Pujangga

This part of my life..

2009-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Today we had the "2nd years' show", where the 1st years give us, the 2nd years, a farewell performance. It was actually really good, and we had quite a few good laughs and a few touching moments where you just can't help but not believe that time here in AC is going to be over soon.

No matter what's been said or done, I have to admit that it has been an amazing experience here in AC. Not so much of the IB or the school, but more because of the student population. Everyone here has been amazing, and I mean really amazing! I've talked about this a lot before in previous posts, but I can't help but mention it again here now. Its a wonder to see the student population mobilize itself from time to time, how everyone just seems to DO things, without the supervision or any notice at all from the staff. The students are, in every sense of the world, what gives life to AC, and is what's keeping the UWC spirit alive in this place - and against all odds I must say.

Now I have barely a week left in this place, and I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad. I've waited for a long time to get out, but at the same time, it would mean I'm leaving behind friends who I've taken for granted for, who have always been here, regardless of what happens. Its really weird, as in, you can even miss someone who you don't even talk to here, because its such a small community. Every individual contributes to the vibe and the diversity and the energy. It's truly amazing.

Theres so little time left, and I suddenly realize there's so much things to do. I've got to start packing, thats for one. I've got to finish writing in yearbooks, I've got to fulfill all my promises to people who I'm probably never going to see again, I've got to stock up on all the memories, I've got to start talking to people I've never spoken to before, etc etc. I'm not even sure I have the time to do all these things!

First thing's first though - I have Spanish on Monday. That's not gonna be such a heavy paper, but I still think I should at least prepare as much for it as for the other exams.. Plus, I'm starting to enjoy my carrel unit now. I wish I used it more often before.. It's like an escapade in a place where you have nowhere to go. Nobody finds you there, you can be alone, its your private space.. and now I'm clearing it up..

I'm going to miss this part of my life..

back from the dead?

2009-05-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

It's already a week and a half into the IB, and another week and a half left, but more than 2/3 of it is done for me! To be honest, I'm just tired, and can't wait to simply go back home and do nothing at all!

I've been locked up (metaphorically, of course) in my carrel unit (study rooms the 2nd years are given to study in various places on campus. Mine is the best one! A small cosy room in Maths Department with a view of the sea out the window) any spare time I have. I found it to be quite pleasant, but I'm more of a someone-who's-always-in-the-house kinda guy, so it's been quite depressing and a change. But oh well, I've stocked up my carrel unit with chocolates, snacks, and I now have a "fizzy wall" (hehe, go figure!).

I'm really looking forward to life after AC. I know that life after will never be the same - people will never be as assimilated as they are here in AC, but there are loads more of other simple pleasures in life! I mean, come on, it's France.. new language, new culture, new food.. its a whole new world! and after that, the world's mine to explore ladies and gents.. :)

One thing I hope, that this is the revival of my long lost blog! Once I leave AC, I'll be having access to better computers and internet again, then I'll be able to post pictures! isnt that exciting?? :P Anyways, I'm off. Need to read some more about Glengarry Glen Ross... Ciao!

hello hello!

2009-05-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I last blogged.. To be honest, it really didn't seem that long ago, but when I think about it, it's been almost 4 months now.. time flies! IB is just around the corner. seriously, it felt like I only started here recently. It's kind of nerve-wrecking, but then again, when I think about it, its only 2 weeks until the IB is finally over! Exciting really, but the thought of leaving AC is, well, it's sort of a mixed feeling..

So what's been up recently? My birthday! Without even realizing it, I'm already in the 2nd decade of my life - how cool is that?? I'm no longer a teenager.. I'm ready to face the world! hehe. But yea, my birthday was really fun. Some of my friends got together to make this compilation of Birthday messages from various people, and they "screened" it right after my showering on the first stroke of my new decade.. It was really touching to be honest.. thanks guys! Some of the things I will really miss when I leave..

Guess where I'm going after AC? Grenoble Graduate School of Business! France! Haha. you've probably never heard of it before, but it's a really nice place.. at least, I think so. I'm looking forward to going there, my new home for the next 3 years! I wonder how's that going to be like. I know 1 thing's for sure though, I'm going to parlez francais! lol. Already starting to practice with a few of the francophones here in AC.. not forgetting my spanish of course! I'm gonna make sure I'm fluent by the time I sit for my Spanish paper, that way, I won't lose it when I'm learning french.. smart eh.. eheh.

Oh well, been studying hard recently, thats been dominating life in AC recently, except for the occasional volleyball and makan-makan session.. ;) Which reminds me, I need to finish up my food stock before I go back, which is in a month's time!!! woo hoo!! haha.

I think I'm out of touch with blogging now, don't really know what to say, and kind of hesitant to write a lot of things.. I'm lost the skills to make public my thoughts! I don't think thats such a bad thing though..

Anyways, I think I should be going off to bed now.. getting up early tomorrow and.. guess.. study study study!!! o the joy!! hahahaha.

ciao!

Gaza itu Memanggilmu!

2009-01-22T08:57:00.001-08:00

Setelah sekian lama zaman persekolahan di tanahair dilupakan, timbul sebak di dada mengingatkan rindu keindahan bahasa kebanggaan bangsa. Bertambah hiba membaca puisi karangan saudara di perantauan, menyedarkan akan kelalaian kita..

Gaza itu Memanggilmu!

-Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Tangisan itu memanggilmu,

Ratapan itu merayumu,

Suara wanita yang tidak bermaya

Jeritan si kecil yang tidak berdosa

Ratapan si tua yang tidak terdaya

Darah pemuda yang ditumpah

Nyawa perwira yang dimamah

Kau biarkan mereka dilapah

Suara sayu memanggilmu

Bumi Gaza yang diserbu

Dek bangsat yang penuh muslihat

Tentera khianat yang dilaknat

Tergamaknya kau bersahaja

Cuma menjadi penonton setia

Sedangkan tanah Gaza dibunuh percuma

Tanpa kau rasa duka airmata dosa

Membiarkan mereka dihina derita

Manakah janji bahwa kita bersaudara

Darah Gaza akan menuntutmu di hari muka

Kerna kau tinggalkannya dikorban tanpa bantuan

Bangkitlah dengan keinsafan,

Hulurkan tangan pertolongan

Demi Tuhan!

Buat Palestin yang ditawan!

Support the boycott!!

2009-01-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a while since I've heard anything encouraging from back home. Today, when I read the papers, my spirits were once again lifted by hope of a strong Malaysia.

The government is pushing for a discussion of the atrocities commited by Israel against Palestinians. It might not be of much help, but at least it's something.

The government suggested the formation of a peacekeeping force under the banner of OIC. Again, something I can't see happening, but it's a nice thought. It's only the beginning, who knows, it might be a reality in the future, insyaAllah.

But the most encouraging piece of news - the boycott of American products spearheded by the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association. It's true that a boycott won't be effective so long as the country as a whole still imports, but a large scale boycott as this by consumers could put enough pressure on our government to impost a national boycott against American products, which would in turn pressure America to stop the atrocities of Israel.

I realize that a lot of people are hooked to Coca Cola, McDonalds, Starbucks, and all those American brands, but think about it. What is our suffering compared to those suffered by our brothers and sisters in Palestine? We can't have a big Mac, they can't have freedom. We lose a Coke, they lose a father. We crave for an expresso, they crave for a country!

The Palestinians have been fighting on their own for decades, it's time we joined in their fight. Not only Muslims, but everyone who has a conscience. Be you a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian, a Hindu, or whatever religion, let us join hands in solidity against the crimes committed by a nation against a nation. We, the people of the world, have power to stop cruelty. If we can shave our heads or go screaming on the streets for a tiger that hasn't been fed in a zoo, why can't we do this little thing for human beings being treated worse?

We are the ones who can make a difference. Support the boycott!!

Jihad is not only on the battlefield..

2009-01-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

Muslims stick together to uphold justice..

When the land of a Muslim brother is under siege, Muslim brothers are supposed to come and fend off the enemy..

When the land of a Muslim brother is invaded, Muslim brothers are supposed to converge and fight side by side to drive them out..

When a holy land of Muslims is invaded, it is the responsibility of every single Muslim fight, be it with a gun, a sword, a word, a thought..

Now, it is not a case of "when", because it is happening..

Our brothers and sisters are being killed, their land plundered, their rights trampled. It is not an offense against the people of Palestine, it is an offense against the people of Allah!

O Brothers and Sisters! Rally under the banner of God! Let us pray for those who are defending the land under fire.. May they send the invaders straight to their fiery grave!!! We may not be able to pick up a gun and join our brothers, but we are more than able to lift our hands to the sky and pray to God.. That is our deadliest weapon.. Jihad is not only on the battlefield..
Allah hu Akbar!!!

2009

2009-01-03T14:33:00.001-08:00

2009, a new year, a new beginning, a new story to tell.. But at the same time, a lot of the old stories drag on into this new chapter.

Malaysian politics is still a whirl of who-knows-what..

Muslims brothers and sisters in Gaza are still under fire, and, last I heard, suffering from an invasion.. something new? you tell me..

It is sad to see all this going on, and it gives me some doubts in celebrating and ushering the new year. What exactly am I ushering? Is 2009 going to be a year full of success and happiness? Or more suffering and oppression?

People wonder why there is suffering in this world. "If God is real, why is He letting people suffer?" Thats not something uncommon to hear..

But have we actually given it a thought? Look at this world.. More than 6billion people, and trillions upon trillions of other creatures, all under the watchful guidance of God.

He is all Powerful, that is true, but does that compel Him to make sure that every single person is happy, unconditionally?

Have you heard of the story of the barber? This man went to a barber, and the barber was telling him how he thinks God doesn't exist. Why? Because there are so many people suffering in the world. If God exists, those people wouldnt be suffering. So the man left the barber, wondering. Just as he walked out of the shop, he saw a man with long, unkept hair and beard. He went back inside and told the barber, "I don't believe in barbers, they don't exist."
"What?! I'm right here, I am a barber."
"But there are so many people who don't have their hair cut."
"Well, that's not my problem. They don't come to me, how am I supposed to help them?"
"That is exactly the case with God. People don't go to Him, how can he, why should he, help them?"

Yes this world is full of suffereing, but this world is also full of people who deny the existence of God. I will not attempt to justify His existence, because that will take ages, and if you don't already believe in God, look deep in your heart, look around you, and you will hear Him.

I realize now, it IS a new year I am ushering in, but I am also ushering in new hope. When people start returning to God, He will come back, insyaAllah..

Ya Allah, bestow Your help onto our brothers and sisters in the Land of Palestine, protect them, and grant them guidance, wisdom and strength. A new year has arrived, may Your Wisdom guide us through this year to overcome all challenges and obstacles, may our brothers and sisters unite under Your banner, to uphold the name of Islam, to keep our Iman strong, our Faith uncompromisable, and our Honour intact. With You, Allah, in our hearts, minds, and all around, we are strong and one. Amin.

Malaysia for Malaysians

2008-12-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

It's been quite some time since my last post. Appologies to those who continue to wait, but this has been a really busy term, what with assessments and applications and deadlines etc. Quite a lot happened to be honest. Too much, in fact, that it makes writing this post a bit difficult.

But wait, something caught my eye before I started writing this paragraph, and looks quite interesting and relevant to the present day of Malaysian politics. I'm sure everyone knows about Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Pulau Pinang from the opposition.

When the opposition wrestled a significant number of seats and states from the BN-led government, one thing worried a portion of the Malays - that if the government wins, the Chinese, or non-Malays, would gain control of Malaysia. True, Anwar might be the Prime Minister, but the parliament would be filled with as much Chinese, Indians, and non-Malays as the Malays. But I don't see why this is a problem.

Why is it such a big issue to the Malays that the leaders of the country must be Malays? In my opinion, leaders should be chosen based on merit, not race. Have we ever wondered why Malaysia, having reached 51 years of age, is still a developing nation, and Singapore, some 45 years old, is one of the most developed countries in the world? Yes we have, but we say Singapore is small, so we can't compare the 2. But Germany is a new country, it is barely 20 years old, and already among the most advanced.

But look within Malaysia, at the differences that lie within our own leaders. Tomorrow, when Muslims are flying to the Holy Land for Hajj, Dato' Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, the Chief Minister of Melaka, from UMNO, is hosting Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, or should I say Dato' Shah Rukh Khan. Festivities are going on, concerts and such. He's a Malay, and he's a Muslim (at least by name), so technically and presumably he should know better. What is he doing to guide the people of Melaka, to raise the status of local artists, to respect those doing their ibadah?

In fact, he's even practically trying to bring Pulau Pinang down. When the state is facing troubles with their World Heritage status, all he did was to warn PP not to risk the status of it's World Heritage site, simply because it is linked with that of Melaka. And he knows full well that PP is facing bankrupcy otherwise. Kudos for advancing as one country!

Lim Guan Eng, a Chinese, on the other hand, has taken us all by surprise. Pulau Pinang is ruled based on the Islamic concept of "amal ma'ruf nahi mungkar", a phrase I haven't heard uttered by a single Malay (and technically Muslim) politician from UMNO in history. He declared that Pulau Pinang will be ruled like the government of Khalifah Umar Abdul Aziz. He forbade government officials to spend lavishly by using business class flights, 5 star hotels, parties and such. And just today, he announced that al-Quran is important as the primary source of the country's law! He aims for "satu keluarga Islam satu hafiz" (One Muslim family one hafiz)! His understanding of Islam, as far as I am concerned, far exceeds any leader from UMNO!

If you ask me, I would readily accept him as Prime Minister of Malaysia in place of any Malay from UMNO. Under his leadership, Muslim values and Malay values are guarded. So I don't understand why Malays feel that we need Malay leaders. We don't. What we need is leaders who are capable of leading us, of guiding us, and of ensuring our progress and advancement.

I am a Malay. But truth be told, the UNITED MALAYS National Organisation is neither united nor a representation of the Malays. Malaysia for Malaysians. That, my fellow countrymates, is what our nation is all about.

I am a Sarawakian..

2008-09-13T04:05:00.000-07:00

I used to be so proud of the Sarawakian Government, for being able to maintain peace and unity in the state. But somehow, now, among more and more increasingly unprecedented and absurb happenings, frustration is mounting up as political parties around the nation are speaking up, but the Sarawakian parties are holding their silence.

The nation is in turmoil as the Opposition claims to have the backing of Sarawakians. Sarawak is the centre of attention, but all its politicians can say is "lies!". For God's sake!

The Government is so obviously tearing the country apart. Foreign countries have been criticising the ISA, but our Government maintained the need for it, supported it, backed it, justified it. But today, that same Government has proved to everyone that the ISA is just an instrument to instil fear in the hearts of Malaysians. When they feel safe and secure in office, the ISA lies dormant. But when they feel threatened, the ISA is conjured up. We have become a nation where everyone lives in fear, for whatever they say, do, or even think.

And still Sarawakian politicians remain silent!

Journalists have been detained under the ISA, and for what? For inciting religious and racial hatred? As far as I know, and I may not know very much, since I'm a Malaysian and the Malaysian Government obviously thinks that Malaysians are dumb enough to buy whatever they say, journalists merely reports, they don't say anything. It's either they report the truth, or lies.

I've mentioned this before in one of my posts, but I shall do so again. Here, I can call a black man black, I can call a Chinese a Chinese, I can call a white man white, and still be friends with them. We recognise and acknowledge our differences, and we embrace it. But perhaps this is not what the Malaysian Government or the Kamus DBP defines as racial unity. Perhaps the correct definition of "racial unity" is "not allowing the realisation that not everyone is Malay (or Muslim) seep into the minds of people", and the definition of "Malay" is "the superior race that should be given extra rights and privelages".

I am a Malay, I do not deny it. But the other 80+% of Sarawakians are not! Does this make me any more superior to all my other friends(and I say friends) ? I wouldn't think so, but, hey, who am I to say that the Government is wrong?

But still, I do not want to lose faith in those (I won't say government) whom my statesmen (sarakians) have elected. I hope they have something up their sleeves, and I hope they uphold and fight for what the people really want.

I am a Sarawakian, I was proud to be one, I am proud to be one, and I hope that I will always be proud to be one.

What is happening to my Malaysia?

2008-09-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

What is happening to my Malaysia?

First they blocked websites deemed a "threat to national security", then the ministry ordered them to be deblocked. A good move, but why the need to block it in the first place?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

After unblocking the websites, a prominent blogger/writer was detained under the ISA. What are they trying to do? Flex their power and threaten those who shed light on current happenings?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

Three newspapers were given a show cause letter, demanding an explanation on why they published the truth. Are they implying that only facts (and mostly lies) that sing praises for the government are allowed to be published?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

The Prime Minister refuses to step down even if the people demand it.

What is happening to my Malaysia?

The army is starting to intervene - another first in our history. Is this learning from our neighbours, signalling a military coup?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

The Government sends its MPs to another country (in an attempt to thwart a take-over, perhaps?) under the guise of a study-trip, and the Opposition sends its own MPs after them, as if playing a game of hide-and-seek.

What is happening to my Malaysia?

Racial tensions are on the high. Malays are deemed racists, Chinese are deemed squatters, Indians are deemed oppressed.

What is happening to my Malaysia?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

What is happening to my Malaysia?

Or perhaps, it is no longer my Malaysia. Perhaps it is no longer our Malaysia. Perhaps, it is now the Malaysia of the few who refuse to see truth.

I wonder, how will the country be like when I come back. Will it still be the same? Or will it be another? Will I be going back home? Or will I be arriving somewhere new?

But no, I refuse to believe that the Malaysia I love is dying. The Malaysia I love has been there, is there, and will always be there, because the Malaysia I love is immortal. My Malaysia is in the hearts of every Malaysian, and nowhere else. The only problem now is, this nation is led by people who are not Malaysians.

Malaysians, it is up to us to reclaim what is ours. InsyaAllah, all will be well in the end. But for now, my heart weeps...

Study trip?

2008-09-09T04:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted something. But oh well, I wanted to post up some pictures, but I havent got up to uploading the pictures yet.. hehe.

