The First Day

I've safely arrived in London, and I sneezed blood at five in the morning. Ahh...

I haven't got the chance to see the gp, though. But thanks to the coughing and runny nose, I had pills to put me to sleep throughout the twelve hour journey.

And I was greeted by this gentleman as I landed. Haha. Nah, this is just apen but yea, the real driver did wait by the gate holding that little board with my name on it up high. I didn't expect that!

Anyhow, although short, this summer break has been the most meaningful and enjoyable. I'm glad I made the decision to come back home. I am in London finally, independent as I have to be and all busy with study, let's see what the country has got to offer to me this year.

I'm still jet-lagged

The First Theatre

Call out his name, everyone can feel hairs standing upright. Speak about him, everyone can list out all the contributions he's made. Why is he so great? Because this man is Tun Mahathir, a prominent leader of the country and also the world.

So when a theatre was made about his childhood, his career and his family, it is surely a hit and must-see. I found out about the musical a tad too late, but luckily we managed to get tickets.

Since it was my first theatre in Malaysia, I didn't really know what to expect or how much hope should I put. It was being staged at Istana Budaya, which tells something about the quality of the show (or so I thought).

Anyway, I didn't mean to compare this with those that I've seen in London, because one the level of experience differs and two arts is less appreciated in Asia than the west. Understandable. But, all I can say is, don't put too much hope on this theatre or you'll leave the auditorium disappointed and frustrated.

The story line was great and organised, of course, because you can't do much about the biography facts. Also, the cast was superb. Erra Fazira was stunning and Esma Daniel brought the character so well you can't even point out any difference between the character and Tun M himself.

However, in my honest opinion, the production generally was presented poorly that they made it looks like some cheap production by an underpaid director and crew. The props. The songs. The dances. Even the english description. All those was quite a disgrace to the people. 

Some of the flaws I could think of are : 

one they used too much screen that it felt like we were in a cinema watching a historical movie instead of an auditorium full with VIPs and VVIPs.

two there were serious dances for every songs that you would get confused if you have mistakenly purchased a dancing competition ticket. My own definition of musical theatre is one with the messages in the script being conveyed to the audience in a musical manner, instead of the normal plain act. But maybe that's just me =)

three For every scene, there will be english descriptions for the convenience of the non-malay speaking people. One of the few mistakes I discovered is this line, Mahathir explaining to Hasmah that he will being posted to Langkawi. Shame?

I'm really sorry but I criticize solely because I love the country and I believe Malaysia can do better than that. We're getting there, if only our steps aren't that small.

In less than twenty hours, I'll be in London.

Internet

We hosted a small makan-makan session for family and close friends last weekend, just a day after we arrived from Jakarta.

Seriously, the family on my father's side is super mega huge and we are really loud too that you can tell the clan is coming from a mile away. We laugh like the world is ours, and we chat like there's no tomorrow.

picture credit to Nawal

It was really good to get to see everyone before I go back to the uk, which is surprisingly and strangely something I'm not looking forward to do. If only I could stay another week at home, I'll do anything. Anything anyone can think of.

Anyhow, the highlight of the day was not the food, nor the gossips or the newborn babies, but the EPL match that was aired live that evening. Came seven pm, the boys were already asking about espn. But sad to say, we don't have it. Being in a family of five ladies and a man, we have never subscribed to any sports packages on astro. My father is always too occupied with work and computer that he doesn't even bother to watch football. Or any other sports for that matter. So does everyone else.

When my brother-in-law joined the family, he has no one to watch football matches with, that he ends up going out with friends. How boring can a family be, right? Hehe. But don't worry, I'll find an MU fan husband to cheer, shout and scream with him =)

Anyway, disappointed with our espn-less tele, the boys decided to go to a mamak stall nearby. However, it was raining cats and dogs outside, plus everyone had filled in so much food that they encountered a really hard time to move around. Lazy bums these lot. In the end, they resorted to online streaming.

