香港嗎？ p.s. 希望有上街的，都平安回家。

Entering Victoria Park 入緊維園

A family of three 三口之家

Big shower 下雨了

Still in Victoria Park waiting to start 仲係維園等緊正式出發

Sky was getting dark when start walking! 起步時天黑了!

It says everything! 一語道破！

Wanchai 灣仔

Salute! 向老伯伯致敬!

Today is a memorial date. It was my very first protest and maybe the last one as well.

You can imagine how non-functioning Hong Kong government it is if people like me who usually are the silent ones chose to go protesting.

This could be the last 7.1 protest indeed. Here are the possibilities: 1) the government eventually got the gust to resolve the conflicts and follow general public’s will since then (probability=5%); 2) the government continues neglecting and fooling Hong Kong people as Beijing is the boss (probability=85%); 3) No more protest is allowed in Hong Kong! (probability=10%)

There are opinions on media saying those go protesting are stupid and being used by different political parties. Others tell you it is useless to go protesting cause nothing will be changed, why not stay indoors to enjoy the cool air-conditioning and do shopping.

  For those who think they are the smartest in this entire world:

It is awesome if you can be ‘used’ by different political parties or organizations cause Hong Kong right now is still not rule by ‘the one and only’ party. It is a kind of happiness to go protesting and sweat cause we still have the right to choose either stay in or stay out. No one will keep you at home to ‘enjoy’ air-conditioning in order to maintain the stability of this city. No one will forbid you from gathering friends together to ‘have a walk’.

  I am not a supporter of any political parties, and not a pawn in this protest. (well, we are all pawns at some point) I went protesting because the CEO of Hong Kong SAR- C.Y. Leung has been enforcing destructive policies; because of those shameless council members from pro-Beijing camp. I went protesting for those wanted to be there but had to work on the day; for those who are disappointed but still hesitate to take a stand. After all, the walk is for Hong Kong’s future and next generation! 

  The walk from Causeway bay to Central usually takes about 45 minutes. My friends and I made a stubborn decision to begin the protest from Victoria Park. It took us six hours and 30 minutes to complete eventually from 3:30pm to 10pm! It was a typical summer day in Hong Kong. Thousands and thousands of people walked and waited under the sun and heat, under stuffy weather with a drizzle then steam after the rain, and big shower again with lot of sweats, others’ sweats and everyone’s odours after a long day…

No one was complaining. No one was whining. Everyone was determined and completed the protest in an organized manner. We sang and spoke out the changes we want to see loudly along the way. I will never forget the youngest 2 months old infant in Daddy’s arm; the very old man in his eighties with weak hearing, a walking stick, his little and slow steps… 

[airesc]

一些事- 施比受有福 Pigment of life- You are blessed to give than to receive

先炫耀一下今天是小女子在香港捐了第二十次血！紅十字會送了一張嘉許證書予我以資鼓勵！ 老實話，我小時候應該有點笨。 「施比受更有福」的意思，是上初中時才「參透」出來的。但明白了意思，也沒有很大的感受。那時候還會想：「我屋企係香港都算係好窮啦喎，仲施到咩？」直到數年前一次發生在境外的交通意外，令我深刻地理解箇中意義。 我沒有豐厚財富，不是事業型。但感恩父母賜我還不錯的健康，不怕針拮，可以捐血幫人。 希望我和我的親朋戚友現在到將來都擁有「施比受有福」這樣的福份！ 愛您們！

Look pale after 350cc blood gone...捐到面青口唇白... -_-"

Let me show off first in the beginning of this entry. Today was my twentieth time to give blood to Red Cross Hong Kong! They sent me a certificate after I completed the whole donation process. Yeah!

  Frankly speaking, I was a bit stupid in my childhood.

I hear this sentence, I speak the sentence but I didn’t understand the meaning 'You are blessed to give than to received’ until I went to secondary school (Grade 6). Although I understand the wordings, it didn’t touch me. I would even think, ‘My family is quite poor in Hong Kong standard, how it is possible for us to be givers.’ The time that I truly know the meaning of this was because of a car accident in an oversea trip.  

