Super duper...

I'm either an idiot or S'poreans are bad in giving directions!  I got super duper lost in Chinatown this morning trying to find Manhattan House (Chin Swee Rd) that looks like a 7 mins walk from Chinatown NEL.

Got a call yesterday afternoon that my degree has been received & my intention collect it @ 9am this morning (initially intended to be there arnd 8.30am but got delayed) went terribly migraine-inviting when I got super duper lost in a foreign place for half-an-hour!  By the time I reach the office, it was 9.30am and I'm super duper late for work, as I'd initially estimated to reach office latest by 10am (oh hell, who cares anyways, I stayed in office till 9.15pm the night yesterday)!

Nope, I didn't try to find my own way.  From the MRT station control itself, I started asking the staff who gave me a direction that could make me lose my sense of direction (haha!).  Then I asked a young chap with a donation tin.  He wasn't familiar.  In the midst of all the hunting for Manhattan House, I ended up calling the guy I was supposed to collect my degree from 3 times to ask for & verify directions...he probably tot I'm a foreigner!  He even called me once to check if I'm doing ok, coz I still didn't reach after 10 mins of him giving his 2nd direction!  Things went right when I decided to ask a foreman supervising a renovation @ the hawker ctr near OG.  From him, I asked another old man, who gave me such clear directions that included "u'll see a dumping bin!"  Sheesh!  I also sms-ed my colleague who orientated me over online streetdirectory (that's how we discovered it was abt 7 mins walk from Chinatown NEL!!) yesterday.  She was so productive, the moment she discovered I'm super duper lost, she asked where am I, and the moment I told her "I see Chin Swee Estate & I'm supposed to find a dumping bin!" ... she searched my location & told me that Blk 54 Chin Swee Rd is next to Manhattan Hse.  Guess where I was @ that time when I read her sms?  Looking @ Blk 52 & 54 of Chin Swee Rd ... staring @ a building ... wondering if I shld cross the road!  That sms really saved me from crossing the road & going against the wrong direction again ... I looked up at the building & guess what?  That was Manhattan Hse I was looking at!!!  Cheh!  Manhattan Hse sounds so posh ... but looks like Sim Lim Square building!

I finally got my degree @ 9.40am, with the name correctly written as SHARBINA MOHD ISMAIL!  Oh, did I tell u that Raffles Campus actually published a congratulatory column in TODAY's paper on Dec 5th (yeah that free-grab-from-the-street newspaper!).  I got the shock of my life when my name was published as MOHD ISMAIL, Sharbina!!!! I walked out of the office heaving a sigh of relief that it's FINALLY OVER!!

In the train, 1 young chap wearing track shoes lost balance & stepped on my left feet!! Ouch! I'm wearing "chapal" some more ... my feet is exposed!! That hurts!

Later after lunch, I started to feel pain in my shin (below the knee).  The pain got worst by the hour & by the end of the day (6pm) my feet cld hardly bear to touch the ground.  The best part is, I don't know why!

I'm having super duper migraine now ... just took panadol & plan to turn in early today (as in 10-ish, 11) ... it's almost midnight, what the hell am I doing here!? 

Oh ya, waiting for Ek Ladki Anjani Si (serial) on Sony!

CONCLUSION: Super duper boring Wednesday!

Can't take my eyes off Abhishek!

I found out last night, thks to Shera, that Star World (ch 18 on Starhub Cable) telecasts Koffee with Karan (Karan Johar - director of KuchKuchHotaHai & KabhiKhushiKabhiGham & producer of KalHoNaaHo) every Sun @ 9pm!

No one remembered to tell me...altho they knew I was a bollywood freak.  I've always wished I cld watch the show (I just view it on You Tube, whatever that's uploaded).   As usual, every1 just assumed I knew or that person or this person wld hav informed me.  But nobody did.  Until Shera remembered to tinkle me ... why? Bcoz the guests were Amitabh Bachchan & .... tadaa... my darling Abhishek Bachchan!

And boy did I have a good time snapping him using my PDA!!!  Just can't take my eyes off him!  It's been so so long since I since him so well-groomed (love clean-shaven guys!).  So much so, I even recorded the whole show using my PDA...so that I can watch him agn & agn...anytime, anywhere! 

Boy wat an eye-feasting X'mas it was for me last night!

Mémoires dans Langkawi

90% of the pictures of the trip has been uploaded on my online album -http://sharu.multiply.com/photos/album/7

Do check out the pictures there as it'll be too time-consuming to incl. pictures in my 4-part entries of my Mémoires dans Langkawi (Memories in Langkawi).

********************

Fri  - 16 Dec 05

     Woke up @ 10-ish & ended up chatting on MSN wif few ppl b4 really calling it quits & got ready to return my academic regalia (the graduation high ends here!).  Then I went to do my survey (work, I didn't do the day b4 so...payback).  Had a slight h/ache.  Got home @ 5-ish.  Settled down (luckily I was done wif my packing the night b4.  Got ready, did my Maghrib & left home.  No cab, so we took the feeder but to Tampines Interchange.  Bus departing @ 7.30pm @ Tamp MRT. 

