SHORTCHANGED

Totally irritated with ALDI store nearby my place. Went there shopping to save some money, but at the end of the day, at cashout, I passed the cashier $50 for my $19.65 bill and received just 30cents...?? She had shortchanged me by about $30. Straightaway, I confronted her and said it was a 50 note I passed her. She insisted it wasn't but closed up the register and asked her manager for help. They went into the room with the cashbox while I waited outside. Then the manager came out and told me there was no excess of $30 ,..??

How could $30 so easily disappear like that! I was very sure I only had 2x $50 bills when I went shopping today and there was just one left in my purse. Anyway, I went back very dissatisfied and checked my daily balance of cash, yes I am that detailed with my money and I know how much I had put away in my purse. So, definitely the mistake was theirs but they would not own up to it. I rang the ALDI HQ to lodge a complaint. I was not going to let it off that easily. I was not going to let them think that I was pretending so that I could get extra money.

My suspicion is that the cashier had pinched it while I was bagging my stuff and slotted it aside, which is why, it was not detected as an excess in the cash box. So, they said they would review the video cameras again and see if any theft happened. So much for trust in the cashier's system at ALDI. The one thing that I did not like also was that their receipt didn't reflect how much cash was tendered or show change to be given. My word against theirs really. It's not the matter of the amount, it is the principle. I want JUSTICE.. AND MY MONEY BACK!

AUSSIE SWINE FLU CASES DOUBLE

~ NOT GOOD... AAP reports: May 27, 2009 04:59am+ The national total of swine flu cases has topped 50, with the number doubling in just one day. 25 new cases of the potentially deadly virus were confirmed yesterday - 10 each in Victoria and NSW plus 5 more in Queensland. The six most recent in NSW include a passenger who arrived on Qantas flight QF12 from Los Angeles to Sydney on Sunday, and another five people off the P&O cruise ship Pacific Dawn. It berthed in Sydney on Monday and offloaded nearly 2000 passengers. At least 172 of those off the Pacific Dawn indicated when the vessel arrived that they either had flu-like symptoms or had been in contact with someone who did.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said a "follow-up" yesterday of passengers from QF12 identified one additional passenger with human swine influenza. "There are also five more confirmed cases of human swine influenza in people who disembarked from the Pacific Dawn cruise ship yesterday (Monday)," she said. They have been placed in isolation." She said further test results were expected this morning.

Schools have sent out circulars that if one person ever gets detected in school for pig flu, the whole school gets closed for a week! so, we hope that doesn't ever happen here....

EPISODE 24: BACK ON THE KEYBOARDS

Been a while since I played for worship ministry with a church band. Leanne led this Sunday and asked if I could play, so yesterday was my 1st time playing at my church.

Was kinda nervous, because we have had no rehearsal at all since Wednesday practice was cancelled because of the rainstorm. So, I didn't really know what to expect! The band consisted mostly of guys on drums and bass and lead guitarists. Most of them, I did not know personally. This church has a very strong guitar band and the keyboards was not a distinctive sound for the worship..., so it took quite a bit of getting used to. The keyboard sound was really faint from the speaker and to be honest, I felt like it didn't really matter whether I played or not, at first kinda frustrated. But I just decided to enjoy myself and felt no pressure. I could just ride on the other musicians' playing which gave me more space to adjust & experiment. Leanne led beautifully. She originally wanted to do something unconventional but decided against it as we were all so disorientated enough with no rehearsal for the songs.

How do I really feel about the whole thing? Just felt that there is so much potential in the musicians and singers, they are so enthusiastic and skilled in what they do. If only they start to tap into the supernatural aspect of playing in the spirit, it would be super powerful. They are like horses on harnessed sleighs for now, going at a safe and pleasant trot and everyone is watching and well-pleased with it. It's only the surface we are scratching at,... but that's a good start for now.

People were very encouraging and after the service, a lady (and I don't think this happens often either) -new member, I think...came and thanked the band for bringing presence of God and making the difference in church experience for her and hubby. Many also came up to me to thank me for playing, and I said it was my pleasure..it truly was to once again serve the body of Christ and know your little bit counted towards their encouragement for the week. So, Lord thanks for opening doors once again to serve in worship for you. There is much to learn and experience in this new walk.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

It's been raining non-stop since Wednesday, never seen rain like this b4. I mean literally all day long, non-stop, deluge of downpour. Yesterday, picked up Jordan amidst some drama of screaming children who were trying to avoid the rain being blown in by the strong gusts of wind. Some people's umbrellas got ripped off and times like these, I am grateful for my free PETRONAS SUPER king size umbrella.