I’m far from wealthy, not ambitious at work. But I’m so grateful that my parents give me a healthy enough body and good tolerance of pain, I can give blood to help people in need of it.

Wish all my relatives, friends and myself always have this blessing. Love you all!

[airesc]

香港新界東北堡壘

Source: http://hknent.com/

香港新界東北淪陷的號角昨晚終於響起！ 新界東北在眾多因素下，於殖民政府時期一直未被新市鎮化。回歸中國後，眺望一河之隔的深圳，高樓林立有如中環模樣。是為香港東北早晚不能獨善其身的先兆。 新界東北硬開發的前因及事態發展，此文不累贅。有意爬文，請到以下連結。

  事態發展:

1. 香港網絡大典- 新界東北發展計劃

http://evchk.wikia.com/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E7%95%8C%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%97%E7%99%BC%E5%B1%95%E8%A8%88%E5%8A%83

  歷史因素:

1. 陳雲- 東北賣港，垂死之戰

https://hk.news.yahoo.com/blogs/sandwich/%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%97%E8%B3%A3%E6%B8%AF%E5%9E%82%E6%AD%BB%E4%B9%8B%E6%88%B0.html

2. 新界東北 關我嘟事

http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1015879

 發展藍圖:

1. 新界東北新發展區- http://www.nentnda.gov.hk/chi  要說的是昨晚得知財委會取巧通過發展新界東北的前期撥款，忽然在腦海中想起看過一套笑中有淚的澳洲電影- The Castle （文字直譯：堡壘）。情節同新界東北現況有異曲同工之妙。 故 事講述一個澳洲藍領家庭，家園築在墨爾本某機場旁邊，一家人相親相愛，十多年來過著簡單開心的生活。但好景不常在，某日收到一封通知書，說因要擴建機場， 政府要強制徵收他們家所在地。電影中的爸爸不願搬走，繼而團結左鄰右里，誓要保衛家園，向政府說不！經過一次又一次的失敗失望，正當他們收拾細軟，準備要搬家之際，最後的希望出現了！ 新界東北發展如箭在弦。我個人不切實際、感性的願望是希望新界東北發展最終會出現有人性、尊重居民和周遭生態的方案。

電影預告: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpqT_l7QcBM

精選片段: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp6f1EMn1lo 天佑香港新界東北！

[airesc]

袋鼠國打工度假– 打工四寶 Oz Odyssey –The ‘must’ have in your wardrobe

袋鼠國打工度假– 打工四寶 記得整理行裝時，十分厭倦黑色衣物，決定不再做黑衣人。 點知我正正犯了一個大大的低級錯誤！ 打工度假，我忽然忘記了「打工」呢兩個關鍵字...

某日收到電話通知第二日試工，對方順便講聲著全黑，當下先知「福街｣了…然後發瘋似的在墨爾本市中心搵平衫… 總之若你的衣櫃裡有黑衫、黑褲、黑鞋加白恤衫就’啡呢骨’ 啦！ 基本上所有工種你都可以應付，唔使擔心無錢置新裝的問題。之不過買都唔係太貴，去Target同Big W就可以平平地買晒呢四寶。

祝君旅途工作愉快！

Left: My lovely co-workers in Melbourne    Right: From the event i worked in Darwin

Oz Odyssey –The ‘must’ have in your wardrobe

I made a big simple mistake when preparing my backpack for this working holiday trip. I didn’t bring any clothing in black as I felt that I had enough of it.

The mistake revealed when I was asked to go for a job trial.

Phone rang one day. ‘Hello xx, can you come over for trial tomorrow?’,’ That’s good. Just wear in black and black shoes. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Holy Moly, I remembered I was running around in Melbourne city to look for cheap pants and shoes for the next day.

So don’t forget the ‘working’ part and your black top, black pants, black shoes and white shirt. These will make your life so much easier for most of the job you gonna do. (e.g. waitress, shop assistant)

But don’t panic even though you are broke, just go to the Target or Big W nearby and you will find these in affordable price.

