Cheers for the last weekend of the year~

I have the longest hiatus from the blog. Oh well, this is a non-committal relationship, it’s like visiting the coffee shop situated in a place far away, where when you have the time, you will come visit. And it made you reminisce the times you spent at the coffee shop. Sounds like a weird analogy but I am entitled to write whatever I want in my blog. Ha ha.


So, 2011 is ending. I have read my 2010 End of Year post and I know I can never beat 2010. Not this year though. However, 2011 is a very special year in its own way. Let’s do self reflection today shall we:

Work – I am still figuring out this area. I still hate the question ‘how do you see yourself in 5 years’ but I think I am going to be alright. I am not as scared as I was last year.

Life – I am forced to grow up. I realized that I am a paranoid and spoilt kid (much like my cat Baby Odd) but it is a wakeup call to remind myself that I am indeed alone in the world. Independence is the only way forward. Still not fully Miss Independent yet, but taking baby steps. It’s time to start learn on how to be an adult. And it’s time to be outside my comfort zone and be bold.

Relationship – I put in 2010, it’s a confusing time for love. This time around, I am going to put, praying for the best outcome. We can dream and work on it, in the end I believe in Him. I just want to be happy.

I have put my 2011 resolutions in my Iphone note and I am glad to fulfill 80% of them. I’m going to write new ones as I am corny like that. I would say the best highlight of my year was the chronology of events that happened throughout the year. I was in a very deep trench once, and once you reached the bottom, the only way was up. Happy that I am going to end 2011 with the thing I love the most: My Families.

Cheers for the year that has happened, and I’ll look forward for 2012, where there will be new obstacles, new adventures and hopefully, a new and better ME!

P/S: On the other note, I visited Japan and I loved it! I intended to come back =).

Just Because my Last Post was in April

Hello Blog.

I have been abandoning you. Lately I really have problem in expressing myself in words. Maybe I think the world shouldn't have to know about what my thoughts and rants, or I am just becoming a sheltered soul.

What happened?

Life happens. This is a transition period that hopefully will change me to a better person.

Travel wise? Well, since April, I've been to Kuala Terengganu, Kuching and Redang (Cuti-Cuti Malaysia :D).

I have always liked Terengganu, I think it's an awesome state (besides my hometown) and Redang was simply a rejuvenating break from the usual routines. I wished that the corals could be better preserved (by US!). And I wish I have a beach home overseeing the blue green ocean (Daydreaming is free!)

Kuching is now my new hometown. First visit and I loved it! Great food, people and it ain't a busy town. Driving a day in KL made me thankful for living in Seremban. Really made me realize how much I dislike driving. I still have hopes for a better public transport thought.

Ramadhan is approaching. I hope we will fully utilise this holy month. Cleanse the body and soul. Self discovery and betterment.

I am hoping for an awesomer last quarter of the year! Let's hope for different adventures to commence!

Salam Ramadhan Kareem peeps!:)

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

"Sweet dreams are made of this

Who am I to disagree?

Travel the world and the seven seas

Everybody's looking for something.."

Yes,everyone is looking for something. Something to make their life meaningful. 

We are in the never ending journey of discovering new things about ourself. Mostly we want to find happiness. To be at ease.

When I was growing up, I had a lot of dreams. I wrote fictions which translated subconsciously into what my heart desired. I've tried to achieve, but I failed a lot of times. My self esteem was not at the best of times. 

Came university years, trials and errors became part and parcel of life. Lessons were learnt. 

Came working world, it's about discovering about myself, looking back on what I have done with this life. It's all about assessing and planning.

We live by Allah's will. I am thankful to be given whatever He has given me. The world seems sweet enough to be living at times, and a place where you just want to hide when things go wrong. Fortunes and Misfortune, they are tests. I'm praying that I'll pass these tests. Amin.

It goes back one round to my question: What am I looking for?

I'm looking for answers that will let me better understand myself and other people, so I can help make a change somehow. That is why I love travelling.

I might started to travel because it seems fun (and I envy those who did when I was growing up), but as I travel from one place to another, it never fails to amaze me how different and unique a country could be.I would take pictures and videos and watched them back once I'm home to keep reminding myself that we live in a world of awesomeness. How great is the Creator of this world that able to pull off such diversities in physiques, language, culture, landscape etc.

There must be a reason why we're so different from one another, and it is all stated in Quran.

Qur'an 49:13

O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, 
and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another.
Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. 

Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.

