My 4th year volunteering at the Million Paws Walk (http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/). This year the event was held at Sydney Olympic Park Showground. I saw Laing+Simmons (http://www.laingsimmons.com.au/) organised a corporate group at the event. There were many dogs, ferrets, birds, and humans. A horse called George, participated in this year's event ! The walk was held up for reasons unknown to us. I was posted to the Certificate booth and we weren't issued walkie-talkie for Marshalls this year. But, despite the wait, all dogs and owners enjoyed their walk.

Packed an overnight bag and armed with an oversized hairdryer, I took the weekend off to Canberra with some knitery friends yo get Warped and Twisted (http://www.abc.net.au/canberra/stories/s1100034.htm )!

Spent Easter Sunday late morning till early afternoon at the Fairfield Showground where the the VW National 2006 event was held. The event was mainly organised by clubvw. At the show, you get to see VW and Audi, classics and new models. Varies enthusiasts will display their works of art (as in, restoration projects etc etc). Robert picked up some accessories for Bug at the SwapMeet. It's $10 per adult to enter (up from $8 last year). Nonetheless, we had a fun time at the show !

Took advantage of the Good Friday and Easter weekend and went around the North-Inner West of NSW. The highlight of this trip was the 'cello concert at Jenolan Caves. Within 2 days and 1 night, we packed in stopped over at Wollombi (passed Warkworth, Jerry Plains, Denman, Baerami, Kerrabee, Bylong, Wollar, Cumbo, Cooyal, Budgee Budgee, Buckaroo and Eurenduree) Mudgee, Sofala, Oberon, and Jenolan Caves.

It is the time of the year again - Chinese New Year ! As with the last two years (and many of the previous years before that), I am visiting my parents again at home in Malaysia (or risk being disowned). This time, Robert is joining me and it's his first time meeting my parents ! This will be a good opportunity for Robert to experience what Chinese New Year is like with a Chinese family that celebrates the new year in an almost not so traditional Chinese ways. Chinese New Year ("春節/春节" Chūnjíe or "農曆新年/农历新年" Nónglì Xīnnián) - also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holiday. This 2006 in the Chinese Lunar calendar, is the year of Dog. All ethnic Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Mongolians and Maos, celebrate this new season for the first 15 days of the Chinese new year. According to the Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year starts on the 1st day of the new year containing a new moon and ends on the Lantern Festival 14 days later. This occurs around the time of the full moon as each lunation is about 29.53 days in duration. The week leading up to the New Year is the most important; everyone gets ready for the celebration with shopping of food, clothes, "spring cleaning" of house, etc. On the Eve of the Chinese New Year, family gathers around to have reunion dinner. For those who live away from home, like me, will travel back to join everyone at home for this important event.

Woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to get ready for my very first Lotus Experience at Oran Park. Robert and I set off from The Comenarra Park Way, Thornleigh and headed West towards Camden, where Oran Park race track is. We arrived at Oran Park slightly after 8am due to heavy traffic along the way. The day started slightly slower than usual as Paul Pickett (Managing Director of MoPro) explained they had a power failure that morning. My Lotus Experience started off with a brief but comprehensive and concise briefing by Paul to a 16 bunch of us. Paul's briefing was about handling the Lotus, safety and courtesy driving on the race tracks, tips and tricks on maneuvering the track corners, and race flag meanings. We were then taken for a ride with an instructor for 2 laps around the track. Our instructors today were Paul Pickett, Richard Buttrose, Azim Sahu-Khan, Michael Goode, and Robert Franklin - and my instructor was Robert *grin*. Thereafter, we were given a demonstration leap frog session where we followed Micheal in a Lotus and he showed us where to brake on the track. Then the real fun began, 3x15 min sessions where I got to drive the Lotus Elise around the ract track ! Robert came in the car with me throughout all my sessions giving me constant coaching and tips. The Lotus, as Paul explained, can be a very dangerous weapon and yet a very forgiving car if we know how to handle and treat her with respect. Towards my last session, Robert thought I did pretty good, and was picking up skills of a race car driver *wink* ! Throughout my Lotus Experience, the crew of MoPro worked tiredlessly and effortlessly to ensure we had fun. I was definitely treated like a race car prima dona by all at MoPro. The crew even repaired race cars quickly to ensure that no one missed their rides ! Then not forgetting Michelle and Josie, who prepared refreshments and lunch to fill those hungry stomachs after all that adrenaline pumps ! I could do this forever - the day off from work and the travel to Oran Park was definitely worth the while - I wouldn't give this a miss for anything else ! If you want to experience a Lotus Elise race cars (yes ! smell the tires smoking on the tracks, engine reving hot, adreneline pumping through your veins - MoPro's drive days offer you just the perfect opportunity ! For 2006 Drive Days, Check out MoPro's website (www.lotustrophy.com.au), or contact Paul or Julie on +612 9681 2929 !

Jenolan Caves is situated west of Sydney, through the Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Mt. Victoria on the Great Western Highway. Shortly after Victoria Pass, the Jenolan Caves turnoff is found just past the village of Hartley. Turning left, this road passes through Hampton and finally Jenolan Caves. The drive from Sydney (in a 1964 Bug) took almost 3 hours. The Caves is managed by a self funding organisation, Jenolan Caves Reserve which derives its revenue from cave tours and other activities. Jenolan Caves was the first tourist attraction in Australia, first used by visitors in 1838. There are altogether 300 caves, of which 13 are currently opened to public for tour. Upon arriving at the Caves, we were given the Jenolan Passports, a booklet with an overview of most of the cave tours at Jenolan. Tours are categorised under fitness level, length of inspection and duration hours. We saw the Temple of Baal in 1.5 hours, covering 365m of caves underground.

My very first experience out at a car race, complete with Lotus', V8's, race tracks, racing car drivers, flag babes, everything ! It was awesome - better than watching the cars race on TV, you get to actually feel the vibration of the loud engine sound the cars made ! I would give anything a miss for this one ! To race in a Lotus, go here for Chance of a Lifetime : http://www.lotustrophy.com.au

Went on a 2-day trip to West of NSW, passing by Bathurst first, then Parkes to visit the Parkes' CSIRO Radio Telescope, spent the night at Dubbo and then proceeded to Dubbo zoo the next morning before heading back to Sydney. I believe this could be the longest trip in a car I've ever taken !

The Entrance, a popular holiday and fishing spot is named after its location at the Tasman Sea entrance of the Tuggerah Lakes. It is located 99km North of Sydney via The Newcastle Freeway. Everyday at approximately 3:30pm (Winter season), pelicans (wild) are regularly fed at the Waterfront. The Pelican Feeding Officers present an educational talk while feeding the pelicans. The general public can donate their coins to the Pelican Feeding - the proceeds go to buying fish for the pelicans.