Shopping

Did I say I have lost the appetite to shop? These past couple of days have definitely proven that I was so wrong. I now remember the joy of shopping and the satisfaction gained whenever you feel that you have made a good purchase. Grabbed some stuff for myself and it felt so right! The difference between 3 years ago and now is that I buy more of what I need rather than what I want (.. or I simply have moved the items from the 'I want list' to 'I must have list'..hehehe). Yet the enjoyment of shopping is still as great. In a way it felt even better now because I no longer shop every week but once in a blue moon.

But that also means that I have neglected my pile of work for two full days. What could easily have been finished within a day has now dragged on for four days. But, I think I deserve this break and I am not going to feel guilty about it.

Dear Guilt,

Please go away

Kind regards,
Yours truly

My Songs

I was told that a good friend of mine played my song, 'Close to You' on her wedding day. I was touched. Always thought of playing it on mine. But, just in case that day never come, at least the song was played by someone I care about. Feel flattered that she finds the song as meaningful as I did.

This reminds me of another song that I have known and love for years. It is also an old song. Somehow the lyrics and melody of the song always gets to my heart. Funnily enough, I never really understood what the song means. For those who have not heard of it, you can listen to it (actually, the first 30 seconds of the song) by clicking at the song title. Would have uploaded it onto this blog had I known how to do it. Hope you people enjoy it as much as I do.

Today

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today

Ill be a dandy, and Ill be a rover
Youll know who I am by the songs that I sing
Ill feast at your table, Ill sleep in your clover
Who cares what the morrow shall bring

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today

I cant be contented with yesterdays glory
I cant live on promises winter to spring
Today is my moment, now is my story
Ill laugh and Ill cry and Ill sing

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
Ill taste your strawberries, Ill drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today

by John Denver

Boxing Day

Surreal but I am going to experience another Boxing Day. I still remember my first boxing day. It was about 6 years ago, in Oxford Street London. We woke up at about 4 am and started queuing in front of NEXT shop. Interestingly, there was already a long queue when we got there. Do they camp there the night before?! Luckily I had the luxury of having my funny friends during the waiting session. So after about one hour of queuing, we, the girls rushed in to grab something for ourselves. But, two hours later (the limited time is because we were going for raya prayers-it was also first day of raya), the girls came out without buying anything. The boys on the other hand had shopping bags on both hands. (And they said boys aren’t crazy when it comes to shopping). That was one wonderful memory. Just can’t believe it was so many years ago and everyone was still single.

So, anyhow, with Boxing Day in mind I went to town yesterday to scout for interesting stuff to get in two days time. But I couldn’t find anything that I really must have. Somehow I have lost my appetite to shop. This is horrible. What happen to the old me who is almost a shopaholic? It must either be because of the flu that I am having now or I have actually learnt the true value of money after having to work for it for three years. I really hope it is the latter because I have just realised that the year is coming to its end and my age will increase by another one. Yet, I feel that I am still very childish and ignorant of most things in life. I am definitely not what I envisaged myself to be at this age ten years ago. Hmm how did I end up writing about my immaturity? What I wanted to write was I am looking forward to this Boxing Day (after three years) despite not really knowing what to get and definitely excited for those experiencing it for the first time.

Notting Hill

I was just reading a post by a friend of mine about the movie 'Cinta', about how it lacks originality. At first glance, the film synopsis do remind me of the movie 'Love Actually'. Yet to watch the movie 'Cinta' myself but I remember liking the movie 'Love Actually' and Hugh Grant in the movie..hehehe. Which reminds me of another great movie which I love so much, 'Notting Hill'. It really amazes me that I still cry whenever I watch the movie. Here's the line that really does it for me.


Anna Scott: "After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her".

If only life is as good as in the movies...with lots of happy endings.

Barcelona

I think I am a terrible blogger. Firstly, because I rarely update my blog and when I do, I write really short comments. Wonder if I will ever be a true blogger who writes their real thoughts and feelings without hesitation and fear of being judged. But, I have valid reasons for my hibernation this past week. I went to Barcelona for four days and have not been well for the past couple of days.

Barcelona was really great despite it not being my first choice for a break from my pile of work. It reminds me very much of Malaysia due to the ongoing constructions across the town. Highlights of the trip includes visiting sagrada familia and barcelona stadium (my first experience in a five star football stadium). Also meeting up with fellow chevening scholars. It was good to have a gathering in a different country for a change..hehehe. For those interested, Here are some photos from my recent trip.

Flash Slideshow

May You Live Happily Ever After

Yup, she is getting married today (Malaysian time). One of my best friends is getting married and I could not attend her wedding. I can't believe that after all the weddings I attended, I am going to miss the wedding of someone who really meants a lot to me. Whatever it is, I hope that it will be a superb wedding and I trully wish her the best for the new phase of her life.

