omg,it'smirah!

Oops.

2010-03-21T23:10:00.001+08:00

I've been cheating on you again, omgitsmirah. I don't have any excuse, except for the fact that I'm too lazy to maintain you and I've indefinitely lost my mojo. I used to be really long-winded - which was probably why the affair I'm having is working so well. I don't even know if people still read this, so this is just a list (because as I have mentioned many times before, I love lists!) of what I would consider to be the more memorable things that have happened over the past month or two?

1. I got rejected by Edinburgh, and got an interview from Bristol!

2. Dr. Fara is back for two weeks!

3. I turned nineteen, bitches.

4. And I can safely say that this is one of my best birthdays yet. Three birthday cakes, y'all! Haha. First there was the wonderfully orchestrated cake surprise by college friends - I have recently discovered that Aimi and Syiqin are terrific actresses. And it wasn't just ANY cake, it was a PAVLOVA. I think birthdays in KYUEM have stepped up a notch, if you ask me. ;) And my birthday weekend was also the first weekend I've been home in three weeks, so I spent the first night celebrating it with my KDU friends, at least what's left of us - haha, wonderfully planned by the best friend of almost 10 years now, omg. And then Saturday night was the family Japanese buffet where I ate my heart out.

5. I feel extra loved this year, too! Can you sayyyy MacBook Pro (who's working title is Barney - but shall be revised), lomocamera, a watch, pretty stationery?

6. I tapped into my inner girly girl and have recently started using makeup! Gasp! Now makeup to class, on the other hand, will be another story altogether..

7. I am on a two week break, and I am reaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyyy hoping I use it well because trials start soon, and then the real doomsday starts May 15th. I'm scared, like, really scared. One thing I CAN look forward to tho is West Side Story.. on May 15th. AHAHA. There's nothing like Broadway therapy after the first paper.

8. I recently attended a three-hour photography crash course and now know the basics - like aperture, shutter speed, focusing, metering, the rule of thirds. My dad signed me up (he has a knack for signing me up for things without asking me, but that's ok :p) and since he takes photography seriously, I thought why not? He's got loads of cameras lying around, and I could accompany him during his photo trips! So our first photo op as father-daughter was the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Putrajaya, over the weekend!

9. I don't know when I will be updating this next, so until then

10. Jombo!

Baby Fever

2010-02-04T15:02:00.001+08:00

I find myself opening a new blog post each time, but never having anything to say. What I can report is that I've been dearly blessed in the past couple of weeks (setting aside a couple of hiccups - like my first "U" in a test) and I am so thankful for everything that has happened. The uncertainty of my future is still bugging me, even though I've achieved 40%, but I shall not let that drag my mood down! When there is a will, there is a way.

On the flip side, Bangsawan is less than a week away and I don't know whether I'm terrified or relieved. Terrified because we are not ready just yet but relieved because that will finally mean I'll be free during the nights again. I'm also staying back this weekend (yeah, shocker) because we've got an elephant trip (haha) and I think last minute preps for Bangsawan - I just really can't wait until this is all over and finally I'll be relieved of all commitment!

Speaking of commitment, the Student Council 2009 has officially stepped down and I actually kinda feel bittersweet. I know I've been complaining about all the stress, but it actually feels weird now even as I attended my last official Calendar Committee meeting with the juniors. But whatever it is, I wish the new committee all the best because it's going to be one heck of a ride.

But I'm sure you're wondering what the title of this post has got to do with anything. It's what I'm actually about to talk about right now which is ..

Kissing a baby's cheeks over and over and over and over again. I don't know if it's her feathery soft skin or the smell of her powder but it's just so "geram" - is there even an English word for it? Every time I get to hold her, I want to smother her face with kisses because she's just too adorable. I know that sounds freaky, but I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love with her too!

Little Aisyah (the newest addition to our cousins) was born late October last year and is barely four months but I think she's already got everybody eating out of her tiny little palm. My mom can't help but pick her up each time and coo endlessly, my dad salvaged the honour of burping her after we fed her, Maria and I surround her almost everytime she's in the house and my grandparents are just in bliss.

And just to add to the fever, please do yourself a favour and watch this video!

I always watch this whenever I'm feeling particularly blue, because this never fails to put a smile on my face. This is one of my favourite ads I saw on TV while I was in London.

Enjoy. :)

So, now what?

2010-01-23T17:03:00.001+08:00

I've only been back in college for about a week now, and already I'm feeling the stress that is to come in the following months.

I'm all wtf in Physics because they covered a chapter in the first week, and we've got a test next Wednesday aiyoyo.

I was all wtf in my Chem A2 test on Monday (barely a DAY after I settled down in college - thus I couldn't study everything and as a result left out 2 or 3 pages with a pitiful note to my chemistry teacher at the very end)

I was all wtf with all the overdue Biology homework but I couldn't really care anymore because at this point I was like - "HAH, they can't say anything to hurt our uni applications anymore!" until someone came along and said something like, "Yeah, but then you'd miss out on the practice," so then I wallowed in guilt.

I was all wtf in Maths cos I'm atrocious in exponential and trigonometry differentiation and integration - it's so bad it even takes me a minute to even do linear integration now. I kid you not.

So maybe missing out on the first week of college, and totally disregarding a six week holiday in academic terms wasn't the wisest choice - but there's a silver lining to every grey cloud, right? Or something like that?

And the silver lining comes in the form of my dream university offer. I'm incredibly lucky in the sense that I've been whining and pining about it being out of reach and I am glad I took the leap. I'm so thankful for many things it seems as if words alone are not enough.

I'm thankful that UCL gave me an offer, something I found out the night I touched down in KL - IMO, the best homecoming present!

Yes, that goofy Asian kid is me. But if you squint carefully, you can see "UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL" carved on the arch of the door.

I'm thankful that my parents thought it was worth spending money on a trip to London for an interview that may or may not have ensured me a place - and that it did not go to waste in the end!

I'm thankful that my kakak (Fawa) let me share her single bed with her and cooked for me (and no, I did not "hate" your pepper pasta, I just couldn't FINISH it) and paid for my meals during our gastronomical adventures (see: Persian food, fresh oysters, mussels at Belgo's, duck rice, Japanese fusion cuisine) - because she wanted me to keep my money for shopping & transportation - and let me follow her to work because that 1 week experience definitely helped me in my interview.

Oh and she pointedly reminded me, "You do know that you cannot afford to eat like this as a student when you come in September, right?"

My head hung. "Yes, Fara."

I'm thankful that Elena accompanied me to London a week earlier because I was a little scared of flying to London alone and hanging around by myself.

I'm thankful that Elena's friends, Shereen and Nash, let us crash their apartment for a couple of nights we were in London!

I'm thankful that I got to meet up with the Malaysians I had intended on seeing in London - Aimi, the boyfriend, Najwa, Berlin!

I'm thankful that Primark shopping is retail heaven because each individual item I got there was below 10 pounds - totally irrelevant, but something I'm thankful for nevertheless!

I'm thankful for wonderful friends who flooded my inbox with congratulatory texts and surprised me with a CAKE for simply getting an offer. I clearly do not deserve it, but I love you guys, nevertheless, each and every one of you who showed up or at least had the intention of. :)

So, now what? I will have to work my ass off for A-Levels and get those triple As, because it's going to be a lot of hard work. The Mom has already been laying on the pressure and I really don't blame her, considering what's at stake, but in the mean time I'm going to try and secure an AAB offer just in case I mess it up (oh God forbid!) so I'm counting on Bristol, since Nottingham has rejected me - I received that email from them about 2 days after my UCL interview and it kinda made my night, bleak. Haha. But that's life!

I'll be uploading all the London photos tonight me thinks, so there will be more visual delights there. I wish everyone all the best in university offers, exams, medical interviews, and life! It's slowly dawning upon me that this is the last semester. And that Oct/Nov 2009 exam results will be out on Monday morning.

OH CIBAI.

Can I tell you a secret?

2010-01-07T02:56:00.001+08:00

This blog has been pretty much dead because I've been having a secret affair with another blog for quite some time now. Nothing too drastic, just somewhere more convenient - but that's besides the point.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy new year from the UK! I flew off on Saturday with Elena and was in London for a two days before following Fara back to Sidcup where she works at the Queen Mary Hospital. I took advantage of my "extended holiday cum interview" and decided to do more work experience because quite honestly, I barely did anything during my stint in Universiti Hospital. I'm quite lucky to say the least because once people (ie. staff) know that you're someone's relative they're much nicer and more willing to show you around, and let you watch stuff.

Or maybe that's just how the UK works.

I'm also doing a 9 - 5 day because I follow her in and come back with her - it's like "Bring Your Daughter To Work Day" according to Fara. :p I'm currently staying in her hospital accommodation which reminds me of my chalet back in KYUEM except it's a flat, there's only 1 shower but we've got a kitchen! Our winter nights aren't too bad because I'm sharing the single bed with her under the warm and toasty duvet. Elena's still in London staying with a friend, but she might come down to see us tomorrow to watch Avatar 3D but it's starting to snow, so there might be a change of plans.

My so-called job attachment at the hospital is pretty cool. Fara's posted at one of the wards where most of the patients are over the age of 75 and have dementia.There's one sweet lady who talks to herself aloud the whole day and occasionally goes, "Hello? Hello? Can I have my patent black shoes?" And then there's another old man, very nice, who always asks, "Who am I? What am I doing here?" It's slightly amusing talking to him and answering all his questions but you end up feeling sympathetic for the old man, really, because he hasn't got the slightest clue about his surroundings and you can see that it really bothers him.

I've only been here for two full days but already I've done a lot as compared to what I did in UH. I assisted Fara yesterday during their ward rounds by getting the charts, and reading out the Observation Stats (basic stuff like temperature, blood pressure) to be copied. It's nice to have a bit of responsibility, you know? Her consultant's really nice as well, and has taken me down to A&E so the doctors there know my face and I was told to just pop by when something interesting comes up. So far, I have

Seen how the MRI works where the radiographer actually sat down with me during one scan to explain how everything works
Sat in on a clinic reviewing Parkinsons patients
Assisted in MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) where you ask patients questions off a list (like Who are you, Where are you) to give them a score out of 30. This is to rank their severity of dementia.
Sat in on a meeting where a bunch of doctors just gathered and showed slides of lung x-rays to discuss - like a supplementary educational lecture.. which I found boring simply because I didn't understand half the things they were talking about.
Spoken to patients and seen how doctors (a.k.a. Fara) handle difficult patients. There's one particular lady who's really nasty because she's got frontal lobe dementia, which basically means she says anything that comes to her mind.. and she honestly says the rudest things but you can't really blame her can you? She has slapped nurses before and apparently tried to smack Fara today and I think I'm helping a medical student with her MMSE tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.. :P
Oh and Fara's awesome as a doctor. Her words, exactly. :p

It gets dark at about 5, so by 6 it feels really gloomy and it dupes you into thinking it's bed time but it's actually only 7 so we're gonna be making dinner soon. But anyway, I'm glad I decided to spend the week here because it's been nice getting to know Fara's colleagues - I was lucky in a sense that Fara's junior (1st year house officer) is actually a UCL graduate so I'll be talking to him about it. A medical student is also attached to our ward and she's a final year medic from Kings College so I've been following her around as well.

Till the next update! :)

He is the champion.

2009-12-22T19:06:00.000+08:00

So I vowed to myself that I wouldn't blog until I started doing at least one of the things I had set out (rather valiantly) to do in the previous post. To strike something off:

YAY I FINALLY RENEWED MY PASSPORT!

Getting in done was so easy with KIPPAS but holy mother of truffles, collecting it was such a bitch. But my grandpa, who is my hero and ultimate champion, remained rooted at the collection counter with such bravado and determination that he eventually managed to get mine much, much earlier than expected - and this was after 1 hour of waiting.

Sure, it was a little embarrassing, and yes, you may say it is unfair, but the lesson to be learnt today, is that I love my grandparents. I am thankful for every day that they are alive and well, living under the same roof with me.

Letter to myself

2009-12-18T00:21:00.000+08:00

Dear Amirah

Please be focused. It's already the 18th of December and you haven't done anything academically productive. You have roughly 3 weeks before you fly off to London for a holiday cum UCL interview and you need to get things into perspective.

You need to stop waking up at 11 am - 1 pm.

You need to GET YOUR PASSPORT RENEWED OR YOU WON'T BE LET OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

You need to START STUDYING because you are so far behind in class and you've got tests coming up.

You need to STOP TUMBLR-ING, FB STALKING, WATCHING HIMYM RERUNS, because they will not help you get 4 As in A-Levels.

You need to start PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW, because your parents are forking out SHITLOADS OF CASH to send you to London, when you could have settled for unis who will come to Malaysia, but no, you chose one which interviewed in London because.. well, you know why.

You need to start ALLOCATING TIME, because you also want to meet up with friends you haven't seen in ages and make time for rendezvous with the one you call your boyfriend.

You need to MAKE THIS HOLIDAY USEFUL, GOD DAMMIT.

And tomorrow, you will.

Because you have realised it's not the 8th of December, but the 18th. You have realised you have not much time left. And you have realised that if things don't go the way you plan next year, you will cry. And that won't be able to change anything.

SO GO AND MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL.

Because I know you can, and you deserve this.

Yours sincerely
YOUR GORGEOUS SELF WHO LOVES YOU VERY MUCH XX

(pls ignore the signature - i need all the self-esteem and motivation right now heeeeeeee)

What Has Happened To Good TV?

2009-12-09T14:00:00.001+08:00

The shows I currently follow are Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Ugly Betty, House, Desperate Housewives and How I Met Your Mother.

It's as if the writer's strike sucked the creativity out of (almost) everyone because everything's getting so BORING.

Glee started out so well in the first few episodes, but the fake pregnancy is getting boring. The only thing I look forward to now are their sectional numbers! Grey's is also getting boring.. Sorry Chief, but no one cares about your drinking problems. And the Mercy West Seattle Grace merger was a bust, because the only good thing out of it is the new hot resident who's into Christina! And also maybe because everyone's - MerDer and ChristiOwen - happy but I'm loving the new Cardio God, Teddy. Maybe the new year will bring refreshed ideas from Shonda Rhimes!

Ugly Betty was also losing my interest with the whole Community of the Phoenix crap, but I think the Bahamas episode brought me back. I kinda love Betty & Matt - and now that Amanda's finally over Matt, we can get the old her back because let's face it, Amanda with feelings is not funny.

House maintains as it is because you know, the medical cases just reel you in. HIMYM is also still funny as ever, and I think the reason why the show's doing so well is because their humour is so simple and in-your-face that you don't need OHNOSHEDIDN'T drama to create hype. I'm also loving Desperate Housewives, so I'm deffo looking forward to that.

I'm also getting fed up of Gossip Girl, because here I am thinking their drama is so boring as Serena's a slut, the Tripp love triangle was so out of the blue, Jenny is so annoying and just when I was getting sick of Blair & Chuck, they decide to give Chuck some limelight in episode 12 and show his daddy issues but this particular scene just melted me. I guess I've always had a thing for bad boys gone good, well at least for the girl of his dreams. Haha. :)

Why can't the UCL interview be about TV shows and Hollywood? I'll definitely ace it. And then they'll come begging for me.

Okay I think this post was an eye-opener for me as well, about how much of a TV junkie I am, and that maybe, just maybe, I should allocate the time I spend watching/discussing/complaining about TV on let's say.. my A Levels and interview preparations. Amirah, OUT!

And things get better.

2009-12-08T17:02:00.005+08:00

I am trying to contain my excitement as I am typing this. I've already unloaded it on my Twitter, and I feel uneasy about unloading it on my Facebook so I'd like to think that I have the right to unload this here - my own personal portion on cyberspace.

As I came up to my room after dinner last night, I opened my inbox and as soon as I saw an email with the subject "Interview at UCL - Choice of Dates" I think I kinda screamed and so I ran down the stairs, waiting to yell the good news to my mommy but she was busy talking to Maria's tuition teacher - so yeah, it was a little anti-climatic. So as I am silently bursting, and I am waiting for my mom to escort the teacher out of the house, Maria sensed the constipated look and was all, "WHAT WHAT WHAT".

I am still recovering from shock because I honestly thought UCL was a dream way out of reach, and now, I can safely say that I am one step closer. I know people are already receiving offers by now and that this is just an interview, but this is a big deal for me because this is the first news I've heard from any of my universities. I want to work my butt off because I want this so bad, and I know I will feel guilty if I go all the way to London for the interview and not get the offer because the parentals will be spending so much money. So new holiday objective:

READ UP ON MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE UCL INTERVIEW PREPARATION!

And then when I thought that the week couldn't get any better, it did. I had already planned to head to Al-Safa later that night to meet up with KDU friends and so I did. What I did not expect was Vishal saying, "Eh look, there's Pradish!" and so when I turn to wave, I not only see Pradish, but also a certain someone who is supposed to be in Wales. My mouth drops, I turn to Vishal and say, "I'm dreaming right? That's not Omar, right?"

And lo-and-behold it's the boyfriend walking in my direction with this goofy smile on his face, and so as I begin to smack the living hell out of him while yelling, "YOU CAME BACK AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?" I pulled him in for a long, big hug, because that's how much I've missed him. To say that it caught me off-guard would be an understatement, so yes. I was surprised. So on my way home I asked Vishal, "Eh, what if I didn't want to come out tonight?" He said, "I would have personally dragged you out myself."

I love it.

Team Jacob FTW

2009-12-05T00:58:00.003+08:00

My mother watched Twilight with us on Astro the other day and was drawn into Edward Cullen. She instantly agreed to watch New Moon with us. And because we know our mother - and we know that she will either fall asleep or ask too many questions throughout the movie - Maria and I sat her down and prepped her for New Moon, explaining up to the point where Edward leaves Bella because Jasper went all apeshit about a paper cut. When she found out Edward left, she was all, "So there's no Edward Cullen? But I only want to watch this for Edward Cullen!"

Yes.

So, moving on, I still haven't decided whether I liked or hated the Twilight series because

a) It seriously pisses me off when people just BEGIN to compare Harry Potter to Twilight, because, dude. That's just wrong.
b) In my honest opinion, Stephenie Meyer writes like a teenager on Fanfiction.Net
c) The fourth book just killed it. I mean, seriously. I thought Twilight was a good enough standalone, New Moon was .. meh .. and Eclipse may have kicked it up a little but then Breaking Dawn was just, simply put, turd. I mean, seriously - PG-13 vampire sex, mutant babies and paedo werewolves all in one?
d) Body glitter, vampires with reflections, vampires not having to be invited in, vampires who go out in daylight.. I do not need to go on. BRING BACK BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER!

Okay I am not going anywhere with this because this is turning into a "twilight sucks" entry, which I really don't have to write because there are a billion of them out there, so I will first concentrate on what I thought of the movie -

1. It wasn't very well-put. If I hadn't read the books, I would have been pretty damned confused.

2. It was way, way too sappy for my liking.. And I thought I was a hopeless romantic. I'm going to confess, my heart broke when I saw Edward walk away from Bella in the forest after telling her he was leaving for good in the New Moon trailer. And then my heart kinda swooned when they were all "You're my everything" "I'll die for you" in the movie. It was romantic the first time, it was cute the second time. But by the time you got to the forty-seventh time they were proclaiming each other's undying love it got really sickening. It got to the point where I would roll my eyes and say "Oh puh-lease" under my breath each time they said it.

3. It was, kinda draggy. I thought there were a couple of empty scenes where musical scores could have filled in. Or maybe it was just me.

4. Holy shit Taylor Lautner is HOT! And I honestly thought they had better chemistry, but then again, this could be because every Edward/Bella scene was wasted with them telling each other how much they loved each other, which no one really gave a crap about. Even my mom, who was Edward Cullen #1 Fan left the cinema saying, "Ooh Jacob's so handsome! Next to him, Edward looks like a sissy." I kid you not.

5. The special effects have improved, I'll give them that. I liked the fighting scenes! Especially the Victoria VS the Wolves sequence and Edward in Italy.

6. Kirsten Stewart's really really really pretty.... But I just hate her acting. I'm sorry. :( I hate the way she screams, and her constant lip-biting/smacking. But she's still, really really pretty.

7. They didn't explain the part about Jacob not being, technically, a werewolf but rather a shapeshifter.

8. I enjoyed the first movie even with all its stupidity, but I donno. This one just didn't do it for me. :(

Having said that, no matter how bad the movie is, no matter how much people complain about how Twilight sucks, Stephenie Meyer will still be laughing all the way to the bank because that is the power of the teenage girl fanbase. And you've got to give her credit for that.

