MiCasa8 - Facebook page

Finally, we have created an online community page for all the residents & prospective residents of the building.

The facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/MiCasa8 or click on "Like" on the left menu!

MiCasa Pricing asof 24/9/10

Things are still going on the fast lane! So be quick! There'll be more apartments released to the market soon...so be on the watch out for it!

Available units:

317 available on 21/2/11 @ $290pw – West Facing

804 available on 23/12/10 @ $320pw – North Facing

908 available on 22/11/10 @ $315pw – South Facing - Corner Unit – Rent will be $325pw from 7/2/11

915 available on 8/11/10 @ $325pw – South Facing - Corner Unit

918 available on 14/2/11 @ $325pw – North Facing - Corner Unit

1206 available on 31/1/11 @ $335pw – North Facing – Corner Unit

1209 available on 23/12/10 @ $335pw – South Facing

1211 available on 3/12/10 @ $335pw – South Facing 

1214 available on 3/12/10 @ $335pw – South Facing

MiCasa Pricing as of 9/9/10

Available units:

206 available on 21/11/10 @ $265pw – North Facing – Rent will be $280pw from 21/2/11

503 available on 12/1/11 @ $300pw – North Facing

702 available on 17/1/11 @ $310pw – North Facing

703 available on 17/1/11 @ $310pw – North Facing

711 available on 13/11/10 @ $305pw – South Facing

908 available 22/11/10 @ $315pw – South Facing - Corner Unit – Rent will be $325pw from 7/2/11

915 available on 14/2/11 @ $325pw – South Facing - Corner Unit

1118 available on 7/2/11 @ $335pw – North Facing - Corner Unit

1202 available NOW @ $330pw – North Facing – Lease ends on 24/1/11 with options to renew

1208 available on 31/1/11 @ $335pw – South Facing – Corner Unit

1209 available on 23/12/10 @ $335pw – South Facing

1211 available on 3/12/10 @ $335pw – South Facing 

1218 available on 30/9/10 @ $340pw – North Facing – Corner Unit – Rent will be $345pw from 24/1/11

As you can see, very limited!!

MiCasa 2011 & International Students

Now that election's uncertainty is over, we're clear of one thing: the international students market will be downsized whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Over the past few months, we have read news such as

AUSTRALIA has the highest proportion of international students enrolled in its tertiary institutions in the world, according to an international study.

It was also more reliant on students to pick up the bill for tertiary education than most other developed countries.

most other countries had been investing heavily in tertiary education while in Australia investment dropped from 1.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 1995 to 1.5 per cent in 2007.

He said Victoria - where international education is the biggest export industry, worth about $4.5 billion a year - had the most to lose.

For the first time, we're noticing significant downturns

The sector warned that the migration debate was further hurting Australia's attractiveness to students. "The received message in other countries -- among students, parents and others -- is that Australia doesn't value international students," the Go8 said.

Let's not forget the impact of Global Financial Crisis (GFC) last year or so. Normally we'll feel the impact 2-3 years later like how we did during 1997. The impact was obvious during 1999 and 2000 where the international students intake was low.

So, what's it gotta do with MiCasa8 (131 Pelham Street, Carlton VIC)? Lots of things! The whole building is probably 97% international students!!

This year (2010) we managed to achieve better than expected as we started earlier and before GFC is even famous! However, along the way, sadly, I have few tenants who had to leave the place as GFC has taken a toll of their financial situations.

For 2011, we have started accepting and processing applications. The responses are still coming in very quick and most apartments under $320pw are snatched up right after they have become available!

The quota for June 2011 leases has been filled all by renewals of existing tenants. So things are still "OK" for the moment.

An advice for all international students who are coming to Melbourne and wanting to stay in MiCasa8 is to start applying early!

Now, some of you might be wondering why the bad news earlier then asking us to apply earlier? Doesn't make sense! 

Well, my message is, the cheaper apartment ($320pw) and below will be gone very quickly! So if budget is your concern, start earlier otherwise, don't be too worry!! :)

Hung Parliament

The good Oz witnessed or going to witness a hung parliament for the first time in 70 years! How good is that! The people have spoken...The leaders have learnt from their mistakes.

