tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79990125406946495592023-11-17T00:15:41.987+08:00Curls, Curves and One-inch NailsNadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-84072278668111848412010-08-05T03:52:00.005+08:002010-08-06T03:54:04.769+08:00A Brain That Refuses To Rest!It's nearly 4am and I couldn't sleep. I've been having trouble sleeping lately, worse than usual. It's been pretty much the norm for me to sleep really late since my break, but recently, I <i>want </i>to sleep but my brain won't let me. Like tonight. So I decided to switch on my laptop and put up a post since I'm so restless anyway.<div><br /></div><div>I've finally officially started to pack. And it wasn't as simple as I thought, the reason being that most of the clothes I brought home from there will definitely make its way there again. However, it took me <i>hours </i>to decide which ones to bring! I couldn't possibly bring all, right. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finally managed to whittle off some clothes which I could bring later on. But then, I was filling the suitcase until it's almost full, and only then did I realise that there was no space for my shoes, toiletries, or anything else! Then I made some calculations, and realised I needed to bring <i>7 pairs of footwear! </i>One heels, one sports, one flat sandal, 2 closed flats (one formal, one casual) and 2 slippers (one for outdoor, one for toilet). Thats the minimum, no question.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's all the other essential <i>barang-barang - </i>hairdryer, iron, kettle, laptop, CD-man, lamp etc. that needs to be put somewhere (box or bag?) (<i>not enough boxes! too many bags!).</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>All this kind of incessant mind babble was going around in my head while I was trying to get some sleep since 1.30 just now. (Watched <i>Spartacus </i>on Cinemax; awesome) </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Note: throughout this whole retelling of the few hours between 1.30 and now, I was having a constant fit of sneezes, an itchy nose, watery itchy red eyes and NO CLARINASE.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Besides that, there was me trying to think of things to put me to sleep (I'm not sure whether it actually made it worse). There was ALSO me thinking neurotic thoughts of studying medicine. Scaring myself with thoughts of failure, madness and brain death. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, I'll think of my friends there, what we'll do, whether we'll pull through fine, our future, <i>my future... </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>AND I also thought about him, reminiscing, thinking up of crazy (im)possibilities... THEN I suddenly thought, "He sure did look sexy in the AIMST t-shirt."</div><div><br /></div><div>THEN!!! I thought about <i>my </i>AIMST t-shirt. So I got up, switched on the light and looked for my AIMST t-shirt in my closet. Couldn't find it! OH NO. Frustratedly, decided I'd have to rummage around for it in the other rooms tomorrow. Switched off the light. Tried to sleep. Still blowing my nose.</div><div><br /></div><div>BUT! Even before attempting sleep, I was already worrying about my missing earphones. At one point, I got up, switched on the light and started looking in my room for the umpteenth time. Couldn't find it. Made mental note to ask parents and sis if I had borrowed to them tomorrow (or later today).</div><div><br /></div><div>I was getting paranoid about missing things and suddenly I remembered that I needed to bring a headscarf there now. Remembered my favourite black one. Remembered that I borrowed it to my old maid. Wondered whether she put it back before she left. Got up again. Looked in my closet. And OF COURSE, it was nowhere to be found. Disappointed and frustrated, made mental note to look in her old room (and anywhere else where it could be!) <i>later.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Went back to bed, had more fits of sneezes that gave me a headache and had me running to the bathroom to expel some snot. Tried to sleep, but instead thought about what CDs to bring (can't bring all yet!). Remembered that I found the Il Divo album cover downstairs few weeks ago. Forgot where the CD of that album was! SO, got up, light on, opened the album case, and lo and behold, the CD was right where it was supposed to be. Surprise, surprise.</div><div><br /></div><div>BUT THEN! Saw the small padlock for my suitcase on that table too. The other one was missing. Remembered sis borrowed it. Remembered that she took the keys. Checked my tag where I hung the keys... <i>all the keys were gone! </i>Keys for the laptop lock and both padlocks! Another strike. Another mental note.</div><div><br /></div><div>OH YES. Did I mention about how <i>many things still unsettled? </i>My paint by numbers unfinished. Packing. Stupid JPA delays and no letter!!! Shopping not done. Meeting old friends, not possible. Driving, nil. Payment method later? Not settled. Burn CDs, not done. Pick up pants from tailor and camera from repairs, not done. Scholarly preparation for the course, nothing! Mental preparation, still shaky.<i> </i>*<i>hyperventilates</i></div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, I gave up trying to switch off the light and sleeping. Thought that tonight's unceasing brain activity would make an amusing story, so here I am, retelling each neural pathway that occurred, connecting past, present and future. And not necessarily in that order. Any wonder that with all this in my head right now, I have yet to keel over... with my tissue box beside me. </div><div><br /></div><div><i></i>But strangely enough - besides my still intact sanity right now, so much so I can still Facebook and blog - my sneezes have disappeared. Did it go away only when my state of mind is fixed on "DISPOSE" by way of rambling here? Only when I'm not actively doing all the things I should be doing i.e looking for all the missing things? </div><div><br /></div><div>How cruelly ironic. </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. But I guess it's worth mentioning that I did have a cup of really black coffee with 3 sugars this morning. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>But that was at 8.45am! Nearly 24hrs ago!!! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Grrrrr.....sigh.</div><div><br /></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-27927252192642111252010-08-03T00:23:00.003+08:002010-08-03T00:30:40.617+08:00Slow As She GoesOk, I'm back for my random thing, although its slightly late. Here goes:<div><br /></div><div>Random thing of the day:</div><div><br /></div><div>The key of succeeding at anything is <b>patience.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Whether you want to make a good <i>masak lemak kuning </i>without ruining the santan. Or finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Or make the one you love love you back.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've proven it works for the <i>masak lemak </i>and the jigsaw. The last one....not yet. :)</div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-31809325490232373652010-08-01T23:22:00.002+08:002010-08-01T23:50:07.067+08:00The Weekend Before The Last OneOk, so I guess I still couldn't keep a resolution to make one post a day, although I only intend to write random stuff. I hope this doesn't mean that I can <i>never </i>keep a resolution. That would be <i>very bad. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Anyway, weekend's already over. I didn't even feel it. WHY DO WEEKENDS DO THAT? It's totally unfair. So, what did I do this weekend...</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday: Went to my sister's friend's sister's wedding. Beautiful ceremony. Beautiful, truly, madly, deeply in love couple. Attempted poco-poco for the first time ever in my life. It's not easy!</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday: Nothing really worth mentioning. Except maybe that I watched two movies that night, <i>Hot Tub Time Machine </i>and <i>Sex In The City 2. </i>The former was really funny in that lewd, stupid way with lots of swearing and some naughty scenes. <i>Sex </i>was as expected - luxurious settings in Abu Dhabi and lots and lots of <b>gorgeous, to-die-for clothes. </b>There also had to be some naughty scenes (hence the name, duh), but it wasn't as bad as the first <i>Sex In The City </i>movie. That one was <i>really naughty! RAWWR.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Sunday: Nothing much. Woke up, ate nasi lemak, finished some of my dad's 1000 piece<i> </i>tiger jigsaw puzzle, went to grandma's house, ate cempedak goreng, pisang goreng and mee hoon, sent sis to Shah Alam, went home, had mushroom soup, bathed, made funny faces in the mirror, and here I am now. See, I told you it wasn't much.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week is my last week at home and coincidentally, my aunt may be having her baby sometime this week. Looking forward to that. Not looking forward to packing. I haven't packed <i>anything. </i>I'll start soon (I hope). Then back to the far far away university with my friends and the bugs waiting.</div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-45845478569947177942010-07-29T18:59:00.005+08:002010-07-29T19:25:10.301+08:00Cereal and Hamster Habitats<div style="text-align: center;">Random thing of the day:</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a dream last night/this morning that involved building a super complex hamster city (you know with those tunnels, mazes and slides) that featured <i>no </i>hamsters, just filling the whole thing with water and Froot Loops. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah. It made no sense to me either. But I have to say, it was sort of a nightmare. Weird.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://www.kathyskritters.com/tales/hadventure/images/cage.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 342px; height: 322px;" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>+</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.sportressofblogitude.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/froot-loops.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 632px; height: 950px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>=</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WTH???</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-10527298570015862502010-07-29T18:49:00.003+08:002010-07-29T18:59:05.234+08:00RandomisationI have decided that for the rest of my soon-ending holidays, I'm going to post <i>one random statement everyday</i>, in a (rather pathetic and) desperate bid to increase the number of posts. "Why bother?", you may ask. Well I suppose I want to salvage my blog for what it's worth. Since the problem is that I can never decide what topic to talk about for a post, hence no post... I figured that if I can come up with an utterly random thing to say (which I think is something I tend to do often, to the amusement of my siblings and friends), I suppose I can get the ball rolling. <div><br /></div><div>Perhaps I can make this page more interesting somehow. We shall have to see.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-15171329148907487662010-07-28T13:04:00.005+08:002010-07-28T16:00:48.292+08:00MBBS stands for Major Bum and Brain Sickness XD<div style="text-align: justify;">I just realised that for the year 2010, I only made 2 posts. <b>2 POSTS! </b> What is wrong with me? I constantly say how I have many things to say, how I love writing, how I want to share my thoughts, regardless of its significance, with the world. And yet, I just stay on Facebook for hours, (illegally) download music, and potter about at home. My 3 months at home has certainly flown by. I am of course partly to blame because I wake up at noon everyday. It makes the day fly by all the faster. I'm not sure whether this is done consciously by body or not. Do I want my menial 3 month break to end quickly despite the <i>years </i>of hard work I expect to come? I just don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that the end and beginning is near, it got me thinking of the career choice I made. Needless to say, I have heard from so many people how hard it is, how you are expected to act, how long the hours are, how socially-deprived you'll become, etc. The downs of the profession are endless. The only good thing I have heard is that if helping a sick person is your passion, no matter how torturous the job, you'll get the satisfaction. And that satisfaction is one that no one else can fully understand and share. Only you will know it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From a young age, I must admit, I am used to excelling, always getting strings of As, always on the top tier of my class. I'm not be the best at everything - there was always someone better than me, someone with a better score, someone with a more admirable personality and achievement. But I try to do reasonably well every time, knowing my capabilities and my limits. I don't try too hard, because that just isn't me. I don't try to beat everyone and I certainly don't try to be overly studious. I like having fun too! I am human after all.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet, I do worry that I'll face a whole different ballgame during my medical training. Actually, I <i>know </i>it's totally different. Students no longer aim to score an A, they aim to pass. An A is too much of a far distant dream. It's that hard. I want to face this with a wary and ready perspective because I don't want to break down when I receive my first failure. And it isn't just about the exam part - which I agree with a friend of mine's opinion: that an exam is not necessarily the measure of how good you are as a doctor, the test is later when you are shoved into real life - I also worry whether I can handle the 'seconds-between-life-and-death' situations. We all have seen ER growing up, and many other medical dramas. They may be actors, but the job is real.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pray I will have the courage and the strength to see through the choice I made. I myself am aware that after SPM, I could have chosen any path to embark on, whether it is law, biotechnology, astrophysics or even culinary arts. I know I can do pretty well in any course because whatever my choice, I'll do my best. However, looking back, I don't think I could have chosen any other. Despite how I would love to follow my parent's footsteps, and despite how my first true ambition was to be an astronomer/astrophysicist. I believe I'm not a quitter, especially when so much money is being invested on my future.