Nevertheless, just because I am a Harry Potter fan through and through - here's a quote I found,

"Harry Potter teaches you how to face your fears, how to grow, how to become independent, how to accept who you are. Twilight teaches you how important it is to have a boyfriend"

Meet me in the hotel room

2009-12-03T19:01:00.000+08:00

As requested by people (cough LISA cough AIMI) here is a brief description of our little trip to Singapore over the weekend.

Did we fly there? No. Did we take the bus? No. Did we drive? No. WE TOOK A TRAIN! I'm still trying to work out whether RM74 for a 7 hour ride was worth it, but it was definitely an experience. We tried getting the first class tickets - to get our own rooms! - but only second class tickets were left which are the berth tickets, and all the lower bunks were full, so we settled for the upper bunks.

Now, I thought I've grown out of the "ewwwwwww public toilets" phase because I assumed I had good tolerance for public toilets now, but trust me, you don't know what "public" is until you've used the KTM toilets. And I had to. Twice.

Once we arrived in Singapore, we dumped our luggage in the hotel and dragged ourselves to Orchard Rd for breakfast and to get a kickstart in shopping. :p

Later that night, we headed to the much-talked-about Clarke Quaye where we explored Singapore's nightlife. We first made the boys' dreams come true by having dinner at Hooters!

And then the real nightlife began, if you know what I mean. Hahahaha.

And then when we realised how much we spent on our first day, we decided to go low-key with our lunch on Sunday with a mamak! Haha. :)

And then spent our sunny Sunday conquering the malls along Orchard Rd, unleashing our inner shopaholics. And no, I am not just referring to myself and Ezmira. :P

So we spent our last night in Arab Street looking for cheap Arabian food and good ol shishaaaaaa!

We also realised how empty the streets were in Singapore on a Sunday night, so we attempted jumping photos in the middle of the road.

Haha.

So here's just a little sneak-a-peek at the photos I took over the weekend. While some of them may look lackluster, that description by far does not depict our trip accurately. And I also only edited a few. From all our 7-eleven stops, the sex toy shops (oh come on, we are all grown-ups here, aren't we?) all the food we ate, all the shops we had to consistantly drag Ezmira (and sometimes, the boys!) out of, trying on way-too-pretty-and-expensive dresses just for the fun (and because Singaporean salespeople have more retail etiquette, experience and friendliness), multiplying every price-tag with 2.4 and then making the "should I get it?" decision, making the boys wait while Ezmira and I went crazy in shops, and then walking bloody marathons from hotel -> mall -> hotel -> mall, the 7 hour long train rides, "Your mom/Mak kau/insert other variant here" jokes, making fun of nearly everything and everyone in our way -

I think I can say for everyone that it was a well-deserved trip. Tiring, money-raping, but oh the fun we had! We already have a collection of stories, so just look out for the Facebook album when I'm actually bothered to.

My next post, hopefully:

The baking classes I attended over the past 2 days, BMAT and the podiatrist appointment!

To Singapore, we go!

2009-11-27T00:05:00.000+08:00

I was out with Vishal and Pradish at Devis Corner the other day, and this was about 2 hours after pasta at Vishal's. He takes one look at the Taandori guy and asks me, "Hey, wanna share Taandori?"

I eye it guiltily then say, "... Okay."

"With naan?"

I nod.

"Garlic naan?"

But I say, "I want cheese!"

.."GARLIC CHEESE NAAN THEN!" :D

And just like that, I've been packing the kilos in the holidays. And that's also how well Vishal knows me. Did I also mention that we will be heading to Singapore this weekend? This makes it my 3rd trip to Singapore this year alone. :P I'm a little excited because while this may not be my first unchaperoned trip, it is the first with college buddies and it's technically my first trip with friends requiring a passport now how cool is THAT. :D

Okay but before I forget, Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha everyone. Much love. xx

I'll tell you everything about living free

2009-11-23T02:25:00.002+08:00

I would like to officially announce the beginning of my 7 week holiday! Words cannot describe how elated I am deep inside to be finally settled down at home with good food, good plumbing, good internet connection and access to civilization. These past few weeks has had its share of ups and downs, right from the suckfest that is my Chemistry AS (in which I spent half a day moping about how I will most likely resit next semester and no medical school would want me, but that's a different story altogether) to the Battle of the Bands, in which, I think, Nutella has redeemed itself.

I don't think I blogged about joining the Battle of the Bands last year, but yes, we did - I finally accomplished my dream of forming a band! I was on rhythm, Faris on lead, Boobies on drums, Farrah on bass and Maddy on vocals. I had originally wanted to form a girl band, but I couldn't find a lead guitarist/drummer so in the end, Nutella was formed. We were pretty shit last year, if I do say so myself, and I think we got last (HAHAHA) but we bounced back this year and we didn't sound too bad, I think.

I was literally shaking on stage as I was tapping my foot along to the rhythm of "Nth Degree", but that feeling you get up on stage, performing in front of an audience knowing that you could screw up any minute and that if you did, it would be obvious because your guitar is hooked up to an amp that fills the entire hall, was definitely an ADRENALINE RUSH! I definitely had fun, from our jamming sessions (or lack of, haha!), screaming at each other in the Music Room because we couldn't hear each other, to the last minute practice before our actual performance. But I had fun, Nutella. And Bubakr and I have joked that should we fail as doctors or chemical engineers, we always have the option of music. Haha. I kid, I kid. :p

And then there was the End of Semester Dinner where a lot of food, camwhoring and moshing took place.. Which will be blogged about much later.

Two days into the holiday and I've already made my mark as a couch potato. I literally did nothing today but eat, watch TV or play Rockband, so not caring about anything academic-related has never felt this good! I don't know what else I've got planned for the week - catching up with movies, perhaps - but if all goes well, I might be heading down to Singapore next weekend with a bunch of friends.

VIVA LA HOLIDAY!

Guest blogger: Lisa Amani

2009-11-11T00:25:00.001+08:00

Today, Amirah wore spectacles too class. She is certainly quite lazy today=p No matter, she still looks geekily hot. huhu. She also ditched her friends for debate. but it's okay, WORK comes first!=)
Amirah hasn't finish her SC presentation, currently doing it. tsk2=p

Temptation in its purest form

2009-11-08T02:14:00.001+08:00

I distinctly remember the weekend before my last SPM paper - Biology - in November 2007. I came home one day from school to find my sister and father playing the Wii in our very own living room. It was like a cruel joke, having to choose between Guitar Hero and studying about PLANTS.

And now it's deja-vu all over again.

Say hello to THE BEATLES ROCKBAND OH YEAHHHHHHHHHH!

Remind me again why I've never played Rockband before?

Correction.

Remind me again that I have THREE MORE AS PAPERS!

My only justification is that this is the perfect distraction to take my mind off the horrible week I've had. Dreams of forming a family band has now been self-actualized! My dad took centre stage as vocalis - being the die hard Beatles fan he is - while Maria/Elena/I took turns playing guitar and drums. I suspect we'll be recruiting my mom soon, she looked pretty excited. I remember trying my best to resist Guitar Hero during SPM, and now it has come back to bite me in the ass in the form of Rockband during AS!

Nevertheless, this is going to be a jam-packed weekend. An hour after I got back from college today, off we went to BSC to buy new Wii games and lo and behold we came home with The Beatles Rockband! Later that night, we went to Meatworks for steak steak steak. We shared 2 1kg RIB EYE ON THE BONE between 6 people! As soon as we got back, we tore open the box and we've been playing ever since. Tomorrow morning, I'll be off running errands before going to my uncle's house to see my new niece and then rushing back home to prepare for my grandpa's surprise birthday party! (I am 98% sure my grandpa does not read my blog)

The noise, the food, the old folks, the fights, the rush - oh how I've missed home!

The Future Seems Bleak

2009-11-05T23:51:00.000+08:00

This is officially the worst week in academia. For me, at least. The most important paper in my career (Chem Paper 2) came and gone yesterday, and I honestly came close to tears but I couldn't afford to because fifteen minutes after that was my BMAT. Which is another story altogether.

I don't know about you, but I found Chemistry Paper 2 hard. I was so fixated on organic chemistry that I was so prepared for it that I think it saved my ass, but what I did not expect was a 19 mark question on oxidation states. It sucks that I was most unconfident with sections of the paper that carried the most marks. I've passed the stage of freaking out, because, well, there's nothing I can do anymore except to maybe score 40/40 for Paper 1. Which is so unlikely.

It doesn't help when you overhear some people saying, "Oh yeah the paper was easy" and then you instantly feel yourself being dumbed down. But I think I can safely say I was not the only one who found it hard? Right? Right?

The very thought of getting a B for my Chemistry AS is killing me because
a) I do NOT want to resit next semester. Not with my four other A2 subjects, oh crap oh crap.
b) MEDICS CAN'T GET B FOR CHEMISTRY. THEY JUST CAN'T.
c) LIFE SO HARD.

And then there was BMAT. I think I can now forego all hopes of going to UCL because I royally f-ed up a Section. I've never felt stupider in my life. Goodbye UCL. Goodbye London. It was fun while it lasted.

I WANT AN A FOR CHEMISTRY PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE.

Three Weeks

2009-10-31T20:41:00.000+08:00

will officially be the longest time I've stayed in college at any period. As I am entering the second weekend, I greeted many surprised faces at the cafe last night who stared at me and said, "Eh Amirah, what are you doing here?" I stayed back last weekend for the Alumni Weekend, and this week for the Health Awareness Marathon. I actually had the option to go back today right after the prize-giving ceremony, but I knew I would only end up doing jack shit at home.

I've also improved my domestic skills (or lack of) because I successfully completed doing my laundry in under an hour. Go me! My room is still a warzone but I believe that is a battle for another day. I've also been sleeping a lot so I promised myself I'll study right after this post, so let's hope I go through with that. I'm also suffering from "TV Show Withdrawal Symptoms" because I was so used to watching weekly updated episodes when I went home every weekend. I've officially lost count the number of Glee, Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty episodes I've missed. I haven't even seen Ugly Betty s04e01. :(

My AS has also officially started. Two papers down, four more to go! I had my practicals this week, but as usual I always seem to mess up during the actual exam as compared to the practice sessions which pisses me off. My next paper is Chemistry 2 next week along with BMAT. Herein lies my medical and UCL future because I will cry if I don't get my A. I have no idea how I'm going to prepare for BMAT and juggle Chemistry 2 preparations, so I'm going to wing it.

The wireless network (please excuse any misuse of IT jargon here - I am inept in this area) in college has also gone all haywire! It started in the middle of last week. Suddenly one afternoon, there were rumours going around that college banned Facebook and Youtube. So I was all WTF WTF cos you know, Facebook represents 70% of my social life on campus as pathetic as that sounds, and Youtube is a source of entertainment. And then suddenly later that night, it came back on. Except.. when people started logging in to their FB and Hotmail accounts with THEIR username, and THEIR password.. they ended up logged into somebody else's account. However, as soon as you try to access their inbox, profile, any outgoing link or even update their status (don't pretend you didn't try!) it brings you back to your account and for a minute there, you wonder if some sort of Die Hard 4 shit is going on or that you could have dreamed it all up.

So this cycle repeats the next day and we came to a conclusion that they were banning FB and Youtube during academic hours, but wouldn't that be such a hassle to block/unblock everyday, or did banning have timers? Lol. But anyway, we've apparently found out that the IT Department had nothing to do with this and the involuntary hacking could possibly be the work of a real hacker, but oh well. :P

That is probably about as interesting as it gets here, so the only thing that will be getting me through this week is the comfort of the thought that come Saturday, I'll be eating good home food, I'll be getting my weekly TV dosage and I may possibly catch Time Traveller's Wife!

Ciao bella!

Dear adik bushuk,

2009-10-21T14:53:00.002+08:00

You once told me that I didn't write you a birthday post and Omar got one instead, and since I'm free for the rest of the day, here you are - one whole post dedicated to your KTJ departure.

Ahem. Allow me to restart.

Dear adik bushuk,

Papa, Mama, Elena and I helped you settle down last Sunday, and as we drove away from Irinah, I saw "lost" written all over your face. I knew you were excited about it (refer to previous posts) but I couldn't help but worry for you, Maiya, because you are, in fact:

1) A new kid transferring to KTJ in the middle of the term
2) A kid who was previously in a local daily school, but now venturing into an international boarding life
3) A kid who just finished PMR last week
4) A BABY! The baby we have practically pampered your whole life. This point, I suppose, is partly the reason why Papa chose to ship you off to boarding school, haha.

I am not going to lie and say that I'm not a baby myself, because yes, I admit, I am can be a baby to a certain degree (as Aimi claims anyway) but you are OUR baby, and as a subset, MY baby, because we have been roommates our entire life. Well, your entire life, at least. You'll now be doing your own laundry, coming home every three weeks and having to be responsible for yourself. Nani's not going to wake you up for school anymore, Kak Jumah is not going to pick up after your dirty laundry, and Mama's not going to be breathing down your neck about homework.

It also doesn't help that Fara or Elena once told you, "If you're a new kid in KTJ entering in the middle of term, there's only 2 ways about it: you'll either be popular or end up as an outcast."

I do not know how true this is, and I am pretty sure it isn't - because they left KTJ in 2003, the high school hierarchy should have changed by now cause they were probably just messing with you - but I could tell that it didn't help your nerves. But they did tell you they were kidding about five minutes after that, kan? I know the fact that we (us sisters) practically LOVE and know the movie "Mean Girls" by heart means we can recite every line with perfect comedic timing, if I do say so myself, so it was no surprise that you started drawing examples from the movie when Cady Heron first transferred to high school.

"Will I have to eat meals in the toilet?"

"Will there be a Regina George?"

"Am I going to be known as the home-schooled jungle freak?"

Which clearly does not apply to you, because a) you weren't home-schooled in Africa and b) you're not that big of a freak.

I'm kidding, Maria, you're not a freak.

So anyway, what prompted this post was the call I got from you ten minutes ago. I was relieved because you didn't sound suicidal or depressed, which should be a good sign, right? You're not allowed to use your phone during class hours, by the way, so as you whispered a mini-update about your week so far, I was excited and started firing all the mandatory questions:

Have you made any friends? How are your new roommates? Are they nice? Are they mean? How are the teachers? Do they like you? Do you eat meals alone? Are there any cute boys? Have you spoken to the cute boys? Are they mean cute boys or nice cute boys?

I could tell that you were overwhelmed with my inquisitiveness, so I'm hoping to call you up again tonight. If you do read this, Maria, I'm proud about how you're coping with all these new changes. I can't wait to listen to all your stories and bitchings. Now when I come back every weekend, you're not going to be there to burst with this week's gossip or break into a random song with your ukulele. I won't be able to say, "So, you guys, what is the 411? What has everybody been up to?" (five points to those who know there is from!) to you anymore, because now the tables will be turned! But first, get someone to top up for me ok, hehehe. See you in three weeks, adik.

Love,
Your BFF and, although you don't want to admit it, Your Favourite Sister.

Maiya and Aly (FBIL's niece) had a staring competition. Maria lost.

Conversations With Him

2009-10-19T23:25:00.005+08:00

I've never video called with the Curly One ever since both of us entered college (me, here and him in Wales). Internet connection at UWC doesn't permit it so now that he's vacaying in Dublin, Skype is Godsend!

He likes Batman.

If you thought I was bad

2009-10-18T00:32:00.000+08:00

If you thought I was a Harry Potter freak, check out an excerpt from my kid sister's blog about going to KTJ:

But I'm also excited to be going to a boarding school, you know? I mean, cause it's like a mini hogwarts! It's not exactly like hogwarts but I can relate to it. They have a boarding house, a common room, a Professor McGonagall (but our housemistress is super nice) a Madame Pomfrey (I haven't met the matron so I'm hoping she isn't as fussy as Pomfrey), a Madam Pince (Only, it's a guy) and I believe I have found my Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil (Ony, I have a feeling that they're nice people and I don't think any of them are like Lavender Brown...) The sad part is that we don't have magic house elves to cook scrumptious food for us and clean our room and do our laundry. Oh, and we don't have a Hagrid around or a Forbidden Forrest but it does count as hogwarts since the school is like.. somewhere where no one can find.. unless you look at the signboards but yeah.

So, overall, I'm pretty excited. Oh,. and did you know? The words 'Hogwarts' and 'Dumbledore' are now in the word dictionary

So cute!

Also, no substantial blogging for the upcoming weeks because I've got exams, I am a lazy twit and I have to start focusing.

Unless something incredibly juicy and/or I have to let out comes about.

Cheers :)

Cuckoo for cocoa puffs

2009-10-12T23:37:00.001+08:00

A friend passed me this video when I was in Form 1. I haven't eaten cereal in a while, so when I did on Saturday morning at the Dining Hall, I remembered this. I don't know whether it's the two guys singing with a jug of milk and a bowl, or it's the fact that the song is about cereal and milk.. I love it. Maria and I love recreating this clip in the kitchen when we're having breakfast. So, this never fails to cheer me up when I'm having a shitty day. I hope it'll give you a tickle, as it did me. Best watched when you haven't eaten cereal in a long time. :)

Colour me pretty

2009-10-12T17:13:00.002+08:00

Maria beat me to it, but I thought I'd like to share a couple of my favourite shots from Fara's engagement last week. As I promised earlier, I wanted to add a little colour to brighten up this spot. And if you haven't already seen the gazillion photos I uploaded on Facebook, feast your eyes on this. :)

The entire immediate family on mama's side.

Because family candid shots are the best.

Future-in-laws.

Because no matter how much we yell at each other, fight about who will be putting the DVD in, eating the last drumstick, exercise verbal abuse (and sometimes physical, *cough* Elena *cough) I love my sisters to bits.

The briva and her dulang girls.

PS: I am officially in love with the fish eye lens. I'm going to save up money one day and fulfill my dream of buying a lomocamera. And then the fish eye lens.

Stick it.

2009-10-10T16:39:00.001+08:00

I've made up my mind. I don't know whether I'm going to regret it. We'll just have to do a lot of praying and see, won't we? After much whining to anyone who would possibly listen (I apologise to friends who had to bear with me and my medical application nonsense throughout the week) and consulting friends already in Edinburgh, I've decided to go for it. Much to the behest of some to change my Edin application (including the university counsellor!) and then others to just take a risk and GO!, I've decided with the latter.

Am I being stupid? Maybe.

Am I being foolish? Yes.

I'm clicking the send button on my UCAS form any minute now.

OH GOD PLEASE TELL ME I AM DOING THE RIGHT THING!

I wanna be sedated.

2009-10-05T23:35:00.003+08:00

If my life was a sinusoidal curve, I am now at the minimum point. After a much tiring (but fun) weekend running around for my sister's engagement (which was beautiful!), getting all dressed up and spending time with the family, I can already tell (to hell with jinxing) that it is going to be a horrible week.

Right after the festivities, I fell sick with a horrible sore throat which hurts like a bitch when I sneeze, a nose which won't stop leaking, panda eyebags and a breakout. I left my meds at home, and I am only left with 1 tablet of Clarinase 24 hr so I'm hoping it'll do its magic. If that isn't bad enough, I've got shitheads to deal with, which I won't go into detail because that would be wasting my precious time. After finally accepting the fact that I have to move on with my life and that UKCAT does not mean the end of my medical career, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to work doubly hard in the following weeks. Exams are creeping up just behind me and before I know it, October 27th will be here.

Deadlines are piling up, commitments are just too much to handle - I honestly just feel like exploding into a tiny million pieces so no one can find me, and then spontaneously regenerating once everything blows over. Can I just run away from everything and expect it to be done and over with once I come back? I want to be happy and carefree again, I want to not smile weakly whenever anyone asks if I'm okay - because I really don't know myself. I try to think of the bright side, but it honestly feels as if all the bulbs have went out. This post is so depressing, it makes me want to kick myself - so I promise the next one will be much happier with pretty photos.

So the question remains, should I go to sleep to rebuild my failing immunity, consequently foregoing all possibility of completing homework, or should I stay up to be prepared for classes tomorrow?

I choose health.

2009-10-03T00:40:00.000+08:00

What's worse than speaking and reciting poetry in Malay in front of 200 guests for your sister's engagement?

Having a zit the size of Kathmandu square on your forehead the night before said function.

(Ok I don't really know how big Kathmandu is because my geography is horrible, but I wanted to choose an exotic country name and it was between that and Azerbaijan)

I dunno whether I've mentioned that I'll be the pembawa acara (as my father eloquently puts it) at my sister's engagement tomorrow night, but yes. I am. Between sounding like an idiot when berpantun-ing and not stumbling over Malay words, I just hope I get through the night with my honour in tact. Why yes, I do like to overreact.

