chrysa·lis (kris′ə lis)

Europe! Summer 2010 (Part 1/2)

2010-11-13T08:20:00.004+08:00

I'm not very good at writing. I know some people who can really express their thought perfectly through written words, and I am not one of them. Bear with me, please?

***********

Why do you keep on traveling?
Because I'm curious.

Why do you do go alone?
You wanna come with me?

Aren't you afraid?
At times yes, but you'll never get anything done if you yield to that fear, you know.

Don't you get lonely?
Yes. But I learned to find ways around it.

That's the whole point of travel.
To learn. With the world as your teacher. University of Life.

Ahh questions, questions.
Sometimes I think some people ask you questions to bring you down, so that they feel better about themselves.
They ask questions, hoping that you'll make blunders. Sigh.

Last summer trip was a success, I must say.
No matter how broke I've rendered myself.

I came to Paris, with the hope of tasting Paris like a Parisienne, and not like a rushed tourist. What I had was the best of both worlds.
van Gogh, Monet, Versailles....bliss. And then there's macarons, pain au chocolat, and now I can't get the image of seabass with creamy leak out of my head. I even had the escargot! It was pretty good, I must say. You won't catch me dead with anything siput-like back home.
Thanks, Jihan.
Now I can officially say that "Hey, I've sampled French Cuisine. It's amazing, but nothing can ever beat Malaysian food!"

City of a Hundred Spires.
Prague was amazing. It was my first time in Eastern Europe, and boy, I was hooked! Everything felt foreign. Qila showed me places, taught me some tricks (rather dirty) =)
I savoured the art scene. Ballet + orchestra = happy.
I ended up extending my stay there, originally from three days, to a week.
The perks of being unemployed =D

And then there was Budapest.
An absolute beauty by the Danube river, which had me going for cruises thrice!
The superb hostel I stayed was right next to the Danube, the owner was lovely, and the other guests were nice too.
If you are planning a trip, do not miss this gem!

Travel details and tips:

1. Transportation:

The cheapest way to for Paris-Prague route is by bus. I definitely recommend Student Agency buses, which are based in Prague. Great service, cheap (even cheaper than any other buses), very friendly, on time departure. The bus picks up passenger on a designated lane along Rue du Faubourg St Martin, Paris (Metro: Gare de l'Est). There is no proper bus station, so don't panic. You should see the bus parked by the roadside immediately from the Metro exit.

Prague, on the other hand, has a more proper bus station: Florenc. I arrived during wee hours and it's really not that scary; just a little. There should be other passengers around, just stay under the lights.

For Prague-Budapest route, you can take either Student Agency or Orangeways (Hungarian bus company). I took Orangeways for this route. Must say that I rather preferred the service from Student Agency. Both bus companies will have a stewardess on board who can speak English, so no worries on language barrier. Also note that unlike Student Agency, Orangeways charge for baggage on the spot, so get ready with small change.

2. Currency

I'm not fond of carrying cash around, I don't like the idea of traveler's cheques so I relied heavily on my MasterCard Debit card, which worked perfect for almost everything, especially in France and Germany (Czech Republic and Hungary don't offer much of the service). For money withdrawal, the exchange rates are also favorable, and there is no way you will be cheated. Mark my words, because I was cheated by the exchange lady while changing Czech crown to Hungarian forint. She gave me 200 forints notes that was no longer under circulation (I totally forgotten to google the currencies beforehand). Luckily the man who sold me a magnet noticed my notes and pointed out that I can get them changed at the National Bank. Hassle still.

3. Stay:

I stayed with friends in Paris and Prague, so no advice there.
In Budapest, however, I stayed at this cute female hostel, Anadin's Hostel, which really felt like home than a hostel. I'm definitely recommending female travelers to stay here, unless you are the super partying type, because there isn't any clubs around here, only restaurants.

****

To be continued: Europe! Summer 2010 (Part 2/2)

Coming soon

2010-11-06T11:07:00.001+08:00

I promise I will publish travel posts next week.

Geez kena janji baru nak gerak bontot la kan. Bagusssssssss

Eurotrip Day 1

2010-07-05T18:58:00.003+08:00

I'm in Paris.
Don't know what to do.
Covered most tourist attraction on previous trip.
I wanna go see Van Gogh and Monet today. But they're unavailable on Mondays :(
So I think I'll go around merayau cari ice cream, maybe to the Lafayette later.
Jardin? Mungkin.

Vietnam Part 3 (Saigon)

2010-07-03T20:23:00.002+08:00

I'm leaving tomorrow midnight, and I just realized that I didn't finish my Vietnam post.
Sheesh.
Vietnam tak habis cerita lagi, NZ langsung tak bukak cerita lagi, ni nak jalan lagi. Bila nak write on all these Nadia?

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

Ho Chi Minh Attractions.

Vote is for Cu Chi tunnel.
Ok Cu Chi is not exactly in Ho Chi Minh City, it is approximately an hour away.
Sounds far and a little boring, but this. is. the. bomb.

The Cu Chi tunnel was dug (with HANDS ok) by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War with the Americans.
I've told you that it was manually dug.
Now get this, the extended length of the tunnel is more than 200km, stretching beyond Vietnam to the Cambodian borders.

Great feat, I tell you, and it does pay off on their behalf against the Americans.

To get a local touch to the experience, try contacting Saigon Hotpot. They run free guided tours, mainly by youngsters keen to practice their English. Sounds too good to be true? Trust me on this. They're marvelous! You just need to pay for the fees of both you and you guide, though I personally do not think its enough, so we treated our guide for a yummy-licious lunch the next day, as token of gratitude. Donations are always welcomed but should be directed to their Director.

How to get there:

Tour companies - They are all over Pham Ngu Lao Street and Bui Vien Street (Backpacker's District). Price starts from 4USD.
On your own, by taxi. But this will cost a bomb.
Own your own, by local bus. Absolutely cost effective, works well if you have the whole day to spend.

hugs and kisses

2010-06-24T18:44:00.002+08:00

It feels so damn good when you go back to see the kids you've taught, and their eyes sparkle when they see you.

Life update:

1. One more paper to go, then goodbye undergraduate world (amin!).
2. Heading north for a month. Stay tune for updates from Europe!

Hey you. I don't like you.

2010-06-09T22:03:00.003+08:00

Hey you.

You. I don't like you.
You asked for my father's help.
You came to my house, passed me a bundle of handwritten papers.
And gawd aren't your handwriting so bad.
It's even worse than mine!
What? You expect my father to type it for you?
Since when did he became your clerk?
This is not the 90's where only a bunch of people own computers.
Even then, I would expect that you make an effort to find one, and fix your own mess.

You. I don't like you.
My father is trying to save your ass.
And what are you doing?
Sitting back and relax.
My father is so busy he's losing his sleep.
And you didn't even call to ask about him, and what you should be doing, how he's progressing.
Who the heck do you think you are?
You think those bundle of papers is all you should do?
Are you mental?

Hey you. I don't like you.
Better not appear in front of me.
Or bitch slap it is.

2010-06-02T12:05:00.002+08:00

Panic! is here.
And I take it as a blessing.
Under normal circumstances, I only panic a few days before exam.
This semester, its 2 weeks away!
Wohoh!

Pray for me!

ps: This will be my final semester. I will make it, insyaAllah. Confidence baby, confidence!

And the plan is to be unemployed for a few months. Priorities to dream-catching, and long abandoned family and friends.

2010-05-29T11:09:00.004+08:00

I feel like going for 'slap and scream' spree at the faces of these NOISY renovating people.

Except they're renovating my house.

Stress!!!!!!!!!!!

Torn

2010-05-17T04:23:00.006+08:00

Ahh.
That dilemma.
When you want to find yourself on the other side, so badly.
But you don't want to find yourself in that picture, half of you missing.

To choose between that childhood dream of yours.
And this dream you're dreaming now.

And to decide, who wins,
when the head says Go,
but the heart says No.

What do you do, when the choices you have, will eventually only make you curse yourself?

2010-05-02T21:50:00.002+08:00

Less than two months to ensure that I will not hate myself.

And approximately two months to ensure that I have enough funds.

p/s: My robins have flown away. For a better life, I pray.

2010-04-15T03:24:00.002+08:00

Mental workload.
I'm not spending my time the way I want it to be: with others.

But then again, so are you.

Lord help us.

tick tock

2010-04-09T20:24:00.004+08:00

What will you do if your doctor tells you that you have 7 years left to live?
And you aren't even out of high school then.

Tell me, what will you do?

And no, this isn't about me.
Me, I can die anytime.
Tonight, tomorrow, next year, I don't know.

The real question is, what happens then?

We should really set our priorities straight.
But the world isn't helping, really.

Help me, help you?

Life update:
I have 4 little robins nested at the porch; Razman, Razaleigh, Rafiq and Raziq. Well, I can't exactly tell their sex, but I'm a sucker for boys names.

My kids at the kindie are fine. They are unconsciously playing a big role in my own development. Teach them, teach me, I guess.

Adrenaline

2010-04-09T06:53:00.001+08:00

The only thing that can save me now is a sky dive.

Margin of error

2010-04-07T11:12:00.007+08:00

It's annoying when individuals try to preach on subjects which clearly are not their forte.

Examples?

When the MLM kids try to educate me on economics and finance.

When the non-science-related students try to influence others on matters relating to healthcare and medicine, with hearsays as arguments.

When a cooking-disabled person tells the cook how to cook.

When I tell parents how to teach their kids.

Some of us, should really just shut up.

2010-03-31T18:22:00.003+08:00

Come fly with me.
Let's fly.
Let's fly away.

Anyone?

ps: The crepe at Monash's Hot n Roll is puke and migraine inducing, I'll never buy from them ever ever again. Boo.

Earth Hour

2010-03-25T17:17:00.004+08:00

I find it amusing that some people organize parties to commorate the Earth Hour.

Isn't it funny?
I thought Earth Hour is meant to signify what we can do to save energy, hence less carbon emission.
A party will only increase it, will it not?