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm currently reading a book about a 3rd year medical student who just started her clinical and subsequently found herself quite lost and detached from the alien world of medicine and hospitals despite her earlier training. A theme that came up was how doctors are supposed to act with patients, coldly professional vs. emotionally humane. Another theme was women in medicine. The setting for the book was nearly 30 years ago and perhaps the medical world has changed in that respect, but it still struck me that women still need to work twice as hard and be at level or better than their male counterparts to receive some respect. The character, just because she was a woman, faced indifference, disdain, condescension and even hatred from senior doctors at the hospital. To be honest, she deserved some of it but still, I hope such things are no longer a problem.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another important point that struck me closer to home was how some medical students nowadays view their expensive education. A doctor said that the students assume that since their chosen profession is to help and serve the community, it is the community who owes students a good education and when students enter medical school, they become full of pride in the knowledge that their education is supported by the community. And then, these students graduate and fly off overseas for want of better pay, or because of their lackadaisical attitude, they make poor housemen or don't graduate at all and switch courses. This I know, happens here in Malaysia and elsewhere. The writer was right in opining that it is the would-be students who owe the community as most of the time, medical students are on scholarships or loans and either way, the money comes from taxpayers' earned ringgit. Of course, some are indeed fully self-funded, but we should be thankful that there is education provided for us, locally, available to all, and because its so expensive, there are means to reduce the financial burden. Directly or indirectly, we owe it to others to succeed and give back later on.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm hugely grateful that I'm on government scholarship and my 1/4 of a million ringgit worth of tuition is being paid for. The only thing asked of me is to graduate and serve the people who in some way may have contributed to my education. If it weren't for my scholarship, I probably couldn't have chosen medicine. Taking medicine is a huge undertaking and demands much dedication, hard work and responsibility. I'm expecting a lot from myself I know, but that is my motivation. No one expects more of me than myself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wow, I honestly didn't realise this post would be so serious. But I guess it is some sort of relief for me. Putting hopes to writing is a form of conviction, isn't it? Now I have to aspire to live up to the expectations I blurted out here, or not I'm a filthy hypocrite. Ugh, I hate hypocrisy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'll end this post on a lighter note with some quite funny cartoons. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.funnytimes.com/archives/files/art/20060920.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 499px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.stus.com/sv/cartoons/google/autopsy.gif" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 350px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.jasonlove.com/cartoons/00683-funny-cartoons-playing-doctor.gif" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 322px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-18499548995370404282010-05-10T18:07:00.004+08:002010-05-11T02:58:13.697+08:00Whatcha Say?Now that I've finished the grueling 9-month foundation which denied me of the luxury of updating my blog more often, I will try to write more. Because I actually really want to! There were several times I had bursts of inspiration to let fly my fingers over my dinky little laptop and just let thought translate to words. And you know me (if you don't, now you do :D), there are endless of things whirling in my head to talk about, and if not verbally, then on this single webpage in cyberspace. <div><br /></div><div>In fact, I remember telling the interviewers at my JPA interview that I liked to talk. Came the reply, "Yes, we can see that." Haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>But hey, expressing yourself is, I believe, very important and it <i>is</i><b> </b>therapeutic. Seriously. Why else do people pay hundreds of dollars to see some guy with a degree in psychiatry, sit in a big comfy chair and spend the next hour just talking? I daresay, <b>talking is good for you. </b>Its the easiest way to express yourself. After all, even before we learned to walk, our parents would first teach us how say 'mummy' or 'daddy'. Words came first. It is Man's most relied upon mean of communication with each other. And needless to say, the power of the word is, well, powerful. Yeah.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, beginning to talk crap here. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, but that is what talking is all about, isn't it? Its about crapping (not the actual moving of bowels, mind you), bullshitting, puffing out air and some words strung together in hopes of resembling a sentence. Does it matter whether it means anything? Not really. Does it matter whether people understand you? *laughs with head dramatically thrown back* No. Why? Because really, how many people take the time to actually listen and try to empathise, to understand? Not many. And sometimes, the talker frankly does not give a damn whether what he said lit up a bloody candle in the listener. Sometimes, it's all about letting something off your chest. From personal experience, I know that once the thing, which is squatting on your brain and messing up the other more important matters you should be more concerned with, is released by communication, it quickly becomes so little in importance that you wonder why it bothered you so much in the first place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, it would do you and your victimised listener more good if you realised that earlier. Way before you had to waste energy just venting. But! at that moment of distress, the parasite was eating away at your sanity, you can't think of anything else. So you gotta let it out. Like I always say, never bottle up your feelings with hopes it will all go away. It may just lie dormant for a while, but these things tend to pile up like dust bunnies under your bed and you can't keep trying to just sweep them under the rug. The rug is only so big. There ain't gonna be enough rug after a while. And no, don't go looking for another rug, silly. Throw those annoying dust bunnies out for DBKL to pick up! (DBKL in this case being your lucky friend or stranger that gets to listen to or read your crap)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, crapping is good for you! (Both meanings apply XD)</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing, I think it's a shame when people hold themselves back because of the fear of being judged when you do open your mouth and let your thoughts be said aloud. It's a shame when you don't talk because you think no one is gonna listen. Take my advice, don't care about all that. Be selfish. Think about your satisfaction from blowing off some of that steam. The person on the receiving end need not even be someone you know well. And if you are so humane, choose a safe place where if anyone comes across your steaming pile of crap, they can choose to stay or walk away and you couldn't care less either way. Nowadays, there are so many places that people tell stuff like "Hey I just had a shit and the turd's huge, dude!" to the whole world! LOL. Places like Twitter, Facebook. Like a blog. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, I honestly don't care if my blog has many followers, let alone be read by more than 3 people (and one of them being me, haha). I don't care whether you agree or disagree with me. I don't care if you don't like what I say. I don't care if you don't bloody like me. Because I wasn't born to be aesthetically pleasing and perfect. I'm not here to please others. I'm here because I still want to be here. And while we still breathe the same air on this tiny place called Earth, we'll just have to accept it and make the most of it. Live with it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Somebody's T-shirt reads: "MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR" </div><div><br /></div><div>I love that saying for more than one reason. </div><div><br /></div><div>O.O </div><div><br /></div><div>Oops. HAHAHA....</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>P.S. I just realised just how <i>many </i>references I made to ahem, faeces, in this post. I swear, it is was purely coincidental. And has absolutely NOTHING to do with any personal issues on the subject. XD Hahahaha... </div><div><br /></div><div>P.P.S. I confess, there was a time when I wondered whether the URL for my blog was appropriate because other blog URLs were much simpler. Now I know for sure that it suits perfect all along. :)</div><div><br /><div> <div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-73621823568701302452010-03-02T23:06:00.004+08:002010-03-03T00:16:55.883+08:00IdealismThere just isn't enough hours in a day to do all the things we want to do. Ideally, in a day I would want to:<br />-finish work <em>and </em>study<br />-online (Youtubing)<br />-update my blog<br />-wander in various blogs (shopping???)<br />-play badminton (azam baru!)<br />-write<br />-daydream/waste time<br />-chit chat with friends for hours<br />-have something exciting happen (chic lit moment)<br /><br />The thing is, that's rarely the case. No time can be wasted. Usually, I can fit only the 'work' part (when the study part is equally important, if not more) and the chit chat (a few minutes maybe).<br /><br />Forget onlining long enough to update blog, see other blogs <em>and </em>Facebook and Youtube. Most of the time, its just a quick glance. Most of the time, I try staying away from Youtube 'cause its like a blissful <em>endless black hole</em>. Can't stay there too long, oh no.<br /><br />And definitely forget any form of creative writing (Bio essays does NOT count). Honestly, I've had the urge to write again for a while now. Words swirling in my head, waiting to be written. But it isn't easy. Time is a problem. Getting down to it then getting hooked is another. From my past writing bends, I know its a habit of mine to get so totally immersed in it that I can go without sleep and just type until all the juice runs dry. The dry spell will last so long, that the story never finishes. In short, it could just be another excuse to not do what's more important. I wouldn't dare hope any story of mine shall be published, let alone <em>finished</em>. <br /><br />But its like a holding a full bladder, waiting for a pimple to burst, squeezing your buttocks to hold in a shit.<br /><br />I got to get out of my system somehow. Here? All I'm doing is <em>complaining</em>. Anyone can complain, even a child knows how to complain. This wasn't what I made my blog for!<br /><br />I've heard and uttered these words, "I'm bored with my life..." "Hidupku bosan" "My life is boring..." Why wouldn't it when you're at a dead end of a place, surrounded by people who live and breathe to study themselves to the ground, and yeah, have no boyfriend. In fact, I think I'm beginning to <em>create</em> little infatuations just to make a day a little bit interesting. How pathetic.<br /><br />We are all waiting for something exciting to happen to us. Something new. Something to distract us from all the pressures of work and study, mind-numbing boredom and routine, the heat, the STUPID BUGS, the ever-threatening breakout of stress pimples and an increasing waistline.<br /><br />What am I saying. KL and here isn't that much different. In the sense that back there, I was still bored, still in a losing battle with bugs and hundreds of scars to prove it, I was still blissfully and admittedly single, still waiting for something exciting to happen. Truth is, I suppose its that point of life that they say as "waiting for the rest of your life to begin".<br /><br />I thought beginning my Foundation was the opening chapter. But it turns out its just a short story in itself, and one that is on a steep decline towards the end. I can't wait for the 'real' book to begin.Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-24348854169823232562009-12-18T17:19:00.003+08:002009-12-18T17:58:26.396+08:00Youtube is my new Best FriendIts interesting how the times I come and write in my blog, its when a quiz, exam or assignment due date is nearby. I guess its how I try to escape the stress. Urrrgh, stress! Quiz next week, newscasting assignment and no matter how interesting we're doing it, it's taking up SO much time - something we lack - on the 7th of January, losing my IC, student ID, thumbdrive, keys, cards, <em>new </em>phone....and of course, the constant feeling of lack of study.<br /><br />You know when you're exhausted whenever you sleep, you wake up feeling tired still and your eyes all puffy. And the backache. And headache.<br /><br />I'm getting old ahead of my time.<br /><br />At least there'll be a lot of 'laugh lines' because at least I can still laugh. Ever tried going to Youtube and watching sick and inane videos like "World's Largest Zit Ever" and "My exploding cyst"? (interested? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3jNCBe1VTY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3jNCBe1VTY</a> )<br /><br />For that <em>memorable</em> experience, I have to thank Faris and Sofia. You guys really know how to digress. Good digression though. :) <br /><br />P.S. I don't think I can look at cottage cheese the same way again.Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-57457212623745841952009-11-18T02:30:00.000+08:002009-11-18T02:30:41.603+08:00VentingActually, I'm really stealing a moment here to wite this post. I'm supposed to be finishing my Bio report due this Friday but what the hell.<br /><br />For some reason, I swore a lot today. Maybe 'cause this morning was my group's first discussion about our English newscasting assignment and being in a group of 4 boys and 2 girls, keluarlah all the profanities pagi-pagi lagi. God, I forgot how good it feels to swear sometimes. LOL. But maybe there are other reasons why.