You are my ice kacang....

Did I ever tell you I ADORE acappella singing? Have lots of mp3s of acappella songs, mostly by Rockapella, an Australian group. Yesterday my sister sent me a song by this Singaporean group, it's SO chomel!! Been playing it so many times.....

Just wanna share the song with you. If anyone's interested, let me know and I'll email it to you ok? (Kalau nak la, kalau takmo takde kecik hati de....)

::Ice Kacang::

You always say I'm unromantic

Don't know ways to make a girl tick

I must say you're right about it

For I am truly unpoetic

But I am not dumb

I'm not that stupid

It's just that sometimes brain not working

So I didn't sleep

Use my little wit

To write this little bit

You are my ice kacang in this tropical heat

You are my favourite dessert (ooh la la!)

So inviting so sweet

Would you like to bubur chacha (chachacha!)

Come along and dance with me

For you are my love, my tutti frutti

Someone I like to eat

Everytime when we go dating

First the movies then go shopping

You always hint I'm unexciting

It has been so since the beginning

But I am not dumb

I'm not so stupid

It's just that sometimes I'm a blur king

So I didnt' eat

Use my little wit

To write this little bit

You are my ice kacang in this tropical heat (my heart melts for you..)

You are my favourite dessert

So inviting so sweet

Would you like to bubur chacha

Come along and dance with me

For you are my love

My one atap chee

Someone I like to eat

Each time I look into your eyes

I see some pretty colours, very nice!

I wouldn't mind paying any price

I'm kacang over you

(I say go honey dew!)

Tagged!

Been tagged by Peah..thought it'll be fun to play along...

20 years ago, 1985

To be honest, I can't quite remember much...my eldest sister was seven, I was three, and my youngest sister - my playmate and confidante - was born. We were staying in Klang at that time. I must have done what every 3 year-olds would do (or not), but as I said, I can't remember that much....

10 years ago, 1995

Gosh, has it been THAT long? This was the year I entered Form 1, was one of the pioneers of the newly-built SMK Puteri. I remembered the first day of school, wearing the baju kurung with the light blue kain, looking at the prefects with awe. I thought that they were so grown-up then. I was a shy first-former. Most of my classmates in 1 Sigma were from my previous school (SRK Convent..in fact, SMK Puteri IS actually a Convent school in essence, we had to change the name when we moved) so it was not hard to settle in.

1995-1999 (Secondary school)

**This part saje tambah sendiri....**

Some of the best years of my life. I felt that I truly bloomed (ewah) from an awkward, shy person to a confident teenager capable to take on the world (hehehe a bit of dramatization here). Spending my years at Puteri school shaped me to become the person I am now. There were lots of happy memories : the gossips in class, the pranks we played, the Canteen Days, Teachers' Day etc. Going to the field for PE and doing the UDTA (you know...jangkauan melunjur, bangkit tubi, tekan tubi, lari 1500m). We'd come to school the next day (if we ever came at all) having sore legs, abdo and arms (biasala....tak biasa buat exercise..hehe).

During pre-exam period, many of the girls in my class would mysteriously disappear from school...no, not to go out lepaking at Terminal One, but actually to study. Kiasu giler.

One of the sweetest memories of school was when my class put up a musical - Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cincerella - in the (then) new school hall. We were Fifth Formers then, and we thought that if we didn't make use of the hall, we'd never have the chance again. So there we were, amidst preparations for SPM, we took time to rehearse, do the props, paint the backdrop, choreograph the dances. I had to choreograph the waltz, and I remember the hours my sister and I spent in front of the tv trying to find inspiration from the original movie as well as some others. We never had a full rehearsal before the actual show, so on the day itself, we just did the best we could. Raised quite a bit of money, we did (it was open to the public) and the proof of our hard work can still be seen in school, our class name immortalized on the two stone benches bought with the profits 'Sumbangan Ikhlas daripada 5 Sigma 1999' (hehehe benches..but hey, at least we contributed something to the school)

5 years ago, 2000

Lots of things happened this year. Went for Haj with family, which was most memorable and uplifting experience. Entered Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka for 1 semester, my first time being away from home. It was a bittersweet experience : more bitter than sweet. Opened my eyes to many things. Got my scholarship (alhamdulillah..), enrolled into Kolej Mara Banting. Had the funnest 2 years, can't forget the Block F parties we had!! We SO rock!! (heheheh).

2 years ago, 2003

I was in my 2nd year Med course. For some reasons I can't share with you, it was the most depressing year of my life, can't remember how many tears I shed. Thank God for my parents, who were always there for me...and God sent me my guardian angel, who kept me sane and never failed to cheer me up.

Last year, 2004

I was halfway through 2nd year, and then started 3rd year in September. Things turned out for the better when I entered 3rd year, so it was half good, half bad.

This year, 2005

3 and a half months left. My niece was born 22nd March this year. Had the best summer holiday. Am very happy, alhamdulillah. Looking forward to the days to come.

Next year, 2006

I'd be a finalist September 2006! (InsyaAllah..) Ackk!! I hope that by that time I'd be equipped with the knowledge and skills to become a PRHO...

10 years from now, 2015

33 years old huh? When I was 13 I thought 23 was a green old age. InsyaAllah by this time I'll be making progress in my career, thinking of paediatrics as my main specialty (maybe sub-specialize even further..what do you think?). Hopefully I would've settled down by then, with ummm a few kids of my own? How many? Hmmm entahla, have to discuss with their father *winks*

Since this is a game of tag, I'd like to tag KittePryde, Teadrinker, Amydoll, Yan and Yatt.

