Something(s) to celebrate

Happy birthday to my mother- may Allah grant you strength and courage and may you always be under His blessings and protection.

And Happy New Year to my Chinese friends- had a great 'Reunion' Dinner last night ;)

As for Russians, today is the 'Forgiveness Sunday', the last day of Pancake Week to celebrate the end of winter.

Me, I didn't sleep at all last night. It's been a long time since I did that...

... Ok, that is not something to be celebrated. I'm going to sleep now. Good day.

C'est la vie part 2

Life has been so peculiar these days. Like, five days ago I was knitting (many people thought the world was coming to an end... yeah, I thought so too. haha). Then I had a dream wherein my whole family went on a vacation in Brazil, and our hotel room overlooked a green, green paddy field. Weirder still, everybody there spoke Russian (actually we spoke Malay but somehow the language was called Russian. Ape2 lah.). The next day I got hugged by our hostel 'technician' whom we called Papa- it was his birthday, apparently- he even brushed his cheek against mine! I "euuuuwww"-ed the whole way back to my room. Thought he was drunk but he was actually drinking tea with a Mama (hostel cleaner) at the moment. Can drinking tea induce such unfathomable behaviour?? Meanwhile yesterday I bought a pair of pants specifically made for a 3.9-month pregnant woman, or so the label said. But who cares? They were pretty. Heh.

And today... today, the wonder out of wonders being the fact that I finally managed to remember to bring my room key along, so that I didn't have to ask to borrow from Mama like every other time, and receive a dreadful hug from a quinquagenarian (or is it sexagenarian?) of a birthday boy in the process. The creeps.

C'est la vie

Sometimes when a calamity befalls you or your loved ones (they’re interchangeable, really), you wish to be at the centre of it all. The sharing of pain and sorrow, by some intricate means, seems more bearable that way. Being so far away leaves you feeling so alone and bothered you even feel guilty. For there are moments when you, being at the periphery of all that, unconsciously step outside and join in the whole shebang of another thing of the moment, laughing and forgetting. And as you rightfully step back in, it shakes you up harder than it feels it should you almost suffocate from your own crying.

Never did I imagine being home would mean so much to me like it does now.

"So have patience! Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make thee impatient." - Ar-Rum: 60

To my sister Aliah- Happy 16th birthday! Dah besa ye awok... ish2 tak sangke..

Winter's back in town

Today’s a lovely Wednesday- a touch of snow for the wintry feel, and, as per every semester in the past, killer subjects to round the day with. Lovely. And so, the so-called honeymoon semester of our medical years has begun. My inner mind’s still somewhere far away though, far enough not to be plagued by unnecessary inconveniences termed as homework and lullabies of a lecture, and, well, people staring at you as if you have just grown two heads. I enjoyed my holiday very much, and have related my story in its entirety to quite a number of people, aided by maps and guide booklets no less (which we stole from tourist info offices). Hehe. I wish I could do the same to my far-away family and friends, but hopefully my writing will do for the moment. Turkey is a beautiful country, be it in its exquisite sea views, the untold stories of the past immortalised in fine architectures of its buildings, the warm Turkish hospitality, or the glorious cuisine.

In the eve of the trip, I vowed to keep a detailed day-by-day, minute-by-minute journal documenting my first solo vacation to this country separated by two continents, housing one of the cities included in the list of places to visit in my lifetime. What I had in mind as a product would resemble something out of An Unexpected Light, crossed with The Motorcycle Diaries and Around The World In 80 Days with a dash of Ibn Battuta’s and Marco Polo’s travels, a romantic depiction of a bona fide traveler.

Ok, end of angan-angan. For the record, I did not keep a journal (hands too busy clicking on the camera' shutter) and granted, I might have forgotten some of the smaller details that I didn't intend to forget. Well. Anyway, I know I’m not writing for an award-winning book, and I’m not having a bout of writer’s block at the moment, but a bad news from home had me at a lost and halted my progress. Thus my account of the trip might be delayed for some yet-undefined while, until things get brighter. My best wishes to everyone out there.

Excited state

I experienced an epiphany as I emerged from the cocoon of exam-infested world (read: piles of notes strewn all over your bed and table and floor and between pillow sheets)- human beings are made of tougher substance than I used to give 'em credit to. In ways more than one, the equivocal technicalities of examination system (of any kind) did not afflict the gall out of me anymore, as I worked the hell out of my brain for something that I actually rather enjoy (for the most part), much to my surprise. No, I'm not becoming a nerd. But as a well-versed procrastinator specialising in the so-called department of last-minute cramming, exams were always the ultimate target, and, being in an exam-oriented Malaysia, the feelings were primarily mutual. Being here taught me something about learning for the sake of learning, with exams merely serving as the realisor of some kind of a start reflex towards hard work and perseverance (not that I'm one to talk. haha).