Anyways, the first years are coming today, and the whole campus is up and about, being all excited about the new addition to the AC family. Powys was up all night last night, finishing the year poster and making the house ready. Everyone is out with signboards saying "p-p-p-Powys!" or "ka-powys!" or other similar to welcome the first years. The first bus is arriving at about 2, so I'm gonna go out with the Malaysian flag. ;)

Which reminds me about the trip to Taiwan. I don't know if it's just me or what, but, is it really necessary to bring 50 MPs to a study trip abroad? I mean, taulah, no parliament sitting, but, come on. Wouldn't it be better to go on a study-trip in Malaysia? Go around the country, look at how our agriculture is really doing, so that they would know it first hand, instead of just reading it off a piece of paper. Then send one or 2 representative to somewhere and study from them (if they really want to send people on "study trips"). I mean, our neighbours are doing really well, yet we go somewhere further? Banyak sangat ke duit, sampai they're that desperate to waste money? If that's the case, increase subsidies lah.

And is there something fishy going on? I just heard that they're planning the trip, and a week later, all 50 are in Taiwan. Maybe things have changed in Malaysia over the past month since I was last there. Maybe the Malaysian government has managed to make a U-turn and become extremely efficient. If that's the case, which I hope to God is, alhamdulillah, we've waited for this moment a tad too long. Enough said.

A lot of things are going on in this country that I love so much. And not all of them are good. But, all I can say is, now that we can no longer rely on our leaders, it is up to us, Malaysians, the heart and blood of the country, to keep us going. We have survived a lot of things, and we can surely survive this one. We are a quiet people, but we are a people who can get things done, insyaAllah. So the only hope for Malaysia now are the Malaysians ourselves, and let's pray that God is on our side.

Ya Allah, selesaikanlah masalah negara ini secepat mungkin. Hamba-hamba-Mu memerlukan pertolongan-Mu, tunjukkanlah kami jalan, berikanlah kami kesabaran, kurniakanlah kami penyelesaian. Kembalikanlah kemegahan dan kebanggaan kami, demi agama, bangsa dan negara. Amin.

Takziah..

2008-09-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hari Jumaat hari yang mulia.. Bulan Ramadhan bulan yang mulia.. Bersyukurlah..

Hari ini, salah seorang ahli keluarga tercinta kembali ke Rahmatullah..

Hari ini, salah seorang ahli keluarga tercinta kembali ke pangkuan Illahi, insyaAllah..

Hari ini, ahli-ahli keluarga tercinta berkabung..

*Al-Fatihah*

Semoga beliau ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman..

Semoga dimakbulkan doa-doa ahli keluarga untuk beliau..

Selamat tinggal, Nek Man, Tuan Haji Abdul Rahman Sahari..

We will all miss you..

Ramadhan

2008-08-31T15:03:00.001-07:00

Nawaitu shauma ghodhin 'an adaai fardhu syahri ramadlaana haadzihis sanati lillahi ta'aalaa

Sahaja aku berpuasa esok hari sehari bulan Ramadhan tahun ini kerana Allah Taala

Bulan mulia Ramadhan telahpun tiba, dan umat Islam di serata dunia menunaikan tanggunjawab selaku hamba Allah. Di bulan ini, beringat-ingatlah kita sesama saudara seagama, insaflah atas dosa-dosa yang telah, bertaubatlah, tingkatkan amal ibadah, insyaAllah tiba bulan Syawal, menjelma kita sebagai umat yang lebih beriman, lebih kuat, dan lebih mantap.

Selamat Berpuasa!

Merdeka!

2008-08-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

I've been quite busy the past week (I'll post it up soon), but I can't let today go without posting anything up..

Sudah 51 tahun negaraku memegang hak milik tanah sendiri, perjuangan rakyat mencapai kebebasan, mengecapi kedaulatan, menjunjung kemegahan. Di hari ini, hanya sekalung doa mampu ku hadiahkan kepada ibu pertiwiku.

Ya Allah, selamatkanlah negaraku Malaysia, kurniakanlah kami kematangan dan kebijaksanaan untuk mengekalkan kebebasan yang telah menjadi milik anak-anak bangsa Malaysia. Berikanlah kemajuan, tunjukkanlah hidayah, dan hulurkanlah pertolongan-Mu di detik-detik genting ini. Perkenankanlah kepada kami erti sebenarnya kemerdekaan. Amin.

Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!

Only time will tell..

2008-08-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Anwar is back in Parliment!

I'm not in Malaysia, but apparently, the by-election went quite well. Generally, and for the opposition (currently). The majority held by the opposition has increased by about 2,000. Does Anwar's victory echo the sentiments of fellow Malaysians, or just the people of Permatang Pauh? Is it a sign of what's to come, and what's to change in Malaysian politics?

I'm sure that with this victory, Malaysians all over are anxious to see what's going to happen next. Is Anwar's prediction going to come true by September the 16th? Is Malaysia as we know it going to change? Is it going to be a welcome change? Will the current opposition sort out their differences?

So many questions, but only time will tell.. One thing is for certain though, Malaysians will have to stick together to get through this. Hopefully both sides are gentleman enough to realize when and if their time is up, and not cling on to hopes and dreams with force. We are all working towards one goal - Malaysia..

"big news!"

2008-08-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Aren't you guys just glad that I've started to post up stuff more often now? I don't know why, but yea. Maybe because I have some free time during august period in AC than usual (don't get me wrong, when i say SOME free time, i mean SOME free time..). But anyways, you know what's weird? When I was back in Malaysia, I always found the international news so interesting, that whenever I read the papers, I'd skip everything else and go to the international section. I end up knowing more about what's happening in a small, unknown country than what's happening in my own country. But ever since I came to AC, I seem to have a change in heart, and been following the national news so closely, that it feels as if I'm in Malaysia still.

And of course, the "big news" back home right now is the possibility of a change in government (first time ever in Malaysian history!) and also the by-election, which is seemingly going to be the determining factor.

I don't know if it's only me, but all of this is making me kind of nervous. I mean, I'm looking forward to a change in government. Who can deny that the current one is too comfortable and confident in its position, that it is so obviously being inaffective, if I dare say so. And also, its way of handling and governing is somewhat getting on the nerves of most Malaysians, who have seemingly grown mature overnight. In AC, I live with loads of other nationalities, and you see so many things you would never thought possible. There are dorms where a palestinian and an israeli share, where an american shares his with 3 citizens of "terrorist countries", and so on. Debates are held, forums are organised, all with the intention of getting people to talk and understand each other better. Here, I can call a black person black. But in Malaysia, I can't call a chinese a chinese without feeling this slight tinge of guilt. Perhaps its time to deal with our problems out in the open, and not just sweet it all under the rug like we've been doing for the past 50 years.

But then again, are Malaysians really ready for change? Malaysia has had more than 50 years of peace under one government. We say we're ready for change, for a better future, but can we handle the transition? Sarawak, for example, an excellent example, actually, has been under the rule of one man for more than 2 decades. If the government changes, so will this man, and so too, along with him, will the wall (or barrier) between Sarawak and the rest of the world. He's been protecting Sarawak from otusiders because of personal reasons/gains (sssh, an open secret..), but Sarawakians are enjoying this, because we get so many privelages and advantages. I mean, we don't need a work permit to work in Semenanjung, but they would need a work permit to work in Sarawak (haha! :P). The Sarawak market is practically solely for Sarawakian business, and many a Sarawakians thrive on this. Inflation going from time to time, demonstrations, riots, political turmoil, bla bla bla, but still Sarawak remains "ignorant" of all this. We really are protected. But all this will probably be gone with the change of government.

Here then, the question arises, are we willing to sacrifice our make-pretend peace, for the possibility of real peace and prosperity?

But one thing I have to add, I did not agree when one of the opposition parties(for now, if its true theyre going to become the next government) stated that it would not support a theocracy nation. Malaysia is an Islamic Country. If there is anyone who disagrees and would want Malaysia to become a secular country, I would say it was because of
1, Malaysia is an Islamic Country only in name. It does not practice, as a nation, what Islam preaches, because in reality, it is already, or still, a secular country. and
2, they do not know Islam. An Islamic Country does not mean other religions would be forsaken. It merely means that the country adopts a ruling system that is fair and just.
I say this not because I am a muslim, but because I know what it means to truly be an Islamic Country. And for this, I hope that certain parties in the opposition would not change its stance in this, should the opposition really change sides.

I hope I have not offended anyone, but guys, I'm sure you know where I'm coming from. ;)

Life here..

2008-08-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

It's been quite some time now since I last updated on the happenings here, so I think maybe perhaps I should just write something about it. hehe. What have I been up to? Well, I've only been back to AC for about 2 weeks, but already it feels like I've been back for months. I don't know whether thats a good thing or bad, because its given me this sense of security that things are familiar and "there", but it also gives this feeling that time is moving so slowly and everything is just a drag. Oh well, its a mixed feeling, but I still enjoy it! hehe.

I've been joining quite a few playgroup session, where a group of children, about 5-10 year olds, would come to AC, about 12-14 of them everytime, and we spend some time to play with them. It's part of the community work, but I must say its been really fun and rewarding. I got to know quite a few of the kids, and its really amusing. I mean, you get some children who would be like "i wanna come back i wanna come back!" and "I'm gonna ask my mum to let me come again tomorrow and the day after and they day after that and....." or "i don't want to play.." and loads of different response. Like the Malays would say, banyak udang banyak garam, banyak orang banyak garam. hehe.

What else? Well, there have been loads of other activities.. like my home visits and this documentary/discussion about the clash of civilization between Islam and the West. The clash of civilization was very interesting, but I think I'll write about it next time. Kinda sleepy now, and long day tomorrow. The Malaysians are treating ourselves to a meal tomorrow, so I gotta go do some grocery shopping and stock up on my provisions.. imagine me going on the train with like.. 15 chickens! but oh well, thats life at ac.. hehe.

Till next time, salam mesra.. :)

Proton

2008-08-20T04:15:00.001-07:00

You know, sometimes its weird, to imagine how much gap of knowledge a country can have.. And at some levels, its even.. ridiculous? If I am allowed to say so.

The other day, I met 2 different people on the same day, and we got to talking. To one, when I said I'm from Malaysia, he immediately identified Kuala Lumpur without me telling him, which surprised me, and he got me again when he said that (and I'm not quoting him, but its something to the effect of) "u know what puts Malaysia on the world map? the Proton.." and he went on about what a good car it was, how a few of his friends have it, etc etc etc. Perhaps something could be learnt here, that our national carmaker is capable of producing world-class cars, and should work on producing more of that, instead of the "things" they pass for a car domestically and rely on the government to keep them in business. It really made me feel proud of Malaysia, to know that people all away here, halfway around the world, hold my country in such high regards, but it saddens me that my own people would betray this respect and treat our own people badly.

And later in the day, I met another person, and when I told her I'm from Malaysia, I had to explain that it is in SE Asia, in Asia, and she went (again, not quoting) "o Asia! That's in Eastern Europe right?" The only way i can describe my feeling was.. -.-" It surprises me sometimes, and amazes me, how we humans are so varied and different.. How great is God? Really great.. ;)

Malaysia and Malaysians..

2008-08-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

As a Malaysian who has never questioned the loyalty and pride for the nation, I never thought the day would come when I would question both. Happenings both within and with-out the country has made me ask, whether Malaysia is still the country it used to be, or whether it really ever was the country it should have been.

So many events have been revolving around the Permatang Pauh by-elections recently, and many more, in a wider aspect, surrounding the issue of the possibility of a change in government. Accusations have been slammed against national figures, retaliations, statements, oaths, and others. It would have been, it should have been, normal in a "democracy", but is it really, when leaders and would-be leaders of a 26 million strong nation are playing games worthy of 5-year-olds? What is the difference to a child accusing his friend, Abu, of stealing his toy, and then, when Abu is being scolded, he retaliates by saying "i only did it because he took my sweet", and then another friend, Ali, not wanting to be left out, butts in just for the sake of it, saying "i saw him do it!", without really knowing what is happening.

Perhaps this is part of our leaders' plan to put Malaysia on the world map? Because i don't think Malaysia has ever been as popular as it is now. World leaders are keeping an eye on our country, some giving comments, some giving demands. Does it make us feel proud that our issue is becoming a world issue? Am I the only one who is ashamed that the one thing that elevates our country high up is the childish squabbles of our leaderS? If leaders represent their people (as they are, theoretically), is the world imagining Malaysia as a land of crying grown-ups, of petty minded and attention grabbing people? If they are, then, Malaysia.. What is happening?

The world is moving, is developing, is maturing, but is Malaysia going with the flow? Or is it trying its hardest to stay in the past? Malaysia is a country of many people, yet we clammer and make noise and hype it all up when some are trying to make Malaysia a nation for all, instead of a nation for just one. When a leader voices an opinion that public universities (note the name, PUBLIC) should start opening up its doors to other races who are also (and equally so) Malaysians, demonstrations are organised, rallies and what not. Whose is Malaysia? a 100% to the 60%, and 0% to the 40% (which might consist of the brightest minds and highest potential), or a 100% to the 100%? Are universities for those who are born into the right race, or is it for those who earn it?

I wasn't too good of a history student, but wasn't Malaysia one of the voices opposing the appertheid in South Africa? Isnt Malaysia one of the top countries in the Islamic World (or so we claim), a religion that pays little attention to race, where everything is brought down to being earned? So, correct me if I'm wrong, and I dearly pray that I am, but in my opinion, it looks like we are moving more and more, and more clearly so, towards a society that passes the right of being Malaysian to those with the right colour, skin, language, and parents.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to doubt my country. I refuse to drop my identity as a Malaysian. I reject the notion of my country's weakness. Was it not just a few days ago, when we as a nation, of a people of various colours, of a community as different from each other as cats and dogs, sat together all over the nation (and all over the world), watching, cheering, for the representative of our country in the Olympics, playing in the finals, vying for a gold in badminton singles? Wasn't that a feat to equal the rest of the world powers?

But i realize, these doubts are not in the nation. We as a people, we as a community, we as a nation, are strong, and have every right to be a proud people. But even the best make mistakes. "setinggi-tinggi tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga". Maybe it is time for us to amend our mistakes, or maybe its time for our mistake to amend itself. Time will tell, and time is coming to a close. An eager Malaysian awaits to see what fate has in store for this great country.. But perseverence.. We Malaysians should never cease to persevere..

Silver??

2008-08-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

I guess Malaysians would have to settle for a silver..

But i was looking forward to a gold.. I was looking forward to standing up, listening the "Negaraku" being played for the world.. I was looking forward to another "historical moment" for Malaysia.. But I guess it all has to wait for next time.. another time, another hope..

But no matter what.. Congratulations Lee Chong Wei.. U've still made Malaysia proud.. :)

Malaysia Boleh!!

2008-08-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Lee Chong Wei!! oh wow.. i dont know why im so excited.. maybe its because its potentially malaysia's first olympic gold medal ever.. or perhaps its being in an environment where friends come from countries that gather olympic gold medals like berries on trees.. or perhaps its a bright light in a nation that is dark with uncertainties at the moment.. or perhaps its all together.. but know this.. Lee Chong Wei (though i don't know u personally.. obviously.. :P), every single Malaysian is supporting you.. and whatever happens, you are already our hero!!!!

Malaysia Boleh!!!!

aiyo!

2008-08-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

vale.. porque yun ni no puede hablar espanol, quiero escriber en este lengua. entonces.. ahora, ella esta a la izquierda de mi. habla no puede hacer su deberes de espanol, porque no comprende las palabras en la papel. jejeje. pero (!!), no puedo escriber en espanol demasiado, porque estoy en espanol ab initio SL tambien. hmm.. me pregunto si usted personas saben lo que escribo aqui, aunque sepa que no soy bueno.

aiyo!

i give up! na'am kereb u'ih la' write spanish for the whole post. but at least it's a start.. haha. but anyways.. it was more because i was thinking of what to write, and didnt come up with any "inspiration", so... hmm! its been about a week here now, and things are going quite well.. i mean, the past 2 days, we've been having really good weather.. its almost as warm as malaysia! and thats saying something, since theyve only had about 5 days of sunshine throughout this summer.. tsk.. trust the british weather to be cheerful.. haha.

oh well.. i guess i have to run off now, loads of work to do.. (well, actually not a lot, but people seem to have loads of work, so i guess i have to make pretend that i do as well.. hahahha :P)

back to spanish! esto es malo! soy supuesto poder escribir en espanol! ah esta bien... creo hago supuesto hacerlo.. soon!! hehe.

...

2008-08-14T02:09:00.000-07:00

i actually dont know what to write.. haha.

back to ac!

2008-08-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

Just got back to AC few days ago.. Its quite something.. i mean.. after having holidays for more than 2 months, to dive straight into the academic year.. and half the school is not here, because our 2nd years just graduated, so its just us, waiting for our 1st years coming next month..

but its a good thing that we start with august period though.. i mean.. ok.. august period is where we do more service than usual. we do service every afternoon/evening of the week for 4 hours a day, except for 2 days, where we are given time to rest. in the mornings we have classes as usual, and at night we have other activities. so its kind of a packed and hectic month.

but the good thing is.. the teachers are not allowed to give us homework!! haha. we were told to remind them not to give us any if they do, so.. im all for reminding them!! :D

but everything's fine, i think... its good to be meeting everyone again after the summer.. the weather is.. well.. undeniably welsh.. sunny this minute, and raining thunder (though the rain is like alang2 compared to malaysia.. like dowan to rain, but still raining like that.. haha) the next.. literally! oh well.. getting used to it again.. hehe.

but the food!! aaaaa!! starving with ac food!! i thought i could live with just ac food, but apparently not.. had to cook something yesterday.. but with nothing at all.. so only had fried rice.. but im craving for it again.. just the thought of ac food.. *shudder*

i think this is it for now.. no pictures though... next time next time.. hehe. i hafta run off to class now.. ciao!

finally!! pictures!!

2008-07-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

I'm back! again! hehe. what can i say, its been a really busy summer.. but its going to end soon.. :( oh well, life goes on...

Recently, my friends from west malaysia came to visit. Where better to come holiday-ing other than Sarawak, right? hehe. So i brought them around to a few places. As usual, i didnt take pictures. I think after form 4 and form 5 in chung hua, ive had enough of being behind the camera.. hehe. So the pictures here (FINALLY THERE ARE PICTURES!!) are compliments of the photographer from brunei, fizi.. ;)

one of the destination (these are the only pictures i have, since fizi only went with us here) - Niah!

i think they were a bit nervous crossing the river with crocodiles in mind.. *evil chuckle*

and who says car drivers are the only ones who text while driving?? hehe

aint this cool? its real!

i held the light!

the wonders sarawak has to offer.. one of the many many many.. :D

well, thats us.. aqeela, me,amir and nik..

