The Understanding First

Before go to the real “action” of removing stain on practically any hard surface. You need to understand this very quickly. See illustration below:

Understanding Stain on Hard Surface

1. The stain sitting on top of the original surface. (as illustrated at no 1 above)
   This condition happened if the stain is new, or the surface is not porous, or laminated with some waterproof material (e.g: tiles, etc). The stain is the easiest to remove in this condition
2. The stain has penetrated inside the top surface (as illustrated at no 2 above)
   This condition usually happened if the surface is quite porous, or the original paint is attacked by the stain, or very old stain. The stain is the hardest to remove in this condition.

(and all other condition in between)

Then, basically there are 2 ways to remove the stain:

1. Chemical dissolve-ment: the stain is dissolved with our cleaner so that can easily be wiped.
2. Physical abrasion: the stain need to be physically removed (similar like scrubbing with sand paper). This will involve some imperfection on the original surface (as illustrated at no 3 above). If the abrasion/scrubbing is still within the thickness of the paint, you will not notice the difference. But if the abrasion is too deep, you will start seeing the original color of the surface.

The Tools

In my experience, the following tools below are quite adequate as a weapon in “war on stain at hard surface”:

Stain Removal Kit

1. The humble paper towel. The more absorbent the better.
2. Rub alcohol (IPA – Iso Propil Alcohol) – buy in chemist or supermarket. If you want stronger one, by Ethanol.
3. Any house hold cleaner as “Degreaser” (cut oil based stain). Pictured is BAM power cleaner.
4. Chux’s Magic Eraser: the white sponge. This eraser works as very fine sand paper that do the abrasion and absorb/trap the stain

Make sure the kit above is ready at all time !

Removing the stain: the tips

• Stain is best to be removed as soon as possible (to prevent the stain penetrate too deep to the surface – see condition no 2 on the illustration above)
• Choose cleaner: You need to guess what is the base of the stain: oil, water, or alcohol and use the appropriate cleaner as below (just guess, do not worry if you are not sure).
  If it’s oil based (crayon, lipstick, oil painting, etc) use the degreaser.
  If it’s alcohol based (marker, anything with quick dry alcohol smell) use the IPA
  If it’s water based (water paint, syrup, etc) just use water
• Spray or apply generously on the paper towel and rub it on the stain. The idea is to dissolve the stain chemically as soon as possible from the surface.
  If you choose the correct cleaner, you will see the stain immediately smearing. If not, try the other cleaner.
  Make sure you have plenty of paper towel to absorb the excess IMMEDIATELY – or you just making the blob of the stain larger.
  Warning: the cleaner that you choose COULD also dissolve the original painting. Just be prepare for this. Try at small area first !
• If the stain persist, then the stain has penetrated the surface (see condition no 2 above). The only way to remove the stain would be by physical abrasion.
• Wet the Chux’s magic eraser and squirt all the excess water off (just need damp one), then apply small pressure to the stain. If the stain did not come off, apply more pressure. Remember you don’t want to remove all the painting, just enough to remove the stain (see condition 3 on the illustration above). This white sponge will be soiled upon used. You need to wash it with water from time to time during use. After some usage, you will notice that the sponge become thinner – then just use the new block.
  Warning: if you have glossy finished surface, using this physical abrasion will possibly remove the shininess of the affected area – but I guess it’s still better than those marker drawing…:-)
• Removing the stain if a “repair job” – it’s still better to prevent the stain before happening. So, do not expect 100% recovery all the time…

There you go… Good luck removing that painting on the wall !

Disclaimer: don’t blame me if you stuff up – I just share what I usually do – so far it’s not bad at all – always try on small patch first before go Gung Ho…

You are a bad man (or bad woman) if you do not vote…

Australian House of Representative Ballot Paper

• If you are not eligible by law to vote (too young, excluded, not a citizen, etc)
• Unforeseen circumstances prevent you to go to the poll booth (accident, illness, arrested by police, etc)
• Conflict of interest (i.e: you for work Liberal but you actually want to vote the other side – in this case do not make conflict of interest in your mind – cast a blank vote to not betray your believe as well as not to betray your loyalty to your employer)

(no, no religious belief should prevent you to cast your vote – if your religion prevent you to vote, consider other religion! Why? religion should govern only the interaction with the almighty, nothing to do with which politician that will lead the country)

That’s it, the rest of us should cast the vote. I give you a few reasons why it is not very good at all to NOT voting:

1. Have you reflect all those wars and civil wars happened all around the world with thousands people die fighting this very cause: the right to vote to determine the future of own country? Most of all lucky enough to live in well establish country, you do not need to go fight a war to vote. Do not take it for granted, it is a precious gift! Go vote !
2. If you have a grudge against government, – the government did not treat you well- hey, then this is your chance to take revenge, vote the other party and kick the current government from office ! Go vote !
3. If you say all the candidates or party is not up to your standard. Well, that’s life. Nothing is perfect. Live with it and decide the best of the worse. Like it or not one of them will take control, you better make sure at least the better did. So, go vote !
4. If you don’t like the voting or election system. Again, no system in the world is perfect. There will be here and there a gap even to the best system. Just live with it, you have been living it so far anyway, maybe there is something that you don’t really understand why… Find some literature or talk to someone who knows why it being conducted like this. In the meantime, go vote !
5. If you suspect they fiddle around with the voting paper, then do something , not only vote, maybe sign up yourself as volunteer to watch first hand and report the cheating !