They say that it's to show that they are aware of the Earth Hour, the effort.

Huh?

This is not like breast cancer awareness campaign, baby.

heal, please

2010-03-06T10:59:00.001+08:00

My doctor has cancer.

My doctor.

Nadia, don't get sick now. You don't have a doctor.
Ya Allah please heal her.
I don't like other doctors.
I don't trust them.
I want her.
No one else.

Al-fatihah

2010-01-31T10:09:00.005+08:00

Muhammad Afif Asyraf
(September 10, 1989 - January 30, 2010)

It seems like yesterday that he advised me on Econs.
We discussed on Computer System problems.
His ever comforting sweet, sweet smile.

Acap manis.
That's how I and a lot of friends referred him as.
Because he was, indeed, manis.

My prayers for you, dear friend.
Our prayers for you.

May Allah forgive all of our sins, light our paths, and save us from the punishment of Hell, in the name of Allah.

And may Allah grant you peace, and shower you with blessings, for Allah Most Gracious, Most Compassionate.

Amin.

2010-01-29T19:06:00.002+08:00

Please pray that my friend, Afif Asyraf will get well soon.
He's very sick.

Please.
Please.
Please.

LGK

2010-01-26T16:52:00.002+08:00

Flew to Langkawi last weekend with Zara and Izyan.
Thank you thank you thank you.

News:

The island is hotter than I remember.
The Makciks heaven, Idaman Suri has moved to a super bigger building within walking distance of MRSM Langkawi.
Food in Langkawi restaurants still sucks, as usual, except for Wan Thai.
Cikgu Syarina (Bio babeyh) has three kids now.
Cikgu Aida is expected to deliver her first child anytime soon. Pray for their health and safety ok!
Cikgu Zahari (my maths saviour! bless him) is now doing his Masters. Woohoo!
The computer science lab is now armed with 24 Macs, if I counted correctly. wtf. We had to make do with the ancient IBM and now they have Mac. Can you ever believe it?!
They have Kenny Rogers, Big Apple, Starbucks, Watson, Guardian now on the island. wtf again. 5 years ago, I had to go home for my dose of Java chips frap. benci!

Lie to me

2010-01-12T21:30:00.004+08:00

We choose to believe.
Sometimes we know it's not true.
But we still make believe.

Can we ever free ourselves?
Or are we better off hidden from the truth?

Some things have no black and white.

And Allah knows best.

Guide to parenthood. By dummy for dummies

2010-01-08T23:33:00.001+08:00

Fine I'm not a parent.
Maybe you aren't one too.
Anyway you might be one in the future, fingers crossed.

This is coming from my first week teaching in 2010.

Owh I so wish I can tag the parents instead.

Please do not act like the teachers are your bibik. Or your child's nanny.They're freaking teachers. TEACHERS.

For heaven's sake, please wash your child's bottle properly. What the hell is wrong with these people's brain? Can't they see there's slime on the bottle? ewwwwwww

Kindly communicate with your wife/husband. Mak budak cakap lain, bapak budak cakap lain. Lepas tu complain like I'm the one at fault here. Apakah masalah kamu? Oops cancel that. I don't wanna know. Please don't extend your problem to me. Thank you.

Please leave once the school hours started. PLEASE. Semak otak ok. We have screams, tears, tendangan maut all around us, and we have to deal with you too? Owh just go away! If you really really really must be there (note the triple really), please do not have that smirk on your face.

Sila jangan buat kelakar pusing-pusing kindergarten/sekolah in your car lapan juta kali, as if we don't know. Sometimes I wonder who is the one having the separation anxiety. Is it your child or is it actually you? Breathe. Both of you are going to be fine.

IMPORTANT: Please smile at the teachers. Makes a super huge difference. =)

And what's with the I'm-so-rich-I-choose-to-be-cocky attitude? I'm sorry, your BMW, Mercedes etc failed to intimidate me.

Please pick up your children on time. It is understandable that working parents come late, but the non-working ones? Everyone else has gone back. Kesian la kat anak tu. Jenguk sana, jenguk sini, tengok je kereta lalu lalang, mak bapak tak sampai-sampai.

Kids will cry on their first day. This can even go on for a month. Don't worry too much. They will adapt. Never underestimate them. You'll be amazed with a child's capabilities.

Climb

2009-12-31T07:04:00.003+08:00

Vietnam posts under construction.
Let me just find the strength to finish them.

Change of events.
I'm going to start working in January. Just for a month though.
A teacher just gave birth, and they needed a replacement.
Now I can't say no to the kids, no?

And today.
I'm going to climb another mountain!
Yay!
We're going the catch the New Year fireworks from the summit!
Double yay!

My body is still sore from Tuesday's climb, though.
Now body, don't fail me.

Pray for my best health and safety! Amin.

Craves

2009-12-24T22:35:00.001+08:00

I want

Cheese cake
Cinnamon rolls
English scones, with cream and jam

- -'

Hell these mess

2009-12-23T23:54:00.004+08:00

I'm too much absorbed in trying to make NZ work.
And I'm afraid that I might have to let go.

Think harder, Nadia.
Harder.

Updates much later, after I solve all these mess.

Vietnam Part 2 (Saigon)

2009-12-14T21:33:00.003+08:00

Only a few days away from 2010, and I still haven't gotten myself the perfect planner.
I should declare national emergency.
Heh.

*****
Vietnam Part 2 (Saigon)

Language:

English is not extensively used here. Make sure you have your pen and paper with you at all times. Write down the name/address of the place you want to go and show it when you are asking for directions or if you are getting on a taxi.

The younger generations are much more conversant in English. However, please note that their pronunciations might be a tad different from what you normally hear, so yes, pen and paper! The older generations may speak some French. So if you are speaking to an elderly, you might want to try going French (if you parlez Francais, that is).

We were pretty lucky on this part as we made some friends with the local Vietnamese and working Malaysians, and they have helped us here and there; from booking the bus ticket to Da Lat, getting the best prices etc.

So to Trang, Tina, Diep, Eddy & company, thank you!

Transportation:

Taxi - taxis are pretty cheap here. It is safer that you stick to Mai Linh and Vinasun taxis. They charge approximately 10000 dong/km (sorry I didn't jot down the exact amount, but you can read it from the dashboard).
City bus - the daily buses are very cheap (3000 - 5000 dong), BUT there are high chances that you will get lost.
Cyclos (or beca, in Malay) - we were warned not to use them, so no reviews here. Try your luck with them, if you must.

Food:

There are several halal restaurants:

Taj Mahal Restaurant (1B, Bui Vien Street, District 1) - We often ate here. Great affordable food with good prices, with butter chicken/chicken tikka masala going for 60000 dong, briyani for 65000 dong, among others. The waiter (Pakistani?) was very friendly and helpful on the menu and he speaks fluent English. The current owner was super nice to us too =)
Jamia Mosque (Dong Du Street, District 1) - We went to the cafe, but was too full to try on anything, but I bet the food is cheap here! The mosque is located on the same street as the Sheraton Hotel.
Halal@Saigon - the restaurant is located in front of the Jamia Mosque. Pretty expensive compared to the others, with smaller portion. Mainly caters to the working class, and tourists with money to spend.
VN Halal Restaurant (14, Pham Hong Thai, P. Ben Thanh, District 1) - A little cheaper than Halal@Saigon, with good spread of Malaysian and Vietnamese food. Closest to the Ben Thanh Market, in case you're doing some shopping there.

Shopping:

I don't know. Unless you are looking for textiles, telekung, imitation goods. We bought some cotton for RM30 (4 meters) at the Ben Thanh Market. Be wary of the sellers though, as always.

If you are a Malaysian, I highly recommend that you find Tina. She can speak Malay, was honest to us, and she even assisted us on unrelated matters. Find her at shop no. 520, near entrance no. 4 of the Ben Thanh Market (voluntary marketing here, we take no profit, we just love her!).

Part 3 Saigon, later...

erks

2009-12-09T20:35:00.001+08:00

I'm on Facebook.

Vietnam Part 1 (Saigon)

2009-12-06T21:23:00.007+08:00

First impression of the country:

Garang siot immigration officer dia..

Lesson learned: Always, always fill up ALL details on your embarkation card.

We left the part "Address of your stay in Vietnam" blank, as we were Couchsurfing, and were to meet our host at a cafe in the Saigon city centre as we didn't have her full address.

Of course I didn't explain that I was going to Couchsurf (that would lead to more confusion), so I told the officer that I haven't booked a place yet, and we planned to just hit the street and see which hotel suit us best.

But he dismissed me, almost shouting, "I want it NOW!".

Ouch.

So we asked fellow Malaysians, and they told us to just fill in Sheraton Hotel.

Sheraton Hotel lah sangat...

But that does the trick, so yeah, do what you must.

From the airport,we were informed that you can take bus No. 152 to the backpackers area (3000 Dong = ~RM0.60). Alas we arrived at night, tired, hence we shared a cab with another 2 Malaysians; Kak Laila and Abang Adi (USD10/cab --> should have been less than USD 7, but I was in no mood to argue with the taxi lady).

Kak Laila and her business partner, Abang Adi.

The city (Saigon = Ho Chi Minh City) :

I was absolutely overwhelmed by the city.
Motorcycles were EVERYWHERE.
Drivers kept on honking.
The 2-lanes road magically transformed into 5-lanes road.

I thought I was going to faint.

Ok that's exaggerating.
But it does took me a couple of days to align with the city.

The trickiest (and ironically most important) part of surviving Saigon is to learn to cross the road. Or rather should I put it, to unlearn what you have learnt, and just cross.
That's right.
Just cross.

Mau matikah?
No worries.
Tak mati punya.
Hahaha.

There are mostly motorcycles on the road. You need not worry as they are very good at avoiding you. Just don't stop abruptly on the road. The only time you need to put more caution is when there are several cars or buses on the road. Due to their sizes, it is harder for them to avoid you, so you need to avoid them.

Again, no worries.
You'll get the hang of it.