TAG! You're it!!

A review on 'Pride and Prejudice' (aka 'Hah! I told you so!!')

(Word of caution : The person writing this is a die-hard fan of Jane Austen and the 1995 BBC dramatization of Pride and Prejudice. There will be a lot of criticism in this piece, so if you're faint-hearted, please do not read further. Don't say I didn't warn you. )

The new 'Pride and Prejudice' movie was released for public viewing last Thursday. Can't really recall what the comment was on the movie poster, but I won't sport your intelligence. I recall my vehement refusal to watch the new movie when I last wrote about it, and until yesterday I still objected strongly towards contributing even a single penny towards the movie. But when a few friends wanted to go and watch it yesterday night, I went along. It was Friday night, and I had nothing else to do. Besides, I was curious.

Spent 4.20 pounds on the ticket (thank God for concessions!) and we sat almost at the front row (no, the cinema's not like the one in Malaysia, where sitting in front will result in the inability to move your neck afterwards).

It was the longest 2 hours of my life. When the movie started, I think the first expression on my face was a wince. My thoughts (or rather, objections) on the movie are as below (it's easier to list them down, I think..):

1) Everyone rushed through their lines. I know it's hard to squeeze everything into a 2-hour movie, but it gave the impression that none of the characters paused to even think of what they were saying or going to say.

2) The Bennett family was portrayed as a family living in poverty (well, almost). Living conditions were almost pitiable, Mr. Bennett looked as if he's never owned a comb before (Donald Sutherland's talent was totally wasted). They seemed almost savage, no traces of a genteel family whatsoever. As I understand it, the reason why the Bennett sisters were considered 'poor' was because their father's estate was entailed away from the female line, and thus they had little to inherit from. Although they were not well-off, they lived comfortably, NOT as how it was portrayed in this new movie.

3) As Austen wrote it, out of the five Bennett sisters, Jane and Elizabeth were the mature and sensible ones and were regarded highly by people in general, Kitty and Lydia were the wild sisters, and Mary somewhat ostentatious. There is a marked difference between all the sisters. In the movie, I thought all of them were equally ridiculous....Mrs. Bennett wasn't particularly impressive either. Come to think of it, EVERYONE was ridiculous.

4) Bingley in the movie looked like a silly chap who didn't have his own mind. And where is the chemistry between him and Jane? They were more like two teenagers infatuated with each other.

5) Wickham didn't seem like a real villain to me. The character's on-screen time was too short. The whole scandal between Lydia and him as well as the story involving Darcy's sister just went unnoticed. It did not leave much impact.

6) Mr. Collins was so kayu.

7) Mr. Darcy.....was he a proud man? He was more like your average rich man who was misunderstood by everyone. And what's with the puppy-dog eyes? I was quite disappointed with the fact that they didn't portray him as how it was in the book. But, as I said before, Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy, so anyone else's effort would be futile.

8) The only good point about this movie was that they made it more like a comedy (although it was ridiculous more than anything), and thus the average person (who's not an ardent Austenite like yours truly) would enjoy it nonetheless.

Jane Austen must be turning in her grave. Judging from how the movie was, she must be turning over and over again (macam ayam kena panggang atas api kat Kenny Rodgers tu...metaphorically speaking, that is, I mean no disrespect).

Throughout the movie, there were a few times when I closed my eyes/closed my ears/slapped my forehead/buried my head between my knees/shook my fist at the screen. Most of the time I looked at my watch. Couldn't wait for the movie to end.

As I said, it was the longest 2 hours of my life......hmmm....I think I'll spend my time tonight watching the BBC version...5 and a half hours of pure pleasure =)

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dear citizens of planet Earth :

I would like to proudly announce that I HAVE OFFICIALLY MOVED IN!!!!

Well actually, I finished unpacking late Saturday, went to IKEA on Sunday to get a few things (a pillow, 3 glass jars and a wooden stool - which was originally a plant stool but who cares?) and now my room is all set!!

My room when i first moved in

My room now

Staying in the same halls on accommodation as in 3rd year, and I actually got my old room again (which is VERY good luck for me, students usually get reassigned new rooms....rezeki...alhamdulillah...). Saves the headache of trying to figure out what goes where. Anyone who saw my room last year would still see the same kind of arrangement, only with less clutter.

Boring, you say? If anyone wants to redecorate my room for me, you are more than welcome...

The motto for this year is : Do NOT buy anymore things!! When it comes to packing you'll be sorry!!

Started 4th year officially today. Doing Locomotor module, started with Sexual Health & HIV lectures. I must say, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Actually found the lectures interesting, although I do still lapse into my old habit once in a while (i.e sleeping during lectures...I'm notoriously known for it among my course mates). If ever anyone wants to evaluate his/her skills as a lecturer/presenter, I would like to extend an invitation to run that lecture/presentation by me. Only the most enthusiastic and interesting of lectures can keep me awake...So, any takers?

Ack, gtg. Have to cook. I know some of you visit my blog just to get a glimpse of my niece (I know Yana does!) and not to actually read my ramblings (no offense taken at all!!) so as a word of thanks for bearing with me, here's her picture :

As you can see, that's the wallpaper on my laptop. Simply adorable, isn't she?