     We reached on time, and so did Dad who was gonna meet us there (to say bye) if he can make it in time.  He did, JUST IN TIME!  We bumped & it was farewell.  Hopped on the bus, we were the last, and the bus headed for Ang Mo Kio to pick up the remaining few from the grp @ 8pm.  After that, it was a smooth journey, from S'pore Immi to JB Immi.  The moment we hit the highway, the tour guide, Billie, on a malay movie "7 Perhentian".  I missed this movie (starring my fave Erra Fazira) when they showed it on TV during Hari Raya week, so I was happy to get to catch it eventually!  Watched for few minutes, then took a stop @ Machap for dinner.  I had Mee Soto.  Not bad, except M'sian have no business etiquette & they're eating outlets are nvr free from flies! Eeee...  Anyways, 7 Perhentian is sort of a spine-chilling mystery.  When we hopped on the bus agn & continued the movie, 1 of the Perhentian (stops) that the "ghost" stopped at was Machap.  Ooohhh .. that was hair-raising...we were just @ Machap!  The moment the movie ended, I got sleepy, put on my eye-mask & slept throughout! 

     Not a comfortable sleep, but at least it didn't feel like a lonngg ride.  Halfway tru the wee hrs of the morning, it started raining...so I decided to stay awake (paranoid).  There was no opportunity to stop for Subuh as the few stops we went was full & there's even no place to park the bus..plus it was raining...so the journey continued.  We stopped for b/fast somewhere as the guide said that the ferry terminal's gonna be full.  So we had our fill arnd 7-ish b4 heading for the Ferry Terminal. Another 1 & 1/2 hr, we reached the Ferry Terminal & boarded the Ferry arnd 10am...45mins later, reached Langkawi Island.  The giant eagle was a sight! We then headed for Hotel Grand Continental which was less than 20mins from the Terminal.

Sat - 17 Dec 05

     Cable Car ride was off due to bad weather. Even the option for the Dayang Bunting Island cldn't materialise as there might be no boats willing to take us due to the rain.  So we headed straight to the hotel.  By the time we checked-in & got our keys & went to our room for a free-n-easy Day 2, it was 12noon.  We had to bathe & get back to the lobby by 12.30pm to go for lunch. 

     Lunch was orite (had rice, fried chicken with some curry & fried egg), it was just across the hotel, but it was raining, so we had some running 2 do! Haha..  After that, back to hotel & 6.30pm to gather agn @ the lobby to go to the Pasar Malam @ Pekan Kuah.  I wasn't interested, considering it's gonna be leceh if it rains, plus I prefer dept. store, so I decided I wont be joining for the Pasar Malam.

     We went Teow Soon Huat (TSH) Bhd (some sort of an emporium) & really splurged our $$ there.  My luggage was soaked wet due to the rain, luckily my clothes & most of my belongings were safe.  But I was so eeee with the luggage I told Mom I wanna buy a new luggage (w/trolleys this time!).  So I got myself a Polo trolley luggage for RM119 (that's abt S$50).  Cool!  Then I stock myself with chocolate milk, chocolate, twisties etc for contigency in case I get hungry in the hotel.  Mom bought some T-shirts for his boys as souvenirs.

    We headed back to hotel abt 2-ish.  TV3 was showing Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, so I quickly settled down so I cld lay in bed & watch it.  Guess wat?  In my eagerness & laughing @ Uday Chopra (as tho it was the 1st time I was watching the movie!!!), I ripped open a tin of Van Houten Hazelnut Chocs (the oval tin type) & got my right middle-finger's nail split into 2!! Ouch!! Luckily it stopped just at the skin!  Luckily I brought a nail-clipper.  So I had to clip my nails!  Got a earful from mom of coz, hurting myself over Uday Chopra!!! Hahaha...

    As soon as my fave song "Jaage Jaage" is over, I switched-off the TV & slept.  Mom had slept immediately after showering!  We slept all the way till 6-ish.  Got up to do Asar & later on Maghrib.  Then we ordered dinner tru Room Service.  We waited & waited,  yet the food nvr arrived.  Finally, I almost got pissed...Mom was busy watching Doraemon on TV & having a gd laugh & I'm goddamn pissed here!!!!  Finally, dinner came w/o fork & spoon!!! Arrrrggghhh!!

      Mom ordered Mee Mamak which didn't really look like Mee Mamak.  I ordered Tuna Sandwich & Cream of Chicken.  I only enjoyed the Cream of Chicken.  The bread was cold & hard & the tuna sucks!  So that was dinner.  After dinner, we did Isya' & then settled down in bed to sleep. 

     It's been raining heavily & I can see the water level on the road slightly raised, probably up to the ankle...I wonder how those ppl who went to the Pasar Malam is doing!?  Hehe..who cares, I watched a malay drama on TV3 till almost 12mn (TV2 was showing Kareena's Bewafa, not interested so I went to sleep!)...Day 3 was gonna be a looongggg day.  Starting with b/fast @ 7am & gather @ lobby @ 8.45pm to proceed with the day's itinerary!!

Sun - 18 Dec 05

     Got up @ 6.45am, did my Subuh, got ready & headed down for b/fast @ 7.45am.  B/fast was boring.  I just had Nasi Lemak.  Boring. It was drizzly, but I still managed to pose @ the pool. Hehehe.

     The bus came @ 8.45am..we headed for the Dataran Lang (the landmark of Langkawi).  I've only 1 thing to say abt that place: BREATHTAKINGLY MINDBLOWING! Such a beautiful & serene place. 

     It was drizzly .. so once agn .. gotta quickly hop onto the bus to the next stop. The Gamat Oil factory.  Gamat, I just learnt is a form of fish.  Anyways, not interested in the history.  We gotta see how the oil was produced.  Oh, when we got down the bus, there's this lady in red T-shirt who had a camera with her & she was snapping each & every one of us who got down the bus.  What the hell, man?!