.. and us again..

tom harisson's house.. at least, thats what i think his name is.. if im not mistaken.. hehe

imagine climbing on those poles.. *shudder* im glad i dont eat birds nest.. haha.

so yea.. brought them around in miri la.. canada hill, parkson, imperial, here and there, food! wanted to bring to lambir and mulu, but didnt have time.. maybe next time.. ;) hehe

then we went to kuching, and we went to jong's crocodile farm, and loads and loads of food!! lol. I think they were practically bursting by the time they left sarawak.. i hope they had a good time.. i did!! :D

no pictures~

2008-07-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

I thought I could upload pictures and stuff, but my laptop crashed, so now im using a substitute for the moment, so I dont have anything to put up. But here's something for you guys, maybe it can give a rough picture of what has been happening the past month.. :)

http://www.ntv7.com.my/Shows/Watch-Episodes.aspx?param=X019wyMG2j0jKOHtJlzJIBQz%2b62%2bxW%2fLL4Q87qfdkOttvj0wYEeRX%2f57PLJtge5zHS5t6LwIlNP1jTVdp5gAOw%3d%3d#ancPlayer

its the one on 7th july, part 5.. :D

I'm back!

2008-07-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

I'm back!! Oh no.. i was just about to write about the happenings of the past month, but I suddenly lost the will to write, so.. Maybe tonight! But just to let all my fans (chewah.. haha) out there know that I'm still alive and kicking! hehe.

Today - Thursday.

2008-05-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Tada! I know I have been quite inactive on the blog lately. But then again, I think there has been loads of time when my inactivity just takes over. I have been planning to put up some pictures ever since Poland (honest!), but the crappy internet connection here and the lack of time just makes it kind of impossible. But worry not, I'm going back soon, so I can upload tonnes of pictures!

Anyway. Today - Thursday. Tomorrow is the last day of term, and after that, bliss! 2 months of nothing-ness! I'm really looking forward to it, after a year of AC. But then again, I'm sure by the end of it, I'll be revving to come back. lol.

I haven't been up to much recently. Just taking it easy after exams. Loads of deadlines this week (but somehow still lots less than the others *chuckle*). Last week of term should be chilled out, spending time with 2nd years and all that, but nooooo, they just had to keep the pressure on. But my last deadline was yesterday, so now I'm just HAPPY! Need to pack though. I started packing yesterday, but the moment I started, I regretted it. Now I have half my cupboard on and around my bed, and I can't even move. Joy~

The Malaysian 1st years are organising a bbq for our 2nd years this afternoon, seeing that they're not coming back next term and all. (In actual reality, I just need to finish off all my food.. hehe) Spent half the evening chopping up chicken yesterday. Solehah tried to help, but gave up after about 2 chickens because of the blunt knife (it really is frustrating), so I had to finish doing the rest. I think I still smell of chicken now.. -.-"

I don't really know what else to write, except that I'm really looking forward to going back. And I'm getting my full driving license when I go back! And the summer project is just going to be absolutely amazing. If you're in Malaysia, check out The Sun / The Star this sunday, education section (Yun Ni, fingers crossed). =D

EXAMS ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

exams are over!!!!!!!!!!! the week felt like it was never going to get by, but now its gone!!! and the next thing to look forward to.. summer holidays!!! mind's blank.. just wanna write again... EXAMS ARE OVERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol.

19!

2008-04-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

ok, now i kinda feel real bad because i havent been updating my blog as often as i should.. hehe. i still have some photos of poland i wanna upload, but i just dont have the time..

anyways! my bday.. well, i came back to powys on the evening of the 16th of April, and saw the Malaysian flag berkibar on the tree right outside of powys, with something white hanging right beside it.. when i came closer, i saw that it was a fridge, hanging from the tree, with a singlet on it saying "happy birthday amin!".. of all the things, a fridge.. i dont quite get it, but yea.. it really was a surprise..

then at midnite, got showered, and the next day, the malaysians made nasi lemak.. for once i didnt have to cook!! haha. but the best thing was all the malaysian first years were there.. for the first time! it was really fun.. and the food was good too.. :P

But yea.. i cant believe im actually 19.. seems like a big number.. oh well.. 18 was fun.. hopefully 19 will be even better! ;) i dont know what feelings to write into here, but.. being 19 does seem a bit different.. that enough? lol. i'll start blogging more often after this.. i hope.. >.< hehe.

till next time! im going to the screening of the year video right now.. so.. adios~

Poland!!!

2008-02-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

Guess where I am right now? Warsaw!! AC tour choir just arrived Warsaw yesterday evening. Weŕe staying at this hostel called OkiDoki.. Dont ask me about the name - even the immigration officer gave us the face when we told him where we were staying. But its a really cool place though. Every room in this hostel is different. Our room is called PLR,Peoples Republic of Poland. Its red, with pictures of Lenin all over the red walls.. Then thereś like the flower room, the cat room, the rainbow room, new mexico room, etc etc. But apparently our room PLR is the coolest.. ;)

I just got back from walking around with some friends just now. We went around looking for food and shops. At one point, we started singing our choir songs in the middle of the crowd, it was kinda funny. I was the only bass, and Andreas the only tenor, so.. but it was fun. haha.

We had lunch at this student café in front of Warsaw University (i think), and had this Polish food thingy, which looks something like Chinese dumplings, and tasted like undercooked Chinese dumplings.. But it was an experience.. And after UK, food is just so cheap here!

What else? I dont really know.. we didnt do a lot today.. But tonight weŕe going to the British ambassadors residence to sing and promote UWC to the guests. Then on Sunday, we are going to sing live on polish radio to 1.5 million people (so they say), and we just got a surprise. On monday, we were just supposed to go to a museum for a tour, but we just found out that the tv crew is going to come along and want us to sing on tv! There are a few other places as well, but I cant really remember it now. We have this itinerary where its just like a long list of places to sing which Bryan (our conductor) highlghts either ¨HIGH PROFILE¨ or ¨VERY HIGH PROFILE¨ next to. lol.

Im sorry, but I cant post pictures here, coz im using OkiDokis free computer right now, so cant transfer pictures. And have been quite busy recently, which I hope explains for the lack of updates. =) Anyways, till next time! Wish me luck in Poland!

Chinese New Year!!!

2008-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Its the 3rd new year of the year!!!! haha. Being in AC, its so good to know that Malaysians get to turn over a new leaf on new year's 3 times a year.. lol! but it was good.. we had a meal to celebrate chinese new year with the malaysians and other "bananas" *ehem* :P.. we wanted to go buy stuff and cook, but the shop was closed by the time we got there, so we couldnt cook.. it was really a last minute kinda thing.. sooooo... we ended up buying some chicken at a fast food and some lamb, and we had that.. but the best part was dessert!!! we had chocolate fountain!!!! with strawberries, honeydue, grapes, cake... mmm hmmm! lol. and luce, who was in front, got covered in chocolate from people dipping chocolate in the fountain.. lol. it was so funny.. and yummy!!! got a bit of a tummy ache after that.. but it was all worth it!!! so to all chinese and malaysians out there.. Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have not been update my blog often enough.. really busy.. even now i have to rush off to choir.. but no service for a week!! i passed my pool lifeguard exam!! im officially a pool lifeguard!!!! lol.

adios¬ till next time.. =)

;)

2008-01-27T17:14:00.000-08:00

*tadaaa!!!!!* didnt i tell everyone i was going to do this??? hehe.

Focus week!

2008-01-24T11:12:00.000-08:00

So ok.. I know i was supposed to post pictures, but the internet here is so lousy, and i dont really have time to do it, so i can't really post them. Maybe next time..

Anyways! its been really busy since i got back to AC this term. The past few weeks have been really hectic, especially this week, being the Asian focus week and all, and the South East and Eastern Asia National Evening last Sunday.

The Malaysians got togehter, and we made a short sketch of a scene at a warung, then we did a short joget, which we invented ourselves after watching tonnes of youtube videos. It was kinda nice actually. I was doing the introduction, and I kinda liked the part "tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, ladies and gentlemen, senoras y senores, madames et messieurs.. selamat datang, welcome, and please give a big round of applause for MALAYYYSSSIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" it was fun.. hehe.

i cooked chicken curry, fried rice and fried noodles to sell just before the national evening to raise funds for the Malaysian Summer project as well, and we did quite well actually.. Then on monday we had a malaysian cookout for focus week (which is supposed to be a week dedicated to Asia) on monday night as well, and i made rendang ayam, ayam masak merah, jemput-jemput, bubur kacang, ais kacang (somewhat improvised version.. hehe) and roti canai. I got kinda freaked out, coz it was supposed to start at 7, and I was waiting for my friend to chop the chickens, and at 6.45 he came and said he had no idea how to do it, so i started to cut, and people started to come and i was still cutting the chicken.. they had to wait for like half an hour before the food was ready..

on wednesday, we had a discussion about the asian core cultural beliefs while we served asian tea, including teh tarik.. i nearly burnt my hand pulling the tea.. i forgot it was hot.. -.-" but it was good to hear that the asians here still know their own values, and dont just leave everything behind.. Asia is just so interesting.. ;)

And on that day as well, i had to do the Malaysian poster for the focus week.. it was supposed to be up by sunday, and my friend was supposed to do it.. but on tuesday, he sent out an email asking our (the malaysians) opinion for the poster.. so i was like "omg! the week's almost over!" i told him to just do it, but he said he has to do something else, so i just started doing it, and posted it up on..

Tomorrow night, Friday, we're having a guest speaker to come and speak.. he's the maritime attache in the Malaysian high commision in london.. a malaysian! lol. we wanted to cook dinner for him, but because of UK's strict and absolutely absurd fascination with health and safety, we cant do it.. we tried to fight for it a few times, but the vice principal is just so weak, he gave in to the kitchen ladies! just imagine how incredibly tak masuk akal it is... the reasons we were given.. "if u bring the food from ur house to the castle (which is 2 minutes walk away), it is a health hazard..", "if you buy prawns, they'll defreeze when u bring them back, and if u freeze them again, its a health hazard" like omg!!! we told them michele, who is a HSE certificate holder, is going to supervise our cooking.. we told them, we're going by car to buy the stuff, we told them, we'll invite them to the house, not the castle.. but noooooo... they want him to eat the dining hall's food.. "whats wrong with the food?" they ask.. hah.. i bet they never tasted their own cooking..

anyways! i had econs coursework due monday, i had spanish due that day as well, i had lifeguards work due tuesday, i have english and e-systems assignments due tomorrow.. and i havent had a good night's sleep all week.. the moment i walked into spanish class this morning, the teacher just stared and said "she looks sleepy.. but you! you look dead.."

anyways! rejoice! tomorrow is friday! its been a hectic week.. and i think it went quite well.. =D

2008

2008-01-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

my first post for the year 2008. No, im not going to write about spain just yet. I just arrived in Madrid, and i still have 5 days left before my post of spain. =)

i guess,sometimes, it just cant be helped, how you feel. things come and go, and u have to resist the urge to hold on to the past. often, i find myself thinking, hoping, that the future will be predictable, something i can rely on, something i can look forward to without any doubt. But then, i remind myself - if the future were all that, then what is there to look forward to?

its hard, but the unpredictability of time and fate is just something we have to learn to leave and let be. the future will always be there.. the past has always been there.. the present, thats a gift..

we can all just hope, the people who came into our lives, who play such important roles, who touched us, who led us, who followed us, who we term family,friends, continue to be there. but who knows..

as the new year dawns, the last year, the old year, sets.. last year has become a memory, part of a string of events that lead to this year. its hard for me, but.. Happy New Year 2008..

visual of dubai!

2007-12-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

Vale.. the photos i promised u guys!! Some of the pictures i took when i was in dubai.. Some of them arent too clear because someone else took the photos.. my canon ixus is too old already.. perhaps it needs a change.. *chucke*

This is the mosque near Uncle Husam´s place.. very modern design for a mosque.. unique in its own way, not stuck to the traditional design.. revolutionary.. i like¬ hehe.

this is the inside of the mosque.. not bad eh.. one of the things i like about dubai.. its growing at at amazing pace.. just imagine, 20 years ago, it was all just desert.. now, hundreds of sky scrapers, flyovers all above, MRTs/LRTs, gigantic malls, luxurious homes.. but amidst it all, masyaAllah, you can still hear the sound of the Azan in the malls, the mosques are as modern as all other worldly buildings, god is not forgotten.. alhamdulillah.

Here´s Ahmed, Uncle Husam´s son, with a falcon, during the desert safari..

aziza, my sister..

Sumaiya, Ahmed´s oldest sister..

This was in the car during the desert safari.. see ahmed in the back? hehe.

My parents, uncle husam, aunty sabra and siham were in this car.. you could practically hear aunty sabra screaming.. my mum was screaming as well at first, but she got quiet when aunty sabra started.. i think they all got deaf from that.. haah

aunty sabra and siham when they got out of the car..

Here´s the desert.. it was actually quite different from what i imagined it to be.. but probably because it was winter.. it wasnt quite hot.. it was quite nice, to be honest. the weather i mean. and the sand was very fine, it didnt even stick to my jeans..

the cars parked during one of our stops. there were about 10 cars altogether in a convoy..

heres salwa, the one in between ahmed and sumaiya (what a description.. hehe), eyeing the falcon.. haha.

guess who got the coolest picture with the falcon? hehe

when the convoy was driving.. it was really beautiful.. when you see, you can only say.. "que bonito..." it was breath taking..

the sun setting..

one of the pictures i meant when i said blur.. if you can see, thats me pulling ahmed down one of the dunes.. haha. it was fun!

here´s everyone.. i think.. let me count.. uncle husam, ahmed, aunty sabra, my mum, sumaiya, salwa, siham, aisha, aziza, me, my dad.. yeap.. thats everyone.. pity it turned out blur as well..

another one of me pulling ahmed.. you would think that the 2nd shot would be a clearer one.. =(

we´re on the camel.. haha. my legs really are long..

*chuckle* ahmed was reciting the kalimah syahadah when he was on the camel behind me.. hehe

they were just waiting for us riding on the APVs..

someone leaning over the chair like that, in sand so fine, u can just imagine whats going to happen..

did u imagine the right thing? haha.

when he fell, the first thing my mum did was to shout for Sumaiya to take a picture.. She even stopped Uncle Husam from helping my dad get up before the picture.. hehe. Uncle Husam said later on, he thought the camel was behind my dad, because all he said when he fell was "ah... ah.. ah.." lol

*covering up* "you camel! sneaked up on me like that!" hehe

when we got home.. just making sure the house doesnt turn into a desert.. ;)

a view in one of the malls.. i think this was Festival City, if im not mistaken..

During Eid.. I did the takbir.. Malaysian style.. rindunya di hati, beraya di kampung, merayakan keagungan Illahi, kebesaran yang Maha Esa.. then uncle husam started the read the doa.. the whole moment was very touching.. i think for a moment there, there was a bit of a drizzle in the desert..

Then the festivities! Dancing to some malay and arab music.. hehe

We had barbeque that night.. sooooo much food!

Juana grilling the chicken.. it started off with aunty sabra.. then salwa.. then when the first round of food was done, noone wanted to be stuck by the grill.. aha

just us..

and us.. hehe.

Well, i guess thats it.. next post.. Seville.. =D

Dubai!!

2007-12-22T23:58:00.000-08:00

Dubai!! You know what, if ever ur looking for a destination, go to dubai.. hehe. was there for slightly over a week, and it was *two thumbs up*!! lol. We stayed with uncle husam and his family there - they just moved to dubai from oman. Theyve been telling us to visit them in oman for the past 7 years, and we finally did visit them, theyre not in oman anymore.. haha.

Anyways. when we arrived the airport, there was somebody waiting for us right outside the aircraft (i was like whoa~ special treatment.. haha).apparently, uncle husam arranged it for us. So yea, they took us to the immigration (using a buggie!! however u spell it.. the car thingy they drive in the airports.. i always wanted to ride on that thing.. dreams do come true.. ;) ),and at the immigration, they brought us straight to the counter,bypassing the looooong line (i was thinking again.. whoa~~ not bad..), had our passports stamped, and went to get our bags. there, a few guys were waiting to get our luggage (by now i was like, not bad at all~ haha), we went out,and there were uncle husam, aunty sabra, and ahmed, waiting..

We went to their house, freshened up, bla bla bla, and that night,went to the shopping mall. Pretty much the same the whole time - shopping malls everyday...

But on tuesday.. or was it monday? we went on the desert safari.. twas so fun!! haha. 2 4WDs came and picked us up. Uncle husam, aunty sabra,my parents and siham (uncle husam and aunty sabra's youngest daughter) went into one car, and my sisters, sumaiya and salwa (siham's older sisters) and i went into another. They drove us to the desert. well, if you can say that driving. haha. the drivers just *BAM!* everywhere. We were skidding on the dunes, sliding down the slopes, and stuff like that. Sand was flying everywhere, and a few times, we cant see anything coz the whole car was emersed in the sand it( um.. im running out of adjectives here) blew up.. haha.then we went sand surfing, camel riding, and APV riding.. then we had dinner in the desert, and when we got back home, it was around 9pm - dark~ haha. but it was really fun, though a few were screaming their heads off,among other things they did.. haha.

hmm.. what else we did? we just went to a few places, mostly malls.. went to the souk.. had a good time bargaining.. haha. nice food as well!!after being in UK, where its so hard to get halal restaurant, i think i just filled myself up with food whenever and wherever i went.. lol.

Another thing i enjoyed most - i got my own room!! haha. its been soooo long since i slept alone.in istanbul, i shared a room with my dad, in belgium, with my friend, in AC, with a few friends.SO you can just imagine the relief and excitement, after the practically nil privacy in AC, when i entered a quiet room, all to myself, close the door, and lock it.. haha. felt soo good!! =D

hmm.. i dont know what else to write.. we did quite a lot actually, and it was really really really sooo much fun~~ i dont know, maybe its because i was in the UK that i appreciate it all the more. Good company (as uncle husam regularly points out), good food, good surrounding, good everything. Owh, and a perkembangan. I'm considering Qatar after AC!! hehe.

Anyways, again, no more pictures here. Im at Madrid airport now, waiting for my flight to Seville, and i cant upload pictures here now. So i'll do it once i get to my friend's house in Seville. After that,i'll be posting about Spain!!! haha.

ant..

2007-12-16T04:07:00.000-08:00

Just a short story i wanna share..

