I intended to post a lot of stuff in the past two months, but nothing was ever published because I never really took my time to sit down, think and pour my heart out to this page.
Then time went by and tada, I am back in O-town, ready (or so I thought) to take on my final year of studies, inshaAllah!
The time-traveling thing got to me when I thought that I would make it back to attend the first day of classes. However, I was absolutely wrong and totally missed all of them! I was super worried when I realised it that I almost cried when I found out. HEH. Nerd.
Anyway, I am back in my second home and I totally miss it a lot!
When I was in Kuching, I had a few moments when I wished I was back in Ottawa. I was still excited during my last week in Kuching because the thought of going back, made me so happy! Only on the last day that the reality kicked in and I found it to be hard to leave home, again.
Now, I am here, it's time to start being independent once more.
Nobody's waking me up for Subuh prayers, nobody's preparing my lunch and dinner, nobody's driving me around to anywhere and anytime, nobody's fetching me a glass of water whenever I'm too lazy (hehe). I'll miss them but I'll pull through, people. I will.
Cheers to my last (hopefully) ten months in Ottawa!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
What I've Been Reading 002
This is my second installment of this 'series' that I have on my blog. Sadly, the amount of books that I have read is still quite small as compared to what I have expected. However, this is progress and I shall cherish them! *pats self on the back*
1. Insurgent,Veronica Roth
I am afraid that if I start to sob, I will never stop until I shrivel up like a raisin.
We both have war inside of us. Sometimes it keeps us alive. Sometimes it threatens to destroys us.
People, I have discovered, are layers and layers of secrets. You believe you know them, that you understand them, but their motives are always hidden from you, buried in their own hearts. You will never know them, but sometimes you decide to trust them.
It was given that I would read this after Divergent. I found myself secretly nagging Tris because of her reckless decisions. Other than that, I personally think that the book has started to have too many intimate moments. I didn't think it was really necessary to show the love between Four and Tris.
2. Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
You can't take back texts. If you come off all moody and melancholy in text, it just sits there in your phone, reminding you of what a drag you are.
I love this book. It's so cute and quirky. I love the excerpts from Simon Snows' novels very much. I wished they existed so that I could read them too! Oh, I was in love with Levi.
3. Attachments, Rainbow Rowell
I'd rather you said 'I love you' because you were so full of love for me that you couldn't keep it in.
I shouldn't need proof, but proof can be very reassuring.
I told him that I didn't want magic, that I wanted someone who wouldn't leave me if he could. Who couldn't feel like being committed to me was such a burden.
I was on a Rainbow Rowell marathon so I chose to read this book. I love the email exchanges between Beth and Jennifer. They're really funny and I found myself guessing important events that had happened in their life as well!
4. The Guard, Kiera Cass
But I've seen a lot of people let the bad around them make them hard of stubborn. In the end, they miss the chance to make their world better because they only see the worst in it.
This is a book from Aspen's point of view. I would say that I like Maxon's point-of-view better than Aspen's. Maxon's point-of-view gave me a clearer situation of the plot. Aspen's on the other hand, I would say, the story fare well enough without his thoughts. Some things are better left unsaid.
5. The One, Kiera Cass
I don't mind mistakes...I mind the uncertainty. Most of the time I can't tell what's going on.
It's hard to know everything about people close to you, even the people you love the most.
The ending was obvious but I still enjoy the book. I would say the main point of this book was how Maxon overcame his own struggle with choosing the girls and his conflict with the king.
Book covers taken from Goodreads.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Summer Trip Travelog - Day 2: London, Tube Strike Problem
What better way to kick-start our day than with a plate of hot nasi lemak?
Our first breakfast in London was very Malaysian and we had nothing to complain about that. Malaysian Canteen was full with such familiar environment that for a moment, we felt like we were actually home - ordering food in Malay, uncles having breakfast before office work, roti canai and nasi lemak on the menu.
According to our plan, we were supposed to get a London Pass at Paddington station.
As a tube strike was in progress, we had the option to walk or to use the public bus. In front of the bus stop, there was a tourist shop - we bought a London City map there for our own convenience. After locating the station, I suggested that we walk to the station because it's close by, around 15 minutes walk.