  Good luck!

[airesc]

反思生活-撿剩菜的日子 Rethinking Living- Days of being a ‘diver’

人離鄉賤，物離鄉貴。 在澳洲生活，總是想要多存錢，增加安全感。絕少上館子用饍，常常挑當造最便宜的菜隨便煮。 一 次想要趁維多利亞菜市場收市前撿便宜菜，因那陣子天氣炎熱，市場比平常早結束。正當以為無功而還之時，眼見收拾後的眾多攤檔旁留下或多或少完好的蔬果。於是乎我就厚着面皮開始撿剩菜！反正不拿白不拿之餘亦是浪費！來來回回走了幾趟，發現人類真的太會浪費資源，看到一大個貨車升斗的青椒即將變成垃圾，我皺眉心想：「攞幾多好呢? 我點食得完呢 d青椒？？！！」 自此之後，去菜市場買菜亦會順道看看有沒有剩菜，不會理會旁人的目光，將「自我」又放下了一些。 撿剩菜的經歷使我對食物資源課題上有了新的體會，是第一身的，是真實的。究竟在「小我」的層面上，可以做到什麼，可以有幾多的投入呢？ 澳洲的「第二口」SecondBite, 香港的「豐剩」會是你的靈感嗎？

http://secondbite.org/

http://overleftover.wix.com/theleftovers

Rethinking Living- Days of being a ‘diver’

A Chinese idiom says, ‘Once left his homeland, a man becomes valueless, and a specialty goes priceless.’

It sort of explains my days in Australia. As the more money I save up, the better sense of security I have. I rarely went to any proper restaurant for decent meal therefore. I only bought veggies and fruits in season, because it tastes the best and usually the cheapest to buy.

One day I passed by Victoria market quite late before closing and hoped to get some good last minute deals. Maybe the weather was a bit too warm and I was a bit too late, all stalls were packing up. When I was walking to pick my bicycle and ready to leave with disappointment, I found that there were a lot of veggies on the floor in good and edible condition. Probably not many people would appreciate my action as I started to walk around and pick those up from the floor, from the dumpsters. If you willing to do this, even just for once and for fun, you will be absolutely shocked by the amount of food resources we trash every single day. There was a dumpster filled up with green pepper, a whole dumpster!

I buy and dive food since then. I’m proud of ignoring others curious looks to me, also putting the ‘ego’ down.

This definitely gained me a whole new horizon on food resource topic. What can we do to share this cake and try our best to let everyone have a bite?

Will these be the solution or inspiration?

SecondBite from Australia: http://secondbite.org/

The Leftovers from Hong Kong: http://overleftover.wix.com/theleftovers

豐收第一撿

My first ‘dive’

剩菜造出來的美味

Yum from the dumps

[airesc]

二十五年來我從沒有參與任何悼念儀式。 可沒有淡忘過。 那些影像、文字、香港人的投入、血淚早已是一個烙印在身上、心上。 距離六月五日只有十分鐘，想起早前和一個年輕，會思考的河北女生的相遇，討論此題目。 她百思不得解的問為何香港人每年總要再揭這個傷疤。 我答香港是最後的一據點去堅持。不堅持，這一段就理所當然地被遺忘了。 套王家衛執導的《一代宗師》中對白：「念念不忘，必有迴響。」 希望有生之年能見到、聽到迴響的一天。

寫於一四年六月四日晚

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袋鼠國打工度假-住宿篇（上） Oz Odyssey- Places to stay (I)