Everyone knows about Nabi Sulaiman, or Solomon, if thats how you spell his name in English. Once, he saw an ant and he picked it up and looked at it. He told the ant, "you are such a small creature without any significance. what use are you? why did Allah even create you?"

And the ant told him, "I say the zikir (praise to Allah, eg alhamdulillah, subhanallah, allahhuakbar..) a hundred thousand times a day. How many times do YOU do it? What use are YOU? Why did Allah create YOU?"

And Nabi Sulaiman humbly put the ant down and appologized. Its not about how big you are, or what you do, that gives you a place in this world of God's. God gives you a place - thank Him for that. MasyaAllah, Alhamdulillah.

istanbul in pictures~

2007-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Alright! so here are the photos i took in istanbul.. im in dubai already, and im trying hard to refrain from telling anything about it.. that, dear readers, is for the next post.. this, solely istanbul.. ;)

This is Zeynep Sultan Camii (Sultan Zeynep Mosque), its not a famous one (at least, i dont think so), but just put it here coz its from the 18th century.. 1769.. Loads of mosques like this all over istanbul.. in istanbul alone, there are 2000 mosques..

This is the blue mosque.. a magnificent, stunninf feat.. hehe.and those are my are my parents with aziza..

me, my mum, aziza and aisha in front of the blue mosque..

this is inside the blue mosque.. its so amazing.. it was built in the 17th century, and such architecture.. we should have progressed so much, yet, we fell so far..

Inside the blue mosque... the grandeur of the building.. the minute details..

This is the tomb of Sultan Ahmed, the sultan who ordered the construction of the blue mosque..

In these few boxes contain hair from the prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) beard.. amazing..

This is at the Oriental House, performance during dinner, playing some turkish music..

The battle cry/music of the Turks..

The sufi.. mystical..

showing a turkish wedding.. hehe (im just giving short summaries of the pictures.. feeling kinda lazy now.. :P)

The first belly dancer..

folk dance of the turks..

the 2nd belly dancer..

the 3rd belly dancer.. if u notice, shes wearing high heels.. those are the type of heels they use to dance.. i dont know how they do it..

and this was the chinese guy i was talking about in the previous post, the one called onto stage and the one in the "hitting game"..

This is in the grand bazaar.. just one small part of it.. just imagine, 4000 shops.. we got lost so many times in there..

the blue mosque at night..

this is in the Ayasofya/Hagia Sofia/Saint Sophia.. the muslims renovated it to make it into a mosque..

This, before renovation, was the place where Richard the Lion Hearted was crowned king.. it felt so weird to be standing there,where one of the great kings of history stood before, during his first moments securing a place in time..

an aeriel view of istanbul.. on the right, the western side.. on the left, the asian side..

the biggest cemetary in istanbul.. huge.. graves here date from the 16th century..

this was the yacht of M. Kamal Attaturk, the man who destroyed what the Ottoman Empire worked to preserve for hundreds of years - Islam as a way of life among the Turks..

I forgot the name of this fort.. but this is the symbol of the conquest of constantinople.. when they build this, constantinople fell in a matter of months due to the cut off of supplies..

At the spice bazaar.. Notice the sign.. *chuckle*

Istanbul!!

2007-12-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

Istanbul, where the East meets the West, literally and figuratively.

It was great! I flew from Belgium alone to Istanbul, and a guy from the hotel was waiting there to pick me up. My family were already at the hotel - have been there since the previous day. On the way to the hotel, we passed this magnificent mosque - Ayasofya, or Hagia Sofia.

The hotel wasn't big, it was quite a small one, but it was in the older part of istanbul, and we can walk to most places from there. The view from the coffee house on the upper floor, you can see the Golden Horn, you can see the Topkapi Palace, where the Kings of the past used to live, and you can see at least 6 huge Mosques, their minarets piercing the sky, above the sprawling city, spread out across the vast horizon on hills on both sides of the river/sea.

We went to the Blue Mosque first, or Sultanahmet Cirii. The architecture there was superb. Blue was the hardest colour to catch in ceramic, and thats what made the mosque so special. It had 6 minarets, because the architect got confused with what Sultan Ahmed said. The sultan commanded him to make gold minarets, but the word "gold" and "six" are almost the same in Turkish, so the architect thought he meant six. It was unacceptable at the time, because the only mosque with 6 minarets was the one in Mecca, so as a respect to the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, the Sultan paid for another minaret at the mosque in Mecca.

THen there was the Hagia Sofia, Saint Sofia. Before, it was a church, but when the Ottoman Empire conquered Istanbul, they used it as a mosque, and when Kamal Attaturk came into power, he made it into a museum. As i was standing in the front part of the building, i couldnt help but think that i was standing at the place where Richard the Lion Hearted was crowned. Before the Ottoman Empire, a lot of Christian Kings had their coronation in the Hagia Sofia, because it was considered as one of the greatest Church in the Christian world, architecture wise, and based upon what i was told, at least.

We went also the grand bazaar. It was HUGE. There were about 4000 shops selling anything you can think of. Everytime we passed the stalls, they would ask if we were Malaysians, we said yes, they asked if we were Muslims, we said yes, and they went "MasyaAllah, Alhamdulillah" (praise be to God, thank God), and then start persuading us to buy. The places that we did decide to buy, them knowing we were Malaysian Muslims,they sarted giving us loads of discount, sometimes more than half the price! And it was quite touching, how Muslims regard each other with such respect and humility. They kept on calling us brothers and sisters (not just in the bazaar), and they were offering us tea (due to customs and traditions as well). But people were generally very nice and warm.

One night, we went to Oriental House for dinner. It was quite a nice experience. They picked us up from our hotel, and they bought us to the place. They had performances going on all throughout the night. They were belly dancers, Turkish music, Sufi "dancing", weddings, and a lot more. The belly dancers were quite fun. Amazing thing was they were dancing in heels. Right in front of the stage, there were these Chinese and British. One belly dancer kept on coming to the Chinese and slapped his head (he was bald, by the way), and she kept on coming to him, being cheeky. Once, she squatted on the stage next to him, and asked him to slap her.. um.. backside.. as she shaked them.. Another time, she asked another Chinese to come on stage with her and try dance. She hit him on the shoulders, he hit her back lightly. She hit him again, he did the same to her. Then she hit him in the chest, he was hesitant, hit her on the shoulders again. She hit him on the chest again, and he hit her on the breast this time. She looked shocked, hit him on the chest again, he hit her on the breast again, and this time she smiled. then it was the backside, etc etc. Another one kept on going to the British guy and putting her skirt over his head. They were quite crude actually, but it was quite fun to see.

They also sang songs from all the countries present during the dinner - Dubai, Iran, China, Korea, US, UK, Russia, and a few others. THey sang rasa sayang for Malaysia.. haha. Owh, being serious here, since UWC always preaches that there is no such thing as being politically correct, so i'm going to just mention it here. I think, at least, a princess of Dubai was present at the dinner. First look at her, you'll see what you expect to see. SHe was covering her whole face with the black thing the Arabs usually use. But when you look carefully, she also wore the black robe thingy, but it was open. Underneath, she was so skimpily clad, and im not exaggerating. She was wearing something like whast bellydancers would usually use. Pants, and a very skimpy top, barely covering anything at all. She was one of the women called onto stage to dance a bit, and she went up, not ashamed at all at the irony that her face was covered, but her body was in such a state. Again, i couldnt help thinking - no wonder people ridicule the Islamic faith, if this is how Muslims carry themselves. Astaghfirullah.

Oh, another thing that was quite fun, was that a lot of people here seemed to know about Malaysia. Some even knew how to speak some Malay. haha. One shopkeeper was "mari sini, beli. A lot of Malaysians say mahal, but murah!" lol.

I'm at a lot as to what more to say right now. I'm at the airport, so i cant really transfer photos from my camera right now. So once I arrive in Dubai at uncle Husam and aunty Sabra's house, i will upload the picture and post them here. So sorry for this long post without any pictures.

I suddenly feel like kebab right now.. -.-"

Belgium!!

2007-12-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

Tada!! my mission to go all over Europe is on the start!!! First stop (well, UK and France doesnt count.. they do, but the dont, at the same time, in a way... its complicated!), Belgium~

Belgium - the north was once part of Holland - the official languages are french (in the south) and flem (in the north) - Antwerp means to throw a hand, so their "mascot" is a hand - Brussels mascot is Manneken Pis, a naked boy who is pissing. If you go to Brussels, look out for this young boy, they put him in different places everytime,so you have to look! - There is a large dutch community in Belgium due to tax regulations in Holland

Went there with Aliff, stayed at Uncle Rudy's house. Wasnt there for too long, but it was really fun!! i think, at least.. But we only went to Antwerp.. Well, technically, i did go to Brussels, but only for the airport, so.. :P

The day we wanted to go to Brussels, the trains were on a strike, so amid the confusion of all the trains (assuming there were any - which we didnt see any of), we decided to just go around Antwerp once more.. ;)

The weather in Belgium wasnt half bad - apart from the rain that greeted our arrival and our 2nd evening in Belgium.. It wasnt as cold as in Wales, thank god for that.

During our stay there, Uncle Rudy had his birthday party. It was his 65th, and in Belgium, people celebrate their 65th "like there's no tomorrow", so to speak.. It was quite ackward, because 1)most of the people there were his generation. 2)I wasnt prepared for it,and went only in jeans and long t-shirt when everyone was in suits and stuff. 3)They were speaking dutch! But Fleur and Pim (Unc Rudy's daughter and son-in-law) kept on pulling me into the crowd and asking me to "mingle" (mingle mingle mingle!), that I found myself talking to some quite interesting people.

There was this couple who's lives practically everywhere - Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, States, Europe, bla bla bla... There was also this couple whos wife was half Indonesian half dutch. They kept on telling me how Malaysia was the best - oriental food, italian food, western food, in Malaysia are even better than the places of origin! according to them, at least. personally, i think so too.. Malaysia Boleh!! ;) Owh, and best of all, there was this coupld who lived in Miri a few years ago.. Guess where? Luak Bay! O la la~

So anyways.. I didnt really take a lot of photos in Belgium.. Don't ask me why.. >.< But here are some of them worth showing..

Antwerp.. I told you antwer means throw a hand. This is statue of the hero that threw a hand into the Schilde.. Long story,and Im not quite sure about it myself. If you notice, hes holding a severed hand..

This is the old castle - the oldest edifice in antwerp. Its now the marine museum..We went in for free,because entrance is FOC for those below 19.. If i were a few months late, i would have had to pay! lol.

This..um.. im not sure.. we found it when we were wondering around antwerp.. it was in quite a deserted area (we werent lost! we were just in the process of looking for the way..)

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is antwerp.. That in the back in the cathedral.. Its such a nice city, coz its "medieval", as Pim put it.. And there he got it right..

Eh.. whos this?? chomelnyer!! :P

This is Uncle Rudy's house,from the back in his Garden.. Can you find the hidden Amin?lol.

I couldn't resist taking this picture.. Quite a nice view from the pond.. Pity he's selling the place though.. Oh well, hes building a new one, so...

Anyways, im afraid thats all folks! Sorry for the minimal photos.. Don't worry, I'll taking loads of photos in Istanbul.. Oh! did i tell you? Im off to istanbul from belgium.. *chuckle* But the problem is, i only have one adapter,and both my phone and camera needs to be charged.. so little time, so much to charge!!!

gaber!!

2007-12-03T02:24:00.000-08:00

Aight.. For those of you who are not satisfied with the amount of photos i post.. here are some more~ it took me 2 days to upload all these pictures, what with the LOUSY internet connection here.. but oh well.. since you wanted it.. :P anyways!

We were trying to create a new world record of "the most number of nationalities in one bed".. Mexicana.. Malaysian.. Spanish.. Israeli.. English.. Welsh.. i think we need more.. oh well.. AC still holds the record for "the most number of nationalities in one pool" though.. haha

This is the inner gate of AC..It used to be fully functional.. Can be drawn down and stuff.. But few years ago, after much students' pranks and mischief, it just gave in i suppose.. now its just open like that..

This is the alternative to Sosh - Globe Lounge.. We come here to relax and just enjoy the serene atmosphere, soft music, company of friends, etc. Its a really nice place,honest.. Plus, they provide free drinks... hot chocolate, tea, coffee, anything.. ;)

Ok, this was during Hari Raya.. I cooked the Hari Raya meal for the Malaysians.. Theres Briyani, chicken rendang, dhal, and fried eggs.. im so proud of myself! LoL.

This was us looking at the food, just before we "dug in"..

The gurls,hyper after all the food.. They were dancing to some music, i forgot what.. Malaysian music,since we were all feeling "very malaysian" that evening..

I decided that the easiest way to get loads of pictures of whats happening is to just let people play with my camera and take whatever pictures they want. This is what i ended up with.. Diana and Emily..

This is in the Powys dayroom, the Powysians were just having a good time,singing to Nik's guitar.. We do make a good choir..honest!

Some of the Powysians.. No idea what this was.. hehe

Oh.. this me! baking my first chicken pie! lol. it didnt taste quite that bad.. *chuckle*

Aliff.. with his creation of the "ginger bread man".. haha. Notice the details.. :P

Kachi, Yun Ni, and Rosie.. all wanting to be Superman.. This is in Powys dayroom as well..

Again, in the Powys dayroom.. Just hanging around..we were talking with the german exhange students, who were behind the camera..

This,again in the Powys dayroom, the Powysians all get ready to go for the games to support the Powys team... Theme of the night - Punk~

This was us just before we entered the hall where the games were played..

Gabriel, from Quebec..

In the Bradenstoke Hall,the dancing competition.. The team with their backs facing the camera is Powys.. Ben and Leo grinding at the side, if you notice.. lol.

The eating competition.. The one on the far left is Ben.. he won!! he actually liked the food.. they simply mixed anything they could find, made it as gross as possible..

See how happy he was after he won? hehe.

This' Josh, looking for sweets in a bucket of flour.. he won as well!! Though he choked with all the flour..

ehm.. hehe.

Ok.. the tradition in AC.. if you're birthday is tomorrow, at the stroke of midnight, we're gonna catch you and shower you!! haha. Here's Nathan's birthday.. It took almost a dozen guys to hold him down.. we had to tie him with rope so that he doesnt escape..

Took him to the bathroom first to be showered with water.. COLD water..

Then we took him outside..And showered him with a gross mixture of any leftover food.. I think his was curry, milk, pepper, flour,rotten eggs, spaghetti, beans, and loads more..The whole house reeked for a week!!

Here's Wrenford.. Ma Jamaican boi!! LoL. Him and Dieteker were doing some stunts in, thats right, Powys dayroom.. hehe.

This is Nikita, the Russian from Kentucky.. Powys' ballet and modern dancer..

Wrenford and Dieteker again.. Tried toget them to pose.. This was the best i could get of them.. haha.

Juan, my dormmate.. This is the view you get from the castle.. looking down into the sea, past the gardens, the barracks, and the pool..

so.. still want more pictures? ive got to get more.. i think ive finished them all.. haha.

Christmas Party!!!

2007-12-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

Some more pictures!! Actually there are more in my other camera, but i keep on forgetting about it until i've finished uploading the pictures from this camera, and by then, im back to my lazy mode, so...

But anyways, more pictures,thats what important. the others, i'll post next time.

Most of these pictures are in the spirit of christmas, so..

This was one of the last things my Secret Santa did before the christmas party, when we all found out who our Secret Santas were. I have enjoyed everything that my Secret Santa did for me!!! And my Secret Santa was......

Elisa!!!! "tough latina", as she puts it.. She really made my christmas special this year.. Thank you Santa!!! LoL.

For the christmas party, all the guys in the house had to randomly pick out the names of the girls in the house. My date for the night - Sophie from Australia.. ;)

Here's another "happening" couple.. Ehsan, the guy from Bangla people Land (hehe), and Kumiko from The Land of The Rising Sun..

... and Kachi with Elyss from Mexico.. The "melodic" couple.. One is a tenor, another is a soprano..

..my dormmate, Francis from Congo, went with Anniken from Norway..

.. the other crazy Norwegian, Ashlak, went with Elen...

..the Asian couple! Rico from China with Mai from Palestine..

..Nik with Rosie..

...my other dormmate, Juan, con Skye..

..I didn't get my 3rd dormmate with his date though, but here he is.. Gareth!

This was us, during the Christmas party.. Part of the choir thats in Powys.. Trying to put together 2 songs, impromptu.. It was a mess!! Well, the first song was pretty good, i must say.. given that we didnt have a conductor.. This was one time where we missed Bryan, waving his hands frantically in the air,dancing around, trying to get us to "be my music instrument!! be my piano!! SING FOR ME!!!" ;)

Ops.. Keruntuhan akhlak Melayu.. hahaha!!!! Nauzubillah.. nah.. u know me.. i would never drink... i know better.. Christmas party was fun.. =D

Ke mana hilangnya...

2007-11-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

It hurts me so bad, to read about the happenings in Malaysia. Malaysia, the country that i love with all my heart. What has happened?

Within a mere month, 2 demonstrations have taken place, and both have been handled so agressively by the government. First it was BERSIH, then Hindraf. What reason can possible be used to justify the involvement of the FRU, what more with tear gasses and water cannons?

I lived my whole life, thinking that Malaysians are compromising, understanding, soft, humble, gentle, and everything you can think of. I come all the way here, and I compare the people here to the Malaysians back home, and I see the truth in my assumptions. But the recent happenings.. I just don't understand...

I used to read about the happenings all over the world. The monks' uprising in Burma, the Sudanese uprisal, the Catalunyan seperatists, the Palestinians' struggle.. Please, please, please, Malaysia should never enter the world stage in the same light..

Ke mana hilangnya budi bahasa kita? Ke mana hilangnya pertimbangan kita? Ke mana hilangnya maruah kita? Anak bangsa ini menitiskan air mata mengenangkan nasib..

Powys and Secret Santa!!!

2007-11-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

I'm baaaccckkk!!! remember a few posts ago i promised to post some pictures? So here i am, fulfilling my promise. owh yea, you know you can trust me.. ;)

So anyways, i'm just going to put in all the photos i have, and let them do most of the talking. photos do, after all, speak a thousand words....

In Atlantic College, i stay in the BEST house of all the 7 houses, which is.............