<br /><br />Last Sunday night was the First Beat VI here, the theme - Fright Night i.e. Halloween. So from Saturday evening until night we were there at the basement hall (the concert was underground - cool) putting up the decorations. We made little ghosts, spiders, cobwebs and with a burst of inspiration, a huge scarecrow out of tree branches and drapery using (borrowed from the janitor's store a.k.a. stolen) toilet paper. We also had pumpkins, tombstones and scary faces hanging from the ceiling. The final result was pretty darn good, if I say so myself. For one thing, everything did come together nicely although it was pretty last minute and we had not much resources to work with. Kudos to the whole decorating comittee! Job well done people.<br /><br />Then here comes the worst bit. My phone got stolen. Yes, STOLEN. It was there in my pouch, in my bag, on a table in a hall full of people. But the asshole who took it was damn clever because one, no CCTV in the basement hall (in a campus with CCTV EVERYWHERE, there aren't any there) and two, everybody was busy doing stuff. No one noticed someone who was not involved go to that table, rummage through my bag, take my phone and some cash from my friend's wallet and leave. But some did see a bunch of dickwads with no purpose of being there come by, look around and go. It would be a gross understatement if I said I was not upset. No matter how kerepot that phone has become (can't detect miss calls, camera not working, dies for no reason, got bite marks, paint chipped etc.) I love it still. Call me a sentimental bag of mush, but yeah, I cried and cursed the asshole who took it from me. May he rot in hell, the bastard.<br /><br />Cursing done with, moving on to the First Beat itself. Simply put, it was really good. For me. I really enjoyed it. I don't know how much others may share the same sentiments as me, but to me it had to be one of the best nights of rock music I have ever had (#1 being the time I went to see Linkin Park live). First of all, not only was the setting good (thanks to us) but some people who went, my group of friends included, took great care and effort for our outfits. I decorated my own mask, bought a new dress and new shoes just for that night. And I think we looked awesome. Sarah with her Japanese style and boots, Sofia with 'emo giler' eyeliner and rocker look, Aliya looking like an edgy Egyptian princess, Faris like some phantom piano maestro (haha), Nana looking every bit like a rocker chic with her black zip bodice and electric blue chiffon, and then me, (in Sarah's words) classy and vintage. Hehe.<br /><br />Also begging mention is Siva, (picture this) with his cowboy hat, leather cape, wrestler-like belt and <em>Wellingtons! </em>(you know those rubber boots? yeah those) Then Audrey, who won the Best Dressed Female, with her handmade dress with this huge wire hoop and flowing train. Also, Asha with her belly dancer costume (sexxayy!), Francis looking exactly like The Joker, and my own personal favourite, the jihad terrorist (no need to mention the name here).<br /><br />The concert had a lot of good rock music. Especially towards the end. Nana performed with the newly-formed band, Inphyrite. Faris played the keyboard and the infinitely cool Shanwayne on guitar. Her voice was great. People also really enjoyed Monisha's performance, singing "Zombie" by Cranberries. That got people jumping.<br /><br />There was also beatboxing, and it was really cool. Especially when Vikram (the beatboxing pro) and Gordon (who's got this awesome voice btw) did "Stand By Me". It was really cool and interesting. Then were the rock songs. There was one performance where they did an instrumental of Jimi Hendrix's song (damn it I can't remember what, Joe something I think) and even better one where the band played their own original composition, also purely instrumental. It was reminiscent of that pure, classic metal you can't get much anymore. It was very much like a Metallica ballad - I died and went to heaven during that song, seriously. Pity the sound system wasn't that great. Then, the topping on the cake was Fuse, a returning band from previous First Beats. The moement they said they were going to play Metallica, I died again and went to heaven, again. They played "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and "The Memory Remains" then went on to sing Megadeth's version of Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK" and "Kill The King". They also did a freestyle jam in between. They were really cool dudes - I love their taste in music.<br /><br />So yeah, after a while I just thought "what the hell" and took off my shoes, and did a good measure of screaming and headbanging. Seriously good therapy actually. Until today, the rock vibe is still strong and even when I'm doing my work and listening to my headphones, I'd do a bit of headshaking and feet tapping, although I'm sitting right there in the open in the library. Who cares!<br /><br />What also infuriates me is that there are still some close-minded people who think rock is trash and head-banging is some sort of crime. What is wrong in enjoying yourself, letting go for a while and letting yourself immerse in some good, live music? It's not always you get to see a gig like this, although the performers are all students and you only paid a measly RM6. To me, if they charged more, I would STILL go. Not because 'its the place to be' crap, or some kind of 'semangat AIMST' thing, but because the knowledge that students who sincerely want to play some great songs that you probably would never see live by the real band (Metallica in Malaysia? Seriously). To put it simply, if you know you can never have a single ounce of appreciation for live rock music, think that the people you enjoy it are idiots (only a bigger idiot can identify with another idiot, fyi) and yet you still want to show your face there, you're wasting your time complaining and making snooty remarks. You'll just make people, like me, vent like some mad train on her blog in the middle of the night when she should either be sleeping or doing work. You know, when I hear these things, it makes me an even bigger fan of rock music. (While under the pretense of searching info online, there I was, watching videos of Metallica on Youtube) So thanks a lot. You have made me a bigger fan and and even bigger advocate against narrow-mindedness everywhere. Salute! XP<br /><br />P.S. Ok, its not just the phone and narrow-minded dimwits, I'm also SAKIT HATI. This angst music is just complementing with my current state of mind. Its like this underlying misery just waiting to eat away at me. I wish I never got stuck in this. Now its too late. Damn you.Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-50085580912323044132009-11-11T10:51:00.002+08:002009-11-11T12:02:29.104+08:00Progress...Since today is one of those rare days when there is only ONE HOUR of lecture this evening, I might as well take this opportunity to post something short. Hopefully short.<br /><br />I know I should be doing all those Bio and Physics notes I'm so determined to do, or start on that lab report (due next week though) or even plain ol' study right now. Instead, I've been doing laundry and moving about quite slowly I guess because suddenly it's already 11am. Anyway, I just want to mention some things that have been going on these past 2 1/2 weeks here after the break.<br /><br />I guess you could say that it has been quite eventful. The first night back there was the Ramli Ibrahim classical Indian dance concert here. I got to take a photo with him. The first day of class was unremarkable because the lecturers didn't start teaching anything yet. We all were just excited to see everybody again I suppose. Certain people, more so. :)<br /><br />On the social scene, the first week was packed with birthdays and somehow or rather, my batch has a thing for celebrating birthdays. That week, there were 3 surprise birthday parties and for all 3, I was in the committe that went to buy the cakes. All 3 were Secret Recipes. Imagine, that Monday and Tuesday of the first week we went to CS to buy the cakes, 2 days in a row! The 3rd time, thankfully, we went to the other Secret Recipe branch at Village Mall. If we went for the 3rd time to the same shop, the workers there will surely look as us strangely because it was the same faces again! But I love the feeling of being part of something which will make someone feel special on their special day. :)<br /><br />I also joined the Movie Club recently. It was fun to discuss which movies to play for our weekly movie screening at the Medical building because there were so many nice movies out there. Sakkun and I also became the 2 people in charge of taking donations. Our earnings weren't as good but it was our first time I guess and it depends on the movie playing and how many who showed up. Last week was Sweeney Todd.<br /><br />This weekend, I'm looking forward to First Beat, our university's own talent show/party. The theme this year is Halloween (they had wanted to make it on Halloween itself but not enough time). Naturally, our gang already bought our masks the first week itself and last weekend we bought our dresses. I won't spoil it here for those who don't know yet but I daresay our dresses was worth the money and searching. :D However, I'm still not 100% sure which shoes I'll be wearing! Another trip to CS is already planned. LOL.<br /><br />Oh yeah, I've started wearing contact lenses. It still needs getting used to seeing my face without the glasses. But I've wanted to wear them for a long time and since I'll be wearing a mask on First Beat, I need to get contacts anyway. So I thought, why not start now? I tell you, the look on <em>some </em>people's faces when they saw me. It was AWESOME. Hahaha. Everybody says I look better. I'm glad I'm those lucky few who don't get eyebags from wearing glasses. So yeah, forgive me if I sound like a braggart, but I'm feeling really good right now. Despite that our exam results are coming out soon. Despite that I'm still unsure. I'm great! :D :D :DNadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-21498319603633854622009-10-19T19:54:00.002+08:002009-10-19T21:54:21.915+08:00La-di Dah........Ok, so I'm back in KL for a cruelly short term break. Its so unfair! The FIS July batch only gets a week off after 3 months of slave labour. This is what you get when you join the 'express' batch. Great.<br /><br />My uncle's persandingan was last Friday and even at my advanced age, I was one of the flowergirls. Which is ok by me since I've been anticipating the day my uncke would get married. However, I did think I was way too old to be sitting on the steps of the pelamin, legs daintily crossed under such that you'll completely lose sensation in one buttock after a while, and smile sweetly as people watched. Been there, done that. I'm a veteran. Its time to let the young 'uns do the hard work. Anyway, the whole affair was tiring but enjoyable too. Best wishes to my beloved uncle and new aunt, may they have all the happiness in the world together. :)<br /><br />Now, the best thing about being back is the food. Food is a Godsend. As expected from a multiracial cafeteria, there is no pork and no beef at the university. Since I'm a born and bred meat-eater, is it any wonder that the first thing I ate when I arrived in KL at about 11pm is <em>steak? </em>On top of that, the following Saturday, we went to a not officially opened steak shop. My father had been raving about this place since the first time I came back to KL, but the place is all the way in Subang. But lucky me, the chef, who once worked in the Buckingham Palace (yes, the one and only) is opening a branch right in my neighbourhood! So this guy is a master butcher and an expert at preparing the best meat around. So the concept is that you select the fresh meat (like at a butcher shop) and they will prepare it for you. You don't pay for the cooking, just the meat. Its very simple fare but the meat in itself is so good, you really don't have to bother with other accompaniments.<br /><br />We had Wagyu beef, ribs, lamb shanks and the best of it all, Chateu Brion (I hope that's the correct spelling) which is tenderloin beef. It was superb! I ate so much that towards the end of the 4 courses, everybody said my face was red! (At times like these, don't be stupid enough to check your blood pressure) But seriously, it was so good, I could say that it will compensate for the next few months when I get back to uni. I mean, such feasts once in a while is acceptable, but <em>once in a while </em>must be stressed. And in my case, it really isn't that often. I can get away with it. Hehe.<br /><br />So that pretty much sums up the weekend so far. I really am taking advantage of the fact that I don't need to study (yet), hence have the time to ramble a bit here. Its true that I barely have the time to do work, study and have some downtime (online shopping included!) while I'm there, yet alone post an update on my blog. Somehow, blogging, for me at least, takes a while. Furthermore, I mistakenly left my diary there so yeah, I am in need of medium to vent. So this is it.<br /><br />*<em>tapping nails on keyboard*</em><br /><em></em><br />Oh never mind.Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-28531623700507966862009-10-07T02:12:00.006+08:002009-10-19T19:35:57.518+08:00Stolen EnjoymentsIts been crazy long since I last updated my blog! Geez... If ever I take out my laptop, its to surf for some assignment (like just now I had to finish yet another titration lab report for chemistry - 3 titration experiments?! Don't you think we all already know how to do the damn thing by now?!) And doggone it, I miss online shopping. Just scrolling down the blog updates is enough to know how MUCH I missed.<br /><br />But I guess I must make do since my exam is NEXT WEEK. I can hardly believe that its nearly 3 months and my first term will be over b next Friday. We had our last lectures and tutorials today. So far we only know that we'll be changing Chemistry lecturers and Physics will stay. I'll miss my Maths lecturer the most; Khor The Legend!!! He's the most adorable old man and so funny. And we all now have the 11th Commandment drilled into our heads: "Thou shalt not divide by zero." Haha. At least it didn't get too boring in the lecture hall when he made his jokes.<br /><br />But in a more serious tone, I must say that its the pressure here is terrible. I might just be exaggerating, but looking around, its really pressuring to see everybody studying like crazy and you're there constantly thinking you're aeons behind. Everybody seems to have their work always done early, have studied everything and on top of every subject. To be honest, I think I do reasonably enough at the pace I'm comfortable with, but you just keep thinking, "Is this enough compared to everybody else?" There's so many smart people here that the competition is insane. How do 700 people compete for just 200 Medic seats? Sometimes I look around and wonder who would I be able to continue seeing next year during the degree intake and who would have to agonisingly repeat the year. Unsurprisingly, I heard that most of the students who get into Medic are the repeaters, STPM and A-level leavers and even a handful of Medic students who dropped their course overseas to do it here. If so, how does the SPM leaver compete with these students who have done it all before? I'll tell you how. Study 24/7. (Like someone I know........)