you waited long enough!
So, these long awaited updates... Hey boys, hey girls, superstar DJs, here we go!
September
- 11 Sept - Australia vs. Argentina @ MCG. Great match. Messi was sublime. Socceroos really gave it to the Argentinians. 1-0 loss to the Socceroos. Went with James, James, Tim, Alvin, Ash, Nick and Bri. Also saw Doogs and Simon. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157602014725792/
- 12 Sept - Breakkie with Marina. I haven't caught up with Marina for a long time, so an 8am breakfast on Degraves Street was in order. I only had a coffee due to having a few beers the previous night.
- Various group assignments. All is good. Fair results.
- Plenty of Indoor Soccer action with the Zebra Tonsil's and Ari's Agents.
- Melbourne Victory. Have only missed on match. We need to score goals. Ernie Merrick, I plead you, give young Kaz Patafta a run!
- 21 - 23 Sept - Rosebud 2007. Three days, two nights. 16 people. Truck loads of booze. Fly food. Projector, Surround Sound, Wii, Board Games (Twister), Drinking Games, Wineries, Beach, Sun and the Sea that belongs to the Mornington Peninsula. Too much fun. Spent too much money. Great accommodation. You can read my summary and view some photos here: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157602121373492/ We even had an Indoor Soccer match after Rosebud!
- 28 Sept - The very first Breakfast in the City Series! The last Friday of each month, Breakfast in the City happens between mates who enjoys a decent breakfast, some bantering and perving on suits. The Mess Hall was the venue for September with Mel, Simon and myself. Yum, yum.
- 28 Sept - Makka's Japanese Birthday. I have always enjoyed going to Ippei's restaurant: Dontac Japanese Restaurant. Great food, plenty of free flowing booze and good company. Plus, hearing to some fun speeches. To continue with the Japanese theme, had drinks at the Robot Sushi Bar - I love their cold milky sake - and to go long into the night. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157602211903043/
- 29 Sept - AFL Grand Final. The Cats smashed Port Power to oblivion. Shu, thanks for hosting the viewing at your place. At half-time, Simon and I left to finalise Doogs' birthday gift.
- 29 Sept - The following night, Doogs' hosted his Birthday Drinks at Curve Bar (upon my recommendation. One too many Long Island Ice Teas, at the expense of Doogs, really got the night going on. Great to catch up with quite a few old faces. Dragged the celebrations to Transit Lounge for more drinks and conversation. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157602211925201/ for my summary and photos.
October
- The usual things... Indoor Soccer, Group Assignments and Presentations, Weekly Coffee Club, Studying with Makka, Melbourne Victory matches...
- 5 Oct - Work Drinks & Yi's Birthday Drinks @ the Long Room. After a long hard day slaving at work Sharon, Nevi, Stephen, Salih and I went to the Long Room to wind down with a few drinks. At the same venue, Yi was hosting her birthday drinks - how convenient! I don't have any photos with me, but it was a grand night. Chatting and catching up with people. Meeting new people. A really great night.
- 11 Oct - Catch up dinner with Doogs, Courtney, Oliver, Bri and myself at Nyala African Restaurant. In a bid to ensure that our "4-6 Weekly Catch Up" was happening, Africa food was the calling. Fantastic banquet, to which we struggled to finish. Interesting food, and a place I wouldn't mind going back in trying some more and something different.
- 12 Oct - Drinks with Simon at the Deanery, Alley Bar and Charles Dickens (to watch the Melbourne Victory match)
- 14 Oct - Hindal - JDRF Walk @ Albert Park Lake. A very enjoyable event for a worthy cause; to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research. Walk around the Albert Park Lake, had some good food and met some new and wonderful people.
- 13 - 26 Oct - Study, study, study. Exams!
- 26 Oct - End of exams and some drinks to celebrate with the boys.
November
- The usual things... Melbourne Victory matches and Indoor Soccer.
- I love Simon's effort with Mo for Movember!
- 2 Nov - Breakfast in the City Series. For the month of October, European (name of the restaurant) was the place to be. The Big Breakfast was good, but not that good, and expensive. This time, Simon and I was joined by Warrick, Nick, and Bri.
