Stains and burns from silver nitrate


Ooh.. gorgeous chicken curry

So much has been happening last week. My course started last Tuesday with Theories in Counselling I. I feel at home in the lecture room (strangely) and yeah, I'm a student again after being a bum for so many months. I only have 3 classes a week, all in the evening from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. No labs (thank God!). I am slowly making friends.

Another news, I got a job and started work last Wednesday as a lab technician in an international high school. I'm replacing the other lab technician which will leave next Tuesday after showing me where everything is kept, the procedure and etc. The job comes with my own "office" basically, a prep room, where all the chemicals and equipment are kept and where I prepare chemicals and etc for the students. It's a small school which makes my job somehow a little bit easier. I never thought that this kind of job is so demanding. I think partly because the students are sooooooo...grrrr!!! Haha..after 2 days of working, I already have something to complain about. Well, they are sooo messy and they don't clean up after themselves. They don't close the bottles properly (they just put the cap on!!) and unfortunately, the other lab tech spilled silver nitrate on her hands, arm and got some on her face. Some of silver nitrate transferred to me as well so now my right arm have stain spots and burns and blisters. Bloody high school students.. altho it's nice to be on the other side. No one is allowed into my "office" except me and yes.. I am free to enter the staff-/teacher- only room during my breaks and lunch time. Bring on free coffee!!!

Do you know that if you got silver nitrate on your skin (clear liquid) it is invisible. It get absorb and react with light then it stains and burn your skin.. and you can see from the photos.. it's not a very nice thing to have on your skin.

My "Apple Crumble Pie" (pre-crumble)



My complete "Apple Crumble Pie" - oh, the best of both worlds (apple crumble and apple pie)



Me with shorter hair



My birthday cake

My birthday presents

Gosh, I love presents. I love the excitment and joy of recieving it and if I got the presents before my birthday, I just love the anticipation of opening it.

Rebecca and Ben sent me presents on this occasion of me turning 21. I've got this wonderful photo frame from Rebecca with photos of: Otago University's famous clock tower, me and Ben dancing at Robbie Burns and me and Rebecca at the Saxman Concert. From Rebecca, I also got a book called "Captivating: Unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul". I know a few of you have read this book. I'm only a chapter of two in and I'm hooked. I think this is a book that all woman should read. Some of the things said in this book really struck home. Rebecca also gave me a serenity kit (with wind chime and a nice little quote book) and a shell necklace.

From Ben, I am amazed at his selection of presents for me. I've got two pair of toesocks, whinnie the pooh little bag and whinnie the pooh hairtie, Easter egg (Cadbury Cream Egg) and some Dutch wafle-biscuit type thing (yummy). Why the presents are so childish? you might ask. Actually it's very thoughtful. He got me all these stuff when he was in Japan. Toesocks for my almost permanently cold feet (but not anymore 'cause it's impossible to get cold feet when the temperature is 30 degree plus everyday) and whinnie the pooh? Who doesn't love whinnie the pooh, honestly!!! Most importantly, I got his letter. What more could a girl ask for right?

Mom bought me pandan-flavored cake white icing on top. Funny thing is, neither of us like icing so we ended up scrap the toppings off (with the white chocolate and pink icing letters written in Thai for "Happy Birthday, Nam" and all). Apart from the icing, the cake is simply delicious.

It's well into the afternoon and I'm still at home. The weather is just too hot to go out. I'm sipping my chinese tea and reading "Captivating". A relax birthday. 21st is not a biggie here in Thailand so I missed out on all the speeches (from my friends, mostly from Jian who might want to get back at me for that speech me and Alana gave on his 21st last year), the dancing and simply the big party. Oh well, I'll have my big birthday one day.

Aaaaaaaand I have an interview with the dean of Counselling Psyc Department today. Just a last stage before I'll know whether I would get accepted or not.

Well, I did!! He offered me a place right there and then!! So yes people, right now I'm a Master student in Counselling Psychology!!!

I passed!!! I passed the entrance exam for Master degree in Counselling Psychology!! Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!

Yesterday, I had a 2nd interview with Wyeth (giant pharmaceutical company). They rang me on Saturday, I was very very surprised because I thought my first interview with them didn't went very well. Anyway, yesterday was good. I think I did good. Answers the right thing. There's 4 candidates left in this round, so I'm glad that I was chosen to be one of them. It's quite an achievment when think of it. The other 3 guys (or girls) might graduate with honors or have a number of years work experience etc etc. Strangely, I should feel nervous and excited.. full with anticipation and waiting by the phone.. but I feel so peaceful about it. It doesn't matter if I don't get this job

Anyway, I have my 2nd interview today with Gymboree at 11 and it's 9.40 am now so I should go...

I've looked at Mel's blog and I realised that I should do something about my lack of new posts. Unfortunately, I spent almost all of my time at home so I really lack human contact (well, not that bad, I have my family but that doesn't count!!) and exciting stories to talk about.

Yesterday evening I went to a local university where I intend to do a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology. My sister is doing part-time MBA course there and so I took the opportunity to attend the lecture with her. I have to say that it was quite an interesting experience. Afterwards, my sister and her friends decided to go to a club. I've never been to a club in Thailand before and it's strange how the club gave me the same feeling of excitment and anticipation like NZ clubs. Different kind of songs of course, and I have to say that I don't realy know any of the Thai songs that was shaking up the place. However, there was an occasion hip-hop stuff that you normally hear in NZ.

It was hot and stuffy and almost everybody there smoke. I wish they enforced the no-smoking law here in Thailand. Well, I guess the good thing about Thailand is, girls who normally wear skimpy clothes when go clubbing, you don't really have to be scared that you'll end up with a pneumonia after your night out. It's warm here throughout the year. It's getting in to summer and I don't know how well I'll cope with the heat. Luckily it's been raining for the past 2 nights and cool things down a wee bit... or else it's unlivable without turning on the air con.