<br /><br />Having said all this, I know that in the end, I don't want to look back to my university years and not remember anything else except the studying. I do intend to collect experiences and memories so that I could say, "Yeah I had fun too." It would suck to just remember how stressed up you were and the endless work. So no. I won't sink that low. Instead, I'll grab any opportunity to do something meaningful and worth remembering. Like last weekend, the university became the hosts for the Asian Youth Kabaddi Tournament so for at least a week, we had different faces here. The furor started when the Japanese and Iranian team arrived. All the girls got excited I tell you. Personally, the Iranian guys were, naturally, smoking hot. The Japanese dudes were cute and better, friendly too.<br /><br />It was fun actually watching the kabaddi matches. I never heard about the game before up until a friend told me that the objective of the game was for one person to touch an opponent and escape safely to his side of the court before they jump on top of him. Literally. Once you touch, the opponents can tackle you to make sure you don't anywhere near to your safe zone. It was wild to see how they tackled each other. Imagine a bunch of dudes all going after this one person, prepared to pull legs, grab and pin you down. Seriously, it was exhilarating to be in the huge crowd that showed up to watch the final games. It was like watching a football match. The noise! Some of us were sad when the competition ended, especially the ones who managed to make friends with the players. There was a lot of pictures taken and souvenirs exchanged. Luckily I didn't have a penchant for any particular player or not I would be <em>angau </em>for days. *wink wink!*<br /><br />Then that following Monday night we had a lantern festival. There were some booths selling stuff, the popular I think was the Sticker Monster booth, selling stickers and rhinestones. Later, there was a lantern procession to the sports centre to send off the huge lanterns up to the sky. It was really nice to see the different colours of small lanterns that people (including me!) bought and lit up. Watching lantern launching was awesome. Some made it, some didn't. One made it up to the moon but then made its way down before extinguishing.<br /><br />Then, most recently, we girls made our own steamboat! Last Friday was our English Oral exam but after that we were free so we went to CS and did shopping!!! I finally found the wedges I wanted and they are DAMN GORGEOUS. I shopped and shopped... so yeah, definitely no online shopping for now, no matter <em>how tempting </em>it is, Scout's honour. We bought the stuff for the steamboat (Aliya suddenly had an inspiration to buy a steamboat and bring it here after Raya) and since we had no way of making a proper stock, we just bought tomyam soup to use as the base. And not forgetting, PINK sparkling grape juice! And it was pretty good. We bought lots of stuff to throw in. Opening the juice bottle was the funniest. We screamed the cork popped, hahaha.<br /><br />So yes. Where there's time to be serious, there's also time to let go and have fun. I'm so glad that my life isn't <em>that </em>boring. I would <em>die. </em><div><em></em> </div><div><em> </div></em><div><em></em> </div><div><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394261865660132754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEERrZc_QnGAbwGtRjhfMhPn9aeMtfplCyi68_ZqK_ztgrxSb_i8iCAoa3V_9aUa9hpWePVq-7PYGDAbut3bA3pPUuHUn8eKvWMi4tmlNCs8e6xQxA5121wLEVD1JCzeYC77KIFg-q1WE/s400/DSC03781.JPG" border="0" /></em></div><br /><p align="center"><em>Our modest attempt at hostel-made steamboat</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394261875877571714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3Xa6m_TDwKjhCJlbhGl6yMeCiCngIsjP7J2RoYsH2s4w7zrCtdnKNEJbkOLsvGNduaJ7fXxHxl211pIMUA7rvyyfF09PJbk5B1sQsDuJTrmVDzAQTTdTRwjYqbWtyo8UMntxogcW6zc8/s400/DSC03784.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Aha, no liquour here folks! Just innocent, pink sparkling grape juice...</em> </p><p> </p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwpENFWpsvEzjSXMp3SmKX2GiGOvMHtVPbCiYMEHvUxbwEDS3etctL4pFDBnXGZnmc3kBGZk3RyqhM3bZU2Kg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-16131222754512662112009-08-31T14:05:00.005+08:002009-08-31T18:48:29.586+08:00AddictedThe first thing I did on Merdeka morning (okay, not exactly morning since I woke up at nearly 12pm), was check my phone and find out from Aliya that the orders for clothes at clothesforchics.blogspot.com is closed! Oh, the anguish!<br /><br />So the next thing I did was take out my dinky little HP Notebook, connect to this unknown wireless connection we love taking advantage of, and go online to check the site. I want that dress so badly!<br /><br />Aliya said she called the girl managing the site and she said she'll try asking if she can fit in another order. My fingers are crossed!<br /><br />So anyway, since I was online, I've been looking at other local blogshops and every other minute or so, a little sqeal will escape my lips as I scroll down gorgeous items and dirt-cheap prices. Its SOOO tempting to just place an order and have this stuff mailed to AIMST. Seems incredulous but the other girls have joined the bandwagon. Recently, a friend bought these awesome white patent leather heel boots and had it mailed HERE. Amazing.<br /><br />I've been like this since last Friday. In fact, we all camped in Aliya's room, each with our own laptops and went surfing that night after watching a movie. Me, Aliya and Nana were surfing for clothes and accessories until 4am. Tak jadi sahur.<br /><br />Same thing happened last night. Coming back from buka puasa at McD (I finally got to taste meat after a long time; had a Quarter Pounder haha) and a shopping stint in CS, I suddenly decided to do makeovers for Sakkunthala and Sofia with my liquid eyeliner and mascara. And with total bragging rights, I must say they looked FAB. At the same time, I was online looking at the hundreds of clothes. We went down at 1am with an excuse to have early sahur but to be honest, we were just hungry. But by the time we reached there, the kitchen was closed. So went back up, opted for the food available in my closet and continued onlining. Slept at 6am. It was funny that when we started to sahur at 2, my other two roommates were about to sleep, but then later at 5 when they woke up to sahur, we were still on the sofa surrounded by food. When they came back, we were also still awake. Hence, slept at 6. Hee heee.<br /><br />So here I am, deciding to chronicle a few very crazy accounts of this long weekend. To sum it up, I went out on Friday and Sunday. Its a good thing I decided last minute to not follow Sarah and the rest who incidentally went out to Queensbay Mall in Penang and spent 2 whole hours in Forever 21 (its at times like these that I miss KL). Only God knows what I was capable of if I did go with them. Up to now, I'm already become a follower for 5 blogshops I think and maybe more to come.<br /><br />P.S. My quiz week starts tomorrow<em>. Supposed </em>to be studying. Naughty naughty.... (looks like its gonna be another late night... XD)<br /><br />P.P.S. Coincidence?: I went to Bank Islam on Friday after class to get my ATM card. Soooo.... JPA money is IN! LOLNadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-19907945753603799522009-08-02T11:23:00.005+08:002009-08-02T12:40:09.399+08:00Weekend<div align="center">Its already the 3rd weekend since I've been here and the only weekend we DIDN'T go out. It was a collective decision not to - we spend like mad everytime we do! The first time, around RM80, the second time, about RM100 (although in my defense, the second time around I had to buy my train ticket home for raya in advance, so about RM50 gone just for that).<br /><br /></div><div align="center">All the JPA scholars tengah bengang because our allowance hasn't been wired into accounts yet. Heck, we haven't even received our ATM cards yet. Arrgh. But there has been word that they'll send a lump sum in the end of this month. I hope so. The books have been quite expensive. And we also wouldn't mind some cash to play around with. Hehe.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This week was ok. Only on Friday did I really feel the wear and tear. I've become like quite the old maid - having back pain. Boohoo. So I've taught Sofia how to picit belakang. Its quite a scene to see her pressing against my back in the middle of the cafeteria and me going, "Kuat lagi! Kuat lagi!" XD</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">They have a free screening of a movie every Friday night and this week was "The Graduate" with Dustin Hoffman. He was really young in that movie. I've always wanted to watch that movie and it did turn out to be a good one. And the thing we all agreed on was how nice the songs were. Especially that song by Simon and Garfunkel, "Scarborough Fair/Canticle".</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We've also sort of acquired a habit of haunting the cafeteria. We'd get carried away chit-chatting about all kinds of things. And at some point, Faris will start raving all over again about Michael Jackson, bless him. And most of the time, it'll be all girls and he'll be the only guy at the table. So after the movie we took to our haunting place and if the talking wasn't enough, we kept eating too! It didn't help that everybody else in the cafeteria was buying food and the aroma kept wafting over to us and making us hungry when it was already after 10pm. So yeah, I had an ice-cream and a pau. We only made our way back at 1am. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Like we had planned earlier on, we girls had a slumber party! Alia's room was empty that night, so me, Sofia, Nana and Sakkun took our pillows and blankets to crash Alia's room. And like a true girl slumber party, we painted our nails with the nail polish we all bought at SP last weekend (my nails are now a dark sea green :)) We were quite noisy and we only slept around 4am on a couple mattresses that we put on the floor. Any wonder the following morning we woke up at almost noon, haha. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">The weather here has been either sunny or raining. Yesterday it rained in the afternoon while we were marooned at the cafeteria (again). Our umbrellas were put to the test with all the rain and wind this week. In fact, the other day it rained really heavily and I got my shoes and jeans drenched. Imagine my frustration when it turned out that class was cancelled after I got there - Grrr! So far, at least once our umbrellas have upsided. We laugh ourselves silly when that happens. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I think I've been hogging the laptop and rambling for a quite a while now, so until next time, cheers!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365215744888699362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6_d3dvDJOUIushSwJ_DNicT2UbKu-qpu9rCPymCanWjrxPueSVQ4WzBTIyJQn3z847KczK0CQ73Q7FS2JM_pMu-W0BwZ5N7SOExy7735qbHhxc7-BUetL4tSPCJbixQJa-84uJDP2s7-/s400/DSC03600.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>Slumber party!<br /></em><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365215739233746770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc55RgCendgczbgnoUQoCoy74W0bA_PBVpUlQ-7fiVQRky59Zd8zavnvXCQy3V1CSE6e3Pv4z2CisV6WhGEEErPQSSQIv5ujav5CjTxkpXfv_dwjoaN0pM3blgzIUu0JL-vCTOpIKYWaU-/s400/DSC00164.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Battling the wind and rain</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365215741776615986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCwE7IkXuJ4laXAXYZTifjHknvJV3gL1R3MDhEoNe-e0IKFP4z63s1s5SKdVYoG2ccrsenWKiwu7xIMP9PfP6ai4WuIXsB49qZoF7Srq49R1K6hnDDQsAdYsPl-HB4JwVr0ROzWENx9NA/s400/DSC00165.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Umbrella Upsided!</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365215731169956050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttj2ddDEb0sPvWE7V73FO1FmBjMMLrvYOopazuKbpaOeu0f-v0YwLBMyqnVuAYB4SO24-eGkiT2_eEFYDb8HxKH8-peKA3W_fNU7guaL1enoAJItbClhKmGbKSDaiFM9VR4niBMRW3jzL/s400/DSC00163.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Best main hujan... :D</em></p><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEhAXQ5QQzs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEhAXQ5QQzs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-50839089630548646712009-07-29T22:25:00.002+08:002009-07-29T22:30:12.365+08:00Update!: Life at University<div align="center">This is my second weekend in AIMST and only now do I have a chance to really write down what has been going on. Not that its been hectic, but sitting down to write about everything takes loads of time and I don't actually have my own laptop just yet. *hint hint! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">But luckily each room has an internet port and all my other room mates have laptops, yay!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Then again, there are so many computers and <strong>free </strong>internet here that I actually don't have much of an excuse for not writing this post sooner.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Anyway, let's talk about what I've been up to.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Over a week ago, I finally registered into university; AIMST that is. Since then, I've been pretty much loving every minute of being here. Seriously. It's been so much fun!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I've been really lucky. The place is just awesome. And at the beginning, there were already a few friends here too, Sofia and Faris. We spent our first night here wandering around campus after dinner, exploring and 'menikmati keheningan malam.' Haha. There was a point where we just sat on the benches near the lake. I siap baring on the bench to look up to the night sky. But then, Sofia and a friend of ours, Leonard were sharing a bench so a pak guard from afar dah mulalah fikir bukan-bukan. Before he could blow his whistle on us, we pun cabutlah. Heehee.