GIRL'S NITE OUT

Kak Maya's BAAACK!!
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As promised she was in KL on the 20th December. I picked her and Kak Hawe at the Setiawangsa LRT and we headed straight to the new AU2 Jaya Jusco. Kak Hawe wasn't feeling so well, so we kind of took things slow. I promised her that we would drag her to the nearest clinic if she ever collapsed, and by dragging I mean literally dragging by the feet... Muahahaha... The first thing we did there was to have some snacks at Oldtown. Me and Kak Maya shared a Hor Fun and Kaya toast. Then I took both of them for a bit of tour around the complex and also did some shopping at Hinode and SenQ (They were selling some stuff for RM10!!).

Then we made a beeline for Johnys and had our second eating round. And let me tell you, it was soo filling that I had to do some things that I would never imagine I'd do in public. I'll keep that to myself and pray that Kak Maya and Kak Hawe also kept it to themselves. It's not very bad though, just a bit embarassing.

Left: Kak Maya with Kak Hawe

Right: The yummy wummy food we had at Johnys

On a side note, we saw Afdlin Shauki there and also Kak Hawe's sister, Kak Manje. I bought some Big Apple donuts and Starbuck's Toffee Nut Frappuchino to go. Just thinking about them makes me want to go buy them.. Torture it is.. It's a good thing I have loads of patience.. Hee..

At about 5.00 pm, we went to KLCC and bought tickets for Los dan Faun (coincidentally directed by Afdlin Shauki!!). That movie is hilarious but gag comedy can last for so long.. Sigh..

We finished the donuts and after the movie, we took some pictures with the KLCC Christmas tree.

Kak Hawe and Kak Maya had another friend they were going to hang out with after and invited me to come with so I said OK!! We had a late supper at Taman Melati and at about 11pm we said our goodbyes. God knows when our next session's going to be. But till then...

AIDILADHA 1429 H

Originally we planned to leave for Terengganu on the 4th. But because of the rain and possible flood, the plan was postponed. Since I already took my leave on the 5th I thought why not enjoy the day. So me and Husna headed to the newly opened AU2 Jaya Jusco. We took a quick look around and was infinitely pleased with the fact that there are some interseting and exciting places(namely eateries) there. There were Johnys, Oldtown, Kenny Rogers, Sushi King, Subway, Starbucks, Big Apple and the usual KFC and Pizza Hut. I called Kak Maya because two of our favourite haunts are there (Yeay us!!) and also to fill in some Dong Bang stuff. I must've looked a bit loopy when I was talking to her coz I was on the handsfree so it basically looke like I was talking and laughing to myself.

We made our way to Kuantan on the 6th and checked in Grand Intercontinental Hotel at about 9.45pm. After we unpacked for a bit we went out to Alif's for some dinner. We had quite a laugh with the Reserved sign.

The next day is Eid. It's our first time celebrating any Eid away from home or kampung. After the Eid prayers we had breakfast at a local Kopitiam and then went shopping at Berjaya Megamall. I didn't buy anything. Just a speaker for my office computer.

First we stopped by our cousin's place. Just to check up on what they have been doing.

Then we headed to Sungai Ular because a cousin of ours is having aqiqah for his new son. There Ina and Faiz instantly came running towards us as soon as they saw us. So we had a bit fun playing with them.

We had to head home when the sun was about to set. It was so hard seeing their sad faces. But there will always be next time OK sweeties? Seal the promise with 5 roses...

HAHAHA

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Being happy could add years to your life. While happiness doesn't cure illness, it does help healthy people live about 7.5 to 10 years longer, according to an analysis of more than 30 studies. Researchers don't know for sure how happiness fosters physical health, but happy people may be more likely to watch their weight and be more perceptive of symptoms of illness.

Ways To Get Happy:

1. Practice random acts of kindness. Research shows altruism is a powerful catalyst for happiness.

2. Redefine happiness. Some people think happiness only menas pure joy, but it also includes emotions such as contentment. Work out what happiness means to you.