     Anyways, after the oil factory, we headed to a historical place of Langkawi - Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri Tomb).  Mahsuri was a sad legend of Langkawi. When she was cruelly punished for an adultery she allegedly did not commit, she had cursed Langkawi.  The curse on Langkawi only ceased after her 7th generation - Wan Aishah.

     After the Tomb visit & some shopping ... when we got up the bus, the red T-shirt lady who was snapping our pictures opened table & started selling something for RM10.  Guess what?  She made a plate out of our pictures!  Haha .. cool!  Smart businesswoman!

     Headed back to hotel almost 2.30pm.  The tour guide asked for a show of hands of those interested to visit the Dayang Bunting Island.  There were a solid 19 people out of maybe 24?!  So there u go, majority wins.  He did some calling-calling, managed to arrange, and told us to gather back at the lobby immediately after going to toilet & changing to T-shirts or something (we're gonna dip ourselves in the lake!).  We went up, eased ourselves & came down agn.  2 mini vans came ...brought us to the jetty.  Here, 1 of the tour member (probably the friendliest!) got close to Mom. And automatically, close to me too since she knows I'm the daughter.  Plus I'm quite a badmash (mischief), she had no clue I'm 29.  She tot I was a teenager.  Anyways, she's Salimah (got to know her name only while bidding her farewell on the last day!).  I really grew to like her a lot.  She makes a cool mom, despite wearing tudung.  Educated, so she speaks English.  She married a chinese.  She's so super-friendly, while her hubby quiet.  The only time the hubby spoke was when he approached me (I didn't know then that he's that woman's hubby) to ask what is the brand/model of my PDA coz I was playing my mp3 w/o earphone (like a stereo system) so that probably attracted their attn (like so cool right for traveling!).  Haha... anyways, that Salimah woman really dotes on me, she keeps pinching my cheeks & chin when she talks to me.  Gosh, at 29!?  I feel like a baby.  I really miss her.  I wish everytime I travel, she's there.  The tour wld be more fun!

     Ok, so we reached the jetty.  Uh'oh .. ok, I was mentally prepared for the boat-ride by my colleague.  Ok, cool.  U can't swim, it's alright, u're not gonna be there alone .. and the driver is taking u to the island, not to dump u into the big sea u dumb fool!  Cool cool cool ... hopped onto the boat, put on life-jacket ... and wallah ...a sight I've nvr seen!!!  In the open, beautiful green/blue water, surrounded by greeneries & mountains!  Wat a sight it was!!!  The thrill of speed took the btr of my fear!  Reached the island in 1 pc @ 4pm.  Now, here comes the part no one warned me.  We'll be greeted by MONKEYS!!!  Maaaa...help!  Mom kept throwing nuts at the monkeys, but it still came after her (Mom not scared, she very adventurous, what's making her scared is how to calm me! she was scared I will let go of her & fall into the water!) ... later, we realised the monkeys kept going to Mom despite given the peanuts, coz Mom was carrying a plastic bag!!! They cannot see plastic bags, they'll grab!  Smart monkeys!  "Shoohh ... I'm not sharing my Mom wif u ... get lost!!"  After the monkeys, we had to trek down a jungle b4 we reached the lake.  We sat at the lake, just dip our feet in the lake & chilled for almost 1hr.  The rest dip their feet in the corner of the lake where there were catfishes.  These catfishes wld wriggle & massage their feets.  Eerrr...no thank u!  So I just dip in the empty lake & enjoy the view of the Dayang Bunting mountain (which takes the shape of a pregnant lady lying down).  I was pretty stressed by then of the journey back up the jungle .. having to face the monkeys agn.  Result: Migraine!  But all's well that ends well, on our way back, except trekking up was more tiring than trekking down, there were no monkeys.  We got back to the boat safe n sound!  And the weather was getting darker & abt to rain, the currents stronger.  So the boat-ride was scarier!  The bumps were more painful to my bums!  Ouch!  Plus I was having migraine, so wif every bumps of the boat, my head was throbbing in pain!! 

     It was sheer fun...an adventure, really!  We reached the hotel @ 6-ish, but since we were soaked wet, we didn't wanna go back to the hotel, so we had dinner @ the same place we had lunch on Day 2.  I had prata for dinner, paid by 1 of the tour member - a grandfather figure.  He's quite cute, always cracking funny jokes & pantun (poetry).   After that we shopped @ TSH agn .. then by 8pm, we headed back to the hotel.  I settled down, took panadol, prayed & did our packing for checking out the next day.  As mom was having a shower, I took panadol & suddenly, something on the news attracted my attn: "...Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Langkawi banjir".  That was weird, considering I'm here in Langkawi.  I bet ppl who knew I was @ Langkawi must be very worried.  I organised the photos I snapped using my PDA & then checked out the photos on my digicam till I got sleepy @ 10-ish & closed my eyes to sleep.  Day 4 was gonna be longer as we had to gather @ the lobby @ 7.30am to check out, which means b/fast starts earlier @ 6.30am!!!