This week has been a blur - I successfully donated 450 ml of blood this time during the blood donation drive (refer to my horrible experience last year) with minimal bruising, yay! Personal drama ensued, I was terribly homesick the first few days after being at home for 2 weeks, but the lowest point of the week was when I sat for my UKCAT on Thursday and didn't achieve the score I had wanted. I know I shouldn't complain and I am thankful that it was above average, but anyway.. Thanks to all those concerned and asked me how it went later that night - it put a smile on my face. :)

I am now reconsidering my Edinburgh application. It was such a bitch to decide on Nottingham as my fourth uni, so now I might have to crack my head to decide whether I should still apply to Edin. Bristol doesn't require UKCAT, and UCL wants BMAT which will be on 4th November so maybe I've learnt my lesson and should start preparing from now on. I need a sign!

But okay, dashed medical dreams aside, the house is upside down because we're all getting ready for Fara's engagement tomorrow. The tents have been set up outside and we've already moved all the furniture away downstairs, so we've got a lot of room - Maria and I have so much space we can actually spaz if we want to.

Here's to a good weekend!

Boop

2009-09-30T08:53:00.005+08:00

I usually feed the "hopeless romantic" obsession in me by discreetly reading blogs like Le Love, but this is something I just had to share. Also maybe because it sounds like something I would say (see: food and mathematical reference). Except I'd replace the whiskey of course, and maybe add a "beef" before bacon. :)

(via Le Love)

chehwah I copy tumblr.

Five more months until I catch up to you

2009-09-29T00:42:00.001+08:00

I'm not going to lie and say that it has been a bed of roses this year. Long distance is no joke, different time zones are a bitch and a dormitory without wireless or a line (on his side) doesn't help either. There have been times where I go through many days without talking to you and while it kills me, I know I have to stop being a baby and grow up.

So as another birthday passes and I can't be there to surprise you with cupcakes, I can only hope that you're having the time of your life - but not forgetting the girl you left behind, hem hem. You know I'm not big on PDA, but 28th September only comes once a year so ok lah, I make exception for you.

I actually find myself missing your annoying habits like your British "accent", making fun of my Malay, tying your hair when I tie my hair, blasting your "club" songs in the car (I actually like David Guetta now yang), claiming credit to gossip which I found out via other sources, your ridiculous accusations (ie. All the single ladies!), refusing to eat anything I tell you to (anything remotely green or leafy), putting on your "I'm so cool and macho" act in front of the boys (because I know you're a softie inside), your infectious laugh, seeing the way you shuffle (haha :p), karoekeing kapak rock songs... And the list is endless.

Happy 19th Birthday, Mar.

(PS: For your birthday I belanja haircut at A Cut Above when you come back in December ok? Juuuuustttt kiiiidddiiiinnnngggg. I love you - with Heath Ledger locks or not.)

Shock me like an electric eel

2009-09-27T15:40:00.000+08:00

And with just a blink of an eye, two weeks are over and I wonder where all that time went. So many things I wanted to do, were once again left unaccomplished. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that it was totally useless. Two weeks had given me the time I needed to sit down, take a breather, take a good look at where I am at this point in time and it also gave me the chance to reassess my priorities. I now know what I want, what I don't want, what I need, and what I definitely do not.

I had a lot of "me time" as well, surrounding myself with the people I cared about, and I hope, care about me as well, because I really do feel it sometimes.. as corny as that sounds. While the bag of books in my room remain untouched coated with a layer of dust, I can't help but feel satisfied that even though I will be suffering in the next two weeks trying to catch up with what happened four weeks ago, all's good.

Notable mentions are:

the gajillion open houses I attended
the good good night I had with Black Eyed Peas (I love Fergie Ferg) and the twentysomethings
wholesome home-cooked meals
Dr. Fara coming back for her engagement
a haircut to trim away all that emotional baggage
the first week I spent being a good Samaritan with Aqeel
driving at 160 km/h down a highway from Muar while my dad's asleep next to me, and I am happily humming to my iPod music selection
awakening the kid inside me when I played sparklers with the two little girls - something I haven't done in 10 years
catching up with TV shows - all I'm waiting for now is Ugly Betty S04E01
all the fights/drama mamas/laughter with my family
Maria bought a ukulele; we can finally Youtube Antsy Pants' "Vampire"

See you in college. Or if not, next weekend. :)

You snooze, you lose

2009-09-23T14:41:00.000+08:00

Coming from a predominantly Chinese private school (and no, I am not complaining hehe) I admittedly had a small number of Malay friends but ever since I started college in the middle of nowhere, I've expanded my Malay social circle and now I've got an open house to attend every other day! My Raya escapades can now be seen in the photo album on Facebook, so feast yourselves. It's the 4th day of Eid, and I'm in my kebaya waiting for Boobies to pick me up before we head to Afi's!

Raya has been so far, so good. My stomach seems to have forgotten the hard work it has been at for the past 30 days. It's as if the phrase "No thank you" has been wiped out from my vocabulary because I can never seem to turn down any offer of food. The enemies so far:

- round after round after round of lodeh (this was in my house alone, entertaining guests)
- round after round after round of harisa
- ketupat & rendang
- infinite amount of raya cookies
- capati
- Carl's Jr (this was so avoidable but I gave in to temptation)
- Aiman's mummy's nasi tomato
- Aiman's mummy's sinful brownies

And the casualty in this war against weight gain is my waist. I am going to double up if I don't watch, but sometimes I just feel like yelling WHO CARES and start gobbling up because it does only come once a year. But then I think about the upcoming activities like:

1. DOE Trial Expedition requiring fitness and a 20 km trek, omg.
2. Fara's engagement - so I'll have to look good la kan?
3. The 2 kilos I've lost from all the times I've been sick and fasting will not go to waste, dammit!

On the flip side, I went for another round of Bang! last night with the usual suspects: Elena, Redha (FBIL - future brother-in-law) and his friends at Chillis, BSC and later on Ali Maju. While our usual spot (Coffee Hut) was closed, the good guys won yesterday with the Sheriffs winning both rounds! I don't know if I've ever blogged about this game before, but ever since FBIL introduced it to me, I've been joining the twentysomethings on their game nights, and their company is truly a breath of fresh air. :)

The card game is a whodunit set in a spaghetti western town, and is like a cross between Cluedo and Werewolf. I think FBIL got the game in the UK, but if you ever get your hands on it, do try! I'm no mastermind strategist, so while I may have died prematurely in previous rounds, I'd like to think I'm getting the hang of it! I remember the first time I played the game, I was on a roll killing everyone with only another player and a Sheriff left and I stupidly thought aloud, "So if he was the renegade, you must be the deputy.." clearly giving away my role as the Outlaw, which led to my ultimate death the following round. This game also requires a lot of focus because if nobody catches you missing a Dynamite/Jail card, you walk away a free man with rights to say, "You snooze, you lose!"

So since I am still waiting for Boobies, here's a little shout-out to my younger twin/slave:

Happy birthday, adikku tersayang. You're 15, but you'll always be 5 to me. :)

Selamat Hari Raya

2009-09-19T23:41:00.001+08:00

While most people are now at their respective kampungs, probably doing some sort of night-before-raya tradition and what not - I'm spending my last night of Ramadhan normally like every other night, watching True Blood on Cinemax with my sisters, for instance. I sometimes feel "left out" for not having a kampung (because my grandparents live with me and most of my relatives have moved to KL) but I suppose it's not that bad considering this is all I know, and all I've experienced, when it comes to celebrating Raya.

Sure, it's a predominantly "custom" affair with all the traditions that entails with the celebration, but I think once you've got family to spend it with, that's all that really matters. Whether you're making ketupat with them, playing bunga api, sitting in a big group talking about the good ol' days, or even gathering around the TV to watch True Blood together, what is Raya without the company of your family? I think I can safely speak for everyone when I say, we tend to take our family for granted simply because you know they will always be there for you, and what not. Like now, for instance, I am annoyed with my younger sister for switching off the lights in our bedroom simply because she wants to sleep but I still want to use the laptop - but then again that's the conflict of sharing rooms which is a different story altogether.

Coming back to the issue at hand, my family still does the mandatory stuff, like going to the mosque in the morning, having an awesome breakfast spread - consisting of lodeh, rendang, ketupat, harisaaaaa and all the works - and donning traditional clothes when visiting relatives all over KL and PJ.

So yes, while I cannot offer any anecdotes from my uber-cultural Raya experience, this piece of advice I can:

Appreciate your family. Especially while you're blessed to still have one. While I'm aware I lose my mind every weekend I come back from college to a house full of nutters and chaos, I wouldn't want it any other way.

This is me, wishing every single one of you, Muslim or not, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitiri. I'm sorry if I have offended you in any way, because tis the season of forgiveness. (Which is more than saying sorry - 5 points to whoever can guess which movie's that from!) Whether you are at your kampung or not, have fun, eat all you can, soak up all the family atmosphere and collect all your duit raya so you can contribute to the the "Amirah's Front Row Seat Tickets to Beyonce's Concert Fund". Details on that, next post. ;)

To be Bridget Jones

2009-09-18T22:10:00.001+08:00

I think I should start a diary again. Why? Simply because blogging is no longer enough for my "outlet". There are so many things I want to say, so many things I want to point out, so many things I want to just express but I can't, owing to so many reasons - like censorship, and only wanting selected people to read selected entries about selected things. I tried that on livejournal, but it just became too tedious maintaining two blogs.

I started keeping a diary when I was 8 all the way up to 11 - I remember jotting every single momentous detail that happened in the year 2002 in my sparkly mermaid notebook, burying it deep in my sock drawer. I still keep it, somewhere, and when I feel particularly nostalgic, I take it out and giggle at how naive and petty I was back then - some attributes I am still suffering from, unfortunately. But then I got lazy in 2003 - my penmanship became insufferable, my hand became lazy, I ran out of pretty notebooks and I discovered blogging in 2004; even opening a Xanga account.

Five years later, here I am still typing away into cyberspace and I am beginning to think that some things are better left on paper. But blogging is so convenient isn't it? All I do is press buttons on a keyboard and ten minutes later, it's up for everyone to read. It has become a perfect way for me to keep in touch with people and keep track of what everyone's doing and I'm glad. But I suppose sometimes, all I want to do is talk about how dissatisfied I am with X, or how Q annoyed me today, or how over the moon I was at something W said - without being judged. And therein lies my problem, I'm so afraid to open up because I sometimes care way too much about what people think. I wish I was as carefree as others, and that I had the metaphorical balls to say, "I couldn't give a shit about what you think about me" but I know that's not me.

Arguably, there are some aspects about me that I really couldn't give a rat's ass about if anyone found out (my childish love for all things Harry Potter, Zac Efron and HSM; my OCD tendencies), but I guess there is still that part of me that I'm not ready to give up for scrutiny just yet.

While I think this post is just another one of my many pointless psychobabbles, I also have a feeling that this one of the more honest entries I've written in a while.

Funny how I started this entry with a particular (vexing) thought in mind and it became this. Off to a piece of paper, I go.

At my own pace

2009-09-16T23:28:00.002+08:00

I like this week so far. I'm taking everything along a stride, doing things at my own pace, not worrying about deadlines - and I think it's a well-deserved break, post-trauma. In this context, I'm referring to the recent Trials of course. I know the final hurdle is the actual big one in November, but I can only take so much. So, I've been occupying myself with things that make me happy - sort of like a detox. What's good is that smallest things make me happy, so I'm actually a relatively easy person to cheer up. Moving on!

1. I finished the K-drama.
As a self-proclaimed romantic, I love happy endings. Especially when it comes after a dramatic climax and when it seems as if all hope is lost. This particular one was very sweet - especially moments when Bong-man went out of his way to rekindle his decade of love (I kid you not) to his amnesia-stricken wife. I somehow seem to accept all things corny in Korean drama land. My Name Is Kim Sam Soon is still my ultimate numero uno, and I am determined to hunt down the lost DVDs!

2. Dreams really do come true*
In the form of the HARRY POTTER WIZARDING WORLD THEME PARK OMG SOMEONE BOOK TICKETS TO THE STATES FOR SPRING 2010 PLEASE. I know I've blogged about this already, but I just checked my Inbox (yes, I subscribed to them!) and it is actually confirmed to be opened in Spring 2010. I can't wait x10000000. My chance to finally drink Butterbeer, wear robes, buy a wand or two and go to Hogsmeade! Ah life is complete.

During a chat in the cafe once, I was in a conversation with Aiman and Amelia (two intellects who do not share my enthusiasm, unfortunately :p) who were talking about how Harry Potter was a form of escapism. I denied at the time, but I've come to realise that it is true. I do indulge myself in escapism - but I embrace it! As child-like and naive I may come off from this paragraph alone, there are just too many ugly and horrible (and sometimes boring) things going on in this world that it is nice to .. well, "escape".

3. TV Shows
It's September y'all and you know what that means. SEASON PREMIERES WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! I've been waiting too long for Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl. My sister also emailed me a trailer promo of a new show in Fox called "Glee" which reminds us of HSM - another interest of mine which garners a lot of disapproving looks. I don't get it, really. :p Check out its promo!

I've also been catching Season 2 of True Blood and I am looooving it. Twilight was so yesterday. While the Southern accents still bother me, I love Bill and Sookie! I never understood Maria's infatuation with Eric the Vampire Sheriff until I saw him with his new haircut, but the Swede's fine all right. :) I was just telling her today how the actor who plays Bill Compton will be perfect to play the role of Mr. Darcy if they ever decide to adapt Price and Prejudice and Zombies into a movie, ehehehe. I'm still in the middle of the actual novel - which has been my Holiday Book Club choice.

(No, I don't have an actual Book Club like Oprah, but it sure sounds cool donnit?)

This actually brings me to my next point..

4. I finally finished Time-Traveller's Wife! Upon watching the trailer (which I fell in love with of course) I couldn't wait to find out the ending so I borrowed Amelia's book and I was so hooked I had to put it on hold two weeks before Trials, before I started again during the journey to Muar over the weekend. I don't want to sound like such a sap, but Henry and Clare's love that literally tested time was so moving it had me at tears at so many points I was afraid my dad in the driver's seat was going to think I was weird.

5. Good, wholesome food.
My love affair with food is no secret. See, in my household, the month of Ramadhan is when I find the perfect excuse to dictate the day-to-day Buka Puasa menu because it is an unwritten tradition that buka puasa will be something special, as opposed to the normal nasi and lauk. However, since I've been away at college during the weekdays, I have missed out on many of my favourite dishes much to my dismay and annoyance. Nevertheless, I have resumed my post of Menu Coordinator and I have already determined the buka menu for the next three days, hehehe. Assam laksa was the first on the list today, and it was goooood.

Here's food for thought (I love puns!) : I wanted to be a food critic at one point, until I realised I couldn't try food with pork. So subsequently, if I wanted to be internationally-renowned (and we all know a lot of international food has pork) I wouldn't be much of a food critic any more would I?

I have also realised that I have contradicted my previous post because it doesn't sound at all like I've been having a productive holiday, have I? Funny.

*I apologize on the behalf of my sanity if you have altered your perceptions of me due to my sudden outburst.

A productive holiday? NO WAY!

2009-09-15T22:50:00.000+08:00

The two week holiday has started and I think it's been quite productive so far. For one, I'm finally volunteering at the Selangor Spastic Centre with Aqeel. We've already been twice, and will be going until Thursday. It's been interesting, and I think I'll be blogging about it at the end of the week, with a bunch of anecdotes we would have collected by then. Haha.

On Sunday morning, however, I followed my dad on his once-every-two-month day trip to Muar where we had some errands to run. Picking up food supplies (kayaaa, duku, seafood) was one thing, paying his cousin a visit who we order pineapple tarts from every year, and also visiting my great-grandparents' graves. I haven't been to Muar in a couple of years, so this time I found it to be a sleepy town - or maybe it was because it was a rainy Sunday?

But anyway, I finally got a chance to visit Azu post-accident with the gang yesterday evening and Alhamdulillah, he has improved so much. He's already at home and although he wasn't as talkative, it was good to see him looking much healthier, although a little skinny! Then after that, we headed to OU for buka at Chillis where the usual happened - ordering too much! We had a mini convoy for the day consisting of Aiman's blue Savvy, my red Jazz and Azri's black Honda something. :P I was never good with cars, ok.. :) We stopped by Al-Safa for a little shisha session where a couple of cherries were popped if you know what I mean. ;)

Today, however, I followed my mom to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (mental note to self: I don't like the city and crowded places, but I make exceptions for concerts.. including BEP which I will be going to next week oh yeah!) to get the bunga telur supplies for Fara's engagement and then we treated ourselves (from mummy's pocket o' course!) to a full body traditional Thai message because we were exhausted, teehee. Thai massages are no joke, btw, with equal proportions of relaxation and agony.

I've also rekindled my love for K-dramas in the form of an 18 vs. 29, a 2005 drama found by Syiqita who already got Lisa hooked and undoubtedly, I did as well. I'm also suddenly missing Sam Soon (my absolute favourite) so I'm planning to rewatch it again.

I'm off to bed soon - relatively early - so excuse my lack of flow in this post. I'm just randomly listing stuff I've done which is exactly the type of blogging I've been trying to avoid but I'm just too sleepy. Have a good week everyone, and Selamat Hari Raya!

And it all comes crashing down.

2009-09-08T14:47:00.001+08:00

Just like that, I no longer feel the drive to apply to UCL. I just submitted my BMAT form to the examination department but knowing that the likelihood of finding another sponsor would be very very slim, in a course so scarcely sponsored, I don't really see the point in applying to a university which will cost me my parents RM840,000 and that will just be covering tuition fees.

All that's left is hope now.

Because I'm so thoughtful like that.

2009-09-06T00:17:00.004+08:00

See, my friend Bubakr insists the new layout is ugly, but I think otherwise! :( I like the whole Wordpress feel to it because it seems more organized. So, I put up a poll underneath "About Me" and would like whoever who has five seconds to spare, with an opinion to cast their vote! :) And if so many of you think it is ooglay, I may reconsider.

But I still really like this new layout!

Down.

In other news, I have gone through another day without studying! Whoopee! Instead, I spent my time at a facial, a doctor appointment, running errands, baking chocolate chip cookies, helping my grandpa pick out his Raya duds at OU and I think, I can safely say, finalizing my personal statement. A brief conversation with Dr. Fara this morning has also altered my university choices, so let's see if it sticks till September 11th eh?

So, not too wasteful I suppose.

I'll be blogging about One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest one of these days, after exams, most likely. I watched the movie a day ago, and I am now on a hunt for the novel - right after I finish Time Traveller's Wife of course, which I have been stuck at since Trials started! I sometimes wonder where my priorities lie. Hmm.

edit.

Najwa mentioned this website a while back and I remember watching this really adorable video when I had the time (back then) to trackback their entries. Enjoy!

What I Do Best

2009-09-04T22:37:00.005+08:00

I had a feeling I wouldn't be studying at home. It's my first night back and already I'm wasting precious time. It's ironic how I am aware of it, and yet I refuse to do anything about it.

Instead, I have gone about downloading widgets (for Twitter, Gmail, Blogger and the likes) in fear that I do not crash my dad's 5 year old Powerbook. Yes, he has upgraded himself to that shiny new Macbook but I am happy because beggars can't be choosers - and this baby runs so much better than the ancient Toshiba I was reduced to when my Dell screwed me over, and it's a MAC! So I now use MAC even in college, yay!

Oh btw ignore post below as that was my first test post from blogging from my widget - as I am doing now, teehee. I am now also damning the free time given to me by searching for new blogger layouts because I am sick of the kid. I'm looking for something simple and sleek and I think I have found it but I'm afraid if I do use it all I'll lose all the data on the sidebar including my Friends List and Chatterbox!

Nevertheless, I'd say that today was a good day even if I did not study because I baked instead! :) Upon my homecoming I found mummy and Kak Jumah churning out kuih samprit (the lady we used to order from has suddenly decided not to make them anymore leaving me depressed because I love my samprits) so I took over when mummy went to get more bake supplies. Ours may not have been the same colour or the same melt-in-your-mouth kind, but it sure is gratifying to eat the fruits of your labour once buka puasa came about. Having to continue making the samprit while the buttery aroma fills the kitchen as the previous batches are in the oven is definitely a challenge!

The Raya Feast Preparation (which will be referred to as RFP from now on) has just begun and we'll be making the staples soon - Quaker Oat cookies, chocolate chip cookies, agar-agar kering! And that just covers the sweets. Savouries will be pulut kukus (or gugus?), harisa, rendang mmmmmmmm.

Hello, kilos!

edit.