Australian Senate Ballot Paper

Voting, reflection of your decision making in life !

And, in a way, the way you decide in a vote is a reflection how you make a decision in life. Life is full of decision and you also have to choose the better of bad alternatives – and for some cases you got to choose. Ignorant will not help as your subconscious will not accept it – I  mean if you can do something but you don’t you will be feeling guilty.

Exactly what happening with election, sometime the choices are not that good but with or without your vote they will get elected. Well, so you need to still vote, as if the other win, you can tell that you did your part to prevent it.

What if the want your vote win and then do something you don’t like? Well, then tell him that you will not vote for him/her again in the next vote. Like life,  you can make a wrong decision, but once we know, we acknowledge the mistake and move on.

At the end, it is a free country – you can decide what you want to do – acknowledging that there could be social or personal consequences of course. After all, it’s all about taking personal responsibility to

Use your democratic right, go vote !

p.s: if casting a vote is not enough for you, step up. Nominate yourself for your next election and fight for what you believe. Like life, if you cannot count on somebody to do it for you, sometime you just need to do it yourself!

Well, it’s not presidential election, so technically the Aussie will not directly choose their Prime Minister. They will choose the local member of parliament that belong to a party or an independent. The majority member will form a government that has been nominated before. So, if you want a Labor Prime Minister, then vote for Labor candidate nominated for your local neighborhood, and vice versa.

The real drawback of this system that quite annoying (at least for me) was what happen with PM Kevin Rudd: the labor party faction decides that Kevin Rudd is a liability that has to be replaced.  So, it did – a few people initiative was able to replace a Prime Minister that not even 3 years ago has successfully win the election toppling the previous government that has ruled Australia for more than a decade. For me, at least for Prime Minister position, which is the one running the country, there should be more difficult procedure to replace the office.

Anyway, back to the topic, what do you think the would be Prime-Minister-elect below.

Modern vs Traditional – who will win

Let’s compare side by side the two leader of the party that would become prime minister:

Julia Gillard vs Tony Abbott For PM

	Julia Gillard	Tony Abbott
Birthplace:	Wales, UK	London, UK
Birthday:	29 Sep 61	4 Nov 57
Party:	Labor	Liberal
Status:	De-facto	Married
Religion:	No religion	Roman Catholic
	The Modern	The Traditional

Domestically, many parents and Christian group voice concern about Julia as role model. Not only admitting publicly that she doesn’t belief in God and religion, but she’s also not married and living together as de-facto couple with her partner.

Tony on the other hand, not only still go to the church every week, he also said publicly that he wants her daughters to be still virgin on wedding day. Something that is quite rare in western world. Also, as a politician, he is super duper fit – recently at 52 years old he still can finish an Ironman Triathlon (that is 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running in a day – he finished it under 15 hours -  try this if you can !!)

Despite that, poll showed that Julia is significantly very popular as PM candidate to Tony by far. (mid July 2010′s poll: 57% prefer Julia vs 27% for Tony as PM). I guess not only she is a good looking red head woman, but also as the first female PM for Australia – which completes the dominance of female leadership in this country.

The only common denomination between both is that they are both migrant and born overseas !

So, between the modern and the traditional, which one you choose ?

Current Government:

• One of the major achievement that can be boasted about is that Kevin Rudd government has saved Australia from GFC (Global Financial Crisis). During the worldwide downturn, Australia has never entered a recession. Thanks to the quick action from government with its economic stimulus.
• Some people scream that Labor has plunged Australia into debt. I can say straight that these people are 101% wrong and most likely they don’t know anything about macro economics. It is true that before GFC, Australian Federal Government has no debt. But if there is indication of recession where private sector stop spending, the government need to step in go into debt and stimulates the economy. They have no choice, that’s the only way – any government will do this.
  The debt itself ? Again some people who whinge about debt, it’s screaming that they don’t know anything about finance. (They maybe ridicoulously scare about debt , have never study and understand debt and need further education) – Australia debt will peak at $153 billion at around 2013 . Looks big? No at all, Last year Australia GDP is $1.2trillion or $1200 billion, and with growth to 2013, the debt will be around 10% of GDP (Gross national Product). This is comparable to if you have $500,000 home and got a mortgage of $50,000. Really small and manageable. So, do not worry a single blink about Australia debt.
  For further comparison, the European country that recently have problems with debt (Spain, Greece, etc) has debt of up to around 200% of their GDP, of course this is problem – but not with Australia)
• However, the debt money that government spend could have much better impact if it being spent with more control: 2 big mess are the home insulation program and the BER (Building  Education Revolution).
  The home insulation scheme lack of check and control where scammer and unqualified people can claim as insulator, receive money from government and install dogy insulation at home all across Australia. Not only rorting the scheme, but also responsible of many house fire due to technical matter.
  Almost similar, the BER is practically giving money to school all over Australia to renovate or build new building. The problem is there is no control where the builder and/or the school giving a ridiculously high quote, but still get the money. For example: to make covered outdoor learning area in school, usually costs somewhere under $80,000 but some school can get it ballooned to $950,000 without any question.
  For both bungles, I fully understand that quick response is essential (hence not much rules/procedure can be fully established) but it can easily much better run if the government delegate the operation into the respected industrial body on each field. Not only they have more experience and visibility of the norm, government can sue back the money if they proven to be rorting the government. But instead both scheme were handled by government directly. This is not acceptable.
• Asylum seeker/Refugee matter: I believe without doubt, this government has failed to maintain preventing the low rate of illegal immigrant, especially the one come from illegal boat, come to Australia. This is the comparison: the last 2 terms of previous government (from 2001 – 2007) the averages is 4 boat a year with average of 48 people per year. But, just 2009, there were 59 illegal boats with 2750 people on it. (see http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bn/sp/BoatArrivals.htm for more statistic)
  I fully believe refugee need to be helped and Australia should help generously, but the way they come to Australia, I don’t really agree with. The problem with this is some of these “refugee” allegedly fly to Indonesia or other neighboring country before embarking on a boat coordinated by “people smuggler”. Some pay thousands of dollars  just to get in the crappy boat. So, some of them are not genuine refugee and unfortunately no way (or very hard) to prove this 100%.

  The fact that Australia is not in the direct vicinity of the conflict area (Afghanistan, Middle East, etc) then all refugee intake should be the ones coordinated by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) not by illegal people smuggler. The message need to be clear, anybody claim themselve as refugee need to be endorsed by UNHCR – the rest will be met by harder law. This is to prevent blooming business of people smuggler. It is really different if for example there is conflict in Indonesia or East Timor, then boat people from this direct neighbor will be likely a genuine refugee.

• This government has upset the mining community: the very industrial sector that made dodging GFC possible. Super profit tax or whatever the name should not be applied to mining company. Yes, they have huge profit, but also remember that they also contribute huge infra structure (railway, roads, township,etc) of otherwise just tiny rural town. Not to mention capital and infrastructure to do the mining itself. If the government want to have extra tax, apply this Super Profit tax to bank. The banks is not capital hungry they just provide service, mostly now automatid by computer, but yet their profit will be astronomically high if compared with the capital required.

To be franked, I am not really Labor supporter. But with all the above, I would think they didn’t do any big mishap. With the Liberals did not have much different policy anyway, I would say, let Labor continue govern this country, mainly to clean their own mess!

Well, the way democracy works, an opinion of one person does not really matter. The majority will rule. Happy election !

Female Domination in Australia Top Job

This probably a rare combination for a country anywhere in the world (if not the only one) – at this moment of this writing – July 2010 – that all top job in state and federal politics is being held by 5 powerful women below:

Australia Female Leaders

1. Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce  (Governor General is symbolic representation of the Queen of England  as the head of the country – Australia is Commonwealth country)
2. Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard
3. NSW Governor, Marie Bashir (New South Wales is the biggest state in Australia in term of population and economics measure)
4. NSW Premier, Kristina Kenneally
5. Deputy NSW Premier, Carmel Tebbutt.

And even more unique both Julia Gillard and Kristina Kenneally got their top job by toppling male Labor colleague. Julia toppled  Kevin Rudd while Kristina beat Nathan Rees.

Very unique indeed….

See analysis of Group A,B,C,D

Group E

No surprise here as the orange team sails trough as predicted. Netherlands wins 2-0 against Denmark and 1-0 against Japan.

World Cup 2010 Group E

My take: with “kamikaze” spirit, Japan will hold Denmark for a draw. So, Netherlands and Japan will through.

Update: Japan did better, they win. But the end result is as predicted.

Group F

Italy and Paraguay supposed to be the top of the group. Well they are (kind of), although Italy got the same diseases as England: under performing. The screaming underdog is New Zealand – force a draw against Italy and Slovakia, this Australian neighbor may prepare the next surprise.