Mon - 19 Dec 05

     Got up @ 6am, did my Subuh & quickly got ready & left the room by 7am.  Had a quick b/fast, had tea & some toasts.  I took scrambled egg too, but didn't finish it.  Checked-out @ 7.30am & hopped on the bus.  That's it, time to go back.  No last min. shopping or sight-seeing.  Just few stops for prayers/toilet/meal breaks.   The wait for the Ferry to Kuala Perlis was longer than when we were there to board the Ferry to Langkawi.  What cld be worse was that the electrical system in the bus which we took @ Kuala Perlis broke down so the TV wasn't in use.  Damn, so we had 2 do our own things to kill time.  That was really boring.  Night to morning didn't appear long, as we get to sleep.  But morning to night seemed neverending.  By 10pm, we still didn't reach JB immi. and I was wondering if we wld ever reach it.  The highway & the roads were empty ... I kept opening my eyes & looked ahead, but I see no JB immi. in sight!!

     Finally, we reached, almost 11pm.  Then, we reached S'pore immi. & the clearance went fine (despite Mom carrying 2 sticks of Wrigleys for me..well she didn't wan me 2 get into trouble, so she played scapegoat!  *wink*).

     I was just glad we've reached S'pore safely.  The bus dropped the Ang Mo Kio members (including Salimah & family - gosh I'm gonna miss Salimah - she's 41 btw, but she's like a doting mom 2 me!!) before dropping the Tampines gang @ 12.35am.  Dad must've got tired of waiting, but it was his choice.  He wasn't working on Tues, so he chose to pick us up (afterall it's just Tamp MRT, 5 mins drive from home!).  So he picked us up & we were HOME SWEET HOME by 12.50am.  Alhamdulillah..in 1 pc!!

     We unpacked & settled down & I uploaded all pics b4 it got accidentally deleted.  I went to bed almost 3am!!  Super-Duper Migraine the following day & since my makan plan wif Hajira didn't materialise, I spent the whole Tues 20 Dec recuperating!

     Back to work on Wed, 21 Dec!!  Darn!  But really, this trip is by far, the BEST vacation I've ever taken after the 1st ever vacation I took to Tg Pinang in 2000!  I hope this isn't gonna be the last though.  Langkawi is certainly a place I intend to go agn, Insyallah!  My whole tiredness in 2005 with the damn projects, etc. was wiped out by the mere 2 days I spent in Langkawi.

What Colour Am I?

Quizilla says:

You're strong and have the reflexes of a tiger. You're overly protective, and those skills come in handy... You're a natural person, with a taste for natural foods (I mean organic, here.). Well, that's not true. ...Just food in general! You're as quick-witted as your reflexes, and sometimes painfully logical. You love wild animals and pets. (Preferably wild animals!) You're a natural person, and a true child of Gaia. You're a stimulating, and outgoing person. You enjoy making people think, especially with your infectiously spontaneous attitude. You're a generally optomistic person, with a love for showing off all of your good traits. Although many people may see you as strung-out, or just plain weird, you're very down-to-earth and humble. You're incredibly sweet (as this color's other name!), and you care about people in general. As this color would describe, you're energetic beyond all human comprehension. You've got a nack for drawing, and you enjoy it, too. When it comes to school, you're a good listener with an even better memory. You're studious... At least when you need to be!

Almost drowned...

It's the time of the year agn.  X'mas.  So once agn, like every other yr, I almost drowned today...with chocolates!!!  1 whole plastic bag of chocolates, of various flavours!! 

I didn't go home straight after work coz I went to watch Bluffmaster (Abhishek's new movie!) @ Bedok (7.45pm show).  So I reached home @ 10-ish & the 1st thing I did was open this big present from my dear colleague Roshni.  I almost got a shock of my life when I saw this chap!  So damn cute!!! Weighs like a newborn!  I've got myself a new baby boy!  It was so touching, bcoz 1st of all, I don't celebrate X'mas. Ok fine, it's the office annual tradition to xchange gifts on X'mas eve...but usually, juz a lil something wld suffice.  But Roshni overdid it this year.  And when I harped abt the fact that bears are costly & she shldn't haf etc ...she shut me up wif a "you're worth it!" *sigh*  Y do ppl love me so much...I wonder @ times!  Am I good?  No, I'm bad.  So?

Anyways, another touching discovery.  There's this Asst Manager whom I'm temporarily serving right now (since I'm covering duty of the staff who resigned in Nov), Joanne.  I admit I was quite cold towards her initially, I'm like that, since I know it's temporary, I didn't wanna have any emotional attachments to her, or it'll be hard to let go later.  But somehow lately, after one heart-to-heart session (u noe me & my sense of humour!) we just clicked, unintentionally.  Today, she belanja me (my idea actually .. hehe .. thick skin) McDonald's Sausage McMuffin w/Egg & Coffee Bean's Malibu Dream Ice-Blended w/whipped cream as X'mas present.  On top of that, she gave me a notebook & a card.  I didn't open the card (wasn't expecting anything inside, probably simple wishes), but just a while ago, I opened it to read (b4 keeping it) & I almost teared when I read what's on her heart.  I mean, she really took the trouble to write (Gr8 handwriting btw..she's a left-hander & u noe, I juz haf this thing for left-handers wif perfect handwriting!) this.  Dunno la...I get very sentimental wif such sweet gestures.  So instead of keeping it in my box of cards, I pinned it up my notice board.