So I did find a layout. I've always been a fan of the pink and black combination, and it looks pretty simple and neat, no? I'm not really feeling the flower banner but I'll think of something once other important matters such as the LOOMING AS EXAMINATIONS and UCAS APPLICATION and UKCAT/BMAT TESTS are over.

I kinda like it.

Oh, what a pretty fire.

2009-08-28T18:03:00.010+08:00

I was rewatching Howl's Moving Castle last night to "release tension" - bad move on my part btw, cos my Chem Paper 2 trial which was SUPPOSED to be in two weeks time has been moved up to next Wednesday.

Pleaaaaassseeeeee Pn. Laily don't change my predicted grade, I reallllyyyyy wanna be a doctor. :(

I think I've blogged about Howl's Moving Castle before, but anyway, it was approximately my tenth time watching it, and I couldn't help but fall in love with Howl all over again. I don't usually watch anime, but I make a few exceptions for Hayao Miyazaki, and other animes which centre on romance and humour. As a hopeless romantic at heart - to an extent anyway - I sighed dreamily at the part when Sophie finally accepted Howl's knack from running away from problems and said:

"Let's run! Don't fight them, Howl!"

to which Howl replies

"Sorry, I've had enough of running away, Sophie. Now I've got something I want to protect. It's you."

And then I just turn into a puddle of goo.

People find it strange that I find a fictitious anime character particularly dashing, but I suppose it's the idea of Howl that I find so appealing. I've always liked the idea of "feeling safe" in the arms of a loved one, but maybe that's naive on my part. But anyway.

Having watched other Hayao Miyazaki's works such as Spirited Away (which I thoroughly enjoyed and now plan on rewatching), I'm actually quite excited for his latest animation - Ponyo. Loosely based on The Little Mermaid with his own quirky twist, I love the colours and the whimsical touch "anime drawings" bring. I am also in the midst of tracking down one of his older animations, Princess Mononoke.

So if you still think I'm silly, watch the Ponyo trailer with an open mind. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BfNtYF94cQ

The Boob Constant

2009-08-26T00:17:00.006+08:00

We were learning Integration of Trigonometric Functions and Natural Logarithm in math today when we were asked to solve this equation:

∫ (e^2x + e^-x)² dx, with limits between 0 and 1/2

(I would have loved to use the superscript function, but I'm too arsed to figure out how, so ^ means to the power of)

See, instead of expanding the bracket, we (Ariff, Bubakr and I) chose to use the other theorem, whatever it's called,

∫ f '(x) [f(x)]^n dx = [f(x)^(n+1)]/(n+1) + c

So after using the theorem above, we get the expansion of:

∫ (e^2x + e^-x)² = [(e^x + e^-x)³] / 3(e^x - e^-x)

However, after substituting the limits of 0 and 1/2, we get

[(e^x + e^-x)³] / 3(e^x - e^-x) = 3.669 - 8/0 = Math Error

Because after we substituted x = 0, we all know, that anything divided by 0 will give you "Math Error", according to our calculators at least.

The answer calculated by everyone else by simply expanding the squared bracket was 2.175. We were still puzzled to why it seemed impossible to derive the same answer using the supposed theorem, because, it should theoretically add up, right? Therefore, Bubakr, my intelligent comrade, came up with the simple solution and gave "Math Error" a value. Simply because, we believe we are correct!

So if we substitute Math Error = x,

3.669 - Math Error = 2.175

3.669 - x = 2.175

x = 1.494

ie. Math Error = 1.494

He has, therefore, given Math Error = 1.494 a name, to which he calls it, "The Bubakr Constant". Or, more affectionately known as, "The Boob Constant". And why does he call it the Boob Constant? Simply because he believes that if when he wins the Nobel Prize in Mathematics 20 years from now for discovering the value of Math Error which has eluded all our calculations for many many years, the symbol which he will give to his constant will be ∞, except the circles will be dotted.

...

So while you try to figure out the sheer brilliance/stupidity behind the Boob Constant, or to why I just wasted your five minutes, I only have this to defend our intelligence:

This is how ~~bored~~ determined we are during math, especially during a new and confusing topic like Integration II. :( Coupled with the fact that my Math deskmates are teenage hormonal boys, I have no excuses for the chosen symbol.

I at least hope, I have entertained you.

And with that, I bid you goodnight! :)

I will make a terrible housewife.

2009-08-21T01:49:00.005+08:00

Yet another late night. I'm trying my best not to make this a habit, but I can't help but find myself only snuggling under my covers at 2 am, earliest. It's really unhealthy, especially for someone like me who depends so much on good sleep. I am afraid I am going to pass out in class one of these days. That would sure add colour to my life, won't it? Nevertheless, this has been my eventful night:

1. A Chemistry night class covering Paper 3, to which I was fifteen minutes late. Only found out about class five minutes before, to which I spent taking a bath because I refused to be smelly. I take forever, btw - my chaletmates can fully attest to that. :p Needless to say, I showed up to class with my hair drenched. Oh, I also took five minutes whining to Lee - a genius classmate of mine - about how a B in Chemistry AS this November will mean the end of my medicine career.

2. Spent a good forty minutes giggling and having conversations about absolutely nothing and everything in Amelia's chalet.

3. Spent another fifteen minutes pigging out in Lisa's room because we had Dominoes, and giggling a bit more about .. stuff.

4. Spent a further twenty minutes trying to mend my baju kurung skirt. The hook (and sinker, ahah I have no idea what it's called) came off, so I tried my best with a needle to mend it. My workmanship was terrible, I didn't know how to start or end it, I poked myself with the needle one too many times and I'm pretty sure it'll only hold for a day. I came to the conclusion that the 3 years I spent in Home Economics in KH was a complete waste on me. I can barely sew to save my life, and I am horrible at cooking.

Hence, the title of today's post.

In conclusion? This was not an unproductive night, because I know if I said it was, it would only further depress me about how behind schedule I am, especially in terms of UCAS applications and Chemistry & Physics AS preparations.

No, I am not in self-denial. I am merely trying to psych myself up for a productive weekend!

I'm finally meeting up with Nicotoh, another genius friend of mine who will be flying off to the States to further her studies in UPenn!

Okay, the bed is calling. Five points for you tomorrow if you can spot my eyebags!

I want to be me again.

2009-08-19T23:04:00.004+08:00

I had a long post in "Drafts", detailing the minor accident I was involved in on Saturday night after World Stage but after much consideration, I've decided that it was a bit whiny.. along with my other posts as well, but that's besides the point.

Point being:

Lorry braked in front of me -> I brake -> Stupid motorcyclist does not brake -> Two motorcycles collide with the back of my car and fly off their bikes -> All that is going through my head is, "OH FUCK DID I JUST KILL SOMEONE"

Long story short: I didn't kill anyone. I didn't get into a fight with anyone. In fact, the fellar just got on his bike and sped off. Yes, there were scratches and dents to my car. Yes, I was slightly traumatized. I called a friend who was still in Sunway Pyramid and they were kind enough to accompany me home. I only told my dad the next afternoon, to which he says is the only reason he was pissed with me.

A summary of my week so far:

1) I have finally fulfilled my Form 1 dream of staring into Tyson Ritter's clear blue eyes as he serenades "Swing Swing" to me. Okay not me per se, but rather 20,000 other fans but that's besides the point. And while his yellow tank and glittery arms may have been questionable, I will swing swing from the tangles of my heart.

2) I got into my first accident, which I am hoping is my last for a very very long time because I'm still a bit shaky about getting back behind the wheel. (Shut up, ok, I'm a girl)

3) I have been losing sleep for a week now, and I'm averaging 5 hours of sleep every night. Losing to what, I have no idea. Sometimes it's spent doing last minute assignments, studying, sometimes it is spent worrying about the people I care about and sometimes it is spent staring into space, where time becomes relative and the next thing I know it is 2.30 am. And it is doing no good - especially to my eyes. People are coming up to me asking, "Are you okay?" and all I can answer is, "Yeah, just tired."

4) I have gotten my component breakdown for Maths and Biology and all I can say is :) :) :) :)

5) I've been spending a lot of time over the week researching about abortion for the medical forum today, and HURRAH! It is over. I've been Pro-Choice for a while now until I saw several videos of late abortions (cleverly propagated by the Pro-Lifers; it really hits the nerves) but I have decided that I am Pro-Choice.. up to the first 12 weeks. Does that make any sense? :p

6) I still haven't decided on my 2 other university choices and I am now freaking out.

7) I have come to terms, and I have accepted it. All of it.

In God's Hands

2009-08-12T23:38:00.006+08:00

You know how bad things always seem to happen people you know of, friends of friends, and basically anyone but someone you have laughed with, someone you have spoken to on a regular basis, someone who you actually know and consider your friend?

That has always been the case for me, until now, and it is not easy in the slightest bit.

My friend, Azwan Arif bin Abdul Aziz, (or more affectionately known as Azuzu Pazuzu) was involved in a car accident last night (along with 2 other friends, who luckily escaped unscathed) and is now unconscious in the ICU of Sg. Buloh Hospital, after going through 2 surgeries in the past 24 hours to remove a blood clot in his brain.

The worst of thoughts are running in the heads of his girlfriend, his family, his friends, but we know that ultimately, we will have to be strong. Azu and I have gone through a lot together - especially concerning a Ms. Farrah Aishah Aqlima :) - so I am only wishing that he recovers fully, quickly and safely.

Doctors say he is not expected to wake up until the next couple of days, but we are all praying for his speedy recovery. He's got such a bright future ahead of him that all I can think is: He will pull through. He will make it. He will wake up and be the same Azu we have come to known and love, and most importantly: that he will remember us.

There's nothing we can do now, but to leave it to Allah. It's difficult, feeling helpless, but in trying situations like these, we can only pray and hope for the best. Our support to his loved ones is what is most important right now, and more relevant to the KYUEM community: Farrah. Words cannot describe what she is going through right now, but God knows she needs a support system now, more than ever.

This will be the second time I am experiencing having someone I know undergoing brain surgery: the first being my grandfather in 2005, who is still alive and kicking today, Alhamdulillah.

Wake up, Azu. Wake up and get better. We are all praying for you.

PS: To those who know Azu, there will be a Doa Selamat and Solat Hajat on Thursday night at Azam's. Details on facebook.

It's so hot, lah.

2009-08-11T17:04:00.004+08:00

Results are out, and I only have three words: I AM CONTENT! :D

This does not, however, give me reason to lay back and relax because the most important subject that WILL dictate my career is coming up in October and I still have some working off to do, where my butt is concerned. Ah-ha. :)

To those who did well, my heartiest congratulations! And to those who did not meet their expectations: people sometimes fall to rise again. Ok, that did not come out right. I'm not particularly articulate when it comes to motivational quotes - my mummy's department, really, hehe - but I think you understand what I'm trying to say. Don't give up. :)

I felt all reminiscent yesterday once it sunk in that the people I spent my high school years with will be starting a new chapter in their lives very soon. I've got friends going to Warwick, UBC in Canada, UPenn and hopefully in 10 days, CAMBRIDGE! And this doesn't even count my KYUEM seniors who will be dominating UK come end of this year. I also found out via Facebook that an old friend from SSP, Miriam, will be reading medicine in Edinburgh!

All I can say is: I am really proud, guys. Words don't even cut it. :)

I've still got a year to go, along with some of my other high school mates - Marmar, Vishal and Roshan, in particular, who coincidentally form the old Add Maths gang. :p

----

A Debate Update (rhyme!): no, we didn't break in to the Quarters. But, one thing's for sure is that I learnt a lot. I stayed for the Quarterfinals between UITM and Monash, and then watched the Semis between MMU (who are brilliant, I tell you) and UITM. I particularly enjoyed the Semifinals, where MMU kicked ass with such style. The facts they kept whipping out about nuclear energy were also very impressive; all that in 30 minutes? You have got to be kidding me. I ultimately found out from Syawal that they did walk away as champions, so no surprise there.

Ok, this post has no direction so I'll just end here with a little note:

It feels as if there's been a heatwave in chalet L-42, simply because we are stuck with the planet's worst A/C which functions as a heater. For the first time in 2 semesters, I sleep with my windows open. I never used to because I was afraid of the creepy crawlies that could come in, but I don't really give a rat's ass anymore because I'd be waking up in a pool of perspiration in the morning if I didn't.

Here's to cool air in the not-too-distant future, I hope. :(

Bon giorno, principessa!

2009-08-08T22:26:00.009+08:00

1. Batu Marmar and I celebrated our satu.dua.tiga. @ The Tasting Room, Bangsar on 1.8.09, which would be the last time I would see him and his curly locks of love until about December. Hopefully.

2. I think I can safely say, as of 31.7.09 when I went to Hartamas for a haircut: marble's hair is longer than mine. Can you say, whaaaaa? But it's ok, he insists that it's a "phase" and that he's "never going to get the chance to do it again". And although I seem to be the only one telling him to cut it (cos his UWC friends seem to loooooooove it :p), it's beginning to grow on me. And it reminds me of Heath Ledger in his 10TIHAY days.

Bless his soul.

3. The week after my flu drama two posts below was declared a H1N1 holiday. Although it wasn't utilised since I spent it recovering at home, and avoiding crowded places because my mom's middle name is Paranoia. I'm kidding, ma. I love you.

4. I ridiculously agreed to take part in the Taylors Inter-Varsity Debate this weekend (today!) and: I survived! The last time I took part in debate competitively was Paramount Championship, which doesn't even count seeing how it was Inter-Class, so yes, "I'm about to piss in my pants" does not even cut it. When you're up against COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, SEASONED DEBATERS, and you're not exactly the most well-read person (which I am really, really, really trying to change), you can't help it, yknow?

I try to change my list of "Daily Must-Visit Websites" from pinkisthenewblog.com to bbc.news.co.uk. I try to pick up the newspaper everyday instead of reading chick lit. I try to hold intellectual conversations instead of gossiping about Vanessa Hudgen's latest nude photo scandal - but seriously, how STUPID can she be?

But, I try. Really.

Going back to the matter at hand, however, we had 4 preliminary rounds, and we managed to win 1 out of 3. YIPPEE! You cannot imagine the satisfaction we (Jijul, Bubakr and I) felt as it was announced. And while the results of the 4th round will only be revealed tomorrow morning, and I am sort of convinced we kinda lost, no matter: WE WON A ROUND! A ROUND! :D

Motions debated today:

Round 1: Oppostion (boo)

THBT anti-terrorism measures severely weakens civil liberties. -> Loss

Round 2: Government (yay!)

THW legalize assisted suicide. -> WIN!

Round 3: Government

THW allow countries to buy greenhouse gas quotas from other countries. -> Loss

Round 4: Oppostion (boo)

THW deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity. -> TBA

Debating 4 rounds in one day is no joke. I was mentally drained by the 4th round, but I had fun, I admit. Intimidation is another story altogether, but - and I'm trying to not sound corny here - it gave me quite the adrenaline rush being put on the spot to speak about a topic I was unfamiliar with (see: I am not well-read) for 7 minutes with only 30 minutes of prep time. Being a freshie debater around so many seasoned speakers was truly an experience. "Free-flow of intellectual discussion," I quote Don Siron. :p

While I personally believe that the odds of us breaking into the quarter-finals are against us, anything can happen right?

All I know is, I met the goal I set out for this weekend: WIN AT LEAST A ROUND! Whee!

5. I just got a call from Nicotoh telling me to get my butt to the Loft for Krystine's 18th birthday bash, but I'm being a No Man tonight simply because I'm exhausted both physically and mentally, and the issue of transportation (and curfew, geez). I HATE KL.

6. And to tie in with No. 5, I'd like to share something my best friend texted me the other night (that gave me quite a tickle) when I declined his invitation to paint the town red in Mist.

"You are becoming dull, and that upsets me."

...

7. HOLY SHIT BATMAN I JUST REALISED RESULTS ARE OUT IN TWO DAYS! Maybe if I convince myself "I will not resit Bio I will not resit Bio I will not resit Bio" enough, it will come true. According to German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, at least. Who is Schopenhauer? No clue - but according to IMDB, one of Hitler's favourite authors, which was referenced in a joke in "Life is Beautiful" - a fantastic Italian film I've been meaning to watch for a long time (and finally got a chance to in IELTS the other day).

When A Dream Seems To Be Out Of Reach

2009-07-30T21:56:00.004+08:00

So my current top university choice is UCL. It's going to be like my Oxbridge of my university choices - you know, the almost impossible dream uni that seems out of reach? I plan to work my butt off to make sure I secure an interview at the very least. But the more I do my research, the more discouraged I seem to be.

Why? Observe:

1. Some preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to Chemistry and Biology, offer a contrasting subject at A or AS-level. In this context the definition of a contrasting subject is one outside the traditional science subjects of Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. For example: a foreign language, English Literature, History, Geography, Art, Music, Religious Studies, Design and Technology etc.

*Italics are quotes directly taken from the UCL MBBS Entry Requirements PDF file.

What is "some preference" supposed to mean la? Down.

2. Our standard conditional offer for 2010 entry is: grades AAA at A-level plus a pass grade in an additional AS-level (unless Biology is the additional AS-level, in which case a B grade is required).

While I am aware that medics are expected to get AAA, it's just comforting to know that their offer is AAB. You know. :(

3. Candidates with scores lower than 5.0, 5.0, 9.0 are not disqualified from the selection process. However, candidates with scores that are significantly below the average for their cohort are unlikely to be successful. Higher BMAT scores will strengthen an application but are not the only or overriding factor in the selection process.

I not only have to sit for UKCAT, but also BMAT. And registration deadline for BMAT is in September, and I'll be taking the test in November. How la not to stress like this?

4. It's listed as the Top 5 Universities (along with Top 5 Medical School!) in the UK. (According to Times, which is the only league table I trust)

I don't know whether I can. I just need to believe, right? Serves me right for making such an overachieving choice. I know I still have time to change my mind - until 15th October at least - but there's just this crazy voice inside me telling me to go for it. Might as well apply to 1 outrageous university right?

You know, all this dwelling on UCL has totally taken over the time I should have spent on researching my other 2 universities. I've already chosen Bristol for my 2nd choice, but I'm still clueless to the other two.

Wow, has it already come to this? Talking about universities? Shizzzzz.

I've made up my mind, don't need to think it over

2009-07-24T23:04:00.003+08:00

My immunity system seems to have perfect timing. My first weekend back since college reopened and I'm down with a horrible sore throat and the sniffles, with a twinge of the cough. I'm going to the doc tomorrow simply because I don't want to take any risks seeing how being sick in such a small community can be so infectious.

Apparently, out of the 400 odd students we have in college, already 116 have reported to the matron for fever. Everyone is just waiting for it to be announced that college will be closing because it's to the point where people are coughing/sneezing every 5 seconds in class.

But while the idea of a week (or perhaps more) off sounds ideal, I don't want to jeopardize the AS subjects I'll be sitting in October/November - Chemistry and Physics to be precise. Our teachers are also going full speed ahead in covering the A2 syllabus (which makes me wonder how the 18 monthers do it) so let's just hope no one has been infected with H1N1!

In other news, I thought our Batch Anniversary was well done by the juniors, despite the absence of cake. :P None of them seem to realise the importance of cake, but ah they will. Haha. Next up, CP! They are definitely a nice bunch, friendly but we'll just have to wait for them to really settle before we see their true colours! Hehe. This semester is going to be a really busy one, I can tell, and I'm already getting worried about the workload.

I've finally written a (half-hearted) personal statement draft and I've got to start making my top 4 university choices. I hate being fickle-minded. I've got to start learning how to make decisions and STICKING to it!

Ok, I'm getting excited for Harry Potty and Mar-Mar tomorrow, so I think I shall head to bed for a good night's rest. Hopefully, I'll make a miraculous recovery and be in tip top shape for a day out. :)

Out!

As I Am Typing This, I Miss

2009-07-22T00:17:00.004+08:00

Home. Mar-Mar. My family. My parents, my sisters, my grandparents. Kak Jumah and Kak Rubi! My friends. Langkawi. Roach-free rooms. When things were simple. My bed. Eating without thinking - oh wait, I still do that. The seniors, and the atmosphere they brought with them - the cafe and RC is just too quiet.

Induction week is officially over, and I am relieved. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we had a lot of fun as facilitators despite the glitches in the Matrix (haha, I loved saying that but nobody seemed to geddit :( ) and the upperhand we had at scoping out Batch 12, it is time to get serious. I don't want to lay down my judgement on the juniors just yet, so I'm hoping to be surprised during the Batch Anniversary tomorrow. Batch 11, we're already a year old! Oh shiz! :)

Nevertheless:

There is still shitloads of work I have to catch up on, I've got a folio to do, I've got a Personal Statement to draft, I've got studying to do, I've got to get my sleeping pattern back, I've got to stop sleeping so much, I've got to start eating right, I've got to stop being so transparent, I've got to set my priorities right, and I've got to be FOCUSED.