Back in London

Summer holidays have officially ended! Arrived in London yesterday morning at 5.30 a.m., arrived at Floyer House's doorstep at approx. 7.45 a.m...Wai Kah opened the door and offered me breakfast, bless him..

Waited until 9 o'clock for the site manager's office to be open, got the keys, put my stuff, and headed straight to Perrin Lecture theatre. Lecture started at 9.30. The 2 morning lectures were nothing much, just touchy-feely stuff. Had an informal quiz on neuropharmacology from 2-5 pm. The last time we did neuropharmacology was in the 2nd year, when we did the Brain and Behaviour module. I can now officially declare that I know NOTHING about the matter (except recollections which lecture covered what, who gave the lecture, which PBL mentioned about them, but nothing about the drugs themselves).

In this case, ignorance is NOT bliss. Habis la macam ni!

Note to self : Must borrow ALL the books from the library and read from day one!!

Ah well. Actually by 4 pm I was literally dying (so penat....my sleeping time kalau kat Malaysia) but I fought so hard to keep awake. Did some shopping at Sainsbury's, Zahari cooked dinner for the rest of us (Bless him! I couldn't lift a finger to masak!), chatted with friends and went to bed at about eleven.

That was my first day back in London. Having only one lecture this morning. Can spend the afternoon moving my stuff from the storage and unpack. SO not looking forward to it.

Oh yeah, my parents called. They said whenever they mentioned 'Mak Ngah' in front of Azureen, she'd actually frown macam nak nangis. Uwaaaaaa! I SO miss her!!!

Takpe, takpe...Christmas hols will come before I know it.....

Just something to fill in the gap

Greetings!

Yup, it's been a while.

Sorry.

Been really busy.

Will be going back to London next Monday (5th September), and I suspect that this blog will be more active once I'm there (since I have nothing else to do but entertain all those silly thoughts in my head that I put here).

In the meantime, here's something for you to read before I swamp you with my nonsense again.

Enjoy!

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

You're a 70s or 80s baby if...

1) You grew up watching He-man, Transformers, Thundercats, Silver Hawk, Space Cop Gaban, Ultraman, and Mighty Mouse. Not to forget, Ninja Turtles, Mask and Smurfs too. You grew up brushing your teeth with a mug in primary school after recess time. You squatted by a drain with all your classmates beside you, and brushed your teeth with a colourful mug. Remember the days when the school nurse comes with a list for the dentist appointments, the sound of the drilling when your friend has a fill in his tooth.

2) You remember the packets of milk (Projek Susu Segar) and milo we get in primary school to encourage us to drink more milk. And when we had to line up just to get one cup, and some of us would line up again for another cup of cold milo. And remember we use to buy susu sekolah and get stomach-ache the next day. During primary (some KBSR & 3M) school days, the teacher will punish you using a long ruler to hit your palm. A bowl of noodle soup cost only 40c in primary school days.

3) When you were in primary school, girls like to go to the bookshop to buy cute stuff such as animal erasers, sharpeners, notebook etc. Play with these paper doll... with all the paper clothes..etc etc. In secondary (some KBSM) school, girls go to the library to borrow their favourite romance storybook. In secondary school, girls altered their school skirt to shorten it and guys will go to the school appointed school uniform tailor shop to tailor make their school trousers to the then fashionable "baggy pants", or the GQ one with all the 'batik' or buckle at the edge of the pocket! the straight cut jeans.. or codroy... In secondary school days, you buy the Bata BM Turbo school shoes. Some guys like to wear those china made ankle high shoes. Some even like to wear those very thick socks with their school shoes. remember the panda, carefree or warrior shoes.. :)

4) Internet? E-mail? What the hell is that? So you thought a decade or more ago. Your friends don't have pagers or handphones in school. CDs? What's that? Cassette tapes were the norm. Movie tickets used to cost less than $5 last time. there is no KLCC.. Pertama or Bukit Bintang the only place we have..The goodies from Mamak shop used to be Mamee, Ka ka,Kum Kum, Ding Dang choco balls (with toys in the box) + the Mat Sentul voices as a jingle, colourful hard "egg", "cigarette" chocolate, pink bottle of bubbles, and small tubes with yellow sticks to blow "more lasting" bubbles that you can pop more air in or slam it on. You never forget 'Ti Kam'.

5)When exams are over, the board games (eg: UNO, Monopoly, CLUEDO) & hand held video games will be all over the class room. Girls will start playing 'batu seremban'. Guys with 'tudung botol oren'

6)Your favourite sound is the bell! For it's the homemade ice cream man. The cream that tops Haagan Dazs! The pink colour ice-cream with eyes plus a wide smile. Another bell is the recess bell, a time to get away from school work and to eat.Another time when there is no bell but all guys will anxiously wait for it...ThePJ, PE time (time for football!!)

7) Your favourite childhood games were playing "guli"(marbles), five stones, zero-point, catching, and/or "Pepsi-Cola one two three"! The best thirst quencher of all times is the yummy colourful ice tubes you can buy from provision shops. To eat them, break the tab and suck while holding the freezing tube!

8) All gals had barbie dolls, My Little Pony, Pound Puppy, Polly Pocket and etc, while all boys had Star Wars figurines or a rubber band catapult that shoots folded paper or eraser bits. Once was the era whereby ice-cream sticks were valuable items, than came the paper aircraft, chalk fights.