3. Be curious. Set aside time to do something new, such as taking up a new sport or visiting a different town.

(Reader's Digest January 2009, pg 37)

It's been a while since I posted about TVXQ. Just the photos at the end of each blog. The actual point of this blog is for the Samsung HAHAHA campaign but somehow I just wanted to share the article above. The boys (especially Yunho and Yoochun hereafter dubbed the NOKY Brothers) did a series of public campaign announcement type thingy where they sang a song and basically act all dorky and goofy. The objective is to put smiles on peoples' faces. This effort is definitely a worthy one especially for the people in Korea with the increasing number of celebrity suicides this year. Really is a pity.

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sor47642QDo&fmt=18

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJn9fsGHQUk&fmt=18

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U9_9TGmReI&fmt=18

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb3TbW4qKJ0&fmt=18

For fans of TVXQ the videos is actually nothing new but for those who are just getting to know them, it seriously is a different side than what they usually show on TV. They are total dorks. Also Yunho and Yoochun is my top three fave members in TVXQ. It would've been perfect if Junsu was there too!! Yoosu!!

What I'm trying to say is, it's not a crime to be happy and smile every once in a while. I'm not saying that you're gonna be happy every time you smile, but it's a step in the right direction. So every effort to bring more smiles on the earth, particularly for those who are suffering is a definite welcome. Come on everyone!! Show that sweet smile of yours.

SELCA!!

SelCa means Self Camera. It's a Korean phrase actually, meaning you take your pictures of yourself.. Over the past few years more people are becoming addicted to Selca. I'm not exactly addicted because I only do it when I'm extremely bored or stuck in a jam or when friends ask for my pictures. Husna, Huda and Zaid, however can be a bit obsessed with SelCa. If all of us go on trips, you can almost guarantee that the three will be in at least 80% of the pictures.Husna can sit for hours in front of a mirror and be happily snapping away.

At Qamah's house, waiting for her to get ready.

Somewhere in UIA waiting for my turn to meet a lecturer.

In my first office, waiting for the light to come back on. (There was a black out, which explains the lack of work done that day)

In my car, gathering up the courage for my interview in LGM.

It was batik day and someone MMS'ed me his picture so I replied with this.

I just love green and thought I should take a picture.

In my new office, feeling a bit sad.

As you can see, I'm not terribly good at it. Plus I usually use my phone to take the pictures which means the quality's a bit bleh. I don't usually take photographs, preferring to be in front of the lens than behind it. That's why you almost never see me with a camera in my hands. It does however, make me a bit dependent on any camera bearing person. It's a good thing that I'm surrounded by camera freaks. Hee..

To sign off, a SelCa of Yunho..

MAKAN MAKAN LEO

I feel a bit sad that Kak Maya won't be able to come to KL until next year. Maya Unnie!! Pogoshipoyo!! Until then....

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Kak Maya, Kak Hawe and me (sometimes it's just Kak Maya and me) will have these eating sessions every time Kak Maya is in KL . There was even one night where we hit 3 places in the space of a few hours. And mind you we didn't just order drinks. There's almost always something filling that we just couldn't resist ordering. We will have this ritual of waiting until all the food and drinks have arrived and take pictures (for illustration purposes only)..

Kak Maya with a bowl of Soba noodle at Secret Recipe

We call it MAKAN MAKAN LEO because all three of us are August babies (ergo all of us are Leos). It kinda started by accident because if I remember correctly, we were just having cakes at Secret Recipe and were planning to have a heavier meal at Johnys. But then after Johnys Kak Hawe suggested that we go for some extra desserts at Old Town.

In fact it is becoming a habit for me to take picture of the food I'm about to eat when I eat out.. How dorky is that? Among our usual haunts include (pictures taken at different eating sessions):

Old Town

(I just love the kaya toast and hor fun..YUM!)

Secret Recipe

(Obviously the cakes are double YUM!!)

Johnys

(We always leave Johnys with our tummies almost bursting! That deserves tiple YUM!!)

It seems DBSK wants a piece and are racing to our table with chairs.. Hurry before the food disappears!!!...

KAK MAYA JIBAM

That's her name in my phone. What happened was she bought a weird looking key chain while we were queing at TGV KLCC and named it Jibam. Somehow, she lost the thing and ever since she had been "Kak Maya Jibam" in my contact list.

I met Kak Maya on 2nd April 2008 unaware of the fate that both of us would share. She was also appointed as a research assistant in IIUM and we worked under the same supervisor. Her real name is Maria but prefers people to call her Maya or Mayat (joke!!). At first we grew close because we were the only ladies in the group at the time.