World Cup 2010 Group F

Update: Italy cannot win and Paraguay draw. Slovakia through.

Group G

Probably so far only Brazil (win 2-1 against Korea DPR and 3-1 against Ivory Coast) and Argentina are showing their superiority quite consistently. Although Portugal try to as well: with their 7-0 win against Korea DPR (North Korea), after unfortunate draw against Ivory Coast.

World Cup 2010 Group G

Update: as predicted, although Brasil just score a draw.

Group H

In the first game, as expected Chile beat Honduras (1-0) but surprisingly the Swiss beat favorite Spain (also 1-0). Then it was “normal” on the second game where Spain beat Honduras and Chile beat Switzerland. With Swiss is due to meet Honduras and Spain to meet Chile on the last game of group’s round robin. This group is making the most interesting in term of league table. Chile with 6 points is not yet qualified, but Honduras with 0 point still can qualify. Interesting !

World Cup 2010 Group H

Chile just need a draw to qualify.Swiss need at least 2 goals win against Honduras – provided Spain win over Chile (or just any win if Chile beat Spain – actually a draw is enough to Swiss if Chile beat Spain by more than 2 goals).Even Honduras can still qualify if they win more than 3 goals against Switzerland provided Chile beats Spain.

All scenario above is still practically possible. (compare to group G where the scenario is possible but not practical/hardly unlikely) Interesting, right ?!

My take: Swiss will win with 2+ goal and qualify. Spain will win also with 2+ goal and qualify. So, Spain and Swiss Chile will through.

Update: Spain won and Swiss unable to score a win against the weakest Honduras. Hence Chile go through.

See analysis of Group A,B,C,D

The Top 16

So according to the analysis (read: “guess”) above, the top 16 are:

Let see how many I was wrong next week. Have fun !

UPDATE: hey, 13 out of 16 (81%)!, not bad…

See analysis of Group E, F, G, H

Group A

The cup is kicked start with the host nation South Africa make a surprise draw again more favorite Mexico, followed by yet another surprise that 1998 Champion, France also forced to draw by Uruguay.

Ireland can have a little bit smile seeing karma at work. Remember, France only qualified to the world cup by defeating Ireland 2-1 with hand ball’s goal. The superstar of 1998 world cup, Thierry Henry, admit it openly, but France still through. (Even Pizza Hut Ireland gives away 350 pizza for the Irish for each goal any country put into France as token of consolation)

And after that France only see bad things one after another: criticize by their own minister to be too luxurious, defeated by Mexico, their striker Nicolas Anelka sent home, fight between coach and players, even  the player refuse to do training session. What a laughable matters…..

World Cup 2010 Group A

If Uruguay beats Mexico, say 1-0, then for France, they can qualify by winning with at least 4 goals against South Africa to overcome the goal difference. For South Africa, it is tougher because they need to beat France with 6 goals to qualify.

If Mexico beats Uruguay, say 1-0, then for France, they can qualify by winning with at least 5 goals against South Africa to overcome the goal difference. For South Africa, it is tougher because they need to beat France with 7 goals to qualify.

My take: despite Uruguay’s coach claiming they will play to win, with the risk of injury, yellow card and fitness of the player, it will be very economical for both Uruguay and Mexico to spare a draw, meaning: France and South Africa are out.  So, Uruguay and Mexico will through.

UPDATE: Uruguay win, but as predicted Mexico and Uruguay through…

Group B

No surprise in this group as Argentina cruise along with 2 wins and Korea beats Greece, but  Greece beat Nigeria.

World Cup 2010 Group B

My take: with Maradona (Argentina’s coach) got a beef with Pele, plus Portugal kills North Korea (the other Korea) by 7-0, Argentina will go for win, maybe a big win, for the prestige. So, Korea and Nigeria will fight for their spot in top 16. But Nigeria need 2 goals, Korea need just a draw. With Argentina wins and Korea wins, so Argentina and Korea will through.

UPDATE: Korea only draw, but as predicted Argentina and Korea through…

Group C

Group C is one of the dull group. England supposed to be in “easy” group but way under performing and only produce 2 draws against USA and Algeria. Only a just win by Slovenia against Algeria 1-0 make them on top of the group.

World Cup 2010 Group C

My take:  With all play all out, England and USA will be the most probably to win. So, England and USA will through.

UPDATE: As predicted.

Group D

When Germany was seeded in this Group D, no body would dare that Ghana is the one topping the group after 2 matches. The biggest surprise is that Serbia can beat German on their own game. Australia was given a football lesson 0-4 by Germany when Pim Verbeek (Australia coach) made a weird decision to play 4-4-2 where they never play or try it before (instead of the usual 4-3-2-1 pattern).