Accommodation:

At the beginning of our stay in Saigon, we had a CSer to host us. Later on our stay, we stayed at a small hotel in Bui Vien Street at the Backpackers District in District 1.
On average, the small hotels (well not exactly hotels, more like guesthouses) cost around USD6 - USD20. Our room was only USD10/night with clean room & ensuite bathroom, 2 single beds, fresh towels daily and most importantly, no cockroaches in sight. Prices tend to decrease with the increase of floor level, ours was on the 2nd floor. Bear in mind that elevator are virtually non-existent in small hotels.

The hotels may insist to hold on to your passport for awhile (happened during our stay in Da Lat), giving reasons that they need it for documentation. To avoid this, it might be wise to bring photocopies of your passport to be handed to them instead.

To be continued....

This is for them

2009-12-03T20:12:00.003+08:00

Exam results has been released.
I won't say that mine is that good.
But I'm still on the track that I've set for myself in my first semester.
So Alhamdulillah, it is good enough for me =)

InsyaAllah I'll finish my degree by July next year.
Owh so so so happy!

I'm back from Vietnam , by the way.
Updates on the trip coming soon!

Cravings

2009-11-22T20:23:00.004+08:00

The sweet tooth is taking over again.
Usually I'll have this craving for cheese cakes at 2am, but of course where the hell can you get cheese cake at 2am in Shah Alam?
So I would just sleep with it.

Ironically, the moment I wake up, I won't even remember wanting the cheese cakes so badly. Even if I'm in a bakery, I won't even give a damn to order one.

Then.
Come 2am, I'll crave for the mouth watering cheese cakes.
Again.

And now, something else is taking over.
And the problem is:

They're wayyy out of my budget.
Very scarce on the planet.
Which make them near non-existent in Malaysia.
Worst, they're very hard to make yourself.

Macarons.

And the bigger problem is:

Not just any macarons.

I crave Laduree's.

Aiyark.
Padan muka siapa suruh rasa benda tu.
Sekarang siapa susah?

I will have to make do with Big Boys Oven then.
Theirs are pretty good too.
Not to mention, much cheaper.
Tapi their 'cheap' pon lubang poketku.

Owh well, consider its your super belated birthday treat for yourself.

The Salvatores

2009-11-21T15:55:00.004+08:00

I'm beginning to love my saturdays.
Yeah!

***

If you're one of those who workout at home on your own and finding it hard to do it for long, here's a suggestion:

Try watching your favourite series whilst doing it. Possibly ones with drop dead gorgeous hunks. I vote for The Vampire Diaries!

With vampires looking like this, you won't even realize you've been burning fat for over an hour =)

Fizik...apakah?

2009-11-19T22:55:00.004+08:00

Owh saya memang suka perasan.
Hee.

Btw, if you have bullshitty friend that really give you nothing but bullshit, get rid of them.
Aceh saya tau saya suka cakap macam senang.
But if they keep putting you down, to the lowest level you never thought it was possible, then I see no other way.

I used to have this type of friend.
I used to wonder what did I do, that it all turned sour.
I keep on wondering for the next 2 years.
And I keep on crying throughout those 2 years.

Useless.

Jangan semakkan otak.
Belajar fizik lagi best (ok ini tiada kena mengena).

Moral of the story:

There is no point keeping sampah busuk.
There are plenty more benda wangi available =)

*p/s: please note that this Moral of the story only applies to friends

HCMC

2009-11-15T13:02:00.006+08:00

We're heading to Ho Chi Minh City Nov 25 till Dec 2.
I'm nervous.
This will be my first Asian backpacking trip, I speak zero of their language, I know nothing of their culture. In short, I'm dumb as ass regarding Vietnam.

Checklist:

Visa (Malaysians don't need one)
Passport (checked)
Money (almost done)
Accommodation (done)
ATM and MasterCard (reminder: call the banks)
Food (I'm thinking of bringing lots of it from home as we are heading to the countryside as well, and I doubt I can find halal food in areas outside HCMC).
Language (crash course on basic Vietnamese!).
Clothes (please remind the sister that we are on backpacking trip).
Camera (steal from Along).
Hp (bring both of Celcom and Maxis simcard and pray Celcom have coverage).
Shoes (is flip-flops logical? maybe I should get myself a pair of Crocs)
Find where the hell is the money belt.
See your doctor. Ask for any medical advice and pills you should bring (done)
Travel insurance (done)
what else what else?

Dear brother

2009-11-13T22:19:00.002+08:00

I've become a garang monster.
If my little brother blogs, mesti dia tulis,

"Kakak aku garang gila. Dah la tamak haloba. PC sendiri ada satu, laptop sendiri ada satu. Nak jugak pakai PC lain. Macam s*** je."

"Aku ajak kawan masuk rumah, akak aku jerit halau."

"Semua orang tinggalkan aku. Pergi makan, tengok movie, confirm tinggalkan aku."

I'm guilty of the first accusation. Ampun!
All movies and series are downloaded to that PC (due to huge memory), I'm too lazy to transfer to mine.

Second accusation: Memang patut kena halau. Manyak cantek muka. Dulu masa dia Darjah 5 boleh la. Ni dah nak masuk Form 3. Member semua dah besar panjang. This kakak ain't gonna be friendly anymore.

Third accusation: Me and my older agrees that he asks too much. My sister on the other hand, talks too much. <-- Inilah alasan paling kurang ajar boleh diberikan.

Jantan moleleh ni lomah somangat den.
Genting next week, perhaps?
You better be nice to me.

I pray you not haunt me again

2009-11-10T14:39:00.004+08:00

The nightmare will end tomorrow.

And I shall celebrate d-day by dumping the specs and baju tido.
Happyness!
I can wear my dresses again!

Hungry tiger inside

2009-11-06T14:11:00.005+08:00

Anger got the best of me and I'm sorry.

Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!

2009-11-02T21:09:00.001+08:00

Behold, my magic sleepy-head buster!
This works better for me than coffee.

Seriously.
I just can't stop laughing!
But you need to know the translation first to really get it.

I can so kill to be there.

Is your home insured?

2009-11-01T11:27:00.002+08:00

And I praise Lord that now you can buy home insurance online.
Ours expired a month ago.
I only knew an hour ago.
With a few clicks, and daddy's credit card, now we're back on track.

Thank goodness.

Just a little reminder to others:

Is your home insured?

?

2009-10-31T09:09:00.003+08:00

I wonder what would happen if I simbah exonuclease onto someone?
Would it be harmless?
Would it cause cell mutation?

And what's with boys and cars?

Travel invite

2009-10-29T10:25:00.003+08:00

Owh owh.
We would like to invite you for a Cuti-cuti Malaysia Trip!
Middle till end of November.

Proposed locations (yet to be confirmed, up to you, we're pretty flexible) :

Sabah
Sarawak
Langkawi
Penang

Strictly budget travel.
Do let me know if anyone is interested.
The more the merrier.

Exam period

2009-10-29T08:35:00.003+08:00

Exam period commenced today.
Six minutes ago, to be exact.

Good luck Idris, Najat and Cath (and everyone else) with your Marketing paper!

Exam period also mark the beginning of my everyday-no-make-up-wear-glasses-and-baju-tidur period.
Hence, please do not be alarmed when you see a nerd zombie walking around Monash.
Thank you.

Feedback

2009-10-28T11:47:00.005+08:00

This is what I wrote for the evaluation feedback for BTH2732:

I just wish you would hire better demos. The ones we had hardly helped us to use the bioinformatics tools. I thought they were supposed to guide us? We are very much clueless with the softwares, a little guiding hand would be very useful. Some of them were just sitting in the class, doing other work. Sometimes when we ask, they'd give us the 'What? You don't even know this?' look. When we asked for help, that means we needed it. So please, a little bit of mercy.

Take that, you evil I-dunno-what's-her-name demo.

Ngeh3

2009-10-27T13:16:00.002+08:00

Prague Chamber Orchestra last Friday.
Cuci the Musical tonight.

I don't sound like someone who's having exam next week.

Boo

2009-10-22T13:54:00.003+08:00

My latte from Krispy Kreme Sunway Pyramid has thick foamy froth.
wth
Hello I asked for latte, not cappuccino.

Boo.
I shall ban you from this moment on.

Gravity

2009-10-22T09:53:00.001+08:00

Set me free
Leave me be
I don't wanna fall another moment into your gravity

stolen from Sara Bareilles,
dedicated to Monash

Buenos Aires

2009-10-21T19:31:00.002+08:00

How do you convince your parents to let you go to Buenos Aires?

Give me something to do, please

2009-10-21T19:03:00.003+08:00

Hypothesis: Frequency of blog posts increases when exam is nearing.

My 3 month semester break schedule is empty.

E.M.P.T.Y.

Anyone, anyone has got any odd job for me?

OR better, anyone in search of a travel partner?

me! me! me! *lompatmacammental*

Where are you doc?

2009-10-20T20:07:00.004+08:00

My right eye hurts.
I called the clinic, but my doctor is not in today.
Darn, why can't she be there everyday?
I don't want any other doctors.
I just want Dr Nik Suzet!
Not Dr Azam, not Dr Engku, not even the super good looking doctor from Klinik Nik Isahak.

So, dear Dayy, I cop you awal-awal!
On-the-spot appointments tau.
Zara, Fizz, Izyan dll can come later after me. Muahaha.
If your other patients bising, let them know I've booked you years before.
If they wanna fight, meh sini fist fight!

2009-10-19T21:14:00.004+08:00

Tired.
Dead tired.

Ibu, happy birthday!
Sorry I couldn't t bring you anywhere today.
Will think of something, once I can think.
But now it feels like I've just finished a 10km marathon.

2009-10-16T20:17:00.003+08:00

Lapar buat saya homesick.
Padahal memang balik rumah tiap-tiap hari.

Saya memang sangat gedik.

I wanna go home.
Cepatlah someone pick me up.

Nak nangis da ni.

Blessing in disguise?