9) Everyone envied the class monitor and his assistant, cos they were the ones who came up with the daily duty roster, giving names to teacher on who makes the most noise and who's running around the class. The elite group are the prefects, the one with license to move around, they consider themselves above the law when not many students actuallylistened to them, and that's when the PK Hem comes in.

10) Some boys made their own guns from wood, and used 'Bacali' as the bullets. Some even used matches to shoot and burn kids'lanterns during Latern Festival..and you also rather to 'ponteng sekolah juz to watch final episod of Moero Attack...summersault berpusing...

Cheers to the 70's and 80's babies!!

When I have nothing to do..

Can't think of anything original to write. So I cheat. Enjoy.

1)Who's at home now?
Kak Sih, Kak Kiah, Azureen (Her Royal Highness is sleeping), me

2) Did u go out yesterday?
Yup. Saw Cikgu Azizah at Kolej Mara Seremban; Cikgu Zarina and Cikgu Jarini at the latter's house.

3) Who did you go out with?
Technically, Ariff and Adzreil. But we went in separate cars.

4) What time did u wake up today?
6:11 am. I get wake-up smses in the morning =)

5) Did u go anywhere today?
Breakfast with Abah, then to the bank. Might go out again, it's only 11 am

7) What did u have for dinner?
Semalam? Dalca kambing + ikan bawal goreng. Best woo...

8) What do u call your mother?
Mak, mom, omak, oh bonda!!! (hehehe when I'm feeling cheeky)

9) Are u and your mom on good terms?
Yup, I tell her everything

10) Are u the only girl/boi in ur family?
No. My dad is the only man in the family. That means that there are a lot of us gals

12) Who did u last talk to last night?
Ramai la. Mak, abah, my sisters, my bro-in-law.....Oh, over the phone ke? My youngest sister

13) Are u spoiled?
The middle child is not spoiled by his/her parents. It's almost an impossibility. Being spoiled is only the privilege for the eldest and/or the youngest (I'm using the word 'privilege' here...)

14) Do u want to get married?
To whom?

15) With who?
Didn't I just ask u that? (okla....to the person who's fated for me..)

16) Where do u think your friends are now?
Ntahler. Atas katil / bawah katil / dalam bilik mandi / tengah berdating /tengah termenung / dalam kapal terbang

17) Do u think your friends need u now?
Phone's not ringing so I'm saying no (yang species suka hantar telepathic message tu...sorila kawan...I've not been 'upgraded' to that level yet).

18) Where do u wish to be?
Exactly where I am, also exactly somewhere else

19) When will u be buying a car?
Ntah la. Haven't thought about it. When I can afford one

20) What type of car do u wanna buy?
I'm not really fussy. As long as it doesn't look too bad and is convenient to drive

23) Do u wanna meet britney spears?
No. What for?

24) Who do u approach when u have a prob?
A small selected group of people.

25) What do u want for your birthday?
Entah la.....I still haven't thought of what I want for my 17th-22nd birthday...

26) What do u wish for xmas?
Cuti lebih 2 minggu! But since I don't celebrate Christmas in the first place I guess I won't be getting anything...

27) Any piercings on u?
Ears, tongue, belly button and another place I don't wish to mention. (Haha dusta je tu....only my ears)

28) Would u like to have a tattoo?
No

30) How many kids do u want?
Hmmm....the right amount so that I can fit them into my car and I don't have to consider buying a lorry. Heheh.

31) Any homeworks?
No.....summer holiday.....

32) Are u listening to any music now?
'How am I supposed to live without you' on Light and Easy. Michael Bolton

33) Do u believe in miracles?
Yup....I met a few =)

34) Do u believe in fate?
Yes

35) When did u last cry?
Can't remember

36) When did u last smile?
Am smiling. Just thought of something

37) When did u last receive a gift?
My last birthday

38) Who has the cutest smile u ever seen?
Me! Me! (hahahah tak senonoh betul..) Takdela....Azureen Sofia wins hands down!!!

39) What do u want to tell your crush?
No crush la. If I did, I'll be in trouble with someone *winks*

40) Why are u answering this survey?
I feel very self-conscious about the fact that I haven't blogged in a while so I'm taking the easiest way to do so

41) Do u kiss your parents good night?
Of course...will continue to do so as long as....

42) Your hair colour?
Very dark brown

43) Hairstyle?
Can't tell anymore. Need a haircut.

45) Any wishes?
Loads. Don't care to mention here.

Short update...

Just a short update....

1) I am now a proud owner of Ixus 40!! Woohoo!!

Initially I thought of getting Ixus 50, but the difference is only the effective pixel. Price-wise Ixus 50 is more expensive by RM200. Neways, I am never gonna print pictures more than 4R most of the time, so I'm quite happy with Ixus 40.

2) I have less than one month in Malaysia =( . Starting 4th year Med on 5th September, will be flying back to London on the same date (ehehe that means I'll miss one day's class...*not-so-guilty-smile*)

3) Heard this one song on Light and Easy by Il Divo. Keeps playing in my mind..in fact, I'm hearing it now over the radio :

::Everytime I Look at You::

I used to think that I was strong

I realise now I was wrong

'Cause everytime I see your face

My mind becomes an empty space

And with you lying next to me

Feels like I can hardly breathe

I close my eyes

The moment I surrender to you

Let love be blind

Innocent and tenderly true

So lead me through tonight

But please turn out the light

'Cause I'm lost everytime I look at you

And in the morning when you go

Wake me gently so I'll know

That loving you was not a dream

And whisper softly what it means to be with me

Then every moment we're apart

Will be a lifetime to my heart

I close my eyes

The moment I surrender to you

Let love be blind

Innocent and tenderly true

So lead me through tonight

But please, please turn out the light

'Cause I'm lost everytime I look at you

Lost...everytime I look at you

Hidden Talent??