Ok, that's abt all...that's X'mas eve for me this yr.  But this yr is also the 1st time I went for a movie instead of going home straight... since it's TGIF.  So much for our plan to catch Neal 'n' Nikki together (wif Nikky!)...but how to watch w/o Nikky!  Finally when the opportunity came to catch it @ Bedok @ 6.15pm, despite both being willing to forego at least 15mins in case we reach Bedok @ 6.30pm, we both eventually got tied up & by 5.30pm realised we cldn't leave office b4 6pm so we changed our plan to Bluffmaster 7.45pm show.  I left the airport @ 7.15pm (all I need is 20 mins to reach Bedok since I'm driving).  Nikky reached there 1st @ 7.15pm so she called to tell that she'll buy the tix 1st.  I entered the carpark @ 7.35pm...but guess what? The whole stretch in front of the theatre is closed for renovation.  So I went further inside...but I got stuck in a row of cars trapped in a dead-end w/o any lots...so all of us struggled to do a 3-point-turn to get out of the carpark.  Damn, I think it's 7.45pm already & I didn't put haf my earpiece on to call Nikky!  I decided to go to the multi-storey instead.  So I entered & went 1 floor up, no lots...another floor up, no lots...went to 3rd floor..then found a lot!  Parked, called Nikky to tell her my state & hurried down the carpark.  Ooopsss..guess wat?! I 4got to put carpark coupons!  Damn!  Ran up agn...peeled two 1hr coupons (cheat a bit la, 8-9pm & 9-10pm - movie targeted to end by 10.30pm!).  I ran to the theatre...reached @ 7.55pm.  The moment I saw Nikky, I tol her "This is wat u call SHIT LUCK!"  Gosh..I'm so sorry Nikky, not an image I'd like to portray (I've nvr entered a movie that has started!)...but it juz wasn't my day I guess!? 

Anyways, glad no one sat behind us today...but anyways, Nikky behaved this time!  Abhishek was cool..Priyanka was hot. Songs were fab..comedy was goddamn farnee! Worth my $8.50.  Glad we caught that instead of Neal 'n' Nikki since I've been hearing bad reviews abt it.  Guess if anybody has the DVD, I'll juz watch it on DVD la...

Talk of DVD, I btr get my ass off here...gotta finish 2 movies this wkend.  Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina (Fardeen Khan) & Aashiq Banaya Apne (my serial kisser Emraan Hashimi).  ABA is NC-16!  Uh'oh...1st time I'm watching something that I'm underaged for!  But aiyah..how bad can a hindi movie be as compared to English, rite!?

Till the next post...adios!

Astrology 2006 - CANCER

No need long-winded astrology, just 3 sentences, yet all 3 points are true to the last bit!! Amazing! 

Cancer are born between June 21st and July 22nd
Cancer is a Water sign.
You are a strongly career minded person, and this can sometimes get in the way of relationships if your partner is not dedicated. On the interpersonal side, you show a lot of compassion and people will come to you with their problems as they recognise that you feel deeply the needs of others. You are a sensitive nurturer and make a great parent.

Planetary Ruler: Moon
Compatible Star-Signs: Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus and Virgo.
Cancer Gemstones: Emerald, Green Aventurine

Nikky - No wonder we click (Cancer-Taurus)!

All my MISS MATCH who's helping me find a suitor, you know who you should be finding for me eh (Aneesha - no need Prince of Bahrain all), Scorpio, Pieces, Taurus, Virgo.

Which Movie Character am I?

Quizilla says: You are Jamie Sullivan from 'A Walk to Remember' (I've no idea who that is!). You are very talented and nice to others (Yea yea, that's coz they've not incurred my wrath yet!). You think first in the most needed than you. You stand for your beliefs and love with all your heart. If everyone in the world was like you, this planet would be a better place (Eh, didn't you say this abt someone else too Quizilla, u liar!!)!



Your Colour: White
Your Stone: Pearl
Your Song: Angel (Robbie Williams)
Your Quote: "Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like this journey never ends. Like you were sent to me because I'm sick. To help me through all this. You're my angel."

(I can't believe I'm playing quizzes instead of having dinner!)

What colour is my Aura?

Quizilla says: The color of my aura is blue. It shows that I can be a very calm person at time while other times I can be the waves crashing against the shore in me life. My favorite colors are blues (liar Quizilla, it was I who told u that!!) and greens. I like to be calm and peaceful but it isnt always the easiest thing to do.

I'm back!!!

To all my well-wishers..thank u for praying for my safe return.  Alhamdulillah..mom & I kissed S'pore ground @ 11.15pm.  Reached home abt 12.45am!  I settled down & slept @ 3am!

I'm not feeling too good (slight migraine, perhaps PMS)...so since the plan to meet someone for makan seems off till next time...will make use of today to rest & dream of Langkawi still...will blog more abt  the trip @ the next opportunity, coz it's a 4-day trip .. no joke .. prob will need to break into 4 different entries! Hehehe..

In the meantime, the symbol of Langkawi (eagle doing a titanic pose) taken using my Creative PC-Cam (why do I crave for a proper digital camera, when this can do just fine for amateurs like me!) & the beautiful scenery that stays in my mind was captured using my newly acquired Palm Zire 72 (colour effect intentionally set to SEPIA for a nostalgic feel).  Chao till later!

A gift...for myself

This is what I dread when I'm Super Duper PISSED!  I spend.  Dangerously.  Like there's no tomorrow!!

I got myself a gift today...to reward myself for doing well.  I'm 29 & I still don't get rewarded by my parents for doing well in studies!  So I reward myself.

I went for computer/electronic/camera survey (work) @ Mustaffa today & ended up buying:

TOTAL DAMAGE: $360 (mind you that's cheap, considering it's $448 outside). 

I wanted this one, for obvious reason (blue!)...