Results will be out August 10th, and I really don't know what I'd do if I don't get my As. Cbk.

Yippee

2009-07-11T11:42:00.002+08:00

Things I am looking forward to:

1. Going back to college, and seeing everyone again. Rindu woh!

2. Induction week!

3. HARRY POTTTAHHHHHHHHHH!

Yea, that's about it, really.

Things I am NOT looking forward to:

1. Going back to college. That will mean packing, cleaning up, etc.

2. Homework, homework, stuff to study, homework.

3. MISSING THE HARRY POTTER PREMIERE WHICH ELENA SCORED 2 TICKETS TO ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

I don't mean to sound like a brat, but really. This. Is. Harry. Potter. We're. Talking. About.

4. Getting my ass kicked for not studying/doing homework/drafting my Personal Statement.

5. The departure.

I Wish

2009-07-10T01:24:00.004+08:00

1. I could turn the clock three weeks. I have officially misused the holiday, peace out.

2. I could have done the volunteering at the Spastic Children Center.

3. I didn't fall sick the 2nd week.

4. Some people would just get a clue and not be so stubborn.

5. There were 36 hours a day.

6. I had started studying, homework and working on my Personal Statement. (Oh mama I really hope you don't read my blog)

7. I had cleaned my room and not piled up all the mess.

8. I hadn't missed the MJ memorial; how can there be NO repeats? What an outrage.

9. I could continue my HIMYM marathon (because I love Marshmallow and Lilypad and Barney) and
still do all of the above.

And drumroll, please..

10. I would grow a fucking backbone and be brave to do things I've always wanted to do, say things I've always wanted to say and most importantly: stand up to the people I've always wanted to.. stand up to. I wish I could stop being so nice to people who I clearly don't want to be nice to (to make a point) but I can't.

Wedding Bells!

2009-07-04T22:16:00.006+08:00

I know I said I was going to blog about Langkawi, but I believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I have a a couple of hundred thousand words in one of my facebook albums so head over there for a glimpse. And since I had no plans tonight, I thought I'd upload photos of all the sub-events for Hani's (the first cousin on my mom's side to get married, so this is a big deal!) wedding.

Her Bachelorette Party + Majlis Berinai + Akad Nikah + Wedding Reception.

But of course, fate intervened and my camera is not with me tonight.

Let's just say that if THIS is how hectic is going to be for my cousin's wedding, can you imagine the madness and chaos that will ensue when Fara gets married next year? Oh yeah. I think we should hire cameramen to follow us around from the day we start planning till the very end to document our fights/disagreements/bitching and make a reality TV special entitled "When Bridezillas Attack".

I keed, I keed.

I still love weddings though. :)

Hani looked gorgeous at her wedding reception last night at Kampung Pengantin (a really really nice hall with good ambience, albeit dodgy surrounding area), and since the theme was Red, all the immediate family + pengapits + flower girls + ushers were in red, so I'm sure the photos turned out great. I can't wait for the professional photographers to send their photos! In the mean time, here are a couple from my dad's camera.

All the single ladies, all the single ladies!

The festivities aren't over yet, because we'll be attending the groom's side tomorrow at Nilai.

The second week of my holidays were totally wasted, by the way, due to the tiny H1N1 scare I had this week. Poor Najwa got it from someone who just flew in from UK whom she met at the HELP prom. Catch was, the last time I saw her was before the prom, BUT I already had flu symptoms after Langkawi, and the Petaling Health District Office called me since my details were given as part of contact tracing. Since I had the symptoms, they told me to head over to PPUM to get a throat swab.

This part I freak out of course, but I head over there and THREE HOURS later I get the throat swab. Why? Because apparently, each throat swab costs about 500 a pop (correct me if I'm wrong) and so they couldn't just give it to any Tom, Dick and Harry who claimed to have been exposed because we weren't charged for it.

By the way, throat swabs don't sound any simpler than blood tests because I had to do it a couple of times seeing how I gagged when it was shoved down my throat. Ugh. Btw, I had to be quarantined until results were out so I had meals in my room and everything, wore the mask at home and sisters treated me like a disease shouting, "SELSEMA BABI" whenever they saw me outside my room.

A few things did make it better, like Mar-Mar bringing me bubur ayam (at the risk of contracting H1N1 - that's what you call love, haha) and Aimi ordering pizza and hot chicken soup for me all the way from Kuantan! :)

So anyway, there were two possible outcomes:

1. If I turned out to be negative, I was free to go.

2. If I turned out to be positive, I would be sent to the Sg. Buloh Hospital, and my whole family would be quarantined for a week.

This would have been no biggie, except for the fact that my cousin's wedding was coming up in two days, and a lot of us played a big role cos Elena and I were ushers, Fara was the pengapit, Maria was a flower girl, my grandparents were to sit on the main table, etc. I suppose you could imagine the relief when my mom called up the hospital the next day and found out I was in fact H1n1 FREE! Best part was how she told me.

(on the phone)

Mama : MIRAH WE'RE COMING HOME TO TAKE YOU TO SUNGAI BULOH!
Me : But WHY?!?
Mama : Because you were tested positive!
Me : ... YEAH RIGHT.
Mama : But why don't you believe me? :(
Me : Because you can't lie for nuts, Ma.

Omar says thats where I got my lying skills from, he he he.

I believe that's all from me, today. So let's hope the last week of my holidays will be a productive one, yes?

OMG, MJ's dead!

2009-06-28T01:12:00.005+08:00

I was woken up yesterday morning by the TV downstairs. I heard people talking about Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith, so I sat up straight in confusion. I headed over to the computer, opened Pink! Is The New Blog and when I read the words, "Michael Jackson Passed Away" I was literally speechless for about five minutes, before I headed downstairs to watch CNN with my dad.

Shocking, is the understatement of the year.

My family and I have been huge fans of his for a long time, and I can accredit this to my dad as well, who has been a huge influence on my music taste. See: The Beatles, Abba, Bee Gees, Santana, Led Zeppelin - at least, recently. Haha. He had the Thriller, Moonwalker etc. on Laser Dics, DVDs, CDs, you name it! I can also proudly say to my grandkids that I had the privilege to attend Michael Jackson's concert in 1996 for his HIStory tour. And sure, I may have been 5, but I still remember bits and pieces.

But the fact still remains that I still can't believe he's gone. I think what's so tragic is that his death was so unexpected as he was only a month away from his final tour in the 02 Arena in London. I'm sure he would have made a final lasting impact with those 50 concerts. Despite his turbulent personal life, surgical faux pas, going broke, dangling babies, paedo accusations and whatnot, nobody can deny that he was one hell of a performer. He may have been more of Fara and Lena's generation, but I'm glad I was around to see him in his prime firsthand too.

I tend to babble, so I'm gonna keep it short:

It's just such a shame. He was so good looking, both black and early white days. Can anyone say HOT in Remember The Time? And Bad? And Black and White?

In the car with Mar-Mar just now, we were listening to live songs of MJ on Hitz.Fm and he (Mar, not MJ!) asked me what my favourite MJ song was and I just couldn't decide.

He just had too many good tracks!

And just cos I feel so semangat about MJ now, here's my Top 10 in no particular order:

1. Rock With You
2. Remember The Time
3. Thriller
4. Bad
5. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
7. The Way You Make Me Feel
8. Wanna Be Starting Something
9. Pretty Young Thing
10. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

You know what, Top 10 doesn't even cut it. I've got at least 10 more favourite MJ songs. :(

You're going to be legendary, Michael. May you rest in peace.

..

And since I had coffee at 11.30 pm and I can't sleep, here's an MJ Fun Fact!

Did you know that MJ revolutionized the music video clip? Correct me if I'm wrong, but his epic 7 minute Thriller music video started the music-video-with-a-storyline which paved the way for the creative and imaginative music videos we see today.

Next post:
Langkawi and Hani's Bachelorette Party!

On holiday

2009-06-21T22:41:00.004+08:00

for the next 3 weeks! My second semester in the middle of nowhere is finally over, and while I feel relieved that I've got 50% more to go, I couldn't help but feel that sinking feeling in the pits of my stomach during End of Semester Dinner, knowing that I wouldn't be seeing the seniors again. I didn't cry, but I sure didn't feel too good. There were the seniors who I got closer to, having endless chats at the RC. There were a number of seniors who I only started talking to this semester, and I am glad. And there are still the ones I wished I could have gotten to know, but life's like that. So what I'm trying to say is,

Farewell Batch 10 & 10.5. You will be missed.

Seeing the seniors hug, cry, take photos, shake hands, exchange yearbooks during End of Sem really hit me. They've shared 2/1.5 years with their batch, and will be parting ways. What will it be like next year?

On another note, KYUEM Senior Prom (previously known as External Dinner) at Renaissance has finally come and gone. It was nice seeing everyone dress up - girls in their fancy dresses, make-up and hair, and guys in their suits. Men in suits are always a plus! So while I was busy for one half of the night doing SC stuff, I sure did have fun the rest of it on the dancefloor (with KYUEM people for the first time!), camwhoring and our SC after-party at the Sungai Buloh R&R. Haha.

And then the last day in college was Awards Day where we had royal guests of honour! SC members were ushers, so we had an excuse to welcome the Raja Muda of Perak (and his very beautiful wife!) on the red carpet, what with all the sembah-ing and royal protocol and what not! Congrats to those who won the awards - Zat, Pak Lah, Ikmal and Michelle - and a huge one to Aak for being awarded Scholar of the Year. Because she truly deserved it. :)

So while I wish I could have added photos to this post - I've used my camera pretty often this week - my computer's being a beech.

Tomorrow morning I head off to Langkawi for some good relaxation with Mar-Mar and the KDU gang because I haven't seem/hung out with them in yonks. I shall see you on Thursday then, loves!

I am happy

2009-06-08T11:56:00.004+08:00

because

1. Things are falling into place, I think.

2. Someone's baccckkk.

3. I no longer feel the perpetual need to strangle someone.

4. Lessons have been learned, sacrifices have been made.

5. Term is ending in two weeks followed by a 3 week holiday, AMEN.

6. I think I've accomplished at least 60% of what I had set out to do for this semester.

7. AS is over, over, over. Except I've got Physics and Chemistry in Oct/Nov but whatevs.

8. My Federer won his 14th Grand Slam, and first French Open.

9. I am now tweeting. Add me if you are!

10. I can actually relax now.

Takes a deep breath.

Someone, please, take the TV away

2009-05-16T22:38:00.003+08:00

Just today, I spent the whole afternoon watching the True Blood marathon. I was a little turned off at first by the setting (rednecks, annoying drawls, etc) but then Vampire Bill grew on me and now I'm kinda into it. Maaaaaaybe it has something to do with the pretty dresses (although sometimes a little too skimpy) Anna Paquin wears and the fact that the lead man reminds me of Mr. Darcy from the Keira Knightley version. And while I'm more partial to Colin Firth, a Mr. Darcy is a Mr. Darcy. It's those damned sideburns I'm telling you! The storyline was a little Twilight, but in their defense, the books the TV show was based on were written way before Twilight was, so, hah.

And then right after, I went up to my sister's computer to watch the final 3 episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 5. It started off pretty slow but it picked up in the last half hour and all I can say is: Cliffhangers like that should be made ILLEGAL. Shonda Rhimes cannot make us wait FOUR months to find out what happens next arghhhhhhh. My eyes were brimming at one point, so yes, I thought the finale was very well done. (I hope you can tell that I'm just bursting to talk about what happened, but see, I'm nice)

As you can see, my plan to study Biology today did not go so well. I've still got Ugly Betty, Scrubs and Gossip Girl to catch up on.

TV. Is. Not. Healthy.

Oh yes, AS has started, and two papers already down. 3 more to go - Statistics 1, Bio Paper 1 and Bio Paper 2. I like how everything's spaced out, not like SPM's hectic two week cramfest. I'm not sure if I'm coming back next weekend cos I've got a paper the very next Wednesday and packing, time spent on the road etc. takes a lot of time. I distinctively remember saying how I was going to start staying in college during the short weekends, but that was a no-go.

Total no. of two-week-stays in college this semester = 3

But this includes SC Training Camp, Sapphire house trip and the weekend before trials.

Therefore it should be

Total no. of voluntary two-week-stays in college this semester = 1

It's already May, and it feels as if it was only yesterday we were at Vincent's celebrating New Years. Where has all that time gone? Half a year is almost up. Though I have to admit, a lot has happened in that short five months. I started having actual conversations with people I may have only said a word to last year, got a lot closer and started sharing secrets with friends who were simply "Hi and Bye", and with the good comes the bad, I suppose: I lost touch with some, kept in touch with others.

I don't know where I'm going with this, but one thing's for sure, I want time to stop moving so bloody fast.

OMG THIS IS SO COOL!

2009-04-28T12:20:00.003+08:00

I've been living under a rock because I just realised how I can now post VIA EMAIL. I've been reading about other people doing it (via their blogs) but I never really understood it... until now!

Ok I've got a Chemistry paper in about 2 hours and I'm not prepared. As information goes in, some goes out, as if trying to reach a dynamic equilibrium which is really not helping my situation. My Physics paper was pretty much an epic failure yesterday when I left out a cumulative of 10 marks in Paper 2.

UGH.

I am hoping for a chemistry miracle so that I don't put on 15kilos as I am a stress eater.

Screw up chemistry -> beeline to cafe -> eating unnecessary sinful calories -> + 15 kilos

Testing testing 1-2-3

2009-04-28T12:14:00.001+08:00

I'm not sure how this works.

Is this it?

When priorities don't just seem to match up

2009-04-23T13:43:00.004+08:00

See, I've got myself in quite a pickle. Semester exams are next week, which means I have to work my ass off to cover Chemistry and Physics, particularly Chemistry because the grades will play a huge role in my forecast results next semester, and Medics just can't get a B. That's like, a sin or something. So I'm diverting all my attention to Chemistry, but then there's Physics. Which is not as important, but also just as because I have Dr. Foord. Who is also my tutor. So I obviously do not want to look like an ass in my tutor's subject.

Now I'm chilling for Biology semester exam because I've covered everything already for trials, but see there's the looming AS. Which is like 3 weeks from now. And I've yet to throughly study Infectious Diseases, Immunity and Ecology. Which means I am quite screwed, to say the least.

I have to sacrifice my Cafe time and my RC time because all I do there is talk cock and watch as time flies, laughing at me at every second that goes by.

And call me stupid, but I agreed to go to Singapore with my family next weekend. Technically, I'll be away from Thursday night to Saturday.

Ayam stupid, because

a) I still have Chemistry practical on the following Tuesday. BUT, I actually have Sunday AND Monday to work on it, so I'm not too stupid I suppose.

b) I could use that Friday and Saturday to catch up on Bio cos HELLO I'm sitting for AS this May !!!!

c) I still haven't told my mom about my doubts cos if she hears so much as a squeak, she'll tell me not to go.

But

d) I want to go. I haven't been on a holiday in aaaaaages and Singapore = shopping.

e) By the time I decide to not go (which is unlikely, but WHO KNOWS my conscience likes to play funny tricks on me) it might be too late cos the flight ticket might have already been bought. I'm flying to Singapore on Thursday night with my sister cause the rest of the family is going in the day (I think; I'm just winging it here)

f) So I've decided to leave it up to fate. Who knows? My mom might decide to cancel the whole trip altogether.

In conclusion:

I have horrible time management because I could have spent the ten minutes writing this "informative" post cramming more organic chemistry crap.

I am going to FAIL.

Ayam so lazy.

2009-04-17T00:39:00.002+08:00

I DON'T WANT TO FAIL CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS FOR MY PREDICTED GRADES.

P/S: Good luck for AS and A2 y'all.

She's got you high, and you don't even know yet

2009-04-02T09:11:00.003+08:00

Listening to: Mumm-Ra - She's Got You High

Over the holidays, we (Lena, Maria and I) watched Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging.

.. And we loved it.

Sure, it was a Nickelodeon movie, silly and beyond the valley of Cliche (ahah), but I enjoyed it. Plus, I love SamSoon-ish happy endings. See, I did a little K-drama reference there, hehe. The soundtrack was ace (HAHA) too, which is what I'm listening to right now.

I'm one paper away from the end of trials, by the way. Which also means I'm six weeks (or less, eek) from AS. I'm getting scared, especially how I screwed up my Biology practical two days ago. We had to prepare 3 slides of the inner epidermis of an onion and compare it in 3 solutions under the microscope. I accidentally smeared one slide (don't ask how) so the cells were damaged, obviously, so I had to make another one, but do you know HARD it is peeling the inner epidermis of an onion? I nearly burst into tears. Okay, I didn't, but it was super frustrating.

I've only got Bio Paper 2 left tomorrow, which leaves today, Thursday, totally free. I woke up early for breakfast and so here I am blogging at 9.30 in the morning. Here's to a productive Bio day!

On a side note, a lot has happened over the past week in the blink of an eye, some stuff that I couldn't see coming, some things I could, and a little in between. There's a lot I want to say that's just at the tip of my tongue, but I don't think the time is right. Timing is everything. Just like in biology experiments (:P). My mental capacity has definitely been pushed to its limit this week and I'm interested to see how far it'll go. All I have to do now is focus, clear my head and take a deep breath.

This might not make much sense to you, reader, but trust me, as compared to the literary nonsense that is my head right now, it sure is

I forgot to blog about N.E.R.D.!

More on the next post, hopefully after Bio Paper 2! I'm finally going home tomorrow for the weekend. I've been in college for two weeks, so I can't wait. :p

See you.

Moisturizer, moisture, moisturizer, you need moisturizer, oh moisturizer, oh you need moisturizer baby

2009-03-20T00:52:00.006+08:00

*Sung to the tune of Britney Spears' Womanizer

Just a little Youtube fun, hehe.

While it has occured to me that I may have wasted yet another long holiday (like I always do) I'm not worried..

Yet.

I think it's only going to sink in two or three more days before trials (which will be determining my forecast OH HELL) and then I'll start shitting in my pants and pulling all my hair out. I'm still wondering why I'm not already doing all the above since I'm already foreseeing it. Funny, huh? So here's a list (a recycle of the other list at the bottom, gee, I'm so creative) of the things I have accomplished in the holidays. This time, I nicely accompanied pictures with them to liven this dull place a little, so feast your eyes on -

List of Things I Have Accomplished In The Holidays Thus Far

1. I finally had a go at a new haircut.

*Product may not look like actual photo, due to hairspray and blow drying done by a professional at the time of haircut.

2. My sister's getting married! Next year! Yay! And even if the tentative wedding date is in a year and a half, we're already in the wedding mood talking about venues, performances, speeches, and even discussing pengapits. And then the whole schedule conflict like, "Will I have flown off to UK by then?" ... If I get to go lah. Tres exciting!

3. I have found another Korean drama to add to my guilty pleasure collection: Boys Over Flowers. A little trivia: I was a huge fan of the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden back in 2002 and this is its Korean adaptation. This little gem was discovered when my dad told us about the new Korean channel on Astro, 303, and so upon browsing show after show I finally found this and have been Youtubing it ever since!

I suppose in the land of Korean/Japanese/Taiwanese drama, tales about how the rich badass falls for the poor girl, using cheesy declarations of love like necklaces which symbolize the moon and the star, etc. with bitchy snooty mothers who will simply not tolerate the heir to the family's internationally-renowned company frolicking with said, poor girl, is acceptable. Ah, I love it.

4. I saw him live on my birthday eve, and boy was he the perfect start to my 18th year! :)

And I'll be seeing him tomorrow! SO YOU CAN SPAZ IF YOU WANT TO! SPAZ IF YOU WANT TO!

5. I turned EIGHTEEN, bitches!
Which involved many birthday songs, a lot of soap, cloth bondage HAHA, and prank calls (:P), loverly birthday calls/messages/facebook walls, and an awwww-inspring muffin surprise by the Debate Club. Mad love to everyone!

6. My spending went way out of control.

La Senza Satin Pyjama Pants on 40% discount - RM59.90
Diva Hair Accessories - RM40
Manicure & Pedicure - RM60 <- I was conned.
Red Faux Snake Skin iPod Case - RM39.90 <- Worth it, because it's GORGEOUS!
Sunburst Ticket - RM143 (purchase done in January, but still feeling the pinch..)
Food - RM3293483209482389034829412

Tell me, how can I not sakit hati like this?