袋鼠國打工度假-住宿篇（上） 分別係墨爾本同達爾文作長期停留共十個月。其間住過了八個家！ 墨爾本從Northcote到North Melbourne到Fiztroy North再到Brunswick East。 達爾文由Knuckey Street到Smith Street到Leydin Court 再到Dashwood Place。聽落好似搬開有鋪癮咁，住過公屋、公寓、獨立屋等，分租屋同分租房都有。回憶永遠比當時經歷美好一點。而家逐一慢慢講。 之前提過初到貴境，有幸得朋友接濟，而落腳的地方正是Northcote。坐火車離市中心約三十分鐘，坐電車則需時約四十五分鐘。 Northcote是一個安全、靜中帶旺的社區。住過兩星期後，俾我係Gumtree（澳洲黃頁網站，搵乜都有，真正包羅萬有）搵到個絕世筍盤，認真平到無朋友。於是乎好快拍板，搬到North Melbourne 去了。故名思義，North Melbourne位於市中心北邊，行路去市中心係無問題的，行四十五分鐘就到。懶的話就坐電車。搬入去無耐，我就買了一架二手小童爬山單車代步，咁就返幾夜工都無問題。住所鄰近有三間公立醫院、消防局、警署，真係有咩野衫長褲短都無有怕！講到咁正，梗係有辣有唔辣啦。咁平其實係公屋，同包租婆一家住！佢係一個單親媽媽，係越南帶住兩個子女唔知用咩途徑移民到澳洲，出租房係搵額外收入。同佢地住了三個多月，其實好少會見到面（我基本上只返去沖涼訓覺），包租婆人好好，好多時煮野食會預埋我，但朝朝晨早被過百隻癲雀嘈醒、包租婆個男朋友同細仔令到我感覺唔良好（故事請向本人詢問），加上人流有些少複雜，於是我又密密上Gumtree搵過個竇搬。 又有筍盤！俾我搵到個離潮區極近的屋，又係平到笑！講緊係Fiztroy North，間屋係兩個潮區Fiztroy同Brunswick中間，房東又係越南人，今次係同佢個女，其他背包客做室友。附近有單車徑，公園，咖啡廳。 我日日係對面街買新鮮出爐麵包或鬆餅，咬住踩單車返工，諗返好回味...但呢轉難忘事件係身痕！住了大概兩個星期後，開始晚晚俾野咬，除了嚴重影響睡眠質素，仲浪費了大量金錢！（稍後詳述） 半捱半嘆咗兩個月後，墨爾本的冬天到啦，決定要離開了，又得朋友照顧，搬到Brunswick East小住了兩個星期。終於可以舒舒服服享受一下墨爾本了。最後在墨市的兩個星期終日流連咖啡廳同雪糕店，創下體重的歷史新高！

墨爾本住過的家

My 'Homes' in Melbourne

Around Northcote

My home in North Melbourne

The backyard of the Fiztroy North share house

Close to Brunswick

Oz Odyssey- Places to stay (I)

So… I have lived in 8 different ‘homes’ during my six months in Melbourne and four months in Darwin.

In Melbourne, it was from one neighborhood to another which was Northcote to North Melbourne, then Fiztroy North and Brunswick East.

While in Darwin it was from one street to another street! First on Knuckey Street, then Smith Street, to Leydin Court and the last one on Dashwood Place.

Well, I don’t enjoy moving places particularly but I have learned a lot about houses, apartments and cultures in this unintentional moving journey. I did share house and share room. There were unforgettable moments for sure and here we go. 

My first stop in Melbourne was in Northcote, I was so luckily got hosted by my friend. Northcote is well connected with train and tram. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to the city. After a stress-free 2 weeks in this quiet and safe neighborhood, I found the best deal on renting a room in North Melbourne on Gumtree (you can simply find anything and everything on this site). As the name says, North Melbourne located in the North of the Melbourne CBD which is close enough that you can walk to the city in 45 minutes or a 16 minutes tram ride will also do. I finally got a second hand kids mountain bike after moved into North Melbourne and increase my mobility from place to place no matter how late the night or how early the day is. Also, I felt completely ‘safe’ as the building is surrounded by three public hospitals, a fire station and a police station. Isn’t it sound like you dream share flat? Well, you get what you pay for. I lived with the ‘land lady’ and her 2 children the whole time for this good location and cheap room (I was there for sleep and showers only). She is a single mum migrated to Australia with the children from Vietnam, trying to get a little extra income from renting the room out. The land lady was very kind indeed. She always invited me to share her tasty authentic Vietnamese meals, however, being awake by more than hundred of crazy noisy birds every 5am, her live in boyfriend, her eight year old young son plus the ‘interesting’ neighbors in the building drove me to look for another home on Gumtree.