Please be warned that I am a big fan of sightseeing on foot. I have nothing against using public transports but I prefer walking because I want to see more of the city and not the underground. I also would like to avoid as much contact with human beings as sometimes, these public transports are crowded and thus, not very comfortable or safe - pickpockets.
Upon our arrival at the Paddington station, we found out that the booth that was selling the pass was closed due to the strike as well. The person at the information center had no clue either and was unable to help us out. In the end, we were directed to the wrong people, wrong stations, wrong directions and to no avail.
We decided that we were wasting too much time and chose to forgo the London Pass and proceeded to our next destination, The Kensington Palace.
Our first breakfast in London was very Malaysian and we had nothing to complain about that. Malaysian Canteen was full with such familiar environment that for a moment, we felt like we were actually home - ordering food in Malay, uncles having breakfast before office work, roti canai and nasi lemak on the menu.
According to our plan, we were supposed to get a London Pass at Paddington station.
As a tube strike was in progress, we had the option to walk or to use the public bus. In front of the bus stop, there was a tourist shop - we bought a London City map there for our own convenience. After locating the station, I suggested that we walk to the station because it's close by, around 15 minutes walk.
Please be warned that I am a big fan of sightseeing on foot. I have nothing against using public transports but I prefer walking because I want to see more of the city and not the underground. I also would like to avoid as much contact with human beings as sometimes, these public transports are crowded and thus, not very comfortable or safe - pickpockets.
Upon our arrival at the Paddington station, we found out that the booth that was selling the pass was closed due to the strike as well. The person at the information center had no clue either and was unable to help us out. In the end, we were directed to the wrong people, wrong stations, wrong directions and to no avail.
We decided that we were wasting too much time and chose to forgo the London Pass and proceeded to our next destination, The Kensington Palace.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Perspective
Before this summer, it has been a while since I last attended a wedding reception. The most recent one would be around four years ago, perhaps. In fact, that's not quite recent enough...
Being able to attend four wedding receptions this time around, I would say that my perspective on such event has changed a lot. The way I see things now and then are worlds apart and I just couldn't help but to notice it myself.
I found myself paying attention to details like the dais, the food, the emcee, the seating arrangements, the outfits, the door gifts, and the event itinerary too! It's like I am mentally taking notes for my own wedding - which would not happen anytime soon - subconsciously. My mom and I even discussed things about MY wedding, which is odd!!
The fact that the topic came up naturally sort of freaked me out.
Perhaps, it's the 'coming-of-age' phenomenon that's affecting my mind. It's realizing that now, I am attending weddings of people who are actually of my age, slightly older or younger even.
This is me, taking in the fact that I am no longer a child, and in actuality, old enough.
Old enough that I should probably act my age more, however that is.
Being able to attend four wedding receptions this time around, I would say that my perspective on such event has changed a lot. The way I see things now and then are worlds apart and I just couldn't help but to notice it myself.
I found myself paying attention to details like the dais, the food, the emcee, the seating arrangements, the outfits, the door gifts, and the event itinerary too! It's like I am mentally taking notes for my own wedding - which would not happen anytime soon - subconsciously. My mom and I even discussed things about MY wedding, which is odd!!
The fact that the topic came up naturally sort of freaked me out.
Perhaps, it's the 'coming-of-age' phenomenon that's affecting my mind. It's realizing that now, I am attending weddings of people who are actually of my age, slightly older or younger even.
This is me, taking in the fact that I am no longer a child, and in actuality, old enough.
Old enough that I should probably act my age more, however that is.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Summer Trip Travelog : Day 1 - London, Part II
As a student, money would always be an issue when traveling. Other than that, familiarity is a comfort when in a foreign land. Combining both aspects, we have chosen Malaysian Hall for our accommodation during our stay in London for the first few days. It's relatively affordable with rates as low as £10.80 per night with £10 as a deposit. It's also located at the centre of London, with an abundance of Halal restaurants nearby.
Finding the place was not a difficult task. When we arrived at the Bayswater station, we have already Googled the directions beforehand. A map was also provided outside the station which we have used to double check our location. We got some help from a man working at London Tourist Information Centre to show us our way as it was a relatively common destination for fellow Malaysians.
