Hello November

Hi all! *cricket cricket*

I never thought I'd completely stopped blogging for months or a semester long. Achievement unlocked! I can honestly say that the last few months can possibly be the darkest time of my student life. Period

Yes, now that I'm done with Degree/university life (hopefully), I'm on to the next chapter of my life. Work baby, work!

Hence, blogging will resume as per usual I suppose?

Happy November (rain) everyone!

Touchdown

For the past two months... it felt like this.

After weeks of camping in Uni library till late, brushing up Public Relations project to be submitted internationally, house-related, and tons of report.... I succumbed to that face above.

Immediately after my last paper, I put on a big happy relieved face for the fact that I'll get to finally sleep, spend quality time with better half, major house-cleaning (I'm OCD like that), and to feel my feet glistened with sea water together with the favourites. Sweetness.

There's nothing like having constant support and love from those who matters the most.

Zakwan & Alia

Having no inspiration or rather discipline to update, I was actually occupied with school and mulling over future plans.

Back in January, I was asked by dear other half to assist him as his (at the risk of sounding like I'm boosting) co-photographer for a wedding. Scratch that, helper sounds more appropriate. For a first-timer, I can tell you... wear flats. No pun intended! And seasoned photogs will definitely agree with me that every second counts. You cannot afford to miss anything, e.g, when someone burst into laughter/tears and so on. Yes, it might only be a 3-4hours event - of running around - but to them the memories and pictures captured... really means a lot! I absolutely don't mind venturing wedding-based, if not portrait or outdoor based which I'm more comfortable with because why the limit?

Bringing back the P.Ramlee era, almost everyone donned what used to be high-fashion and relived famous characters back then - that includes Saloma, Labu Labi, and Tiga Abdul. Also Joanna & Co's rendition of lagu zaman dulu-dulu really puts everyone in the mood to do the famous twist. To me theme-functions can be can either be horribly wrong or a major success. I guess I am just traumatized by my own experience back in Form 4 but this is certainly not your ordinary wedding reception!

I thought I clearly made myself look like an assistant that night but when several guests approached and asked me the 5Ws of being a photog, I was literally stunned. Which I politely hinted that having dSLR won't make me one, but I do it in the name of love and passion. The truth is, I'm easily ticked off with people who abuses the purpose of dSLR and making it look like accessories.

If the hard disk didn't die any later, I'd love to share with you more pictures of this joyous event. As for now, much thank both energetic photogs, Arif and Jo for your awesome directions.

Zakwan and Alia, big love for being so camera friendly and natural. Semoga berbahagia ke anak cucu to both you. Amin.

When Life Blows

I know things don't go your way all the time. It has to be that way. Or else, what's the point of living lah? I'm losing my balance slowly and suffice to say, it's one of those days or phase where I feel bad day is a never-ending thing! It feels like I'm emotionally sinking in an hour glass back and forth. Then again, I'm not bad times' only friend.

I will bounce back. How and when, I'll figure it out. Till the day comes, I'll accept the yang to my life.

Love and make peace with troubles.

Cake Me Up

It kills me to see how birthday cakes trend nowadays are being replaced by cupcakes. Yes, I am old fashioned that way that I still want my birthday cake to be a 5-9 inch cake instead of 60 funky cuppies, no matter how adorable they are. I love eating cake and if it weren't because a slice of cake ranges in a cut-throat amount, I'll clog up my arteries with creamy soft icing and rich chocolate already by now. Sigh. Lately I've been learning how to bake and the sudden urge to bake my own birthday cake, which is lama again - for fun (and to replace last year's no birthday cake. Haha) just so that I can gobble it all by myself and enjoy being 22.

My initial idea is to bake anything chocolate/cheese/red velvet/buttercream. I'm a sucker for those mentioned. And the cake design that I keep picturing in my head is a 2-tiered cake. Not the ordinary ones but a crazy asymmetrical cake! Ambitious much? -_- Because that way, I don't feel like I'm eating a wedding cake. Or else a clean cut will do just fine. Ah, who cares! All I want is a sinful cake that will dance in my stomache!

At first the intention was not so brilliant due to lack of baking utensils, etc and it might turn out to be a kitchen disaster. However, since my cooking/baking/food guru just got bake back from Switzerland, this might be the perfect timing after all!

I'm just craving for a good slice of cake. That's all. Don't think I have the time pun.

I'm walking on thin air

I think I'm having writer's block. Hence the lack update. But then again, who reads my blog? This space is like Potter's invisibility cloak might as well just invest my time doing things that I've been wanting to do.

Since I'm already half way writing this, I'm so itching to go for a mini outdoor stuff. This reminds me of last year's Skytrex adventure I went with the usual bunch.