...but oh well, a silver (new special edition) with the same function @ the same price will do just fine!!!  This Zire 72 can play mp3 - so I don't have to buy an iPod Nano for now (Total savings: $348), has a camera to take photo - so I shall make do with my Creative PC-Cam & not waste $$$ on a new proper digicam (Total savings: $400) & can record video - so I shall put on hold my dream for a Panasonic MiniDV Viewcam NV-GS6 (Total savings: $599).  Of coz, it's colour screen (compared to my late Palm m105 which was b/w), has built-in bluetooth, has normal calendar & address book functions .. and I don't know what else.  I'm charging it now.  This will keep me VERY OCCUPIED for the 1 day bus journey to Langkawi on Fri & from Langkawi on Mon! 

Yippee ya ya yippee yippee ya .. yippee ya ya yippee yippee ya ... yippee ya ya yippee yippee ya ya yippee yippee ya ya yippee yippee ya!!!

Yeaayyy!! Abhishek look-alike is in!

Whoooeee..while I was typing the earlier post..I almost cried when my Abhishek look-alike was not in the top 4 for the Gala Round. Oh..sorry, I'm talking Indian Idol 2. Hehehe..NC KARUNYA - He looks every bit my Abhishek, but yet can't beat him la...he's 19...he's a goody-goody type, he sings superb!

I was happy alright when my 1st choice for the Piano Round -  SAGAR ARUN - was the 1st 2b in the TOP 4 (based on audience voting).  But how can it be that other 3 contestants unexpectedly got in, and KARUNYA - who was the judges 1st choice - is not in!?!?!?  He was so sad...Boohoo...so was I!  Luckily...bcoz of a tie between 2 contestants, there is TOP 5 instead of TOP 4!  So KARUNYA enters, and then later was revealed that he had the highest vote, followed by SAGAR! Yeaayyy!!

Next on my list, I'm waiting for PANNA GILL - my Saif Ali Khan look-alike - to join the Gala Round.  He was my 1st pick 2b Indian Idol since the audition round!!  Unfortunately, as I see more of SAGAR, I find him 2b more suitable coz he interacts well with the audience.  PANNA is too sophisticated & he's conscious that he's good looking! 

No girl has captured my heart as yet.  Let's see what  happens next.  Will another guy be the next Indian Idol, or will the girls rule!!??

Dreams Unlimited

This morning I showed my colleague Hafizah my graduation photos this morning (she wasn't arnd when I showed the selected few in private yesterday)...she had her hands on my shoulder & kept patting & saying congrats ... and finally she popped a very interesting question.  So interesting coz no one ever asked me that question before.

"Did you ever dream you'd be wearing that 1 day?!"

I thought for a moment & responded with: "Hmmm...nope!" 

Shocking?!  Don't be.

I further clarified: "No, really.  Don't get me wrong...yes, I've always had this dream that I'd earn a degree for myself...but never had to dream abt wearing the graduation gown...coz I've already worn it before...so I'm not so hard-up for it." 

Don't believe?  See for yourself!! Tadaaa... 

Outdoor Shoot-cum-Outing

POST-GRADUATION: I'm not abt to waste $280 for a family portrait (graduation).  There's probably just gonna be my Mom who wld be bothered for all this.  I also don't think a family portrait is of any importance as compared to the degree.  Neither am I abt to waste $150 for 5-6 individual shots.  Ok, I know it's professionally done, but once agn, what worth is those photos as compared to the degree?  When searching for a job, I'll be showing my degree/transcript, not the portraits, na?!

So, I decided to let Anishar practise her photography (she seems to enjoy it so much, she just doesn't get tired..as opposed to the model getting tired of smiling! Haha!).  It started from a wishful plan...which developed into a confirmed agenda just last night : After zuhur.  I'll solat, get ready, and meet Anishar & Gang @ 2.30pm.  Anishar was so keen to break the norm & do an outdoor shoot.  I wasn't game for it..that was gonna be so damn embarassing.  Habibi Liah was bugging me to go for it.  To make things worse, even Nikky had her hands & legs up & told me to GO FOR IT, IT'LL BE AWESOME (somehow..the word AWESOME looks nice when it comes from her!).  So ok ok ppl...if the weather's good...then outdoor it shall be, otherwise, Habibi Liah's living room (1 of her wall is painted dark grey & it makes cool studio backdrop!)

Anyways, today came.  It was a wet drizzly morning both @ Tampines & Telok Blangah Hts, so we were supposed to play by ear.  I went out for a while arnd 11-ish to do some banking transaction (pay is out!!).  I got terribly delayed due to technical problems with almost all ATM machines @ Tampines Central & as a result, I reached home abt 1.10pm.  Darn! Terribly late!  So I had a quick bath, solat & get ready & by then it was 2.10pm.  I went down...a cab stopped in front of my nose..& I got bitten by the lazy bug!  There's $120 in my purse & I'm carrying an extra hand-baggage (with my graduation outfit).  So..the cab it is.  Driver was duh, didn't even know where's Labrador Park, so I told him "doesn't matter, just go Bt Merah Interchange!".  Called Anishar to tell I'll be there in 20 mins (ie. 2.40pm), and guess what?!  They were not ready, so I had to head to Telok Blangah Hts!  I reached there, there were some nice benches at the bus stop.  I lay my bags neatly next to me, crossed my leg & started breathing the fresh air (not to mention the carbon monoxide from the passing vehicles!).  I called Anishar, Habibi Liah answered & guess what?!  Anishar is not ready & not gonna be ready for a while...so I was made to go up to her place!  Think that's possibly 1 of my embarassing moments, coz I had to meet their Mom!!  Oh, in case u all didn't know, I'm goddamn shy!!  But oh well...the good thing out of that was: I got to taste their Mom's mutton curry (powerrr!!).  Mom's cooking is always the BEST!