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Orientation was just 2 days. The first day was mostly briefings about students affairs and stuff that we should know. They also took us on a tour of the library. My God, that place is <em>freezing. </em>In fact, my friend Sarah calls it 'The Human Freezer.' It's colder than a bloody morgue. Everytime we go there, (which is almost everyday; rajin betul ;)) wajib bring a jacket or cardigan. The lecture hall is also really cold. I sure hope I don't get sick from going from hot to cold, then cold to hot regions too often. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">2nd day of orientation is what I call 'soft ragging'. The university is stern about this being a 'ragging-free zone' but our foundation seniors (from the May batch) obviously took the opportunity to torture us, a teeny bit. The moment we heard that we were to wear sports attire and gather at the sports complex at 8am and worst of all, wear dark clothing (a sure sign water, mud, and flour was going to be involved), we knew it. The first activity was icebreaking then we got into groups. Then we had to create an identity for our group by doing a poster with the group logo and name, cheer, dance and a costume for the group leader with newspaper and tape. Honestly, the stuff we all came up with was hilarious. A highlight was the moment Faris got famous by doing the MJ moonwalk in front of everybody. Now he's known as 'the one that did the moonwalk.' Hahaha. The seniors also opened the floor to dance and there were some really cool performances and impromptu krumping and shuffling. So cool. I only wish I had a camera then. Darn.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">After lunch was when the torture began. We had to play all sorts of 'sukaneka' type of races and games, and some were pretty impossible to do. I fell down twice, once during the 'tug of war' when my group did the final, massive tug that won us the game. Another during the race where we had to put our feet in mud, ice water and congealed flour then crawl under crisscrossed strings (like that exercise in military training). I slipped on the flour and mud during the crawl so my whole front was covered with sticky white stuff and grass. We lost that one so as punishment, the other team could douse us with a pail of water. It was so hot that day that we all became gluttons for punishment. Me and my big mouth, calling for the guy, Surin to quickly fling the water over - in the end I was the only one that got wet. But it felt sooo good! At least for a while - my clothes dried quite fast under the sun. Surin sort of felt guilty afterwards and kept apologising, hehe. After all the games, we were beat. Thank God I'll never have to do orientation ever again!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The first Saturday here we already made to visit Sungai Petani or SP to watch Harry Potter. But my God, it was so hard to get out of AIMST. We waited for the bus for over an hour, then finally managed to get a taxi. In the end we missed the movie because people in SP apparently do watch Harry Potter so the tickets were sold out. Went shopping instead, ahaha.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The first week of classes has actually been pretty relaxed. Our timetable isn't actually packed so Sofia and I now frequent the library in between the lectures in the morning and the tutorials in the afternoon. Its also because we've come to a horrible realisation that we forgot a massive chunk of our Form 4- and 5-acquired knowledge. And the competition here is tough. 300 students, most of which vying for Medicine seats. Yikes.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Today I spent the whole day chit-chatting. First with my housemate for 2 hours then sambung during roti canai lunch. Then the rest of the gang joined us and we spent all day, until dinner, just sembang-sembang about all kinds of stuff. After dinner, we went to the track and field where we just went round and round the track, listening to songs and getting bitten by mosquitoes. Then at 9.30 we kena halau again by a pak guard. Then sambung lagi chit chatting at the cafeteria. I see a trend coming. HAHA. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Here's some photos. (all photos courtesy my camera phone)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362458581221792466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSqJhDjYlKTnl3WjeLtiTJ8E29-ZYK62uVczfIl_ejYRivFL9VtaXStCITj4g7im_oOpZjscF7x8OI5SKZFrEjR8xRJn55n0g4gFF7MQ7YZE1Hq7su0mHBHEegfo-jy8RlzqtVAjYKiUt/s400/DSC03561.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>My bed</em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873086031905570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhoV-1ETpoHIoMEzFbzWD_gljRhyVNtXOPMRBG16fsS3CeK-PqUzwVbKr-mtrAKhIF57B55zqeexg5MCWfxxcEsea5nWJcuzat3a4Oj0_SEYVTHN9tiUR2ipVBDuciti6yWpiNjVoTPn2/s400/DSC03578.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>My desk (notice the open Chemistry book -rajin betul huh...^_^)</em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362459065158155890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDajipYZBSmELjUfS1FcCJnxT2sTpuwvcEXCARHJmrYCzOPPHRA2oT5kHIWQ0QQiHD4zWw5OCN64KLy0SA1ZJd6QzKj7lvMmOjuW6626LAPy5qQHUcdEbwzoOCxLC7UOjc8ewYrIABD8x/s400/DSC03564.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>The living room and pantry of the apartment</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362459074974393922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_ehmtp2dEXx1dPxy1pWAdWVaNU-3-KBs40ZWRTfQ-0aM-OPXPtSnj4e5zMTOk4WTbWJSnryaSAZ_YXb0WuWahhox7lV-g2I_xA4-dkfEjpGCrklSEUd0wORjYiEIXkL4MmpjJhuBBoi-/s400/DSC03565.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>The pantry</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363871196770307010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpD7dwvE6P_JbiFsVvXni6XcL9LRwlw13v_YSAQs4Dl8QXrEPlDJ64lstEL3VSajAygZ9i9EVy2lHDOvodcmV6O1r2QK7TioVy96CCSAmoNnIOO5f6E6EzZSvhBTVMGmyGhLZ4LFS8-Xy/s400/DSC03577.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Check out the beautiful scenery just outside my room window!</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362459079701581906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi_5_gv1MCxRqaRK7L_GsK_jGoR3lMK6_NUmYOcONFgNhuS3Jww9AGeLPU64gEiX5mFzry0Q9JuxHx0bzo5hx2j74CXMJEMFJA8BvF39cDjeVYHRPhyphenhyphena7Wl2LITy8FgBr3eLUNhNpzpfl/s400/DSC03570.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Sunset from my window...</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362458580185998738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGuzxOJQQ-xai1UDGqyz_oSDOATZMxkHYuBRWUOZGvXSrJ_AYY78Kb9mQynMUURTsD7qkFrRJBf5ac77ZskO1UQcPG9IxiAxw-tPPZis0bRqwFYzWMoZGtu4T7EOTnvmmRT8ThD8Rgmdp/s400/DSC03559.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Our new little friend</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873090727147298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xyHQuSlswjoJ3Tgzt4HX1BL55meWPDMxjem7_HTqr_QBoaPE7J48hBtrudDgKAeSd6sITX932w1MjDIkySMIDGWYlPUw0EAHoyVWxBmt9xuM_2TWgy59vsOpAaqwFEbfIycfoUDLy_Te/s400/DSC03579.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Hahaha! Sofia tak pakai kain!!!</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363871183590015458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIE3au_nimf6ota_R5U1tUvm7i1JJWrGsOVJ2n8O9bD4sz-g1l6OHwa6Wwi8fJX9CIoOqGQnapfqVd0dd_AElX9T-7qyIO6epyVzV7BWzR0yE-CTAAdxd6CSc4FT1sJQjApx8i-UdCGQw/s400/DSC03572.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>The female hostels</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363871190600900610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7db2zFNJTaC3llvCzlJDvSx-UQZ4MgXBFzHOlq-lc_Pohgn_IMy1g_cnqgW-_DP4vah5Xp6T421W52qACMl0qRAk1zg34ajTeU2XHiUFrQ0vGSvvEAYXpbEHMR9n69TfB-TTEmTSi0pv/s400/DSC03574.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>The Dental faculty building (all our lectures and tutorials are conducted here)</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363871194835720242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQineqS4Pe-uYcoPuj4iIcxYRFgKnp-r1sijJ7URoWTwRuZVBr36SCvP0bN3ztVFSLO01vFhv7fo5XKe_n7UXePlPgsLUQdTba1WRKm8d28OM-goA-cYGuMaoW0W4Z4JkKWzvNeAmoCfuq/s400/DSC03575.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Far left: Student centre and cafeteria; right: library; far right: Dental and Engineering building (beyond that, in the centre is the admin building)</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363871179779674546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDddyEl4mKo0pNhHYRv1JvwxsJ9RIN_YD74mjDuLgsFx9DDrwCi36rw2q0RCSYf5McXWOvNH2u3MUIDTWTf1IxOPqT_YLmdtOY-zDn7CTHU-F935ybJQ4Yj03QRTTtBA5J4AbShh2e8h4Y/s400/DSC03571.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>first floor of the cafeteria </em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362458576507179842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj391H38HBB5LFSntB1AE0Igw3varIvgX3zj30KcnNM4o80vEN70GfhDFz-mo_Pb2_iP80lytaMIJnGs2OuBK_JOK-nR0R0VTSNdMZSF_E_jHXa4NqACbAcR3UL4skybmjCOiE6Op3zC58b/s400/DSC03555.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Atrium of the 'Human Freezer'</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873110973130754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4KIZUHNbbXaZ2r0555O3bZqnppPKa6KWMgifyp25_cGi51_pv433AsUvIklOXDpkodZIdCq9F64LmBQDbo5mZi31ligNF-lG-VjDWfH0ynglIXNfT_vZDIOVMJacrW3Cn0RLVjZi8NyY/s400/DSC03583.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Sports complex</em></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">And now...</p><p align="left">Photos of outing day!!!</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873098169612898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK09FIKP70Ua18HsexG1Q0vSZi8MefpioBgVPoYUKTikq-zw1J7D5fiG0OFrUyCekhcDf2E_NIAIy7893InsnND3PGYMgliPAsxVs4uJ4ClcyzMhWwzY5rPmatpk0MmeX5csIkQzvpJ4mX/s400/DSC03580.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>On our way to the bus-stop, sempat berposing with our umbrellas...</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873105685312002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B3gBytERaFcJK6XGtIL2s98pxt5Ttp3iBRVilz4Wl3GwWzjP9A-oB0rbdY6U3V_iXuVf3H_aYUqKLhceKmpfbyAJAF4te6XY3xEad9NgF5G9KgyC87VetUAwArhEkyQ3NiQFpZOkg4S3/s400/DSC03581.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Minah Payung!!!</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873747447646226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoC6aOiU2muPkJO6zzxUsRVNNtuVa6_t05JpA1pbyWMG3H1fDmyUzm4UFFqKHxBjs9eAt3vXjxUuZlswgnlrElNqQskTU3UcfuPlVgpn6yZsr01oGyRYz7Ap_kuT3aVPTKr09ktOYxXLv/s400/DSC03587.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>All</em> <em>the</em> <em>gals... </em></p><p align="center"><em>(Alia, Sofia, Sarah, Nana, Sakkunthala and Lily)</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873753392555522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUk50gLK2NbjY4Hf87FDBhNQAQjFZYGhuGgAw3sVJb0tP00MoplLO_WsQyR0GfvzkDpFWIl8RNBZlPGGmUAPDMEYYQI2J7VIuWSyn80JZiflXdT3J7DLcrbrydePk9PruY1vKesL-_MK0/s400/DSC03589.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Lunch at KFC...lepas penat berjalan and braving SP traffic</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873787020621826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MycrDD9fJu2mWROJX9NzCZ5ToEIPDGhwqdhyrCmJjKIEIWhyphenhyphen1k8HwCJSN-_ZCbI94wfjv6ps41p0vyfMjPBcl68kR-wiKuyrQ9S8QP6Pq6e4DzHFfchvFNTdUtBe5spdh7XwPG95EbZx/s400/DSC03593.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Back at our hangout at the cafeteria (with our 'stepdad' Faris, haha)</em></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363873782822259458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAB9UVRRji1GWV3JliZIh5_-agtswuyFJAYZWgJAIuToQhcKniIxzGXxAy9TbHUe5Yg_azKRVs2zNhhQKz0FAWCcLlGxq7UdmsanDVNI7v3gnCnSAdGSP67QGQfE463npdp07m-j7FwUA/s400/DSC03591.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Peace!</em></p><p align="center">P.S. The first part of this post was done last Saturday before our second outing but I could only finish it today - all thanks to my dahling Sofia for lending me her laptop! ;)</p><p align="center">P.P.S. The weather here has been awesome. That's why the photos are so pretty...:)</p>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-455209657987716182009-06-17T23:12:00.005+08:002009-06-18T00:58:56.903+08:00ForgettingFor a usually forgetful person, certain things I really find difficult to forget.<br /><br /><br />Like how I cannot forget the smell of Lancome's Miracle perfume.<br /><br />Like how I cannot forget some of my dreams, while completely forgetting others.<br /><br />Like how I still remember the biting cold on my bare fingers from eating cotton candy in Paris (it was the beginning of winter).<br /><br />Like how I cannot forget all kinds of bits and bobs of general knowledge (a.k.a mostly useless information) that I picked up through the years. I have no idea where in my brain am I storing all this junk.<br /><br />Like how I can recall the smell of the classroom where I took French language classes. :)<br /><br />Like how sometimes, I can automatically sing along the lyrics of songs I haven't heard in <em>years.</em><br /><p>Like how I remember my mother's hands easier than anything else about her.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget the only time I saw my father cry.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget the times I upsetted or really lost my temper at the people I love most.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget the faces of all the best friends I've ever had since kindergarten.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget all the embarassing moments I've had with the boys I've liked. :$</p><p>Like how I <em>still </em>remember where all the moles went.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget how insanely happy and utterly confused he made me feel.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget that look. </p><p>Like how I cannot forget that smile.</p><p>Like how I cannot forget that voice.<br /><br /></p><br /><p>I <em>really</em> wish I could forget the last 5, but I always seem to forget to forget. </p><p>Sorry.</p><p>But there'll be more unforgettable moments to come... :)</p><p></p>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-12590743798719721682009-06-13T15:47:00.020+08:002009-06-17T02:52:15.081+08:00Nostalgia<div align="center">At first, I thought I'd just scan old photos and put them up to show how my hair has evolved over the years in my previous post. But then, I got into flipping through the old albums and had a great laugh seeing how <em>different </em>I used to look like! So it evolved to this really big post with loads of pictures! Enjoy! