No Xmas party in Sydney for 2009

No xmas party last year and no Xmas party for this year.

Cost of dental cleaning in Sydney

Dental expenses in Australia

This are just sample fees to expect.  Prices may vary depending on your dentist.

Amount   Description
$45.00      Oral examination
$95.00      Removal of calculus
$50.00      Remineralizing - Oral Tx

----------

$ 185.00 (Php 7,955)   /  1AUD = 43.00 pesos  (exchange rate)

Service provided last for about 20mins.  I did not pay anything as it was covered by Private health insurance and  GAP was  discounted by the dentist.

Dental cleaning is normally covered 100% by the private health insurance and can be discounted by the dentist.

41 degrees in Sydney. Flood in Melbourne

Claim medical receipts to your Private Health Fund

You may be able to claim back a portion of your medical expenses to your private health fund.




Example scenario:

Vaccine for Hepa(Engerix) comprise of 3 shots for the span of 6 months

- 1 shot cost about $26.75

- 2nd shot scheduled on the 3rd months cost $26.75

- 3rd shot scheduled on 6th months cost $26.75

$26.75 x 3 = $80.25

----

According to health fund (NIB), they can give back only in excess of 36.90(Government PBS).

$80.25 - $36.90 = $43.35 claim back from Private health fund (Not bad).




This is one of the benefits in getting a private health fund but again it probably depends on the cover you chose.

HP laptop hardware issues - Not a Ha-Py customer

Everyone, please check the model of your HP laptop if it is included in the list of models HP sold that has defective hardware/ bad design that is waiting to fail.

Refer to this website -> HP limited warranty

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c01087277#

GOOD news: HP will repair it for FREE

BAD news: They only repair it for FREE if it is within the first 2 years after you bought the laptop.

In my case, the issue appear just right after the 2 year period and they refuse to repair the laptop.  I only knew about the known hardware issue when I search why my HP laptop failed to boot and to my surprise that it was a known published on HP website. I wouldn't know there was a known issue on my HP laptop until I did a search on the internet.

Bought for about  1k+ USD about 27 months ago. Now, the laptop is just an over price paper weight.

If they sold a defective hardware, they should recall the product or fix it for free even if the warranty has ended as they sold a "defective" product.

Frustration with HP support:

Called HP support - not helpfull at all. Passed fom one support personel to another. Ask for their team leader or manager to escalate the issue and the person I spoke to REFUSED as he said that there is no one there to tlak to escept for him. I can't believe HP has this kind of support.

They ask me to go to a third party HP repair center in Prospect NSW as it is the only HP repair center for non-warranty product for laptop in Sydney. I called them up and they said that they will assess the problem and they will charge me about $150 AUD. What? assess the issue? it is on their website that the issue is a defectie product, a KNOWN issue and they would liek to assess the problem and charge me $150? If there are parts the needs to be replace, I have to pay extra.

Hundreds of people around the world is complaining about this known hardware issue of certain models of HP laptop as I read from the HP forum.

Frustration one after another from the HP support.

With this experience, I do not recommend HP laptops or any HP products if they continue with such service to their customers.

I experience buying a defective digital camera from Canon. They recall all the products and replace it without any hassle. In my case, they were not able to repair the camera on time and what they did is they lend me a digital camera that I can use until they fixed my camera. They were not able to repair my camera for whatever reason. They as kme to return the camera they lend me and they replace my defective camera with a newwer model.

Buying Badminton Racket in Sydney

Found this website where to buy cheaper badminton racket in Sydney:

Comparison between Rebel Sport and StrungOut


StrungOut:
Yonex Muscle Power 5 Badminton Racquet (cost $56.50)
http://www.strungout.com.au/p/888914/yonex-muscle-power-5-badminton-racquet.html

Rebel Sport:
Yonex Muscle Power 5 Badminton Racquet (cost $79.99)
http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=29947&cat=229


I find the badminton racket at StrungOut is cheaper than in Rebel Sports.Maybe you can checkout the StrungOut website/shop and compare sporting goods prices before buying.
You may get lucky if you can negotiate the price with Rebel Sport once you tell them that you found another shop that is selling at a cheaper price.
- Make sure there is stock with the same model that you are planning to buy.
- Get the phone number as Rebel Sport need to call the shop to confirm the price and if they have current stocks.