7. I did not get some of the things I had planned to get done by the holidays like

(i) Getting Viv fixed. Remember my Dell laptop which died on me? Yeah. I'm now using my dad's ancient Toshiba which is heavy and makes uncomfortable whirring sounds.

(ii) Get Past Year Papers & Answer Scheme from Mac Centre.

(iii) Cleaning up my room. What I have been doing is piling up the mess and keeping it hidden from mom. Heh.

(iv) STUDY STUDY STUDY, but instead it's:
EAT FOOD GO OUT SPEND MONEY WATCH K-DRAMAS

(v) Look for a new pair of comfy wedges

(vi) Getting projects done like the MALARIA PRESENTATION, PAINTBALL THINGAMAJIG, MINUTES OF MEETING, ugh kill me now.

8. I can proudly say I've done a bit of studying, Bio to be precise! I've got 2 more chapters to cover for Trials, and... five more for AS(s) this June. OMGWTFBBQ!

9. I did get a lot of family time done, what with Fara coming back for the holiday and everything. Sure there were the fights and the occasional screaming matches but we did have good food! Duck doodle - woops, noodle - Japanese bento boxes, Dim sum and everything else fattening you could possibly imagine.

10. I think communication is very important. In anything. So when one party decides to just "not be bothered" to keep it up on his or her end, it can all fall down - because it takes two hands to clap. Leaving the other party to hold the fortress up alone is just unfair and inconsiderate. I hope you what I'm talking about, if you read this. Call it my form of passive-aggressive confession.

You know what, this post is basically a recycle of the last post but since I'm too arsed to edit the post below or delete it, suck it up. Haha! It's getting kinda late and I was planning on sleeping early to wake up early to study tomorrow to catch up on lost time, but..

I guess not. :P

This is The Daily 10!

2009-03-12T23:55:00.003+08:00

More like, once-every-forever update:

1. I'm not dead.

2. I turned 18 on 5th March 2009. I'm legal, bitchesssssss.

3. I watched Jason Mraz live. Mad love to his arms and guitar.

4. My sister's boyfriend of 10 years finally popped the question. If he liked it, then he should have put a ring on it. Which he did. On my birthday, pulak tu. My limelight, hello? (Just kidding, Redha)

5. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

6. I've been eating like nobody's business since the holidays started and I think I've gained 59208 kilos.

7. I relaxed my hair again, felt all adventurous and opted for bangs which is a first in the history of Amirah's Bad Hair With A Mind Of Its Own, ala Zooey Deschanel in Yes Man. Or just Zooey, actually.

8. I LOVE IT.

9. I just hope it won't give me breakouts on my forehead.

10. I'm on a two week holiday until next Saturday, so give me a ring if anything. :)

I don't think anyone reads this blog. So mad love to you, stranger from Zimbabwe, if you just happened to come across this little ol page. :)

I Want To Marry Mark Wahlberg (1996)

2009-02-04T10:40:00.003+08:00

This picture clearly doesn't do him justice because he was just HAWT (and I never spell hawt as hawt because that's just corny) but he just deserves that in the 1996 movie Fear with Reese Witherspoon. People might have hated it, and called it predictable, but I actually liked it. It started out so well, I actually fell in love with the sweet and sensitive side of his character in the first half of the movie and how he tried to win her family over in the beginning.

So I'd like to block out his psychotic side in the second half, because the movie could have just gone with another direction.. But then again, I'm sure that if it had gone the chick flick way, Mark Wahlberg wouldn't have chosen to act in the movie.

Excuse my temporary (hah, I can already sense people questioning this here) lapse of bimbo-ness, but I think I deserve to. It's a perfect way of letting off steam when you're in a secluded area surrounded by geniuses, pressured into performing your best.

Stupid Rafa.

2009-02-01T23:27:00.006+08:00

Okay fine, he's not stupid. In fact, he's a fantastic tennis player, but I just really really really really wanted Roger to win. It would have been his 14th Grand Slam title.

But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Not yet anyway.

I was supposed to go back to college at 9, but I couldn't just leave in the middle of the heated game?! So I waited until the championship point. Which went to Rafa. Boo. I couldn't even stay to watch the award presentation. :( It wasn't until we were on the highway that my sister texted me, "Roger is crying like a baby!!" so I guess I'll Youtube it. :P

People ask me, "Why do you support Federer anyway?"

Good question, too. I admit, I only started watching tennis last year. But I suppose it's because I've heard about the Fed-Express for a very long time and when I finally had the interest to actually sit down and watch two men hit a ball back and forth for hours, I just wanted to witness a historic Federer win LIVE, for myself. That man has style, and not just in his tennis, hehe.

But I guess I was a year too late, and that I'll just have to wait.

Do you think he'll quit tho? I hope he doesn't because I'm sure he's got a least a year or two left in him! I'll be waiting for Wimbledon anyway, because the French Open will just be another Rafa win, that's fo sho. That man's insane. Like on steroids insane. How the hell does he get his stamina?

Nevertheless, I love me Roger. :)

The cutest Roger slogan I saw tonight -

"NUMBER 14 - ROGER THAT!"

Haha.

I'm very lazy

2009-01-28T16:38:00.003+08:00

because I just need the push to initiate. But once you get me rolling, I'm a surefire to get it done. So when I got back to the chalet during my triple free block (YES!) I decided to sweep my chalet, arrange everything nicely, get my files organized, and create a makeshift misc. thingy holder out of my empty granola box. Cool stuff huh.

I've realised that I've never actually shown my "room" on this blog, so I shall make a promise to omgitsmirah.blogspot.com to get my room all pretty-ed up with photos and posters and take a picture to post it here. Whee.

Also:

It's a nice feeling when a friend asks, "Hey, are you okay?" when you clearly aren't. Even when he or she doesn't have the solution to your problem. It's just nice to know that he or she cares, or has at least taken the time to stop and study your facial expression to come to the conclusion: something's not right here.

So thank you, friend.

On a side note, I've added an extra column to the left of the page ----->

P/S: It's official, I'm now a member of the KYUEM Student Council 2009! I'm feeling a little excited yet scared, all the same. Along with (I'll count this later), I hope everything goes smoothly. Congratulations to the successful candidates, and if you lost - it's ok, the mere fact that you went up to run for a post speaks enough. :)

There's a lot going through my head right now.

2009-01-27T14:19:00.003+08:00

Doubts, insecurities, worries, questions, complaints, uncertainties.

It's all bottled up inside, because I can't seem to articulate it. Not even on paper. All I know is.. it's there. In my head.

There's this constant worry line between my eyebrows and I sure hope it's not gonna be permanent. I doubt many people, at least the people who I want to tell, could understand.

But maybe I'm just being a drama queen. As always.

I really need to clear my head.

The SC Experience

2009-01-21T00:45:00.004+08:00

Most of the high school TV shows I've watched (based in the States, obvi) have the Student Council, so I suppose I've always wanted to know what it'd be like. But since we didn't have one in Sri KDU and I went on to Taylors, there was a Student Council. I didn't bother to run, however, because I knew the 1.5 years of cramming a 2 year syllabus would eventually take its toll on me. Furthermore, the fact that Taylors was overpopulated (can someone say.. 10 pre-medic A-Level classes alone?) and thus, I doubt you could reach out to everyone, let alone 50% of the student body, didn't help either. That was until I entered KYUEM.

Here "in the jungle", as we lovingly put it, it's a much smaller community. According to Lisa (my chaletmate/the person right next to me hence we talk over partitions/former Taylorian as well), Taylors accepts about 700 students per intake.. which is roughly 4 times larger than the number of students we have in our intake here. So when they (current SC) showed us the presentation last year about the upcoming elections, I was, you could say, quite interested in the Welfare Exco position.

That was until the holidays began, and I became a sloth.

But once I got back into college, SC was all people could talk about - a few people even came up to me saying "Hey, I hear you're running for this and that" when all I did was mention it in passing, and at the time, I had already decided against it. So when SC nomination opened at 5 p.m. I had already decided not to because of the ridiculous amount of work. And then it was 5.30pm and I found myself outside the room. I know this sounds self-righteous and everything, but there was this voice inside ~~telling~~ nagging me that I was going to regret not running for SC because this was basically a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

So I did. For Academic Exco.

Now for all you non-KY people, DON'T LAUGH OK. I know it sounds noob, but you should see the portfolio. :P

After nominations closed, our the SC prez read out the list of nominees, and then I realised only Mishyan and I were running for the two posts of Academic Exco. I did not know what that exactly meant, but I'm not gonna comment anything further until tomorrow - ELECTION DAY! But coming to the main point of this post - and yes, I'm not there yet -

I was just going to mention how amazed I am at how word spreads like wildfire in this college, and that if you care about people talking about you, it is best you calculate your every move, political or not. KYUEM politics is so drastically different from the so-called "prefect politics" two years back in KDU or "cheerleading politics" I witnessed in Red House lol lol lol. Here, it is taken very seriously and I'm both amazed and in awe, or jakun, if you please.

The Student Council, which has always been labelled as "simply event organizers" - which I admit was even my perception during Taylors and TV - is not so here. Or at least, the SC every year, try and try again to make sure they avoid this stamp. I really don't mean to compare Taylors and KYUEM - I still miss PM7 :) - but it's just that Taylors is the only other SC experience I've... experienced.

Here, we have something called Manifesto Night where all SC candidates present their.. ding ding ding: manifestos. This is also something that could make or break your win, so people really go all out to outshine with creative ideas that can win votes. Here in KYUEM, we can't just propose "more parties", "abolish Malaysian studies!" and other non-realistic suggestions because anything you say on that night, if not carried out during your term, will and can be used against you. Not only that, a Q&A session also follows your manifesto so any loophole detected by members of the floor will be pinpointed, so you have better well done your research, or know how to answer.

Sounds intimidating, no?

First thought that ran through my mind, anyway. I was quite petrified of the idea of being so exposed and vulnerable on stage (yes, despite my so-called auto win) but luckily I was only asked one question about my manifesto (yes, I had two! haha) and I think I answered it okay-lah.

Campaigning is also the fun part, because this is when creativity really comes into play and I loved reading the new posters/ideas people came up with. Campaigning was another aspect of SC elections that I never really got to fully experience - but I did paste 3 posters, hehe.. Relatively tame compared to huge banners and poster on every other pillar.

It truly is an experience, so here's a shout out to anyone reading from KY (which I highly doubt, hehe) :

Vote wisely tomorrow, and may the best (wo)men win!

Also, to everyone who sat for their A/S last October, GOOD LUCK cos I know results are coming out tomorrow.

So it's just up to here for now.

Goodnight! :D

P/S: Here's a pack of virtual oreo cookies for reading the whole post. A little sore on the eyes, but it's just all the pent up blogging-ness - and I haven't even said all I have to say, haha. Sorry. :)

If you don't already know..

2009-01-05T00:40:00.006+08:00

Tonight's my last night sleeping in my bed. For the next week, anyway, hahaha.

Sometimes I talk about going to KYUEM as if I'm going overseas when in fact, I came back every weekend last semester. Hee. But I think I'll make it a point to myself to stay back during short weekends this time around, cos I think my family's getting sick of me. :( But anyway, some of my college mates are saying that this weekend is a long weekend (ie. no classes on Saturday, ergo I can come home on Friday afternoon!) so yay I'll be coming back soon.

I've grown so accustomed to bumming at home, eating yummy homecooked food by my Nani every lunch and dinner, waking up at 12, sleeping at 4, clean showers, cockroach-free rooms, strong water current for good flushing, going out incessantly and having nothing to worry about. I'm not dreading college, but I guess I just don't think I'm ready for it just yet. This conversation took place at dinner today:

Papa : What time are you going back tomorrow?
Me : I DOWAN GO BAAAAACK.
Papa : Huh? You don't want to go back? Fine then, go back to Taylors lah.
Me : ... Okay fine I want to go back.

Once again, I've overpacked and I think I'm going crazy.

1 suitcase is already full and all it contains are:

2 Blankets, 2 Bedsheet, 2 towels, enough academic attire (baju kurung + shirts + slacks we wear to class) to last me 2 weeks

I've yet to pack:

Shoes, toiletries, undergarments, casual clothes, food, BOOKS.

I've also come to a conclusion that:
There aren't any more reliable stationery shops in PJ, or at least the vicinity of PJ that I live in.

It's times like these I really miss the blue building that we've fondly called Jaya. I'm sure I've mentioned my ODD stationery tendencies about a million times, and how the Popular branch at Jaya catered to my (almost) every stationery need. I went to the one in Amcorp Mall today and it was so disappointing.

I couldn't find:

The Pilot Shaker, Pilot G-1 0.5 Pens (the blasphemy) and organizer refills! RUBBISH!

Joo Hua at Section 14 has yet to disappoint but I won't know until tomorrow because Joo Hua is closed on Sundays.

While I ramble on about my stationery adventures, overpacking and the nonsense of the like, I bet you can tell it's only a mask to cover up the true bummer of the week:

Lover boy's flying off to the land of W(h)ales on Wednesday, so technically, the last time I'll be seeing him for the next six months will be tomorrow. How do you say goodbye to someone who you've seen every day for the past month with only one thought running through your mind:
"I won't be seeing you any time soon."

(insert sad smiley here)

2008-12-31T00:42:00.003+08:00

I was gonna blog about how fantastic I thought "Australia" was despite me being a little apprehensive about the trailer and marketing but I loved it! Hugh Jackman was beyond hotty-hotty-hotness and I was positively in love with little Nullah.

But that was three nights ago, so.

I'm not gonna lie to you, the past month has been pure bliss. All I've been doing is spending time with the sweets and truly enjoying my holiday, ie. bumming, neglecting the mountain of homework (I can safely say that my parents do not read my blog) and I know I will regret it the moment I step foot on campus. I also know for a fact that the moment classes start, I'll be surrounded by all the smarty pants who probably covered the whole syllabus but TCAH!

I'm making it a point to myself to stay in tomorrow (heading out at night, obviously) and hopefully catch up on physics so Dr. Foord won't skin me alive next year and hopefully find out what our chem homework was or Mr. Boler will have my head, and maybe attempt Bio questions or I'll get it from Ms. Yati and who knows? A couple of Math exercises to make Ms. Aida happy?

Who am I kidding, though?

I'll probably only finish a fraction of that paragraph and spend the afternoon getting ready for the New Year party, hehe.

2008 was definitely an interesting year - it doubled my friends list on Facebook, that's fo sho, ever since stepping into Taylors and KYUEM and despite the ups-and-downs (see: scholarship madness, enrolling into TWO colleges, the departure of Mar-Mar) I can truly say I enjoyed it. Hopefully, I'll be able to usher in the new year with a bang!

And who knows what lies ahead?

Trials, hopeful Math AS in June, running for SC (maybe?) or Sapphire Exco, HARRYPOTTER6, Bronze DOE, the curly one's summer holiday, Hani's wedding, concerts (do I hear another Sunburst?) and... I'll be TURNING EIGHTEEN Y'ALL!

A very Happy New Year to everyone reading: I hope your 2008 was what you expected it to be and even more, 2009's only a day away! Cripe!

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore

2008-12-19T23:52:00.007+08:00

Listening to: Lily Allen - The Fear

I've only got about two weeks left till college starts again and I haven't started on the heaps of work Ms Yati and Dr Foord left us to do. It's like my brain's programmed on "PLAY"; two words: boyfriend's back! And then earlier this month, I wrote in to UM to ask whether I could be attached to a department in the hospital. Ended up in Obs & Gynae, so here's a list of observations I made:

1. UH is really, really big.

2. I sat in on a Caesarian! I got to wear the scrubs and everything - really cool. I felt all Dr. Addison Montgomery. Saw her (the surgeon, not Addison) cutting through all the layers of skin (hands out hand and says, "Scalpel" !!!!) before she started prodding and yanking the lady's pelvis open and then before I knew it - POP! Out comes the baby. It was only when the butt came out that I realised OH SHIZ A NEW LIFE JUST ENTERED THE WORLD. He (after close inspection) wasn't all that bloody, but rather blue. Turns out the mommy's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck but the little boy started crying as soon as he was out of the womb, so hooray Lady Surgeon.

3. I saw a vajayjay which previously, had a tumour the size of a fist outside it.

4. I thought a doctor (whom I tagged along during his ward rounds) was talking to a pregnant patient until I listened in and realised.. That thing ain't a baby, it's a tumour!

5. Ward rounds are something like what is shown on Grey's Anatomy. I did see four or five interns running hurriedly after the resident, patient after patient, introducing each case and then discussing with each other about the next step. Absent: sexual tension between residents & interns, and cases which uncannily resemble interns' personal lives.

6. I can stand the sight of blood.

7. You can use cellphones inside the Operation Theatre. Just thought you'd like to know. And there I thought the radiowaves were gonna interfere with like.. nevermind. I knew I overcomplicated things.

8. I always see the poster in our family clinic about Cervical Cancer Awareness, and how common it is in Malaysian women. I saw with my very own eyes the ugly truth at the hospital. Nearly every case I saw involved a patient suffering from it, and it is quite unsettling. Ladies, please get vaccinated!

On a lighter note, I just had my 4th Prosperity Burger since it came back to McD and I think that's good enough of a sign that I should stop eating so unhealthily. Ugh, you fatty. Oh on the topic of food, here's a joke I think is really funny, which no one seems to think so.. :(

So two mushrooms walk into a bar and they order two beers from the bartender.
Bartender says, 'Why should I serve alcohol to a bunch of musrooms?'
So the mushroom said:

(scrollover for answer)

"Come on, we're fungis!"

Geddit? Geddit? I rolled on the floor when I heard this one. Look out for the next post when I reveal my ULTIMATE favourite NUMERO UNO food joke which kept me laughing five minutes straight. It's gonna be good, I tell ya. I've probably told you already cos I love it that much, but just play along.

Till then.

;)

How come I end up where I started, how come I end up where I went wrong

2008-12-03T18:59:00.006+08:00

Listening to: Radiohead - 15 Step

So I managed to ~~trick~~ convince Vishal and Pradish into watching Twilight yesterday at OU (my second time, teehee) and boy were they in for a treat, haha. They regretted the decision obviously once they heard the row of girls behind us giggling when Robbie came out, but TOO LATE. I lav Robert Pattinson, and I prefer him as Edward Cullen as opposed to Cedric Diggory any day. Maria and I have been somewhat hit with the Twilight (Movie!) Mania because we've downloaded the Twilight Soundtrack album, as well as Twilight: The Score and it doesn't stop there.

Maria even found the music score for Bella's Lullaby and she's perfected the right hand on the piano, so I just kepo-ed and played the left hand, and voila! This might even result in a YouTube video, ahah. :) Maria has also picked up guitar lessons so she's learning how to play our favourite songs from the soundtrack on the guitar.

I'm looking forward to New Moon actually (2010!) because I didn't like the book so hopefully the movie might change my mind. But the biggest joke would be if they actually make Breaking Dawn into a movie because I thought that was the stupidest of the lot. I guess you could say I have a love/hate relationship with the Twilight Saga. Maria's making me read The Host as well, which is Stephenie Meyer's non-Twilight book but I'm a little apprehensive because it's sci-fi (and romance!), but hopefully I'll be proven wrong. That said, nothing can beat..

HARRY POTTER! :D

Psst.. Someone's coming back on Friday. ;)

With heart shaped bruises, and late night kisses divine

2008-11-28T02:11:00.005+08:00

Listening to: The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses

Some of you (who actually still read this) might be surprised to know that I (updated, yeah, I know, right?) haven't cut my hair since April. I suppose you could say that I was relucant to cut it in fear that the "relaxed" bit might have grown out and once I chop it off, it's back to Frizz Central. This was what it looked like this afternoon:

Um, please excuse the spelling error. It's supposed to be censored not, cesnored.

And a snip-a-snip later, voila!

I got the fringe back, layered it, and cut off two inches. Nothing too drastic cos I'm a scaredy cat like that. I know someone may not be too happy, but I just couldn't take the weight and the excessive time I spent in the shower shampooing it as I am blessed with very thick hair. Maybe once I re-relax the roots I might consider getting bangs, but that requires sooo much effort.

Moving on to girly fandom:

I'm sorry, I just don't like the movie posters. IMO, it looks too bleagh and photoshopped.. Like Pattinson & Stewart couldn't put aside a day to shoot proper pictures together.

Anyway, verdict:

I liked it. Not "loved it" but then again I was never that huge a fan of Twilight anyway. But I love Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen because I think he has the perfect paleness and chiselled features, mmmm. Bella had to grow on me, but they look good on screen together so I was pretty stoked (<- Miami Ink!) about the movie. Acting-wise, it was pretty mediocre, and I personally thought Charlie Swann had the best lines! I'm also hoping for a bigger budget for New Moon so that their special effects can be improved, PLEASE - I couldn't stop laughing at Edward and the vamps "running" and "climbing". But my favourite part was the baseball scene, hands down.