Ok, so eventually, we left her hse almost 4pm!!  Took cab (almost encountering 1 big dog & 2 small puppies!  Mammeeeeee...helppppp!) to Esplanade.  The worst was to put on my gown in public view!  By the time I took the 1st shot...I was able to imagine everyone naked & all my inhibitions got brutally murdered!!!! Snap snap snap snap...from outside Esplanade to inside, from Fullerton Hotel to High Court!! Whoaa...I've nvr walked this much!  I wish I was a baby..I really envied Zoha (in a pram!)!!! 

I'll post the pictures on my multiply album once I've got them all from Anishar.  Meanwhile, from my camera, Habibi Liah managed to snap these for me.  Above all, I think it was really fun time for the 4 of us!!  Zoha was sleeping half the time & woke up just in time to enjoy herself!  We wound up @ BK @ Raffles City Shopping Ctr...*burrrppp*...b4 the 3 musketeers took a cab while I took the train back home!

It's OVER!

A picture tells a thousand words!  This smile says it all.  It's over!

7 Dec 2005 is FINALLY over.  With the blessings of Allah SWT & the prayers, support & well-wishes from family & friends, this crawling tortoise have finally reached the finishing line.  And that's not all, I received double recognition today - one for graduating, another for graduating WITH HONORS! (The yellow string in the picture is called "honors cord". That distinguishes the HONORS receivers from the other graduants! Cool na?!)!

If I'm happy, it's only coz this is 1 of my very few well-deserved honest achievements.  *pat on my own back*

I wonder how the other dishonest graduants feel...I mean those who nicely went up stage, broad-chested, taking the degree knowing they didn't do the final graduation project themselves!  Luckily there were few such graduants who didn't attend the ceremony, probably their conscience didn't permit?!  Anyways, who cares (I do actually..hehehe!)..I believe Allah is fair (maha Adil) so I shall not bear any ill-feelings..let HIM reward/punish them accordingly.

Yeh Pal (This Moment)

I drowned myself in the sorrows that happened on 29 Nov 2005...and I realised I had overlooked my blessings.  I 4got to even appreciate the happy moment ("pal" in hindi) that God bestowed on me on 26 Nov 2005.

Eid came & eid went ... I didn't even  realise.  I only went out on the 1st (visit granny, 2 granduncles, grandaunt and my 1 & only paternal uncle) & 3rd day (granduncle, 2 grandaunts, maternal uncle and a close relative).  1 paternal cousin did an open-house on the 11th day & I managed to fit in that house in my agenda.  All my other aunts & uncles (maternal) must be mad at me for I didn't go to their hse although I've completed my course (was super-duper bz for past 2 yrs that I was absent from everybody's hse, but they understood!).

Anyway, 2 wkends passed just like that.  Don't expect me on a weekday, by the time I reach home it's already 8plus!  3rd wkend, bro went "collection" (but bet he collected nothing!) wif his poly buddies.  As usual, Dad wld ask how come I nvr go out wif buddies & I'd go "what fren?! which fren?!"  Haha..anti-social.  Faced wif only the last wkend of Eid (26 & 27 Nov), intuition told me that it's now or never.  So on Fri, I casually made plans to surprise my 3 closest buddies - 2 on Sat, 1 on Sun.  Sun didn't materialise.  So almost made it for the other 2 on Sat...but alas, God had fated for only 1 to enjoy my surprise.  And the winner was ... Habibi Liah!!!  Afterall, I've a task - to teach Zoha a new word - Ma-Dhu-Ri!! Hehehe .. 

I wasn't abt to get my briyani (Get real...cant expect her to cook briyani just for 1 idiot rite?!)...but she cooked for me nevertheless, dalchar (thumbs up!) & fried chicken.  I've hinted to her that I'm a non-veg-non-spicy-chicken-lover.  Sad thing was, she was fasting (puasa 6) on that day! Felt so lousy.  Anyways, I wanted to come in casuals, so I cld help wif the dishes but she insist I shld be in my baju raya.  So since she promised there wont be any potential MIL, I obliged.  However, since I was taking public transport, I wasn't abt to be grandly dressed, so I came in my formal going out outfit, but not my baju raya.  My fave punjabi suit (oh ya Liah, think the colour is more of cyan blue than turquoise blue?!) which I've bought it 5 yrs ago, but have only worn it twice..coz the material is super-duper hard to wash & iron (so need to avoid damaging the material ... so sayang, my 1st ever expensive suit - $85!! Hehehe..)

I had a gr8 time..undescribable actually.  1st of all, got to meet Liah's sista Anishar for the 1st time & we hit it off instantly...2ndly, I think I spent 3hrs with them on the whole dat day!  As though @ home not enuf, we chilled @ McDonald's some more (for Liah to break her fast!).  If I had a choice, I wldn't wanna go back...coz Zoha is soooo loveable (nazar na lag jaye) she & I clicked like buddies everytime we meet!  But nope, she's not saying Ma-Dhu-Ri yet...but she's responding to it like hearing a new word...soon...soon ok Liah...I promise u! Hehehe!

I tried recording using my Creative PC-Cam & my new 1GB SD Card...the last time I had only 128MB & I record Zoha candidly...but this idiot accidentally deleted the recording b4 even reaching home, w/o realising!  Liah was rite...there'll be another opportunity!  And this time, I made sure I don't screw up!