- 6 Nov - Melbourne Cup @ Mathur Lodge. The Maharajah, of Mathur Lodge, invited us to a day full of entertainment. Got smashed, had a good time. For my summary and photos see: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157603099952168/
- 8 Nov - Oaks Day. So much fun and got burnt (financially and on my face). Simon, WeyMin and I headed off to the Flemington Racecourse to soak up the day full of lovely ladies and of course the horses. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157603100071728/
- 10 Nov - Chena's Farewell v2.0. To farewell the man, for a month, before he departed for Italy, the boys went out to watch the Melbourne Victory vs. Sydney FC match. Then had drinks at Alley Bar and more drinks at Madame Brussels. A very good night, despite Melbourne not getting the three points needed from the match. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157603104585179/
- 17 - 19 Nov - Sydney! Went to Sydney using the tickets that I won the previous year from HP. Had an awesome catch up and breakfast with Terri at Kazbah - GREAT food. Dinner at Chintia Ria's with Bri. Caught up with Bretto, Laura, Caesar, Ralph, Westy, Kyle, Di, Will, Jessie, James, Maike and Goranka at the Sydney City RSL. Had a wonderful day at Bondi Beach with Daz to see the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit and I always enjoy my time at the Bondi Hotel. Caught up with Dan Mayoh at the Three Wise Monkeys. Late dinner at Blackbird (I am a fan of Paul Mathis) with Bri. Breakfast at Portobello Cafe and then the whole day at Sydney's Toranga Zoo! See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157603306916097/
- 21 Nov - Philips Fox Young Professionals Event. Chris invited a few of us to the Young Professionals events that Philips Fox hosts throughout the year. Good food, plenty of drinks, and some mingling around to meet new people. Thanks Chris, I had a good time!
- 22 Nov - Shu's 21st. Ah... Where to begin? Plenty of booze, some pizzas, meeting some new wonderful and strange people. Great party - I had fun. See: http://flickr.com/photos/HuyC/sets/72157603302672492/
- 23 Nov - RMIT Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition was good to finally see Tamara's work being displayed and to appreciate and understand the effort needed and sustained throughout the year. Some interesting pieces, some colours, some weird, some great, some just out there, some that suits me. Congratulations Tamara!
- 24 Nov - (1) Voted in the Federal Elections. Well done Labor. (2) Went to the Corporate Games Soccer Matches to support Simon and VAGO. Got ridiculously burnt in the sun. (3) Doogs and I raced to see Fernanda and Tom at St Kilda Beach for their farewell. Despite being late, we managed to catch them and have a quick conversation. (4) Melbourne Victory Match. (5) Lucy's Election BBQ. Lucy hosts great parties, I want to see more! Yummy food, and free flowing drinks. One very long day.
- 30 Nov - (1) Breakfast in the City @ Ludo. OMG, the mushrooms are simply the best. Was joined by Simon, Bri, Mel, Oen, Ash and Doogs. (2) Drinks at Little Peninsula with Lucy, Ash, Doogs and Camille. (3) Movies, went to see Lions for Lambs.
- 30 Nov - I am done with uni! That is, I passed my subjects and did much better than I expected!!! But, I haven't put in my application to graduation. Ops!
December
- 1 Dec - Christmas Shopping. Bri bought some stuff, I got Mum (from Vivi and I) Scan Pan Titanium Four Piece Set.
- 2 Dec - Hindal End of Year Function @ Sandringham Yacht Club. A fun and very family oriented event with face painters, jumping castle, Santa and gifts, and backyard cricket. Great food, it was soooooooooooooo good and an unlimited tab. Pity I had to drive and was unable to make use of it. Great conversations with Luly and Nick, Christoph and Lara, Peter and Romy, Neil and Linh, Sharon, Nevi and everyone else from work.
That's the summary of the past few months... The month of December is pretty much packed to the rim. Especially that Vivi is back in town for Christmas and New Years.
Hope that you enjoyed the update and lets hope *fingers crossed* that I don't take too long to provide an update of whats going on with me.
PS: I'll be updating this post from time to time, adding in links, fixing things here and there... Just looking at this effort doesn't really satisfy me...
PPS: My sincerest apology to those leaving me messages in my Facebook inbox and my email inbox. I have countless unanswered emails, numerous pop-up reminders in outlook and several emails that I have marked to respond. So, I'm instituting a no-reply policy (unless you're hot), for now, because I'm sick of feeling guilty about it. In advance, and for those who are waiting, I thank you for your email.