You got it!! POWYS!!! Powysians are always there for one another, and when it comes to sports events, games, competitions, or anything at all, above all the cheering from all the other houses, you'll be able to hear "POWYS!! UNITED!! WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!!", and you'll know that the whole of Powys has turned up to support the house. Thats just how Powys is.. So hot it burns... ttsssssss~

These are some of us, just got back from supporting our team during Sports Week (which Powys, of course, won!!). Thats Josh on the far left, then Larissa, Monrada, and Daniel.

This is our dayroom. I won't deny it, it is kinda small for all 48 of us, and what more compared to all the newer houses (Sunley and Tice), but hey, Powys might be small and old, it just brings us together, it makes Powys more of a home, and rest assured, the heart of every Powysian has a heart bigger than any other...

Here's another 2 Powysians.. Skye and Andreas..

... and a few more.. Alejandro on the far left, Max, Nathan, and Connie..

... and Anniken...

... Nik.. And yea, he's wearing a bra and holding another one.. We went to support our team during sports week wearing bras, just like Nik is right in this picture.. See what we go through for Powys?? hehe.

Powys' favourite past time... juggling!! Mike is concentrating really hard to make sure the balls don't fall..

Powys' favourite food (beside's AC's national food, which is toast and butter)... Noodles!!

Powys' favourite instrument.. the Guitar!! This here is our #1 guitarist... Nik from Malaysia!!!

Here you can see Wrenford enjoying the sound of Nik.. lol.

This was a passing craze for Powys.. Skye succeeded in building a tower or cards!!!

Knut.. nothing said.. :P

Ah.. here's Ehsan.. This was his FIRST time cooking! And i'm so proud coz i taught him how to fry an egg!!! *chuckle*

On the far left, you see Amir from Gwynedd house, Malaysia. That in the back is Kachi, singing his heart out.. His Powys' leading vocalist.. a voice of gold!!!

Err.. Again, nothing said..

2nd fairy.. The british Honor (her name) with an American spelling..

Malaysian meal!!! We have a Malaysian meal every now and again, just to lepas rindu for Malaysian food.. This was when we had nasi lemak.. we also had laksa sarawak, rendang, kari ayam, nasi goreng, mee goreng, bla bla bla.. The list of Malaysian food is a never ending one.. hehe.

This was during Sports Week, water polo!! At AC's indoor pool..

This was us during Hari Raya.. We went to Cardiff to go to the mosque there.. it was a bit different.. no "feel" and all, if you know what i mean..

But ramai also the Malaysians in Cardiff.. Well, its a mix actually.. Malaysians, Indiands, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and other Muslims from all over waiting to go into the mosque..

Aliff, Syaza, Aaiaa, Me, Isatou, Assal, Nazirul, and Ariff..

Nazirul, Ariff, Arif, Aliff, Me..

Assal, Nabila, Aqeela, Aaia, Solehah, Isatou, and Syaza..

This was where we had our Hari Raya breakfast.. Sad, ain't it?? not at home.. but it was a really nice place..

In a Malaysian's home.. we just gathered, friends from AC.. Malaysians, Gambians, Pakistanis, Nigerians.. Islam itu global..

Trying our hands in men-cucuk-ing sate..

Owh, and this here is a turn from Hari Raya.. Christmas is approaching... and everyone in Powys has his/her own Secret Santa (another Powysian who will do nice things for the other Powysian). My Secret Santa left me these cookies on my bed...

.. and this message on the bathroom window..

.. and decorated my bed like this!!! Owh yea, there are 4 of us in a room, and the closest one is my bed, with the Malaysian flag on its right and the Sarawakian flag on its left.. My Secret Santa is soo cool!! lol.

Well, i guess that's it then.. hopefully, when i have more photos i'll post them up again.. 1 more week till christmas holidays!!!! i just cant wait!!!!!! =D

na'an iko ngajar u'ih..

2007-11-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

So here i am again! seems like ive been logging on and off these past few weeks.. actually, 2 months.. who would have thought, ive been here for nearly 3 months already! how time flies.

anyway, quite a lot has been happening recently. How long has it been since hari raya? on the first day of hari raya, we went to cardiff, the muslims in AC who wanted to go. We went to the mosque and prayed, and after that we went to this malaysian's house. It was really nice, to be honest. it was a new change, to see how people accept others so openly, eventhough they dont know them, just because we share the same faith. we stayed at the house for a few hours, just hanging out, watching tv, and helped them cucuk sate. It was a new experience for the non-malaysians with us.

the following week, we went to london for the petronas open house. it was really cool how we met so many malaysians so far away from home. i even met this one guy from chung hua! what are the odds of that? Met a few other sarawakians as well, and even met a cousin of my friend. it really is a small world.

now i really forgot what i was about to write. I wanted to post some pictures last time, like i said in my previous post, but i didnt think there was anyone who was reading my blog, so i didnt bother to post any up too soon. but then i found out quite a few are still reading this, so like lebih bersemangat la! hehe. but how unfortunate, when im feeling like uploading the photos, i dont have my camera with me. Francis, my dormmate, took my camera with him to london, so i have to wait til he comes back to upload the photos.

we're having first aid week right now, from wednesday to friday, so we're kinda busy from 8 in the morning til about 6pm. but thats ok, coz now, if anyone nearly got themselves kill, im here!! lol.

it wont be long now til the holidays. Last day of codes is on the 5th december, and i cant wait for december!! i crammed it full with things to do, places to go, people to meet..!! =D but the sad thing is (for me, at least), i wont be going back to malaysia. i'll have to wait another few months before i go back. Probably in june or july. what i'm going to do in december? hehehe. wait and find ot.. ;)

anyways, i dont really know what else to write for now. thats always happening, you know. you think you have so much to say, but when you start saying it, you find yourself out of words and not knowing what you wanted to say.

so yea, i'll just stop here for now. u'ih la' muli'!!!! na'an iko ngajar u'ih again k.. hehe.

owh yea!! i forgot!! ok, before i start the "story", theres this tradition here in AC, where they shower the person who's birthday it is tomorrow at midnight, exactly. what they do is everyone just grabs hold of you and force you into the showers and get you wet. when theyre being really nice, its just that. but when they get mean, they use whatever rotten food they can find. last night we showered leo. It was soo bad!! in the beginning, he locked himself in his room, then ben tricked him into opening the door, and everyone practically pounced on him and tied him up with ropes. we dragged him outside, and they had all sorts of rotten food ready. there were spaghetti, beans, and plenty of other stuff. the worst was the milk. someone put the milk just by the heater for about a week to get it real bad, and when they tried to pour the milk on leo, they had to squeeze it out, coz it basically kinda became creamy.. and it reeked so bad, you could smell him from a mile away!!!

at the same time, it was gareth's birthday as well, so we all showered him after leo. the 2 of them were so wet, they tried to get into the day room (common room), but we were blocking the door. the 2 of them charged at the door, nearly got in.. then they tried using a mop and a broom to charge at the door, but the floor was so slippery, that just when they were running at the door, gareth slipped, flew into the air and landed right SMACK on his back!!! his back is still aching today!! lol!!

okok, i guess this really is the end of this entry. adios~

soy un latino guapo!

2007-10-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

berlalulah sudah ramadhan, sebulan berpuasa. Tiba syawal kita rayakan, dengan rasa gembira!! Namun, perayaan disambut di rantau, alangkah berbeda dari sambutan di pangkuan keluarga di tanah junjungan, tanah ibu pertiwi. pilu dan terkilan hati ini, di kala senja hari raya, alpa tiada di minda, memikirkan kemeriahan di kampung, dibalik sunyi dan sepi di bumi asing.

i just thought id write some in malay, since i am malaysian, after all. ;) but seriously, it is a bit sad to be celebrating (if u can call it that) hari raya (or eid, as it is better known outside malaysia) in a foreign land, without family and without the enthusiasm you have come to love surrounding you.

but enough about that, life in AC has been picking up its pace. Mondays and Wednesdays are really hectic, with a busy schedule (for me, at least) from 8am till 8pm. other days, however,are "o la la" - smooth sailing. classes are fun, and the place itself is really something.

I was out kayakking in the sea just this afternoon, and when i looked back towards the castle (did i mention that the main building of AC is a 16th century castle ?) and the view was fantastic! there was st donat's (the castle, not doughnuts), looming out from among the forests and mountains,and to the side was a green pasture, with spots of white sheep (yeap, AC has sheeps, and cows, and horses, and goats, and deers) grazing. and all that just by the sea. it was just breath-taking.

The people here are really nice, or have i said that in my previous posts? Really, they are. Owh, but one thing that is really fun about AC is the language. Im learning spanish, and its really so interesting, because they are so many latinos around, you cant help but want to practice your spanish. and norwegian as well. but na'am mena kawan kelabit sinih, so u'ih la' karuh kelabit also cannot, scared na'an kelupan u'ih..

owh, something about the latinos. i went to the latin dance activity last week, and i was dancing with ruthi from pero (i have been practicing my spanish with her), and she went "o amin! you speak spanish, you dance spanish, you're becoming latino!" soy un latino guapo! =p

to finish off, i just have to mention this. Powys house won sports week!! i got a real bad sorethroat afterwards, but oh well. it was really bad, the day after sportsweek, i was in bed, and juan (my dorm mate) asked me to wake up, i wanted to tell him 5 more minutes, but nothing came out. i tried so many times, until finally i just signalled with my hands. i seriously didnt have any voice for half the day, and for a week after, my voice only started coming back bit by bit. But powys won! so it was worth it. ;)

Powys!

2007-09-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so i've been in AC for 2 weeks now, and for that long i have stayed in Powys, which is one of the 7 houses in AC (and the best one, of course..). Ive gotten to know the people more, and its really interesting how fast it takes to settle in here. I mean, its only been 2 weeks, and we've been referring to Powys as "home" already..

The people here are extremely nice. There're just too many to mention, but i'll try. Theres Rico (China), with his excessive intelligence for IT, Rosie (England) and Ben (Caymen Islands) with their brilliant juggling, Anne (Kenya) with her book and big smile, Kachi/Alex (Nigeria) with his melodic voice and talent for free-styling, Nik (Malaysia) and Ehsan (Bangladesh) with their guitars, Elisa (Brazil) with her loud voice and dramatic gestures, Nikita (Russia/Canada) and Diana (Belarus/Israel) with their dancing and singing, Faridah (Nigeria) and Mai (Palestine) with their quietness, Max (Germany) with his "cute"ness *chuckle*, Martin (France) with his French imitation and food, Wrenfod (Jamaica) with his accent, Daniel (Hungary) with his detailed knowledge of Hungary, Nathan (Wales) with his Welsh accent, Gareth and Mike(both Wales) with their English humour, Francis (Congo) with his infectable laugh, Juan (Spain) with his caring personality, Andreas (Norway) with his humour, Ashlak (Norway) with his straight face, Jo (England), Gabriel (Canada) and Leo (Wales), the lifeguards, Kumiko (Japan) with her promise of my Oyakodon, and blagh..everyone else.. they all make Powys what Powys is.

AC is an incredible place, but i cant write more right now, got to head to bed. First day of class is tomorrow, and i need to get some sleep. Short entry, but at least its something to keep my blog going, i hope..

ramadhan!!

2007-09-12T12:36:00.002-07:00

owh!!and tomorrow is the first day of ramadhan!!! esok puasa!!! kepada semua umat muhammad, selamat berpuasa!!! i cant wait!! i dont know why im anticipating it so much, maybe coz im jsut desperate for any reminder of home..lol.selamatdatang bulan ramadhan, bulan yang mulia.. =)

im here!!

2007-09-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

I’m here! I’m Atlantic College(wales,Uk, btw..)! Its really very very nice here. I was a bit nervous i over-anticipated how its gonna be here, but it turned out the other way round. Well, yea, the flight was long, and we (the 3 Malaysians) were among the first to arrive.Talking about the 3 Malaysians, wanna know something funny? I was going along yea,from miri-kuching-kl-heathrow. Sofrom kl-heathrow, i was sitting alone, and there was this girl sitting across the aisle from me. I noticed she kept on staring at me throughout the flight.But i ignored her, see. I thought she looked familiar, but i brushed the thought aside. Then, around the last hour, she met up with another gurl, i noticed them whisper a while, then the 2 of them approached me, asking “um, are u amin?” and i went “ur going to atlantic college?” and that was how we first met. Haha. If only i knew, i wouldn’t have spent the whole flight boring myself to death, all alone. -.-“

But anyways, at the airport, we met up with a few of our seniors there (they were waiting for all the new students to arrive). It was really fun, because people started arriving from all over. First there was ruth from peru, monrata from Thailand, alejandro from Venezuela, connie from china, ritendo from Zimbabwe, and so many others from all over. I was swamped with so many names that i ended up forgetting names as fast as i tried remembering.

It was about 3 hours from the airport to AC,and when we arrived there, i nearly didn’t want to get off the bus! Imagine, all the seniors surrounded the bus, cheering our arrival and banging on pots and pans. There was even a drum! And everyone who got off the bus had to shout his/her name and country, and everyone cheered everyone. Haha. It was a really warm welcome. There were 2 other busses that came after mine, and everytime,the whole student body went down to greet each bus the same way.

Everyone here has been really friendly and helpful. The place is awesome. I mean, there are 7 houses,each housing about 50 students. And then theres the castle with the dining hall, the breakfast hall, and some other classes. Then theres the academic building where all the rest of the classes are. Further down,theres the outdoor swimming pool and the indoor swimming pool, and the jousting field (now used for archery) is right next to the church (surrounded by a really old cemetery). Then next to the swimming pools is the place where they keep all the boats and their jetski, and from that area you can see the sea. Next to it is the college’s farm with sheep and cows and horses. Owh,and theres also the social centre, where they have the disco,the coffee lounge, the bar,and i THINK thats where the cinema is as well. I’m still not too familiar with all the places,so i cant be quite so sure yet, but its all so much fun.

Life is always moving forward, no matter what happens. Things and people come and go. Distance is merely a separation in the mind, and ironically, its the mind that overcomes the distance. Someone, either gone permanently or temporarily, can and will always stay with u, because memories are something that u can forever keep. We must all be strong, and an important thing we must all remember, is that no matter what happens, theres always someone who will help us hold our heads up high. And if im not the person who needs the holding up, then i’ll say, “im always here”. – for someone special who i hold so dear.

Nothing much...

2007-08-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's been can amazing week! I went to Singapore the previous weekend - mostly to buy stuff. But guess what? I got to meet my friends in Singapore. It wasn't much time, but setakat to melepas rindu, it was nice! caught up on old times, had a few laughs and Stuff Kinda miss my time in Singapore now. = P oh well, I had a great time meeting people there and I don't regret anything nor anyone.. I think..=)

After that we went to Kuching and met the family. but strange. this time, my cousins and I. we didn't go out. I mean, we spent the whole time at home. Quality time still though.. watched a few DVDs and just ate a lot, that was practically it . we didn't even have burgers this time round! And I tell you, when you to to Kuching, your trip isn't complete until you've bought some roadside bungers-this was/is a first time for me, I have to admit.

Ooo. after Kuching, guess what. we had this impromptu plan to go Lambir and swim and bbq. Well. we got there. and from there, we decided to go to Bintulu, So we went! Haha. we Reached around 8-9, we went to the pasarmalam had dinner. We headed to sibuti to sleep. But it was midnight already and the office was closed. But we did manage to get a room there long Story short. Next day we went to Tumbina and Niah 'but didn't go in because it was Raining-so Sayang. That wes the end of our impromptu trip though. It was fun!

Owh! It was a lazy holiday for me this time, So I didn't take any photons, So sorry if you were expecting Some. It's also kinda late now, and I really need sleep! So goodnight! sorry for this post thought I know it isn't much.

i've lost count of all my blessings..

2007-08-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

You know, my long summer holiday isnt going too bad after all. I just got back from KK. just for 2 nights, but i guess i made the most out of it. We only had the 2nd half of the day on saturday and the 1st half day of monday, but we had the whole day on sunday. And on sunday i jammed everything i could. LoL.

I woke up at 7, showered and everything and i went for horseriding for about 2 hours. then i got back, rinsed, and went - get this - parasailing! I havent been parasailing before. I was kinda having 2nd thoughts when right before, but i thought what the heck, "this is it!", i dont want to regret backing out of it. it was awesome! and i didnt really get "gayat"-ness when i was way up there. it was quite relaxing to be honest. =D

After parasailing for about half an hour, i got back, rinsed again (i had saltwater all over me~), and went out for..

the atv! lol. its this bike thingy that can go on any type of terrain. Dont ask me about the specifics, i ride, and i only ride. lol.

my front wasnt really dirty, and thats not even dirty yet. my back got drenched in mud..

and take a look at this! my levis shoes!! so sayang. i had to wear them, coz i didnt bring any other shoes. i thought i did, but when i reached the hotel, i found out i didnt have them in the suitcase.

but the atv was quite fun. the drenched-in-mud was kind of fun as well. haha. that was about 1.5 hour ride. and after that, i got back, i rinsed, and i went back to the sea to ride the jetski! the sea was nice, so it was really fun to be zooming on water with the jetski. you just go on right ahead without worrying about hitting anyone or anything. ;)

after that one hour ride, i went back to the room and rinsed (yes, again! i cant tell u how many times i rinsed myself that day.. -.-") and went for another 2.5 hours of horseriding.. this time, we got to ride in..

the sunset!! guess which one is me.. to be honest, this is the whole point of the trip to KK - horseriding! i absolutely love it! i went horseriding on saturday evening and monday morning as well, so, like i said, i really crammed everything in. it was a good thing we were only in kk for 3 days though. my left leg already has a cut - i can see the white flesh already - from rubbing with the saddle, even with my jeans on. and i can assure u, if we had stayed on for a week, like we usually do, i'd still go riding everyday despite the excruciating pain on my leg (i nearly screamed in the showers when water ran over the cut) and it would have gotten worse. im still hoping it would be a scar though, i've already got 2 scars from horseriding. LoL.

the trip was really fun, i just have to say it again. but then, my dad is in bed now, groaning because of a muscle pull when he followed me jetskiing (dont ask me.. beats me how he got it..) and my sisters are snoring away, exhausted from going horseriding with me. another "to be honest", it would be so much more fun if i had a brother about the same age as me, then i'd have someone to go do all those stuff and not have to do them alone with complete strangers. but i guess enough complaining, ive already lost count of all my blessings.. =)

helplessness

2007-08-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

you know there are times when you just feel so helpless - that you cant control the things around you and even, at times, yourself. sometimes the feelings just come flooding in, sweeping you off your feet with a burst of boiling emotions, making you so unsure of yourself. what can you do at times like that? at times when you doubt everything, when you doubt yourself?

astaghfirullah.. just have to have faith in God, insyaAllah, everything will be alright in the end, and its all for the best.. hopefully..