StrungOut Information:
Ph: 02 9360 9905
137 Bayswater Road
Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011
AUSTRALIA


Let me know if you know other shops that sells cheaper badminton racket ot sporting goods.

Oz second best place to live on Earth

Reference:

http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Annual United Nations human development latest index released.
This year's index was based on data from 2007 and does not take into account the impact of the global economic crisis.

Very high Human Development

1. Norway


2. Australia


3. Iceland


4. Canada


5. Ireland


6. Netherlands


7. Sweden


8. France


9. Switzerland


10. Japan

Medium Human Development

84. Armenia
85. Ukraine
86. Azerbaijan
87. Thailand
88. Iran (Islamic Republic of)
89. Georgia
90. Dominican Republic
91. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
92. China
93. Belize
94. Samoa
95. Maldives
96. Jordan
97. Suriname
98. Tunisia
99. Tonga
100. Jamaica
101. Paraguay
102. Sri Lanka
103. Gabon
104. Algeria
105. Philippines

Electricity bill charges - Energy Australia

How they compute the charges of the electricity bill:

This reading - Last Reading = Energy used x Usage split x rate  = cost
Plus Elec SAC
Plus 10% GST

Example:
34252 - 33039 = 1,213kWh x 15.6c = $189.23

Electricity Service Availability Charge (SAC)
Days covered x Rate
85                     x 39.00c  / day  = $33.15

====

$189.23
+

$33.15
----------
$222.38
+

$ 22.23 (10% GST)
----------
$244.68  (85 days elec bill)

Rates: Energy Australia
15.60 cents per kWh
39.00 cents per day (SAC)

Grocery Price watch – September 2009

List of grocery items for the month of August to give an idea of how each item cost.
Amount    Item                                                      Store
2.97         strawberries 250g / 3 @ 0.99ea       Aldi
1.25         bananas 1.26kg @ 0.99/kg                 Aldi
3.50         spam canned 340g                              Coles
4.85         maggi noodles 68g / 0.97ea x 5         Coles
4.19         neoguri udon 5pcs                                Chinese Shop
2.50         golden circle pineapple 825g             Coles
7.80         Canola cooking oil 2L                          Coles
2.46         pringles potato chip 190g                  Coles

Exchange rate: $1AUD = Php 41.10

Sydney sky turns RED

I woke up this morning and notice that it was bright red outside and it is only 6am. It feels like I was in Mars like in the movie Total Recall.

I was coughing all the way to the station. Seats on the train was also covered with red dust. View is almost zero visibility when the train cross the Harbour Bridge on the way to work at around 7:15am. Reminds me of Mt Pinatubo eruption.

Photo taken around 6:30am on my way to the train station.

Photo taken around 7:15am on the way to work while train crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

5pcs of corn for $2.00

The cheapest corn(whole) I ever bought was 5pcs for $2.00 at Coles Super market.

It still has the ear leaves and silks.

BEER price comparison

Lager in Australia is $5.9 AUD (Average)

Popular brands
Carlton Draught,VB,tooheys

-------------

Lager in Philippines is $1.65 AUD (average)

Popular brands
San Miguel,San Mig,San Miguel Light

-------------

Source:  http://www.pintprice.com

Exchange rate:  $1.00 AUD = PhP41.00

FOUR Season

March to April and October to November is the most suitable time to visit Sydney. The temperature is around 25° C.

FOUR Season

Spring: September to November
Temperature from 13° C(night)  to 22° C (day).

Summer: December to February
The hottest period. Temperature from  21° C to as high as 35-40° C.

Autumn: March to May
Average temperature of 25° C.

Winter: June to August
Temperature from 5° C to 20° C.