2009-10-14T23:42:00.002+08:00

Maybe the restless nights are a blessing.
Maybe its meant to let me work on my assignment.
Maybe.

Positive positive!

Hay hay haywire

2009-10-14T05:58:00.003+08:00

Two nights of tossing and turning, to no avail.
Under normal circumstances, I'd never had to toss and turn.
Just lie down, I'll be gone in minutes.

Am I developing amnesia?

Please God, I need my sleep.

My system has gone haywire.
Gastric, after months never getting any.
I didn't starve, mind you.
Sooner or later I'll be immobilize with migraine.
Depression is setting in too.
I'm at the point of breaking down now, truthfully.
:(

Please God, I really need my sleep.

flying, with wings

2009-10-12T23:15:00.003+08:00

There I was.
Glued to the screen.
Watching Angels & Demons.

And then it came flying.
Stealthly.
Landed on my beautiful crown.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

F*** you lipas terbang!

Attn: Monash girls

2009-10-10T20:31:00.005+08:00

I'm drafting a report for Monash Women's Affair Collective. And I need help.

Honestly, only a handful people knows that I have been appointed as a voting member in the Monash Student Council as Women's Officer.
I just don't feel appropriate to tell them when I didn't run for the post, didn't even send in any application form, although I am honoured that the MUSA President motioned for me.

I've only held the office for 2 weeks. On Jan 1st 2010, the recent election winners will be taking over. So I'm trying to make the most with the very little time I have.

So female Monashians, what do you want?

Please note that I'm not in the' menabur janji' giving-bullshit-promises mode.
Just need to know what you girls want/think/feel, so I can inform the incoming Women's Officer. If the matter can be handled promptly, I'll take care of it myself.

You can also direct any other suggestion/feedback/comments on the Uni to me (applies to guys & girls). I'll try to bring the matter up in the next Council meeting, if it's not a redundant matter.

By the way, I've decided that the Women's Room is to be kept open until the end of the study week, in order to have a little space for the girls to unwind.
And that lead to a question, anyone has karaoke VCDs? Do you know where to download the karaoke clips?
I want to put some in the Women's Room, so that the depressed girls can karaoke!!! hehe
Just a little dream from previous sem that I wanted to realize (click here to read).

Do leave a comment or email me at womens@musa.monash.edu.my

Thanks and all the best for the coming exam!

jam sgt ni

2009-10-09T16:55:00.002+08:00

Gembira dalam hati.
Kuih raya saya letak dalam Women's Room laku gila!
Weeeeeee.
Tak payah saya makan gemok sorg2.

Ngeh3!

Baru sedar pres musa itu comelllllllllllll.
Habisla kalau dia baca.

But then, like I care.

YOU'RE ADORABLE!!!!

kerjakeras

2009-10-08T08:27:00.002+08:00

Dear daddy working so hard lately.
And so shall the daughter.

Mana boleh kalah weyh.

I've just decided to screw the compulsary seminar kerjaya by MARA.
Some things never change =p

Melaka, done!

2009-10-07T11:44:00.007+08:00

My kampung is in Melaka.
And for the past 20 years, I have never been to the A' Famosa, Jonker Street etc.
Boooooooooooooooooo looooooooooooooooooooooserrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Well not anymore.

The jakuns.

Macam mana tu?

Menara Taming Sari

That's my ancestor alright!

Sweet Thai chicken rice ball (RM4.30) at the Melaka Sentral. Pretty ok.

Panorama bus (RM1/day). Gets you to the major attractions around the city.

Ole-ole for Jo hahahahahahaha.

Fined RM30 for parking without the parking coupons. Darn! Luckily we managed to reduce the fine to RM5 (told them we're students on holiday from Selangor, flashed our MyKads, done!)

*photo credits to Alyaa

2009-10-04T13:20:00.001+08:00

If only you could read me now.

Melaka

2009-10-02T07:45:00.001+08:00

Off for a quick getaway to Melaka, with Alyaa and Farah.
Hopefullly the next update will be full of smiles.

Let's Get Healthy!

2009-09-15T06:19:00.009+08:00

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) came to Monash yesterday to conduct health screening for the students and staff for a minimal contribution of RM2.

Tapi manusia, orang minta at least RM2, duit seringgit2 itu jugak yang dia cari dalam poket. Siap merungut. Come on people, its all for good cause. You're not gonna go bankrupt if you give more. And for the Muslims, its Ramadan, may Allah bless you with your sadaqah.

Anyway, the doctor told me to drop 8kg.
CRAP.

Losing the first kg is easy peasy.
Losing the second kg is like never going to happen, even if I starve and exercise like mental.
Now I must lose EIGHT kgs.
God luck with that.

And no, I'm not one of the girls that complain
"OMG I'm so fat!"

ALL THE TIME.

When the truth is they are on the borderline of underweight and normal.
Please girls, you ANNOY me. And your boyfriends.

Back to the subject (--> Let's Get Healthy!).
Whilst waiting for my turn to check my urine, I kind of eavesdropped the conversation between the guy before me and the health officer. He looks healthy enough to me. Normal. Definitely not overweight.

Man: No. You must be kidding me.
Health officer: No.
Man: It cannot be.
Health officer: I've done the test for you TWICE.
Man: But no..
Health officer: Ok I go check with my colleague.

(Health officer went to ask her colleague. The man's friend came)

Man: Dude. She says I'm diabetic.
Friend: No way. You're too young.
Man: That's why..

The only thing I want to stress here is
you are never too young to develop diabetes.
Please go and do medical checkup frequently.
And please listen to your doctor.
Please.

Anyway, I asked my doctor how am I supposed to lose weight.
She said, "Exercise."

Will do, doc!

Then the doctor added, "Eat vegie, vegie, vegie, vegie, vegie, fruits, fruits, fruits, fruits, protein. Little carb."

My current diet is: Protein, protein, proten, protein, protein, fruits, fruits, vegie. Little carb.

CRAP.

MWACkers @ Broga

2009-09-13T22:15:00.000+08:00

Broga Hill by Nigel

The MWACkers conquered Bukit Broga last Sunday!

It was my project, some stuff didn't work out well (it rained, and we ran out of schedule), but overall I can pretty much say the participants were happy with the trip =)

Major thanks to Omar for handling the transportation (we hired a bus as there were more than 40 participants).
Also my gratitude to Allen, Midin, Uzair and everyone else who carried heavy water packs just to make sure that there are enough water for the Muslims to wudhuk. Honestly, I like doing my Subuh prayers up a hill/mountain. Gave me the very very good feeling =)
And super duper thanks to the participants for the great attitude! (All of them were sleep deprived due to my crazy plan, but they came along with that awesome mood)

The initial plan was to watch the sunrise, but it was raining, so our wish didn't come true.
However, the weather then turned out to be pleasantly cool. You can see mist formed after the rain and suddenly it seemed like you climbed a mountain rather than just a hill.

Basically, the journey up took about 35 minutes to the first peak, another 10 minute to the second peak and a further 15 minutes to the third peak (3 peaks overall). Relatively an easy hike.

Directions to Broga (from Sunway): take KESAS/LDP highway to Semenyih (follow the sign to Kajang if Semenyih is not listed, from Kajang continue to Semenyih).
You will have to pass lots of tolls (especially if you use KESAS).
Immediately after the #last toll, you will see an exit to Jalan Semenyih. Exit there, then at the first junction, turn right (the signboard will indicate Semenyih). Go along the road till you find a Petronas station on your right. Take the left turn opposite the Petronas. As you go along, you will pass University of Nottingham entrance on your left. Keep on driving straight till you find a rabbit farm on your right. Park your car outside the farm. The starting point of the hike is opposite the rabbit farm.

Misty Broga by Ella

MWACkers at Broga Hill by Kurt

MWACkers at Broga Hill by Idris

Me by Kurt

Broga Hill by Kurt

My favorito by Idris

Invite

2009-09-12T07:59:00.001+08:00

LET'S GO TO NEW ZEALAND!
Anyone?

Aussie Winter 09 - Part 3 (Falls Creek & Melbourne)

2009-09-04T02:24:00.006+08:00

If you notice some post disappearing after a while, just leave them be. Most probably some stupid post written when the mind goes mental, and I do not need reminders of my mental times =)

***

Falls Creek

We were only in Falls Creek for a day. So I decided against skiing/snowboarding. Too little time to learn, too little time to strut new skills.

Solution, toboggan!

How I miss miss miss miss tobogganing.
15 years since the last time.
Childhood revisited =)
Only wished Donut was around, like before. I know he'd make it perfect (sorry kakcik, your not exactly my childhood friend).

Cost: Snow boots and toboggan rental only cost me AUD20 =)
There are several shops at the Mount Beauty area (its a town's name) before you continue your journey up to Falls Creek. Just pick any you like.

Weather: Its actually not that cold, you don't really need to rent the snow pants, unless you don't have any pants to change to afterwards.
My jeans did me just fine, except that it kinda got a bit wet, but my parka was very long, so I was ok.
Snow storm wise: Well I don't really know how to differentiate snow storms and normal snowing, so heck, whatever.

By this time around, I lost my contact lenses, so I had to be the nerd with specs. Yeah great.

Melbourne

Ok no pictures here. None with my face though. I guess I'm too happy to be in Melbourne I forgot to take pictures. Super thanks to Farah for that (also to her bf). Gossips were so refreshing after the long trip!

I like taking pictures of reflections on water, like Monet's amazing paintings =) Though my pictures aren't ever amazing

-Fin-

Broga

2009-08-25T07:14:00.002+08:00

Never ending work piles.

Ceh.

Ada hati nak complain.

Macam x biasa pulak.

I need to go scout Bukit Broga this weekend for the club project.

Anyone wants to tag along?

We'll make it brief. Promise.

Marilah...

Aussie Winter 09 - Part 2 (Sydney & Canberra)

2009-08-13T09:39:00.000+08:00

SYDNEY...

I must say I wasn't not very much into Sydney.
It somehow didn't gave me that hmmmm feeling...
I'm really crappy, am I not?