Bario

2007-08-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, so few days ago, i went to Bario. Everyone knows where Bario is, right? Deep and high in the heart of Sarawak. My cousin and i went with pak cik agan, who comes from Bario but lives in Miri now. See the picture above? Thats part of Bario. Thats Bario Asal, and on the back right hand side is Arur Dalan - thats where we stayed for the past few days. Sina' Do Ayu, pak cik agan's sister, gave us a room in the long house. It's actually quite nice in Bario. I mean, its so serene, the people are extremely nice (and i mean EXTREMELY. to the extent that it made me feel bad). The view is breath-taking, and the weather is cool - just nice.

That's pak cik agan with me. He's from Bario, but im the one who has to handle the kerbau while he touches it.

Wisley! He's Sina' Do Ayu's 3 year old grandson. He's VERY shy, but after some time, he got VERY talkative. One morning i was alone with him, and he took out all his toys to play with me. he taught me a lot of kelabit by the way. he kept on shouting "ra'ut kiteh!" and i was practicing my kelabit with him. YOu know what? he understood me! But then he started to talk non-stop in kelabit, and i was concentrating so hard on trying to understand what he was saying. There was this guy, he lives a few doors down, he was listening to us that time and he started laughing. "Ini memang itik dengan ayam campur ini! cuba cakap orang putih dengan dia." so i asked wisley if he knew english, he said yes, i asked him to say something, he went "ALAU!! (hello)
and laughed to himself. LoL.

This was how we got around Bario - an old, worn down motorbike. the breaks werent working, there needles for the meters were all gone, and it gives out a lot of smoke and sound. The roads didnt help either. They were so bumpy. But it was fun! We nearly fell a whole load of times, and we really fell once. Well, i managed to put my leg out in time and held the bike up, but my cousin fell of all the same.

Thats Sina' Do Ayu with me. It was cold~ so we sat by the fire to warm ourselves up. Thats also where the meals are cooked. Its so much fun! LoL. coz we use firewood to cook, it was really something.

Thats me, my cousin and winston in the perahu, going hunting. It was really fun, except that we spent about 7-8 hours in that perahu, our backsides were killing us!

Me, pak cik agan and winston. just taking photos at the site where we camped for dinner. ;)

Thats me and my cousins, cooking dinner. we caught 3 fish using the rod. Not bad eh?

That there is what we caught during the trip. 9 big fish and one musang - they made the trip worth while. On the way back - which took 5 hours in the perahu by the way - it started raining. Wow! The temperature is already quite low there at night, plus the rain and the dark. We were shivering by the time we reached the place where the boats were kept. And then we had to ride the motorbike for an hour before we reached the house - also in the dark, cold, and wet. But it was fun! "hari ini dalam sejarah", like pak cik agan said.

Theres the 3 of us, at the airport just before we went back to miri. I was so exhausted, i slept in the twin otter! imagine that. Owh, but a sad ending to a happy adventure - my cousin and i lost our handphones. it was in the room, but somehow lost, not sure how. So if any of you have my number, just text me ur name so i can save ur number ok?

Thats it then. a word of advice - try going to Bario. a beautiful place! u wouldnt regret it. =)

My Celebrity Look-alikes

2007-07-30T08:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.myheritage.com

My Celebrity Look-alikes

2007-07-30T08:48:00.001-07:00

http://www.myheritage.com

magical..

2007-07-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, i just got back from KL. well, actually, a few hours ago. The highlight? supposed to be my making my student visa, but turned out to be meeting my friends. =D it was really cool to be seeing them again - i didnt think id be meeting most of them until a few more years. met wei shen on my way to subang parade. then i saw leh boon and dexter from the distance, thought they didnt see wei sheng and me (owh boo hoo~). had dinner, went back to their place, aaron was on the laptop, then barged into hao hao's room, and saw sie lun peeking from the door. so yea, thats about all of them. theyre so lucky to be together~

And owh what luck for you guys!! I just figured out how to post few photos at one time, and guess what? its quite fast!! so i guess i wont be as lazy as i was before to be posting up photos. To think that ive been going through all the trouble posting up photos one by one when its there all along. anyways, these are some more photos..

This here is where we left our prints to be imbedded onto the wall of history with the knowledge that future generations will gawk and admire us. ;)

well lookie here.. isnt that mickey with pluto at the back?

Nek Yam just made a new friend! Count dracula asked her to call him.. *ehem*

Pluto has a hard time looking and writing past his nose it seems. wait. pluto can write?!

Kak Eza, Fizi, Nek Yam (the evil Queen?) and myself. Owh no, i got forced to sit on there. it was against my own will, i have nothing against narnia~

Ratatouille!! Fizi and i just couldnt help not squeezing him.. he was so *tsk tsk tsk* we got shoed away though.

thats a bit of nek yam, and lina, fizi and kak eza. "HELP!!! we're gonna drown!! owh, photo!*smile* HEELLLPPP!!!"

Well, um, sad to say, this is London.. was, rather..

Cruella eh? care for a peck on the cheek?

Need i elaborate?

I nearly got it out.. nearly..

Princesses that colour the childhood of many "princesses".

Ever wonder who cleans ur clothes?

Nearly got me there..

Thats my new home.. ;)

If you can spot Lina somewhere in the crowd.. imagine, everyone waiting for the same thing..

Even more people... and this is about half an hour before the thing starts..

And there it is.. the parade of dreams.. Guessed where all the photos are taken yet? No? Ok fine i'll just spill. Disneyland Euro!! The parade of dreams is really all that. looking at figures from my childhood pass by, i felt like i was a boy again. It was really something, nostalgic, if im permitted to put it that way. One thing about disneyland that makes it so special. When you're in it, you're in a whole new world. a world where everything is possible. and not just that, it makes you feel like everything is possible. It gives you back the feeling that you lost while growing up, the feeling that was driven away from the world where people laugh at possibilites and sneer at differences. one word - magical.

Im kinda sleepy right now. So i'll be stopping here and be posting more photos next time. owh yea, there are more.

WOWer!!

2007-07-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

ok, so here are some more photos. since posting photos is hard work (=p) i dont think i'll type much.. someone said a picture speaks a thousand words.. im gonna trust that for now..

in university of leeds, the geologist department or something like that. we're practicing for an album cover.. not bad eh?

right outside university of leeds.. dont know whats it supposed to be, but, yea.. thats fizi on the right.

vandalism! even on the signboard of the university.. tsk tsk.. makes me feel so much better about the rate of vandalism in malaysia..

er.. york.. after all the shopping at the designer outlet.. cheap stuff.. but cheap, no good.. good stuff, cheap price, more spending, less budget..

somewhere in the middle of york's roads.. its quite a nice place..

Constantine.. no, not the exorcist..the emperor.. i dont know why hes in york..

kak eza: oh wow! so shiny~ bez nya shopping!

you would expect the sizes in europe to be bigger, but looks like asians are not too much smaller..

the things that make me proud im a malsyian.. you can also see kancils on the road.. quite a lof of protons as well.. MALAYSIA BOLEH!

i didnt get to go on this one.. but its so good to hear the clip clop of horses again..

a: binatang apa yang paling kedekut?

b: apa?

a: kuda!

b: kenapa?

a: kalau kuda lari.. *ke de kut! ke de kut! ke de kut!* haha

any familiar names there, can u see? i dont think its big enough.. dont know why these boats are here though, but, oh well..

setting out to go to paris! thats one-stop, by the way. the nearest department store. we stayed just on top..

learning as much french as possible.. je ne parlez pas BIEN francais~

We're at Eiffel tower!! after all this time just listening about it..

thats the reason we didnt go up.. rugi.. there were thousands queuing up to go up.. maybe next time..

we tried to jump up, but didnt even get close to the top.. oh well..

me, fizi and lina.. trying another time to jump to the top of the eiffel tower..

musee d'Orsay.. one of the many statues..

guess?? the louvre!! if u read da vinci code, here it is!! if u dont, ignore this photo..

i'll save more for future posts yea? the next one going to be disneyland photos.. owh yea, disneyland! ;)

btw.. i read harry potter!!! three words.. "its a WOWer!!!"

2007.2007!!!

2007-07-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, so i just got back from uk, familiar surrounding once more!! in brunei, but still, its familiar. hehe. gonna go back miri in a few hours time. i wanna be there when they release the book! if u dont know what book, then dont worie about it.. lol.

anyway, i promised some photos, so here it is.. here they are i mean.. lol.

ok.. these were when we were at dubai international airport on transit.. i know i know.. the first pic is with a toilet figure guy.. lol. thats kak eza and nek yam with me in the 2nd picture..

aahh.. and this was the baby that made so much noise all the time during the 5 hour bus ride from london to leeds.. good thing she was cute.. haha.

right before my first time entering lina's house..

me and lina getting out of her house.. first time! hehe

ok, u know what? this is taking forever.. im gonna end this post here for now and post some more next time.. man man lai, no? ehe. there are thousands more of photos.. now thats exactly why i dont post them up.. >.<

oh, btw.. another historical day in history - the 20th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of the 2nd millennium.. what does that make this day? 20072007!! =D

terima kasih!

2007-07-13T13:15:00.001-07:00

ok you guys know what? im actually in leeds right now. yea, thats right, leeds as in leeds, england, UK.. hehe. ive been here for the past week. well, not really. arrived on friday if im not mistaken. it wasnt much of a difference, because, well, everyone here speaks english. the only thing is the long long flight. there was actually a phase during the 15(approximately) hour flight when i just thought "lets just turn around and end this flight!". rase rimas betul ah kekadang, coz almaklumlah, nak buat ape kat dalam kapal terbang tu 15 jam? asyik2 duduk, makan, tido. kalau boleh jalan2 takpe la jugak kan? ni tak, duduuuuuk je. kejang a kaki. but it was ok. all in all i think it was around a 30 hour journey, adding up the busride all the way to leeds and the traffic and the transit and the waitings and stuff. but it was worth it. ;)

tuesday we went to paris. now that there was something different. for one, not everyone speaks english, they speak french, obviously. i kinda think its something like indonesia. everyone, tak kire org asal dier ke, org yg pindah masuk ke ape, sume cakap the national language. and i dont mean know. sometimes, its the only language they know. im amazed. theyre just so proud of their own culture, that they dont care what the rest of the world thinks of them. to them, let the world learn about their culture, let the world fit it. and just think about it, french is one of the world's major languages, aside from english, spanish, chinese and, to some extent, arabic.

but the stay in paris was really something. just a short stay. but lets some it up. we got to see the eiffel tower (!!), the louvre (!!!!! ive been imagining the place ever since i read da vinci code. i couldnt believe i was actually there at first. it was.. wow!!) and the notre dame (again, ive only seen it in cartoons.. also, wow!!). u know, its all those places that ive been fantasizing about through the books and movies, and ive seen it! owh, and went to disneyland as well!! and this is something to note. disneyland. i know it seems childish and all that, but i actually had a great time! the thing about disney is, it gives us this feeling that, no matter who, what, where, when or whatever, dreams really do come true. theres nothing about impossibility, about limits and about outrageuosness. as long as u can and dare dream it, if u work towards it, its gonna come true. thats what disney is all about. and at some point, i dare say i really thought i was a child once more. back in the days when anything was possible. i dont know why, but at some stage in our lives, people say we grow up when we start to not believe anything and everything is possible. its kinda sad really. coz without dreams, we have nothing to aim for, nothing to achieve. it was a really touching moment. =)

language. i was in paris for only 3 days. the first 2 days, i was so desperate to speak french with them. "comment allet-vous? tres bien, merci. et vous? bien!" etc etc. and i did pick up some french, im proud to say. hehe. but then, something at disneyland struck me and gave me this realization. there was this spanish man (his south american actuallay) and this chinese gurl. we were waiting for the parade, and the man asked the gurl "hablar espanol?" to which the gurl shook her head vigorously and went "bu hui!" and the man started talking in fluent spanish about how it was ok, not a lot of people speak spanish there, and he was talking about the cameras and stuff, all the time using his hands and facial expression and pointing to make the gurl understand him. and the gurl did understand him, and she talked back in mandarin in the same manner. the point is, each is so confident and comfortable with their own langauge, that they can just use it anytime anywhere, regardless whether people understand or not. dont get me wrong, im not implying we should learn about other cultures and languages. thats another aspect, another point of view. but after that, i started thinking, and then started speaking in malay with anyone who spoke french to me while i was in paris. instead of saying "merci!" i went "terima kasih!", stuff like that. it felt so good!!

well, sorry to say, im not uploading photos again in this post, coz im using my cousin's laptop. but i'll upload them once i get the chance to. sorie!! but now i gtg. im back in leeds now btw. =)

orang sarawak..

2007-07-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Memandangkan ramai yang telah memutuskan untuk menulis dalam bahasa ibunda masing-masing, diri ini terasa dibebankan untuk turut menulis dalam bahasa melayu. ok lah, since kalau tulis macam ni formal sangat bunyi, lets lighten it up, and buat lah macam kalau kite cakap2 kat semenanjung. (aduh aduh.. dah nak rasa kedak lepeh dah tok.. tapi sik hal lah.. skali skala..).

jauh rase. dulu, mase kat spore, tak rase sangat, coz kat sane tak banyak beza dgn msia. makanana dekat nak same, bhs melayu masih dpt gune, kalau ckp oputih pun, diorang macam same je loghat dgn kite kat msia ni. so bile pike2 kan, bile dah pegi kat UK in september nanti, rase macam pelik sikit ah. bukan nyer ape, rase macam, a whole new world.

msia nie kan bez, indah, sempurne, sume ade. lebih2 lagi kalau kat sarawak nie, and especially bile dah kat miri. aa, nie yg aku rase orang2 lain tak suke dgr, tp ape nak buat, dah jadi fakta. haha. so anyways, aku pke2 la, kalau dah kat sane nanti kan, susah la pulak kalau nak masak ke ape. kalau kat spore, pi je kat gelang ke mane, dapat jumpe sume bahan2 masak. sampai ke rempah pun same! so imejin la, nanti kalau dah jauh sikit, nak masak kari, tak gune asam laaaa..

but pd ms yg same, ade la pulak rase tak sabar nak pegi. i mean, think about it, kan bez kalau dapat pgi jauh2. pengalaman dpt banyak, mata pun bez tengok macam2, fikiran tbuke, and everything lah. lebih2 lg ble tengok aktiviti2 yg ade kat sane. dah la sekolah tu castle (fuiyo.. rs mcm harry potter la pulak..), tepi laut, pemandangan indah permaaiiii~ so harap2 lah nanti dapat njoy abis2 kat sane. yela2, tak lupe, pgi jauh2, tujuan nak belajar. memang a, blaja tu blaja la jugak, tp mane boleh nak blaja je kan.. kalau pegi siap nak belaja 24/7, same je nak blaja kat miri nie.

ntah la nak tulis ape lagi. wpun nie taip je, tp kelu pulak rase lidah. dah sebulan tak ke sekolah, mane la ade nak cakap macam nie. maklumlah, orang sarawak.. =D

a million places..

2007-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

i'm a malaysian!! i'll say it out loud, i'll say it proud, i'll say it anytime, i'll say it anywhere! everytime i hear the visit malaysia song and the videoclip, i cant deny that i get this warm feeling inside of me, tingling my every sensation. a million places, a million colours, its all in malaysia. one day, some day, when my time comes, i'll help push malaysia up, up, and up, all the way to the top. my country, my nation, my home.

the past week has been really hectic. been squeezing so many activities into such a short period of time. it really goes to show - so much to do, so little time. And what has it gotten me? Besides the appreciating time with my friends and family, seeing how much there really is to do in miri and stuff. Barely enough sleep. I've been sleeping so early (technically) and waking up early as well, that i think i had more rest when it wasnt the holidays. but u know what? its worth it! ;)

To tell you the truth, im really coming up with blanks everytime i try to write an entry. but then, i guess, even when there's nothing to write, i'll at least just put this short one in. Still, no photos. But i'll put some in if im feeling rajin enough. Alls well that ends well..

start shooting!

2007-06-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

appearance vs reality. No, thats not just a theme in shakespeare, its a major theme in life. Sometimes, when u assume what someone is just by looking or analysing, its not always right. For instance, someone might not seem to care. He might seem indifferent or cold or who-cares. But then, it all comes down to the inability to express oneself. or maybe its just plain ego. i was watching a movie (yea yea, i know, ive been watching a lot of movies lately.. haha), well, ok, i guess i'll cut the movie-craps.

One thing im dying (i dont know what is it with me and this word..) to do before i leave is to go to KK. i want to go horseriding again! i havent been riding in a long time. and i mean a long time. i mean, the last time i went riding was, what, 2 years ago? well, maybe not that long, maybe slightly over a year, but i seriously dont remember the last time. wait, maybe it was right after pmr? yea, i think that was it, when i got a cut on my back part for riding too much. but it was fun though that time, coz i got to swim with the horses. haha. i just want to feel the horse underneath me and the wind in my face again. its a really nice feeling, to sway with the horse's movement, to know that ur in control of an animal that at any moment might get out of control (maybe thats an exaggeration, but otherwise, whats the difference to a car? ). Its pure bliss!

another thing i want to pick up before i go. well, actually, 2 more things. the first, i want to start taking photos again. i mean creative shots and stuff, u know. build up my archive of miri shots. im going to start going around and capture the ambience that makes miri so special to the hearts of many, not least this one. ;) an d i want to to start writing again. i havent written in a long time as well. most probably about the same as the last time i went riding. well, with the exception of writing for competitions (though i think i should exclude the "s" from the word). so yea, im going to do my best and start shooting and writing again!

miri

2007-06-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

one month. thats how much time has come and gone in a period far shorter than stated. thats how much time ive been in miri. looking at time carefully, i start to panic as i realize that the time is coming nearer to when i must leave once more. Just as i start to panic, however, i halt and remind myself - enjoy the present, and leave the past and future out of it. I then start to breathe normally again. After all this time, i'm finally leaving miri. to be honest, its what i have been dreaming of since i can remember. but then, now that ive tasted being away from home, i start not wanting to leave. It saddens me, to know that i wont be spending the most part of the year in miri as i have the past 18 years. It saddens me even more to think that when i finally come back to settle down in miri, the miri then will not be the miri i know now. A part of me is happy for miri, but a part of me dreads this. If miri transforms, will it still be home? I know the question shouldnt even have arised. home is where the heart is. but it'll take some getting used to.

i dont know what to write, really. i watched 200 pounds beauty just now. i thought it was just another goofy movie. but it turned out quite good. erm, maybe guys wouldnt think so, but what can i say? im into movies, any movies, except for sci-fis and lawak bodohs.. hehe. i have this whole stack of movies yet to be watched. i think there are about 10 more. and more new ones are coming out. theyre making them faster than they're watched! i take this is a challenge.

anyway, before i start crapping around with goofy i-dont-know-why-its-here stuff, i guess i better stop right now.

masa al khair

2007-06-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

ok, i think perhaps i lied when i said i would start posting daily again. well, to err is human. somehow, im even more busy in miri during the holidays than i was in spore when it wasnt holidays. I dont know what im so busy with though. Driving all around, watching movies, just wasting time i guess. not so bad eh? especially when u do all that in miri. oh, miri! its heaven for everyone. Good thing very few know about miri. otherwise it'll be spoilt. hehe.