This was few hours before I was down with high fever and viral infection. Huzzah! Actually I was already feeling a bit dysfunctional when we just arrived. Sad story. Anyhow I paid big bucks for it so might as well just bring on the A-game lah kan. So I gulped panadols hoping I can tahan for the whole thing but the agony of waiting for our turn was plain frustrating. We very the Malaysian. We queue!

We waited... for the latecomers to arrive

talked...

laughed...

he slept...

and voila! We can finally move our lazy asses and pump those adrenalin.

You see, this look meh and easy peasy but we're wrong! Climbing those I dare say the tedious of them all also according to the rest, the part that will suck in all your energy. Even I started panting halfway up already. Horrible, I know. And the next, what I can simply call safer version of jambatan gantung which I am not a fan of. Standing on something that makes my body wobble unpleasantly especially at certain height is not my thing. Read: I'm afraid of heights. So I just dashed quickly and keep my eyes focus on Saq (she's ahead of me).

The term skytrex obviouslyt means standing at least 22m off air. So to end this adventure, you fly, swing, crawl, glide or walk on an 5inch wood. It was fun and tiring plus I was a bit slow because I was sort of busy with Marc (note: it's not advisable to bring camera let alone hanging dSLR on your neck so bring at your own risk).

Left: That's the hanging bridge

Right: After bridge check point and more climbing! Because I have shorter legs, hence the climbing was a bit hassle and slower.

Left: I think we're not supposed to hold on to the pulley. Maybe, the correct way is this

Right: So you see, the obstacles are in continuous order.

Left: Yo Hab!

Right: This is quite tricky lah seriously. Because of the staggering swing, sometimes you just cannot avoid to miss the plank.

Left: This one was the hardest. You're supposed to do tarzan swing from one plank to another. In the picture the distant between each planks look so small but you probably make a split to reach the other plank. The four of us (me and the other 3 in front of me) so smart and we cheated!

Right: After the third fly, that's it! I got so bored of flying fox!

If I were to rate the whole thing, I'd give 5.5 out of 10. I'm not saying it's bad, just that for an adrenalin junkie like me, it's a rather safe adventure. If any non-outdoor person want to give it a try, I say go ahead. Choose Big Thrill (this one) instead of beginner's one. Hopefully the next post on skytrex, it'll be on Extreme Park.

Obligatory group photo - before and after

Everything went smooth, until I injured myself accidentally. -_- After the last swing, I unhooked both carabiner and pulley from the string and gleefully ran to sit down without hooking them back to my harness. So the heavy carabiner hit my ankle while I was already safe on the ground. How ironic.

I Loathe You

My notorious iPod is forcing me to switch on the radio everytime I'm on the road. What really annoys me is that most of the time the song choices can be really nerve-wrecking and meh. What to do, that's how the radio works. So whenever these songs, just to name a few, Just the Way You Are (Bruno from Mars) and Love The Way You Lie (Ri-nooo!) are on air, I cannot help but to mutter (or the opposite) the usual vulgar stuff and sometimes usually joined by the other half.

Even worse when someone posted the lyrics as Facebook statuses verse by verse. Wtf? Rage! And so I clicked "Hide all by this-lyrics-teller" mercilessly. Seriously, if I need to know the lyrics, Google will do its magic.

Whether or not you like my music taste I'm so not sorry for being a nostalgic

2010

2010 mostly brought so many tears of joy

and downfalls (which I only remember some, fortunately)

I don't think writing a chock-full list this year will do justice anymore. Good and bad things happened, I shared them with people whom I love, if not this space. Trust me bulleted list will only bore you to the max knowing that not many speak the same significant things.

If all goes well, I'm going to don the mortar board once again and take my degree scroll a year from now from one of the bad ass and hardest institution. I used to think how much I regretted studying in SEGi, I kid you not, but you know what? Now I don't anymore and why should I be?

Not only I got a super sexy black guy for my birthday (all thanks to my gay and handsome lover) or getting sexcited to see the awesome Kelly Jones and their timeless music but to see friends rocking in AJL or admiring their mind-blowing pictures/work, in a very humble manner, I'm in awe to be surrounded/working with hardcore people.

I had to suck it up when UK trip cancelled on me so the more reason to explore places in my own vicinity compare to the past three years combined. Oh yes, the idea of travelling, road/makan trip sounds fun enough and puts you in a torturing financial headache. I can just randomly plan going up Broga or somewhere so foggy but it won't be uber fun if I don't have the same flexible and to-go friends. And the thought of not being able to go with good company is unforgivable because at the end of the day you need someone to share the good times with, non?