Now that I'm really bored & am in search of better things to do wif my life...I'm finding myself hooked to a new hobby - exploring my photo & video editor programs which I've nvr really tried venturing after installing them!!  And the result: My 1st self-made video clip!!!  Amateurish, but it's the captured moments that mattered...moments that I'll nvr get sick of reminiscing over & over agn!!  I've been dying to show the rightful viewers, Liah & Anishar, my masterpiece.  Can't email coz it's abt 100MB.  At that time, I discovered the You Tube on Anishar's frenster profile (the Sami Yusuf video on her profile rawks!!!)...& after thinking (ouch, that hurts my brain!) for a couple of days, I finally learnt a way to upload the video on You Tube so that I can get the URL link!! So I finally managed to show them the video!  Anishar, thks a ZILLION for bringing You Tube into my life!

PS:- Since the rightful audience (the starcasts of the show) of the video has seen it, the URL has been removed.

Can't wait to get it over & done with!!

I'm nvr gonna feel any better until this whole convocation thing is over.  Bcoz for as long as I'm still gonna see my former coursemates (we're bound to cross path on 7 Dec), the fire that's burning in me will nvr be doused!  They'll always remind me of the screw-ups I had to go through during these 2 yrs! 

The 2 yrs I was with Auston had costed me my health.  At 28, I was diagnosed with SINUS (stress-related by the way) when I consulted the doctor for a terrible pain on my forehead that made me unable to even ruku' during solat coz it felt like someting heavy & sharp is moving along loosely in my head whenever I move my head, even to nod or shake !!!!  I developed breathing problems (which btw is stress-related agn).  The good thing is, if it wasn't for all these, I'd nvr learn to slow down.  I decided to take it very very easy so that I will not breakdown.  Talk of breakdown, I had a physical breakdown in Jul 05.  Just cldn't get out of bed.  Didn't sleep (at the most, 2hrs of sleep each day) for many days doing my final grad project, that 1 fine Sunday, my body just stopped functioning - I was temporarily paralysed.  I didn't get off bed the whole Sunday!  That was scary.  But I saw my well-wishers showing how much they cared...they ensured I take my due breaks (Nikky - thanks for this wallpaper!!), have proper meals, sleep sufficiently & peacefully.  Not forgeting, my Mom's tender loving care during that period, otherwise, I doubt I'd recover so soon (3 days).

Today I tried to take things easy.  I try to forget abt yesterday.  Afterall, what happened wasn't within my control.  I came home to find Auston's envelope on the table.  My final grad project result has arrived...FINALLY! I opened it with vigourous heartbeat:

Saw an "A" and heaved a sigh of relief!  It's finally over!  Wooohooo! I did it; I completed my academic education cycle (always wanted to complete it with a degree)...better still, with my own money w/o burdening my parents, who are orthodox by the way...after my O's, Dad told me: "A girl's place is eventually the kitchen, so no need to study so high".  That's the reason y I stopped after my O's & started working.  I took an oath not to trouble him...and henceforth, my future education will be at my own expense!

I thank..

1. My mom - For giving me the 3 MONTHS I asked for.  She lived w/o me (practically) as I needed space & time in order to complete my project.  If I've to keep entertaining her to go out to kill her boredom & attend to ppl's wedding, cukur rambut, engagement, b'day, etc etc ... chances is I won't see this day.  I imprisoned myself in the room, coming out only to eat, bathe & wudhu.  The TV missed me terribly!;

2. My sis - For the "conqueror paper" she donated to me so that I didn't have to buy special papers to print my project, it wld have costed me a bomb!;

3. My bro - For playing chauffeur @ 11pm despite being tired after work...to drive me (at Mom's request) to Mustaffa Centre on 7 Sep as my printer cartridge ran out just as I was 1hr away from the completion of printing my project & I also ran out of "conqueror paper" despite buying few more during the day..so the only store that is opened @ that hr was Mustaffa Centre!  Was having migraine, thus wasn't abt to drive, was gonna take cab..but Mom asked Bro to help instead & he obliged (although he test-drove my car just a couple of times & hasn't driven the car for 8 mths! plus, he also has never driven to Serangoon..I think);

4. My dad (as tho he'll ever be reading my blog!) - For sponsoring $14 to pay for the binding of my 2 sets of project report.  I was terribly broke, cldn't even afford to bind it...my report ended up thicker than the Quran, unexpectedly...too thick & costly to do a proper presentable binding (u know, the album type) as initially planned, so I just settled for a normal ring-binding!

5. My well-wishers - Nikky, Habibi Liah & Shera for living w/o me, leaving me alone (but still ocassionally checked on me to see if I'm still ALIVE) & waited patiently for end Sep knowing I'm all theirs once I submit my project!

0. (above all & He knows it!) Allah SWT - For granting me the TIME & HEALTH...without which the completion of my studies wld not have been possible.

The countdown begins...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...and 7 Dec...here I come!

PS:- I was expecting my results & graduation after I return from Langkawi as I wanted to free my mind & enjoy my vacation (in case I don't do well)...but maybe the Langkawi trip was meant to be my well-deserved reward, so now all's gonna be over by the time I leave for Langkawi on the 16th!!!  Yipppeee!  Finally can go to a beach to scream my lungs out!  Hopefully they send me to Tg Rambutan!  At least btr than living life here...in a mental asylum, no one will say anything if I start to sing & dance in public ala Bollywood style!