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Well, well, well.....what do you know....hehehe *wicked grin*

AF lagi....

*Before I begin, I'm obliged to give a word of caution to anyone who reads this : What is written below is MY OWN OPINION. It may be unpleasant to you, especially if you're one of the avid viewers of the show. So, if you are very sensitive about the subject, ABORT! ABORT! (i.e. Please exit this page NOW!!)*

I guess this topic does not need an introduction. AF = Akademi Fantasia. A group youngsters aspiring to be the next big discovery of the entertainment industry are 'enrolled' into the academy, where they are taught by a team of people on the art of singing, dancing etc. Reality tv style. Every week the students perform, and each week one student would be expelled. Whether a student stays or goes depend on how many votes received via SMS from the public.

AF is in its 3rd year now. I followed AF quite closely in the first year, watched a couple of the concerts in the 2nd year, and tonight was the first time I watched the concert for this installment. Ever since the first year, one thing is evident : It's all about looks. Talent is secondary (or even further down the list).

Oh, I don't deny that some of the winners deserved what they got. Vince was good (he was blessed with a complete package of talent and looks). Zahid was undeniably a very deserving winner of AF2 due to his versatility. Some others...well, the fact that they went so far despite their inability to carry a tune to save their own skins is the eighth wonder of the world to me. Huge talents like Sahri AF1 and Bob AF2 were pushed aside because 'package tak complete'; when it came to physical attributes they didn't inspire admiration in screaming girls and their mothers, the same people who spend RM50 a week just to make sure their favourites reach the finals, regardless of talent.

Malaysians are notorious for preferring things based on face value instead of real quality, so it's not really a shocker. Because of that, the fact that some people said Sepet didn't deserve to win the Film Festival over another lavish and yet inferior production didn't exactly make me go into a cardiac arrest and collapse on the floor.

But I'm going off at a tangent here. Ok, back on track. Some of my objections towards AF are as follows :

1) The whole crying thingy when someone is eliminated out of AF. Malaysian crowd has always been very emotional, but I think reality tv has brought the meaning of the word 'emotional' to greater heights. I don't know if those people even cry THAT much if their children get expelled from school. Or follow as closely of their children's progress; if parents are as interested and as passionate in their children's education as they are watching AF, I can assure you, we can stop worrying about the quality of tomorrow's leaders.

2) And hugging between men and women? I think this subject has been exhausted by many people; in newspapers, on the internet etc. The fact that many of the people involved are Muslims, they should know better. And please, don't give me that he's-like-my-brother/son/father/grandfather (and vice versa with females) rubbish. The fact is, these people are NOT your relations (to be specific, your muhrim) so PLEASE behave accordingly. The sight of tudung-clad women, even, behave in such a way on national tv makes my heart bleed. Youngsters nowadays are very impressionable, and they always follow by example. At the rate tv shows are going with this new 'trend', I'm starting to feel that the only channels I feel comfortable showing to my niece (and my not-yet-existing children) are Animal Planet and Discovery Channel (no, not even cartoons, but that's another story...).

3) SMS voting. Whoever came up with the idea is a pure genius. What better way can there be to make the public willingly give their money? But I guess I can't say much about this subject. What people do with their money is their own business...just wish that they have more sense to put aside that money spent for their children's education, instead of complaining that the government doesn't give enough scholarships (without realizing the fact that our country is possibly the only country that gives out scholarships on such a large scale and amount, and yet they are not thankful...but again, that's another story....).

AF3 will reach its conclusion next weekend. The winner of this season is fairly obvious, for some reasons, whatever they may be. The interesting bit is guessing who the runners-up are. Undoubtedly, this whole week, fingers will be flying on mobile phones to submit votes; tongues wagging, talking about the finals; and plans are being made to keep Saturday evening free. One thing for sure, on Saturday night, there will be a lot of crying and hugging, on a larger scale than before, befitting the finale of Akademi Fantasia 3.

Azureen's song...

Whenever Azureen cries, I'd pick her up and sing her this song : "Under the Bamboo Tree" from Meet Me in St Louis. I know, it's not exactly the most imaginative song you can sing to a child to soothe her or to get her to sleep, but the first time I sang that song it was the only one that came to my mind. And it seemed to work. And since it does, I don't see why I shouldn't continue singing it.....

::Under the Bamboo Tree::

Down in the jungle lived a maid

Of royal blood though dusky shade

A marked impression once she made

Upon a Zulu, from Matabooloo

And every morning he would be

Down underneath the bamboo tree

Awaiting there his love to see

And then to her he'd sing

(To her he'd sing...)

If you like-a me

Like I like-a you

And we like-a both the same

I like to say, this very day

I like to change your name

'Cause I love-a you

And love-a you true

And if you-a love-a me

One live as two

Two live as one

Under the bamboo tree

It's a little silly, but she seems to like it, so, what the heck....

Back at last....