World Cup 2010 Group D

My (bias) take:  German and Australia will win. But for the Aussie, the goal difference probably is still not enough to qualify (Hopefully If German win 4-0,  Australia still have to win 2-0). So, Germany and Australia Ghana will through.

UPDATE: As predicted, but both German and Australia did not make enough goal, so Germany and Ghana through…

See analysis of Group E, F, G, H

The Top 16

So according to the analysis (read: “guess”) above, the top 16 are:

Let see how many I was wrong next week. Have fun !

UPDATE: hey, 13 out of 16 (81%)!, not bad…

The Ads & The Lyric

You can judge yourself. But before you do that, make sure check the lyric and watch it in full first below. (For a start, half of the critics did not really know for sure what the lyric is, but already voicing something negative). Here they are: (Tourism Australia owns the copyright)

1. “There is nothing like it, is it ?!!”.
   “No…” [Somewhere at east coast beach on sun rise. Early morning surfing with a mate, watching a couple of Dolphin playing while waiting for the wave]
2. “There is nothing like the sunrise, the first wave of the day” [Playing piano on the beach]
3. “The trip along the coastline” [In a plane]
4. “It’s right across the bay” [Ferry at Sydney Harbour]
5. “There’s nothing like this ancient place” [Aborigine Elder on the rock]
6. “Sunset on a camel” [Northern Teritory]
7. “This organism” [Great Barrier Reef]
8. “This billabong” [Aborigine kids]
9. “Or this duck-billed mammal” [A ranger holding platypus]
10. “Ta ra ra ra” [Train trip with boyfriend across the bush]
11. “Ta ra ra ra” [BBQ on the beach with mates]
12. “Ta ra ra ra ra ra ra ra” [Rowing in Brisbane(?) River]
13. “There is nothing like the people here” [Outdoor tenor singing in a winery]
14. “or here” [Gold coast beach lifeguard]
15. “or here” [At fresh water river inside a tropical rain forest]
16. “or there” [In front of Melbourne Central Station, basking on the street]
17. “My mates up here” [A boy sitting on a branch of tree with couple of Kookaburra bird]
18. “My friends down there” [On a reef with Colourful fish]
19. “There is nothing like this bear” - “That’s not a bear” [A Girl Holding Koala, with ranger behind]
20. “There is nothing like this giant shrubs” [In a national park]
21. “This rock” [Uluru]
22. (muffled) “This Fish” [Diving near a whale shark]
23. “These birds” [With Australian Budgies]
24. “There is nothing like this furry thing that bounce around in herds” [Driving in a prairie with Kangaroos]
25. “There is Nothing Like, Australia” [At the Twelve Apostle, Victoria]
26. “There is Nothing Like, Australia” [Girls night out with train]
27. “There is Nothing Like This wondrous land” [On the top of the valley to the desert with 4WD]
28. “From Darwin to Bass Strait” [2 girls in a car]
29. “There is nothing like the people here” [People at rock pool]
30. “Where everyone is mate” [Drinking in a Pub]
31. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Bridge Climb at Sydney Harbour Bridge]
32. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Concert at outside of Sydney Opera House]
33. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Firework starts]
34. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Firework continue]

Petty Critics

So, do you like it ? Well, it’s a free country, you like it or not it’s purely your opinion and you can express it.
However, some of the critics around the social media (youtube, vimeo, etc) are just petty critics, some of the popular one:

• Koala is not a bear ! (Well, obviously someone cannot catch the wording straight after that – see row 19 – actually the ads has done terrific job to “fix” this common error, imagine this: if your kid is given a Koala doll and he/she put it side by side with the Teddy bear. Due to the physical structure similarity, of course everybody will now call it “Koala Bear” to match “Teddy Bear” – what? you want to call it “Koala marsupial?” – The fact that’s Koala is not bear now can be taken just by seeing this ad – no need to wait the Biology class at year 10 or visit to a Koala park – isn’t that great ?)
• A group of kangaroo is called mob not “herds” (Complete boo-boo, the critics obviously doesn’t know that you can use even grammatically wrong structure to make a song. This is not grammar presentation, it ads… “herds” in a way rhyme with “birds” (previous sentence) – also “mob” have very bad connotation in English language i.e: criminal group. So, I bet “herds” was carefully chosen.
• Racist – only see white people (Another complete boo boo. You can see Aborigine, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc)
• Why the girls driving left handed car (Yes, in Australia the steering wheel is on the right side of a car. This “complain” most probably is just technical matter, for example: after the 4WD is panning from left to right, then zoom in to the inside need to show left to right movement – if the shooting was done on the other side then it create conflict of flow, so they just flip the clip. Maybe- I am not the editor. Also other alternative explanation, since it’s a desert, the rental company can provide left handed car for overseas tourist – in short – not a big deal)
• Copying Discovery Channel Ad “Boom De Ah Dah” – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0 (Have a look at that ads, yes the flow and the framework is the same but nothing in the content is similar, not the song, not the text, not the scene. This is not copying, this is call “adaptation” – Obviously the creative team agreed that Discovery Channel Ad is very suitable for this campaign and just work their adaptation.
• Copying Mickey Mouse theme song – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZoKsU0OAQ (The only similarity probably just the last 3 bar. But that ending (note sequence and tempo) is very common being used in uplifting and climax ending that will encourage the audience to clap. Probably a few tens of known song use the same ending. Also, since the tune is simple, the chord progression is also similar with many other popular and simple song. The creator of this ad is expert in his field, there is little possibility that he did not know about Mickey Mouse song..) Just another petty critics.