Biggest Wine at Hunter Valley

 

Biggest Wine

Hunter Valley Garden

Visiting Gold Coast Beaches

 

Surfers Paradise

 

Kirra Beach

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Location: Circular Quay
Shop 10, Opera Quays
3 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Milk chocolate & hazelnut torte ($13.50)
Devil’s food cake with Guylian milk chocolate & hazelnut praliné ganache

 

Guylian chocolate special ($8.00)
Guylian house coffee with chocolate & whipped cream

 

BELGIAN WAFFLES ($15.00)
Served with Guylian praliné ice cream and Guylian chocolate dip

Presentation.. presentation.. presentation... Something doesn't look right with the presentation of this belgian waffle. I could mistakenly think the ice cream on top of the waffle for something else.

Eye in the Sky

Photo taken while on a moving car going to Sydney CBD

September 8 - Birthday of Virgin Mary

The Angelus (Latin for Angel) is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation.

------------------------

V. The angel of the Lord announced unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it unto me according to your Word.

Hail Mary...

V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

------------------------

Learners Drivers License

Getting a Learners License:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/gettingalicence/car/learners/

Pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) to get a Learners drivers license. It cost $37 for each attempt. You can book your DKT online at myTests.

You can get your Learners ID ($21) once you pass the test(DKT).
It is an advantage to get the Learners ID as it will serve as a valid identification aside from your passport. This way, you don't have to bring your passport with you all the time for identification purposes.

Fees:
Driver Knowledge Test $37 each attempt
Learner's  ID $21

You have to put the "Yellow L plate" (shows in the photo) in front and at the back of your car everytime you drive.

Man-ly

Man standing appreciating the greatness of nature.

Photo was taken at Manly beach.

Catching a train to work is cheaper

Train fare cost $36.00 valid for 7 days. (distance 21kms)
Driving a small car cost $132.00 per week. (distance 21kms)

Compare driving costs:
-----------------
The costs to drive a car to/from work( 21kms one way) would be:

Type                     Cost per year      Cost per week
Small Cars           $6,340                  $132
Medium Cars       $8,597                  $179
Large Cars           $9,671                   $201
4 WD                     $10,077               $210

Vehicle operating costs courtesy of NRMA (June 2007). Costs includes registration, fuel, tyres, service and repairs, insurance and depreciation and are based on the national average distance of 15,000 kilometres per annum over 5 years. Operating costs in each vehicle category vary according to make/model. The average has been used for each category.

Reference: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/fare_calculator.htm
-----------------

Place of interest: Australian War Memorial (Part 2)

Mark IV Tank - "Grit"

Place of interest: Australian War Memorial (Admission is FREE)

Avro Lancaster Mk I Bomber 'G for George'

P-40E Kittyhawk A29-133, “Polly”

Australian War Memorial
Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade)
Campbell ACT 2612
AUSTRALIA

Australian War Memorial Map

Admission to the Memorial is free

Cost of Remedial Massage

Remedial Massage and Accupuncture are eligible for most Health Fund benefits and Workers Compensation claims.

Cost: Remedial Massage

- $44.00    1/2 hour

- $ 80.00    1 hour

Usually, you have to pay for the service (out-of-pocket) and they will provide you a receipt. You show the receipt to your Health Fund to claim it back.

Make sure the receipt includes the following information:

- Date

- Your Name (customer)

- Amount paid

- Name of service provided (ex: 1/2 hr Remedial Massage)

- Name and address of provider

- Name of the person who conduct the service

- Association member number



Health Fund needs to validate that above information before you can claim.

Not decided how to claim back my out-of-pocket. Should I mail my claim or visit the Health Fund office.

After few days, I decided to visit the Health Fund office to take my claim.

I show my Health Fund ID and the actual receipt. They validate the provider is registered, paid my claim and took the original receipt.

Place of interest: Parliament House in Canberra

Parliament House
Canberra  ACT 2600 Australia

Parliament House is open:
* on sitting days (see below)- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 8.30am till 5.00pm
* all other days - from 9.00am to 5.00pm every day except Christmas Day when Parliament House is closed

Place of interest: Bald Hill, Stanwell Park NSW

Paragliding and Hang-gliding at Bald Hill, Stanwell Park NSW

Grocery Price watch – August 2009

List of grocery items for the month of August to give an idea of how each item cost.


