Goals 1 to 5 for 2016

For someone who loves sunshine but hates UV rays!

The sunshine of my life.

I've been sitting on a makeshift study table for nearly an hour now while patiently hoping a trickle of inspiration would drop off the sky so I can finally type the first word for a paper which I ought to write to pass the first year of my PhD. Instead of waiting for that trickle of inspiration to come, I thought maybe it would be more efficient if I try to scoop some of the thoughts which are causing distractions. I have honestly been a bit down since my 27th birthday--when the person I loved the most in this planet could not remember me.  But just the other day, she finally remembered! And that smile of hers just painted my black and blue universe with all the colors one could possibly imagine! 

The past few days, I have been pondering on what I am passionate about. Suddenly it struck me that I really love old people. Had I pursued medical school, I would probably opt to specialize on geriatrics. When I visited a nursing home just this month and I thought it would be awesome if I could do volunteer works if I had time. Old people make my heart melt in the same manner as kids would do to kindergarten teachers. Hopefully, I can do some volunteer works next year. Although I think it would be quite difficult to go to nursing homes if I don't have a car. It's so inconvenient to live in Australia without a personal vehicle. I'm planning to get my license soon so I can start learning how to drive on the opposite side of the road. One reason why I decided not to get used to driving in Philippines is because I knew I was going to live in Australia. I have the poorest sense of direction one can possibly imagine. A simple "left or right" is honestly like a maze in my brain.

Having blurted out the paragraph above, two of my goals for 2016 are: (1) get a driver's license and (2) visit nursing homes.

I also want to do more physical activities. This year I learned how to ride a bike for the first time. To ride the bike, it took me one day and 30 bruises! My grandma did not allow me to ride a bike when I was young because she did not want me to get hurt. But cycling seemed really fun so I decided to learn. I couldn't be wrong! Hence, another goal for 2016 is: (3) go cycling by the river in Brisbane!

I also want to conquer the ocean. But this goal will probably be more difficult to achieve than most goals because to do it, I need to overcome my phobia! I nearly died drowning in an open ocean when I was 7 or 8 years old. I will never forget the moment I woke up by the shore! Boy, it was good to breathe fresh air again! I don't think I will have any problem learning how to swim. It's just the fear of drowning that I have to face. Death came so close; I would not want to be near it, right? But to be happy, I need to conquer my fear because I really love going to beaches. The sun is a different story though. I'm vain and I hate ultraviolet rays! My fourth goal hence is to (4) Swim!

My fifth goal is to relearn things which I have almost already forgotten. A couple of months ago I bought a guitar and I was so shocked I could still play one! Next year, I will save up to buy a keyboard so I have something to do in my room when the rain starts pouring outside. I think I like the piano more than the guitar. However, I am very poor at reading notes. Although, when I was playing "River flows in you" by Yiruma, and there were numerous slips here and there, my brother came and asked, "is that River flows in you"? I said, "It is, but a really bad version!" My fifth goal therefore is to (5) relearn playing the piano and guitar!

I will continue writing about my goals 6 to 10 when I get back in Brisbane. The trickle of inspiration just dropped from the sky! I need to get some writing done while it lasts...

Hungarian langos

Hungarian Langos

Enjoying my meal with my friend.

One of the many things I enjoy doing is going to the markets (anywhere in the world) and sussing out the freshest fruits and vegetables while glancing everywhere to look for something to nibble. I really enjoy buying farm products and trying different kinds of food that's why the Davies Park Market in Brisbane is one of my favorite places to go to when I have nothing better to do. I have not been there for quite some time because I have been extremely busy the past few months (although I  must say I cannot vividly recall what  actually transpired the past two months). Finally, with time in my hand, my friend and I went to my favorite market!

After having coffee and taking a brief tour of the market, we went hunting for food! The first thing that caught my eye was the Hungarian langos. I was starving and the display looked great, so without thinking twice, I immediately ordered one langos with mushroom! Luckily, I saw how they made my food (I also really enjoy watching how the food is made). I was shocked to see a big deep frying pot! They were going to fry the dough! Oh no! I am not really a healthy eater--but I prefer baked dough over fried dough.

I was watching the dough swim inside the cooking pot until it turned golden brown. Once brown, the cook let the oil drip for a while. Then she grated cheese and spread it all over the bread. I am not a big fan of cheese, hence, watching her spread cheese all over my bread was not really an exciting activity. I stood aghast. Finally, she topped it with grilled mushrooms. My saliva dripped a little bit. But then she topped the bread with grated cheese again! No! No! And for the finale, she made concentric circles with the sour cream. I love sour cream; but after watching her fry the dough and spread cheese all over it, I did not think the sour cream was an excellent idea.

I stood watching with a pensive look. I did not want to eat it. But because I am a poor student, I was starving and if I would not eat it, I would die, I took a bite!

I took a bite and the angels in heaven rang the loudest bells while I cursed "What the?!! This is delicious!" After all that drama, I enjoyed the Hungarian langos and finished it as fast as a barbarian could.