On 29/8/10, will we speak? I'm sure there'll not be a hung parliament.

I'm just hoping we are not hung by the end of the day. :)

After Tsunami!

Selepas Tsunami (After the Tsunami) from Pusat KOMAS on Vimeo.

信者得愛~鄭秀文 Sammi Cheng

Free Property Seminar

Attention first home buyers & international students!

Prime Estate International P/L together with Loan Market P/L is holding a free information session for you.

Date: Wednesday, 28/4/10

Time: 6.30pm start

Venue: 7/300 King Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (enter via Eagle Al from La Trobe Street or Little Lonsdale Street)

This will be a very fruitful information session for you especially if you're new to the property & loan market here in Melbourne. 

If interested to join, please RSVP to sales@primeestate.com or give them a ring on 03 9606 0388

Best of all, hot finger food will be prepared by BQQ Chicken Wings to make sure this night is a night to remember! :)

BQQ's New Deal

We're proud to announce our latest package deal for all BQQ^TM lovers. After gathering feedback & ideas from all parties, we have designed the deal that will satisfy your cravings!

For only $21.95, you can get ½kg BQQ^TM Jerky (Bak Kwa) + 10pcs BQQ^TM Wings! Amazing deal!

Now you don't have worry about unable to finish the whole 1kg of jerky by yourself (though we always recommend that you share it with your families & friends :D), you can also get 10 pieces of our tasty & succulent BQQ wings!

This package also suits parties and functions, where you can have more varieties with a lower budget!

So why wait? Order now for your next jerky & wings!

We reserved the right to withdraw the package deal without prior notice.

 

More info at: BQQ Website

The Chics Are Smokin~

Yeah, you got that right! BQQ Chics are smokin' like crazy!!

Thanks everyone for your support! Please do keep it up as we can't be smokin' without ya!

Also, good news that we'll soon be producing Bak Kwa (jerky) for all the BQQ lovers!

BQQ Chicken Wings

Can I have your attention, please?!

Are you sick & tired of burnt bbq wings? Sick of marinating the meats for days & took away the space in your fridge? Sick of paying top dollar for KFC?

Are you wanting something as good as KFC but at and affordable rate? Higher quality wings for the health conscious you? Going to a party but don't know what dishes to bring?

Good news for you! BQQ Chicken Wings is the answer for you!

We specialise in catering for private and corporate functions, whether it is a bbq in your backyard for 3, or refreshments for 500 at your corporate event.

We take pride in our tasty & succulent BQQ^TM wings, which will leave you craving for more!

The best thing about us is our flexibility, allowing us to meet your needs. You can order as many as you like, or you can provide the food and we'll come around to do the hard work (bbq) for you!

For more information, goto BQQ Chicken Wings

Best Yum Cha in Melbourne

The Age 

Date: 19/1/10

Found on this article on The Age today.

So the best according to their taste is...

The Yum Cha Directory

Best all-rounder Golden Dragon Palace
Best prawn dumpling David's
Best pork siu mai David's
Best pork bun East Imperial
Best vegetarian Mahjong & Oriental Tea House
Best condiment Red Door

Golden Dragon Palace
363 Manningham Road, Lower Templestowe 98524086
Food ****and a half
Atmosphere ****
Noise factor ***
Trolleys Yes
Yum cha Daily lunch (dishes $4.40-$9.80)

GDP's food is a cut above. Dumplings are flavour-packed parcels, the balance of flavour and texture just right, like soft pork siu mai and Shanghai dumplings with a hot burst of salty broth. Roast pork comes with crisp skin and the dessert trolley is loaded with favourites such as mango pancakes. The room is spacious with ornate wooden tables and chairs, and the service upbeat and friendly.

David's
4 Cecil Place, Prahran 95295199
Food *****
Atmosphere ****
Noise factor ***
Trolleys No (tray service Sun)
Yum cha Daily lunch (dishes $4.90-$13.90)

WHITE linen, oversized lamps, comfy chairs. David's is a premium yum cha experience, with a premium price tag, and it's worth every cent. Delectable, fleshy pork ribs are sticky and sweet with a rich plum sauce. Yielding pork siu mai has a succulent and gingery interior, juicy har gau come in perfectly pleated, green (spinach) wrappers, and green beans are fried with shrimp and Sichuan pepper. Excellent service caps it off.