Since I'm foreverly known as a clutz, I cannot forget few incidents where I locked myself in between front door and grill gate, got locked outside my room with all the keys still inside, fell down from the stairs (right from the very step till the last) yet still refused to skip class because I already missed a class, and how I misplaced his car key in Uni library. Please, too late for tomato-throwing ya!

One of the best things happened this year, for the longest time I finally get to spoiled myself lazing around with Mami dearest. Epic! Suffice to say I'm nobody to predict the future especially the term relationship but it has been great and absolute bliss. I'm humbled by the thought of having someone so deserving and worth keeping for. Endless thank you, from the bottom of my heart for how much I have outgrown part of myself (because the rest I did it myself lah!) from loving you.

I had a crush on you and loved you all the way. Thank you 2010

This Drives Me Crazy

When it comes to driving, I think it runs in the family (or any other teenagers) that all siblings cannot wait to take up the responsibility hold the steering and drive -- proven that we all drove illegally first before signing up for the real driving Academy. Sister drove I-have-no-idea when but I remember mine was as early as Form 2 with supervision. In my defense I think I share the same trait as most Convent girls because yes, we are like that. We cannot wait to rebel from the forever bad-ass rules.

Although I didn't get my license at the qualifying age, 17, due to the expensive fee (only in KK mind you) and tied to after school job hence I didn't mind taking the bus to work when the parents were against it at first but later understood that I was/am already big enough to depend on them. Then I left KK for National Service and back to KK again, then 2 days later, I started my diploma in SEGi dragging all the exhaustion with me. So there.

Few weeks back, I was not able to drive legally for let's say more than a week? Survived 2 days without the ability to drive and the next, I gave up. I felt so hopeless and useless. The temptation to just drive illegally struck me all the time but I think I've had enough of that. It's not that I refused to upgrade my license from Pathetic to CDL but I had a long occupied week and most of the days, I was really really shivering sick few hours after Skytrex adventure. While the lover is so busy with work keep flooding in, I dare not kacau his time during the day and get him to drive me all the way to JPJ. So the days where I see the car parked in front of me, and the lover being so nice and drive me around, I feel very much flattered and dependent at the same time.

Halp!

And before you come to think that I expect men to do all pick up/driving/any typical guy job... no, I didn't really sign up for that. Fine lah, we're all submissive toward our partners but don't lah just dump it all on men. Although I love being at the driver's seat, I loathe people who expect, yes, assume you'll be their loyal SUPER cab for the sake of saving petrol or just simply dependant. I mean yeah it's nice to be sitting at the passenger's while the driver does all the risky multi-tasking job. Imagine what we have to go through - listening and responding to your nonsensical story while driving, changing lanes, and the fact that driver also have to deal with other obnoxious drivers. Think.

Why am I making such a big fuss is that I learnt how driving is a part of adulthood, at least to me. Car, no car, is not a valid reason. Whether you're a good, noob, or madafaka driver, that's a different story. When I have my own mini me's, the minute they turn 17, I'll say,

"Happy Birthday! You'll get your present this Saturday. A 4-hour driving course. You're welcome "

I'll give them the privilege I never had and force them to sit through in our already poorly-maintained academy because harping on others to get elsewhere excluding public transportation is a bit sad and frustrating to the boot. Been there done that.

Love, noob driver long time ago.

Not Really Back, Yet

Photo by Arif

I'm still alive... and kicking

Just nothing remotely rant-worthy to be penned down. I have quite a few

But maybe, I have lost my mojo in blogging.

Peace and patience.

In Short, This is Sweet

If you haven't heard already, the International Short + Sweet Festival has made its way to our shore since 2008 and I'm privileged enough to actually watch it live this year courtesy of Iman and Aiman. Divided into 2 different parts, dance and theatre, (your pick) it'll only need 10 minutes of your attention so... goodbye long-winded play. Phew!

God knows how I'm easily distracted if I were to watch a stage play for more than an hour long. Since it's Iman's first debut, about 8 of us came and show him the support that he needed, not knowing which play or whatever character that he's playing. Basically, me and Aiman went to KLPAC cluelessly, assuming it's just a normal play until at one point I got tired of throwing him questions.

Where's my ID?

This is Heaven

The Bear in the Pawn Shop

Wati dan Puan

This year's S+S Theatre, a variety of 11 (short) promising plays by seasoned/newcomer director from all kinds of genre, value, and issue - lesbian, animal, post modernism, typical marriage, smoking, loyalty, death, humor, government service, etc. Man I cannot be more amused how much I enjoyed their witty sarcasms. Funny but so true and I cannot imagine this being publicly televised judging by the one-sided ownership here. Although I think 2 or 3 plays were just so-so; because punching too much humor can still kill the whole mood lah okay. Towards the end of the show, we have to vote only one (!!!) play to be showcased during the finale. Tough one.