At this instant, I'm sure you must be thinking Ohh poor them, watch football online over the famous malaysian turtle internet connection that is slower than a slug. They'll surely miss all the key moments of goal scoring and red cards and send-offs and all the cool stunts. Pity pity them. Correct?

But, hang on there and save the thought for later.

Because, lucky them, we have High Speed Broadband at home! Thanks to TM, my father had HSBB installed a few months back. It only takes five minutes to download an episode of desperate housewives, ten minutes for a software update and half an hour to Toy Story 3. You can even watch youtube videos while it's downloading, no waiting required. Online streaming is made sooooo easy.

HSBB packages

I stayed with them for the whole match, listening to all the unfamiliar jargons. I bet I can produce my own glossary by now. Next time, I'll make sure I have football for dummies ready. And after two hours of go, go, go and yes, yes, yes I realised I had not eaten since morning *angry enzymes in stomach*

p/s : The safest place to go now is the US, while the UN assembly is taking place. Police officers will be shoulder-to-shoulder, guarding streets and buildings. Hehe.

I hate packing. Please.

Loving the Neighbours

So I went missing again, for five days.

But this time, I was in J.a.k.a.r.t.a!

I went with my mum and the neighbours. Now tell me friends, how often do you hear a group of neighbours travelling outside the country together?

I got all sort of unbelievable and weird reactions whenever I mentioned that I was going away with, yes, the wonderful people who sleep within a hundred metres from my bed. And yes again, we're living in this neighbourhood where internal politics is the main topic at get-togethers and the ladies even form a group of their own to share interest. Ohhh.. don't get me started on how they gossip night and day about everyone in the area. 

I'm grateful, nevertheless, to have such wonderful and kind neighbours to accompany my parents.

Anyway, Jakarta is very well known for its traffic noise, hazy air, unpredictable rain and contaminated water.

BUT.

It's also the land where all the marvellous food belong to. Nasi Goreng, Gado-gado, Bakso, Soto Betawi, Teh Botol, and all other gorgeous mouth-watering dishes. They are all omnipresent in the country, that it's not hard to find a row of stalls offering the same menu.

Oh! We had Gurami and it was presented in the most creative and astonishing way I've ever seen. Does this look like a fish to you?

Anyway, the country is also the heaven for textiles and laces. Although that's not our main reason for visiting this neighbour country, we got off track more than once. Too many times in fact. Especially with favourable exchange rate and the only time to be a millionaire yourself, who can resist shopping right? We were smart to bring an empty bag for this purpose. Hehe. And the mums shopped like hungry bears, I tell you.

Lastly, Indonesia without a day dedicated to pamper oneself at one of the many many spas available along the street is not a complete trip. Trust me, nothing is more indulging than to be treated like an Egyptian queen for half a day. Therefore, I've reserved an entry specially just for this =)

Ohhh I now have someone to FaceTime with. Yippie!!! Biggest smile here.

Why Men Love Bitches

HA HA.

Ok, this entry has nothing to do with the title, pardonnez-moi. It's just a book I found at mph this morning, which has successfully gotten me literally sitting down on the floor, reading while waiting for my mum. It's really interesting, as the catchy title suggests. And I'd recommend this to all the ladies out there. Go grab the book, and listen to Miss Sherry Argov.

Another good book which I can certainly vouch for is "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" as it brings us into men's minds. Why this book? Because it's written by a man, for all women. That's Mr. Steve Harvey we're talking about.

Source : Google.com

Anyway, my loved ones are very well aware of my fondness for kuey teow goreng, and self help books. I used to soak myself up in novels, ignoring everything else at times, when I was younger. But as I grew older (and wiser I may add), I learned that novels are liars. They take you into the realm of fantasy, which more often than not, is opposite to our dear life. So instead, I started picking up motivational and educational books at bookstores, or business if both are not available. Call me a nerd, but blame it on my dad. He has a huge collection of these books in his library, from where I routinely steal.