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980450223487986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4y_2WTd_Zt5yQUYDyMdUcGsN49UdGchvrKJiOt6BILvaFGvoqwQw21_virjE4Ffe5Ta2vD8JhwfJQss3hm5rw_gP-llEsRhy2SsFI_CQwtCGWdkrLCuJJ_hIPbfkU69-Bjqs2tTw_2_F/s400/OneYrsOld.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><em>At one years old...my hair is straight!!!</em></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980455705059314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopVdfHdxqMVfRjHT14C4mBq8y0tYj8q8KN5WuqKr_eSUQncci031d68ROh3F3jdtWIhCwh4uFqdGBrPtDkAvYCaTvQrD0rOzWXF2r5DY5meCo16qHWEFCtTcIg525BUnfpaapKzJoNp_V/s400/SelendangGirl.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><em>Amboi...ayunya...haha</em> </div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347972081644726818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEiplJmb81xUOwzWMnMXvMDpUgKuG9JsWv4_08s0MNHFlnVXU10Nt8aMgqnq05uIvVuiFocoB73dORCaKLrUk1j_eM13ZB0nx6bwrvfN6gt4k-u_YSz0pcmzgSI5FJmHMgODT3ekhcHtH/s400/unique!.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>"Oh, I </em>know<em> I look so cute in this!"</em><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980462165674706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinT7-iw3Z1iW8TmKpevyFUIgl4LHgljUX7h5QGrTdqNKIZqkEsv6T-jcbB5e19kZZLJntANPLf0-EwVI_M7G6JJ32Tpe9vPgTFEKMIUUIGJeqsZk1BVzR1TzboXPZHWCDkUJcgXqmnnHPE/s400/Three.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Hair is starting to curl...</em><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980015831621330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavlD-_wpyEnw-9UrTICsSMrAWEkQWZ-_wE8fYGvnInxRQXxzfYB-w-8NknTAYWCzQmk5bSI7HKSvD3G4SvcvI9v-4JfUT8zb_T4xBm4baWZ7bncDVjCULUqeGhms5zGLv0zyRCfBhC-j6/s400/At+Fraser%27s.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">...<em>and</em> <em>then</em>, <em>BAM! </em><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980033969260194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg69kFeWydPDCO4JF6Ui6ICYVUJlazOYlF6Gn4rQLdguIK4n1fYv16QKCgEZoudbsAfaBT9SxiuQECZz1ym-DjM-uO2PjC4H3JylHzGRt_DEjOUJH9Pjy0G_CpzLKBh4AqxHMuIJ_6WdtA/s400/Four.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Check out the hair!!!</em><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980025631360626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsUUjsEFcmGBN8rzF7IbSbnNG-2N3pKcUkKTVP2N5Bm6Bg9AK6G1Fej_ddmdtJtzV6YtmgWagGKE-h8yQ63ec3ZKwpjHQAGXBwSXwGAWF1bpBmrCO1gy7_s5KlwHVBCfzG8qgpYbWVFL_/s400/Flower+Girls.JPG" border="0" /><br /><em>Opposites - and I'm the darker one! :(</em><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980447354831570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z8zS2xSYavZPppbpiRlsLwaLNnDvf78MAf2NJmNp5SqaNqzQ9E6mI1TFUFTldMZuBHR3KD8fPGM1vdBwFmJSyesFWIWWO-sd4vLtfAoC9oxfQ5ppc_qtF4rS2bkja5_x9BW29NMkGYD-/s400/Keling.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><em>OMGWTF. </em><em>Anak keling mana ni??!!!</em> </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347976101326203042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH8UyZ6UnLWo-BzAEn_ALDK-968UfpLpAD1DLeh3nQa9KqxZHXmaoubmjHAoADFQUA5GIuWyFiWg9WMXwnIdA6l3VnwspK-mDrk1DdcP60PK7XM8KU72-U_Jcys_AtwhiGuKTp3uvp1HX/s400/kebaya.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /><em>Wah...rambut macam Mak Datin tau...</em><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347980021518970322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCrVc3JLFRKWmrSlp0TgKrSBSL3BAlD15YMJHmIGJvoIJ_eOLrTDEUVtp1lO6yTNkI_Wv5atzpMz4SoWuwFV_03_7gZVSfS_dXMyt4gi2nrFJwa-Xq5mDLT4WSfmmYrHGRuuX7gRmSgFb/s400/bags.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>My Yellow Power Ranger Bag!</em><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346732397633513234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3mbvw3iJzT12hyjHCVDNzqnCh4QoiW2AWEgOe6TsUWRE5HzahO24iw_JnPMo-Fh7SuxfwuVk_L1HMIuqXk8EX-GP6urs9l8AW55pw7PygR1ywtVUsWQrnRN4yxvCna3ogIEW1ZO5y-4d/s400/Phuket.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /><em>Phuket '98 - Staying cool in the sun!</em><br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346725378227022818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmPxogb7mqluSfOm__vR9vqb0FDDxZ7no9IgoMzW07saAHpKhlR7X8fg6imutHxMH3YEk9TGS_NkvlELvTgi5qj09t5u4z2SeeE7AplZoUxXyNOvpDWJ_xZ_qJfTfYaAVoAuqA3nPBFKE/s320/Perth.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Perth, 2000. I braided my hair and put beads in!</em><br /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346721793455910306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedv0CkPNBD8nN-hpI0gTrFwgzRhYnOVvpGZvlqxSrHVfOU8bZcZJLGeI4_KArn6L_hnYYU3GoT1VpbH2PyueGFqxDCj4_fG2Xor6NHyL3Ycskg9woijFEsITphvYJS5242O8jD8nyMhpd/s320/Pri+4.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em>Primary 4 - The Beginning of the Tomboy Years</em><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346724593440698258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnLF0cX9o5fiBw-34plg5wGyYURSpNSTvkaYWslDYeay6KFlF6DX39rrGqCdW5hORKAfgM3r4n_tKGIke6_4mRnIAcH4B_HSVeCYrAUEBN3IskacPGldyXU9zbrrbzQ28z_e48lMucgso/s400/Pri+5.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Primary 5 - I wore sneakers to school EVERYDAY, and I was a prefect!</em><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346738512450747522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRGLYFsoxJJ1rZvANnbZYP8TDieZgnoICBcFDK5MD0Oo0BW3P6Is91d0u1QFFLB-8mlI8njrqVI0K8Khd3K5ydAIsS5kSE1DBOCTe19avZuUOdblskjMXQ6r8Ni7osuXBposXBdLP10Hj/s400/tomboy.JPG" border="0" /><em>This was my usual outfit during the Tomboy Years; t-shirt, big straight-leg jeans (oh, the horror) and my sneakers...</em></p><br /><p align="center"><em></em></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346724598484643570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFwWm8j6evipxAlklUH-8pYovTNAozNgumDuF-OggOi7_4w0hB5RBPR_NYuLb9oHfuLp7lYaoSQe8Cb7BoKHmx7j5KtGvVl8IAxjjAhqej2FA4jfzguaieZicXtvtgsMKnYk6wOav4zEA/s400/Pri+6.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Primary 6 (I'm the one right in front with the least respect for school rules - rolled sleeves, unbuttoned top, and that BIG hair at the back)</em> </p><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347963736373928514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1P86M6gc5yEDVeZWAidXak0bFrW14ykxkTfzgZlYoqIj-365u_agi8y8YYjBktAHfXLVFVPPeL1e5SPyxeS5RCjGkPYtKDzt6Ij01Or7afvqdmdOrtKNMJ_JPAdWN3FSa0QxTB5iWW-K/s400/Maksim+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>2004 </em><br /><em>(Try to ignore those horrible unplucked brows and frizz..)</em> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347978853182547922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfj1CuobLEXQdKr0Kd9xhBZ-_oMEeZ3LOKisTU9ll8OgQ16QJzi7YCT0PTddttbNvRIfxEAiCqyAAaMGcpA4ossSDwGc7XrVMkQWNDs4QymqGUvdaJzT3NrS9T3syWuRPyz4SgWY1aIGZ/s400/DSC00122.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Budak sekolah yang baik...</em> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347988571858617090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Ts4gMZM_Rrd7wC6hklvGlp6Aj2Ew1lv1l3r9RdSaaYjRtON8LBCxaU1hx1v3-B9K0IDTLk2wJORZCjH7a9bj53ZgDt8H2eXrrcqmlTaUyKFXscK2osGNcYq0y-Ycqz3kB2f4Srgqz6k/s400/Picture(80).jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>And so, the transformation begins...</em> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347963737191226194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJSON4Qj6gf1FuKemveBgjtiAREbb7HKQoyM19AQPj3F2ikgljXEFcZgEfBEyRxGyd3yBdetTGyuA7qjiJrXw7YnXtFePDRo98N66M7RVQtTiea0rhhaP-Vs3m7DQY4FCdD1mPVMH9hy_/s400/DSC00531.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><em>When I cut it really really short</em><br /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347976107251830850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJiGqigVrdGI-Dm-qDpIum7BFGae-JHsC7lxeCkF86-3HxmW8wf1jPokbCoebyaYMKpuX18ctnFDsDOQyQlG8GXhOEYs-Fzuab9lJGWLFT8OjxyWc8iBto1xMkmrkNBqjb3ZQbSSbF3Ql/s400/DSC03494.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em>"I KEEL you!!!"</em><br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347976103833655890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc43qpzeOvKEb47pgXJVSMDCl2tPx4c7j1f3xu23eD9Tmj4FrAbUxxeQXsemoRc-3kaF6X_TVFtqzV63hk8LxIu7xxn4j5_p5VyedOEef038L-KPtI-qDqzDjnj0ID5gQGTHbNrLBA_0l/s400/DSC00230.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p align="center"><em>One day at Pusat Sains Negara...</em><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347976093776685666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZlG6Kz-w0gdM_ayNLScOTdbRz2KM8UqpgPFBYx71-COf99gdGAJCzkVDw6AyH_FLYxnrKR-rHwhAA2s1iI6qq7ifvm4S8s8r6LPwTysKkXEW35rjDMZrqDEZ9GFsEBJZemI2nWHuSFa4/s400/goove+it!.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Mrs Nordin's 70s & 80s themed birthday bash - Groovin' and movin' takes intense concentration!</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347976089090663074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQO4KMxwkDJsR7oQmMQ9UxpzpP3Li34vakbidsPN1pO_NGGpQPHvQmRf4IDssoP5Pad4V-bgl1JD95Qq91vD-fSJ_XB2ghx3pQP5kydx8NCvWdPnLM_0I-pEFGDbTPO2914ehWtfPvRFL/s400/70s+party.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Me and Mrs Nordin in our full costume!</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347972094155346194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm5yTsMXgbtt7XroVB7Ocs-QZpzUI4jjOgQbFROI4jXGcDjml1fOSusEWboDcI7aplvmn1zgB4CoqJkrYYyRgsyluiGAruX3Y1S0LIbUgHAUzAndXIKZVYrlWVs92G-6WLqOUJHuHEEIS/s400/Miisc1208+128.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Christmas Dinner 2008</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347992799266087842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX5ovxnB2A1ptedTSd3hfukR8xx8KR_SRVT5bVOvf9tw2udWFCeXoMQKxkxSXjL0PD-GEV1gK08UM_04KHkip01AwVrx6cuw2gOftgkCDWfbnL7lr8KdwBVuZyEVSX67lMNPZGvBnn9LT/s400/Miisc1208+224.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>New Year's Bash 2009</em><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347963747209691794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlH2AGy0f-idZMoeV0CpjAhlvNIiYM_MRNAcJsiFMNk6Ia1JU-m6SnBiE149l5tOOE-4nw6UQsIpxEWh0uQqLLDOuAWka_S7rYhCZn4EfP6_r0tPgdysECDCJYh5vXJ1Q1dJhU2I3VP0n/s400/Nadira's+18th+Birthday+078.jpg" border="0" /> <em>At my 18th Birthday Party</em></p><br /><p align="center"><em></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347988567153078834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI8a39OPkaosNmrRNOjfwVuiPdYJ42svdBYHLAC58XgWB0cvE_1naAK7JRXGvmVgEPQUvh8qS6dKQ_TF7wIQp2F3aJe0JC-Sj-SqLWtz3maPe8WM_FM1_HP6NeagOxWqwC0_98DzRGPdv/s400/CIMG2003.JPG" border="0" /><em>Pelajar cemerlang gitu... XD</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347963752947182370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyzt1z8G5yv-zCkinkKAOo09jOq1wTgh0nesfcqAh-J95FuPTNz8Q2tgUCHdi8wg7zqZVMRyvUImofkQemBa0YUkSV_4m-Jz7Wwr14cjz85nKElFAhMHkyYTQAJPi9xF8KIjFycqT-acK/s400/CIMG1795.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center"><em>Muka baru bangun tidur, haha! (Photo courtesy of Nizzar)</em><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347972102899735938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D7w8C76eTzIhyphenhyphenAEBMNudVvGTX1qeu1nZhH_vBRhfUU4mNcSaTr1pyujGlREoP52-ixhygiNyOZECgWTuZJXO2Xgw2JXHHsvHJ438ynPguTfPSQBHp_hFHovIhI5NdtE5h-ifPWrm8LHU/s400/Miisc1208+020.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Dipaksa posing by the little cameraman... (Raya Haji 2009)</em></p><p align="center"><em></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347972108352556850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq5Agpi61GtfurVa77GHtWdFzGgMIGkaIHP-JQPaE5Usljf_sCguMHGNHCY0mQiTXZT7LtgOi096QchhAxk0J7cVul3CBWbQO355TKyS-WyDchda4RgAfJabRujWDrT64KY5-kcK4sC-j/s400/CIMG1716.JPG" border="0" /> <em>The little cameraman/Ultraman</em><br /></p><p align="center">P.S. This post took me <em>ages </em>to do! But I enjoyed it... stay tuned for <em>Nostalgia 2...</em></p>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-57546385826115034822009-06-11T16:47:00.006+08:002009-06-13T13:57:46.988+08:00Curly Hair 101<div><div><div>I've wanted to do a post on just curly hair for as long as I started this blog. I find that most people (most hairdressers and hair stylists included) really haven't a faintest idea on how to handle curly hair properly. After 18 years of experience with this hair of mine, allow me to shed some light on curly haircare.<br /><br />First, let's deal with some myths surrounding curls.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Myth #1: </strong>Curly hair IS an afro.<br /><br />Fact: So not true! In fact, they are two separate categories - curly hair and kinked/wiry hair. The difference is actually a lot. The most obvious being that both look completely different from each other. Curly hair (if the word curly isn't descriptive enough) forms curly locks of several strands of hair. Kinked/wiry hair looks like frizz, whereby each and every strand is naturally zigg-zagged and individual, therefore creating the fuzzy look. So please don't make the mistake by describing beautiful curls as a 'fro'.<br /><em></em><br /><em>[Ah, but if you do like afros, curly hair can easily be turned into one by blowing wet hair upside down, at the same time combing and back-combing to separate each strand. Keep it big and high with lots of hairspray. I've done it once. ;)] </em><br /><br /><strong>Myth #2: </strong>Curlyheads can only have long hair to look good.<br /><br />Fact: You can have any length - long, mid-length or short. Really short, pixie-like styles is also possible (think Halle Berry when hers was short), but remember to make sure it suits your face-shape. The only thing about deciding the length is it really depends on whether you are willing to spend time doing your hair or not. If the answer is no, short and mid-length is better because it takes less maintenance.<br /><br />[<em>If you want to go short, stick to a layered cut (think Meg Ryan during her heyday</em><em>) to prevent sides from spilling over and making you look like a frilly mushroom. In fact, best <strong>always </strong>go layered, no matter what the length. Blunt cuts are so outdated.]</em><br /><br /><strong>Myth #3: </strong>Curly hair must be washed everyday to keep it under control.<br /><br />Fact: You so think you're taking the easy way out by washing your hair daily so that you won't have to deal with frizz. Keep doing that and your hair will become even drier, frizzier and more prone to split ends. Don't ever do it. Just stick to this rule - wash it every other or every 2 days (you can even go more than that if you're so lazy, like me. Just as long people don't start avoiding you). The reason why you got to do this is because curly hair is the most manageable and the nicest a day after a wash. It has picked up natural oils, which is the best at keeping it tame. Same thing applies if you need your hair looking best for a function. It's better to wash the day before or 2 days before.