Again, I found another great deal on Gumtree and this time is a share house located right between the two trendy, up coming neighborhoods of Fiztroy and Brunswick! My landlord was again Vietnamese and I shared the house with their uni aged daughter and other working holiday makers from UK, France and Italy. It is a truly lovely area with bike path, awesome cafes and parks around. I couldn’t forget my days getting a freshly baked muffin or croissant just across the road. Riding on bicycles to work while taking a bite of these delicious pastries! What more…the most miserable happened after two weeks I moved in. I was suffering from irritating itchiness, had less than four hours sleep since then. Needless to say wasted lot of money (details in the later post)… :(

Melbourne winter came after my two months lived in Fiztroy North. I decided to leave and hit the road again with my nearly nervous breakdown mental condition (lack of sleep mainly). My last two weeks stayed with my caring friends in Brunswick East. I eventually enjoyed my beloved Melbourne more, its numerous cafes, cake shops and ice cream shops without rushing to work. Also, created my new highest weight record!

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袋鼠國打工度假- 總結路線圖 Oz Odyssey- The end

袋鼠國打工度假-總結路線圖 打工：最南的墨爾本（不計塔斯曼尼亞）和最北的達爾文。 度假：大洋路、南澳阿得雷德、中心的愛麗斯泉和東岸各市。 中間經歷過的，讓我慢慢沉殿，慢慢講。

Oz Odyssey – The end, The map

Working: From down South Melbourne to top end Darwin.

Holiday: the GOR, Adelaide, Alice Spring, the East coast.

  Give me some times and I will tell you some stories.

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快樂是... Happiness is……

快樂是... 找到了雪花皮蛋，煲一鍋軟綿白粥，讓雪花在綿綿白粥中浮呀沉呀。晚餐不用大魚大肉，呷一口清粥，細味蛋香，下火、養生。

Happiness is……

Finally found a store sells top quality of ‘thousand years egg’, cooked a perfect pot of rice porridge with pieces of ‘flowers’ on the egg floating on the porridge. Yum….!

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我所知黎小姐的二三事

與我印象中最相近的她

脫期良久, 再寫嘅動力竟然係因為一個有十數面之緣的人的離世。 Aidan 媽媽，黎小姐(Winifred Lai)係3月11因癌症以僅46歲之齡過身... 在網絡上得知消息時，即時反應是：「吓？！唔係啩...咁後生...個仔點算呀...」見到係Wyman微博發放，立即九唔搭八，三唔識七咁走去開微博戶口，寫私訊俾Wyman... 更加唔使講，當然無人啋我啦。 除了係各介媒體所認識的黎小姐，難忘係與以媽媽身份的她接觸。當年在某個薄有名氣的小朋友playgroup工作，黎小姐予我印象甚深。最記得當時她一身白皙肌膚，一襲Chloe白色通花lace連身裙，氣質獨特，快人快語，唔似平時見到養尊處優的年輕媽媽，但又唔係好似事業至上的working mom，仲有d面善，又講唔出邊度見過。加上佢個十問九唔應，淨玩Thomas火車，戴bow tie嘅仔仔... 如是者，斷斷續續在電話、電郵加真人見了母子兩人一年多。有次長假期後再見仔仔Aidan，發現他突然比同齡的成熟！見到黎小姐，提及仔仔的轉變，她輕描淡寫的說她離婚了。 當後來記起她是傳媒人的時候，會比以前留意她所寫的文字（其實一路都有睇開），發自內心的覺得佢十分了不起，一人分飾十幾角，兼顧事業兒子自己，廿四小時點夠用呢？ 現今世界，46歲真的走得太早。諗到自己的歲數，驚覺原來可能已經嗰頭近... 黎小姐一生短暫但精彩，經歷了香港最美好燦爛的時代，希望她在另外一個空間自在逍遙。祝願Aidan成長路上保持愉快、健康。我相信Aidan係黎小姐心最引以為傲的成就。

註: 黎小姐的背景不多說了，網絡上有的是資訊。

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袋鼠國打工度假 –北岸陽光燦爛 Oz Odyssey –Sunshiny North Shore

I admit that I am a lazy ass.