Amount
Item
Store
$ 1.99
berri lemon squeeze 500ml
Coles
$ 0.76
brushed potatoes .767kg @ .99/kg
Coles
$ 0.99
coles bread rolls 6pack
Coles
$ 2.39
smartbuy cage eggs 600g
Coles
$ 1.79
cabbage plain .899ea @ 1.99/ae
chinese shop
$ 1.09
sb coles bread white 650g
Coles
$ 1.25
carrots 1kg
Coles
$ 1.03
snow peas .172kg @ 5.98/kg
Coles
$ 2.21
seedless watermelon 2.28kg @ .99/kg
Coles
$ 3.29
frozen corn cob 1kg
Aldi
$ 3.49
frozen peacarrcorn 1kg
Aldi
$ 4.09
cheese shred 500g
Aldi
$ 4.00
osso bucco .730kg @ 5.49/kg
chinese shop
$ 0.88
choko .295kg @ 2.99/kg
chinese shop
$ 2.01
ampalaya .335kg @ 35.99/kg
chinese shop
$ 1.79
sb coles ground black 100g
Coles
$ 1.55
saxa salt cooking 1kg
Coles

Grrrr...... Catwoman at Warner Bros Gold Coast

Catwoman at Warner Bros Gold Coast

Gold Coast encounter with Scooby

Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang

Warner Bros. Movie World is located on Australia's Gold Coast, just a 20 minute drive north of Surfers Paradise and 45 minutes south of Brisbane.

Address:
Pacific Hwy
Oxenford QLD 4210
(07) 5573 3999

Gold Coast: Wet'n'Wild Water World

Wet'n'Wild Water World is located next to Warner Bros. Movie World on the M1 Pacific Motorway, 20 km north of Surfers Paradise and 50 km south of Brisbane.

Giant Wave Pool

Tornado

Visiting a Physio cost me $60.00

I decided to visit a physio because of my neck pain (for several days).

The therapist gave me some lectures (blah..blah..) about the spinal cord that could have cause the pain on my neck. Then massages my neck and shoulder, gave me few tips about proper posture (which more or less I already knew) and told me that the pain should ease in a few days else, I was ask to come back for another session.

Cost: $60.00 per consultation (I am not coming back)

Consultation last for about 30-40mins.

Place of interest: Visting The Gap

The Gap

Location: Watsons Bay, Sydney, Australia

How to get there: If you're going by bus, catch the 324 from Circular Quay. Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from the Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. The Gap is a few minutes walk from the wharf.

Place of interest: Sydney Opera House

 

Sydney Opera House

How much is pandesal in Sydney

Sample prices in Sydney:

Pandesal:
- $3.00 / 1 dozen

Spanish Bread:
- $0.70 each
- $8.00 / 1 dozen

Ensaymada:
- $0.70 each
- $8.00 / 1 dozen

Current exchange rate:  1AUD = P39.90

Place of interest: Visiting Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's most famous landmarks. Completed in 1932.

BridgeClimb, the ultimate way to experience Sydney. The Bridge Climb or The Discovery Climb reach the summit of this world famous bridge, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour and are available at Dawn, Day, Twilight or Night.

Place of interest: Kiama Blowhole

Kiama Blowhole

What is a blowhole? (Excerpts from Wikipedia)

A blowhole is formed as caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface , which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate. The Kiama Blowhole (Kiama, New South Wales, Australia) is believed to be the world's largest blowhole.

Tow Truck

Have you experience riding on an airplane? How about a boat? bus, car, taxi, jeepney, roller coaster..... - yes!

How about a tow truck? Not many people got the chance to ride in a tow truck and it could be one of those uncomfortable experiences.

I got the chance to ride on a tow truck and I experience it first time in Sydney. It wasn't that bad after all. I actually enjoy the experience.