Happy times in IIUM...

But as we spent more time together I discovered that Kak Maya was also into Japanese and Korean dramas and music. So I introduced her to DBSK. She had heard of them and even has "Kotoba Wa Iranai" on her playlist. Slowly (with my help), she becomes more addicted to DBSK. I would always let her watch recent videos of them and we would listen to their new songs. If I'm not mistaken she was totally hooked with Lovin' You.

We even made TVFXQ Forever T-shirts!!

Aside from DBSK we would also discuss our favourite Korean dramas. Kak Maya was more into Jdramas but I really prefer Kdramas. Since I had quite a collection of Kdramas of my own, I also let her enjoy some of it. We would also go to movies together and at one point it even became a weekly activity.

Me, Kak Maya and Kak Hawe on movie night...

Both of us have since found new jobs which made it difficult to hang out together, especially now that she's working in Perak. She used to come down to KL just so we could hang out, go shopping and eating. It's been a while since we saw a movie together.

We still contact and SMS each other everyday. I burn her DVD's of recent Korean dramas and videos of DBSK or other Korean artists. Recently I got a long email from her saying that we might not be able to hang out as often now because she has a course that takes up all her weekends. That makes me quite sad as I often look forward to our monthly excursions together.

Kak Maya with her big round eyes...

You can say that Kak Maya is like the older sister I never had. It was fun hanging out with her and just be a bit crazy and impulsive. She is the only one who understands my craze for DBSK or any other artist for that matter. So it's easier to spazz and be a total fangirl when I'm with her.

I'm always thankful everytime she makes her way to KL. It kind of makes me feel guilty because I'm troubling her just so I could have some fun. But in the end, I hope her every trip was worthed.

Maya Unnie!! Saranghae!!!

Special gifs for Kak Maya...

NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS

If my best roommate in IIUM main campus was Qamah, then my other two best roommates was in IIUM Matriculation Center, WanJu and Farha. They were actually the first friends I made in my earlier days in IIUM. It's a shame that we rarely keep in contact now. I think the last time we hung out together was in 2006. Farha has since obtained a Masters while WanJu is now happily married. I'm happy for them and wish for the best and for them to be the best persons they can be.

Left:Farha, me and WanJu at the Engineering Appreciation Night Dinner

Right: WanJu and me at PizzaHutSection 14

Being at home for the first 17 years of my life, it was a HUUUGE thing for me to be away from my my family for a long period of time. I remember one time I was in Summer Camp for 10 days and I cried buckets of tears everyday!! So it was hard to adjust at the first few weeks when I was in Matrics (even though it was only in PJ). Plus, my parents weren't even there on my first day there because they were away. Thanks to them, I managed to get myself together, grit my teeth and stop my tears. They made me feel comfortable and with time, I opened up and shared many a problems with them. WanJu was a great source of comfort for me. From the beginning till the very end. Sadly, we had to separate because I had to go to main camp one semester earler than her. Farha is like the mother of our little group. She's very sensible and grounded. I can tell her everything, that's how much I trust her. And her opinions are very valuable for me. The three of us had drifted apart for a bit. Hmm... I miss them sometimes...

The three of us in our room(at my study table to be exact)

It was also at the Matriculation Centre that I found my footing for the main camp. It was a really good place for transition between the syllabus in secondary school to university. We had to practically master about four to five different subjects every semester and classes can start from 8 in the morning till late hours of night. Thank God I managed to pass through it, with plenty of help from my new friends, of course.

IIUM Matriculation was definitely where some (if not all) of my friendships in IIUM were forged. It was there that we first met each other and the relationship continued to be stronger when we were at the main campus. I've had some preconceived perceptions of some when I was in Matric only to be proved wrong when I got to know the person better in main camp. Which goes to show that the old saying "Never judge a book by its cover".

I've lost contact with most of them now, each of us busy with our own challenges in our new life. The only time we'll see each other is only when they are weddings, or reunions or open houses. Even then the encounter is quite brief and can sometime only be in passing. I hope they'll look back and remember how much fun we had together. Those memories will stay with me (and hopefully with them too) forever.

Let's share the fun!!