And I thought the soundtrack and music score was very fitting, too. I may not be a fan of Paramore, but the Radiohead track at the end really got me. And the song by Iron & Wine during the prom. :)

Overall, it was satisfactory! Something I may want to watch again (especially on DVD seeing how they cut the kissing scene - BASTARDS) but I'm curious to see how non-book fans would react to the movie because it's really hard to look past the cheesiness of Edward and Bella's undying love on screen. I thought it was fine, because I am a hopeless romantic after all. :)

Pattinson has got to work on his "I'm so tortured by the temptation of Bella's blood that I want to kill her and kiss her at the same time" look though because Elena thought he looked constipated, haha.

Nevertheless, I loved my vampires - I have a soft spot for Emmett & Jasper, hee - which basically compromised of people who have appeared in the OC at least once. :P

Okay, rant's over. I wanna be a vampire so I can play baseball in thunderstorms. Hehe.

Phew.

2008-11-05T23:51:00.002+08:00

I am flooded with a sense of relief. The KDU-KYUEM friendly debate is finally over and I can now rest without flipping thru my unorganized organizer and scribbling down notes like reminders and motions and pointers and debaters names, etc.

Oh yes, I am the Secretary of the Debate Society. Woot.

But there's nothing like the bad to balance out the good: I ~~lost~~ misplaced my thumbdrive for the second time this week.

I stupidly left it at the IT Labs the first time, but it was there on the main desk the next day.. And I only realised I lost it the second time when I was frantically looking for it today and turned the chalet (at least my quarter) upside down. I've got two articles due tomorrow for Veritas (our college magazine) so please bear with my frustration.

My swearing has reached an ultimate high, too - restricted to the four walls of my chalet, however - so my chaletmates have the pleasure of listening to all my fucks, cibaikias, bastards, mothers. You get the idea. Plus, my quarter of the chalet looks like a warzone.

I've also got a Physics test tomorrow too. Geez.

Ooh, something cool: The expat teachers had a mini-Guy Fawkes Day celebration which was so cool. I missed out on it though cos I had to be at the debate.. But I did see the stuffed Guy Fawkes doll they were going to burn, and the remnants of the bonfire. Tres cool.

It's already 12, so one more thing before I go:

OBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

From the top of my head:

2008-10-26T21:21:00.002+08:00

I wish everyday were long weekends.

I want a fridge and TV in my room so I don't have to leave.

I miss talking to my boyfriend every night.

I want a new blog layout, cos the kid is beginning to annoy me.

I want a Magic 8-Ball to make my decisions.

I wish we could ride scooters to class. (the old skool, foldable ones)

I want to go on a holiday, like NOW.

I wish my fingers didn't hurt so much from all the chord pressing on the guitar.

I want more hours in the day so I can finish all the Korean dramas.

I wish I could control time like an iPod. Rewind, fast-forward, hit pause and play anytime I want.

FUCK.

2008-10-11T03:36:00.004+08:00

I just found the first cockroach in my room.

There have been cockroaches in my chalet but never my room, or Lisa's. Until last night.

So I knew I was gonna find one in my room sooner or later.

But flying fuck, did it have to be TONIGHT?

I know it's stupid, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. CIBAI KIA MOTHERFUCKERRRRRRRRRRR.

:(

~~Pre~~-Menstrual Syndrome + Upcoming Semester Exam + Fucking Cockroach(es) = RAGE.

I know I should be worrying about my exams, but..

2008-10-06T17:15:00.003+08:00

I wanna go hooome.

Don't get me wrong, college is fun and everything, but once you've stayed at home for two weeks and you have to drag your ass back to the jungle, it ain't exactly easy to get used to it. :p

Fara's back for two weeks, my parents are flying off to Japan tomorrow, I've got exams next week.. and all that's on my mind right now is whether I can take Saturday off and go back on Friday this week. Heeeeeeeeee. But Ms. S just had to schedule our chemistry test on Saturday, pahhhh. But.. it's just a test, right?

My mummy's the coolest; she was so semangat about packing my raya cookies that I brought back six variations.

And a block of the world's best butter cake.

Mmmm.

Okay, there's a house meeting in five, so much love from the jungle.

xo xo

It's Eid Mubarak, Y'all

2008-10-03T22:53:00.007+08:00

I wasn't much of a camwhore this raya, so here's just a glimpse of what Raya is like in the Khaireen household..

My grandpa tersayang - the P-I-M-P - and his granddaughters. Missing from photograph: Sebrina and Dr. Fara (who's coming back tmrw!)

The usual food spread. From my mum's hand: rendang tok, lodeh, chicken curry, pulut, and harisaaaaa.

Ariff's open house, haha.

Okay, so maybe I did camwhore.. a bit. :p

Mar-Mar Becomes Legal

2008-09-28T23:18:00.011+08:00

At a glance, this boy doesn't look like he's a thousand miles away from home. Nor does he look like the type who detests hot dogs, burgers and mayonnaise. This boy, however, enjoys watching Dragonball and playing "Call of Duty" as a pastime. Usually seen in a yellow Beetle, he also has a weakness for Coke and Spicy Ayam Goreng McD.

Using aliases "Roy" and "Tommy", this boy also supports Manchester United. And if you squint really hard in this photo, you'll be able to see his most attractive trait, in the making - his curly locks of love, as I'd like to call it - which has nearly everyone in awe (including my chalet mates) at first sight. His idols also include Detective John McClane, Danny Zuko and Rocky Balboa.

This boy, also, happens to celebrate his birthday today.

Fast forward many years later, ladies and gents, this boy is my boyfriend. :) People don't really know the lengths he goes to cheer me up, so here's proof:

Omar, sayang, please don't kill me. The sunflower is just too cute, and I miss you like crazy.

Happy 18th birthday, Mie.

I hate it that you're spending your big 1-8 away from home, in a cold cold country, but I hope you had a blast. I know you're legal now and everything, but that doesn't give you an excuse to go crazy and start hitting all the clubs in town and buying cartons of you-know-whats at the airport when you fly back in December okay?

I know everybody makes a big deal of being "legal" and everything, but whatevs, I'll be joining you in a couple months time, muahaha. I lub you. You've seen me at my unfinest moments (see: mouth hanging wide open while sleeipng; falling flat in mud) and you're still mine. The fact that you're not an SMS away really bugs me, but I guess I had to learn to suck it up sooner or later. Don't think that you're miles away, I don't have tabs on the Welsh girls you're hitting on.

Just kidding. :)

Miss you.

xoxo

I've been M.I.A.

2008-09-27T17:27:00.003+08:00

because internet connection in the jungle is horrible when it comes to uploading photos. So I get fed up and forego any blogging altogether. But I'm back for the next week (one week is already up..) and I'm supposed to be studying but seeing as how I'm the Queen of Procrastination I haven't opened any books and my first semester exam is coming up.

What I have been doing is watching boxsets. Make that One Tree Hill Season 1 - 3 because I love my Naley, and ever since they had Jamie they've become all responsible and boring.

Elena, Maria and I also went through a mini Korean craze this week, which started with the movie "Seducing Mr. Perfect" on Astro Kirana starring the jaw-droppingly delectable Daniel Henney. Further wiki-ing led me to the Korean TV show which became his big break - "My Name is Kim Sam Soon".

It started with "Hmm I'll just check it out on Youtube" to "OMG let's buy the boxset so we don't have to wait for the clips on Youtube to load". We pulled several all-nighters throughout the week, only sleeping after sahur and waking up around lunch. Pah.

Nevertheless, I've already picked up several Korean phrases and we even had Korean BBQ a few nights ago for buka puasa because I wanted to try kimchi (which tastes awful, btw) and use metal chopsticks. Elena has even gotten round to speaking Korean - or at least, what we think is Korean because all you have to do is get your intonation right.

Korean drama aside, I've been pretty anti social this week and pretty much defined the term COUCH POTATO. I'm making a promise to myself to start hitting the books and getting out of the house. Twas Maria's birthday on the 23rd and her friends are coming over for dinner tonight.

Tomorrow will be the big baby's 18th. My big baby. I haven't heard his voice since he left and we've exchanged 27 emails already between us so I suppose you could say it's frustrating. The things you do for LDR. ;P

I'm supposed to blog about the auction we had in KYUEM for the Rotaract Installation, ala HELP, but I'm just too tired. Pictures will do the talking on facebook!

On a random note, I miss everyone. Especially KDU. xoxo

Maria says Hi

2008-09-25T18:25:00.003+08:00

Aloha Amigos.

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. :D

I love my sishter!!! (:

- Mariaa

When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part

2008-09-11T01:21:00.003+08:00

I said goodbye to him on Monday night at KLIA. I might be coming off a wee bit corny, but I think I have the right to be given the situation. Watching him walk away was the hardest part, I think - and I'm being brutally honest for the first time about matters of the heart in this blog. I usually tone it down and keep it for livejournal, but there's a first for everything, right?

But like I said - do you know that feeling when something so routine in your life is suddenly gone? That's how it feels. It's like having that favourite granola bar of yours every morning for breakfast, and then finding out the next day that someone stole your stash of granola bars. Omar is my granola bar. :(

People call me silly because he's coming back in December, but it's just the fact that he's no longer a call away, and that we're now seperated by oceans and different timezones instead of state borders. I haven't made contact with him since yesterday afternoon since he landed at Heathrow, and I bet he's still settling in - or probably busy with the induction programme. But I just wanted to let it out: Yes, I miss my boyfriend.

Well, I've got one thing to say - it's pretty embarrassing watching your own tears fall in front of your friends and his relatives. But underneath it all, I'm actually excited for him. He's going to be living in a freaking castle, Hogwarts style. That's my dream, dammit. Heh. I hope he's having a blast, that silly boy.

On a lighter note - Federer finally won a Grand Slam title! I have nothing personal against Nadal, but I felt a little smug when I found out he didn't make the finals, he he he.

I guess you could say I'm like Chipsmore.

2008-08-31T22:51:00.003+08:00

Now you see me, now you don't. (I never understood the simile they used in the Chipsmore adverts, tho, cos I ALWAYS see chocolate chips on the biscuits I eat.......)

But anyway, my blogging mojo is still on a holiday, but here's a little something I wanted to share.

There was a blood drive in college the other day, so I thought, "Hmm, taking blood is easy so I suppose it can't be that bad?"

So off I go to the hall, full of spirit, and I dragged one of my friends with me (who was very reluctant, but I convinced him otherwise) until I saw the beds and the people on them. I started getting nervous because it just hit me that these nurses weren't collecting test tubes of blood, but bags. Yea, so I'm a bit slow.

If that wasn't enough, nurses have always had trouble with locating a vein in my arm to insert the needle. So this time, it took three nurses. But it doesn't stop there - as soon as they inserted the fat-ass needle connected to the bag to collect blood (which doesn't hurt, btw, cos they've already injected something in you to numb it) my blood doesn't seem to flow. So in front of my eyes, they start moving the needle in circles trying to find a position which will keep my blood flowing.

So at this point I'm already panicking.

I'm supposed to collect 450 ml, btw, but by now my bag is only filled with barely 100 ml. And then the nurse says my blood has stopped flowing, cos there's probably a blood clot. Oh, great.

Then they take out the needle, of course, cos there's no point. Talk about disappointment.

But, the nurse says I've collected enough to save a baby so I'm quite satisfied with myself. I didn't put myself through the trauma for nothing. That's gratification for your ass. The drama doesn't stop here of course.

The next morning, I remove my band-aid and I see an ugly purple bruise the size of Singapore on my arm. The morning after that, a yellowish bruise surfaced, an extension of Singapore. To say that I panicked was an understatement. My drama queen moment was when I spoke to Dr. Fara (hah) the next day and told her the story and how scared I was that my arm was going to fall off cause it reminded me of the baby whose arm detached earlier this year when it became all blue because of an error.

She called me stupid, of course. It's normal, too, apparently according to the National Blood Service.

Well, at least I got that out of the way.. But wouldn't you be scared too if your arm looked like this?

I hope this doesn't discourage you to donate blood, though, cos I'm very theatrical when it comes to things like this. I really hope I'll be able to donate the full 450 ml the next time, though. I felt so cheated (my fault, anyway) when I left the hall only 100 ml lesser, when my friend who I forced to come, donated the full 450 ml. :P

But anyway, that's all I have to share.

Happy Merdeka, everybody! I spent it at home this year, hehe. I'm home for the wekend - I'm busy uploading a month's worth of photos on Facebook cos my KYUEM friends are bugging me.. Look out for the "Cultural Performance" album - it's an annual production put up by the junior batch. The title says it all, and I was involved in the Cultural Fashion Show and Bhanggra Dance, which brought back a LOT of Form 1 memories.

If you're curious to see the new bunch of people I've made friends with over at the jungle, take a look!

Until the next post sighting, I hope everyone's doing fine. To my Taylors' buddies - good luck for your trials. To my Muslim friends - Happy Fasting! I miss everybuddy. xoxo

I'm a P Driver, SUCKAS!

2008-08-18T13:28:00.001+08:00

The title says it all, really. ;)

I've lost my blogging mojo, though.

Has anybody seen it?

No, I'm Not Dead

2008-08-17T01:44:00.004+08:00

Yesterday marked a month of being in KYUEM, and I'm enjoying myself so far. I'm sorry that SOME people think my blog is boring (*cough*boyfie*cough*) but I just didn't have time to blog cos my classes can last till about 5, and then we usually lepak at the cafe cos it's just too troublesome to back and forth from our chalet.

And I just got back from the jungle today, cos we have a week long holiday! Woooohooooooo. No more karat water, icky food and kerek guards, haha. I would put up pictures but I stupidly left the key to the bag of my laptop bag in my chalet, so I'm getting my dad to break the lock open so I can upload the photos on Facebook.

I have no idea what I'll be doing this holiday, I even brought back some textbooks to kononnye study but I doubt I'll even be touching them.. All I know is, I HAVE to watch Dark Knight. And meet up with everyone I haven't seen in yonks! Other big news is...

I WASN'T CHOSEN FOR NS!

God knows the relief I had once I read "Maaf, no. KP anda tidak terdapat dalam senarai yang terpilih."

Yippeee! You know, I had a whole list of things to blog about mentally, but now it's all just empty. Geez. Watch out for the next post! :D

P/S: My two year anniversary just passed as well.. 1st August to be exact. 98 years more to go kan? ;)

And so it is.

2008-07-20T11:33:00.002+08:00

My first post from KYUEM, OMG, wow.

I've already spent five nights here and I'm surviving. Very homesick, but that doesn't stop the fun I'm having. I've made friends, got to know people from all over, different backgrounds etc. Life isn't perfect, and I'm slowly settling in.. so give me a week or two before I'm completely comfortable!

I'm already doing laundry, cleaning toilets etc. Go me! I met a couple of old friends as well from the SSP days, and got to know people who have mutual friends. I suppose you could say the only setback right now is the gigantic cockroach we found in one of my chaletmate's room (which isn't dead YET) and not having any audio privacy (lol) cos the partitions separating our rooms do not go all the way up to the ceiling. There's 4 of us in a chalet, btw, with 2 toilets so it's pretty much luxury compared to what I've seen before.

I don't want too much away because I'm waiting for my laptop to be able to access the internet, so I can do this perfectly.

I miss my family, my Mar-ble, the KDU friends and PM7 a lot actually.

Here's the cutest thing I've heard since I got here from the loved ones left behind -

"Can't you get Amirah a TV in her room?? Or a refrigerator??" -- What my appa (grandpa) said to my mom. So cute, kan? :(

I won't be posting up pictures anytime soon cos I lock all my valuables (camera etc) in my suitcase ever since one of the laptops of the new batch got stolen - just two days after Registration!

Much love to everyone. Drop a line or two, or even an email at amirahaniskhair[at]gmail.com and I'll be glad to reply.

Ta. :)

ALL THE GIRLS STANDING IN THE LINE FOR THE BATHROOM

2008-07-15T00:55:00.004+08:00

Oh shit oh shit oh shit.

It's nearly 1 and I'm not done packing.

I'm bringing so many clothes I'm afraid I won't have any left when I come home for the weekends.

I'm not ready to go.

I'm going to miss everybuddy. I'm going to miss hooooooooome and my mummy and my daddy and my appa and my nani and my Glen Coco(!).

And don't get me started on my marble. (Mar-Mar, marmar, geddit?)

Maybe by some miracle Mar-Mar will sneak into my house tonight and kidnap me. Oh noes. I'm so used to seeing him at LEAST once every two days so how la now boyfriend???? :(

And how about PM7 whose company I'm so used to? And my besties VishVish and Najwa? And the people I've been so used to seeing these past couple of weeks like my bodyguards? And and and and and and and and.

Ok I better get going now..

Somehow it doesn't feel like "goodbye" cos the fact that it's only 45 minutes away comforts me, I guess. And I'm never good with goodbyes anyway.

I don't know when the next post will be, cos I heard the connection there is shitty, but we'll just play by ear then, won't we?

Ta, folks. And so I leave you with something to remember me by, and don't have too much fun without me. :)

I'm so proud!

2008-07-14T10:24:00.005+08:00

My Sunday morning was rushed cos I was supposed to go to KLIA to fetch my parents but their flight was delayed, so the plan was to go to Bukit Jalil on the LRT, but my boyfriend decided to be a sweetheart and drove us there instead. Here he is looking all fierce (ala Project Runway's Christian Siriano) -

To be brutally honest, I scoffed at the idea of an all-boys Sri KDU team. But I'm glad I was proven wrong. But cibai, they got 3rd Place which is no joke considering that they are only behind cheerleading giants Dynamitez and Shirtliff. I think I screamed and leaped off my seat when Jien announced "KDU".

So, WELL DONE BOYS! I think my heart dropped when Wui Yang's (or was it?) shoe fell off right at the beginning cos I was afraid that they might penalise him for performing without a shoe.. But thankfully that didn't stop their routine! The girls routine was so canggih this year too, with all the super chun stunts.. Congrats nevertheless to both teams, I'm sure the girls earned a Top 10 position!

I honestly didn't think I'd be able to see Sri KDU in the top 3 of Cheer 200- because that used to be dominated by solely cheer veterans. But it's only our 3rd year, so what an achievement! Who knows what can happen next year, with every team stepping up their game!

Congratulations to Shirtliff as well, for the mind-blowing perfomance - it was definitely clear cut who the Top 2 spots were reserved for - Shirtliff and Dynamitez, hands down. But Jien definitely had me hoping that Stunners All-Girls had a chance at the trophy when he announced "S... M.... Sri.........." and then when everyone was silent "BINTANGUTARA!!!"

Oh well.

Better luck next year guys! I'm sure 1st place is what both teams will be after next year... ;)

Holy crap I just rememebered that I haven't packed yet. And I'm leaving tomorrow.

The King Dethroned, OMG

2008-07-07T14:36:00.002+08:00

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. When the ball hit the net on that last one, I nearly shrieked. Mar-Mar was upset. :( And you gotta admit the look on Federer's face when he lost, aiyoh so heartbreaking. He was so close, yet so far. Their four hour match was so exhilirating, but I am SO sure Federer could have clinched his sixth Wimbledon if not for the second rain delay.

This was only the second time I've watched Federer VS Nadal, so to hear from so many people that this is considered to be one of the best Wimbledon final, is really cool.

Nevertheless, you have to give the man credit for his style. I loved the cardigan he donned. Heh. So preppy - just the way I like it.

COME ON, ROGER!

2008-07-07T03:08:00.000+08:00

The third set had me fooled that Nadal was going to steal the title. HAH!!! There is still hope for the Swiss but it looks very dismal right now.. I know I just recently jumped on the tennis bandwagon, but I want to watch my first Wimbledon with a Federer win! I even got Maria to join me cos watching tennis alone can actually send me to sleep.

Which is why I was on the phone with Mar-Mar once or twice to keep each other up. If only my dad was here, staying awake wouldn't be a problem on account of the noises he make. I miss my parents who are in UK for Fara's graduation.. She's a full-fledged doctor now, btw! Well, I dunno about full-fledged la, but you can now call her Dr. that's for sure.

Ok I better put up this post before Nadal actually wins..... :(

Update.