One of the car over heat at Goulburn on our way back to Sydney from Snowy Mountain. We stop by at Goulburn Big Merino. We called NRMA and NRMA arrive in about 45mins and assess the condition of the car. NRMA declared not to run the car anymore and requested a tow truck to deliver the car to Sydney. NRMA is suppose to look for a rent a car for us to use in going back to Sydney. Unfortunately, NRMA says that they cannot find an available rent a car in that area as it was Sunday and most rent a car service are only open half day on Sunday. Great, what do we do now? How can we go back to Sydney?

NRMA suggested that, if it's ok for us to ride in the tow truck as the tow truck can accomodate up to 6 passenger.
No choice but to say yes as if we have other option to get back to Sydney.

Tow truck arrive 1hr and 30 minutes later as it pick up another customer car that broke down in Canberra.

The tow tuck already have one car on top of the trailer and our car was attached at the back of the tow truck.
2 passengers seat next to the driver and 5 of us squeeze in at the back.

I was amaze how the tow truck can still run around 100-110kms per hour on the expressway.  Crazy....

Place of interest: Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower - Observation Deck + OzTrek + Skywalk

Sydney Tower
Centrepoint Podium Level,
100 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Place of interest: Sydney Olympic Park

 

Sydney 2000 Olympic Cauldron

 

BrickPit Ring walk

The Ring Walk is an elevated circular walkway that allows visitors to access and view the Brickpit from above while preserving the habitat of the endangered Green and Golden Bell frog.

 

ne of the stadium in Sydney  Olympic Park

House of Tongs

"Tongs" is the term they use in Australia for slippers.

This photo was taken somewhere in Sydney South.

Frozen

This photo was taken at Cooma NSW where we stayed for the night before going to Snowy Mt. (Mt Selwyn) the next day.

Dental expenses in Australia

This are just sample fees to expect. Prices may vary depending on your dentist.

Amount   Description
$55.00       Oral examination
$100.00    Removal of calculus
$50.00      Remineralizing
$40.00      Single x-ray film
$155.00    Filling
$35.00      Pulp cap

Dental cover are not usually covered by Government health fund (Medicare) but I heard that there are public dental clinic who offer free tooth extraction and cleaning for free but you have to book and may take time to get a schedule.

Getting your own private health fund is beneficial as it has health covers that you cannot claim at Medicare.
Having a private health fund may also help prevent paying extra during tax filing. (Refer to ATO website regarding Medicare Levy and Loading)

Dental examination, removal of calculus and remineralizing are usually covered 100% by private health funds.
Some percentage were covered for tooth extractions,filling and other services but again it depends on your coverage.

Talk to your private health fund for details about your coverage.

Gold Coast: Motorized surfboard

Surfing without the waves on your yellow polka dot surfboard.

How cool is that!

Gold Coast: Aquaduck

Aquaduck is an amphibious Aquabus (interesting....)

Tour around GoldCoast both on land and water without even leaving your seat.

Things you need to do as soon as you arrive in Australia

Things you need to do as soon as you arrive in Australia.

1. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
- You need a Tax File Number (TFN) to receive an income in Australia.
- You can apply for a TFN over the internet at the ATO website.
- ATO is equivalent of BIR in the Philippines

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website
http://www.ato.gov.au/

2. Register with Medicare
- The Australian Government provides help with basic medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare.
- To enroll in Medicare, you should go into a Medicare office 7 to 10 days after your arrival in Australia and bring your passport or travel documents.

Medicare Australia website:
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/


3. Open a bank account
- In Australia, most income including salary or wages and government benefits are paid directly into a bank account.
- You should open a bank account within six weeks of your arrival, as you usually need only your passport as identification. After six weeks you will need extra identification to open an account.

4. Register with Centrelink
- Centrelink contributes to the social and economic outcomes set by government by delivering services to assist people to become self-sufficient and supporting those in need.