It's been a week since I've been back....lots of things have happened...here's a gist of what had happened so far:

1) Exams were tough. Written papers were killers, I actually had thoughts of repeats in September.

2) Packing my things out of the room was a bigger killer. Note to self : DO NOT buy anymore things!!

3) Met abah & mak at the airport. Saw Azureen for the first time since March. Mak aih!! She's chubbier than her pictures!! I definitely recommend breast milk for any baby....

4) Met up with a certain someone I've not seen since my last birthday. Had a great time (as we always do, even when doing nothing..)

5) Had a majlis cukur jambul & berandoi for Azureen today. Penat giler.

6) Oh yeah, my exam results came out! I PASSED!!! Fourth year, here I come!! *ehem* What I mean is : Alhamdulillah....God is certainly very good to me....

7) Okay, now for some pictures (Azureen punya la, saper lagi....):

Now THIS is how chubby she really is

Beautiful girl....

Azureen (trying on her baju kurung the night before majlis bercukur) and Kak Sih

Azureen and (bits of) her mak ngah after all the guests went home

When my sister wanted to get the headband, I said "No, you're NOT gonna put that on my niece's head!" Tapi dah pakai tu comel la pulak..(which goes to show adorable babies can pull off anything - or maybe, just my niece...hehe)

Terror in London

The sound of the radio-alarm woke me up this morning at about 10 a.m. Over the radio I vaguely heard the news about two underground trains colliding with each other. "Hmph. Such a great impression this city is giving after winning the Olympic bid," I thought as I drowsily turned off the radio.

Not long after that I received missed calls from home and smses from my mom. She sounded worried ('worried' is a gross understatement) and urgently asked me to call back. Mobile network was bad in the morning, and when the call from home finally got through, that was when I realized what had happened.

A bus blew up in Tavistock Square in central london. 3 other explosions happened on the London Underground, one of it happened near Algate East station, not very far from where I live.

After September 11, 2001, many expected London to suffer the same fate as the US. Almost four years down the line, it finally happened.

With the G8 Summit happening today and Londoners still unrecovered from the exhilaration of being chosen as host for Olympic 2012, the timing is almost impeccable that you almost have to admire the twisted minds behind this. They could not have chosen a more perfect timing.

After the phone call from home, I spent the next hour receiving calls from friends and making calls to others to find out if everyone's okay. Alhamdulillah, no one was involved. Then another friend called to say that they needed help from medical students at Royal London Hospital, where most of the victims from Algate East were taken to. Our halls of residence is just behind the hospital, so it did not take long for us to get there.

Almost 300 people were sent to Royal London Hospital, and the hospital cafeteria had to be converted into a temporary A&E Minors. Doctors, nurses, hospital staff were everywhere.

Security was tight, they only allowed hospital personnel and medical students with IDs onto the premise. We were directed to the lecture theatre where we sometimes have our teaching sessions, and there were quite a number of students already there, watching the BBC news projected onto the screen. After about half an hour, one of the doctors informed that they had enough manpower as all the staff were sent to help out at the A&E, and told us we could go home.

Madness, absolute madness.

A group of people calling themselves the Secret Organisation Group of al-Qaeda of Jihad Organisation in Europe claimed to be responsible for the attack.

When the terrorists launched their attack on America in 2001, it felt to me more like a horror movie on television. Turn the tv off, and things would go back to normal. When people asked about my opinion of it, like other people, I condemned the actions of the terrorists, saying that the usage of violence wasn't in the teachings of Islam. However despite that, secretly I actually thought that America received its come-uppance for their policies regarding the Middle East.

I know better now. And I am very ashamed for ever thinking that way. In all these attacks, innocent people were victims, and nothing in the world can justify such actions. Hutang darah tak boleh dibayar dengan darah. Every life is precious, and no crime in the world can be atoned with further violence.

Countdown : Four (and a half) days to go..

It's Wednesday afternoon, approximately four and a half days to go before exams (I'm too lazy to work out the details, i.e. number of hours and minutes and seconds, my math's atrocious these days..).

Revision's going slow....I have this tendency to cross-reference almost everything I read, opening books and stuff (which is not very ideal at this stage), but my brain absolutely refuses to remember anything it doesn't understand (it used to be more obedient before). It's good in a way though, after three years in medical school I finally understand the mechanisms of lipid metabolism and bilirubin synthesis (hehe a bit of a confession there...*sheepish grin*).

Oh well.....

Almost everyone in my year is stressed. Whenever I bump into any of them, he/she would tell me "Omigod! I can't remember anything! I've only gone through the lecture notes three times, and I'm SO gonna fail this exam!"

My reaction? "Well buddy, you've done revision THREE times; I'm barely covering it the first time, and you're telling ME you are gonna fail??"

Hah. Well, at least THAT'S what I would like to say. But I don't, obviously.

For the past week I've been locking myself in my room, going out only when necessary, to avoid people as mentioned above. Am not one of those people who can function very well when stressed, let alone study, and so I separate myself from the civilization as much as possible to prevent contact with external stress factors. I like to keep my cool, thank you very much.

Having the EMQ (extended matching question) exam on Monday, Data Interpretation on Tuesday, short OSCE stations on Wednesday and the long OSCE stations on Friday. After 10.30 a.m. on Friday next week I'll be free!!

I hope the exam will be okay for me. God, give me strength.