The last entry was six months ago and there is only three more months left for my Aussie year.

Like a migrant bird, I said bye to cold, humid and windy Melbourne then moved to the Top End- Darwin in the north.

It’s damn hot but still the most pleasant time to be in Darwin as now is the dry season.

And this is the festive time in the year filled with Aussie from other states and backpackers from everywhere.

嚴重脫期...我承認我好懶打字... 上篇網誌已經差不多六個月 之前嘅事，再執筆之時，澳洲之行只剩三個月！ 而我好似候鳥咁，跟墨爾本濕、冷、大風的冬天說再見，遷移到北邊的達爾文。 現在是達爾文的旱季，天氣熱但不潮濕，算是年中最宜人的氣候，亦是城中最熱鬧的時間。

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Oz Odyssey- Finding job in Melbourne 袋鼠國打工度假: 墨爾本-搵工誌

Australia is popular for working holiday makers as it has been a ‘gold mine’ in the last 10 years. Every traveler I’ve met who did working holiday in Australia told me the same thing- Job is easy to find and make lots of money! I wasn’t sure it is true but I sort of have expectation after heard about all these.

  Arrived on Tuesday night and started to send out resume online on Wednesday evening. I didn’t have a job on Thursday for sure but got a call for job interview on Saturday…The job interview was scheduled the following Tuesday and the Hong Kong family background boss surprised me with his relatively harsh package.

Under the pressure of looking for more permanent place to stay and running low of the start up fund, I just needed whatever to start with and I eventually went to China Town with heaps of CV copies…gave out a couple of CV to few Chinese restaurants and Chinese bakeries. One of the Chinese restaurants called after a while and asked if I wanted a trial. Of course, the trial is without pay but there is a free meal. I just said yes on the phone to the trial without thinking.

  Keep walking on the streets; keeping my eyes on notice posted at the windows for hiring, keep walking and trying remember the landmarks in the city, keep walking and saw there was a leather goods shop hiring casual staff. I went into the shop, a pretty blonde girl asked me if I spoke Chinese. Of course I do! :P  and of course I gotta go home and wait for the call after handed my CV…

  It is impossible a Chinese restaurant not hire you after trial as all they want is to rip off the staff for cheap labor! I was ‘succeed’ and got the job after the trial, and I thought I have problem of my Chinese understanding when the manager told me the wage. It is 8 AUD per hour which is half of the legal minimum wage…However, between making zero and 8AUD per hour, I chose the later one to start with.

A rainbow appeared the day after as the leather goods shop rang me, asked me for trial and it was a paid one! Yes! But the shop didn’t hire me right after the trial… Again, my little lucks got me good news few days later and ended the six hell nights in China Town.

一路上遇到好多背囊友 ，說在袋鼠國搵工易過借火 ，人工待遇優厚， 因而心中不期然有期望。 星期二到埗 ，星期三晚開始上網狂寄電郵求職 ，星期六竟收到電話約見工？ 跟住個星期二見工後， 我的反應是O嘴 。但除此之外又無乜聲氣。 係銀根短缺， 同搵地方搬的壓力下， 唯有馬死落地行， 印好十數份履歷表， 向我不屑一顧的唐人街進發．．． 入了幾間餐館和餅店 ，放下履歷表， 其中一間回電叫我第二晚試工三個鐘。 無人工的， 但有餐飯食。 我想也沒想就答應了．．． 之後繼續在街上遊蕩， 一見有告示招聘， 就放下履歷表。 到了一間皮具手袋店有告示， 即入店詢問， 金髮美女職員問我會說華語否， 我當然話識啦！ 又當然是回家等電話啦！ 第二晚到中餐館試工， 唔使講我成功了(其實無可能唔成功)．．． 但人工又令我的嘴O得再圓再O一點 ，時薪八大元！ 是最低合法時薪的一半！ 係賺得八蚊與零蚊之間， 我選了八蚊， 同時騎牛搵馬。幸運地手袋店亦回電叫我試工， 而且是有人工的！ 可是試工後並無即時決定 ，要等電話。 心頭為之一冷 ，我等呢份工救我出唐人街地獄㗎！好彩兩日後就有好消息， 六晚中餐館地獄之旅亦告一段落。