The sad thing is, people make serious comment like “I am embarrass being Australian because of this ad” or “lame” or “idiot” based on those petty factors.

Probably the only critics that missing from the ad is didgeridoo and the snow. Yes, Australia also has snow !

The Real Value

If you really want to judge the ad, then be a foreigner. Say you live in Siberia and consider for a nice holiday then stumble upon this ads, what can you derive by just watching the ads:

Sydney Opera House in the Ad

• Australia is thick with beach culture (surfing, BBQ on the beach, diving, swim with dolphin)
• Multi-cultural society
• Great scenery (desert, archipelago, valley, bushland, etc)
• Exotic indigenous animal (Koala “bear”, Kookaburra, Platypus, Kangaroo, birds, camel, even whale shark)
• The home of the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge (mm apparently you can climb on it, I’ll try that…)
• Winery, pub and sport culture – also music culture (the tenor singer and concert outside Sydney Opera house)
• People so relax, casual and friendly
• Funny and humorous ads – not serious boring ads.
• And the tune is catchy (Try just hear the ads 2 times, and it will come back to you when you are just doing nothing)
• Catchy simple slogan “There’s nothing like Australia”
• And what’s that fabulous firework ???

Now, if a 90second ads can give all of the above, I would say it’s quite bloody good ads !

To tell you the truth, the first time I hear and watch this ads, after having a small laugh and giggle  on the content, I burst into tears after that final cresendo, full with proud and awe that I can call Australia home.

Just wait until this ad runs during the world cup break where Australia united behind Socceroos, this would become unofficial national anthem that people will sing !! You betcha !

Want to try to watch it again?

Visit: australia.com for further info about traveling to Australia.

My mother is the best
She cooks delicious food
Like restaurant  make it

My mother is the best
She cuts all our hair
As barber and hair stylist

My mother is the best
She teaches driving all 4 sons
As the only female in the house

My mother is the best
She takes care our garden well
Orchids, tomato and mango grow

My mother is the best
She bakes like professional
Cookies, bread , cake? Piece of cake

My mother is the best
She fixes the plumbing at our place
Even not all the male can’t do

My mother is the best
She lectures accounting and finances in uni
Even she was an architect before

My mother is the best
She makes money while asleep
As the share pass profit target

My mother is the best
She loves kids dearly
Even my daughter adore her

My mother is the best
Now that she has grand children
She still as energetic as before
She is still my great mother
She is my super mother.

Happy Mother’s Day !

A few years back, after living in Australia for a while (I was born and raised in Indonesia), I and family have a chance to go visit Bali. And there sitting on the sand of Kuta beach, I left with my mind wondering: why fellow Aussie so keen to go to Kuta beach. I mean, compare to Bondi Beach, Manly or Coogee – the beach and surrounding itself – Kuta is not better than local beach at home. Some worse: no privacy (try to sit somewhere on the beach and every 10 minutes, people will approach you to sell something) and the beach is  not that pristine (check the sand and water). Yes, I am talking the public beach area – much better in private/hotel area.

But no later after walking around on those shops and hotels in Legian Street, I realized that much more is on offer at Kuta: cheap shopping, massage on the beach, dirt cheap rent a car, cheap beer, lively pub, extravagance traditional art and culture. So, just come with friends or family, it will be an unforgettable tremendous experience.

Travel to Indonesia

1. It’s much more crowded – get used to it

Comparing Sydney and Jakarta (both the largest city in the country): Sydney (4+ million population) is 5 x larger than Jakarta (20+million population), but have 5 x less people. So, if you go a shopping mall in Sydney and see 20 people on site, you would see 100+ people in Jakarta. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just something that you need to comfortable with.

2. Foreign tourists stand out from the crowd

If you are Caucasian, probably you would expect this. But this also apply to any race and color of skin. Indian, Malaysian or Filipino are probably the closest look with similarity to local, but remember item (1) above. Since it’s crowded and all of this crowd pretty much behave and act in similar “usual” way, any foreign tourist will stand out in the crowd.