So i watched "mukhsin" today. Malay movie. But wait, before u go on thinking "what?!? why is he even watching malay movies??", this is something different. It's not like the usual malay movies where it revolves around the higher class, with actors acting like theyre actors, and plots that betray reality. "Mukhsin" is something else. For one, its not a malay movie, its a Malaysian movie. Like my other posts about movies, im not going to spoil anything for you, but trust me, watch "mukhsin", you'll be wanting more.

I've been thinking. The thought of moving halfway around the globe is kind of terrifying, after already lived not too far away for half a year. I mean, i wont be able to come back as often as i did and want, telecommunication costs would be murderous, and i would be awake when everyone is asleep and asleep when everyone is awake. But perhaps what really terrifies (or terrified) me was the thought of being oh so far away from all those im familiar with. But like i said, i've been thinking. I'm not about to let my past hold me back. Thats not how its supposed to work. The future is always forboding, the present is always a half-opened present, and the past is always best. But why must it be like that? Why cant the future be better than the present, and the present better than the past? We usually realize that it actually is, after the present becomes the past and the future becomes the present. By then, its too late, and we savour only the memories. I guess its because we cling on to the past, and always imagine it to be the best part of our lives. ladies and gentlemen, no more! I'm going to look forward, and i'm going to look back. Behind me are the moments i cherish most, and when i look forward, i'll know, that ahead lies wonders that will marvel! Live life to the fullest - i know now that it merely means live life in the present, and stop living off memories, for the time will always come for us to pick on the memories we set out to gather.

for now, i think this is all im going to write. i dare not promise frequent posts again, for i fear it might be broken, but i will, to the best of this ability, do the best i can. =)

masa al khair~

14 June, 2007

2007-06-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today, the 14th of June, 2007. Exactly 19 years ago, a soul - among many others - was born. A special soul, whose presence has touched so many lives along the way. Life passes by quickly, and before u know it, 19 years have passed. Teenage years are coming to an end, and a new age is starting. The past has definitely defined who you are now - times of joy and sorrow, of hardship and leisure, every moment.

This entry might not be much, but i do hope it conveys the message. We've been through really hard times together, to a certain unmentionable point. But like i said, the past defines who we are, and every ups and downs colours the long journey we go through, and makes it all the more interesting, meaningful, and memorable. The road is about the journey, not the destination. At the end of the day, its not whether we get there or not, its how we got to where we are. And i'm sure that you have spent your journey of 19 years taking roads you will never forget.

Remember, when u feel that times are bad and fate is against you, that you are surrounded by people who care, and there are people who aren't physically nearby who are thinking about you. Never let anything pull u down, keep ur chin up, and hold urself as one who means the world to loads of people.

On this special day, I wish you a very Happy Birthday, Jasper, my dear friend. All the best, and may you enjoy unraveling the gifts that the future bestows upon you. Thank you for being a part of all our lives. =)

roads

2007-06-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

*lights out* im feeling a wee bit romantic right now. ok, no, scrap that. let's see. what do i write about today?

Failure? Disappointments? Frustration? All of us have been through, if not one, all forms of let-downs. At one point of our lives, we must have faced disappointment, suffered a failure, or felt frustration. I know I have, and not one time, but many. It is a part of life, the part where everyone goes through and say, "life isn't fair!". Well, it might be true, life might not be fair. But that's short-term thinking. Look at life as a whole. What would it be, if it were just a string of successes? We each travel life's bumpy roads, we each go our own way - some are bumpier than the rest, and some less than others. It is these bumps, these obstacles, these barriers, that presents us with one of the greatest satisfactions we will ever experience. Im serious! Have u ever tried flying a kite? u know how hard it can be to fly one? when it does go up, theres nothing much to do except hold the string and watch it. So what makes it so fun? its the feeling u get when u look up at it and think, "i got it up there, even though i thought it was impossible at first." Now think, if u can get a kite up just like that, where will the fun be? what is the point of even flying a kite? Its the same with life. Life isnt about the end or outcome, its about the journey. And its not about the smoothe, one stop, direct journey. It's about the journey that tkaes ages, that has to go for detours, and that has to stop at so many places because at times, the road is just impenetrable. That, my friends, is what life is all about.

Another thing about life, no matter how it may not seem so - it IS fair. It might deprive u of what u want most at this moment, but it always gives back. When one door closes, 2 other doors open. Life isnt a straight journey. It is full of turns and junctions, and at each point, u have to make a choice of which way to go. But because u can't see very far ahead, life is sometimes kind enough to close one way completely, because it knows you are definitely going to chose that way, when the other way has so much more to offer. So never fret when u dont get what u want, because maybe, just maybe, it might be life's way of giving u the best it has. Consider yourself lucky when u fail, because it opens up so many doors for u. I know this from experience. ;)

the present

2007-06-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so im back in miri now. been here for slightly more than 24 hours, and it has been really strange, in a good way of course. appreciating all the trivial things i took for granted. i mean for example, i got into my room last night, i looked around - im alone! i locked the door - wow! i lied down - on my own bed! i turned off the lights - its dark!! it might seem like nothing, but really, u appreciate everything, once u've been deprived of them for some time.

ok, now heres an ackward moment, thinking of what to write. The future? It's always a scary thing, isnt it, the future. I try looking into the future, trying to imagine how life is going to be like. 2 years in wales, 3-5 years in the states, maybe more, and after that, gaining experience elsewhere before finally coming back to Malaysia to settle down - in the meantime, me getting my first million by 20, ;). Sounds all set out - i have nothing to worry about. Or so u think. Thats a long time, probably about 10 years. i'll be, what, 30++? when i come back - IF i come back. We never know what time can do to a person. I might, nauzubillah, God forbid, decide that im better off wherever i am at the time, and just settle down. My "inner circle" might change completely, and i might be a totally different person. Bear in mind, im not talking about myself - im just referring to myself to make it easier to write.

There are so many things to think about, so many things that can happen, and so many changes that could happen. all these might not be welcome now, at this particular moment. and thats what makes it so scary. the thought that in a few years time, that u might find wrong what is so right now. but then again, its all part of life - the changes we go through. One thing helps though, and thats remembering not to worry too much about the future, because the present has enough worries of its own - so i'm busying myself with the present. =)

Laksa Sarawak

2007-06-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum. ;) Ok, so i've not been posting anything for quite some time. Reason? simple. I've been quite busy going out and stuff, so dont really have much time to go online. Besides, im kind of using the neighbour's wireless, so the connection isnt really that good - when there is a connection.

To be honest, im really tired. Going back to miri in a few days, but the past week in kuching has really been wearing me out. But wait, since someone commented that my blog is getting boring-er and boring-ER, i'll spare the details. Lets just get down to business. But the problem is, what business?

Ok, talking about business. Another vision - or dream or whatever u may wish to call it - of mine. Fast food is springing all around. same thing with chinese food and indian food and western food. and its not just here in Malaysia and/or Singapore, its all around the world. Wherever you go, people know about indian food, chinese food, and they know by heart the burgers at McD and KFC and entah what else. So yea, some day, i'm going to start a franchise - Sarawakian food! Laksa sarawak is a must, bubur pedas as well, nuba laya (is that right?) maybe, and lempeng, and lots lots lots lots more~ Someday, u'll be going to a country u've never heard of before, and u'll be seeing Sarawakian food all over. Impossible? Possible. and mark my word, it will become a reality someday. and yea, i do realize, im setting out to achieve a lot. and im starting to panic, how am i going to achieve all that in this short life of mine? But insyaAllah things will get done. ;)

But u know what? hmm.. i forgot what i was supposed to type here. i was typing all this last night, and then the laptop ran out of batery and i dont know where the charger is, so i cant get back online. so here i am, just posting this thing up. a short post this time, like always, but i hope u dont find it as boring as u say this blog is becoming. ;) I'll start blogging regularly again when i get back to Miri.

10th

2007-05-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so right, Dexter basically told me to get 5 days off from blogging, but im back in 3 - i THINK. Hehe. Its Gawai! Dont know the relevance, but a celebration of one Malaysian is a celebration of all Malaysians.. ;) Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai! Haha. Selamat Ari Gawai to eveyone!

Anyway, quite a lot happened these few days, which was probably contributed as well to why i wasnt blogging the past few days. Well, on Tuesday, my friend and I went to Max Brenner's at esplanade. know the place? its a chocolate bar, kind of. So we went in, yea, and i opened the menu, and couldnt make up my mind which one to choose. So I got the both of us practically everything on the menu, from suckao to chocolate fondue and from hot chocolate to chocolate and caramel banana waffle (or something like that). Between the 2 of us, we tried to finish up a whole table full of choclaty deliciously rich food. LoL. we didnt quite get to finish everything, but it was my last time evening out in Singapore, so i just decided what the heck, lets just enjoy the food. and we did! Owh! and i suddenly thought why they named it suckao. Its basically u melt chocolate over a candle and u pour milk into it and drink it -HOT! so i think, i THINK, they named it that because when people drink it, they SUCK it, and they go "AO!" when they burn their tongues. thus the SUCKAO.. smart, eyh?

The next day, my last day in Singapore, was pretty much extremely hectic. I still had clas till 3, and my flight was at 630, so i have to be at the airport by 530, and the airport is half an hours ride from my place, and i havent packed one bag. So my plan was from school, go straight to get some stuff, and then go back home, pack, and leave. But then, the shopping got a little out of hand. Marium, Lynn and Rachael decided to tag along - which was fine with me, dont get me wrong. hehe. We were running all over the place - and i mean RUNNING - trying to lok for the stuff i needed, and shouting at the cashers to hurry up and stuff. After everything was done - which, thankfully, they did get done - the 3 wanted to get neoprints, so i dont mind, at least for memory, u know. It turned out quite all right, actually, even though we were rushing through the whole thing, because it was nearly 430 already. by 4.40, i left the place in a cab after quick goodbyes. GOt home nearly at 5, and was rushing through my whole place, making sure i didnt leave antyhing behind. But! I now realize i left my facial cleanser and my handphone charger! Left my place at around 5, stopped some place to try look for some ointment for my aunt, cant find, so proceded to the airport. Checked in, had to get something deposited for pickup by my friend. By the time everything was done, it was already 6.10, and i havent gone pass immigration, and ireally wanted to get some starbucks before i went in, but i decided against it since there really wasnt time. Went in, got into a shop and got some ointments for my aunt, and i had to RUN all the way to the gate, because it was already 6.28. I was so nervous that i'd get left by the plane or something, but then, i dont know if i was relieved or mad, the flight was delayed by about 10 minutes. So now im safely in kuching!

You know what? something i realize, but perhaps most people already know. we dont really appreciate the things we have until we lost it. I'm missing the people in Singapore - my friends, the place itself, the ambience. Seriously, i've made some great friends there, and i do hope we dont lose touch. I might not have made much effort in our friendship, but i realize now that they do mean a lot to me. Thank you so much, guys, for everything. I appreciate every single one of you, no matter from CH or ISS or from anywhere else. =)

I thought i had a longer entry to write, but it seems this is it. So, til next time. I'm going back to Miri on the 10th.

photos?

2007-05-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

Ok so here goes. I havent posted anything in the last few days. been "offline". plus my laptop is really being a pain in the ass, so i didnt even bother to turn it on. this was my last weekend living in singapore. im going back in 2 days time, and i cant wait to see everyone back in kuching, and then my friends in miri. some are coming back - i think.

last night was prom night. and no, chen pong, i didnt really "dress up", i just had a tie. of course other clothing articles as well! dont go imagining me in just a tie and only a tie, though i know u want to. haha. but but BUT, one thing i just realized just now, I FORGOT TO TAKE PHOTOS!! i think the only photo i had was the one rachael took of me in this really weird pose. -.-" haha. thats just weird. i mean, who goes to prom and forgets to take photos?? LoL.

u know, its weird, i havent been blogging for the past few days, yet i dont seem to have much to write. Is it really because there isnt much to write about, or is it because im starting to slack in this blogging thingy?

Owh, by the way, i dont think its relevant, but just to extend the length of this post, i sold my tv, surround system, dvd player, study table and printer already. so everything's off my hands, and all i need to concentrate on now is to pack up and make sure i dont leave anything behind. i really look forward to going back to miri. miri, here i come!!! =D

i have a headache now, so i guess i got to stop now, though i want to try make it longer. hope next time will be better.

smack that!!

2007-05-23T05:02:00.000-07:00

The thought suddenly hit me. I'm not being morose or melancholic or anything like that. But it just suddenly hit me, that come august, i might not be coming back to ISS, or even Singapore for that matter. And it kind of makes me sad. I mean, even though ive been here only a short while, i've come to know some really great friends. People who have really made a difference, and who have touched me in so many different ways. I didnt realize how much they mean to me until the realization of parting came whooshing onto me. It really makes going all the more harder. I just hope that we dont lose contact and when i do get to come back to Singapore or meet u guys anywhere else, that i havent been forgotten. same goes for all the rest of u!! =D Ah, and one thing i'm definitely going to regret missing out on - Mr SB's classes. Gua respek sama lu laa Mr SB!! He just has this extraordinary and ultimately unique sense of humour. Its not so much of his guffawing at people and being in a good mood all the time. I mean, he can be pretty mean at times, but his sarcasm is.. wow! The things he come up with, either to make u or to break u, it just makes me envy him so much. He comes up with really witty and sarcastic remarks in a split second, and its just.. brilliant.

Ah.. i had so much to write just now, but now i've forgotten. Owh, I'm selling off my furniture and my tv together with the sound system and dvd player. anyone interested? call me. hehe. I already have someone come in looking at my furniture, and i'm just waiting for him to make his decision. I got another guy (at least, i THINK hes a guy) pass the maid his number and asked me to call him back. Hes interested in the TV. Looking good eyh? The thing is, i'm going to be quite busy this few days, and i'm going off on wednesday already. I'm going to KL tomorrow for one night. Well, i just hope everything works out well.

OH MY GOD!!! Im homesick!!! I was thinking about what i would do once i go back next week in Kuching, and i started thinking about all my cousins and aunts and uncles and everyone. i miss them!!

theres this huge roach on the wall right in front of me!! like real close. argh.. i can see its face.. its in my pen holder thingy!! now its among my wires.. its fillers are moving.. -.-" it just charged at me!! im going to whack it, squash it.. eh.. its gone.. the coward.. maybe next time it wont dare show up again.. it showed up again!!! i chased it all over the place a rolled up papers, was whacking all over and FINALLY got it!! its dead!! victory!!! it tastes so sweet.. and its oh so satisfying. its like, whacking it real hard is not just to kill it, its like releasing all the stress and frustration and everything else locked up.. it feels goooood! and just to share my sweet sweet moment with all of you.. =D *chuckle*

It looked so much bigger when it was alive.. or maybe this is a different one. which means theres another bigger one still roaming around!! Hoho. cant wait to SMACK THAT (!!) all on the floor~ LoL. im feeling so happy now.. wahahhaha!!

ooo~ im feeling so good right now.. hyper!! LoL. so im heating myself some prawn curry.. mmmm.. the smell is soooo goood..

im back, and i just finished my dinner.. it was goooooood~ but not ice water.. sigh.. but nevermind.. im not going to let that dampen my spirits tonight!!

hehe. =D

center of the universe

2007-05-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Curse the creature that has shamelessly invaded my peaceful and innocent laptop. Spare the young! or perhaps its just overwork. it seems to be malfunctioning, and its getting worse. last week it was just the sound. now its starting to lag, and its starting to crash as well. i dare not go into msn, because the moment i do, it starts to go all haywire. and it took me great pain and care to get to my blog, holding my breathe in case, just in case, a sigh can make it decide to just stop.

i went to vivo city again today. as i got off the bus, i started to wonder why is it that i have been going to that place so often lately. thrice in 3 weeks. wait, make that 4. i guess because its near my place, and also because there are a lot of things there. the cinema there is awesome. i mean, the seats are comfortable, the walls are curtained, the screen is crystal clear. and from the outside, u can just see the lounge for the Golden Class. i want to watch via the Golden Class, but, well, i guess i just have to wait and see. Time pass really fast. 5 months ago i just came, and now i have one week till i leave for home. Home! Btw, i got a haircut today. looks about the same, but yea. at least its not as irritating as it was before.

met up with joseph and chen pong again today. michelle chin is here for 2 nights, on transit from miri to thailand. So we met up with her at bugis. i didnt have the appetite, i dont know why. i was hungry, but then end up just wanting to have the ais kacang. ah, ais kacang, the malaysian delight. there are few things that can delight a person and excite his buds than malaysian food - unarguably the best in the world. ;) and chen pong was right. after i graduate, i'll start a restaurant chain. But a bit different though. not just miri food, as he put it. malaysian cuisine. and not just in singapore. its going to be the next mcDonald's. another far-fetched dream of mine, but, yea. Lots to do in life, and not enough time. But it will happen. i'll make it happen, insyaAllah.