Centrelink website:
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/


5. Enrol Your Children in School
Under Australian law, children must attend school until they are 15 years old.

6. Look for job
- Most job application can be done only

Example website:
seek.com.au
mycareer.com.au

7. Apply for a Driver's Licence
- If you are a permanent resident visa holder and have a current driver's licence from another country, in English or with an official translation, you are allowed to drive for your first three months after arrival.
- After the three months, if you want to drive, you will need to have the appropriate driver's licence. This will usually require you to pass a knowledge test, a practical driving test, and an eyesight test.

RTA website:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/

Additional tip: Get a certificate copy of first issuance with LTO specially if you already got a drivers license in the Philippines for more than 3 years so that you can go straight to FULL license once you pass the practical driving test.

Australia Automotive / Driving Links

Government Departments

---------------------------------------

• Road and Traffic Authority road rules and regulations in NSW

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au

• myRTA Online Services

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/myrta/

• Book your driver licence test

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/myrta/mytest/index.html

• Practice RTA Hazard Perception Test

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/hazardperceptiontest/buildyourskills

• Australian Driver Trainers Association (NSW) Ltd

- The representative body of professional driving instructors
http://www.adta.com.au

• Australian Automobile Association

http://www.aaa.asn.au

Buying a Car

---------------------------------------

• Autochic

- Women's driving website
http://www.autochic.com.au

• Drive

- Second hand and new cars
http://www.drive.com.au

• CarSales

- Second hand and new cars
http://www.carsales.com.au

• Cars Guide

http://www.carsguide.com.au

• Trading Post

http://www.tradingpost.com.au

Prices and valuations

---------------------------------------

• Red Book

- Provides pricing and identification data
http://www.redbook.com.au

• Tips for car buyers

http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au

• Yellow pages

http://www.yellowpages.com.au

Green slips
---------------------------------------

• Compare green slips

http://www.maa.nsw.gov.au

Visit your bank and check if you can get a better rate on your savingsaccount

Visit your bank and check if you can get a better rate on your savings account.

If you do not monitor your current savings account interest rate, then you might be left behind with a lower interest rate.

I went to one of my bank branch and tell them that I am not happy with the current interest rate of my savings account (2.75%) compare to the newly advertise promoton for newly open account which is about 4.40%.

I told them that if I do not get a better interest rate, I will be force to move my savings account to somewhere else which provides a higher interest rate.

I was hoping that they will just change the details of my interest rate but said that they cannot do that. (a bit surprised).

Asked for options they can give:

They told me that I should close my current savings account and open a new one to get the current insterest rate of 4.40%. Ok, I agree if that is how I can get a better interest rate.

So I agree to close my account and transfer it to a new savings account with new account number to get the higher interest rate.

Still, I do not understand their purpose of doing such process. It takes more process and a bit of discomfort as they have to give you a new account number.

Process involve:
1. Open a new savings account
2. Transfer all my money from old to new savings account
3. Close old savings account
4. Provide customer a new account number

- If ever you are using this account for auto debit transactions, this would cause a lot of pain to change account number.

I told them that why not just change my interest rate. That way, it will proably take only one step (change interest rate) and then I keep same account number.

Now, I know that I have to keep track of the interest rates of my bank account and what are their new offers.

First Kangaroo I've seen in the wild

This is the photo of the first live kangaroo I've seen in the wild and as close as possible. It is about 4ft tall and 20 meters away from where I was standing.

This is photo was taken at the backyard of Snowtels Caravan Park, Cooma NSW where we stay for the night before going to Mt Selwyn Snowfields the next day.

Taking the Australian Citizenship Test

Processed experienced in taking the Australian Citizenship Test :  (Immi Sydney Central)

1. Arrive 30mins before the test
2. Go to the reception (left side when you enter the main door pm the 4th floor) and advice that you are book for a citizenship test.
3. Receptionist will tell you to come back or wait for awhile while she prints out the booking slip (queue number that includes your Appointment Id #).
4. Once you got your queue number wait until your number appear on the screen or when your number is called.
5. Go to the counter assigned (about 8 counters in City Immi).
6. Present the documents and identification.
7. Immi officer will take a photo.
8. They will inform you if you are already eligible or not.
9. If you are elgiible they will ask you if you want to apply for citizenship after you pass the test.
10. In our case we are not yet eligible (2 yrs required), immi officer will offer how you will apply for citizenship. I choose online application. The officer ask you to fill up the the proof of identity if you are going to apply with in 6 months and they will sign as your character reference on the spot.