<br /><br />[<em>If you really need to wash soon after your last wash, skip the shampoo. Instead, rinse, condition well then rinse.]</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Myth #4: </strong>You cannot comb curly hair!<br /><br />Fact: It's difficult but it can be done. My advice? Don't comb...when it's dry. It hurts like <em>hell!</em> Save yourself from the torture and only comb it when wet and conditioned (before rinsing out the conditioner) when you bath/shower. I do that, and it is such a lifesaver. Experts will say, "No, must comb or it'll tangle! Use a boar's bristle brush!" bla bla bla... Okay, as for tangles, yes, you must comb. But! the boar's bristle brush is<em> expensive. </em>Don't bother with it. My experience tells me that the best method is: When wet - wide-toothed comb; When dry - your fingers!<br /><em></em><br /><em>[I never understood why hairdressers are so stubborn and won't listen to me when I tell them to comb <strong>before rinsing out conditioner</strong> and not after. They always look at me strangely, as if I don't know how to handle my own hair!!!]</em><em> </em><br /><br /><strong>Myth #5: </strong>There<strong> </strong>is no point <em>trying </em>to have curly hair in humid weather. Look what happened to Monica in <em>Friends </em>when they went to the Bahamas.<br /><br />Fact: All I can say is, I'm proof! It takes work but our Malaysian tropical weather should NOT be the reason why you need to commit 'curl murder' and go do rebonding/straightening. DON'T DO IT. The process not only destroys your opportunity of being so totally unique, but damages the hair beyond repair. Plus, it's much cheaper to maintain your natural hair type than changing it.<br /><br />Enough myths. Time to go into the super-important tips for everyday care for your curly hair.<br /></div><ol><li>ALWAYS use moisturising shampoo and conditioners. If need extra, use leave-in conditioner after every wash. </li><br /><br /><li>NEVER wash everyday. Remember the rule!</li><br /><br /><li>NEVER comb everyday. (Why in the world would you want to put yourself through such God-awful pain everyday anyway?) </li><br /><br /><li>Sorry, but you MUST use a cream or mousse on your hair after you wash. It's the only way your hair is guaranteed frizz-free or at least, frizz-minimised. </li><br /><br /><li><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>IMPORTANT! Recipe for perfect bouncy springy curls:</strong> Apply product when hair is wet and style by twisting the locks around your index finger. Begin by dividing hair to 3 sections: right, left and back. At each section, take hair by layer (starting from bottom) and twist about 1cm-wide or wider locks. Do whole head. Leave to dry naturally. For more volume, dry the roots only with a diffuser, leave the rest to dry naturally. The best part is you don't have to do this everyday, only twice a week at least, after each wash.</span></li><br /><br /><li>Again, it's easiest to comb every time you wash. Apply conditioner, comb for a few minutes to get the tangles out, then rinse. Keep a comb handy next to your shampoo bottle.</li><br /><br /><li>Your fingers is all you need if you really want to keep it as cheap as possible. Comb and style with it. While other people need curling irons, rollers and perms, we curlyheads need only a couple of fingers and a little product!</li></ol><div><br />And that's all! It's really that simple. Of course, this is for the everyday gal who can't afford the time, energy and money to do treatments and more high-maintenance stuff. This is basically all I do for my hair. These are definitely time-tested tips from someone who really<em> knows </em>about curly hair and the stress that goes into it when trying to keep it manageable.</div><div><br />As for products, Dove shampoo and conditioner for Dry hair is excellent and I've been using it for years. I am a great fan of the Japanese brand Lucido-L Moisture Styling hair cream. Its got no fragrance so you don't feel too bombarded with smell when you apply it and its non-sticky. Plus, it only costs RM15 at Watsons and Guardian. One bottle can last me 2-3 months++.</div><div><br />I believe it really worth taking a little time and effort to take care of this type of hair. All it needs is some TLC. Sure, I spend an hour max. washing, styling and blowing my hair. But it's only a couple times a week and the results pay off. Girls who truly embrace their natural curly hair are rare. And it doesn't hurt to receive compliments every now and again! ;D </div><div><br />Bottomline, embrace your beautiful, naturally curlicious hair! </div><div><br />Say NO to rebonding/straightening! :D</div><div> <em></em></div></div></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-12406128172169122172009-06-10T17:43:00.002+08:002009-06-10T18:27:12.803+08:00TodayToday, I:<br /><br /><ol><li> Woke up at 3am. Had fallen asleep with a headache and the light on. Brushed teeth then sambung tidur.</li><li>Tossed and turned; Metallica kept playing in the background while truckload of choices, decisions, pros and cons and info were clanging noisily around in my head.</li><li>Finally fell asleep around 5am I think. (Could hear the morning bird calls) </li><li>Went to JPA's office in Putrajaya. Such a pretty place yet so <em>empty. </em>And<em> </em>stupid parking. Heard what I already knew and accepted it.</li><li>Discuss, discuss, discuss - walking back to the car, in the car and over lunch.</li><li>Went home. Moved slowly in my room, cleaning up and changing. </li><li>Painted my nails electric blue. A sucker punch of colour always helps.</li><li>Wandered aimlessly in cyberspace.</li><li>Had a long, lighthearted conversation with Sofia, with whom I'll most probably be coursemates with, in that land (not so) far away. Told her to get a car since she has a C license already so that we can go outing. Haha.</li><li>Then... Here I am, writing a silly post. </li></ol><p> </p><p>For further inquiries, (which I know there will be since I'm cleverly talking in code) please leave a comment below. Tee hee!</p><p>And, oh yeah...</p><p> </p><p>11. I missed you! Where you been?! (metaphorically; you already told me after I asked you only a million times XD)</p><p> </p><em>P.S. Why don't you call me this time? It's your turn!!! XP</em>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-87541142240451855652009-06-03T22:39:00.008+08:002009-06-10T18:37:17.430+08:00Friends and LoversI just heard the song "Never Be The Same Again" by Melanie C and Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes on the radio and it reminded me of how much I used to love the song.<br /><br />I think the first time I heard it was when I was in Primary 5 and crushing (I stress the word, <em>crush) </em>on the boy sitting beside me and who was a good friend of mine. The lyrics pictured exactly what's it like to like your own friend and wish you could have something more. I thought the song fitted my situation exactly then. Thinking back on it, it didn't. Because like all my early and silly crushes, it all went unspoken, unrequited and quickly dissolved. And I was 11 years old, for Heaven's sake! What could an 11 year old ever hope for when it came to boys? Boys at that age were still spoon-fed by their mothers! Haha.<br /><br />Back to the present, I realise there aren't any other songs that talk about friends becoming lovers. At least, not that I know of. The closest one is "Anyone Else But You" by the Mouldy Peaches. The lyric goes "<em>You're a part-time lover and a full-time friend..." </em><br /><em></em><br />Besides that, I can't think of any else. I find that quite strange because that 'friends becoming lovers' thing is so often acted out for television and silver screen. Off the top of my head, there's <em>When Harry Met Sally, Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!</em>, <em>Princess Diaries, </em>not forgetting <em>Kuch Kuch Hota Hai </em>and even Jane Austen's <em>Emma (</em>Emma was so busy matchmaking other people, that she didn't realise she loved her best friend, Mr. Knightley). The last example just goes to show how often it is that friends of the opposite sexes find themselves tiptoeing around the line between friends and lovers, so much so that it could make its way into late 18th century English Literature. But the best example was <em>When Harry Met Sally.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: You realize of course that we could never be friends. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: Why not? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: That's not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: No you don't. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: Yes I do. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: No you don't. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: Yes I do. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: You only think you do. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: You say I'm having sex with these men without my knowledge? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: No, what I'm saying is they all WANT to have sex with you. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: They do not. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: Do too. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: They do not. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: Do too. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally:</em><em>How do you know? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: So, you're saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: No. You pretty much want to nail 'em too. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: What if THEY don't want to have sex with YOU? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: Doesn't matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: Well, I guess we're not going to be friends then. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Harry: I guess not. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sally: That's too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York. </em><br /><em></em><br />Hahaha.<br /><br />Well, I never agreed with Harry's theory because I'm pretty sure it's 100% okay to have friends of the opposite sex. I myself have a lot. I believe that it's normal and it makes you a better people person.<br /><br />However, history does prove that in many cases, either one half of the man-woman friendship will develop feelings for the other <em>but</em> the feelings are not returned and the friendship is goes terribly sour OR both fall in love and proceed to have the best kind of relationships, that is, one based on friendship, trust and deep understanding.<br /><br />Knowing that it's so much better to fall in love with a person you know well before any romantic feelings were involved, maybe that's why the guys I've crushed on and liked were all friends first. Not once did I meet and get to know someone with the sole intention of turning it into something romantic. In short, I always kind of wanted to have someone who was 'a part-time lover and a full-time friend'. I think it makes everything easier.<br /><br />Although, it would only work if the feeling is mutual. That's why it's really scary to take the next step. Because you might either gain a lover or lose a friend... And the latter is much worse.<br /><br />Anyway, this is for you. :)<br /><br /><div style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ff6600 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; BORDER-TOP: #ff6600 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; BORDER-LEFT: #ff6600 1px solid; WIDTH: 310px; PADDING-TOP: 3px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px"><embed src="'http://www.youtube.com/v/qBm2J-gKeUE&rel=" width="'310'" height="'259'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'" wmode="'transparent'"></embed></div><embed src="'http://widget.lyricsmode.com/i/scroll2.swf?lid=" width="'318'" height="'181'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'/" speed="4'"></embed><br /><a href="http://www.lyricsmode.com/" target="_blank">Lyrics</a> <a href="http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/melanie_c/" target="_blank">Melanie C lyrics</a> - <a href="http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/melanie_c/never_be_the_same_again.html" target="_blank">Never Be The Same Again lyrics</a>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-46407191654858400482009-05-27T15:57:00.003+08:002009-05-28T22:37:40.266+08:00DreamsI have always felt that my dreams when I sleep were often really strange. I never can guess what does it really mean. I know there are many 'People say that'-kind of interpretations. Like losing teeth means someone close to you is going to die. Or getting bitten by a snake means you are going to meet your soulmate or 'jodoh' soon. But since my dreams usually border on being completely nonsensical, I'd like to wager if anyone can make sense of what my dreams are made of.<br /><br />One dream that I still remember, which I had when I was 6 I think, was about a few friends and I being kidnapped. It wasn't as scary as kidnapping goes because it was as if we were just carpooling with our teacher, just that this time she drove a truck. The cargo room at the back of the truck became this really cool playroom with lots of toys, hammocks and pillows. So we were having loads of fun but then it turned out that we were being driven to the South Pole. Then I woke up. And another around the same time was I dreamt that my family owned a zoo or aquarium because it had all of us hosing down a whale. Haha, weird.<br /><br />My nightmares were also really weird. The scarier ones always have a similar theme - big, old and abandoned buildings, lack of people and huge spaces. And by huge spaces, I mean really huge, until you have this sense of vertigo and <em>emptiness. </em>And usually there will also be staircases and elevators, in a really creepy way. The staircases were always very steep and high, you felt that it led somewhere you didn't want to go. Same thing about the elevators, I'm always alone...so many floors...opening to dark rooms...or long hallways... *<em>Shiver</em>*<br /><br />I don't remember ever having a dream that when I woke up, I felt happy. They were either ludicrous, weird or creepy. I cried myself awake once when I dreamt that my mother was leaving me (it was when I was little) but in fact, that morning she was going to Hong Kong for a few days. But happy? Does anyone ever wake up from a dream feeling happy?