After the exams, have to pack in a frenzy! Will have to clear all my belongings, and put them for storage by Sunday morning. Flight back to Malaysia is at 10 p.m Sunday, will touch down on Malaysian soil by 5.30 p.m. Monday, insyaAllah.

Can't wait to go home....

But, in the meantime, I shall have to persevere and try to revise as much as I can, and so this site will be on hiatus until I'm back in Malaysia.

Ciao!

p/s :

Thanks so much for the comments about the new layout. The credit, however, goes to Silent Whimpers, the creator of this awesome skin (you can check out her designs at blogskins.com). However, don't you DARE use THIS skin!

Kidding. Do what you like. I'm not one of those people who's very bothered abt these things. Who am I to say, anyway, since it's not my creation in the first place...

Taaa!

Over the banister

Watched 'Meet Me in St. Louis,' one of my favourite musicals starred by Judy Garland (just recently purchased the DVD, been watching all the songs over and over...)

The poem below was sung by Esther Smith (Ms. Garland), which I think is beautiful (she did not sing the whole length of it, though...)

::Over the banister::

(Author unknown)

Over the banister leans a face

Tenderly sweet, beguiling

While below with her tender grace

He watches the picture smiling

The light burns dim in the hall below

Nobody sees them standing

Saying 'goodnight' again soft and low

Halfway up to the landing

Nobody only those eyes of brown

Tender and full of meaning

Gaze on the loveliest face in town

Over the banister leaning

Timid and tired with downcast eyes

I wonder why she lingers

After all the goodnights are said?

Somebody holds her fingers

Holds her fingers and draws her down

Suddenly growing bolder

Till her lovely hair lets its masses down

Like a mantle over his shoulder

A question asked

A swift caress

She had fled like a bird from the stairway

But over the banister comes a "yes!"

That brightens the world for him alway.

I just gotta say one last thing. John Truitt in a tux. Wow.

Meanings of the colours of roses

Found this on someone's blog (Yup, I do cilok things from people once in a while, but only if it's interesting, and I never claim other people's writings as my own okay....cewah..defensive la pulak)

Meanings of the colours of roses ---> Important info for guys!

RED stands for love so true,a feeling between just two

WHITE stands for innocent and kind,a person you can never find

YELLOW stands for loyalty and care,a person who is always there

ORANGE stands for great affection,love with pure satisfaction

PEACH stands for thought day and night,I can't get you out of my sight

SWEETHEART YELLOW means I'm sorry,it's only you I will marry

AMBER ORANGE means a deep love,a hand that fits the perfect glove

COLOUR CHAMPAGNE congratulates true love,something that comes from heaven above

PINK stands for a true friend,fun times to share and spend

Ookay...I know the basic colours like red and white and pink...but what's sweetheart yellow? colour champagne? amber orange??

As you can see, flowers would be a waste on me. Give me chocolates with nuts, and I'll be putty in your hands *grins*. Cadbury's fine with me...I'm not all that fussed...

All is well........

Newsflash!!!

I survived through the week!!!

Didn't sleep the night before Friday (well, kalau tido pun sekejap je) to finish the darn SSM. Printed everything by 12 noon, showered, did some photocopying (we had to submit 2 copies) and by 3.30 p.m. Vasan and I were at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Without much ceremony, we surrendered the very thing that had made our lives miserable for the past one week.

And it felt so good. Oh yeah, it felt REALLY good.

After that, since we were near to Central London, thought we'd take Oxford Circus. Just to window shop.

Then it started raining. Didn't mind though, coz it's been very hot the past one week, sometimes I felt it was even worse than Malaysia. Mostly because people here have not discovered the miraculous invention called 'air-conditioner'.

Hah. Just kidding. I know asking for air-conditioning in student residence is a little bit much.

Anyway I think the only ones who dread summer are people like me who've had sunshine all our lives. People here actually sit on anywhere there's grass, in the sun. There was someone who was actually sunbathing behind the hospital, in the courtyard. Me? I run for the nearest shade.

Can't wait to go home. 3 weeks to go....(2 weeks to exams! Yikes!)

Anyway, next topic. Went to Sainsbury's yesterday, as I was leaving the checkout counter, I saw this man who actually slapped her daughter, who must be about 7 years old for accidentally stepping onto some shopping items. A proper tight slap.

I was quite stunned. I think I just stood and stared for about half a minute. That girl will remember that slap for the rest of her life. Unless, that wasn't the first time. Or the last.

I thank God that my earliest childhood memories are not of anger nor violence from my parents. My mom, who was very strict with my sisters and me when we were very young, spared us by doing all the scolding when we were at home (if ever the offence committed was at somebody's house, that is). Never in public.

Oh, I do believe that children should be punished when they are naughty; they have to be taught what's right and what's wrong and how to behave. Anyone saw 'Desperate Housewives'? Lynette totally refused to spank her children, and as a result, she had 3 very boisterous sons...quite a horror! Nowadays, I feel parents are a little bit too indulgent with their kids. Imagine going for a kenduri and you see children running and climbing everywhere!! What do their parents do? They just glance at their children, saying "Janganlah buat camtu....Along, jaga adik tu..." and then turn around to continue their conversation with other adults while expecting their ten year-old eldest child to make sure his/her sibling(s) behave. Nevermind that the children run up and down the house, destroying absolutely every electrical+electronic item and dirtying every single furniture. They think they've done their parental duty just by attempting to make their children behave like civilized people instead of hooligans.