It was quite a sight to see Malaysians all over the place in a foreign land for me. Ottawa was deemed as the Kampung Melayu in Canada but never have I seen as many Malaysians as London had.
When we arrived at the door of the Malaysian Hall, a Malaysian man greeted us and offered to help us with our luggage. As we entered the building, we told the woman at the counter that we wanted to check in and then we were given some forms to be filled in before we were given the keys to our room. We also took that opportunity to ask whether our friends have arrived but according to her, we were the first ones to check in.
My housemate and I then went up to our rooms and tried to reach our friends once again after we got an internet connection. It turned out that our friends were at the airport still and decided to wait out for another friend before making a move to our accommodation. While waiting for them to arrive, we got ourselves some rest as we were super exhausted after the long-haul flight.
At around 8 p.m., my housemate and I went down to the Malaysian Canteen to have dinner. I myself had a nasi campur with one lauk which costed me £3! Free cordial drinks were provided and of course, I opted for that. Hehehe.
After dinner, we then walked around Bayswater as there were a lot of souvenir shops in that area. By the promotions, one could tell that Malaysians are their regular customers as everywhere, things like 'sepuluh, lima belas', 'murah, murah', 'discount baik punya' were being shouted by the salesman! It was an interesting marketing strategy somehow.
At 9 p.m., we met up with the rest of our friends at the Bayswater station. We were glad that we found each other and brought them to buy dinner at an Arab restaurant across the street.
Before we went to sleep that night, my housemate and I visited our friends in their room across the hall - despite the no visiting rule - to discuss our plans for the next day. We whipped out our gadgets to look up must-visit attractions and planned our directions to ease our journey. We were quite unlucky as the tube workers were on strike for the next two days...
However, we managed to plan the best way to get to our destinations - with much difficulty. We wrote down our choices and took screenshots of Google maps for us to use and there, we were set to take on London!
Finding the place was not a difficult task. When we arrived at the Bayswater station, we have already Googled the directions beforehand. A map was also provided outside the station which we have used to double check our location. We got some help from a man working at London Tourist Information Centre to show us our way as it was a relatively common destination for fellow Malaysians.
It was quite a sight to see Malaysians all over the place in a foreign land for me. Ottawa was deemed as the Kampung Melayu in Canada but never have I seen as many Malaysians as London had.
When we arrived at the door of the Malaysian Hall, a Malaysian man greeted us and offered to help us with our luggage. As we entered the building, we told the woman at the counter that we wanted to check in and then we were given some forms to be filled in before we were given the keys to our room. We also took that opportunity to ask whether our friends have arrived but according to her, we were the first ones to check in.
My housemate and I then went up to our rooms and tried to reach our friends once again after we got an internet connection. It turned out that our friends were at the airport still and decided to wait out for another friend before making a move to our accommodation. While waiting for them to arrive, we got ourselves some rest as we were super exhausted after the long-haul flight.
At around 8 p.m., my housemate and I went down to the Malaysian Canteen to have dinner. I myself had a nasi campur with one lauk which costed me £3! Free cordial drinks were provided and of course, I opted for that. Hehehe.
After dinner, we then walked around Bayswater as there were a lot of souvenir shops in that area. By the promotions, one could tell that Malaysians are their regular customers as everywhere, things like 'sepuluh, lima belas', 'murah, murah', 'discount baik punya' were being shouted by the salesman! It was an interesting marketing strategy somehow.
At 9 p.m., we met up with the rest of our friends at the Bayswater station. We were glad that we found each other and brought them to buy dinner at an Arab restaurant across the street.
Before we went to sleep that night, my housemate and I visited our friends in their room across the hall - despite the no visiting rule - to discuss our plans for the next day. We whipped out our gadgets to look up must-visit attractions and planned our directions to ease our journey. We were quite unlucky as the tube workers were on strike for the next two days...
However, we managed to plan the best way to get to our destinations - with much difficulty. We wrote down our choices and took screenshots of Google maps for us to use and there, we were set to take on London!
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