"Selamat Pengantin Baru, Hannah!"
May you live happily ever after.

p/s: Am going to Spain tomorrow. Still remember the last time I was there with Hannah. We definitely had great fun planning and going for the trip. Really miss her company at this moment.

Dejavu

Each time exams come round the corner, I always promise myself that the next time I have to sit for one, everything will be different. I will be so prepared that I no longer have to do revision. I will study starting the first day of the semester. But, somehow that never happens. This time it is even worse. I have to complete 11 assignments and reports and study for the exams. How did I get into this mess?

I guess I have no one to blame but myself. I think I have a serious time management problem. The work environment in my company just made it worse I think. No one really has a sense of urgency there. But whatever it is I have to find a way to get through this. One at a time.. and I vow never to let this ever happen again! (hehehe dejavu indeed!!).

On a different matter altogether. Is it possible to fake dumbness? Sometimes I feel that some people just pretend to act dumb so that other people would think that they are incapable of doing work and therefore just leave them out and do it themselves? Lately, I think I have fallen into that trap and I dont like it. But it is too late to do anything about it. I really hope I wont have to be with these people for another semester. It's just too tiring. So much for a paid holiday!

Life's Too Short

I should really be finishing my Marine Current Turbine essay tonight but I feel like being lazy for a bit more. Had my usual dosage of Bejeweled 2 and since I have been checking my emails every other hour, the only option left is to update my blog. Somehow my productivity declined the moment I told Andre that I would not be going for the Whiskey Tour tomorrow.

What actually happened was that most of my coursemates will be going for a whiskey tour tomorrow. The tour includes visits to two distilleries and whiskey tasting (optional of course!). One of the distilleries is in fact the oldest one in Scotland. Besides that, the tour will also be going to Loch Catrina and a famous park which i can't recall the name at the moment. I was not planning on going at the beginning. But, last night, on our way to Gemma's house warming party, I found out that two people changed their minds and Andre is having problems finding replacements. Somehow took pity on him because he put a lot of effort into organising the tour.

However, during the party I started to think that I would not be maximising the trip. I am only going because they will be vising Loch Katrina and the park. But, what if it rains? I have everything to lose. I will be miserable and almost £30 poorer. And this morning, the weather forecast confirms my worry. Rain and thunderstorm approaching highlands. And so, I told him that I am not going because I really do not feel like going. I feel sorry and guilty but not guilty enough to force myself to go. Life's too short for me to be doing things that I don't want to. The days when I will go to extreme ends to help people are over. The efforts are solely for me, my family and my close friends.

What happened to the old me? I am still looking for the answer myself actually. The only reason I could come out with at the moment is because I feel that some 'friends' took advantage of my kindness too often. Only remembering that I exist when they need something from me. How convenient.

Ice Skating

I went ice skating today! Hehehe didn't skate that much but I must say that I am improving. Actually it is my first time skating on ice. For someone who does not roller-skate or roller-blade, I think I did really well today. I only landed on my cute butt like 1,2,3,4,5... err I lost count but definitely not more than 10 in the one hour skating..hehehe...

The first fall was really embarassing as the ice rink was right in the middle of the city. At George square to be specific. So everyone can watch u skate/fall. But after that I was having too much fun to notice if anyone was looking.

I am glad I went today. Weather was really great and my coursemates were awesome. Special thanks to Eric and Gemma. So sweet of them to be the skating tutors for today. Definitely doing this again sometime soon!

p/s: Really envy the kids who can skate better than me.. watch out boys..will be better than u guys real soon.

ACDC Gone With The Wind

Huhu!! ACDC is out of the way finally. Must celebrate this little victory tonight! Hmm what should I do? Oh no!! Been so occupied doing the assignments that I have forgotten to have fun..hmmm

Intellectual essays and ear muffs

Writing intellectual essays is just not my forte. Why cant the assignments just be calculations problems? Have to finish the essay on power systems evoultion in Malaysia by tomorrow nite. Well, my initial target was by tonight as i plan to go to car boot sale tomorrow. But, it seems impossible since it's already 16:16 pm and I havent even finish my introduction. So, I guess i'll be staying up tonight to finish as much as I can so that I get to enjoy the trip to car boot with great peace of mind.

By the way, I went shopping at Tesco Extra yesterday and guess what? I found nestle toffee crisps, Nila's favourite food! Oh bought ear muffs too. It's just getting too cold here. Bought a brown one to match my new chocolate and strawberry shoes..hehehe

p/s: can use the ear muffs when the fire alarm rings at 3 am as usual and not have to go out and freeze..

One Tummy Filling Saturday Afternoon

Fairuz and Zack came up with an ingenius idea to host a western raya today. That was how i ended up having delicious sate for lunch and dinner. Thanks to master Chef Zack and his production team, Fairuz and Noris.