I really do have absurb dreams and goals - i've been told numerous times. But then again, one can never aim too big nor too high. Aim for the stars, because then, even if u miss, u land among the clouds. and everything starts from a dream.

you know, it's really weird, when u think about, to realize that the universe doesnt center on u. not being selfish or full of myself. But i mean, just think about it. Your whole life, everything you do, you are so eerily aware of. but then, you look around you, and you - i, at least - wonder, everyone else doesnt look at my life the way i look at it. To me, they're just someone else. I don't know whats going on in their minds, and they dont know, nor do thy even bother, about what goes on in mine. and then you try to imagine how it's like being someone else. it's hard, its complicated, its weird. You cannot imagine looking at yourself as someone else. to people, you might just be those people passing behind you who you dont even bother to look at. How insignificant we each are. But then, at the same time, its the difference in each of us that makes it all work. we all contribute to life, whether or not people, or even ourselves, realize. nothing we do involved just us. when we smoke, its not just us causing harm to us, its us becoming that annoying person who smokes in public places, the person who makes us block our noses as we pass. its just so amazing and so.. complicated, so fascinating.

vivo!

2007-05-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

ok. here goes. i didnt blog yesterday because, well, i was just procrastinating. i came home in the evening, and i just sat here, doing nothing, until finally its already way past midnight. so i didnt think i could write a blog anymore because my eyes were drooping already.

so yesterday i watched spiderman 3 with chen pong and joseph.. it wasnt too bad, but it was a bit too long. but it was good! i mean, like dexter said, there was a lot of lessons to be learnt for those who will ponder words. Well, like before, im not going to spoil it for anyone who hasnt watched it, though i doubt theres anyone who hasnt watched it. it was kinda weird as well though, pirates of the carebbean is coming out, and i just watched spiderman, when, i dare say, people have long ago watched it. hehe.

There's joseph and chen pong! look at them gawking at.. ah.. i cant put it into words. they were just so amazed. well, so was i, to tell u the truth. the sharpness, the clarity, the.. wow. words fail me.

after that we went for dinner at secret recipe. the food was good! and it was all the much better because we found out its a malaysian chain. oh-so-proud malaysians were we. but the cheesecakes!! they were wow. i think so far they were the best i've tasted. maybe next time will go there again - no regrets! and the price isnt that bad as well.

See there the cheesecakes? the marble was ok - its an award winning cheesecake. but the other 2 were superb!! they might look like the usual cheesecake to the untrained eyes, but dont be fooled. Once they're in ur mouth, they just hit u like a tidal wave. it just makes u speechless. Its that good ladies and gentleman - witness the deliciousness of Malaysian cuisine.

After we filled our stomachs and treated our appetite to the food, we went out and just had a stroll. I guess the view was too good to just let go - the 2 just couldnt resist taking a snap. across the river is sentosa by the way, and that there in the background are the cable cars.

now that there's my own shot. its at times like these when i really wish that i have a proper camera. got this useing my phone. but my camera!! its with my cousin! i need to get it back. i hope i can get it soon enough. miss taking photos.

well, i dont think theres anything else to write. finally there're photos in my blog! wow! ;) now i got to finish up some work. after this, its smooth sailing for me til 2 months from now. now how much luckier can u geT?

the beauty of life

2007-05-19T09:41:00.001-07:00

today was rather boring. i got out of bed quite late - relatively, to my recent habits, at least. There wasnt any food for lunch, so i didnt have lunch. i stayed home today, didnt have much to do. all i did was watch tv and go online. what more can u do when ur at home? going to watch spiderman tomorrow though, so kinda looking forward to that. quite a lot have watched it, so yea, im just anxious to see this movie that everyone says is so good. im sure it is, so, yea.. tick, tock, tick, tock.. time cant move any faster than now, even if it does, its just in the mind. dont u agree? time moves so fast when u want it to go slow, and it moves so slow when u want it to go fast. but right now, its moving at its normal pace for me, because i want it to go faster and to slow down at the same time. so i guess it got kind of confused, so time gave up on trying to confuse me. smart, dont u think? i beat time!

but time, its really something very complicated - then again, everything is complicated once u start to think about it, but just for the sake of this post, i'll just say "time is complicated". I mean, imagine, once it has passed, once the clock has ticked, it can never go back again. unless, of course, u turn the dial the other way round, but thats another story, for another day, when im really out of ideas to write. ah, see, now i can sense that u guys are just edging on ur seats, waiting for that story. dont worry, the day'll come. time will pass, and time will come, and time will never go away. see, now that there is proof of what i was saying, how complicated time is. how can the same thing that never happens twice, come again after it has passed? and how can it come AGAIN, if it can never go away? i dont know whether this is just the complicity of time, or a defunct of the language. ah, theres another topic - defunct of the language. again, another topic for another day, have patience, dear readers. trust in fate, and let time decide.

ok, back to business, about time. think back into ur past. think about the decisions uve made, actions uve done, words uve said. how many times have u regretted doing something uve done? how u wish u could go back into time and undo what u did. and how many times have u come to realize the vicious mercilessness of time. lifetimes pass, people pass on, and people live on. the living mourn the dead, mourning what they should have done with the deseased, mourning what they did and didnt do. maybe thats a curse of life. people dont regret until its too late. but maybe thats why they call it regret, because its too late. why is it too latE? because time never turns.

perhaps, time isnt so complicated after all. perhaps, its just us, people, humans, beings, who make life so complicated. "live life to the fullest", practically everyone has heard of that expression. "this is it", is something that less have heard of, but makes about the same sense. people complain about what they didnt or did do. But thats just it, dont waste time. the mysteries of time is unraveled with just a few words (i doubt to add "of wisdom") - dont waste time. Live life at the present. forget the past, live the present, plan the future. and dont just nod ur head in realization when u think about it, apply it, right now. i know its much harder to do than say. i need more practice myself. but i just feel like saying it. perhaps it'll help me more in my application, who knows?

time.. when we do look back, make sure its with a smile, fondly remembering all the good times we had, the laughter we shared, the times we shared, good and bad.. time, though frustrating at times, is what makes life, and every single second, so precious and beautiful, because every second is a new and different second. ah.. the beauty of life..

watch it now!

2007-05-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, right, so here's what happened today. I went out for the evening with eric, one of my condo mates. We went to vivo city. it was pretty cool actually. we had an indian dinner (northern) at Go India.. Chicken, mutton and kacang.. Doesnt seem much, but trust me, if got me full - oh so full. Had dessert - i don't quite remember the name right now, its a type of indian sweet which i realized ive had before when i saw it. it was nice~

So anyway, after dinner we decided to see if there were any movies we could catch. there was "next".. seemed nice.. the movie was awesome!!! i mean, i don't want to spoil it for any of u guys who are planning to watch it (i strongly recommend u to watch it btw), but i had a great time! It's just brilliant, fantastic, the way it made u realize how a split second really can change ur entire life. How slight decisions can cause huge effects. Have u watched "dejavu"? u should.. thats another awesome awesome awesome movie.. the whole time i was watching "nexT" i kept on thinking.. this here is another movie at par with dejavu.. i mean, they're both so mind boggling. its something u'd remember, something ud WANT to remember - the movie, i mean. I was serious when i said i dont want to spoil it for u guys, so im not going to say more, just.. GO WATCH IT NOW!!! It's pure genius..

Ok, so, right.. besides the evening, today was quite an uneventful day. just the usual, u know. One and a half more week to go, and then im back to the land of hornbills. now tell me, just who wouldnt envy that? =p Sarawak is really a place like no other. Wherever i am, i'll always think of it as home. Theres nothing i can put into words to describe the place, just you guys should come and see for yourself, you wont regret it, i promise!

To tell u the truth, its nearly 3 now, and i am just so sleepy, so i cant really write long. and i definitely cant handle heavy topics at the moment. so i guess before i start to write words and lose sense, i better stop right now. soli ah, but im not one to put loads of pictures, so, please dont complain that there arent any photos.. ;)

thank you!

2007-05-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hola! I guess im trying to post daily entries. i wonder how long i can keep this up? u guys better appreciate what im doing! but then again, i have nothing better to do right now. i mean, exams are over, and holidays are coming really soon, im practically left with nothing to do now except watch the tv and go online - which would probably explain why im online so much. But then again, i always have been online a lot.

So anyways, today was pretty, er, should i say not bad? yea, it was pretty not bad. we didnt do anything during economics. We spent the first half of the class talking about chemistry (or rather, my friends were talking, i was crapping - hey! u guys know how i am with science.. ) and the other half pondering over riddles and psychological questions. Mr Tan (the teacher) came up with tonnes of mind boggling questions and situations. i dont think we figured out any of them until he told u. It was quite fun actualy, because there were only 6 of us, so.. yea.

i was on the bus just now with my friends. and there was this woman who was sitting in front of us. i nearly sat next to her, but didnt for some reason. So we were just sitting there, talking, and suddenly the woman started shouting and making weird noises and pointing to the front. i thought she was pointing to an accident or something, but apparently there was none. She kept acting like she was talking to someone - she was alone. i think she was just talking gibberish with a few mandarin words. No no, i might not be able to understand the different chinese dialects, but i do recognise chinese when i hear it spoken. she seemed quite mad at something. and the real funny thig was there was this guy sitting near her, u can see he was edging slowly away from her.

It made me think, society is actuall very, erm, im not sure whats the wordto use, reserved?. I mean, everyone talks about treating people equally, help the needy, disabled, and all that. people talk a lot, make grand claims and give impresive suggestions. But when they are put right smack in the situation, personally, u'll realize that its all talk and no action. I don't mean to say everyone is like that. There is quite a large percentage who actually do practice what they preach. And these are the kind of people who really make a difference in the world today. They might not be going on tv for giving 5 digit donations on a cheque bigger than themselves (probably to make sure people way at the back can see the exact amount written on it), not that im saying its a bad thing, but their actions makes as much, if not more, of a difference to the people all around them.

the realization that i might be moving and not coming back to singapore in 2 weeks time hasnt really dawned on me. It all still feels like a dream. I'm going to KL next week on friday to meet the committee and finalize my joining Atlantic College. I hope everything goes well. I'm going to miss singapore - the people here more like it. I mean, i havent been here long, but i've met and made friends with some really wonderful people. Theres also Chen Pong and Joseph, who came here as well to study in JCs. The few months ive been here has been all the more fun and meaningful with their presence, and i hope nothing will ever change that. Thank you! =D

And today is Chen Pong's birthday, so.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEN PONG!!! May the future holds lots of surprises and may you succeed in everything that u set out to do.. All the best!!!

Rice??

2007-05-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

I know this is kind of weird (3 posts in one day), but i just thought that this was such an interesting comment for the previous post, that i decided to reply it as a new post rather than as a comment.

"hmmm .... friends... a topic we always ponder upon....then can u tell me why years of friendship between 'us' could never brings us closer,.... it juz stopped to a point.. of maybe respecting each other... but never to the point of sharing the 'sadness'..... how some of us chose 'outsider' as 'sis n bro' when in fact around us are friend who have been through hell n heaven with us since our childhood.... "

friends - as simple as the word sounds, it is actually a very complex terminology, one which different individuals interprate and practice differently on the surface, but with each and everyone having the same interest at heart. To some, respect is not an important element, so to say. ever heard the the saying "ur only good friends if u have a cupboard full of his/her things yet to be returned". now tell me, where is the respect in that, keeping someone else's stuffs like that? and again, tell me, would u do that to someone u just got to know yesterday? friendship is a relationship that takes years to build up, that strengthens with time, to a certain stage where you can practically slap him on the head and he'll just laugh and slap you back - all in good will.
"outsiders" and "sisters" and "brothers" are just terms brought into lives by the individial's self to "spice" things up, to add new things in life - not saying they're unnecessary or irrelevant or unimportant.

An analogy? Rice is, generally, the staple food of Asians. It's something we can't live without. And yet people eat it with "lauk" - fish, vege, chicken, etc. Why? why so many "pattern", when rice is the main thing? why can't we just eat rice and only rice? Because all the other side dish complements rice, gives food a variety of taste, exciting ur buds daily - but don't forget, it's basically rice. But then, when compliments are given, it's always to the "lauk", rarely the rice. Do people realize, however, that in every meal, rice is always present, whereas the "lauk" changes. No matter how "unappreciated", it's always there. I'll leave the interpretation to u, and hopefully you understand what i'm saying. Sometimes, or maybe most of the times, the most vital things in life are often deprived of respect - but this doesnt mean that it is any less than what it actually is.

So, no matter how "stale" the friendship has gone, when the need arises, whether expected or not, u will see, then, how the "old kindered fires" burn again with a heat that surpasses all other. Friends stick by u, whether u realize it or not.

Looks can be deceiving..

2007-05-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

a friend - one of the one i've known longest, just told me something, and it made me think. and i do really hope the statement is true to only that one friend, and not true between the others.

Friends.. i don't know why, but this is one of my often-thought-about topics. A lot of my friends, ive known for a long time. I am very aware of how i am with my friends - don't think i don't realize. Many might think of me as just, and this are the exact words, "partner(s) of fun", because of my happy go lucky, care-free, couldnt-care-less ways. I either jump around from person to person, from group to group, interrupting conversations and thoughts, or i might just sit down in a corner, all alone, thinking, brooding (seemingly). I might not "submit" myself to any one friend or friends, i might not share feelings and thoughts with anyone, and i might not share the same relationship that any one of u reading this might share with a special friend (im not talking about a romantic special someone). But i do hope that u know this - no matter how trivial u deem our friendship or relationship (however u wish to term it) to be, i am always here. And i am here not just to be a "partner of fun", but i'm here to be a friend.

U have no idea, how painful it is to me, that i don't have the close or best friend that most have (forgive myself, but i would like to point out that i do consider a lot to be especially good friends, and that does not under-rate them in any way to me). But then again, u also have no idea, how much it touches me, to know that some, at least, deem me worthy to tell what lies in their hearts and minds. It's not so much for myself, but i know how much it hurts, to keep something locked up inside u, being unable to release the feelings. That's what i'm here for. Despite my outward appearances or characteristics, i too, as i am sure a lot of others do, long for special ties and bonds. And it saddens me that some judge me without even knowing - as i know is the case. And the really tragic thing is, some of them have "known" me since before i truly understood the meaning of the word "friend".

It might be my misinterpretation, or a misunderstanding, or a miscommunication, but to me, the message is clear. Most consider me as a "partner of fun". But to me, and i hope this is clear, any and all friends are just that - friends. And i will treat friends as friends should be treated. Hopelessly immature, playful, annoying, that i may seem, i can only say.. Looks can be deceiving..

MALAYSIA ALWAYS BOLEH!!

2007-05-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

GOD DAMN IT!! Forgive my language, i assure u i'm still the soft spoken (so to say) mirian, sarawakian and malaysian guy that i was. it's just so frustrating. i had this long post all written, complete with photos and stuff, i just had a little more left to add. But guess what? i accidentally closed the window. anyone know how to get it back? But ah, who cares, i'm just going to write something else. no photos though - i'm still lazy, so i guess for now my blog will remain photo-less.

So ok, today was pretty uneventful (for those of u kepo-ing to know, at least. hehe). School, home, bla bla bla. But u know what? i don't know if i was more pissed off or disappointed, or maybe it was something else. Probably you've heard of the parliament (malaysian, of course) case/uproar about the sexist remark by a few MPs. It can be seen from 2 point of views though, and i'm not sure which one i agree to more. On one hand, i don't see a problem with cracking up jokes every once in a while, even in a serious institution like the parliament. I mean, why is there a need for such rigid formality? The parliament is there to better the country, to unify the people, and to make heard the many voices all around our beloved land. So why bother about statements like such? all good that comes from making a scene out of it is to highlight the "uneasiness", if u can say that, of the MPs with each other. Come on, think about it, everywhere u go, people make crude jokes once in a while. Nothing meant, no harm intended. So take it in good humour - u benefit more.

On the other hand, such remarks shouldnt be made at all. But the thing that really makes it unacceptable is how they react to accusations and such. What is all the "close one eye" and claiming it never happened and all that? Stand up, get some backbone, and admit mistakes! This isnt a primary school debate, where a child's ignorance can be the excuse for absurdity. This is a discussion on the level of society's top levels. Ignorance can not, MUST not, be an excuse to brush aside incidents. Malaysians have worked hard, struggled and sacrificed for the nation. Millions of tax money is at stake here. It shouldnt be wasted on projects unbefitting of Malaysia.

Malaysia, my country - i'm proud to be able to say that. But Malaysia has a long way to go - long, but definitely on the way. Hopefully one day i'll be able to come back and serve her. You guys! I don't think im babbling when i say i can count on u guys to come back as well, eyh? It'll be fun, working together. a bit far-fetched, but.. yea! i love Malaysia!! and no matter what people say or what happens, MALAYSIA ALWAYS BOLEH!!!

pujangga..

2007-05-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand and unfailing requests from hordes of adoring fans (okok, i might, i MIGHT, be exaggerating), i have decided to finally start a blog. So people, rejoice, coz from now on, i'm online! priaPujangga is in the house!

Pujangga, meaning dream, is where i will put into words my dreams and ambition, happenings and updates. I hope that with this, we won't lose touch, and constantly keep up with each other. Distance should never be a barrier, and as new ties are forged, so should the old ones be strengthened. Life, up til now, has been colourful with the presence of each and every one of our friends. The colours will never fade in our memories and dreams, so why should we let those who coloured our lives fade?

Well, since this is my first post, better give some updates. It's been, what, 5,6 months since chung hua graduating class of '06 each went their seperate ways. A lot went to Australia, more went to Taylors, some stayed back in Miri, and some, myself included, went to Singapore. Life was kind of weird, to be seperated from friends who have been around practically my whole life. Some i've known for 11 years, some less, but none i view lesser than any. It was a whole new perspective to life, starting in a new place all alone. But after some time, i settled in, made new friends, fostering new relationships that i hope will one day be as strong as what i had with my childhood friends. I would love to name some of them here, but i can't bring myself to single any out, so, you guys, this one is for you!! ;)

I've been in Singapore for 5 months now. It's all been awesome, and i don't think any of you need much update on what i've been up to here. But one good news - i might be going to UK!! In august, if everything goes well, there is a huge possibility i would continue my IB in atlantic college, insyaAllah. I'm really excited, because it's a really good college (not to mention it looks fantastic on the website) where most of the students graduate and continue on to top universities around the world, and also because its it'll give me more experience being far from the land i call home, whose cultures and traditions i dare say i am quite familiar with. But then, it also means i will be far from the comforts of home, reducing my chances of meeting my friends who are closeby, and a lot more. But i'm sure u all agree, no success comes without sacrifice. And most of you probably know my goal of making my one million by the age of 20 - owh yea, i haven't forgotten that. So pray for me yea, and don't ever forget me. Wherever i am, wherever u all are. And know that i will never forget all of you. =)