Wet, miserable May Day..... and May Day it is, because this is the worst flooding in 35 years & has prompted the Government to declare a state of emergency in southeast Queensland. The declared disaster area takes in the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and areas west to, and including, the Toowoomba region. The state had its wettest 24 hours in 17 years. here's the satellite view...

Hundreds of roads were cut off, trapping children at school. The flood forced evacuations, brought down power lines and filled dams to overflowing. One person was killed by debris in his own office when an awning smashed into the glass at Surfers Paradise. Some places no power supply - abt 5000 residents affected. More than 200 students and staff were trapped overnight at schools in Brisbane's west too. Late yesterday, more than 50 streets in Brisbane were closed. well, as I write this, the rain has stopped, hallelujah! now can go get some groceries. Yes, I have the power of rain -blogging (blocking). ....!

TEACHERS ON STRIKE

WELL... 1st time we are experiencing it here, teachers on strike, so no formal instruction today. it is like a self-declared holiday since there are no classes anyway, parents who can help it, are advised to keep their children at home. But caregivers will be given to supervise if they really have to send their kids to school anyway.

Queensland state school teachers are apparently the lowest paid among all other states. The average salary per annum is between 40K+-60K+ for primary school teachers. sounds pretty good compared to Malaysian teachers' pay.. but apparently still not enuff... I wonder if moms can also go on strike here..........against dads....

VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER SAILS INTO GOLD COAST

Some hype and buzz of excitement on movie-dom in Gold Coast. For those who are unaware, Gold Coast is actually a film industry hub for movie-making and many movies have been shot here in the past. And now, it seems...MULTI-MILLION dollar production The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader could be arriving on the Gold Coast as early as next month, according to industry insiders.

Gold Coast film industry workers yesterday told The Bulletin Narnia's producers had already been in contact with locals to get together their crew. The $150 million production is expected to start pre-production as early as next month and remain at Warner Roadshow Studios until the end of November.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by C. S. Lewis. The Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures released their film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in December 2005, grossing $745 million worldwide. Prince Caspian was released in May 2008 and grossed $420 million. Now, 20th Century Fox and Walden Media are planning to release the 3rd episode: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on December 10, 2010. Earlier this year, Narnia was due to begin filming at the Baja Studios in Mexico but producers were forced to pull the pin after drug wars made the location unsafe for cast and crew. Since January, they have been scouting locations in Queensland and New South Wales to shoot the third instalment of the series. The Gold Coast was rumoured to be a favourite location, thanks to its $2.1 million water tank, needed for the film. The Coast crews can also boast working on one of the most expensive films made in Australia, the $136 million Peter Pan filmed in 2003. So, I wonder if they have any nice autograph signing sessions during the shoot -Jordie will be so thrilled. His fave is Edmund and Edmund still returns as part of the team in this movie. The cast will be here from July till November.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Well, Happy Mother's Day it is today. What does it mean to be a mum? All I can say is I have truly enjoyed every one of those 7+ years with Jordan and thank God for a happy, funny, cute and affectionate child like him. I never used to be maternal but after I had him, had always longed for a 2nd child,... unfortunately it never came, so I am contented for now to settle for just Jordan and he has been a great blessing to me. Now at 7+ , he is demonstrating the cheeky wit of a 12 year old and throws back puns and jokes at me and we laugh together about lots of things and exchange opinions on almost adult level.

I also begin to appreciate my mum more as I get older because I realise it wasnt easy to raise 4 kids alone without a husband. Looking back at how she did it, I still marvel at her strength. I am embarrassed about the days when I complained about her cooking and said she didn't care. Now, as she grows older, I also realised she has changed, and instead of just giving out attention, she now also longs for it. She pretends she doesnt need it, the proud chinese traditional woman she is, but I know she wants her children around her- unfortunately we are kinda far away at the moment. So, mum I do love you even if I don't say it or show it the proud chinese traditional way. Everytime I hug Mum Beryl over here, I wonder why I can't do it with my own mum? But next time, when I get back, you will get your hugs, I don't care how embarassed you get, because it's what you've missed out on through all those proud chinese traditional years. Well, from one mum to the other, whoever is reading this, Happy Mother's Day!