Just so you know, the drive from Adelaide to Sydney took more or less 24 hours.
Sakit bontot ok.
Not that I really mind that, I'm kinda getting pretty used to road trips =)
Won't take it the other way, else you'll miss the view on the road.

But there are some things that I wish was the other way round...

Izyan's housemates et moi

Didn't took much pictures in Sydney (told you I'm not much into it).

CANBERRA...

Canberra, on the other hand, was pleasant, except the temperature.
Sejuukkkkkkkkk!

Canberra is the Australian capital city, and it kinda gave us the feeling of Putrajaya, you know, with the new government buildings, lakes etc (tak tipoo).
I wished we could have stayed a bit longer here, instead of just one day. I could have gone climb up the hills! =(
Instead, we had lunch in the Malaysian High Commission, and went off for shopping afterward (yeah macam xde keje lain, but I'm tied up).

Meet my geng lepak baru, Kak Mi!

*picture crdts to Izyan and self
**plz excuse the bad picture quality, and the author's lack of creativity

Toby!

2009-08-11T13:02:00.004+08:00

I'm happy to see that Toby put up my pictures with Zara on his profile when we hosted him.
Instead of just going up Tabur Hill together as planned, we ended up spending the whole day together, lunch, watching movies, dinner...
I think he was very much happy spending time with us.... heeeeeeeeeeee
Looking forward to see him again, in Germany maybe =)

Me & Zara on our first hike together, with Toby.

Toby (tallest guy in yellow T-shiry) and the other CSers.

Fiery

2009-07-31T18:23:00.003+08:00

Mood nak gaduh tahap melampau.
No amount of retail therapy can fix this.
I'm just hoping our weekend plan will take the rage away.
Ikan bakar feast.
2 mountains.

Bring it on.

Aussie Winter 09 - Part 1 (Adelaide)

2009-07-20T10:13:00.008+08:00

Adelaide is a very laid back city.
I actually liked it very much due to the fact that it has that Shah Alam feel. Haha.
It also helped that my Monash ID (Australian Monash ID = Malaysian Monash ID) can be used around here to get the concession rates. So yeah discounts for me! (You will notice in future post that this is not possible in other cities)

Anyway, basically what I did was:

Shopping (not that much though)
Exploring the city (Adelaide also has a FREE circle line city bus. 99c if I'm not mistaken. The bus goes around the major attraction in the city)
Picnic at Glenelg beach (yeah imagine picnicking while the winter wind blew. erk)
Bushwalking in Morialta Conservation Park
A little bit socializing
Letting Izyan and her housemates stuff me full.

University of Adelaide

First Fall, Morialta Conservation Park

Cik Izyan

Fal Fella

Glenelg Beach

Muq

Torrens River

Barr Smith Library, Uni of Adelaide.

View on board Torrens River Cruise.

Gunung Liang May 09

2009-07-04T07:33:00.008+08:00

Date: 8th-10th May 2009

Location: Gunung Liang, Tanjung Malim, Perak.

Participants: 7 Monashians (Nia, Halim, Rizzal, Allen, Uzair, Alep, Rahman) + ARC UIA students

It was hell of a time climbing this mountain.
Really, hell.
I was not used to unclear path. It was my first time climbing with dahan kayu ranting pokok tumbang all over the place.
Messy.

I think we started the climb at about 9am, arrived at the campsite at near 4pm (or so I think).
They keep on pushing me (really as in push = tolak).
I nearly went insane keeping up with the boys' pace.
I guess Halim saw that so he let the others go first, and went off with me. Terima kasih!

Campsite was cold. It didn't help that my shirt was wet hence menggigil tak hengat.
We camped the night before climbing to the summit the next day at 5am.
It took about 2 hours. Pretty easy, considering the short time and having no weight behind our back.

Summit.
My favourite part.
Best gila view dia ok!
Lawa gila ok!
Takde lebah nak sengat saya ok!
Gembira ok!

From the first peak, you can see adjacent mountains. Gorgeous.
From the second peak, you can't really see anything, but the area felt like Fangorn forest from the Lord of The Rings.
Best tak tipu.

Moral of the story, go climb Mount Liang!

,

* picture crdts to Uzair

HOW COME I JUST KNEW THIS?

2009-07-04T01:52:00.000+08:00

More on the U.S. travel authorisation:

Effective January 12, 2009, all citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including Malaysia, will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States.

Please log onto the ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and complete an on-line application. Travelers are encouraged to apply early. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

***

Best gila ok! And I didn't freaking know about it!

THIS IS NOT HAPPENING TO ME.

NOT HAPPENING.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BENCI.

***

Off to Aussie tomorrow. Will be back in 2 weeks.

Till then, pray the virus will be far far away from me.

tagged

2009-06-30T17:56:00.003+08:00

Saya benci tag ini.
Tapi saya kurang duit nak membelanja Cik Izzati Halim.
Jadi nak tak nak...

1. How old are you?
I'm 20.
Going 21 this Oct 17th.
Sila ingat.
Atau saya akan merajuk tak hengat.

2. are you single?
Saya tak kahwin lagi.

3. at what age do you think you'll get married?
I've never placed a goal as to when I wanna get married.
So when the time comes, so be it.

4. do you think you'll marrying the person you are with now?
This question is wayyyy too personal.

5. if not, who do you want to marry?

Is this even a relevant question?

6. who will be your bridesmaid & bestman?
Bridesmaid: Either Zati, Zara, Fizzie, Izyan, Dayyinah. Whomever is available.
Bestman: That will be his choice.

7. do you want a garden/beach or traditional wedding?
Whichever. Just hope it will be small and fast.
I sweat like a pig, and I do not appreciate 'ketiak basah' on my wedding day. And long, dragging day gives me migraine.

8. where do you plan to go on honeymoon?

Someplace with gorgeous mountains. Thank you.

9. how many guests do you think you'll invite?
I'd like a small wedding of which the guests are made up of people whom are close to me.
So if you don't get the invite, sila jangan mengumpat.
Its supposed to be my day, and I choose to share it with people whom I love.
If that is too hard to understand, well too bad, isn't it?

10. will that include your exes?
What if I have none?

11. how many layers of cake do you want?
Never gave a damn.

12. when do you want to get married, morning or evening?

Entah.

13. name the song/tune you'd like to play at your wedding.

14. do you prefer fine dining or just normal spoon & fork? knife?
Takde keje ke orang melayu nak fine dining wedding reception?

15. champagne or red wine?
Mango juice. Sirap tak pernah sedap.

16. honeymoon right after the wedding or days after the wedding?
Entah.

17. money or household items

House(s). Boleh?

18. how many kids would you like to have?
Quoting a friend, "Biar 3. Cukup quota seat belakang".

19. will you record your honeymoon in DVD/CD?
I like!

20. whose wedding plan would you like to know next?
I refuse to suffer alone. So here goes: Aini, Idris, Dayyinah, Fizzie, Tiqah, Donut, Nazir.

2009-06-26T08:17:00.002+08:00

I want to write how happy I am that Sem 1 2009 is over.

Except I don't know what to feel anymore.

Micheal's gone.

Pray for me

2009-06-21T09:44:00.003+08:00

Lo and behold.
Another depressed post.
On depression.
The depressed.
And the depressor.

Holiday plans serabut.
Saya juga serabut.
Otak saya juga serabut.
Nasib baik my notes tak serabut sangat.
Hidup juga tidak serabut mana.
Family juga tak serabut (owh tapi naik angin adalah perkara biasa).
Exam sangat menyerabutkan.
Library ini juga serabut.
Hey mana si tukang jaga counter ni? Saya mahu kunci discussion room saya.
Discussion room di pagi hari bukan untuk diskusi.
Discussion room di pagi hari adalah untuk saya menyanyi sekuat hati.
Padahal bukannya sound proof pon bilik itu.
But let's play pretend that it is.
Saya mahu kareoke.
Owh Monash patut letak satu bilik kareoke.
Its door should have a sign "KAREOKE FOR THE DEPRESSED".
Because we Monashians are really depressed lot.
I have one more Microbiology lecture note to be read.
Another 11 of Genetics.
Boleh Nadia.
Boleh!

And that's the end of it.
The depressed post.
On depression.
The depressed.
And the depressor.

Pray for me!

Again, at times like this...

2009-06-16T18:58:00.003+08:00

Migraine keep on coming.
I hate it when I have to make the choice.

(A) Pills.
Many a times I've been warned not to rely on pills, else they will fail you someday (probably burn you in the process).

(B) Sleep.
The healthiest choice, except I need to be up revising.

Who says you're lucky to have choices?

***

Tabur Hill last Saturday with Toby and Zara. A super needed de-stress trip. The day marked my first hike together with Zara (miracle ni ok!) =O

Fiz, Zati, Day, Izyan, and omfg Faiz and Acap, mari?

I shall pray for more miracles ;)

At times like this

2009-06-06T12:25:00.002+08:00

I need to climb.

And climb.

Till air struggle to fill my lungs.

Till my knees refuse to carry the heavy burden.

Till my head feel like exploding.

Till the heart speaks,

"I don't freaking care what your lungs, your knees, your head says, Nadia. You better get your ass up there!"

Exactly why I love climbing.

Looking forward to next Saturday!

Nia is...

2009-05-27T16:29:00.003+08:00

Serabut.

Musicals, orchestra, anything of such anyone?
I need something proper, to contrast with all the wilderness.

Complication

2009-05-25T07:34:00.004+08:00

Now my confidence level is chopped off to almost half.
Because a guy said, "The only difference between us is that you're wearing tudung."

Tak paham?

He's trying to imply that I behave like a man, or at least that's how I see it.
wtf

Just because I climb mountains and tak merengek nak give up tengah jalan doesn't make me a man.
Just because I find myself very much at ease within groups of men doesn't make me a man.
Just because I laugh just as hard as you, probably worst, doesn't make me a man.
Just because I push myself beyond my perceived limit doesn't make me a man.