<br /><br />But another thing about my dreams is that I always dream about the guys I've liked. Every single one. (At least the ones that were 'important'; no Gerard Butler though.) In these cases, I've tried futilely to interpret them. Once, I dreamt that the guy I liked (then) was with me and it seemed ok but he was always avoiding my eye or worse, trying to avoid me altogether! So I took this as a bad omen. That time, in reality, I was trying to get his attention. Then, at a time I wanted to forget him, he would show up in my dreams, smiling and reminding me of him. It was very frustrating.<br /><br />Now the question is, if I dream about a certain someone, does that translate that my mind is actually thinking about him or at least, wants me to think about him? Because the fact is, after you had a dream that was different, you tend to mull over it for a while. So the result is, you end up thinking about that person. And it can be particularly puzzling if in that dream, it was good situation so you then ask yourself, what if I try to make that happen? Would the outcome be as good as in the dream?<br /><br />Hmmm. I don't know.<br /><br /><em></em>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-31050037741412090522009-05-08T19:49:00.007+08:002009-05-09T02:43:25.454+08:00Guitar Hero 3 SongsI thought I'd make it easier for everyone to take a listen to the bulk of the songs featured in the Guitar Hero 3 game since I couldn't find a decent site that allowed people to listen to the songs in full, all in one playlist.<br /><br />This playlist is by no means the complete song list of <strong>all </strong>the songs in the game - the total would be almost 50, I guess. But these are my favourites so I hope you'll enjoy them too!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"> <object width="435" height="270"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D55235702%26t%3D1241807524&wid=os"></param> <embed style="width:435px; visibility:visible; height:270px;" allowScriptAccess="never" src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_black_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http://www.indimusic.us/loadplaylist.php?playlist=55235702&t=1241807524&wid=os" width="435" height="270" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"/> </object> <br/> <a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/create_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/standalone/55235702" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/launch_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/download/55235702"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/get_black.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones"/></a> </embed></div>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-4799524225023213432009-05-07T19:07:00.008+08:002009-05-08T19:59:22.025+08:00Rock On!<a href="http://zip-zapgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/guitar-hero-3.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 435px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://zip-zapgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/guitar-hero-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I haven't written any posts in a while, considering that there is <em>still </em>not much for me to write. Yet, that isn't wholly accurate as there really are a lot of potential topics to write on; anything from the movie I watched last night (<em>Elizabeth: The Golden Age) </em>to something in an attempt to be philosophical to justify the title of my blog.<br /><br />The fact is, I have been a true lady of leisure so to speak, fully utilising the hours of my day with nothing. On top of that, with the unconscious knowledge that my really long holiday is almost up, the amount my daily activities frighteningly whittle down all the more. It's a millimetre shy from being<em> unhealthy.</em><br /><br />But what can I do. I say, just enjoy the luxury of having nothing to do while I still can. After all, as a aspiring Medical student and doctor, that is a luxury that I will probably only have when I'm so old and physically incapacitated, I need help to get to the bathroom and remembering my grandchildren's names. No kidding.<br /><br />The only scant development I can see in my own person is the length of my hair, the increased distance that the pointer of the weighing machine has to travel when I park my bum on it, and... oh, that's it really. Ha.<br /><br />Bitterly sarcastic comments aside, the other change I think I can note - while I'm still rambling about sadly unimportant details of my vacationing self - is my strange, newfound appreciation for music that, I quote my very own music critic 3 year-old brother, "bising". I'm dead serious. He actually said, "Bisinglah, Alla." (He calls me Alla) when I was listening to an Incubus song. And Incubus is fairly mainstream rock. Which isn't as bad in comparison to the other songs now crammed on my heavily burdened phone memory card.<br /><br />I thank (while the other members of the household would blame) Guitar Hero 3 for this higher appreciation for rock. If you're one of the few who haven't ever heard of Guitar Hero 3 (I mean, they even mention it on Channel V), it's a video game. Now, don't roll your eyes just yet. It's totally a unique game and really cool. The concept is simple - press the correct buttons corresponding to the ones moving down the screen to play the guitar for a rock song. The Career mode is about you progressing as a guitar player in a band, from an obscure bunch of dudes playing from their backyard to 'Guitar God' status. The best bit is the songs you get to play. Most of the songs, even if you're naturally not into rock, are <em>nice. </em><br /><em></em><br />Proving that real rock music are from another era, most of the songs are old. And I mean, <em>old</em>. There were some that were made before I was even born and by bands that not too long ago, I would never fathom I'd ever listen to in my lifetime. The first five songs you play are the easiest and some of the oldest. There was Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (1980) and Kiss' "Rock and Roll All Night" (1979). Then to name a few, there's Scorpion's "Rock You Like A Hurricane" (1984), Aerosmith's "Same Old Song And Dance" (1974), Gun's N Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" (1987) and Santana's cover for Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman" (Fleetwood Mac-1968, Santana-1970). Not forgetting my ultimate favourite in the game, Metallica's "One" (1988).<br /><br />As you can see, they're old rock bands and classic songs. And they're actually and quite surprisingly nice to hear. But not all the songs were old, some were very recent hits like Muse's "Knights of Cydonia", Kaiser Chief's "Ruby", The Killers' "When You Were Young" and AFI's "Miss Murder".<br /><br />The moment I could get my hands on my sister's laptop and Limewire, I downloaded almost all of the songs featured in the game. And when that wasn't enough, my music antennae was on alert for more rock songs to add to my collection. So, suddenly here I was, listening to more of Metallica's songs (my affinity with the band is significant considering that <a href="http://i-do-not-care-what-you-think.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-weekend-i-found-myself-reverting.html">Apocalyptica</a> covers a lot of their songs) and another band called Dream Theater, also a progressive metal band and pretty old too.<br /><br />I consider myself as always being a rather rock chick for a long time (my first CD that I can call mine was Linkin Park's <em>Hybrid Theory </em>when I was 10). But I never imagined bands older than me - and those of which I know only because you have to be a total frog under a coconut to not know names like Scorpions, Santana, Aerosmith, Gun's N Roses and Metallica - would make their way into my phone/mp3 player. And since Metallica and ACDC has new albums, I've been watching these middle-aged dudes rocking on MTV and Channel V too. Seriously. XD<br /><br />But it's pretty amazing how a video game (which I myself didn't buy - kudos to brother Nadim) could open my musical pallette like this. It's fascinating how certain things can influence you in such a way. Refreshing. Like Metallica's lyrics in "Nothing Else Matters": <em>Never opened myself this way...everyday for us something new...open mind for a different view...All these words I don't just say...And nothing else matters...</em><br /><br />You guys should really give it a try; who knows that you'd find out that you're actually a true rocker at heart and you didn't have a clue.<br /><br />P.S. For more about the game and to check out its awesome song list (click Tracks from the homepage), go to the official website by clicking <a href="http://www.guitarherogame.com/gh3/">here</a>.<br />P.P.S. I believe Guitar Hero 4 is coming out but it's for PS3 and XBox. Darn.Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999012540694649559.post-3345125463738121412009-04-19T14:40:00.007+08:002009-04-19T17:54:54.272+08:00From Vegetarian to CarnivoreFirst of all... Forgive me, God, for I have sinned. I've been really bad.<br /><br />Yesterday, my good friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nikhil</span> invited me over for lunch at his house. The Indian New Year was on the previous Tuesday so his mom cooked a traditional vegetarian feast for us. I've always been a fan of Indian food so the lunch really was a treat. I've had vegetarian Indian food before and it's always been delicious.<br /><br />We started off with a little bit of rice with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><em>poppadom</em></span> and melted <em>ghee. </em>Then, we had the 6 main dishes; pumpkin, golden cucumber, mixed veg, green bananas, ripe mango, cabbage and coconut and <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sambar</span> </em>(curry) with rice. I also tasted some of the spicy mango pickle and lime pickle but I preferred the mango because it was nice and hot. My friend's mom later spooned out some curd or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">yoghurt</span> to eat with the rice to help digestion and cool down the stomach from all the spices in the food. I've had banana leaf rice at restaurants before and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">yoghurt</span> was often necessary after all the hot curry and <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">rasam</span> </em>(steaming spicy broth). Finally, we had <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">payasam</span> </em>for dessert; warm, sweet and flavoured with cashew nuts. It's like a soup or like Malay <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bubur</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">chacha</span> </em>or<em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bubur</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">kacang</span>. </em>It was all very delicious and we were so full. So I thought, "I could be a vegetarian if I wanted to."<br /><br />Apparently not.<br /><br />Returning from my friend's place, I immediately had to switch gears because that very morning, my parents hatched a plan for a full-out <em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">barbecue</span></em> that evening. So next, we stopped by at the supermarket to buy the salad, stuff for my potato salad, drinks, <span style="font-size:130%;">chicken... The lamb chops, beef ribs, steak, and jumbo sausages</span> were already waiting at home.<br /><br />An important thing to mention is that having a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">barbecue</span> is a much-loved tradition in my family. Most of our family gatherings are centered around a hearty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">barbecue</span>. As for me, my love for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">barbecue</span> lamb probably came from the traces of Arab blood in my veins from my late mother's side of the family. But on my father's side, my great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather (if I'm not mistaken) were butchers once so that could explain why the whole family is into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">barbecues</span>.<br /><br />So, it's pretty much custom to see my father sweat it out with a few of my uncles in front of the grill. For some reason also, our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">barbecues</span> have a knack of coinciding with a rainy day but rain or shine, we do it anyway. We've had a whole body of lamb <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">barbecued</span> (twice; the first during rain so we had to put an umbrella over the lamb, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">haha</span>) and we have a huge, custom-made oil-drum set for such purposes. Another favourite at our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">barbecues</span> is my potato salad. Not to brag, but there never are leftovers. :)<br /><br />And the food is always a lot. Last night was a feast. It was the first time we did beef ribs (delicious) and my grandma brought my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">favourite</span> jelly, her special<em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">kuih</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">bibir</span> </em>and loads of oranges (which would be a lifesaver afterwards). We also bought a Pavlova cake, which is a bowl-shaped meringue filled with cream and fresh fruit. Any wonder why I ate so much. After I finished my <em>second</em> lamb chop, I could feel my blood pressure spike. Thank God for my grandma and her oranges.<br /><br />Just when I thought I had sinned enough, I woke just before noon (I was really knocked out) to find that my father was already up and cooking our brunch. And guess what it was? <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Nasi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">lemak</span>. </em>And since it was homemade, you could bet that the rice was really <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">lemak</span>. </em><br /><br />My doctor would be having nightmares if she knew what I was up to. But then again, I would quote my father's favourite saying during such occasions, "<em>Once in a while..."</em><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Hee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">hee</span>!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326320395140409090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03MqF2fFmJbhvTzRO3VZrByyALIX7Y4wlMiGrGoLe9w0sA_pkKDai4fRQ3Zcf2zO_NsjaGpcASyCA7SPYusWibVHWAkaPkkTzGCGgLbH7-xZjXcejqZqWf9LQFx6JckD8HMTBKJvThm8G/s320/CIMG2047.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Yum yum...</em></span></p>Nadira Nordinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429653112799965327noreply@blogger.com2