Note: If you are going yo apply for citizenship after 6 months, you have to submit the character reference form.

11. Once everything is verified, you will be ask to go to the testing room and present your appointmnet slip.
12. Immi oficer will verify your appointment ID number, will assign you a computer and give you briefing on the test.
13. Once you finish the test, you will see immediately if you pass or fail and inform the immi officer.
14. Immi officer will print out the result of your test whether you pass or fail.
15. If you fail, immi officer will look at the test result and decide if you will be allowed to retake the test.

Note: They may allow one retake else you have to book for another schedule

16. If you pass, you can now go home or go back to the immi officer if you have further question.

Cheapest Hair Salon / haircut

The cheapest men haircut I found round Hurstville NSW is $5.00

Men haircut is about $5 along Diment way corner Forest Road.
Just across Hurstville train station, about 3-5 mins walk. You wont miss their shop as there are signs about $5 haicut.

Women's hair cut is about $8.

Pros:
- Cheapest haircut I can find in Sydney.
- Very convinient if you live around Hurstville area.

Cons:
- May find some difficulty in communicating on what kind of hairstyle you want to look like if you do not speak chinese as most if not all are Chinese hairstylist. (from expereince)
- Haircut for men took only about 5 mins (that quick) to finish.

Bottom line: You get what you paid for

Grocery Price watch - July 2009

Here are some list of grocery items for the month of July to give an idea of how each item cost.

Amount	Items	Store
$ 7.00	tiger prawns / .5kg @ 13.99/kg	haymarket
$ 6.40	tilapia 5.99/kg	haymarket
$ 0.79	shang hai boy .79ea	chinese shop
$ 0.20	chillies long .020kg @ 9.99/kg	chinese shop
$ 1.49	tomatoes 1kg	Aldi
$ 2.39	smartbuy cage eggs 600g	Coles
$ 1.50	coles bread roll 6pack	Coles
$ 0.59	sb coles pasta 500g	Coles
$ 0.78	choko .260kg @ 2.99/kg	chinese shop
$ 0.67	snow peas .075kg @ 8.99/kg	chinese shop
$ 0.64	mung beans .215kg @ 2.99/kg	chinese shop
$ 9.22	breast fillet 1.154kg @ 7.99/kg	Joes Meat
$ 5.00	streets blue ribbon 2L ice cream	Coles
$ 0.98	garlic 4pack	Coles
$ 35.98	Kaset Jasmine rice 17.99/10kg x 2	Coles
$ 0.90	couliflower	Coles
$ 0.39	carrots .197kg @ 1.98/kg	Coles

Cost of living in Sydney, Australia

Idea about cost of living in Sydney, Australia

Assumption:
- the amount provided are calculated assumptions

Monthly Budget: $2000.00



Cost / Desription Details

$300.00/wk   - Rent:  1 bedroom unit
- Rental fees are paid weekly
- Refer to domain.com.au or realestate.com.au to get an idea on how much is the rent in the area

$50.00/wk    - Food: groceries
- take away expenses or dining out in a restaurant is not inlcuded

$150/pq      - Electricity bill:
- Bills are usually paid quarterly
- No water bill if you are renting in a unit as water usage was usually covered by the landlord

$140/mo      - Train fare: Flexipass / good for 30 days
- cheaper to buy momthly train ticket than daily or weekly.
- distance covered is about 30kms

Computation:

300/wk x 52 wks =  15600.00 / 12 months = $1300/month (rent)
50/wk x 52wks = 2600 / 12 months = 216.00/month (groceries)
150/pq x 4 = 600 / 12 months = 50/month (electricity bill)
140/mo (transportation)

1300 + 216.16 + 50 + 140 + 300 (for miscellaneous expenses) = $2006.00

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Total monthly budget = $2000.00 (roughly)
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