Cibai, Federer finally has a chance!!!! Wow that was so exciting; Mar-Mar and I were on the phone in the fourth set and I think nearly woke my grandparents up with all my "YESSSS" and "DID YOU SEE THAT???" and "WHAT THE HELL!!!!" and fist pumping and what not. Who knew. Stupid London weather just postponed the game for the second time, so potong stim. Just as Roger was getting back in the game, they totally cut off his momentum. >:O

I think I'm high cos it's 3 in the morning. And I'm hungry as hell but I'm too arsed to go downstairs and heat up the 3/4 Mild Peri-Peri chicken in the refrigerator, hmm... :( And check - it - out - Gwen Stefani who looks like she was ready to pop still makes it for Wimbledon finals to support Roger!

Harry Potter 6 Movie Stills Are Out!!

2008-07-05T00:38:00.004+08:00

And yet another Friday night at home, for reasons I would not like to discuss here. *insert raspberry blowing emoticon here*

So while everyone's out at Bar Celona, I had a TV date with my own Spaniard.. and a Swiss. The tennis players, of course. Looks like it's going to be another NadalFederer final showdown ladies and gentlemen, woot!

I did however, manage to catch up on movies, hee.

In the cinema:

This was hilarious, and typical Steve Carrell funny. Anne Hathaway was smoking, too, but the line that had me in fits of laughter for the longest time was no doubt -

Maxwell Smart: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
The Chief: I don't know. Were you thinking, "Holy shit, holy shit, a sword fish almost went through my head"? If so, then yes.

I guess I've always had respect for Edward Norton as an actor, and I enjoyed this one. It was nice to see Liv Tyler back on screen too, cos I haven't seen her in a while. Overall, it was better than the Ang Lee take that apparently bombed at the Box Office.. But then again, I actually liked Ang Lee's version. I only thought the movie went downhill after Bruce's dad became all lightning-y and evil. But this was better, of course.

What I don't understand, however, is that the other mutant (Blonsky) could converse intelligibly when he was all big and hulky, but when Bruce Banner was green and angry, the size of his vocabulary was of a three year old, and it was as if he was struggling to even string a few words together.

Ok, my first impression of the movie poster was "Ooh Will Smith is gonna be a mountaineer on Mount Everest or something, like Chris O'Donnell in Vertical Limit." I guess I didn't take into account the skyscrapers reflected on his sunnies. Funny nevertheless, and it was a fresh take on superheroes - built in pairs kinda thing. But I was a little put off by some parts.. Which I shall not reveal here because they are spoilers, and I am kind to readers.

At home:

As you can see.. The leading men of both movies are Edward Norton. Hee. I loved The Illusionist. I loved the storytelling and how it had me fooled, and I really wouldn't mind watching it again. A lot of people compare this to The Prestige but I don't think I could ever choose. Teehee. :)

The Painted Veil was a gem of Elena's infatuation with Edward Norton. We actually scouted this DVD in the untouched corner of the DVD store we frequent. We even had to pay extra for this copy cos it was imported from Hong Kong! Seeing how I love period pieces (I'm a dramatically old-fashioned romantic that way) I loved this, and it had me at tears more than once. Nevertheless, the musical score was so pretty and fitting, and it was on piano most of the time, I think. Tchah I want to see Norton in more roles like this - hee. :)

Another brilliant work from Michel Gondry! :) I've only watched his Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep, so I was looking forward to this one because it had Jack Black. I was watching this on Viv in my room while Maria was asleep next to me (in the dark) so I had to bite my lip each time I felt like laughing because it was hilarious.

This movie introduced the concept of "Sweding" which is shooting your own version of a famous movie, so for promo purposes, the director (Gondry) "Sweded" the Be Kind Rewind trailer. Genius! Watch the original trailer here, and the Sweded version here. All in all, I give this a thumbs up because the "special effects" were just too cute.

Okay so what started out as a normal rant post ended up as a mega movie review. I'm sorry, I tend to get carried away. Till next time, ta.

2008-07-02T21:25:00.003+08:00

I realised I've never truly experienced anything new, on my own. And even if I have, the last one would have been the first day of school in Standard 1, SSP.

Std. 5, I had Vishal to brave Science Tuition with Pn Rohani.

Form 1, I had Najwa and Vishal to brave Sri KDU.

2008, I had Vishal to brave Taylors.

2008, I had Yi Ling to brave PM 7.

The rest of the tuitions I've had don't count because I obviously had them all with people I knew.

And now I'm kinda scared. All these years, all these "firsts" I supposedly braved were all with comforts of familiarity.

But as I open the next chapter in my life (eugh I really didn't want to use that line because it's so corny) in KYUEM, it's going to be all me. Alone.

And since I haven't jumped headfirst into the unknown in ten years, I can't say much about my ability to make new friends when I've got no one but myself to fall back on, because, I just don't know. Silly, right? I know. It just crossed my mind today.

Silly, silly thought.

I wanna make you smile, whenever you're sad, carry you around when your arthritis is bad

2008-06-27T22:46:00.009+08:00

Listening to: Adam Sandler - Grow Old With You

Download this song, and Forgetful Lucy. Both by Adam Sandler, performed in The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, respectively. Even though the lyrics are nonsensically cute, it doesn't stop me from going "Aww." I've yet to watch the Wedding Singer, and I'm trying to hunt down the DVD. 50 First Dates is one of my favourite movies, because Sandler-Barrymore is just too cute.

I'm slightly annoyed at Mar-Mar because he watched Wanted today without me, when he KNEW I was raving about that movie (and James Macavoy ♥) ever since the trailer is out. But nevermind, he now owes me 3 Chillis' Molten Chocolate Cakes, just because.

I feel like such a slob, truth be told. I've been on Viv the whole day, playing silly games like Diner Dash, The Waitress, Go Go Gourmet and Cake Mania.

..Please do not look at me like I am a 10 year old. I can't help it if my guilty pleasures come in the form of childish games at www.arcadetown.com :(

Moving on, I was blog-hopping on Xanga when I found out that Death Cab For Cutie cancelled their Malaysian gig. SINCE WHEN WERE THEY EVEN PLANNING ON COMING?! [Thanks Debbie]

And now they'll be performing at Singapore, of course. Where else?

Cibai.

(I've been saying "Cibai" a lot lately to the point where it has taken over "Fuck" and "Shit" full-time. Sometimes, it also comes out as "Cheebs". This, I fully blame the boys during the Redang trip. Good times, good times. ;))

And because I am a self proclaimed movie buff, here are the movies I'm looking forward to.. Click the title for trailers!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (!)
It's relatively new, so a poster isn't even out yet. Here are a couple of keywords to spark your interest: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett.

The Dark Knight

Twilight

The House Bunny
Because I love Anna Faris.

Tropic Thunder
I am super excited for this. Downey Jr. is gonna be FANTASTIC!

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Step Brothers

I can't help but..

2008-06-25T21:25:00.003+08:00

Procrastinate.

I'm sorry, it's just that I want to blog about Redang equipped with visual aids, but right now I'm on Viv, and all my photos are already stored on iPhoto in my Mac Mini for speedy upload to Facebook, so now.. Aiyoh. Just watch the space below this post, and you'll see a super duper colourful post noting all the memorable stuff that happened.

Btw, I hope you guys have noticed my header by now. Credits go to g e t t y images.com and I know it's illegal to remove the watermark, but I had to! But don't get your undies in a twist okay, I'm gonna create a "Credits" column thingy soon, so don't sue me. I thought it fit well with my blog, no? Ahhh, so cute. My blog just feels naked now cos I had to opt for no border, cos the borders don't complement the header image, so if you know of a way to hide the header border, but leave everything else bordered, hit me up!

On a totally different topic, I just jumped from my seat cos my dad loves to express his excitement/disappointment in yelps and random shouts which resonate throughout the house (he's watching tennis, see).. which might sound as if he's scolding somebody to foreign ears. And my father is not a pretty sight when he's angry, a bit like Bruce Banner actually. Ahah, joke, joke.

Anyway, we all know that it is Wimbledon season. I've started watching tennis since the French Open finals. And while I may be a sports noob, I kinda got the hang of the scoring thanks to Sports Wii (ahah love me, Nintendo!) and Mar-Mar so I find it pretty fascinating.

So I'm heading downstairs to watch tennis with my papa now, and who knows.. start yelling at the TV with him.

Watch this space.

Say hello to Viv

2008-06-13T01:01:00.006+08:00

Mummy got a free laptop for being a super agent so since she already has her Vaio... It's MINE! Despite my love-hate relationship with laptops, it was appropriate that I got one seeing I'll be going to boarding school in July.. Mobility aside, I've always had a love-hate relationship with laptops. Desktops are the way to go. Much love to my MacMini, you will be dearly missed.

But I guess it's cool now that I get to blog on my bed ala Carrie Bradshaw, which is giving me a nasty backache actually.

And since I'm not that happening in the Tech world, I'm regrettably illiterate when it comes to comp specs, so here it is:

The DELL Vostro 1200!

Her name's Viv btw. I suppose I haven't grown out of naming inanimate objects. I've only been using Viv for a day and I already miss my Mac Mini terribly.

And can anyone say MAC TOTALLY CREAMS VISTA'S ASS?

It's bad enough that I've been so dependent on my Mac OSX for the past three years: I've gotten so used to how things work, how easy everything's sorted out, and so comfortable with the Mac perks. I already know where everything's at, and it's going to be such a BITCH transferring my 8 GB worth of songs here. Not to mention all my Ugly Betty/Grey's Anatomy/Gossip Girl episodes! And movies! ~~I don't have an external hard drive, but I suppose I can use my iPod, right?~~ That's not gonna happen since MACINTOSH FORMATTED IPODS HAVE TO BE REFORMATTED TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION IN WINDOWS.

But back to how Vista sUxx0rz.

So I was thinking, "Wow, going back to Windows means... WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER HERE I COME!!!!" until it became such a BITCH to download it. So off my fingers went googling this and that, and I found out that most people on Vista laptops ALSO find it a BITCH to download it. But I finally found my way around it cos I don't need the most recent WLM version. Oh woe is me.

So when it was time to download Limewire, I decided to venture elsewhere... I googled here and googled there, and discovered Frostwire. And off I go downloading it and everything, until I realised that songs I downloaded are not automatically copied to my iTunes Library like it did on my Mac.

Turns out, it's only a Mac feature.

I hate stepping out of my comfort zone.

I'm already making plans to take a trip to Digital Mall and get myself a copy of the latest Adobe Photoshop cos I've been making do with the recent Mac-compatible version, and the latest Microsoft Office because Microsoft Works just doesn't cut it for me. Did I mention that GAMES are not included as well?

Isn't that mandatory?

So fine, I shall stop throwing a fit now, and get started on getting the necessities installed!

Viv To-Do List

Buy external hard drive
Buy USB thumb drive (1 or 2 GB)
Buy in-earphonees + mike
Install Microsoft Office 2007
Install Adobe Photoshop
Install Flash Plugins
Install an Anti-Virus program
Transfer songs + photos + any source of entertainment
Install BitComet
Find a way around updating iPod WITHOUT having to reformat

Next post: Leaving Taylor's... And what PM7 gave me. ;)

By the way, Kungfu Panda is a MUST watch. It's almost as good as Shrek1&2 if I do say so myself, although the take on humour is different but so refeshing. Jack Black is funnay, without a doubt.

Well?

2008-06-01T21:27:00.003+08:00

More updates and pics on that later. I just realised my night photog skills suck. Ta!

Are you contributing to the STIGMA against PLHIV?

2008-05-31T13:54:00.003+08:00

I'll be volunteering at the International AIDS Memorial Day tonight. Details are as below:

Date : Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time : 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue : One Utama Shopping Centre, New Wing (main entrance)

Highlights of the event, which will be graced by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, include:

Performance by local artistes
Showcase by People Living with HIV (PLHIV)
Candle lighting

Check it out if you're in the area, and you might see me in action ushering! Haha. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this, so I'm pretty excited.

It might be an eye-opener to those who are still ignorant about AIDS/HIV.

I'm off to OU now to catch a movie with Mar-Mar to kill time before I report at 5, so toodles. :)

Happy Birthday Fara/Happy Mummy's Day

2008-05-12T01:53:00.006+08:00

So Kakak Fara turned the big 24 yesterday, so we went out for dindin at Cuisine Studio @ Tropicana, cause mummy's BFFs with the chef. I kinda forgot to take pictures of the dinner cos daddy looked like he could handle it what with his super chun cameras, so here's what we took at home.

Elena, I'd tag you next to Fara once I upload this on Facebook. We mish you.

By the way, these pictures were taken by my brand spanking new camera, Nikon Coolpix something something, which was a pressie from Papa for either my SPM results or my birthday.. I'm not sure. Anyway, it has this cool feature where it takes pictures automatically cause it has smile recognition. The only flaw in this is that you have to smile ridiculously still for 10 seconds while it focuses and refocuses before the shutter actually .. does what it's supposed to do. I shall introduce it soon.

For Mummy's day however, Fara, Maria and I chipped in to buy our yummy mummy a bouquet of white lilies & pink daisies. I thought it was pretty. Pictures tomorrow then.

I suppose you couldn't tell that the only reason I'm up at this ungodly hour when I have class tomorrow morning is that I'm finishing up my Math assignment which is due tomorrow. Procrastination is such a bitch. We never learn, do we?

Turrah, ladies & gents.

By the way, is it just the bad lighting or do I look like I've gotten darker? Or even worse... fatter.

Shout when you want to get off the ride

2008-04-29T21:28:00.006+08:00

Listening to: The Kills - Sour Cherry

It feels as if it was only yesterday this picture was taken:

And please excuse the mullet. The photographer obviously forgot to mention my hair malfunction. But anyway, don't be fooled by the messy table. Omar and I were not studying.. we were having a Sudoku battle.

Funny now, school seems like old news.. This photo made me all nostalgic and shit. I'm in college now and he'll be going to Wales in August. My loverboy aced the UWC interview, btw, and he'll be hastalavista-ing in a couple of months. I'm suuuuper proud of him cos the interview sounded pretty rigorous. :D And yes, I know he'll be a gazillion miles away, but I've looked past that.. And I know it'll do him a lot of good. Ok, I try not to get too emotional on my blogspot, haha. You know where to head for that.. :)

He just better not come back with an accent, hahaha! :) And since I haven't mentioned Mar-Mar in a while, here's a visual aid to jog your memory -

My man and his guns, hahaha!

Tick tock tick tock tick tock

2008-04-28T22:08:00.005+08:00

Listening to: Madonna feat. JT - Four Minutes

I have my Malaysian Studies exam tomorrow. So I've been ~~studying~~ skimming through shitloads of notes which we supposedly learnt since January. Funny how this is going to turn out seeing as this is what I do best during LAN:

If you squint, you can see Jason (the row behind me) taking a snooze as well. Luckily Michelle doesn't read my blog, or she'll have my head for this photo. So while I stayed cooped up in my room, I nearly went out of my mind cos it really felt like cramming the night before Sejarah for SPM. Except it's in English now.

I mean, I'll only have to pass right?

So as I went insane in my room, I took a five minute break to camwhore. I can tie my hair now, whee!

:D

Your eyes are the size of the moon

2008-04-25T21:23:00.003+08:00

Listening to: Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon

I used to think Panic At The Disco was a Fall Out Boy clone, and was overrated. I still do, somehow. But I kinda like the sound of their new single. I donno how the rest of their debut album sounded like, but correct me if I'm wrong PatD fans, did they change their style?

Cos I'm not complaining. This particular song reminds me of another one I like (which is kinda why I like it, I suppose) but I can't seem to put my finger on it..

Speaking of revamps, I used to think Click Five was a boy band a generation too late + too bubblegum pop for my liking, until they changed their frontman. I dunno if he contributed to their new sound, but I like it so much better. He's voice is so much more likable, and he's pretty easy on the eyes as well. ;)

By the way, I am really really disappointed with this week's AI results. Seriously, Sayesha and Carly - this week's two STRONGEST performances - on the bottom two? This is coming something from me because I never liked Sayesha but she blew me away this week.. And CARLY got kicked out over JASON CASTRO AND BROOKE WHITE?

I'm sorry, I love Jason Castro's eyes and dreadlocks and it gets me every time he sings with his guitar/ukelele, but it's getting old and everyone knows he's not gonna be the next American Idol. And I've always had something against Brooke White no matter how much Fara continues to support her.

But okay, whatevs aside...... First Michael Johns, and now Carly? Pfft.

America's stupid. Enough said.

I couldn't stop singing Jesus Christ Superstar, btw. The high notes really stick with you.

Yes, yes, I know..

2008-04-21T12:08:00.003+08:00

It's the same layout, ROFL. See, I realised that life was so much easier when I used the new blogger, but then I could only use the layouts on blogskin.com if I used the classic template. Ugh, html html whatevs.

So I'm back to square one, and everything is recovered. But since I kinda forgot my old colour scheme, this will have to do lah.

While I was gone, however, I had my two week break in which I accomplished NOTHING academically. I was SUPPOSED to catch up on Physics, MATH, CHEM.... Omg. And I have my first exam in June. OMG OMG. Highlights of my holiday, were:

1. Frequent trips to Delicious @ BV2.
2. My MARA interview at KLU. Hahaha.. Universiti Kuala Lumpur, actually. (FEL - further elaboration later)
3. The attack of blood-sucking bugs which left pseudo-chicken pox marks. (FEL)
4. Helping Maria bake 400 cookies for Open Day.
5. Getting my hair done.
6. Omg, I can't think of anything else..

That was how uneventful my holiday was. I hardly got out much, too, cos I was so caught up with so many other things, things which are explained in my livejournal.. Yes, I've started blogging there again.

As for my MARA interview, I had only written my personal statement the night before, so I was kinda nervous. I stayed up till about 2 researching the universities I would like to get into just in case they fire me with questions like that and what I'd like to specialise in. Finally, when the day came, there I was in my baju kurung.. Looking like an idiot because I arranged all my original certificates with a CROCODILE CLIP when everyone else had theirs in CLEAR FOLDERS and such.

Needless to say, we took care of that thanks to Mydin, and off I went into the elevator. When it was finally my turn for the interview, the panel consisted of a man and woman. They asked me the normal questions like "Tell us about yourself", "Why did you choose MARA?", "What if we send you to Indonesia?", and the so-called shocker... "What was your saddest experience?"

I wouldn't exactly rate my answers five star, but I knew I could have handled it better. Results only come out early May, so now I'm shitting in my pants.. MARA's my only hope at reading medicine overseas, so just pray for me, ok?:)

The blood-sucking bugs, however, was a surprise. I started having red-like bites on Saturday morning on my arms and elbow and then I thought, "OH SHIT I HAVE THE CHICKEN POX."

So I consulted my sister who's a medical student, and she called me stupid. Well... It was itchy, and I already had an action plan in my head. Cos if it WAS chicken pox, I'd have to call Maria and tell her to withdraw all cookies from her stall, ROFL. See, Maria's part of the Nature Society (WOOT) and for Open Day, she volunteered to sell cookies. So us, being Maria's sisters, were ROPED in without CHOICE to slave over the oven and bake her damned chocolate chip cookies.

Buuuut, if I had the chicken pox, Maria would have to take them all back in fear that I spread the chicken pox virus to unknowingly customers. Hahaha. But since I did NOT have the chicken pox, we had to dry our carpets in the sun to kill the blood-sucking mothereffers who were the size of mustard seeds.

I still have red spots.. and it itches like craaaaaaazy. By the way, the cookies were sold out. We're even thinking of starting a business during Raya. Mehehehe.

I think I've pretty much updated sufficiently.

Amirah, OUT!

Ugh, you dumbass

2008-04-16T22:04:00.003+08:00

The aforementioned title referring to me, unfortunately. I was stupid enough to revert to the classic template (for the blogskins to work) and thus my old layout is now lost in cyberspace.

Along with my links.

My saybox code.

My imeem code.

~~My hits counter code.~~ Recovered, yes!

Not only that, the pretty cutesy skins I found are not compatible with my blog because my html-illiterate skills has dumbfounded me. Somehow, when I use them, everything goes crazy cos I like to post big pictures and youtube videos. So all I could find in a short time was this.

Bear with the simplicity.

I've lost my mood to blog altogether because this skin is so bleargh.

Also, as you can see, I've lost all the new links, so if you want to make my life easier, please pretty please leave a comment with this post if you want your link to be on the sidebar. Also, if you've already linked me, leave your link too!:)

This is what I've recovered, so far. If you don't see your link, drop a comment.

.. Watch this space. It shall be cool.

WHY, MICHAEL JOHNS, WHY?

2008-04-11T20:57:00.001+08:00

I'm not a super duper huge AI fan, but .....

WHYYYYYYYYYYY?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr stupid Kristy Lee Cook. GET OUT!!!!