Werribee Zoo

Despite the gloomy skies, Aileen and I decided to take the kids to Werribee Open Zoo. It took us about half an hour to get there and by the time we arrived it was already 10.30 am. I bought an adult ticket which costs AUD 23.60 but I didn't have to buy one for Zade as admission is free for kids under 4. The ticket price was not too bad as it includes the safari tour which lasted for almost an hour. The zoo has a huge ground but not too many animals. Too bad we couldn't get to see them up close. However, Zade and Keanne had a wonderful time, and the adults did too.


Zade and Keanne having fun


Zade waiting for the bus


The safari bus


With the walking zebra


The real deal


Giraffes


Camel


Lazy hippo


Cheeky meerkat


Sleeping lions


Zade on the trail


In Africa, most human deaths by animals are caused by hippos!

The Pressure's On

This week my supervisor has suddenly shown interest on my research work. He decided that my design needs to be changed as he doesn't think that the model that is currently being fabricated will give good results. He wants me to use ABS i.e. a type of plastic for the wing skin which I have been proposing in my last two papers that he had failed to read obviously. Now I need to change my whole design as the new model which does not require ribs will be manufactured using a rapid prototyping machine which comes with its own set of limitations. On top of that, I just found out today that he wants the wind tunnel test to be carried out in August which is 2 months away. This is due to the fact that the reasearch grant that is funding my project will expire in November and a report of the experimental results will be due at that time.

I'm not complaining about all the extra work that I need to do, I just wish that I was given some warning. I have two months to finalize my design, draw it up using CATIA, manufacture the model, install the SMA wire - which have yet to be purchased by RMIT, make sure that the model works and set it up for the testing. However there is silver lining. Another postgraduate student will be paid to help me with the assembly and testing. Phew! Atleast I had a good lunch today. Nasi lemak that I made for the first time. It turned out better than expected. Yummy.

Caterpillar on Zade's Face

This afternoon when I went to pick up Zade at Numdaji Kwei, I burst out laughing upon seeing him. Rose had painted a colorful caterpillar on his face. However Zade was not very amused. He refused to look at his face in the mirror. He was actually afraid. No worries. As soon as I wash it off, he was happy to look at his own face again.

First Day of Winter

The weather today is a perfect reflection of my feelings. The dreaded winter is officially here. The days are cold and gloomy. Outside my apartment stands a tree with buds ready to bloom when the days are warm again