To parents who are like this, I have something to say to you : Your children are not fit to be brought into society. Please keep them at home so that the only house they wreck is yours. In thinking that sparing your children from any sort of punishment is an act of love, it also shows that you have no respect for your host because you let your young ones behave less than human in his/her home.

Harsh words, I know. But it's also true.

How in the world did I get from being horrified seeing a man slapping his daughter to being less than happy that parents don't discipline their children?

The former - obviously because I saw it happening before my eyes today. Well, about the latter, it's something that's been pent up for quite a while, suddenly feel like letting it out. Have seen too many children (and parents) acting that way. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely ADORE children, but not the ones who are absolute horrors.

I guess it's easy for me to criticize people, not having children of my own (yet). But surely there's a happy balance between disciplining children and not being too free-handed....

Oh well, those are my thoughts on that subject.

Ah, I forgot. I did say I'd do the hula dance on Oxford Street after I give my SSM workbook in, didn't I?

Sorry. It rained, and I was too tired due to lack of sleep this past week that I went back home after only half an hour. Slept on the bus all the way home.

Maybe next time, okay? *winks*

*Sigh.....*

Still labouring over SSM....will finish parts 1-6 today, hopefully, so I can concentrate on Section 7 until Friday (planning to write on 'Photodynamic Therapy in the management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer')

Ambitious giler. Arrgh.

Lord, give me strength.

After I send it in on Friday, I'm going to celebrate by doing the hula dance in the middle of Oxford Street.

Hah!!

Kidding. I may be stressed, but I'm NOT crazy (yet).

Over and out!

SSM Update

Just a short entry.

SSM update :

1) It's more tedious than I thought

2) Progress? Not 80% as I hoped....but I can't work any faster than what I'm doing now

3) My current state? Agak stressed. I generally don't feel the stress, but my body's physiological process go a bit haywire during times like these (e.g. can't sleep, bloating, craving for chocolate, etc, etc)

4) Procrastination (being a lazy slacker) + perfectionism = me = DISASTER!

--> Isyk, keje selalu delay, ada hati lagi nak buat essay betul2.....

Takpe, takpe, dateline Friday.....

Happy Father's Day

It's Father's Day weekend. At home, we don't usually celebrate it, so I totally forgot about it until I read an article on MSN.com (click here) featuring famous personalities and their thoughts on fatherhood.

Which reminded me of that one very special man in my life. Growing up with my 2 sisters, Abah has always been our hero. When I was younger, Abah was our knight in shining armour, protecting us from the very scary person called Mak (who was so very garang in my opinion, although now that I'm older I know it was for our own good, and now Mak is the person I tell everything to. And just so you know, I plan to be just like her with my children *grins*).

Anyway, back to Abah. One of my earliest childhood memories is that of me greeting Abah at the door when he came back from work, trying to open the grill door using one of my brightly-coloured plastic keys. He was posted to Sabah when I was about 4 years old, he came back to Seremban constantly to see us. And when we finally joined him there a few months later, I remembered arriving at the apartment, our rooms beautifully done, and my sisters and I each had a Donald Duck tabung greeting us on the dressing table with our names written underneath in Abah's handwriting.

Abah is always very calm and collected. I still think he's one of the bravest people I've ever known. The first time I saw him panic was when we were at the theme park in Jakarta, and he accompanied my sisters and I into a haunted house. At that time, it was VERY packed, everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder (well, we were smaller back then, it was more like our faces into people's rear ends). When everyone was pushing to go forward, in the chaos, my youngest sister got separated from us. That was the one time I saw fear in his eyes.

When he got angry (which was and still is, very, very, VERY seldom) he never laid a finger on us. The only time he threatened me with his belt was when I was in Standard 3, when 7 p.m cartoons were more interesting to me than taking my bath. Even then, he just swung the belt in his hand but it never got near me. I saw through it after the second time he tried it on me. Anyway, I DID go and take my bath after he asked me to (a 30-second one during commercials).

When I used to fall asleep watching tv, Abah would carry me to my bed. Sometimes I pretended to be asleep so he would carry me. Until the day I got quite big and so he couldn't carry me anymore. That was when I realized even if I wanted to, I couldn't be his little girl forever.

Being a father to 3 daughters must be quite a challenge. Not that we give him trouble, but a father always worries about his daughters more than he would do sons. Whenever he's worried about something, he wouldn't tell us directly, he sends his emissary (Mak). But when he does say something, you better listen, coz it's quite serious.

Abah has always been proud of his daughters. When my SPM results came out, Mak said that he was so proud that he actually carried a photocopy of my results slip wherever he went. Nevertheless, I know that Abah is proud of us, regardless. Even during the times I felt that I didn't rise up to his expectations (well, mine, actually) he'd always been there to console and encourage.

Being in the profession he is in, people always think that he's a very stern and severe kind of man. It couldn't be further than the truth. It always tickles us to see people at his workplace being so in awe of him. But then, he does have this aura around him that inspires awe in people. He's just a different person with his family. As with the nature of his job, Abah has been transferred to many places. But with the offices he's had, there's something that's always the same : individual pictures of Mak, Along, Yana and me on his planner on his writing table, which means we're the closest to him even when he's working, literally.

Abah, I just want to say 'Happy Father's Day'. I can't ask for a better father than you. And although there will come a time when another man occupies a special place in my life, you will always be my hero.