Obviously, I'm not entirely motivated as I don't apply everything I read, but I can safely say these books have made me strong at moments when other people would break down.

My sister calls me a stone-hearted woman.

A friend accuses me of being emotionless.

A stranger would say I am heartless.

All the names cruelly thrown at me just because of one single reason - that I don't cry when I'm supposed to. The only time I cried was when I got stuck at Statistics. Sometimes it even gets me wonder, where have all the tears gone to. Am I really heartless? I do envy people who could easily shed tears, because they have the chance to let all the anger out, while I have to deal with bottled up feelings. 

But, no cry does not equal to no sad.

Source : Google.com

Reading motivational books, however, has greatly helped me to sail through the hurdles smoothly. I make myself believe that everything happens for a reason. Sounds cliche, but when you really make the phrase as part of your life, you'll notice how it can change the way you view complications, misfortunes and even hiccups. This could probably spare you one box of tissue, and one week of restless nights.

Right now, I am a predator who lost to another predator, which makes me a victim as I starve. But as I wade through the river with my grumbling stomach, I found others who are nice enough to share their morning catch with me. This may be too deep for anyone to understand, though =)

Anyhow, being at the bottom of a roller coaster makes me realise that I've got great friends around. For these people you know who you are thanks so much for being just you. Every word makes me a step higher, every smile makes my day brighter.

Sorrento, Italy

As Fergie says, Big Girls Don't Cry

The First Attempt

I spent twelve hours on the bus, hurting the butt off,

on the fourth day of raya.

I covered five states in five days.

And I'm having the widest smile =D

How's yours?

Btw, enjoy this clip prepared by yours truly.

This is of the smallest size to fit in the blog.

A friend said this blog sangat vain.
Haha, here have some more!

Never thought jubah can be so chic lol

Well, if you don't like the pictures then don't look.

easypeasy right?

I'll write more later.

10-Sept-2010

Can you believe it?! It's already Eid!

Today, everyone will be in their best outfit possible. I'm sure we'll see a lot of lip-lap-lip-lap (note : any attempt to translate will diminish its essence) around us on clothes, shoes and decorations. There's nothing more amazing than to observe the wonderful world before us in scenes of joyous celebration.

And today, is the time for us to apologise and to forgive. We go to the mosque in the morning to meet the Almighty and seek for His forgiveness. Also to thank Him for giving us the strength to undergo ramadhan. We come back home and hug our parents, siblings and relatives and say sorry to each other. *Not to forget duit raya* Ahh... how peaceful and harmonious.

Also today, this girl delights in an extra celebration. Hehe. Happy 21st birthday, darling!

 I gave her a super big present which I hope she loves.

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A huge fond embrace!!

She said, you shaped me. =)

And with this, I would like to take one minute of your life to apologise for my wrongdoings, if I ever hurt any of you in person or through my writings. Intentionally or unintentionally. Let's hope year 1431 will make us better and bring us closer. Happy Eid Mubarak!

Went for takbir raya for the first time and wondered, why didn't I come here before?

RAYA

The holy month leaves us just as quickly as it arrived. It's already 29 days into the month, and soon we'll be having our biggest celebration of the year. It's sad thinking that after Friday, the mosques will be empty. No more two-hour recitation of verses from the Quran, just sound of crickets gleefully cheering up the night. And another 335 days must pass before we see lights in the prayer area, and microphones in used again.

Successfully fasting has proven our devotion, yes, but that alone is nowhere near sufficient to gauge the distance between us and God. There's so much I could have done over the past twenty nine days but being imperfect, I tend to find excuses and lost. 

May Allah the Most Merciful forgive us all of our wrongdoings and shortcomings. And we are really blessed if we still be around for Ramadhan next year, insyaAllah.

Pic Googled

To my fellow muslim friends, Happy Eid Mubarak.

To my non-muslim friends, Enjoy the long holiday!!