What I will say, is that the best quality yum cha is in the suburbs, not in Little Bourke's Chinatown. Eating yum cha in Chinatown is like eating pasta in Lygon Street.

Reconciliation

As promised, I'd share my devotion insights at least once a month. So here goes:

¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2Cor 5:19-20

I was reading through 2Cor 5:19-20, it struck me quite hard. This is because just yesterday when I was leading the prayer meeting (I forgot I was supposed to lead), I was touched by the Holy Spirit to lead all of us to come back before God. We have gone astray for the past few months, probably even years.

So I asked everyone to come back to God before even planning or talking about any other things. Even though I don't sense the urgency among us then, I believe God has His time and His ways.

Through the short verses mentioned above, it reminds me again about God who is initiating the reconciliation process with us through His love by sacrificing His only begotten Son in order to clear us of our sins.

Paul also stated clearly on verse 20, "Be reconciled to God". What a strong message to remind me!

Now, brothers, as we all know that we are faced with a lot of difficulties ahead, we cannot ignore the simple basic fact of reconciliation with God as the foundation for our ministries.

We cannot be planning for the ministries ahead unless we have reconciled with God

We cannot be making decisions for the church unless we have reconciled with God

We cannot be church leaders unless we have reconciled with God

God's invitation for reconciliation has begun and is still active today. We need to repent and go back to God. Some people might said it's easier said than done. It sure is easier however, it ain't too hard too!

Some practical steps we can try:

1) Repent & deny yourself

2) Seek for forgiveness from God or others (if any)

3) Recommit yourself to God

4) Pray for Holy Spirit to give you strength

5) Join in fellowships with others of the ideas with you in the process of reconciliation

6) Be accountable to God and others

I pray that the Almighty God will bless you and keep you in His mighty arms! Let's reconcile and revive our works for Him!

Are you with me? :)

Simple Majority Rule Does Not Rule

Thanks to Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, we have all confirmed that a Simple Majority Rule simply does not rule. It only creates tension & division among us.So this practise should be avoided at all costs!

An obvious example which is still hovering in our minds was last year where our leaders decided to change the Sunday service time to 1.30pm from 7pm. It was determined that we would change it based on a simple majority rule.

One would have thought, a simple majority from the LCEC? No. Simple majority from the LC? No. However, it was decided a simple majority from the WHOLE congregation or whoever was present on that Sunday! Woooaahhhhh~!

Anyway, the result was a close one. I think those prefered 1.30pm only outnumbered the ones that prefer 7pm by 5 votes out of about 90 in total. Something like 42-47? Forgot the exact tally.

The results today, our Chinese congregations dropped to about 50-60? Clearly something is not right.

Just a classic example of why simple majority rule does not rule in churches.

Some then would argue that the Methodist Constitution that encourages voting is flawed, where most voting would just require a simple majority but major decisions requires 2/3 or sometimes in rare cases 3/4 majority.

I would beg to differ.......

The Constitution stands as a guideline for Methodists to practice. It all depends on the interpretations and applications by those who are using it.

Just like the bible is a good book, it can be misused by cults to deceive others.

As Christians, we must always go back to seek God's will and plans for us. Let us not depend on ourselves in making decisions for God.

Be a discerning Christian with wisdom.

What to do when our leaders are making the "wrong" decision? Pray for them, voice your concerns but if things don't go your way, just accept it.

Time will tell, just like in the case stated above. :)

Sorry, Such A Hard Word To Say

A lot of people think, "I love you" is such a hard sentence to cough out but it's nothing compare to a simple word called "Sorry".

I'm not talking about "Sorry lah", "Sorry loh", or "Sorry eh". I'm referring to the sincere "Sorry".

As our human self defence mechanism, normally the first thing we do is to shift the responsibilities away from ourselves and point the fingers at others, directly or indirectly, conciously or subconciously.

It takes courage and huge humility to express that you're sorry. Some rather die than say sorry.

For a leader to say sorry, it means a great deal for him/her and it's indeed a great achievement.

Though the journey is still a long way from the end point, a small step forward is definetely an encouragement to everyone.