School starts tomorrow...

Yeah... School will be officially starting tomorrow, which I'm filled with a mixture of feelings. I'm not afraid of meeting new friends and sort, I'm pretty much alright with that. But it is my studies that really worries me, because failure is not an option. It is those kind of things that you only have one chance in life and that chance is now. Do it or prepare to died...

Nonetheless, I'm expected to study 30 hours a week including public holiday and weekends. I willing to give up everything except, for thaiboxing. I'll be joining the world renowned muaythai gym N.T.G onces I'm able to cope with my studies.

Life in Brisbane is kinda boring. So I decided to spend my day doing something meaningful. First, My bro "Wai Siong" and I went back to our University to get some lecture notes printed. Next, I've manage to convince my bro to accompany me to do some window shopping and explore Brisbane a little.

We went to the local china town, but I was immediately disappointed upon reaching chinatown. It was empty and there ain't as many chinese as I've expected. Instead, I saw numerous "ang mo" spending their days drinking beer under the hot sun. Duh? shouldn't they be drinking after night falls?

Nonetheless, I'll be updating my blog if I manage to squeeze some time out from my tight schedules. Oh and thanks, Dad, Mum and Sis for all the effort you all have put in to help me search for those 2 textbooks. Really appreciated it!

Queenlands University of Technology

Nugget McNaught N.T.G

I've been traveling around Brisbane for almost a couple of days. So I've decided to visit the legendary N.T.G Gym. It was like a dream come true to see one of the best Australian fighters in the world "Nugget McNaught" himself. It took me quite some time searching for his gym, as it was located in a quiet ally in Wilson.

But when I found it, I was greeted with a warm welcome by Nugget. We had a short chat about his training schedule and prices on each lesson. But when I mention I was from Singapore. All he said was "So you know Zach...?" Sure, of course I do...

It was a great experience, letting me taking photos with him and his gym. Plus, I was given the previlage to witness his boys in actions, doing skipping, bag-works and pad-works. The only word I could describe them was AWSOME! Their punches were hard and fast, so were their kicks... and all of them seems so tactical in their style of fighting. Ending each combo with a low kicks and sort. Each and everyone of his fighters were personally trained by Nugget himself. Holding the pads and doing sparring with them, no wonder they were one of the best fighters in Australia.

I was able to stay for an hour before bidding farewell to Nugget. It was really an experience... As for those whom don't know who Nugget McNaught, he was one of Australia best fighters and won a numbers of awards both in Thailand and Australia and he has trained Soren "MonKongtong" N.T.G whom won Orono and Jomhod in Thailand. Soren is also one of the upcoming Australian fighters that participate in "The Contender Asia".

BTW, if anyone training at N.T.G please PM me. Thanks... for more photos on N.T.G please click "MyPhotoAlbum" link.

N.T.G Gym

Night @ The Museum

Life in Brisbane is totally different from Singapore. The shop opens at 8am and closes at 5pm except for Thursday which major supermarkets and stores open till 9pm. Still it is best to wake up early, else you wouldn't get anything done by the end of the day.

Today, I manage to visit the Australia National Museum (Brisbane) because it is free ( Unlike Singapore money-minded government ) and caught an eyes full of interesting stuff...ranging from dinosaur to small tiny creepy crawlers. But what really caught my eye was the war-dogs section, I didn't really know that dogs were an essential tool in WWI and WWII. Dogs could inform soldiers of approaching enemies, tanks and even aircrafts. Due to their keen eye-sight and excellence hearing, they are normally use as scouts for the troops.

As a results many were hurt or didn't even manage to make it back. Dogs were rewarded with purple-heart just like many wounded soldiers and were even given ranks such as Sgt or LTA. But after the war end, those dogs were being discard as they were not allowed to return to their countries. As the governments were afraid that the dogs might carry diseases. The owners (or soldiers) of the dogs were given 2 choices either to end its life or discard them.

Many soldiers weep and regret their decision to bring their pet dogs into battle. One of the soldier wrote his feeling in his diary "I regret bring husker to Vietnam that day, because the war has end but I'm not able to bring her back..." such words really touches people soul.

For more photos on the Museum please visits MyPhotoAlbum.

Night @ The Museum

Life in Brisbane

So I'm finally in Brisbane... I've settle down pretty fast in Australia at Sunnyhill bank ( thanks to a great bro of mine, whom has been searching intensively in Singapore ) which the landlord was a nice taiwanese man in his '70s, whom even treated us lunch at a Dim Sum restaurant at Sunnybank Plaza. ( Yeah! save money on lunch...Cool! )

The rent for the room was $103 + $6 for the half year contact + $5 for the weekly cleaning, so the total amount for the rent would be $114 per week which will be a total of $456 per month. I considered it pretty alright, since it provide us with a decent kitchen for our daily cooking and a toilet which in some sense I should considered clean. This reminds me of those days when I'm in the army. The only different is I've to cook... -_-

The house is currently being rented by 10 person. That includes 6 at the bottom and 4 at the upper level. The bottom level is occupied by a korean guy, a friendly japanese girl ( Guys don't even think about it... ) and 2 other guy. As for the upper level, it is occupied by a Hongkong guy ( whom could speak chinese but prefered to speak english instead. Weird? ) and a China girl. As for the rest of the housemate, I've yet to meet them.

Still I've manage to settle all the necessary stuff onces I've settle down in Brisbane which includes opening a bank account, got my QUT student card and password, purchase a monthly concession and a pre-paid card for calling in and out of Australia. (Australia HP no. : 0431557010)

Yesterday, I've manage to tour around the school and Brisbane city. The structure and condition of the building ain't that bad... Plus, I've yet to meet the students and lecturer. Anyway, I'll be going for orientation this coming week... Bet I'll be able to get some inside info on my studies.

My home for the next 6 months...

To Brisbane...

So I guess today would be the day that I'll be flying off to Brisbane. I've packed most of the comfort items that I'll be bring over so it shouldn't be a problem. Except for the excess baggage that worries me... Onces I've reach there, I'll be searching for an apartment with Wai Siong aka MrBear. So many things to do yet so little time... I'll have to purchase a transportation card, a prepaid card so that I'm able to call in and out of Australia, retrieve my student card and personal library account, set up a bank account and lastly, get a tax file no. Darnz... Such a headache!

Nonetheless, I'll be keeping you guys update onces I've reach over Brisbane. I've activate my auto roaming but don't even try calling my Singapore handphone No. because each minute cost $2.40. SMS if possible... I'll also be posting my Australia handphone No. on the blog & friendster so that for those who intend to contact me in Australia.

Oh and lastly, thank you guys for sending me off at the airport... will be back next CNY. So that can make it in time to see Tock Soon's elder sister, hope she ain't getting married that soon... WAHAHA! just kidding la!

10 more days to Australia...

I'm left with 10 more days before leaving Singapore and I'll be traveling half way across the globe for Australia. But the only things that I'm worry is my capability to be able to cope with my studies. I've found an accomodation in Australia and have packed most of the stuff that is required to bring over to Australia. Still the feeling is exactly the same I've felt when I left my cosy home for Tekong. At least, I'll be celebrating CNY in Singapore. It will most likely be the most memoriable CNY for me.

Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir


As I've said before Frank Mir is a tough guy on the ground, which I've no idea why would Brock Lesnar go for such an aggressive approach. Frank Mir had such a fast reaction in trying to achieve a legs lock, causing Brock Lesnar to tap out. But still Brock Lesnar did put up a great show, and with more experiences he could have the potential.