That being said, Alhamdulillah I sailed through the grits and in about 10 hours' time, I'll be boarding a plane towards my highly-anticipated holiday. The four of us are going to Istanbul (and other parts of Turkey too) on a 10-day trip, and I'd really like to talk more about it, but typing this at 2.30 in the morning when I should be in bed catching up on my beauty sleep prevents me from doing so. And I just finished watching The Lake House (finally) whilst folding my long-neglected bundles of clothes and haven't even started on my packing, so I have no idea why I'm here writing this instead. Part of post-exam syndrome kut. My knees are throbbing nastily from today, and I can't even begin to describe today (technically yesterday morning), what with the final paper and these episodes of stomach distress I have been suffering from the last few days, plus the tedious process of retrieving my visa (those people can really make you WAIT!)... ok, I'm horribly complaining now. One cute incident though- the ex-dean (I'm not sure of his current position in the dean office) who had to sign our permission letters surveyed through my letter, and upon seeing my destination, asked me, "Which city was Constantinople?", and was positively delighted when I knew the answer. Hehe. Then we had a long discussion on the rise and fall of the Byzantine empire. Ok, I'm kidding on that part. Ngeh.

Ngantuk.

Exam blues reloaded

"I'm having a mid-life crisis."

"But you're only 20!"

"Who knows how long I will live my life? If, for example, my life-span is 40 years, then I should be having my mid-life crisis at about now, shouldn't I?"

Pointless conversations when the weight of the exam drawing nigh seems too much to bear. Frodo, lend us some pointers!

...

Missing home.

Holiday Sweet Holiday

The holiday has arrived at long last (1 week- to celebrate the New Year, and Christmas on Jan 7th for Orthodox Christians)... My, I could definitely rejoice in all the magnificence if not for the nagging little fact that I'm having my exams in 18 days' time. The cold weather does not help my case, which makes for nice snuggling-under-the-covers sessions. Sofi wake up already!!! There. Haha. Laziness knows no ends. Though my spirits raised a little upon hearing my sister's splendid 9As for her PMR. Nice one, kiddo. Now I can't rest on my laurels, can I- time to stretch some muscles.

Selamat Hari Raya Eidul Adha to dear Muslims in the world. =)

ps:

Fauzan Al Anshori, from the militant group of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia, said Bush, too, should stand trial.

"Given the crime blamed on Saddam, it is unfair if George Bush is not also put on an international tribunal," he said. "Saddam was executed for killings 148 people, Shiite Muslims, while Bush is responsible for the killing of about 600,000 Iraqis since the March 2003 invasion."

I couldn't agree more.


Feeding birds


A walk in the park


A lamb for sacrifice being brought down from the truck


Eid prayer; from left- Kak Naim, my sister Sarah, me.


Kak Haneem, Baya, Fahida, Kak Rita, me.

Snow, where art thou?

It has been quite a while since I talked about the weather. Winter’s late this year- the temperature’s been constantly above zero for the past few weeks and the snow’s playing a mischievous game of hide-and-seek with us. Menjelma, already! Some of my friends would get the kick out of spanking me every time I pray aloud for a white Volgograd the morning after. But hey, what is winter without snow? So the roadside gets a little slippery. You can’t have it all in one package, can you? I say let’s polish our sense of adventure a bit here, heheh.

The past few days were fine, a little dull even. If you discounted the part where I was stalked by an extremely friendly dog who walked alongside me and stopped when I stopped and scurried away only when I reached for my handphone (who on earth was I planning to call for rescue? 911??) and- no thanks to clumsy me- violently hurled it across the ground, or the part where I freaked over an unfinished due medical care report for credit only to find the teacher barely glancing at its cover the next day (a friend didn’t even pass it up and he never asked), or the part where I told my PT (Physical Training) teacher that I have been skiving his classes because I train for volleyball (and now I really have to take up volleyball as he said he might check on us), or the part where I was indirectly accused of shoplifting two cans of Fruiting apple and aloe vera juice at Ramstor (long story, but the security lady was extremely rude and if I was in Malaysia I definitely would have demanded to see the manager), that is. And now I’ve started to binge again. H-E-L-P.

ps: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Can't wait!

Things we take for granted

Whenever I feel like the barbed wheel of reality is running berserk over the crowded canvas of my life, tearing it to shreds, some vibrant colours of hope would unexpectedly splash in and revert my entire outfit of emotions. To perceive my string of calamities as bad luck would be an act of ignorance- I practically attracted all those troubles to myself. I’m a trouble magnet. To settle for the notion still, is a crude act of cowardice- ruminating over a mug of hot chocolate won’t change a thing. Neither would blogging about it. Though the comforting thought of still having His blessings over and over again despite my constant stupidity keeps my spirit breathing... Alhamdulillah.