Progress Report

Almost two weeks has passed and my list has not really shortened. Well, it did for a while but then it grew longer. So here is my new plan.

1. PM Claim



2. AC DC Essay



3. Passive Solar Report



4. Marine Current Turbine Report



5. HVAC Report



6. Lighting Control Report



7. Energy Cycles



8. Update page for environment class



9. Power from Water Tutorial



10. Power from wind tutorial

Looks like a sound plan!

Missed friends

Tomorrow, Zack, Fairuz and myself are organising a lepak2 and makan2 session. My first one in Glasgow. Used to have this a lot in Soton. How I miss those sessions. But i am sure this is going to be equally good if not better. Talking about lepak2 I suddenly miss my geng in Malaysia (except for Eza in US now).Here is a slideshow of them taken just before Eza left for US. Watch out for my bestest friends eza, hannah and nila. Wish you guys are here to help me pick out my new shoes tomorrow.

Lullaby

I realised that I have not been listening to my favourite lullaby for a long while. I remember how I use to fall asleep feeling really loved after listening to the song.
Here it is:

CLOSE TO YOU
by The Carpenters

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the boys in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the boys in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.
Just like me (Just like me)
They long to be
Close to you.

Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.
Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.
Hahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.
Lahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.

London 281006

A trip to London not long ago. Tq to Mr Isham for teaching me how to put the slideshow.For comments for each photo, feel free to visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/aenihh

Flash Slideshow

LOVE OF FOUR SEASONS

It always amazes me how our love lives are so closely related to the four seasons weather. Norm has it that the year starts off with winter, followed by spring, summer and finally autumn. If we were to observe this more closely, we will see that our lives follow the same cycle though for longer or shorter period per cycle.

Winter is always remembered as the cold and lonely period where misery rules and retreat is favoured. I personally see this as a period when men are hunting for their true love. They are on a solitary mission to find their other half. The lonesomeness and desolation will increase as he sees one by one of his friends find the love of their lives. He who is left behind, by population perception, will work harder to achieve what the rest has managed to achieve and sometimes even settle for less for he can no longer bear living alone without love and grief with envy at other's happiness. Of course this is not true for everyone. There are those who has strong will, keep on searching and be just as happy if he were never destined to find his soul mate.

Then comes spring, when the dark clouds give way to the brighter sky. Flowers starts to bloom and birds start to chirp happily. This is when men's love begins to blossom, butterflies felt in the stomach, happiness hangs in the air and smiles never leave the face. Everything is so colourful and rainbow is seen everywhere. With spring also comes the promise of summer heat, something looked forward by everyone all year round.

As hot as the sunshine in summer, as fiery the love is at this stage. Heat and passion governs the relationship let it be night or day. The ship sets sail for a smooth voyage in the sea of love. Perspiration fast washed away by the strong breeze along the way. Any wrong is forgivable and negligible. But, as life is a cycle, the good does not last for long. Just when you think you have the world in your hands and the world is perfect, you are awaken from your dream, either by your own will or by force.

Everything goes downhill from then onwards like the leaves falling from the trees in autumn. Dreams shattered and hearts hurt. If things are not meant to be then it is simply not meant to be. There are no reasons behind it that could satisfy the questions as to why it has to happen. This is the moment where everyone tries to avoid and not willing to go through. It can only lead to another cycle where you are taken for another emotional ride.

This simply brings us to the next logical question. How many times do we have to go through this vicious cycle of love? Falling in love and falling out of love. My answer would be as many times as it takes for you to realise that nothing in the world is perfect and there is no such thing as the perfect partner. With good come the bad and the bad comes the good. You are not settling for less but optimising the strengths between the couple. But, how much tolerance do you have for the other half? Which areas are tolerable? Only you have the answer because at the end of the day, it is your life that is in question and only you have to live it through. Nevertheless, whatever it is, it is better to experience failure in love than not to experience love at all.

Pre-Raya in John Anderson Campus

It's raya season away from home again. Thought we would cheer things up by taking raya photos and sending them to the papers. However, it has been almost two weeks and they are still not up yet. So, just in case the photo never made it to the papers, here is the photo.

A New Chapter.. A new Beginning

I thought i had my life sorted out until one day i woke up and realised that I am 25 years old and I have not achieved anything in life. Well, I suppose obtaining a degree from a good university should qualify for an achievement but I suddenly feel that it was not enough. I mean, one third of my life is gone and I am not satisfied.

For a while I thought I was doing great and suddenly it was not enough. I was not getting married anytime soon and I am not really progressing in my career either. It was all just depressing. That was when I decided to come out from my comfort zone and take a risk. I made many huge decisions (for my scale) and three weeks ago I ...yes, I landed in Glasgow.. ready to start a fresh new chapter of my life and in a way, a new beginning. I still have part of my history and memories in UK but I am determined not to be haunted by them. I will make my coming back as the turning point of my life.