The downside of being the photog most of the time... my hands are always glued to the camera But it's alright. :p

Love, the libertarian.

Here Comes the Bride

This is the first wedding ever that got me all teared up silently compare to all the other weddings I've attended in 21 years of my life.

The lovebirds walked down the aisle with one the best non-cliche (jiwang) song. I love non-typical themes/ thinkers.

Well-kept surprise. The funny part was when they play the song, Aiman randomly sing mocking Anuar Zain and I just lol-ed. Then suddenly someone sang very much like Anuar and what a jaw dropping moment when the real Anuar enters the ballroom. Wow. Not really a big fan, wait, have I ever been a fan...? Despite whatever you people keep condemning him, yes, he can really sing.

Why I got so distracted most of the time is because of the legendary icon who deserves the title actor/performer with all the other veterans sitting next to us.

Abang Ajis... Ohh Abang Ajis!

(Oh no, you don't need to squint your eyes )

Great love,

Great company,

Great night.

Peace and light

His Gay-est Day

I'm no and never good at surprises. Be it me getting surprised or vice versa.

But I managed to pull off the biggest surprise (that's what he thought) for my special one. Although I must tell you, September and October hasn't been kind to me. Trust me when I say my time was so limited, and everytime I couldn't handle the level of things wandering in my head (I think too much), I do spring cleaning and yoga (flailingly! My goodness!). So the man who's been giving me pure joy and endless headache (and non-punctual - very the Malaysian ah you) unlike all the people I know, being the simple (low maintenance, humble, and not the irritating macho) kind of guy he is, haven't been celebrating his special day for years. Yearss. So I thought it would be sweet to just throw him a birthday celebration.

When I say celebration, my modest way of doing it is by gathering friends, and simple birthday dinner. By simple, I really meant simple, nothing over the top. Because my only priority was to gather everyone just for him. So it began with secret message, and I was skeptical everyone would show up assuming they're busy with work and fyp.

At the same time, I searched high and low for the birthday present, wanting it to be practical and can last for a very long time. I almost gave up by giving him the money, "go buy yourself, thank you." So in between those lectures and tutorials, I went to places, survey here and there.

In the mean time, I made few phone calls and trips for dinner reservation. Which I ended up cancelling. It's either too much or meh. So I thought where on earth to go...? Somewhere near, good ambiance, reasonable and yummy food? My brain almost shit bricks until I remembered a place. Located in the heart of Damansara.

Back to the secret message, I was so so pleased with everyone's response. Everyone in the list were more than happy to come. (You see, the things that we all would do) More reasons for all of us to be so psyched and cannot wait to see the look on his face.

So when the present is ready, I had to trick him into sending me to the shop and get it without him knowing. I was so excited I almost shove it to his face, "Nah, your present!" But I waited till the right time comes by tricking him going to breakfast and all the assignment excuses. I purposely chose the place where we always talk, hang out, jog, eat -- the park. I told him I need to take pictures of something carefree-ish (wtf wei) and he reluctantly dragged his lazy ass with me. First mission, accomplished! He was terribly in terrible speechless state of mind. According to him, something that he wanted and never thought someone would ever give it to him. I so smart *points finger on my head + grin*

So the bad luck begins (in sequence).

The person who attended my call, made a reservation on the day before the actual day. Good thing is, they have the best staff in town so we managed to sort things out, plus they're all so sporting!

When I was about an hour away from picking him up, he was freaking asleep.

The dress that I've been altering from a weird looking dress into a decent (at least) one acted out on me. My not-so-magic fingers had to work its magic and I just jelujur it hoping it can tahan for a few happy hours and not a single chance to pull an Incredible Hulk.

And the best part, just when I was about to leave the house, I open the main door which I usually will tahan it with my leg but not this time. The door just slammed! And locked! With the house-grill locked! The best of the best, my keys were still intact to my room door. So I got stuck in between the doors and almost cried shamefully since no one was at home. I could just write a post about this but I'll kiss. I don't know whether it was pure luck or what, out of nowhere my neighbour opens his door and saw me in desperate help. With his and His help, I managed to get out from the house (long process) with the birthday boy being kind enough to come fetch me instead.

As the hostess and a bit OCD, I feel awful la for being super late but I'm more than lucky to have friends who are so so sporting and not the uptight kind. The things that they do while waiting... cannot leave the place.

The ultimate goal is to make the better half of mine happy and that night alone is something worth remembering. I'm not gonna write a long winded list of what happened during the dinner.

A note to you, I hope you had the awesome-est time of your life. Despite all the ugly things happened, the amount of stress I had to deal with; cramping all presentations, assignments, not enough rest, jacked up phone bill, down with flu, etc. All this, cannot beat the look on your face. I love you.