=(

I am a woman.
I love being a woman.
Do not confine me to your personal view of a lady.
Because I am not that normal.

I'm a superwoman.

Crap rasa nak nangis. Owh hormone, get back to normal please. I'm tired of feeling down and supersensitive this week.

Eh, superwoman pon cry jugak ok.
We're just not that normal, didn't I tell you?

Pledge

2009-05-25T07:27:00.003+08:00

Start

I pledge to bake a brownie for Ms Angela sometime this week.

End

Outcast

2009-05-19T22:57:00.004+08:00

Last weekend: Bukit Tabur
This weekend: Jerangkang waterfalls, Maran, Pahang.
Hopefully no migraine this time around.
Mefenamic acid is so not good for the body.

I think my mom has already given up to give a damn of my whereabouts.
Sekejap panjat sana, berendam sini, merempat sana, lepak sini.

Mommy je suis desolee.

Anyway, read Zati's blog. It seems like I am the only one who doesn't miss MRSM.
Now I'm feeling retarded.
An outcast.
Heh.
Takpe.
Isn't that what you wanted? *takbetolpunyaorang*

2009-05-18T15:16:00.002+08:00

I was a teacher for only less than two months.

And last Saturday I received a Teacher's Day gift.

Considering I haven't been teaching anymore,

this

very

sweet!

Santubong! Feb 09

2009-05-15T22:19:00.010+08:00

I've finally managed to get the pictures from my friends Facebooks (I don't have one but I'm accessing theirs using WildMonash Account).

*** advertisement: Monash has a new exciting club! Check us our blog (still under construction) or search for Monash Wild Adventrure on Facebook (and yes, dats how we spell our 'adventure'. don't ask me why) ***

I only joined them for 3 days due to work commitment. Mar, Nabel, Faten, Syafiq and Halim was there for a week. Majied, on the other hand, is local (which was precisely why we were there!)

The invite came for Mar, as she needed company to go see Majied in Kuching (yes, they are together). Such a great opportunity, boy I'm glad I was there!

Arrived on Friday evening. Went makan before r.i.p. (no pictures though).

Morning in Damai Beach Resort. Accommodation courtesy to Mar. Merci!

First destination.

Doa before the hike begun.

Arrived at the waterfall.

Sadly to this point, only Halim and I wanted to go further to the summit, so we had to cancel it all together. Next time perhaps =)

Checkpoint number 7 (or was it 8. or 9?)

Santubong Cultural Village.

Traditional game.

Signage reads 'Rumah Iban'. It wasn't in the picture though.

Superb dancers.

Challenging part. How do you cross a bamboo 'titi' in platform heels (not me!)?

Aim. Inhale. Blow!

Before they sent me to the airport, we went to Majied's place for the superb laksa sarawak (sorry no pictures available). Learnt a little bit of local dialect there =) Thanks ya!

Boarded the flight home holding 7 mee kolok containers. Lalala.

*picture credits to Syafiq. Frankly I think his pictures are superb!

Kaki sakit

2009-05-11T20:41:00.003+08:00

Spent the weekends on a mountain, namely Gunung Liang.

I'm pretty happy with my performance =)

My arms and legs muscle sore pretty bad though, Ibu said I move down the stairs like a nenek.

"Bila nak serik ni?"

I just laughed.

The same laugh as when she asked me,

"Awak ada boyfriend eh?"

Dear Mommy,

You know me, right?

Ngeh3

Will post some pictures later, or shall I say very much later (haven't put up our Gunung Nuang, white water rafting, Sg Chilling, Sabah & Sarawak backpacking post yet... )

Umrah April 09

2009-05-05T03:32:00.008+08:00

Just pictures for now.
I'll add in the text later, if time permits.

Pictures aren't in chronological order.

Basically we went to Madinah first, then Makkah.

Football. In between the streets. Under a flyover.

Makkah streets.

Kaabah.

Ladang unta.

Masjid Bir Ali.

Masjidil Nabawi. Last minute picture before leaving for Makkah.

Makam Rasulullah is under the green kubah.

Our hotel in Madinah.

Perfection

2009-04-27T23:20:00.002+08:00

Breathe easy.
Finally.
=)

Umrah was great.
Hike to Sg Chilling waterfall was great.
White water rafting was great.
Mount Nuang was great.
Great great great.

announce and advertise

2009-03-29T14:18:00.004+08:00

Announcement

I will be leaving for umrah 4th-16th April.

I hereby apologize for my wrongdoings.

Thanks.

****

We are organizing a trip to Kota Kubu Bharu on the 18th and 19th of April.

Basically on the 18th, we will be chilling out all day at Sg Chilling waterfall (see my previous post on the location).

On the 19th, we will be doing white water rafting! =D

Currently we have 10 pax, and we would like to extend the invitation.

Approx. RM200 per pax (RM180 goes to WWR alone). We will camp (please bring yours, or share). Lunch will only be provided post-white water rafting.

So if any of you are interested, do leave a comment and I'll see what I can do.

This is a stupid one

2009-03-15T16:34:00.004+08:00

This post has been removed by the author due to sensitive issues.

Kuching Dec 08

2009-03-15T12:14:00.008+08:00

Long overdue.

This Kuching trip was a direct continuation from our Kota Kinabalu trip.

If this ain't sweet I dunno what is.

Fort Margherita.

At Benteng (at least I think this is the name), beside Satok night market. With Donat's friends. Waiting for our superbly delicious mee kolok. No. 28 stall (if I'm not mistaken), opens 10pm onwards.

Kuching is generally an easy city to go around. Try the 'Teh C Peng Special' if you are dining out at the numerous stalls and restaurant. Another restaurant which is popular with its mee kolok is the Haji Salleh, though we really do favor the one at the Benteng. Haji Salleh seem to put in less and less meat these days..... Other than the famous 'mee kolok', 'laksa sarawak' is a must. There is also a good chicken rice restaurant here, the SCR. They have got a lot of branches around Kuching, so you won't miss them.

If you are a waffle lover (I know I am), head to Parkson. At the lower ground floor (near Giant's exit), there is this small waffle stall. Their RM2.50 waffle is almost perfect.

Whenever you are in Kuching, do not miss taking a boat ride across the Sg Sarawak to the other side. They only cost a few cents per head. Then you can walk to Fort Margherita before you take another boat ride back to the city. I'm also told that they have the 'Kek lapis Sarawak' factory on the other side. Please ask the locals for direction. They should know.

There will be another post on my Feb 09 Kuching trip with more emphasize on activities and places of interest at the outskirts of Kuching.

Dilemma

2009-03-11T19:31:00.003+08:00

I wanna go to Micheal Jackson's concert!
NAK!
NAK!
NAK!

Nakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

=(

2009-03-09T20:18:00.006+08:00

Childish post deserve no archiving, hence deleted.

******

Its Maulidur Rasul.

56 Allah and His angels send blessings on the Nabee (Prophet): You that believe! send blessings on him and salute him with all respect.

[Quran: Al Ahzab Chapter 33]-taken from http://www.meem.freeuk.com/Salawat.html-

nak nak nak

2009-03-05T07:49:00.001+08:00

I dream of a store.

Full of JanSport.

All at a quarter of the price.

Oh.

Heaven.

Tabur Hill Hike Deux

2009-03-01T17:00:00.008+08:00

Date: February 28th, 2009

Time: 8.30am - 4pm (1 hour spent for sky-picnic, 3 hours spent cooling in a river at the foothill)
Location: Tabur Hill, Ulu Klang, Selangor.

Group: Monashians + cik abang dan cik akak sesat =p

I was dying to come here again hence the organizing of the trip. There were 8 of us. Refused to bring too many people as the climb are pretty dangerous, having steep and rocky trail.

The ascending climb began at about 8.30am, an hour later than expected due to technical reasons. It is advisable to climb at about 5am in order to watch the sunrise, however if you are concerned about safety, better start when the sun is out.

Anyway, here goes the pictures.

Updating soon

2009-03-01T15:59:00.003+08:00

Will be updating soon on all travels and other activities.

Hopefully by today.

Stay tune =)

Lookup Point, Sandakan, Sabah.

Tabur Hill, Selangor.

"Ni macam Power Rangers yang tak jadi."

-Quoted from Kak Sya-

Lust

2009-02-04T18:32:00.003+08:00

My mouth is dangerously lusting for macarons.

Why oh why can't I just walk into a cafe here and get some?
=(

Kota Kinabalu

2009-01-31T01:38:00.000+08:00

Just some pictures from my family trip to Kota Kinabalu early December last year.

Lo and behold, Kota Kinabalu.

Adikku.

The best egg tart I've tasted to date.

Holy molly I'm stranded on Dinawan Island!

Trying very hard to make spiritual connection with Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack, help!

Jack the Traitor refused to leave his rum supplies, hence adik-adikku had to come and rescue me.

Note the happy faces.

Lalu dengan hati gembira makan banyak gila. All the lauk for us three only ok!

Adikku preparing the rescue boat for journey back.

Wished he got this instead =p

****

For the Dinawan Island day trip, there was only 3 of us, as Ayah had meetings at the hotel, and Ibu never liked venturing without him.

The island trip cost us RM95 per pax. Boat ride, lunch (which they claim to be bbq), snorkeling equipment included. I personally feel that the package is a tad pricey. You might want to consider just paying for boat ride (approx RM40) and bring your own lunch instead as I suspect the whole-written-as-bbq-lunch-but-that-didn't-happen was the reason for the price tag.

Having said that, we were happy as it turned out that there was NO OTHER GUEST on the island! Really made us feel like super rich kids who chartered a small private island for our own amusement hehe.

Anyway, will be heading to KK again in another 3 weeks to join Rizzal, Millie, Niza and Halim. It will only be for 3 days though, as I had to work. *bekerjakeras!*

If you want me to get anything for you, let me know. Tapi kalau boleh minta kirim duit sekali ya, jangan kirim air liur saja. Terima kasih!