In verses too numerous to mention, the Qur'an invites one to reflect upon the signs Of creation: the heavens, the shining stars and their astonishing celestial movements, and the cosmic order which rules over them all. Similarly, the Qur'an urges one to reflect upon the creation of the earth, the seas, the mountains, the desert, and the wonders contained below the surface of the earth, the difference between night and day and the changing cycle of seasons. It urges mankind to meditate on the extraordinary creation of the plants and the order and symmetry governing their growth, as well as the multiplicity of the animal kingdom. The Qur'an commands man to travel in the world in order to witness other cultures and to investigate the social orders, history and philosophies of past people. Thus it calls man to a study of the natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy, the arts and all sciences available to man, and to study them for the benefit of man and the well-being of society

Credit : http://www.al-islam.org/quraninislam/4.htm

Hence, I'll use my experience to teach myself to be better and hopefully to share them with the world. And finally, to be able to do that, I'll need to travel more. When there's a will there's a way right? 

Yes my fellow friends, if you want to help me (as I won't force anyone), please click on the following link and click 'Like' at the end of the entry.

http://mastraveller.com/WhatsNew/IMASTravel/Blogs/Malaysia/2011/03/29/We-Sing-We-Dance-We-Shop-but-We-Don-t-Steal-Things/322/

I know I'm flawed and imperfect but to share positivity and thoughts with anyone who's willing to listen and learn has always been my dream since I was a kid. I once dreamt of becoming a journalist. I know I am not one right now, but if only I could do that even for a day, I'll be thankful enough.

Thank you very much for reading and voting. You guys had been awesome :).

We Sing, We Dance, We Shop but We Don't Steal Things

It's rude not to visit our neighbours. Hence, after 24 years of living, I visited Singapore in 2010. I was impressed by how organized the country was, and more impressed by their state of cleanliness. I considered Singapore as a better and cleaner KL, because it is a big city with shopping malls, and more shopping malls (i.e Orchard Road).

The opening of Universal Studio Singapore brought me back to the Land of Merlion this year. It was just a weekend getaway and I thought I've seen much of Singapore before; visiting places like Bugis Street, Arab Street, Little India, Clarke Quay and even roller bladed at the East Coast Park the last time I was there.

The Mission: UNIVERSAL STUDIO SINGAPORE (USS)
The Verdict: USS was fun, as I have never been to any Universal Studio before. The highlights of USS were Steven Spielberg movie set experience, The 4D Shrek Movie, the Underworld live show and the rides (altho there were not many of them).You could easily spend a day there and to avoid queuing (especially on school holidays), it's recommended to get the express boarding pass.

My First Universal Studio Trip

We LOVE USS!

With 'Charlie Chaplin'

Love the Vintage Car

The mission was accomplished. Was that the end of the trip? Well, not when you were with friends who knew how to have fun! As one of us was celebrating his birthday during the trip,we toured Singapore once again as he barely remembered the last time he went there. We visited the tourist spots once again, but this time with surprises along the way.

Eating the famous 1 dollar Ice Cream

Activity: We Dance
Where, When,  How: We were in Esplanade, taking jumping shots and doing silly performance in front of Esplanade. Okay, touristy activities were done. Time to search for foods. As we walked towards the MRT Station, somebody stopped us and asked us to dance with them (something about Rocky Horror Show). I was excited because I thought they're going to do a flashmob but they ended up showing us some moves and asked us to repeat them again. Still fun because I never been stopped and asked to dance by strangers before (I was never the happy feet).

Jumping in front of Esplanade

(No dancing photos as we were busy dancing and the video was too embarassing to show to public.HA HA)

Activity: We Shop but Never Steal Things
Where, When, How : First place that comes in mind for shopping in Singapore must be Orchard Road. Well, we found a different place to shop in Singapore, where we discovered a row of authentic and indie shops selling clothes, shoes and all things custom made and vintage at Haji Lane, nearby Bugis Junction and Bugis MRT Station. They weren't cheap but the feeling of buying things that were not mass produced was satisfying indeed.

One of the funky shops on Haji Lane

Indie Inspired

Activity: We Sing
Where, When, How :After all the walking, dancing and shopping, we decided to eat at this cool place, Wanna'B Cafe situated in Arab Street. The environment were laid back (as we were seated on the cushion, japanese style) and the choice of fusion foods were decent. What made this restaurant unique was the stage with drums, guitars and microphones  provided for you to let you have your diva/idol moments (hence the name Wanna'B). That led to the singing part, when we unashamedly sang in front of public as customers got to use the stage and sang three karaoke songs for free.