Red is never my lucky colour…

都話紅色從來唔旺我…

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Oz Odyssey -Arriving in Melbourne 袋鼠國打工度假: 墨爾本-初到貴境

Finally.

I arrived in Australia last 20th November. A year of working holiday counting down has started while the plane was landing, and then touched the ground on Melbourne Airport.

  City CBD is not far away from the airport. It takes about 20 minutes by shuttle bus (it’s $17, a rip off though). When the bus was approaching the city, the Melbourne city skyscrapers came closer and closer into my eyes with its dazzling neon lights. A familiar feeling arise and I thought about my home city, Hong Kong.

  This country is real pricy for a broke back packer like me, but very luckily my friend’s nephew and his housemate are truly generous and hosted me in their lovely lounge room.

I was supposed to reach the house around mid-night. Thanks to my very bad sense of direction, the 5 minutes walk from the train station turned into an hour and half on empty streets ...

  Got the working holiday maker ‘survival kit’ done immediately the next day- tax file number online application, went to the city for bank account and phone card. Wondering in supermarket and grocery shopping (heart aching when checking out) to end the very first day in Australia.

12年11月20日星期二晚終於到達澳洲。飛機降落墨爾本的一刻，正式倒數一年打工度假之旅。 當機場巴士駛至市中心，見到五光十色的高樓大廈，我心中不然泛起一絲感動．．． 得幸運之神眷顧，友人姪仔大方收容。 原本午夜前到人家中報到，但我呢個方向白癡在零路人的街上迷足個幾鐘，直至零晨點半先找到門口．．． 第二日睡飽後，即辦理「三寶」－上網申請稅務檔案編號、到市中心開銀行户口同買電話咭。之後到了一間超級市場遊蕩，再忍痛(貴到無朋友)買餸返友人家中，結束在澳的第一天。

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Oz Odyssey – Gaining weight 袋鼠國打工度假 – 心廣體胖

Haven’t post any update about Australia after my arrival for more than 3 months. It is because I have given up myself …no…is all about eating junk!

  So I gained 5kg fat in the past 3 months. Yes, it’s 5kg fat, not 5K Australian Dollar! And all the fat goes to my belly! That’s simply ridiculous…

  Finally I realized I have to do something on my weight. It’s not about being pretty or skinny. I’m tiny for the standard here anyway… It’s more about health concern and there are a lot of works to reach the goal this time…

  來到澳洲三個幾月，一篇澳洲嘅都未寫過，脫期咁耐...因為我自暴自棄！應該話係暴飲暴食先啱！ 呢三個零月我賺咗5kg脂肪。你無睇錯！係5公斤，唔係5K澳紙...仲要全部係肚同腰！ 尋日我下定決心減重。外表其次，反正我係澳洲人嘅標準嚟講，「肥」係好遙遠。但中間型肥胖唔係健康好兆頭，今次真係要下苦功...

What a great start for my weight lost plan!

減肥的好開始！-__-"......

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Quick Look in Brunei 快遊汶萊

Redeemed a single trip ticket from Bangkok to Melbourne, but needed to transit in Brunei. Brunei? Yes, people may heard about this country but don’t even have a clue where it is located on the map. Brunei = Rich, is a general impression for Hong Kong people. Therefore, I decided to stop over this wealthy country for two days and explore.

  Impression after two days visit

I was a few people who were walking on the streets and hardly saw ‘people’ on the streets. After all, Brunei is the country with over 90% of the population own private vehicles. However, the wealthy side of the country does not reflect on the tall skyscrapers nor beautiful shopping malls. Its wealthy shown on there wasn’t a single beggar on the streets. The government got a holistic welfare system and looks after all citizens very well.

