The lamps hanging on the ceiling of Cafe Aqua- Elizabeth, South Australia.  The colour reminds me of Santorini, Greece.I've been absent from work for two days now (well, I am physically present because I live on site).  It all started with a sudden pain, and episodal cramps in my upper left abdomen the other day.  After 17 hours of dealing with it, I decided to drive myself to Balaklava Hospital at around five in the morning.  The CT scan films revealed that I have a 2-cm... Basahin pa

My birthday cake specially made by Ate Fely Shumacher.It's been quite a while since I had a birthday party- it was ten years ago right after getting my veterinary license.    I didn't have the plan to celebrate this year, but my Titas in Port Wakefield organized something.  It was supposedly a surprise party but they failed to keep it, so I volunteered to procure a whole roasted pork.  Special thanks to my friends who are working in the piggery farm, we got the size we... Basahin pa

Mt. Buller, Victoria, AUSTRALIAJuly 8 to 13, 2011.  Luckily, I had seven days holiday between (our chicken's) batch 39 and 40.  I, originally, had no plans to escape from the farm during the week- I was simply aiming to raise a certain amount for an important project in the Philippines but the weather forecast in Victoria was so enticing that I failed to resist booking online for my 3-day adventure.      The driver of the horse-driven carriage, Swanston St.,... Basahin pa

The facade of the Freo Market, W.A., AustraliaFebruary 28, 2011.  I was exploring the Fremantle Market (Western Australia) and was expecting to see the local fresh produce of the region but was surprised to discover that there were also arts and crafts, silver jewelries and a few food stalls around.  And in one corner I noticed this boomerang shop.Boomerang Shop.  Fremantle Market, Western AustraliaBoomerang.  I heard this word when I was younger but couldn't understand when... Basahin pa

I missed the blogosphere and I am planning to be back soon.Whether to use the same blog name and theme or to change both is what I am currently considering.  But I already love The Chook-minder's Quill, slash Lens.  After I have gone past the major milestone in this Australian migration highway, this is still me- the chicken farmer.  For more than a month after taking my Australian citizenship oath, nothing has changed really, it has remained as a mere piece of document.And yes I... Basahin pa

The flag, the queen and the coat of arms.Today, the 20th of May 2011 is a very remarkable and memorable day in my life. I attended the Australian citizenship ceremony to do my pledge- the final step in my journey to Australian citizenship. This achievement is 4 years, 4 months, 4 days and 2 hours in the making. The departmental ceremony was very simple. NO guests allowed.  No friends, no family member'just us (a group of ten who were scheduled to take the oath at 10am). There's no chance... Basahin pa

A car for sale in Port Wakefield, definitely NOT the car that Corey wants.  My workmate Corey told me this morning that he was thinking of selling his boat and his motorbike then use the money to get the car that's currently for sale in Pt. Wakefield. "Huhmn!  What's the 'KO-LOR' of that kHAH (as in caR)?"  I asked using my obviously fake Australian accent.   He didn't answer, instead, his forehead skin wrinkled.  Puzzled, he asked me, "What's that'!" Simple, he... Basahin pa

In Australia, I've noticed that during Ash Wednesday celebration Christians would start greeting each other a "Happy Easter!"  Simultaneously, shops and other similar establishments would post this greeting or would exaggeratedly showcase an array of Easter stuffs during the entire length of the Lent.My icing injector broke when I was writing on my mocha cake- the reason why the letters don't look very good.During the Holy Week, the long weekend or public holiday Down Under would start on... Basahin pa

"While I was driving back home from Foodland-Balaklava, I noticed the charm of the railway crossing at Bowmans... at dusk it was boasting of its silhouette against the elegance of the early evening sky!"Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line, Bowmans, South Australia.I survived. We've been very busy in the farm for the past seven days... It's harvest time and we're short of one worker after a workmate didn't turn up one day without notice and decided to forever ignore my calls.It was not a joke to... Basahin pa