2009-01-27T07:42:00.002+08:00

To have all but to have naught
Move to feel, but the senses fail
Glimpse of heaven, only none is there

Kanching falls

2009-01-21T21:17:00.002+08:00

Date: January 17, 2009
Time: 9am - 2pm
Location: Taman Rimba Sungai Kanching eg the Kanching falls
Group: CouchSurfing

Luck was on my side. Initially Alep invited me to join them here last Thursday, however since I had to work on weekdays, I had to pass. Fortunately, some CouchSurfers came up with the idea of going here on Saturday.

First car to arrive. The others were still on the way.

Their favourite fall. There are several cascades of waterfall, but this one proved to be the most populous, due to the existence of a pool suitable for dipping.

I opted for another fall a little further up since it was less populated, hence cleaner water =)

Another fall way further up. There are supposed to be more falls, but no one wants to venture out with me, so I guess I'll save that for the future.

The others. See the guy in yellow? His name is Martin. For some reason, someone thought that I'm his wife... (err?)

Beruk. They are everywhere! They took our Oreo, apple, and God knows what else. If you are coming here, better watch out, they can open up your bag's zip! Naughty naughty. And offensive.

Overall, Kanching waterfall is a pretty good place for a short escape from the city. The water quality is decent, the falls are bigger than I expected. The minus points are the beruk, the crowd, and the trash they leave *roll eyes*.

*Picture credits to Sharon, Nikko, and self.

Save the shark, save the world

2009-01-20T21:58:00.002+08:00

I know people are talking about the boycott on US and Israel related products.
Just to let you know I am for it.

Life without Starbucks's Java Chip Frappe?
Hard. But possible.
Life without McDonald's?
Easy peasy.
Life without Nestle?
Emm that one I can't do. Sorry.

Do what you must. Do what you can.

But the real stuff I want to voice up is

SAVE THE SHARKS!

Sharks are being hunted down and killed for their fins, which are the ingredient for the highly popular shark fin soup often served in Chinese restaurant.

I know that people would say that, "So what, sharks attack people!"

True, but how often? Can you honestly say it is justifiable?

And some would say, "But shark fin soup taste good".

Well true, I won't deny that. It does taste good.

But then, so does pork (of which I did happen to taste, God forbids, but let me assure you that it was an accident, and no I am not proud of this, God forgive me).

Anyway, how do you save the sharks?

Boycott.
Stop eating shark fin soup.
Stop ordering shark fin soup.

I have no idea how many times the soup is served in front of me, and EVERYONE at the table gulped it down like they've starved for days, looked at my untouched bowl, and ask why am I not savouring mine? And I don't know how many times do I have to explain my reason, and I don't know how many times they laugh.

I do not care.

All I know is, no shark has to die to feed me.

Blood is not in my hands.

Why save the shark, you save the world? For the simple reason of restoring ecological balance.

Again, do what you must. Do what you can.

Seems like a small thing to do, but if there is another 10 person who would do it, isn't that fab?

2009-01-13T05:02:00.002+08:00

Saya susah hati.
Abang saya mula kerja pukul 5 pagi.
Dan 5 pagi adalah sekarang.
Dan dia masih tidur!
Bilik dia kunci.
Saya sudah telefon banyak kali tapi dia tak angkat.
Ketuk pintu pun sudah.
Macam mana ni?

Collateral damage my arse

2009-01-11T11:33:00.004+08:00

Blood all over.

Run, hide.
They seek for shelter.
Run, run.
But shelter is none.

Children. Shot.
Mothers. Killed.
Fathers. Dead.

Families broken.
Homes destroyed.
Schools bombarded.

And what did the satans said in defense?
Collateral damage.
And the world nodded, as if in agreement.

Madness.

Now pray with me.

O Allah Most Merciful.
Give Palestinians strength we have not.
Give them endurance we have not.

Give the ones who died your Heaven.
And shower the ones who live with your blessings.

O Allah Most Just,
Rain the merciless Israelis with fire.
Let them burn and rot.
And fill their hearts with nothing but sorrow.

Amin ya rabbal alamin.

ps: I'm planning to bake some brownies/muffins to be given to Mercy Malaysia Fund Raising. Anyone with yummish recipes kindly share yours please? nnbt3@student.monash.edu

Abang Aki's travel tips

2008-12-31T22:59:00.008+08:00

Fikir semula, tak jadi nak delete Jess, j'adore.
Sayang sangat kot Jess tu.
If you think I'm being childish, you can go and rot for all I care.

=p

***

I was reorganizing my files when I found this.
An IM conversation between me and my superkewl walking-travel-dictionary cousin. I saved it to help me for my first UK trip in December 2006.
And indeed a great help it was!
So I thought if I share this, it will useful if you plan to travel to UK anytime soon.

This is very long.
I'm too lazy too edit anything.
Skip it is of no use to you.

Peace.