  換了亞洲萬里通的機票從曼谷到墨爾本，但飛機須中轉汶萊。索性又停兩日，睇下呢個國家係唔係香港普羅大眾所想的咁豪！

印象 走在街上兩日，九成九的人都擁有汽車代步。另外唔好話乞兒連搵個人望下都難。 但汶萊亦不是大家想像的豪，不過國家超有錢又人口少的關係下，生活上很多補貼和包唔會餓死人的。

Got off from the car to take a look of this iconic Islamic Mosque on the way to friend’s house. I thought it was a five stars hotel!

回友人家安頓途中。路經其中一地標清真寺，於是下車走走看看，唔講以為係酒店。

Night market- Most of the food and beverage are sell at 1 dollar. It was quiet than usual as it was rainy season. 年尾是雨季，每到傍晚就開始下雨，而夜巿亦較平時清靜。大部分食的飲的都是以一元為單位。

Boat drivers kept asking if I wanted to rent a boat to see the water village while I was walking along the river after fed myself with a one dollar breakfast. Hate being annoyed and decided not to take any boat. Didn’t cross the river but still managed to visit the water village in the end.

吃了一元早飯後沿河邊走，一路不停有船家問要坐船遊水村否。最憎人煩我㗎啦！索性打消坐船的念頭！ 結果行行下咪行到去水村．．．無過對面河之嘛．．．

In the KFC to enjoy free wifi and cool air-conditioning in the afternoon :P

Maybe the KFC was too empty or they going to have the annual party, staff started dancing after lunch hour! 中午到了附近的商場行和避太陽，到有免費wifi的KFC坐低嘆冷氣。 未知是否太清靜，還是他們有週年派對，午飯時間過後，他們開始跳舞了！

Discovered probably the cheapest pastries in the five stars hotel- Emperor Hotel. Fatten my belly with the really huge cake I ever had!

好豪的帝國酒店。發現可能是全世界最平的酒店蛋糕。又謀殺了一件等於三件入肚！

Yummy……had a milk tea, Kaya toast and noodles with crispy tofu before catching the flight to Melbourne. Couldn’t move after all these local delicacies! 朝早嘆了個拉茶加咖椰厚多加豆卜醬油撈河，實行飛澳洲前全面谷肥自己．．．

Does it worth to visit Brunei? I would say every where is a great place to visit with friends around :) 汶萊值得一遊嗎？有朋友真係遊邊都無所謂 :)

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Random thoughts in Thailand 泰國雜記

Lying down on the beach with icy cold drink for a week long or big shopping are never on my travel agenda. What interest me in a new country or new place is people's livelihood. 'How they earn their living?' This is the question always appear in my mind. Maintaining a profitable business in Hong Kong is real tough. Never dream about the business can be sustainable if ran a restaurant with less than 20 dishes on menu. But out of Hong Kong, your restaurant can run for years with a few renowned dishes to support your family and employees families... Here in Thailand is even easier. Just need some alternations of the motor bike, your mobile food store is ready to sell where ever you like. I can imagine a family of four, the dad got the motor bike selling beverage in the morning and the mum transformed it as a sweet station selling desserts...

每到一個地方，我最感興趣並不是嘆或購物，而係當地民生。「究竟當地人點樣賺錢維生呢？｣係我腦海中常常出現的問號。 香港做生意真係好艱難。 做食嘅，餐牌無二三十樣野，唔多洗旨意會做得住。 香港以外呢？獨沽一味或幾味就可以養妻活兒。

泰國呢度，改裝下架電單車，就可以做小生意養家。可能係亞爸一架上晝賣飲品，亞媽一架下晝賣甜品。

Uncle Sweet- riding his station to different alleys everyday

甜點叔- 一架車走過大街小巷

Pop Dessert- really way toooo... sweet!

糖水伯- 糖水甜到漏，盛惠港紙兩個半

Full gear to confront the sun! 全副武裝，包唔曬黑

Mr. Ai video show艾生的片