Over a year!

What a crazy year it has been. Sorry I haven't updated it lately. There has so much that has happened. Where do I start?

I will write only this and then I will close this blog. James 4:14 ...What is your life? For you are mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Think of this. Think a lot about it, right now, especially if you don't feel the weight of it. It is true. Find that which is right, noble and true and live for it.

You are a vapour a mist and you will disappear soon. Everything else is less important. Go find and discover it! Don't tell God in the end that you wasted it!

What's up?

I guess if you leave it too late to update your blog you will run into trouble updating the blog to contain all the recent events since the last entry. I only want to write something short and sweet but I feel I might have to write a lot. But I will start off my saying what an unreal conference that ACCU 2007 was. I truly believe that I have learnt a lot in my field since starting working in the UK. And I didnt really understand the fuss of Aussies returning back home years later to get better jobs but I understand it now.

I cant wait to come back and talk to some of you about it, especially Bongdo cause I know he will be up for a discussion. So now I have been at HSBC for over a month now. It has been challenging and I enjoy the fact that everyone from top management to lowly developers is committed to delivering something good at the end. I know what will be to come and I feel I will have a good handle on the possible pressures and challenges ahead. I have also been structuring the project's code base and putting in a lot of effort in making sound technical directions and convincing others around me how we should proceed, using daily stand ups, test driven development, using whatever works and general common ( technical or otherwise ) sense. Thanks Giovanni Asproni. BTW go to ACCU - http://www.accu.org

Tamia would have updated a lot of other stuff so definitely visit her link on this same page to see what we *both* have been up to. But I better go now and start shopping. See ya.

Food, Work and ACCU

So it has been a while since I have updated my blog. I guess there is nothing much new to report. I haven't been on holidays since my last entry except our little trip back to Australia to see Tamia's sister get married and of course my mates. That was refreshing but the 20 hour plus flight really screws up your sleeping patterns.

At work things are changing a lot both people and projects. We also have a new intern from Canada Waterloo University, a very smart guy who beat the hordes of applications to his new position to join us in our quest to write better software for the bank. We (my colleague and I) are learning a few things from him and we hope that he is doing the same from us. My six month contract at Barcap recently finished and I extended it for another 2 months to see the development and testing through to end of the phase. I will/should be going to HSBC in May if things goes to the current plan.

I have also joined ACCU because my colleague coerced me in joining and said I should also go to the conference this year, so I will. The greats in the software industry will be there and I am eager to see what will be presented.

The most important thing about this entry is food, as it always is. I found two nice places to eat. One italian and one seafood, both fantastic places. So if you ever decide to visit and want to know what I am talking about let me know. Food is one of the few luxuries that is afforded to me in this overcrowded city of London.

BTW... My HSMP has been approved so I have sent another application for the FLR which allows me to work legally for another two years. I have also started in the process in creating a new limited company as there are upcoming changes in the british tax system for contractors.

See ya

Moving, Cologne and Les Arcs

Hi guys, Been so busy lately. I recently moved to a new place in Shepherds Bush cause our last place had too many problems. On that same week we went to Cologne with a bunch of friends. Which as unreal. There was a Beer bike and rain but it was plenty of fun. Soon after we went to Les Arcs for a 6 day snow trip. That wasn't without hitches, we missed our plane so we had to organise alternative tickets. We were thankful and also tired when we arrived. We stayed at Club Med at Altitude 2000. It had an unlimited supply of drinks and food. There also plenty of guys and girls from all over europe to keep everyone entertained. The bad thing about it was the snow. Supposedly it has been the worst season in 7 years. But still comparing it to my Mt. Buller the experience it kicked arse. I went to the summit and saw Mont Blanc it was beautiful. And even though the snow supposedly sucked, the powder at 3000 to 2000 was nothing to complain about. I decided for the next time on the slopes that I will have my own board, boots and bindings. Anyways that all soon ended and I now I belong were I was meant to be, at my desk at Barcap coding like a good monkey should. See ya. PS. If you really want to see pictures check up Tamia's blog.

Fix You

Just like Coldplay's Fix You (which is playing in background as I write this), I have "fixed" my flickr badge on my blog to support Opera. I also decided to make a few changes to the colours as well. Enjoy.

Back in January

After a little prompting from Lexical I thought I would do some updating. You can see a new addition under the Links section. Post a comment if you have a tricky system admin question. :)

Whats been happening? Well I am two months into my Barcap contract. Things are challenging for the most part but not in the ways I expected. I am sure there are more fun things to come.

Today is Guy Fawks day. 5th of November. Tamia bought some fireworks (which is perfectly legal here in the UK). We decided to set off a few yesterday night and see how what they could do and all we can say is "Cool!". We will set the rest off tonight, probably after watching "The Departed" at the local cinema. Tam has booked our Christmas trip inconjuction with a mate from Australia, we are going to Les Arcs for a 8 day snowboarding trip. That should be plenty of fun.

I have planned my trip back to Australia in January. Tam's sister is getting married and I thought it was time that I come back and sort out my place and some paper work. I will be landing in Australia on the 25th of January at 9:40pm and flying back on the 29th of January at 23:59pm. So if anyone feels like picking me up at the airport dont feel shy. :)

BTW. I have unlocked my blog to take comments from anyone, just in case.

First day free!

Hey guys, Today is my first day between jobs so I decided to update my blog. I guess my blogs suck. No, I know its sucks. I don't update it often enough and I guess I don't know if you guys are still reading it. I guess I am gonna update it for myself so I can keep track of what I have being doing. But just in case anyone is reading it. Hi. *wave wave*. Sorry to those I have told that I was coming back to visit; but I am not now. I really miss you guys and the slopes but I know I can wait till next winter either in UK or Australia :).

One big reason why I am not coming back is because I got a new contract a Barclays Capital, which is fantastic and I am very excited about. Which means that I have quit my last job. I don't make it a practice to quit a job so early in but I feel that I need to do it for many reasons which I wont go into here. A friend over here is working there and has no idea that I have moved over. It will be funny to see his reaction.

I am also in between places so since I'm between jobs I will call a few real estate agents, and hope to find a nicer place then we are in already, one with a lounge. :) On another note, I have already been knocked back twice for my HSMP which is highly skiled migrant programme (I am just not skilled enough). Oh well I am going to try again in December. There are so many options here I think I need to make the best of my situation and make it work.

Also for those who want something easy read I found two interesting short books, (Do take everything you read with a grain salt) Paul Arden's It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be and Whatever you think think the opposite. Well that's enough from me for now. See you around on MSN.