3. Pricing: almost across the board 2 tiers pricing: for local and for foreigner. (But still cheap!)

It’s not fair, but that’s the reality. Try to go to a hotel and ask the stand by rate, say you are quoted US$40 (US$ is common denomination for tourist destination) per night – which is pretty much already very cheap for your standard. But try to ask a local to ask the rate for the same room, probably they will be quoted Rp 150,000,- which convert to just above US$15. Not only that, even at some local tourist destination where you need to pay “Entrance Fee”, do not shock if you see official price that different between local and foreigner. That $30 massage on the beach, the local will only pay $5. That cheap $15 Quick Silver T-shirt ? It’s only $3 for local. (Yes, even it was ticketed).

As resident in a country that have higher living cost, you should just accept this situation and consider that your money will boost the local economy more. Probably even proud that you contribute more to local businessmen/businesswoman. But if you cannot take this, my advise would be: get local that you trust (local staff employee, friends, or even your pen pal that you pursue especially for this) -or- get use to bargain down every offer (aim to get at least 50% or cheaper than the original offer) .

4. You have more money than local.

Probably related to item (3), but if someone is very friendly, the chance are they are after your money. Don’t take it all negative, only a very few criminal that all is actually try to rob you or rip you off in direct way, most of them is expecting that you trust them enough, then they can provide some service to you with generous tip – or similar at that ball park.

For example: just collecting your baggage at Airport, you will be greeted by troops of porter that offer their help to carry your bags. Just ask a firm price for their service before they touch or take your bag. Otherwise, you will need to pay whatever they want or your bag will not be returned. (Remember they probably have many supporting friend there)

If you study some sociology about Indonesia, you will know that the living standard of most the people is low. The disparity between the rich and poor is very big gap. 80-90% of the nation economy is controlled by only a bunch of people. So, the rich is super rich but the rest is not that fortunate. So, knowing that you are a tourist (see item (2) above) – the economical motivation can make people do anything at all if the price is right.

5. Driving? Just forget it

Not only requires International Driving License (or local license), you will be astounded by the amount of motor cycle on the street. Changing lane will be a huge task  as the more you give sign, the more people will not give way. The one who braver will get the way. So, it’s very easy to have minor accident. But because of item  (2) and (3) above, you will be end up paying (who is at fault will be determined by who shout louder).

Then come the adventure when you got stop in a traffic’s red light. Beggars, busker with guitar, hawkers selling cigarette and newspaper – even drink will surround your car in almost every traffic light. If you are “”lucky”, some criminal with red axe will just crush your windshield robbing you out in the broad daylight.

I would suggest strongly to just use taxi that you book from phone to move you point to point. Bus, train and other transport , not only crowded, it carries more inconvenience and risk for foreign tourist. Better yet, indulge your journey by organizing a driver together with the car from your hotel for your maximum convenience – it’s not that expensive !

6. Some practical culture different

• Indonesia is tropical country (hot, 30 degree all around), so unless it is in high mountain, the locals is not usually drink alcohol. Alcohol is embraced mainly by the youngster who are not foreign with pub, disco and active night live. So, drinking alcohol and clubbing are not that common and wide spread and these club, pub and disco are commonly judged as “sin place”
• Although probably not in shopping mall and hotels, the toilet sometimes doesn’t have toilet paper. Water, soap and bucket instead. So, in your wallet: a facial tissue and wet tissue would be very handy if it’s always there.
• Don’t get offended if in some restaurant, they use toilet paper on the table (with some enclosures) as your serviettes.
• Kissing and romancing in public is kind of taboo – and starting 2008,you may get yourself charged breaking the controversial “anti pornography” law doing so – be careful with your swim suit as well.
• Eating is with fork (on left hand) and spoon (right hand) . Doing otherwise will be judged “silly” -  knife is only “there” in good restaurant  or available upon request.

And final item. Before book your ticket , or at least before go to airport, make sure to read the latest current affairs and advisory maintained by Australian Federal Government about Travel to Indonesia in here: Smart Traveler’s website.

This article is by no mean try to scare you, instead by knowing all of above, you will be more prepare and have more fabulous journey. Don’t treat this as rule, but when it happen you know why.
“Selamat Jalan !”

One of the negative effect if the living cost is relatively very high compare to other city in Australia. Although Sydney is still in top cities in the world to live in (rank 10 according to 2009 Mercer Quality of Living Survey), there are significant price that you need to pay to call yourself “Sydneysider”.

Beautiful Sydney Harbour

Note: all cost will be calculated to yearly figure (1 year = 52 weeks) then all converted to monthly figure.

The Biggest Continuing Living Cost: Accommodation

As bachelor (student included), you cheapest alternative is to “share accommodation” with other bachelor/family. This usually a bedroom for yourself and share everything else (share kitchen, share lounge room, share bedroom – if your bedroom is not equipped with bedroom) – all electricity gas and internet broadband usually included in the weekly rent.