Cool place to hang out with friends

The WannaBs

Feel like a rockstar 

Verdict of Second Singapore Trip: I thought I have seen them all in my first trip, but you'll never know what you could find in store the second time around. This applies to all the other countries as well, hence I'll have to go to every country I went/going to at least twice so I could be surprised again.

Awesome friends

A wise man once said, "To travel is better than to arrive". Well, just to add to that wise saying, "To travel after arriving is even more better!". Plus, it's a major bonus when the people you're with love the travelling part like you. Thus, my Travel Diary for 2011 had commenced successfully (and dramatically, with the singing and dancing).

Don't Look Back in Anger.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Oh my. There were a list of this. But mostly things that made me had the awesomest year of my existence.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Some of them alhamdulillah. I will and I don't really put much pressure on them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My 2nd sister to my first ever niece, the cutie pie Irdina Zafreen.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No immediate close friends/families but there were death in extended family. Al Fatihah for them.

5. What countries did you visit?
Singapore, UK, France, Italy, Cambodia and Spain (in those order).

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More courage and more patience.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

25 April 2010 - Old Trafford, Spurs vs United 

8 Dec 2010 - Barcelona Training Ground, Meeting Leo Messi

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's between winning the contest of a lifetime or getting my driving license. IMMMENSE.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failed my driving license on first test.Alhamdulillah got through it the second time.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The usual cold/fever. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Messi Special Edition Jersey and my first car.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My families and friends.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one.

14. Where did most your money go?
TRAVELLING.Money well spent :)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
SO many things. The excitement runs throughout the year :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I wanna be a billionaire. I felt like a billionaire with the blessing fortunes I had.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or saddest? sadder this time of the year.Wayy sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? So-so.
iii. richer or poorer? Alhamdulillah I hope richer. Amin.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Helping the less fortunate.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Relationship drama.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
N/A

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I fell in love way back in 2007.

23. How many one-night stands?
N/A

24. What was your favorite TV program?
How I met your mother. I'm a hopeless romantic like Ted but I admire Barney's awesomeness.Oh, and GLEE.I like to be happy :)

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word, so I don't hate anyone.

26. What was the best book you read?
Richard Branson Autobiography.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Bruno Mars.LOL.

28. What did you want and get?
My driving license. Thank u. 

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception.Brilliant.

31. What did you do on your birthday?
Shift Training and celebrated with Mr Memon.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For me to be less angry.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Corporate lass changed to Casual Everyday (with some random 'I think I'm stylish' style).LOL.

34. What kept you sane?
My families. And friends. And words of wisdom.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ryan Giggs.Alex Ferguson, Leo Messi, Tun Mahathir, Richard Branson and Oprah (I've met 4 of them).

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Anything involving violence. 

37. Who did you miss?
Mr Memon :(

38. Who were the best new people you met (in person)?
My old/new colleague.People I've met on my trips.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
That dreams are not impossible. 

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back.

The rain made me do this. I'm a rather mellow person. And I'm someone who holds on to memories a bit too much.

A woman worth.

I have started 2011 with….a fever!

Yes, I’m down with fever all week long. Until now I still have cough and flu. Yep, with a ‘bang’ I celebrated my New Year.

Not complaining as I am still alive. Alhamdulillah.

I don’t know why but when I think where I am right now, where I’m about to doubt my abilities to be someone great in career, and when I’m about to blame it on the toughness of ‘Men’s world’ I live in, something will knock some senses to my brain. In this case, Oprah did.

I have just watched an episode on US Women Army. They dealt with war. The whole shenanigans. And a lot of them were going through divorce and child custody battle. And worse, homeless. Oh my, how my ‘hardship’ seems like this tiny bit of nothingness. Those women went through hell on earth and they still kept their heads up high. Still had so much pride of what they did/are still doing for their country. Although they were left homeless after they became veteran.  

That was a slap in a face for me. Sure, I am working in a majority filled men industry, but at least nobody tried to rape or kills me in the process. It’s just the difference in environment and work culture. That’s all. I’m braving through this stage of life, still overwhelmed but intact. I love challenges, and I like to believe in the saying, “whatever that doesn’t kills you, will only make you stronger.”

Everyone wants an easy life, where money is overflowing and you’ll get things done your way. Some people are blessed with trust fund, some people with genius minds like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, they earned their money the creative way. For us working class citizens, we sail through life by being the best at what we do. But maybe being the best at what you love to do is the ideal life everyone is aiming for. So in the meantime, every time the ‘giving up’ feeling resurfaces, remember to stop doubting yourself, and be awesome instead.Awesomeness goes a long way!

P/S: To all the superwomen out there, you women rock! (Especially my mom.Hee).