Neil Sedaka’s Calendar Girl. I just couldn’t resist.

I got married to the love of my life. That was the most wonderful event of the year. Moving to Australia, however, was the biggest challenge. It hasn’t been easy at first; in fact, it was frustrating with no job, hardly any friends, and not being able to drive to wherever I want to go, like how I would in Malaysia. It also didn’t help with unsupportive family who did not understand why getting a job (in what I did before) was difficult. I remembered many a tear shed throughout the year.

Still, when life give you lemons, you make lemonade. And I made lemonade indeed.

Thanks to blogging, I got to know Geekchic, whom in turn, introduced me to more friends. She made it so much easier for me here, for which I am truly grateful. I got to know other people through my blogs too, whom I’ve met up with, had meals with, etc. See, whoever told you blogging was bad for you, needs to get his/her head out of the sand.

Can’t drive? No worries – I live 5 minutes away by foot from the train station and bus stops. I’ve learned to utilise public transportation to the maximum, something which I wouldn’t even consider in Malaysia.

Not getting a proper job was the biggest problem. Thank God for a very supportive husband, who understood my predicament, and let me do whatever I wanted to do as long as I was happy doing it. With my free time, I blogged a lot more, went out on my own a lot more, cooked a lot more (I can now whip up a mean spaghetti bolognese and shepherd’s pie from scratch without looking at the recipe, when before I’d just use sauce from a jar), and many more.

It hasn’t been easy, but God is truly faithful. Looking back at 2008, it has been a rollercoaster ride. But I’d do again in a heartbeat.

Here’s to 2009, and whatever it may bring.

I know I should be on a break here, but I just couldn’t resist showing you what I got on Boxing Day. Well, close to Boxing Day anyway.

Oh, and by the by, Boxing Day sales here were mad. Simply mad, I tell you. Myer and David Jones stores in the big cities opened at the crack of dawn. A lot of people even started queueing up in front of shops the night before. I went to QVB at Sydney, and I almost blacked out from the maddening crowds. I wasn’t kidding.

Two lines of people queuing up for Guess

Massive queues of people just waiting to go up the escalator at Myer. Massive bottleneck caused 10-minute delays.

More crowds outside QVB

There was a very long queue right in front of Coach too, which was having sales (imagine that!) but I didn’t manage to get a picture then. Didn’t go in either as there was a very, very long line.

It really was no fun cramping with so many people, that I ended up getting nothing on Boxing Day. Which was actually fine by me, because most of the stores are having sales on till early January. I might not get the cream of the crop, but I know I’m not missing anything.

So anyway, back to what I got. Went to Westfield the next day, just before heading to the airport. Thank God, the crowd wasn’t as crazy as it was on Boxing Day, so I had a very comfortable time roaming around the shops, looking at the items on sale.

I finally got meself an Oroton bag. Oroton is an Australian company, and has classic gorgeous leather bags. What did you think I bought, a Chanel? 😉

The hobo bag was at a very delicious 50% off, which was marvelous. It was originally selling at AUD495, so I managed to get a great deal off this one. I actually wanted a red monogrammed one, but the husband saw this one instead, showed it to me, and I was sold. It was also the last one in the shop. Sweet!

Oh, and I also got a $30 iTunes gift card from JB Hifi, which was selling at $20. Double sweet. And … that’s it! Not much of a damage compared to what everyone else was doing, but I’m very satisfied with my purchases 🙂

Did you do any damage during the Boxing Day sales?

Image Credit: DigitalPhenom

The tempting gifts are tantalizing;
About opening them, we are fantasizing.
The holiday foods are appetizing;
Our excitement and joy are growing and rising;
Our hearts and minds are harmonizing;
Jolly Christmas fun we’re maximizing!

– Joanna Fuchs –

I’ll be taking a short break from blogging till the new year. Heading off to Sydney today to visit my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Hey Opera House, here I come!

Also to genuflect on the year that is about to end, and to get my stuff sorted and ready to be launched next year. Yep, I’ve got something up my sleeve, which I’ll reveal in due time 🙂

Till then, have a great holiday, and a fantabulous new year.

XOXO,
Tine