A share accommodation near university or city will cost you on average about $300 per week (highly depended on all the “perks” included).

As couple with or without family, the cheapest accommodation arrangement is to rent 1 bedroom unit (“unit” means “apartment”) or 2 bedrooms unit. In Sydney, the common rental market will be “unfurnished” property – meaning the unit will be rented without furniture. The one usually included in the rental are: kitchen cupboard and stove, dryer, dishwasher(not always) and washing machine (sometimes) only. The rest, you need to buy for yourself and move it along with you as you move to new address. The contract is minimum 6 months (you cannot break the contract unless you pay the whole period or find replacement) – but usually 12 month is the norm.

A decent 2 bedroom units around 30 minutes drive from city cost you on average about $400 per week.

Fully furnished apartment is not common and if there is, usually you will pay premium – beside the hassle that you will be liable if you damaged the furniture.

One bedroom apartment is relatively cheaper than 2 bedroom, but they are harder to find, hence the difference with 2 bedroom usually only $20 – $30 per week which make you consider the 2 bedrooms unit more spacious and has more value for your money.

Renting a free standing house is generally will be around $150 per week more expensive compare to unit. But you have your own backyard/frontyard, can have pet (dog, cat), better lifestyle (you can have BBQ every week with friends), etc

To rent a property you will need to go to a real estate agent (exist almost in every corner of business center), fil some forms and provide 4 – 6 weeks rental as deposit/security or “bond money“. Some reference check and official ID. The payment is weekly or fortnightly in advance.

Buying an apartment/unit for migrant will be a more difficult unless you have the money to buy it outright or just borrow small portion of the money. Currently, thanks to the Global Financial Crisis, you will need roughly 25% of the price to cover for deposit and cost. Meaning, a $400,000 2-bedroom units, you need to have $100,000 cash in a bank and borrow the rest. Then you need to show proof of income (Australia’s employer), proof of saving, credit history, etc. And you need to be permanent resident or citizan. Otherwise your purchase need to be approved by FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) – means: more cost and paperwork.

For more detail estimate of your particular area/suburb, you can start with http://www.domain.com.au/ or http://www.realestate.com.au/

Utility Bill: Water, Gas, Electricity

If you rent a property, the water bill is paid by landlord (so you don’t pay water bill) – but you still need to pay electricity and gas. Some older unit don’t have gas service which will be a disadvantage as gas is cheaper than electricity. Mainly during winter where you need to have heater. Gas heater will have significantly lower running cost compare to electric heater. The same applies to stove for cooking. Choose unit with gas if possible.

Gas and Electricity are billed per quarter (every 3 months). For gas it would be about $100 per quarter (depends really on usage) and For electricity is around $300 per quarter.

For more detail about Electricity and Gas you can start with AGL., Energy Australia or Integral Energy.

So here is the comparison so far:

First Capital Expenditure

Now that you have a place to live, then you need to look at one off capital expenditure that you need to buy.

First of all will be furniture: bed, dining table, some chairs, study table, cupboard and sofa. That’s basic item that you need to have. For 2 bedroom apartments, you can fill out your empty units with as low as around $2000 (check out Fantastic Furniture home starter package) but the quality will not the very best. You can buy more decent basic furniture for about $5000 for 2 bedrooms.

Next to furniture is some electronic basic item that you will definitely need them: TV, Fridge, Vacuum Cleaner and some kitchen goodies.

The other item that really important considering Sydney is a very big place and the public transport – although much cheaper than last year now – thanks to new myzone ticketing system – is still not up to scratch. Having a family car is not a luxury in Sydney – perhaps more a necessity. To see more detail about having a car in Sydney, read: Sydney Living Cost 2010: Car Ownership Expenses

Food & Groceries

If you cook most of your meal by yourself (or your spouse), then family of four (with 2 school kids) will need at least around $500 monthly. Dine out will cost you around $10 – $15 per person. More fancy restaurant can cost you around $25-35 per person. So, with 2 dine out a month you need to spare at least $100 extra.

In Australia, although duo-poly from the 2 major supermarkets: Woolworth and Coles Supermarket still a dominant factor, many smaller player especially Aldi (soon: Costco) have already giving consumer much cheaper grocery prices.

Transportation Cost

If you have a car , the cost of transport is roughly around $6000 per year – see Sydney Living Cost 2010: Car Ownership Expenses – The public transport has been quite overhauled for the last 3 month or so – now with around $48 per week (or around $2000 per year) per person, you can basically do unlimited travel around Sydney metropolitan area. See MyZone ticketing system. Of course it could be cheaper depending on the method of transport and area that you want to travel.

For this article, I assume within a family a parent will drive a car and the other one use public transport.

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