I owe a giant thank you to my parents, especially my father, for helping me through my bankcard ‘fiasco’. A thank you is never enough- some sense of gratitude can’t be easily expressed by a few clicks of keys. My friends and I had a talk recently on how much we rely on our parents to get by with our lives. Three friends of my friend had lost a parent each in the past week and even though people die every second of the day, the actuality of it hits you like a rock when it happens to someone you know (or someone you know, know). All of us realised that more often than not, we do not appreciate our loved ones enough, especially our parents. We call them when we need their help, or to wish them on their birthdays. It’s not often that we spare time for them just because. I’m saying we, ‘cause I would like to believe that I’m not the only person in the world who thinks he/she hasn’t been a good enough son/daughter, although these claims I know are directed exclusively at me, me, me. Once, a while ago, I called my mum and she mistook me for my sister. When I corrected her, she said that I hadn't called for so long she didn't recognise my voice anymore. It was jokingly said, I know, but it was true. In some ways I can steal the geographical factor as some kind of an excuse, but thinking back, I didn’t do enough when I was back home either. People keep saying not to take things for granted, but we do, we do... I do. I do it every single day.

At the end of the day, I thank Him for the host of opportunities laid before me in life- the gift of wonderful people around me who never get tired of my never-ending antics (maybe they do… maybe I’m being dense. Ouch.) , the doors to success just waiting for me to open ‘em (need to find the keys first though, hehe), the clarity of conscience to slap me back to hard reality from time to time, the ability to correct my mistakes, the gleaming torch of Ad-din to guide me when all other lights go dark…

Am I in one of those moods again, you ask? Truth is, I’m in this mood all the time. Most of the time, I just don’t feel like letting it out, so it’s slotted in between my chirpy babble-talk or lousy jokes. Deep inside, I’m kinda gloomy, yeah. Plus I like wearing black headscarf and has, since that day, been asked a few more times about it by curious Russians. Thinking of ditching it (already did actually, am donning white now).

I see I’m not making much sense at this point. Got to study for a test tomorrow anyways. Azleen, I need your pencahayaan agung.

Winter is not for hibernation

"This year I'm definitely going out! I don't care!"
"Yeah, we'll get revenge for last year!"
"Wanna go Moscow? We still haven't properly been there- airports don't count."
"But I've been to Mega!"
"Shopping malls don't count either."
"But I really wanna go out of Russia. Go to someplace new. Like, Europe."
"We are in Europe, dummy."
"OK, like, western Europe."
"What about Egypt?? I heard someone said about wanting to go to Egypt?"
"Let's have a look at my world map! See, from here, we can go here, and here, than circle back here, drop a visit here, and fly back from here..."
"Yeah, if we're planning on going broke for the next six months, we can."
"Ok then, what about here? We can take train from here to here..."
"Know what? There's a special promotion for Aeroflot ticket fares to selected Eropean cities now."
"Oh yeah? Till when?"
"Tomorrow."
"What the...??? Man, let's book the tickets now! Why haven't you told me earlier??"
"I just got to know last night myself!"
""Why haven't anyone-"
"Don't ask. Wondering the same myself."
"Here's my idea. We hit Frankfurt, then some of the guys I heard are going skiing in Vienna. We can join 'em there."
"Why not Munich? It's nearer."
""Know something else? S7 are also having promotion. Their Frankfurt fare's freaking cheap."
"Well then. But hey, hey, hey... I see Paris's not so far away from Frankfurt. Hmm..."
"And Prague too- Prague's beautiful. Well, in Mission Impossible, it is."
"I've always wanted to go to Paris."
"Do you know anyone there?"
"Er... (TKY came to mind) An old classmate is studying there. But really, it's not a good idea. We weren't exactly... close. (non-existent relationship more like)"
"Laa, just go and ask him! Do you speak French??? Exactly. He can help us get around. And you guys can rekindle your friendship."
"(ERRRRRRRRRRRR????????)"
"ERRRRRRRRRRRR????????"
""Heyyy.... no special price fare from Paris to Moscow! Not fair!"
"Well, well... We can go up to Brussels, fly Moscow from there."
"Or climb further to Amsterdam. Amsterdam sounds better."
"The price is also higher. Here, how about Zurich?"
"Man, this is too confusing."
""Alright, have you decided already? I've spent the night thinking and becoming more confused."
"No. You? How about her? And her? And them?"
"Ok, me and my sister are flying to Frankfurt and return to Moscow from Milan."
"Hah? Since when Milan came into the picture?"
"Milan?? Waaa I wanna go Milan!!"
""AC Milan's your favourite team right? Haha come with us then."
"Well... but my sister and I have decided to go to Istanbul."
"Right. And since when did Istanbul come into the picture.."
"And maybe go to Athens too? Don't know, if there's time."
""And what about you?"
"I'm going to Munich then to Vienna."
"You?"
"Berlin, then travel down, maybe to Munich, Prague, I don't know... the main thing is I have to get on the plane back here from Zurich."
"O-kay..."
"You guys are going to Madrid right?"
"Yeah, and fly back from Barcelona."
"hey has anyone seen the ad in the lift? A trip to Italy!"
"Ok, it's too late."
"I've always wanted to go to Italyyy..."

In the end, everyone's going separate places. Haha. Geli hati betul.