***

redhotreaver (10:59:00 AM): hey! redhotreaver (10:59:14 AM): im off london 2moro redhotreaver (10:59:25 AM): nething u wanna recommend?
iskandarbaik (11:06:09 AM): moshi2..
iskandarbaik (11:06:12 AM): hey hey hey..
iskandarbaik (11:06:19 AM): weather is kinda bad lately..
iskandarbaik (11:07:14 AM): http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/
iskandarbaik (11:07:41 AM): so make sure u bring along a rain coat [ umbrella might not works as the wind blows ]
iskandarbaik (11:07:44 AM): and a camera
iskandarbaik (11:07:53 AM): u're going there with ur friends rite?
redhotreaver (11:08:36 AM): uhuh
iskandarbaik (11:09:35 AM): ur friend should know where to bring u..
iskandarbaik (11:09:37 AM): so i wouldnt worry much on that.
iskandarbaik (11:09:40 AM): and yeah!
iskandarbaik (11:09:53 AM): 1 sport shoe is enuff!!!
iskandarbaik (11:10:16 AM): dont even think to bring more than one - trust me on this.. i'm a frequent traveller :D
redhotreaver (11:10:29 AM): hehe redhotreaver (11:10:33 AM): thx!
iskandarbaik (11:10:44 AM): u'll do a lot of walking + tubing in london.. so make sure u wear something comfortable to walk
iskandarbaik (11:11:17 AM): and yeah.. bring an emptry bottle..
redhotreaver (11:11:33 AM): empty?
iskandarbaik (11:11:35 AM): u dont wanna spend rm7 for 1 small mineral water :P
redhotreaver (11:11:45 AM): ok!
iskandarbaik (11:11:59 AM): yeah.. fill it up when u're in london
iskandarbaik (11:12:09 AM): u can only bring 20kg [ not sure if ur dad can get more ] iskandarbaik (11:12:21 AM): so i suggest travel light..
redhotreaver (11:12:24 AM): i can sumbat 30
redhotreaver (11:12:31 AM): 10 kg extra
iskandarbaik (11:12:35 AM): u might wanna shop there.. iskandarbaik (11:12:37 AM): kewl!!!! iskandarbaik (11:12:46 AM): are u travelling on business / economy nadia?
redhotreaver (11:12:52 AM): econ
iskandarbaik (11:12:57 AM): that's fine..
iskandarbaik (11:13:23 AM): night / morning flight?
redhotreaver (11:13:29 AM): noon
iskandarbaik (11:13:54 AM): if u travel in noon.. u;ll be in london on the evening..
iskandarbaik (11:13:59 AM): hmm..
iskandarbaik (11:14:04 AM): ok ask for isle seat..
iskandarbaik (11:14:11 AM): dont take the window seat...
iskandarbaik (11:14:41 AM): [ it'll hard for u to go to the loo.. since u need to bypass 2 person.. 12 hours flight is long ]
redhotreaver (11:14:54 AM): ok
iskandarbaik (11:15:23 AM): plus u're be there in the evening.. so nothing much u can see in plane window since it's dark..
iskandarbaik (11:15:36 AM): as u might know... 5pm is already pitch black there..#
iskandarbaik (11:15:49 AM): so remember.. plan ur travelling carefully..
iskandarbaik (11:16:12 AM): maybe u wanna go out early as well. since it gets dark early too.. iskandarbaik (11:16:53 AM): and yeah.. although u can bring 30..
redhotreaver (11:16:57 AM): understood
iskandarbaik (11:17:02 AM): BE A LIGHT TRAVELLER!
iskandarbaik (11:17:07 AM): again iskandarbaik (11:17:18 AM): B E A L I G H T T R A V E L L E R
iskandarbaik (11:17:20 AM): :P
redhotreaver (11:17:31 AM): ok redhotreaver (11:17:34 AM): point taken
iskandarbaik (11:17:36 AM): london is dry [ even on rainy season ]
iskandarbaik (11:17:47 AM): so u can recycle ur cloth multiple times
iskandarbaik (11:17:53 AM): u wont get sweat there.
iskandarbaik (11:18:01 AM): so jeans tuhs bawak sket2 jer.. :P
iskandarbaik (11:18:35 AM): if u got times.. go to the natural museum....
iskandarbaik (11:18:38 AM): damn bloody nice place..
iskandarbaik (11:18:56 AM): even the building look like a supercool harry potter castle to me :P
redhotreaver (11:19:06 AM): hahaha
iskandarbaik (11:19:08 AM): and if u wanna buy any ticket..
iskandarbaik (11:19:35 AM): http://www.lastminute.com/
iskandarbaik (11:19:37 AM): try that website..
iskandarbaik (11:19:43 AM): in uk generally..
iskandarbaik (11:19:59 AM): shopping ticket online is by far a lot cheaper compared to buying tickets at the counter
iskandarbaik (11:20:07 AM): and u safe ur time from que :P
iskandarbaik (11:20:18 AM): how long u gonna be there nadia?
redhotreaver (11:20:26 AM): not long
iskandarbaik (11:20:36 AM): [ oh yeah.. jgn lupa qiblat compass ] :P
redhotreaver (11:20:49 AM): til 15 dec
iskandarbaik (11:20:56 AM): and a small + thin sajadah
redhotreaver (11:21:05 AM): ok
iskandarbaik (11:21:12 AM): 2 weeks..
iskandarbaik (11:21:21 AM): ah! about the same time we're in italy the other day.
iskandarbaik (11:21:36 AM): fizee-chan only bring along a small luggage..
redhotreaver (11:21:38 AM): hey ur pics were awesome
iskandarbaik (11:21:48 AM): if she can do that.. u can as well :D
iskandarbaik (11:22:00 AM): thanx :D appreciate that..
iskandarbaik (11:22:05 AM): yeah take tonnes of pix..
iskandarbaik (11:22:17 AM): not everyday we can go to london..
iskandarbaik (11:22:52 AM): mafflur + glove = bring these too
iskandarbaik (11:23:01 AM): AHHH AND THE LIP GLOSSS
iskandarbaik (11:23:23 AM): normal medication.. panadol, charcoal pill, bawak dari sini iskandarbaik (11:23:35 AM): kat sana sungguh mahal :)
iskandarbaik (11:23:44 AM): and yeah.. please do NOT buy me anything
iskandarbaik (11:23:50 AM): spend ur money to urself + others ok
iskandarbaik (11:24:08 AM): :)
redhotreaver (11:25:30 AM): if u said so redhotreaver (11:25:38 AM): jap charcoal pill tu pe?
iskandarbaik (11:26:10 AM): charcoal pill - kalu kener saket perut kaa iskandarbaik (11:26:38 AM): diarrhoea kaa
iskandarbaik (11:26:48 AM): haaa and clarinase - for nose block
iskandarbaik (11:27:09 AM): and have fun!!!
iskandarbaik (11:27:39 AM): read ur blog.. quite under a lot of pressure lately? so max this getaway ok ;)
redhotreaver (11:29:00 AM): oh crap kantoi
iskandarbaik (11:29:08 AM): :P
iskandarbaik (11:29:22 AM): trust me.. we all been to that phase..
iskandarbaik (11:29:36 AM): totally and utterly understood :D
iskandarbaik (11:29:47 AM): u take a good care of urself ok
iskandarbaik (11:30:01 AM): [ oh yeah.. dont bring along any books from here.. tuhs memberatkan beg ]
iskandarbaik (11:30:16 AM): there's tonnes of bookstores there with good promotion iskandarbaik (11:30:22 AM): mmg ada jer macam2 promo..
iskandarbaik (11:30:37 AM): so if u want something to read.. get it there ok
iskandarbaik (11:31:12 AM): and yeah.. before i forgot..
iskandarbaik (11:31:24 AM): i'll slap u if u dare came back with brits accent :P
redhotreaver (11:31:39 AM): melampau la 10 days je pon
redhotreaver (11:31:45 AM): besides
redhotreaver (11:31:54 AM): iv alreasy got my own accent
redhotreaver (11:32:07 AM): mine sounds better
redhotreaver (11:32:12 AM): :D
iskandarbaik (11:32:14 AM): good thinking :D
redhotreaver (11:33:17 AM): jap
redhotreaver (11:33:34 AM): how much u usually spend there
redhotreaver (11:33:45 AM): minus accommodation
iskandarbaik (11:34:31 AM): are u staying in london city itself?
redhotreaver (11:34:47 AM): no outskirts skit
redhotreaver (11:34:53 AM): hatfield
redhotreaver (11:35:14 AM): near uni of hertfordshire
iskandarbaik (11:35:57 AM): hmmm..
iskandarbaik (11:36:00 AM): http://maps.google.com/maps?q=diarrehoa&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl
iskandarbaik (11:36:04 AM): hatfield - london..
iskandarbaik (11:36:11 AM): about 23 miles driving..
iskandarbaik (11:36:25 AM): jauh gaks arr.. 1 hour driving
iskandarbaik (11:36:39 AM): are guys driving?
iskandarbaik (11:36:44 AM): or take busses nadia?
redhotreaver (11:37:40 AM): busses most prob
iskandarbaik (11:39:20 AM): ah ok
iskandarbaik (11:39:37 AM): 1. ok makan sana mahal sket..
iskandarbaik (11:40:15 AM): 2. so what i normally do.. kalu duk umah.. break1st beli cereal kaa apa.. 2 pounds is enuff for a week..
iskandarbaik (11:40:44 AM): 3. so lunch and dinner.. if u're on tight budget.. buleh buat sandwich kat umah.. and makan masa lunch [ we did this too ] :D
iskandarbaik (11:41:10 AM): 4. so katakan makan maximum dalam 7 pounds a day [ nihs dah sungguh mahal ]
iskandarbaik (11:41:37 AM): [ i'm giving u the max ]
iskandarbaik (11:41:42 AM): so 7 X 10 days = 70 pounds
iskandarbaik (11:42:07 AM): 5. busses sumerzz katakan sehari 5 pounds = 7 x 5 = 35 pounds iskandarbaik (11:42:36 AM): 6. masuk2 museum kaa apa2 kaa = 30 pounds
iskandarbaik (11:43:14 AM): 7. nak shopping = 30 pounds [ nihs pun dah manyak nihs, well i'm not good in shopping.. i dont shop much everytime i travel ]
iskandarbaik (11:44:08 AM): so 165 pounds..
iskandarbaik (11:44:17 AM): haa bawak laaa 200 pounds just in case
iskandarbaik (11:44:39 AM): that's the max..
iskandarbaik (11:44:44 AM): u can cut actually..
iskandarbaik (11:44:54 AM): kalu macam london eye yg mahal2 tuhs amek gamba jer dah ok iskandarbaik (11:44:59 AM): :P
iskandarbaik (11:45:16 AM): all museums there is free.. national museum, natural museum etc.. iskandarbaik (11:45:22 AM): so buleh safe budget lagik
redhotreaver (11:45:31 AM): ok great
iskandarbaik (11:45:40 AM): kalu macam madame tussaud kaa.. london dungeon kaaa.. haaa yg tuhs mungken mahal sket..
redhotreaver (11:45:47 AM): actually da change money ystrday
iskandarbaik (11:45:54 AM): but roughly 200 pounds should be enuff..
redhotreaver (11:46:02 AM): i got 270 pounds already
iskandarbaik (11:46:07 AM): haa cakap pasal changing money..
iskandarbaik (11:46:16 AM): kalu nak tuka $ back to rm
iskandarbaik (11:46:19 AM): change in london..
iskandarbaik (11:46:43 AM): ok there's a place in london.. dia dekat2 all the theather.
redhotreaver (11:46:44 AM): so b4 balik tu tukar balik la eh?
iskandarbaik (11:47:40 AM): jap i check the place name
iskandarbaik (11:50:48 AM): http://maps.google.com/maps?q=london&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl
iskandarbaik (11:51:09 AM): ok dia dekat2 china town and soho..
iskandarbaik (11:51:23 AM): there's tonnes of money changer there
iskandarbaik (11:51:40 AM): and the rate is much more higher compared to tukar kat sini iskandarbaik (11:51:48 AM): plus.. kat sini biasanya bank will take commission
iskandarbaik (11:51:51 AM): kat sana xder..
redhotreaver (11:52:08 AM): ok
iskandarbaik (11:52:08 AM): kira they'll change it according to the rate.. with no allowance.. iskandarbaik (11:52:14 AM): u'll get more money back laa :P
iskandarbaik (11:52:28 AM): excited kah?
redhotreaver (11:52:32 AM): sgt!
iskandarbaik (11:52:54 AM): :D iskandarbaik (11:52:56 AM): ok have fun
redhotreaver (11:53:01 AM): ok thx redhotreaver (11:53:12 AM): ok da u can work now redhotreaver (11:53:18 AM): :D
iskandarbaik (11:53:44 AM): :)
iskandarbaik (11:53:46 AM): take care ok
iskandarbaik (11:53:48 AM): tweet..
iskandarbaik (11:54:01 AM): how much u ahve to pay for the ticket?
iskandarbaik (11:54:04 AM): freee?
redhotreaver (11:54:06 AM): no
iskandarbaik (11:54:10 AM): :O
redhotreaver (11:54:13 AM): 460
iskandarbaik (11:54:16 AM): i tot mas employee?
redhotreaver (11:54:21 AM): yeah
iskandarbaik (11:54:29 AM): is that inclusive of tax?
redhotreaver (11:54:29 AM): but still hav to pay for tax redhotreaver (11:54:36 AM): yes thats tax
iskandarbaik (11:54:40 AM): tax is about 1k eh? iskandarbaik (11:54:41 AM): 960?
redhotreaver (11:54:47 AM): not for me redhotreaver (11:55:09 AM): mine 460 only for return air
iskandarbaik (11:55:19 AM): ahhh... iskandarbaik (11:55:24 AM): tweet!
redhotreaver (11:55:34 AM): hehe
iskandarbaik (11:55:34 AM): the most important this
iskandarbaik (11:55:41 AM): thing**
iskandarbaik (11:55:56 AM): i cant bring more than 100ml liquid in the airplance
iskandarbaik (11:55:58 AM): plane**
iskandarbaik (11:56:04 AM): so all ur facial wash, perfume etc etc..
iskandarbaik (11:56:20 AM): all check in.. if u put in ur hand carry.. they'll throw is out iskandarbaik (11:56:29 AM): and london immigration is crap
iskandarbaik (11:56:41 AM): u have ur friend
iskandarbaik (11:56:43 AM): 1. full name
iskandarbaik (11:56:45 AM): 2. address.
iskandarbaik (11:56:51 AM): 3. contact no
iskandarbaik (11:56:57 AM): 4. and ur return ticket with u
iskandarbaik (11:57:08 AM): they'll ask where are u staying + for how long etc
iskandarbaik (11:57:19 AM): so make sure all those printed out
iskandarbaik (11:57:43 AM): trust me.. heathrow security is crap
redhotreaver (11:59:11 AM): yeah they've warned me
redhotreaver (12:02:36 PM): ok i hav to masak now
redhotreaver (12:03:04 PM): nnt if anything u wanna add just IM